newsletter winter edition 2015 final

The Point2015

Winter Edition

In This Issue:

Pastor’s Corner

Upcoming Events

Past Events

Ministry Spotlight

Fun Stuff

Member Contributions

Requests

Pastor’s Corner“Cookie Cutter People”

By Pastor Gerald “Jerry” Coleman

CenterPoint Church of God I 5023 Davis Ford Road, Woodbridge, Virginia 22192

I saw a graphic recently that pictured a sheet of cookies allapparently cut from the same cookie cutter mold. The interestingthing was, though they all had the same shape, the sameingredients, the same texture, the same time in the oven and eventhe same smell. Their individual uniqueness took place after theywere baked. They took on different characteristics as the bakergave each one individual attention after they were made. Each ofthem had the same potential but it was the things that happened tothem after the baking that began to distinguish one from the other.

There is a similarity in our lives. We each came into theworld with the same substance, and each with the potential to beany kind of individual. It really depends on how much time wespend with the maker that determines our quality, our beauty andour value. Not a value as the world defines, but a true value asdetermined by how much we give of ourselves. Our purpose here isto serve God by serving others. You know of people who are just ajoy to be around. They are encouraging, uplifting, and a spiritualbeacon.

Jesus spent a great deal of time in prayer. He came into thisworld in the traditional cookie cutter form of a man. He had nointention of continuing that way (Luke 2:49 And he said unto them,How is it that ye sought me? Wist ye not that I must be about myFather's business?). He presented himself in prayer to the Fatherand was ministered to or enhance by the word, by the angels, andby the spirit. The people from his home area kept trying to put himback into the cookie cutter mold (“he’s just a carpenter’s son, he hasbrothers and sisters like everyone else, he has a mother”). Matt13:54 tells us “when he was come into his own country, he taughtthem in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, andsaid, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?”

Ps 17:15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: Ishall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness. KJV

The Point Winter Edition

Upcoming Events


EVENT/LOCATION

YoungAdultMovieNightTheMorrisHome

Pots,Pans&ProphesyLocation‐ TBD

YoungAdultBowlingFt.BelvoirBowlingCenter

YoungAdultGameNightLocation‐ TBD

Sight&SoundPlay“Moses“Lancaster,PA

Couponing101FellowshipHall

CONTACT

DavidMorris

MarthaColeman

DavidMorris

DavidMorris

MarthaColeman

MaryBrooksAntonBrooks

DATE/TIME

January2nd7:00pm–until

January27thTBD

March14th2:00pm–until

February21st3:00pm‐until

TBD

March21st10:00am‐12:00pm

DESCRIPTION

Calling all young adults!! Wewill be gathering together tofellowship and watch amovie. The Morris familywill provide their home asthe venue…you provide themovie suggestions!

For more info, please seeSister Martha Coleman.

Strike!!! At least that’s whatwe hope to hear lots of. Willthe reigning champion holdhis title or will you be thenext bowling victor??! Jointhe young adults as we knocksome pins down.

Put on your game hat andlet’s have a little friendlycompetition!

For more info, please seeSister Martha Coleman.

Let’s admit it! Money can betight in these financiallychallenging times. However,God has given us the abilityto be good stewards of ourresources, regardless of oursituation. Join us to find outhow you can makecouponing stretch yourdollar as far as it will go!This introductory lesson willteach you how to get startedas a smart coupon shopper.

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Winter EditionThe Point

Ongoing Events

EVENT

SundaySchool

SundayService

Men’sBreakfast

CouncilMeeting

FamilyLifeAdults(40+)YoungAdults(Under40)Teens(9th—12thGrade)Nursery(Infant– 2years)Rainbows(BoysandGirls3– 5years)RoyalRangers(BoysK– 8th Grade)BlueBelles(GirlsK‐ 3rd Grade)JoyBelles(Girls4th – 6th Grade)

PraiseTeamRehearsal

Parent’sNightOut

TeenGathering

DAY

EverySunday

EverySunday

Every2monthsonthe2nd Saturday

Everymonthonthe3rd Sunday

EveryWednesday

EverySundayEveryWednesday

February6th &March6th

1st Sundayofthemonth

TIME

10:00am– 10:45am

11:00am

8:00am– 11:00am

1:00pm

7:00pm– 8:00pm

8:45am– 9:45amSeeBro.AntonBrooks

SeeSis.AngelNgando

SeeSis.LoriForshee


Past Events

I want to thank you all for your help in making this [Christmas]luncheon a success. Everything was delicious. I thank each and everyone of you for what you brought. A special thanks to the Simmons for alltheir help with both set up & cleanup. Thank you Angel, Antoinette,Sommer, Lois and my great little helper Angelina. You all are wonderful.Matt, thanks for vacuuming and thanks to everyone else whohelped. Thank you CenterPoint family you all are wonderful!! Love youall and thank God for you. May God bless you and your familyabundantly.

‐Sister Rachel Morris

ChristmasLuncheon‐ ThankYou!

“RememberingThanksgiving”

YoungAdultPotluck

ALightfromtheManger– ChristmasPlay

Children’sChristmasParty

Children’sFallFestival

Thankyoutoallwhoparticipatedinthisyear’sChristmasplay.

‐SisterMarthaColeman


Past Events

NewYear’sEveJointService


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Ministry Spotlight


I was reading an article inChristianity Today titled, “The ReasonsYoung Adults Drop Out of Church:Young Adults Drop Out of ChurchBecause Their Faith Isn't Their Own”,by Ed Stetzer. The article focused onthe precept that those young adultsthat have not established their ownfaith and relationship with Christ aremore likely to drop out of church.Unfortunately, some never reallyconnected with the church andunderstood how it could impact theirlives and spiritual growth. Some youngadults do not agree with the church’sstance on political and social issues.Some were going to church just toplease others, such as family membersand peers.

Whatever the reason someyoung adults stopped going to churchafter high school; CenterPoint YoungAdult Ministry wants to provide a safeplace for their return and growth inspiritual understanding. Romans 10:17tells us faith comes by hearing, andhearing by the word of God. Ourministry offers the opportunity and

environment for young adults toexperience an authentic relationshipwith Christ. Our goal is to develop Spiritfilled, equipped and inspired young adultsthat are Kingdom minded in all areas oftheir lives. Why do we care? Simplybecause it’s what Jesus would do.

- Pastor David Morris

http://www.christianitytoday.com/edstetzer/2014/december/real‐reasons‐young‐adults‐drop‐out‐of‐

church.html?paging=off



Fun StuffIngredients½ deli rotisserie chicken, diced finely¼ C blue cheese crumbles¼ C mozzarella cheese shreds 1 onion, diced finely1 T olive oil1 small can green chilies, drained¼ C buffalo wing sauce2 boxes ready‐made pie crust1 egg, whiskedBlue cheese dressing,

celery (if desired)

InstructionsPlace the olive oil and onion in a sauté pan over medium heat. Cook until onions are clear, about 5‐6 minutes.Place the onions and the remainder of the ingredients, minus the pie crusts, in a bowl and mix well.Roll out the pie crust on a flat surface. Using a 3 inch round cookie or biscuit cutter, cut out rounds. Roll out the leftover dough and cut again.Place about ¾ of a teaspoon of filling in the middle of each round. Fold the pie crust over the filling and match edges, pressing firmly with a fork to seal.Arrange the empanadas on an ungreased baking sheet. Brush the whisked egg over each empanada.Bake in a 375°F oven for 15‐18 minutes, until crust is golden brown.Serve with blue cheese dressing and celery, if desired.

Game Day Chicken Empanadas

http://modernchristianhomemaker.com/game‐day‐buffalo‐chicken‐empanadas/

Birthdays & AnniversariesJudith Sauls 01/12Lois Vaughan 01/18William Simmons 01/21Samantha Wilks 01/27Jerome Ngando 01/31Andrew Hoston 02/02Lishawnta Williams 02/07Sommer Gambatese 02/12Austin Vaughn 02/13Hasan Nibblins 02/17Laci Wilks 02/24Caleb Jones 02/25Kaleeah Gordon 03/05Isabel Ameh 03/06Keyshla Gonzalez 03/13Robb Lansdown 03/15Sumayya Nibblins 03/16Vayda Sorel 03/19Martha Coleman 03/20Christian Otoo 03/26

Carlos & Brittany Williams 01/01Daniel & Deborah Rich 01/04John & Andrea Casey‐Otoo 01/08Matthew & Beylinda Golding 02/15Anton & Mary Brooks 03/03Walter & Medjine Nibblins 03/23Todd & Deana Shaffer 03/28



Member Contributions

Over the years I havewondered about the concept ofseparation of church and state(government), how the InternalRevenue Service could allow adeduction on your individual incometax return for your tithes. Afteragreeing to write an article for thenewsletter two scriptures kept comingto mind. “Each one must give as he hasdecided in his heart, not reluctantly orunder compulsion, for God loves acheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7) Andthe other was when the Phariseesattempted to trick Jesus, he asked Jesusabout paying taxes to Caesar. And Jesusreplied “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s,and to God what is God’s.” (Matthew22:21)

What a blessing this is whenwe can claim our gifts to God as adeduction on our personal tax returns.I know and have heard the argumentsover the years that you should not takethe church contribution when itemizingyour federal income tax deduction. Asit can be considered self serving orimplied one is seeking gain in thefuture from God. When we give ourtithes it is a form of worship, with awillingness to give to God. So how youprepare your personal taxes is your

choice. By paying our taxes we arerightfully giving Caesar what is his. Weas taxpayers are only required to givethe government a statutory percentageof our income less any allowabledeductions. Therefore by not utilizingthe allowable deductions under the lawcould say you are paying more in taxesthan the law requires.

As we write our checks toCenterPoint, it should NEVER bebecause it is a “great tax deduction”.But rather an opportunity to loweryour taxable income, that couldpotential give you more disposableincome to do God’s work.

Taxes&TithesBy:AngelNgando



Requests

Contact Us5023 Davis Ford

RoadWoodbridge, VA

22192(703) 590-5048

[email protected]

PrayerRequestsIf you are in need of prayer, please let the pastor know. Your request will be sharedwith and prayed for by our. “Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree onearth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of myFather which is in heaven.“ ‐Matthew 18:19

ChurchCleanupHelpCenterPoint Church’s cleaning volunteers are few in numbers and we need yourhelp! We work to keep our facilities in top, presentable shape; this enables ourchurch to make a good impression when hosting activities that CenterPoint Churchis engaged in week‐to‐week. Working as a cleaning volunteer is one of the easiestways to get more involved with the church. Helping out requires no specializedskills and takes very little time per week. This helps to make for a viable serviceoption for people with even the busiest schedules. Please help us by joining ourcleaning team. It is a wonderful opportunity to serve the Lord! For moreinformation, or to volunteer to help, please contact the church [email protected].

Moving?ChangeinInformation?Haveyourecentlymovedtoanewhome,changedmaritalstatus,addedtoyourfamily,orhadanyothernewsworthychange?AreyounewtoCenterPointandwouldliketobeplacedonourmailing/callinglist?Pleaseletusknow!Wewouldlovetohearfromyou!PleasecontactMaryBrooksatmbrooks1850@aol.com.

newsletter winter edition 2015 final

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