Non-Profit Organization

U.S. Postage Paid Youngstown, OH

Permit 144

Volume 27, Issue 44 Published Weekly October 30, 2018

o n n e x t i o n s

Change Service Requested

Four Mile Run Christian Church 701 N. Four Mile Run Rd. Youngstown OH 44515

Office Phone ------------------ 330-799-7831 Fax ------------------------------------ 330-799-1929 E-Mail ------------------ info@fourmileruncc.com Web --------------------- www.fourmileruncc.com Office Hours: 9:00 am – 2:00 pm, Mon-Fri

CONNECT TO CHRIST Sunday Services: Traditional Worship 8:00 am Connection Time 9:00 am Sunday School 9:30 am Contemporary Worship, Pre-School and Junior Worship 10:30 am

NOVEMBER MESSAGES: UNCOMFORTABLE

American culture is a culture of comfort. It’s being sold to us everywhere we look.

We’re encouraged to do what we want, when we want, with whomever we want. If something is uncomfortable, we want to avoid it at all costs.

The Christian faith, though, is just that: uncomfortable.

Spiritual Growth and the Baader-Meinhof Phenomenon

By Daniel Im

Have you ever noticed what you notice?

For example, if you’re thinking about buying a Volkswagen Golf or a Mazda 3, have you ever noticed that you begin noticing those cars everywhere you go? All of a sudden, your neighbor has one, the streets are filled with them, and every commercial seems to be about them.

Or, when you encounter an obscure piece of information or a particular phrase, have you ever noticed that you begin noticing that phrase over and over again?

THIS IS THE BAADER-MEINHOF PHENOMENON, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE RECENCY ILLUSION OR THE FREQUENCY ILLUSION.

Here’s a quick summary of the phenomenon:

In point of fact, coincidences themselves are usually just an artifact of perception. We humans tend to underestimate the probability of coinciding events, so our expectations are at odds with reality. And non-coincidental events do not grab our attention with anywhere near the same intensity, because coincidences are patterns, and the brain actually stimulates us for successfully detecting patterns,

hence their inflated value. In short, patterns are habit-forming.

But when we hear a word or name which we just learned the previous day, it often feels like more than a mere coincidence. This is because Baader-Meinhof is amplified by the recency effect, a cognitive bias that inflates the importance of recent stimuli or observations. This increases the chances of being more aware of the subject when we encounter it again in the near future.

What does this have to do with spiritual growth?

When it comes to your children, have you ever noticed that you don’t notice when they grow? Especially if you’re with them on a daily basis? Sure, when you see a child that you haven’t seen in a year or two, you definitely notice how much they’ve changed and grown, but not if you’re with them daily.

Here’s the fascinating thing…

WHILE YOU MAY NOT NOTICE THE DAILY GROWTH OF YOUR CHILDREN, YOU DEFINITELY NOTICE WHEN THEY’RE SICK.

After all, what happens when we’re sick? Our fuse is shorter, our ability to make decisions is hampered, our energy is lower, our focus turns inward because we become more self-centered, and the list goes on and on.

The same is true for your spiritual growth.

You may not notice when you’re growing, but it’s definitely noticeable (to others, and hopefully to yourself as well) when you’re not. When you’re digging deep into God’s word, the Lord will shape, mature and transform you. The changes aren’t necessarily immediately noticeable, but they’re happening through the power of the Holy Spirit. After all, as it says in 1 Corinthians 3, what we’re responsible for is not the growth, but the sowing and the watering of seeds. It’s “God who gives the growth” (1 Cor 3:7).

On the flip side, if you’re not meeting the Lord daily through the Word and

through prayer, and if you’re not in healthy biblical community with other believers, you will stop growing spiritually.

YOU WILL THEN BEGIN NOTICING THE SYMPTOMS OF PHYSICAL SICKNESS IN YOUR SPIRITUAL LIFE.

Your fuse will be shorter, your ability to make decisions will be hampered, your energy will be lower, your focus will turn inward because you will be more self-centered, and the list goes on and on.

What do you think would happen in our lives and in the lives of those we’re discipling and leading if we stopped treating the symptoms and instead addressed the root issue?

Let’s stop waiting until we’re sick to make a change; and instead, prioritize the daily disciplines (both physically and spiritually) to keep ourselves healthy.

Connecting to Christ,

Mike

UPCOMING EVENTS Sunday, Nov. 4: Daylight Savings Time Ends

• 11:45 am Brunch fundraiser

• 6:00 pm Board Meeting Monday, Nov. 5: 8:00 pm Alcoholics Anonymous Tuesday, Nov. 6: Election Day Sunday, Nov. 11: Veteran’s Day Thursday, Nov. 15: 7:00 pm Prayer Night Thursday, Nov. 22: Thanksgiving Day Friday, Nov. 23: Salvation Army Bell Ringing

Last Sunday we held elections for church leadership. In an oversight we forgot to pass out the ballots after our 1st

service. This coming Sunday we will have ballots ready for

1st service. We are sorry for the oversight.

CONNECT TO OTHERS 2018 MODEL TRAIN OPEN HOUSE: presented by the Youngstown Model Railroad Association at 751 N. Four Mile Run Rd. The open house will be Nov. 3 & 4, Nov. 10 & 11 and Dec. 1 & 2; open 12:00-6:00 pm all 6 days. The cost is a $5 donation per person; children age 11 and under are free with an adult. Refreshments are available. Check out the club website at: www.YMRA.org

CONNECT TO COMMUNITY TALENT DOLLAR BRUNCH FUNDRAISER: Join us in the Fellowship Hall this Sunday, Nov. 4. following the 10:30 am worship Service. The ladies donate and prepare a wonderful brunch to raise funds for Elkhorn Valley Camp maintenance. Please consider donating what you would normally spend for brunch at a local restaurant. All proceeds go to the camp.

This week’s menu: pancakes, sausage links, chili & toppings, corn bread, elbow macaroni, hot dogs & fixings, nachos & cheese, waldorf salad, fluff, juice, milk, coffee, and tea.

THIRD THURSDAY PRAYER NIGHT: Join us Thursday, Nov. 15 at 7:00 pm in the conference room in the Upper Building to pray for our church, community and country. We also get together every Sunday morning from 9:15 -9:25 am in the Upper Building auditorium. Everyone is welcome!

CONNECT TO SERVING OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD: The Adult Bible Fellowship (ABF) class is collecting shoeboxes of gifts to be given to needy children around the world through Samaritan’s Purse. All information about what the box is for, where it goes and what to pack in the box can be found at https://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/ They are asking especially for small toys, school supplies and hair items this year.

The ABF class is also accepting donations of money or items without a box if you are able to do that. Please leave your donations in the ABF room or give them to a class member by Sunday, Nov. 18. Contact Sherri Yuhas with any questions.

SALVATION ARMY BELL RINGING: We will be ringing the bell at the Austintown Walmart the day after Thanksgiving, Friday, Nov. 23. This is a great outreach opportunity for our church as well as a chance to serve others in the community. Volunteers are needed for one hour shifts from 2:00-8:00 pm. You can do this with friends, family, groups, Sunday School class, etc. The sign up sheet is on the Welcome Center or you may call or email the office to sign up.

ONLINE GIVING: We offer online giving to make the process a little easier for you. While there are several ways to give electronically, including automatic with-drawal from checking and savings accounts, debit cards and credit cards, we strongly discourage the use of credit cards. Thank you for your faithfulness; may God bless you. www.fourmileruncc.com

Connect to Serving ~ November 4, 2018

Connection Time: Garris family 8:00 am Greeters: Don & Marge Ewing 10:30 am Greeters: Cindy Vestal, Sherri Yuhas Communion & Visitation: Pete Fabian, Dan Bitner, Kurt Blackburn, Matt Fabian, Carl Hensley, Glen Johnson, Matt Johnson, Tom Kelley, Josh Spalding Ushers: Bob Schaeffer, Vince Silvestri

Nursery: SS – Chris Spalding

Worship – Jenna Silvestri

Youth Worship:

Pre & K– Sarah Easton

Grades 1-5 - Kim Cameron

Tech Team: Computer: 8:00 am - Debra Fabian

10:30 am - Carey Silvestri

Sound: Cooper Smith

Lock up: Rob Bodnar, Ted Cox

Church Staff

Mike Smith Senior Minister

Brian Morrissey Associate Minister

Carey Silvestri Office Manager

Joann Gurd Custodian

Attendance Oct. 28, 2018

Sunday School Attendance .................... 82

Worship

8:00 AM ........................ 31 10:30 AM ...................... 87 Nursery ........................... 4 Pre-School Worship ....... 5 Junior Worship .............. 12 Total .......................... 139

PRAYER REQUESTS Jim Jenkins, Ron Shasteen, Bill Ashman, Ken Bailey, Bob Beckett, Carl Beckett, George Beil, Alexis Bezilla, Joseph Billey, Karen Billey, Mary Case, Barb Caspary, Priscilla Cole, Kelly Connor, Bobby Czopur, Ceil Czopur, Hazel Donelson, Charles Eckley, Kay Eckrote, Debbie F., Pete Fabian Sr., Steve Fabian, Barbara Frederick, Craig Freudenrich, Donna Glover, Laura Haines, Tim Hanick, Leona Hasen, Diane Heckrow, Bob Hillman, Jill Hoover, Butch Hopkinson, Karen Ita, Tom Kelley, Art King, Michael Kline, Cyndi Loar, Ashley Loutzenhiser, Margie Ludt, Jim Maher, Annette Mahood, Nelson Malone, Henry Marshall, Gabriel Mathews, Mo McGuffin, Terry Metsals, Diane Miller, Tina Miller, Charles Monk, Sharyn Moore, Zoe Morales, Joyce Moser, Ron Moser, Ron Nicholson, Kristen Osiniak, Amy Parkinson, Tommy Peachock, Shirley Pospishil, Jim Raymond, Tom Riebe, Angela Schaper, Christine Schultz, Drew Schultz, Ethel Sheesley, Danny Shoemaker, Linda Shoemaker, Cara Smeltzer, Gwen Smith, Danny Stanley, Mary Stefanik, Janice Summers, Cindy Sweeney, Bill Taylor, Ella Taylor, Mr. & Mrs. Dominic Thomas, Zac Underhill, Shirley Vestal, Ron Volpe, Michael Weir, Helen Williot, Judy Yohman, Cherly, Amanda, Sylvia, DeeDee, Linda, Val, Kathy, Alice, Karen, Harper, Judy, Tony Retirement Home Residents: Inn at Christine Valley: Hope Fairbanks - room 215 Personal Touch Retirement Home: George Olinger Military: Austin Beckett, Daniel Beckett, Dustin Beckett, Travis Beckett, Jordan Cranor, Jason Donelson, Mike Eaglen, Heather Kirk, Jordan Mack, Michael Moy, Kodey Paden, Mark Porter, Michael Scott, Jeffrey Shaffer, Ronnie Shaffer, Stefan Yuhas **Please update the office by calling, emailing or filling out a Connextion Card if someone can be removed from the prayer list.

We extend our condolences to Buzz & Lynn Vestal and family on the recent passing of Lynn’s brother David Beil. Services were held earlier this week. Please keep the family and friends of Mr. Beil in your prayers during this difficult time.

HOLIDAY HOSPITALITY Beth Lewis, CEO of 1517 Media, blogged about a favorite holiday tradition: inviting over people who’d otherwise be alone. Her grandchildren prepared hand-made place cards, wrapped small gifts for the guests and helped cook the meal.

Then one year, Thanksgiving happened to coincide with a cross-country move for Grandma and Grandpa. Chaos and stress almost buried the tradition — until Lewis’s 9-year-old granddaughter asked nonchalantly, “Who’s joining us for dinner this year?”

Lewis writes: “In the busyness of moving, it hadn’t even occurred to me. But, for her, it is simply what our family does!” So they extended some invitations, ate on paper plates among moving boxes and had a joyous time. Lewis was proud of her granddaughter for the reminder that hospitality is a value worth practicing and modeling — and even turning into a holiday tradition! —copied

“Vegetables are a must on a diet. I suggest carrot cake, zucchini bread and pumpkin pie.” —Jim Davis