Non-Profit Organization

U.S. Postage Paid Youngstown, OH

Permit 144

Volume 29, Issue 5 Published Weekly February 4, 2020

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 8:30 am Connection Time 9:00 am Sunday School 9:30 am Contemporary Worship, Pre-School and Junior Worship 10:30 am Pre-School & Junior Worship

Is It Okay to Give My Time Instead of My Money?

By Chris Brown

Let’s set the scene: You attend church, read your Bible and try your best to follow Jesus—you even tithe regularly. But money’s been tight. Either you’re throwing every dime you’re earning at your debt, or you’re in the middle of a difficult work season and not bringing in as much cash as you need to be.

So you start to wonder if the tithe—giving 10 percent of your monthly income to your local church—is really necessary. You don’t have a ton of money, but you do have some time you could give! Would it be OK to replace the tithe with service to your church instead?

It’s a great question. But it’s actually the wrong question to be asking.

The Question Behind the Question

The right question is: Can you give your time in addition to your tithe? Yes, and you should! Giving your time is a great way to honor God and show love to others. But you can’t give your time instead of giving your tithe.

See, the Bible offers no alternatives to giving a tithe, so that means our time isn’t a good substitute. What the Bible does encourage is doing both—especially if you don’t have the cash to give above and beyond the tithe.

Tithing is really a baseline for giving each month. The Bible actually encourages us to give generously far beyond the tithe.

But that’s not possible for a lot of people when they’re digging out of debt or going through a rough financial season. In those cases (and anytime, really—there’s never a bad time to serve), giving of your time is the perfect solution! But at the end of the day, serving doesn’t replace the tithe.

Tithing is a way to give your heart over to God because you’re reminding yourself your security lies in Christ alone.

Two Different Forms of Worship

Tithing is a form of worship because it shows God you trust Him—not money—to provide. Matthew 6:24 (ESV) reminds us we can’t worship God and money at the same time: “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

On the other hand, when you serve, you worship God by stewarding your time and your talents for Him. And Matthew 25:40 tells us whatever we do to serve others in need, we do for Him. Serving is an awesome form of generosity!

So yes, He wants you to worship Him as you serve and give of your time. But He also wants you to put your faith in Him instead of money—especially since He gives 100 percent of His money to us while asking us to give just 10 percent of His money back to Him.

Now, tithing isn’t a salvation issue, and God isn’t going to condemn you if you don’t. But tithing is for your benefit. God doesn’t need your money, but He does want your heart.

And tithing is a way to give your heart over to God because you’re reminding yourself your security lies in Christ alone. You can’t do that if you stop tithing.

What to Do if Tithing Feels Tough

So what do you do if money is tight and you’re tempted to stop tithing? Look for ways to increase your income or decrease your expenses so giving doesn’t feel as difficult. Maybe that means downsizing or cutting an expense that’s more of a luxury than a necessity. Whatever you do, though, just keep tithing. Remember: When managing your money, always give first, save second and spend third.

Giving your money will help you learn to trust that living this life with 90 percent of your money God’s way is greater than living with 100 percent your way. His way is always better! And Luke 16:10 (NIV) tells us He honors that choice: “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.”

God wants us to have a chance to experience that truth firsthand—and to give Him the opportunity to show off in our lives because we’ve honored Him. He wants us to grow in relationship with Him more than we ever thought possible. That can all happen through tithing!

Making The Connection,

Mike

CONNECT TO COMMUNITY

OPEN GYM: Do you have a passion for exercise, sports, or maybe looking for a new community to just hangout and have fun? Join us every other Monday for our Open Gyms from 6:30-8:30 pm. February 10 we will be playing Basketball. If you are interested or need more information let Cameron know! CHRIST IN YOUTH: We’ll be going to the CIY Move conference at Milligan College in Elizabethton, Tennessee June 21-26. This event is open to all of our High School Students (including those who will be freshmen in the fall as well as those who graduate this spring). CIY Move is an action packed week of fun and adventure. More importantly, it’s a time that our students will most certainly encounter God in a life changing way. So that we can guarantee our spot for the week, we are requiring that each student pay $50 deposit by April 26. This is so we can register our group and work out transportation (the church will pay for the rest of the trip). Checks can be made out to FMRCC and given to Cameron Smith or Rachael Ray. You can also check out what Move is all about at www.ciy/move.com. NERF N’ NUGGETS: Monday, February 17, Grab your nerf guns, grab a friend and grab some nugs. Come out on your day off from 3:00 pm -5:30 pm for Nerf N' Nuggets. We will play a variety of Nerf games and eat a variety of chicken nuggets. Contact Cameron Smith with questions.

CONNECT TO CHRIST HUBBARD COMMUNITY GROUP: Weekly meetings are being held on Monday nights at 7:00 pm at the Vestals’ home. (3860 Liberty Ave SE, Hubbard) Please contact Shirley Vestal if you have any questions.

WOMEN’S COMMUNITY GROUP: Meet with other women for fellowship and discussion on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month. The next meeting is 6:30pm, February 13th at 7105 N Palmyra Rd, Canfield, OH. Contact Stacee Mills for more info 330-533-1123.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Sunday, February 9: 11:45 am Children’s Ministry Meeting Monday, February 10: 6:30 pm Open Gym Sunday, February 16: 11:45 am Family Ministry Meeting Monday, February 17: 5:00 pm Nerf N’ Nuggets Thursday, February 20: 7:00 pm Prayer Night Saturday, February 22: 9:00 am Preach It

CHILREN’S MINISTRY MEETING: The Children’s Ministry Team will be meeting Sunday, February 9th at 11:45 am in the Café. Contact Mike Smith with questions. YOUNG ADULT COMMUNITY GROUP: Join our Young Adult Community Group on Sunday Nights, every other week. Anyone who has graduated from High School and still considers themselves a Young Adult is welcome to jump into the group with us! See Brian or Cara Morrissey if you would like to grow with us! Make plans to join us in the lower building’s new fellowship room from 6:30pm – 8:00pm on February 9,2020. THIRD THURSDAY PRAYER NIGHT: Join us Thursday, February 20 at 7:00 pm in the conference room in the Upper Building to pray for our church, community and country. Everyone is welcome! 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 withdrawal 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.

How to sign up for online giving: 1 - go to our website www.fourmileruncc.com 2 - click on the menu (3 bars in upper right corner) 3 – click on the tab “Give” 4 – click on “My Online Giving” to set up your online giving account or to give without an account

CONNECT TO OTHERS

PREACH IT: Join us Saturday, February 22 from 9:00 am—12:00 pm for a free workshop on preaching fundamentals led by Dr. Daniel Overdorf from Johnson University. Learn how to better communicate as a leader, teacher and Christ follower. RSVP to Mike Smith at mike@fourmileruncc.com

CONNECT TO SERVING

MAKE THE CONNECTION TO SERVING: Are you currently looking for additional ways to serve? At Four Mile Run Christian Church there are many ways for you to become involved in serving the church! We are always looking for volunteers to serve Sunday mornings in the following areas: Greeter; Tech Team (computer and sound system); Communion servers; Ushers; Nursery, Preschool and Junior worship (must be a member and 18 years or older to teach), Children’s Check-In. If you are interested in serving or need help finding the perfect fit please call the church office, email us at fmrcc@fourmileruncc.com, write a note on your Connextion Card or talk to us on Sunday.

Connect to Serving ~ February 9, 2020

Connection Time: Don Barone 8:30 am Greeters: Jane Betts & Barb Donaldson 10:30 am Greeters: Vicki Billey & Shirley Vestal Communion: Pete Fabian Jr., Dan Bitner, Kurt Blackburn, Matt Fabian, Carl Hensley, Glenn Johnson, Matthew Johnson, Tom Kelley, Josh Spalding, Dave Summers Ushers: Cooper Smith & Josh Morrissey

Nursery: SS– Jenifer Bitner

Worship – Taylor Spalding

Children’s Check In: Caiden Smith Youth Worship:

Pre & K – Stacee Mills

DeAnna Mills

Grades 1-5 -Cameron Smith

Daniel Spalding

Tech Team: Computer: 8:00 am - Josh Garris

10:30 am - Jenna Silvestri

Sound: Sam Spalding

Lock up: David Gurd Jeff Mills

Church Staff

Mike Smith Senior Minister

Brian Morrissey Associate Minister

Cameron Smith Student Minister

Rachael Ray Administrative Assistant

Joann Gurd Custodian

Attendance February 2, 2020

Sunday School Attendance .................... 74

Worship

8:30 AM ........................ 25 10:30 AM .................... 104 Nursery ........................... 0 Pre-School Worship ...... .6 Junior Worship ................ 8 Total .......................... 129

PRAYER REQUESTS Cumisha Amado, Ken Bailey, Jenna Barvitski, Larry Bass, Leah Bass, Bob Beckett, Carl Beckett, Chris Beeman, Alexis Bezilla, Linda Bianco, Karen Billey, Barb Caspary, Wilbur Cole, Priscilla Cole, Bobby Czopur, Michelle & Tom Dawson, Debbie F., Craig Freudenrich, Laura Haines, Madeline Haines, Tim Hanick, Diane Heckrow, Bob Hillman, Jen Hodgdon, Karen Ita, Judy Johnson, Linda Jones, Shirley Keys, Art King, Michael Kline, Cyndi Loar, Matt Loede, Al Long, Jim Maher, Annette Mahood, Henry Marshall, Gabriel Mathews, Terry Metsals, Diane Miller, Charles Monk, Sharyn Moore, Ron Nicholson, Amy Parkinson, Tommy Peachock, Charles Purdy, Charles Robb, Sam Scardina, Christine Schultz, Drew Schultz, Danny Shoemaker, Cara Smeltzer, Danny Stanley, Ann Sterzbach, Mr. & Mrs. Dominic Thomas, Kennedy Turek, Fred Wait, Grace Williams, Cherly, Amanda, Val, Alice, Karen, Harper

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, Angelina Vargus **Please update the office by calling, emailing or filling out a Connextion Card if someone can be removed from the prayer list. After two weeks requests will be removed for nonchronic illness or injuries.

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Find out what’s happening! Stay Connected at:

• www.fourmileruncc.com

• www.facebook.com/fmrcc

• Twitter - @4milerunchurch

• Instagram - @4milerunchurch

ELKHORN VALLEY CAMP WINTER RETREATS: • WOOD CUTTING WEEK: Feb. 10-14

Join and enjoy a day or week of fellowship as you work around the camp to enhance the experience of all our campers and guests! No previous

experience needed. All skill levels are welcome! Contact Caleb Spalding with questions. • XTREME RETREAT: March 6-7 Students 6th-12th

grade. Register before Feb. 28 for a discounted rate of $25. Contact Cameron Smith with questions.

• MAKING MEMORIES: March 26-28 Scrapbook or do paper crafts, meals, snacks, giveaways , make-n-takes and wi-fi are all included in the registration fee. A $25 non-refundable deposit is due by March 20,2020. Sign up sheets can be found at the Welcome Center.

SUMMER CAMP: The Church is able to cover the cost of children going to camp whose family are members or regularly attenders minus the deposit. If you have the completed registration form and full deposit in to the church office by April 19th, the church will get a small discount off the tuition cost. Also your registration form must be signed by the church staff in order for the church to pay for your week,. Ask one of the church staff if you have any questions. Registration forms can be found at the Welcome Center!