CENTERVILLE MESSENGER (096380) Free Upon Request-Published Weekly by Centerville Church of Christ, 138 N. Central Ave., Centerville, TN 37033-1427

January 11, 2017 Volume XXXVII –Number 2

“I Hope You Know”

(The following article was prepared for the online publication

“ON” magazine. It has been reprinted and adapted here for your reading.) Chances are, if you grew up in a small town, you found yourself in the pursuit of an escape, a new place, a bigger place, a place where things were bound to be “better.” When you looked around your world in your youth, you knew there had to be something more, because after all, “There’s nothing in this small town!” Until one day in the not too distant future of your life, you realized that the small town which had been the prison you sought to escape, actually contained everything you can’t seem to find in the land that you were certain “had it all.” Part of me wonders if the house where

the prodigal son could not wait to leave, was found within the city limits of a small town? The far country he traveled to left him empty and broken, while the safety of his father’s house filled him with the warmth and healing like no other. Wherever the church is, when she’s created in the image of God and after the express image of the Son (Col 1:18), the church is great! May I even be so bold as to suggest to you that everything you need is not just found in your small town, but in the church in your small town. For nearly half of my time in located work, one of the greatest joys has been to serve in an exceptionally great church in a very small town. Your the face of that church wherever you go in that small town. Remember and celebrate a few things in your small town church.

A great church can impact a small town with her return. Reaching into the community is essential, but so is returning the community. Some lonely hearts will complain, “That church runs the town!” Maybe they do, but if their reputation is driven by God, and if their reach is with the motive of the gospel, then what the church can return to her community is priceless. When the church in your small town loves her own and the ones not her own with a sincere love, the return to the commu-nity will be a reminder of the goodness which ex-ists in this world (John 13:35). When your small town suffers a loss, has a disagreement, supports a project, confronts a crisis, responds to a heart-break, or celebrates a success, let it be that the members of that small town church show the im-age of Christ without confusion, and others glorify Him (Matthew 5:13-16). Above all else, the im-pact of the small town church is the place where all can find a place to return to and call home. Yes, I think the prodigal, like most of us, woke up one day and was convinced there was something better outside his house, his small town, and his faith. He looked far away for it, and found only heartache. It really doesn’t surprise me that when the prodigal went home, it would have been to a small town; after all, once he left, he couldn’t wait to get back. I hope you know, this church, our church, this community, our community, is blessed because of our Lord living in you.

Wash Me, And I Shall Be Whiter Than Snow.

Psalm 51:7

Events ...January 14

(Rescheduled due to snow) Men’s Worship Involvement

Breakfast/Workshop Fellowship Hall 8:30 A.M.

…January 15

Fiesta Film Fiasco

5 P.M. Worship 6 P.M. Meal

Please Bring Cookies Or Brownies Movie To Follow

WHAT A BLESSING TO OUR YOUTH MINISTRY

to have so many adults involved in the work. I

cannot say enough about how much I appreciate our Elders, Deacons, Parents and Volunteers for the help they give so much of for our youth. Sunday night we had a full room as we looked at the highlights of 2016 and the plans for 2017. Thanks to each who came, gave input and signed up to help with hosting. I am excited as never before for the

work this year and the opportunities we will be given to reach the lost, encourage one another, and keep ourselves focused. JANUARY AND FEBRUARY CALENDARS ARE AVAILABLE. You can pick one up in the Lighthouse, at the Youth News Board or at our website. You can see to the left of this article we have several things coming up this month. Get involved and encourage others to join you! COMING UP IN FEBRUARY is the Senior Spotlight / Senior High Retreat. This is always a weekend I look forward to since last year’s. Applications will be out soon with all the details. Plan now to join us February 24-26 for the memories, laughter, tears and growth we will experience! AS WE BEGIN THIS NEW YEAR… we have new studies beginning in our classes around our theme that will be announced this coming Sunday. As I said Sunday night, I want to encourage our Youth Ministry to do three things this year. First, to Show Up. This is essential to our own personal growth. I am a firm believer in Proverbs 27:17 and Ecclesiastes 4:12 that we are stronger together. We will struggle and fall away when we aren’t together building one another up and leaning on each for our support. Secondly, let’s Step Up. We need to challenge one another to be leaders. To not fall in with the crowd, but to look to lead others

to Christ. We must look for ways to not relinquish our duties but to grasp them and help others to see Christ. Challenge ourselves to be more involved as leaders than ever before. Third, we need to Speak Up. We are called to evangelize. We need to share the gospel through our lives. It is important that we live the Christian life and example for others to see. We also must share the gospel and the necessity for salvation. We live in a dying world that needs to know the importance of God in their lives. We need Him not just on occasion or in need, but every day we breath. Let us as never before to Show Up, Step Up and Speak Up as we continue daily to... follow His path, -Craig

Wed. Nights L2L

L2L Classroom in

Lighthouse

January 11

LIGHTHOUSE

Bryce Hughes

5-7

January 13

5th Quarter

Fellowship Hall

9-11:30

January 15 Family Fiesta

Film Fiasco

Fellowship

5-9

January 22

Junior High

Fireside

Harper Shelton

Lighthouse

7-9

January 25

LIGHTHOUSE

Alex Seagraves

5-7

January 29

Young Men

Lead Services

at Coble 10:15-12

January 29

Senior High

Fireside

Colby Shelton

Lighthouse

7-9

COMING SOON... February 24-26

Senior

Spotlight /

Senior High

Retreat

Gatlinburg

R E Q U E S T I N G PRAYERS:

Nicholas Batts came forward Sunday asking for prayers to be a better father, husband and a better example in his daily life. Let’s all encourage Nick, Alicia and their family.

CONTRIBUTION $ 14,817.07

BUDGET $ 12,784.oo

Camp Meribah $ 88.87

The following are recovering from surgery or dealing with an illness: Marie Bates, Bob McAlister, Irene McAlister, John Beard, Kathleen Dunn, Henrietta Rochelle, Terry Johnston, Margaret James, Linda Mays, Bruce Bowen, Susan Sullivan, Danny Bates, Debbie Lancaster, Bessie Shepard, Jimmy Mathis, John Ed Hooten, Lindrell Barrett, Susan Campbell, Bonnie Runions, Gabriel Roberson, Sheryl Elkins, Richard Tate

Nursing Home Residents: Life Care Center: Helen Hudgins, Christine Sawyer, Larry Talley, Nellie Kalosis, Lucy Noles, Jimmy King Hickman County Nursing Home: Eltie Davis

Please Pray For: ...Marie Bradley, mother of John, is

recovering from surgery at home and doing

well. ...Chloe Loveless is recovering from a

fractured ankle. ...John Ross Hunt, infant son of Ross & Jill

Hunt is recovering from surgery for a ruptured appendix at Vanderbilt Children’s

Hospital. He will be there for the next few days.

...Jane Berryman has been transferred to Vanderbilt Hospital.

…John Plemmons, Jr. has returned home from the hospital.

...Marjorie Claud had an arteriogram at St. Thomas West Tuesday.

…Mary Helen Barber is recovering at home and improving.

...Marlin Lawson has been diagnosed with stage 4 bone marrow cancer and will be

undergoing treatments.

Sympathy

Memorial

A Drop-Off Shower

If you would like to “drop off” a baby gift for Randy & Jana Wright on January 15th or 22nd you may leave it in the new lobby on the table.

It’s a boy!

Thank You

Dorothy Easley

1920-2017 Mrs. Dorothy Easley passed into eternity on the evening of January 4, 2017. She was a member of the Centerville Church of Christ for many years and a resident of Tulipwood. She lived a beautiful life and was an inspiration to all who knew her. To her daughters Jerrie Forrester and Judy (Bert) Mathis, grandchildren, family and friends we extend our deepest sympathy.

Alene Worley

1934– 2017

Mrs. Alene Worley passed into eternity on the evening of January 5, 2017. She had been a member of the Centerville Church of Christ for many years and was a resident of Tulipwood until her health declined in recent years. Mrs. Worley was an encourager and always willing to help out in any way. We express our deepest sympathy to her family and friends. ...We express our sympathy to

the family of Lorene Temple who passed away in Michigan. She was the aunt of Betty Litton, Shirley DeVore, Elizabeth Givens and Betty Claud. ...We express our sympathy to the family of Adam Chessor who passed away. He was the son of Vanessa & Steve Clinkenbeard and the nephew of Don & Vickie Chessor. ...We express our sympathy to the family of Riley Moore who passed away at the age of 100.

...a Memorial has been given to the Mission Fund in memory of Jeff Chessor and his son Adam Chessor by Wayne & Carolyn Chessor and members of the Chessor Family. ...a Memorial has been given to the Camp Meribah Scholarship Fund in memory of Dorothy Easley by the residents of Tulipwood. ...a contribution has been given to the Camp Meribah Scholarship Fund by Bobbie June Kittrell. ...a Memorial has been given to the Camp Meribah Scholarship Fund in memory of Lorene Temple by Shirley DeVore. ...a Memorial has been given to the Mission Fund in memory of Dorothy Easley by Dr. Jerry & Marilyn Nash.

The Great Smoky Mountain Church of Christ writes: “We would like to thank you for your very generous donation. Your gift will go towards helping the people of the Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg area, who have been displaced or affected in general, by this tragedy. We cannot begin to express how much your gift means to this community after the devastating wildfires. The Great Smoky Mountains Church of Christ has partnered with the Churches of Christ Disaster Relief to provide food, clothing, and personal hygiene items. We are also able to provide pet food and carriers for those families with pets. This has been a very difficult time, but knowing we

have the love and support of wonderful Christians like you, the community and Great Smoky Mountains will recover. Yours in Christ, Elders of the Great Smoky Mountain Church of Christ “. Pam Tooker writes:“Thank you so much for the Sunshine Basket. I really did enjoy it. “

Place

Stamp

Here

On-line Booking for:

Camp Meribah And Dotson Alumni Lodge Book With Us Today !

One Of The Prettiest

Places In Middle Tennessee,

Camp Meribah Dotson Alumni Lodge

If you are scheduled to

serve in Worship and are unable, please take the responsibility to

secure your replacement and

contact one of the following:

Lonnie Mayberry 931 -242-2644

John Bradley 931-994-7358

Read Scripture Jan. 15 Robert Bowman Jan. 22 Wayne Chessor

Elder’s Prayer

January 15, 2017 Lonnie Gilliam

Wait on Table

3rd Sunday Philip Jacobs

4th Sunday Alan Potts

5th Sunday

Wayne Rediker

Left Side Randy James

David Brown Mark Chessor Chris Hughes

Right Side Phillip Allen

Barry Shelton Michael Horner David Breece

Area Events

If you would like to have the Messenger e-mailed to you weekly,

please email: tammy@centervillechurchofchrist.org

...Columbia Avenue Church of Christ invites you to

hear Bro. Wilson Nelson Sunday, January 15, 2017. Sunday School: 10 A.M. Worship: 11:00 A.M. Followed by lunch Sunday Evening worship: 2:30 P.M.

Middle Tennessee

Friday Night Singings 2017

There is a copy of the

Middle Tennessee Friday Night Singings 2017 schedule in the lobby.

Mike Elkins

Our Elders

Lonnie Gilliam

Wayne Qualls

Gary Gatewood

Mike Goodpasture Shane Willis

Mike Elkins

Prayer Week Of January 15

S.M.W. S.M.D. Bill McDonald Ethan Skelton

S.E.W. S.E.D. Brian Qualls Paul Bryant

W.E.B.S. W.E.D. Eric Coleman Jake Martin

Life-Line

Daily Updates & Devotional Message

931-729-5055,931-729-0022