Saturday, July 31, 2010

Join us for Worship this Sunday...

A recent facebook post written by Ann Rice caught my attention as well as several others. This is the direct quote as seen:

Rice wrote, “For those who care, and I understand if you don't: Today I quit being a Christian ... It's simply impossible for me to ‘belong’ to this quarrelsome, hostile, disputatious, and deservedly infamous group. For ten years, I've tried. I've failed. I'm an outsider. My conscience will allow nothing else.”

Rice then added another post explaining her decision on Thursday:

“My faith in Christ is central to my life. My conversion from a pessimistic atheist lost in a world I didn't understand, to an optimistic believer in a universe created and sustained by a loving God is crucial to me," Rice wrote. "But following Christ does not mean following His followers. Christ is infinitely more important than Christianity and always will be, no matter what Christianity is, has been or might
become."

The saddest part of this commentary is the fact that this individual, as well as countless others, are seeing how un-Christlike Christians can be. It is a heartbreaking fact and one that we as individuals need to pray we can start changing. Being a Christian just doesnt make us perfect but oh how I wish I could be!!
If you've studied the word at all, why would we model ourselves after another human being? Especially knowing the only perfect person is Jesus Christ? God commands that He come first, the first Commandment sums that up as does the following: (btw, I dont recall a scripture that tells us to be like each other...)

Deuteronomy 6:4-8
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

As for separating ourselves from other Christians it's apparent the author didnt study or understand the book of Acts which points to none other than community, unity, forgiveness and love. We are all fallible!! With out Christ we become as nothing. I think the only point I agree on is that Christ indeed is central to my faith, and who can help but mentally quote John 3:16? As unperfect as we are we are still to commune with one another, we're still to be accountable to one another....

Hebrews 10:25 states:

Let us not give up meeting together, (emphasis mine) as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Meeting together is vital to the walk, meeting together is praying together, praying together is staying together. I thank God for the spiritual mentors in my life and for the Church families I've had the privilege to know here in TN, in KY and NC. I simply cant imagine trying to do this on my own.....
As a Christian I can only apologize and ask forgiveness for the times I've let those down who watch me. Keep you eyes only on Jesus brothers and sisters, commune with all fellow believers, pray to do your very best. I dare say we all have our crosses to bear.

In Him
PDH

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Family Outing July 28, 2010

Check it out on facebook for pictures! Looks like a great time was had by all!

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Braodcaster 27, 2010

From the Minister...

John Bisagno former Pastor of Houston’s First Baptist Church tells the story of his coming there as a candidate for the position of pastor many years ago. He said that as he entered the auditorium it was dimly lit, with just a few people huddled together. They were singing some old slow funeral type hymn that was depressing. 
Later that day he took a walk in downtown Houston and came upon a jewelry store. It was some sort of grand opening and there were bright lights and a greeter at the door to welcome you in with a smile. Inside there was a celebration going on. There were refreshments and people having a good time talking and laughing with each other. They welcomed him and offered him some punch. He said that after attending both the church and the jewelry store, if the jewelry store had offered an invitation, he would have joined the jewelry store!
Bono from the band U-2 said, “Christians are hard to tolerate. I don’t know how Jesus does it.” Where have we gone wrong? Could it be that we have developed an uninviting subculture, as portrayed above, and refuse to change?
Dan Kimball in his book, They Like Jesus But Not The Church, says that we have lost touch with the mindset of this present generation. Our world has changed whether we like it or not. Galadriel, the elf queen, from the movie Fellowship of the Ring speaks of changes occurring in Middle Earth; “The world is changed. I feel it in the water. I feel it in earth. I smell it in the air.”
The fact is the world is changing, hence the reason this present generation is disappearing from most churches. Two-thirds of the twenty-somethings in any given community are leaving the church or want nothing to do with the church. As Kimball says, the churches’ response to this is denial, believing the culture will come to its senses and come back around to the church. There is too much at stake to wait and see.

Grace and Peace,
Tim

Weekly Memory Verse

And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

1 John 5:11 (NIV)


Prepare for:
MISSIONS SUNDAY

Sunday, August 29, 2010 has been set aside as our annual Missions Sunday. All offering collected on 8/29 will go into the Missions Fund and the Missions Committee will select a mission or missions to receive this
special blessing.
Prayerfully consider your tithe, we’re so blessed in this county.





Can you believe it’s almost time for the
ANNUAL CHURCH PICNIC??

Sunday, August 8th, will be the day—Appalachian Christian Camp in Unicoi will be the place!




We will eat at 5:00pm but come early to PLAY!!
The dinner is pot luck so bring your favorite covered dish.
Drinks, plates, utensils, serving pieces and bug spray will be provided. Tables are also provided for your dining comfort!
Frisbees, volley ball and soft ball are available.

Following the meal we will have several rounds of BINGO, with PRIZES!

This is our Church family summer get together, it will not be complete with out
YOU!



Happy Birthday…

Ethel Hatcher-7
Lori Alexander-7
H. J. Sparks-10
Noah Frazier-10
Mary Campbell-11

Anniversary Wishes…

Michael/Stephanie
Edwards-July 27th
David/Kathy Eunson– Aug. 4
Dale/Mary Ruth Little– Aug. 11



Thank you…

Memory of Aaron to the Aaron Stamper Scholarship Fund

Kathy LawsonIn
Nancy Keeran

To the Memorial Fund

Mark/Sandy Whitson





Joy Circle Meets
Thurs., Aug. 12
~
Hope Circle Meets
Thurs., Aug. 19
~
Love Circle August Dinner Outing
To be announced





This Sunday
August 1

Speaker………..Tim Stamper

Sermon Title
“The Bible Speaks With Certainty”

Sermon Text
1 John 5:11-13

Prayer
Jack Gardner

Communion Meditation
Tommy Phillips

Elders
George Coley; Jack Gardner

Deacons
Lee Hemphill; Jody Moore;
Tracy Moore; John David Sneyd; Jerry Whitt

Communion to shut-ins
George Coley; Jody Moore

Communion Preparation
Katie Jones

Greeter


Nursery:
1st hour….….Gail Thompson
2nd hour…….Gail Thompson

Classrooms:
Sunday School
2’s-4’s…………. Jody Moore
K-1st………….Kathy Eunson
2nd-5th……….. Becky Moore
6th-……………. Angie Moore

Church
2-5 yrs………...…Jody Moore
1st-5th……………. Sanctuary

Service Times
Sunday School…….. 9:45 am
Morning Worship….10:45 am

Wed. Bible Study….. 7:00 pm
Wed. Youth………….7:00 pm

Contact Information

Church Office Phone
743-3811

fccerwin@embarqmail.com

On the Web:
www.fccerwin.org
fccerwintn.blogspot.com

Office Hours:
Mon.,Tues.,Thur.8:00a-2:00p

Minister……...423-388-9862
Or 423-743-4222
Youth Min……423-743-5338



Monday, July 26, 2010

What We're Up To!

The pics you see below are from the very first "Family Gathering" event. This event was created and, still in it's infancy, by our new Youth Minister Andy Frazier.
The first outing was a movie night right here in Erwin TN.
As of September 1, 2010 there will be a weekly "Family Gathering" on Wednesday evenings at 7:00pm. We encourage parents to bring their children and join us!
For more info check out www.fccerwin.org and click on the Family Gathering banner.











On to local Missions.........

Each year FCC sponsors a hole at the annual East TN Christian Childrens Home Golf Tournament. This year the players were: Jerry Whitt, one of our Deacons and a friend of his Carroll Deaton, Lee Hemphill another Deacon and Andy Frazier our Youth Minister.



Yep...this is us!












Lovely shot of the Elizabethton Golf Course










Our Golfers...
(L) Lee Hemphill (R) Andy Frazier










(L)Carroll Deaton (R)Jerry Whitt










Random shot's.........

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Broadcaster July 20, 2010

From the Minister:

COMEBACK!


The Center for Missional Research states that we are closing between 3,500 and 4,000 churches a year. This same research also indicates that we need to be starting about 13,000 churches a year just to keep up with the population growth. On average we are starting about 3,300 churches. It’s not rocket science to see that we are not even replacing the churches that are closing.
Those statistics should trouble us and we should begin to think about how to reverse this decline. The first thing we need to do is make sure we don’t become a casualty. So, WE ALL need to pray that the Lord would lead us to revitalization.
I am a great fan of sports comebacks, be it football, basketball, or baseball. It is exhilarating to watch a team or individual rededicate themselves to whatever discipline is necessary to play at a high level again and win. This is the reason a little book caught my attention sometime back. It is entitled Comeback Churches. It is practical advice from over 300 churches that have gone from declining or closing churches to become vibrant growing congregations. Is it easy to make a comeback? NO! Is it worth it? YES! It’s time to make the COMEBACK!

Grace and Peace,
Tim



WE NOW HAVE A WEB PAGE!!
Check it out at: www.fccerwin.org
It’s new and there is more to come, this is only the beginning!!
The blog will stay active for the time being...


Prepare for:
MISSIONS SUNDAY

Sunday, August 29, 2010 has been set aside as our annual Missions Sunday. All offering collected on 8/29 will go into the Missions Fund and the Missions Committee will select a mission or missions to receive this special blessing.
Prayerfully consider your tithe, we’re so blessed in this county.


Can you believe it’s almost time for the

ANNUAL CHURCH PICNIC??




Sunday, August 8th, will be the day—Appalachian Christian Camp in Unicoi will be the place!

We will eat at 5:00pm but come early to PLAY!!





The dinner is pot luck so bring your favorite covered dish.
Drinks, plates, utensils, serving pieces and bug spray will be provided. Tables are also provided for your dining comfort!
Frisbees, volley ball and soft ball are available.

Following the meal we will have several rounds of BINGO, with PRIZES!

This is our Church family summer get together, it will not be complete with out
YOU!



August B-days

Jerry Whitt-1
Charles Flowers –2
Jean Mauk –2
~
August Anniversaries

B. J. and Betty Moore-3







Thank you…
In Memory of Aaron to the Aaron Stamper Scholarship Fund

Marjorie Williams

FYI
If you’d like to read the Christian Standard or the Lookout, there are some older issues available in the foyer.
If you’d like more see me!

P. Hemphill




Joy Circle Meets
Thurs., Aug. 12
~
Hope Circle Meets
Thurs., Aug. 19
~
Love Circle Outing
To be announced





THIS SUNDAY
JULY 15TH 2010


Speaker….…..David Roberts

Sermon Title

“More Than Those Who Wait For Morning”

Sermon Text
Psalm 130:1-8

Prayer
Lee Hemphill

Communion Meditation
Beverly Britt

Elders
Shelton Thompson;
B. J. Moore

Deacons
Lee Hemphill; Jody Moore;
Tracy Moore; John David Sneyd; Jerry Whitt

Communion to shut-ins
B.J. Moore; Lee Hemphill

Communion Preparation
Lori Alexander

Greeter
Seth and Katie Jones

Nursery:
1st hour...….Sally Ann Sneyd
2nd hour…...Sally Ann Sneyd

Classrooms:
Sunday School
2’s-4’s…………. Jody Moore
K-1st………….Kathy Eunson
2nd-5th……….. Becky Moore
6th-……………. Angie Moore

Church
2-5 yrs……...…Suzie Hughes
1st-5th……………. Sanctuary

Service Times
Sunday School…….. 9:45 am
Morning Worship….10:45 am

Wed. Bible Study….. 7:00 pm
Wed. Youth………….7:00 pm

Contact Information

Church Office Phone
743-3811

fccerwin@embarqmail.com

On the Web:
fccerwintn.blogspot.com

Office Hours:
Mon.,Tues.,Thur.8:00a-2:00p


Minister……...423-388-9862
Or 423-743-4222
Youth Min……423-743-5338

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Broadcaster July 13, 2010

From the Minister...

BUSINESS AS USUAL ISN'T GOOD ENOUGH

In the past five years what has been happening in denominations across the board in the USA?

1) Presbyterians – 3.7% loss in 2007 – highest loss in one year in their entire history of 216 years.
2) Episcopalians – 115,000 loss in the last 3 years.
3) Methodists – Loss of 50,000 people a year and are at the lowest attendance in reported history.
4) One denominational leader recently said – they are actually crossing the line and the median average age of attender was over 60 years in age. And if trends continue, half of their population will be gone in the next 5 years. 
5) 10% of the population considered themselves Baptist in 1995. In 2006 only 3% did.
6) Disciple of Christ - 11% loss.
7) Lutherans – 4% loss.
8) Reformed – 6% loss.
9) Church of Christ - 9% loss.
10) In the Assemblies - In the last 5 years we had a slight growth (2%) and planted 534 churches, but closed 500. 

7 in 10 Protestants age 18-30, both evangelical and mainline, said they quit attending church by age 23. 

If we keep doing business as usual, we will die!

Grace and Peace,
Tim


WE’RE ON THE WWW!! (World Wide Web)
Check it out at: www.fccerwin.org
It’s new and there is more to come, this is only the beginning!!

Special Luncheon
The Membership Committee is sponsoring a special luncheon this Sunday , July 18th following the Morning Worship Service.
This will be a light catered luncheon to give you the opportunity to fellowship and get to know our new comers as well as catch up with those we haven't seen in awhile. Everything will be provided so come and share this time with us!

Family Outing…
You’re invited to join us for a “bring your own” picnic lunch and possibly a little swimming!
Wednesday, July 28 from 11:00am—2:00pm.
We’ll plan on meeting at the Fellowship Hall Parking Lot. Hope to see you then!

Andy

(P. S. Maybe just maybe he wont make you dress up like a cow!)
Check out our industrious Youth Minister and his family - Apparently Chic Filet runs an annual promo stating if you dress like a cow you eat for free, well......pictures speak louder than words! Lookin' good guys! pdh









































Prayer Concerns and Updates

Polly Miller is back at home.

CONTINUE IN PRAYER FOR…
Eloise Hughes; George Coley; Edith Yates, Pete Chitwood, Suzie Hughes, Stamper family, Mitzi Gwaltney, Sandy M. Heritage, Levi Gardner, Terry Jarrett, Lou Thornberry, Maurice Love, Ramona Gouge, Denise Ray, Jack Britt, Tim Bennett, Marilyn Brown, Spencer Moore

  IN HEALTH CARE….
Erwin Health Care – Beulah Morris
UCMH Long Term Care – Ruth Marie Masters, Edyth Price,
Helen Miller
Center On Aging –Jo Jackson; Ken and Agnes Kerns
Pine Oaks Assisted Living – Pete Harvey
Appalachian Christian Village-Lois Stamper
Christian Care Center-Ruth Evans
Christian Care Center-Kathryn Sparks
Shut-ins-Charles & Billie Flowers, Joan Hicks, Jackie Duncan, Jack/Norma Ingle, Doris Johnson, Martha Hartsell, Polly Miller


Love Circle!!
Love Circle will meet to clean the FH next Tuesday, July 20th at 6:30pm.
Bring whatever cleaning supplies you want and get ready for the FUN! :)


Mini Bulletin Board News…

You’re invited! Seeger Chapel, Milligan College. Wednesday, July 28, 2010. “The Legend of Wiley Jake” a musical comedy about Jacob and Esau. FREE!
~~
Chris Tomlin will be at Freedom Hall in JC on Saturday, Oct. 23 @ 7:00pm.
Pre-sale tickets July 16-22
use code “tomlin”
~~
Area Wide Senior Rally October 14, 2010 at Boones Creek Christian Church.
Register for $15.00 by October 11, 2010


Success Blood Drive!!
A hugely successful Erwin Community Blood Drive was held Friday, July 9th, at FCC Fellowship Hall as a tribute to the memory of Jordan Dwomick and Aaron Stamper. The following individuals from FCC gave the Gift of Life as their tribute:
~
Ben Diehl
David Eunson
Andy Frazier
Diana Gardiner
Ron Hicks
Shawn Kenney
Gail Thompson
Shelton Thompson

This Sunday...
July 18

Speaker….…..David Roberts

Sermon Title

“Who is this King of Glory?”

Sermon Text
Psalm 24:1-10

Prayer
Kathy Eunson

Communion Meditation
Seth Jones

Elders
Shelton Thompson;
B. J. Moore

Deacons
Lee Hemphill; Jody Moore;
Tracy Moore; John David Sneyd; Jerry Whitt

Communion to shut-ins
Shelton Thompson; Jerry Whitt

Communion Preparation
Lori Alexander

Greeter
Seth and Katie Jones

Nursery:
1st hour…..….Lori Alexander
2nd hour….….Lori Alexander

Classrooms:
Sunday School
2’s-4’s…………. Jody Moore
K-1st………….Kathy Eunson
2nd-5th……….. Becky Moore
6th-……………. Angie Moore

Church
2-5 yrs…..…Sally Ann Sneyd
1st-5th……………. Sanctuary

Service Times
Sunday School…….. 9:45 am
Morning Worship….10:45 am

Wed. Bible Study….. 7:00 pm
Wed. Youth………….7:00 pm

Contact Information

Church Office Phone
743-3811

fccerwin@embarqmail.com

On the Web:
fccerwintn.blogspot.com

Office Hours:
Mon.,Tues.,Thur.8:00a-2:00p


Minister……...423-388-9862
Or 423-743-4222
Youth Min……423-743-5338

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Broadcaster Highlights July 6,2010

From the Pastor:

A number of years ago Norman Cousins wrote an editorial in the Saturday Review in which he reported a conversation he had on a trip in India. He was talking with a Hindu priest named Satis Prasad. The man said he wanted to come to our country to work as a missionary among the Americans.
Cousins assumed that he meant that he wanted to convert Americans to the Hindu religion, but when asked, Satis Prasad said, “Oh no, I would like to convert them to the Christian religion. Christianity cannot survive in the abstract. It needs not membership, but believers. The people of your country may claim they believe in Christianity, but from what I read at this distance; Christianity is more a custom than anything else. I would ask that either you accept the teachings of Jesus in your everyday life and in your affairs as a nation, or stop invoking His name as sanction for everything you do. I want to help save Christianity for the Christian.”
Have we become so unlike the Jesus to whom we make our profession of faith? Ghandi said one time after visiting this country, “I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” Where have we gone wrong? Is it possible that we need to return to the very basic tenets of the Christian walk? “Religion that God the Father accepts as pure and without fault is this: caring for orphans or widows who need help, and keeping yourself free from the world's evil influence.” (James 1.27 – NCV)

Grace and Peace,
Tim


We’re almost there!

Summer Back Pack Program:


The 3rd delivery is scheduled to happen tomorrow, 7/6 we’re almost past the halfway mark! We need 80 more boxes to finish our goal FOR THE SUMMER folks—that’s it!
Don’t forget, if you’d like to donate funds we now have it set up and you can contribute to the fund as part of your regular tithe, or see Katie Jones or
Patti Hemphill. Be sure to check out the side bar on the right hand side to see what it's all about!

THE KIDS IN THIS COMMUNITY NEED YOU!


Special Luncheon

The Membership Committee is sponsoring a special luncheon on Sunday , July 18th following the Morning Worship Service to honor and to:

Formally welcome the Stamper’s home;
Welcome the Frasier family to FCC and to Erwin;
Thank David and Donna Roberts for their time here.

This will be a light catered luncheon to give you the opportunity to fellowship and get to know our new comers!
Everything will be provided so come and enjoy!


July Birthdays

Toby Gardiner-14th
B. J. Moore-14th
Michael Edwards-17th
Larry Rosolina-22nd

July Anniversaries

Jack/Beverly Britt-20th
John/Jo-Lynn Martin-20th

Thank you…

Memorial gifts given in memory of Aaron Stamper
to the Memorial Fund and/or
the Aaron Stamper Scholarship Fund.

Phil/Carolyn Guinn
Julie Whitlock
M/M David Roberts
M/M Gene Bowman


This Sunday, July 11

Speaker…....….Tim Stamper

Sermon Title
“What Do We Know For Certain?”

Sermon Text
I John 5:11-13

Prayer
Patti Hemphill

Communion Meditation
Tracy Moore

Elders
Shelton Thompson;
B. J. Moore

Deacons
Lee Hemphill; Jody Moore;
Tracy Moore; John David Sneyd; Jerry Whitt

Communion to shut-ins
B. J. Moore; John David Sneyd

Communion Preparation
Lori Alexander

Greeter
Seth and Katie Jones

Nursery:
1st hour……...Janie Whitson
2nd hour…......Janie Whitson

Classrooms:
Sunday School
2’s-4’s…………. Jody Moore
K-1st………….Kathy Eunson
2nd-5th……….. Becky Moore
6th-……………. Angie Moore

Church
2-5 yrs…..……...Angie Moore
1st-5th……………. Sanctuary

Service Times
Sunday School…….. 9:45 am
Morning Worship….10:45 am

Wed. Bible Study….. 7:00 pm
Wed. Youth………….7:00 pm

Contact Information

Church Office Phone
743-3811

fccerwin@embarqmail.com

On the Web:
fccerwintn.blogspot.com

Office Hours:
Mon.,Tues.,Thur.8:00a-2:00p


Minister……...423-388-9862
Or 423-743-4222
Youth Min……423-743-5338