Come on March 20th!!

And yet even as I type that title I think I shouldn't be wishing my life away, goodness knows it's going by at break neck speed.
I look in the mirror and wonder at times who that is looking back at me. I've heard my mother say the same thing before but now I think I get it. I have two grandchildren, one 9 and one 4........when did that happen?
Now I realize there are those of you out there that think, just wait till you're this age or that age, but in my defense I've just crested a hill and it's all new to me! I don't know, thought I'd be like, 30 forever?? I also get how folks of a mature age feel when doctors come in and wow, baby faces that want to examine me and tell ME what to do. Humph. And all the modern technology..........but I have to say a lot of it I'm hooked on, when it works!
As it happens I've had major computer woes on my home computer. It was all of five years old, notice I said "was," and it decided with no warning to crash. Well, OK, it's had some issues lately........:)
I took it to the Geek Squad, they kinda laughed and said sorry.....so I came home with a new one. Long story short, it crashed too. I'm able to log on and hopefully post this, minus any pix of course, mustn't over load the new computer! I'm headed BACK to Best Buy and will try to maintain my composure as the 12 year olds (same ones that laughed and said mine was old) try to explain what the problem is while nodding and pretending to understand what the heck they're talking about! That's OK, I know some guru's that I can have translate!

Thank You Father for having a Way that will never crash or lose files and programs, and for the Divine Translator that lives in our hearts when we but ask You in. Amen.

The length of our days is seventy years or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow for they quickly pass and we fly away.
Psalm 90:10

Broadcaster: Feb.23, 2010

Attn: Blog readers, the article in this weeks BC is the same as "Thought on a Snowy Day" posted on 2/19.
My computer was being stubborn and wouldnt let me upload pretty pix - sorry it's so blah today!

If you completed the Through the Bible in a Year reading program in 2009, please plan on being here this Sunday for the certificate presentation.

COMING UP

Sunday, March 7
Elders meeting at 3:30pm
in Booster Classroom

Monday, March 8
Committee Dinner Meetings at 6:00pm
host: Betty Jo Gouge; Kathy Eunson
followed by the
Board Meeting at 7:30pm

Sunday, March 21
Birthday Bash carry in potluck dinner more
detail later!
Don’t forget to decorate your table!!

Weekly Memory Verse
And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 18:3 NIV

Blood Drive
The gift of life

Friday, March 12th
First Christian Church Fellowship Hall
from 12:30pm to 5:30pm.
All presenting donors have a chance to win a $1000.00 gift card and also enter a drawing to win dinner for two at Toby’s Rock Creek Café.
For an appointment or if you have questions call Gwen Hunter at the ARC (423)202-5619.
Walk ins welcome!

Circle News:
According to our hand books anyway :)
~
Hope Circle
Thursday,March 18th
at 10:30am
~
Joy Circle
Thursday, March 11
at 2:00pm
~
Love Circle Tuesday,
March 2nd
at 6:30pm
~
Christian Circle
Salad Supper

Thursday, March 25
At 6:30pm
Hosted by Love Circle
Bring your favorite salad!

PRAYER CONCERNS/UPDATES
*Jack Gardner’s nephew, Levi Gardner is at St. Jude’s Hospital with stomach cancer. Levi is a senior in high school.
*Polly Miller was admitted to UCMC on Monday Rm 165 with pneumonia in both lungs.
*Gay Whitt’s mother, Ruth Evans, is now at Christian Care Center in JC Rm 237.
CONTINUE IN PRAYER FOR…
Jackie Duncan, Terry Jarrett, Billie Flowers, Lou Thornberry, Jack/Norma Ingle, John Marr, Maurice Love, Ramona Gouge, Stamper family, Kira Whitson, Gene/Gladys Bowman, Denise Ray, John Martins father, Jack Britt, Tim Bennett, Marilyn Brown, Martha Hartsell, Spencer Moore,Kathryn Sparks
  IN HEALTH CARE….
Erwin Health Care – Beulah Morris
UCMH Long Term Care – Ruth Marie Masters, Edyth Price,
Helen Miller
Center On Aging – Mary Davis, Jo Jackson
Ken and Agnes Kerns
Pine Oaks Assisted Living – Pete Harvey
Appalachian Christian Village-Lois Stamper
Shut-ins-Charles Flowers, Polly Miller,
Joan Hicks
 
Happy Birthday to:
Michael Coley-1st
Martha Coley-2nd
Jack Britt-6th
Joan Hicks-8th
Jade Owens-9th
SPRING!!!-20th

Happy Anniversary to:
Larry/Kris Rosolina-2nd

This Sunday...
Sunday, Feb. 28

Speaker…......David Roberts

Sermon Title
“Use What You Have”

Text
Matthew 25:14-30

Prayer
Tracy Moore

Communion Meditation
Seth Jones

Elders
George Coley
Jack Gardner

Deacons
John David Sneyd; Jerry Whitt; Jody Moore
1 Volunteer

Communion to shut-ins
George Coley; Volunteer

Communion Preparation
Patti Hemphill

Greeter
Seth & 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.,
8:00am-2:00pm

Minister (cell) 388-9862
Minister (home) 743.4222
Int. Youth Min…….220-6646

Interim Minister
David Roberts…....542-9494

Stamper Address
Target House I
Room 208/Aaron Stamper
1811 Poplar Ave.
Memphis, TN 38104

I pray the Lord my soul to keep.....

What a beautiful day! I hope everyone was able to get out and enjoy the sun. It's days like this, a stellar blue sky and bright warm sunshine that give us hope!
Hope to see you all in the morning.........

Thought on a Snowy Day

“In the way of righteousness there is life, along that path is immortality.” Proverbs 12:28



I left the house yesterday in the snow, I backed out of the drive way on to the covered, icy road cautiously making my way to the “main” road, (living in as small a town as Unicoi you’d just have to see it to appreciate what main means!)
When the stop sign at the end of my road came into view I saw that the main road was indeed cleared off and I sighed with relief. I’ve had several go rounds, literally, on ice covered roads and it always leaves me a bit shaky, I couldn’t wait to hit that cleared off patch of black top! As I made my way toward Erwin I couldn’t help but admire the beauty of the cold, treacherous stuff.
I watched as others slowly made their way along their own slippery roads, to their own stop signs wondering if they’d be able to stop and if they were as relieved as I had been to see the clear path.
Then it occurred to me, this reminds me of life. We can be drawn in to the beauty of our surroundings and get so enthralled with it that we think, perhaps I can make it up this road or down that hill and see what’s there and off we go only to realize as soon as we hit that first slippery patch that we’ve erred, we’re stranded! We turn and look back to see the clear way beckoning. Sometimes we’re close enough to get back with out too much trouble. Sometimes we have to have binoculars to see the thin ribbon of road that leads to Life and have to struggle and fight but rest assured we can get there!! Oh the sweet relief we find when once again our feet rest on the clear, safe path that leads us Home!

I’m not now what I was, nor am I yet what I’m meant to be.

Enjoy your day!
Patti Hemphill

Todays lesson...

The picture you see above is the sun. It is the largest star in our galaxy, it's known for its light and radiating warmth our earth rotates around the sun. In the last weeks it would seem we've totally lost the thing, anyone seen it? :)

Since we can't have the sun, we can call on the light and warmth of the Son, creator of the sun. His light shines 24/7/365, now and ever more! Amen!

Broadcaster Febrary 16, 2010

Judges 7:10-14 (New International Version)

7 The LORD said to Gideon, "With the three hundred men that lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands. Let all the other men go, each to his own place." 8 So Gideon sent the rest of the Israelites to their tents but kept the three hundred, who took over the provisions and trumpets of the others. Now the camp of Midian lay below him in the valley. 9 During that night the LORD said to Gideon, "Get up, go down against the camp, because I am going to give it into your hands. 10 If you are afraid to attack, go down to the camp with your servant Purah 11 and listen to what they are saying. Afterward, you will be encouraged to attack the camp." So he and Purah his servant went down to the outposts of the camp. 12 The Midianites, the Amalekites and all the other eastern peoples had settled in the valley, thick as locusts. Their camels could no more be counted than the sand on the seashore.13 Gideon arrived just as a man was telling a friend his dream. "I had a dream," he was saying. "A round loaf of barley bread came tumbling into the Midianite camp. It struck the tent with such force that the tent overturned and collapsed."14 His friend responded, "This can be nothing other than the sword of Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite. God has given the Midianites and the whole camp into his hands." (emphasis mine)

Thus one small army defeated many…..by the grace of an Almighty God. This past Sunday our small body of believers took up a collection for Haiti, the final count JUST from the members of FCC totaled $13, 227.00!! That’s not counting what’s come in since, nor does that total include the amount the community sent in. Our God is an awesome God and I feel blessed and privileged to be an active member of a congregation with so much heart! God bless the giver and every dollar taken up for Haiti. I pray that the love of Jesus be known and felt as these gifts are used to mend lives that have been torn apart. I pray also that we stay aware of the needs of those less fortunate every day.

Humbled by His mercy,
P. Hemphill

Stamper Update

I’ve grown so accustomed to the computer age that it is the norm for me. It slips my mind that a lot of people don't have computers. Having said that, here is an update on Aaron Stamper:

The Stamper’s were here on January 24th for a brief visit. Upon returning to Memphis they found out that Aaron’s Leukemia cell count was back up to 65% after completing 4 rounds of chemo, this put them back to square one. Aaron had to basically start all over again, now the goal is to get the cells down far enough to have a bone marrow transplant.
Sandi is the better match and is undergoing testing however as you may or may not know she has some health issues that may prevent her from donating. Tim is the 2nd choice and is also being tested, his is not as good a match but acceptable. They are scrambling around getting tests done, trying to stay well because getting a cold could set the whole process back by weeks. As rapid as those Leukemia cells came back, time has now become a factor in that they’d like to get the bone marrow transplant done as soon as possible.
This last round of chemo has been rough (as have they all) only different in that rather than being sick, he’s covered with a “sunburn type rash” that is extremely painful, it is over his whole body and as Andrea or Sandi said on Facebook, “he looks like a little lobster.” (See how they talk about you Aaron?) The good news is the Leukemia cell count is back down to 2.6% thank you Jesus! So, the prayer request from the Stamper’s now stands as such: “pray that everything progress smoothly with our medical workups; pray for a continued reduction in the leukemia cells; pray for clear decisions on the part of the doctors as we proceed with transplant. Pray, even now, that this result is a cure for Aaron's leukemia.” So pray warriors even as you read this, pray it. And for strength for Aaron and all of the family…….we just read how small armies can do great things through our Father which art in Heaven.
pdh

PRAYER CONCERNS/UPDATES

Stamper family-see front for details

CONTINUE IN PRAYER FOR…
Terry Jarrett, Billie Flowers, Joan Hicks, Lou Thornberry, Jack/Norma Ingle, John Marr, Maurice Love, Ramona Gouge, Stamper family, Kira Whitson, Gene/Gladys Bowman, Denise Ray, John Martins father, Jack Britt, Tim Bennett, Marilyn Brown, Martha Hartsell, Spencer Moore, Ruth Evans, Kathryn Sparks
 
TEAM AARON!
Visit www.caringbridge.org/visit/aaronstamper for updates
 
 IN HEALTH CARE….
Erwin Health Care – Beulah Morris
UCMH Long Term Care – Ruth Marie Masters, Edyth Price,
Helen Miller, Jackie Duncan
Center On Aging – Mary Davis, Jo
Jackson
Ken and Agnes Kerns
Pine Oaks Assisted Living – Pete
Harvey
Appalachian Christian Village-Lois Stamper
Shut-ins-Charles Flowers, Polly Miller
 

Last call for FREE PANCAKES!!

When? Saturday, February 20th
Where? Applebee’s in JC
Time? 8:00am-10:00am
Cost? Free for 20 people!

You can pick your tickets up in the office this Sunday or come by during office hours.For ETCH

***NEEDED***

1 Sunday School Teacher for the 2-4 year old class.
~
Someone to prepare Communion trays for the month of July
~
Committee Dinner Hostesses' needed
For months of:
March
April
November
~
Greeters Always!!
Sign up sheet in foyer

February

Birthdays
George Coley-23
Walter Smith Jr.-23
Katie Martin-24
Eloise Huges-26
Gene Bowman-28

Anniversaries
Buster/Eloise Hughes-6
Bob/Ethel Hatcher-8
Ken/Agnes Kerns-11
Gerald/Judy Webb-16

(Apologies for missing
anniversaries last week!)

Bring in your used Eyeglasses or used Hearing Aids!!
In co-operation with the Johnson City Lions Club, Hope Circle will be
collecting used eyeglasses and used hearing aids. The collected item’s will be taken to a recycling center in Roanoke, VA and then distributed all over the world.

CHILDREN’S GLASSES ARE ESPECIALLY NEEDED!

However all eyeglasses/sunglasses or hearing aides in any condition will be appreciated.
There will be a collection box in the foyer through the month of February

Weekly memory verse…
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 NIV

This Sunday, Feb. 21

Speaker…......David Roberts

Sermon Title
“The Touch of Faith”

Text
Mark 5:1-20

Prayer
B. J. Moore

Communion Meditation
John Martin

Elders
George Coley
Jack Gardner

Deacons
John David Sneyd; Jerry Whitt; Jody Moore
1 Volunteer

Communion to shut-ins
George Coley; Jody Moore

Communion Preparation
Patti Hemphill

Greeter
Seth & Katie Jones

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

Classrooms:
Sunday School
2’s-4’s Angie Moore
K-1st Kathy Eunson
2nd-5th Becky Moore
6th- Jody 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.,
8:00am-2:00pm

Minister (cell) 388-9862
Minister (home) 743.4222
Int. Youth Min…….220-6646

Interim Minister
David Roberts…....542-9494

Stamper Address
Target House I
Room 208/Aaron Stamper
1811 Poplar Ave.
Memphis, TN 38104

OCC update

Dont panic, it's not November!! Just an update from OCC. We may get our shoe boxes here in November and ship them off but that is only 1 step in the process. It takes some time for these gifts to reach their final destination. Katie Jones recently posted a blip in the Sunday announcements stating where the adopted shoe boxes went she also created a beautiful bulletin board in the main hall of the church showing the areas this ministry reaches.
All of this said enjoy the update I received today via email.


From Samaritans Purse...

On Wings of Prayer

Samaritan's Purse experienced another amazing Operation Christmas Child season in 2009 as nearly 8.2 million gift-filled shoe boxes—the most ever—were collected for needy boys and girls across the globe. From Brazil to Bosnia, children have been receiving gifts of joy and hearing the Good News of the Savior, Jesus Christ.

In the United States, caring individuals, families, churches, and groups packed an estimated 5.2 million shoe boxes. That surpasses the 4.9 million total gifts collected last year. We also praise God for the tens of thousands of volunteers who did an outstanding job in our collection and processing centers during November and December.

An estimated three million more boxes were donated in Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Netherlands, Finland, Spain, Hong Kong, New Zealand, and Australia. (You may have noticed two new donors in the list.) Yes, we are excited with the addition of Spain and Hong Kong, expanding the number of donating countries/territories to thirteen!

Over 300,000 of the 8.2 million boxes will be going to the Philippines, where thousands of families are still trying to rebuild their lives after a series of typhoons caused widespread destruction last September and October. An Operation Christmas Child team delivered 10,000 of those boxes to needy families in Manila and outlying areas in early December.

When our team visited the hard-hit city of Santa Rosa, we found families who were still living in school evacuation centers because their homes remained partially submerged from the flooding. Edna Bugay, her husband Honorio, and their five children are one of the families we met. They share living quarters in a classroom with four more families.

The Bugay’s children: Jefferson, 12; Gerald, 11; Heidi, 9; Joan, 8; and Honey, 2; were among 200 boys and girls who received shoe boxes at Harvester’s Baptist Church located several miles from the flood zone.

Joan was pleased to get a notebook and colored pencils. Jefferson reached for the bag of balloons in his box and began to blow one up. Heidi liked the cool sunglasses.

Their mother wiped away tears of joy. “I felt so bad when we lost everything,” said Edna. “The children didn’t have any place to play or rest.”

“I am very happy for my children to receive gifts from Operation Christmas Child because I cannot afford to buy these things,” she continued. “I know that God is taking care of us and giving us what we need.”

The church plans to do much more than give out shoe boxes. They will be using Operation Christmas Child’s follow-up discipleship program in the coming weeks to teach Bible lessons to children in the Santa Rosa community. In November, our National Leadership Team staff conducted a training seminar in the church that was attended by 200 pastors from several denominations. These pastors in turn plan to hold distributions at their churches in 2010 and offer the discipleship program.

“In spite of what has happened, these families know that there are people who care about them,” said Jim Batac, the pastor for Harvester’s Baptist. “These shoe boxes will have a great impact on this community. It’s a good way to tell people about the Lord.”

Please pray for the people of the Philippines to find their refuge in the Lord as they rebuild their lives. Pray also that the Operation Christmas Child follow-up discipleship program will plant seeds of faith and hope in the hearts of the children.

The ladies of the Jasper County Senior Citizen’s Center embarked on a project last winter to turn remnants of sewing fabric into cloth dolls for little girls’ shoe boxes. It didn’t take long to start gathering material, as many of the women had leftover pieces of fabric tucked away in sewing boxes in their closets.

They set up three sewing machines in the senior center, and met each week to work together on the doll-making project. Soon there was an assembly line organized, with each lady in charge of a different aspect of the doll—stuffing material, clothes, face, and hair. They enjoyed giving each doll a different look and personality.

“The men in the senior center saw how much fun we were having,” Eva said. “They told us, ‘We can’t make dolls, but we will come up with something too.’”

Since woodworking is a hobby of many of the men in the group, they decided to make miniature cars and trucks. Each of the wooden, hand-painted toys has its own unique style, ranging from a flashy hot rod race car to a pickup truck. A local lumber company donated some of the scrap wood for the project.

The dolls and toy vehicles became such a hit that people in their families and churches joined in. What started as a small project for the members of the senior center quickly blossomed into a community undertaking involving several hundred people.

By the time collection season rolled around in mid-November, the people in Ridgeland had designed 400 dolls and 400 cars for shoe boxes!

The doll-making project is not the only activity that keeps Eva energized. She helps oversee the HomeBound program at her church, visiting shut-ins in nursing homes and delivering meals to the elderly.

“They’re all younger than me,” she said with a grin.

Additional Prayer Requests

• For the safe arrival of shoe box gifts overseas as they go through customs and are transported to their in-country destinations.
• For our National Leadership Teams in these countries as they prepare to receive and distribute the shoe boxes and train teachers for the follow-up discipleship program.


• For the recruiting and training of more Operation Christmas Child volunteers in the U.S. as we seek to expand our teams involved in church, community, and media relations and in our prayer and collection networks.

Special Prayer Requests for Other Projects of Samaritan’s Purse:
The catastrophic earthquake in Haiti has stirred the hearts of people around the world to do whatever they can to help survivors through prayer, financial giving, and relief work. Samaritan’s Purse has launched a major mobilization effort to send hundreds of tons of medical supplies, water filters, hygiene kits, blankets, heavy equipment, and vehicles to the ravaged capital city. Please pray for Haitians to receive aid and medical attention as quickly as possible. Pray also for our staff as they deal with physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges while trying to meet tremendous needs. To learn more about the Samaritan’s Purse response to Haiti, go to www.samaritanspurse.org

Schedule Change...

For board members who weren't at Church yesterday, the committee dinner and meetings have been cancelled tonight due to pending weather - the Board will still meet but at 6:30pm. Please plan to attend!

Haiti Offering Summary...

Who says a small body cant do large things?? FCC collected $13,226.00 this morning during our special Haiti offering...and we've still got pledges that havent come in! That plus the $300.00 we received from the community totals $13,526.00! God is so good! I pray blessings for each and every giver and that each dollar be a true testimony to the amazing grace of God! We will update the totals when we get the pledges in...........
God Bless!

Dont forget!!

Tomorrow is the day! Let's help make a difference to those who've lost so much! Come and join us for Worship tomorrow, the special offering will be taken up after the service.........

Sad update...

John David Sneyds grandfather passed away Friday, Feb 12. Our prayers are with you and your family John David.......

For Today...

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Isaiah 40:28,29

Dear Lord, there is an unsolvable problem staring me in the face right now-a Goliath-size imposibility shouting insults at me. Help me look away from the problem long enough to look at You and remember again just who You are. It's true that as long as I'm trying to solve the problem on my own, it will reamin unsolved. I'm helpless to manage it because it is far bigger than I am. And yet, I know that You are bigger than my problem, because nothing is bigger. No one is stonger. When I call on You to replace me as my problem solver, You take over. And that's when Goliath falls and my problem gets cut down to size...and all this as the wheels of the galaxies continue to spin. Amen.

From: My Personal Daily Prayer Book by Christine A. Dallman; Margaret Ann Huffman

 God so loVed the world,
 That He gAve
    His onLy
    BegottEn
        SoN
          That whosever
Believeth In Him
   Should Not perish,
 But have Everlasting life."
                   

                 

Blizzard...........

Well, here we are riding out yet another snow storm. This has been one more winter and I think we'll all be glad to see the tail end of it!!
I'm trying to be reflective during this time of forced stillness and it's difficult at best. Try to take advantage of it somehow......
I'm searching for words of wisdom and yet all I can come up with are prayer and lots of it! Try not to focus on the gloom and stay occupied with SOMETHING right? Maybe a Bible study, exercise, reading, games or puzzles?? Which reminds me, I could be cleaning out a closet or two...that would really be productive! Spend time getting ready for warm weather so when it does get here all the indoor projects will be complete!
So, got a drawer that needs sorting out? Pictures to put in an album or download to your computer? I DO!
See ya later!

BROADCASTER-2/09/2010

And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: Mark 12:42,43

There’s a story told about a couple of guys who were discussing their approaches to giving. One man said, “Here’s how I decide how much to give. I cash my paycheck in small bills, and then I go home and draw circle on the floor. I throw the money into the air and whatever falls into the circle is God’s.”
The other guy said, “I think my way is even better. On payday, I cash my check into small bills. When I get home, I toss the money in the air, and whatever God catches he can keep.”
Let me share a true story of what God can do through someone who is humble and faithful in giving. Miss Oseola McCarty was born March 7, 1908, and she died September 26, 1999 (91 years old). She dropped out of school at 12 to take care of her sick aunt. She never went back to school but began a lifelong career of washing and ironing clothes — preferring a washboard to modern washing machines. She retired at age 86. She tithed to her church in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, paid her bills, and made monthly payments on her insurance and burial plot. Everything left over went into the bank. "The Lord portioned out the good things in life to me just fine," she said. "Who needs any more?"
Miss McCarty proved Soren Kierkegaard correct: "It is more blessed to give than to receive, but then it is also more blessed to be able to do without than to have to have."
About five years before her death, Oseola McCarty became a national celebrity by giving $150,000 — sixth-tenths of her life savings — to found a scholarship for poor children wanting to attend the University of Southern Mississippi. “Seek first God's kingdom and what God wants. Then all your other needs will be met as well” (Matthew 6.33, NCV)

Grace and Peace,
Tim

Haiti Love Offering

For the past several weeks we've talked about a special offering for the earthquake victims in Haiti. We've been asked to pray about this and search our hearts as we consider what we can give. What better day than Valentines Day to take up this special offering to express our love, care and concern for our fellow man. We will be taking up this special offering next Sunday, February 14th after the morning Worship service.

6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (NIV)

The East TN Christian Home
Is having a pancake breakfast!

When? Saturday, February 20th
Where? Applebee’s in JC
Time? 8:00am-10:00am
Cost? Free for 20 people!

If you’d like to take advantage of the free pancake breakfast there are 20 prepaid tickets available. You can pick your tickets up in the office this Sunday or come by during office hours.

PRAYER CONCERNS/UPDATES
Zechariah Matson will have tubes put in his ears this Fri., Feb. 12th.

CONTINUE IN PRAYER FOR…
Terry Jarrett, Billie Flowers, Joan Hicks, Lou Thornberry, Jack/Norma Ingle, John Marr, Maurice Love, Ramona Gouge, Stamper family, Kira Whitson, Gene/Gladys Bowman, Denise Ray, John Martins father, Jack Britt, Tim Bennett, Marilyn Brown, Martha Hartsell, Spencer Moore, Ruth Evans, Kathryn Sparks
 
TEAM AARON!
Visit www.caringbridge.org/visit/aaronstamper for updates
 
 IN HEALTH CARE….
Erwin Health Care – Beulah Morris
UCMH Long Term Care – Ruth Marie Masters, Edyth Price,
Helen Miller, Jackie Duncan
Center On Aging – Mary Davis, Jo
Jackson
Ken and Agnes Kerns
Pine Oaks Assisted Living – Pete
Harvey
Appalachian Christian Village-Lois Stamper
Shut-ins-Charles Flowers, Polly Miller
 

FEBRUARY BOARD MEETING


THE COMMITTEE DINNER MEETINGS AND THE BOARD MEETING WILL BE HELD THIS MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15TH.

Dinner starts at 6:00pm this month it will be hosted by Betty Gouge and Kathy Eunson, followed by the Committee meetings.
At 7:30pm the Board will meet in the Booster Classroom.

If you’d like to host a Committee
Dinner these are the months that are available:

March
April
November


Happy Birthday to YOU!

Doris Johnson-16th
Aaron Stamper-16th
Nancy Bogart-17th
Martha Hartsell-19th

Bring in your used Eyeglasses or used Hearing Aids!!

In co-operation with the Johnson City Lions Club, Hope Circle will be
collecting used eyeglasses and used hearing aids. The collected item’s will be taken to a recycling center in Roanoke, VA and then distributed all over the world.

CHILDREN’S GLASSES ARE ESPECIALLY NEEDED!

However all eyeglasses/sunglasses or hearing aides in any condition will be appreciated.There will be a collection box in the foyer through the month of February.

Weekly Memory Verse

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 14:6, NIV

Sunday, Feb. 14

Speaker…......David Roberts

Sermon Title
“The Church with a Heart for People in Need.”

Text
Acts 11:19-30

Prayer
Lori Alexander

Communion Meditation
John David Sneyd

Elders
George Coley
Jack Gardner

Deacons
John David Sneyd; Jared
Shoemaker;
2 Volunteers

Communion to shut-ins
Jack Gardner; Jerry Whitt

Communion Preparation
Patti Hemphill

Greeter
Seth & Katie Jones

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

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

Monday blues? Remember...

Be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts. Eph. 5:18-19

Singing is in a line of descent from the psalms, a way of puncturing reality, the ordered struture of things as they are. As soon as we start to sing, dance, remember, things are not as they are. We are no longer just gathering in the hay, as it were. It's a weird thing to do-a non-animal-like thing to do. The angel in us.
-Dennis Potter, Serials with Songs

Haiti Love Offering - February 14

For the past several weeks we've talked about a special offering for the earthquake victims in Haiti. We've been asked to pray about this and search our hearts as we consider what we can give. What better day than Valentines Day to take up this special offering to express our love, care and concern for our fellow man. We will be taking up this special offering next Sunday, February 14th.

2 Corinthians 9:6-8
(New International Version)

Sowing Generously:

6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Daily Devotion for 2/6/10...

Did you know that the little quarterly Devotion books go hand in hand with the Sunday School lesson? There is Scripture text, a devotion and a prayer, they're great little reads!



Example:
Romans 15:7-13 (I find it better to read a little more than the book offers so this is vs 1-13) I've left out the devotion text:

1 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.
2 Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.
3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me."
4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus,
6 so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God's truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs
9 so that the Gentiles may glorify God for his mercy, as it is written: "Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing hymns to your name."
10 Again, it says, "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people."
11 And again, "Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,and sing praises to him, all you peoples."
12 And again, Isaiah says, "The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him."
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

The prayer following:
Help me, O Father, to learn more about You and Your Son Jesus Christ that I might confidently share Your joy, peace, hope, and salvation with others. As I trust in you, may others see the power of the Holy Spirit shining through my life. In Christ I pray, Amen.

From the Devotions For the Seasons; Winter 2009-2010 by Standard Publishing

A thought for the day...

From:
My Personal Daily Prayer Book by:
Christine A. Dallman & Margaret Ann Huffman

Based on Scripture from the gospel of Luke 10:39-42

"Jesus, you know how to keep things simple. During your time on earth, you never let people complicate your life and distract you from your purpose. You knew when to go all out to help people. You knew when to take a break. You knew how to deal with your opponents with out letting them drag you down. (emphasis mine) You knew how to be a good friend. You knew when it was time to go home and let others pick up where you left off. How did you do it? How did you know? Please show me. I'm ready to listen and learn. Amen.

The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak. - Hans Hofmann, Search for the Real.


Then why do we have such a hard time staying focused on God? Jesus tells us, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one He has sent." Jn.6:29 Then in Romans 10:9 it says: "That if you confess with your mouth,"Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."
That's it? Is that all I have to do? That's it. This is the very fundamental truth of being a Christian. Dont misunderstand, you cant simply believe and then live how you want because:(read Romans 7 and 8 for more!) A life truly given over to God will take the course we're meant to be on with God at the helm. Isnt it great to know that we're equipped with the ability to do what God wants? He will plant the desire in our hearts to do whatever His good and perfect will is, that urging you feel to do a good work, or a certain task is GOD living in us, God with us! Amen! Staying that course will bring joy and peace.
It truly is enough to make me want to shout to the Lord! Let's learn from our Master and Teacher Jesus dont let Satan bog you down with complications.
I'd love to hear from you......if you're out there reading this!

In Him
P. Hemphill

Bring the Rain by Mercy Me

23 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him.
24 Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.
25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!"
26 He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. 27 The men were amazed and asked, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!" Matt. 8:23-27

Thank you Lord for people who are gifted with the ability to write such beautiful words.........isnt it wonderful to know that Jesus is with us even amidst our storms!

"Bring The Rain"

I can count a million times
People asking me how I
Can praise You with all that I've gone through
The question just amazes me
Can circumstances possibly
Change who I forever am in You
Maybe since my life was changed
Long before these rainy days
It's never really ever crossed my mind
To turn my back on you, oh Lord
My only shelter from the storm
But instead I draw closer through these times
So I pray

Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You
Jesus, bring the rain

I am Yours regardless of
The dark clouds that may loom above
Because You are much greater than my pain
You who made a way for me
By suffering Your destiny
So tell me what's a little rain
So I pray

Holy, holy, holy
Is the Lord God Almighty

Check it out!

Lifehouse "Everything" Skit

This is an awesome video, click on the link Lifehouse "Everything" skit. Most of you may have seen it. I felt every moment of the young womens pain, so moving!

Broadcaster: Feb. 2, 2010

Happy Ground Hog Day?? :)
Looks like 6 more weeks folks that is if we can really believe a mythical groundhog!



The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouged. Deuteronomy 31:8

And yet we do get afraid and discouraged, frustrated and angry. We want what we want when we want it and Aaron Stamper wanted to come home and be cancer free. Many of you know that Aaron didn’t get a good report when he got back to Memphis last week. With only two treatments left to go the doctors found that the leukemia has returned and he is now facing a bone marrow transplant.
I’m afraid patience is not one of the fruit’s of the Spirit I lay claim to; I can only imagine how this news has affected the family. I’ve come to regard Tim as our modern day Job; it’s as if since being in Memphis they have been hit with one thing after another. As the family we are, in fact the family we’re called to be, all we can do is keep the Stamper family lifted up in prayer and for Aarons healing. First Christian Church needs to be lifted up during this time as well.
It would seem tragedy abounds, just turn the news on. Haiti continues to try and recover from the recent tragedy and will for years to come. Be also in prayer for the special offering we will take up on February 14th to aid them in this endeavor.
Much like the inclement weather conditions we’ve had this winter, life can be trying with dark clouds hovering as we trudge through deep snow. Each step we take can be more tiring than the last, we get bogged down by the “mud and the mire,” fearing the slippery pathways and always looking down at our feet. Suddenly we look up and see the beauty all around, the pristine sparkling snow, the light is blinding as we turn our eyes back to the Son! Only then do we realize we’ve taken our eyes from our Savior, yet He’s there waiting patiently for us.
Are there silver linings in any of our clouds? Paul says in Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (KJV) I must leave the mysteries of this to our Father in Heaven and faithfully believe His promises.
As John ends the book of Revelation, so I end this note and pray it for my brothers and sisters; “The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.”
P. Hemphill




Weekly Memory Verse

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even tough he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.”
John 11:25-26a, NIV




Bring in your used Eyeglasses or used Hearing Aids!!

In co-operation with the Johnson City Lions Club, Hope Circle will be collecting used
eyeglasses and used hearing aids.
The collected item’s will be taken to a
recycling center in Roanoke, VA and then
distributed all over the world.
CHILDREN’S GLASSES ARE ESPECIALLY NEEDED!
However all eyeglasses/sunglasses or hearing aides in any condition will be appreciated.
There will be a collection box in the foyer through the month of February.







The East TN Christian Home is having a pancake breakfast!

When? Saturday, February 20th
Where? Applebee’s in JC
Time? 8:00am-10:00am
Cost? Free for 20 people!

If you’d like to take advantage of the free pancake breakfast there are 20 prepaid tickets available. You can pick your tickets up in the office this Sunday or come by during office hours.



PRAYER CONCERNS/UPDATES

*Norma Ingle is now back at home.

*Sammy Keesecker is in the hospital not doing well.

*Aaron Stamper is facing a bone marrow transplant as soon as the Leukemia cells are back under control.


CONTINUE IN PRAYER FOR…
Terry Jarrett, Billie Flowers, Joan Hicks, Lou Thornberry, Jack/Norma Ingle, John Marr, Maurice Love, Ramona Gouge, Stamper family, Kira Whitson, Gene/Gladys Bowman, Denise Ray, John Martins father, Jack Britt, Tim Bennett, Marilyn Brown, Martha Hartsell, Spencer Moore, Ruth Evans, Kathryn Sparks
 
TEAM AARON!
Visit www.caringbridge.org/visit/aaronstamper for updates
 
IN HEALTH CARE….
*Erwin Health Care – Beulah Morris
*UCMH Long Term Care – Ruth Marie Masters, Edyth Price,
Helen Miller, Jackie Duncan
*Center On Aging – Mary Davis, Jo Jackson, Ken and Agnes Kerns
*Pine Oaks Assisted Living – Pete Harvey
*Appalachian Christian Village-Lois Stamper
*Shut-ins-Charles Flowers, Polly Miller


***DATE CHANGE***

CHANGE YOUR CALENDAR!

THE COMMITTEE DINNER MEETINGS AND THE BOARD MEETING WILL BE HELD ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15TH.

Dinner starts at 6:00pm this month it will be hosted by Betty Gouge and Kathy Eunson, followed by the
Committee meetings. At 7:30pm the Board will meet in the Booster
Classroom.

If you’d like to host a Committee
Dinner these are the months that are available:

March
April
November



WEATHER ALERT

In case of inclement weather tune in to WEMB or go to www.wemb.com
or call: B. J. Moore 423-743-3244 David Eunson 423-743-9303
OR go to:
www.fccerwintn.blogspot.com








Happy Birthday to you!!

Sam Rosolina-10
Donna Gardiner-14
Tim Stamper-14
Melanie Poling-14








Thank You!

Thank you so much for the flowers your Church sent for Charles Alexander, very, very nice and appreciated.
Love,
The Alexander Family
~
Memory of:
In memory of Worley Mauk by:
Faye Hensley


Caring and Compassionate Volunteers needed.

The Medical Center Hospice Services of JC is seeking
volunteers to be part of the Hospice team.

Call Mary Cusack
Volunteer Coordinator
(423)431-7668



Sunday, Feb. 7

Guest Speaker
Bruce Montgomery will bring the message this Sunday.

Prayer
John Martin

Communion Meditation
Shelton Thompson

Elders
George Coley
Jack Gardner

Deacons
John David Sneyd; Jared
Shoemaker;
2 Volunteers

Communion t shut-ins
George Coley; John David Sneyd

Communion Preparation
Patti Hemphill

Greeter
Seth & Katie Jones

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

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

Email
fccerwin@embarqmail.com

On the Web:
fccerwintn.blogspot.com

Office Hours:
Mon.,Tues.,Thur.,
8:00am-2:00pm

Minister (cell) 388-9862
Minister (home) 743.4222
Int. Youth Min…….220-6646

Interim Minister
David Roberts…....542-9494

Stamper Address
Target House I
Room 208/Aaron Stamper
1811 Poplar Ave.
Memphis, TN 38104