What’s Your Preference?

I’m not sure if I care for either.  My grandfather played the banjo, but I’m pretty sure I don’t have that gift and I don’t know anyone in our family that played the harp.  We all have our preferences though, don’t we?  One person likes harps, another likes banjos.  One person likes musicals, another likes action movies.  One person likes board games, another likes car shows.  One person likes contemporary, another likes traditional.

We’re familiar with preferences in everyday life, but what about preferences in the church?  What’s the difficulty with preferences in the church?  We have to endure everyone else’s!  To be clear, I’m not talking about things that are doctrinal or clear mandates in Scripture.  I’m talking about preferences in the way we do things, and we can get pretty insistent on our preferences!  I’m sure you’ve seen people get upset about a lot of things that happen in church.  Most of the time, it has nothing to do with core doctrinal beliefs.  It’s the color for the new carpet, whether we should move the furniture in the lobby, the design of the new bathrooms, having a contemporary or traditional worship, serving communion before or after the sermon, when to do announcements, who we like leading worship, which preacher we prefer, etc.  The list goes on and on and on.

Preferences are not bad, so long as we remember to keep the main thing the main thing.  Never allow a preference to become a point of division and never allow preference to take precedence over the mission.

             -Scott McFarland

V.B.S. 2022

What a week!  This past week, our VBS taught an average of 65 kids each night.  Games, crafts, and puppet skits all worked together to teach the kids a different Bible story each night.  I heard they even enjoyed special appearances by Moses and Elijah!  As the kids were enjoying their time of learning, the adults were gathered in the auditorium for a class and discussion on how to parent through the social media age.  We had about 40 parents join us each night.  It was a great time of learning and discussion! 

If you helped out or participated in any way this week, thank you!  I’m reminded in weeks such as this one of the collective power we have as a church body.  There is so much talent, ability, and potential within our church family when we come together for something.  Often, we can get discouraged when we work on our own because we don’t see results very quickly or easily.  The problem isn’t us, however; it’s that we are only one person.  God never intended for us to do ministry or live the Christian life alone.  It was always designed to be done in community, with other people.  This week was proof of that.  Thank you!

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.  For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.  For the body does not consist of one member but of many.

—I Corinthians 12:12-14

      -Scott McFarland

V.B.S. Thank You

It’s all about the numbers (jk, former math teacher).  My heart cannot express the gratitude it feels for: 

 1 amazing adult class teacher
2 technicians 
3 stage cast members & impersonators
4 cradle roll keepers & crafty cooks
5 classroom leaders
6 (and more) incredible gamers
7 official greeters
11 behind the scenes doers
45 additional helpers and workers
50 adult attenders
75 amazing children and 100’s of prayers
1,000’s of generous donations

And most importantly,
An infinite God that blessed our church beyond measure!

Love each and every ONE of you,
Merna
 

Vacation Bible School Update

Each evening of VBS, there will be a parenting class in the auditorium from 6-7:30pm.  We will be using a video series called "Engage:  Navigating Parenting in a Social Media Age" with Kirk Cameron.  Come join us and invite a friend!

There will be a friendly class competition for Vacation Bible School.  Each night of VBS, the children are asked to bring an item for the M.A.G.I. project.

Sunday:  Coloring Book Ages 2-7
Monday:  Children's flip flops
Tuesday:  Matchbox cars & trucks
Wednesday:  Jump ropes

Thank You

Thank you so much for the beautiful flowers on Mother’s Day. Your loving kindness meant so much to me. May we all look to Jesus and follow what he has taught us. Remember John 3:16 and be immersed. Let this be the journey of your soul.

Love from, Doris Ady

Mission Support Thank You

This is my first trip to South America. I was in Africa in the past. This is my first time trying to get funding. Your donation has really eased my mind on making this trip. I have a lot to learn, and I want to Thank You. Your prayers are appreciated, and I know that God will be with us. Your assistance is making it possible for me and for the work of the Lord to take place. Please note that any funds that raised over the $3,500 will be utilized in the Guyana Fund.

             Thank You, Jeff Thompson

M.A.G.I. Box - Thank You

Thank you to everyone who donated items and/or helped pack the M.A.G.I boxes on Wednesday (05/04/22) night. It was the largest attendance to Feed the Flock to date. We also had several volunteers willing to pack the M.A.G.I boxes with the items donated throughout the last year by many of you. You met the goal of 100 boxes, and they will be delivered to the Whitehall Church of Christ later this month. Whitehall will ensure they get delivered to the children. Paul said in Acts 20: 35, “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.” I know everyone was blessed on Wednesday night.

Hearing Devices

There are hearing devices available for anyone who would like to use them. They are in the back of the church on the wall. If you have any issues with them, please see Butch Lallathin.

Mission Support

The church is sending $1,00.00 in mission support to Jeff Thompson for mission work in Guyana.

We are also sending financial support to The Christian Chronicle.

Miami Valley Bible Bowl

Miami Valley Bible Bowl is an annual event in which students in grades 4-12 compete in a friendly, faith-affirming two-day Bible Bowl. The books they will be studying are James & Hebrews. If you are interested in joining the Bible Bowl team for Spring 2023, please sign up on the sheet in the foyer.