Special Offering June 3rd Sunday!

This coming Sunday JUNE 3rd we will collect an offering in honor of Pentecost, which has just gone by this past Sunday, May 27th. Pentecost was an ancient Jewish festival held in Jerusalem upon which also the Holy Spirit was poured out upon new believers and the Church of Christ Jesus was birthed. The apostles baptized 3000 people that first day alone.

Our freshish goal in Carrollton is to move ahead into ministry both locally and globally. If we can eliminate the debt remaining on our Worship Center structure we can be more finacially free to invest in real time ministry. Your largest possible and sacrifical gift can make the difference. Whatever God leads you to is greatly appreciated. Let's reach the goal of $61,000.00 to finish the debt.

This Sunday special envolopes are available for the Pentecost offering. Everything collected in these envolopes will be used for debt reduction. Our regular offering will also be collected this week as well. God is good. All the time. Please come prepared to give.

The Future is Bright

(Ryan, pictured left of the orange golf bag is congratulated by his coach following his final round at the NAIA Division 1 National Golf Championship.)

I just returned from watching my oldest son Ryan play in the NAIA national college golf tournament held this week near the University of Notre Dame. It was great fun. After his last putt on the final green I watched as he reached into the cup to retrive his ball for the final time and thought about all the games and practices I have attended in the last number of years. I suppose they are countless. Basketball, baseball, football and golf; from 1st grade through college. I hate to think of the money spent for equipment, schools fees, travel and tickets over the many years.

But it has been a joy to walk along side of him. Every parent feels something special as you watch a child grow up. Ryan's future is bright as he now launches out into life.

There is also a special feeling in a Preacher's heart as you watch a congregation reach new heights in their development. I am thrilled about the upcoming Pentacost offering that will help us move forward. Special envolopes will be available for that offering. Our regular offering will continues that Sunday as well. We start 180 WORSHIP on June 3rd in the evening. a pitch in dinner is at 5:00 PM, with worship to follow at 6:00 PM. The summer will have some new things as well. Be sure and get your summer calender next time you are at the church building. The possiblities for discipleship will soon be published. It is exciting to think about stepping forward and stepping up to new places as a congregation. Let us remember that whatever we do in life or in the church we should work at it with all our heart to honor Christ. God has something special in store for those who seek him.

By the way, Ryan, I am proud of you over the last twenty-two years and I look forward to the new stages of your life. Thanks for letting me watch you play and grow up. It was a thrill.

'First' Sunday Night Worship to Begin in June.

I am excited about the summer. A seasonal calender will be available this Sunday with many activities for June, July and August. Starting the evening of June 3rd we will begin "180 WORSHIP". A time of worship at the beginning of the month on the 'first' Sunday evening . It will continue through the year. Let's do a 180! Let's start turning around and turning over everything to Jesus. On June 3rd we'll have a pitch-in dinner at 5:00 PM, then worship to follow at 6:00 PM. with praise music and a special speaker. Bring the family, let's draw close to the Lord in this time and enjoy the presence of God and each other. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says, "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."

A Milestone for my family. A Goal for all.

The picture shows my oldest son and my youngest daughter leaving the chapel at Milligan College. I love this picture. Just a little more than a week ago my oldest son, Ryan (22) graduated from Milligan College in Johnson City, Tennessee. As some of you know there is a fair amount of sacriface involved in completing college, for students and parents. It was an enjoyable weekend for Terri and me as we sat through several events surrounding the commencement ceremony held on Sunday afternoon, May 6th. There is a deep sense of pride that comes from seeing your child walk across the platform and receive their degree.

I am reminded of the scripture that calls everyone of us to progress in our walk with the Lord. We are to move forward in faith, knowledge and love over our years eventually graduating up to the full measure of Christ. Ephesians chapter 4:11-13 says, "It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."

One goal I am excited about for First Christian Church is developing a way to disciple ourselves and our children to live deeper lives in Christ. Let's not be satisfied with so-so living, but push ourselves to know Him significantly and follow Him completely. This week pick up the Bible again to read, pray for several minutes today and plan how you can start moving up in the class of Faith.

WELCOME TO MY BLOG POINT!

WOW! This is my first posting to my first blog spot and I am excited by the opportunity to share with friends about some of the exciting things going on at First Christian Church in Carrollton. After beginning in January of 2007 my wife and I have settled into a routine that is working well for the family. Terri has taken a part-time job with International Leadership Insitute right here in Carrollton. Check them out at www.iliteam.org. ILI provides church leadership training for Christians around the world to be the church. Their offices are right here in Carrollton, but their ministry reaches around the world with almost 100 conferences this year.
I am thrilled about the possibilities for First Christian Church. Within days a summer church calender will be published so that you can have an overview of events, studies and program during June, July and August.
Starting the first Sunday night in June, we introduce 180 WORSHIP. We will meet the first Sunday night of each month for inspiration and fellowship. You must check it out!
Remember that June 3rd is our Pentacost Offerring to collect a pay-off for debt elimination on our worship center. This offering can set us on a new course as we leave behind a debt and move towards future investment in local and global ministry.
This summer I want to spend time in the Wednesday night men's Bible Study to love them and learn together about so many good spiritual things.
I plan to write often to update you on good things, news stories and topics of interest for First Christian Church and the Kingdom of God.