The Christian Messenger

November 30, 2014

Ladies Christmas Breakfast

A Recipe for Christmas

Fifth Avenue Church of Christ

115 W. Fifth Ave.
Lancaster, OH 43130
740-654-0626
www.myfacc.com
e-mail info@myfacc.com

Saturday, December 6, 2014

9:00 a.m. - ?

The Ville Restaurant

Devotions, Fellowship, and Prizes

Today is the last day to purchase tickets!

Brad Seevers
Senior Minister
(740-550-9882)
David Tingler
Associate Minister

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING DECEMBER 7th

Sunday Services

At our annual meeting, on December 7, we will be voting for a list of

candidates for various offices of our congregation and we will be asked to
approve the proposed budget for 2015 (A listing of candidates and a copy of
the proposed budget are included in todays Messenger.)

Bible School
8:45 a.m.

In addition to these two items, our members will be asked to approve a

recommendation, from our Trustees, regarding a new roof for our auditorium.
The Trustees are recommending replacing our present roof (over 25 years
old) with a metal roof which has a 40 year warranty. The best bid is
$28,975.00 and is bid by a local company. The Trustees, and your Elders,
are recommending that we use our Special Christmas Offering for this
project and that we seek to raise at least $20,000.00, over the next several
months (over and above our regular giving.)

Worship
10:00 a.m.
Evening Worship
6:00 p.m.

THOUGHTS FROM BRAD

BITS FROM BRO. DAVE

When Holidays Arent Happy

(excerpts from a Bob Russell blog)
Dr. Ken Duckworth, Medical Director of the National Alliance on Mental
Illness wrote, I think a lot of people would say that the holidays are the
worst time of the year. Theyre just straight up miserable, and thats not
only for people with clinical depression.
Why is that? If I were going to list the top 5 reasons holidays are difficult
for a lot of people it would be as follows:

KEENAGERS LUNCH: If you plan to

attend our lunch on December 11, I need
your name on the sign-up sheet today
(November 30). Lunch will get underway
at 12:01 pm. This will be our final event
for 2014 and my final event as Associate
Minister (Seniors). Josh Czich will present
a brief demonstration on self-defense for
seniors, we will reminisce a bit about the
past seven years and make a decision about
some funds on hand. All you have to bring
is yourself, and a friend, if you choose. A
sign-up sheet is posted.

(5) Bad memories. Some had very poor childhood experiences every
holiday: dad got drunk, mom was stressed out, they never got the
presents they hoped for or they had to travel to Grandmas house and it
wasnt any fun. Those childhood memories are deeply embedded in the
mind and subconsciously surface leading up to the holidays.
(4) Over-commitment. Theres just too much to do and the holidays are
stressful.
(3) Financial pressure. People spend more than they can afford so their
kids will have a Merry Christmas. They feel guilty about overspending or
discouraged because they know what they face when the credit card
bills come due the end of January.
(2) The empty chair. Some folks used to really enjoy the holiday season
because they were with people they loved. But now someone who
meant the world to them has died. The kids moved away. Your child is
in the military overseas. You went through a divorce, or the holidays
remind them that theyre still single. There is a gnawing loneliness.
(1) Unrealistic expectations. Television ads and Hallmark cards create
an image of a warm, family-centered Christmas. Everyone is
exchanging gifts of love, everyone is smiling and hugging while the snow
is gently falling outside and the fireplace is aglow.
Reality is not like that. People are alone. Families are divided. Kids are
on drugs. There are harsh words. Dad sits in the easy chair and wont
help out with the lights. Mom nags. Kids complain. Somebody refuses
to come. We have to walk on eggshells because of someones sensitive
feelings. Theres such a gap between what should be and what isand
its magnified at Thanksgiving and Christmas.
We would do well to remember the first Thanksgiving wasnt perfect.
Forty five of the 102 settlers who arrived on the Mayflower died that first
year. The First Christmas was far from perfect also. Mary and Joseph
were under stress to find a place to stay. They spent the night in some
kind of stable where animals were housed. Allow me to suggest some
practical ways to get through the holidays with a positive spirit. These
include: (1) Plan something you really like to do the day after. (2) Do
something to help someone else and fake it til you make it. (3) Be
flexible; make reasonable adjustments. (4) The most important is to
really focus on Christon what the season is all about.
The Holidays arent really about perfect relationships and warm hugs
around a perfect dinner table. Its giving genuine thanks for this
marvelous, incredible story: that God so loved the world that he gave his
one and only son that whoever believes in him will not perish but have
everlasting life. Its being reminded of a marvelous promise that even
though life here is imperfect, we have a perfect inheritance that can
never perish, spoil or fade, that will be kept in heaven for us.
I hope this helps.
Brad

WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY:

We
return to our normal schedule this week.
We meet at 10:00am and 6:30pm for our
continuing examination of Old Testament
History. This week we will complete this
study and on December 10 & 17 we will be
studying Pauls letter to Titus.
FINAL THOUGHT:
Before giving
someone a piece of your mind, be sure you
have enough to spare.

The entire congregation is

invited to participate in the
ordination service of Joe
Hoagland on Sunday,
December 14th, at 6:00 p.m.
here at the church.

SPIRITUAL STATISTICS November 23, 2014

Sunday School
Morning Worship
Evening Worship
Weekly Budget
Budget Received
Thanksgiving
Van Fund
Building Fund (Jane King Memorial)
Building Fund

$
$
$
$
$
$

n/c
136
28
4,790.00
3,226.00
655.00
20.00
10.00
17.00

Chili Night
Wednesday, December 10th
5:15pm
Comedy night to follow.

SERVING SCHEDULE November 30, 2014

At the Table
Serving
Pastor of the week
PM Deacon

Fred Griffith and Wib Sparks

Bob Neff, Larry King,
George Lambert, Carmel Marsh
Fred Griffith
Bob Neff

Sign up in the coat room.

Mike and Tina Milbaugh

COMMUNION

Brenda Hines and Virginia Wentz

GREETERS
NURSERY
Sunday School
Worship

Volunteer Needed
Courtney Beiter
Becky Wellman

VISITOR CENTER
CHILDRENS CHURCH
SECURITY
Bible School
Worship
Evening Worship

Family Sunday

Carmel Marsh
Tim Huffman
George Lambert

Would you like our worship

area decorated for Christmas?
We need a volunteer to take
on this project. See Brad if
you can help!

Prayer Requests
Jim Hoff
Millie Hoy
Carter
John Hill
BJ Hoff
Wib Sparks

Betty Sparks
Our Troops
Alberta Ellis
Connie Lane
Jeanne Noble
Ron Young

Naressa Allen
Jeane Goldfarb
Judy Fricker
Diane Bresler
Pat Schlosser
Joyce McCray

Marianna Gall
Mark Seevers
Norma Bullock
Don Wallace
Don & Ruth Seevers
George Winters

Camille Stiverson
Carolyn McKenzie
Kenneth Dusthimer
Ralph & Cheri Frank
Kasen Newman
Wilbur Barnes

SERVING SCHEDULE December 7, 2014

Upcoming Events

Dick Shumaker and Ned Tomlinson

Tim Huffman, Dick Shumaker,
Serving
Ned Tomlinson, Hank Wellman
Dick Shumaker
Pastor of the week
Tim Huffman
PM Deacon

Wednesday, December 3rd

Seniors Bible Study, 10am/6:30pm
Respectable Sins Bible Study, 6:15pm
Security Meeting, 7:30pm

At the Table

COMMUNION
GREETERS
NURSERY
Sunday School
Worship

Dan and Janet Brown

Don and Judy Gardner

Volunteer Needed
Marie Huffman

Thursday, December 4th

Self-Defense Class, 6pm
Saturday, December 6th
Ladies Christmas Breakfast, 9am
Sunday, December 7th
Congregational Meeting following morning worship

VISITOR CENTER
CHILDRENS CHURCH

Natalie Neff

SECURITY
Bible School
Worship
Evening Worship

Bill Kelly
Jeff Crook
Jim Puckett

A congregational meeting will be

held Sunday, December 7th,
following the morning worship
hour to elect officers and approve
the budget for 2015.

Wednesday, December 10th

Seniors Bible Study, 10am/6:30pm
Chili Night, 5:15pm
Thursday, December 11th
Keenagers Luncheon, 12:01pm
Sunday, December 14th
Carriage Court Service, 2pm
Joe Hoaglands Ordination Service, 6:00pm

FURNACE BOILER REPAIRED

As you, no doubt, noticed, we had heat
these last two weeks! The boiler had
been repaired at a cost of $5,417.00.
We are grateful to those who have,
already, given $3,000.00 toward this
project. You are reminded that this
years Special Thanksgiving Offering
has been designated for this project.
However, any funds, over and above
the needed balance, will be forwarded
to the West African Christian Mission to
assist them with a special land
purchase.

WELCOME TO FIFTH AVENUE!

At FACC, we focus on loving God,
loving people, and turning the world
upside down.
We are happy you chose to worship with
us today. We hope you return next week
and bring your friends with you. If you
would please take a few minutes to fill out
a Silent Roll Call Card, located on the
back of the pew, you can then place it in
the offering plate as it is passed. Thank
you. For more information about our great
church, contact our minister, Brad Seevers
at Brad@new-churches.org or call him at
740.550.9882. Have a great week and
may God bless your life.

Sunday School Classes for All Ages

Classes at 8:45 unless noted
Nursery (Birth through 3 years old)
Jesus Loves Me
Room 102
Preschool (Ages 3-6)
Bible Friends
Room 105
Marie Huffman, Teacher
Early Elementary (Kindergarten 3rd Grade)
Jesus, Our Example
Room 101
Deborah Will, Teacher
Upper Elementary Class (4th 6th Grade)
Jesus, Our Example
Room 106
Larry King, Teacher
Junior/Senior High
I Timothy
3rd Floor
Josh Czich, Teacher

Coats for Kids Drive

In an effort to provide warm coats for needy
children during the cold winter months,
Fashion and Vanity Cleaners has initiated
their 10th Annual Coats for Kids drive. Good
quality, gently worn coats (no tears, stains or
broken zippers, please) may be dropped off
at the following locations, Fashion Cleaners,
located at the Plaza Shopping Center on
Memorial Drive, and Vanity Cleaners, located
on East Main Street next to the Kroger
Shopping Center, or Job & Family Services,
239 W. Main St. All coats will be cleaned at
no charge and then distributed to Job and
Family Services. The coat drive will run
through January 2015.

Ladies Class
The Storm Inside
Room 209
Beverly Puckett, Teacher
Adult Class
Ecclesiastes
Room 214
Brad Seevers, Teacher
Harmony Adult Class
Sustaining Hope
Room 204
Dave Tingler, Teacher
Philothean Adult Class
Parables
Room 108
Jim Love, Teacher

Core Values...

Brad Seevers preaching

________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________

Values central to the life, mission and

vision of Fifth Avenue Church of Christ are:
Christ-Centered Worship

________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________

We make it a priority every Sunday to celebrate Jesus through our

music. (Romans 11:36-12:1-2). We focus on Jesus through gracebased preaching and teaching & understand the Bible is our
authority (2 Timothy 3:16).

________________________________________

Church Health and Biblical Balance

________________________________________

Church health becomes reality when God's people seek harmony &
live consistently. We expect every member to protect the unity
of Christ's Church. (Romans 12:16; 1 Peter 3:8)

________________________________________
________________________________________

Global Evangelism

________________________________________

We are constant to our founding call to worldwide evangelism,

proclaiming to all that Jesus Christ is the Savior, Healer, and SoonComing King (Acts 20:27).

________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________

Fellowship and Ministry

After people begin their journey with Jesus, we will equip them to
find a ministry based upon their strengths. We want everyone to
serve in some capacity. (1 Corinthians 12:12-27) We also want His
church to be the living evidence of His love and power to the world.

__________________________________

How Can I Respond Today?

At FACC we look to the Bible for guidance on all
issues. We believe that Gods Word is clear
concerning what a person must do to become a
Christian.
Trust that Jesus can bring you to salvation.
Turn (repent) from the sin in your life.
Confess your desire to make Jesus the Lord
of your life.
Be baptized (immersed) in water for the
forgiveness of sins and to receive the Holy
Spirit into your life.
To make this life decision for Christ, we ask that you
come forward during our commitment song at the
conclusion of the Sunday message. Baptized believers
are welcome to become members at FACC by coming
forward on Sunday morning or by seeing our Senior
Minister to discuss this further. We ask that you
complete a series of Curious classes to help you
better understand what you are committing to as a
member. If you would like to take a Curious class,
please indicate this on your Silent Roll Call Card.

Discipleship
We do not want you to "get religion" here at Fifth Avenue Church of
Christ in Lancaster. We are all about teaching you that Jesus seeks
a daily relationship with Him through a life of obedience. In other
words, we want to see the things you are taught actually change
your lifestyle & your daily decisions.

Social Conscience
We place high value on the sanctity of human life, of Biblical
marriage and morality, and we welcome ethnic diversity (Isaiah
56:7; Philippians 2:15-16).

OUR PURPOSE

WE EXIST TO

Exalt Gods Greatness;

Evangelize Gods Work
Equip Gods People
Express Gods Love through Jesus Christ

OUR MISSION

To Love God and Love

People!

LIBRARY SPOTLIGHT
Canneh, the Reluctant Christmas Camel by
Margaret Leis Hanna is a book for young
readers. This story was inspired by the sketch
of a feisty camel. Canneh didnt want to be one
of the three camels for the Wisemen, What do
you mean were going to a birthday party and we
dont know who it is for? he says. Cannah
becomes the replacement camel for Caspar, King
of Tarsus, one of the Magi following the Star of
Bethlehem in search of the newborn King.

Lady of Milkweed Manor by Julie Klassen is a book

of adult fiction. Even a proper vicars daughter can

make a mistake and now Charlotte Lamb must pay a
high price for her fall. To avoid the prying eyes of
all who know her, she hides herself away in Londons
forbidding Milkweed Manor, a place of mystery
and lore, of old secrets and new birth. But once
there, she comes face-to-face with a suitor from
her past a man who now hides secrets of his own.
Both are determined, with Gods help, to protect
those they love. But neither can imagine the depth
of sacrifice that will be required. Sprinkled with
fascinating details about the lives of women in
Regency England, Lady of Milkweed Manor is a
moving romantic drama about the redemption of
past failings and the beauty of sacrificial love.
Stop by the library and check out a good book. If you have any questions about
the library, contact Delores Payne.

December 2014
SUNDAY

MONDAY
1

TUESDAY
2

WEDNESDAY
3
Seniors Bible Study,
10am/6:30pm

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

4
Self-Defense Class,
6pm

6
Ladies Christmas
Breakfast at The Ville,
9am

11
Keenagers Lunch,
12:01pm

12

13

18

19

20
Childrens Christmas
Party, 9am-12:30pm

25

26

27

Respectable Sins Bible

Study, 6:15pm
Security Meeting, 7:30pm
7
Congregational
Meeting following
morning worship

10
Seniors Bible Study,
10am/6:30pm
Chili Night, 5:15pm

14
Carriage Court
Service, 2pm

15
Facility Management,
6:30pm

16
Deacons Meeting,
6:30pm

Joe Hoagland
Ordination Service,
6:00pm

17
Seniors Bible Study,
10am/6:30pm
Respectable Sins Bible
Study, 6:15pm
(last Wednesday Bible
studies for 2014)
Elders Meeting, 7:30pm

21

22

23

24
Christmas Eve Service,
7pm

28
Food Pantry Sunday

29

30

31

The birthday list for December is on the bulletin board in the coat room.