CENTERVILLE MESSENGER (096380) Free Upon Request-Published Weekly by Centerville Church of Christ, 138 N. Central Ave., Centerville, TN 37033-1427 February 19, 2020 Volume XXXX –Number 7

“From Where I Sit”

Todd Parsley

There are many things or events in this life that we look forward to. We look forward to the end of the school week, the end of the work week, the end of the day. We look forward to being at home with our families. We look forward to family vacations and all sorts of events. I currently am looking forward to March 26th (Opening day of Reds baseball). You get it, we find ourselves looking forward to many different things. But, how often do you find yourself looking forward to eternity and heaven? I'll have to admit, the older I get, the more I think about heaven and the more I look forward to being in heaven when my life here on earth is over. Why? I'm glad you asked. Let me mention just a few reasons why I'm looking forward to heaven.

First of all, God is going to be there. Our heavenly Father is going to be there. In John’s vision of heaven, he said, “And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God” (Rev 21:3). Christ is going to be there. In Colossians 3:1, Paul said, “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.” The Holy Spirit is going to be there. “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one” (1 John 5:7). Can you just imagine for one moment finally being in the presence of the Godhead? For that time when our faith becomes sight, and we see the almighty God!

Secondly, all of the faithful of all time past will be there. Every faithful Bible character who we have read about and studied and learned from is going to be there. Jesus said, “And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 8:11) Not only them, but every faithful Christian who we have known in this life will be there. Those who live faithful lives are promised that crown of life mentioned in Revelation 2:10. Just think about seeing those people like Noah, Moses, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Peter, Paul, John, the other Apostles and the list goes on. I can only Imagine the joy that we will experience when we are reunited with those who we have labored with in the Church while here on earth. Wow! what a joyous time that will be.

Thirdly, it’s going to be a place where I will be free from all life's trials. “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” (Rev 21:4). Can you imagine being in a place where you would never be affected by pain, sorrow, or crying? That's a place that everyone wants to be.

Last, but not least, heaven is a place where there is no evil or sin. “But there shall by no means enter into it any thing that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life” (Rev 21:27). Just imagine being in a place where you would never be tempted to sin, ever again. And be in a place where evil does not exist.

There are many other reasons why I look forward to being in heaven, but what about you? Do you look forward to being in heaven? Do you ever really think about heaven? I pray that you do and that you long to be forever with God. "Well done, good and faithful servant..."

“Sing to me of heaven, sing that song of peace, From the toils that bind me it will bring release; Burdens will be lifted that are pressing so, Showers of great blessing o’er my heart will flow.” See ya Sunday, Todd

Carter’s Corner

Treasure Hunting Ladies’ Retreat 2020

May 1st & 2nd Details To Come

…Mark Your Calendar!!! The 150th Anniversary Celebration of the Centerville Church of Christ will be September 20, 2020. If you have a special memory of the church that you would like to share, please write it down on a piece of paper and turn it in to the office or email: tammy@centervillechurchofchrist.org. We would like to compile these memories to have on this special day. This can also include any old recipes that were used long ago.

WINGS

Ladies’ Class each Wednesday at the Outreach Center at 10 A.M. Hope to see

you there!

College Secret

Friend…

Reveal Potluck Lunch

in the Fellowship Hall

on March 29th!

WE HAD A GREAT TURNOUT for our first ever “Sweetheart Lighthouse” last Wednesday evening. The strong storms that were moving through didn’t keep our Lighthouse faithful away, as almost 50 students, dressed in their Sunday best, braved the elements to enjoy a great night of food and fun. A big thanks goes to Amanda Bowman and Jennifer Buchanan for all their hard work preparing the meal for the evening. THE DEADLINE FOR THE SR. HIGH RETREAT is only one week away. If you are planning to attend the Sr. High Retreat, your money and registration form is due to me by no later than the end of Wednesday night Bible study next Wednesday, February 26th. If there is some reason you will not be able to have your information turned in by that date, make sure you make arrangements with me before February 26th. The Sr. High Retreat is always one of the highlights of the school year and I know you do not want to miss out! THE JR. HIGH RETREAT is coming up March 27-28 at Camp Meribah. There are still a few weeks before the registration deadline, but you can always make your youth minister happy by turning in your information as early as possible, instead of waiting until the very last day. If you have any questions about this trip, let me know. WE HAVE FINISHED THE FIRST BOOK of the New Testament this past week as part of our 2020 Challenge, and we are diving into the book of Mark, chapters 1-5, this week. During our Bible class this past Sunday morning, we discussed how reading each of the four Gospel accounts helps us to have a better understanding of who Jesus was. Each Gospel author told their account (with the help of the Holy Spirit) based on their own understanding and background. When we read all four accounts of Jesus’ life, we can all have a better understanding of Jesus because we have studied his life from different points of view. Matthew’s account was written by a Jewish-Christian to a primary Jewish audience to tell them about the Messiah and the new Kingdom. Mark’s account (which I like to refer to as the “Man’s Gospel”) focuses primarily the actions of Jesus. Luke’s account is written from a very

logical and academic standpoint, and John’s account focuses on how Jesus loves mankind and why we should, in turn, love Jesus. I know that our students are being blessed in reading through the New Testament this year and I encourage you to keep reading and getting to know the Savior in 2020. In Him, Carter

CONTRIBUTION

February 16 : $ 12,871.00

Camp: $ 236.00

Budget: $12,976.00

Life-Line Daily Updates & Devotional

Message 931-729-5055

Recovering from surgery or other illness: Glenna Hill, Bobby & Joyce Mayberry, Grace Pinkerton, Barbara Dawes, Dan Elkins, Kitty Pharris, Alden Chilton, Ann & J.C. Wells, Ruth Reece, Ann Spencer, Allene Gordon Please Pray For Those Who Are Dealing With Cancer: Elizabeth Givens, George Peterson, Wilburn Horner, Lonnie Gilliam, Sandy Bagwell, Phil Shelton, Ann Lauran Plunkett, Jimmy Jenkins, Susan Hardy, Ronny Pitman, Ricky Pittman, Jimmy Copley, Gwen Rogers, David Talley, Beverly Grimes, Henrietta Rochelle, Jerry Shepard, Jimmy Mathis, John Beard Lyme Disease: Anna Ingram Ballou Betty Davis: 2259 Sunset Cove Gemantown, TN. 38138 Bobbie June Kittrell: 8353 Highway 100 Apt. 102 Nashville, TN. 37221 Doug & Maxine Shepherd: 301 Walrose Circle Searcy, Arkansas 72143

Home: Mildred Bridges, Dorris Claud, Floy Gatewood, Martha Leathers, Floy Lyell, Alvitea Sunder, A.J. & Willie B. Coates, J.W. & Sue Roder, Troy Parks

...Bert Mathis is in Vanderbilt Hospital due to falling at his home. He has a head injury, 2 broken bones in his neck. It is not known at this time if neck surgery will be required. ...Dot Allen, the mother of Ann Hooten,

has a small fracture in her back. ...Lonnie Gilliam continues to take treatments for cancer. ...Martha Leathers is is struggling with Parkinsons’ Disease. ...Trey Woods, the son of Barbara, is recovering from a mild stroke. ...Kathy McDonald has been diagnosed with scoliosis and kyphosis in her back and myelopathy in her neck. She will have an MRI and CT scan on March 3rd. ...Anita Allen will have an outpatient procedure on her left ear on March 3rd. ...Glenna Hill, daughter of Dot, is recovering from a stroke.

Memorial

Nursing Home: Life Care Center: Seth Armstrong, Pearl Gordon, Betty Claud, Addie Bell Nash, Georgia Moss, Larry Talley, Bobby Breece St. Thomas Hickman Nursing Home: Martha Bates, Jane Luckett, Francis McClanahan, Eltie Davis, Sybil Jenkins

Baptisms

The Children’s Home item for February is:

Kool-Aid Canisters & Pop Tarts

...a Memorial has been given to the Youth Fund in memory of Dean Bates by Don Luther. ...a Memorial has been given to the Camp Meribah Scholarship Fund in memory of Dean Bates, Bob McDonald, Kay Mayberry, Paul Bryant, and Jack Wood by Wayne & Carolyn Chessor. ...a Memorial has been given to the Jail Ministry in memory of Bob McDonald by Ken & Tina Dickerson. ...a Memorial has been given to the Camp Meribah Scholarship Fund in memory of Frank Atkinson, Dean Bates and Kay Mayberry by Ken & Tina Dickerson.

Thank You Ruth Reece writes:“ Dear Church Family, I would like to thank everyone for all the care and concern I have received during my “under the weather” spell. The cards, food, visits and prayers meant so much. Thankfully I am much better and up and out again. I love and appreciate my wonderful church family. In Christian Love…” Billy & Juanita Garner write: “ We want to thank you all for the cards, phone calls, food and every expression of kindness.” Doug & Maxine Shepherd write: “Thanks to all of you for the cards and phone calls for our anniversary. We appreciate it very much.”

cA Baby Girl!

Congratulations to Jeremy & Mindy James on the birth of a baby girl February 12, 2020. Rosemary Quinn weighed 5 lbs. 4

ozs. and is 18 inches long. Proud grandparents are Billy & Peggy McCoy.

cA Baby Boy! Congratulations to Nick & Kindall Deitmen on the birth of a baby boy February 12, 2020. His name is Duke Hawthorne and the proud grandparents

are Jackie and Randy Deitmen and great grandmother is Coleen Williams.

...We rejoice with Vanessa Sullivan and Kenneth Terrell who were baptized February 15, 2020 by members of the

Jail Ministry.

Area Events ...5th Annual Fairfield Singing Friday, February 28, 2020 7:00-9:00 P.M. Master of Ceremony William Tankersley Fairfield Church of Christ 1860 Hwy. 100 Centerville, Tennessee 37033 ...3rd Annual Singing at the Brushy Church of Christ Friday, February 21, 2020. Dinner served from 5:30 until time of singing at 7 P.M.

Check out…New DVD’s, Tracks and Books in track rack in front lobby. Emphasis on subject of Baptism and only Christians are in the Church who have been baptized for the remission of sins.

Welcome Home Marine Jacob Petrowski from 6 months in Japan!

Place Stamp

Here

Read Scripture Feb. 23:

Phil Griggs

March 1: Dr. Jerry Nash

Elder’s Prayer

February 23: Ken Dickerson

Prayer Week Of February 23

S.M.W. S.M.D.

Randy Wright Shaun Lawson S.E.W. S.E.D.

Daniel Dressler Jeremy Qualls W.E.B.S. W.E.D.

Robert Bowman Houston Hudgins

Preside

Feb. 23 James Aydelott

FANTASTIC CROWD FOR THE FIRST ANNUAL CHILI COOK-OFF

BROWNIE BAKE OFF!

Congratulations to Chili Champ

June Aydelott!

Congratulations to Brownie Champ

Marilyn Seagraves!

SPECIAL THANKS TO KIM BATES

AND FISH CAMP RESTAURANT FOR

JUDGING THE COMPETITION!