CENTERVILLE MESSENGER (096380) Free Upon Request-Published Weekly by Centerville Church of Christ, 138 N. Central Ave., Centerville, TN 37033-1427 June 3, 2020 Volume XXXX –Number 22

Todd Parsley

“From Where I Sit”

As I sit to write this article, I find that my mindset is different than it has been for the last 12 weeks. This week is different because we are coming back together to worship again this coming Sunday. I'm looking forward to seeing you again. I find myself today, more thankful. Thankful to God for life and His blessings He bestows upon me. So I'm going to share will you some things that I am thankful for on this early Monday morning. I am thankful for the technology we have available that has allowed us to still worship through our church livestream and Facebook live. I'm thankful that we have not missed a service since this whole pandemic forced us to stop meeting together. I am thankful for Craig Shelton and Andy Weber and Carter who where here every Sunday these last 12 weeks to video and work out any problems with our system, and we had a few. I'm thankful for Shelby Hoover for putting together weekly bible study videos for our younger kids to have the opportunity to watch and learn from God's word. I'm thankful for Brian Qualls for being here each week to video Shelby's lessons. While many things have been shut down and closed during this pandemic, I'm thankful that our church office staff has worked each day during this difficult time. I'm thankful for the continued hard work each day that Tammy (whom I have lovingly nicknamed the "Lysol lady" during this pandemic) has done to keep things "normal" and safe for our church family. She has not missed a week publishing our Messenger. I'm thankful for Betty Breece who each week continued to work to keep us on budget. I'm thankful for Jean Qualls who continued to work to make sure our curriculum is ready when bible classes do resume. I'm thankful for Phil Griggs and all of the things he does, I'm thankful for Shane Willis and all the things that he does daily for our congregation and for his song leading each service. You would have never known from the video services that he was leading singing to a empty auditorium. I've been very thankful for Matthew and Carter, my partners in ministry who have preached wonderful messages during this time. I'm especially thankful for our eldership, Wayne Qualls, Mike Goodpasture, Gary Gatewood, Mike Elkins, Shane Willis, Craig Shelton, Ken Dickerson. For their leadership during a time the we have never had to navigate through before. I'm thankful for this congregation, for each of you. Your faithfulness to watch each service and your faithfulness to give each week is to be commended. Your words of encouragement have been appreciated more than any words I can say. I'm thankful God brought Renee and I to Centerville and look forward to many years working together. When we meet together again on Sunday, I realize that some of you will not feel comfortable yet to return. Please know that we understand and that it's ok. We will miss you! You can watch online as you have done these past 12 weeks to stay connected and we look forward to your return soon. Be kind to one another always, continue to encourage each other, love always and give God the glory! See you Sunday! God Bless- Todd

Carter’s Corner

The Shepherd’s Pen

Corene Allen writes: “ I want to thank Cyndi & Tori Hughes for the nice gift they left in my mailbox. It was a wonderful surprise. I really appreciated it. It was a beautiful gesture.” Claudine Morrison writes: “ I would like to thank everyone for the cards, calls, food and gifts while I have been recovering. Thanks especially to the wonderful caregivers who have attended to my needs.” Janet Barber writes: “ I want to thank Cyndi & Tori Hughes for the nice surprise they left in my mailbox. It’s nice to be remembered.” Brenda Wood, sister of Lynda Houston writes: “ Todd Parsley, Tammy Willis and the Church of Christ Family, Thank you all so very much for the many and heartfelt prayers during my recent surgeries. My biopsy came back as benign. I truly felt your fervent prayers each day. The recovery was supposed to be extremely painful but I never took the pain med. God’s mercy and prayers helped me endure and I am truly blessed that you have embraced Lynda & Peter Houston as part of your church family. Thank you all so very much.” Charles & Reba Horner write: “ Thank you so much for the cards, prayers, and food while I was healing from my broken hip. Thanks for the gift certificates from Fish Camp. Love to each of you. “

Thank You KNOW THAT SUNDAY WILL BE AN EXCITING DAY for our congregation as our church family begins phasing back into our public worship services. This will be a day that many of us have been looking forward to since our services moved to online-only, and I am looking forward to once again gather with the Church. It is my hope that our day is filled with worship, rejoicing, and reunion. Every Sunday is a good day because it is a day to worship our God, but I believe that this Sunday will be an especially good day as we all join together once again to worship God in the way that we have longed to so for many weeks now. I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO BRAG

about our youth group. As you all know, this pandemic has taken its toll on people from every walk of life, but I especially think about how the virus has affected our young people. I firmly believe that students thrive when there is a steady and constant routine and they are surrounded by a large support system. Over the course of the past months, however, our students lives have been turned upside down as schools were closed, church services went solely online, and many were left to stay at home in fear of catching COVID-19. Nevertheless, our students have remained faithful in their attendance to our online worship services, and our crowds SENIOR INFORMATION PACKETS ARE DUE SUNDAY, JUNE 7th, for all of our graduating seniors. Several of you have asked if we are still planning on honoring our graduates, and the answer is most certainly a yes! It is our plan to honor the class of 2020 in the same way that we honor every graduating class, just a few weeks later than normal on June 28, 2020. We will have a special senior edition of the Messenger that week with the graduates’ pictures, the graduates will have the opportunity to have a table set up in our lobby to display their accomplishments so far in life, and we will recognize each graduate individually during our Sunday morning services. If you have not filled out the information form that was sent out to you last month or if you did not receive (or have lost) the form, please let me know ASAP. SUMMERTIME HAS ARRIVED in Centerville. I am thankful for the very cool, wet Spring we were able to enjoy this year, but I am thankful to see sunshine and warm days finally arrive. There is something about long summer days that makes everyone seem to be in a better mood. Our family has taken advantage of the beautiful early summer weather by trying to be outside as much as possible, and I want to encourage you to do the same. The changing of seasons always makes me aware of the power of our Father, and optimistic of what lies ahead. May this summer bring about a season of reopening, renewal, revival, rebuilding, and restoration for our nation, our state, our community, and ourselves. In His service, Carter

It was on Sunday, March 22nd, we began worshipping together through live streaming on the website, Facebook, as well as our radio program. The capability to worship through these avenues of technology, not only benefited our church family, but others as well. The eldership appreciates very much your support and prayers over the past weeks. We have been encouraged by your response. We all have been anticipating the day we would be able to assemble once again. Reminded of the words of David in Psalm 122:1, “I was glad when they said to me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.” This Sunday, June 7th will be the first step in assembling once again for worship, but no bible classes at this time. It will require us to have two morning worship services, enabling us to follow the social distancing and 50% capacity guidelines. We will be using the alphabetical order process to help maintain these requirements. The first service on Sunday morning will begin at 9:00am for individuals and families whose last name begins with the letter A continuing through the letter J. The second service will begin at 10:30am for individuals and families whose last name begins with the letter K through the letter Z. Sunday evening and Wednesday will continue to be online only. If you feel uncomfortable at this time being in a crowd, sick, or considered high risk, please stay at home, and continue to join us on our live stream, Facebook, or radio program. (CONTINUED)

(CONTINUED)... Listed are some changes, from the normal, that we will continue to practice at this time: ●When you enter the building, Lord Supper emblems will be available. Please take one. We will use these kits at this time. When you exit the worship service, garbage cans will be available at each exit to discard your trash. ●Deacons will be available in foyer to collect contributions at entry or exit of worship. ●Seating will be at your discretion, please be considerate of others. ●Hand Sanitizer will be available. We again want to thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and support. We are excited about this Sunday and looking forward to seeing you. “This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24

CONTRIBUTION

May 31 : $ 10, 556.50

Camp: $ 437.00

Budget: $12,976.00

Home: Claudine Morrison, Robert & Marge Gilmer, Mildred Bridges, Dorris & Margie Claud, Floy Gatewood, Floy Lyell, A.J. & Willie B. Coates, J.W. & Sue Roder, Troy Parks

...Jimmy Copley is suffering with shingles. ...Chug Elrod is scheduled to be moved to Vanderbilt Stallworth Rehabilitation Hospital on Tuesday, June 2nd. ...Charlie Shelton is recovering from carotid artery surgery at St. Thomas West. The surgery went well. ...Hope Ouhl is recovering from foot surgery. ...Jimmy Jenkins, father of Regina Elkins, Bettina Horner and Jonathan Jenkins, is scheduled to return home on Wednesday, June 3rd. His address is: 306 Jenkins Road Centerville, TN. 37033 ...Claud Teet, father of Chris (Jenny) is in St. Thomas Mid-town due to pneumonia. ...Lilly Parker, sister of Lynda Houston, is recovering from a heart attack. ...Stephen Dotson will have shoulder surgery June 4th.

Sympathy

Nursing Home: Life Care Center: Sue McNabb, Bobby Breece, Jimmy King, Pearl Gordon, Betty Claud, Addie Bell Nash, Georgia Moss, Larry Talley St. Thomas Hickman Nursing Home: Winnie Aydelott, Martha Bates, Francis McClanahan, Sybil Jenkins

Meals on Wheels

Our Meals On Wheels Program has resumed. If you cannot deliver on your scheduled day, please call the church

office at 931-729-4201. June 3: Becky Gatewood June 10: Katherine Shelton June 17: Lesley Hudgins June 24: Glenda Delk

Thank You For Your Help!

Recovering from surgery or other illness: Sylvia Gibson, Will Terry, Reba Horner, B.J. Springer, Stephen Dotson, Charlie Shelton, 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: Colleen Polk, Allan Newton, Charles Cantrell, George Peterson, Belinda Potts, Cletus Carroll, Lonnie Gilliam, Elizabeth Givens, Phil Shelton, Ann Lauran Plunkett, Jimmy Jenkins, Susan Hardy, Jimmy Copley, Gwen Rogers, David Talley, Beverly Grimes, Henrietta Rochelle, Jerry Shepard, Jimmy Mathis, John Beard

...We express our sympathy to the family of Seth Armstrong who passed away after a long illness. Seth lived in the Coble community and was a long time educator in the Hickman County School System. To his daughters Rhonda (Gene) House, Nancy (Ron) Campbell, sons Stephen (Anita) and Johnathon, all grandchildren and great grandchildren we express our deepest sympathy. ….We express our sympathy to the family of Roy Shannon of the Brushy community who passed away. Roy and Clara have been faithful members of the Brushy Church of Christ for many years where Roy served faithfully as an elder for 40 years. To Clara, daughter Rebecca (Charles) Dorris, son David (Tracey) Shannon, all grandchildren and great grandchildren we express our deepest sympathy.

On Saturday, June 6th 8:30am we need volunteers to help replace the pea gravel at the entry and side of the building and pressure wash walkway afterwards. We need to complete this task before returning to worship services on the 7th. If you would be able to help, please contact anyone on the Facilities and Grounds Committee. James Aydelott: 615-418-2683 Chris Hughes: 615-390-7212 Michael Jenkins: 931-215-9115 Brandon McCauley: 931-215-6391 Brian Qualls : 931-209-6565 Randy Wright: 615-418-4714

Cards For 100th Birthday!

Sydney Wiseman, a WWII Veteran and long time county resident, lives at St. Thomas Hickman Nursing Home and will be celebrating his 100th birthday June 17, 2020. He has no family in this area and as visitation as nursing homes is not permitted at this time, St. Thomas Hickman Nursing Home is asking for Hickman Countians to “Help make Mr. Wiseman’s birthday extra special by showering him with birthday cards.” Cards should be sent to :

Mr. Sydney Wiseman

St. Thomas Hickman Nursing Home 135 East Swan Street Room 17 Centerville, Tennessee 37033

Please Pray For:

Memorial

A memorial has been made to the Rwanda/Uganda Mission Fund for Bibles in native African languages in memory of Seth Armstrong by Dr. Jerry and Marilyn Nash. “A Christian gentleman, scholar in the area of mathematics, teacher extraordinaire. “

June Celebrations

TIME CHANGE

This Saturday from 12:30 P.M till 2:30 P.M. the elders and deacons will be available at the building handing out Lord Supper emblems and receiving contributions. If you need

any assistance, please contact the office: 931-729-4201

Robert Bryant 83 Years Old

June 16, 2020 Happy Birthday!