CHRISTIAN JournaltS A R D I N I A C H U R C H O F C H R I S T

7130 Bachman Road, Sardinia, Oh 45171 * (937)446-2594 * website: sardiniacc.com * email: sardiniacc@gmail.com * December 2017

The true light to this world, our Savior.

Kevin’s CommentsFollow The Star on a Journey of a Lifetime

Let’s be honest – sometimes the journey of life can get long and difficult. And this hectic time of year can pile on more challenges and stress. The good news is – there is hope!

Join us on an unforgettable journey this Christmas season to experience Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace.

Over two thousand years ago, a star burst through the darkness and signaled the long-awaited, yet still unexpected, birth of a Savior.

Christmas can still truly give us a taste of the most wonderful time of world history. Jesus—the Messiah, the Savior—came as the light into the darkness and stress and pain of the world—our world. That world then, just like our world now, including our lives, needs the light to illuminate, clarify, guide, and heal. Christ’s coming brings that ultimate light through hope, love, joy, and peace. This is the journey of following the star to Christmas—and beyond!

This Advent season, you are invited to follow the star. It’s not just about the destination, but also about a journey we can take together to experience God’s love and grace in the midst of real life.

Beginning on Sunday, November 26 at 10 AM, we will begin this journey together and complete it on Christmas Eve morning. We will have two services on Christmas Eve, 8:30 AM and 10:00 AM. We hope and pray this will afford many the opportunity to focus on why Christmas is so special, JESUS. I can’t wait!

JOY TO THE WORLD, THE LORD HAS COME,

Kevin

Student Ministry NewsQuestions? Please contact jhenslee.scoc@gmail.com

Facebook page: www.facebook.com/SCOCStudents

She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins. Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by

the Lord through the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated

means, “God with us.” - Matthew 1:21-23

Throughout the Gospels we read about everything Jesus did among people. From conversations around meals, to teaching on the countryside, to confrontation in the temple, He was among people for many reasons. From the kindred neighbors to cultural adversaries, from children to the elderly, from well and from afflicted, He was WITH people when it was normal to expect God to be above people.

“With” makes all the difference for us as Christians when it comes to our relationship with God. We serve, live, worship, and fellowship with God and with each other. “With” brings everything about God to a personal level, and brings us to a communal restoration. It gives us a new sense of what He came to accomplish and the direction He is taking us: to be WITH each other again because sin has been isolating us on every level.

The first chapter in the book of John can be very difficult to get through with its repetition and descriptiveness. While difficult, the purpose was to drive the point to be clear as the sky that GOD IS HERE TO BE WITH US and repeats it in case you missed it the first 10 times. These days we often forget and fall into a mental laziness that tempts us to sit back and wait for Jesus to return to get our relationship back on track with him.

The Gospel of Matthew opens with Jesus being called “God with us.” It also closes with Jesus telling His disciples, as He ascends to heaven, to get to work, “...I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Jesus is with us today. Let us act like it in everything we do.

Joe

Euchre Night at the church on Friday, December 1st from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Bring finger foods and

snacks to share. Beverages are provided. Come and enjoy a fun time of fellowship.

Prayer Meeting on Sunday, December 3rd Meet at the church at 6:00 p.m. for a time set aside for prayer for our families, for this church, for our community, for our state, for our nation, and for our individual needs. We’ll be

praying for protection from Satan and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms and against the spirits of bondage/addiction, unbelief, pride, and fear operating in our country. Then we can experience first hand the strong arm of God and His Spirit moving through our land.

To God be the glory! Amen.

Every week plates are set out for a free will offering of a dollar. At the end of the month the money collected is given to someone in the community in need. Church members can recommend someone who has been hit

with difficult times. Application forms are available at the Welcome Center or on our web page at sardiniacc.com under Our Ministries/The Dollar Difference. Getting involved can make a dollar difference for someone!

What’s Happening Here at Church?

Fitness Activities Every Monday classes in Zumba Tone convene at 6:30 p.m. and Yoga begins at 7:30 p.m. Every Wednesday Zumba begins at 6:30 p.m. and Yoga at 7:30 p.m. Both evenings the church building will be unlocked for those who wish to walk inside or outside. (The

track is available for use at any time.) Each session costs $2 per person. Bring your own mat if you have one. Questions? See Kevin or Cathy Hamilton.

Children’s Christmas Program

On December 17th, during Morning Worship, the

children will be presenting the “Symbols of Christmas”

under the direction of Kim Tutt.

Congregational Meeting following Morning Worship on December 3rd

Church members will be voting on Elders and approving the 2018 budget.

A COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS on December 17th

What’s Happening Here at Church?

In the evening, from 5:30 to 7:30, a Community Christmas will be hosted here for the community and surrounding areas. The event begins with a live nativity on

the church grounds.

Upon moving indoors, pictures with Santa, ornament decorating and refreshments complete the evening. What a special time for families!

Announcements“ALL-IN” Sunday, November 19th

We rejoice along with the angels in heaven and welcome into our church family through the baptisms on November 19th the

following individuals:

Logan Potter Blake Potter

Brandee McCune Emma King

Lindsey Malott Hayden Conley Sarah Collins

In addition the following individuals have transferred their memberships to this church family:

Kenneth and Shana Potter Bob and Teresa Millisor

Dennis Forsythe Joshua Wagner Cindy Steinauer Christine Sheets

Alexa Koehler

To God Be The Glory! Amen.

Results from the Rice Packing and Church Cleaning Events Sarah Stephans reports that 91 SCC enthusiasts came on November 4th and packed, in one hour and 15 minutes, 2,375 bags of rice which will provide 14,250 meals. At the same time others came to vacuum floors, wash windows, sweep floors and clean the insects out of lighting

panels. To everyone who participated in any way in either event: well done good and faithful servants!

Operation Christmas Child Collection Week November 13th through the 20th

1879 children are going to be very happy this year because that is

how many filled shoe boxes were collected and sent on their way. It has been the biggest

year so far!

On November 5th we were privileged to have, as our Morning Worship Service speaker, Salonique Adolphe from Gonaives,Haiti. Salonique is instrumental in the work going on Highlands which is a hilltop voodoo town. His presentation was dynamic, informative, and motivating. His sermon is available on our web page at www.sardiniacc.com under the Sermons tab. More information about his work

in Haiti is available by going to livingwaterchristianmission.org and clicking on Living Water Christian Mission - Serving Jesus in Gonaives, Haiti.

Announcements

Saul’s Christmas Dinner for Seniors December 10th

Doors open at the Sardinia Elementary School at 11:00 a.m. with dinner being

served at 1:00 p.m. This free meal is for all seniors 55 years and older.

Announcements

I want to thank all who have brought cans to the church to be recycled in the past. We could not have done it without you! Yes, the “Cans For Christ Campaign in Memory of Darold Fender” is still going strong. The last check totaled $61.20 bringing the all time total since starting to $5428.99. Keep up the good work. Praise God for the increase and

for everyone who helped. Thank you! Ethel Fender

THANK YOU for all the stuffed animals, small toys, toothbrushes,

wash cloths and bars of soap, lip balm and stuffed animals, small balls and sunglasses, chalk, crayons, erasers, scissors and notebooks, paper, colored pencils, glue sticks, and rulers, solid deodorant, combs, and brushes, coloring books and flip flops, and shoe boxes. Everyone who has been involved from wrapping shoe boxes to stuffing shoe boxes please know that you have made 1879 children from all over the world very happy as they feel God’s love and your love through these gifts.

Sardinia’s

Amount ReceivedAmount Remaining

�

Hamburger/Tuna Helper, Tomato and Chicken Noodle Soups, Canned Tuna and Chicken, Peanut Butter, Jelly, Crackers, Spaghetti, Spaghetti Sauce, Mashed Potatoes or other boxed potatoes, Gravy, Jello or Pudding, Canned Fruits and Vegetables

is $281,961.63 is $54,488.47

If you would like to participate in this Building Fund Campaign, please use the Building Fund envelopes on the back of the pews.

Capital Campaign Status as of November 19, 2017

Announcements

Just a reminder regarding our

winter church services. If school is closed or delayed for the inclement weather we will not hold activities for that evening.

Cancellation of Sunday morning worship services will be announced on local 9 news station. Also if you have provided your email address we will notify you via email.

Next Service OpportunityOn December 10th, we’ll be taking 100 gallons of 2% milk and all the donated coats, hats, scarves and mittens to the residents of Blue Creek, Ohio.

There are three ways you can help: (1) bring to the church’s library your new or gently used hats,

coats, scarves and mittens by the end of Morning Worship on December 10th,

(2) help load the trucks with milk and the clothing donations, and/or

(3) deliver and distribute the food and clothes to the Blue Creek residents. We’ll be loading the trucks and leaving the church following the Morning Worship service.

Many hands make for light work so let’s work together to reach out to those in need.

If you have questions or want to help in some way, contact Starr Mays at 937-386-1941.

StaffKevin Hamilton, Minister kevinscoc@gmail.com Joe Henslee, Youth Minister jhenslee.scoc@gmail.com Alexa Koewler Worship Co-ordinator alexakoewler@gmail.com Ruth Ann Goodlin

Secretary sardiniacc@gmail.com

Bob Hopkins, Treasurer Jeannie Puckett, Janitor

Elders Ed Fryman Scott Mays Bill Boling Joe Etienne Dave Mignerey Deacons Jeremy Mignerey Regge Fender

SUNDAY SCHEDULE 9:00 a.m. Sunday School10:00 a.m Worship

WORSHIP TIMES

SARDINIA CHURCH OF CHRIST

l Mission Statement l

We are committed to worshiping

GOD,

making Jesus the Lord of our lives, and sharing the truth of God’s

Word with our community and the world.

December 3rd - Shop With a Cop presentation and love offering December 3rd - Student Ministry Christmas Party from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. December 3rd - Prayer Meeting here at church at 6:00 p.m. December 7th - YAH at Butler Springs Christian Camp at 6:00 p.m. December 10th - Saul’s Christmas Dinner for Seniors at 1:00 p.m. at Sardinia Elementary School December 10th - Food and clothing donations to Blue Creek, OH following Morning Worship December 13th - The Friendly Circle meets at 7:00 p.m. December 17th - Children’s Christmas Program during Morning Worship December 17th - A Community Christmas from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. December 19th - Shop With a Cop event in Hillsboro December 24th - 8:30 and 10:00 a.m. Morning Worship Services

December 25th - Christmas Day - Merry Christmas One and All!

December 2017 Calendar

The church staff (Kevin, Joe, Alexa, Jeannie, and Ruth Ann and Bob) send best wishes to you and your families during this special time of celebration in remembrance of our Lord.