CHRISTIAN JournaltheS 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 * March 2017

Is winter over? Has spring already arrived? Spring is coming but officially not until 6:28 a.m. on March 20th. Even day light savings time begins on March 12th so hopefully we are done with winter for this year. Take a moment to get caught up herein on the latest news and all the church activities scheduled for this month.

“Are You Ready?” Since the first of the year I have had at least one funeral every week. It has been a constant reminder to me of how frail our lives truly are. It is paramount that you and I be prepared for our eternal destiny (heaven) by having a personal relationship with our Savior, Jesus Christ. No matter how many times we are reminded of how brief and fragile life is, we are still shocked and frightened when death unexpectedly strikes someone close to us. David once lamented, “There is but a step between me and death” (1 Samuel 20:3). James 4:14 reminds us, “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” I want to share with you an old story I heard that reminds us of how to be prepared for that day. Maybe it will serve to keep your spiritual accounts current since none of us knows what a day will bring forth. An old, experienced fisherman was sitting on the bank of the Ohio River years ago hoping for some action on the end of his line. A young boy he’d never seen came strolling up and attempted to strike up a conversation. Then a few minutes later, this nine or ten-year old lad began shouting and waving his arms frantically at a tugboat that was chugging up the river. The Old fisherman smiled condescendingly at the naïve boy. “Son, you are wasting your breath trying to get the attention of that boat. That captain has important business. He’s not stopping here for you.” But the young man ignored the stranger’s counsel and kept waving and hollering. Oddly the powerful tugboat came closer and closer until finally it stopped and the lad waded out into the water and jumped on board. As the boat steamed away, the boy called to the surprised fisherman, “Mister, my father is the captain of this boat and he’s just taking me to our home on the other side of the river.” The ship of death makes some unexpected stops along the river of life. And death is serious business. The Bible says, “It is appointed unto every man once to die and then the judgment.” So when the ship of death stops for you, make sure the Heavenly Father is the captain of your life and He’ll just be taking you to your permanent home on the other side of the river. Share this story and the good news of Christ with others that truly need to be ready. See you on the other side some day because of Christ,

Kevin

Kevin’s Comments

“He who separates himself seeks his own desire. He quarrels against all sound wisdom. A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own

mind.” - Proverbs 18:1-2

Ever come across a passage of scripture that does not need much help explaining? If you do, its probably because its happening around you and you need only point to that situation. These days there is a lot of separation; a lot of people taking every opportunity to speak their minds with very little discussion to sincerely understand. However, scripture is not useful if it is only used in pointing out how it is true or how someone else is wrong. Scripture is meant to be put to use through knowledge, understanding, and practice.

So what can we come to know from this passage? We come to know that when division seems to be the answer then there is truly a problem. We come to know that there is no reasoning with someone who only seeks their desire. We come to know that the constant saying of the “I thinks” and “I feels” is not an indication of depth or wisdom.

What then do we come to understand? We can understand that saying, “well let us look at the facts” or “let us put our feelings aside for a moment” does not actually reorient whomever it is being said to. We understand that where much is coming out of someone’s mind, there is not much going in — if anything at all. We also understand that information we detest is a rejection of going through the process of understanding, however burdensome it can be.

What then should we practice? We ought to practice seeking unity with others rather than separating ourselves to get what we want. We ought to practice accepting words of wisdom with some optimism even when they might not be pleasurable to hear at the time. We ought to practice holding on to our thoughts for a moment and seek counsel to refine and polish our understanding.

This is not something we can impose on others. We should encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ to do as true brothers and sisters in Christ. But foremost I hope individually that we bring this passage into knowledge, understanding, and practice restoring some sense of peace to our social circles.

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

Joe

Encounter Jesus at the Hillsboro Church of Christ on March 19th from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.

SM volunteers and students please contact Joe Henslee for additional information.

Upcoming Student Ministry (SM) Events

OHIO TEENS FOR CHRIST April 14th and 15th

Life is crazy. Life is messy. Sometimes hard stuff breaks us and we find it impossible to pick up all the broken pieces. Join us Easter Weekend for PIECES 2017 Ohio Teens for Christ Convention to discover your missing pieces, soften your heart like clay, and uncover God’s plan to mend your broken pieces into something beautiful. Reservation deadline is March 15th. Cost is $40/person.

CIY Move at Anderson, Indiana from June 12th through the 17th.

CIY Move is a five day, high school only event, designed to amplify Christ’s call on

students’ lives to become kingdom workers.

Grundy Mountain Mission School Trip July 10th through July 14th

Calling adults and high school students! If you would like to use your skills in a way which would be of benefit to the Grundy Mountain Mission School then now is your opportunity for a mission event. However, this trip is limited to 30 people. If interested please talk with Joe Henslee no later than April 23rd for details.

The Alpha Class met on Sunday, February 19th, after morning worship services, at Maddie’s Restaurant in Sardinia. Eighteen members and one guest attended. After a delicious meal, we returned to the church building for a surprise birthday celebration for Pete Fiscus.

After the initial birthday surprise, Pete blew out “80” candles that were on his cake. Everyone enjoyed cake, ice cream, and strawberries. Pete opened his cards along with a gift from Ellen.

A special thanks to Diane and Gene Evans for planning the surprise and for bringing the delicious refreshments.

The Alpha Class meets on Sunday mornings at 9:00 in the classroom across from the sanctuary on the offices side of the building. We welcome anyone who would like to join us.

Alpha Class News

The free ten week seminar, runs from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm beginning January

17th and continues to April 4th.

Each session is free standing so if any of the topics below are of interest, feel free to attend.

The topics being covered for the following weeks are:

March 7th: Complicating Factors March 14th: Stuck

March 21st: Lessons of Grief - Part 1 & 2 March 28th: Heaven

April 4th: What Do I Live for Now?

GriefShare is a special weekly seminar and support group

designed to help you rebuild your life. We know it hurts,

and we want to help.

Special Opportunities

“Guy’s Only” at Butler Springs Christian Camp

Reservation forms are available at the Welcome Center.

What’s Happening Here at Church?

In an effort to encourage students and parents to participate in a camp experience this year, Chris Osborne will be here on March 19th to tell about the facilities and summer camps offered at Butler Springs Christian Camp in addition to presenting the morning worship service sermon.

CHRISTIAN MISSIONARY FELLOWSHIP DINNER THEATER

March 24th and 25th In association with the

Gaslight Theater Players presents “Klondike Kalamity”

Tickets are $20 per person

Seating at 7:00 p.m. Dinner served at 7:30 p.m. Show starts at 8:00 p.m.

For tickets please call: Bill Cohen: 1-937-403-1702 or Nancy Mays: 513-218-2508

Menu: chicken fricassee and roast pork, mashed potatoes, scalloped cabbage,

green beans, salad and desserts

Sardinia’s

Amount ReceivedAmount Remaining

�

Capital Campaign Status as of February 19, 2017

We rejoice along with the angels in heaven and welcome into our church family through baptism on February 19th, Tanner Lomax.

Announcements

is $213,764.80 is $121864.64

Winter Service Information: 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.

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.

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

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

Office 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

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.

March 2nd, 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th - Grief Share at 6:30 p.m. March 10th & 11th - “Guys Only” at Butler Springs

March 12th - Daylight Savings Time Begins

March 19th - Chris Osborne from Butler Springs speaking March 19th - SM Encounter Jesus at Hillsboro Church of Christ (SM = Student Ministry)

March 20th - Spring arrives at 6:28 a.m.!

March 24th & 25th - CMF Dinner Theater presenting “Klondike Kalamity"

March 2017 Calendar�