JAN. 31, 2017 R I C H L A N D H I L L S C H R I S T I A N C H U R C H

THE CHURCH VIS ITOR

A Life of Sacrifice One of the great challenges that was placed before us as those that follow Christ is the scripture that calls us to “die to ourselves, pick up our crosses and follow me (Jesus).” As I mentioned in the sermon on Sunday about our call for Biblical stewardship, the highest level is accomplished when we give in a way that sacrifice is needed. We adjust schedules, we reveal unknown talents and develop our current ones, and we revamp a budget all trying to be more in the will of God. It is not always easy and nor should it be. But this attitude and life of sacrifice doesn’t happen in an instant but is a process that is a result of the “transforming” the Apostle Paul references in Romans 12. “Transformed by the renewing of our mind” by and through God’s word we come to understand what we were created for and the purpose we are to fulfill.

Giving of our time, talent, and treasure is a primary indication of where we are at in our faith. If we look at our lives as a reflection of God’s love, how we give of ourselves reflects that truth. The more freely we give of these things to the work of God generally alludes to a deeper and more trusting relationship with God and a belief that God is the provider of all that we have. A life of committed sacrifice to the good of others and for the Glory of God say more about what we believe than just about anything else.

I think we are seeing this more and more in the life of Richland Hills. I know of several people and families who are making decisions about what and how they do something not based on their own desires but on what they believe God is leading them to do. Submitting not to worldly expectations but instead to eternal desires to make a difference in this world for God. Let us together seek the truth of God’s Word and let it direct our ways in every area of our lives.

Richland Hills Christian Church3908 Ruth RoadRichland Hills, TX 76118(817) 284-8679Senior Pastor: Paul KlausWebsite: www.rhccdoc.comE-mail: info.rhcc@gmail.com

Say a prayer, make a plan, then invite someone to church! It really is that easy. It’s also our responsibility! Once you get in the habit of doing it, you will get better and better at it.

Baptismal Classes

We will have a meeting after church on February 12th to talk about Baptism Classes. So far, we have two adults and two youth are interested and it’s not too late if you want to join us. Parents of the youth, please join us for the meeting as well. Email Pastor Paul or call the church office if you have any questions.

CHURCH CALENDARFEBRUARY

02.01 “Blessed Threaders” meet (10:00 am) Adult Choir (7:00 pm)

02.03 CWF Women’s Retreat (6:30 - 9:00 pm) 02.04 CWF Women’s Retreat (9:00 am - 3:30 pm)

(See full page ad in your newsletter today!) 02.05 Prayer Ministry (8:45 am) Seekers, Pioneers, Discipleship, Coffee House, Youth SS Classes (9:15 am - 10:10 am) Preschool/Kindergarten Music Class (9:15 am) Preschool SS Classes (9:45 am) Morning Worship Service (10:30 am), Brief Meeting for “30 Days to Understanding the Bible” upcoming class after worship02.08 “Blessed Threaders” meet (10:00 am)

Worship Committee Meeting (6:00 pm) Adult Choir (7:00 pm)02.09 Richland Hills Senior Luncheon (Noon-2)02.11 DMF Valentine Banquet (5:30 pm)

(See full page ad in your newsletter today!)02.12 Prayer Ministry (8:45 am) Seekers, Pioneers, Discipleship, Coffee House, Youth SS Classes (9:15 am - 10:10 am) Preschool/Kindergarten Music Class (9:15 am) Preschool SS Classes (9:45 am) Morning Worship Service (10:30 am), Baptism Classes informational meeting after worship

Joint Cabinet/Board Meeting (4:00 pm) (Child Care will be available!)

02.14 Happy Valentine’s Day CWF Day Group Meeting (10:30 am)

SERVING SCHEDULE 02.05.17

Worship Coordinator Jeff Stricklin

Deacons (Month of February) Sandy Rutherford, Rachel Walther,

Norma Hopkins, John ConardWorship Leader

Evan LawsonThe Table

Ryon McCann & Carol Jean NewChildren’s Moment

Norma HopkinsGreeters

Jamie & Leah HughesCoffee Fellowship

Cameron & Brittany JoynerCommunion Preparation

Jeff StricklinCommunion Clean-Up

Loyce Greer & Dalpha Lloyd

FAITHFUL ATTENDANCE

& GIVING 01.29.17

Sunday School - 50 Worship Service - 130 Faithful Giving (01.29) - $ 2,626

The cards, calls, words of encou ragement and many prayers during my recen t su rge r y and r e c o v e r y a r e t r u l y appreciated. I have

certainly seen and felt God’s presence and activity in my life through the stages of this process and we are very grateful for the best possible outcome. I am the beneficiary of his strength, peace and the blessings of a caring pastor and a loving church family.

With thanksgiving,Terri Williams

🙌

SAVE THE DATESFebruary 3 & 4, 2017Richland Hills Christian Church

Women’s Fellowshipwill be hosting a

Women’s Retreat at RHCCon Friday, February 3 (6:30pm - 9pm)Saturday, February 4 (9am - 3:30 pm)

(meals will be provided each day)

We would like to invite ALL women of RHCC to save the dates and join us for an enjoyable weekend of fun, food, and Bible study. The theme is “Restart, Rebuild, Rebirth”. Our guest speaker will be Rev. Leann Griffin from the Welcome Table in Arlington. Cost for the weekend will be $15.00. Scholarships are available.

Nursery will be available also!

Thank you!

Judy Walther, CWF PresidentRichland Hills Christian Church

(817) 706-6038

DMF Valentine’s Banquet February 11 - 5:30 pm

Once again, it is time for the annual DMF Valentine’s Banquet. This event is for ALL members, and guests are welcome. Invite someone and come join us for fun, food, and fellowship.

Enjoy entertainment from our very own members of RHCC, which will include the music of: The Beatles, Adele, Eagles, Anne Murray, Merle Haggard, Percy Sledge, Temptations, Trisha Yearwood, Elvis, Neil Diamond and The Drifters, just to name a few. Singing along with these familiar tunes is encouraged. There are many others and a few surprises.

Dinner is also provided (catered by Texas RoadHouse) and there is no cost for this entire evening. Child Care will be provided. Call the office if you need transportation. Don’t miss the fun event!

Please Join us!

Please let the office know if there is anyone that needs to be taken OFF of or ADDED to this list. We appreciate your help!

Please pray for the following:

Don DodsonDanny Happ and Family Jason JohnsonNorma HopkinsArlene KendallDalpha LloydMildred SampsonMelanie HatfieldNathan McGee, great grandson of Polly

SlamaBeverly Gleeson, Pastor Paul’s auntDavid Lott FamilySarah WellmanWanda NoahDale ProctorBob & Kay WhiteTina OblingerDuane McGormley,

Kevin McGormley’s dadMike ProppeLincoln Mancuso Brenda Ledbetter Alvarado’s granddaughter, Reagan

Crib Nursery Guardian

Angel Grandmas

02.05 - Charlene Cox & Anna Noah 02.12 - Florine Tyler & Teresa Baker 02.19 - Jean Plummer & Joan Burgett 02.26 - Bobbie Shiro & Melinda Cardin

Play Room Parent Helper

Schedule:

02.05 - Leah McCann 02.12 - Leah Hughes 02.19 - Shay Lawson 02.26 - Amanda Hall

FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS

02.02 - Charlotte Crain 02.09 - Judy Chapman 02.11 - Rick Crain 02.17 - Lisa Klaus 02.21 - Bill Agan 02.22 - Theresa Tyler

FEBRUARY ANNIVERSARIES

02.11 - Mike & Patrice Morrison - Rick & Laura Hartsell

02.05 - Cameron & Brittany Joyner02.12 - Jeff & Patricia Stricklin02.19 - Bill & Judy Walther02.26 - Mike & Carrie Visage

Together we’ll sneak aboard Blackbeard's Pirate Ship and search for a map to

the buried treasure. We have one hour to find all the pieces of the treasure

map and escape the ship before Blackbeard and his pirates return from port,

catch our team and make us walk the plank!

For those who attend or are interested in attending the Disciples class.

Join us for an evening of fun and fellowship, brain teasers and teamwork.

Child Care provided ($5 per family) We have to book and pay in advance so please RSVP to

Monica by Sunday, Feb 5th monydi@yahoo.com or 817-944-9929

(Price per person goes down the more people we have sign up.)

BABYANDMECLASSISRETURNING!

WewillkickoffourspringsemesterofBabyandMeclassesonMonday,February27thfrom6:30-7:30.TheclasswillruneveryMondayeveningthroughthe8thofMaywithnoclassonMarch13th.Ifyouhaveaninfant/babyfrom0-12months,youareinvitedtocomesingandplaywithus.Childcareisavailableforoldersiblingssothatyouarefreetospendbondingtimewithyourweeone.Anominalfeewillbechargeddependingonchildcareneeds.Ifyouwouldliketoattend,pleaseemailLauraCrainatljs00b@yahoo.comwith:yourname,yourbaby'snameandage,namesandagesofoldersiblingsrequiringchildcare,yourcellphonenumber.Wanttohelpsharethisministrywithyourchild'sschool/daycare?LauraCrainwillhaveflyersavailableatchurchonSundays!

Weekly Announcements

Pastor Paul is looking for a volunteer to help create the PowerPoint announcements that we run before church each Sunday. You will utilize i n f o r m a t i o n f ro m t h e newsletter and different ministry teams to create a brief slide show to provide i n f o r m a t i o n f o r t h e congregation. Contact Pastor Paul for more details, if you would be interested in helping.

CWF February Schedule:

Tuesday, February 14CWF Day Group Meeting (10:30 am)

Tuesday, February 21CWF Service Day (9:30 am)

CWF Night Group Meeting (6:30 pm)(Child Care available)

Sunday, February 26CWF Executive Meeting after church

Tuesday, February 28CWF Visitation Day (9:30 am)

UNDERSTANDING THE BIBLE

This Sunday, right after church, I would like to have a brief meeting to coordinate our first class on understanding the Bible. The book we will be using is, 30 Days to Understanding the Bible, by Max Anders. Years ago in the Christian Church, studying the Bible was a

point of great importance and we are returning to this emphasis as we have since my arrival. Each time we add greater understanding of the Bible into the life of the church, we become stronger and more Biblically focused about what we do and why we do it. We do the will of God because we know God’s will when we read His Word. In addition, it can also lead to revival in a church as the Word of God moves in and through the lives of the members. Currently, we have 12 signed up for the class so we still have plenty of room so come join us.

TheOutreachcommitteewouldlikeforeveryonetoknowhowtheirfundsarebeingdistributed.Attheendofeach

quarterwewillbelettingyouknowhowmuchwassenttowhatorganization.FornowwewouldlikeyoutoknowthatGirlScouts,theLetItShineMinistrygroup,thecommunitygarden,theBinionLuncheons,booksPaulsetsout,NEEDvolunteers,SeniorLuncheonsandspecialofferingsarealsowaysOutreachispresent.Thankstoallwhoparticipate.Thatisallofus.

OutreachCommittee

The real question is:  How will we live this out in our church today, right here, right now?

I will be a functioning church member and do all I can to further God’s work here in the life of this, His church.

I will be a source of unity and utilize every opportunity to further strengthen our community and not do things that divide the Body.

I will not let my church be about my preferences and desires and realize at times we will be called to sacrifice for the great work of God’s church to reach a lost world.

I will pray for our leaders and other members that God’s will be done in the life of our church.

I will help others in our lives see how important church is to us so the good that God’s church does in our communities is passed on to generations to come.

Let’s keep it up as we look forward. Let’s put God first and others above ourselves. May God’s Spirit go with us as we “seek first the Kingdom of God”.

Christians and Popular CultureJohn 15:19

If you were of the world, the world would love its own. But because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

We are called to live lives that draw a clear distinction between us and the world around us. We are called to be a light in the darkness. For those in darkness will be drawn to the light that is Christ. Let us be light through Christ in us, to the world around us.

Quote from: the difference maker by Nelson Search with Jennifer Dykes Henson

Four Keys to a Powerful Invitation

“Never underestimate the power of your invitation. God can and will work through it to make an eternal difference in the lives of the people he has put around you. But before you are ready to be used by God to invite others to church, four key things have to happen. You must: 1. Believe that Jesus can change lives. 2. Recognize that God wants to use you. 3. Identify the people God wants you to invite to church. 4. Care enough to extend an invitation.

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Quote from: The Gospel For Real Life by Jerry Bridges

“Have you ever thought about the wonderful truth that Christ lived His perfect life in your place and on your behalf? Has it yet gripped you that when God looks at you today He sees you clothed in the perfect, sinless obedience of His Son? And that when He says, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased,’ He includes you in that warm embrace? The extend to which we truly understand this is the extent to which we will begin to enjoy those unsearchable riches that

What If….. We all read the Bible every day?

We prayed unceasingly?

We took up our crosses and followed Jesus?

We worshipped in spirit and truth?

We gave the very best we had for the glory and Kingdom of God?

What kind of life and church do you think we would have? The church that God intended for us. Oh what a place this would be!

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