Fifth Avenue Church of Christ

115 W. Fifth Ave. Lancaster, OH 43130

740-654-0626 www.myfacc.com e-mail info@myfacc.com

The Christian Messenger

December 16, 2012

Brad Seevers Senior Minister (740-550-9882) David Tingler Associate Minister Scott Brown Worship & Outreach Minister Hannah Martin Director of Childrens Ministries Sunday Services 1st Worship 8:00 a.m. 2nd Worship 10:30 a.m. Bible School 9:15 a.m. Evening Worship 6:00 p.m.

December 24th Christmas Eve Service 7:00 p.m.

THOUGHTS FROM BRAD

I recently read an article that posed this question: "What does the front door of your church say? Interesting question isn't? Here is a brief excerpt? "What stands out after entering an Apple Store? Theyre insanely passionate about experience and technology. How about Starbucks? Theyre insanely passionate about atmosphere and coffee. How about your facility? What are you insanely passionate about as a church? Does your facility communicate this message? Better yet, does your front door experience communicate this message?" I've often wondered what people think when they enter this building. I wonder what message (s) they are picking up about us as a church? I wonder if people can tell why we've gathered together? I wonder if people can tell what is important to us as a church? I wonder if people look around and think "this place needs updated?" I want us to take a hard look around, with a fresh set of eyes, and try to picture what others may be seeing. One Sunday we had a gentleman visit here at FACC who asked me this question: Does anyone under the age of 75 walk through those doors? That question haunts me daily as I am sure it startles you. Yet it shows me we must be willing to do whatever it takes to become more focused on others. I think it's important that we make some necessary changes as we look to the New Year so get ready, change is coming! As a congregation we must get younger. We need for those who are seasoned in years to enlist in this endeavor with us. Will you help? Help us communicate to everyone the message of this church. Help us to "LOVE GOD & LOVE PEOPLE!" To be continued...next week.

BITS FROM BRO. DAVE

SUNDAY EVENINGS IN THE SANCTUARY: We are taking a break this week, December 16, and will be enjoying the dinner and talent show. Next week (12/23) the message is Lets Get Organized (II Corinthians 8:16-24). On 12/30 Investing Wisely (II Corinthians 9:1-15) and on 1/6 Coping With Criticism (II Corinthians 10:118). This series will continue through January 2013. If you are not involved in a small group, on Sunday evenings, I encourage you to join us. Communion is available for those who desire it. Also, remember that we now have activities for children each Sunday evening. WEDNESDAYS: This week (12/12) our study groups will examine Religion in Nineteenthcentury America. We will complete this study series on December 19. We will not be meeting on December 26 or January 2, but on January 9 we will begin a new study on the book of Ephesians. Why not join us for these times of study and fellowship? GIANT PRINT BIBLES: I still have, on hand, 3 of the giant print NIV Bibles. These are soft cover editions that sell for just $12.50 each. These might make good Christmas gifts for those with vision issues. If interested, you may contact me or our Church Secretary. FINAL THOUGHT: The trouble with people who talk too fast is that they often say something they havent thought of yet.

SCOTTS THOUGHTS
John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. To think that the one and only son of God was sent as an infant, (born in a barn) to an unknown teenage girl, (not yet married) ought to make us reconsider our priorities. He who spoke all things into existence entered into human existence in humility, not with pomp and fanfare, but living grace and truth unadorned with pretense. As we consider His birth and our new birth, we should strive to enter into worship in much the same fashion, unconcerned with outward things but surrendering all that we are to bring Him glory.

SPIRITUAL STATISTICS December 9, 2012

Sunday School 1st Morning Worship 2nd Morning Worship Total Morning Worship Evening Worship Weekly Budget Budget Received Christmas Projector Bible College Tuition Fund Van Fund 82 88 68 156 62 4,633.00 3,459.25 20.00 20.00 130.00 51.00

$ $ $ $ $ $

SERVING SCHEDULE December 16, 2012

At the Table 1st Serving 1st Serving 2nd Pastor of the week PM Deacon Larry Bussey and Patrick Wersell Dale Rose, Ray Coats, Ralph Conrad, Don Gardner Dale Rose, Neal Rudolph, Dale Thornton, Ned Tomlinson Larry Bussey Dale Rose

Last week in Childrens Church we learned about the story of Jesus birth. We studied each character found in the nativity and why they are important. Then we took away one character at a time and had to find out why we needed them for the story to be complete. Just like the nativity, Gods story is not complete without us. We are all important and necessary. *Remember that next Saturday is the Childrens Program Practice! If your child wishes to be included in the program, they need to be present on Saturday!! Please see me if you are not available but still wish to be involved. Thank you!! Hannah

COMMUNION PREPARATION 1st Worship Dan and Janet Brown nd 2 Worship Fred Griffith GREETERS 1st Worship 2nd Worship NURSERY Sunday School 2nd Worship

Don Taylor and Dorothy Henderly George and Alberta Ellis

Courtney Beiter and Thea Kallenberg Courtney Beiter and Julie Stuck

VISITOR CENTER 1st Worship 2nd Worship SECURITY 1st Worship Bible School 2nd Worship Evening Worship

Becky Wellman Deb Cooper

David Will Carmel Marsh Josh Czich Dick Shumaker

Prayer Requests
Ron Ogden Jane King Our Troops Sharon Britch Alice DeLong Naressa Allen Barbara Benadum Sharon Shuttleworth Brandon Cupp Roger Sargent Jeane Goldfarb Barbara Kerr Mira McCarty Will Ratliff Joann Grant Wanda Dickson Ray Coats

SERVING SCHEDULE December 23, 2012

At the Table 1st Serving 1st Serving 2nd Pastor of the week PM Deacon Fred Griffith and Mike Cooper Patrick Wersell, Jack Hardwick, Bill Kelly, Carmel Marsh Patrick Wersell, Rod Troutman, Mike Bussey, Josh Czich Mike Cooper Patrick Wersell

COMMUNION PREPARATION 1st Worship Dan and Janet Brown 2nd Worship Fred Griffith GREETERS 1st Worship 2nd Worship NURSERY Sunday School 2nd Worship

Dorcas Christmas party on Tuesday, December 18th at noon at The Villa. All ladies are welcome! A sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board. For transportation information call Linda Daubenmire at 653-0149.
Offering Envelopes

Ruth Andrews and Jeanne Noble Linda Daubenmire and Norma Holtom

Hannah Ross and Thea Kallenberg Tracy Eldridge and Marie Huffman

VISITOR CENTER 1st Worship 2nd Worship SECURITY 1st Worship Bible School 2nd Worship Evening Worship

Sue Tingler Kim Seevers

Offering envelopes for 2013 are available to be picked up in the church parlor. If you do not currently have offering envelopes but would like to have some, please contact Marg Shumaker or the church office.

Paul Alexander Ray Coats George Lambert Jim Puckett

MAYWOOD MISSION FOOD PANTRY

Non-perishable foods and various other items are collected the last Sunday of each month for the food pantry at Maywood Mission.

Suggested items:
Canned soups Beef Stew Corn bread mix Pinto beans Navy beans Mustard Hamburger Tuna helper helper Cake mix Brownie mix Deodorant Soap powder Toilet Paper Paper Towels Donations can be left at either entrance on Sunday, December 30th.

The special Christmas offering is designated for the Bible College Tuition Fund to help students with their tuition/room and board while attending a brotherhood Bible College. Currently we have two students who are benefitting from this fund: Patrick Hinson, who is majoring in Urban and Intercultural Missions, and Joseph Hoagland, who is majoring in Preaching.

WELCOME TO FIFTH AVENUE! At FACC, we focus on loving God, loving people, and turning the world upside down. We are happy you chose to worship with us today. We hope you return next week and bring your friends with you. If you would please take a few minutes to fill out a Silent Roll Call Card, located on the back of the pew, you can then place it in the offering plate as it is passed. Thank you. For more information about our great church, contact our minister, Brad Seevers at Brad@new-churches.org or call him at 740.550.9882. Have a great week and may God bless your life.
The military hero for December is Jeremy Griffith, a Staff Sergeant in the Florida Army National Guard stationed in Sarasota, Florida. He served 6 years in the Marine Corps in the Lima Company in Columbus, Ohio. He is working on a Masters Degree at the University of South Florida. Jeremy Griffith 926 Seminole Sky Avenue Ruskin, FL 33570 Jeremy is the grandson of Don and Judy Gardner. When filling out your Christmas cards this year, take a card and send to this address: A Recovering American Soldier c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center 6900 Georgia Avenue, NW Washington, D.C. 20307-5001 Also, please remember our own service members when sending out Christmas cards. Addresses are on the bulletin board in the parlor.

Sunday School Classes for All Ages Classes at 9:15 unless noted
Nursery (Birth through 3 years old) Jesus Loves Me Room 102 Courtney Beiter, Coordinator Preschool (Ages 3-6) God the Creator Room 105 Marie Huffman, Teacher Early Elementary (Kindergarten through 2nd Grade) Shaping Hearts With Gods Word Room 101 Deborah Will, Teacher Middle Elementary (3rd, 4th, and 5th Grades) Be Wise and Trust God in His Power Room 106 Becky Hoagland, Teacher Junior and Senior High Acts of the Apostles Room 301 Nick Hinson, Teacher Young Ladies Class (8:00 a.m.) The Lies Women/Young Women Believe Room 306 Cassie Bull, Teacher Ladies Class "God as He Longs for You to See Him" Room 209 Beverly Puckett, Teacher Mens Class Hearing Gods Word Room 205 Adult Class Room 214 Brad Seevers, Teacher Harmony Adult Class God Establishes a Faithful People Room 204 Dave Tingler, Teacher Philothean Adult Class Parables Room 108 Jim Love, Teacher

Bursting Forth With Praise Luke 1:67-79

Brad Seevers preaching

Core Values...
Values central to the life, mission and vision of Fifth Avenue Church of Christ are:

Sermon Notes ________________________

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Christ-Centered Worship
We make it a priority every Sunday to celebrate Jesus through our music. (Romans 11:36-12:1-2). We focus on Jesus through grace-based preaching and teaching & understand the Bible is our authority (2 Timothy 3:16).

Church Health and Biblical Balance

Church health becomes reality when God's people seek harmony & live consistently. We expect every member to protect the unity of Christ's Church. (Romans 12:16; 1 Peter 3:8)

Global Evangelism
We are constant to our founding call to worldwide evangelism, proclaiming to all that Jesus Christ is the Savior, Healer, and Soon-Coming King (Acts 20:27).

Fellowship and Ministry

After people begin their journey with Jesus, we will equip them to find a ministry based upon their strengths. We want everyone to serve in some capacity. (1 Corinthians 12:12-27) We also want His church to be the living evidence of His love and power to the world.

How Can I Respond Today?

At FACC we look to the Bible for guidance on all issues. We believe that Gods Word is clear concerning what a person must do to become a Christian. Trust that Jesus can bring you to salvation. Turn (repent) from the sin in your life. Confess your desire to make Jesus the Lord of your life. Be baptized (immersed) in water for the forgiveness of sins and to receive the Holy Spirit into your life. To make this life decision for Christ, we ask that you come forward during our commitment song at the conclusion of the Sunday message. Baptized believers are welcome to become members at FACC by coming forward on Sunday morning or by seeing our Senior Minister to discuss this further. We ask that you complete a series of Curious classes to help you better understand what you are committing to as a member.

Discipleship
We do not want you to "get religion" here at Fifth Avenue Church of Christ in Lancaster. We are all about teaching you that Jesus seeks a daily relationship with Him through a life of obedience. In other words, we want to see the things you are taught actually change your lifestyle & your daily decisions.

Social Conscience
We place high value on the sanctity of human life, of Biblical marriage and morality, and we welcome ethnic diversity (Isaiah 56:7; Philippians 2:15-16).

OUR PURPOSE WE EXIST TO

Exalt Gods Greatness; Evangelize Gods Work Equip Gods People Express Gods Love through Jesus Christ

OUR MISSION

To Love God and Love People!