Good News of
Central Christian Church
The
November, 2014
I suppose I've told you about my great-Aunt
Laura, but she's worth a second telling, especially
around "All Saints Day." When I was a little girl
Aunt Laura babysat for me from time to time. She
was my grandmother's sister and though she'd been
married, divorced, widowed, and remarried she was
never blessed with children of her own. Aunt Laura
was a very large woman with an even larger smile.
She was soft and round; someone you might
imagine as Mrs. Saint Nicolas. When I was blessed
to be in her home, she spoiled me with sugar
cookies and some of my favorite foods. She drove
20 miles to the next town to get my favorite link
sausages, even though there was a fine grocery store
right down the road. I'm sure their link sausages
were tasty, but they weren't the sausages she knew I
loved, so she went the extra 20 miles. Aunt Laura introduced me to Lawrence Welk, Hee Haw, and the
Smothers Brothers. We would sit together and laugh ourselves silly watching those shows, and there was
always a TV snack served on a TV tray. Usually it was grapes, but these were no ordinary grapes. These
grapes had been peeled, sliced, and the seeds removed by Aunt Laura's loving hands. Can you imagine how
long it took to wash, peel, slice and de-seed grapes? Much less than the time it took me to devour them! Even
though Aunt Laura never spoke about the time it took her to prepare my grapes or drive for sausage, I knew
there was something very special about those foods. I've never tasted sausage so good or grapes so sweet in all
my life! Of course it was the time and love poured into those foods that still makes my mouth water when I
think about Aunt Laura some 40 years later.
In my mind and life, Aunt Laura was a Saint. She didn't win a nobel prize, or even lead a perfect life. Most
people would think she was very ordinary and nothing like Saint Francis or Saint Mother Teresa, but she fed
one little girl with enough love to last her a lifetime. Aunt Laura poured out her love on me and made me feel
special. I didn't do a single thing to earn her love, and I wasn't even her child but Aunt Laura was God's love to
me in the flesh. That makes her a Saint!
This week in worship we'll give thanks and praise to our God for the Saints in our lives. We'll light candles
and remember those people who were God's love in flesh for us and who now live eternally in our hearts and
minds. May their spirits sour with the angels and may we be surrounded by their great cloud of witness.
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight
and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to
Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith." Hebrews 12:1-2
May the Saints come marching in our sanctuary Sunday Nov. 2nd.
Peace of Christ,
Pastor Deb
Central Christian Church
November, 2014
Nov. 2
Nov. 9
Nov. 16
Nov. 23
Nov. 30
Joshua 3:7-17
Psalm 107:1-7, 33-37
1 Thessalonians 2:9-13 Matthew 23:1-12
Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25 Psalm 78:1-7
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Matthew 25:1-13
Judges 4:1-7
Psalm 123
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 Matthew 25:14-30
Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 Psalm 100
Ephesians 1:15-23 Matthew 25:31-46
Isaiah 64:1-9
Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19
1 Corinthians 1:3-9 Mark 13:24-37
Fall Congregational Meeting
The fall congregational meeting will take place on Sunday, November 2. Agenda will include a vote on the
2015 budget and a presentation on a possible building project with vote following presentation to move forward
with project or not. Copies of both budget and building renovation project are available in the church office, and
in the back of the church.
Salvation Army Bell Ringing
Central Christian Church will be ringing bells on November 22nd at
Fareway and Ben Franklin from noon until 5:00 p.m. Sign up to volunteer
in the church office or on Sunday morning.
Central Christian Church
November, 2014
2014 Nativity Festival
Sunday, December 14th
First United Methodist Church
Community Concert begins at 5:00 p.m.
Soup Supper & Pie Auction 5:00 p.m.
This event benefits our local Habitat for Humanity
Dear Church Family,
While writing this to you, I am reminded of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 “Everything Has Its Time”.
Time does quickly pass and we must feel things are as intended. After licensing, seven years ago I began
serving this church body as Visitation Minister. This was a privilege I took as an opportunity to serve the “One
who loves us most”. Many hours have been spent in prayer, visiting and caring for the needs of this body in
their homes, nursing or retirement facilities, and hospitals. All of it has been my blessing.
Time does change many things in our lives. Three years ago I moved from a nearby community to Urbandale.
You may not understand, but this was a good move for me. It allowed me to be closer to the immediate family I
love so much and that will lovingly care for me as I age.
But even good things come with a sacrifice. This home move has made serving this congregation and worship
over an hour away. I have maintained that schedule, while putting limitations on number of trips made in a
week. With those limits I have sacrificed attending some services and meetings which I otherwise would have.
Time and the season of winter quickly approaching, I have prayerfully made the decision to resign from my
Visitation Minister responsibilities at Central Christian Church.
I hope my time of working as V. M. has been a blessing to you as it has to me. I do hope you now understand
the importance of one who will intentionally and frequently serve/visit those that cannot attend services and
events but still are an intricate part of the body. We cannot ignore those who love God and His church when
their bodies are frail.
Visiting is not a job exclusively for the pastors but one for the entire body with emphasis as an elder
responsibility (and not only on shut in communion Sundays) in the church by laws.
It is time that I find a geographically closer church body with which to worship and work.
My life has been blessed being a part of yours. I will continue to pray for Central Christian Church in your
service to God; and will rejoice in your continued success.
I ask that you pray for me as God leads at this time of another change of great importance in my life.
Love and Blessings,
Pastor Julie
Central Christian Church
November, 2014
November Birthdays
November Anniversaries
1 – Mavis Sawhill
4 – Joey Rasmussen
5 – Pat Goughnour, George Zito
8 – Brandon Silbaugh
9 – Blaise Schilling, Amy Baugh
10 –Stephanie Hammond
14 – Tammy Calvert
17 – Trista Powers
18 – Alaina Heard
19 – Larry Miller, Katie Rasmussen
20 – Crystal Heard
21 – Chris Nelson
22 – Dallas Schrader, Deanna Sandage,
Glenna Strong
26 – Jamie Leggitt
27 – Lois Custer, Trenten Custer
28 – Bonnie Silbaugh
30 – Nicole Schilling, Laura Helmus
1 – Nick & Annette Foster
3 – Glenn & Joeline Carstensen
6 – Robert & Janet Owens
27 – Gary & Kathi Hoskins
Mike & Janice Brady are celebrating their 50th
wedding anniversary on November 27th!
September, 2014
Needed to meet monthly budget
$11,836.92 ($2,731.60 each week)
Our average weekly offering for September $ 1,772.00
September Offerings
$ 7,088.00
September Budgeted Expenses
$10,545.32
September Average Worship Attendance – 60
September Average Christian Education Participation – 53*
*As you can see the “Average Sunday School Attendance” has been changed to “Average Christian Education
Participation”. Average Sunday School Attendance in the past included all Christian Education opportunities
on Sundays only. It did not take in to account the Bible Study at Greene Bean Coffee on Wednesday mornings
or the 30 some children who attend Miracles each week. The attendance numbers for these classes are also
NOT included in our statistics in the Annual Report & Church Membership Directory. To correct this, Sunday
School Attendance is now being called “Christian Education Participation” which does include ALL Christian
Education opportunities at Central Christian (any Sunday morning classes, Green Bean Bible Study, Miracles
and Meals, and you can assume that any future class participation numbers will be included in the average and
reflected in the next Annual Report). Please contact Melody in the church office with any questions or requests
regarding statistics. Thank you.
The complete financial statement is presented at board meetings and is available in the office.
Central Christian Church
November, 2014
November Schedules
Ushers - David & Joey Rasmussen
Deacons – Jacqui Mentzer, Nick Foster, Sarah Borgeson, Gabby Pena
Worship Leader
Elders
2 – Nicole Schilling
9 – Rita Olsthoorn
16 – Nick Foster
23 – Sherry Reed
30 – Larry Jordan
2 – Dave Rasmussen & Marcia Roeder
9 – Jane Nelson & Joey Rasmussen
16 – Larry Miller & Dave Rasmussen
23 – Bob Strong & Jane Nelson
30 – Jerald Deal & Jessie Custer
Communion will be served to our
shut-ins and homebound members
November 16th at 1:00 p.m.
Elders serving: Larry & Lana Miller, Jane Nelson
Please keep the following individuals and situations in your prayers.
Tammy Calvert, Beth Downs, Norma Ferguson, Linda Foster, Destiny Hofbauer, Jacqui Mentzer’s son Gary,
Dean Perry, Kenny Russell, Colleen Wolf
Regency Park
Norma Dunivan
GCMC Long Term Care
Helen Nelson
Zelma Dyer
Duane & Maxine Dunlop
The Gardens
Dave Wolf
Phyllis McCollom
Shady Oaks in Lake City
Eleanor Hanen
Hearth Stone Memory Care Unit - Boone
Lois Olson
Central Christian Church
November, 2014
Central Christian Church
108 N. Elm Street
Jefferson, IA 50129
Non-Profit Organization
U.S. Postage Paid
Permit No. 209
Jefferson, IA 50129
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
We are Disciples of Christ, a
Central Christian Church
Sunday School – 9:15 a.m
Sunday Worship Service – 10:30 a.m.
Phone ~ 386-4315 Fax ~ 386-4016
E-mail ~ jeffccc@netins.net
Web site: www.lovinggodlovingneighbor.org
Facebook: Central Christian Church-jefferson Ia
Office hours – Monday thru Friday: 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Pastor – Debra Griffin – 515-370-2281
Visitation Minister ~ Julie Cornelius
Church Secretary – Melody Larsen
Minister of Music ~ Larry Dowd
Audio/Video team ~ Gary Hall, Tom Powers
Custodian ~ Kevin Hoskins
movement for wholeness in a
fragmented world. As part of the
one body of Christ, we welcome all to
the Lord’s Table as God has
welcomed us.
* Disciples of Christ Statement of Identity
The Good News of Central Christian Church is published monthly by Central Christian Church, 108 N. Elm Street, Jefferson, Iowa.
Articles may be submitted for publication consideration by the 15 th of each month. We may be reached at 386-4315 / Fax# 386-4016 /
email at jeffccc108@gmail.com.
Central Christian Church
November, 2014