Good News of
Central Christian Church
The
May, 2013
All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten and Sunday School
Robert Fulghum wisely suggests that all we really need to know we learned in Kindergarten. He said, “All I
really need to know about how to live and what to do and how to be I learned in kindergarten.” I agree with
Roger, but I wonder if he shouldn’t give some credit to Sunday School and scripture, because everyone of the
lessons he learned, I also learned in Sunday School and from our Bible.
I’ve added a few scripture references to Roger’s list below:
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Share everything. Luke 3:11, Acts 4:32
Play fair. Micah 6:8
Don't hit people. Jeremiah 22:3, Matthew 7:12, Matthew 5:39
Put things back where you found them. Leviticus 25
Clean up your own mess. Leviticus 25
Don't take things that aren't yours. Exodus 20:15
Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody. James 5:16
Wash your hands before you eat. Mark 7:1-8
Flush. Deuteronomy 23:12-13
Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you. Exodus 3:7-8
Live a balanced life - learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and
work every day some. Ecclesiastes 3:1-15
Take a nap every afternoon. Mark 6:31
When you go out in the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands and stick together.
1 Corinthians 12:12-26
Be aware of wonder. Remember the little seed in the Styrofoam cup: the roots go down and the plant
goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that. Mark 4:26-27
Goldfish and hamsters and white mice and even the little seed in the Styrofoam cup - they all die. So do
we. 1 Corinthians 15:20-21
And then remember the Dick-and-Jane books and the first word you learned - the biggest word of all LOOK. Matthew 7:7, Jeremiah 29:13
Everything you need to know is in there somewhere. The Golden Rule and love and basic sanitation. Ecology
and politics and equality and sane living.
Take any one of those items and extrapolate it into sophisticated adult terms and apply it to your family life or
your work or government or your world and it holds true and clear and firm. Think what a better world it would
be if we all - the whole world - had cookies and milk at about 3 o'clock in the afternoon and then lay down with
Central Christian Church
May, 2013
our blankies for a nap. Or if all governments had as a basic policy to always put things back where they found
them and to clean up their own mess.
And it is still true, no matter how old you are, when you go out in the world, it is best to hold hands and stick
together.
Jesus summed the whole thing up like this. “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another just as I
have loved you.” John 13:34 or “Love God, Love People.” Matthew 22:34-40.
Blessed to be loving God and loving people, with you,
Pastor Deb
Banned Questions About the Bible
Do you sometimes wonder about things in the Bible, but are embarrassed or afraid to ask? Most Christians
have questions about many things in scripture. Actually, questioning is an important part of growing in our
faith. Pastor Deb’s Sunday school class will begin a new study with a focus on the most common questions
about scripture. She will use the popular book published by Chalice Press and written by Disciple Pastor,
Christian Piatt. Some of the questions we will discuss are:
“Can I be a Christian if I don’t believe the Bible is perfect…?”
“If Adam and Eve were the first and only people on Earth, where did their kid’s spouses come from?”
“How can a God be all-loving yet allow people to be thrown into hell?”
“What does “apocalypse” mean and did the Bible predict one?”
“Why would an all-knowing God begin the process of creation knowing that it would be corrupted by evil and
lead to so much heartache?
“Why are the Jewish people God’s chosen people?”
“In some places Paul seems to support women in leadership roles int eh church, and in others, he says they have
no place. Which is it?”
And so many many more! All are welcome at 9:15 Sunday mornings. Come to the top floor, where we reach
for new heights in our faith journeys.
May 5
May 12
May 19
May 26
Acts 16:9-15
Psalm 67
Revelation 21:10,22-22:5 John 14:23-29
Acts 16:16-34
Psalm 97
Revelation 22:12-14
John 17:20-26
Acts 2:1-21
Psalm 104:24-35
Romans 8:14-17
John 14:8-17
Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31 Psalm 8
Romans 5:1-5
John 16:12-15
Central Christian Church
May, 2013
Sabbatical Days for Pastor
Like most churches, Central Christian Church provides Pastor Deb with
Sabbatical days in her contract. Sabbatical Days are to be used for Spiritual
nourishment, rest, and study. Pastor’s contract provides her with 18 days per
year of Sabbatical. On Thursdays in April and May Pastor will use 8 of these
days to take a class on forgiveness and reconciliation. These classes will
empower Pastor to lead the church and individuals through conflict and injury, to forgiveness and
reconciliation. Please lift Pastor in prayer as she studies, rests, and continues to grow in her faith and
leadership. If you have a pastoral care need on Thursdays in April and May, please contact Pastor Julie or elder
chair, Carla Offenburger or call the church office. Pastor will not be taking calls or returning emails on her
sabbatical days.
This past week at home the car broke down, the lawnmower needed a tune up, it was
time to pay for the yearly road treatment, Quick Oil delivered the last batch of propane
along with the bill, and we were mapping out our route for vacation next week. The $
signs kept popping up! Wow, am I thankful that I know I’ve taken care of my church
home first with my automatic deduction pledge. It would have been easy to say, “Not
this week.” BUT, when anyone of us does that, the church finances suffer. And we
don’t have enough in the coffers to suffer too much (just like with my home budget). I’m thankful that I put
funds away at home to cover an expensive week like this past one. We do that at church too, but we’ve had to
reach into those “put away” funds to cover monthly expenses recently. With expenses running about $12,000 a
month we need to work diligently so that our monthly budget can be met with our weekly offerings. That way
our reserves can be used for those weeks when the car breaks down, the lawnmower needs tuned up or when
vacations are being planned – not for monthly expenses. Please keep this in mind as you continue to give
generously every week, every month. Consider the automatic deduction method. And keep in mind that as the
summer vacation months approach, our monthly church budget doesn’t decrease. We need to give faithfully
and consistently to meet the expectations of our many ministries. Pray about what you can do to make sure
your church home is financially well.
Carla Offenburger
Central Christian Church
May, 2013
We thank those individuals who shared lilies with us on Easter to beautifully grace our
worship service.
Mike, Janice, and the Brady family in memory of Bryon and Frances Brady
The Krieger family in memory of Charlotte Ann Krieger
The Krieger family in memory of Lorraine and Maurice Dudley
Kurt & Carmen Krieger
Helen Nelson in memory or Dr. Orman Nelson
Herma Parr and family in memory of Jim Parr
Evelyn and Tom Shearman in memory of Arthur and Jim Shearman
Pentecost Offering May 12 and 19
Our Disciples family is growing!
Your Church is growing!
When Dick Hamm, former general minister and president of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ),
introduced the 2020 Vision in 2001, he challenged the Christian Church to look like the face of
America. He also set forth a challenge to start 1,000 new Disciples congregations by 2020. No one
could imagine then where God would take us.
Today, Disciples have started 800 new communities of faith and counting! More than 50,000 new lives
have been brought to Christ, and 18 languages are spoken at Disciples churches. Now, that’s good
news worth celebrating! New Disciples churches are being planted and new mission fields are being
created throughout the United States and Canada.
On May 12 and May 19, 2013, Disciples churches will collect the Pentecost Offering to fund the new
church movement. We need your support. This offering is creating opportunities to share the Gospel of
Jesus Christ in places that don’t have a Disciples witness. When you give to the Pentecost Offering,
one half of your gift stays in the Region where you live and one half goes to Hope Partnership for
Missional Transformation to support the recruitment, assessment, training and coaching of new church
pastors, spouses and core team members. Because of your support, your Church is growing. Disciples
are growing. We are reaching new places to provide Disciples mission and share the good news of
Jesus Christ beyond the doorsteps of the Church into the community and throughout the world.
Central Christian Church
May, 2013
Greene County Re-Entry Team Needs Your Prayers and Support
“Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have
entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with
them.” Hebrews 13:1-3
What is the Greene County Re-Entry Team? An ecumenical group of Christians who take seriously Christ’s
call to forgive, reconcile, and offer new life to people who have been convicted of crimes, imprisoned, and are
ready to be released to live in our community. It is a mission team that assists ex-offenders in the process of reintegrating into community life upon release from prison. The team of Christian volunteers covenant with an
ex-offender for a year, offering crucial help and encouragement. It involves basic issues of resettlementhousing, employment, finances, clothing, transportation, education, addiction treatment, healthcare and life
skills needed to become happy, healthy, productive, law-abiding citizens who are able to contribute to the
community and help others.
WHY? The ministry of Jesus Christ is one of repentance and forgiveness of sins, new life and reconciliation.
Why? Ex-Offenders who covenant with a Re-Entry Team are less likely to re-offend and more likely to
become productive happy law-abiding citizens who contribute to the community and help others.
How? Tough Love, Faith, Mentors, Accountability, Friends, help with job search, housing, and other
immediate needs.
Is this a free hand out available to any ex-offender? NO! Reintegration is not a free hand out; it is about
relationships, education, and empowerment. Some financial assistance is offered to qualified candidates who
have been approved by the Re-Entry Team after completing a rigorous approval process.
Will the Team assist sex offenders? NO. Ex-sex-offenders will not be eligible for the Greene County ReEntry Program.
HOW CAN YOU HELP? Reintegration needs your prayers, support, and financial gifts. It costs money to
travel to prisons, train teams, provide support materials, assist with startup costs such as housing and utility
deposits, job training, transportation, clothing, household items. Many prisoners leave prison life with only
$100 and no family or friends to assist them.
ONE MORE WHY: “So, if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation; everything old has passed away;
see, everything has become new! All this is from God, who reconciled us to Godself through Christ, and has
given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to Godself, not
counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us.
Please make your checks to “Greene County Re-Entry Team”. For questions, or to become a mentor, please
contact Dave Bohnet or Jim North.
Central Christian Church
May, 2013
Memorial Weekend Big Build at Christian Conference Center
Planning for the Memorial Day Weekend building blitz for
Our Path Together is well underway! Volunteers will begin
gathering on Friday, May 24 and enjoy some fun time together
that evening before the building begins on Saturday morning.
People may stay on site in cabins, Retreat House, or in their
campers and RVs. The main lodge is rented for the weekend,
so our registration and sign-in/information will take place at
the Retreat House, which will also be our weekend kitchen,
under the leadership of Rev. Earlin Shanno. If you’d like to
help provide food for the weekend, contact him
at icl567@aol.com . There is no charge for housing or meals,
just make your donation to Our Path Together.
We’ll begin with a continental breakfast on Saturday morning
between 6:45 and 7:45 AM. Devotions, introductions, and
instructions will follow. Teams will be moving materials,
working at sawing stations where different sizes will be cut as
well as other tasks. Later, teams will begin building walls.
When things are ready, the walls will begin to be assembled and erected for each of the three cabins.
Throughout the day there will be breaks and lunch served on site. About 4:00 we plan to clean up for the day
and hopefully share a BBQ and some fellowship time.
Sunday will have a similar schedule. We plan to have a communion service in the evening. Monday’s schedule
will be similar, with the hope of having all three cabins standing with rafters and sheeting in place.
There will be an information day on Saturday April 27 at 10:00 at Christian Conference Center for anyone who
would like to come and see the plans and learn more. If you’ve already registered, you should receive a sample
schedule of the day and other information electronically. If you have not yet registered, please do so either
online at www.uppermidwestcc.org or by calling the Regional Office at 515.255.3168. If you would like to
help provide some of the tools that will be used, contact Diana at dianacc1@gmail.com.
Central Christian Church
May, 2013
Katie Fremel & Chris Nelson
Saturday, May 4 at 2:00 p.m.
Central Christian Church Fellowship Hall
Katie and Chris are registered at:
Ace Hardware, Bed Bath and Beyond, Printer’s Box, Target, and Walmart
Dear Church Family,
Thanks for all your lovely cards and well wishes during my recovery.
God continues to be good and I’m climbing upward again. When life
knocks us down, we have to get up and try again. With His power and
grace I will make it.
Thanks to all,
Pat Goughnour
Words cannot begin to express our thanks for all the many words of
comfort and sympathy, the many cards, the gifts and sharing of food
following the death of our brother, Joey Godwin. You will always have a
special place in our hearts. We thank you all so very much.
Jessie Custer and Jacqui Mentzer
and all the rest of our family.
Central Christian Church
May, 2013
Thank you to all who sent cards, best wishes and attended my
80th birthday party. Your birthday wishes made joining the 80+
Club fun!
Glenn Carstensen
Thank you to Al & Ann Frederick for the new piano lamp. The
musicians especially love the dimmer!
Worship Committee
March, 2013
Needed to meet monthly budget
Our average weekly offering for Mar was
March Offerings
March Budgeted Expenses
$12,319.83 ($2843.04 each week)
$ 1,416.07
$ 7,170.42
$12,453.23
March Average Worship Attendance – 96
March Average Sunday School Attendance – 33
The complete financial statement is presented at board meetings and is available in the office.
Central Christian Church
May, 2013
May Schedules
Ushers - David & Joey Rasmussen
Deacons - Glenna Strong, Jacqui Mentzer, Nick Foster, Ann Frederick, Gabby Pena
Worship Leader
Elders
5 – Molly Hoskins
12 – Jerald Deal
19 – Crystal Heard
26 – Jamie Leggitt
5 – Jerald Deal & Jane Nelson
12 – Larry Miller & Carla Offenburger
19 – Jessie Custer & Julie Cornelius
26 – Marcia Roeder & Bob Strong
Sunday School Nursery Attendants
Worship Nursery Attendants & Assistants
5 – Sharyl Powers
12 – Sharyl Powers
19 – Jane Nelson
26 – Crystal Heard
5 – Marcia Roeder & Molly Hoskins
12 – Nancy Winger & Camron Roath
19 – Jane Nelson & Molly Hoskins
26 – Crystal Heard & Brooke Hayes
Communion will be served to our
shut-ins and homebound members
May 19 at 1:00 p.m.
Elders serving: Jessie Custer, Bob Strong, &
Carla Offenburger
May Birthdays
4 – Anna Vincent, Rebecca, Pat Hurley
7 – Bryce Timmons
8 – Charlotte Smith
9 – Jackson Turner
10 – Barbara Wolf
11 – Ashley Galbraith Lorentzen
12 – Danny Moranville
15 – Wilma Dunlop
16 – Cindy Deal
18 – Jeff Melton
19 – Helen Nelson
24 – Joeline Carstensen
29 – Jim Rasmussen
31 – Michael Ross
May Anniversaries
10 – Ryne & Katie Owen
27 – Jerald & Cindy Deal
28 – Floyd & Maxine Dunlop, Rudy & Nikki Uebel
29 – Paul & June Carstensen
31- Paul Nugent & Mailee Kerr
Central Christian Church
May, 2013
Please keep the following individuals and situations in your prayers.
*Phyllis Ashcraft *Tammy Calvert * Jessie Custer and Jacqui Mentzer *Zelma Dyer Norma Ferguson
*Diane Foster *Pat Goughnour *Esther Knapp & Gary *Joe Millard *Marjorie Moorman *Carla
Offenburger’s granddaughter, Lindsay *Family of Lori Redfern *Kenny Russell *Dorothy Van Horn
Regency Park
Norma Dunivan
Dave Williams ~ Evelyn Bancroft
GCMC Long Term Care
Helen Nelson ~ Wilma Dunlop
Shirlee Wiggins
Zelma Dyer
The Gardens
Dave Wolf
Phyllis McCollom
Shady Oaks in Lake City
Eleanor Hanen
Hearth Stone Memory Care Unit - Boone
Lois Olson
Market to Market Relay
The Market to Market relay will be Saturday, May 11th. Relay teams will run from Jefferson
to Des Moines starting at 6:30 a.m. Central Christian and First Presbyterian Youth Force are
volunteers for the Market to Market Relay. Adult volunteers are needed too! Help us raise
funds for youth force and enjoy a great event on the Racoon River Valley Trail! For more information about the
race visit
https://www.facebook.com/M2MRelay
Central Christian Church
May, 2013
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 – 386-3887
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
May, 2013