In Touch with the Kingdom of God

IN TOUCH WITH THE KINGDOM OF GOD
New Carlisle Church of the Brethren
219 North Main Street
New Carlisle, Ohio 45344
Tel: (937) 845-1428 Fax: (937) 845-1615
Pastor’s Cell Phone / Voicemail: (937) 546-1196
Email: ncbrethren01@aol.com
Office Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, And Friday: 9:00am – 12:00pm
Sunday School: 9:30am. Worship: 10:30am.
Worship: – channel # 992 Time Warner Cable - Monday 5:00 pm & Thursday 6:00 am
February 2015
_______________________________________________________________________
Lent 101
Lent is a season of the Christian Year where Christians focus on simple living, prayer, and fasting in
order to grow closer to God.
When is Lent?
It's the forty days before Easter. Lent excludes Sundays because every Sunday is like a little Easter.
Basically, it's about one-tenth of a year (like a tithe of time). Mardi Gras is the day before Lent, which
begins with Ash Wednesday. This year it's from February 18 to April 5 (Easter).
So what is LENT?
At Jesus' baptism the sky split open, the Spirit of God, which looked like a dove, descended and
landed on Jesus, and a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, My Beloved, with whom I am
pleased." Afterward, as told in Matthew 4:1-11, Jesus was sent into the wilderness by the Spirit.
Where he fasted and prayed for 40 days. During his time there he was tempted by Satan and found
clarity and strength to resist temptation. Afterwards, he was ready to begin his ministry.
Why "DO" Lent? How do I start?
Are you searching for something more? Tired of running in circles, but not really living life with
direction, purpose or passion? It's pretty easy to get caught up in the drama of classes, relationships,
family, and work. Our lives are filled with distractions that take us away from living a life with Christ.
We try to fill the emptiness inside us with mindless TV, meaningless chatter, stimulants, alcohol, too
many activities or other irrelevant stuff. We run away from life and from God.
Lent is a great time to "repent" -- to return to God and re-focus our lives to be more in line with Jesus.
It's a 40 day trial run in changing your lifestyle and letting God change your heart. You might try one
of these practices for Lent:
FASTING: Some people have been known to go without food for days. But that's not the only way to
fast. You can fast by cutting out some of the things in your life that distract you from God. Some
Christians use the whole 40 days to fast from candy, tv, soft drinks, cigarettes or meat as a way to
purify their bodies and lives. You might skip one meal a day and use that time to pray instead. Or you
can give up some activity like worry or reality tv to spend time outside enjoying God’s creation. What
do you need to let go of or "fast" from in order to focus on God? What clutters your calendar and life?
How can you simplify your life in terms of what you eat, wear or do?
SERVICE: Some Christians take something on for Christ. You can collect food for the needy, volunteer
once a week to tutor children, or work for reform and justice in your community. You can commit to help
a different stranger, co-worker or friend everyday of Lent. Serving others is one way we serve God.
PRAYER: Christians also use Lent as a time of intentional prayer. You can pray while you walk, create
music or art as a prayer to God, or savor a time of quiet listening. All can be ways of becoming more in
tune with God.
Christians from many different traditions celebrate Lent. How will you use the time to grow closer to
God?
Top 10 List of Things You can Try for the Lent
10. Try an electronic fast. Give up TV, Facebook, texting, tweeeting, e-mail and all things electronic for
one day every week. (or everyday of Lent!) Use the time to read & pray.
9. Start a prayer rhythm. Say a prayer every time you brush your teeth, hear an ambulance, or check
your e-mail. Before you text someone, pray for them.
8. Read one chapter in the Bible each day. (Matthew's a good book to start with. Psalms, too.)
7. Forgive someone who doesn't deserve it (maybe even yourself.)
6. Give up soft drinks, fast food, tea or coffee. Give the money you save to help folks in Nigeria or
others in crisis.
5. Create a daily quiet time. Spend 30 minutes a day in silence and prayer.
4. Cultivate a life of gratitude. Write someone a thank you letter each week and be aware of how
many people have helped you along the way.
3. Be kind to someone each day.
2. Pray for others you see as you walk to and from classes or drive to and from work.
1. Volunteer one hour or more each week on Wednesday Night Supper, with the BCU Food Pantry,
at a nursing home, or Prison Ministry, etc.
Recycle..Recycle..Recycle..Recycle..
Continue to save your aluminum cans. We as
a church are collecting aluminum cans as a
fund raiser with the proceeds going to spiff up
the youth rooms. This is an ongoing project
so, as you have cans to turn in, you can put
them in the barrel under the coat rack in the
Fellowship Hall at the base of the stairwell. If
you have too many to bring in and need to
have them picked up, call Tony at: 572-0617.
We not only recycle and help keep the world a
better place, we also benefit our youth. Save
On!
The next blood drive is coming up in March on Tuesday,
March 3 from 3 – 7 pm at Sacred Heart Church, located at
205 W. Lake Ave. Please roll up your sleeve and save
lives. You can walk in or make an appointment (advised)
by calling: 1-800-388-GIVE. 1-800-388-GIVE
Nursery care givers are needed for the
Sunday school hour. Right now we don’t
have children using the nursery during that
time, but we need people to be on call in
case the need is there. There are only 4
people on the list and they are on call every
month. We could also use more volunteers
during worship. Please let the office know if
you are willing to play during Sunday
School.
Power Point Position Open
Debbie Meade is going to pursue her
Master’s Degree and is stepping down
from her power point position. We are
looking for someone to step in and take
over. You don’t have to have any
experience in power point, the
presentation will be done for you and all
you have to do is run it. If you are
interested in this position, contact Tony
White. We wish you all the best Debbie!
Thank you for all your dedication.
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28
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31
Raymond Blount
Kathy Mohler
Aaron Pike
Henry Martinez
Pat Krabacher
Abbie Snipes
Amanda Slattery
George Custer
Dan Sprinkle
Bonnie Magato
Mike Wilson
Emily Larason
Mike Meade
Bryan Snipes
Tim Snapp
Mindy Tipton
Dalton Huffman, Jr.
We wish John & Pat Krabacher safe travels as
they embark on their journey to become Brethren
Volunteers. They will be joining others from
around the globe and get orientated on how they
can be in service with the Brethren Volunteer
Service (BVS). Their training will be from 1-24-15
through 2-19-15.
Our heartfelt love and sympathy go out to the
Wendell Bohrer family. Wendell passed away
on Thursday January 15th in Sebring Florida.
Wendell was the husband of Joan, father of
Debi Wright and was the interm pastor here at
our church before Pastor Andrew was hired on
as our Pastor. Cards may be sent to Joan at:
245 Oak Ave., Apt. 419, Sebring, FL 338703632
Dwight & Barb Nippert
Andrew & Debi Wright
When you pray for others, God listens to
you and blesses them, and sometimes
when you are safe and happy, remember
that someone has prayed for you.
Welcome Rusty!
It is with Christian love that we
welcome Rusty Shore into our
membership.
In Ministry the Month of February:
Ministers: Our Pastors and Deacons
Missionaries: All The People
Senior Pastor: Dr. Andrew J.O. Wright
Associate Pastor: Rev. Vicki Ullery
Administrative Assistant: Jan White
Deacons on Call:
Sue Buckles 937-901-3404 Betty Patton 845-3390
February 1
February 8
February 15
February 22
Greeters
Jim & Janet Taylor
Virginia Jenkins
Pat Demmitt & Karen Gibson
Jim & Janet Taylor
Acolytes
Kristina Schmitt & Anna Schmitt
Casey Snapp & Ben Tipton
Kara Snipes & Milaeea Clark
Anton Pike & Nick Fuentes
February 1
February 8
February 15
February 22
S.S. Nursery
Mindy Tipton
Robin Snipes
Tara Studebaker
Sherri Mohler
Worship Nursery
Robin Snipes
Sherri Mohler
Rita Lane
Shannon Snipes
PowerPoint
Evelyn Shroyer
Evelyn Shroyer
Debi Wright
Still Needed
February 1
February 8
February 15
February 22
Worship Leader
Pat Krabacher
Vicki Ullery
Mike Meade
Alyce Replogle
Deacon Prayer
Janet Taylor
Shirley Petry
Robin Snipes
Jim Phares
Power Zone
Wendy St. Peter
Terri Schmitt
Mindy Tipton & boys
Kathi Florkey & Nancy White
Leadership Announcements: Leadership Team
Adult Choir Directors: Shirley Petry & Alyce Replogle Handbell Director: Sharon Smart
Band Director: Vicki Ullery
Son Singer’s Choir Director: Debi Wright
Keyboards: Jane Stamper
& Wendy St. Peter
Book Club 2015
The next National Older Adult Conference
(NOAC) will explore the power of biblical
storytelling. The theme for this year is: "then
Jesus told them a story...." This theme grows
out of Phyllis Tickle's 2013 keynote address, in
which she challenged older adults as the ones
who know the biblical stories to "go back and
weave those stories into the lives of our
grandchildren and great grandchildren." It
acknowledges the powerful way stories can
convey God's message, shaping and
transforming our lives even today. This power
of storytelling will be explored during the
conference through worship, keynote
presentations, creative arts, workshops, and
song. 2015 NOAC will be held at Lake
Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center, in
western North Carolina, September 7-11.
(This information was in the Messenger July/August 2014)
The following list is the book selections for The Seeker’s Book Club
for 2015. Anyone can join in at any time. They meet on the 4th Friday
of every month at 1:00 pm in the Church Library. The selections are
available from the Public Library and many are available for Kindles
and Nooks. Come “check us out”.
February 27 – DEAD MAN WALKING by Helen Prejean
March 27 – THE WORLD ACCORDING TO BOB by James Bowen
April 24 – LOVING FRANK by Nancy Horan
May 22 – THE GIRL IN THE PEARL EARRINGS by Tracy Chevalier
June 26 – A PLACE CALLED HOPE by Phillip Gulley
July 24 – STILL LIFE by Louise Penny
August – 28 TOUCHING SPIRIT BEAR by Ben Mikaelsen
September 25 – THE YEAR OF FOG by Michelle Richmond
October 23 – FANNY SEWARD: A LIFE by Trudy Krisher
November 27 – THE DEATH TRAVELERS by Judy Backrider
PRAYER LISTS_____________________________________________
Continued Prayer for …
Pastor Andrew & family, Church Leaders, Deacons, Church Board, Teachers, Carol Miller (Tony White’s sister has MS),
Carolyn Whittington (diagnosed with ALS, daughter of Harold & Flora Erbaugh), Pat White (Tony White’s mother), Janet
Harris (Evelyn Shroyer’s sister), baby Ryan Albritton & Slattery family, Cameron Platt (Cheryl Schock’s grandson –
asthma), Skip Castle, Marge Skillings, Thelma Studebaker, Jason & Angela Skillings and family, Irene Roser,
Rob Schock, Connie Dershem (friend of Kathi Florkey), Mr. Dave Cottrell (lung issues), Bobby Muth (kidney failure), Kaili
Black (friend of Shirley Petry, diagnosed with leukemia), Deanne Thatcher (friend of Mike Meade, chronic granulocytic
leukemia), Jim Maxon and family on the loss of his mother (friend of Rusty Shore), Pat Tracy,
Rebecca Dahli, George Custer, Kathi Florkey, Kevin Birchfield (cousin of Allen Wagner), Greta Thompson family,
Donnelscreek COB, Bob & Joann Horrock (friends of Gene Robb), Anni Bender family (friend of Jill F. and Betty P.)
Jack Smart family, Mabel O’Connor, Rose McOwen & family (Jan White’s sister-in-law),
Our Military
Andrew Krabacher, Benjamin Doggett, George Lemmer, Justin Palcic
Remember our Shut-Ins
Brethren Home: NCCoB Cheer Block The Sanctuary: Lois Sherman
Brookhaven: Dan Sprinkle Forest Glen Health Campus: Phoebe Pyles
Dayview Care Center: Linda Fields, Velma Taylor
Belle Manor: Shirley Bell
Dan Sprinkle
Brookhaven
One Country Lane
Brookville, OH 45309
Lois Sherman
The Sanctuary
264 Wilmington Ave.
Room 105A
Dayton, OH 45420
Shirley Bell
Belle Manor Nursing
Home
107 N. Pike St.
New Carlisle, OH 45344
Donations need for
Cleanup Buckets
Church World Service has a
continuous need for Cleanup
Buckets. We are now
purchasing items for the
buckets that will be
assembled in March 2015.
We thank you for your
continued support of this
project. It is much
appreciated. You can mail a
check to the District of
Southern Ohio Church of the
Brethren, 2293 Gauby Rd.,
New Madison, OH 45346.
Phoebe Pyles
Forest Glen Health
Campus
2150 Montego Dr.
Springfield, OH 45503
Card Shower For Dan
Dan Sprinkle’s birthday is
February 13th. We would like
to give him a card shower for
his birthday (he really loves
getting mail). You can send it
to:
Dan Sprinkle
Brookhaven
Dayview Care Center
1885 N. Dayton Lakeview Rd
New Carlisle, OH 45344
Linda Fields,
Velma Taylor
How to activate the Prayer Chain
If you have a request for the Prayer Chain, you
need to call one of the following persons:
Pastor – Andrew Wright – 546-1196
Leadership Team Chair –
Tony White – 572-0617
Moderator – Mike Meade – 543-1165
One Country Lane
Brookville, OH 45309
Let’s not forget our members
who are in nursing homes or
who are shut- in. They always
appreciate a card, call or visit.
Brethren Disaster Ministries is in need of
volunteers for the week of February 15-21 in
Toms River, NJ. Volunteers are also needed for
the week of March 15-21. The work is recovery
from Superstorm Sandy, including new builds
that are in different levels of completion.. For
more information contact Burt or Helen Wolf at:
937-287-5902.
February 2015
TW – Time Warner
LBU – Little Band Upstairs
SBB –Stressed But Blessed
SUNDAY
1) 8:00 Prayer in Chapel
8:30 Son Rise Café
8:30 LBU Rehearsal
9:30 Sunday School
10:30 Worship
8) 8:00 Prayer in Chapel
8:30 Son Rise Café
8:30 LBU Rehearsal
9:30 Sunday School
10:30 Worship
Cookies 4 Campers
15) 8:00 Prayer in Chapel
8:30 Son Rise Café
8:30 LBU Rehearsal
9:30 Sunday School
10:30 Worship
22) 8:00 Prayer in Chapel
8:30 Son Rise Café
8:30 LBU Rehearsal
9:30 Sunday School
10:30 Worship
MONDAY
TUESDAY
2)
3)
4:45 pm Son Singers
5:00 pm Worship
broadcast on TW ch 992
6:30 pm Girl Scouts in
Fellowship Hall
6:30 pm Prayer for the
Comm. in Chapel
7:00 pm Hispanic Bible
Study in Choc. Room
7:30 Leadership Tm Mtg
9)
4:45 pm Son Singers
5:00 pm Worship
broadcast on TW ch 992
7:00 pm A Place Apart in
Choc. Room
16)
4:45 pm Son Singers
5:00 pm Worship
broadcast on TW ch 992
23)Newsletter Deadline
4:45 pm Son Singers
5:00 pm Worship
broadcast on TW ch 992
7:00 pm A Place Apart in
Choc. Room
10)
1:00 pm Engaging Joy
in Social Area
6:30 pm Girl Scouts in
Fellowship Hall
6:30 pm Prayer for the
Comm. in Chapel
7:00 pm Hispanic Bible
Study in Choc. Room
17)
1:00 pm Engaging Joy
in Social Area
6:30 pm Girl Scouts in
Fellowship Hall
6:30 pm Prayer for the
Comm. in Chapel
7:00 pm Hispanic Bible
Study in Choc. Room
24)
1:00 pm Engaging Joy
In Social Area
6:30 pm Girl Scouts in
Fellowship Hall
6:30 pm Prayer for the
Comm. in Chapel
7:00 pm Hispanic Bible
Study in Choc. Room
WEDNESDAY
4)
Office Closed
9:00 am Ladies Aid
5:00 pm Comm. Dinner
6:00 pm Bells
6:30 pm SBB
7:30 pm Adult Choir
11)
Office Closed
9:00 am Ladies Aid
5:00 pm Comm. Dinner
6:00 pm Bells
6:30 pm SBB
7:30 pm Adult Choir
18)
Office Closed
9:00 am Ladies Aid
5:00 pm Comm. Dinner
6:00 pm Bells
6:30 pm SBB
7:30 pm Adult Choir
CBO – Creative Brushes of Ohio
JNB – Joyful Noise Band
THURSDAY
5)
6:00 am Worship broadcast
on TW ch 992
10:00 am Bible Study in
Library
FRIDAY
6)
9:00 am Bulletin Deadline
7)
1 – 3 pm JNB in
Choc. Room
5:00 pm Weight Watchers in
Fellowship Hall
7:00 pm JNB in Choc. Room
7:30 pm Mojo Brass
7:00 pm Music on Main
Tecumseh Show Choir
12)
13)
14)
6:00 am Worship broadcast
on TW ch 992
10:00 am Bible Study in
Library
9:00 am Bulletin Deadline
7:30 pm Mojo Brass
19)
20)
6:00 am Worship broadcast
on TW ch 992
10:00 am Bible Study in
Library
10 – 3 CBO in Choc. Room
3 – 8 JNB in Choc Room
5:00 pm Weight Watchers in
Fellowship Hall
7:00 pm JNB in Choc. Room
9:00 am Bulletin Deadline
21)
1 – 3 pm JNB in Choc. Room
5:00 pm Weight Watchers in
Fellowship Hall
7:00 pm JNB in Choc. Room
7:30 pm Mojo Brass
25)
26)
27)
9:00 am Bulletin Deadline
5:00 pm Comm. Dinner
6:00 pm Bells
6:30 pm SBB
7:30 pm Adult Choir
6:00 am Worship broadcast
on TW ch 992
10:00 am Bible Study in
Library
5:30 pm Dinner Club
5:00 pm Weight Watchers in
Fellowship Hall
7:00 pm JNB in Choc. Room
Office Closed
9:00 am Ladies Aid
SATURDAY
1:00 pm Seeker’s Book
Club in Library
7:30 pm Mojo Brass
28)
1 – 3 pm JNB in Choc. Room