CENTERVILLE MESSENGER (096380) Free Upon Request-Published Weekly by Centerville Church of Christ, 138 N. Central Ave., Centerville, TN 37033-1427 May 27, 2020 Volume XXXX –Number 21

Todd Parsley

“From Where I Sit”

We are less than two weeks away from June 7th, the date which our elders have decided for our return to coming together for Sunday morning worship again. There will be two services so that we will comply with the total capacity allowed under current government recommendations. These services will be divided alphabetically, last names from A-J will meet at 9:00 and last names from K-Z will meet at 10:30. Communion emblems will be on a table in the foyer for you to pick up as you enter the building. If you do not feel comfortable returning at this time you can still join us on our livestream, Facebook or the radio. If you want to wear a mask you are encouraged to do so, but they are not required. Sunday night and Wednesday night will continue to be livestream and Facebook only for now. I'm excited for us to be coming together again. It is an answer to many prayers. During this time away some may have questioned the purpose of the church. Do we really need to come together as a body of believers? Question such as: Why the church? What’s the purpose of it? Do we really need it? When we believe and obey the gospel of Christ, God forgives us of our sins and adds us to his church. Over one hundred biblical metaphors such as “the bride of Christ,” “the body of Christ” and “the family of God” describe the importance and role of the church. Faithful followers of Christ unite in local congregations of the Lord's church to worship and serve God together. Here we sing praises to God, pray, share communion in the Lord’s Supper, receive spiritual teaching from the Word of God, give to support the work of the church and encourage and support one another as brothers and sisters in Christ. In our weekly worship services the church celebrates and honors God. God focused worship praises God and renews and revitalizes our lives. In coming together we experience the greatest joy, purpose, peace, love and unity that’s possible on this earth. We develop friendships and enjoy fellowship that transcend anything this side of heaven. We participate in the work of the kingdom of God on earth. The church’s love and fellowship will continue into eternity when all of God’s people are gathered together to worship and serve him forever. A person who does not enjoy worshiping and serving God with his people now will not enjoy the eternal kingdom of God in heaven. Do you desire a deeper, more intimate relationship with God? Do you want to show God that you love him? Do you yearn for more meaningful, lasting friendships? Do you need strength for life’s journey? Do you want to be a part of the greatest work on earth that time cannot take away and death cannot destroy? If you answered “Yes” to any of these questions, then you’ll begin finding the answers in the assembly of the church. It's time to come together again! That’s why God created the church and that’s why we really need it. I look forward to seeing you on the 7th! God Bless -Todd

Carter’s Corner

2015- There were campaigns to Turks & Caicos Islands in June to finish the new Provo church building and to Montana, led by John Smith, where the group traveled over 5000 miles. The Messenger, our weekly bulletin, goes online with paper copies available saving the budget over $19,000 a year. “Endeavor” involved 25 churches of Christ from Hickman Co. at the HCHS Auditorium for time of combined worship. The basement was renovated through donations for the “Lighthouse” youth center and classrooms. WNKX, Centerville’s local radio station, celebrates it’s 60th Anniversary as Sunday morning and Sunday evening services continue being broadcast. Also, “The Gospel in Word and Song” is the longest running broadcast on the station. 2015 ended with a budget surplus of over $7,000. Average attendance 515 and 349 in Sunday School.

2016- Davis House, a child advocacy group assisting in domestic abuse, opens in the Hope House leased for $1 a year. 20 men were selected to serve as Deacons joining our current 19 we have serving. Over 300 in attendance each day for VBS. Close to 400 at Summer Camp at Meribah with 116 campers at Teen Week. Bill McDonald resigns as an elder after 27 years of service. Friends & Family Day has 625 in attendance. Worship services streaming online averages 2000 visitors per month from all over the world.

2017- Shortly after several return from the Turks & Caicos on a campaign, a hurricane struck Providenciales. Several congregations, as well as Centerville, helped with rebuilding and collected 105 Christmas Boxes. Largest Camp Snowball with over 100. Camp Meribah Main Camp saw 36 Groups and 44 Groups used the Dotson Alumni Lodge. The Elders visited each church families’ home in 2017. 91 Day School Children are enrolled weekly. The Jail Ministry had 26 baptisms. Our Outreach ministry provided 650+ Food Boxes to needy families, 45 families assisted with clothing needs, 52 families assisted with Utility Bills, 11 Individuals or Families assisted with Lodging.

2018- Lonnie Gilliam retires from the eldership after 11 years. Craig Shelton steps down as Youth Minister after 15 total years of service. Carter Hoover begins work as Youth Minister. After 10 years with Centerville, Dr. Bryan McAlister resigns and Matthew Dotson begins role of Interim Minister. Clay & Tara Chessor are honored for 10 years of Directing Summer Camp at Camp Meribah. Todd Parsley is announced as the new Pulpit Minister. 709 present on Friend’s Day. Van donated to the church from McDonald Funeral Home. 950+ food boxes given out, several helped with utilities, clothing and lodging.

For the next few weeks we

will look at the

History of the Centerville

Church of Christ….

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND marks the beginning of Summer for many, and I hope you were able to spend the long weekend enjoying time with your friends and family. The upcoming Summer is going to be unusual to say the least, but I hope that you you are all looking forward to making the most of the Summer. For me, this summer marks the first summer in a decade of youth ministry without Summer Camp, VBS, a mission trip, etc., and to be honest, I’m not sure what I am going to do with all of my free time. My goal for the summer is to do as Paul writes in Ephesians 5:16 and “make the best use of time,” and I hope that you will strive to do the same also. MORRISON NICKS SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS are due on May 29th.

Applications were sent via email last week to all former recipients and all graduating seniors. If you did not receive an email from me with a link to the application, please let me know ASAP. The Scholarship Committee will begin meeting within the next few weeks to begin reviewing applications and contacting the applicants. If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch with any of the members of the Scholarship Committee: Philip Jacobs, Craig Shelton, Alan Potts, Brett Martin, Matthew Dotson, Shelda Qualls, Eric Cannon, Betty Breece, or myself. THE 2020 Challenge continues this week as we read Acts 11-15. The book of Acts is always an interesting study, and I believe that our time spent studying the early church helps us to have a better understanding of how the church today should act and behave. I want to continue to encourage you to keep reading with us as we study our way through the New Testament. You still have time to catch up if you have fallen behind, and you still have plenty of time to get started if you have yet to take on the Challenge! In Him, Carter

CONTRIBUTION

May 24 : $ 9,567.14

Camp: $ 234.00

Budget: $12,976.00

Life-Line

Daily Updates & Devotional

Message

931-729-5055

Home: Claudine Morrison, Robert & Marge Gilmer, Mildred Bridges, Dorris & Margie Claud, Floy Gatewood, Floy Lyell, A.J. & Willie B. Coates, J.W. & Sue Roder, Troy Parks

...Chug Elrod is in the Trauma Unit at Vanderbilt Hospital due to injuries from falling at his home. He has a brain bleed, broken ribs, clavicle and a punctured lung. ...Seth Armstrong, father of Stephen (Anita) Armstrong, is very sick at the Life Care Center following a stroke. ...Sue McNabb, mother-in-law of Susan McNabb, is recovering from surgery for a broken hip at the Life Care Center. ...Charlie Shelton will have carotid artery surgery June 1st at St. Thomas West. ...Lilly Parker, sister of Lynda Houston, suffered a heart attack and is in a hospital in Huntsville, Alabama. ...Brenda Wood, sister of Lynda Houston, received a good report from a recent test. ...Colleen Polk, a friend of Brad & Monica Davis, has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. ...Sylvia Gibson, mother of Stacy (David) Breece, is recovering from hip surgery at Horizon Medical Center due to falling. ...George Peterson, father of Lesley (Jim) Hudgins, will be starting an additional line of treatments for cancer this week. His address is: 2138 Smallhouse Road Bowling Green, KY 42104 …Eric Coleman will have eye surgery May 28th. ...Stephen Dotson will have shoulder surgery June 4th. ...Roy Shannon is at home with Hospice care. Roy is the uncle of Jim & Lesley Hudgins. ...Winnie Aydelott, mother of James (June) Aydelott, is in St. Thomas Hickman Nursing Home.

Youth News

Thank You

Nursing Home: Life Care Center: Bobby Breece, Jimmy King, Seth Armstrong, Pearl Gordon, Betty Claud, Addie Bell Nash, Georgia Moss, Larry Talley St. Thomas Hickman Nursing Home: Winnie Aydelott, Martha Bates, Francis McClanahan, Sybil Jenkins

Meals on Wheels

NHC Maury Regional Transitional Care Center: Jimmy Jenkins 5010 Trotwood Avenue Columbia, TN. 38401 Room 2407

Our Meals On Wheels Program has resumed. If you cannot deliver on your scheduled day, please call the church office at 931-729-4201.

May 27: Martha Loveless June 3: Becky Gatewood June 10: Katherine Shelton June 17: Lesley Hudgins June 24: Glenda Delk

Thank You For Your Help!

Recovering from surgery or other illness: Will Terry, Reba Horner, B.J. Springer, Stephen Dotson, Charlie Shelton, Glenna Hill, Bobby & Joyce Mayberry, Grace Pinkerton, Barbara Dawes, Dan Elkins, Kitty Pharris, Alden Chilton, Ann & J.C. Wells, Ruth Reece, Ann Spencer, Allene Gordon

Please Pray For Those Who Are Dealing With Cancer: Allan Newton, Charles Cantrell, George Peterson, Belinda Potts, Cletus Carroll, Lonnie Gilliam, Elizabeth Givens, Phil Shelton, Ann Lauran Plunkett, Jimmy Jenkins, Susan Hardy, Jimmy Copley, Gwen Rogers, David Talley, Beverly Grimes, Henrietta Rochelle, Jerry Shepard, Jimmy Mathis, John Beard

Wedding Announcement

Nathan Martin and Ellie Smith invite you to their Wedding

Celebration Saturday June 20, 2020

at 3:30 P.M. 1135 Whitaker Drive Missoula, MT 59803 Reception to Follow

Due to COVID-19 we are requesting that everyone please RSVP to this email nemartinwedding2020@gmail.com by May 30, 2020 with the number of attendees and contact information in the event of any changes or updates. For those who are interested please check our website at ...

The knot.com/ellieheartsnathan for updates, engagement photos,

and registry details.

Congratulations to Ashley Anne Shelton for being in the top 10 of the HCMS 8th grade class where she tied for 9th rank.

Dorris & Marjorie Claud write: “ Dear Church Family, Dorris and I would like to thank everyone who has called or sent a note or beautiful card in the last few months. The visit from the Beards and Dickerson’s was most appreciated. The telephone call once a week from John Plemmons, Jr. is so nice to let us know someone is thinking of us on a weekly basis. Please keep us in your prayers as we still aren't doing good. In Christian Love…”

Baptism

...We rejoice with Natalie Brewer who was baptized Wednesday, May 20, 2020 by Carter Hoover. Natalie is the daughter of

Rhiannon Beasley and Nathaniel Brewer. Her address is: 2814 Hillcrest Drive Centerville, TN. 37033

On Saturday, June 6th 8:30am we need volunteers to help replace the pea gravel at the entry and side of the building and pressure wash walkway afterwards. We need to complete this task before returning to worship services on the 7th. If you would be able to help, please contact anyone on the Facilities and Grounds Committee. James Aydelott: 615-418-2683 Chris Hughes: 615-390-7212 Michael Jenkins: 931-215-9115 Brandon McCauley: 931-215-6391 Brian Qualls : 931-209-6565 Randy Wright: 615-418-4714

June Celebrations

Betty Claud 87 Years Old June 5, 2020

Robert & Marge Gilmer Married 61 Years

June 12, 2020

June Bowen 84 Years Old June 21, 2020

Wanda Givens 81 Years Old June 2, 2020

TIME CHANGE

This Saturday from 12:30 P.M till 2:30 P.M. the elders and deacons will be available at the building handing out Lord Supper emblems and receiving contributions. If you need

any assistance, please contact the office: 931-729-4201