The Truth About Halloween - eilm.org · The Truth About Halloween 2 Believer’s Voice 3 Plug In: Fall Life Groups 4 Turn On: Guest Services 5 Shine: Giving Back Opportunities 6 Testimonies

1 The Truth About Halloween

2 Believer’s Voice

3 Plug In: Fall Life Groups

4 Turn On: Guest Services

5 Shine: Giving Back Opportunities

6 Testimonies

7 R&B Café Fall Features

8-12 Faith Stadium News & Events

October 2012 | www.eilm.org 1

The Truth About H a l l o w e e n Millions of people around the world are preparing for Halloween, which is also known as All Hallows Eve. What you may not know is that after Christmas, Halloween is the second highest grossing holiday in the United States. On the Eve of All Hallows, not only do the ghosts, fairies and witches make their presence known, but many other rituals are being performed as well. As Christians we should be aware of the origins of Halloween in addition to knowing other general facts of this dark celebration. It is a day in which Druid Priests celebrate and honor Satan. In the excitement of passing out candy and dressing in different costumes, Halloween may seem like fun; however, Christians must understand that not all evil comes packaged as such. THE ORIGINS OF HALLOWEEN Many agree that Halloween originated in the Celtic festival of Samhain, which marked the harvest and the end of summer. This Celtic festival was based on human and animal sacrifices, and historians such as Nicholas Rogers believe that Halloween originated as a festival of the dead. The festival of the dead is held by many cultures as a time to honor deceased members of the community, and a time to celebrate supernatural intensity for the beginning of winter. Both of these theories describe a dark tradition in which rituals are performed to exude evil.

According to Christian writer Redge Peifer, “there are undeniable connections with Halloween’s primitive and savage rituals in 2BC [the pre-Roman, pre-Christian Celtic communities of Northern and Western Europe, especially in France (Gaul) Britain, Ireland, Scotland and Wales] and today’s modern traditions.” “The Druids were builders of Stonehenge and would bring humans to be sacrificed in Britain. They also worshipped pagan gods, who included the sun god, the earth mother goddess and Samhain (lord of the dead). Stonehenge was constructed to calculate movements of the sun and then determine the most suitable day to worship the earth mother goddess by the sacrifice of a human! The date that was chosen, October 31st… Halloween.” The Druids believed in reincarnation, which is opposite of the teaching in the Bible (Hebrews 9:27). According to their religion, the god Samhain judges the souls and decreed in what form their existence was to continue; whether in the body of a human or in an animal. They believed that the sinful souls of those who had died during the year had been relegated to the bodies of animals and through various gifts and sacrifices, their sins could be forgiven and the souls freed to claim a heavenly reward. Halloween brings glory to the dark things of this world rather than the light of Jesus Christ.

“The truth is that Halloween has very deep roots in paganism and is attached to worship of the devil.” As Christians, we must remember that we are in this world, but not of this world (Hebrews 11:13-16, I Peter 2:11). It’s important to know the truth about Halloween and have a thorough understanding of what this holiday truly represents. Today parents are faced with the dilemma of what the world calls harmless fun. While we all have to hear God for ourselves, we hope this information was helpful to you and your family. Questions? Email [email protected] this month to get your Halloween questions answered. Peifer, Redge (2005). The Truth About Halloween. Taylor, Paul S. (2011). Should Christians Participate in Halloween? Christian Answers Network. http://www.christiananswers.net/q-eden/halloween.html

H a l l o w e e n


Believer’s Voice: Honor Manifested By Tonya Montgomery During the past month, intercessors have prayed that the congregation “…be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man…” according to Ephesians 3:16. As a result of being strengthened in the inner man, I was able to honor my boss, my Pastor and most of all my Lord and Savior. Earlier this month, I picked up a flu like bug and had to leave work two hours early. This one event set off a chain reaction that quickly spiraled out of control, and placed me in a position to potentially lose my job. As a civil service employee, I am able to earn vacation and sick leave every pay cycle; however, my supervisor wanted me to work extra hours to make up the time missed. Not understanding my boss’s motivate in denying my usage of sick time, I contacted Human Resources (HR) to discover if her request was justified. During the same period of time my boss was asking the people in HR questions as well. Once the HR person saw my request and that of my supervisors, they immediately set up a meeting that included my supervisor, three HR Staff members and me. The meeting immediately raised red flags for my boss, and my motives were called into question. The tension was high and I was jumpy due to some accusations my boss was lodging against me. During the time before the meeting, I was highly stressed. I had added work and the majority of the work I submitted was repeatedly rejected. My frustration was high and I sought the Lord for guidance. The answer I received, ‘treat her as if she were Pastor Forbes.’ Tough - but not impossible! This went on for about a week and a half. The day before we were to meet with HR, my boss came into the office early to speak with me. We mutually decided to cancel the meeting, and apologized for her unfounded statements. The over-strenuous assignments and rejections have ceased, and I am glad that I have passed my test. Being strengthened in the inner man is not always visible, nor is it always tangible. By honoring the Voice of God through my obedience, I learned that I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me. I can stand when things are in opposition to my expectations, and I can pray for those who have ill will toward me. I can obey those who have the rule over me, and most importantly, I can please God by having faith in Him.

1 0 . 1 1 . 1 2 Embassy Suites Columbus Airport

$69 Full Day $49 Half Day (Morning or Afternoon) Exhibitor Booths: Small Business $125; Corporate $250

What It Takes To Be Great * Relationships, Partnerships & Collaborations * Oh My! Creating a Solid Business Model * Franchising Your Business * Toughing It Out During Tough Times * The 5 Haftas of Sales * Dream Finances: Taking the Nightmare Out of Launching Your Dreams

REGISTER TODAY! Register online at www.increasecdc.org or call (614) 476-1758


One of the many ways to get plugged into our ministry is by being a part of a Life Group. Life Groups are our way of facilitating loving others. Life Groups are groups of 8 to 12 people who gather regularly to “grow” in Christ and “go” in Christ. Each Life Group features a unique TAP (Theme, Affinity or Passion) and follows a defined curriculum. Connect with a Life Group to meet others and learn to live in victory, as you mature in Christ. Here are the Life Groups currently being offered for the Fall cycle: God’s Armor Bearers The time of awakening for the men of God in the local church is here. This group will look at the lives of powerful men of God from the book “God's Armor Bearers” and how we can use our lives as examples in connection with the vision of CCC and the passion that God has placed in every man. Saturdays 6:15-7:30 am Training Center Foundations for Faith This group will use the book “Foundations for Faith” to discuss the basic principles of faith and why faith is the key to receiving from God. Join us on this journey to take our faith to the next level. Saturdays 11:00 am-12:15 pm Training Center WISE (Wives Increasing in Submission & Excellence) This group is dedicated to helping wives increase their relationships with their husbands and with God. Submission initially is a decision just like receiving salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ. Then submission has to grow & INCREASE as the marriage continues; just as our submission to Jesus as HIS bride must increase for our relationship to remain strong. It's an issue of trusting the love. IF you submit first you will yield in faith. It is possible to yield just to be compliant but that isn't necessarily an act of faith. As Wives, we want to submit first and then yield. Tuesdays 6:30 -7:45 pm 2nd Floor Green Room

What’s Love Got to Do with It How would you like to take your marriage from “Ordinary” to “EXTRAORDINARY”? This group is for married couples that desire for their marriage to go to another level of love, respect and honor. This can only be accomplished by growing closer to Jesus. Discover how your marriage can be what God has already designed it to be. Tuesdays 6:45-8:00 pm Training Center Victory in Marriage This group is for couples that have been married more than once, widowed and remarried, or have children and later married. Even if you have a great marriage, through this group you will better understand the power of an open heart. Your marriage will leap to a higher level of love. Tuesdays 7:00-8:15 pm 2nd Floor Purple Room Praise & Worship In this group you will discover how to have a heart of an unstoppable Praise and Worshipper at all times. Tuesdays 6:30- 7:45 pm Nursery A Victor ious Living This group focuses on nine essentials that will help you live victoriously in all life situations. In 10 weeks you will walk through the meaning and application of the Fruit of the Spirit. You will develop an eye to see everything through the lenses of the Fruit of the Spirit and invoke the Holy Spirit's help. Tuesdays 6:30- 7:45 pm 2nd Floor Orange Room Waiting and Dating The habits and attitudes that we have during dating, we will most likely carry over into marriage. In this group, we will learn how to answer the questions: “What is dating exactly?”, “What is the purpose of dating?” and “When are we ready to date?”. Tuesdays 6:30- 7:45 pm 2nd Floor Blue Room

JOIN A FALL LIFE GROUP

Don’t delay, sign-up today. Groups fill to capacity rather quickly. The Fall sign-up period ends October 7, 2012. Groups start the week of October 7th.

Visit the Information Table in the Grand Concourse for more information.


By Carmen D. Dandridge Each month, we look forward to highlighting a different area of Helps Ministries. This month the ministry spotlight is on Guest Services. Guest Services plays a supporting role of the ministry and is an extension of our visionaries Drs. David and Tracy Forbes. When this area of ministry is mentioned, many of us tend to think of the Rice & Bean (R&B) Café; however, Guest Services is more than a cafeteria within the church. Jennifer Bass coordinates the activities of the 12-member team, and describes Guest Services as the hospitality arm of the church that lovingly reaches out to embrace both visitors and members. The goal of Guest Services is that everyone is welcomed and well-fed. The primary focus is feeding the human body. At the R&B Café, a variety of meals are planned with healthy alternatives that cater to the main stream taste, vegetarians and vegan diets. The R&B Café is open weekly during encounter times and on special occasions. The most rewarding part of serving on the Guest Services team, according to Jennifer is twofold. First, she considers

GUEST SERVICES: Ambassadors of Comfort it an honor to lead and be supported by a dedicated team of saints who edify, encourage and pray for one another. Secondly, the team takes great joy in seeing the congregation gain spiritual nourishment from Pastor Forbes, and then at the conclusion of an encounter gain physical nourishment from their efforts.

If you believe your position to serve in the Body of Christ is within the Guest Services ministry, please stop by the R&B Café after any Wednesday or Sunday encounter and speak with Jennifer Bass or a team member. Remember, God saved us so that we may serve Him. One way we show His love is by serving others. We serve others with our time, talents, and abilities. When we serve and find our rightful positions within the Body of Christ, it brings fulfillment to our lives and causes the Body to be fitly joined together. It’s time to serve. Pick up and complete a Helps Ministry Interest Form in the Grand Concourse next to the Bookstore.


Just like those apples, your life was designed to add flavor so that others may taste God’s goodness. This harvest season, let’s help make God bigger in the eyes of the world by sowing into the field of community service. Listed below are a few opportunities to volunteer with various Central Ohio organizations. When you volunteer your time and talents into projects that champion worthwhile causes, you help promote God’s mandate for Ever Increasing Life Ministries to Impact the World!

"Volunteers aren’t paid, not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless." ~ Anonymous • INCREASE CDC (Community Development Corporation)

increasecdc.org/volunteer/

• American Cancer Society - Relay For Life volunteermatch.org/search/opp1207149.jsp

• Be a Business Mentor

volunteermatch.org/search/opp388955.jsp

• Canine Companions DogFest with Snoopy® and Friends volunteermatch.org/search/opp950472.jsp

• Grace Hospice


• St. John Learning Center – Computer Instructor volunteermatch.org/search/opp237288.jsp

• Gladden Community House – Food Pantry


Giving Back Opportunities Have you ever walked through an apple orchard on a cool mid-October day? The field is surrounded by beautiful foliage, and the colorful leaves show God’s creative hand. Autumn is known as the harvest season. Since many plants, vegetables and fruits are in season at this time, it is easy to see why autumn is known for harvesting. During this time of year it is not uncommon to observe more apples lying on the ground than hanging on the trees. These ripe apples await the pleasure of becoming the main ingredient in a delicious recipe.

Columbus, Ohio is God’s Territory!

Pictured above: Columbus Skyline

Columbus Christian Center Church “Increasing Lives With The Word of God”




Join us for a Preview – Sunday, October 14, 2012 After the Encounter in the UTURN Center



For more information, visit EILM.org or pick up a REDZONE brochure in the Grand Concourse.

GET IN THE ZONE!

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 21st

FAITH STADIUM IS DEBT-FREE!

Dr. David C. Forbes, Jr. Sunday, October 28th at 5:00 p.m.

Travelerʼs Rest Baptist Church 1533 Cleveland Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43211

Dr. Tracy D. Forbes Sunday, October 21st at 6:00 p.m. Bible Way Church 453 S. Wheatland Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43204


Please visit www.eilm.org for the most up to date information & news.

Oct. 6 S.O.R.T.I.E. Outreach, 10:00 a.m. Training Room A

Oct. 7 Membership Orientation Class (for anyone that desires to become a member), 9:00 a.m. Training Room B

Oct. 11 Increase CDC’s Entrepreneurs Conference & Expo, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Embassy Suites, register at www.increasecdc.org

Oct. 11 – 12 Money Cometh to You Conference, Word of Life Christian Center, Darrow, LA, Thurs. 7:00 p.m./Fri. 10:30 a.m. & 7:00 p.m.

Oct. 13 MANUP Breakfast of Champions, 8:30 a.m. Sanctuary

Oct. 14 Financial Peace University Preview, after encounter in the UTURN Center

Oct. 16 Increase CDC’s Leadership Workshop, 8:30 a.m., 2215 Citygate Dr, Suite A, Col. OH 43219, register at www.increasecdc.org.

Oct. 20 ALIVE Tea Time, 10:00 a.m. Sanctuary

Oct. 21 FAITH STADIUM IS DEBT-FREE! GET IN THE ZONE. RED ZONE, 10:00 a.m. Sanctuary, don’t forget to wear RED

Oct. 25 – 26 Money Cometh to You Conference, Life Music Christian, Baltimore, MD, Thurs. 7:00 p.m./ Fri. 10:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m.

Oct. 26 Children’s Fun Fest, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 30 Increase CDC’s Management Human Resources Workshop, 8:30 a.m. 2215 Citygate Dr, Suite A, Col. OH 43219, register at www.increasecdc.org.

Nov. 1 – 2 Money Cometh to You Conference, World Shakers, Baton Rouge, LA, Thurs. 7:00 p.m/Fri. 10:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m.

Nov. 3 S.O.R.T.I.E. Outreach, 10:00 a.m. Training Room A

Have you heard the buzz? CCC will celebrate our first Founder's Day in 2013. We all have the opportunity to participate in this great event. You may be asking yourself, what is Founder's Day and why are we celebrating it? Well, for more information talk to any Minister, Deacon, Leader or Coordinator or connect with Deacon Bill Braxton. Don't miss out on the opportunity to give Honor where Honor is due!

Faith Stadium News & Events How Do I Become A Member At CCC?

Attend Membership

Orientation Class offered the first Sunday of each

month at 9:00 a.m. in Training Center B.

How Can I Get Baptized?

Call the Church Office at

(614) 416-9673. How Do I Become A Part of a Helps

Ministry?

Complete a Helps Ministry Interest Form located near the Bookstore in the Grand

Concourse. Place completed form in the wooden box next to the

Bookstore.

Questions? Email

[email protected]

Join us for Prayer

Sundays 9:15 am UTURN Center

Wednesdays 6:00 pm

Sanctuary

Documents

The Truth About Halloween - eilm.org · The Truth About Halloween 2 Believer’s Voice 3 Plug In: Fall Life Groups 4 Turn On: Guest Services 5 Shine: Giving Back Opportunities 6 Testimonies