Fifth Avenue Church of Christ

115 W. Fifth Ave. Lancaster, OH 43130

740-654-0626 www.myfacc.com e-mail info@myfacc.com

The Christian Messenger

December 23, 2012
Brad Seevers Senior Minister (740-550-9882) David Tingler Associate Minister Scott Brown Worship & Outreach Minister Hannah Martin Director of Childrens Ministries Sunday Services 1st Worship 8:00 a.m. 2nd Worship 10:30 a.m. Bible School 9:15 a.m. Evening Worship 6:00 p.m.

Eli Wersell, Deann Castello, and Vicki Triance were baptized on Sunday, December 16th. Welcome to our church family!

December 24th Christmas Eve Service 7:00 p.m.

THOUGHTS FROM BRAD

Sunday was a great day! It was wonderful to see three people give their lives to the Lord in Christian baptism. We want you to pray daily for Eli Wersell, Vicki Triance and Deann Castello as they begin walking daily with our Lord. I also want to thank Scott for his hard work organizing our Christmas show and dinner and for all who participated. I want to thank all who served & prepared the meal, as well as those who stayed to clean up. It was a fun night! Last week I posed a question from an article that asked: What does the front door of your church say? In addition we asked, Can people tell what is important to us when they come through the doors here FACC? We publicize every week in our bulletin what we value the most as a church. These principles are called our core values. Next week I will begin emphasizing these concepts through a series of articles. We will gage much of what we do in 2013 by these values and our mission of loving God and loving people. Take time to pray daily about our church; its purpose; its mission and vision. Ask God to open your heart and ask Him to reveal how you can help His Will be accomplished. Next week, we will ponder the value of Christ-centered worship. For today, I leave you this thought: On any given weekend, three-quarters of Americans and even higher in Canada, are NOT in church. (Quote from Unlearning Church, by Michael Slaughter) These are the people we must reach. In His Service, Brad

BITS FROM BRO. DAVE

SUNDAY EVENINGS IN THE SANCTUARY:

This week (12/23) we are returning to our series of lessons from II Corinthians. The message, this week, is Lets Get Organized (II Corinthians 8:16-24). On 12/30 Investing Wisely (II Corinthians 9:1-15) and on 1/6 Coping With Criticism (II Corinthians 10:1-18). It is my plan that we complete this series in January 2013. If you are not involved in a small group, on Sunday evenings, I encourage you to join us. Communion is available for those who desire. Also, remember that we now have activities for children each Sunday evening. WEDNESDAYS: This week (12/19) we are completing our study on The Church Through The Centuries. Our final lesson deals with The Church In The Twentieth Century and Beyond. Our Wednesday study groups will not meet on December 26 or January 2. We will resume on January 9 with a new Scripture study on Ephesians. Why not start the new year with us in one of these study groups. GIANT PRINT BIBLES: I still have, on hand, just one of the giant print NIV Bibles. These are soft cover editions that sell for just $12.50 each. This might make a good Christmas gift for someone with vision issues. If interested, you may contact me or our Church Secretary. FINAL THOUGHT: Wife to husband: I know you believe you understand what you think I said, but Im not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant.

SCOTTS THOUGHTS
So this is it. Christmas is upon us and as we celebrate with family and friends this next few days, the worship minister side of me wants to remind you to stop. Take the time to go back to the stable. Peer into the manger at the innocence of the newborn, an innocence that would never be spoiled by sin until as an adult, the sinless savior would take our sin upon himself. There in that moment, recognize the child, already King of kings, already the savior of the world, and worship Him with all that you are.

SPIRITUAL STATISTICS December 16, 2012

Sunday School 1st Morning Worship 2nd Morning Worship Total Morning Worship Evening Worship (Variety Show) Weekly Budget Budget Received Christmas Projector Poinsettias 88 98 84 182 100 4,633.00 4,428.00 114.00 50.00 188.25

$ $ $ $ $

SERVING SCHEDULE December 23, 2012

At the Table 1st Serving 1st Serving 2nd Pastor of the week PM Deacon Fred Griffith and Mike Cooper Patrick Wersell, Jack Hardwick, Bill Kelly, Carmel Marsh Patrick Wersell, Rod Troutman, Mike Bussey, Josh Czich Mike Cooper Patrick Wersell

Last week in children's church we had a visit from Mrs. Claus herself! However, she came to teach us all about the TRUE meaning of Christmas! She taught us that Jesus came to the earth to save us from our sins. He came in the form of a little baby boy, born in a manger. It is easy to be distracted during the Holiday season. There is just so much going on, buying gifts, cooking and baking, having family and friends visit plus all the stresses that come along with it all! Sometimes I get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season and forget the true meaning of Christmas. I was blessed with the opportunity to go see the Living Christmas Tree this year. It was a great reminder of why we celebrate Christmas. The re-enacting of the story of Jesus brought tears to my eyes. It was great to step back and really think about all that God has done for me, especially during this holiday season. -Hannah

COMMUNION PREPARATION 1st Worship Dan and Janet Brown nd 2 Worship Fred Griffith GREETERS 1st Worship 2nd Worship NURSERY Sunday School 2nd Worship

Ruth Andrews and Jeanne Noble Linda Daubenmire and Norma Holtom

Hannah Ross and Thea Kallenberg Tracy Eldridge and Marie Huffman

VISITOR CENTER 1st Worship 2nd Worship SECURITY 1st Worship Bible School 2nd Worship Evening Worship

Sue Tingler Kim Seevers

Paul Alexander Ray Coats George Lambert Jim Puckett

Prayer Requests
Ron Ogden Jane King Our Troops Ray Coats Sharon Britch Jim Puckett Naressa Allen John Dickson Barbara Benadum Sharon Shuttleworth Brandon Cupp Roger Sargent Patti Goods Family

Our deepest sympathy to Cindy Cox and family on the passing of her father. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Joann Grant Wanda Dickson Larry Bussey Jimmy Sturgill

Jeane Goldfarb Barbara Kerr Mira McCarty Will Ratliff

SERVING SCHEDULE December 30, 2012

At the Table 1st Serving 1st Serving 2nd Pastor of the week PM Deacon Dave Tingler and Wib Sparks Larry King, Dick Shumaker, Don Taylor, Hank Wellman Larry King, Nick Hinson, Jacob Neff, Tom Puckett Dave Tingler Larry King

All serving schedules for 2013 that are published in The Christian Messenger need to be turned in to the office by Friday, December 28th.

COMMUNION PREPARATION 1st Worship Dan and Janet Brown nd 2 Worship Fred Griffith GREETERS 1st Worship 2nd Worship NURSERY Sunday School 2nd Worship VISITOR CENTER 1st Worship 2nd Worship SECURITY 1st Worship Bible School 2nd Worship Evening Worship

Thank you to everyone who sponsored a child from the Giving Tree. Your gifts will be a blessing to a child on Christmas morning. Thank you for sharing the love of Jesus to those in need.
The special Christmas offering is designated for the Bible College Tuition Fund to help students with their tuition/room and board while attending a brotherhood Bible College. Currently we have two students who are benefitting from this fund: Patrick Hinson, who is majoring in Urban and Intercultural Missions, and Joseph Hoagland, who is majoring in Preaching.

Brenda Hines and Virginia Wentz Neal Rudolph

Laura Wersell and Courtney Beiter Courtney Beiter and Cindy Cox

Judy Gardner Julie Stuck

Offering Envelopes
Offering envelopes for 2013 are available to be picked up in the church parlor. If you do not currently have offering envelopes but would like to have some, please contact Marg Shumaker or the church office.

Dan Brown Bill Kelly Jim Puckett George Lambert

Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year! From the Church Staff Brad Seevers Dave Tingler Scott Brown Hannah Martin Debbi Hoagland Dale Thornton

At FACC, we focus on loving God, loving people, and turning the world upside down. We are happy you chose to worship with us today. We hope you return next week and bring your friends with you. If you would please take a few minutes to fill out a Silent Roll Call Card, located on the back of the pew, you can then place it in the offering plate as it is passed. Thank you. For more information about our great church, contact our minister, Brad Seevers at Brad@new-churches.org or call him at 740.550.9882. Have a great week and may God bless your life.
The military hero for December is Jeremy Griffith, a Staff Sergeant in the Florida Army National Guard stationed in Sarasota, Florida. Jeremy Griffith 926 Seminole Sky Avenue Ruskin, FL 33570 Jeremy is the grandson of Don and Judy Gardner. When filling out your Christmas cards this year, take a card and send to this address: A Recovering American Soldier c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center 6900 Georgia Avenue, NW Washington, D.C. 20307-5001 Also, please remember our own service members when sending out Christmas cards. Addresses are on the bulletin board in the parlor.

WELCOME TO FIFTH AVENUE!

Sunday School Classes for All Ages Classes at 9:15 unless noted
Nursery (Birth through 3 years old) Jesus Loves Me Room 102 Courtney Beiter, Coordinator Preschool (Ages 3-6) God the Creator Room 105 Marie Huffman, Teacher Early Elementary (Kindergarten through 2nd Grade) Shaping Hearts With Gods Word Room 101 Deborah Will, Teacher Middle Elementary (3rd, 4th, and 5th Grades) Be Wise and Trust God in His Power Room 106 Becky Hoagland, Teacher Junior and Senior High Acts of the Apostles Room 301 Nick Hinson, Teacher Young Ladies Class (8:00 a.m.) The Lies Women/Young Women Believe Room 306 Cassie Bull, Teacher Ladies Class "God as He Longs for You to See Him" Room 209 Beverly Puckett, Teacher Mens Class Hearing Gods Word Room 205 Adult Class Room 214 Brad Seevers, Teacher Harmony Adult Class God Establishes a Faithful People Room 204 Dave Tingler, Teacher Philothean Adult Class Parables Room 108 Jim Love, Teacher

Fifth Avenue serves dinner at the Foundation on the first Thursday of the months of January, March, May, July, September, and November. We need 3-4 more people to help with this outreach. If you could help at the Foundation please contact Lowell Trimmer at 740-415-2395.

Unto Us A Child Is Born Isaiah 9:6

Brad Seevers preaching

Core Values...
Values central to the life, mission and vision of Fifth Avenue Church of Christ are:

Sermon Notes ________________________

________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ _______________________________________ ______________________________________

Christ-Centered Worship
We make it a priority every Sunday to celebrate Jesus through our music. (Romans 11:36-12:1-2). We focus on Jesus through grace-based preaching and teaching & understand the Bible is our authority (2 Timothy 3:16).

Church Health and Biblical Balance

Church health becomes reality when God's people seek harmony & live consistently. We expect every member to protect the unity of Christ's Church. (Romans 12:16; 1 Peter 3:8)

Global Evangelism
We are constant to our founding call to worldwide evangelism, proclaiming to all that Jesus Christ is the Savior, Healer, and Soon-Coming King (Acts 20:27).

Fellowship and Ministry

After people begin their journey with Jesus, we will equip them to find a ministry based upon their strengths. We want everyone to serve in some capacity. (1 Corinthians 12:12-27) We also want His church to be the living evidence of His love and power to the world.

How Can I Respond Today?

At FACC we look to the Bible for guidance on all issues. We believe that Gods Word is clear concerning what a person must do to become a Christian. Trust that Jesus can bring you to salvation. Turn (repent) from the sin in your life. Confess your desire to make Jesus the Lord of your life. Be baptized (immersed) in water for the forgiveness of sins and to receive the Holy Spirit into your life. To make this life decision for Christ, we ask that you come forward during our commitment song at the conclusion of the Sunday message. Baptized believers are welcome to become members at FACC by coming forward on Sunday morning or by seeing our Senior Minister to discuss this further. We ask that you complete a series of Curious classes to help you better understand what you are committing to as a member.

Discipleship
We do not want you to "get religion" here at Fifth Avenue Church of Christ in Lancaster. We are all about teaching you that Jesus seeks a daily relationship with Him through a life of obedience. In other words, we want to see the things you are taught actually change your lifestyle & your daily decisions.

Social Conscience
We place high value on the sanctity of human life, of Biblical marriage and morality, and we welcome ethnic diversity (Isaiah 56:7; Philippians 2:15-16).

OUR PURPOSE WE EXIST TO

Exalt Gods Greatness; Evangelize Gods Work Equip Gods People Express Gods Love through Jesus Christ

OUR MISSION

To Love God and Love People!