Weekly Visitor Online Edition

Decatur-Trinity Christian Church 2449 Altruria, Bartlett TN 38134

R. Scott Pricer, Sr. Minister

901/388-4511 FAX 901/388-1049

August 28, 2001

Dr. Richard Hamm has called Disciples to be a true community. His observation is the same as many of us and that is we spend far too much of our time and energies maintaining ourselves rather than reaching out to the lost. He quotes Paul in Galatians 2:20 that says: "It is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Dr. Hamm goes on to explain that people have opinions and they have the right to express their opinions, but they should not try to intimidate or humiliate others with their opinions. I'm guessing that too often we find ourselves making little of someone else's opinions to the point they feel rejected. This is not what Christ taught us to do.

Dr. Hamm implores us to consciously rethink our position of things that we have held near and dear to our hearts. The way we do ministry and the way we reach out to invite others into our lives. Let’s face it, we generally do a poor job of being inclusive. Dr. Dave Ratzlaff spoke to the teachers of DTCC a couple weeks ago about this very idea. He suggested that most congregations will greet a new comer with a "hello" and a "glad you came" and then quickly retreat to the area and the people they are accustomed to being with. Our own Paula Coss spoke to us this past Sunday evening at SALT about stepping outside the box. She demonstrated how refining it is to remain in a small cardboard box and we as people often do this when thinking about church.

There is a difference, or should I say needs to be a difference, between a social organization and the spiritual life of the church. Our tendency is to make our church like our social organizations. But we are called to let Christ live in us and not for us to live in the flesh. That is a very hard thing to do and yet we are given no alternative if we are living to please Christ.

Please give some thought as to how we need to rethink our position as the Church and how we can reach out to the people of this community. One of these days you are going to be asked to share those thoughts with others from Decatur Trinity Christian Church. But until then I hope to worship with you this Sunday and share our faith together.

Your Pastor

OUR PRAYER CONCERNS

Inez Helsley – Methodist North

Lem Gorden – Methodist Central.

Ray Payne – Baptist East.

Don Morris got a good report last week.

Tom Wood, Addie’s husband, was in St. Francis last week.

Jeremy McDonald’s mother had a MRI on Monday.

HONORARIUMS

In honor of Russell and Elizabeth Parks’ 68^th wedding anniversary, August 18, with love Sonny and Peggy Spore.

In honor of our sister, Betty Ingram’s, birthday, Aug. 26, from Jack & Jimmie and Doward & Janie. (Debt)

MEMORIAL

In memory of Mary Elizabeth Acred from Jack and Jimmie Pannell. (Debt)

VISITORS – SUNDAY, August 26

We welcomed the following visitors: Rosemary Bramuchi, Steve & Marion Scranton, Patty & Evan Williams, Sammy England, Hilary Jacobs, Skip Yelvington, Chris Moore.

NEW MEMBERS

We had two ladies come forward Sunday to place their membership at DTCC. We welcome Ann McAlister and her sister, Sandy Jarvis!

NOTES OF APPRECIATION

Dear Friends,

I cannot thank you enough for all your prayers, flowers and oh so many cards during my recent surgery.

Ben and I are both coming along but at a very slow pace. We hope to see all of you in the very near future.

Christian love, Mary Anderson

Dear Church Friends,

I want to thank you all for the calls, cards and visits but most of all for your prayers during my recent hospitalization.

Love in Christ, Floyd Johnson

STATISTICS – SUN. August 26

Church School           148

Worship Service             256

SALT Service                 68

Received August 26               $2,931

Rec’d to date in August         $27,641

August Budget Needs           $33,784

Debt/Touch the Dream             $173

Total Debt/Touch Rec’d       $165,387

NO SALT SERVICE THIS LABOR DAY WEEKEND

REFILL YOUR CUP DINNER

Our “Refill Your Cup” dinners will start again on Wednesday, September 5, and run through November 28. Costs have changed to $5 per person. Our first menu will be BBQ, baked beans, cole slaw and banana pudding from the Pig ‘n Whistle. Reservations are necessary in order to have enough food for every one. Please make yours Sunday!

Children will be practicing on Wednesday evenings from 6:30-7:00 for their Christmas program. From 7-7:30 p.m. an exciting program sure to entertain and delight has been planned for grades 1 through 8.

ALL CHURCH RETREAT

Please mark your calendar for the All Church Retreat October 19 & 20 at Cordova Baptist Camp Grounds. Rev. Joe Bryan will be at resource leader. More information will be coming in the near future – hold these dates open!

CHRIST CARE BIBLE STUDY

Summer is coming to an end so the Fall session for the Christ Care in Home Bible Study will begin on Tuesday, September 4 at 7 p.m. We will be studying the book of Romans. The first meeting will be in the home of Wayne and Donna Climer, 6. Dessert and coffee is provided. Please call Donna for more information.

TCWF FALL RETREAT 2001

Fall Retreat at Bethany Hills is planned for September 22-23. Our resource leader will be Rev. Jan Lawrence, Vice President for Education and Mission of the Christian Church (DOC). We hope to have a large group of women attend. See Carol Rogers or one of the group leaders for registration forms – deadline is Sept. 12.

ATTENTION: YOUTH & PARENTS

There will be NO CYF or Chi Rho meetings this week, Sept. 2, because of Labor Day Weekend! See you the following week.

The CYF are beginning a new 13 week video study. The first video deals with the stresses that teenagers face. If you are not currently attending CYF, please join us for fellowship and study.

OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE . . .

The Café Praise Team is looking for a new coordinator. We would like some fresh new ideas. Café Praise is a time to gather for fellowship and a little snack. You do not need to attend SALT to be the coordinator. If you are interested and want more information, please contact Scott.

REMINDER

Skating resumes on Friday, September 7, from 7 – 9:30 p.m. in the Christian Family Center.

CHURCH BLOOD DRIVE

There is a Church Blood Drive scheduled for Sunday, September 9, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Lifeblood donor center at 3866 Covington Pike, #102. We need YOUR help to ensure that we have an adequate and safe blood supply on hand. There is a sign up sheet on the window of the church office. HELP!

BIBLE STUDY

Is freedom a reality in your life? Join Beth Moore on a Bible study journey unlike any other you have taken. In Beth’s previous studies people like David or Paul have been the main characters, but this time you are the subject. The journey is yours.

Beth uses scripture to point out the benefits of our relationship with God and shows you how to remove obstacles that hinder that relationship. “Breaking Free,” our 11 week Bible study for women, will be starting next Thursday evening, Sept. 6 and again Friday morning, Sept. 7. Limited space is still available for both sessions. Sign up deadline is next Sunday, September 2, or call Patsy Keith to register, 377-9641.

FROM OUR BOARD CHAIR

Special Called Board Meeting – We have begun the process of searching for an associate pastor. The constitution requires that the Board Chairman select five (5) individuals to serve as a search committee and present that list to the Official Board for approval. Because of a number of requests in the cabinet meeting, we will have a called Board Meeting this Sunday, Sept. 2 to vote on this search committee. Since I will be out of town, Paula Coss, Vice-Chair, will present the nominees to the Board. The nominees are Ron Srygley, Carol Rogers, Theresa Utley, Rick Pilon and Deborah King. I will be on that committee along with Paula Coss and Scott Pricer.

Regular Board Meeting – Our next regular board meeting will be on September 9 following the morning service. There are three important issues of business that we need to consider. (1) The Permanent Fund proposal prepared by the Board of Directors, (2) Officers for 2002 and (3) the church budget for 2002. I would appreciate your help in keeping all other business as brief as possible.

Congregational Business Meeting – Our annual congregational business meeting will be on September 23 following the morning service. We will consider the officers and budget for the church year 2002. As always, your participation is vital to the on going life of the church.

Ron Ramsey, Chairman of the Board

KAIROS PRISON MINISTRY

The Kairos #9 weekend at the West TN prison for men at Henning TN will be held September 13-16. Your help is needed in these areas:

·         Financial donations

·         Homemade cookies by Sept. 9

·         Prayer chain commitments for the 72 hour prayer vigil.

A cookie bake day will be held at DTCC’s kitchen on September 7 starting at 11:30 a.m.

Call Ruth Simpson if you can participate in any of the above. Don Mitchell has joined the Kairos ministry and will be also be seeking your help.

SUNDAY SCHEDULE

9:15 a.m. – Church School

10:00 -10:30 a.m. – Transition time

10:30 a.m. – Church Worship

4:00 p.m. - SWAT

5:00 p.m. – SALT (contemporary worship service)

6:00 p.m. – Café Praise

6:30 p.m. – CYF & Chi Rho

SERVING IN SEPTEMBER

ELDERS

9/2 – Paula Coss; Cortez Smith & Bob Williams

9/9 – Harry Davies; Richard Martin & Ron Ramsey

9/16 – Bob Doty; Bill & Mable Parks

9/23 – Phil Gardner; Bill Sisk & Cortez Smith

9/30 – Trina Luechauer; Harry Davies & Ron Ramsey

SALT

9/2 – Mack Bennett & Judy Coley

9/9 – Chuck Fitzgerald & Phil Gardner

9/16 – Patsy Keith & Trina Luechuer

9/23 – Joyce Mariencheck & Richard Martin

9/30 – Bill & Mable Parks

COMMUNION TO SHUT-INS

Paula Coss, Harry Davies, Joyce Mariencheck, Cortez Smith & Bob Williams; Richard Martin & Ron Ramsey; Bill & Mable Parks; Phil Gardner & Cortez Smith; Harry Davies & Ron Ramsey

CC COMMUNION

Ruth Simpson, Cortez Smith, Bob Williams, Mack Bennett, Judy Coley

DIACONATE

9/2 – Ron & Kathy Srygley, Carol & Lee Starr, Frank Stevens, Danny Garrett, Don Mitchell, Jenny Wallace

9/9 – Carol & Lee Starr, Frank Stevens, Danny Garrett, Don Mitchell, Jenny Wallace, Mac McAlister, Ron Srygley

9/16 – Frank Stevens, Danny Garrett, Don Mitchell, Jenny Wallace, Mac McAlister, Ron & Kathy Srygley, Carol Starr

9/23 – Don Mitchell, Jenny Wallace, Mac McAlister, Ron & Kathy Srygley, Carol & Lee Starr, Frank Stevens

9/30 - Ron & Kathy Srygley, Carol & Lee Starr, Frank Stevens, Danny Garrett, Don Mitchell, Jenny Wallace

ACOLYTES

9/2 – Zachary Knaebel

9/9 – Emilie Poston

9/16 – Mairi Stockton

9/23 – Zach Vaughan

9/30 - Brittany Duke

STEWARDSHIP TEAMS

9/2 & 9/9 - Glenn Laster, Jo Cordell & Gene Hadley

9/16 & 9/23 – Bob Keith, Dale Walters & Lynda Ford

9/30 – Carol Key, Sue Smith & Vic Carpenter

September Birthdays

6 Rebecca McDonald

Daniel Eubanks

7 Dub Carter

8 Barbara Lawrence

9 Jaime Styles

Natalie Gitchell

12 Dawn Byrd

Michael Posey

13 Pauline Kinney

Aimee McAlister

Carol Smith

James Weir

15 Amy Eubanks

20 Melody Ramsey

21 Michelle Acred

Wes Sisk

24 Zachary Knaebel

Madison Taylor

25 Marie Broy

Sharon McDaniel

26 Jeannie Everett

27 Jean Luzier

28 Joan Morrison

Frances Hoback

Paula Coss

David Esgro

Mary-Beth Esgro

Kathryn Reasor

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