Issue #3 - July 2006

Minister's Message

Ordinary Time. This is probably a meaningless phrase for most of us. On the Christian calendar, Ordinary Time runs from after Christmas until Lent and from June 11 until December 3. In other words, Ordinary Time is any period in the year not spent celebrating Advent, Christmas, Lent, Pentecost, or Easter.

However, there is nothing ordinary about this season of the Christian Calendar. Ordinary is derived from the word ordinal, which means numbered. So, the weeks during Ordinary Time are numbered. During Ordinary Time, the liturgical color that you will see in churches and ministerial stohls is green.

Even though Ordinary Time is not named ordinary for its plainness or dullness, this part of the Christian Year does tend to take on a tone of ordinariness or dullness. Ordinary Time runs through summer and most of fall. Too often, during these long months between Easter and Christmas, we Christians kind of float in and out of church. Sometimes we lose our passion for ministry during this time and we just plod along.

However, that is not how God wants us to spend this time. Every day should be savored to the last drop. Every day should be spent doing our very best to be more like Jesus Christ.

Don't tumble into the doldrums of summer and fall. Keep your heart set on God and the ministry to which you have been called. After all, there is nothing ordinary about Ordinary Time.

~ Matthew

Relay for Life 2006

Louisa Christian Church sponsored a Relay for Life team this year. On June 10, many people from the church stopped by to say hello or to walk a few laps and keep us company throughout the long night.

It was also wonderful to see so many people from the community gathered together to support a good cause. After the luminarias were lit, it was hard to not be amazed at how many folks in Louisa have suffered through some type of cancer. This made many people realize the importance of prayer and financial support for the American Cancer Society.

We had a great team. We had some nice folks from another team help us set up camp. Momma Lucie kept us all straight. Wynne picked up wherever Luci left off. Debbie Woodward, Maureen Dodge, Edna Gammon, and Nora Jane Leake also hung around most of the day with us. Later in the day Amber, Brandon, Luke, Tiffany, Kaleb, Peanut, and Jacob joined us. Denny came and ran three miles to show his support. Lisa and Patricia also stayed all night.

In a very short amount of time, our team raised $2400. This was an extraordinary feat! Also, Linda Zemke and Lin Kogle personally expressed their appreciation for our team. They have been pushing to have more youth at Relay for Life ... and youth we brought! Thanks so much to the team and the church for its support.

Graduates

Our church witnessed the graduation of many of its youth this year, including Mary Elise Smith, Lyla Comer, Rachel Shoupe, Jason Vawter, and Mark Apperson. We are very proud of these young people and all of their accomplishments.

Jason Vawter will be attending ITT in Kentucky. Rachel and Lyla will be attending a local community college to further their education. Please, keep them in your prayers as they move on to a new chapter of their lives.

We apologize if any names were omitted.

Review of the 2006 Regional Assembly

In June, the Christian Church in Virginia held it annual Regional Assembly in Lynchburg. The theme of the assembly concerned how the church will emerge into the future.

It has been recognized that churches are declining in members and in financial support. Wisely, the leaders of the Christian Church have decided to welcome this situation rather than ignore it.

At the Regional Assembly there were workshops on evangelism in small churches, the role of young people in the church, and much more.

Rev. Sharon Watkins, the newly elected President and General Minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) was in attendance and served as the keynote speaker.

Many of the people that attended the Regional Assembly have had nothing but positive remarks and feelings concerning the meeting and the future of our church.

Schedules

Acolytes

June: Kaleb and Andrew
July: Katelyn and Jack
August: Jacob and Blake
September: Amber and Corey
October: David and Abbie
November: Fairlyte and Shawn
December: No one as of now

Nursery

July Adult:
Ava Pippin 2nd & 9th
Melonie Donovan 16th & 23d
Need help - 30th

July Youth:
Emily T. 2nd & 9th
Valerie D. 16th, 23d
Need help - 30th

August Adult:
Jennifer Purcell 7th & 14th
Steff Throckmorton 21st
Need help - 28th

August Youth:
Emily Throckmorton 14th & 21st
Need help - 7th & 28th

A Great Joke

An itinerant frontier preacher had just finished preaching a fine gospel meeting for a poor church. They had no money to pay him, so an elder of the church offered him his horse as payment. The visiting preacher accepted his kindness.

The elder said, "Now this is a very unique horse. He has been specially trained to go forward when you say 'Praise the Lord' and stop when you say 'Hallelujah'. Here, watch." The elder got on the horse, said "Praise the Lord" and the horse started forward. He said "Hallelujah" and the horse stopped.

The itinerant preacher thanked him, said goodbye, and hopped on the horse. The preacher said "Praise the Lord," and the horse started forward.

All was fine until the preacher noticed a deep canyon straight ahead. "Praise the Lord," said the preacher, and the horse started going faster. "Praise the Lord," he said again, to which the horse broke into a full run, heading right towards the cliff. "Oh, no, I said the wrong words! What was the word to get him to stop? I can't remember! What was it? What was it?"

The obedient horse continued racing towards the cliff, with the preacher shouting any word that came into his mind. "Repent! Confess! Amen!" Nothing worked.

Finally, he remembered the magic word. He screamed "Hallelujah!" and the horse screeched to a stop, just inches from the edge of the cliff and certain death. Sweating but relieved, the preacher took a deep breath and said thankfully, "Praise the Lord!"

Lectionary

July 2, 2006
2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27; Psalm 130
2 Corinthians 8:7-15; Mark 5:21-43

July 9, 2006
2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10: Psalm 48
2 Corinthians 12:2-10; Mark 6:1-13

July 16, 2006
2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b -19; Psalm 24
Ephesians 1:3-14; Mark 6:14-29

July 23, 2006
2 Samuel 7:1-14a; Psalm 89:20-37
Ephesians 2:11-22; Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

July 30, 2006
2 Samuel 11:1-15; Psalm 14
Ephesians 3:14-21; John 6:1-21

Volunteer Opportunities

Upcoming Youth Activities

July 12 - 14 ... Vacation Bible School (5:45 - 7:45pm)
July 23 - 28 ... Triple Omega Camp at Craig Springs

August 5 ... Tubing trip on the James River ... sign up at church

Worship

Sunday School every Sunday at 10 AM
Worship Service following at 11 AM
Prayer Service each Wednesday at noon

Every Wednesday we offer a Bible Study at 10:30 AM and 6:30 PM
Community Youth Night every Wednesday from 5:00 to 6:15 PM

Louisa Christian Church
P.O. Box 1344
104 Elm Avenue
Louisa, VA 23093

www.louisachristianchurch.org

Rev. Burnette: 540-967-4884
Email

Rev. Ricks: 804-683-3537
Email

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