The

Monthly Newsletter of Williamstown Christian Church

September 2015 VOLUME 18, ISSUE 8

Williamstown Christian Church will begin a new Saturday night service on September 12 at 5:00 p.m. Second Corinthians 5:17 says: “Therefore, if anyone is

in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone,

the new is here!” That verse inspired the overall theme for our new service, entitled “One Eighty.” When you encounter Jesus, and accept Him as Savior, the old is gone and the new is here; you make a U-turn of sorts as God begins shaping you and molding you to be more like His Son. The new service is geared at reaching younger families, the unchurched, people who cannot attend on Sundays, and those who are searching for something new. “Saturday evenings at One Eighty are casual, relaxed, and a come-as-you-are atmosphere. If you work Sundays, hate mornings, or are just looking for something new: we invite you to come” says Youth Minister Will Dusing “We want people to be able to walk into the church and feel like they are among friends, able to be themselves in an environment where they don’t feel like they have to fit a certain mold. We strive to be the right combination of grace and truth; being open and welcoming to all people while living and loving in accordance to the Word of God.” Come and join WCC as we usher in a new beginning for the One Eighty Service. If you are unable to attend, make sure to check out videos on YouTube, Twitter or Facebook.

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From the Minister’s Desk

Well, fall is almost upon us, and with it many of our children head back to school and college for another year. Whether or not they understand it, this transition is extremely hard on mom and dad. For as much as we want to help point the way for our children, sometimes it is best to let them make some decisions on their own. I recently came across a story that reminded me once more of this fact. Ida and David both wanted all

their sons to graduate from college one day. They knew this would not be easy, since David never made more than $150 a month. Still they both encouraged their boys to achieve all they could in life.

Yet each boy had a mind of their own. Arthur went directly from high school into the working world, while Edgar began studying law. When Dwight graduated, he didn’t know what he wanted to do, so he and his brother Ed made a pact: Dwight would work for two years while Ed studied, sending Ed as much as he could, and then they would reverse the arrangement.

Yet while he was working, Dwight came upon an opportunity that seemed to appeal to him more than college; he decided instead to attend West Point. Both Ida and David were crushed by Dwight’s decision, for Ida felt that soldiering was wicked. Still, with the encouragement of her husband she kept it to herself, for David said that their son should have the freedom to forge his own future. So Ida and David both wisely held their tongues, but they never held their applause, especially on the day when their son, General Dwight David Eisenhower, was sworn in as President of the United States of America. Isn’t it funny that while the tongue weighs very little, sometimes we have a hard time holding it. But when we do, we often find that refraining from giving advice can sometimes be the best gift we ever give to another person. James tells us in James 3:5 “The tongue is a small

part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what

a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.”

Sometimes the best advice we can give may be no advice at all. See you on Sunday!

Gary Swick

Senior Minister

A sick man turned to his country doctor as he was preparing to leave the examination room and said, “Doctor, I am afraid to die. Tell me what lies on the other side.” Very quietly, the doctor said, “I don’t know.” “You don’t know? You, a Christian man, do not know

what is on the other side?” The doctor was holding the handle of the door; on the other side came a sound of scratching and whining, and as he opened the door, a dog sprang into the room and leaped on him with an eager show of gladness. Turning to the patient, the doctor said, “Did you notice my dog? He’s never been in this room before. He didn’t know what was

inside. He knew nothing ex-cept that his master was here, and when the door opened, he sprang in without fear. I know little of what is on the other side of death, but I do know one thing. I know my Master is there and that is enough.”

—Author Unknown

“Let us do good unto all men...”

—Galatians 6:10

Hey guys,

I love fall. It’s my absolute favorite time of the year.

The air begins to cool. The colors become vibrant.

All of these wonderful things are coming right around the corner.

Hunting season begins. It’s harvest time.

Before I continue off on a daydream tangent, let me get to the point.

As I sit outside and enjoy the improving weather, for some reason I am reminded of one of Jesus’ parables found only in Matthew. The parable of the workers in the vineyard.

Go grab your Bible, and read Matthew 20:1-16.

Let’s just start here: God is the employer in this parable.

His generosity transcends all of our thoughts and ideas on what “fair” means.

There have been plenty of times, whether I like admitting it or not, that I find myself sympathizing with the first workers. (Verse 12) Not necessarily on concepts like ultimate reward, but on some of the little things in life. It takes me being deliberate, and purposefully changing my thoughts and motives to be less selfish in the way I view the world around me.

The first will be last, and the last will be first. What?

It’s a tough concept to grasp, or to even want to accept at times. God does not have a firm standard of compensa-tion for services in which we engage. None of us can claim: “Well, I did this, this, and this, so I will get that from God.” Our works are an outpouring of our faith

and beliefs, not a checklist for future glory.

Grace transcends our understanding.

No one receives less than they deserve, but everyone receives MORE than they deserve!

God’s grace to those we think don’t deserve it, should be a cause for joy, not jealously.

Whether you’ve been a Christian for a long time, a new Christian, or even someone interested but still unsure about it all, remember it’s not so much about how long or how hard you’ve been working; it’s about your attitude along the way and who you’re working for: Jesus.

This month, go love on some people who “don’t deserve it”, but need it regardless.

-Will www.facebook.com/WilliamstownCCYouthMinistry

Will Dusing

Youth Minister

Youth NOW

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Don’t forget to check out

WCC sermon’s on You Tube.

Go to WCC’s web site for link

and get connected today!

I Toured a Temple to Demon Worship

It wasn’t called that, of course. Its historic name was “House of Mysteries,” and it was arrayed with idols like most temples to eastern religions. But according to the Old Testament which says, “They angered [God] with their detestable idols. They sacrificed to demons which are not God” (Deuteronomy 32:16,17), and according to the New Testament, which says, “The sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons and not to God” (1 Corinthians 10:20)—that temple was really devoted to demonic spirits. The local common folk don’t get it. They’re kept in darkness and fear, spinning prayer wheels, chanting rosaries, and giving money to earn karma points and fund the monasteries. Their hope is to escape an unforgiving cycle of rebirth and—after eons of effort—to melt into non-existence. But in secret the monks and shamans perform horrific ancient rituals to appease “wrathful deities.” Thousands of god-images filled the temple, which smelled of sweat and incense: a creepy trinity of huge idol heads, one with bulgy, glaring eyes, and two with disinterested, slit eyes; hundreds of little idols lining dark hallways; and more images on every wall, painted in real gold and rich colors. In small, candle-lit rooms curtained with heavy chains, monks made offerings to Hell. The temple was huge. Elaborate. Impressive. Gold-encrusted. Crowded. Dark. A World Heritage site. And to naïve Western eyes, it was an exotic pilgrimage place, expressing a rich culture. A few weeks later I was home, visiting a country church: about forty people; a few songs, old and new; a slightly out-of-tune piano; average singing. Prayers for the sick and lost were followed by Scripture and a thoughtful message. Ordinary. Unimpressive. Sparse. But I broke down and wept. My heart overflowed with joy and gratitude. “This is so beautiful! There’s so much light! I’m

free. Loved. Saved. I know Jesus. He knows me. I have grace, not karma. Heaven, not non-

existence. God is real. He loves these people. They love him. We sing to Him together. We pray and He hears. We have His book! We have HIM!” Those hardy, lovely Eastern people, trapped in a labyrinth of “mysteries,” don’t know what they’re missing. And if I hadn’t been exposed to false worship in all its glory, in a place where God is absolutely denied, I might have missed it, too. I had missed it . . . so often! I’d focused on minutia instead of the simplicity and power of the gospel, the fellowship of the Spirit among friends, the sweet name of Jesus sung in faith. I would wish (with caution for the spiritually naïve) that every Christian who has become jaded with church services—as I had—might tour a temple to the false worship of demons—just once—in order to see with fresh eyes the awesome privilege of the real worship of Jesus Christ. --© 2015 Lena Wood

My faith has found a resting place,

not in device or creed, I trust the Everlasting One,

His wounds for me shall plead. I need no other argument,

I need no other plea,

It is enough that Jesus died, and that he died for me.

—LH Edmunds

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Jenna Lusby

Music & Worship Director

September 2015 ushers in a new agenda for several events here at WCC! Beginning on September 13, Small groups will begin to meet. A sign-up sheet is located in the foyer for all interested in participating. Please make sure to indicate what day of the week works best for YOU! And there is also a sign-up sheet for a Ladies Bible/Book study group. Please indicate a day or evening preference. While Small Groups will make up a big part of the Fall agenda, Awana Clubs kicks off their registration also on September 13. There will be a special carnival begin-ning at 5:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. This is for ages Pre-K to 5th grade. Did you know that plans for Upward Sports is in the making? However, volunteers are needed to help with this awesome ministry for our community. There will be a special meeting in the Fellowship Hall on Monday, September 14. Upcoming events into the fall season include Fall Festival, Trunk or Treat, Community Food Drive, plus more in the “planning process”. Don’t forget to check your weekly bulletin for updates on these and other events!

WATCH YOUR WORDS

Yesterday in anger I said a word. The first effects were not so harmful, but today I see the ruin it is leaving behind. Yesterday I repeated a rumor about a friend

(or perhaps a friend’s friend). Today a dozen hearts are bleeding. Oh! The folly of

thoughtless words – words that I cannot call back!

May God help us all to watch our tongues and weigh our words, to turn away

wrath with a soft answer, to keep faith with friends’ secrets and never repeat hurtful

gossip. God help us to never roll a stone carelessly – our loved ones and friends are in

the valley.

~ copied

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318 North Main Street

P.O. Box 7

Williamstown, KY 41097

Phone: (859) 823-2041

www.williamstownchristian.com

What We Believe � That the Bible is the inspired and totally reliable Word

of God: II Timothy 3:16-17. � That Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God:

John 3:16. � That Jesus was crucified for our sins, died, was buried

and arose physically from the dead on the third day: Romans 5:8, I Corinthians 15:3-4.

� That to be saved a person must:

1. Recognize that you have sinned and cannot save yourself: Romans 3:23. 2. Believe that Jesus paid a death penalty for your

sin through His death on the cross and rose on the third day victorious over death: Romans 6:23.

3. Confess your belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and your personal Savior: Luke 12:8.

4. Repent of your sins and turn back to God: Acts 2:38. 5. Be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the

forgiveness of your sins, and to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit: Acts 2:38.

6. Live your life following all that Jesus has commanded us: Matthew 28:20.

� We believe that Jesus will return again to take His church to live in His Heavenly home for all eternity: John 14:1-4.

Just for Laughs

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