Submitted by Alexis Brumfield

You’re invited to Victory Harvest Church MOPs group kickoff meeting on September 14th from 9:30-11:30.  This group is for Mothers of Preschoolers infants to K5.  Come join us for a fun time of fellowship.
We meet in the Victory Harvest Church Fellowship Hall.  3953 N. Flannery Rd.  Call Barbara Womack at 275-5255 for more information.  Nursery is provided.  Call and reserve your spot today! 

Submitted by Kim Fralick

Greenwell Springs Baptist Church is holding their annual Back to School Bash next week.  On Saturday, September 4th, the band Pocket Full of Rocks will be playing live at GSBC.  Big Al will also be performing.  The Back to School Bash is put on every year by the Greenwell Springs Baptist Church CORE Student Ministry as a way to welcome the new school year with a concert and fellowship.

Tickets can be purchased in advance for $5 each or at the door for $7.  The event will also feature Wii and iPod giveaways.  Join the fun Saturday, September 4th at 6:00 p.m.  Call the church office at 261-2246 for more information or visit the church website at www.gsbcla.com.

Submitted by Sue Shaffer, Director of Children's Ministries at The Church in Central

And no, this isn’t a story about Noah and the Ark.

In teams of two, we were dropped off by the medical boat on the muddy bank of a village that we had never been before.  Our mission:  vaccinate as many people as possible in only one day.

My partner and I were armed with a Styrofoam ice chest full of various vaccines, a chicken, kilo of beans, rice, farinha, and a can of cooking oil.  We were to offer the food as a gift and exchange for letting us hang our hammocks in their kitchen, or porch or where ever they told us we could sleep for the night. 

After a long hot day of giving shots to as many as would come, we packed our hammocks and empty ice chest and walked the jungle trail back down to the river bank to wait on the boat that was to pick us up and take us home. We felt good.  We probably saved some lives that day by preventing some horrible diseases. Doing something for others always makes you feel better.

The Bible says in Galations, “Let’s not get tired of doing good, at just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.

You can’t harvest if you don’t plant.  So let’s all get busy and plant some seeds of goodness for others. 

Sue Shaffer

the Church in Central.org

Submitted by Paulette Donellan

Zoar Baptist Church will be holding their Men's Retreat on September 10-11 at the Judson Retreat Center in Jackson, Louisiana.  The theme for the retreat is "Men Leading the Charge- God's Game Plan for a Man and His Family."  Steve Farrar will be the speaker for the weekend.  If you are interested in attending, please sign up at Grand Central or send a text message to Clark Wells at 445-0117.

Submitted by Sue Shaffer, Director of Children's Ministries at The Church in Central

With a weak almost whisper voice, my young son pointed to his stomach and said, “Pray for me right here.”  Something was wrong, very wrong, but we weren’t sure where to take him or what to do other than to pray.  We were young missionaries in a new world, the Amazon Basin, and we were faced with our first big challenge, a life or death challenge.

Several days had passed and he had not eaten anything.  He couldn’t hold anything down.  It was a Friday night and we decided to take him into our living room and placed in a hammock.  And there we prayed for most of the night.  It appeared we were loosing him.

But then on Sunday, he awoke and cried out, “I’m hungry!”  And he was ready to go out and play with his friends.  He told us that God had spoken to him and told him that he would be healed on the seventh day.  And so it was!

How amazing is the faith of a child!  The Bible tells us that we should become like little children.  They seem to just believe God.  Their lives are not so full of the junk that’s acquired with life.  Ask God to give you child-like faith.  We all have things that are out of our control from time to time.  Trust the One who really can help you.  And if you happen to know one of those kids that are full of faith, ask them to pray for you.  I’m sure they’d be honored.

From the Zoar College & Career website

There is a new church service beginning at Zoar Baptist Church this Sunday, August 22^nd.  The service is geared toward the College and Career group, though you may find that you get a lot out of the service regardless of your age or peer group.  All are invited to the new service this Sunday at 11:00 a.m.  You can view a video about it online at http://vimeo.com/14046741.  You can also keep up with the College and Career group at Zoar by visiting their website, www.zoarlife.org.

By Beth Fussell

At Wednesday's Central Chamber of Commerce meeting, Reverand Marie Williams was invited to open the meeting in prayer and introduce herself to the Chamber members.  Rev. Williams is the new minister at Blackwater United Methodist Church, where she began her service as Head Pastor in June.  Rev. Williams moved to Central with her husband, John, who is also a minister.

Submitted by Sue Shaffer, Director of Children's Ministries at the Church in Central

It’s no mistaking that one of my sons is adopted.  After all, we’re all white and he’s brown and beautiful.  (Oh, forgot boys are handsome)
 
One day my family and I were taking an afternoon walk on the river front.  I used to love the warm summer breezes with the shimmers of late afternoon sunlight dancing off the water.  That’s where I heard the voice of God (yes, He does speak to people) say to me, “Look at them.”  I replied, “Yeah, that’s my little family, I see them.”  He then told me to notice how one of my sons “looks” different from the rest of us. And before I could even think a negative thought about it, He told me to look again and see that it’s also very obvious that he clearly fits in and is part of our family.  He continued to tell me that many people would also be encouraged to adopt children by our example, even people that we will never speak to.  It’s because it’s so obvious he’s adopted, but it’s so obvious that he’s accepted.
 
What about you?  If you say you are a Christian, is it obvious to others which family you belong?  The Bible says we are known by our fruit. I’d like to encourage and challenge you as well to “look” like you belong to God’s family. Where ever you are, remember that people are watching. 
 
And, if you don’t belong to our family yet, that part is easier than you might imagine…all you have to do is ask, “Anyone who calls on the name of the Lord Jesus shall be saved.”
 

Submitted by David Frey

The Zoar Singles are hosting a Mexican Fiesta social for all Singles/Single Again, Saturday, August 14 at 6:30 p.m. , at Zoar in "D" Building.  Food, games, music and fun for all.  You can dress according to the Mexican theme, if you wish, or just come casual.  Feel free to invite other area singles.  RSVP to: Jeaninne_Johnson@yahoo.com  or David at davidgf@bellsouth.net . You can also call the church office at 261-3434 so that we can get a head count for the caterer.  Hope to see you there!  Ole!

From the St. Alphonsus weekly newsletter

The St. Alphonsus Knights of Columbus Council Hall is located at 6923 Oak Cluster Drive.  The hall is available for rental for parties and activties like socials, receptions, showers, dances, company meetings, and cookouts.  If you are interested in renting the hall or in getting more details, contact Grand Knight Wayne Messina at 261-4771.