By Pastor Dick Metz (Cornerstone)

Central Community Thanksgiving Worship Service

Wednesday, November 17th, 2010, 7:00pm – 8:15pm

Zoar Baptist Church

    All Central residents and friends are invited to worship God together and to give thanks for His blessings at the third annual Central Community Thanksgiving Worship Service.  The first annual service was held at St Alphonsus Catholic Church in 2008, and our second service at Greenwell Springs Baptist Church in 2009.

    This year, the service will be at Zoar Baptist Church, on Wednesday Night, November 17th at 7:00pm.  Sixteen Central Area churches are supporting this inter-denominational worship experience. Father Mike Moroney of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church will bring

This Sunday, November 14th, Grace UPC, located at 13845 Hooper Road, will host a special service honoring those who have served our country.  A special presentation will be made, as well as a musical tribute, and a presentation from the drama team, Vision F/X.  The speaker for the service will be Ronnie Melancon.  The service begins at 11:00 a.m.  The community is invited to attend.

Submitted by Sue Shaffer at The Church in Central

“What’s up with her, I thought.”  This girl is clearly NOT from here.   She’s tall, white, and blonde, while most people here in the Amazon are short, dark skin, and dark hair.  She was also dirty and bare feet.
 
At first she was reluctant to talk, but she finally opened up to me.  She had been with a group of tourist but had missed her boat.  On her first night alone, she had been raped multiple times by some taxi drivers.  All her belongings were stolen and she was left alone with nothing, not even the clothes on her back.  She was forced to steal clothes that were hanging out to dry from a backyard.
 
So I took her into our home, cleaned her up, washed and dressed her wounds, gave her some clean clothes, and some good Louisiana home cooked food.
 
The following day I was preparing an injection for a young man with allergies. The young lady, however, thought I was going to give it to her and took off running out the door and down the street.  Several people ran after her to explain that the shot was not for her, but sadly, I never saw her again.
 
What’s the lesson with this story?  Well, the first thing is obvious.  Be kind to others; treat them as you would want to be treated.  But what if you are identifying more with the young lady?  Maybe life hasn’t seemed fair to you.  Sometimes when we are hurt and afraid we run from the very place where we could receive help.  God tells us to come to Him all you who are weary and heavily burdened and He will give you rest.  He has come to set the captives free.  If you’re feeling captive to a hard life, then run to God.  He is the One who can restore your life and give peace, hope and a future.

Submitted by Stan Appling 

Many of you may know Stan Appling as director of the Summer Pool Program at Berean  Ministries- but do you know what he does in the off-season?  For the past 8 years he has been doing Christian missionary work for an average of 7 months per year in Siberia- the heart of Russia! 

            Having first prepared by studying Russian at LSU for two years, Stan gives glory to God for opening doors for him in Russian schools, trade schools, and the linguistics university  in the city of Irkutsk, Russia, which is in the middle of Russia.  He mainly speaks in English classes- sharing about our American culture or just helping them with their English lessons – sometimes half the time speaking in English, and the other half in Russian, so they would be sure to understand.  As opportunity allows, he shares with them about Jesus Christ.  Holidays are an especially good time to do this- for instance, the Russian Christmas is celebrated on January 7th, instead of December 25th.  So, typically,  he may come in on the 24th or 25th of December, and explain the true meaning of Christmas to the students and how it is celebrated in America.  Lately, God opened doors in Ukraine also, and he was able to do an evangelistic meeting  last spring in an old Soviet style theater there.

            Stan works directly with the Evangelical Christians in the part of Siberia who went through the persecution during the Soviet era- hearing their testimonies firsthand. He has passed by a prison where political and religious dissidents were held during that time.  He endures the extreme cold weather and has seen a few winters there where the weather barely got above freezing for a six month stretch!  The thing about Siberia is that it can be below zero for weeks at a time.  He has seen it get a number of times to -40F and once, on a trip to the far northern villages with a Russian pastor- the temperature was down to -50F.   He knew he was far up north when he came out of a house where a Bible study was held, and instead of seeing cars parked outside,  there was a horse-drawn sleigh!  Further along on that trip, the Russian Pastor and Stan had to drive across the six foot thick ice on a river to get to the next village!  Another time, Stan and another Russian brother were knocked off their feet by an earthquake on the ice of Lake Baikal- cracks shooting towards them from far out on the ice of that lake! 

            Some other adventures Stan has found in Russia are speaking at various churches and helping with feeding Siberian street children and helping them to find proper shelter.  In Ukraine he has helped an orphanage to get their children in a local church.   Lately, Stan  worked on a project to get Bibles in the hands of children in Siberia.  Stan Appling, is sent by the local body of Christ, and upheld by their prayers and financial support.  He is available to speak to learning groups, churches, and schools while here.   He realizes that one reason God has blessed America so much is that we reach out to others.  Stan is very thankful for those in our Central community who have reached out  to others abroad. 

            Stan lately came back from Moldova with his soon to be bride, Marina, and after marrying they will seek God’s direction for further missionary work in Ukraine and other Russian speaking countries.

Above: Top: Stan on Lake Baikal, Siberia;  Bottom: Stan in Russian school.  Photos submitted by Stan Appling.

Submitted by JoAnn Stein

During the 10:00 AM Mass on Sunday, October 17, 2010, Deacon Phil BeJeaux, Doris Bernard, Maybell Cannon and Susan Sevario were inducted into the St. Alphonsus Liguori Catholic Church Hall of Fame.  All four members have given generously of their time, talent and energy for the betterment of our Parish.  Following the Mass there was reception in their honor.

Submitted by Berean Ministries

Berean Ministries is having their annual Harvest Party this Friday, October 22 at 6:30.  No costumes please.  Free fun for all with food, games, candy, prizes, and hayrides.  You are also invited to take a free tour of the history of the Bible while you are there.

Submitted by Vicki Adams

Veteran’s Mass – St. Alphonsus Liguori Catholic Church, 14040 Greenwell Springs Rd, Greenwell Springs, LA, will celebrate a Veterans Mass honoring Veterans of all branches of the U.S. military on Sunday, Nov.14 at 10 AM. The Mass will include representation and special recognition of each military branches.  You do not need to be Catholic or a member of St. Alphonsus to be a part of this special service.  For information call the St. Alphonsus Church office at 225.261.4650.

We are also collecting small size toiletries for the Blue Star Mothers to send to U.S. soldiers in Iraq & Afghanistan. These items can be brought to all the masses on the weekend of Nov 13 & 14 or dropped off at St. Alphonsus Church office during business hours.

From the Zoar newsletter

    The Zoar Baptist College & Career Group is planning another Central Woods outreach event.  It is being planned for Wednesday, October 20th at 6:00 p.m.  If you are interested in helping with this effort, you are invited to attend a planning meeting next Wednesday, October 13th at 6:30 p.m. in Zoar’s Building D.

Submitted by Alexis Brumfield

   You’re invited to Victory Harvest Church MOPs meeting on October 12th 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 Rev. Lewis Morris

  The Magnolia United Methodist Church, 16024 Greenwell Springs Road, will host a “Meet, Greet, and Eat Open House” and Youth Fall Festival on Saturday, October 9, from 3-6 p.m.

    Free jambalaya will be served to all visitors.  Activities will be held in the Bob Baker Family Life Center.  The Youth Fall Festival will feature numerous crafts and games.  Prizes will be given out for several competitions scheduled for the event.

    The church invites all its neighbors and friends in the Central community to come join it for the festivities and to tour the church complex.  Anyone needing additional information can call the church office at 261-2789 or check the church website at www.magnoliaumc.com.