Submitted by St. Alphonsus Church

Everyone is invited to join us for a very special Blue Mass at St. Alphonsus Liguori Catholic Church on Sunday, September 11, 2011 at 10:00 AM.  During this Mass we will be honoring fallen and current first responders and remembering those who lost their life on 9/11/2001.

All first responders, including firefighters, law enforcement agents and emergency medical personnel in the Central and surrounding areas are invited to attend.  We anticipate that there will be 700+ people in attendance.

Additional Information

• There will be a New York fire truck displaying the American Flag at the entrance drive
• At 9:59AM, a golden fire bell which will be placed in the sanctuary will be tolled in the 9/11 sequence by four firemen
• Bagpiper will play Amazing Grace
• EBRS Deputies will be honor guards
• Central Firefighters will present the Colors
• A Memorial Wreath will be presented followed by Echo Taps
• Hats will be presented from each division of First Responders,
• Chief Pat Englade, Retired BRPD will be our guest speaker
• All First Responders/Public Safety Agencies, elected and appointed officials will be recognized during the Mass
• There will be a reception immediately following the Mass to honor of our first responders.
• Patriotic songs will be sung throughout the Mass

Submitted by Blackwater UMC Youth

    The Blackwater United Methodist youth group have been focused on Mission work lately. This summer we attended Weekend of the Cross in Gonzales, a combination of home repair and bible study/worship. Next summer we are looking into an international mission trip to either Haiti or Cuba for our senior high, and at Noah’s Ark Methodist Center in Florida for our junior high. We are working on raising funds for both of these trips.  One of our fundraisers will be through the great folks at Menchie’s.  By bringing in a flyer you can pick up at Blackwater United Methodist Church, the youth group will receive 20% of your purchases at Menchie's!  It's that easy!  Please take a moment and stop by the church office, pick up a flyer, and help us achieve our goal for Missions in the next year.  You'll help us and have a delicious treat all at the same time!  Thank you, Central, for your support!

The day I am writing this, I heard the Chancellor of LSU call into a popular news/talk radio program on our local market. He wanted to tell of a very positive involvement in the community by the new freshman class at LSU. He wanted good news to NOT go unnoticed.

That has prompted me to think of the good that churches in the Central community do almost daily. Personally I am aware that in Central there is at least one church or several churches together that:

• Provide food for the hungry
• Provide Christmas presents for children of prisoners or children with disabilities
• Improve city parks in Central for families
• Offer English as a Second Language classes
• Encourage traditional marriage and healthy families through counseling and wedding services
• Aide teachers and administrators in the public and private schools by volunteering

And above all else, the churches in Central together and individually:

• Give moral instruction to our citizens
• Serve as a medium for closer relationships within neighborhoods
• Help developing nations become more established

But the greatest good that our churches in Central do every week is to announce the news that the Creator of the universe has given His Son, Jesus Christ, as our rescuer from our sins!

Jeff Stanfill

Submitted by Deacon Ronnie Hebert

Renewed Hope Ministries presents:
“Catholics  and  the  Bible”

Join Deacon Ronnie Hebert of (St. Alphonsus Church) and Deacon Ricky Patterson (St. Louis King of France Church)  as they give a presentation on the Holy Bible.

They will explore topics such as : (What came first, the Church or the Bible? / What the Church teaches on how to study and interpret the Bible / Sola Scriptura: Does the bible support the belief of the Bible alone? / Are we saved by Faith Alone? / What about the believe of “Once saved always saved?”).

Come and hear Deacon Ronnie's conversion story and how his study of the Bible brought him back to the Catholic Church. Also, there will be an opportunity to have your questions answered during the presentation.

Date, time and location:  Thursday, September 15^th, from (7 – 8:30pm) @ St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, 14040 Greenwell Springs Rd. / For more information: call Olga Johnson @ 261-4644.

Overcoming Disappointments

    Phil 3:13-14, “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”  (NIV)

     There is a great story in Luke Chapter 24 where two of Jesus’ disciples are walking from Jerusalem to Emaus discussing the latest events.  They were so sad and disappointed because a couple of days earlier Jesus had been crucified.  Jesus then began to walk along side them but they did not recognize Him.  He asked them why they were so downhearted and they could not believe that he hadn’t heard of the latest news in Jerusalem!  Jesus was crucified!  Our dreams are dead! That is why we are so sad!

    They were so blinded by their disappointment they couldn’t see Jesus when He was walking right alongside them.  We all get disappointed but we should not allow our disappointments to control our lives or snuff out our dreams.  Last Friday’s disappointment is old news. This is a new day, a new week; Jesus is alive no matter what happened yesterday or last week.  Get over it, forgive, get up and let’s move on!

Donnie Shaffer
Senior Pastor, Central Church

Submitted by St. Alphonsus

Blue Mass – Sunday, September 11, 2011, 10:00 a.m. mass.

The Blue Mass began in Baltimore in 1934 to honor the men and women who protect our cities, counties and nation and to focus on the importance of the jobs of public safety officers and emergency personnel to the well-being of our communities.

We are extending a special invitation to all public safety officers and emergency personnel to this celebration in their honor. This invitation is also extended to any and all who wish to join in our celebration honoring public safety officers and emergency workers including firemen, first responders and law enforcement personnel in Central and the surrounding community currently serving the citizens of our country and remembering the fallen heroes who gave the ultimate sacrifice in doing so.  Jeff LeDuff, former Chief of Police for the City of Baton Rouge, will be our guest speaker sharing his personal reflections on honoring and remembering these elite groups of individuals who made sacrifices in the line of duty for their friends, family, and fellow countrymen.

Public Safety Agency personnel will be recognized during the mass, and a special tribute to those who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty will take place with a Memorial Wreath Presentation and Presentation of Hats representing the different branches of public servants.

There will be a reception immediately following mass.

Knowing God is the point, right? It's the reason God came down as man; the reason we have 'Holy script'; it's the very reason God the Holy Spirit dwells within believers. So, what about it, how well do you know God?
If knowing God and entering to a relationship with Him is the point-and it is-then understanding a little about his nature would surely help-agreed? Consider this; God stands poised at this very moment, ready to overwhelm you with his love. Jesus, while talking to the crowds following him  tells a great story to illustrate this very point.  The story is about a father who has two sons. Both sons' have a strained relationship  with their dad, to say the least. One is rebellious the other bitter. But through out this beautifully unfolding story emerges the powerful unassuming love of the father. He lets the rebellious son leave but longs for the day he can grab hold of him again. Then having his baby back he withstands the venom spewed at him from the older son redirecting that anger toward a new reality-at least for the son-and that is;'everything I have is yours!'
Here it is: knowing God is made possible only because he's the type who just won't quit loving.

Dale Phillips
Pastor, Comite Baptist

Submitted by Bill Parsons, Pastor at Central Worship Center

News from the nation rocked by the triple catastrophes of earthquake, tsunami and the resulting nuclear meltdown has all but become non-existent in the American press. I thought I would give you an update on where the country now stands as it relates to the events of early March. As of June 1, 2011 there have been 14,300 confirmed deaths, 12,026 people remain missing and 130,000 are still living in temporary shelters. The magnitude of the loss of human life and the toll of human suffering is staggering, to say the least. Additionally, the cost of monetary damages, though not as devastating as the loss of life, and its long term effect on Japan is hard to comprehend, totalling 308 billion dollars. This does not include the damages caused by the disabled nuclear plant, which adds an additional 133 billion dollars to the total damages. Reading about billions of dollars may seem anti- climactic as we listen to our political figures talk about trillions as if it were pocket change, but none the less, 441 billion dollars is a lot of money for the economy of a nation of any size to absorb.

But those numbers only tell half of the story. They speak of human suffering as if it could be measured in dollars and cents, which we all know is incorrect, and may even be construed as being a little cold. The history of man includes many such stories of tragedy and loss. What is common to all of them is that at such times many begin to seek out something or someone to help them make sense of what has just occurred. It is in those moments that the Church of Jesus Christ should stand the tallest. It is precisely in those moments when our hearts should be opened to those who are suffering. And it is also in those moments that many will turn to Jesus Christ for comfort.

Here are some more numbers for you to consider. Japan has the tenth largest population among all the countries in the world totaling 127,560,000 people. The number of Christians in Japan totals right around 3 million people. That’s less than 3% of the total population. The reason we are travelling to Japan is two-fold. First, to help prepare a group of Christian ministers to evangelize their nation. To that end, my wife Yvonne and I will join a team of pastors and teachers from around the world to help inspire and instruct students, who for the most part are already enrolled in a formal ministry training institute, in an additional eight week school of missions. We will then spend a week in the city of Sendai working to help rebuild a part of that city which was devastated by the earthquake and tsunami. We ask for your continued prayers for the success of this mission.

Central Proud!

I have just returned from a Central Town Hall Meeting at Central High School with 200 Central citizens and Senator David Vitter. Obviously none of us could say we are happy about the financial predicament our country is in. It seems to me that many in Washington must have failed kindergarten mathematics, i.e., income must be greater than outgo!

However, as I sat there in the gym, my mind wandered in more positive directions as I took in the sights and sounds around me. May I share a few! A wonderful school system – administration, teachers, students, and new facilities! A growing business community well represented by the Chamber of Commerce! I thought about how accessible our city leaders are if we want to express our opinions! A balanced city budget with a reserve account! I thought about the pothole on my street that recently was repaired! How we recently made a change in city services, and, as far as I know, it seemed like a smooth transition. Most of all I looked around at the people! I have not met any perfect people in Central – perhaps I will one day! But the ones I have met are good, solid, kind, conservative people who love their families, pay their bills, work for a living, and are interested in the welfare of others!

On the way back to work, I passed Zoar Baptist Church where they were holding the memorial service for a great Central hero, Donald Ray Kennard! I thank God for men like him who have served their city so admirably for so many years, and I thank God for pastors like Dr. Kevin Hand and churches like Zoar!

I am concerned about all the political shenanigans going on in Washington! I pray that meaningful solutions will be found in the years ahead to insure our financial success as a country. At the same time, I must say, "I am Central proud!"

Dick Metz – Cornerstone Fellowship

Submitted by Nicholas LeBlanc

The following courses are being offered this fall, and you are invited to join us!

Women’s Study – Beginning September 5, 2011 – Monday nights 6:30pm.

"Open Bible Study": A Survey of Paul’s Letter to Rome – Beginning September 13, 2011

Each Tuesday night at 7:00pm we will open our Bibles to the book of Romans to survey the book.

Introduction to Theology – Beginning September 22, 2011

October 14-15, 2011 – Weekend Seminar: A Biblical Theology of Financial Giving