Our reading is from Second Kings chapter 2 verses 1 through 12. Listen to God’s word.
1Now when the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. 2Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here; for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel. 3The company of prophets who were in Bethel came out to Elisha, and said to him, “Do you know that today the Lord will take your master away from you?” And he said, “Yes, I know; keep silent.” 4Elijah said to him, “Elisha, stay here; for the Lord has sent me to Jericho.” But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they came to Jericho. 5The company of prophets who were at Jericho drew near to Elisha, and said to him, “Do you know that today the Lord will take your master away from you?” And he answered, “Yes, I know; be silent.” 6Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here; for the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.” But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them went on. 7Fifty men of the company of prophets also went, and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan. 8Then Elijah took his mantle and rolled it up, and struck the water; the water was parted to the one side and to the other, until the two of them crossed on dry ground. 9When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me what I may do for you, before I am taken from you.” Elisha said, “Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit.” 10He responded, “You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it will be granted you; if not, it will not.” 11As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them, and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven. 12Elisha kept watching and crying out, “Father, father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” But when he could no longer see him, he grasped his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.
Here ends our reading. May God bless our hearing, understanding, and living of these words.
Saturday, October 3rdTime: 6:30-7:30 p.m. October Hymn Sing-Along & Bonfire
Sunday, October 4th, Time: email to follow Zoom Hybrid Service Commences
Sept 27, Oct 4th Reconciliation Offering – The Rocks are Crying Out; Show Up, Speak Up, Stand Up
October 7th and Weekly Wednesday, Time: 6:00 p.m. Book Club Zoom discussionsMark Feldmeir’s A House Divided: Engaging the Issues through the Politics of Compassion
Started Wednesday’s, Time: 1:15 p.m. Women’s Bible Study
Service Online Only
Due to the numbers for COVID 19, the board has chosen to continue our service as ONLINE ONLY at this time.
Communion Supply Pick Up for Zoom Hybrid Service!
They’re at the church on Thursday, 9/24, from 1- 6 p.m.; Monday, 9/28 9-1 or 7-8 p.m.; Tuesday 9/29 10-2 p.m. Wednesday 9/30 9 -1 p.m.
If unable to come to the church, please contact Sally E. for other arrangements.
Zoom Hybrid Service STARTING October 4
You have heard; now see all this; and will you not declare it? From this time forward, I make you hear new things, hidden things that you have not known.
They are created now, not long ago; before today, you have never heard of them so that you could not say, ‘I already knew them.’ You have never heard, you have never known, from old your ear has not been opened. Isaiah 48:6-8
The Reopening Task Force reconvened to discuss plans for the future after informing the Board of possibilities. Some of those include an outdoor singalong in October for fellowship and s’ mores. They shared that with future live streaming, there’s a learning curve and additional volunteers to utilize this new capacity fully. They considered reopening for October only to close the same month. They weighed the approach of fall and winter cold and flu seasons, an ongoing pandemic, and the inability to gather indoors when the weather changes. From our congregational survey, the majority won’t be returning for in-building worship and prefers an online service. The Task Force recognizes and affirms that congregational wisdom; we will not reopen this fall.
We know that time away from our Sunday morning habit of worship has left some feeling adrift. Others have missed hearing details and updates on our prayer list. Some have missed hearing children’s messages and other voices than mine or Steve’s.
So…the leadership has been working toward a solution that works best for the entire congregation instead of a portion, recognizing that no proposal will completely satisfy everyone and will necessarily be adaptable as we move forward.
We will have a hybrid service starting October 4 at 10:30 a.m. Our soon-to-be increased bandwidth will enable us to connect more broadly in real time on Sunday mornings. We’ll gather live via Zoom to share prayers, a children’s message, elders’ invitations, communion, and a blessing. Interspersed will be recorded portions with Scripture, message, and songs, which give us the ability to sing to our heart’s content at home. Technology provides us with the capacity to expand the reach of our worshiping congregation to include snowbirds that otherwise are disconnected from community worship for months on end.
By anchoring Sunday morning as a shared experience in real-time with interactive prayers, new voices, and simultaneous communion, we’ll expand our breadth and depth as a community gathered together at the same time while not in the same space.
We much appreciate your flexibility, understanding, generosity, and patience as we live into a new way of worshiping together, enriching us spiritually, and building community. Look for further innovations in education, fellowship, outreach, evangelism, and more. Please continue to hold the leadership and our congregation in your prayers as we discover the new things God is creating among us!
How to Zoom…
In October, we will be gathering together as a church on Zoom.
The first step is to download the Zoom app to your smartphone or computer. Watch for the weekly information on the Zoom link, date, and time in the weekly emails.
Join the group.
Once you join the group, choose speaker view.
Please mute the microphone unless you are a participant in the weekly service, like children’s message person, Elder, or have a new prayer to add for that morning.
During the service, we plan to take the elements at the same time. Please check out page 1 for times available for pickup for supplies for October.
For any difficulties with downloading zoom, please contact Steve Se for assistance.
October Sermon Series
In honor of World Communion Sunday on October 4th, we will relaunch our” Guess Who’s Coming To Supper” series, which we began in March.
Oct 4—“Setting the Table”
Oct 11—“The Table of Christ”
Oct 18—“The Table of the Apostles”
Oct 25—“The Tables of the Early and Medieval Church”
Nov 1—“The Tables of the Reformation, Modern, and Future Church”
After the closing of the message part of the service, we offer a “Table Talk” after worship these 5 Sundays to dig in and dialogue more about the message to consider its implications for our lives together. We hope you join in that part of the Zoom discussion.
Lunch Bunch Gathering
Through October
@12:30 Ruth Phillips’ Home
see office for details
Bring your lunch and chair; if raining at 11:30, we will cancel for the day. Hope to see you there!
October Hymn Sing-Along & Bonfire
Saturday, October 3rd
Time: 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Not being able to sing together indoors has been challenging for many of us. We will gather in person for an outdoor sing along with a bonfire and s’ mores. Masks will be optional as long as a 10’ distance is maintained between family groups. Please send us your favorite song you’ve missed singing so we can post lyrics to our website in advance.
Come prepared with a chair, blanket, proper clothing, and a willing spirit to join in on the sing-along and fellowship around the bonfire! Please bring your own s’ more supplies so we can maintain safety for all involved.
Reconciliation Offering – The Rocks are Crying Out; Show Up, Speak Up, Stand Up
Sept 27, Oct 4th
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) has a history dating from the 1960s of sharing our resources to address the racism of our society and the racism within our church. We have called this process the Reconciliation Ministry.
We receive this offering in the fall and use the funds throughout the year to give grants to the pro-reconciliation/anti-racism initiative to organize to dismantle systems and structures that perpetuate this sin of division within the Church.
The 2020 Vision adopted by our church names this work as one of the four priorities of our mission together as a whole church. This voluntary annual offering is the only source of funding for this ministry.
Offering envelopes will be in the communion packet, and your offering can be mailed to the church for processing to the regional office.
Children’s Moment for All Ages
Read the story of Jesus walking on water in Matthew 14: 22-33. Jesus had just preached to 5,000 people and took a little time to pray by Himself when we begin this part of the story. Jesus’ Disciples were still pretty new at believing Jesus was the Son of God. When he came to them walking on water, Peter knew in his heart who Jesus was. Peter tried to keep his faith centered on Jesus and walk on water to Him for a few steps. Then he began to need help when his focus strayed from Jesus. If the Disciples weren’t sure about Jesus before He walked on water to them, I’m sure this convinced them that He was God’s Son. They saw Peter take a leap of faith and walk on water toward Jesus and saw Jesus rescue him. They believed, and at that moment, their lives changed utterly!
So much of what is “normal” in our lives has changed since March. These things do not change us inside, though. Jesus is the one who changes our hearts. When we believe in Jesus, we accept His love, and it helps us love others. The Disciples did this! We can too! Watch “Changed” by Jordan Feliz. Notice how each person can change someone else’s life through a kind word or a kind deed, just showing them the love of Jesus! Your joy is contagious, and so are your good acts because they offer the love of Jesus!
Lyrics
Let me tell you, all my friends About this joy, I’m living in
Let me take the mic, go on and testify How I was dead and then I came to life No more living in the dark of night Now everything’s alright
I’ve been changed, I’ve been saved Brand new day I’ve been changed, I’ve been changed Tell me why would I turn back now? There’s no end to the love I’ve found Future’s bright and there ain’t no doubt I’ve been changed, I’ve been changed
All my heartbreak fades away Like a book when you turn the page
Let me take the mic, go on and testify How I was dead and then I came to life No more living in the dark of night Now everything’s alright
I’ve been changed, I’ve been saved Brand new day I’ve been changed, I’ve been changed Tell me why would I turn back now? There’s no end to the love I’ve found Future’s bright and there ain’t no doubt I’ve been changed, I’ve been changed
Woo-oh, woo-oh Woo-oh, I’ve been changed Woo-oh, woo-oh Woo-oh
I put my hands in the air ‘Cause I know You’re there (Your love, it’s something magical) I put my hands in the air ‘Cause You heard my prayer (A transformation radical) I put my hands in the air ‘Cause I know You’re there (I know it’s supernatural) I put my hands in the air ‘Cause You heard my prayer
I’ve been changed, I’ve been saved (I can feel it now) Brand new day (I believe it) I’ve been changed, I’ve been changed (Oh, I believe) Tell me why would I turn back now? (I can feel it now) There’s no end to the love I’ve found Future’s bright and there ain’t no doubt I’ve been changed, I’ve been changed
Let me tell you now Woo-oh, woo-oh Woo-oh, I’ve been changed Woo-oh, woo-oh Woo-oh
Book Discussion starts Oct. 7
Wednesdays @ 6 p.m.
Mark Feldmeir’s A House Divided: Engaging the Issues through the Politics of Compassion
If you’d like to be part of this discussion, please purchase your copy online.
Today we have a politics of contempt; we need a politics of compassion that honors the reality that our commonalities are greater than our difference, a way that transcends political partisanship and emphasizes universal care, mutual concern, & the flourishing of the common good. If you’d like to know more (and see the trailer) go to:
You can purchase a Kindle edition on Amazon Smile, which also helps Compass Christian Church each time you purchase anything through Amazon.
Women’s Bible Study Wednesday’s @ 1:15 p.m.
Women’s Bible study will be meeting Wednesdays at 1:15 at the church. We will meet outside, masked up, 6′ apart, BYO Chair. Hope to see you there.
Looking Ahead and Around the Church
Live Nativity – Due to COVID-19, the board has decided not to hold the Live Nativity this year. We look forward to sharing this tradition with the community in 2021.
Watch in the weekly emails for the October date to pick up communion packets for November. The reopen team is looking ahead to Advent and how we can all participate in daily devotions together. The theme chosen for this year is “The Jesse Tree.” More to come next month.
Fantastic Job to the Ground Crew Teams – Summer is coming to an end, and mowing is slowing down but cannot be forgotten. Thanks to many who came and weed-whacked in the hot sun, mowed, hauled away, and recently took down the old playground fence area. Thank you for all your hard work. Thank you for the time on the upkeep of all the equipment. GREAT JOB!!
Thank you to the media team, which researched and upgraded equipment so we may live stream in the future.
Thank you to the Education Team,who thought of the youth of the congregation during COVID and has come up with ways for them to be involved in church on Sunday too.
Thank you to the Elders and other teamswho support Pastor Troy and the congregation with prayer all year long.
Thank you to the Boardfor having the carpets and windows cleaned during this downtime in the building and the many who helped with chair removal and reset of the sanctuary.
As in I Corinthians 12:12, “For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,” NIV.
Thank you all for the gifts you use to show love to those within and beyond the CCC congregation.
Reach Out with Helping Hands:
Interfaith Hospitality Network Needs Your Help
During the COVID-19 pandemic, IHN is putting families in shelters or local motels. They have items which are needed to help the families during this crisis:
Kleenex, Hand Sanitizer, Bottle Water, Cleaning supplies: Lysol/Clorox wipes and disinfectant sprays, thermometers, baby items: diapers size 4, 5, 6, wipes, infant Tylenol, Advil, Motrin, adult Advil, Motrin, Food Cards for fast food, Poptop cans: soup, fruit, ravioli, beefaroni, etc., food: cereal, breakfast bars, juice boxes, ramen noodles, mac & cheese cups, etc.
Of course, monetary donations are also appreciated to keep up with high costs. Please see the webpage www.ihnwc.org for Paypal or mail checks to IHNWC at 203 East Warren St. Lebanon, OH 45036. Please call before dropping off donations.513.934.5250
Stockings for the Troops
ITEMS RECOMMENDED: Baby Wipes, flavored drink powder sticks, hand sanitizer, lip balm, razors/refills, hand warmers, multivitamins, Vit C drops, Tums, Maalox, Pepto Tabs, Hard Candy, Gum, beef jerky, Slim Jim, protein bars, hot chocolate, microwavable soup, pop tarts, playing cards, games, paperback books, puzzles, stationery, blank greeting cards or check out: https://www.yellowribbonsupportcenter.com/soldiers-wish-list/ for additional ideas
DO NOT SEND lithium batteries, soap, glass containers, large size items, aerosol cans of any sort, or used items. Deodorant and liquid items should be placed in separate ziplock bags.
We still have a few stockings in the office if you want to pick up one to fill.
Items need to at Mueller Funeral Home by Friday, November 6th
Queen City Kitchen Bottled Water Drive!
We are not serving at this time at OTR. We are hoping to assist the other groups by collecting water for them. Start your shopping for deals on cases of water. The office will be open on Monday and Wednesday 9 – 1 for any deliveries. We have collected 16 cases of water as of Sept. 21. We will continue to collect water to help until we are back to serving.
Other Business
Library Corner is Open
The Library Corner is open for browsing & check-out of books anytime during regular church office hours. Four new books are ready for your use. These books were chosen to help us expand our knowledge of anti-racism.
March by John Lewis & others is a three-book, graphic series on the history of the Civil Rights Movement. While written primarily for teens, it gives an excellent retelling of what happened by those who lived the events.
This Book is Anti-Racist: 20 Lessons on How to Wake Up, Take Action and Do the Work by Tiffany Jewell, which is also geared for teens but has information we all need.
How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X Kendi will lead us on the path to being the people God expects us to be – trustworthy neighbors of all.
So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo is an “accessible take on the racial landscape in America, addressing head-on such issues as privilege, police brutality, intersectionality, micro-aggressions, the Black Lives Matter movement,” and more. (quote from Amazon review)
The Wednesday night book study just completed our review of Anxious to Talk About It by Carolyn B. Helsel. A copy of this book will soon be in our church library, compliments of Carol Y. The study members have all agreed to be available to discuss this book, or parts of it, with you if you need a discussion partner as you read this book for yourself. Members are Perry & Maureen M., Marlene P., Steve Si., Dave & Nancy T., and Carol Y. Our next book discussion will begin Wednesday, October 7. Please consider joining us as we expand our knowledge of what we as Christians are to do & learning more about ourselves.
Regional Renewal Initiative Joy!
We have reason to be joyful in Ohio today! Today, September 9, we celebrate that we have in just seven weeks, already exceeded our goal for theRenewal Initiative! As of 4:00 pm today, we have received gifts totaling $75,506.11! Plus, we know that there are still generous donations from Congregations and individuals on their way to exceed this initial goal further.
Message from the Personnel Team
Music Director Search
As you know, Susan Hartman has tendered her resignation as the Compass Christian Music Director. We are now actively searching for her replacement! If you know of someone that is interested, please call the church with your contact information, and we will get back to you!
With COVID, the weekly recorded services, the immediate responsibilities of the Music Director is to work with the Senior Pastor to choose appropriate service music; using the keyboard, accompany the recording of the weekly worship video music one day during the week, and work with the Administrative Assistant for a slide presentation, and provide any other special music needs.
Once we start live-streaming the service, additional responsibilities will require attending and providing the accompaniment each Sunday morning.
Long term (once we can all join together) will include: directing and providing weekly rehearsals for the choir (normally Wed. evenings), planning/assist with special music throughout the year, coordinating with other music activities (bell choir, youth choir, etc.), introducing new songs to the congregation, work with the song leader(s) so they are comfortable with song selections and be open to provide support of special events (weddings, funerals, etc.). Music Director will meet with the Senior Pastor weekly, maintain the inventory of the printed music library, and secure additional music as needed.
Music Director does not need to be a member of Compass Christian Church. The annual salary is paid bi-monthly.
We look forward to the opportunities a new Music Director brings and pray that someone feels the call!
COVID Changes in the Office
Hours: Monday & Wednesday 9 – 1 in the building
Tuesday & Thursday Work off-site
Phones are forwarded to the Pastor or Debbie O.
During this downtime of regular duties, I have been busy with odd jobs, as we call it. I have been scanning all the board reports, so we have a digital copy and the hard copies. There were quite a few decisions to make when the building was being planned. Now, the board notes talk about how we are outreaching to the community around us. And this year, things are still changing at CCC.
One of the other items I have looked through is old First Impression cards, so we can destroy the mildewed cards but keep the information. Here are some of the comments; The service was on a personal level, the genuine feeling of spirituality that pervaded worship, acceptance of our disabled child, friendliness of people, God’s presence, welcomed, upbeat and inspiring worship, casual but Disciples style, youth greeting at the doors, positive spirit of the congregation and service, kids sermon, friendly greeters and many more comments just like this.
