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MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF 1ST CHRISTIAN CHURCH MARCH 2024 – VOLUME 63
Beginning March 3, we’ll be starting a new message series called, "Reach." In one sentence it's about God's desire to
reach all people with His salvation. God wants every human being to experience life as He designed it to be lived – in
relationship with Him. It’s what’s best for us, our families and our nation. But it’s hardly just for us. God wants all
people everywhere to turn toward Him. This is what Jesus was getting at when He said, “I came to seek and save the
lost.” God wants to reach all people with His good news because all people are desperately lost without it.
The word “lost,” in this context means, distant from God, trapped in sin, not experiencing life according to God’s plan,
destined for death and darkness. God wants to find my lost family members, your lost friends, our lost neighbors and
then He wants to reach them with His love. It’s Jesus reaching out to touch a dying leper, and reaching down to lift up
a drowning disciple. Sometimes it’s even a woman reaching out to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment to find healing –
but it’s always about God – about His loving determination to reach even us. Randy Barnhart, Senior Minister
Easter comes early this year, March 31, and we want to make a
suggestion as we get ready. This year, let’s all do everything we
can to fill at least one chair (one seat) with someone who needs
Jesus. That means inviting a neighbor family, or a colleague from
work, or a member of your team, or your teacher, and always a
family member who has drifted away from Jesus. Finding some-
one to invite is not hard; we all know people who are far from
God. Issuing the invitation seems more of a challenge. Maybe we
should start here: imagine your friend or family member filling a
chair on Easter, hearing the Good News again -- maybe like it’s
the very first time. And imagine God using your invitation to lead
them to faith. Let’s give the people we know and love that
chance. Let’s fill the empty chair.
Let's Fill the Empty Chair
Jake McPike
Youth Minister
Aubrey Parson,
Children's Pastor Parents, you are the main disciple-
maker in your child's life.
Parents and youth ministers both know youth ministry can’t
merely be about what students want, it must give students
what they need. What if parents were a secret, indispensable
ingredient for a student ministry's health and success?
The truth is that, without parents prioritizing youth ministry
and leading in it, doing the job of a student minister is ex-
ceedingly difficult. The encouragement today is to not forget
what the mission is.
In Deuteronomy 4, Moses warns Israel of the dangers of dis-
obeying their good and gracious God. He says, “Take care,
and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that
your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all
the days of your life. Make them known to your children
and your children’s children” (Deut. 4:9).
Moses knew God’s people would be tempted to forget how
God demonstrated His power, faithfulness, and love to His
people. He tells us the path to discipleship is a fight to re-
member all God revealed about Himself. Moses not only
reminds Israel who God is, but also tells them that the next
generation comes to know their Deliverer and Redeem-
er through the teaching of their parents.
God called the Israelites to multigenerational discipleship.
He’s called Christians to this as well. An important thing to
consider is that the ways in which you pray with and for
your children, teach your children scripture, and model
Christ’s love at home, all shape how your sons and daugh-
ters engage in conversations (and accountability) in their
small groups on Wednesday night and in evangelism conver-
sations at school. Your impact for the Gospel in your own
home and in everyday life has a huge impact on how your
students' lives will look many years from now in their faith.
So, parents, the youth leaders of FCC are here for you every
step of the way. Let's partner in student ministry together.
I want to take this time to remind parents that
this time of year is the ULTIMATE time to talk
to your kids about your faith. The concept of
death in general is hard to broach with kids, but
imagine being able to tell them the great news-
we worship a God who literally OVERCAME
death. Jesus loved us so much that he was will-
ing to die and show us just how much he wants
us to be in Heaven with Him one day.
If this is so easy to tell our kids, why wouldn’t
we want to share that with everyone and encour-
age them to do the same? Children are so im-
pressionable, and are captivated by movies,
books, stories, really anything that involves
magic or the supernatural. I love telling kids
when I’m teaching a lesson that guess what?
ALL the stories in the Bible are TRUE!! Show
excitement, enthusiasm and reverence for this
time, and help your children to do the same.
Have them invite a friend who can come for the
food and the Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday, but
leave with the truth and the Good News of what
Christianity is all about. I’ll be praying for every
kid to fill up an empty seat this Easter with
someone they want to see in Heaven one day .
It’s
Easter
month!
First Christian Church is excited to
announce that we raised $3,656.00
for the Pregnancy Resource Center
this year through our baby bottle
fundraiser event. We are grateful
for the generosity and support of
our church family in making this
fundraiser a success.
New Wednesday night class
Baby Bottle
Boomerang
St. Who?
We find references to ancient mythologies throughout our culture. When Apollo, Mars, Diana, Aphrodite,
Athena, Artemis appear, modern man often has to try to remember exactly which characteristics goes with
that name. Mention Brahma and Shive and most of us are totally lost. March 17 is St Patrick’s Day. Year
by year Bible literacy rates fall throughout the Western world. It would not be a surprise if a citizen of to-
day thought that St. Patrick was one of the apostles. Just to bring us up to speed, it is interesting to look
into the idea of “sainthood.”
In the entire Old Testament, the word saint is used only once: Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death
of his saints. Psalms 116:15 KJV Other translations say “faithful ones,” “those who love him,” “His God-
ly ones,” “faithful servants,” or “His loved ones.” In the New Testament only the books of Romans, Ephe-
sians and Revelations use the word saint in describing believers.
Men who knew Jesus personally used the idea of God’s faithful and saints synonymously. Early Chris-
tians impressed with the work of the apostles, early church leaders, and those who were faithful even to
martyrdom began referring to these exemplary people as saints. As early as the 10th century the Catholic
Church began to officially recognize certain Christians as “saints.” As time went by it developed a multi-
step process to determine if the Good Christian were really a Saint or just a fine person. Even today, new
saints are being named by the Pope and advisors. The Eastern Orthodox church followed suit to develop
such a tradition of venerating outstanding Christians. Since the reformation, Protestants haven’t been too
concerned about that title.
So, who was St Patrick? Well, he wasn’t in that boat with Jesus. He didn’t appear on the scene until the
4th century and it wasn’t in Jerusalem, but in the Roman area of Britain. History tells us that as a youth he
was captured by a raiding party and taken to Ireland where he was a slave until he escaped six years lat-
er. Upon his return home, he began to take what he had been taught of Jesus seriously and decided to de-
vote his life to the spreading of the gospel. After 15 years of study and preparation, he went back to Ire-
land to encourage the Christians there in the coastal villages and to win more souls to God’s Kingdom. In
modern folklore he is said to have rid Ireland of snakes (it had never had snakes), and to use the shamrock
as the visual aid for teaching the Trinity (no proof of that claim, but it would have been a good idea.) By
1737 when New York put on its first St Patrick’s Day Parade, St Patrick was wearing green and drinking
green beer. Even saints’ stories can get confusing.
Are there saints today? In Carrollton? Of course, there are in the broad sense of “the faithful ones.” Ob-
servation leads one to see there are many Christians who live abundantly in faith. While they probably
wouldn’t pass the Catholic standard for being a “Saint,” we can see the evidence of miracles in their
lives. They rescue lost souls from debilitating addictions. They provide for their families and stay faithful
to marriage vows. Saints in Carrollton operate Open Hands Ministry and food pantries. Unofficial saints
care for their loved ones who experience physical and/or mental collapse, sacrificing their own plans---
putting their own lives on hold. Achieving sainthood sounds like it would be a daunting task. Surprising-
ly, it is a gift given by a loving God who simply asks that you trust Him and serve him. See you Sunday
morning when the Saints Go Marching In.
Mary Alice Hobson
How Can I Help?
I read of a man who stood to speak
at the funeral of a friend
He referred to the dates on the tombstone
from the beginning...to the end.
He noted that first came the date of birth
and spoke the following date with tears,
but he said what mattered most of all
was the dash between those years.
For that dash represents all the time
that they spent alive on earth.
And now only those who loved them
know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not, how much we own --
the cars...the house...the cash.
What matters is how we live and love
and how we spend our dash.
So, think about this long and hard.
Are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left
that can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough
to consider what's true and real,
and always try to understand
the way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger
and show appreciation more,
and love the people in our lives
like we've never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect
and more often wear a smile,
remembering this special dash
might only last a little while.
So, when your eulogy is being read
with your life's actions to rehash,
would you be proud of the things they say
about how you spent YOUR dash?
World Poetry Day
March 21
Every Monday morning Terry Hampton shows
up at the church office ready to help. He never
knows what the job for the day will be, but there
is always something which needs to be
done. Perhaps it is covering the office while Paul
is busy, it may be helping Tony empty trash cans
and tidying up. This photo shows him using his
carpentry skills.
Although Margo Shepherd isn’t a member of Al-
pha, she annually helps them make pillow cases
for the Women’s Shelter. For several years Mary
Alice Hobson has volunteered to present a poetry
program each month at Brookdale and Stewart
House. Max Holland volunteers to buy and or-
ganize all of the food and supplies for the Food
Pantry.
Your church/community is always in need of
helpers. Wendy Barnhart needs help with the bus
ministry. The nursery needs workers, especially
at 10a.m. Jake needs people to help feed his
youth on Wednesday nights. Think about where
you can best serve and give Paul a call at 770-832
-3974 to volunteer.
Join us on March 3rd for a fellowship meal
right after the 11 AM service in the Family
Life Center. If you haven't signed up to
help with food, just bring your favorite
dish.
Easter Lilies
Easter Lilies in honor or in memory of someone may be purchased
through the church. Single stalk lilies will cost $20.00 and double
stalk lilies will be available for $25.00. Lilies may be purchased by
donating funds to purchase the type of lily desired by March 17. Use
the web site, giving box in the foyer, offering baskets or other meth-
ods available for providing funding to the church. Please specify/
designate funds given for lily purchases and provide information re-
garding whom the lily purchase is honoring or in memory of. Lilies
purchased may be picked up after the Easter Sunday services. Thank
you for making the worship areas beautiful this Easter!
Library Corner
"I believe in CHRISTIANITY as I believe that the sun has risen: not only be-
cause I see it, but because by it I see everything else" C.S. Lewis.
What a profound statement from a man who walked a path of atheism in his
youth that ultimately led him to become a giant of Christian apologetics. Lewis
is well known, of course, for his many works of fiction that includes the Chroni-
cles of Narnia and The Screwtape Letters which have read and loved by children
and adults for over 60 years.
For the reader who prefers less allegorical literature, Lewis has written many
books that deal with the challenges of Christian living on a day to day basis. The
FCC library has recently added several books by C.S. Lewis that address these
issues.
Mere Christianity is a collection of legendary radio broadcasts that Lewis pre-
sented to the British public during the bombing of that country by the German
Luftwaffe during WW II. The focus of this book is to "explain and defend the
beliefs of Christianity." These broadcasts brought much comfort and hope to a
nation in great despair.
The Problem of Pain discusses the question of why does God allow his creation
to suffer. With compassion and insight Lewis offers hope and healing to those
who struggle with this knotty question.
Other works available to borrow include Four Loves, The Great Divorce, A Grief
Observed, Miracles, and the Abolition of Man.
Please visit the library in the Common Grounds coffee area to pursue these and
other books.
March 10th Don't Forget
• 3/1 - Celebrate Recovery 7 PM
• 3/3 - Fellowship Meal (after the 11 AM service in the FLC)
• 3/5 - Inklings book club 6 PM in the common grounds
• 3/6 - Wonderful Wednesday 6 PM
• 3/8 - Celebrate Recovery 7 PM
• 3/10 - Time Change (Spring Forward)
• 3/11 - Omega 6:30 PM
• 3/12 - Food Pantry 9 - 10 AM, Senior lunch at Sutton's 11:30
• 3/13- Alpha 10 AM, Wonderful Wednesday 6 PM
• 3/15 - Celebrate Recovery 7 PM, Women's Ministry Event in the FLC 7 -9 PM
• 3/19 - Inklings book club 6 PM in the common grounds
• 3/20 - Wonderful Wednesday 6 PM
• 3/21 - Men's Breakfast 7AM (at Chick-Fil-A on Bankhead Hwy.)
• 3/22 - Celebrate Recovery 7 PM
• 3/27 - Wonderful Wednesday 6 PM
• 3/29 - Good Friday Service 6 PM , Celebrate Recovery 7 PM
• 3/31 - Easter 9 & 11 AM Services, Brunch at 10 AM, Egg Hunt at 10:30 AM
UPCOMING
EVENTS
Text 1stcc to 73256
306 College Street
Carrollton, GA 30117
Sunday (Giving boxes
located in foyers)
1stChristianChurch.com
February Numbers
2/4 2/11 2/18 2/25
Attendance 282 268 255 275
Offering $21,035.40 $18,404,00 $6,648.00 $15,132.82
Weekly Offering Needed $15,721.66 $15,721.66 $15,721.66 $15,721.66
YTD Received
YTD Needed
$104,837.74
$78,608.30
$123,241.74
$94,329.96
$129,889.74
$110,051.62
$145,022.56
$125,773.28
Prayer Requests
• Good Friday Service
• Easter Services
• FCC staff
• Pregnancy Resource Center
• Recovery & Restoration
Ministries
• Missions
• Persecuted Christians
• Ukraine, Israel & Palestine
GIVE
WAYS
TO
