October 31 Newsletter
Content
The Christian Messenger Fifth Avenue Church of Christ
115 W. Fifth Ave. Lancaster, OH 43130 740-654-0626 e-mail: [email protected]
October 31, 2011
Brad Seevers
Senior Minister (740-550-9882)
David Tingler
Associate Minister
Glen Shady
Youth Minister (740-438-5257)
Sunday Services
1st Worship
Black Light Puppet Show November 2, 2011 ~ 6:00pm-7:30 pm This event is appropriate for all ages and everyone is invited to come enjoy the fun. There will be snacks and goodies, along with hot apple cider and some small game stations. Invite your friends and family to this fun and relaxing evening.
8:00 a.m.
2nd Worship 10:30 a.m.
Bible School
Sunday, November 6th …. Daylight Savings Time
Evening Worship
Ends at 2:00 a.m. … Remember to turn your clocks BACK one hour!
9:15am
6:00pm
SPIRITUAL STATISTICS (October 30, 2011)
Sunday School 1st Morning Worship 2nd Morning Worship Total Morning Worship Evening Worship Family Reunion (10/26) Weekly Budget Budget Received Book Nook Van
95 87 94 181 54 63 $ 4,471.00 $ 3,632.50 $ 34.00 $ 30.00
SERVING SCHEDULE – November 6, 2011 Mike Cooper and Dick Shumaker At the Table 1st Dale Rose, Dan Brown, Ray Coats, st Serving 1 Ralph Conrad nd Mike Cooper and Dick Shumaker At the Table 2 Dale Rose, Rod Troutman, Nick Serving 2nd Hinson, Patrick Hinson, Neal Rudolph Tom Puckett Pastor of the week Dale Rose PM Deacon COMMUNION PREPARATION 1ST Worship 2nd Worship
Lori Highfield Geri Jaynes
GREETERS 1ST Worship Ray and Mary Alice Coats 2nd Worship Linda Daubenmire and Norma Holtom NURSERY Sunday School 2nd Worship
Shirley Marsh and Reta Conrad Marie Huffman and Kim Seevers
Sunday School Helper
Carolyn May
Visitor Center 1st Worship Visitor Center 2nd Worship
Geri Jaynes Kim Seevers
SECURITY 1ST Worship Bible School 2nd Worship Evening Worship
David Will Carmel Marsh George Lambert Jim Puckett
BITS FROM BRO DAVE KEENAGERS’ NOVEMBER TRIP: On Tuesday, November 29, we are traveling to Zanesville for a tour of the Conn’s Potato Chip factory. The Tumbleweed Restaurant is our lunch destination. They offer lunches starting at $5.69. Following lunch we will journey the few miles to Dresden and there you will have opportunity browse the Longaberger Homestead. We will depart our parking lot at 8:10 AM and return in the late afternoon. The tour is free and lunch is on your own. The cost will be $3 per person for transportation. A “sign-up” sheet is posted. At this writing we are at capacity; however I do encourage you, if you are interested, to sign on as a “stand-by”. It seems we always have those who must cancel for various reasons. (There is, also, the possibility of our arranging some additional transportation.) WEDNESDAYS: We have two groups meeting for the study of II Corinthians. These groups meet at 10:00 AM and 6:30 PM. You are welcome to join us in either of the two. “SUNDAY EVENINGS IN THE SANCTUARY”: We are continuing our current series, “Hard Sayings of Jesus”. This week (11/6) we will be examining Jesus’ statement of Mark 13:30 and asking “Was Jesus Mistaken?” It is there that He says, “I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.” Was He speaking of His second coming? On November 13, we will have a special guest speaker. On November 20, we will return to the series with “The Unforgiveable Sin” that Jesus speaks of in Matthew 3:28-29 and Luke 12:10. FINAL THOUGHT: A good scare is often worth more to a person than good advice.
DORCAS The Dorcas ladies are having a pizza party at noon on Tuesday, November 15th. All ladies are welcome to join your Dorcas friends for a great time of fellowshipping.
We welcome Wes Camp who placed his membership at Fifth Avenue on Sunday, October 30, 2011
Looking ahead … Thursday, November 10 Elders Meeting
Women’s Ministries … Christmas Card-Making Class Saturday, November 12th ~ 9-11 a.m. Cost is $10 (payable on the day of the class) We will be making five Christmas-themed cards A sign-up sheet is on the Women’s Ministry bulletin board Deadline to register is Sunday, November 6th
th
Sunday, November 13th Carriage Court Service Oversight Meeting
The Book Nook Monday, November 28th at 6:30pm “Her Mother’s Hope” Watch for more information about a special Christmas “Nook”!
Blood Pressure Checks
Sunday, November 6th
How to Get the Most from
Take God at His Word 1. Encourage your family to read a chapter together each week (they're short); pick Monday or Tuesday, if possible. 2. Discuss the principles 'with a close friend or family member (kids, too). It's especially valuable to do this "around the kitchen table" at least one evening each week. The questions at the end of each chapter are designed to help you see God as the source of your blessing. 3. If you're married: • Pray together daily with your spouse about your own family's finances, needs, attitudes, etc. • Talk about your family's attitudes and habits about money, giving, etc. • Explore your various background experiences with money and giving. Include your parents' perspectives, too. In what areas do you and your mate see things the same way? How are your perspectives different? Why? 4. If you are single, find a friend or loved one and work through the same issues that are mentioned in item 3. 5. As you work through the chapter and the questions, keep remembering that this book is not just about giving. More than anything, it's about taking a new step of faith.
SERVING SCHEDULE – November 13, 2011 Dave Riggenbach and Charlie May At the Table 1st Larry King, Don Gardner, Serving 1st Jack Hardwick, Tim Huffman At the Table 2nd Dave Riggenbach and Fred Griffith Larry King, Dale Thornton, Serving 2nd Ned Tomlinson, Rod Troutman Dave Riggenbach Pastor of the week Larry King PM Deacon COMMUNION PREPARATION 1ST Worship 2nd Worship GREETERS 1ST Worship 2nd Worship
Lori Highfield Geri Jaynes
Don and Judy Gardner Neal Rudolph
NURSERY Sunday School 2nd Worship
Hannah Ross and Courtney Beiter Nick and Tracy Hinson
Sunday School Helper Visitor Center 1st Worship Visitor Center 2nd Worship SECURITY 1ST Worship Bible School 2nd Worship Evening Worship
Library Spotlight
Give Thanks to the Lord Join a joyous celebration in this heartwarming story that references Psalm 92 in tender rhyme from awardwinning author Karma Wilson. Told from the point of view of one young member of an extended family, Give Thanks to the Lord celebrates joy of all kinds, from the arrival of distant relatives to a cozy house already filled with merriment, to apple cider and the delicious smells of roasting turkey and baking pies. And just when your mouth is watering, sit down and join a thankful child in prayer, praising God for “food and fun and family, all the wonderful things I see.”
Norma Holtom Janet Brown Bev Puckett
Dick Shumaker Bill Kelly Jim Puckett Mike Cooper
Christmas Project The Philothean Sunday School class is collecting items to be sent to soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq. There is a list of items needed posted on the bulletin boards and in the Sunday School classroom, and there is a collection box in the parlor. Deadline for your donations is Sunday, November 6, 2011. Also, there are Christmas cards on the parlor table that will be included in the boxes being sent to the soldiers. Please sign a card and add a note of encouragement to support our troops.
Gods and Kings … by Lynn Austin Though born the second son of King Ahaz, Hezekiah is not protected from his father’s perverted attempts to gain the favor of the idol Molech. Terrified and powerless at the foot of Molech’s altar, Hezekiah encounters for the first time the one true God of his royal ancestry, Yahweh. But his journey to the Holy One is riddled by influence from an assortment of men: Zechariah, a grandfather of noble standing who has fallen into drunkenness; Uriah, the High Priest whose lust for power forces him to gamble the faith he proclaims; and Shebna, the Egyptian intellectual who guides Hezekiah’s instruction. For the two women who love Hezekiah, the meaning of love – and its sacrificial essence – will direct the course of their lives and help shape the young price’s future. Visit the church library and check out a good book!!
A Note from Brad I want to begin my article by saying, “What an incredible weekend it was at FACC!” There was definitely a stirring and a spirit of renewal in many people’s hearts as they gave of themselves for the Lord. Let me explain. On Saturday, 43 servants were a part of making a difference in someone’s life. Five projects were begun and completed and it was all for the glory of God. Widows, elderly, homeless and the church were blessed as believers gave of their time to clean up buildings and houses, rake leaves, chop and split wood, paint shelves, do plumbing, bust up concrete and a whole lot more. Well done people of God! Well done! We were also blessed on Sunday as several shared what God taught them about service. Many shared of giving of oneself for the sake of others; teamwork; working together; what a fitting picture of the church. God is pleased when we are one and united. What an encouragement you were to all those who heard of your labor for the Lord. As for our worship Sunday, I want to thank all our instrumentalists, singers and worship leaders who gave of themselves sacrificially, as always, to better enhance our time spent with the Lord. Keep up the good work! I was excited to see Wes Camp respond to the invitation during our second service. Wes desires to place his membership with us. Please pray for him as God leads him in his life. During the month of November, you are being asked to commit to being at FACC each week. Our theme for the month is “Take God at His Word”. Hopefully on Sunday your family picked up a copy of the book we are using for this study. If not, please call the office and work out a time to receive your free copy of this resource. I want to say thank you to those who recognized Kim and I during the month of October for Pastor Appreciation month. Your kind words, cards and gifts were very thoughtful. It is a real pleasure to serve God in this place. In His Service, Brad Seevers, Eph. 3:20-21
Sheree Tata Ron Ogden Jeane Goldfarb Liz Reed Sharon Britch Wanda Dickson Our Troops Betty Sparks Ed and Norma George Samantha Hendricks’ Niece and Brother Lois Wilson Rita Balser Hewitt Anne Watson
Dorothy Herman Rich Brady The Mack Family Jim Aspery
Background Checks Update By Glen Shady Whether you are aware of this, or not, FACC operates under a policy that anyone wanting work with teens or kids under the age of 18 (or not yet graduated from high school) must have a background check on file with the church office. We offer these background checks through the sheriff’s office, and we recently received a letter from their office informing us of some changes to their policies. The biggest change for their policies is that there is now a form that you must fill out and bring to the office with you. For a step-by-step description of how to get a background check on file with the church office and for this form, please look to the back table in the parlor this next Sunday. While we are on the topic of background checks, and with our ministry fair having just occurred this past Sunday, it seems like a convenient time to revisit this issue with an article. I hope you will be open and fairminded as you read on. As far as background checks are concerned, this seems to be a far more polarizing issue than it needs to be. Continually I hear complaints that people’s trust and integrity are being questioned. Now in general, I am a very trusting person. At the same time, when we are talking about the welfare of infants, children, and developing teenagers, there is absolutely no reason to take chances. To give you an analogy; I absolutely trust Elizabeth, my daughter, with stairs. If she wants to climb the stairs alone I just get out of her way. There is one rule, though. No stairs without permission. Even though she can do it herself, I will still punish her for going up or down stairs without permission every time, no exceptions, no excuses. Obviously I do this for her safety. I want to be there for her when she has that rare slip. This is because when we are talking about a flight of stairs it only takes a little slip to become a major issue. The background check issue is the same way. It only takes a little slip, a small incident, for us to have a major issue on our hands. Following are a list of issues that background checks address: 1. Protecting children from any type of abuse by a person with a history of inflicting such abuse. 2. Protecting workers from false accusations, either by parents or students. 3. Protecting the church against an incident that would call its integrity and trust into question in a very public way. As you see, it is not very complex, but it is very serious in nature. Some people have a history that shows that they should not be around children. We have a simple way of discovering this about people. Why would we not take advantage? Of course there are some of you that have background checks on file that I trust implicitly. I would leave my girls with you without any hesitation, knowing that no harm would come their way. This is because I know you. A visitor coming into the church, though? Do they know you? Do they have ANY reason to trust you? If we want to be a family-friendly church, should we not offer peace of mind to fathers and mothers bringing their children? Should we not show them that we care about their kids too? Or is that not how we feel? When I have a difficult decision or issue in front of me, I try to take a look at it from a, “Who can win from this?” perspective. I think about it as a match against my sinful nature + Satan versus God + His will for my life. If you decide that a background check is too troubling for you to serve children in the church, who can possibly win from this? Is there any victory for God in such a decision? I can tell you one thing. If you are making this decision looking to punish someone, looking for someone to lose, then you have succeeded. Unfortunately it is not myself that is losing, nor is it the church leadership, it is the children. If you want to serve Jesus by serving children, I encourage you to see how important this is and get a background check on file with the church office.
115 W. Fifth Ave. Lancaster, OH 43130 740-654-0626 e-mail: [email protected]
October 31, 2011
Brad Seevers
Senior Minister (740-550-9882)
David Tingler
Associate Minister
Glen Shady
Youth Minister (740-438-5257)
Sunday Services
1st Worship
Black Light Puppet Show November 2, 2011 ~ 6:00pm-7:30 pm This event is appropriate for all ages and everyone is invited to come enjoy the fun. There will be snacks and goodies, along with hot apple cider and some small game stations. Invite your friends and family to this fun and relaxing evening.
8:00 a.m.
2nd Worship 10:30 a.m.
Bible School
Sunday, November 6th …. Daylight Savings Time
Evening Worship
Ends at 2:00 a.m. … Remember to turn your clocks BACK one hour!
9:15am
6:00pm
SPIRITUAL STATISTICS (October 30, 2011)
Sunday School 1st Morning Worship 2nd Morning Worship Total Morning Worship Evening Worship Family Reunion (10/26) Weekly Budget Budget Received Book Nook Van
95 87 94 181 54 63 $ 4,471.00 $ 3,632.50 $ 34.00 $ 30.00
SERVING SCHEDULE – November 6, 2011 Mike Cooper and Dick Shumaker At the Table 1st Dale Rose, Dan Brown, Ray Coats, st Serving 1 Ralph Conrad nd Mike Cooper and Dick Shumaker At the Table 2 Dale Rose, Rod Troutman, Nick Serving 2nd Hinson, Patrick Hinson, Neal Rudolph Tom Puckett Pastor of the week Dale Rose PM Deacon COMMUNION PREPARATION 1ST Worship 2nd Worship
Lori Highfield Geri Jaynes
GREETERS 1ST Worship Ray and Mary Alice Coats 2nd Worship Linda Daubenmire and Norma Holtom NURSERY Sunday School 2nd Worship
Shirley Marsh and Reta Conrad Marie Huffman and Kim Seevers
Sunday School Helper
Carolyn May
Visitor Center 1st Worship Visitor Center 2nd Worship
Geri Jaynes Kim Seevers
SECURITY 1ST Worship Bible School 2nd Worship Evening Worship
David Will Carmel Marsh George Lambert Jim Puckett
BITS FROM BRO DAVE KEENAGERS’ NOVEMBER TRIP: On Tuesday, November 29, we are traveling to Zanesville for a tour of the Conn’s Potato Chip factory. The Tumbleweed Restaurant is our lunch destination. They offer lunches starting at $5.69. Following lunch we will journey the few miles to Dresden and there you will have opportunity browse the Longaberger Homestead. We will depart our parking lot at 8:10 AM and return in the late afternoon. The tour is free and lunch is on your own. The cost will be $3 per person for transportation. A “sign-up” sheet is posted. At this writing we are at capacity; however I do encourage you, if you are interested, to sign on as a “stand-by”. It seems we always have those who must cancel for various reasons. (There is, also, the possibility of our arranging some additional transportation.) WEDNESDAYS: We have two groups meeting for the study of II Corinthians. These groups meet at 10:00 AM and 6:30 PM. You are welcome to join us in either of the two. “SUNDAY EVENINGS IN THE SANCTUARY”: We are continuing our current series, “Hard Sayings of Jesus”. This week (11/6) we will be examining Jesus’ statement of Mark 13:30 and asking “Was Jesus Mistaken?” It is there that He says, “I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.” Was He speaking of His second coming? On November 13, we will have a special guest speaker. On November 20, we will return to the series with “The Unforgiveable Sin” that Jesus speaks of in Matthew 3:28-29 and Luke 12:10. FINAL THOUGHT: A good scare is often worth more to a person than good advice.
DORCAS The Dorcas ladies are having a pizza party at noon on Tuesday, November 15th. All ladies are welcome to join your Dorcas friends for a great time of fellowshipping.
We welcome Wes Camp who placed his membership at Fifth Avenue on Sunday, October 30, 2011
Looking ahead … Thursday, November 10 Elders Meeting
Women’s Ministries … Christmas Card-Making Class Saturday, November 12th ~ 9-11 a.m. Cost is $10 (payable on the day of the class) We will be making five Christmas-themed cards A sign-up sheet is on the Women’s Ministry bulletin board Deadline to register is Sunday, November 6th
th
Sunday, November 13th Carriage Court Service Oversight Meeting
The Book Nook Monday, November 28th at 6:30pm “Her Mother’s Hope” Watch for more information about a special Christmas “Nook”!
Blood Pressure Checks
Sunday, November 6th
How to Get the Most from
Take God at His Word 1. Encourage your family to read a chapter together each week (they're short); pick Monday or Tuesday, if possible. 2. Discuss the principles 'with a close friend or family member (kids, too). It's especially valuable to do this "around the kitchen table" at least one evening each week. The questions at the end of each chapter are designed to help you see God as the source of your blessing. 3. If you're married: • Pray together daily with your spouse about your own family's finances, needs, attitudes, etc. • Talk about your family's attitudes and habits about money, giving, etc. • Explore your various background experiences with money and giving. Include your parents' perspectives, too. In what areas do you and your mate see things the same way? How are your perspectives different? Why? 4. If you are single, find a friend or loved one and work through the same issues that are mentioned in item 3. 5. As you work through the chapter and the questions, keep remembering that this book is not just about giving. More than anything, it's about taking a new step of faith.
SERVING SCHEDULE – November 13, 2011 Dave Riggenbach and Charlie May At the Table 1st Larry King, Don Gardner, Serving 1st Jack Hardwick, Tim Huffman At the Table 2nd Dave Riggenbach and Fred Griffith Larry King, Dale Thornton, Serving 2nd Ned Tomlinson, Rod Troutman Dave Riggenbach Pastor of the week Larry King PM Deacon COMMUNION PREPARATION 1ST Worship 2nd Worship GREETERS 1ST Worship 2nd Worship
Lori Highfield Geri Jaynes
Don and Judy Gardner Neal Rudolph
NURSERY Sunday School 2nd Worship
Hannah Ross and Courtney Beiter Nick and Tracy Hinson
Sunday School Helper Visitor Center 1st Worship Visitor Center 2nd Worship SECURITY 1ST Worship Bible School 2nd Worship Evening Worship
Library Spotlight
Give Thanks to the Lord Join a joyous celebration in this heartwarming story that references Psalm 92 in tender rhyme from awardwinning author Karma Wilson. Told from the point of view of one young member of an extended family, Give Thanks to the Lord celebrates joy of all kinds, from the arrival of distant relatives to a cozy house already filled with merriment, to apple cider and the delicious smells of roasting turkey and baking pies. And just when your mouth is watering, sit down and join a thankful child in prayer, praising God for “food and fun and family, all the wonderful things I see.”
Norma Holtom Janet Brown Bev Puckett
Dick Shumaker Bill Kelly Jim Puckett Mike Cooper
Christmas Project The Philothean Sunday School class is collecting items to be sent to soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq. There is a list of items needed posted on the bulletin boards and in the Sunday School classroom, and there is a collection box in the parlor. Deadline for your donations is Sunday, November 6, 2011. Also, there are Christmas cards on the parlor table that will be included in the boxes being sent to the soldiers. Please sign a card and add a note of encouragement to support our troops.
Gods and Kings … by Lynn Austin Though born the second son of King Ahaz, Hezekiah is not protected from his father’s perverted attempts to gain the favor of the idol Molech. Terrified and powerless at the foot of Molech’s altar, Hezekiah encounters for the first time the one true God of his royal ancestry, Yahweh. But his journey to the Holy One is riddled by influence from an assortment of men: Zechariah, a grandfather of noble standing who has fallen into drunkenness; Uriah, the High Priest whose lust for power forces him to gamble the faith he proclaims; and Shebna, the Egyptian intellectual who guides Hezekiah’s instruction. For the two women who love Hezekiah, the meaning of love – and its sacrificial essence – will direct the course of their lives and help shape the young price’s future. Visit the church library and check out a good book!!
A Note from Brad I want to begin my article by saying, “What an incredible weekend it was at FACC!” There was definitely a stirring and a spirit of renewal in many people’s hearts as they gave of themselves for the Lord. Let me explain. On Saturday, 43 servants were a part of making a difference in someone’s life. Five projects were begun and completed and it was all for the glory of God. Widows, elderly, homeless and the church were blessed as believers gave of their time to clean up buildings and houses, rake leaves, chop and split wood, paint shelves, do plumbing, bust up concrete and a whole lot more. Well done people of God! Well done! We were also blessed on Sunday as several shared what God taught them about service. Many shared of giving of oneself for the sake of others; teamwork; working together; what a fitting picture of the church. God is pleased when we are one and united. What an encouragement you were to all those who heard of your labor for the Lord. As for our worship Sunday, I want to thank all our instrumentalists, singers and worship leaders who gave of themselves sacrificially, as always, to better enhance our time spent with the Lord. Keep up the good work! I was excited to see Wes Camp respond to the invitation during our second service. Wes desires to place his membership with us. Please pray for him as God leads him in his life. During the month of November, you are being asked to commit to being at FACC each week. Our theme for the month is “Take God at His Word”. Hopefully on Sunday your family picked up a copy of the book we are using for this study. If not, please call the office and work out a time to receive your free copy of this resource. I want to say thank you to those who recognized Kim and I during the month of October for Pastor Appreciation month. Your kind words, cards and gifts were very thoughtful. It is a real pleasure to serve God in this place. In His Service, Brad Seevers, Eph. 3:20-21
Sheree Tata Ron Ogden Jeane Goldfarb Liz Reed Sharon Britch Wanda Dickson Our Troops Betty Sparks Ed and Norma George Samantha Hendricks’ Niece and Brother Lois Wilson Rita Balser Hewitt Anne Watson
Dorothy Herman Rich Brady The Mack Family Jim Aspery
Background Checks Update By Glen Shady Whether you are aware of this, or not, FACC operates under a policy that anyone wanting work with teens or kids under the age of 18 (or not yet graduated from high school) must have a background check on file with the church office. We offer these background checks through the sheriff’s office, and we recently received a letter from their office informing us of some changes to their policies. The biggest change for their policies is that there is now a form that you must fill out and bring to the office with you. For a step-by-step description of how to get a background check on file with the church office and for this form, please look to the back table in the parlor this next Sunday. While we are on the topic of background checks, and with our ministry fair having just occurred this past Sunday, it seems like a convenient time to revisit this issue with an article. I hope you will be open and fairminded as you read on. As far as background checks are concerned, this seems to be a far more polarizing issue than it needs to be. Continually I hear complaints that people’s trust and integrity are being questioned. Now in general, I am a very trusting person. At the same time, when we are talking about the welfare of infants, children, and developing teenagers, there is absolutely no reason to take chances. To give you an analogy; I absolutely trust Elizabeth, my daughter, with stairs. If she wants to climb the stairs alone I just get out of her way. There is one rule, though. No stairs without permission. Even though she can do it herself, I will still punish her for going up or down stairs without permission every time, no exceptions, no excuses. Obviously I do this for her safety. I want to be there for her when she has that rare slip. This is because when we are talking about a flight of stairs it only takes a little slip to become a major issue. The background check issue is the same way. It only takes a little slip, a small incident, for us to have a major issue on our hands. Following are a list of issues that background checks address: 1. Protecting children from any type of abuse by a person with a history of inflicting such abuse. 2. Protecting workers from false accusations, either by parents or students. 3. Protecting the church against an incident that would call its integrity and trust into question in a very public way. As you see, it is not very complex, but it is very serious in nature. Some people have a history that shows that they should not be around children. We have a simple way of discovering this about people. Why would we not take advantage? Of course there are some of you that have background checks on file that I trust implicitly. I would leave my girls with you without any hesitation, knowing that no harm would come their way. This is because I know you. A visitor coming into the church, though? Do they know you? Do they have ANY reason to trust you? If we want to be a family-friendly church, should we not offer peace of mind to fathers and mothers bringing their children? Should we not show them that we care about their kids too? Or is that not how we feel? When I have a difficult decision or issue in front of me, I try to take a look at it from a, “Who can win from this?” perspective. I think about it as a match against my sinful nature + Satan versus God + His will for my life. If you decide that a background check is too troubling for you to serve children in the church, who can possibly win from this? Is there any victory for God in such a decision? I can tell you one thing. If you are making this decision looking to punish someone, looking for someone to lose, then you have succeeded. Unfortunately it is not myself that is losing, nor is it the church leadership, it is the children. If you want to serve Jesus by serving children, I encourage you to see how important this is and get a background check on file with the church office.
