“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” James 4:8
Daily Bible Reading: Matthew 1:1 – 2:23 (“Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old and under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men.”)
This Week’s Memory Verse: “And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” Hebrews 4:13
Scroll down this page for a list of prayer requests.
A New Quarter Of Bible Classes officially begins this evening. We hope you will plan to join us online for these studies. Two new adult classes will be offered: Michael Rasnake will teach “Paul In The Book of Acts”, and Tim Hall will teach “Visions And Dreams In The Bible” on the Zoom platform. An email will go out later today with all the details and links for this evening’s studies.
Easing The Restrictions: As announced yesterday, the elders have decided to open our Sunday morning worship service to those over the age of 65, provided their health does not put them at heightened risk. If you choose to continue worshiping at home due to your health, it is not a sin; in fact it is good judgment, as it has always been. Also, families with children ages 10 and above are welcome to join us for worship as long as children are kept under close supervision and sit with their households.
Some Restrictions Remain: Though some things will be eased, the elders still expect everyone who attends worship at Central to wear a face covering and to practice social distancing. These safe practices remain the recommendations of our governor as well as the CDC. If you do not have a mask, you will be given one upon entry into our building.
Additional Safety Guidelines: (1) If you have any symptoms of an illness, please worship with us online. Everyone who enters our building will be screened for fever with a touchless thermometer. (2) If you have recently traveled to an area where the incidence of COVID-19 is high or where social distancing is not practiced, we ask that you remain at home a few days before joining us for worship at the building. (3) When exiting the building at the conclusion of worship, please avoid stopping to visit with others until you have cleared the building. Even in the parking lot you are asked to observe social distancing.
A Drive-Around Baby Shower is scheduled for Saturday, June 27 from 10:00 until 11:30 for Marie and Earl Johnson and their baby boy, due to arrive next month. They are registered at Target and Pottery Barn Kids. No clothing is needed for sizes birth – 12 months. Hostesses are Sarah Booher, Mary Tolley, and Meredith Brewer.
Remember These In Prayer:
Karen Stevens is scheduled to undergo a thoracentesis today, a procedure to draw fluid from her right lung in hopes of helping her breathing. She asks for our prayers.
Ann Booton will undergo outpatient surgery this Thursday to repair a root tear to her meniscus.
Bonnie Franklin is scheduled to undergo outpatient cataract surgery on Thursday. Becky Blacklidge, her daughter, asks for our prayers for all to go well.
Ashley Doyle is recovering at home from spinal fusion surgery that was done last week. Our prayers for her continued healing and relief have been requested.
Charles Lankford, father of Stacy Rice, has been hospitalized in Texas for the last several days with a bacterial infection in his blood that caused him to go into septic shock. This has led to other problems that have resulted in him being on dialysis. Stacy asks for our prayers as difficult decisions must be made about his care.
The mother of Kate Frakes, daughter-in-law of Sheila and David Frakes, is scheduled for triple-bypass surgery today in Australia (which likely has already happened by the time you read this). Pray that she will recover well from this surgery.
Will Terry, son of former Central member Adam Terry and his wife Catherine, continues to make progress in his recovery from head trauma. He remains at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital, but is getting near to being transferred to a children’s rehabilitation hospital in Atlanta. Keep your prayers going for this young one, as well as for his parents and grandparents. Becky and Brent Terry, his paternal grandparents, are also former members of Central.
Mary Bracale, friend of Cole Heaton, came through her spinal fusion surgery on Tuesday at Johnson City Medical Center. Dan Heaton reported Tuesday evening that she did well, and is expected to make a full recovery. Thanks have been sent for all of the prayers offered for her.
David Harwood, brother-in-law of Dean Neal, is in ICU at Johnson City Medical Center with pneumonia and complications from liver disease. Dean reported on Tuesday that he is unresponsive and has been put on DNR status. She asks for our prayers for him.
Sam Haywood, uncle of Tim Haywood, has been diagnosed with COVID-19. He asks that we pray for Sam’s improvement, especially as he is not a Christian.
Eddie Holsclaw, cousin of Rebekah Hunt and son of Willie and Leota Holsclaw of the Elizabethton Church of Christ, was admitted to Johnson City Medical Center on Monday with symptoms that suggested a heart attack. Rebekah asks for our prayers for Eddie.
What I Can Do: * “I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do. And by the grace of God I will.” (Edward Everett Hale) * “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 4:10,11)
