Amelia Church of Christ - Christian Church in Amelia, OH near Cincinnati in Clermont County

Preparation

I spent the day yesterday working on my 2007 sermon schedule.  My goal was to have it finished by the beginning of this year, but that just didn’t happen.  Thankfully I made some serious progress on it yesterday.  I now have my schedule planned through October. 

There are several sermon series that I’m really looking forward to this year.  We have some creative and unique teaching opportunities mapped out.  As I put the finishing touches on my schedule yesterday, it reinforced something that I’ve always known.  God blesses people who prepare.

If you want a Biblical example of this, just look at Nehemiah.  God blessed Nehemiah and his mission to rebuild the walls around Jerusalem.  But that blessing came, in part, because Nehemiah had logged many hours of prayer, work, and preparation in advance.  Then, when the opportunity to build the walls was presented to him, he was ready to go.

I feel so much better knowing that I have my messages planned out far in advance.  I won’t be scrambling week to week, wondering what I’m going to talk about on Sunday.  I already know.  Now obviously this plan has flexibility.  If something needs to be addressed at a certain time, then I can rearrange the plan and make it work.  But on the whole, I know where I’m going and that’s a good feeling.

One of the strides I hope to see our church family make in 2007 is in the area of preparedness.  There have been times when we were really prepared for something and it showed.  There have also been times when something was done last-minute and that showed as well. 

If we’re doing something for God, then that something deserves our prayer AND our preparation.  By doing so, it simply opens up more avenues for God to bless our efforts.

Here’s a good formula to follow:  Pray like it depends on God.  Work like it depends on you.

Praying and Preparing,

Mike

We have ordered our devotional books for our Developing a Servant’s Heart  campaign.  If you ordered a book and haven’t paid for it yet, please drop your payment in the offering on Sunday.  Be sure to write “Devotional Book” in the check’s memo line.  The pricing guide is as follows:
1 book - $8.00
2 books - $15.00
3 books - $23.00
4 books - $30.00

Luminous Student Ministries

"Our quest is to illuminate the truth of Jesus for the world in a manner that inspires everyone to live courageously committed and devoted to His call."

LUMINOUS ACTIVITIES & PROGRAMS

SUPERBOWL PARTY - February 4th
Hey! It's time for a PARTY! A SUPER Party! A SuperBOWL Party!. February 4th, at 5:00 PM.
The location is the Morrissey's. This event is open to anyone who wants to come and all you need to bring with you is a 2-liter and a snack to share with everyone. Prizes will be awarded so we'll see you there.

Q07 - January 24th
beep....beep....beep....beep....It's time for "24." Our new series kicks off next week as we take a look at how to live for God 24-7. What risks are you taking in your life that are holding you back from a steady relationship with God? Come find out the covert tactics we use to try to avoid God and how to covertly win our friends and family to Christ.

VERTICAL GROUPS
Girls Vertical Group will meet tomorrow, Thursday, January 18th.
Guys Vertical Group will meet Tuesday, January 23rd.

SPAM
It's N.T. people Part I this Sunday morning at 9:30AM

30 HOUR FAMINE LOCK-IN - February 23rd - 24th
Get your serve ON! It's time to NOT pack a lunch, NOT bring food to share, and NOT have eating contests! Come out and enjoy an evening of fun and a service project as we PURPOSELY starve ourselves for 30 hours n order to understand the struggles that others face and just how blessed we truly are!

Worship News

WORSHIP WEEKEND - March 23rd - 25th
Worship Weekend at Amelia Church of Christ with guest host Jason Miller. Come and understand how to live a lifestyle of worship, how to lead worship, and what worship is all about.  More information coming soon...

APEX
APEX is Back! February 3rd.

CHAPEL SERVICE
The next Chapel Service will be held this Sunday, January 21st at 6:00PM.

PRAISE TEAM
Team A will NOT practice this Sunday night.

APEX PRACTICE
The Apex Worship Band will practice this Sunday night at 3:30PM.

Upcoming Events

Hearts Dinner Dance - Friday, February 9th
The Hearts Dinner Dance will be held at Eastgate Receptions from 6:30 pm - 10:30 pm.  It is open to anyone high school age and older.  Feel free to ask a friend or two to join us for a night of dinner and dancing.  Cost is $18.00 per person.  Make checks payable to Amelia Church of Christ.  Sign up by Sunday, February 4th. For more information, see Dawn Coppola.

Woodland Lakes Co-ed Volleyball
Spring volleyball at Woodland Lakes begins March 5th.  If you would like to play, please sign up in the foyer by February 11th.  Games are played on Monday and Tuesday nights, so be sure to sign up for the night you want to play on.  Teams are limited to the first 8 people who sign up for each night.  The cost is $215 per team and the cost will be split among the players.  For more information, see John Bach.

ACC Websites:

• www.ameliachurchofchrist.com
• www.ameliakidzone.com
• www.ameliasportscamp.com
• www.ameliastudents.com
• www.ameliasmallgroups.com
• www.mikeedmisten.com