Coe Church of Christ March 2018 Newsletter

Staying in the

Loop

“TURN ON THE LIGHTS!”

“Sometimes you have to do whatever it takes to bring the boys home.”

One of the gutsiest decisions ever
made by a naval commander in
WWII took place on the night of
June 20, 1944, concluding the end of
the famous “Mission Beyond Dark-
ness” during the battle of the Philip-
pine Sea. A large Japanese carrier
force was escaping, and Admiral
Marc Mitscher, the commander
aboard the USS Lexington, didn’t
want that to happen. So he sent his
pilots on what was surely a suicide
mission—flying well beyond their
fuel limit and having to return in to-
tal darkness. Standard U.S. Naval
protocol during wartime called for ships to sail in total blackout so that it would be difficult for enemy
submarines to find the fleet, let alone sink a ship. That meant the returning American pilots would
have no help finding their home carriers and landing safely upon them in total blackout conditions.

As the 200 planes and crew were returning from their successful mission, they were low on fuel and
in the moonless dark of night. Some had already run their tanks dry and ditched their planes in a des-
perate search for their carriers. That’s when Admiral Mitscher made the gutsy—and bold—
command: “Turn on the Lights!”

Immediately all of the massive floodlights in the fleet were turned on. Huge fingers of light were sent
piercing into the night sky, easily being seen 60 miles out; each one guiding and leading the way
home. Because of this gutsy move, a large number of American aviators were able to locate their
home carriers and safely land. Admiral Mitscher chose to risk the lives of his sailors to save the lives
of a few hundred airmen.

When questioned by his superiors concern his breech of War-time protocol, Mitscher stated:
“Sometimes you just have to do things like that. You have to take a risk and do whatever it takes to
bring the boys home.”

I wonder… how did the sailors—all safe and snug on their dark, shrouded ships—feel about the lights being
turned on and placing them at risk? I believe that they all would agree with their admiral’s decision to do
whatever it took to get as many souls home as possible.

Churches are often called to make gutsy decisions to bring lost people safely home as well. But how often are
we reluctant to risk our own comfort and security to reach out to those who have yet to make it home to
heaven?

Perhaps now is a good time for all of us to be reminded of how God has provided for the body here at CCC.
We are blessed with committed, future-minded elders and team leaders. You have a minister who would like
nothing more than to preach in an overflowing sanctuary and is willing to work hard to make that a reality.
Within our body we harbor musicians, writers, and artists. CCC consists of computer geeks, teachers, carpen-
ters, bankers, nurses, cooks, businessmen, tradesmen, and students. Within our wall are those who have the
gift of creativity, administration, enthusiasm, compassion and servanthood; all attributes to be used to the glo-
ry of God, the advancement of His kingdom, and the bringing safely home the lost.

Here at CCC, there are so many ministries right now for you to support, and many more great ministry ideas
for evangelism, education, and service simply in need of YOU to become a part. Bringing lost souls to the
presence of Christ is not just my responsibility as a minister, it’s your responsibility as a disciple as well.

As long as we think and act as a church of 100, we will remain a church of 100. We need to be thinking, and
acting as a church of 200, and when we have helped lead 200 lost souls to the safety of the Kingdom, we
should be thinking and acting like a church of 300, or 400. It’s that “dress for the job you want and not for the
job you’ve got” sort of thing. Now, maybe 100 satisfies you, but do you think it satisfies God?

Most people who attend smaller churches have their concerns about the church “getting too big.” “I like the
church the way it is now! What is in it for me?” I’m sure there are some that might think this, even if they

don’t say it aloud. Here’s the answer:

“It’s not about you, and it’s not about me.”

That’s the attitude Admiral Mitscher and his sailors took on that dark
night 74 years ago, and I’m sure there were many pilots (and today
their descendants) that are mighty thankful the admiral and the sailors
on board the USS Lexington took the risk.

What if someone back 30, 40, 50, or more years ago was reluctant to
make gutsy decisions and help their church in a way that was needed
to bring YOU and your family to Christ? What if they had said: “I like
the church the way it is now. What’s in it for me? I’m safe and secure.”
Where would you be today?

We need to ALWAYS REMEMBER, the church doesn’t exist only for the
benefit of those who got here first or are safely here now—it exists for
those we haven’t reached yet! The church’s priority must be for those
who are lost in the darkness, for those hoping and praying that some-
one cares enough, and is brave enough, to turn on the lights that they might be led home.

That’s why God gave you gifts and talents—so that you might use those abilities to do something for oth-
ers—just as someone did in the past for you.
God has blessed this body with everything we need to truly be beacons of light for all who are lost.
I pray that you all have the unshakable conviction that God wants our body here at CCC to grow.
Still reluctant to be involved in the church growth?
Here are three Biblical reasons:

1. Because God loves people.

“The Lord...is patient, not wanting anyone to perish, but wants everyone to come to repentance.” (2nd
Peter 3:9)

2. Because God commands us to reach out.

“Go out into the country...and urge anyone you find to come in, so that MY house will be full.” (Luke
14:23)

3. Because growth is God’s will.

Under Christ’s control, the whole Body is nourished...and grows as God wants it to grow.” (Colossians
2:19)

I’m calling on everyone to step up in your prayers, in your tithes and offerings, and in your
willing participation to move forward in the vision and commission that Christ (not I), has set
before you to “turn on the lights” and do whatever it takes to bring as many people home
as we can

Denny

Reaching for the switch...

P.S. Speaking about turning o lights! In our April newsletter we will be addressing many
new and exciting changes that are now realities. I will be sharing with you ideas to update
our auditorium and foyer to enhance worship. Plus we will explore some new programs,
the return of other proven programs, and lots more ALL in preparation for future growth.
I can’t wait to share all that is happening with you!

Comments, suggestions and contributions to CCC’s “Staying in the Loop”
newsletter are always welcome. The church office, Denny, and overseeing
elder do however reserve the right to edit, omit, or enhance any contribu-
tions or pictures to be published.

You Still Have Time!

What if what happened then...changes everything now?

SUNDAY SCHOOL (to participate in the last 3 episodes)
10:00 AM Episode Five: “I Have the Promise of Eternal Life”
WORSHIP Episode Six: “I Have Hope that Never Dies”
11:00AM
Whether you have been a Christian for a long time
MID-WEEK MEAL/STUDY or are new in your faith, these episodes present the
5:30 (meal) 6:30 (study) Easter message in a profound way that won’t be
forgotten. Teaching minister Kyle Idleman brings
MINISTER the passion and resurrection of Jesus to life
Donald (Denny) Dennis through storytelling and challenging teaching.
Come and find out how what happened then helps
ELDERS us to understand why it matters—and how it im-
Phil Leonard (chairman) pacts—our lives today!

Dennis Fowler
Bob McCaul
Dick Colbrey
DEACONS
Clyde Thatcher
Zach Rulapaugh
Matt Shattuck
OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR
Janet Fowler

“Coe Church of Christ
exists to reach out to the
lost, and to train people

to maturity in Christ

One Sentence Sermon

The problem is, many of the people in need of saving are in churches, and at least part of
what they need saving from is the idea that God sees the world, and the running of HIS

Church, the same way they do.”

Can I tell you something special?
Sharing only what I know;
Easter week is coming,
The Bible tells us so.

We’ll celebrate Christ’s story,
It really should be shared.

To remind us of our blessing,
That all might be prepared.
Christ’s story has no ending,

But gives us hope anew.
Of love, mercy, and brand new life,

Through Christ, for me and you.

Hey, I might not be a poet, but I can tell you something special! There are lots of
great things happening for our Easter Weekend Celebration!

EASTER WEEKEND SCHEDULE
March 30th—A special Good Friday service of special music, reflection,
and communion. Begins at 7:00PM
Easter Sunday, April 1st— “Sonrise” service beginning at 7:00AM
(inside)

A fellowship breakfast immediately following

Bible study at 10:00AM

Resurrection Sunday Worship at 11:00AM

Here at CCC, we are committed to an “every
member ministry.” In our homes, we don’t ex-
pect our guests to do the dishes when we have a
dinner party. But the family is! Thus, guests of
our church are not expected to take part (although
always welcome) in the church’s ministries. But
the family is!
If you are regularly attending here, then we’ve got
a job for you! There are many ways to discover
how you can serve the Lord in the best way here
as part of our church family (Those attending Da-
vid Gilpin’s Christianity 301 study know this). You know, if everyone donated only one hour per
week, we’d have over 100 hours of work being done! Each of us is a part of the puzzle—we all fit
in somewhere. When it comes to church work, it’s like an Amish barn raising...everyone takes a
corner of the work!
It comes down to this...We show that we are a part of the family by doing some of the household
chores.
CCC is growing. We have much to do and even more we want to do in the coming year. Won’t
you help?

And there is always a little bit of truth in humor!

Torch has been going strong for two
months now and we have no intention of
slowing down! We just returned from a
weekend trip to Kalamazoo, where the
students heard about the story of David.
The weekend message was “P.S. It Gets
Better.” David’s life was a rollercoaster
from the start to finish, full of ups and
downs. He wasn’t perfect, but in those
valleys, David called out to God and God

led him out of them.

It was a fun but exhausting trip, but we’re ready to get back to our current series
called “Haters,” a study about how we as humans tend to judge more then we should.
The series is all about giving students strategies about how to avoid becoming judging
“haters” and learning to give grace and show love to those around them. We are cur-
rently in week two of three for this lesson set.

Next, we are going to jump into our two-week Easter series called “Back to Life.”
Sometimes it’s easy to think our worlds are falling apart when things don’t always go
the way we plan. Yet, our God is a god of resurrection and is always bringing our sto-
ries back to life when we think we’ve been abandoned.

Flashing forward to summer for a quick second, we are waiting to see if we are able to
get into the MOVE conference put on at Hope College by CIY.
It’s a week-long camp where students are immersed in the
Word and will experience a week of camp like they’ve never had
before. We will keep you updated on more stuff coming up for
TORCH in the coming weeks!

Eric

WANT TO HELP OUT OUR YOUTH?

“When we who are aged run out of empathy, when we forget our own childhoods, when we neglect the spiritual
growth of those who follow, shame on us, for our work in this world is over.”

It’s easy! Just bring in your empty pop/soda cans and place them in the collec-
tion box in the church foyer. These cans are turned in and the money is used to
finance youth events and trips.

P.S. We accept donations as well!

And the Lord Added!

Will Lanning accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior and came
forward to be baptized on Sunday, March 4th. PRAISE GOD
for Will’s new life in Christ!

“THE CHURCH YOU’VE ALWAYS LONGED FOR”

A new sermon series beginning in April.

“In the Beginning”
“The Toughest Job You Ever Loved”
“Outside the Box”
“Welcoming Arms”
“Towers or Tables”

These are just some of the sermons on the way.

I had better get busy.

MINISTRY TEAM LEADERS…
Do you want to have your events and happenings
announced on the Sunday morning Family Life News
slides?
Would you like the ministry highlighted in the month-
ly newsletter?
Good stuff is happening here, and it makes sense to
share it with everyone. But I need help. It would aid
me greatly if you can get me the information about
your ministry activities by the second Sunday of
each month for the newsletter, (or write your own ar-
ticle) and at least two weeks before the event to be
placed on the FLN (Family Life News). slides.