Coe Church of Christ March 2019 Newsletter

Staying in the

Loop

“ WE FEW, WE HAPPY FEW,

WE BAND OF BROTHERS”

These words are taken from a Shakespearean play called: “The
Life of King Henry the Fifth”. I’m not really up on Shakespeare,
in fact it’s my least favorite category on “Jeopardy”. But this
passage speaks to me and I hope to you, because everybody, or
most everybody wants to be part of something truly great. In
this play Shakespeare has King Henry appealing to his troops to
do something truly legendary.

The backdrop is that the English King Henry, has his troops on
shore in 1415 in France, and a climatic battle is before them. It
was the amazing battle of Agincourt. This battle was part of the
famous “100 Years War” (which lasted 116 years by the way).
King Henry’s army was vastly outnumbered by the French ar-
my , plus the French were wearing armor and the Brits had al-
most none. So, King Henry is encouraging his men for the
looming battle. It was to take place the next day, a feast-day in
honor of a Catholic saint, St. Crispian. King Henry is telling his
men that if they fight on this day, St. Crispian’s Day, they will
forever be proud to have been a part of it.

He says: “He that outlives this day, and comes home safe will stand a tip-toe when this day is
named, and rouse him at the name of Crispian.” Then he will strip his sleeve and show his scars,
and say, ‘“these wounds I had on Crispians’s day.’”

You see, whether we admit it or not, we want to be a part of some epic, history-changing
event...Something that is absolutely heroic… something bigger than ourselves. Henry is appeal-
ing to that passion.

We all want to be able to say: “I got these scars in the epic battle. I was there… I was a part of
that great day!”

Today, guys who actively served in WWII, or Viet Nam, etc. wear the hats from their service,
and put stickers on their car to let people know they were there and that they are proud to
have had a part in a great endeavor. We are proud and honor their service.

King Henry continues, saying that fathers will tell their sons of their exploits in this great battle, and
then he adds: “We few, we happy few, we band of brothers ...fore he today that sheds his blood with me
shall be my brother. And gentlemen in England, now a-bed shall think themselves accursed that they
were not here and hold their manhoods cheap whiles anyone speaks who fought with us upon St.
Crispian’s day.”

So Henry speaks of those who weren’t there for the heroic battle. He says that some day they’ll be
ashamed they weren’t there. And when anyone who had fought on St. Crispian’s would speak of it,
they would consider themselves accursed for having missed this great battle. Clearly, Henry is calling
his troops to greatness—but will they respond to the call?

I’m sure you’re all wondering where I’m going with this. But first...an update!

NEW MINISTER!

After a interview and personal visit, the CCC el-
dership offered Chase Rotman the ministry posi-
tion of Education/Discipleship and Youth. Chase
and his wife Danielle enthusiastically accepted
the opportunity to come and be a part of the vi-
sion and mission of Coe Church of Christ’s future.
They will be arriving the week of April 1st and
Chase’s responsibilities will begin on Sunday
April 7th. David and Heidi Gilpin have generously
opened their home for Chase and Danielle’s
short-term lodging until suitable housing is found
and secured.

FOYER AND AUDITORIUM UPGRADES!

We have currently received bids on the moving of the cherished stained-glass window from it’s current
position and relocating on the wall between the foyer and auditorium, as well as additional work on the
sound booth entrance door. The elders will be reviewing and approving the scope of work and cost
soon. This segment of our church upgrading project will be accomplished by Josh Shaffer Construction,
and at the approval of our elders will commence very soon.

We have as well accepted a price quote from Darrell Cojocar on the painting of our foyer and auditori-
um as per specified in the CCC “Footsteps of Faith” booklet. Some of the prep-work for the painting
project will be performed by some of the members of CCC’s building and grounds ministry beginning
this WEEK! If you are interesting in helping out, contact me or Jan Fowler.

Now I know that some of you can’t help physically, but perhaps you can help financially? Some of our
members have already stepped up; not only by increasing their weekly giving to support our increased
2019 budget, but by donating specifically to our upgrades! We are doing well, but we still need your
help and support. The elders have vowed to try not to incur any debt for this, and to rely solely on the
power of the Holy Spirit and the contribution of CCC members to provide. However, we don’t want our
projects to drag on forever!

Scripture tells us of a day when we will stand before God and give an account of our lives and
our use of the blessings GOD has bestowed on us. I don’t —and I’m positive you don’t either
— want to have to explain why we didn’t participate with any and all the means we have
available to us.

As you prayerfully consider how you might financially give, whether it be toward the general
budget, upgrade costs, or auditorium chairs, I encourage you to meditate on Paul’s words to
the church at Corinth, where he instructed the followers of Jesus to give freely; give sacrifi-
cially; give proportionately; give intentionally, and to give prayerfully.

I want to share with you an letter.

It’s entitled: “Why I will always belong to a church that needs money”

On July 23, 1970, my wife, Connie, gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. For three years we had
tried unsuccessfully to start a family so our joy was great with the arrival of what was to be
our only biological child. I waited in the hallway just outside the delivery room. At precisely
4:13 p.m., I heard a sound I will never forget, Lance’s first cry. The nurse emerged with a
smile and said, “You have a baby boy.”

The wonderful glow of fatherhood was soon dimmed, however, when I was asked to visit the
business office of the hospital. They wanted me to pay for Lance! In fact, it seemed to me
that my wife and child might be held hostage until the hospital bill was settled. I wrote the
check paying all the expenses in full. That check turned out to be only the first of hundreds,
maybe thousands, I would write on Lance’s behalf.

Children are expensive. There was formula and food; doctor visits and vaccinations; diapers
and toys took their toll. And clothes were a constant drain. Just about the time we built a
great wardrobe for the kid, he would grow, forcing us to start all over again.

As his age and size increased so did the expenses. Soon it was baseball gloves, Nike shoes
and uniforms. There were glasses for his eyes and braces for his teeth. And then, disaster
struck.

Lance became a teenager! Then came college. It seemed to me he would be in school until
he was forty-two years old. Expenses soared! Tuition, and books, led the long list of essential
expenditures. But, of course, just like parents everywhere, we were happy to be able to help
him and we did all we could to support his growth and his dreams.

And then, one day, Lance died.

On Halloween Day, 1991, we buried twenty-one-year-old Lance in our church’s

country cemetery. That afternoon we walked away from his grave and since that

day we have never spent another nickel on Lance. That’s how I learned it. Death

is cheap. Death can be sustained without expense. It is living that is costly. It is

growth that is expensive. Our dreams, visions, and hopes require sac-

rifice. Death doesn’t! Enough said. Denny

SUNDAY SCHOOL/WORSHIP Yep, that’s what I’ve been
9:00 AM/ 10:00AM hearing over the last couple of
weeks concerning the missing
MID-WEEK MEAL/STUDY January and February newslet-
6:00 (coffee) 6:30 (study) ters. But you see—without too
many excuses—I’ve waited to
SENIOR MINISTER be able to share discernable
Donald (Denny) Dennis progress in our upgrades and
DISIPLESHIP/EDUCATION proposals.

MINISTER And the fact is—we have made
Chase Rotman progress—GREAT PROGRESS
over the last few months. I’ll
ELDERS be sharing them with you in
Phil Leonard (chairman)
this month’s edition.
Dennis Fowler
Dick Colbry In the meantime...
David Gilpin
DEACONS This March newsletter is packed with good stuff, but we can
always use more! Perhaps YOU would like to help? I’m always
Clyde Thatcher looking for people to share a testimony, an applicable personal
Zack Rulapaugh experience, or perhaps to simply ‘report’ the church events and
OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR happenings.

Janet Fowler Think about it...you know you want to.

“Coe Church of Christ exists to PS… Like to take pictures? We sure could use someone to take
reach out to the lost, and to church pictures of events, dinners, and worship services to use
train people to maturity in
Christ through discipleship, in our publications.

Ask me about
it.

ONE SENTENCE SERMON:

“Nothing is so contagious as enthusiasm, it moves stones, it charms brutes. En-
thusiasm is the genius of sincerity, and truth accomplishes no victories without

it.”

“Blessed are the LOOKING FORWARD TO
dead who die in the
Lord...they will rest EASTER!
from their labor, for
their deeds will fol- Beginning March 27th during our regular
Wednesday evening Bible Study. Our two
low them.” groups will be combining to watch a cine-
matic viewing of the life of Jesus leading up
(Rev. 14:13) to and including
the Easter Story.
It is with heavy
hearts we say I hope that every-
goodbye to long- one will join us in
time Coe Church preparing our
of Christ member, hearts for Resurrec-
friend, and serv- tion Sunday
ant Janette Leonard. Janette passed away through the engag-
peacefully February 6th. Please keep her ing and powerful
family in prayer during this difficult time. story of Jesus
Christ!

NEW LADIES BIBLE STUDY!

Starting this month, there will be a Ladies
Bible Study, held in the church parsonage
and led by Kathy Dennis. It will be meeting
at 9:30AM on Tuesday mornings for a time
of prayer, study, refreshments, and sweet
fellowship! The study will be based on the
book by Liz Curtis Higgs (a Church of Christ
member) entitled “Bad Girls of the Bible”

If this popular and interesting study is
something you would like to be a part of,
please let Kathy know by catching her at
church or by giving her a call at 570-567-
4199. Act quickly, we would like to start
the study by March 12th.

MUSIC IN OUR WORSHIP SERVICE

“...speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and
spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your

heart to the Lord!”

Ephesians 5:19

Just as we have older people in our congregation
(senior saints), younger people in our congregation
(junior saints), and seekers (those who have not
yet made the decision about accepting Jesus as
their personal Savior), we have different styles of music as well. We have the hymns, which
have been around for hundreds of years. Hymns often tell us about God and His works and
are usually sung in the first person plural “we”. Some examples are: “We Have an Anchor”,
“We Gather Together”, “We Have Heard the Joyful Sound”, “We Praise Thee O God”, and
“What a Friend We have in Jesus”.

Contemporary songs are more understandable to the visiting non-believer and newer
Christians. They are effective in educating children and they inspire enthusiasm in younger
people for experiencing worship. Many are literal expressions of the Word of God—verses
right out of Scripture set to music. Their contribution is also enormous. When contempo-
rary songs were in the early stages, they were all about “feelings” and “my wants and de-
sires”. But just as hymns developed over the years, so did this form of music. Some exam-
ples of contemporary songs that tell the story of Jesus, his life, death, and resurrection are:
“Amazing Love”, “There is a Redeemer”, “In Christ Alone”, “How Deep the Father’s Love for
Us”, and “What a Beautiful Name”.

Many churches have opted to have two separate services on Sunday mornings—a tradi-
tional service for those wanting hymns only, and a contemporary service for those wanting
contemporary music only.

The problem with this method of “pleasing everyone” is that there are two completely sepa-
rate congregations. The traditional people not only have their own service, but they have
their own gatherings as well. The same is true for the contemporary folks. I think we can all
agree that young people need older, more mature Christians to mentor them, guide them,
and teach them. And, older people need to fellowship with the teens, the young parents,
and the children to maintain their enthusiasm, and to have hope for the future of their
church.

Change is hard for most people. Denny and I, the elders, and the Praise

Band members hope that everyone, young and old, will learn to find some

value in every song we sing on Sunday mornings! If you don’t know the

tune, listen to the words! Kathy

For those of you who like to read and miss the CCC library,
there is a small bookshelf in the south end classroom next to
the fellowship hall. We will be working on better options soon to
improve and upgrade our reading selections and library area.
But for now, bear with us, it’s the best we can do.

Saturday evening March 16th @ 7:00PM, there is a Vision-Casting meeting. If

you are interested in helping to move CCC into the future through outreach and

event planning, please attend. Everyone

Vision Casting is welcome to help us plan for the up-
coming year.

Notes from Kathy

A HUGE thank you to Sharon Fenton McCaul for the donation of a piano. Choir
rehearsals in the fellowship hall sound AMAZING! We could still use more mem-
bers. I encourage anyone who loves music to visit a rehearsal on Wednesday eve-
nings at 7:30. We are certainly a friendly bunch of people, we have a lot of fun
learning new music, and we get to know each other in a smaller setting than worship
services allow! You don’t need to be able to read music… most of the choir mem-
bers don’t! We have people in our choir who had never sung in chorus or choir in
their lives prior to joining us.

BTW ... Did you know that in a study of 3635 older adults, book readers had a 205
lower mortality risk compared with non-readers? Just think, if you read your Bible
every day, chances are you will live longer, and you get the added benefit of getting
to know what God has for you to learn!

AND… a 2016 study following 74,000 women for 20 years found that those who
attended church services more than once a week enjoyed a 33% lower mortality rate
than those who didn’t! If you don’t believe that, just come to Wednesday evening
service and see how many women we have who make it a priority to attend more
than just Sunday mornings. Lenora Leonard especially is a perfect example! So la-
dies (and men) if you want to live longer, make that extra effort to come Wednesday
evenings. We know you’ll be blessed with sweet fellowship, good teaching and dis-
cussion, and a sweet treat if you arrive by 6:15! See you there!

CHILDREN’S WING!

Thanks to Kathy Acker and Jan Fowler for the great design work on the walls of our children’s wing! The
project is moving ahead quickly with the new bright colors, Scripture verses and child-friendly themes that
are sure to make this designated area “kid” friendly and inviting. All that is left are final touches to the
murals in the hallway. We also will be painting the children classrooms and nursery! Feel free to wander—
or if your inner child takes ahold of you, skip—down the hall and see how this long-needed upgrade is coming
along!

KITCHEN AND FELLOWSHIP HALL UPGRADES!

We are currently in the process of design and cost estimates for our upgrade and revamping of the church
kitchen and fellowship hall as outlined in the “Footsteps of Faith” booklet. Rest assured kitchen workers...its
coming! It is next in line once the Children’s Wing and Foyer/Auditorium painting is finished.

Okay, back to our exciting story of King Henry!

Remember, how those that didn’t stand up and fight on St. Crispan’s Day would one day be ashamed that
they didn’t participate, and how they would consider themselves accursed for having missed the great endeav-
or? Well, perhaps we can view our upgrading as a “great endeavor” in Christ’s mission and battle to save
lost souls in our time. And I encourage all of you to find your place to participate!

News!

From Joseph to Esther to David to Timothy, God has
always used young people in big ways to do big things

for Him.

Teen and Youth Ministry BIGA THANKS!

Dear Zack and Karmen,

Over the last few months since our part-time youth minister stepped
down, you both have eagerly and willingly stepped up to fill the void of
teaching, leading, and supporting our CCC youth. Your tireless efforts
remind us how thankful we are for youth leaders. Every moment you
have spent has made a difference. The energy you have poured into our youth has created
a safe place for God to speak to them and provide them an avenue to respond to God’s call
on their lives.

So thank you...thank you for giving yourselves and sacrificing your time, money, energy,
and sleep!

Thank you for carrying burdens, lifting prayers, and celebrating milestones.

Thank you for sharing God’s Word and giving our youth a glimpse of His love and grace.

Thank you for serving with joy and laughter.

As our new minister Chase Rotman steps in to help lead this vital ministry at Coe, we as
well thank you for your willingness to continue to be involved and active despite your own
extremely busy personal lives and commitments in raising your own family!

May all of us learn from you the meaning of responsibility to a cause bigger than your-
selves—The mission of Jesus Christ in the world.

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.