Issue No. 3 Volume No. 29 March 1, 2020

the Sojourner A monthly publication of LaCenter Christian Church

414 Walnut Street, LaCenter, KY 42056 phone: 270.665.5586 I email: office@lacenterchristianchurch.org I online: lacenterchristianchurch.org

There came a time that we know at least James be-lieves! He didn't believe when his brother was being baptized and the Holy spirit descended like a dove, he didn't believe after seeing all the miracles and was not astonished by his teachings as were many. He didn't believe when he saw Jesus’ agonizing death and heard word of the Resurrection. Yet the day came in James' life that it all changed and he did believe! What day was that? "Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day ac-cording to the Scriptures, 5 and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. 6 After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. 7 After that He was seen by JAMES, then by all the apostles." 1Corinthians 15:1-6. When Jesus appeared to James and he saw, we have the first indication that he believed!! And subsequent-ly went on to be a pillar of the Church and even wrote a book that bears his name! Why did James not identify himself in this letter as brother or anyone for that matter? Was it because James knew his identity was not as Jesus' earthly half brother? James wasn't riding the coat tail of Jesus. It wasn't an accolade on his resume, just James! He knew who he was and the readers knew. "James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, He is recorded in secular history as, "James the Just." A man historically who went to the temple to pray long and hard on his knees before God, which is how he earned the nickname "camel knees" as is recorded that his knees were like that of camels for he spent so

When I first began providing pulpit supply for the church last year, I began to preach to the Book of James. I had taken a hiatus from that preaching series for Advent and a New Year series in January on Acts 2:42. I am excited to have recently returned to it and to be in chapter 5 where we will finish in a few weeks. It seems fitting to me to give you here a summary of the person and book of James. James who? He doesn't say. The text only says, "James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ..." (James 1:1). This brief introduc-tion of himself doesn't identity him. Yet, there is a strong likelihood that it is the half- brother of Jesus. This is my studied position that I have taken as I have approached the book of James. We often forget that Jesus was not an only child that he had other brothers and sisters, or more apt to say, half brothers and sisters. Jesus had brothers and sisters whose father was Joseph and Mary their mother. Remem-ber, Joseph was not Jesus' biological father though he raised him as his own. Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit. I'm sure that it was difficult for Jesus' siblings to grow up with him, because he literally could do no wrong. The Bible tells us that his brothers and sisters did not be-lieve in him as the Messiah.

First we read, "Then He went out from there and came to His own country, and His disciples followed Him. And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, say-ing, "Where did this Man get these things? And what wis-dom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands! Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of JAMES, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?" So they were offended at Him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house." Mark 6:1-4.

Secondly, "And when his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for they were saying, "He is out of his mind.” Mark 3:2. Thirdly, "For even his brothers did not believe." John 7:5.

The Pastor’s Pen — Pastor Brent Easton

Praise and Prayer Concerns

Praises Praise God for His mercy and grace! Praise God for our freedom to worship publicly! Praise God for the peace that only He can give! Praise God for families restored! Meredith Minister had a good health report! Jerry Dunn has a good health report! David Robinson is improving! Dean Podolak spoke for the first time! Ken Eidson is recovering from a heart attack!

Grieving

Our Military Personnel Gage Jacobs Tyler DeReeza-Bahrain Richard Gregg-Abroad Landon Brown

Ongoing Prayer Needs Those who do not know Jesus Christ as their Savior Persecuted Christians Area Churches Victims of Violence Victims of Natural Disasters Recovery Workers The Homeless Guidance for our Nation Those caught in addictions Those incarcerated

Those Battling Cancer Meredith Minister Michelle Henry Allen Glen Dunn Karen Hargrove-lung Jerry Dunn-melanoma Ginger Thomas Lois LaVow Bill Kilby-leukemia Olivia Bryant-brain tumor Kathy Myatt Gwen DeReeza Dennis Madison Debbie Wilmoth Carly Gensler Cary Peal Sharon Cornett Angel Thompson

Others with Concerns Will Jones & family Glenda Cooper-foot Jeff Gough-knee surgery Holly Poole-skin graphs Charlie Quinton Michael Dowdy-TMJ Jack Henry Holland Linda Easton-back Patty Hall-heart Dean Podolak Justin Davidson-kidneys Freda’s grandson– A.J. Mike Thomas Mary Carol Shaw Buddy Curtis Clara Kilby Shannon Ryan Cole Miller Cody Church

Homebound Nancy Graves (LifeCare) Jimmy McGullion (home) John F. Cooper (LifeCare)

much time kneeling. James was humble and he found his identity in being a BOND-SERVANT OF CHRIST! A slave! He was bound to Jesus, not as a half brother but as his Lord and SAVIOUR The Christ!!! Readers were as James greeted them... "To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad." James knew who he was and the readers did as well! Imagine this letter arrives at the first home and the excitement in the home, "It's from James!" He obviously had a very strong pastoral connection within and as a result he can say the things that he says to them. But he wanted to encourage them and support them.

Much had gone on in Jerusalem. Many people had to flee, were dis-persed or exiled, and this of course is how the Church expanded! James wanted to write them very

practical applications to their lives, and how to live having been dis-persed. The book of James is part epistle, part letter, part sermon and wisdom literature and unfortunately has been seen by some as insignificant. I present it to you as it is, the Word of God. I commend it to you. I en-courage you to read it several times so you get all you can out of it! In April edition I hope to bring you more of an overview of the content of the book!

Pastor Brent

Dear LaCenter Christian Church, Thank you for your gift to Paducah Lifeline Ministries. Your sup-port makes it possible for staff and volun-teers to passionately invest in the lives of men and women to provide them with Christ-centered solutions. May you take a moment to reflect on how powerful it is to change the course of someone’s life as we at Lifeline take a moment to once again say thank you for being part of this story. Sincerely, Paducah Lifeline Ministries Dear Pastor and Congregation, Thank you for your recent dona-tion to Merryman House Domestic Crisis Center. Our mission is to “Save, Build and Change the lives of those affected by domestic violence.” Your gift makes that mission possible. You help us to provide each per-son with advocacy, empowerment an transformation with compassion, dignity and courage. Your donation does make a difference. Thank you for helping us Save, Build and Change lives! In Service Mary Foley, Executive Director We’ve been blessed with wonderful spe-cial music during our Sunday morning Worship Services from Hosanna Easton, Debby Dulworth, H.D. Williams and Shane Jones. We’d love to hear from you too. Maybe you’re not wanting to sing a solo, but have a special song in mind you’d like to include as a congregational hymn. Please contact Vicki Gough or K.K. Wil-liams. We are always looking for ways to enhance worship through song.

If you would like a note sent to someone on the prayer list, send your request to the church email at office@lacenterchristianchurch.org.

March 2020

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3 Prayer Meeting Noon

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Donna Stone

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY Sharon Dershimer

5 6 HAPPY BIRTHDAY Mark Tyler

7 Move clocks forward before going to bed tonight!

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY Jordan Gough

10 Prayer Meeting Noon

11 Board Meeting 6:30p.m.

12 HAPPY ANNIVERSARY Toby & Debby Dulworth

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17 Prayer Meeting

Noon HAPPY BIRTHDAY Melanie Bristoe Rachel Woolen HAPPY ANNIVERSARY Wayne & Mary Nell Dunn

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10am Sunday School 11am Worship Service 6pm Bible Study

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Prayer Meeting Noon

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29 9am Breakfast 10am Sunday School 11am Worship Service 6pm Bible Study

30 31 Prayer Meeting Noon

10am Sunday School 11am Worship Service 6pm Bible Study

PRAYER GROUP PRAYER GROUP Join us every Tuesday at noon in the Fellowship Hall.

10am Sunday School 11am Worship Service 6pm Bible Study

CONTACT US Pastor: Bro. Brent Easton Phone: 270-665-5586 Email: office@lacenterchristianchurch.org Online: lacenterchristianchurch.org Facebook: lacenterchristianchurch

SUNDAY SERVICE SCHEDULE Sunday School 10:00am Morning Worship 11:00am Bible Study 6:00pm

STAMP HERE

The Sojourner is a monthly publication of LaCenter Christian Church PO Box 270 LaCenter KY 42056

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

If you would like to make a donation to Ballard Memorial's Project Graduation, please send your check to:

BMHS Project Graduation 2020 c/o Kim Bailey, Treasurer 3465 Paducah Road Barlow KY 42024

BALLARD MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL PROJECT

Sunday Evening Bible Study Has Begun! 6:00 p.m. It's one thing for the pastor to say, "study the Bible" it's quite another to know HOW!!!! 26 people joined us for our first Sunday evening as we em-barked upon a new study. The preach-er in me loves to PREACH THE WORD, The Teacher in me loves to TEACH PEOPLE HOW TO UNDERSTAND IT! We will not just learn the Bible but learn how to study it. Pastor Brent Our daily devotional book, “the Secret Place”, for the months of March, April and May is now available at all entrances to the church building. Our Wonderfully Wise enjoyed our meal so much at Our Daily Bread restaurant in Eddyville, that we forgot to take a picture of our group! We enjoyed delicious sandwiches on home-made bread and yummy desserts too. Stay tuned for infor-mation on our next outing. We are ready for Spring!

Ballard County Middle School has begun a fundraiser to send next year’s eighth grade students on a special trip in the fall of 2020. The 8th grade Social Studies teacher, Mrs. Carol Wiggins is planning their trip to Gettysburg, Philadel-phia, and Washington, D.C. If you would like to make a donation to this venture, please send your check to: Ballard Co. Middle School c/o Carol Wiggins 3565 Paducah Road Barlow KY 42024

It’s that time again! March 29 is a Fifth Sunday of the month, and the men of the church will be providing a good ole fashion breakfast that morning at 9:00a.m. before Sunday School begins at 10:00a.m. Please join us for eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits, gravy and maybe even a pancake at spe-cial request. If you’re not a breakfast eater, join us any-way for a cup of coffee and wonderful fellowship before studying God’s word.