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Time to Give Thanks
By
Pastor Larry Bennett
"Church” never stops. Ministry takes place in homes, parking lots, football fields, classrooms and the most unlikely places with the most unlikely people. So much goes on here at The Chapel in North Canton -- things that go unseen and unheard. The following excerpts are just snapshots of a few comments and events that have happened behind the scenes.
“I have come to see God in a new way.”
James Robertson, Sr. High Pastor, does a chapel service for a local high school football team and young men hear that there is more to life than winning a game -- there is eternity.
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What I overheard from high school students...
“These people have become like my family.”
“I know that I am accepted here…it’s such a positive environment.”
“I have come to see God in a new way.”
“My ‘church’ friends keep me going.”
“I have realized how judgmental I am towards others.”
“Most of my faith was being Jesus on the outside, but now I know it starts with being Jesus on the inside.” |
Mike McCartney, Pastor of Adults & Family Ministry, helped a young couple who thought hope was gone for their marriage, find direction and the beginning of healing.
Happy Peterson, Jr. High Pastor, routinely ministers to young teens in the midst of life circumstances. One middle school mom said it used to be a battle to get her son to go to church, but after a friend invited him to The Chapel, he now gets himself up early each Sunday and walks to church on his own.
Frank Yost, Children’s Ministry Pastor, discovered that “Penguins + Time Machines = Kids Coming to Christ” as this year’s Vacation Bible School saw over 40 children trust in Christ, 9 people baptized (8 children and one adult), and over 200 kids participating every day for six days.
Our AWANA program this year also has over 100 kids attending weekly Wednesday night Bible studies, and these children come from all over the area -- from our church,
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churches and from families who don’t attend any church, yet feel a strong need for their children to learn more about God. The outreach opportunities from AWANA have been tremendous!
A recent visitor found herself amazed with our “worshipful music” and a message that held her attention. She shared with Pastor Bennett that, based on her past experience, it was “unusual for church to be so enjoyable!”
“I came to this church because my daughter didn’t know Jesus and I heard that your church taught about Him.”
After hearing Pastor Bennett’s message about the gods and idols of our lives, a man makes a decision to commit to putting Christ first in his life.
Our entire music ministry has grown tremendously! Our choir continues to grow and bless us with worshipful music each Sunday.
Our long-term and short-term missions projects continually amaze us as we see the Lord work through our youth and missionaries in areas like Ecuador, Mexico, South Africa, Turkey and many other needy areas around the world.
Take a moment this Thanksgiving holiday to pause and reflect on the many blessings, big and small, given us each day by our gracious God.
The Purpose Driven Church Study Continues ...
 Sign up for a CHAPEL HOME GROUP today
and begin your spiritual journey!
During the week of November 16, Chapel Home Groups will begin another six-week study on the purpose-driven church series. ANYONE can sign up at the display table in the Lobby -- whether you’re returning to Home Groups or signing up for the first time! The book we will be studying is called:
Connecting with God’s Family - A Study on Fellowship
Each individual believer was created by God for a purpose, so if you have ever wondered why God put you on this planet, this study series is for you. The “Doing Life Together” study curriculum is based on the best-selling books The Purpose Driven Life and The Purpose Driven Church by Rick Warren, and focuses on five areas in a Christian’s life: Worship, Fellowship, Discipleship, Evangelism and Ministry.
Discover Your Purpose - Deliver Your Potential
JOIN A CHAPEL HOME GROUP TODAY - New Groups Start November 16, 2003
Discover Your Purpose - Deliver Your Potential
JOIN A CHAPEL HOME GROUP TODAY
and Allow God to Make His Home in Your Heart.
Visit our display in the lobby or feel free to contact any of the following Home Group leaders for more information about the Purpose-Driven Life Studies:
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Paul & Shirley Cruciani
2904 Sutherland Circle NW
North Canton, OH 44720
(330) 966-1817
(Tuesday Nights) |
Doug & Connie Kandel
1221 49th Street NW
Canton, OH 44709
(330) 497-2822
(Tuesday Nights) |
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Mike & Sandy Detweiler
w/Clyde & Nancy Caes
8835 Appleknoll St NW
Massillon OH 44646
(330) 832-1319
(Thursday Nights) |
Dan & Tammy McDevitt
8996 Appleknoll St NW
Massillon OH 44646
(330) 834-0012
(Monday Nights) |
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Skip & Lynn Doerschuk w/
Wendell & Laurie Skelley
1907 Diamond NE
Canton OH 44721
(330) 497-7034
(Sunday Nights) |
Dan & Sharon Rhoads
2523 Woodchuck St. NE
Canton, OH 44705
(330) 492-1873
(Wednesday Nights) |
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Joe & Patty Fitler
1102 Woodrow St NW
North Canton, OH 44720
(330) 966-0393
(Monday Nights) |
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What are Home Groups?
Home Groups are small groups of six to seventeen adults who meet in homes on various nights throughout the week. Members study the Bible, pray for each other, support and love one another, and reach out to others in need of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Home Groups are “Caring Groups” and they are key elements in helping us experience the
 relationships and intimacy necessary within the Body of Christ. Members of Home Groups strive with one another to achieve goals of identification, love, caring and accountability to God.
Home Groups are “Covenant Groups” and pledge affirmation and acceptance, availability, prayer, honesty, feedback, sensitivity and confidentiality.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS for
Nov/Dec 2003
| November |
| Sat
Nov 08 |
Single Parenting Seminar with Mary Perdue 6-8:30 PM
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| Sun
Nov 09 |
Healthy Family Seminar with Jim Burns, 3-6 PM,
Youth Building
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Annual Congregational Meeting 7:00 PM Chapel members are encouraged to attend; a quorum is needed to conduct
business.
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| Sat
Nov 15 |
Men’s Fraternity Breakfast
- 7:30-9:00 am, Family Life Center
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| Sun
Nov 16 |
9:00
& 10:30 am - Pastor Bennett - “Between a Rock and a Hard Place”
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Operation Christmas Child gift boxes due by noon, Chapel Kitchen
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| Thu
Nov 20 |
MOPS
(Mothers of Preschoolers) Meeting 7-9 PM, ABF 3
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| Sun
Nov 23 |
9:00
& 10:30 am - Pastor Bennett - “How to Enjoy
Life”
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New Members Class, 3-5:30 PM in ABF #3
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Adopt-a-Family Sign Up Forms Due
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| Sun
Nov 30 |
9:00
& 10:30 am - Pastor Bennett - “Bringing Balance to Life”
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Infant Dedication
Service, following 10:30 am service
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| Looking Ahead to
December… |
| Sat
Dec 6 |
Ladies Christmas Tea 2:00 PM, Family Life Center
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| Sun
Dec 7 |
9:00
& 10:30 am - Pastor Bennett - “How to Change Your World”
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| Thu
Dec 18 |
MOPS
(Mothers of Preschoolers) Christmas Party and Cookie Exchange 7-9 PM
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| Sun
Dec 21 |
Musical Christmas Celebration
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| Wed
Dec 24 |
Christmas Eve Services
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 Chapel missions
Spotlight on...
Alaska & Canada
We hope many of you were able to meet and visit with our two missionary families from Spain: John & April McDuffee, ministering in Madrid; and Sam & Jill Tabiendo who are serving in Zaragoza. In November and December, two more families will be returning home:
Bill & Michele Diggins, through Gospel Missionary Union, work with youth at the Echo Ranch Bible camp in Auke Bay, Alaska, during the summer. When the ranch closes for the summer, they live on Prince of Wales Island and minister at a small church there and help run a Bible Club for kids. They have three children: Abigail (8 years old), Carina (5) and Seth (3). Bill and Michele will be visiting The Chapel November 9 and speaking in
ABFs.
Bob & Marlene Reed, have been ministering to the Cree Indians and residents of Anzac, Canada, since 1993 and founded the Willow Lake Baptist Church in Anzac. After raising funds for 8-1/2 years, the church celebrated the dedication of a new church building in 2001, after spending those years meeting in a converted WWII army barracks that had no Sunday School or washroom facilities. The Reeds will flying home to spend their first Christmas with their grandchildren this year.
Visit our Missions Display in the Lobby
to learn more about missions in Alaska and Canada.
 Operation Christmas Child
Who:
The Chapel in North Canton, along with other churches and organizations around the globe.
What:
Operation Christmas Child is a unique project of Christian relief and evangelism to children in desperate situations around the world. It is distributed by Samaritan’s Purse, founded by Franklin Graham.
Where:
Children from all over the world will receive Christmas gift boxes with the Good News of Jesus Christ.
When:
Our collection date is November 16. Each Sunday brochures will be available in the church lobby.
Why:
To share the true meaning of Christmas with needy children and their families.
How:
1. Sign up and get brochure(s) in the lobby.
2. Follow instructions in the brochure on how to complete the gift box.
3. Bring box(es) to the church kitchen on or before noon on Sunday, November 16, 2003.
Questions? Call Sheri Miller at (330) 644-1535 or Ruth Lair at (330) 453-6819.
What Is an
ABF?
An ABF is a congregation within a congregation. As the church gets larger people need to be in smaller, more intimate groups for in-depth Bible study, prayer and fellowship that is not possible in a worship service. ABFs are one way of meeting this need.
An ABF should be viewed as a long term, friendship-fostering commitment. Consider the following when choosing an ABF: age, life stages, interests, level of spiritual development, parenting circumstances, presence of friends, and Bible study approach. Using this criteria will enable you to find a group of people with whom you can fellowship for many years.
ABFs Meeting at the 9:00 Hour
Classroom #1 - Someone Special Singles
Teachers: Dick Van Scoder & Paul Newmeyer
• Singles of all ages, male & female
Note: Starting Sunday, 9/21/03, Someone Special Singles will move to the Library at the 9:00 hour
• Young Couples ABF will start on 9/21/03 in Classroom #1 at the 9:00 hour. Teacher: Heath Sizick. This ABF is for young, engaged and newly married couples.
Classroom #2 - Kindred Spirit
Teachers: Clyde Caes & Mike Hepler
• Individuals/couples age 40’s and older
Classroom #3 - In His Steps
Leaders: Rob & Kim Testa and Mitch & Erin Madenfort
Teachers: Jerry Richter, Tim Miller & Dave Elliott
• Mostly couples in their 20’s - 40’s
Library - Someone Special Singles (starting 9/21)
Teachers: Dick Van Scoder & Paul Newmeyer
• Singles of all ages, male & female
ABFs Meeting at the 10:30 Hour
Classroom #1 - Crossroads
Teachers: Dave Johnson & Chris Lazaroff
• Individuals of all ages
Note: Starting Sunday, 9/21/03, Crossroads ABF will meet in the Library at the 10:30 hour
• “18 to 24” ABF will start on 9/21/03 in Classroom #1 at the 10:30 hour. Teacher: Pastor Happy Peterson. This class is for single, college & career adults in the 18-to-24 age group.
Classroom #2 - Joy Sowers
Teachers: Randy Ross & Hank VanHala
• Individuals/couples of all ages
Classroom #3 - Heritage Builders
Teacher: Pastor Mike McCartney
• Couples with children of all ages
Library - Crossroads (starting 9/21/03)
Teachers: Dave Johnson & Chris Lazaroff
• Individuals of all ages
Tuesday Evening ABF
College & Career “212 Ministries”
Youth Building from 7:00-9:00 pm
Teacher: Nate McCartney
• For young adults ages 18 to 30-something
TRAITS OF A HEALTHY FAMILY: BUILDING HEALTHY MORALS & VALUES
Parenting Seminar with Guest Speaker JIM BURNS
Sunday, November 9, 2003 from 3:00 - 6:00 PM - The Chapel’s Youth Building
Jim Burns, Ph.D., is President of YouthBuilders. He is highly respected for his expertise in the area of youth ministry, family and parenting issues. Each month in the U.S. and abroad people use Jim’s written or video materials, hear him speak, listen to his weekly radio program, or tune in to his daily radio feature currently airing in over 800 communities. Jim, his wife Cathy, and their teenagers Christy, Rebecca and Heidi, live in Dana Point, California.
• Develop a plan for presenting positive, value-centered sex education
• Focus on the prevention of drug and alcohol use and abuse
• Get a handle on the rapidly changing media and technology
• You will create a family viewers guide for radio, TV and movies
• Time for practical answers to your parenting questions
Cost is $15/person or $25/couple - Registration Deadline is Monday, October 27.
Call Alyssa to register (330) 494-3419 ext. 314. Childcare will be provided for infants through 5th grade, but you must request it at time of registration.
Sponsored by 180 Student Ministries
Questions or Registration Contact:
Alyssa Schafer
330.494.3419 ext. 314
aschafer@thechapel-nc.org
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