June 7, 2020 Park Pray & Praise Service

Welcome to our Central Church service. What a difficult week it has been for our nation and even for our city.  Today's service is focused on the churches duty support justice for all and to fight racism in all of it's forms.  Jesus called us to be peacemakers and now is the time for us to heed that call.

If you are not a regular part of Central we welcome you to our service and would love to get to know you. Please use the form at the bottom of this page to tell us a little bit about yourself. I wish I could greet you after the service with a warm handshake, but please know that it means a lot to me that you are joining us today.

Scripture Reading

Isaiah 58:6-12

​6“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
7Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter--
when you see the naked, to clothe them,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
8Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness a will go before you,
and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.
9Then you will call, and the Lord will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
“If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
10and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.
11The Lord will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.
12Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

The Lord's Table

One of Central's traditions is to serve communion each time we gather. The church provided prepackaged communion servings for you to use. If you didn't stop by the church to get one you may want to get a small glass of juice or wine, and a small piece of bread or a cracker, so you can participate.

The Lord's Table is for anyone who has trusted Christ. If you haven't given your life to Christ, now would be a great time to do so. Click here to learn more about how you can do that.
For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread,  and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.”  In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
I Corinthians 11:23-26

This is where we usually dismiss kids for Kid's Jam

Once again our parents will have to be Kid's Jam this Sunday.  Jodi and Sarah are working each week to find resources to help you teach your children about God and his love. If they are old enough, be sure to pray with them about the things they are probably picking up about this crisis. Remind them that God is big enough to handle our biggest challenges, and the he's got this under his control.  

Offering

Thank you for your generous support for our ministry.  Even though we are not meeting, most of our church expenses continue. If you would like to contribute to Central using our Church Center app just click here, text ccspringfield to 84321, or mail your contribution to the church. 
Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 
​​2 Corinthians 9:10-11

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
​2 Corinthians 9:7-8

Sermon Title

All over town pastors are departing from their preaching schedules to address the current events that have rocked our nation this week. Even here in in Springfield we had violence and vandalism that we haven't seen for many years.  Today's message has four simple points about our responsibility as predominantly white Christians to address racism, the current crisis in particular.

1. Christians have a duty to be peacemakers.
2. Christians have a duty to pray for our leaders.
3. Christians have a duty to be a voice for the vulnerable
4. Christians have a duty to loosen chains of injustice.

For followers of Jesus, fighting racism isn't a political duty, it's a spiritual one.

Benediction 

May the deep deep love of God bless you and keep you during the coming week. May his Spirit comfort you and lead you, and in your hearts may there be a peace that passes all understanding. 

Announcements

  • Come out for Park, Pray, & Praise every other Sunday. We are moving the time to 10:00am to avoid the afternoon heat. Outdoor seating (social distancing) is available as well as parking for those who wish to remain in their vehicles. Click here for dates and details.
  • Yesterday Central hosted a memorial for Karen and Marvin Riley's son, Michael McDonald. Thank you to everyone who helped organize, and to those who were able to join the family in remembering their son.
  • Refit in the parking lot (social distancing) Mondays and Wednesdays @6:30pm, Thursdays @10:00am. Contact Karen with questions 937-631-0970
  • Pastor Carl met with several clergy and law enforcement officials and together they formed an advisory committee to combat and prevent racial injustices. You can read more about their goals in the article in the ​Springfield News-Sun.
  • Pastor Carl had a facebook live meeting with Charlie Patterson from the Clark County Health Department to talk about Covid-19. Here is a link to the video if you weren't able to join in.
  • Pray for Sarah and Mike Cottrell, her grandfather passed away after a fall. 
  • Bill Black is asking for prayers for his co-worker, Michael Bibbs, who is in the hospital battling lymphoma.
  • As Kim Mulkey is recovering from her appendectomy, pray for her body as is continues to fight the cancer, especially the most recent finding in her stomach and appendix.
  • Pray for Janie Bragg whose cousin recently passed away from cancer.
  • Sherrie Waugh is having knee replacement surgery today on her other knee.

For our Guests.  We'd love to learn a little bit about you.

    Thanks for worshipping with us today.