|
 “It's
a
beautiful
day
in
the
neighborhood...
won't
you
be
my
neighbor?”,
sings
Mr.
Rogers
and
he
must
be
singing
about
Centerville.
What
a
wonderful
place
to
live,
laugh,
love,
and
serve.
Jesus
said,
"If
any
among
you
would
be
great,
let
him
become
a
servant," and
"Thou
shalt
love
thy
neighbor
as
thyself!"
With
these
words
He
set
us
on
a
mission
to
love
and
be
a
neighbor.
This
is
why
it's
so
great
to
be
a
part
of
a
serving
church
here
in
Centerville,
we
get
to
serve
those
we
know
and
love
as
neighbors.
Just
this
week,
alone,
we
will
honor
our
moms
and
high
school
graduates.
We
will
become
involved
in
another
"re-build"
following
the
February
tornado.
We
will
offer
support
for
those
of
our
number
and
others
who
are
dealing
with
cancer.
We
will
meet
and
set
in
motion
future
plans
for
our
mission
efforts.
We
will
have
a
dinner
and
provide
information
to
those
who
are
a
part
of
our
jail
ministry
and
others
who
are
interested
in
starting
one.
We
will
have
three
visitation
teams
checking
on
folks.
We
will
have
meetings
with
our
camp
staff,
and
we
will
begin
the
process
of
getting
ready
to
share
the
gospel
with
our
community's
children
through
our
V.B.S.
We
have
the
joy
and
privilege
of
being
part
of
a
family
serving
families,
individuals,
and
groups
of
people.
We
have
the
opportunity
to
let
the
light
of
Jesus
Christ
shine
through
us.
We
have
the
responsibility
to
reach
and
teach
our
neighbors
about
the
depth
of
God's
love,
and
we
have
the
obligation
to
become
instruments
of
God's
peace.
You
cannot
imagine
how
wonderful life
can
be
for
those
of
us
who
are
allowed
to
serve
as
your
elders,
when
we
see
your
good
work
and
how
you
glorify
our
Father
in
Heaven.
May
the
Lord
bless
each
one
of
you
as
you
serve
Him
in
his
neighborhood
and
in
the
world
beyond.
-From
the
Elders
|
Just
for
a
moment….
I
stood
with
my
arm
around
his
neck,
holding
and
supporting
him
as
transition
came
about
in
his
life
and
prayers
were
being
lifted
to
the
very
throne
of
God.
While
I
held
him
he
snubbed
and
cried,
just
like
some
festering
thorn
was
slowly
and
surely
being
drawn
from
deep
within
his
body.
Pain
and
regrets
from
past
times
in
his
life
were
slowly
being
resolved
and
moved
to
a
dormant
state.
Old
wounds
healing,
irritation
washing
away
as
a
clean,
sterile
bandage
was
prepared.
Tears
washed
across
his
face
as
if
to
begin
the
cleansing
process.
With
a
trembling
voice
he
stated
that
he
truly
believed
that
Jesus
Christ
Is
The
Son
of
God
and
then
we
baptized
him;
along
with
a
young
lady
that
made
the
same
statement
and
then
word
came
that
another
prisoner
had
requested
to
join
with
these
two
and
a
guard
was
sent
back
to
bring
him
for
baptism
also.
During
all
of
this,
the
short
hand
on
the
clock
circled
more
than
a
complete
rotation.
Some
fifty
or
sixty
dedicated
Brothers
&
Sisters
in
Christ
delayed
their
homeward
journey
after
Sunday
night
services
on
April
27th
just
to
lend
their
support
to
the
efforts
of
those
touched
by
the
Jail
Ministry.
Since
this
organized
effort
began
last
September,
God
has
granted
us
the
privilege
to
minister
to
the
needs
of
the
local
jail
inmates.
Thirty-eight
men
and
women
have
been
baptized
and
nine
other
precious
souls
have
requested
prayers
of
forgiveness
for
sins
committed.
Numerous
members
of
this
congregation
and
others
nearby
have
stepped
forward
and
built
a
deeper
faith
in
God
by
helping
those
in
need
of
Him.
Strength
comes
from
within;
gifts
are
only
worthwhile
if
it
takes
sacrifice
to
give
them.
What
a
wonderful
experience
this
day
has
been;
I
can
only
feel
as
though
we
have
made
a
difference
in
another’s
life
today.
Plenty
of
room
left
for
men
and
women
from
this
congregation,
and
others,
to
make
positive
differences
in
someone’s
life.
Give
the
gift
of
life;
give
the
gift
of
God
to
others…
To
God
Be
The
Glory!
For
the
Jail
Ministry,
JA
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