We Again Baked Fresh Pumpkin Pies for Austin Street Centre!
Nancy Anderton and the ladies and children of the church, assisted by neighbors and friends, baked pumpkin pies again this year for Austin Street Centre! For the last three years, we have baked 50 pumpkin pies from scratch from a family recipe and delivered them for Christmas Eve to Austin Street Centre for the desert for their Christmas dinner.

The video below is our delivery of pies three years ago.

Click here for details of this ministry.
Click here for the website of Austin Street Centre.
Click here to make an on-line donation to Austin Street Centre.

Please join us in supporting Austin Street Centre that provides emergency shelter and related services to the homeless person in a compassionate Christian community, so that the person in need might be better able to make responsible choices and changes in their lives.

Our pledge to you for making an on-line donation: 100% of the funds donated for Austin Street Centre will go to their ministry. We are able to do this because many people faithfully give to support the overall ministry of Central Christian Church: staff, facilities, operations and programs.

Christmas Special Podcast:
“Reflections of Mary on the Son of God”
This the special Christmas episode of the Westside Cafe is an original production of our church and delivers a dramatized reading of the birth narrative of Jesus from the Gospel of Matthew and Luke with reflections from Mary the mother of Jesus. Interspersed with new musical recordings from the Westside Café, let us take you back to the “true meaning of Christmas” with just a little different twist.

Click here for the media page for this special.

The Advent Season at Central
Advent is a holy season of the Christian church, the period of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Christ. The word "Advent" is from the Latin "adventus" which means "arrival, approach, appearance"  which is implicitly coupled with "redemptoris" and means "the coming of the Saviour." The season of Advent serves a dual reminder of the original waiting that was done by the Hebrews for the birth of their Messiah as well as the waiting that Christians today endure as they await the second coming of Jesus the Christ. Advent is a holy season, the period of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Christ. Advent is a holy and joyous time of the year for our church family and we celebrate with special worship services and other events in and around the church. Details are listed below. All are invited and welcome to join our celebrations!

Click here for the special Advent page with all of our holy season events.

Celebrating Advent
Advent is the beginning of the Western Christian year and commences on Advent Sunday; this year, on November 28, 2010. Advent is the four Sundays before Christmas and ends December 24th, Christmas Eve. We use an Advent wreath during the season, with one candle representing each of the four Sundays of Advent. As the Advent season unfolds, we light a the candles progressively. During Christmas Eve ceremony, we light white candles celebrating the birth of Christ.

The Nativity Story From Luke As a Word Cloud
Word clouds are visual representations of text. The size and color of the each word in the cloud is based on word frequency in a given text. We made a word cloud using the KJV text of Luke 2:1-20.

Click here for details.

An Audio Reading of "An Unexpected Visitor" presented by Disciple Women/CWF
A long-standing tradition at the Disciple Women/CWF annual Christmas party is the reading of “An Unexpected Visitor” by our own Wanda Rodgers. The story is about Mary Gary and her unexpected guest for Christmas in her home. Two years ago, in 2006, we recorded Wanda’s reading and present it as streaming audio to remind us all of the meaning of Christmas.

Click here for details.

Help Mike's Kids, Christmas Project for the Poorest of the Poor
Mike's Kids is an annual program that is supported by the North Texas Area Disciples of Christ Christian Churches and is part of the Southwest Good Samaritan Ministries in the Rio Grande Valley. This program supports children who have been abandoned or families that have been forced out of their homeland to a new country. As Christmas approaches, we begin filling banana boxes with new and gently used clothes and toys to be delivered to Reverend Feliberto Pereira in Los Fresnos, Texas to be distributed to "the poorest of the poor" in the area and to an orphanage just across the border in Mexico.

Click here for details.
Click here for Mike's Kids web site.

We're Baking Fresh Pumpkin Pies Again for Austin Street Centre!
Nancy Anderton and the ladies and children of the church are baking pies again this year for Austin Street Centre! For the last three years, we baked 50 pumpkin pies from scratch from a family recipe and delivered them for Christmas Eve to Austin Street Centre. We spoke with Rev. Bubba and she was so excited that we would be doing this again, last year they loved the pies and were wondering if that would ever happen again.

We are back and ready to bake! Yes, we have an commercial-grade oven and we're not afraid to use it ;-)

You're invited to come help bake and/or deliver. This is a lot of fun and is for a very worthy cause. Click on the link below to see last year's delivery on Christmas Eve and see the details of this ministry.

Click here to contact us if you wish to help.
Click herefor details and video of last year's delivery.
Click here for the website of Austin Street Centre.

First Sunday of Advent - November 28th at 11 am - "Stay Awake!December"
Will you be surprised by the unexpected this Advent? The sermon text will be Isaiah 2:1-5 and Matthew 24:36-44.

Also, please join us for the commissioning Todd and Loretta Boddy to their new ministry with First Christian Church of Princeton, Texas. There will be a reception and celebration after the worship service.

Second Sunday of Advent - December 5th at 11 am - "New Is Near"
How can you prepare to find the new in the familiar? The sermon text will be Isaiah 2:1-5, Isaiah 11:1-10 and Matthew 3:1-12.

Also, this willl be Commitment Sunday for our stewardship campaign and “The Year of Glorious Transformation – 2011”

Third Sunday of Advent - December 12th at 11 am - "Do You See What God Sees?"
If God really did something totally new, how would you recognize it? The sermon text will be Isaiah 35:1-10 and Matthew 11:2-11.

Also, this willl be Projection Sunday for our stewardship campaign and “The Year of Glorious Transformation – 2011”

Cast of Bronze Christmas Concert - December 18th at 7:00pm
You are invited to Cast of Bronze Handbell Christmas Concert on Saturday, December 18th at 7:00pm in the Sanctuary of Central Christian Church. Lift your spirits with the entertaining and inspiring music of this internationally acclaimed handbell choir that is based right here in the Dallas community. Included in the program will be pieces from The Nutcracker, German Carols which we will ring and sing, and some familiar Christmas songs. Please come and invite your friends.

Click herefor their website. 

Fourth Sunday of Advent - December 19th at 11 am - "Proceed With Embarrassment"
What would it take for you to shed your fear and welcome something new from God? The sermon text will be Isaiah 7:10-16 and Matthew 1:18-25.

Also, this will be Finish-the-Old-Year-Well Resoultions Sunday for our stewardship campaign and “The Year of Glorious Transformation – 2011”

Advent Vespers in the Chapel, - December 19th at 7pm"
Just before Christmas, step back for a moment of refreshment with this lay planned and led contemplative worship experience that reflects on the “O Antiphons” for Advent with the music of O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.

Christmas Eve Service - Musical Candlelight Communion - December 24th at 6pm
Welcome the Christ-child by beginning your Christmas celebration with joyous worship telling the marvelous timeless story in song and scripture.

Central's Fall Art and Craft Bazaar - Nov. 6th
It’s been at least 25 years since Central has had a bazaar.  We would like to resurrect this tradition.  Back in “the day” this was a much anticipated bazaar because of the quality and volume of items offered.

The bazaar is proving to be a unique blend of handcrafted wares.  Some of the vendors are:  jewelry makers, sculptors, pottery makers, artists, custom doll clothes, quilters, woodwork, stained glass, hand pressed stationary, artisan iron work and sculpture and specialty dog/cat accessories.

Click here for event details.
Click here for the Bazaar Poster - color background.
Click here for the Bazaar Poster - white background.

Vendors: Rent a space to sell your merchandise, art and crafts in the Bazaar. You may reserve and pay for your space for the Bazaar on-line using a credit or debit card. Space is limited so please order early!

Click here for details and the on-line order form to reserve an indoor or outdoor vendor space.

"Shameless Departure" - Sunday, Oct. 24th 11a.m.
Fourth of four messages on shameless leadership from Paul’s instructions in 2 Timothy. This message both asks and answers life’s ultimate question. How can we depart this life in peace?.

Spiritual leaders finish with contentment, regardless of accomplishment, experiences, emotions or circumstances. 

Click here for the Media Catalog page for this message.

"Be Prepared" - Sunday, Oct. 17th 11a.m.
Third of four messages on shameless leadership from Paul’s instructions in 2 Timothy. In a time of leadership crisis in the world, country and church, God’s people can be spiritual leaders who offer an alternative to ego and empire building but truly seek the common good.

Leaders who are ready, sober and patient guide others through life’s changes with hope and Scripture. 

Click here for the Media Catalog page for this message.

"The Blushless Word" - Sunday, Oct. 10th 11a.m.
Second of four messages on shameless leadership from Paul’s instructions in 2 Timothy. In a time of leadership crisis in the world, country and church, God’s people can be spiritual leaders who offer an alternative to ego and empire building but truly seek the common good.

Leaders avoid getting distracted by wrangling over many words but mobilize people around a single significant word.

Click here for the Media Catalog page for this message.

"Reluctant Leaders" The Blessing of the Animals - Sunday, Oct. 3rd 11a.m.
Special message for the Blessing of the Animals in recognition of St. Francis Day and World Communion Sunday. Francis was an advocate and example of radical spiritual leadership. was the most influential leader of the church between Benedict 600 years earlier and Martin Luther 300 years later.

In the leadership crisis that affects politics, business, economics and religion in our time, Francis of Assisi and the Apostle Paul’s instructions to Timothy offer the ingredients for leadership renewal: power, love and self-discipline. 

Click here for the Media Catalog page for this message.

Sermon Series - The Inescapable Vocation
by Norm Stolpe 

Pastors who are worth their salt can affirm God’s calling even when their ministries seem to be falling down around their heads. Pastors who are worth their salt also affirm that every Christian is as called by God to be a minister of the Church of Jesus Christ, just as much as any pastor. Plenty of forces are at work to undermine and distract from God’s calling. Like Odysseus lashed to the mast of his ship as he sails by their sirens, God’s call lashes every Christian to the mast of the ministry of the Church. As his ministry voyage comes to its conclusion, the Apostle Paul passes on the calling to his protégé Timothy. In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus sets the magnitude of our calling in the context of the grace God has given us.

• October 3 – Shameless Appointment
  (St. Francis – pet blessing)
• October 10 – Shameless Proclamation
• October 17 – Shameless Audience
• October 24 – Shameless Departure

The Missional Band on the Run - September 26th
Part 4 of series, Exiles, the Conscription of God’s Church. The incarnation was a result of Jesus’ willingness to experience exile for us. Jesus came for exiles as demonstrated by his traveling band on the run. The missional church looks for fellow exiles in the world. The attractional church is looking for consumers. 

Click here for the Media Catalog page for this message.

Crossing the Border - September 19th
Part 3 of series, Exiles, the Conscription of God’s Church. Exiles of Jesus are not allowed to stay comfortable for long. Following the example of incarnation they practice ministry of proximity in third places. Calling on images like the naked preaching Isaiah,  they must cross borders of philosophy, humanity, and culture with His presence.

Click here for the Media Catalog page for this message.

Phonies and Fakes? - September 12th
Jesus often exposes the religious fake while receiving and ministering to those who feel exiled. Exiles and spiritual travelers appreciate hospitality and the bond of others who bear thorns in the flesh. The search for pain to purpose is bound to cross paths with Christ. The willfully committed are separated from those who surrender.

Click here for the Media Catalog page for this message.

Who Wants to Be an Exile? - September 5th
Part 1 of series, Exiles, the Conscription of God’s Church. With the death of Christendom, followers of Jesus who find themselves exiled must learn several lessons. They must countermand all their natural impulses and learn not to try and make life safe. Rather, they must learn to live in a dangerous world by trusting in dangerous memories, promises, songs, and critique of culture as found in the Bible.

Click here for the Media Catalog page for this message.

Exiles, The Conscription of God's Church
by Todd Boddy

The enlightenment put a lot of weight into the hands of reason and rationality to usher in a more utopian world with decreasing reliance on God.  With the 20th century being the deadliest in the history of humankind this balloon of hope lead by human achievement began to wane. In the west, Christendom died, or was deconstructed so severely that century old church buildings in America started to become museum pieces testifying to another time. At the while, every sort of religious idea began to viewed with equal footing for the self seeker, characterized by "I am spiritual, not religious", "Open minded, but probably not to the church". 

Thankfully the story is not over.

For the month of September, this is what I'll be wrestling with as I share with you God's word.

• Sept. 5th - Who wants to be an Exile?
• Sept. 12th - Phonies and Fakes
• Sept. 19th - Crossing the Border
• Sept. 26th - The Missional Band on the Run

Click here for details.

Conversations on Culture
by Norm Stolpe and Todd Boddy

Certain movies, books, music and television programs capture the imagination of a generation because they express deep spiritual longings. Sometimes they almost inadvertently articulate God’s reality. Other times, they are cries from an abyss into which only God can reach. They can be intersection points at which Christians can engage their neighbors in conversation that introduces Jesus. They can evoke from Christians the expression of yearnings they almost dare not put into words. For these four Sundays, Norm and Todd will include the congregation in their conversation about the intersection of faith and culture. The specifics will be announced in advance. These are great weeks to invite neighbors, friends and family who are looking for something spiritual but not necessarily religious. These conversations will be set into worship that celebrates Reformation, All Saints and Christ the King Sundays in a way that brings ancient wisdom right into today’s dilemmas. 

Acers Community Garden
Some may have noticed our new Acers Community Garden is active and growing on the southern part of our campus. Individual plots will have different plants, fruits, and vegetable growing. In addition of wonderful garden-fresh food for our gardeners, a portion of the crop from the Community Garden will be grown for the Food Pantry of North Dallas Shared Ministries as a contribution from all the gardeners

Click here for more details.

Click here to fill out our web submission form for more information.

Come to the Central Chili Cookoff!
Sunday, Oct. 10th
Everyone is welcome to attend this grand event on October 10th at 12:15 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Tickets are $7.00 for adults and free for children under 12. This event is sponsored by Central's Disciples Womens Ministry with proceeds going to their mission project fund. Chili makers should bring their dish to the church kitchen Sunday morning by 11:30 a.m. We will choose judges by lottery.

Saint Francis Pet Blessing Sunday, Oct. 3rd 11a.m.
The annual St. Francis Pet Blessing will take on an exciting format this year. The parking lot of the dog park will be converted into an ornate outdoor sanctuary. Central Christian Church will bring its 11 a.m. worship service, banners, choir, keyboards, soloists, music, tents, to the back parking lot as part of this glorious animal blessing and worship service, October 3rd, at 11 a.m. Rumor has it at least a horse and longhorn steer will be guiding cars and other animals through the parking lot.

Click here for details.

Living Together on the Parade Route - August 29nd
Fourth of four messages from: Imagined we are watching a parade of faith heroes and actually joining that parade ourselves. As spiritual exiles, we face mental and relational issues. Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-17 tells us how to live together on our journey to the city with foundations.

With radical hospitality, radical contentment and radical leadership, Central Christian Church can be a compelling, cohesive community, welcoming many to faith in Jesus Christ and sharing the pursuit of Christian spirituality.

Click here for the Media Catalog page for this message.

Back to Normal? - August 22nd
Third of four messages from Hebrews: in Hebrews 12:18-29 contrasts the fear of the Israelites at Mt. Sinai when God gave Moses the Law with the thankful worship at the metaphorical Mt. Zion in which the people of Christ receive the kingdom that cannot be shaken.

An authentic Christian community radiates confidence among those who are undone by the unstable world by receiving from God a kingdom that cannot be shaken.

Click here for the Media Catalog page for this message.

Who’s Watching - August 15th
Second of four messages from Hebrews: in Hebrews 11:29-12:2 the metaphor switches from parade to a marathon race. We who were the spectators become the runners, and those who have finished the race ahead of us surround us with their cheering encouragement.

When the marathon of faith seems too long, too hard, too uncertain, too costly, look at the cloud of witnesses; listen as they cheer us to persevere to cross the finish line where Jesus awaits us.

Click here for the Media Catalog page for this message.

Foreigners in Our Own Place - August 8th
First of four messages from Hebrews: In Peter Yarrow’s anti-war song The Great Mandela: The Wheel of Life (Album 1700), the voice of conventional responsibility urges a young man who is struggling with going to war to “take your place on the great Mandela as it moves through your brief moment of time.” In the four decades since the Viet Nam war era, the wheel of life has made many turns. The conclusion of the New Testament book of Hebrews exposes God’s direction for human history, not a pointless, relentless revolving. Rather, God invites us to take our place in the great procession that gives every individual meaning and significance. In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus puts our seeming insignificance into enduring context.

Do you feel like you just don’t fit in your own place? Like a foreigner in your own society and culture? You belong in the parade! Follow Abraham to the city with foundations! Follow Jesus to the Kingdom of God!

Click here for the Media Catalog page for this message.

Christ Has it all - Worship Messages by Norman Stolpe
In physics, unified field theory attempts to explain all fundamental forces in terms of a single unified force. In his letter to the Colossians, the Apostle Paul prefigures and goes way beyond unified field theory, presenting Jesus Christ as the original, organizing and ultimate center of all things, visible and invisible. By immersing ourselves in Jesus Christ, we integrate our personal center with the core of God’s cosmic purposes. Luke’s Gospel presents Jesus as both model and partner in living at God’s center.

• July 18—Spiritual Gravity in Person, Colossians 1:15-28, Luke 10:38-42
• July 25 – Spiritual Disarmament Colossians, 2:6-15, Luke 11:1-13
• August 1 – Focused Living, Colossians 3:1-11, Luke 12:13-21

Click here for details.

Sunday, August 1 -Focused Living
Third of three messages from the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Colossians: Christ has it all.  the Apostle Paul explains what not to care about and what to care about in order to have a focused life. Paul moves from elevated theology about Jesus at the center to the nitty-gritty that makes us uncomfortable. I couldn’t care less about anything other than focusing on Jesus or about anything that keeps me from loving those Jesus loves. I want to care more about focusing my life on Jesus and about loving those Jesus loves.

Click here for the Media Catalog page for this message.

Sunday, July 25 - Spiritual Disarmament
Second of three messages from the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Colossians: Christ has it all.  Though in a secular, technological society, spiritual hunger persists. Many people have rejected religions, including Christianity, for do it yourself spirituality, which leaves them susceptible to the Elemental spirits of the universe. Fill up with Christ who has disarmed the powers against which you are helpless so you won’t be kidnapped.

Click here for the Media Catalog page for this message.

Sunday, July 18 - The Fixed Center in Turbulence
First of three messages from the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Colossians: Christ has it all.  We live in an attention deficit disorder world of myriad distractions. In Colossians 1 we see Christ the center who hold everything together. Jesus Christ is the fixed point of focus for a turbulent world, church, mind and soul.

Click here for the Media Catalog page for this message.

John Tracy Performing At the Next Meet the Neighbors Picnic - August 11th
Come out and meet the neighbors!

Join us for a midweek picnic and evening concert with John Tracy. Filled with insightful lyrics, his original music is for real people living real life. This is guaranteed to be a memorable evening, so make your plans to attend and bring a friend!

Dinner begins at 6:00 PM followed by the concert at 6:30. There is no charge for dinner, but a free-will offering will be taken. For more details, contact the church office.

For more information about John Tracy’s music, visit www.johntracymusic.com

Saint Roch and the Dogs to Kick-Off
August 8th Worship
Take your place in the Great Procession!

The Great Procession of Saints starts with the Old Testament heroes of Hebrews 11, leads through two millennia of Church history and includes us today. Enacting our place in The Great Procession, on Sunday, August 8 our worship will open with a processional of dogs in the spirit of 14th century St. Roch, the patron saint of pilgrims, sick, gravediggers, secondhand dealers and, of course, dogs.

As a young man, St. Roch devoted himself to caring for those who suffered from plague. Contracting the disease himself, he withdrew so he could die without troubling others. As he was dying a dog from a nearby villa brought him food. He recovered to continue his ministry to the sick with the dog at his side.

Dog sitters will be ready in the Dog Park to care for the dogs immediately after the procession, so all can feel free to enjoy the service. You are welcome to bring your leashed dog for the processional. Just meet at 10:45 AM in front of the sanctuary.

Pastor Stolpe’s messages will lead us on The Great Procession.

July 4 - Freedom to Boast
Fifth of five messages from the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Galatians: The Road to Freedom. Small people are free to boast in the cross of Jesus Christ. God works through and for small people to bring in the spiritual harvest, which takes patient perseverance.

Click here for the Media Catalog page for this message.

The Highland Park 4th of July Parade for 2010
For the fifth year, Central Christian Church will participate in the 4th of July Parade for the Town of Highland Park that wil be held on Monday, July 5th this year. We will have a trailer full of float riders that included friends, family, neighbors and our friends of Central Dog Park (plus their dogs) and gardeners from the Acers Community Gardens. Continuing the tradition of past years, we also served a tailgate breakfast to all of the people who crewed the other floats in the parade. These folks line up very early in the morning (starting at 6:30 a.m.) along Euclid Avenue to get a good position in the parade for a 9 a.m. start. Our congregants will walk up and down the parade line beginning at 6:30 a.m. passing out orange juice, fresh coffee and freshly-baked pastries from Breadwinners.

We would like to specially thank Breadwinners for their fourth straight year of partnering with us for this service project.

Click on the "start arrow" in the Flash player below to see the video of this year's parade.

Click here to see all four of our past parade videos beginning in 2006. You can see what has become a tradition of our church, our history of service to our neighbors, as well as the just plain fun we had in patriotic celebration with our community.

June 27 - Focused Freedom
Fourth of five messages from the Apostle Paul's letter to the Galatians: The Road to Freedom. When we are led by the Spirit, we can be confident that God is powerfully present with us to proclaim the Kingdom of God.

If it seems God was only present with the great people of the past, by walking in the Spirit we can have the confidence that God is with, within and among us as we pass the mantle of spiritual leadership to the next generation. The Spirit uses the raw material of our Bible reading, praying and relationships in the church.

Click here for the Media Catalog page for this message.

June 20 - Inherit Freedom
Third of five messages from the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Galatians: The Road to Freedom. Identity in Christ is so radical, so strong that it supersedes the most divisive human distinctions: race, class and gender and spiritual maturity.

For many churches, the veterans are tired, burned out and discouraged. The ones with the energy and enthusiasm for introducing people to Jesus and inviting them into the church are the young believers whose experience of deliverance is fresh. Whether you are a tired veteran or recently energized, you are an heir of God promised freedom, liberated to tell how much Jesus has done for you.

Click here for the Media Catalog page for this message.

June 13 - Dying to Be Alive
Second of five messages from the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Galatians: The Road to Freedom. The Gospel way of life is by faith in Christ and not works of the law.

The Gospel of trusting Jesus is good news for those who get what they don’t deserve, both the victims of an unfair world and the disreputable, dependent intruders. The Gospel of trusting Jesus is good news not just to escape what we don’t deserve, but because it is a whole way of life of freedom from trying to deserve what only God can give us. Our mission is to invite our neighbors to a life of faith in Jesus Christ and into our congregation for the shared pursuit of Christian spirituality. This mission does not end but only begins when one of our neighbors trusts Jesus. We ourselves continue to live the good news of trusting Jesus.

Click here for the Media Catalog page for this message.

Next Picnic For the Neighborhood - July 14th - Meet Howard Garrett, the Dirt Doctor
This July 14th, "Meet the Neighbors Picnic" has invited Howard Garrett, a.k.a. "The Dirt Doctor," author, radio show host and organic gardening expert to come and speak. He was organic before organic was cool. Many of you may own his famous "Plants for Texas" book. The outdoor grill starts serving at 6:00 PM. Howard will be speaking at 6:30pm about organic gardening and taking a few questions. Learn more about him at http://www.dirtdoctor.com/.

Hundreds of our neighbors are on our campus every week for the Central Dog Park and the Acers Community Garden. We are inviting them to join us for monthly picnics this summer. Our first one on June 9th was wonderful and we forward to the next on on July 14th.

Click here for the details.

Sunday, July 11th Guest Speaker - “Go Ye” Means “Go Me”
Rev. Dr. Larry Ross, Area Minister of the North Texas Area of the Christian Church in the Southwest will be our guest to reprise the stirring message he delivered at the North Texas Area Assembly in May. Larry’s message will affirm Central Christian Church’s vision to be the hospitable hands of Jesus to our neighbors and will inspire us to bring that mission to fullness.

The sermon text will be Matthew 13:1-9.

Cast of Bronze Handbell Concert - July 2nd
Be sure to mark your calendar for Friday evening, 7pm, July 2nd, for the Cast of Bronze Handbell Concert at Central Christian Church. We are so fortunate to have a group of this caliber here at Central. If you have never heard this group perform, you are in for a treat. Be sure to invite family, neighbors and friends to what is sure to be a wonderful evening.

Click here for the Cast of Bronze website.

Outdoor Worship
Outdoor worship in the Dog Park resumes on Easter Sunday, April 4th. Coffee starts at 9:45 am with eclectic music, service from 10-10:25 am, We have about 5 people who rotate on sharing an inspiring Biblical message:

• Barron Bell
• Todd Boddy
• Russell Church
• Brandon Boyer
• BJ Austin

Occasionally guest musicians perform/sing inspiring hymns. All people and doggies welcome.

Click here to go to Central Dog Park mini-site.

Palm Sunday of Lent, March 28th - "Going Home with Jesus?"
Message for the Palm Sunday in the series Where can you go when the world don't treat you right? The answer is home! This week: Welcome Jesus When He Comes Home. When you have seen Jesus’ deeds of power for yourself, you will not, cannot hesitate to come home with him to his kingdom of peace with uninhibited joy that transforms us, our church and our neighbors.

Click here for this media catalog page.

Compassion and Aid Received in Haiti
If you’ve been watching the news, you’ve inevitably heard about the difficulties of getting aid, supplies, and medical care to those affected by the earthquake in Haiti. While it is true that the delivery of aid has been hampered by many factors, including infrastructure-related challenges, Week of Compassion can assure you that aid is reaching many of those who need it. Martin Coria, Church World Service Regional Coordinator for Latin America and the Caribbean, now based in the Dominican Republic and working closely with Servicio Social de Igelesias Dominicana (SSID), noted that with pre-positioned CWS kits and blankets, SSID was able to provide relief to the victims of Haiti's massive earthquake in the first twenty-four hours of the disaster. On Wednesday, January 13, SSID sent a flight with supplies to Port-au-Prince, and their staff was able to see the needs firsthand and quickly provide the most crucial supplies and assistance.

Click here for details of Central's response.
Click here for Haiti updates and a live news feeds.
Click here to make an on-line donation.
Click here to go to the WOC website.

Easter Sunday, April 4, 11:00 am
Sprint to the Tomb! Come Home! Share the improbable surprise of Mary Magdalene, Joanna and Mary the mother of James when they come to Jesus’ tomb expecting to embalm his body only to meet two men in dazzling clothes who tell them that he has risen. Who would have thought that a dash to a tomb would be the last sprint of coming home?

2010 Lenten Mesages
Where can you go when the world don't treat you right? The answer is home!

Come home for Lent with Central Christian Church.

The quintessential coming home story is the parable of Jesus we call “The Prodigal Son” that is recorded in the fifteenth chapter of Luke’s Gospel. During Lent this year you are invited to acknowledge that often “the world don’t treat you right.” Sometimes it will be undeserved calamity. Sometimes it will be a lack of acceptance when you know you’ve messed up. Sometimes it will be just not understanding who you are. Worship with us this Lent and hear Jesus invite you to “come on home. You’re welcome here!” As the Gospel song says, “Come home, ye who are weary, come home.”

Click here for details.

Palm Sunday Vespers, Sunday, March 28, 6:30pm
Palm Sunday Vespers at Central Christian Church will be held in The Little Church at 6:30 p.m., Sunday, March 28. This beautiful candlelight event will be in keeping with the memorable vespers tradition which was established for Christmas. The Week of the Crucification is the theme of the evening. Through music, song, scripture and testimony, the story of the last week Christ was on earth before the crucification will be told, from Christ's entry into the city on a donkey to his death on the Cross, and burial.

Click here for details.

Maundy Thursday Communion, April 1st, 7:00 pm
Our Maundy Thursday Communion will be held in the Litle Church Chapel and the Prayer Garden on April 1st at 7:00 pm

Join Jesus as he has his Last Supper with his disciples before his crucifixion. After communion, this will be a service of music and Scripture with the dramatic “stripping of the chancel” as we also join Jesus in the Garden to pray. Starting in the Chapel, we will end in the Prayer Garden, weather permitting.

Second Sunday of Lent, February 28th
Message for the Second Sunday of Lent in the series Where can you go when the world don't treat you right? The answer is home! This week: Securely on the Come Home Path. Coming home means gathering together under Jesus’ hen-like wings we find more than protection. There we become hen-like ourselves, finding our security in weakness, and protecting those who are vulnerable and hurting by sacrificing ourselves.

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Concert of Prayer for the Congregations of the Dallas Community - January 31, 6 PM
Convinced of the importance of our bond in Christ and of the power of praying, we will specifically pray for other congregations in the Dallas area. We have invited many congregations to submit prayer lists. Please join us in the sanctuary at 6:00 PM for this special experience of prayer and Christian oneness.

If you are unable to be physically present, you may participate by TeleWorship. At 6:00 PM on Sunday, January 31, all you have to do is phone 1-866-844-6291 and enter this code when prompted: 6371829. 

Click here for details.
Click here to make congregational prayer requests. 

3 Million People Affected in Haiti
A 7.0 magnitude earthquake devastated the island nation of Haiti yesterday afternoon. By all approximations, as many as 3 million people have been impacted by this devastating quake. Central is responding through our Week of Compassion international relief agency and Global Ministries to help our partner organizations in Port-au-Prince, CONASPEH and the House of Hope.

Click here for details of Central's response.
Click here for Haiti updates and a live news feeds.
Click here to make an on-line donation.
Click here to go to the WOC website.

Central Was in the News Illustrating the Problem of Frozen and Broken Pipes In the Community
We came to church Sunday to find an unpleasant surprise: broken water pipes and a flooded basement due to the cold weather. No, we didn't start building an arc. We simply called a plumber and then went on with our Sunday plans, including cooking, serving and clean up after a Fellowship Dinner for 60 people after Sunday Worship; all without running water until late in the day!

Channel 4 - Fox News made a news report using Central to illustrate this wide-spread problem during this cold snap for their Sunday evening news.

Click here to see the news video segment.

A Letter of Thanks from Austin Street Centre
The residents and staff of Austin Street Centre wish to thank you for your recent gift of homemade pumpkin pies. As you may know, Austin Street Centre neither solicits nor receives any governmental or United Way funding. Therefore, your generosity will allow us to bring hope to the hopeless and help to the helpless. Our ability to serve the homeless is credited to caring individuals and companies, such as you.

Our reasons for existing are threefold: first, to offer shelter from harm to those on the street, (this being our primary purpose); next, to stabilize those lives
suffering from chemical addiction and /or mental illness; and finally, to do all in our power through counseling and programs to prepare and transition people back into the community, reuniting them, when possible, with their families.

We marked our 25th anniversary at the end of last year...25 Years of God’s Love Changing Lives. We are honored to play a part in His work and sincerely appreciate your support of it.

May our Lord bless you for who you are for the good that you are doing for so many others.

In His Service,

Rev. ‘Bubba” Dailey
Executive Director
Austin Street Centre

Rev. Harry E. Dailey
Co-Executive Director
Austin Street Centre

Sunday Worship Message for Januray 10, Epiphany Sunday – "Follow That Star!"
How could some mysterious astronomical phenomenon have mobilize and directed the Gentile Magi to trek to what was the end of the world for them, just to see an obscure Jewish baby? Who did they think this King of the Jews was and why would they care? Why should we care about this strange chapter in the story of Jesus’ birth?

January 10– 12:15 PM in Fellowship Hall
Fellowship Dinner

Sunday Worship Message - January 17 - “My Big Fat Messianic Wedding”
Jesus first recorded miracle surprisingly comes during a wedding feast he attends under the shadow of his mother.  She fears this wedding event will die fast without a new supply of wine and turns to Jesus for help.  With a few of his new disciples watching he seems reluctant to aid his mother. To help her may mean he must reveal prematurely part of his messianic identity; that he has as a minimum the power to transform, and he has a great deal of interest in a future wedding promised for God’s people.

Laity Sunday - January 24
This annual service celebrates the importance of lay ministry in the Church. Each year a lay person brings a message that is both biblical and personal. The leadership of lay people is a major strength of our Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) tradition. Our founders clearly taught the priesthood of all believers, and we make a special point of celebrating that each year on laity Sunday. The Disciples Women take the lead in organizing this service, and they have a special treat awaiting us this year.

Sunday Worship Message - January 31 - "The Small Jesus"
Early in his ministry, Jesus has begun to generate some excitement with his itinerant preaching. When he comes to his hometown synagogue, the people want to hear what the local boy is saying that is attracting attention. But Jesus doesn’t preach a regular sermon. He reads one of the most powerful passages from Isaiah the prophet and tells them it’s just been fulfilled. Who does he think he is to talk like that?! They run him out of town. What does Jesus say that makes us either want to run right for him or run him out of town?

Sunday Worship Message - February 7 - "So You Want to See God, Do You?"
Jesus’ first disciples know about catching fish. That’s how they make a living. What can this preaching carpenter be thinking when he invites them to go fishing for people with him? They can’t preach like he does, any more than he can handle a net like they do. Still, these career fishermen abandon their boats and nets to go people fishing with this carpenter.

Sunday Worship Message - February 14 - "The Glow of God"
Jesus was an ordinary Galilean laborer. Nothing about his appearance would have made him stand out. When he gave up carpentry to become an itinerant teacher, he probably didn’t wear his woodshop apron, but he also was not the only one in the crowd with a bright blue cloak to make him stand out. Yet, underneath this ordinary appearance, hints of glory oozed out, and in one remarkable moment it flashed and frightened his three closest disciples. Though he is not here to hear or see, we want to catch a flash of his glory, even though it’s sure to frighten us too.

February 14– 12:15 PM in Fellowship Hall
Fellowship Dinner

Outdoor Worship to Go Underground Until Spring
November 29th was the last Sunday of the season for the outdoor worship service in the Central Dog Park until spring. We’d like to thank all our friends who passed through this year and joined us in worship, friendship, and prayer.

Services will start again around Easter.

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