Welcome to Central Christian Church

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Welcome! to Central Christian Church

• First-time guests - Please stop by the Guest
  Services table on the patio as you leave and
  pick up a information packet
• Everyone - Please fill out a Connecting Card
  and place it in the offering plate later in
  the service.

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Stepping Upto Higher Ground
on
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God wants us to discover LIFE with Him I am
with you. Are you willing to be with me?
Where are you in the With-God LIFE?
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Prayer
The Language of Connecting
Matthew 2636-45 Pg. 703
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To some who were confident of their own
righteousness and looked down on everybody else,
Jesus told this parable Two men went up to the
temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a
tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed
about himself God, I thank you that I am not
like other menrobbers, evildoers, adulterersor
even like this tax collector. I fast twice a
week and give a tenth of all I get. But the
tax collector stood at a distance. He would not
even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and
said, God, have mercy on me, a sinner. I tell
you that this man, rather than the other, went
home justified before God. For everyone who
exalts himself will be humbled, and he who
humbles himself will be exalted. Luke 189-14
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1. To pray is to be who I am We must lay before
Him what is in us, not what ought to be in us.
C.S.
Lewis 2. To pray is to recognize who God is
May it be the real I who speaks. May it be
the real Thou that I speak to.
C.S. Lewis
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Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place
called Gethsemane, and he said to them, Sit here
while I go over there and pray. He took Peter
and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and
he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he
said to them, My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow
to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch
with me. Going a little farther, he fell with
his face to the ground and prayed, My Father, if
it is possible, may this cup be taken from me.
Yet not as I will, but as you will. Then he
returned to his disciples and found them
sleeping. Could you men not keep watch with me
for one hour? he asked Peter.
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Watch and pray so that you will not fall into
temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body
is weak. He went away a second time and
prayed, My Father, if it is not possible for
this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may
your will be done. When he came back, he
again found them sleeping, because their eyes
were heavy. So he left them and went away once
more and prayed the third time, saying the same
thing. Then he returned to the disciples and
said to them, Are you still sleeping and
resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of
Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
Matthew 2636-45
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3. To pray is to realize Gods will if it is
possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not
as I will, but as you will.
Matthew 2639 if it is not
possible for this cup to be taken away unless I
drink it, may your will be done.
Matthew 2642 So he . . . prayed the third
time, saying the same thing. Matthew
2644 The hour is near. Matthew
2645
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4. To pray is to change 5. To pray is a lifestyle
Very early in the morning, while it was still
dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off
to a solitary place, where he prayed. Mark
135 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful
and thankful. Colossians 42
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6. To pray is to grow a. Be clear with
God b. Be bold in your requests c. Use
variety 1) Expand your topics 2) Expand
your methods 3) Expand your
positions 4) Expand your locations
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7. To pray for . . . a. Your hearts
desire b. Gods will in your life c. Compassion
for others d. Your sins to be forgiven e. Peace
f. Growth
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Prayer
The Language of Connecting
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• This is your opportunity to have a
• prayer team member pray for you
• Share briefly any prayer need or praise
• Share your decision to follow Jesus
• Share your decision to return to Jesus
• Share your decision to be a part of
  this fellowship

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Thumb those closest to you
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First those who point to Jesus
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Middle those in authority
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Ring weak, pain, difficulties,
marriages
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Pinky yourself
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Middle those in authority
First those who point to Jesus
Ring weak, pain, difficulties,
marriages
Pinky yourself
Thumb those closest to you
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We share communion each Sunday as an important
part of our worship together. Bread and
grape juice remind us of Jesus love in dying on
the cross for us. The bread represents the body
of Christ the juice represents the blood of
Christ.
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All who accept Jesus as Lord and Savior are
welcome to participate. Please place your
empty cup in the pew rack holder. If you prefer
not to participate, please pass the trays to the
next person.
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Offering is one way to worship God. Trays are
passed for your giving convenience. Guests please
feel no obligation to give.
Everyone, please place your Connecting card in
the tray
Each man should give what he has decided in his
heart to give, not reluctantly or under
compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 97 see that you also
excel in this grace of giving. 2
Corinthians 87 Whoever sows sparingly will
also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously
will also reap generously. 2 Corinthians 96
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Connecting
Opportunities
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Pray with the Elders
Elders staff will pray for you You can pray for
them others
1st 3rd Tuesdays, 7-8 pm Beginning September
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LIFE Path Seminars
Sunday, September 28400 730 pm
Connecting 101
Connecting with JesusTake One Giant Step Forward
Connecting 102
Belonging to the BodyTaking the Step of
Membership
Sign up at the Connecting table on the patio
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Growing
Opportunities
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Purpose Driven Life Seminar
Begins Today
September 14 October 26 Sundays,
1045-1200 Room 11
Mike McCuan will lead
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Parenting Seminar
Saturday, September 20 600 900 pm
Dr. Les Christie will share practical advice and
principles to help you guide your child through
the teen years
Sign up TODAY at the center tables
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Serving
Opportunities
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Central Work Day
This Saturday, September 20800 am 500 pm
Men, women, and teens Sign up TODAY at the
Serving table Even if you can only spend 30 min.
Lunch blessings provided
We have jobs for everyone!
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Sharing
Opportunities
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The Heartbeat of Our Mission
Black and White Dinner
Friday, October 3, 2008 630 900 pm
30 per person Tickets available today Funds to
benefit Central Missions
This is a formal event