Spiritual Roller Coaster

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• Riding a

• Spiritual Roller Coaster

A Character Study from Genesis

• with Jacob

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Finding Happiness Security

• Studies from the
• Life of Jacob
• Genesis 29,30,31

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Finding Happiness Security
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Finding Happiness Security
1 So Isaac called for Jacob and blessed him and
commanded him "Do not marry a Canaanite woman. 2
Go at once to Paddan Aram, to the house of your
mother's father Bethuel. Take a wife for yourself
there, from among the daughters of Laban, your
mother's brother. 3 May God Almighty bless you
and make you fruitful and increase your numbers
until you become a community of peoples. 4 May he
give you and your descendants the blessing given
to Abraham, so that you may take possession of
the land where you now live as an alien, the land
God gave to Abraham." 5 Then Isaac sent Jacob on
his way, and he went to Paddan Aram, to Laban son
of Bethuel the Aramean, the brother of Rebekah,
who was the mother of Jacob and Esau. Gen.
281-5 (NIV)
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Finding Happiness Security

• Genesis 281-5
• Isaacs instructions to Jacob
• Leave this land
• Do NOT take a wife from Canaan
• Go to the land of your Uncle

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Finding Happiness Security

• Genesis 291-14
• Jacob arrives in Paddan-aram
• Meets Rachel at Labans well
• Jacob and Laban connect with one another

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Finding Happiness Security
13 As soon as Laban heard the news about Jacob,
his sisters son, he hurried to meet him. He
embraced him and kissed him and brought him into
his home, and there Jacob told him all these
things. 14 Then Laban said to him, You are my
own flesh and blood. Gen. 2913, 14 (NIV)
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Finding Happiness Security

• Genesis 2915-30
• Jacob Laban as in-laws and
• out-laws
• A bargain for Rachels hand in marriage

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Finding Happiness Security
16 Now Laban had two daughters the name of the
older was Leah, and the name of the younger was
Rachel. 17 Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel was
lovely in form, and beautiful. 18 Jacob was in
love with Rachel and said, Ill work for you
seven years in return for your younger daughter
Rachel. 19 Laban said, Its better that I give
her to you than to some other man. Stay here with
me. 20 So Jacob served seven years to get
Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to
him because of his love for her. Gen. 2916-20
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Finding Happiness Security

• Genesis 2915-30
• Jacob Laban as in-laws and
• out-laws
• A bargain for Rachels hand in marriage
• Trickery at the wedding

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Finding Happiness Security
21 Then Jacob said to Laban, Give me my wife. My
time is completed, and I want to lie with her.
22 So Laban brought together all the people of
the place and gave a feast. 23 But when evening
came, he took his daughter Leah and gave her to
Jacob, and Jacob lay with her. 24 And Laban gave
his servant girl Zilpah to his daughter as her
maidservant. 25 When morning came, there was
Leah! So Jacob said to Laban, What is this you
have done to me? I served you for Rachel didnt
I? Why have you deceived me? 26 Laban said, It
is not our custom here to give the younger
daughter in marriage before the older one. Gen.
2921-26
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Finding Happiness Security

• Genesis 2915-30
• Jacob Laban as in-laws and
• out-laws
• A bargain for Rachels hand in marriage
• Trickery at the wedding
• A new bargain for Rachels hand

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Finding Happiness Security
27 Finish this daughters bridal week then we
will give you the younger one also, in return for
another seven years of work. 28 And Jacob did
so. He finished the week with Leah, and then
Laban gave him his daughter Rachel to be his
wife. 29 Laban gave his servant girl Bilhah to
his daughter Rachel as her maidservant. Gen.
2927-29
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Finding Happiness Security
Genesis 2931 3024 The story of Jacob, Rachel
Leah through their children The sons of
Leah Reuben Look! A son! Simeon
Hearing Levi Attachment Judah Praise
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Finding Happiness Security
Genesis 2931 3024 The story of Jacob, Rachel
Leah through their children The sons by
Bilhah (handmaid of Rachel) Dan
Justice Naphtali Wrestling
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Finding Happiness Security
Genesis 2931 3024 The story of Jacob, Rachel
Leah through their children The sons by Zilpah
(handmaid of Leah) Gad Luck Asher
Happy Reuben and his mandrakes
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Finding Happiness Security
Genesis 2931 3024 The story of Jacob, Rachel
Leah through their children The children by
Leah Issachar Reward Zebulun
Dwelling Dinah
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Finding Happiness Security

• Genesis 2931 3024
• The story of Jacob, Rachel Leah through their
  children
• The sons by Rachel
• Joseph May the Lord add
• (Ben-oni) Son of Sorrow
• Benjamin Son of my right hand

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Finding Happiness Security

• Genesis 3025-43
• Time to leave the land of Laban
• Rachel gives birth to Joseph
• Jacob asked to name his wages
• The trickery and deception continue

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Finding Happiness Security

• Genesis 311-55
• The leaving of Jacob and his household
• Jacob prepares to leave
• Rachel steals Labans idols
• Escape / Pursuit / Investigation
• The Mizpah

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Finding Happiness Security
45 So Jacob took a stone and set it up as a
pillar. 46 He said to his relatives, Gather some
stones. So they took stones and piled them in a
heap. 47 Laban called it Jegar Sahadutha and
Jacob called it Galeed. 48 Laban said, This heap
is a witness between you and me today. That is
why it was called Galeed. 49 It was also called
Mizpah because he said. May the Lord keep watch
between you and me when we are away from each
other. Gen3145-49
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Finding Happiness Security
Lessons from the life of Jacob Happiness
Security NOT based on location Happiness
Security NOT based on vocation Happiness
Security NOT based on family Happiness Security
NOT based on possessions Happiness Security IS
based on the Lord
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Finding Happiness Security
Pauls words on Happiness Security
and the peace of God which surpasses human
understanding will guard your heart (happiness)
and mind (security) in Christ Jesus. Philipp
ians 47
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Finding Happiness Security
Jesus words on Happiness Security
Blessed (happy) are the poor in spirit For
theirs is the kingdom of Heaven (security).
Matthew 53
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Finding Happiness Security
Life Application Where are you looking for
happiness? Where are you looking for security?
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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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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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Central Christian Church

• 2008 2009
• Proposed Expenditure Plan (PEP)
• Update

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The Central Budget

• Fiscal Year - September 1 August 31
• Central budgets through the PEP process
• PEP is a 4 month prayerful process
• Unlike a business we do not have sales goals or
  revenue targets, we rely on God and the
  faithfulness of His people
• PEP Allocations are met through the weekly
  offering.
• Designated funds do not go toward PEP
• Central tithes to missions from the General Fund

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Current Fiscal Year

• Current PEP called for 925,000 of expenditures
• Includes programs, salaries, building
  maintenance, missions, Beautiful Day, etc.
• Offerings have fallen short of PEP thus far.
• Spending has been lower than budgeted
• Central is generous to missions

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Proposed Next Years PEP

• Business Board has proposed a 1,070,000 PEP to
  the Elders
• This is a 15.6 increase over the current year
• Increases are designated for
• Full time worship leader
• Pastor of Sharing
• Increased missions
• Increased programming
• Equipment and facilities purchases

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God Has Blessed Central

• While the increase seems large especially given
  current year giving
• God blessed Central in the current year with the
  McCutchen Trust.
• This Trust donated a house to Central which was
  sold for cash.
• Part of this cash will help support this larger
  budget for this year and next.

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The PEP IS Still a Step Out In Faith

• Even with the McCutchen gift the proposed PEP
  will require a 52,000 increase in tithes and
  offerings or 5.7 more than last years PEP
• This is a large step up from our current
  offerings
• We ask for prayer for our PEP process as the
  Elders consider the final approval
• We also ask that you prayerfully consider what
  God is asking of you in your tithes and offerings
  and how God can use you in the work being done at
  and through Central

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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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Elder Nominations
Central members have the opportunity to submit
recommendations for elders. Explanation, forms
and a box to return them
are in the church lobby. Please return by
September 14.
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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 16 We will begin close
on time!
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LIFE Group Faire
Three Sundays Beginning Today
Look for us on the patio

• Meet LIFE Group leaders
• Groups are color coded for easy selection
• Sign up for a LIFE Group

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Tonight, August 24, 700 to 830
Debbie Chunn presentation on Rwanda
Fried Bananas and Cookies will be provided
You wont want to miss the fun!
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Audrey West will be 100 On September 22
Audrey has been a missionaryin Japan for 55 years
Lets send her at least 100 cards to show our
appreciation
Put your cards in the box in the lobbyor bring
them to the Sharing table
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Coming Sunday, September 7
One Service
1000 1130 am
One combined family service for children, youth
and adults
Childcare provided for children 0-5 years
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Followed by the
All Church Picnic
Emma Prusch Park 1215 am 430 pm
Barbeque potluck Last nameA-G DessertH-Z
Side Dish
We are looking for volunteers to barbeque, greet
people, and/or clean up. Please sign up at the
connecting table