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Wednesday, 1/20/21 7-8pm  Thanksgiving Square, Dallas, Texas Join the Facebook Livestream or Zoom Event here: https://fb.me/e/5WzVmaVjY With all that's happening in our lives, many of us are looking for ways to reduce anxiety and connect more deeply to the positive energy we find in our true selves and in God. Centering Prayer is one way to do that. Monica Wommack has been a practitioner of Centering Prayer for years and will guide us through the what, how and why of this ancient practice that is accessible to Christians and people of other faiths / spiritual traditions. "Centering / Contemplative prayer in my opinion is nothing else than a close sharing between friends; it means taking time frequently to be alone with him who we know loves us. ' Contemplative prayer seeks him 'whom my soul loves’.” Saint Teresa of Avila Centering Prayer is a receptive method of Christian silent prayer that prepares us to receive the gift of contemplative prayer, prayer in which we experience God’s presence within us, closer than breathing, closer than thinking, closer than consciousness itself. In discursive meditation, mind and imagination and other faculties are actively employed in an effort to understand our relationship with God. In contemplative prayer, this activity is curtailed, so that contemplation has been described as "a gaze of faith", "a silent love". Sponsored by Central Christian Church, Dallas.
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 All Saints day is celebrated on November 1, and is the day that the church remembers all those believers who have died and gone to be with the Lord, particularly in the last year. The following day has historically been recognized as “All Souls Day” when those who were not baptized professing Christians are remembered, honored, prayed for. At Central we are combining these two into one day. Unfortunately, since we will not all be together in the sanctuary that Sunday, we are inviting you to come during the week to share in this prayer practice. We have prayer stations set up in the Chapel and the Sanctuary. These are generally available 10-11:30am and 1:30-5pm Monday through Friday. We ask that you call or email to schedule your visit. You will be asked if you would let us video your candle lighting and prayer so that we may share these in worship on All Saints Day, 11/1. The following are some guidelines for you to consider: In preparation:
When you arrive:
What you will find at the prayer stations:
ALTERNATIVES- instead of visiting in person...
Merciful God, we give you thanks for our beloved departed, (_______), trusting that you have welcomed her/him into your eternal peace and rest. We thank you for memories sweet, and for the soothing of those that are difficult. We light a candle as an act of prayer, it’s flame reminding us of your love that lights our path, and its heat reminding us of your power which transforms suffering and death. May the stories and memories we hold guide us deeper into fellowship with you, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord: Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those ineffable joys that you have prepared for those who truly love you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, p. 245) O God, the Maker and Redeemer of all believers: Grant to the faithful departed the unsearchable benefits of the passion of your Son; that on the day of his appearing they may be manifested as your children; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and for ever. Amen. (Holy Women, Holy Men, p. 665) After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” (Revelation 7:9-10) JESUS, seeing the multitudes, went up into a mountain; and when he was set, his disciples came unto him. And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peace-makers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. (Matthew 5.1-12)  Central Christian Church
Return to Campus Survey Resuming in person worship in October, 2020 Return to Worship Survey: Please click here. Several long time members and other very new members and visitors have inquired about when we will be resuming in person worship. The Elders agreed several weeks ago to begin polling the congregation on which folks are ready to return and which will not be. It appears that we can consider resuming in person worship with certain strict protocols in place with minimal calculated risk. We’ve done our research, mostly through conversations with trusted ministry leaders and by reading reputable sites linked below. We encourage you to also do your own. All of this depends on the changing situation in our community. After reading the rest of this, please click the link to fill out our “Return to Campus” survey to share your thoughts, or call the church office. The decision will rest with the Board, following consultation with the Elders. Return to Worship Survey: Please click here. Suggested Protocols include
Return to Worship Survey: Please click here. Research
Return to Worship Survey: Please click here.  Rev. Dr. Andy Mangum, who prefers to simply be called Andy, is the Regional Minister of the Christian Church in the Southwest. He is married to Lori Mangum. They both graduated from West Texas A&M University. They have three children. Madison Coleman who is married to Taylor, Andrew Mangum and Joshua Mangum. They have identical twin granddaughters, Annaleigh and Elizabeth Coleman. Andy is a graduate of Brite Divinity School (MDiv) and Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary (DMin). He served in youth ministry at First Christian Church, Amarillo and Central Christian Church in Weatherford, Texas. He has served as pastor at First Christian Church, DeSoto, Texas, First Christian Church, Irving, Texas, and First Christian Church in Arlington, Texas.
Dr. Mangum will be our guest preacher on Sunday, 6/7/2020. Sermon Intro: Those who recite the Nicene Creed confess faith in the “Holy Spirit, the Giver of Life.” While we often think of the Holy Spirit as one who guides, equips, convicts and comforts, scripture also speaks of the Spirit as the force of God which animates creation (Psalm 104:30). In our focus text for this series, the Spirit’s participation in creation is symbolized in “Fruit.” Paul wrote to the Church in Galatia, “The Fruit of the Sprit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” I am reminded of the many Sunday School lessons that placed these virtues on paper apples, pineapples, oranges and bananas. If we were lucky, the teacher would go through the extra effort of having actual fruit and we would be given grapes, or orange wedges, or apple slices to chew on while we studied the scriptures. I used to love that imagery—I still do. However, the direct or indirect message we received through these lessons is the we were to cultivate these virtues within ourselves through our own force of will. Yet, fruit of the Spirit is more than an object lesson for Paul. Fruit is more than a symbol of life. Fruit is the embodiment of life. It is the womb of a tree or vine or bush. Without fruit there is no complex plant life. To speak of the fruit of the Spirit is to speak of God’s generative act in forming us and making us. We do not produce out of our own character. Fruit of the Spirit emerges from us through the Spirit’s act. Fruit emerge from us through the Holy Spirit, the Giver of Life. A Harvest of Faith: The Spirit Sends the Church to the WorldPrintable Booklet Version  We want to be proactive, not reactive. We want to take the situation seriously and act to keep our community healthy and avoid unnecessary risks. So...
1) Actions we have taken: disbursed hand sanitizer more widely around the campus; started using gloves to prepare communion; all serving communion use hand sanitizer before; encouraging elbow mumps or "hands together bow" in lieu of handshakes. 2) What are your own personal thoughts about your personal risk level and toleranace and what you think you need to do? 3) Elders, please reach out to the folks in your family group who are active and get feedback from them. How anxious are they? 4) The situation is obviously fluid. We will watch day to day and make decisions as staff and executive com. If you have concerns, please let myself, Russell, Anne or the church office know. LINKS: Disciples of Christ response Dallas County Health Dept City of Dallas CDC Please take care of yourself and those around you. Check on the elderly or others who are at greater risk - do they need help with shopping etc if they're self-quarantining? Be smart. Be hopeful. For heaven sakes wash your hands!!! Ken
Pastor Ken talks briefly about how Central has opened its campus to the community.
In the Fall of 2019 we produced three short film pieces that helped capture a point in time. They told the story of the impact we were having in people's lives, and the growing and diverse community that was gathering at 4711 Westside Drive. The Church on Mission - the church exists to serve the world.How Central Christian Church is birthing Central Westside.One woman's journey toward wellness inspires the campus.World Communion Sunday |
| This Sunday, October 6th we'll celebrate World Communion Sunday with our brothers and sisters from the Berean Ethiopian Evangelical Church. The service will begin at our usual worship time (11:00 AM) but we will meet in Fellowship Hall. Then, plan to stay for Pot-luck lunch. The Ethiopian Church will bring their traditional food and Central will provide the meat and drinks. |  |
In Preparation for Sunday Worship
 | We have incorporated music from both congregations in planning the service. To prepare for the piece that we will sing together we've included a link so you can practice! The piece is titled "Ende Egziabher Yale Manew." Click <<HERE>> to listen to it on Facebook - follow along with the words on the left. |
Join us for this adventure as we learn to "Love your neighbor as yourself."
Saturday: September 28, January 11 and April 25th - 10am-4pm
Central Westside Campus - 4711 Westside Drive, Dallas, 75209
Saturday: September 28, January 11 and April 25th - 10am-4pm
Central Westside Campus - 4711 Westside Drive, Dallas, 75209
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