Custodian: Kevin Green

Disciples of Christ History

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) began in the early 1800s in the United States. Seeking to move beyond denominational disagreements, the founders envisioned a united church modeled on the New Testament.
Disciple congregations today share these characteristics:

• Each congregation is self-governing and calls its own pastor.
• Worship services may be formal or informal, and include lay women and men in leadership.
• Open discussion of issues is encouraged. Diversity of opinion is common.
• We are growing in racial and ethnic diversity.

Disciples affirm that Jesus Christ is the son of the Living God, and offers saving grace to all. Disciples also believe that all persons are children of God.

Disciples practices and beliefs include:
Open Communion – The Lord’s Supper, or Communion, is celebrated in weekly worship. It is open to all who believe in Jesus Christ.

Freedom of Belief – Disciples are called together around one essential of faith: belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Persons are free to follow their consciences guided by the Bible, the Holy Spirit, study and prayer, and are expected to extend that freedom to others.

Baptism by Immersion – In baptism the old self-centered life is set aside, and a new life of trust in God begins. Although Disciples practice baptism by immersion, other baptism traditions are honored.

Belief in the Oneness of the Church – All Christians are called to be one in Christ and to seek opportunities for common witness and service.

The Ministry of Believers – Both ministers and lay persons lead in worship, service, and spiritual growth.

The symbol of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is a red chalice, emblazoned with a white St. Andrew’s cross. The chalice symbolizes the central place of communion in worship. The X-shaped cross of the disciple Andrew is a reminder of the ministry of each person and the importance of evangelism.

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Pastor’s Message

Something to Think About as a Family of God

Since this Portrait Newsletter is for May and June, I will combine Mother’s Day and Father’s Day meditations.

We are called to look at Motherhood and Fatherhood in three ways.

The first way is to accept that being a parent is a gift from God. Many parents in the New Testament truly take this gift of having children very seriously. You know they do because they go out of their way to reach out to Jesus to ask for healing for their sick children.

Jesus takes helping children very seriously. Physical, mental, and spiritual well-being are priorities for him. He takes the time to help the parents who have come to him heal their children. Even if the parents have some doubt about Jesus, (see Mark 9:14-29), he helps the parent and the child find healing through their faith.

Yes, there are times we find it hard to be good parents, and our children drive us crazy sometimes. Jesus is an example who sees children as a blessing from God.

When I was younger and immature as a parent, I didn’t take them seriously because I wasn’t taken seriously as a child many times growing up.

The second thing we are called to do as parents is to take what our children say seriously.

In John 6:1-14, the Disciples asked the crowd for help, seeking donations to feed the large crowd. Jesus took the boy’s offering seriously and used it to feed the large crowd.

It is easy sometimes to disregard our children and not take them seriously. Sometimes our children think something is more important than it really is.

Please take the time to listen to them, and if you determine that what they think is a big deal really isn’t, listen and move on, or help them understand the true importance of their situation. But you took the time to listen to them, and that is the important thing.

There might be a time when they really need your help, and you want them to come to you and share their real problem. The older I get and the older my children get, the more I listen to what they have to say, and it helps me more than I could have imagined.

The third thing we are called to do as mothers and fathers is to see our children as a blessing from God. Yes, they can be a challenge in our lives, but weren’t we the same way with our parents?

If we believe that our children are a big part of the family of God, as we are, then God has blessed us with their lives, and we are to help and support them as they grow into adults.

May we realize that what we say and do, and what we don’t do, can affect the lives of our children and grandchildren.

May you have a great Mother’s and Father’s Day as you help your children learn and know that they are a gift to us, that we take them seriously, and that they are a blessing God has given to us to enhance our lives and to be part of the family of God. Amen! 

Love You All,

Rev. Craig