Sandersville Youth "Adopt" a child
in DFCS custody
|
Carly, Katlyn, and Suzanna are
three of the teens
involved in encouraging foster children |
The youth group of the First Christian Church in
Sandersville takes the commandment to “love thy neighbor as thyself” to
heart. One way they have decided to do this is by “adopting” a child in
Washington DFCS’s custody and making sure this child receives birthday
cards and other “goodies” through-out the year. Each child in the youth
group adopts one foster child, so none of the foster children are left
out.
During this project the children in the Youth Group
are learning some hard lessons – that not all children have loving
parents and safe homes. They are learning that sometime adults do indeed
hurt children. But they are also learning to look beyond their own
protected environment and reach out to children who are in pain... and
to try to relieve that pain, if only for a few minutes, in the only way
they know how. They are learning to model Jesus’ behavior when he
instructed His disciples to “bring the little children unto me”.
And the foster children are learning that, despite the
horrific circumstances they have endured, there are people, strangers,
who do care about them, who do love them, and who do want to help them.
Sometimes it takes a child to reach another child and touch them in a
way adults, with the best of intentions, can never do. Washington DFCS
is grateful for this youth group, and we know our children in foster
care will have a better experience in care and, hopefully, better
experiences in life, because of them.
 Cedar
Cross
This beautiful hand hewn cedar cross was the backdrop for Easter
worship at First Christian Church of Sandersville Georgia on April 23,
2008.
The cross, which is 11' 8" tall, was built by David Kitchens
and contributed to the church by Stacer Helton.
An Amazing Year at First
Christian Church Sandersville
As the year of our Lord, 2007, comes to an end, we
reflect on one of the most unusual series of celebrations that a
congregation can ever have. During this last year, we celebrated the
150th year of the history of this fellowship of Christians, the 100th
Anniversary of the sanctuary, and the 25th year of the Mission Store.
 On
the 150th anniversary, last June, the young people wore nineteenth
century attire, as they served the celebration meal. Among the Christian
Churches (Disciples of Christ), this is one of the oldest congregations.
One of its founders, J.S. Lamar, has a place in Disciple history. A
century and a half after its founding, it continues to serve the City of
Sandersville as a place of service and worship.
To commemorate this milestone, the newly reorganized
Disciple Men's group constructed a float for the Kaolin Parade. In its
division, it won first place. The model of the church building, that was
the primary symbol on the float, now resides in the church basement. The
basement, once the fellowship hall for previous generations, is now the
home of the youth group.
This year has also seen the expansion of the music
ministry with harp, organ, and keyboard. The music alone is worth a
visit to this church (Sundays at 11 AM). You will also notice that the
people live up to the slogan on the sign out front: "Love Spoken Here."
First Christian is a very caring church.
During the school year, there is a program for youth
on Wednesday evenings. It begins after school and includes outdoor
activities, classes, projects, music, and supper. Youth who participate
in this program, and that are involved in the fund raisers, are eligible
for the January "Youth-a-Palooza" trip.
If the one-hundred year old sanctuary could talk, it
would tell of the many prayers, songs, sermons, communion, and baptisms
that are part of the life of this congregation. it would speak of the
sharing times when we "weep with those who weep and rejoice with those
who rejoice." The sanctuary harkens back to a time of horses and
carriages. It echoes the hopes of each generation from before the first
World War to the present day.
The Mission Store has served thousands of people in
its twenty-five year history. This store has sold and given away
clothing and household items to so many. Just this last week, it gave
away numerous winter coats. Many items of clothing sell for as little as
twenty-five cents. Generosity is a keynote of First Christian Church.
With this busy year behind us, we look forward to many
more decades - and perhaps even centuries ahead - of serving the Lord.
We are grateful to God and to all in Washington County that have visited
with us and helped us with our many projects.
Dale Andrews
Minister of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) |
