COMMUNION PACKETS are available in the back of the sanctuary, along with a basket for
your TITHES, OFFERINGS and BLUE CARDS.
PRELUDE • The Handbell Choir
GRAZIOSO
*WELCOME • CALL TO WORSHIP from PSALM 116 • Rev. Rick Vale
PASTOR: I love the LORD because
He has heard my appeal for mercy.
Because He has turned His ear to me,
I will call out to Him as long as I live.
PEOPLE: The LORD is gracious and righteous
Our God is compassionate.
The LORD guards the inexperienced
I was helpless, and He saved me.
PASTOR: Return to your rest, my soul,
For the LORD has been good to you.
How can I repay the LORD for all the good
He has done for me?
PEOPLE: I will take the cup of salvation
And call on the name of Yahweh.
I will fulfill my vows to the LORD
In the presence of all His people.
PASTOR: LORD, I am indeed Your servant
You have loosened my bonds.
PEOPLE: I will offer You a sacrifice of thanksgiving
and call on the name of Yahweh.
I will fulfill my vows to the LORD
in the presence of all His people
SONG • 277 CHRISTIANS WE HAVE MET TO WORSHIP
INVOCATION • CONFESSION • RESPONSE • PSALM 19:14
Give thanks with a grateful heart, give thanks to the Holy One,
Give thanks, because He’s given Jesus Christ, His Son (repeat lines)
And now, let the weak say, “I am strong.” Let the poor say, “I am rich,
Because of what the Lord has done for us.”
And now, let the sick say, “I am whole.” Let the bound say, “I am free,
Because of what the Lord has done for us…give thanks.
GIVE THANKS • Henry Smith
SONG • 543 BLESSED ASSURANCE
THE FIRST READING • Doug Barron, Elder
II CORINTHIANS 9:6-11
Remember this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously.
Each person should do as he has decided in his heart — not reluctantly
or out of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able
to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way,
always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work. As it is written: He scattered; He gave to the poor;
His righteousness endures forever.
Now the One who provides seed for the sower and bread for food
will provide and multiply your seed and increase the harvest
of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us.
THE SECOND READING & LESSON • Pastor Rick
TASTE & SEE: “LEFTOVERS” STEW • Mark 6:30-43
The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to Him all that they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away by yourselves
to a remote place and rest a while.” For many people were coming
and going, and they did not even have time to eat. So they went away
in the boat by themselves to a remote place, but many saw them leaving and recognized them. People ran there by land from all the towns
and arrived ahead of them. So as He stepped ashore, He saw a
huge crowd and had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. Then He began to teach them many things.
When it was already late, His disciples approached Him and said,
“This place is a wilderness, and it is already late! Send them away,
so they can go into the surrounding countryside and villages to
buy themselves something to eat.”
“You give them something to eat,” He responded.
They said to Him, “Should we go and buy 200 denarii worth of bread
and give them something to eat?”
And He asked them, “How many loaves do you have? Go look.”
When they found out they said, “Five, and two fish.”
Then He instructed them to have all the people sit down in groups
on the green grass. So they sat down in ranks of hundreds and fifties.
Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke the loaves. He kept giving them to His disciples
to set before the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. Everyone ate and was filled. Then they picked up
12 baskets full of pieces of bread and fish.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
We will recite THE LORD’S PRAYER together at the end of the PRAYER • MATT 6:9-13 & LUKE 11:1-4
Our Father, which art in heaven; Hallowed be Thy name,
Thy Kingdom come: Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us, this day, our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses, as we also forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one,
For Thine is the Kingdom, the power & the glory forever. Amen.
SONG • AS THE DEER
As the deer panteth for the water
So my soul longeth after Thee.
You alone are my heart’s desire
And I long to worship Thee.
You alone are my strength, my shield
In You alone does my spirit yield
You alone are my heart’s desire
And I long to worship Thee.
AS THE DEER • M. Nystrom
INVITATION TO THE TABLE
COMMUNION PRAYER Mike Romack, Elder
“WORDS OF INSTITUTION” • COMMUNION
All believers in Christ are welcome at the table. You are welcome to either stay in your pew and receive COMMUNION or come up (by the side aisles). Open your hand and receive the bread, dip it in the cup and take it there. Then you may light a PRAYER CANDLE at the stations on the north and south entrances to the sanctuary, place a “BURDEN STONE” in the water bowl in the back of the sanctuary.
PRAYER, SONG & BENEDICTION • I TIMOTHY 1:17 • NUMBERS 6:24-26
Praise God from Whom all blessings flow.
Praise Him, all creatures here below.
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host.
Praise Father, Son, & Holy Ghost.
Thomas Ken • Louis Bourgeois
POSTLUDE • Mike Meadows
You are invited to SIMS PARLOR for some light refreshments during Central’s Fellowship Time, hosted by Vicki Sawyer.
THE CALENDAR: THIS WEEK
“NC”-Non Church | “OS”-Off Site Event
THE CALENDAR: THIS WEEK
“NC”-Non Church | “OS”-Off Site Event
Sunday, March 15th | LENT IV
8:30am: Chancel Choir Rehearsal
10:00am: Worship
11:20am: Fellowship Time
3:00pm: CCC ST. PATRICK’S CONCERT
7:00pm: NA Meeting (NC)
Monday, March 16th
6:30pm: ALLEY THEATRE Reh.
Tuesday, March 17th
ST. PATRICK’S DAY
9:00a – 5:00p: Church Office Open
7:30am: Tuesdays at The Toast (OS)
9:00am: Women’s Bible Study
1:00pm: CCC Yarn Ministry
6:30pm: Alley Theatre Rehearsal
Wednesday, March 18th
6:00pm: CCC Lenten Elder Thoughts
6:30pm: Alley Theatre Rehearsal
Thursday, March 19th
11:00am: PBS-Ephesians
7:00pm: The Alley Theatre presents,
MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR (OS)
8:00pm: NA Meeting (NC)
Friday, March 20th
Noon: NA Meeting (NC)
7:00pm: The Alley Theatre presents,
MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR (OS)
Saturday, March 21st
7:00pm: The Alley Theatre presents,
MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR (OS)
Sunday March 22nd | LENT V
(FERN SUNDAY)
8:30am: Chancel Choir Rehearsal
10:00am: Worship
11:20am: Fellowship Time
2:00pm: The Alley Theatre presents,
MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR (OS)
7:00pm: NA Meeting (NC)
SERVING NEXT SUNDAY
March 22, 2026
ELDERS
Steve Horn (S)
Doug Barron (N)
HEAD GREETER
Lynn High
DOORGREETERS
Carlynn Malone (Jackson)
Nancy Pitcock (10th)
Jerry Pitcock (Elevator)
DEACONS
Jessica Ketchem-Ebbert
Melissa Odom
SOUND ENGINEER
Ed Combs
COFFEE HOUR HOST
Julie Morse & Becky Bathauer
MARCH FOOD PANTRY
Nancy Pitcock
Please contact THE CHURCH OFFICE (76.643.0701) with your requests. Names should be submitted ONLY with approval from that person. Confidential requests are treated as such by CCC’s Staff and Prayer Groups. The PRAYERS FOR OUR FRIENDS & FAMILIES is refreshed at the beginning of every month. If you would like a request to remain, please request it again on your BLUE CARD, the final Sunday of the month prior.
THIS MONTH we pray for: CCC Finance Director & Committee
THIS WEEK we pray for: South Meridian Church of God
Andrea Adcox
Connie Ahlers
Joan Allison
Mike Allison
Al Beaty
Vera Benefiel
Lyle & Cindy Crouse
Ned Hannah
Bill & Susan Herbig
Jack Hiatt
Wanda Hoover
Christie Huff
Jack Kyhnell
Don Lynch
Donna McFadden
Marian McLaughlin
Lois Meltzer
Libby Munshaur
Bill Ogden
Bill & Sue Presser
Karen Priest
Della Rickett
Dave Rowlen
Judy Wood
During this time of military conflict, we pray for peace, we pray for the safety of all military personnel, and we pray especially for the “innocent” who suffer the most when countries and military leaders declare war.
Eileen Able | Req. by John & Luanna Robinson
Jack Beard | Req. by Charlie & Lynn High
T. Benton | Req. by Rick Vale & Cito Wyatt
Chrissie Bernard & Family | Req. by Cindy Silvey
Greg & Cathy Blackwell | Req. by Phyllis Dodd
Victoria Carrell| Req. by Matt & Lauren Stapleton
Riley Combs | Req. by Ed & Margaret Combs
Linda Creason | Req. by John & Luanna Robinson
Roger Creason | Req. by John & Luanna Robinson
Dave & Nancy | Req. by Wes & Sarah Sheler
Denny Cregg | Req. by Larry & Coni Reveal
Kathi Cregg & Family | Req. by Larry & Coni Reveal
DJ | Req. by Karl & Sara Keller
Douglas Family | Req. by John & Luanna Robinson
Renee Dunham| Req. by John & Luanna Robinson
Joy Edeker Family | Req. by Matt & Lauren Stapleton
Family | Req. by Ralph & Karen Sipes
Becky Fields| Req. by Steve & Linda Horn
First Presbyterian Church congregation | Req. by Matt & Lauren Stapleton
Teri Hawes | Req. by Sharon Wolfe
Connor & Hannay Holder | Req. by Sandy Holder
Nancy & Mark Hooker | Req. by Sharon Wolfe
Nicci Hovermale | Req. by Becky Atkinson
Jama Jamerson | Req. by Sharon Wolfe
Nash Jarvis | Req. by Sharon Wolfe
Trent Jarvis | Req. by Sharon Wolfe
Jim & Penny | Req. by Sarah Sheler
Scott Keller | Req. by Karl & Sara Keller
Lisa Lawson| Req. by Matt & Lauren Stapleton
Carolyn Mangin | Req. by Charlie & Lynn High
Mary & Noah | Req. by Christie Huff
Wilma Mason | Req. by Paul & Nancy Cunningham
David McCafferty | Req. by Joe & Susan McDuffee
Doug Mundt | Req. by Christie Huff
Larry Nance | Req. Paul & Nancy Cunningham
Amy Oliver, Jennifer Slattery, & Families | Req. by Carlynn Malone
Brad & Cindy Ormes | Req. by Sharon Wolfe
Martha Passwater | Req. by Patty Glaze
James & Dawn Perdue | Req. by Jay & Kathleen Wile
Perry/Hayes Families | Req. by John & Luanna Robinson
David Posey | Req. by John & Luanna Robinson
Andrea Presser| Req. by Bill & Sue Presser
Brayden Presser| Req. by Bill & Sue Presser
Joe R. | Req. by John & Luanna Robinson
Mike & Ruth Raymer | Req. by Sharon Wolfe
Brenda Rector | Req. by John & Luanna Robinson
Niko Rogina | Req. by Patty Glaze
Allen Romack | Req. by Mike Romack
Colin Seamon | Req. by Jerry & Nancy Pitcock
John & Marsha Simmerman | Req. by Jerry & Nancy Pitcock
Skyler | Req. by John & Luanna Robinson
Ian Smith | Req. by Charlie & Lynn High
Brad Stinson | Req. by Ed & Margaret Combs
Students & Teachers at our Schools | Req. by Ralph & Karen Sipes
Dempsey Sturgill | Req. by Christie Huff
Rhonda Tinch-Mize | Req. Rick Vale & Cito Wyatt
Unspoken| Req. by Sandy Leslie
Unspoken | Req. by Mike & Pam McCarty
Martha White | Req. by Sarah Sheler
Jay Wile | Req. by Kathleen Wile
Sharon Williams | Req. by her “Soroptimist Sisters”
Linda Horn…March 2
Paul Cunningham…March 12
Jesse Friend…March 14
Jerry Pitcock…March 15
Gretchen Gwynn…March 19
Connie Evans…March 28
Central’s CHANCEL CHOIR, HANDBELL CHOIR, and soloists present,
A ST. PATRICK’S DAY CONCERT TODAY – Sunday March 15th at 3:00pm
This concert will contain some of the music from our previously scheduled “Christmas at Central” Concert which was postponed for weather…plus some other appropriate songs for your enjoyment. All are welcome to this free concert…come & enjoy!
As is our tradition during the Season of LENT (at Central) you are invited to get to know a few of our ELDERS a little better. They share stories of their life, how they met God, and how they became connected to Central Christian Church. Each Wednesday night at 6:00pm you are invited to Schuster Chapel to hear the “heart stories” from a few of Central’s Elders. Here is the schedule. Each is at 6:00pm in Schuster Chapel (the outside 10th Street Chapel door will be unlocked). February 25th: Susan McDuffee, March 4th: Connie Millikan, March 11th: Susan Akers, March 18th: Jeff Akers, and March 25th: Mike Romack
Pastor Rick will lead in THE PASTOR’S BIBLE STUDY (PBS) during Lent, each Thursday at 11:00am in Schuster Chapel.
This season of LENT we will look at the book of EPHESIANS and dissect it together to see what Paul is really talking about here.
Though many of us who identify as “Christian” might have been taught (and believe) the goal of life to be to “do the right thing and then gain admission to heaven” Paul doesn’t necessarily believe or teach that frame of mind…let’s look again that this book, that also gives reference and substance to all of his other writings.
This PBS LENTEN SERIES will be Thursdays at 11:00am
February 19th – March 26th in Schuster Chapel – ALL ARE WELCOME – please bring your Bibles.
EASTER LILY orders will be taken each Sunday in March.
You can purchase a lily in honor/memory of a friend or loved one
for $10 to be used in our Sanctuary decor.
Sign up for EASTER BREAKFAST by circling “B”
on your WELCOME CARD Sunday!
William Shakespeare’s comedy, THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR March 19 – 22, 2026
Tradition tells us that Queen Elizabeth I commissioned, or requested, this script after seeing HENRY IV, parts I and II. She wanted to see one of the comic characters, “Sir John Falstaff” in love. Thus, the play was born. Set in the English village of Windsor and its middle-class population of Elizabethan times, Karen Sipes directs this thoroughly entertaining but lesser-known comedy in THE ANDERSON MUSEUM OF ART.
Tickets: $12 • www.thealleytheatre.com • Festival Seating
Thurs. – Sat. at 7pm & Sun. at 2pm • THE ANDERSON MUSEUM of ART
Thursday March 19th – ALLEY THEATRE Opening Night at the Museum
“THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR” by William Shakespeare
Sunday March 29th – PALM SUNDAY
Thursday April 2nd – MAUNDY THURSDAY ALL-CHURCH SEDER
Sunday April 5th – EASTER SUNDAY!
Sunday May 24th – PENTECOST SUNDAY
Sunday July 5th – INDEPENDENCE DAY WORSHIP
Sunday August 2nd – JAZZ SUNDAY