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MIDDLE SCHOOL/SENIOR HIGH YOUTH GROUPS
Here at Central, we desire our youth to develop a deep, intimate relationship with our Mighty Creator. While we are journeying through life together, we make it a priority to serve each other, spread the love of Christ everywhere we go, share in fellowship with one another, seek to grow closer to Him. We want to do all of this while worshipping our Lord and having fun!
The teens in our youth group are amazing! Don’t blink, or you might miss an incredible moment of God working through the lives of these teens. Not a day goes by where we don’t grow spiritually.
The CYG (Central Youth Group) calendar is full of events such as devotionals, service projects, area-wide events, youth rallies, lock-ins, weekly Bible study, and a number of other things that keep our hearts centered on our Creator. The CYG invites all middle school and high school teens to join us on our quest to live a life worthy of God’s calling.
THE BEREAN CLUB
The Berean Club began meeting in September, 2005 and is for children in the first grade through fifth grade. The Berean Club meets during Bible class each Wednesday night at 7:00. These exciting new programs have been designed specifically for the children and their Christian education. The classes and activities place a tremendous emphasis on scripture memorization and Bible application. Through regular attendance and participation, the children’s faith in God will grow, and their desire to help others will increase.
NURSERY
Central’s attended nursery for babies through walking children is located in the Cradle Roll classroom. Children walking through two years old nursery is in the Toddlers/2 year old classroom. Both rooms are located back of the Small Auditorium, across from the restrooms. Members at Central provide child care on Sunday mornings and nights.
An unattended nursery for parents with small children has been reopened in the upstairs balcony area. This nursery may be accessed via the stairs behind the ladies restroom. Parents will need to remain with their children.
QUIET BAGS
Quiet bags are furnished to help entertain and ‘quiet’ small children during worship services. The bags contain coloring papers, books, quiet toys and games. We especially hope these are helpful for our visitors.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
Vacation Bible School is an exciting time and is a learning experience for all ages. VBS for 2007 has been scheduled for June 3 - 6, with classes meeting in the evening. Volunteers are needed and may contact Chris Petty, Central’s Youth Minister.
TEACHERS’ WORKROOM
Central’s excellent Teachers’ Workroom is well supplied with items needed by teachers to complete their Bible lessons and to decorate their classrooms. Some of the equipment available includes a large paper cutter, opaque projector (small & large), over-head projector, and a die cutter with alphabet and other shapes. TV’s and VCR’s are available upon request.
CHRISTIAN STUDENT CENTER
The Christian Student Center is located on North Oak Street across from the campus of Valdosta State University. College age students and friends meet on Wednesday nights at 7:30 for Bible class and fellowship.
At the present time, the Student Center building is closed for other activities. Central’s new youth minister and his wife are living in the Student Center until they find a place of their own. Wes Force and his wife, Carolyn, are working with the college group.
LADIES' MINISTRIES
The Tuesday Ladies' Bible Class meets at 10:30 for Bible study, prayer, and fellowship. Class projects include sending greeting cards to the sick, bereaved and down-hearted; ‘police’ the kitchens. Frequent potluck luncheons are planned. Guest speakers are invited. A nursery is provided.
The Flower Ladies at Central have built a "lovely" reputation at the Heritage House and Holly Hill Nursing Homes. Volunteers meet on Wednesdays at the nursing home at 9:00 A. M. The flowers, donated by florists of Valdosta, are arranged in vases of water. Residents are delighted to see the ladies as they deliver the flowers.
Another opportunity for our ladies to serve is as a member of a Shower Group. Each group takes a turn with the preparations and decorating for an upcoming wedding or baby shower.
The Funeral Food Groups are dedicated to serving others in times of bereavement. All lady members are placed in a group. Each member will be called by the leader when it is the group's turn to provide food.
The Love Bear Connection was introduced to the ladies of Central by Elizabeth Hills. Love Bears are crafted and delivered to the hospital to be distributed to the patients in pediatrics surgery and the children in the emergency room. The sticker on the back of the bear says "Made with Love, Central Church of Christ, 242-6115."
MEN'S PRAYER GROUP
A group of men at Central meets at 7:00 each Tuesday morning for coffee, biscuit and jelly, or donut and a period of prayer and fellowship. What a wonderful way to begin the day and the rest of the week!
VISITATION
Visitation teams at Central consist of members who have volunteered to visit on a regular basis and have been assigned to one of six teams. Visits are made to shut-ins, nursing homes, recent visitors and new members, and to those who may need some encouragement. Cards and telephone calls are also used as a way to visit and remember others.
Another visitation opportunity is to visit the Sunday visitors on the following Monday night. A gift of sweets is taken to the recent visitors to let them know that they are appreciated at Central.
CENTRAL'S SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT GROUPS
A number of Central’s deacons and their wives have reorganized the Family Life Clusters into the Spiritual Enrichment Groups. These groups will be smaller in number. They will meet for a time of Bible study and devotionals, fellowship and caring activities, & service activities.
THE 39ers
The 39ers is a group formed to offer encouragement, fellowship, activities and support for those retired and/or over 55 years of age. Meals and other activities are scheduled. Special guests are invited to present information of interest to this age group.
SATURDAY SOUP KITCHEN
The Saturday Soup Kitchen provides for the needy of the community. On the first Saturday of each month, a group from Central gathers to cook and serve a noon meal. Other helpers are needed each month. To volunteer to help in the Saturday Soup Kitchen see Mike or Patsy Black, or just come on the Soup Kitchen Saturday.
TAPE MINISTRY
The tape ministry at Central provides cd’s of the Sunday morning and evening sermons upon request. Also available are videos of the entire services with extras, such as seeing everyone come in from Bible classes, the boards showing the attendance and contribution records, announcements, etc. The videos of each Sunday morning and night are delivered to Central’s shut-ins on a regular basis. This provides the shut-ins with a time of fellowship and worship with the congregation, even though they are unable to attend.
DISASTER SERVICES
When the call from the Red Cross came asking for the use of the Central church facilities to house refugees of disasters, a good number of Central’s members answered that call. During the winter of 2000, a group participated in the Mass Care Training. They learned how the facilities can be used to house and care for refugees from disasters such as hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, etc. During the bad hurricane season of 2004, Central’s members used the facilities to care for many. Members also helped at the Mathis City Auditorium. In 2005, members of an extended family were housed in the Annex for more than a week as a result of Katrina. Other than those who participated in the Red Cross Training, additional help is needed from members of the congregation. There will be opportunities such as playing board games, answering questions about the Valdosta area, handing out snacks, or just talking with others, etc.
RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE
Another service offered by Central with the Red Cross is participating in blood drives in the Annex. These blood drives have succeeded in providing "the gift of life" with over 30 units at each drive donated by members and friends of Central. A person may donate blood every 56 days. Watch for the date of the next scheduled blood drive and take advantage of this opportunity to serve others with a life-saving gift!
In 2006, the 500th unit of blood donated at Central was donated during the blood drive scheduled on August 27. Jerry McMullen, Jr. was presented with an American Red Cross Commemorative Poster donated by Richard and Jan Hamlen. This limited edition poster had been created and donated by the Walt Disney World Company to the American Red Cross in 1990.
CHURCH LIBRARY
The church library, located in the office hall area, is available for use by those interested in reading, Bible studying, research, etc. The library has written materials as well as audio cassettes with personal study topics and complete readings of the Bible. Videos, including family type movies as well as Bible topics, have been added to the collection. The library includes a Children’s section full of books and video movies. Books and other materials may be checked out using the Library check-out system.
In June of 2003, the church library celebrated a milestone in history. There are now over 3000 books, audio and video tapes, and movie videos. The selection of feature films for families can turn a rainy day into a sunny one. In 2004, the church library was completely renovated with new carpet, paint and beautiful new bookcases.
SOFTBALL
The Central Avenue Church participates in city recreational league softball each year by fielding teams during the Spring and Summer seasons. Contact Matt Malone at 244-0882 for more information.
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