This document is the winter edition of The Point newsletter from CenterPoint Church of God. It includes sections on the pastor's corner, upcoming events, past events, ministry spotlight, fun stuff, and birthdays/anniversaries. The pastor's corner article discusses how people are like cookies that start the same but become unique based on the time spent with the "maker." Upcoming events promote various young adult and family activities. The ministry spotlight highlights the young adult ministry's goal of helping young adults develop a personal faith.

1. The Point 2015
Winter Edition
In This Issue:
Pastor’s Corner
Upcoming Events
Past Events
Ministry Spotlight
Fun Stuff
Member
Contributions
Requests
Pastor’s Corner
“Cookie Cutter People”
By Pastor Gerald “Jerry” Coleman
CenterPoint Church of God I 5023 Davis Ford Road, Woodbridge, Virginia 22192
I saw a graphic recently that pictured a sheet of cookies all
apparently cut from the same cookie cutter mold. The interesting
thing was, though they all had the same shape, the same
ingredients, the same texture, the same time in the oven and even
the same smell. Their individual uniqueness took place after they
were baked. They took on different characteristics as the baker
gave each one individual attention after they were made. Each of
them had the same potential but it was the things that happened to
them after the baking that began to distinguish one from the other.
There is a similarity in our lives. We each came into the
world with the same substance, and each with the potential to be
any kind of individual. It really depends on how much time we
spend with the maker that determines our quality, our beauty and
our value. Not a value as the world defines, but a true value as
determined by how much we give of ourselves. Our purpose here is
to serve God by serving others. You know of people who are just a
joy to be around. They are encouraging, uplifting, and a spiritual
beacon.
Jesus spent a great deal of time in prayer. He came into this
world in the traditional cookie cutter form of a man. He had no
intention of continuing that way (Luke 2:49 And he said unto them,
How is it that ye sought me? Wist ye not that I must be about my
Father's business?). He presented himself in prayer to the Father
and was ministered to or enhance by the word, by the angels, and
by the spirit. The people from his home area kept trying to put him
back into the cookie cutter mold (“he’s just a carpenter’s son, he has
brothers and sisters like everyone else, he has a mother”). Matt
13:54 tells us “when he was come into his own country, he taught
them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and
said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?”
Ps 17:15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I
shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness. KJV

2. The Point Winter Edition
Upcoming Events
CenterPoint Church of God I 5023 Davis Ford Road, Woodbridge, Virginia 22192
EVENT/
LOCATION
Young Adult
Movie Night
The Morris Home
Pots, Pans &
Prophesy
Location - TBD
Young Adult
Bowling
Ft. Belvoir
Bowling Center
Young Adult
Game Night
Location - TBD
Sight & Sound
Play “Moses“
Lancaster, PA
Couponing 101
Fellowship Hall
CONTACT
David Morris
Martha
Coleman
David Morris
David Morris
Martha
Coleman
Mary Brooks
Anton Brooks
DATE /
TIME
January 2nd
7:00pm –
until
January 27th
TBD
March 14th
2:00pm –
until
February
21st
3:00pm -
until
TBD
March 21st
10:00am-
12:00pm
DESCRIPTION
Calling all young adults!! We
will be gathering together to
fellowship and watch a
movie. The Morris family
will provide their home as
the venue…you provide the
movie suggestions!
For more info, please see
Sister Martha Coleman.
Strike!!! At least that’s what
we hope to hear lots of. Will
the reigning champion hold
his title or will you be the
next bowling victor??! Join
the young adults as we knock
some pins down.
Put on your game hat and
let’s have a little friendly
competition!
For more info, please see
Sister Martha Coleman.
Let’s admit it! Money can be
tight in these financially
challenging times. However,
God has given us the ability
to be good stewards of our
resources, regardless of our
situation. Join us to find out
how you can make
couponing stretch your
dollar as far as it will go!
This introductory lesson will
teach you how to get started
as a smart coupon shopper.
2

3. CenterPoint Church of God I 5023 Davis Ford Road, Woodbridge, Virginia 22192
Winter EditionThe Point
Ongoing Events
EVENT
Sunday School
Sunday Service
Men’s Breakfast
Council Meeting
Family Life
Adults (40+)
Young Adults (Under 40)
Teens (9th—12th Grade)
Nursery (Infant – 2 years)
Rainbows (Boys and Girls 3 – 5 years)
Royal Rangers (Boys K – 8th Grade)
Blue Belles (Girls K- 3rd Grade)
Joy Belles (Girls 4th – 6th Grade)
Praise Team Rehearsal
Parent’s Night Out
Teen Gathering
DAY
Every Sunday
Every Sunday
Every 2 months on the 2nd Saturday
Every month on the 3rd Sunday
Every Wednesday
Every Sunday
Every Wednesday
February 6th & March 6th
1st Sunday of the month
TIME
10:00am – 10:45am
11:00am
8:00am – 11:00am
1:00pm
7:00pm – 8:00pm
8:45am – 9:45am
See Bro. Anton Brooks
See Sis. Angel Ngando
See Sis. Lori Forshee

4. Winter EditionThe Point
Past
Events
I want to thank you all for your help in making this [Christmas]
luncheon a success. Everything was delicious. I thank each and every
one of you for what you brought. A special thanks to the Simmons for all
their help with both set up & cleanup. Thank you Angel, Antoinette,
Sommer, Lois and my great little helper Angelina. You all are wonderful.
Matt, thanks for vacuuming and thanks to everyone else who
helped. Thank you CenterPoint family you all are wonderful!! Love you
all and thank God for you. May God bless you and your family
abundantly.
-Sister Rachel Morris
Christmas Luncheon - Thank You!
“Remembering Thanksgiving”
Young Adult Potluck
A Light from the Manger – Christmas Play
Children’s Christmas Party
Children’s Fall Festival
Thank you to all who participated
in this year’s Christmas play.
-Sister Martha Coleman

5. Winter EditionThe Point
Past
Events
New Year’s Eve Joint Service
CenterPoint Church of God I 5023 Davis Ford Road, Woodbridge, Virginia 22192
2 15“And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us…”
Psalm 90:17a

6. Ministry Spotlight
Winter EditionThe Point
I was reading an article in
Christianity Today titled, “The Reasons
Young Adults Drop Out of Church:
Young Adults Drop Out of Church
Because Their Faith Isn't Their Own”,
by Ed Stetzer. The article focused on
the precept that those young adults
that have not established their own
faith and relationship with Christ are
more likely to drop out of church.
Unfortunately, some never really
connected with the church and
understood how it could impact their
lives and spiritual growth. Some young
adults do not agree with the church’s
stance on political and social issues.
Some were going to church just to
please others, such as family members
and peers.
Whatever the reason some
young adults stopped going to church
after high school; CenterPoint Young
Adult Ministry wants to provide a safe
place for their return and growth in
spiritual understanding. Romans 10:17
tells us faith comes by hearing, and
hearing by the word of God. Our
ministry offers the opportunity and
environment for young adults to
experience an authentic relationship
with Christ. Our goal is to develop Spirit
filled, equipped and inspired young adults
that are Kingdom minded in all areas of
their lives. Why do we care? Simply
because it’s what Jesus would do.
- Pastor David Morris
http://www.christianitytoday.com/edstetzer/2014/de
cember/real-reasons-young-adults-drop-out-of-
church.html?paging=off
CenterPoint Church of God I 5023 Davis Ford Road, Woodbridge, Virginia 22192

7. Winter EditionThe Point
Fun Stuff
Ingredients
½ deli rotisserie chicken, diced finely
¼ C blue cheese crumbles
¼ C mozzarella cheese shreds
1 onion, diced finely
1 T olive oil
1 small can green chilies, drained
¼ C buffalo wing sauce
2 boxes ready-made pie crust
1 egg, whisked
Blue cheese dressing,
celery (if desired)
Instructions
Place the olive oil and onion in a sauté pan over
medium heat. Cook until onions are clear, about 5-6
minutes.
Place the onions and the remainder of the ingredients,
minus the pie crusts, in a bowl and mix well.
Roll out the pie crust on a flat surface. Using a 3 inch
round cookie or biscuit cutter, cut out rounds. Roll out
the leftover dough and cut again.
Place about ¾ of a teaspoon of filling in the middle of
each round. Fold the pie crust over the filling and match
edges, pressing firmly with a fork to seal.
Arrange the empanadas on an ungreased baking sheet.
Brush the whisked egg over each empanada.
Bake in a 375°F oven for 15-18 minutes, until crust is
golden brown.
Serve with blue cheese dressing and celery, if desired.
Game Day Chicken Empanadas
http://modernchristianhomemaker.com/game-day-buffalo-
chicken-empanadas/
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Judith Sauls 01/12
Lois Vaughan 01/18
William Simmons 01/21
Samantha Wilks 01/27
Jerome Ngando 01/31
Andrew Hoston 02/02
Lishawnta Williams 02/07
Sommer Gambatese 02/12
Austin Vaughn 02/13
Hasan Nibblins 02/17
Laci Wilks 02/24
Caleb Jones 02/25
Kaleeah Gordon 03/05
Isabel Ameh 03/06
Keyshla Gonzalez 03/13
Robb Lansdown 03/15
Sumayya Nibblins 03/16
Vayda Sorel 03/19
Martha Coleman 03/20
Christian Otoo 03/26
Carlos & Brittany Williams 01/01
Daniel & Deborah Rich 01/04
John & Andrea Casey-Otoo 01/08
Matthew & Beylinda Golding 02/15
Anton & Mary Brooks 03/03
Walter & Medjine Nibblins 03/23
Todd & Deana Shaffer 03/28
CenterPoint Church of God I 5023 Davis Ford Road, Woodbridge, Virginia 22192

8. Winter EditionThe Point
Member
Contributions
Over the years I have
wondered about the concept of
separation of church and state
(government), how the Internal
Revenue Service could allow a
deduction on your individual income
tax return for your tithes. After
agreeing to write an article for the
newsletter two scriptures kept coming
to mind. “Each one must give as he has
decided in his heart, not reluctantly or
under compulsion, for God loves a
cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7) And
the other was when the Pharisees
attempted to trick Jesus, he asked Jesus
about paying taxes to Caesar. And Jesus
replied “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s,
and to God what is God’s.” (Matthew
22:21)
What a blessing this is when
we can claim our gifts to God as a
deduction on our personal tax returns.
I know and have heard the arguments
over the years that you should not take
the church contribution when itemizing
your federal income tax deduction. As
it can be considered self serving or
implied one is seeking gain in the
future from God. When we give our
tithes it is a form of worship, with a
willingness to give to God. So how you
prepare your personal taxes is your
choice. By paying our taxes we are
rightfully giving Caesar what is his. We
as taxpayers are only required to give
the government a statutory percentage
of our income less any allowable
deductions. Therefore by not utilizing
the allowable deductions under the law
could say you are paying more in taxes
than the law requires.
As we write our checks to
CenterPoint, it should NEVER be
because it is a “great tax deduction”.
But rather an opportunity to lower
your taxable income, that could
potential give you more disposable
income to do God’s work.
Taxes & Tithes
By: Angel Ngando
CenterPoint Church of God I 5023 Davis Ford Road, Woodbridge, Virginia 22192

9. Winter EditionThe Point
Requests
Contact Us
5023 Davis Ford
Road
Woodbridge, VA
22192
(703) 590-5048
cpc5023@gmail.com
Prayer Requests
If you are in need of prayer, please let the pastor know. Your request will be shared
with and prayed for by our. “Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on
earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my
Father which is in heaven.“ -Matthew 18:19
Church Cleanup Help
CenterPoint Church’s cleaning volunteers are few in numbers and we need your
help! We work to keep our facilities in top, presentable shape; this enables our
church to make a good impression when hosting activities that CenterPoint Church
is engaged in week-to-week. Working as a cleaning volunteer is one of the easiest
ways to get more involved with the church. Helping out requires no specialized
skills and takes very little time per week. This helps to make for a viable service
option for people with even the busiest schedules. Please help us by joining our
cleaning team. It is a wonderful opportunity to serve the Lord! For more
information, or to volunteer to help, please contact the church at
cpc5023@gmail.com.
Moving? Change in Information?
Have you recently moved to a new home, changed marital status, added to your
family, or had any other newsworthy change? Are you new to CenterPoint and
would like to be placed on our mailing/calling list? Please let us know! We would
love to hear from you! Please contact Mary Brooks at mbrooks1850@aol.com.