Where Am I Headed in My Spiritual Life?
by Pastor Bennett

For me, this time of the year is always a time of reflection about life. It is a time for me to ask some important, life-shaping questions like, "Where am I headed in life?" or "Where do I want to be in six months or a year?" or, more importantly, "Where does God want my life to be heading?"

A life never stays still - never stays the same. As someone once stated, "We are either going forward or backward in life." Well, obviously, no one desires to go backward in their spiritual life. I believe every person desires to grow spiritually, to know God better, to be used by Him in a greater way, and make a lasting impact upon lives. Well, how do we accomplish those things? May I suggest the following:

• Establish a daily quiet time, if you are not already doing so. Spend just a few minutes every day reading a portion of the Scripture (the Psalms or the gospel of John are great places to start) and fellowship with God in prayer. Doing this daily will be a great start toward getting to know God better.

• Join an Adult Bible Fellowship or Home Group where you can meet with other believers to study the Scriptures and build friendships.

• Become a part of a discipleship ministry where you meet one-on-one with another believer or with a group of believers, for a more in-depth study of the Bible and the Christian life.

• Seek an opportunity to serve regularly here at The Chapel. We are called of God not just to receive, but to give out, to impact the lives of others. Teach a class, be an assistant, be a greeter, serve in the nursery or in another area. There are many possibilities available and needed for you to serve. Call the church office or speak to one of the pastors about how and where you can serve at The Chapel.

• Commit financially to giving Biblically. We are all commanded by God to do so. (I believe the Bible teaches to give approximately ten percent of our income.) Start where you currently are with your giving and commit, by God's help, to increase the percentage of your monthly income until you reach ten percent. As you do, watch how God supplies your needs and blesses you spiritually. Watch your faith and trust in God grow, and be amazed at how your spiritual maturity develops.

• Learn how to share the gospel with others and then develop a plan to do so with several neighbors, fellow employees or family members.

This newsletter is designed to provide you with a listing of many of the opportunities available here at The Chapel, the goal being to help each one of us achieve in our lives what I described above. Whatever you need to help you grow and develop in your Christian life, we at The Chapel will seek to provide for you as we partner together to become the people God desires us to be. Examine the following pages of information and opportunities, and then let's get going as we seek to make this coming year the best year of our Christian lives!

In Christ,
Pastor Larry Bennett

Allow God to Make His Home in
 Your Heart! Join a Home Group!

Home Groups are small groups of six to seventeen adults who meet in homes on various nights throughout the week. Members study the Bible, pray for each other, support and love one another, and reach out to others in need of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Home Groups are "Caring Groups" and they are key elements in helping us experience the relationships and intimacy necessary within the Body of Christ. Members of Home Groups strive with one another to achieve goals of identification, love, caring and accountability to God.

Home Groups are "Covenant Groups" and pledge affirmation and acceptance, availability, prayer, honesty, feedback, sensitivity and confidentiality.

Come visit our display at the Ministries Fair on September 8 and 15, or feel free to contact any of the following Home Group leaders for more information about upcoming studies:

Mike & Sandy Detweiler
8835 Appleknoll St NW
Massillon Oh 44646
(330) 832-1319

Joe & Patty Fitler
1102 Woodrow St NW
North Canton, OH 44720
(330) 966-0393

Harold & Shirley Goad
3281 Kinsley Drive
Hartville, OH 44632
(330) 877-6277

Pat & Martha Jones
4432 - 16th St NW
Canton, OH 44708
(330) 477-4355

Dale & Ginny Thomson
1144 Shelley NE
Canton, OH 44721
(330) 494-2014

 More Ways to get "Plugged In" at The Chapel . . .

  Join the Chapel Choir or Orchestra 

The ADULT CHOIR forms the main vocal worship-leading body of this church. It is a place to find friends, a sense of community, spiritual growth and musical challenge. Join us for practice Wednesday nights from 7:15 to 9:15. No vocal audition is required.

The ORCHESTRA is for anyone who has ever played a musical instrument and wants to use their talents to enhance the worship services. Join us for practice Wednesday nights from 6:00 - 7:00. High school level playing ability is required.

If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Brian Kieffer at
(330) 493-7134 or Linda Snyder, at (330) 494-9022.

  Single's Ministry

The Chapel's newest singles ministry is sponsoring a Pizza Party & Game Night on Friday, Sept 13, at 6:30 p.m. in the Family Life Center. Come join the fun of fellowship with other singles. Please feel free to invite a friend to join us. If you have any questions, or if you want to find out about other scheduled activities, please contact Deb Bertle at (330) 494-8444. SSS is also working to coordinate Monthly Round Table Discussions featuring informative speakers from a wide variety of professions. Pastor Mike McCartney will be speaking on Generational Care Giving on Tuesday evening, September 24, from 7:00-8:30 pm.

  Crossroads Adult Bible Fellowship (ABF)

CROSSROADS ABF would like to invite everyone to join them for "The Hurried Family" Video Series beginning Sunday, September 1, at 10:30 in ABF Class #1. This entertaining, 10-week series by national speaker and author, Tim Kimmel, is beneficial to both single people and married couples. A sample of topics include: In Search of Peace & Quiet; The Lure of the Hurried Lifestyle; The Inner Needs of the Contented Family; The Seasons of the Family; Bringing Calm to the Hurried Home; When All You've Ever Wanted Isn't Enough … and more! We hope you'll join us!