Standing the Watch: Honoring Our Veterans & First Responders
This Sunday, November 8, we pause to honor those who run toward danger when others run away.

Join us as we celebrate our Military Veterans and give special thanks to the dedicated men and women of our local Bellbrook and Sugarcreek Police and Fire Departments. Come for an uplifting morning of warmth, worship, and community covenant as we learn what it means to shield those who protect us.
Be sure to stay after service for our fellowship Rib Dinner as we honor our nation and neighborhood protectors!

Pastor Joe brings the message "Called to the Watch" this Sunday, November 8, for our Veterans Day service. Join us at 4030 W Franklin Street in Bellbrook: refreshments at 10:00 AM and service at 10:30 AM. Rib Fest follows the service, 11:45 AM–1:30 PM, honoring our veterans and first responders — with a big shout out of thanks to Craig & Sandy Kellogg for sponsoring our Rib Fest through their foundation.

Guests, we're so glad you're here. We would love to get to know you better — please fill out a guest card and place it in the offering basket, and if you have a few minutes, hang out with us after the service in the foyer near the Welcome Desk or in the Coffee Spot. Away this week? Follow Centerbrook Church on Facebook for updates and watch live.

Coming up: on Saturday, November 21 at 10:00 AM, our Pack & Pray Party packs the Operation Christmas Child boxes — bring items that can fit into the boxes and/or donate $10 for shipping, and if you can't make it but want an OCC box, see Sis. Kim. And on Sunday, November 22 at 6:00 PM, all Bellbrook area churches are invited to a Thanksgiving Service of praise and thanksgiving at Hope Church on Wilmington Pike. The Gospel Mission is always in need of food items for meals, volunteers to serve food, and toiletries — all donations can be placed in the marked baskets in the foyer.

Prayer Requests & Praise Reports
Please continue to pray for John B, who had knee surgery last week; for John S, Gail, Joy, Janet, and Joyce, who fractured her foot; and for others with health issues. Pray that God would bring our family and friends who are away from Jesus and church back this year, for the Holy Spirit to fill His people and His Church, and for the Lord to bless every Veteran and First Responder.
Praise the Lord for our Veterans, who have preserved our Nation, and for our First Responders, who are vigilant to keep our communities safe!

A post-Sunday write-up from Sunday's service, November 1, 2026
From the pen of Pastor Joe
Part 1 of "Revite Invite"
Scripture Focus: 1 Kings 17:8-16

Introduction: The Threshold of a New Season

Church family, today marks the beginning of a historic chapter in the life of our congregation. We are launching a bold, faith-stretching, two-year journey called Revite Invite. The vision is clear, urgent, and God-sized: to revitalize our ministries and double our church in every single way—in our discipleship, our outreach, our impact, our online presence and our numbers.

But when we talk about doubling and revitalization, it is easy to look around, look at our current resources, and feel overwhelmed. We look at what we don't have.

Today, we are turning to the pages of Scripture to see exactly how God moves when His people are facing scarcity. In 1 Kings 17, a severe drought has crippled the land. The brooks have dried up. The economy has collapsed. The bottom has dropped out. And in the middle of this crisis, God calls His prophet Elijah to move, and He calls a desperate widow to step out in radical faith.

Through their story, God gives us the ingredients for the miracle we are asking Him to perform in our church over the next two years.

1. God Provides in Miraculous Ways

The text opens in the middle of a famine, a time when human logic says survival is impossible. Yet, God commands Elijah to go because He already has a plan in place. Our God is not limited by our economic climates, our cultural shifts, or our limitations. When resources dry up, God's sovereignty does not. He does not need a surplus to create a breakthrough; He specializes in creating supply where there is absolute emptiness.

2. God Provides in Unlikely Places

God tells Elijah to go to Zarephath. If you look at a map, Zarephath was a Gentile territory, a stronghold of Baal worship. It was the last place a Jewish prophet would look for safety or sustenance. But God delights in bypassing our expectations. God will intentionally place your provision in an unlikely environment so that He alone gets the glory. If you are looking for God to only work in familiar, comfortable ways, you will miss the destination where He has commanded your blessing.

3. God Provides Using Unlikely People

When Elijah arrives at the town gate, his source of provision isn't a wealthy merchant or a powerful ruler. It is a poor, foreign widow, gathering sticks. In the ancient world, widows were the most vulnerable, marginalized people in society. She had no status, no safety net, and no excess. Yet, this is the person God chose to sustain His prophet. God does not look for the most qualified; He looks for the available. He bypasses the proud and powerful to use the unlikely, ensuring we know the miracle is by His hand, not human strength.

4. God Provides Through Those Who Give the Little They Have

Elijah asks her for water and a piece of bread. Her response is heartbreaking: "I don't have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug." She was preparing to bake one final meal for herself and her son and then lie down to die.

Elijah gives a staggering command: "Don't be afraid... first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me and then make something for yourself and your son."

This wasn't Elijah being selfish; it was a test of priority. God was asking her to give out of her lack, not her abundance. A miracle requires us to surrender our "handful" before we ever see the overflow. She had to empty her jar in the prophet's hands while the drought was still raging.

5. God Multiplies What is Given

The widow obeys. She takes the little she has and gives it to God. Look at the result in verses 15–16: "So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry."

God took a single, desperate meal and multiplied it into a daily, ongoing supply that outlasted the famine. When you give God what you have, your meager subtraction becomes His miraculous multiplication. What is insignificant in your hands becomes infinite when placed in His hands.

AMEN!

Introducing the Revite Invite 2-Year Plan

Church, this is the theological foundation for our Revite Invite initiative. Over the next two years, as we set out to revitalize our house and double our reach, we are standing before God just like this widow. We might look at our current time, our current finances, and our current leaders and say, "Lord, we only have a handful."

But our two-year plan isn't based on what we can do; it's based on what He can multiply. We are asking every member of this family to stop looking at what we lack and start offering what we possess. We are going to invest heavily in our church ministries, remodel our outreach systems, expand our online and local footprints, and intentionally invite our neighbors into this space. We are giving God our "handful" of effort, prayer, and finances, believing that over the next 24 months, our jars will not run dry and our pews will be filled.

Take-Away Action Steps for the Week Ahead

To activate this message in your life and join this movement today, commit to these three action steps this week:

Audit Your "Handful": Take inventory of the time, talents, and financial resources you currently possess. Stop discounting them because they seem small. Identify the exact "flour and oil" you can bring to God's house.

Give to God First:  Practice    the principle of the priority seed. Before you fund your comfort or feed your fears, dedicate your first fruits—your best hours of prayer, your primary serving gifts, and your consistent tithing—to the vision of the church.

Extend the Invite: The widow had to move past her isolation to connect with the prophet. This week, identify one person in your circle who is spiritually dry or facing a personal drought, and intentionally invite them to join you for Part 2 of this series next Sunday.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, You are the God of Zarephath, the God who sees the empty jars and the dry fields and yet commands a blessing anyway. We stand before You today at the starting line of this Revite Invite journey. We confess that in our own strength, doubling in every way seems impossible. But we choose to step out in faith. We bring You our handful of flour and our little drop of oil. We surrender our time, our gifts, our finances, and our hearts to Your house. Do what only You can do, Lord. Multiply our obedience, revitalize our spirits, and bring in a harvest of souls that changes our city forever. In Jesus' mighty name, Amen.

Watch and listen to this sermon:

This Sunday, November 1, we launch a brand-new series: "Revite Invite." Today's message is Part 1 — "Give God What You Have," from 1 Kings 17:8-16. The three-part series is an invitation to be part of our two-year revitalization vision to double our ministry impact. It's also Missions and Giving Sunday. Join us at 4030 W Franklin Street in Bellbrook: refreshments at 10:00 AM and service at 10:30 AM.

Guests, we're so glad you're here. We would love to get to know you better — please fill out a guest card and place it in the offering basket, and if you have a few minutes, hang out with us after the service in the foyer near the Welcome Desk or in the Coffee Spot. Away this week? Follow Centerbrook Church on Facebook for updates and watch live.

A few notes for the family: after a time of worship, we will take a few moments to greet one another — during this time, you can drop your tithe and offering or Guest Card in the basket on the stool at the back of the Sanctuary. Ladies Prayer Night is Wednesday, November 4 at 6:00 PM. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3 — go vote!

Coming up: our Rib Fest honoring Veterans and First Responders is next Sunday, November 8 — invite many others, and please sign up today for what you will bring. Then on Saturday, November 21 at 10:00 AM, our Pack & Pray Party packs the Operation Christmas Child boxes. All are encouraged to buy items that can fit into the boxes and/or donate $10 for shipping the boxes; a list of suggestions and no-no's is available. And on Sunday, November 22 at 6:00 PM, all Bellbrook area churches are invited to a Thanksgiving Service of praise and thanksgiving at Hope Church on Wilmington Pike.

Please keep our prayer list in your heart this week: John B, who needs knee surgery; John S; Gail and her daughter; Joy, Janet, and Joyce, who fractured her foot; and others with health issues — that God would do healing miracles in our midst, bring our family and friends who are away from Jesus and church back this year, and fill His people and His Church with the Holy Spirit and revitalize us all in this season. Praise report: the little bit in our hands becomes much in the hands of a miracle-working God — some plant, some water, but God gives the increase! Our outreach partner The Gospel Mission is always in need of food items for meals, volunteers to serve food, and toiletries — donations can be placed in the marked baskets in the foyer. To know Christ and to make Him known.

Are you tired of looking at what you lack instead of what God can do? This Sunday, we are launching an architectural shift in the life of our church. We are stepping onto the starting line of Revite Invite — our bold, two-year vision to revitalize our house and double our ministry impact in every single way.

A post-Sunday write-up from Sunday's service, October 25, 2026

From the pen of Pastor Joe

Part 2 of "What Happens When the Bottom Drops Out? Finding Faith in Times of Crisis"

Scripture Focus: 1 Peter 1:1-9

Introduction: From the Storm to the Fire

Last week, we began this series by looking at a terrifying night on the Sea of Galilee. We watched the disciples panic as a furious storm threatened to sink their boat, and we discovered a foundational truth that we must cling to in any crisis: when the bottom drops out, remember Jesus is still in the boat.

But sometimes, the crisis isn't a sudden storm that passes overnight. Sometimes, the bottom drops out and you find yourself entering a long, grueling season of pressure. The setting shifts from a raging sea to a blazing furnace.

That is exactly where the Apostle Peter finds himself writing to the early church in 1 Peter 1:1-9. He addresses believers who are scattered, suffering, and facing what he calls "grief in all kinds of trials." They were feeling isolated, abandoned, and pushed to their absolute limits.

When the initial shock of a crisis wears off and the heat gets turned up, the enemy whispers a devastating lie into your soul: "God has abandoned you. He has forgotten where you are." But Peter writes this letter to declare the exact opposite to you today: when the bottom drops out, God hasn't forgotten you in the fire.

Point 1: Your Inheritance is Kept Even When Your  Present is Shaken

When a crisis hits, our immediate human instinct is to look at what we are losing. We look at a failing bank account, a deteriorating body, or a broken relationship, and we feel like our entire life is being dismantled.

Look at what Peter reminds these suffering believers of in verses 3–4. He says God has given us "a new birth into a living hope... and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade." He explicitly adds that this inheritance is "kept in heaven for you."

The word "kept" here means it is under heavy military guard. The Roman Empire could take their homes, their wealth, and even their earthly lives, but they could not touch their eternal destiny.

When the bottom drops out of your earthly circumstances, it forces you to realize that your most valuable treasures are completely out of reach from the enemy. God hasn't forgotten you in the fire; He is actively guarding your future while you endure the present. The furnace can burn up your comfort, but it cannot touch your calling or your eternity.

Point 2: The Fire is Refining You, Not Destroying You

None of us enjoy the heat of a trial. We pray for a quick exit. But Peter gives us a radical perspective on suffering in verses 6–7. He writes, "In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."

Gold is placed into a crucible and subjected to extreme heat for one reason: to bring the dross, the impurities, to the surface so the refiner can skim them away. How does the refiner know when the gold is pure? He knows it is ready when he can look into the molten metal and see his own reflection.

The fire you are standing in right now is not meant to consume you; it is meant to purify you. God allows the heat to rise so that fear, pride, and self-reliance are burned away, leaving behind a faith that is pure, resilient, and unbreakable. When the bottom drops out, remember that you are in the Master's hands. He hasn't forgotten you in the furnace; He is sitting by the fire, watching over the process, and He will not leave you until He sees His reflection in your life.

Conclusion

Peter concludes this passage by reminding us of the ultimate goal: "the end result of your faith is the salvation of your souls." The storm didn't sink you last week, and the fire will not destroy you this week.

Take-Away Action Steps for the Week Ahead

To walk out your faith in the furnace this week, put these three steps into practice:

Anchor in the Word Daily: When the heat rises, our feelings will lie to us. Counteract your feelings by meditating on 1 Peter 1:3-9 every morning. Let Truth dictate your reality, not your emotions.

Audit Your Losses vs. Your Eternal Gains: Sit down with a piece of paper. On one side, acknowledge what this crisis has taken from you. On the other side, write out what can never be taken from you—your salvation, God's love, and your eternal inheritance. Focus on what remains.

Refuse to Speak Defeat: When people ask you how you are doing in the midst of the trial, acknowledge the heat but declare the Refiner's faithfulness. Shift your testimony from "I'm burning up" to "God is refining me, and I will come out as gold."

Let us pray.

Heavenly Father, we praise You that You are a God who walks with us through the fire. For every person here who feels forgotten, overlooked, or consumed by the heat of their trials, let Your Holy Spirit bring an overwhelming sense of Your presence right now. Remind us that our inheritance is secure, our future is heavily guarded by You, and this present suffering is producing a faith of greater worth than gold. Keep us steady in the crucible until we reflect You perfectly. In Jesus' mighty name, Amen.

Watch and listen to this sermon:

 

This Sunday, October 25, we conclude our two-part sermon series: "What Happens When the Bottom Drops Out? Finding Faith in Times of Crisis." Today's message is Part 2 — "Remember Jesus Hasn't Forgotten You in the Fire," from 1 Peter 1:1-9. Join us at 4030 W Franklin Street in Bellbrook: refreshments at 10:00 AM and service at 10:30 AM.

Guests, we're so glad you're here. We would love to get to know you better — please fill out a guest card and place it in the offering basket, and if you have a few minutes, hang out with us after the service in the foyer near the Welcome Desk or in the Coffee Spot. Away this week? Follow Centerbrook Church on Facebook for updates and watch live.

A few notes for the family: after a time of worship, we will take a few moments to greet one another — during this time, you can drop your tithe and offering or Guest Card in the basket on the stool at the back of the Sanctuary. Ladies Prayer Night is Wednesday, November 4 at 6:00 PM. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3 — don't forget to vote! And if you brought items for the garage sale in a tote, the empty totes are available to take home.

Coming up: our Rib Fest honoring Veterans and First Responders is Sunday, November 8 — invite others now, and be thinking of what you will bring to go with the ribs; a sign-up sheet will be out next week. Then on Saturday, November 21 at 10:00 AM, our Pack & Pray Party packs the Operation Christmas Child boxes. All are encouraged to buy items that can fit into the boxes and/or donate $10 for shipping the boxes; a list of suggestions and no-no's is available. Plan now to join us.

Please keep our prayer list in your heart this week: John B, who needs knee surgery; John S; Gail and her daughter; Joy, Janet, and Joyce, who fractured her foot; and others with health issues — that God would do healing miracles in our midst, bring our family and friends who are away from Jesus and church back this year, and fill His people and His Church with the Holy Spirit. Our outreach partner The Gospel Mission is always in need of food items for meals, volunteers to serve food, and toiletries — donations can be placed in the marked baskets in the foyer. To know Christ and to make Him known.

A post-Sunday write-up from Sunday's service, October 18, 2026

Watch and listen to this sermon:

This Sunday, October 18, we begin a brand-new two-part sermon series: “What Happens When the Bottom Drops Out? Finding Faith in Times of Crisis.” From Mark 4:35-41 — Jesus calming the storm — the reminder for all of us is simple: Jesus is still in the boat. Join us at 4030 W Franklin Street in Bellbrook: refreshments at 10:00 AM and service at 10:30 AM.

Guests, we’re so glad you’re here. We would love to get to know you better — please fill out a guest card and place it in the offering basket, and if you have a few minutes, hang out with us after the service in the foyer near the Welcome Desk or in the Coffee Spot. Away this week? Follow Centerbrook Church on Facebook for updates and watch live.

A few notes for the family: Pastor Joe will share a brief update about Adam and Lindsey. There will be no Pit Stop this October. LifeWise is now meeting here on Fridays — please keep the children and workers in your prayers. And if you brought items for the garage sale in a tote, the empty totes are available to take home.

Coming up: our Rib Fest honoring Veterans and First Responders is Sunday, November 8 — begin inviting now. Then on Saturday, November 21 at 10:00 AM, our Pack & Pray Party packs the Operation Christmas Child boxes. Everyone is encouraged to buy items that fit in the boxes and/or donate $10 toward shipping; a list of suggestions and no-no’s is available Sunday morning. Plan now to join us.

Please keep our prayer list in your heart this week: John B, who needs knee surgery; John S; Gail and her daughter; Joy, Janet, and Joyce; and others with health issues — that God would do healing miracles in our midst, bring family and friends who are away back to Jesus and church this year, and fill His people and His Church with the Holy Spirit. Our outreach partner The Gospel Mission is always in need of food items for meals, volunteers to serve food, and toiletries — donations can be placed in the marked baskets in the foyer. To know Christ and to make Him known.

Church Family,

Our digital front door has been rebuilt — and it's open.

Over the past few weeks we've refreshed centerbrookchurch.org from top to bottom, refreshed our Facebook page, and launched a brand-new Instagram account, so everything about life at Centerbrook Church is now easier to find, follow, and share. Here's what's waiting for you, and how to use it.

Our website — 
centerbrookchurch.org 

Our site has a fresh, easier-to-read look, and everything important is right up front:

• Planning a visit (or inviting a friend): Service times are on the home page — refreshments at 10:00am, service at 10:30am every Sunday — along with our address, a map with directions, and an "I'm New" page that walks a first-time guest through what to expect.
• Watch sermons: The home page features our current sermon series — The Daniel App — with every message ready to watch, plus the most recent sermon. Away on a Sunday? Use the Watch Live button to join the service live on Facebook.
• Stay in the loop: Our calendar lists everything coming up — including Rib Fest on Sunday, November 8 (honoring our Veterans and First Responders) and the Operation Christmas Child Pack and Pray Party on Saturday, November 21. Our blog carries Sunday bulletin announcements and church news.
• Learn and connect: Read our story and what we believe, give online through the Give page, and reach us anytime through the Contact page.

Our new Instagram — 
@centerbrookchurch 

Centerbrook is now on Instagram. Follow @centerbrookchurch for Sunday invitations, event announcements and reminders, sermon highlights, and encouragement during the week. It's the quickest way to see what's happening — and the easiest to share with a friend: just send them a post.

Facebook — 
Centerbrook Church 

Our Facebook page is still home to our full sermon videos and Sunday livestreams. If you can't be in the room, be with us there — and when a message encourages you, sharing it takes one tap and might be exactly what someone on your friends list needs to hear.

Three simple ways to use our digital front door

1. Bookmark the site — add centerbrookchurch.org to your phone's home screen or favorites so service times, the calendar, and sermons are always one tap away.
2. Follow us — on Instagram at @centerbrookchurch and on Facebook at Centerbrook Church, so invitations and reminders come to you.
3. Share it — the front door works best when we open it for others. Send the website or a post to a neighbor, a coworker, or a family member you've been meaning to invite.

Everything we do points the same direction: to know Christ and to make Him known. Now that mission has a front door that's open all week long. Come on in — and bring someone with you.

— Centerbrook Church, 4030 W Franklin Street, Bellbrook, Ohio

What a Sunday! Adam and Lindsey Ferrell led us in worship — welcome, Adam, Lindsey, Hudson, and Delaney! Pastor Joe continued The Daniel App series with "That Would Come in Handy About Now!" from Daniel 5: the hand writing on the wall, and the reminder that God's promises are true. Missed it? You can watch the sermon on our Facebook page.

Please pray for John B (knee surgery), John S, Gail and her daughter, Joy, Janet, and Joyce — for miracles in our midst, for loved ones far from Jesus to come back this year, and for the Holy Spirit to fill His people and His Church. "He is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does." (Ps. 145:13)

Coming up: No Pit Stop this October — but our Rib Fest honoring Veterans and First Responders is Sunday, Nov. 8, so start inviting now. And plan ahead for the Operation Christmas Child "Pack & Pray" Party on Saturday, Nov. 21 (more details next week).

Ongoing: The Gospel Mission always needs food items, meal volunteers, and toiletries — donations go in the marked baskets in the foyer.

Join us Sundays — refreshments at 10:00 AM, service at 10:30 AM. To know Christ and to make Him known.

We will soon launch our revitalization plan.  This will be very exciting!  More details coming in November!!