First Christian Church of Sandersville, Disciples of Christ

First Christian Church of Sandersville, Disciples of Christ Love is spoken here. Sunday School - 9:30 AM
Sunday Worship Service - 10:30 AM Indi­vid­u­als are val­ued here, and their opin­ions and input are welcome.

We appre­ci­ate your inter­est in The First Chris­t­ian Church (Dis­ci­ples of Christ) of Sander­sville which has been serv­ing Christ since 1857. While we are proud of our long, rich her­itage, we are focused on our present and future min­istries. We have grown in the past few years, but are poised for even greater growth in the years to come. We are blessed with an absence of con­flict, divi­sio

n or seri­ous issues, and have con­sen­sus on our mis­sion and goals. We are a very car­ing con­gre­ga­tion that is alert and sen­si­tive to the needs of oth­ers. We have over 140 par­tic­i­pat­ing mem­bers with a healthy mix of youth and adults of all ages. Most of our mem­bers live and work in Sander­sville and rep­re­sent a cross sec­tion that con­sists of busi­ness peo­ple, school pro­fes­sion­als, social work­ers, labor­ers, home­mak­ers, retirees and stu­dents. Wor­ship ser­vices aver­age about 80 atten­dees each Sun­day. We have empow­ered the laity of our church to get involved, come up with ideas, and imple­ment pro­grams. Men and women are both wel­comed into the lead­er­ship of our church. Our great­est strength as a church is our com­mit­ment to out­reach. Our CWF is very active, oper­at­ing the Mis­sion Store where cloth­ing and house­hold items are offered at greatly reduced prices to meet com­mu­nity needs. Pro­ceeds from the store fund mis­sion projects. Two years ago our church started the Bread of Life Min­istry in which we deliver hot meals to over 70 needy peo­ple through­out Wash­ing­ton County once a month. Our church gives gen­er­ously to Week of Com­pas­sion and other spe­cial offerings. Two youth pro­grams, Wednes­day After­noon Apos­tles and CYF, serve youth ages four through high school. These pro­grams have attracted unchurched youth and have served as an effec­tive evan­ge­lism tool to bring fam­i­lies into our con­gre­ga­tion. We are very proud that we inte­grate youth into the ser­vice each week as acolytes and Junior Dea­cons. High School Youth are an inte­gral part of the adult choir. Part of our excite­ment for the future is our recog­ni­tion that we have areas in need of con­tin­u­ing improve­ment, includ­ing evan­ge­lism and the edu­ca­tion and spir­i­tual growth of our mem­bers. We have taken steps to spark a revival in our Sun­day School pro­gram, which is a forum to pro­vide Bib­li­cal teach­ing, small group min­istries, fel­low­ship, and increased spir­i­tual and evan­ge­lis­tic growth for our congregation. Our original church sanctuary was constructed in 1907. On June 11, 2011 a tragic fire gutted our sanctuary. Following a long rebuild that took almost 3 years we returned to our beautiful new sanctuary on Easter Sunday 2014. A 2,000 square foot annex was com­pleted in 1984. Another 5,000 square foot annex was com­pleted in 2002. These two addi­tions pro­vide com­fort­able and attrac­tive set­tings for Sun­day School, small group meet­ings, youth activ­i­ties, spe­cial pro­grams, wed­dings and other events. Sev­eral groups can be accom­mo­dated at the same time and 100 accom­mo­dated com­fort­ably for a meal in the fel­low­ship hall. A spa­cious nurs­ery and car­ing providers accom­mo­date the needs of babies and small chil­dren. The first annex was recently ren­o­vated to pro­vide class­rooms, a large choir room, a rob­ing room and a spa­cious office for the min­is­ter. A pleas­ant and large yard allows for cook­outs, fish fries or ice cream socials and recre­ation for youth and adults. Our con­gre­ga­tion has invested in ramps and a wheel chair lift to make our facil­ity more acces­si­ble to all. We love our Lord and want to make his house a home where all feel welcome. To sum up, we are a fam­ily of believ­ers that wor­ships God and cel­e­brates His pres­ence in our lives, stud­ies the exam­ple given us by our Lord Jesus Christ to learn the pur­pose that God has pro­vided for each of us, min­is­ters to peo­ple in the Com­mu­nity and the World using the gifts and bless­ings pro­vided by God, cares for and com­forts each other using the Spirit of Chris­t­ian Love, and helps oth­ers to know Christ. We wel­come new believ­ers into the fam­ily of God.

06/04/2026
06/04/2026
05/28/2026

Happy, Happy Birthday to our upcoming June honorees!

1 - Kimberly Norwood

6 - Bill Black

6 - George Lord

8 - Mary Ann Schink

10 - Jay Garbutt

10 - Jim Tinley

13 - Suzanne Irons

24 - Jordan Haines

26 - Lyn Wright


We would also like to wish a Happy Anniversary to:

1 - Bill and Trina Hodges

2 - Bill and Susan Black

24 - Robert and Linda McKown

25 - Bobby and Gail Anderson

FCC members: Please note that the Pentecost service, which was scheduled for 10:30 a.m. tomorrow, has been moved indoors...
05/23/2026

FCC members: Please note that the Pentecost service, which was scheduled for 10:30 a.m. tomorrow, has been moved indoors due to possible inclement weather.

05/06/2026

Subject: Help Us Celebrate Your Graduates – Submit by May 13 🎓

We are excited to recognize the achievements of our graduates during Graduate Recognition on Sunday, May 17—and we need your help to make sure no one is missed.

If you have a graduating student you would like to be recognized, please submit their information using the details below.

Please include:

Graduate’s full name
Graduation level or milestone (Kindergarten, 8th Grade, High School, College, Graduate School, etc.)
School / College
Future plans (for those higher level grads...college, career, military, etc.)
Submission Deadline: May 13, 2026
Submit to: [email protected]

This is a meaningful opportunity to celebrate the hard work and accomplishments of our students as they take their next steps. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out.

Thank you for helping us celebrate this important milestone!

Warmly,

Jennifer A. & Sarah A.
Education Committee Chairs

The Christian Life Center is collecting meat products for the month of May. “Meat the Need” items include Spam, chicken,...
05/06/2026

The Christian Life Center is collecting meat products for the month of May. “Meat the Need” items include Spam, chicken, tuna, Vienna sausage, beef stew, and chicken & dumplings. Meat items are usually among the most expensive items to purchase, so any donations will be much appreciated. The Christian Life Center is located at 310 East Church Street, Sandersville, Georgia, 31082.

05/04/2026

"Our Love for Each Other." (Part 2 of a Devotional, continued from April 28, 2026):

I know someone who responds the same way each time I ask how life is going: “It’s the same old-same old.” May it not be with us, friends. It’s too boring. It’s too safe. It’s too predictable. Following Jesus as a true disciple can be an adventure – and risky. Why?

Because it goes against the grain. A follower of Jesus traces their beliefs back to a time of religious and societal upheaval, because we can love when the world says hate. The power of God can forgive a misunderstanding when the world says vengeance. When pride shouts otherwise, we can apologize for a mistake – saying in effect: “God’s way, not the human way.” This is part of the humble call of a disciple. May we learn to be doers of the Word and not only hearers (James 1:22).

I think of a phrase that one of my grandmothers instilled in me: “Live life to the fullest.” She did not mean to gather possessions and garner fame. She did not mean to take from the world or step on people while climbing the corporate or social ladder. She did not mean to call in sick and play instead. Through the lens of Christ, I have begun to realize her meaning.

Yes, find time to rest and play, but always love. Love well when we do not feel like it. Love well when it is not expected. Love well when all hope appears lost. Love well when we do not get our way. As humans, sure, we miss the mark sometimes. It's not a pressure thing for the sake of performance. May we just respond to whoever or whatever God places in front of us today.

And as we love in everyday ways, we build momentum. It strengthens our ability to love. I encourage you to sing to God thankfully while washing the dishes, cleaning out the cat litter, mowing the lawn, standing in the “check out” line at the grocery store, or engaging someone you would rather not. Our character can be measured by our attitude in these seemingly mundane moments of life.

The question is, does our joy remain during such times, when nothing profound has happened? We are all positioned to love someone near us like no one else can: with a word, a gesture, or a prayer. This is a spiritual strategy of God. Yes, He has placed you somewhere specific to bless another person. “Holy Spirit, teach me to love in such a simple, yet impactful way. Amen.”

- Pastor Matthew Arnold

04/30/2026

We would like to say Happy Birthday to our May honorees:

Weston Garbutt--May 3
Tara Cramer--May 5
Lee Webster--May 5
Allen Hodges--May 15
Mary Charles Howard--May 25
Allie Hodges--May 28
Caleb Smith--May 28

We would also like to wish a Happy Anniversary to:

Dean and Mary Gail Davis--May 24
Russell and Faye Riner--May 25

04/28/2026

"God's Love for You." A Devotional.

God loves you. Nothing that can remove that love. It is unconditional. Nothing can diminish that love. The statement, “blood is thicker than water” could not be truer because of what happened at a place called Calvary over 2,000 years ago. When we believe in Jesus Christ, we are instantly part of the family. Indeed, we are supernaturally covered by His precious blood, ensuring our eternity with Him and His ongoing help in this life.

When someone abandons us, God cannot; will not; would not; could not – even if we demanded this of Him. He is faithful. “And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased’” (Mark 1:11, NIV). A startling thing about this statement considers that the Bible records no miracle, deliverance or prophetic word by Jesus, prior to the Father speaking this over His Son.

While the world demands performance for favor, heaven does not. While the world seeks esteem from people, heaven does not. While the world seeks praise for personal worth, heaven does not. The Father loved and accepted the Son on the basis of love alone. The Father knows the Son as He knows you. You are also His beloved son and daughter, accepted on love alone. You are part of the heavenly family.

Therefore, there’s nothing you can do to earn more love. The maximum amount of love has already been poured out to you. Trust in His love. Even more, there’s nothing one can do to earn salvation; it’s already been offered at great cost – except, we do not have to pay the bill – Jesus covered it.

Upon this foundation, Jesus calls us to new heights in our walk. As He wades into the ocean, we sometimes walk into the water with Him. Then, He walks further from shore, saying, “come out to where I am.” It’s deeper water – it’s different – it’s uncomfortable. “Come to me,” He calls in Matthew 11:28.

When He asks new things of us, do we trust in His love? While His love is unconditional, certain blessings are conditional on obedience. Greater blessings come when we forsake old ways of thinking, speaking, and doing. Greater blessings come when we venture beyond experience.

Stay tuned for part two of this devotional, coming to you next week...God bless you all.

Pastor Matthew Arnold

04/19/2026

Welcome to our service! Please join us!

Address

166 E Church Street
Sandersville, GA
31082

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