FAMILY NEWS AND NOTES
Volume 10 08 February 2009 Issue No. 50
PRAYER LIST:
Justin Barker, Rachel Barker, Louis Bell, Doris Bell, Billye Campbell, Suzanne Charlton, Steele Cooper, Irene Duncan, Vernon & Ruth Garrett, Jan Hargrove, Dorothy Kyle, Wade Miller, Elna O’Neal, Thelma Reed, Bud Roach
ALSO: Beth Adams, Wesley DuBose, Ronald Duncan, Wayne Lineberger, Ben McCain, Winona Shankle, Yvonne Waldrup, Charlie Whitney, Linda Wysinger
Service Arrangements
COMMUNION FOR FEBRUARY 2009
SOUTH SIDE NORTH SIDE
AM
Rance Robison Jerry Freeman
Frankie Sargent Royce Armstrong
Bronson Roper Ronnie Stewart
PM
Fred Harkrider Jim Duncan
ANNOUNCEMENTS ………………..Grady Duncan
SONG LEADER (AM)………….… Randy Eubanks
(PM) …………… Randy Eubanks
Wednesday Nite ……...Royce Armstrong
PRAYERS —– Sunday
AM First Prayer ……...............… Wayne Pickrel
Closing………...............……....… David Neal
PM First Prayer…..............…….…. Doug Abbey
Closing………….….............. Jimmy Jay Fox
PRAYERS — Wednesday Nite
First Prayer………….................… Daniel McCary
Closing……………................…..……Cody Sparks
And now for FAMILY NEWS AND NOTES
Today we have the privilege of hearing Kris Groda, new minister for North Jefferson church of Christ. Welcome to Kris and his beautiful family: Lena, Kaden and Kelly (and one on the way, name not yet available). We look forward to a long and lasting relationship with this family and that we may all grow together in the faith. Pray for the success of Kris’s ministry here and that we may grow to love him and his family.
Luncheon today in Multi-Purpose Room following morning service. Everyone is invited. Just bring food!
Sister Ruby Pipkin was in the Hospice unit (3rd floor) of TCRMC as of Wednesday. She passed away Saturday morning. Funeral arrangements are pending.
We need to continue to remember Louis Bell, who lives in Tyler. He will miss his lovely wife Nona very much.
Winona Shankle, one time member of this congregation, continues to improve following her recent back surgery. She has spent some time with Roy and Carolyn Fox, he daughter and son-in-law, but may be back at home at this time.
Irene Duncan has been discharged from the hospital and is now back at home. Grady is looking after her needs but she seems to be progressing very well.
There is a (the first one) multi congregational get-to-together planned for Saturday night, February 21st at the Titus County Civic Center from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. It will be for adults and children and the goal is to get better acquainted with the brethren of other like minded congregations and also use this as a time to invite friends who are not members of the Lord's Church. Maybe this would allow the opportunity to later have a study with them and/or encourage them to visit the respective congregation in their area of residence. It will be a pot-luck dinner. Members from the following congregations are anticipated to be in attendance: North Jefferson, Oak Grove, Pittsburg, Blodgett and Mt. Vernon. Bro. Rance Robison, one of our deacons, and his wife Cathy have been the "point" people for getting this fellowship "kicked off". The plans are to have one of these get-to-gathers about once each 90 days. There is a rental fee for use of the building and cost per person will run from approximately $1.50 to $2.00, depending upon the number of people who come.
Ladies, the Pittsburg church of Christ
Invited you to
Please mark hour calendars for our
Upcoming
Ladies’ Day
To be held
Saturday, April 18, 2009
10 A.M. (9:30 Registration)
Janis Dearman
Of Chattanooga, Tennessee,
Will be speaking on the theme,
“Go Into All the world.”
Please make plans now to share in this
Special time of edification and fellowship.
More details will follow.
Can A Person Change?
Part 6
Floyd Kaiser
Guest Article from The Southwesterner—Southwest church of Christ— Ada, OK
Change comes only when one understands that change is needed. Every life needs change. The old and young alike must grow. When Peter wrote, “but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18), he did not aim the admonition at any age, gender or position. The need for change is as general to mankind as the need to breathe. The Bible’s call to change is applicable to everyone who can read and understand its words.
What kind of change does one need? Only the Bible and very wise and loving brethren can give such guidance. Without the word of God, change happens just for change’s sake or maybe, at best, just as an experiment (experimenting with Christianity is always a disaster).
However, after one knows what kind of change needs to happen, then one needs to articulate the change in detail. For instance, if the change is to better know the Bible, then one might describe the “nuts and bolts” of such change as setting aside 15 minutes at the beginning of every day to read and meditate upon five chapters from the Bible and spending 15 minutes at the end of every day reading a good commentary. Mastering God’s word does not happen over night. Meaningful change always takes time.
There needs to be some form of accountability. Getting others involved in one’s own change is important. Each one needs someone to answer to. This is the “secret” factor behind many successful weight loss programs There are meetings to attend where everyone who changes is commended and everyone who does not is shamed. It is somewhat like what the assembly of the church is supposed to be where we “stimulate one another to love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24).
The last step is a PRAYERFUL SURRENDER TO GOD.
When the king of Nineveh realized that he and his city needed to change to save themselves from the wrath of God, they called on God “earnestly” (Jonah 3:8). When Jesus’ appearance turned Saul’s life on its heels, Saul prayed. It seems he prayed and fasted for three days (see Acts 9:9-11). There is no substitute for the power of prayer. Self-discipline is important, but it is o replacement for prayer. “The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much” (James 5:16).
Nature’s Tunes
© By Grady L. Duncan
10/3/01
The night sky was an inky blue.
Stars, like diamonds, sparkled above.
Ghostly clouds slowly drifted,
like flocks of snow white doves.
Like a brand new silver dollar,
a full moon was shining bright.
You could see the country landscape,
bathed in the pale moonlight.
The moonlight on the water,
as it rippled across the lake,
appeared as a single row
of a thousand brazen snakes.
In the distance could be heard
the calling of a lonely loon,
while, yonder on a craggy hill,
a coyote howls at the moon.
The crickets began to chirp,
like violins tuning to play.
A Bull Frog, like a cello,
was croaking across the way.
The Maestro raised his baton,
gently giving them direction.
Every creature knew their part,
and played it to perfection.
The World stopped to listen,
as nature began their song.
My heart beat to the rhythm,
and my spirit sang along.
God was the great composer.
The orchestra was all creation,
and every time they play,
they deserve a Standing Ovation.
