Family News and Notes
PLEASE REMEMBER .
Our Building Fund Contribution was moved from last week until today. If you have plans to contribute you may do so, today. Thanks.
Also . Men's Business Meeting tonight. All the men of the congregation are encouraged to attend.
We had great attendance last Sunday for our Friends & Family Day. We hope the words of encouragement were well received by our visitors and they left with a different outlook on what the church of Christ is all about.
VBS this past week was a success. Many visual aids were on display throughout the building to encourage our young people during the week. Everything looked great. The average attendance each day was 50 to 54 young people and teachers. We look forward to next year.
Summer Youth Series continues Monday Night, June 12, here at the building. Sam Dilbeck will be guest speaker and the topic is: "Speak Oft and Spend Time With Thy Lord."
Check the brochures on the table in the foyer for future dates and places.
VBS begins at Pittsburg Church of Christ on June 12 and runs thru June 16. This will be evenings beginning at about 6:15 PM each evening.
Each of our young people are reminded to see David or Janice McCain for Camp applications to Indian Creek Youth Camp in Alabama on June 23rd thru 30th; Camp Cisco July 23rd thru 28th, and Camp Ida.
Keely McCary responded to the invitation on Wednesday evening, stating she wanted the congregation to pray for her in her quest to be an example for others and to take action more often to speak with others about the Word. She desires to be a better Christian.
Bud Roach had knee surgery Wednesday morning at Titus Regional Medical Center. He will be there a few days for rehab. He is in Room 527.
Hallie Lang was not feeling well last Sunday and after a visit to her doctor she was diagnosed with pneumonia. She has been medicating at home. Today she is feeling much better and hopes to be out and about soon.
Juanita DuBose (mother of Judy Freeman) returned to her home in Longview on June 3rd, after a 10-day stay in Baylor Hospital where she received treatment for a badly infected left foot, and for surgery for blockages in her abdominal blood vessels, which was causing poor circulation to her legs. Her recent heart valve replacement is working properly and her doctor stated her heart was working much better. She is to take therapy at home for final recovery. She is feeling down at the present time but her future looks good. Please keep Judy's mom in you prayers. Also, her dad who will be attempting to care for her during the day even tho his mobility is limited.
Gary Bell (son of Jean Bell) has been in the local hospital this past week. Was scheduled to be dismissed Friday, June 9th.
Bud Roach had knee surgery Wednesday morning at Titus Regional Medical Center. He is in Room 527. He will be there for a few days, and then re-hab.
Wanda Carlock has been ill at home and has been undergoing tests. She will probably require more tests...to determine proper treatment.
Johnny & Iris Ramsey were able to attend services Sunday and again on Wednesday evening. Johnny seems upbeat and plans to teach Bible Class this morning if all goes well. Of course, Iris, being the protective and loving person she is, is concerned he is pushing himself. It IS GOOD to have Johnny and Iris back with us.
Monday night our Summer Youth Series will be here at the building, beginning at 7:00 PM. Sam Dilbeck will present a lesson entitled "Speak Oft & Spend Time With Thy Lord."
Pam Farmer was in Houston tending to her grandchildren for several days while their parents were on a vacation trip. Last Sunday she fell down the stairs at church, and broke her right arm in two places and had 14 stitches in her head. Surgery may be necessary on her arm. She will remain in Houston for some time to recover. Her Cell Phone No. is: 903-466-1531. The address there is:
Pam Farmer
C/o Daren farmer
2747 Meadow Tree
Spring, Texas 77388
In the near future, Alice Lovelady will be moving to Mount Vernon House (Assisted Living) because of her failing health. Her address will be:
Alice Lovelady
Mount Vernon House
502 Meadow Park #4
Mount Vernon, Texas 75457
Phone: 903-537-4181
Please remember Alice in your prayers.
Charles and Dorothy Kyle are still out of town with the Sojourners. We miss them but they should be home toward the end of the month.
Please place the following into your Church Directory for reference: (address for Roxie Nixon)
Roxie Nixon
P O Box 1612
Mount Pleasant, Texas 75455
Home Phone No. 903-856-9880
Work Phone No. 903-572-7347
THANK YOU "Dear Christian Family: I just wanted to let the congregation know how much I appreciate the Bible and the graduation party that was given for me and my fellow graduates. All of ya'll are a great encouragement and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
In Christian love,
Jonathan David McCain
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PRAYER LIST:
Justin Barker, Rachel Barker, Jean Bell, Deborah Biesemeyer, Winell Blackard,
Annah Brown, Nancy Chastain, Perry Cooper, Hollis Lee, Joyce Lee, Georgia Lide, Courtney Marshall, Elna O'Neal, Wayne Pickrel, Marie Plemmons, Johnny Ramsey, Helen Roper, Dorothy Sargent, Alva Mae Sheets, Edith Shiflet, Ola Mae Simpson, Julia Terrell, Rebecca Tippitt
ALSO: Wanda Abbey Rivera, Melba Boyd, Cristell Cato, Austin Cody, Juanita DuBose, Wesley DuBose, Edna Graves, Ruby Jeffery, Wayne Lineberger,
Lonita Thompson
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The Great Commission
"Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, and said unto them. Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen" (Lk. 24:44-49, Mk. 16:15-16, Mt. 28:18-20).
The "Great Commission" is our prime reason for evangelism. Jesus gave the church solemn orders to go into all the world preaching the Gospel to every human soul. Those marching orders were given to every Christian. It was not a request, but a command, and no faithful child of God can escape his duty in regard to the Lord's prime directive. The absolute bottom line of why we must all be involved in sharing the Gospel is, Christ said so!
Several years ago, I was gathering firewood after an ice storm, when I was approached by two Mormon missionaries. We could learn a thing or two from them in their zealous evangelism for the false doctrine of Mormonism. They were clean cut, respectful, and friendly. Though dressed in shirt, tie, and dress slacks, they insisted on helping me load the wood I had cut. We talked together for close to an hour, discussing the differences between the New Testament and Mormon doctrine. I challenged their doctrines in the kindest way I know how, but I didn't pull any punches. I did my best to use the Scriptures to get them thinking about the fallacies of Mormon doctrine. Never once did they get angry or try to break off the conversation with me. A friendly smile never left their faces. They did not become defensive or argumentative, even when I told them that I considered their founder, Joseph Smith, to be a false prophet. Before parting I told them that though I disagreed strongly with their doctrine, that I couldn't help but respect and appreciate their zeal and dedication.
Though the Mormon church has only a slightly larger membership than the church of Christ, nevertheless some 40,000 young Mormon men between the ages of 18-22 are currently in the field as missionaries, spreading their false doctrine. They support one missionary for every 300 members, whereas we only support one missionary for every 9,000 members, though we claim to be spreading the Truth. Maybe we just don't love the Truth as much as Mormons love the false doctrines of Mormonism.
Brethren, the lack of church growth in our time is directly related to our failure to get every member involved in the Great Commission. As a little child I can remember my dad regularly teaching "cottage meetings" by showing the Jule Miller Bible filmstrips. We showed them to lots of folks. Though he later became a deacon, then an elder in the church, at that time he was just one faithful member among many, who was sharing his faith with his friends. When it was not uncommon for the members in the pews to be teaching home Bible studies, churches of Christ were the fastest growing religious group in America.
The Gospel has not lost its power to attract those who are seeking God, witness our "Friend's & Family Day," and "VBS" last week. However, the Gospel will not attract anyone until we share it with them. I'm convinced if we spent more time trying to evangelize the world, we'd have a lot less time for fussing, fighting, and brotherhood feuds over trivial matters of opinion. Brethren, we must make every effort to bring our friends, neighbors, and relatives to meet Jesus. When's the last time you spoke to a friend about Jesus, the Gospel, and His church? Do it daily and don't be surprised, when the Lord's church here at North Jefferson begins to grow! "Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest" (Jn. 4:35). David McCain
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