Family News and Notes
Please be reminded if you have news about someone, whether you think it important or not, please let someone know. We don't wish to overlook anyone who might need our prayers.
Due to the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, the elders have decided we will meet on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving instead of the regular Wednesday evening service. Please mark your calendar that mid-week services will be held on Tuesday, November 25th, instead of on Wednesday, November 26th. (See David's article at the bottom of page 4.)
At the Men's Business Meeting the men were advised that a Gospel Meeting has been scheduled for April 25 28, 2004, with Brother Michael Light of Bangs, Texas. Services will be at 7:00 PM nightly. More will be published on this later, but you need to mark your calendar now so you can make plans to attend and bring your friends and/or neighbors.
It should be noted that Daylight Savings Time will begin on April 1st, so that should allow additional daylight for those who don't like to drive after dark.
Copies of the Minutes from the Men's Business Meeting and Financial Report for the month ending October 31, 2003 are available on the table in the foyer. If you are interested, please feel free to take a copy of each of these.
Beginning in December.The 2nd Wednesday night in each month will be set aside for learning new songs. Everyone is encouraged to participate.
ALL TEENAGERS.. You are invited to the McCain home following evening services today for fellowship and snacks. David promises you'll have a good time, so please make plans to attend. Take a look at what he has planned. See page 4 of this bulletin.
Janelle Stephenson is back at home but is not doing very well.
Bud Roach's mother had her surgery last Tuesday. She is doing well.
Katherine White (sister of Ruth Garrett) is in Titus Regional Medical Center (Room 329). She has been undergoing tests to properly determine the cause of her ailments and proper treatment.
EVERYONE.Please check the PRAYER LIST !
TUNE IN to hear Dale G. Stinson from the Oak Grove church of Christ, "What Saith The Scriptures?", on Sunday mornings from 7:15 to 7:30 AM on radio station KZRB-FM 103.5 out of Hooks, Texas. Also, tune in to 91.1 FM from 8:45 to 9:00 AM and 91.7 FM from 8:45 to 9:00 AMboth each Sunday morning.
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PRAYER LIST
Justin Barker, Louis Bell, Ann Carter, Billy carter, Sandra Cooper, Bonnie Horton, Howard Horton, Corine Hudson, Autumn Miller, Phyllis Moon, Elna O'Neal, Winnie Patton, Dorothy Sargent,
Alva Mae Sheets, Janelle Stephenson, 
ALSO: Judy Betts, R. C. Grissom, Elizabeth McGill,
Kelsey Meyers, Ken Mullins, Jim Parker, Shawn Phillips
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Service Arrangements
ANNOUNCEMENTS.....Wayne Charlton
SONG LEADER AM .......... Lee Moses
PM..............Bill Jones
PRAYERS Sunday
AM First Prayer. Gene Campbell
AM Closing.......................Rodney Cook
PM First Prayer..............Wayne Pickrel
PM Closing........................Sid Charlton
PRAYERS Wednesday Nite
First Prayer.......................Grady Duncan
Closing.................................Jack Cooper
COMMUNION FOR NOVEMBER
AM Wayne Pickrel..............Jim Duncan
Lewis Robertson........Roger Grimes
William Embree..............Tim Davis
PM Frankie Sargent.......Gene Campbell
ATTENDANCE COUNT..Grady Duncan
TRANSPORTATION...Call Frankie Sargent
903-572-2647
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Don't Grow Weary In Well Doing
By David McCain
"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." Gal. 6:9
It's easy for us at times to grow tired of our day-to-day activities, isn't it? Every Monday morning we wake up to another week of the never-ending rat race. Children must be cared for right now - they won't wait. Meals need to be cooked, clothes and dishes must be washed, beds have to be made, and the house needs constant cleaning. The yard has to be mowed, the car needs an oil change, and the house needs painting. The bills must be paid, often with too much month left at the end of the money! Every time it seems you're about to get ahead, something else breaks down or someone gets sick, and you're hit with another unexpected repair invoice or doctor's bill. And don't forget the ill-tempered boss you have to put up with, who leaves you wondering how long you can stand it before you explode. When will it all end?
Sometimes I wonder why we all don't just throw up our hands and throw in the towel and quit? Well, I think you know the answer to that, don't you? Our problems will not go away by quitting. In fact, quitting would just complicate things and add to our burdens. Besides, we live in hope of those occasional victories, which make the repetitive chores of life seem worthwhile, like making the last installment payment on the fridge, or the car going a month without breaking down!
For just a moment I want you to consider the parallel of this situation in the spiritual realm, and how God wants us to deal with it. Just like we all have problems in our physical lives that at times make us want to quit, we all likewise have problems in our spiritual lives, which cause us to grow weary of the struggle to live a faithful Christian life. Perhaps "the sin that so easily besets us" (Heb. 12:1), is just nagging away at us, nipping at our heels, and making us feel like it is impossible to be faithful to Christ. Or maybe the persecution of worldly folks (Mt. 5:10-12), or even of ungodly brethren (II Tim. 3:2-5) seems like more than we can bear. Sometimes even family members let us down (Mt. 10:36), causing great pressure on our faith.
Even the mature Christian, who is not troubled so severely by worldly temptations, must still struggle with "burnout." The personal worker must deal with prospects who reject God's Word. The elder must deal with the tremendous spiritual pressure of having to watch for the souls of God's flock (Acts 20:28, Heb. 13:17). The Bible class teacher often has to deal with apathetic students. The visit-maker must deal with the sadness of the sick, the grief of the bereaved, the heartache of the downtrodden, and the pitiful excuses of the delinquent members. The deacon must deal with the challenges of his work as a special servant of the church. The preacher or missionary who pours his heart into the work must deal with the feelings of personal failure when his audience fails to hear and heed his messages from God's Word.
But, brethren, no matter what problems we struggle with, nor what obstacles we face; no matter how severe the disappointment or discouragement, nor how great the stress of persecution heaped upon us, we cannot afford to quit. For you see, God has promised success only to those who carry on and are faithful to the very end. As the text under the title of this article admonishes, we must not grow weary in righteousness, for a day of reaping is coming. We must be faithful even in the face of death, if we want to receive the crown of life from Christ (Rev. 2:10). The promise of God is that we will eventually see
results if we will patiently push on. What a great promise this is, that not only will we reap the personal reward of eternal salvation, but also that we can know our day-to-day endeavors for the good of Christ's kingdom are not in vain (I Cor. 15:58).
Have you grown weary in well doing? Can you afford to quit? Why not hang in there, press on, and keep going forward for the Master, so that spiritual victory can be yours (I Cor. 15:57, Jn. 10:10).
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McCain's Musings---We're Here!
Believe it or not, we are finally living in Mt. Pleasant. It is so good to finally get moved into our "new" house so we can start getting our feet back on the ground again. If it's been awhile since you've moved, you've probably forgotten how much there is to do, as you get settled into a new house, a new job, a new life, and a new routine. Everything has to be changed: address, phone number, drivers license, bank accounts, grocery store, electric, water, & gas companies, doctor, dentist, barber, cleaners, mechanics, neighbors, friends, and brethren. You even have to learn the different layout of the local Wal-Mart, and may bump into a few walls in your new house before you can find your way to the bathroom in the middle of the night! Change can be difficult, if not downright disheartening!
However, you have made it easier on us by exhibited great patience, kindness, friendliness, and helpfulness toward our family during this time of transition. For that, we give you our sincere thanks for every deed and word of kindness shared with our family the past month. May God bless you for your patience and generosity! Now that we are finally here, please call on us if we can help you with anything. Our new address is: 306 Dellwood, Mt. P., 75455, and our new phone number is: (903) 577-1540.
Youth Get-Together & Devo
All of the young people (ages 12 thru College) are invited to the McCain's house after services this Sun. P.M., Nov. 16th, for snacks and a devo. We will eat, play games, get better acquainted, and close with a devo. Parents can come too, or drop kids off and then pick up between 9:30-10:00.
Adult Holiday Dinner Party
All of the adults of the congregation are invited to a fun-filled Holiday Dinner Party at the home of Janice & David McCain, on Friday evening, Dec. 19th, at 6:00 p.m. Janice and I will provide the appetizers, the main course, the bread, and the drinks. Everyone else should bring just one side dish of a salad, a vegetable, or a dessert. Dress is festive casual (wear your favorite holiday sweater)! Appetizers will be served at 6:00, and dinner at around 6:30. We have planned some fun games, and will have a "crazy gift swap" (sometimes called "steal-a-gift"). Please bring a gender-appropriate wrapped gift, $10 limit. For those who have never participated in a "crazy gift swap," it is sometimes fun to get both a gag gift and a nice gift and wrap them together. Everyone 20 to 100 (married, widowed, or single) is invited to attend. Please sign the list in the lobby if you plan to attend, so we will know how much food to prepare.
This & That
The week of Thanksgiving, our regular Wed. PM service will be moved to Tues. PM. The elders asked me to plan an "old-fashioned prayer meeting" style service with coordinated Scripture readings, prayers, and songs. I will have the program ready this Wed. and need men to volunteer for the leadership roles.
Welcome home to Lee, Kelley, Travis, & Luke!We missed you while your were away. D.Mc.
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