We will be departing this afternoon for west Texas with our son and his family to visit with Johnnie Ann's folks. We will be back in time for our mid-week services. We wish you the best for this year's holiday season, and look forward to the opportunities that may come our way in 2003. If you are traveling, please drive carefully. We want you back safely.
Fifth Sunday: If you plan to submit questions for next week's 5th Sunday question and answer session, please turn these in today, and absolutely no later than mid-week. You can hand these to myself or to Lee, or put them in either his or my box in the office. Thank you in advance for your interest.
12 for 12 Training: The Open Bible Study, 12 for 12, is a class designed to train Christians in the use of the Open Bible Study method of evangelism. The class is limited to 12 people, and is conducted for 12 sessions. We are looking for good men and women who want to prepare themselves to better serve God in the area of outreach. More details to come.
Visitation: Our bi-weekly visitation will begin again in mid-January. Let me strongly urge you to plan to be involved in this much needed work. Between the visitors to the congregation and our sick and shut-ins there is much to do. Meanwhile let me hear from you regarding the day of the week that is most suitable to you, and any other suggestions that you might have that will help this program operate more efficiently.
Thank You: My sincere thanks to so many of you who work behind the scenes and perhaps never receive any recognition for your labors. From putting together this bulletin, to cleaning the building and doing yard work, your efforts are appreciated by all of us. Have a good week!!!
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Weak and Lowly, or High and Holy?
by Lee Moses
Drawing ever nearer is December 25, the date many people erroneously celebrate as the "birthday" of Jesus Christ. This has become one of the two major holidays (neither of which is Biblically accepted) among those who profess belief in Christ. Religious people all over the world reflect upon the birth of Jesus Christ, the point in time of all His eternal existence when He appeared weakest. Why is this? Is this the image of Christ upon which a Christian is to focus?
One might examine the New Testament to see the image of Christ which is emphasized. The Gospel accounts (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) provide historical accounts of the life of Christ, thus necessitating the detailing the events of His birth in two of these books. But following this, one does not read of Jesus teaching the people about Himself as a newborn baby. Luke stated that the Divinely-inspired Gospel account he penned was designed to discuss "all that Jesus began both to do and teach," not how cute and helpless He was in His infancy (Acts 1:1). The epistles of the New Testament, providing the clearest instruction to the Christian on how he should think and act, make no reference to Christ as a baby to this writer's knowledge. Paul wrote, "Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead" (II Timothy 2:8). There are certainly references to the fact that Christ dwelt on earth in a fleshly form. However, the great focus is directed upon the resurrected Christ, how magnificent He is in His current glorified state, and the glory that shall be His at the final day.
Is it not possible that part of the reason for the widespread acceptance of Christmas as a religious holiday lies in the pleasure people derive from thinking about the great Messiah and Savior of mankind as a defenseless child? A Christian is to glorify Christ, yet some professing Christianity endeavor to bring Him down to a level lower than themselves.
Is it wrong to bring to memory the fact that Jesus Christ was once a baby? Of course it is not! But this fact is not to be a focal point of Christianity-just as Mary is not to be. Focusing upon Jesus as an infant draws attention to the weakness and lowliness He temporarily assumed. The focus needs to be upon the astounding power displayed by Christ's resurrection, the splendour of the reign of the Great King in heaven, and the Final Coming of the Magnificent Judge, in which all of His awe-inspiring traits will be visibly on display for every eye to behold. "He made us to be a kingdom, to be priests unto his God and Father; to him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen" (Revelation 1:6).
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Family News and Notes
Your Editor has improved and is back on duty..!!! :=)
EVERYONE PLEASE REMEMBER.
the mid week service for this week has been changed to Thursday evening, December 26th.
Last Sunday we had a Special Contribution to assist the School of Preaching in Mexico to purchase a vehicle. The contribution was $1,950.00.
An Evening of Fellowship will be held on Tuesday nite, December 31st, here at the building in the Multi-purpose Room. Bring finger foods.
Otis Duncan will be preaching for us on Sunday, December 29th.
The Ladies Bible Class delivered thirty-two (32) Care Baskets last week.
Gene Riley was admitted to Presbyterian Hospital in Winnsboro last week due to an infection in the skin graft on his leg.
Myrle Riley was diagnosed with a tumor on her thyroid. She is seeking help from the doctors in Dallas. Please remember her in your prayers.
Jerry Freeman continues to make progress and has been pain free now for several days.
Several have been ill at home this past week and we need to keep them in our prayers; Zeneth Hargrove, Wade Miller,
Vicki Miller, Jamie Duncan,
Edith Shiflet, Suzanne Charlton
THANK YOU."To all the members of the North Jefferson church of Christ: I want to thank you all so much for your cards, visits, calls, and especially your prayers during my recent illness. They meant so very much to me. I also want to thank the Ladies' Bible Class for the beautiful poinsettia they sent me.-it is just lovely.
THANK YOU "To Ladies Bible Class:
Thank you so very much for the Christmas gift. It was so thoughtful and nice.
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Our Prayer List
Delores Adams, Sue Browning, Suzanne Charlton,
Perry Cooper, Jamie Duncan, Jerry Freeman, Zeneth Hargrove, Bonnie Horton, Howard Horton, Corine Hudson, Dick Justiss,
Ruby Lawhon, Wade Miller, Vicki Miller, Glenn Parham, Meryl Riley, Murphy Ross, Edith Shiflet, Janelle Stephenson
ALSO: Evelyn Harrison, Alice O'Neal, Cindy Perryman, Todd Ranes
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Grady Duncan
SONG LEADER: Bill Jones
PRAYERS-----Sunday
a. m. First Prayer Weldon Miller
a. m. Closing Kent Cooper
p. m. First Prayer Jacques Glover
p. m. Closing Bill Jones
--Thursday Evening--
Special Service . Prayers & Singing
COMMUNION:
a. m. Gene Campbell Bob Hedges
Roger Grimes Bud Roach
Lewis Robertson Darrell Cooper
p.m. Ralph Phillips Devon Phillips
ATTENDANCE COUNTER: Grady Duncan
TRANSPORTATION; Those who need transportation can call.......
Frankie Sargent at 572-2647
