ANNOUNCEMENTS..........................Bob Hedges
SONG LEADER (AM).....................Weldon Miller
(PM).....................Weldon Miller
Wednesday Nite................Wade Miller
PRAYERS Sunday
AM First Prayer............................George O'Neal
AM Closing........................................Tim Jones
PM First Prayer...............................Jody Sparks
PM Closing......................................Ben McCain
PRAYERS Wednesday Nite
First Prayer.......................................Wade Miller
Closing.............................................Jim Duncan
COMMUNION FOR DECEMBER
AM Jerry Freeman Gene Campbell
Wayne Charlton Vernon Garrett
PM Tim Jones Grady Duncan
ATTENDANCE COUNTER......Grady Duncan
NEED TRANSPORTATION? Call............Frankie Sargent
903-572-2647
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Family News and Notes
EVERYONE REMEMBER OUR WW2 VETERANS TUESDAY, DECEMBER 07, 2004, Pearl Harbor Day.
Today is a day set aside for our Building Fund Contributions. If you are able to do so you may contribute today. Thanks once again.
Next Sunday, after the evening services, is our regularly scheduled Men's Business Meeting. All the men of the congregation are encouraged to attend as your input is important.
Placing membership with our congregation last Sunday:
Hal and Karen Roper
116 CR 3045
Mount Pleasant, Texas 75455
Phone: 903-575-0425
Hal and Karen have two children, Keely and Bronson. Karen is a Homemaker. Keely is a senior at Commerce, majoring in Sociology. Bronson is attending NTCC to get his basics for further college. We are glad to have them working with us.
All classes will meet in the auditorium on Wednesday evening Dec. 8 to hear Ben & Jon report on their mission trip. Ken Upchurch from Hattiesburg, MS, who works with the Tanzania Mission work will also be here to give a summary report of their trip together.
Youth Get-together on Friday night, December 17. Details later.
The Poinsettias on the podium and thru-out the building have been donated for your enjoyment during this season.
With regards to the Cleaning List on the table in the foyer we still need Volunteers for some of the work. . If you are able to help please sign the list to help Grady.
REMINDER The ladies will be doing "Care Boxes" again this year and are requesting that anyone who want to donate funds for the boxes to give their donation to either Veleta McFerrin or Amy Jones ASAP. These are taken to shut-ins, nursing home residents & elderly.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Just one more reminder if you plan to come to the Holiday get-together at the McCain home either Friday nite (Dec. 10) or Saturday nite (Dec. 11) won't you please sign up on the list on the long table in the foyer. Please indicate what you will being, ie: salad, vegetable or dessert. Also, don't forget to bring a creative gift (don't spend over $10) for the Gift Swap. Try to time your arrival for 6:30 PM as we will begin serving appetizers at that time until 7:00 PM. (Please no early arrivals as we will still be busy preparing the Turkey & Dressing and Ham.) Lots of fun will be had by everyone.
On Wednesday December 29, we will have singing in the auditorium. Also, all classes will meet in the auditorium on that nite.
We need to remember those in the Nursing Facilities during this season especially. So for your convenience I've included mailing addresses for them. Please tell me if I overlooked anyone.
Georgia Lide
Villa of Mount Pleasant
1714 North Edwards
Room 5
Mount pleasant, Texas 75455
Dorothy Sargent
Pleasant Springs Nursing Center
2003 N. Edwards
Room 153
Mount Pleasant, Texas 75455
Winell Blackard
1714 North Edwards
Room 23
Mount Pleasant, Texas 75455
Annah Ruth Brown
Mt Pleasant Residential Care
2007 North Edwards
Room 26
Mt Pleasant, Texas 75455
Howard Horton
Mission Manor Nursing Home
501 Yates
Room 24
Mount Vernon, Texas 75457
Carl Lee had more surgery on his eye Thursday but is now back at home.
Patsy Duncan had cataract surgery last week on her other eye. She is doing OK.
Hal Roper had arthroscopic surgery on his knee Thursday, in Paris, as well as surgery on his wrist for carpal tunnel syndrome.
Larry Freeman, son of Hallie Lang and brother of Rhodney, Linda, Brenda and Jerry, was admitted to Titus Regional Medical Center Tuesday after passing out at home. Doctors have been performing tests to help determine the cause of his problem. At the printing of this bulletin he was still in Room 308 at Titus Regional Medical Center and had not received a report from his doctor.
Billy Carter and Hollis Lee have been sick at home this past week. Billy and Hollis say they are feeling better.
We need to remember in our prayers all those who have been mentioned.
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PRAYER LIST
Justin Barker, Rachel Barker, Louis Bell, Annah Brown, Sue Browning,
Billy Carter, Josephine Cooper, Perry Cooper, Patsy Duncan, Zenith Hargrove, Howard Horton, Ruby Lawhon, Carl Lee, Hollis Lee, Winnie Patton, Hal Roper, Dorothy Sargent, Alva Mae Sheets,
ALSO: James & Marie Butler, Ercell Fetters, Larry Freeman, Marie Holloway, Patricia McCracken, Kelsey Meyers,
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The Holidays
Some folks complain about the hectic pace during "the holidays," but probably most of us enjoy this season as much, if not more, than any other season of the year. I dare say, few things tug the heartstrings quite like the memories of joyous holidays past, spent in the company of beloved family and friends.
However, as we find ourselves in the throes of "the holidays" this month, we must guard against becoming so busy with earthly pursuits, that we forget or neglect the Lord, His church, or our spiritual commitments. Shopping, traveling, decorating, celebrating, and spending time with family and friends are all great fun, but not to the neglect of things spiritual. In this busy season, Satan will encourage us to forsake the Lord for the sake of our own enjoyment, to rob God to pay for our holiday purchases, and to participate in activities that are unbecoming of God's children. Beware of Satan's devices (II Cor. 2:11). Don't let him entice you into turning the holidays into "unholy days."
Though we are warned in God's Word not to observe special "holy days" that God has not authorized (Gal. 4:10-11), nevertheless we are free in Christ, on a personal level, to esteem one day higher than another, so long as we don't violate any other commandment of God, nor try to bind our personal traditions upon others (Rms. 14:5-6). In that regard, we should be very careful of our influence during the holiday season, lest we cause a weaker brother to stumble by our observance of family traditions. Most holiday traditions fall into the category of expediency (or human judgment). Of course, we should exercise wise judgment in the observance of all family traditions, making sure we are fully persuaded, according to the Scriptures, that what we are doing is acceptable in God's sight (Rms. 14:5).
The holiday season brings out the best in lots of folks. It's a time that drives our hearts towards home and family. The holidays provide a perfect time to settle family squabbles, reconcile petty differences, and cease estrangements, so the whole family can come home together in love and unity. Something about this season causes us to pause and be more thankful for the abundant blessings God bestows each day (Col. 2:7). It is certainly a time when the spirit of generosity for others exerts itself according to the declaration of Jesus, that "it is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35).
As another year draws quickly to its close, the holiday season provides us a time to soberly reflect upon the progress of our earthly sojourn. It's a good time to take inventory of our lives, our relationships, and our commitments, so we can make whatever course corrections are necessary to keep us on the pathway to eternal glory (II Cor. 13:5). It is a great time in the presence of loved ones to consider those things that are really important in life, and to remind ourselves of that which must have priority in our lives if we want to get ourselves and our loved ones to heaven.
Yes, the holidays can be a great time of fun and warm feelings, but we must guard against them becoming unholy days through neglect or rebellion towards God. That said, here's hoping you have a wonderful holiday season with your family and friends, and a very Happy New Year!
David McCain
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Rhodney's "Funny Bone"
Only a true Southerner can show or point out to you the general direction of "yonder."
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