Family News and Notes
MEN'S BUSINESS meeting following evening services today. All the men of the congregation are encouraged to attend.
Our Gospel Meeting begins October 10thru 13th. Brother Jack Orbison (Janice's dad). We will have a Fellowship Luncheon on that day following the morning services. Everyone is invited and encouraged to attend. Watch for brochures to appear soon on the round table in the foyer.
Roger Grimes asked for the prayers of the congregation on his behalf last Sunday. Please remember him.
Jody & Stephanie Sparks, who came from Tolar, Texas, have expressed a desire to be identified with this congregation. They have two children; Sarah and Cody. Their address is:
Jody & Stephanie Sparks
2561 FM 1734
Mount Pleasant, TX 75455
903-577-9141
Wade Miller has been experiencing a problem with his hand. He returned to his doctor Friday for further treatment and seems to be doing much better.
The young people met at the farm of Frankie and Carolyn Sargent Saturday evening for Devotional and afterward had BBQ and Hamburgers.
Cards of "encouragement" and "love" need to be sent to Josh Charlton at the following address:
Josh Charlton
c/o Titus County Sheriff's Office
304 South Van Buren
Mount Pleasant, TX 75455
(Everyone who is able is encouraged to do this.)
Funeral services were held last Monday morning at Restoration Family Worship Center in Naples, for Bobby Ray Davis, Sr. (Tim Davis' dad) who passed away on Friday, September 10. Pertaining to this is the following thank you.
"To the Congregation of North Jefferson: Thank you so much for everything you have done during the illness and after the death of my father. The calls, cards, visits, flowers and especially the prayers were so very much appreciated during this time of sorrow in our family. We will never forget your kindness.
In Christian Love,
Tim & Donna Davis"
THANK YOU "Thank you for all the words of comfort, the cards, flowers and food that you provided after the death of our father, Marvin Pool. It means so much to have a Christian family to help bear our burden.
In Christian Love,
Fred Harkrider, Nancy Bell
and families"
THANK YOU "Lurline Johnson and family would like to thank all of you who cared for us during our sorrow. The cards, food, flowers, calls, and just a big hug meant so much. you are always there when we need you.
In Christian Love,
Lurline Johnson
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Sensationalism Or Simplicity?
Many folks today are not satisfied with a religion of simple obedience to God's will and "old fashioned" worship according to New Testament authority. They look for God in the sensational, the stupendous, and the colossal. To them worship is boring if it's not of the spectacular, charismatic, "foot-stomping" variety.
Sadly, even within our brotherhood, there is an ever-increasing tendency by some "change agents" to denounce reverent, Bible-centered worship, as being too "traditional." The advocates of this new "pop culture" worship want us to apply Hollywood tactics to our worship assemblies, turning them into highly orchestrated entertainment productions that will supposedly provide the participants with a more satisfying "emotional high."
Please don't misunderstand me. I am not saying Christianity doesn't involve our emotions, nor that our worship and service to God shouldn't be filled with enthusiasm and zeal. Rather, I'm saying our enthusiasm and zeal should be tempered with the scriptural knowledge of how to channel that emotional energy into Biblically authorized avenues of worship and service. Paul alluded to this problem among the Jews, when he wrote, "For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God" (Romans 10:2-3).
God has made Christianity a religion of simple things (Mt. 25:31-46, I Cor. 1:18-31). By the world's standards, Bible-based worship, the preaching of the Gospel, and humble service are all foolish and weak things; stumbling blocks. But to those who truly understand God's ways, those simple things are "the power and the wisdom of God."
Brethren, true Christianity is not found in the sensational, it's in the simple! It's practiced in attitudes like love, kindness, meekness, gentleness, patience, and forgiveness. It's nurtured in the diligent study of the Word of God to make sure you think, talk, act, dress, and live in accordance with God's will. It's then matured in the daily struggle to put God first, others second, and yourself last.
Simple worship and humble service are the hallmarks of the religion founded by Christ. More times than not, faithfulness as a Christian, is not a spectacular performance in the spotlight, but rather humble service behind the scenes. It's things like visiting the shut-ins, mowing a widow's lawn, having a nightly devotional with your kids, taking a meal to a sick person, writing an encouraging note to someone who is down, preparing for your Bible class, praying for the elders, teaching a neighbor the Gospel, attending worship regularly, writing a missionary, helping a needy family with clothing, providing transportation to the doctor or to worship, visiting the prisons, and a thousand and one other simple deeds of service, which are done for the glory of God and the growth of His kingdom.
Others may not know about it, or even care. It's not sensational. You will not win any medals or honors for it, and you probably won't receive much, if any, recognition for your efforts. But God knows about it, and He cares. Best of all, He will remember, recognize, and reward your efforts someday (Mt. 10:42). And, that's what really counts, doesn't it?
James said, "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world" (Jms. 1:27). Are you looking for God in the sensational or the simple? Think about it! David McCain
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A Message in Song Titles
(A Guest Article by Pearl McQuiddy)
Because This Is My Father's World, I will Praise Him, Praise Him for all He has done for me. Love Lifted Me from the depths of sin there At The Cross. Because of this, I can go Anywhere With Jesus, for I know He will be there. As I go, Each Day I'll Do A Golden Deed, because I'm In The Gloryland Way! Life is so much Sweeter As The Years Go By for I know that in Paradise Valley, There's A Land That Is Fairer Than Day, a place Where The Soul Never Dies; moreover, I know that This World Is Not My Home, so when I Kneel At The Cross in prayer I can truly say, my God, How Great Thou Art!
When I think of His Amazing Grace, and what He has done for me, I know that Our God, He Is Alive! For all these reasons, someday My God and I will live together with all those who have gone on before me in the beautiful Ivory Palaces that God has prepared for me. Yes, it was On A Hill Far Away that our blessed Lord, the Rock Of Ages, gave His life that I might have Victory in Jesus. Because of these Precious Memories of His life and His death on the cross, I'm Living By Faith and I will always give Glory To His Name as I sing that wonderful old song, Whispering Hope.
What a song of praise will be outpoured When He Comes In Glory By And By. Yes, some day I'll Fly Away to my home on high; Just Beyond the Rolling River of death I Will Meet You At The River of life with the redeemed of all ages. But while here on earth, I Will Sing Of My Redeemer until I reach the land where In Heaven They're Singing a wonderful song, a theme that shall never grow old. Because of His loving grace I now can sing It Is Well With My Soul; and I can also sing, All Will Be Well Just Over In The Gloryland. So, Meet Me There.
The grandest of all great days will be When All Of God's Singers Get Home and there dwell In The Summerland Of Bliss with our Lord for an endless eternity and there experience No Tears In Heaven, yes No Disappointments In Heaven. How Beautiful Heaven Must Be! There He Keeps Me Singing.
Friends, because Swiftly We're Turning life's daily pages, Prepare To Meet Thy God. Trust And Obey, Sing And Be Happy, Pray All The Time, Sing To Me Of Heaven, and Ring Out The Message. Proclaim O What A Savior! and ponder two important questions: Do You Know My Jesus and What Will You Do With Jesus?
Live that others too will say O I Want To See Him, and look upon His face. There to sing forever of His saving grace; On the streets of glory let me life my voice; Cares all past, Home at last, ever to rejoice.
Will you Meet Me There In The Morning Of Joy?
"I will sing a new song unto thee, O God" Psalm 144:9
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