Family News and Notes
Men's Business Meeting following tonight's services. All the men of the congregation are encouraged to be in attendance.
LADIES DEVOTIONAL this afternoon at 4:30 PM. All the ladies of the congregation are invited to attend.
Still need some Volunteers to help clean the building. Check the sign-up sheet on the table in the foyer. Your assistance is appreciated.
The Tuesday morning Ladies Bible Class will be studying a new book. If you want the first week's lesson contact Karen Roper.
A FELLOWSHIP LUNCHEON is scheduled for February 27, following the morning services. Everyone is invited to be in attendance. Bring lots of food and desserts. I may be hungry.
It was nice to see Nelda Justice back in services this past week. She has been sick.
At the printing of this bulletin, Louis Bell was expected to return home on Saturday.
Cullen Marshall (son of Brandon and Courtney) has tubes put into his ears Friday at Good Shepherd Hospital in Longview.
Hollis Lee is sick at home and not feeling well at all.
Hazel Phillips has been dismissed from the hospital in Tyler and is now at: Room 8
MISSION MANOR NURSING HOME
501 Yates
Mount Vernon, Texas 75457
Ralph Phillips was admitted to East Texas Medical Center in Mount Vernon Thursday for tests and treatment. He is in Room 13A and the phone in his room is:
903-537-8113
J. J. Jordan (Rodney Cook's uncle is in critical condition and is in Hospice at Titus Regional Medical Center.
We need to keep all these folks in our prayers. See the Prayer for additional names we need to remember.
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PRAYER LIST:
Justin Barker, Rachel Barker, Louis Bell, Annah Brown, Sue Browning,
Billy Carter, Josephine Cooper, Perry Cooper, Zenith Hargrove, Howard Horton, Ruby Lawhon, Hollis Lee, Winnie Patton, Hazel Phillips, Ralph Phillips,
Dorothy Sargent, Alva Mae Sheets
ALSO: Ercell Fetters, Marie Holloway, J. J. Jordan, Kelsey Meyers,
Donald Newman, Jennifer Tolson
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A Strong, Loving, Vibrant, & Faithful Church
Every true child of God wants to be a part of a strong, vibrant congregation of the Lord's people. No genuine Christian wants to be a part of a weak, half-baked, lackadaisical, namby-pamby, lackluster, unhappy, dead congregation. Rather, every faithful soldier of the cross wants to be affiliated with a congregation of God's people, who are true to the Book, and faithful in every aspect of Christ's will, work, and worship for His church.
At the same time, every true disciple of Christ would like to be associated with an assembly of God's people who are full of life, who promote an atmosphere of love, joy, and happiness, and who are on-fire, zealous, and exuberant about victorious service in the vineyard of the Lord! Can we have both? Can a church be an exciting, interesting, happy place to be, and still be faithful to God's Word in every aspect of belief, worship, teaching, practice, and outreach?
The answer is a resounding YES! Vibrancy and faithfulness are not mutually exclusive. We don't have to be "deader than a doornail" to be faithful to God. And, we don't have to "go off the deep end" into sensationalism, or gimmickry, in order to have vibrancy. In fact, churches which stand for Truth, and which practice a loving outreach in evangelism and benevolence, ought to be in the thick of excitement, as they on the one hand are opposing every evil, while on the other hand are promoting and upholding every good work for the Lord.
Brother Maxie Boren, a faithful gospel preacher, has a great track record for having helped to build up the Lord's church in the places where he served as the local minister. Several years ago, he penned the article which follows on page three as a summary of his experiences concerning the spiritual characteristics which are essential to having and maintaining a strong and growing congregation of the Lord's people. I hope everyone will read his article carefully, and then make sure to prayerfully practice its Biblical admonitions for building up the body of Christ here in Mt. Pleasant.
This month we are winding up another fiscal year of service in the Lord's work here at North Jefferson. As we plan our work for the coming year, it seems the congregation is in good spiritual health and perhaps on the threshold of great new horizons in spiritual growth, service, and progress. As we think about the future, may God help us all to remember that a stronger church begins with stronger Christians. My prayer for the congregation this year is that each member will say to yourself, "A stronger church begins with me!" Let each of us determine to help the congregation to be all it can be in this new fiscal year, by being all we personally can be, as we all reach for the spiritual stars! May God help us to go and grow in the coming year like never before! God will bless us richly as we determine to be faithful in love, worship, and service. David McCain
David McCain
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What Will Build A Strong Church?
By Maxie Boren
Not sensationalism! Not gimmicks! Neither more committees, nor mere programs, nor a "fun and games" emphasis! These things may be "right-on" for civic clubs, social clubs, and country clubs, but not for the Lord's church!
What does it take to build a strong church? I believe with all my heart that the following things are essential!
#1 Strong Bible Preaching & Teaching
God's Word, when it is disseminated plainly, forcefully, uncompromisingly, and yet kindly and lovingly will BUILD UP! Paul said, "I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up" (Acts 20:32).
#2 Exemplary Leadership
Elders who make themselves "examples to the flock," and who carefully "oversee" the souls given into their care (I Pet. 5:1-3), are critically essential to the strength and growth of the local church. Few churches will outgrow their leadership's ability to feed, challenge, involve, nurture, and protect the membership. To grow and remain strong, the church must have quality leadership--men who know how to lead, and who will take the reins and do so!
#3 Christian Living By Every Member
Unimpeachable conduct clearly evidenced in the lives of Christians will illuminate the way for many in the realm of darkness (read Mt. 5:16 & Phil. 2:15).
#4 Congregational Warmth & Love
The fellowship of the Lord's church should be so sweet and precious that the whole community takes notice and observes, "See how they love each other" (Jn. 13:35). Without this, a congregation will never be what God would have it be.
#5 Compassionate Hearts
The church of Christ needs to be known as the most tenderhearted bunch of people in all the world--ready and willing to help all, and especially those of the household of the faith (Gal. 6:9-10).
#6 Evangelistic Fervor
The emphasis of the early church was soul-winning. The church will grow when we cease not to "teach and preach Jesus as the Christ" every day, wherever we have opportunity (Acts 5:42).
#7 An "I Want To Serve" Attitude Permeating The Local Congregation
The strong church will find its members serving the Lord out of love, and because of gratitude for His mercy, not out of a spirit of drudgery nor distasteful duty (II Cor. 8:1-5).
#8 An Atmosphere Of Happiness, Love, Friendliness, & Hospitality
No stranger should ever come into the midst of the Lord's church without being graciously greeted and warmly welcomed by happy, friendly members. At our services, we must reach out to others, and not just visit with friends only.
It is my conviction that these eight ingredients will help to build a strong church. I pray fervently that all eight will become a reality in congregations of the Lord's church. M.B.
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