Our_Bulletin_May_01

Family News and Notes

BUILDING FUND Sunday is today. If you are able and have made plans you may make your contribution today. Thanks.

REMEMBER We were able to get a few more tickets for the Rangers baseball game on Monday evening, June 13. Sign up on the sheet on the clipboard on the table in the foyer. First Come .. First Served.

"2005 Summer Youth Bible Series of Northeast Texas" begins Tuesday evening, June 7 and we will host the first SYBSNET here at North Jefferson. Johnny Ramsey will be our guest speaker with a lesson entitled: "If I Were Young Again." This will also be "parent's night," where we are encouraging the parents to attend with their young people, and hear this renowned evangelist speak on this great theme. Our theme was selected as: "How Shall The Young Secure Their Hearts?" We will meet each Tuesday night of June and July from 7:008:30 PM, for singing, spiritual edification from God's Word, and fellowship / refreshments. Make plans now to attend.

VBS plans were finalized at the planning meeting last Sunday evening and at another teachers meeting on Tuesday morning. Thanks to the willing staff of ladies who attended and volunteered for this great program of Bible edification. This summer's school is scheduled for Monday thru Friday, June 13 thru 17, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM daily. The theme will be: "Jesus Our Perfect Captain." We will have 5 class groups for ages 2 years old thru the 6th grade (no nursery, teen or adult classes). We will need the following help:

1.More ladies to volunteer as teacher helpers, even if you can only help a day or two during the week;

2.Teenagers to help with refreshments and restroom breaks for the little kids and with crafts and other needs.

3.Artists and crafts helpers to decorate rooms to help teach the Bible stories and to come up with craft/handwork projects that will help reinforce the daily lessons.

If you can help please let David or Janice McCain know your intentions. Also, we need everyone to save the brown cardboard center roller tubes from your paper towel rolls and your toilet tissue rolls for VBS craft projects. Please bring them to the building and put them in the box in the foyer marked "VBS Supplies," until we notify you that we have enough. Also, Veleta McFerrin will need your help with cookies and soft drinks for VBS refreshments. Please ask her what she needs and how you can help.

Helen Roper is still in Villa of Mount Pleasant. She will be there for several weeks as she recovers.

Winnie Patton was dismissed from the hospital Friday morning. She continues to improve from this second bout with pneumonia.

Ben McCain will have day surgery at Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler on Monday afternoon, to surgically remove an infected cyst, and will be laid up for a few days recovering. Please remember him in your prayers.

Judy Freeman requests that you continue to keep her parents, Wesley and Juanita DuBose (of Longview) in your prayers. The are both experiencing complicated health issues.

Penny Parker, daughter of Pat Dillard, was having difficulty breathing and went to the Emergency Room early Friday morning. She was treated and released to her mom's home for rest over the weekend.

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April 27, 2005 THANK YOU "I'd like to thank all the members of North Jefferson who showed us so much kindness and compassion during my mother's illness and subsequent death. She is no longer in pain and I know she rests in the arms of Jesus. Your thoughtfulness is overwhelming and much appreciated during these sorrowful days. Please keep my father, Ralph Phillips in your prayers and cards of encouragement coming his way (they decorate his room). [ I feel sure my sister wrote you a thank you note but I wanted to write one as well. ]

God bless you Shawn and Devon Phillips

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Ralph Phillips passed away in Dallas Thursday, April 28, about 3:00 PM. As soon as his son can arrive from Guam they plan a Memorial Service. That may take a week or two.

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PRAYER LIST:

Justin Barker, Rachel Barker, Louis Bell, Annah Brown, Sue Browning,

Billye Campbell, Billy Carter, Perry Cooper, Zenith Hargrove, Howard Horton,

Hollis Lee, Ben McCain, Winnie Patton, Helen Roper, Dorothy Sargent,

Alva Mae Sheets

ALSO: Melba Boyd, Denise Dering, Wesley & Juanita DuBose, Jeanette Goss, Ruby Jeffery, Carol Johnson, Bascom Perkins, Johnine Phillips, Mike'Shedra Traylor

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The Courage Of Conviction

I'm sure all of us could list several character traits which define spiritual stature and excellence. However, the one quality that always impresses me the most when I read about the spiritual giants in the Scriptures is the courage they exhibited in standing up for what is right no matter what the consequences. Several Bible examples come to mind when I think of God's men and women who were unafraid (or who overcame their fears) to stand up and be counted when their faith was on the line. One of my favorite stories is the account of the young shepherd David, who confidently ran to meet the burly giant Goliath (I Sam. 17:40-51). I also think of Queen Esther, who, at the urging of her uncle Mordecai, bravely risked her own life when she sought an unbidden audience with King Ahasuerus, in order to help to save the Jews from the annihilation plot of wicked Haman (Esther 4:1-5:2).

Another powerful example is found in the third chapter of Daniel, where we read of the three young Hebrews, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who were questioned by King Nebuchadnezzar, concerning their refusal to bow down and worship the golden image he had set up. Their response is a classic example of standing fearlessly for what is right, no matter what the consequences. "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, answered and said, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up" ( Daniel 3:16-18).

In the New Testament, the adventure story of the Apostles during the early days of the church's existence stands out as a hallmark of spiritual courage. Chapters 4 through 7 of Acts are the heart of this drama. Beginning with the arrest and imprisonment of Peter and John, continuing through the martyrdom of Stephen, and on into the time of the dispersion, we read of men who were willing to stand up and be counted for the Lord no matter what the personal cost.

The record states, "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled, and they took knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus" (Acts 4:13). "And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:18-20)."We ought to obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29). "...And when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ" (Acts 5:40-42).

Would to God that we might have the same courage of conviction today to stand up for what is right no matter what the cost or consequences. Sadly, too much of the time in this old sinful world the vocal minority have their wicked way simply because the silent majority fails to stand up and be counted. I believe it was Edward Burke who made the salient statement, "All that is necessary for the forces of evil to win the world is for enough good men to do nothing."

Brethren, it's high time for true Christians to stand up for what is right according to God's will. Of course a stand for what is right is often an unpopular stand. Fiery furnaces, prisons, beatings, and stonings often threaten those who bravely choose to do the right thing. But, when a stand needs to be made, may we be found standing on the Lord's side! Like the great men and women of old, our answers really need no careful thought, for they have already been decided. Yes, we too "ought to obey God rather than men." We too must demonstrate the courage of conviction! David McCain

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Rechargeable Batteries

By Michael Light

(Guest Article from Bangs Church of Christ bulletin)

I've never bought a rechargeable battery but the concept is certainly intriguing. you buy a battery and use it until it loses its charge. Then you simply put it in a special solution which when "soaked up" brings life back to the formerly dead battery.

As we look at the rechargeable battery we can learn something about the Christian life. When we become Christians we are like a brand spanking new Energizer battery. We're usually fully charged and ready launch into our new life as a child of God.

We are excited about the Lord and the church. Seldom do we skip a service and our joy and enthusiasm for the cause almost overflows. Yet in time and due to extensive use we sometimes begin to "run low." We seem to lose some of our initial "charge." We can fall into the same trap as did our dear brethren who constituted the Lord's body in Ephesus. Jesus addresses their problem in Revelation chapter 2. Notice verse four, "Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou has left thy first love."

In other words their battery had lost its charge. He then enjoined upon them, "Remember therefore from whence thou are fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent."

Jesus was not satisfied with their growing cold. The church was still teaching the truth and "going through the motions" of faithfulness, yet they had lost their initial love for the Christ. Jesus expected them to rekindle the flame within their hearts, and regain the love they had once had.

From time to time perhaps, we ourselves grow somewhat cold and stagnant. When we do we should remind ourselves, all is not lost. We like the rechargeable battery can regain our "charge." There is a "solution" that the Lord has prepared that will re-ignite the flame and resurrect the zeal we once had for the Lord.

The "solution" which the Lord has provided to recharge us is His word. The gospel will convert us, and keep us justified. Acts 20:32, "And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified."

When you feel your battery growing weak turn back to the source of life, Jesus Christ. Let Him recharge your life and lead you to glory through His divine word.

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