Archive for 'November, 2009'

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All the various works of the church should be performed for the enrichment of the body and to the glory of God.  Jesus tells each of us in Matthew 28:19 to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”  This great commission should be foremost on our minds, but other works of our congregation need to be accomplished as well.  For example, do you know who in the church:

• Prays daily for the needs of the church?
• Visits the sick & bereaved?
• Visits new or prospective members?
• Invites friends, neighbors and relatives to our services and activities?
• Reads and studies the Word daily?
• Donates food and service for fellowship activities?
• Coordinates meals for Funerals?
• Encourages others in their daily walk?
• Prepares the worship agenda?
• Prints the bulletin?
• Prepares floral arrangements for the auditorium?
• Pays the church’s bills?
• Prepares the Lord’s Supper?
• Sends flowers to the sick and bereaved?
• Teaches Bible classes?
• Works with the Youth?
• Works with LTC?
• Works with VBS?
• Gets supplies for our many activities?
• Helps with church work days?
• Cleans the buildings?
• Mows and trims the grass?
• Has a Christ-like attitude in all their daily tasks?
• Talks to others about Christ routinely?
• Have home Bible studies?

From this partial list you can see that the church’s function is many and varied.  It can utilize every member’s talents and abilities in a number of ways.  Best of all, when you do things for the Lord through the church, it does not go unnoticed.  You brighten the day for those it touches, God is glorified, and He blesses you! I Cor. 15:58b “Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” 

God bless you all and have a great week, Michael

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Sermon: Michael Bryan

Song Leader:  Kacey Toliver

Opening Prayers: AM-Joel Owens      PM-Burl McCoy

Closing Prayers:  AM-Lane Boyd     PM-Jerry Russell

Lord’s Table: Billy Bob Toombs, Billy Lucas, Jim Goldsmith, Dustin Simmons, George Smith & Kelly Woolard      PM- Billy Bob

Pick-up Cards: Tyler Jones & Jacob Toliver

Worship Helpers:  Cody Buczyna & Jonathan Juarez

Nursing Home: Logan Cravens

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Devo: Lou David Allen

Song Leader: Kacey Toliver

Prayers:  Opening-Michael Bryan       Closing-Dustin Simmons

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Sermon: Michael Bryan

Song Leader: Joel Owens

Opening Prayers:  AM-Scott Carey       PM-Larry Gill

Closing Prayers: AM-Billy Bob Toombs   PM-Tim Walker

Lord’s Table: Logan Cravens, Mark Rogers, Billy Jones, Ronnie Hobbs, Jerry Russell, & Joe Neill         PM-Logan Cravens

Pick-up Cards: Tyler Jones & Jacob Toliver

Worship Helpers: Russ Russell & Odell Walker

Nursing Home: Joe Neill

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Devo: Kacey Toliver

Song Leader: Lane Boyd

Prayers: Opening-Joel Owens       Clsoing-Jim Goldsmith

The real estate salesman said, “This house has both its good points and its bad points. To show you I’m honest, I’m going to tell you about both. The disadvantages are that there is a chemical plant one block south and a slaughterhouse a block north.”

“What are the advantages?” inquired the prospective buyer.

“The advantage is that you can always tell which way the wind is blowing.”

It is important to know “which way the wind is blowing”. But it is also possible to allow that knowledge to affect us more than it ought to. I heard of a well-know hobo during the Great Depression of the 1930′s who was asked how he decided which direction he would go every morning. He said, “It’s easy. I find the way the wind is blowing, face away from it, and just let it blow me along.”

And it’s easy for us all to live our lives in just that way. Politicians are famous for doing it. Before taking a position, they’ll take a poll and see how many people in the country believe one way or the other. But we’re all guilty at times of allowing the “majority opinion” around us to shape who we are and what we do. It’s so easy to look around to see which direction everybody else is headed and just turn our backs to the wind and drift along. And rather than make an effort to change the world (which is very difficult), we follow the easier path of letting the world determine the direction we take.

May these words serve to remind us of what our task as Christians is:

“Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2) - TFTD

*KC & Brandi Morris have a new son, Cooper, born Oct 22, he weighed 9 lbs.  He is the great-grandson of Billie Tarpley and the grandson of Buster & LeeAnn Tarpley.

*George & Brenda Smith have another new arrival, great-grandson, Carter Lane, son of Elise Hurst, arrived last Friday, (10/30).  Everyone is doing fine.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Sermon: Michael Bryan

Song Leader: Greg Chaney

Opening Prayers:  AM-Joel Owens   PM-Kacey Toliver

Closing Prayers:  AM-Billy Lucas   PM-Lou David Allen

Lord’s Table:  Jimmy Bellah, Dustin Simmons, Rick Buczyna, Ray Juarez, Lane Boyd, & Russ McGuire      PM-Jimmy Bellah

Pick-up Cards: Tyler Jones & Kyle Owens

Worship Helpers: Cody Buczyna & Jonathan Juarez

Nursing Home: Logan Cravens

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Devo: Dustin Simmons

Song Leader: Lou David Allen

Prayers: Opening-Jim Goldsmith      Closing-Joe Swinney

I read recently about a little boy who went outside to his backyard to play some baseball. He thought to himself: “I am the best hitter in the world.” He threw the ball up and took a swing. He missed. Without hesitation, he picked the ball up and tossed it in the air again, swinging and missing again. “Strike two,” he thought, “but I am still the best hitter.” Then, for the third time, he tossed the ball up and with intense determination swung with all his might. He missed the third time, also. “Strike three,” he said, and laid his bat down with a great big smile. “What do you know,” he said, “I struck out, so I must be the world’s best pitcher!” What a wonderful attitude! In truth, the boy was neither the world’s best hitter or pitcher, but he chose to look on the bright side of things, rather than get discouraged.

Friends, what kind of attitude do you have? Do you have a positive attitude that looks for the good–even in difficult, trying situations? Maintaining an overall positive attitude is exceedingly important for disciples of Christ. “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life” (Prov. 4:23). An upbeat attitude will help us influence others for good as we share our faith. It will help us weather the storms of life. “A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken…he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast” (Prov. 15:13, 15). Thinking positively is important!

Is it challenging to think on the wholesome while living in such a negative world? Indeed it is. But, we must avoid falling into the trap of negative thinking for it leads to many detrimental consequences:

- It clouds our choices when critical decisions must be made.

- It is like a contagious disease and difficult to overcome once embraced.

- It makes the difficult look even worse.

- It limits God and faith in our life.

- It robs us of joy.

- It hinders our influence among those we love.

It’s been said before: “Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right!” There is much truth in that statement. If we think optimistically and work toward our goal, our likelihood of success is significantly greater. It is true that we might have some setbacks and need to make some adjustments, but thinking positively is a crucial step. In contrast, if we have doubts about accomplishing a certain noble aim, we will certainly fail.

Dear listeners, fill your minds daily with that which is positive, good, and wholesome, and your attitude will start to reflect that. “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–meditate on these things” (Phil. 4:8). - Stephen R. Bradd

God bless you all and have a great week,

Michael