The Visitor » 2008 » October » 10

Here and There
by Wes Price

We will be praying for the Jefferson Boulevard Church while we are winging our way to New York City. Jacob and Joyce, Alma Faye and I will be looking forward to having our worship aboard the cruise ship probably later in the day. We are confident that Spencer Ross will do an excellent job in my absence, both for my class and for the worship assembly. We had originally had him scheduled to preach on Sunday night as well, but he has other obligations that will keep him away. In his absence, another of the Brown Trail School of Preaching students, Paul Delgado, will be preaching. Spencer highly recommends him, so I’m confident that he will have a great message for you at the afternoon service.
We are scheduled to return Sunday, October 19th, at 4:55 p.m., so it’s not likely that we will be able to get back in time for the afternoon service. I know that Albert Serna will have a great message for you at that service.
Vernon and Mary Ruth called yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon to report that they arrived safely in Honolulu and were having a great time. Their trip will be longer than ours, so we’ll all see them together when they return. Please remember to pray for their safe travel as you do ours.
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Some asked recently about possible financial assistance for the damages from Hurricane Ike and we informed them that we would wait until we got some specific request to which we could respond. Well, that response has come. I received a telephone call on Monday night from someone many of you will remember. His name is Bob Rowland and he is the son-in-law of Vernon and Nona Roberts, both now deceased. He works with the Broadway Church of Christ in Galveston. He reports that the church sustained considerable damage by high water, but that the building itself is still standing. It is in need of a lot of repairs. In addition, many of the church’s members homes also sustained heavy damage. He has requested on behalf of the Broadway elders that we assist them in whatever way possible.
Your elders will make an opportunity available to you for any special contribution you would like to make on Sunday, November 2. Make your check out to JBCoC and mark it for Hurricane Relief. We will match your generous gift with funds from the church’s Benevolent Fund. I know they will be grateful for any help we can give them.
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Join Mack Lyon on Sunday morning, October 19th, at 7:00 a.m. For his lesson on “Rejoice and Be Glad.” That’s on Channel 27, KDFI-TV.
In His great “Sermon on the Mount” Jesus said that even in times of severest persecution His disciples can “Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven.” There are several reasons for that, Heaven is one. Join Mack to see what others there are. Take a look at Matthew 5:12.
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IS BIBLE SCHOOL A GOOD THING?

Years ago I read an article in a church bulletin whice read: “Fifty percent of the members vote to do away with Bible School.”
It sounded suspicious. In the first place, not many churches of Christ vote on anything. In the second place, not many churches would want to go on record as favoring doing away with Bible School. Of course the article went on to explain that fifty percent of the members were not in attendance in Bible School and that in effect was a vote to do away with Bible School.
It is true that Jesus said “He that is not with me is against me.” This means there is no neutrality when it comes to Christ. We cannot say that we are neither with him nor against him. We are either in the kingdom of God or in the kingdom of Satan.
If the elders were to circulate a questionnaire asking “Is Bible School a good thing?”, how would you answer?
To be truthful some would have to say “I don’t know because I have never participated in it.”
Others would have to say, “Yes, it is good for other people but not for me.” If the elders were to decide to shut down Bible School, there are people who never attend classes who would object because they know it would hurt the church. If that is so (and it is), then ask yourself, “Does my absence hurt the church?”
Others would likely say, “It is good for the children.” If it is good for the children, should you not set a good example for the children to follow?

Lewis G. Hale

Prayer List
Dorothy Mooney is waiting on the results from her biopsy.
Please keep Wes & Alma Faye and Jacob & Joyce in your prayers for a safe trip. Also Vernon and Mary Ruth Percival is on vacation & needs our prayers for a safe trip.
Annabel Locke is being treated for an ear infection and when it is clear, will have surgery to rebuild her ear drum.
Both Lula Murray and Marie Works are sick at home.
Buck Griffith, of Corpus Christi, is in the hospital. A blood clot went to his brain.

Others are in the bulletin
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Catherine Coronado, Jimmy Mooney, Dorothy Jackson, Ada Couch, Terry
Escobar, Fran Womelsdorff, Faelyn Watson, Oleta Landin, Ed Horn,Jack & Oleta Armstrong, Grady Theobalt, Larry Reynolds, Robert G.Bell, Doris Henry, Roger Schrum, Catherine Jayroe, Evelyn Dillon, Angie Sabedra, Nancy Spurgeon,Carmen McMillion, Vertie Lee Stanley, Treva Traylor,Urbanelle Cox, Billie Morgan,Bea Dipprey, Ruby Faas, Lois Rodriquez, Weldon Siler, Holly Lee, Ida Smith, Joe Benedick, Marjorie Moore, Geraldine Hurley, Dr.J & Dorothy Coats
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The Ladies’ & Men’s Bible Classes – Tuesday, at 10:30 a.m.
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VITAL SIGNS: Oct. 5
Bible Study 70
Morning Worship 96
Afternoon Worship 56
Offering $4,112.00
Budget $3,410.46
Wed. Oct. 1 45
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You are invited to see our weekly bulletin on the church’s web site at
jeffersonblvd.org
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What a wonderful way to begin Sunday mornings. Watch “In Search of the Lord’s Way” on Channel 27 at 7:00 a.m. followed by “The Truth In Love” at 7:30 a.m. on Channel 52.
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The new Power for Today and the new House to House and Heart to Heart is available on the table in the foyer.

Reflections
by Jack Armstrong
When I watch all the news and reports on how bad our situation is here in this grand ‘ol country we live in it just stirs me up to no end, and I think if you think what we have is bad, just take a trip overseas to the so called 3rd world countries and see just how good we really do live!
While reading some of the news magazines we came across some factual data that I found hard to believe. “The poll alleges that 67% of Americans are unhappy with the direction our country is headed, and about 69% of the country is unhappy with the performance of the President. In essence 2/3s of the citizenry just aren’t happy and want a change”.So being the astute sort of guy I am I started thinking, “What are we so unhappy about?” Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heat in the winter? Could it be that 95.4% of these unhappy folks have jobs? Maybe it’s the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than one has seen in the last year! Maybe it’s the ability to drive from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to show I.D. papers as we move through each state? Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we find along the way that can provide temporary shelter? I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying foods from around the world is not just good enough, or could it be that when we wreck our car emergency workers show up and provide services to help all and even send helicopters to take you to the hospital. Perhaps you are one of the 70% of Americans who own their home. You may be upset with knowing that the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained fire fighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinquish the flames, thus saving you, your family and your belongings. Or if while you are watching T.V. on one of your many flat screen T.V’s, a burglar or prowler intrudes, a fine policeman will come to defend you and your family against attacks or loss. This is the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militia’s raping and pillaging of the residents. Neighborhoods where 90% of teenagers own cell phones and computers.
How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world? Maybe this is what has 67% of you folks unhappy. Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen! No wonder the world loves the U.S.A., yet has a great disdain for it’s citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don’t have and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the Good Lord we live here!! We are among the most blessed people in the world.

“May the Good Lord Keep You All
In His Loving Arms”