The Visitor » 2009 » January » 02

Here and There
by Wes Price

Happy New Year! We hope you and yours enjoyed happy visits with family, either here or away and are now back with us ready to help us launch this new year. My wife and I want to express our grateful thanks for being among you as those who serve. It is our life and it brings us great satisfaction. While there are lots of sad things we all are called upon to embrace, they are more than made by the delightful way in which we can share our lives together for the sake of the Lord Jesus Christ and for His church.
———————
We are glad that David and Mary Nelson are with us today and we will have the opportunity to hear him preach.
———————
Over 50 came to our Wednesday evening New Year’s Eve celebration and enjoyed a delicious meal. Our special thanks to Betty Conyers, Eugenia Talbott, Jo Morris, Ann Tomaszewski and others for their serving and clean-up. Then we had our closing service for 2008, focusing our attention on the book of Colossians and the supremacy of Christ, who is our Savior, Mentor, Example, Intercessor and our Elder Brother. If you missed being with us, you might want to read that short epistle as you begin this new year.
We also commend you to continue your daily Bible reading habit. If you need a schedule, there are some provided in the foyer.
———————
It won’t seem much like a new year’s gift, but I’m looking forward to getting the surgery behind me on January 15th and getting my strength back. May I ask this special favor of all Jefferson Boulevard church members. We have a host of good speakers liined up to preach and teach in my absence, so please help by being present at all the services to encourage these visiting preachers. It will help us keep our momentum as we begin this new year.
———————
Join Mack Lyon January 11, on Channel 27, KDFI-TV at 7:00 a.m. to hear his message on “The Christian Father.” He writes, “The father is the head of the Biblical family. The Christian father loves his wife just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. The responsibilities of spiritual leadership fall on the father’s shoulders. What are those responsibilities, and how does the father of the household exercise that leadership? Join Mack and hear his answer to this significant question.
———————

NIBBLING AT RELIGION
Carlyle Marney said it: “The institutional monstrosity we have
named church is too filled with people who nibble at religion.”

Did he call my name? Does that apply to me…

When attendance at the worship hour is decided on the
basis of convenience?

When good works are postponed due to a desire for
ease and comfort?

When I substitute Bible reading for Christian service?

When I give only token amounts from my salary to the
preaching of the Gospel, and meeting the needs
of the poor and suffering?

When prayer becomes a private wish list?

When ‘church’ becomes a business opportunity?

I leave it to you to supply additional questions. I’m tired
of self condemnation.

My Bible tells me of first century Christians who denies themselves,
took up the cross and followed Jesus. They gave liberally out of their
poverty; suffered beatings and imprisonments; were spoken against and
stoned; were persecuted from town to town yet continued to preach.
They left occupations, and even fathers and mothers to follow Christ.
They did not nibble at religion!
John Gipson

Prayer List
Catherine Coronado – U.T. S. Western Medical Center, Room 732.
Marie Works is sick at home with back problems and a kidney infection.
Nancy Ramsey, daughter of Jean Lapine, will have a biopsy.
Alletha Lee will have cataract surgery on her right eye Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009.
Remember others with health problems
———-
Bill Hinton, Ed Horn, Estell Lee, Vernon Swanson, Henrietta Pummill, Edna Faye Johnston, Mary Taylor, Wanda & Patrick Maloy, Larry Reynolds, Pat Reeves,Jimmy Mooney, Dorothy Mooney, Ada Couch, Eula Matthews, Dorothy Jackson,Tommy & Treva Traylor, Jack & Oleta Armstrong, Grady Theobalt, Doris Henry,Roger Schrum, Mary Catherine Jayroe, Angie Sabedra, Nancy Spurgeon,Carmen McMillion, Vertie Lee Stanley, Billie Morgan, Urbanelle Cox, Bea Dipprey,Ruby Faas, Lois Rodriquez, Weldon Siler, Holly Lee, Ida Smith, Joe Benedick,Marjorie Moore, Geraldine Hurley, Dr.J & Dorothy Coats.
———-
The Tuesday Morning Bible Classes will meet Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009
at 10:30 a.m.
———-
You are invited to see our weekly bulletin on the church’s web site at
jeffersonblvd.org
———-
VITAL SIGNS: Dec. 28
Bible Study 60 Offering $2,985.39
Morning Worship 85 Budget $3,410.46
Afternoon Worship 40 Wed. Dec 24. 36
———–
The New Address for Alletha Lee is:
900 Sharp #14 Camden, AR 71701
New Phone # 870-837-2435
———–
CHURCH OF CHRIST AREA-WIDE PROGRAMS
“Let’s Do It Christ’s Way” Sundays 6:30 a.m. KFWD (TV)
“The Truth In Love” Sundays 7:30 a.m. KFWD (TV)
”In Search of the Lord’s Way” Sundays 7:00 a.m. KDFI (TV)
“Church of Christ Hour-Heaven 97” Sundays 7:30 a.m. 970 AM (Radio)
“Main Street Church of Christ Sun. 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.1630 AM (Radio)
Repeat Broadcast: 9:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
GBN”Dish Network 9407 11:00-12 noon daily. Also on Direct TV @ 7:00 a.m.
“Good-News Network” (24 hurs a day) www.good-news-network.org (Internet)
————-

Reflections
by Jack Armstrong
This past Christmas Eve was a very good one for my Oleta and me. We took a trip over to see our grandsons, Josh and Jason ,and took them a little something to try and make their holiday a little brighter, and after we left them, we were the ones feeling much better. We told them how proud we were for them, because of the way they have handled the terrible situation they are in caused by the horrible accident, and Josh loosing his leg. Cody who lives with them (Jason has raised him since he was a young’un) built a ramp leading up to their apartment to make it easier for Josh to get to the bus stop in his wheel chair to go to Baylor Hospital for treatment.
If any one would like to drop them a line of encouragement, the address is: 3933 Inwood Road, Apartment 1025, Dallas, TX 75209. Josh & Jason Armstrong and Cody. Sorry for getting personal in our church paper, but some have asked.
Back to Christmas eve, Oleta and I had dinner with Wes & Alma Faye
followed by a wonderful service, and season of prayer and wonderful fellowship over at the JBCoC . We sang a few songs, Bro. Wes read to us, and all the men led some meaningful prayers. It was a wonderful way to spend Christmas eve.
Last Sunday evening, 12/21/08, we had to stay home from church service because of my breathing problem, when we got a pleasant surprise. Some of our neighbors, a couple of houses east of us, rang our doorbell and asked if they could come in and sing a few Christmas Carols for us. The night was cold, but that couple and their two fine sons were out singing carols. They are connected somehow to the Lingustic Center out on Camp Wisdom Road and are very dedicated to their beliefs. They also brought us a plate of homemade cookies and delicious candy.
We pray you are all having a great holiday season and that the new year will bring you good health, and that all of our folks who are out of work will find jobs. Lets also pray for all who are less fortunate than we are and for all of our dear shut-ins, and all those in the nursing homes and rehab centers.
It was so good to see Jimmy Schoolfield Wednesday evening. What a fine young man those Schoolfields raised and we wish he were back here with us.
To those of you that have been receiving the Visitor from me, we will get back to it after the holidays. We sorta got distracted for awhile.
Let us all remember to keep Wes & Alma Faye in our prayers, that his operation on January 15, 2009 will be a great success, and the rehab wil not be too stressful, and that the problem with Alma Faye’s heart will be corrected soon.
We just have to add a word about Jerri’s two precious little daughters, Grace, and Annabel. They were passing out Christmas cards with their picture inside on Wednesday evening and Oleta and I just can’t get over how they have both picked up our language and ways in the short time they have been here. Jerri is one good teacher and mother!
REMEMBER
“Not everything that is faced can be changed but nothing can be
changed until it is faced!”