The Visitor » 2009 » June

HERE AND THERE
by Wes Price
It was a privilege to have Bill and Shelly Tyson with us last Sunday so we could get up close and personal to Shelly in our sympathy in the passing of her father, Joe Benedick. We appreciated Bill’s eulogy in Joe’s behalf as part of his morning lesson.
You will be interested in the “rest of the story” about his car trouble. We took them to lunch at Luby’s and found a repair shop across the street that was open. And just across the street from the repair shop was an Auto Zone where Bill exchanged his alternator which was under warranty. His only cost was the replacement of the alternator and thanks to the generosity of some of you, he had money to spare. And since we have not heard other-wise, we assume they made it safely back to Ardmore, Oklahoma.
Please keep them in your prayers for Bill’s search for a job. We hope he will find one soon.
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We received an email from our dear friend and brother Ralph Churchill this past week and he sent his warmest regards. His telephone number is 843-216-6313 if you want give him a call. His address is 937 Bowman Road. #129, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464.
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James and Nelda Lawrence sent us a letter this past week expressing their thanks for the wonderful way this church came to their comfort in the death of James’ father, Paul. One sentence you will appreciate says, “…we want to extend our sympathy to you (the Jefferson Blvd. church) for your great loss in Paul’s death. There is certainly a void that will be difficult to fill. Dad very much loved you and wove you into his life. His association with you was of high importance to him. Paul would want you to move on to greater things while we are all waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus.”
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Our congratulations to Val Martinez and his baseball team. A couple of weeks ago his team won 2nd place in their schools tournament. He has a medal to prove it. Why not give him a pat on the back?
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Our church secretarial staff has completed a complete overhaul of our telephone calling committee. You will be receiving a letter from your elders regarding this important work and how we hope the system will work. The letter will explain the ground rules for the use of our Telephone Committee, both for routine absentees and for
special events which occur in our membership. We appeal to you to work with us as we strive to make the communi-cation lines work more effectively.
We are especially appreciative of those who volunteer to work as part of this communication system. Their job is sometimes “thankless” but oh, so necessary. And your elders do “THANK THEM” for their diligent efforts.
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Sunday morning, July 5th, the lesson on IN SEARCH OF THE LORD’S WAY, will be “How Beautiful Heaven Must Be.” You can watch the lesson at 7:00 a.m. on Channel 27, KDFI-TV.
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My Sunday morning class members will want to remember that we are scheduled to have a 4th of July party next Saturday, July 4, at 2:00 p.m. Please mark your calendars so you won’t miss this gala occasion. We will have hamburgers and hot dogs with all the trimmings. If someone were to find a watermelon or two, it wouldn’t hurt my feelings a bit if you brought them along.
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Please find the July, 2009 calendar on the table in the foyer.
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PRAYER LIST
Lola Jo Bell – Methodist Central – ICU #14 – Stable Condition.
Arline Swanson was dismissed from the hospital Friday and will be at their daughter’s recuperating.
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Norma Reed, sister of Nadine Brown; Grady Theobalt, Rita Harrison, Catherine Coronado, Evelyn Dillon, Faelyn Watson, Evelyn Shannon, Magdalena Gonzalez, Gloria Garcia, Vernon Swanson, Nancy Spurgeon, Pat Mercer, Bill Hinton, Lois Rodriquez, Augustina Vasquez, Holly Lee, Carmen McMillion, Urbanelle Cox, Marie Works, Ed Horn, Edna Faye Johnston, Tommy & Treva Traylor, Mary Catherine Jayroe, Vertie Lee Stanley, Billie Morgan, Ruby Faas, Geraldine Hurley, Dr. “J” Coats, Nancy Ramsey (daughter of Jean LaPine), Lucille Reid’s sister, Ida Smith (sister of Jennie Wright), Betty Flood (sister of Madelyn Hinton), Mary Chandler, Lola Jo Bell (daughter-in-law of R.C. & Juanita Bell)
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VITAL SIGNS: June 21, 2009
Bible Study 59 Offering $2,358.00
Morning Worship 86 Budget $3,410.46
Afternoon Worship 45 Wed. 6/17 41

REFLECTIONS” – by Jack Armstrong
When I sit here writing my article each week my old mind goes back to the days when Dottie (my first wife) and I first came to Sunset from the Mt. View church. That was way back in 1992 (I was only 66 years old) and if I remember correctly we had around 350 or 400 members then. It’s just unbelievable how many have moved off, gone to be with their kids, and in many cases have gone to be with the Good Lord.

Our fine preacher has stuck with us and ministered to us, even though most of us are beyond the Sunset as Bro. Perry Cotham named his book. In his book he writes about the “Study of Biblical Eschatology”, which is the branch of theology that treats of death, judgement, and the future state of the Soul. Bro. Mack Lyon said in his comments on “Beyond the Sunset” that he has worked with churches in local ministry where he once lived and worked. They love him. Perry loves the Lord. He loves the souls of men and women. He loves and preaches this both at home and abroad. In my opinion, no living person is more capable of writing what lies “Beyond the Sunset” than Perry B. Cotham. I rejoice that he took time to write it. Mack Lyon is TV host of “In Search of the Lord’s Way”.

If you get one of these wonderful books you will be glad you did because it answers in-depth questions we’ve all had in the back of our minds about the hereafter. I just started reading mine, and by the way Jean LaPine, Oleta and I got you one and will get it to you soon. I know you’ll love it.

Bro. George Beals wrote “With this book in your hands, you have the rare opportunity to hold in one volume, a collection of material from a gentle, 96 year old preacher of 79 years, writing a book on a subject that is evident has deep meaning to him”. Bro. Beals is Co-Director, Michigan Bible School Senior Technical Writer.

Well folks, our loss of loved ones is still on us, as we lost our sweet Dorothy Coats this week. It seems every week we lose one or more of our dear ones, but as we have said before, our loss is Heaven’s gain, but it’s still hard to turn them loose. Our hearts and sympathy go out to Dr. “J” in his great loss.

Bro. Wes we know you are just “plumb wore out” after all these services in the past 4 or 5 weeks. It takes a strong man to do what you do every day and still handle the hard tasks of presiding over all these services. We love you and wish we could take some of the pressure off, but I know you just say, “That’s what I do” and I say, you do a very good job of it! Happy Birthday on July 1, 2009, Bro. Wes.

Semper Fidelis (Always Faithful)

HERE AND THERE
by Wes Price
Our tribute to the memory of Paul Lawrence was a real testimony to the sense of “bestowing honor upon whom honor is due.” My personal thanks to Jacob Locke for the wonderful job he did in directing our singing, especially the final song, “God’s Family.” A special word of thanks to Betty Conyers, and her husband Tom, for their work in providing the meal for the family preceding the memorial service. She was ably assisted by Ruth Manning, Jean Lovell, and Rhonda Ramsey. We dare not overlook the work that Rick Ramsey and Dan Talbott did in making sure the building was in proper order for both the meal and the service in our auditorium.
I was especially proud of Paul’s son, James, for the wonderful tribute he paid his father and the thoughtful way in which he presented it.
We will not soon forget Paul Lawrence. Already, he is missed but there will be a vacant spot, not only in our hearts, but in the usual places where you could look and find him in the building.
Thank the whole family at Jefferson Boulevard for your loving support and sympathy to this family.
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I have asked Bill Tyson to be with us today to preach at the morning hour. We felt that having him and especially his wife, Shelly, come so we could express our great sympathy to them in the loss of Shelly’s father Joe Benedick. Since his funeral was held in Ardmore, and only a few could come to the grave side service at the cemetery, their being with us will afford us the opportunity to express our personal feelings to them.
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“How Beautiful Heaven Must Be,” will be the lesson on In Search of the Lord’s Way Sunday morning, June 28, & 7:00 a.m. on Channel 27,
KDFI-TV.
The title to this program is also the title of an old hymn we often sing in our worship assemblies. It is our purpose in this message to kindle in the hearts of the unconverted as well as to rekindle in the hearts of some Christians the desire to go there. WE MUST BE PREPARED NOW!
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Thank you Wes and Alma Faye for ALL you do for us.
With Love from all of the members of
Jefferson Boulevard Church of Christ

PRAYER LIST
Lola Jo Bell – Methodist Central – Room 8000. She is scheduled for heart surgery, Monday, 6/22 at 7:00 a.m. She is R. C. & Juanita Bell’s daughter-in-law and they ask that we remember Lola Jo and her two children in our prayers.
Arline Swanson – Methodist Central – she will have knee replacement surgery, Monday, 6/22.
Nancy Lindley, a friend of Ann Tomaszewski, has had a 2nd knee surgery and is in a lot of pain.
Jerri, Grace, Annabel, Lisa, Gillian and Darcey are going on vacation to Santa Fe sometime Sunday. We all pray they have a wonderful and safe trip.
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Norma Reed, sister of Nadine Brown; Grady Theobalt, Rita Harrison, Catherine Coronado, Evelyn Dillon, Faelyn Watson, Jerri Locke, Evelyn Shannon, Magdalena Gonzalez, Gloria Garcia, Arline & Vernon Swanson, Nancy Spurgeon, Pat Mercer, Bill Hinton, Lois Rodriquez, Augustina Vasquez, Holly Lee, Carmen McMillion, Urbanelle Cox, Marie Works, Ed Horn, Edna Faye Johnston, Tommy & Treva Traylor, Mary Catherine Jayroe, Vertie Lee Stanley, Billie Morgan, Ruby Faas, Geraldine Hurley, Dr. “J” Coats, Nancy Ramsey (daughter of Jean LaPine), Lucille Reid’s sister, Ida Smith (sister of Jennie Wright), Betty Flood (sister of Madelyn Hinton), Mary Chandler.
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VITAL SIGNS: June 14, 2009
Bible Study 60 Offering $3,640.50
Morning Worship 93 Budget $3,410.46
Afternoon Worship 50 Wed. 6/10 40
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SYMPATHY
We offer our love & sympathy to Dr. John “Jay” Coats, Sr. and Dr. John Coats, Jr., and family. Dorothy Coats passed away Monday, June 15, 2009. There will not be a memorial service at this time.
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REFLECTIONS” – by Jack Armstrong
We would all like to offer our sincerest love and sympathy to all of you who have lost loved ones in these past few weeks, and to tell Bro. Wes what a wonderful job he has done under such trying circumstances. He always knows just what to say, and it makes things so much easier on the surviving ones. He told us last Sunday at lunch that he has presided over 357 funerals in his 45 yeas of preaching God’s Word. Remember even though it hurts us, he has to preach the funerals for some dear friends too!

We had a delightful and meaningful get together after service on Sunday evening. We had our “sack dinner” and received some more information on our World Bible School program that we are now deep into.

Oleta and I were talking about it afterward and I told her we were in it way back in the old Mt. View Church of Christ days, and there is no greater feeling than getting those lessons back and seeing the enthusiasm these students show, especially when they do good on their tests. If you have never taken part in it you should, because this is our way of sending out the word and helping some who otherewise would not have a chance to know about Jesus.

This past week something happened at our house that I thought was a very special gesture on the part of one of our fine neighbors across the street from us. At the peak of the terrible storm last evening on 6/10/09 we had a knock at the door and my neighbor had seen my flag lying on the ground due to all the wind and rain, and brought it to me, and I mean he was drenched from head to toe It goes without saying in the US Marines we learned early to never let ‘ol Glory touch the ground.

By the way our “Feed the Children” campaign is going great over at Ben Franklin in Duncanville on Main Street. My barber asked me to put one in her barber shop and we are as soon as I get the little sign made telling folks what to do. I know Larry Jones in Oklahome City will be happy since he heads up “Feed the Children”.

We just heard from Rita that our beloved Paul Lawrence has left us to go to the reward he has so diligently worked for all his adult life. He is one of two people that have recently gone to be with the Lord that were true, without a doubt genuine Christians, and the other was our sweet departed Maurine Fleming. We are going to miss them, and miss the wonderful influenece they had on our lives.
Semper Fidelis (Always Faithfu)

Here and There
by Wes Price
Thanks to the spirit of personal involvement in evangelism which has sprung up among us because of our renewal with World Bible School, others in the congregation are now joining us as teachers. It still remains my fondest desire that every member of the Jefferson Boulevard church become involved in this worthy effort. To that end, all are invited to a sack supper this afternoon following our worship service to enjoy some fellowship and to give me an opportunity to explain the simple process of becoming involved as a teacher. At the present time, we have about 40 who are involved and they will be present to help us explain the procedure as well as inspire you to take up the work. So, bring a sack filled with enough food for yourself and perhaps a little for a visitor or two and we will enjoy sharing time together and encouraging each other in the great work of teaching the gospel to souls whom we will never see this side of eternity.
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We were saddened this week at the passing of Mildred Head on Wednesday morning, June 3, 2009. Funeral services will be held at Jayne’s Funeral Home in Duncanville on Wednesday, June 10 at 9:30 a.m. Visitation will be Tuesday, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Our deepest sympathy to her nieces and nephews.
We also learned Thursday morning that Rick Ramsey’s mother, Della, suffered a severe blow to the head from a fall on Wednesday, June 3, 2009 and did not survive. Her services were held at Jeter and Son Funeral Home on Saturday, June 6, 2009. Our sincerest love and sympathy are extended to Rick and Rhonda and the extended family.
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Sunday morning, June 14, Mack Lyon and Phil Sanders will be presenting a lesson “God’s Message In the Cross.”
The cross is at the center of Christianity. Paul determined not to know anything but Christ and Him crucified. What message is God saying to mankind by sending His Son Jesus to the cross? Since Jesus was willing to sacrifice himself for us, we should be ready to hear His message.
Join them for this challenging message on Channel 27, KDFI-TV at 7:00 a.m. on Sunday morning.
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PRAYER LIST
Joe Benedick passed away Friday, June 6, 2009. The funeral will be Tuesday, June 9, 2009 at the Maxwell Avenue Church of Christ in Ardmore, Oklahoma. Burial will be Friday, June 12, 2009 at 2:30 p.m. at the Dallas National Cemetery.
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Paul Lawrence, Grady Theobalt, Rita Harrison, Evelyn Dillon, Peggy Muniz, Catherine Coronado, Faelyn Watson, Jerri Locke, Evelyn Shannon, Magdalena Gonzalez, Gloria Garcia, Arline & Vernon Swanson, Nancy Spurgeon, Pat Mercer, Bill Hinton, Lois Rodriquez, Augustina Vasquez, Holly Lee, Carmen McMillion, Urbanelle Cox, Marie Works, Ed Horn, Edna Faye Johnston, Tommy & Treva Traylor, Mary Catherine Jayroe, Vertie Lee Stanley, Billie Morgan, Ruby Faas, Geraldine Hurley, Dr. J & Dorothy Coats, Nancy Ramsey (daughter of Jean LaPine), Lucille Reid’s sister, Ida Smith (sister of Jennie Wright), Betty Flood (sister of Madelyn Hinton), Mary Chandler.
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VITAL SIGNS: May 31, 2009
Bible Study 62 Offering $2,761.00
Morning Worship 88 Budget $3,410.46
Afternoon Worship 40 Wed. 5/27 40
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Naomi Sanchez has a new phone number: 214-377-7173.
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SYMPATHY
We want to offer our sincerest love and sympathy to Rick and Rhonda Ramsey and the extended family. Rick’s mother, Della Ramsey, passed away June 3, 2009. The funeral was Saturday, June 6, 2009 at Jeter & Son Funeral Home.
We want to offer our love and sympathy to the family of Mildred Head. She passed away Wednesday, June 3, 2009. Her funeral will be Wednesday, June 10, 2009 at 9:30 a.m. at Jayne’s Funeral Home in Duncanville. Visitation will be Tuesday, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

“REFLECTIONS” – by Jack Armstrong
We want to start off by mentioning some folks who we sometimes take for granted for all they do, and we shouldn’t! Rita Wood, Ann Schoolfield (who has been so much help for so many years), and Alma Faye Price. They all do so much for us all and we need to go by and tell them how much we appreciate them! Betty Thornton, Betty Conyers (and Tom), Martha Kirk (for all her calls to check on our sick), Eugenia Talbott (always has coffee and cookies before Bible Class), and much more. Ann Tomaszewski for teaching our young folks along with Alma Faye. You don’t always see them but they are upstairs doing their thing! Bobbie Vivrett and Joyce Lock keeping all of our callers posted. Mamie Maarschalk for all her warm greetings and words of encouragement, Fran Womelsdorff for all of her words of encouragement and for her eternal endurance under hard circumastances, she is truly and inspiration and you have all heard that beautiful voice of hers! Fayelyn Watson is another who shows up when I know she doesn’t feel like it, along with our dear Jennie Wright. I know this list is not complete but we have to add a lot more as we go along. Lots of folks don’t realize it but just being in the services is sometimes all some folks are able to do but that too is important and has to be an encouragement to our fine preacher. What a blessing it is to have men like ours who do so much to keep things rolling along so smoothly. Tom Duvall starts off the list with the outstanding way he proclaims our announcements. All of our fine coordinators who do such a great job of assigning men for all the duties for Jan. & Feb. Roger Jackson, March & April Ben Perkins, May & June Vernon Percival, July & Aug. Charlie Brown, Sept. & Oct. David Calvert, Nov. & Dec. Tom Dipprey. Just in case you didn’t know who they all are who keep things going along with our fine Elders, Wes Price, Jacob Locke, and James Schoofield. Rick Ramsey does so much, Richard and Ben Perkins, David Calvert, David Johnston, and our old reliable deacons, Charlie Brown and Vernon Percival. Terry Crossland and Jimmy Mooney take care of the back table along with Kerry Cox (who also keeps our outside looking so nice). If I’ve left any one off we’ll get you next time. While I was sitting here writing this column the thought hit me how sad it is to see all the vacant classrooms over in our Education building, because it seems all of our youth have either gone south or north and that leaves all of us twilighters here in the middle, and thank the Good Lord we have brother Wes Price to look after us and to minister to us in his special way!!

I almost left off some more of our ladies who greet folks in such a grand way and make them feel at home. Joyce Locke, Jo Morris, Nadine Brown, Ruth Manning, and last but not least my Oleta. Thanks to all the ladies for making us a close family! We love you all dearly.

See tyou next time, the Good Lord willing.

Remember our Goal.. “When Duty Becomes Desire”

Semper Fidelis (Always Faithful)