The Visitor » 2009 » December

Here and There – By Wes Price
Welcome to the New Year, 2010. It seems only a few days since we enjoyed the approach of this new century when the nation was not quite sure how the computer operations of government, business and owners of personal PC’s would handle something that had not been quite anticipated, the beginning of a new millennium. Aren’t we glad things went well. We could wish that other events which have shaped our lives over these last nine years could have gone as well. At any rate, we are here, at least some of us are. This past year we saw several of our most faithful members depart this life and go on to be with the Father. They, like those who preceeded them, are sorely missed but some of us might even envy them. Let’s let their example of faithfulness serve as both a reminder and an encouragement to us. A reminder in that they can still have an impact on our lives as we remember their faithfulness. An encouragement in that we saw them depart in the faith with great joy and peace. Long may their memory live in our hearts and bear fruit in our lives.
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We welcome brother Perry Cotham to our pulpit this morning. He has been with us in January now for the past several years and is always welcomed as a true man of the Word. He is now approaching his 98th birthday in January. I know we will profit by his message.
The church still has two copies of his excellent book, “Beyond the Sunset,” and you may have one for the price of $10 which is about 2/3 of the book store price. You might like to have one to read as you get nearer and nearer to destination’s end in this life and learn what you can about the journey.
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The first Sunday of each year is designated by our Texas State Charter as the time of our annual stockholders meeting. We will have that meeting this afternoon following our worship service. Church members are the church’s stockholders and the elders are the board of directors. We promise that the meeting will not be long.
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Speaking of meetings following our Sunday afternoon worshp services, we had a great meal of leftovers last Sunday evening. We really got a lot of mileage out of the Annual Holiday Party with plenty of food for both occassions. Thanks to all of you who helped us get things ready and serve and clean up. “May your tribe increase.”
————– Join Mack Lyon and Phil Sanders on IN SEARCH OF THE LORD’S WAY, January 10, at 7:00 a.m. on Channel 27, KDFI-TV for their message on Knowing Christ. People are heard saying, “Knowledge is power.” If you could closely and personally know someone who could give you eternal life, would you want to meet Him? In this message we will explore what it means to know Christ. ========================================

PRAYER LIST
Tom Duvall – Methodist Central – Room 4151 – Heart Problems. Muriel McMillion and Mary Ruth Percival both had cataract surgery and are home and doing well. Henrietta Pummill has been in the hospital with pneumonia but is back home and will be moved to a nursing facility soon.
Remember All On The Prayer List: R. C. Bell; Addie Bennett; David & Mary Jean Calvert, Dr. “J” Coats; Urbanelle Cox; Ruby Faas; Gloria Garcia; Magdalena Gonzalez; Rita Harrison; Doris Henry; Bill Hinton;Lewis Hinton; Ed Horn; Mike & Mary Jackson; Mary Catherine Jayroe; Jean LaPine; Nancy Lindley; Jacob & Joyce Locke; Pat Mercer; Dorothy Mooney; Billie Morgan; Bobbie Muirhead (sister of Billie & Jean Thompson); Vernon Percival; Lois Rodriquez; Mary Russell; Nancy Spurgeon; Mary Taylor; Treva Traylor; Ann Tomaszerski’s Aunt Lou; Augustina Vasquez; Fran Womelsdorff; Marie Works
VITAL SIGNS: December 27, 2009 Bible Study 55 Offering $2,985.50 Morning Worship 82 Budget $3,410.46 Afternoon Worship 41 Wed. Eve. Bible Study 12/23/09 32 —————–
Ladies & Men’s Bible Classes
Tuesday, January 5, 2010 at 10:30 a.m.
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The January, 2010 Calendar is on the table in the foyer and in the community room. A list of the Parking Lot Monitors for the month of January is in this bulletin.
—————- The January, 2010 Power for Today is on the table in the foyer and on the table in the Community Room
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A NEW YEAR – A NEW ME
Admittedly, the world is in pretty bad shape. A gunman enters a department store and takes the lives of innocent people, but that is just one story among many. The news is filled with stories of corruption, crime, robbery, murder, rape, immorality, divorce, social injustice, bombing, war, etc. And each new day just adds additional evidence of a world gone wrong.
The problem? Sin! It is sin that has brought such heartache, sorrow and distress into our world. And the source of sin originates in the human heart. No less an authority than Jesus says, “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander. There are what defile a man…” And these are what defile our world!
Wouldn’t it be wonderful as we begin a new year to have a new world? But for this to be accomplished, the human heart must be changed. I need, and you need, a new heart! Only then will our world be better.
Many of the citizens of the ancient city of Corinth practiced the same sins we commit today, but they found the solution to their sins in Christ. The Bible says, “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither the immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor sexual perverts, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor robbers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But (emphasis mine) you were washed, you were sancfified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). Christ, who died for our sins, changes a man from within. Jesus calls the process being “born anew,” or being born “from above” (John 3:1-8) And the apostle Paul assures us, “Therefore, if any one is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
It’s a new year, so what about a new me?
John Gipson, Windsong Church of Christ

Here and There
By Wes Price
My wife and I are sincerely grateful for all the wonderful expressions of love you have given us in recent days. We somehow don’t feel worthy of your love and affection but none-the-less we are thankful that God has given us such loving people with whom to share our ministry of grace. We wish for all of you a very happy holiday season and hope that all your expectations are met with abundance, especially the spiritual blessings found in Christ Jesus. May God bless all of you as we bring another year to a close and prepare for the one yet to come. Thank you again, for loving us and giving us such wonderful blessings.
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In recent years I have tried to make arrangements for Perry Cotham, now to celebrate his 98th birthday in January, to be with us one Sunday in January. He will begin our new year of worship by being with us on next Sunday morning, January 3. We hope all of you will be with us to welcome him and enjoy hearing another good message from a faithful preacher of the gospel. Come and bring a friend.
————–
This afternoon, following our worship service, we will enjoy being together for a special time of fellowship. Though the food is “leftovers” I believe you will still find it to your liking, especially when we will have the warm fellowship to engage us. We do not have any desserts, so if you ladies would like to bring some cookies or a cake, feel free to do so. Let’s all plan on being present for the 5:00 p.m. Service and then enjoy this final “food fest” of 2009. ————–
We received a lovely card and generous gift from the Neighborhood Watch Group that meets in our building every quarter. They wrote, “This is a small token of appreciation from the Neighbors of the Kessler Plaza Neighborhood Association. God bless you and Merry Christmas!”
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In his two-volume History of Christianity, E. C. Dargan has said, “Preaching is an essentional part and a distinguishing feature of Christianity.” The words “preach,” “preaching,” and “preached” appear 133 times in the New Testament and only 5 times in the Old Testament. Interesting! Join Mack Lyon and Phil Sanders for their first message of 2010 on Preaching. Join them on January 3, at 7:00 a.m. on Channel 27, KDFI-TV.
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Church offices will be closed on December 24 and 25 for the holidays.
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PRAYER Lewis Hinton – Charlton Methodist – Room F4224. Bonnie Binderim, mother of Trish Iverson, is very ill in Ada, OK
Remember All On The Prayer List R. C. Bell; Addie Bennett; Ken Berry, David & Mary Jean Calvert, Dr. “J” Coats; Urbanelle Cox, Ruby Faas, Gloria Garcia; Magdalena Gonzalez; Rita Harrison, Doris Henry, Bill Hinton; Ed Horn; Mike & Mary Jackson, Mary Catherine Jayroe; Jean LaPine; Nancy Lindley; Jacob & Joyce Locke, Pat Mercer; Dorothy Mooney; Billie Morgan; Bobbie Muirhead (sister of Billie & Jean Thompson); Vernon & Mary Ruth Percival, Lois Rodriquez; Mary Russell, Nancy Spurgeon; Mary Taylor; Treva Traylor; Ann Tomaszerski’s Aunt Lou, Augustina Vasquez; Fran Womelsdorff; Marie Works

VITAL SIGNS: December 20, 2009 Bible Study 48 Offering $3,717.50 Morning Worship 77 Budget $3,410.46 Afternoon Worship 36 Wed. Eve. Bible Study 12/16 36 —————
There will NOT be a Ladies or Men’s Bible Class until January 5, 2010.
—————-
The January, 2010 Calendar is on the table in the foyer and in the community room. A list of the Parking Lot Monitors for January will be in the Bulletin next Sunday.
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“REFLECTIONS”
by Jack Armstrong
We would like to tell you about some folks here at the JBCoC that we haven’t mentioned in quite some time and thought you should be brought up to date. First, have you noticed our Daselle Mitchell is always there when we come to meet and has been for several years, and that our Agnes Nelson is also there as often and drives all the way from the other side of “Big D”. Talk about loyalty, Jacob and Joyce and Vernon and Mary Ruth were there today (12/20 /09) and I’m quite sure they didn’t feel like it, but they were there! Didn’t Royal Smith lead a beautiful prayer as he always does covering all the bases. Thanks Tom Duvall for all you do! Since the year is almost over we want to thank all of our men who take care of all of our worship services, and see that all the bases are covered each time we meet. We have mentioned them before, but we can’t tell them often enough how much we appreciate all they do along with our fine preacher, our elders, deacons, teachers, and all of you who take an active part in the Lord’s work. Even if you just come each time you’re able and sit in the pew you are examples to those all around you, and are valuable assets to our congregation. We love you all dearly! It’s our prayer that Vernon and Mary Ruth continue to do better, and we are glad they were able to be there Sunday. These two are really missed when not here. Of course, the same appllies to all of you who have had to be out for sickness. We pray you are all better and will be back soon. Folks if you can take time (and I know you are all busy) to drop a letter or card to all of our members’ boys that are in the Armed Forces and most especially in Iran, Iraq or Afghanistan. Their names and addresses are on the bulletin board in the foyer or call me and I’ll give them to you. They belong to Connie Ashley, Mary Perkins, Rita Wood, Betty Thornton, Willie Wright, and Charlie and Nadine Brown. Myself and some others here have been there and know how it feels to be away from home for long periods of time and not hear from home. Oleta and I want to wish you all very happy holidays and a Healthy New Year! Remember… “If you find in your heart to care for somebody else, you will have succeeded.”
Semper Feidelis (Always Faithful

Here and There
By Wes Price
My wife and I are sincerely grateful for all the wonderful expressions of love you have given us in recent days. We somehow don’t feel worthy of your love and affection but none-the-less we are thankful that God has given us such loving people with whom to share our ministry of grace. We wish for all of you a very happy holiday season and hope that all your expectations are met with abundance, especially the spiritual blessings found in Christ Jesus. May God bless all of you as we bring another year to a close and prepare for the one yet to come. Thank you again, for loving us and giving us such wonderful blessings.
————–
In recent years I have tried to make arrangements for Perry Cotham, now to celebrate his 98th birthday in January, to be with us one Sunday in January. He will begin our new year of worship by being with us on next Sunday morning, January 3. We hope all of you will be with us to welcome him and enjoy hearing another good message from a faithful preacher of the gospel. Come and bring a friend.
————–
This afternoon, following our worship service, we will enjoy being together for a special time of fellowship. Though the food is “leftovers” I believe you will still find it to your liking, especially when we will have the warm fellowship to engage us. We do not have any desserts, so if you ladies would like to bring some cookies or a cake, feel free to do so. Let’s all plan on being present for the 5:00 p.m. Service and then enjoy this final “food fest” of 2009. ————–
We received a lovely card and generous gift from the Neighborhood Watch Group that meets in our building every quarter. They wrote, “This is a small token of appreciation from the Neighbors of the Kessler Plaza Neighborhood Association. God bless you and Merry Christmas!”
————–
In his two-volume History of Christianity, E. C. Dargan has said, “Preaching is an essentional part and a distinguishing feature of Christianity.” The words “preach,” “preaching,” and “preached” appear 133 times in the New Testament and only 5 times in the Old Testament. Interesting! Join Mack Lyon and Phil Sanders for their first message of 2010 on Preaching. Join them on January 3, at 7:00 a.m. on Channel 27, KDFI-TV.
————–
Church offices will be closed on December 24 and 25 for the holidays.
=========================================

PRAYER List Lewis Hinton – Charlton Methodist – Room F4224. Bonnie Binderim, mother of Trish Iverson, is very ill in Ada, OK

Remember All On The Prayer List: R. C. Bell; Addie Bennett; Ken Berry, David & Mary Jean Calvert, Dr. “J” Coats; Urbanelle Cox, Ruby Faas, Gloria Garcia; Magdalena Gonzalez; Rita Harrison, Doris Henry, Bill Hinton; Ed Horn; Mike & Mary Jackson, Mary Catherine Jayroe; Jean LaPine; Nancy Lindley; Jacob & Joyce Locke, Pat Mercer; Dorothy Mooney; Billie Morgan; Bobbie Muirhead (sister of Billie & Jean Thompson); Vernon & Mary Ruth Percival, Lois Rodriquez; Mary Russell, Nancy Spurgeon; Mary Taylor; Treva Traylor; Ann Tomaszerski’s Aunt Lou, Augustina Vasquez; Fran Womelsdorff; Marie Works
VITAL SIGNS: December 20, 2009 Bible Study 48 Offering $3,717.50 Morning Worship 77 Budget $3,410.46 Afternoon Worship 36 Wed. Eve. Bible Study 12/16 36 —————–
There will NOT be a Ladies or Men’s Bible Class until January 5, 2010.
—————-
The January, 2010 Calendar is on the table in the foyer and in the community room. A list of the Parking Lot Monitors for January will be in the Bulletin next Sunday.
—————-
(continued from “Reflections”)
there and know how it feels to be away from home for long periods of time and not hear from home. Oleta and I want to wish you all very happy holidays and a Healthy New Year! Remember… “If you find in your heart to care for somebody else, you will have succeeded.”
Semper Feidelis (Always Faithful

“REFLECTIONS”
by Jack Armstrong
We would like to tell you about some folks here at the JBCoC that we haven’t mentioned in quite some time and thought you should be brought up to date. First, have you noticed our Daselle Mitchell is always there when we come to meet and has been for several years, and that our Agnes Nelson is also there as often and drives all the way from the other side of “Big D”. Talk about loyalty, Jacob and Joyce and Vernon and Mary Ruth were there today (12/20 /09) and I’m quite sure they didn’t feel like it, but they were there! Didn’t Royal Smith lead a beautiful prayer as he always does covering all the bases. Thanks Tom Duvall for all you do! Since the year is almost over we want to thank all of our men who take care of all of our worship services, and see that all the bases are covered each time we meet. We have mentioned them before, but we can’t tell them often enough how much we appreciate all they do along with our fine preacher, our elders, deacons, teachers, and all of you who take an active part in the Lord’s work. Even if you just come each time you’re able and sit in the pew you are examples to those all around you, and are valuable assets to our congregation. We love you all dearly! It’s our prayer that Vernon and Mary Ruth continue to do better, and we are glad they were able to be there Sunday. These two are really missed when not here. Of course, the same appllies to all of you who have had to be out for sickness. We pray you are all better and will be back soon. Folks if you can take time (and I know you are all busy) to drop a letter or card to all of our members’ boys that are in the Armed Forces and most especially in Iran, Iraq or Afghanistan. Their names and addresses are on the bulletin board in the foyer or call me and I’ll give them to you. They belong to Connie Ashley, Mary Perkins, Rita Wood, Betty Thornton, Willie Wright, and Charlie and Nadine Brown. Myself and some others here have been there and know how it feels to be away from home for long periods of time and not hear from home. Oleta and I want to wish you all very happy holidays and a Healthy New Year! Remember… “If you find in your heart to care for somebody else, you will have succeeded.”
Semper Feidelis (Always Faithful

Here and There
By Wes Price
I can’t resist the temptation to revisit our annual church holiday party of last week. I don’t believe I have ever heard more compliments about the food, the fellowship and the entertainment than I heard about this one. While a number of folks who had planned on attending were prevented by illness, we still had a larger than expected number come, some 89 in all. I’m especially grateful to Betty Conyers and others who helped serve food and drinks before they served themselves. I also want to make special mention to our dear sweet daughters and granddaughters of Jerri, Jacob and Joyce Locke, Grace and Annabel. They were so helpful in helping clean up following our dinner. Thanks girls, for doing such a necessary work. We thank you for being so sweet. And our entertainer. Didn’t he do a splendid job of sharing old familiar songs from years gone by? At the suggestion of many of you and from my own observation, I will, next time we have him, ask him to lower the sound just a wee bit. Thanks again for coming and special thanks to those who helped make it a great day. Enough food was left over from the holiday party that we will be having a second helping of it on Sunday evening, December 27, following the services. Make your plans on being present to enjoy one more round of holiday food fest. ————-
We received a lovely note from Felix, Rosa, David and Gaby Gonzales wishing us a special holiday season. A special note was penned to Jacob Locke which said, “We miss your singing.”
————- Thanks to all of you who helped us distribute the Christmas Stockings filled with treats. I enjoyed traveling out to visit with Mary Taylor (though I didn’t leave her a stocking for obvious reasons, her health) and then I delivered one to Jim and Ada Couch who send their warmest greetings and best wishes as did Mary Taylor. She said to tell you that you can’t possibly know how much she misses all of us. I assured her that we too miss her very much. Her condition still is holding good under the circumstances and we pray that she will continue to remain free from pain. Keep all of these in your prayers. ————-
We also need to remember Jacob and Joyce Locke in our prayers. They were injured in a automobile accident on Tuesday and Joyce spent one night in the hospital. Fortunately, there were no broken bones, only severe bumps and bruises. They are recuperating at home and we hope that Jacob will be able to be present to lead our singing this morning. ————-
On Sunday, December 27, you will want to join Mack Lyon and Phil Sanders on IN SEARCH OF THE LORD’S WAY, at 7:00 a.m. on Channel 27, KDFI-TV to hear their message on “For Those Who Would Love Life.” Have you been reading or listening to “the news” lately? Some people don’t. Daily reports of murders, child-even infant abuses, kidnapping and killing, robberies, dishonesty, drunkenness are too frightening and depressing. America needs a better way. The Lord’s way is it. Let’s start 2010 living His way!
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PRAYER LIST
Jacob & Joyce Locke are still recuperating from their auto accident last Monday. Ken Berry, Wes & Alma Faye’s son-in-law, is scheduled to have surgery Monday morning in Hurst. Lewis Hinton – Charlton Methodist – Room F4224 – he will stay through the weekend and when he is released he will stay a week with Rhonda & Rick Ramsey. Vernon and Mary Ruth Percival continue their recovery at home. Ann Tomaszewski’s Aunt Lou needs our prayers to help with her muscle spasms. Mike & Mary Ann Jackson, brother & sister-in-law of Roger Jackson need our prayers. Mary Ann fell at home and is under a doctor’s care in Tyler.

Remember All On The Prayer List: R. C. Bell; Addie Bennett; Dr. “J” Coats; Urbanelle Cox, Ruby Faas, Gloria Garcia; Magdalena Gonzalez; Rita Harrison, Doris Henry, Bill Hinton; Ed Horn; Mary Catherine Jayroe; Jean LaPine; Nancy Lindley; Pat Mercer; Dorothy Mooney; Billie Morgan; Lois Rodriquez; Mary Russell, Nancy Spurgeon; Mary Taylor; Treva Traylor; Augustina Vasquez; Fran Womelsdorff; Marie Works

VITAL SIGNS: December 13, 2009 Bible Study 51 Offering $3,282,50 Morning Worship 74 Budget $3,410.46 Afternoon Worship 44 Wed. Eve. Bible Study 33 —————–
There will NOT be a Ladies or Men’s Bible Class until January 5, 2010.
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New address & phone number for M/M Bill Tyson (Shelley) 4205 Birdwell Dr., Tyler, TX 75703 H # 903-939-0978 Cell Phone (Shelley): 580-504-8845 —————-
Felix & Rosa Gonzales have an apartment # to add to their address: 6245 Morning Star, Apt. 318 The Colony, TX 75056
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“REFLECTIONS”
by Jack Armstrong
We had a wonderful holiday get-together over at the JBCoC on December 12th and it was attended by almost 90 folks, which I believe was pretty close to a record. We sure did miss some of our usual ones who attend each year, like… Vernon and Mary Ruth, David & Mary Jean, Charlie & Nadine (who had a funeral in Kansas, but came by and helped decorate before they left for their trip), Addie Bennett, and several more of our group who were unable to be there, but we had a fine bunch of visitors to come. Rita Harrison & her daughter-in-law, Bob & Madeline Hinton, and Michael and his family, Karl & Jaynie Jones, Ruth Manning’s daughter, Pam. Kay & Cloyce Jurecka were not there and we sure did miss seeing them. I know I’ve probably left off several who were and were not there but just remember my age, and don’t think too much about it. Bro. Wes outdid himself again, along with all those who help to bring us this fine happening each year. We all know Wes is strong for fellowship get-togethers as being a strong part of the service to the Lord, he “talks the talk and walks the walk” as the old saying goes which means – he is not just a talker but also gets the job done! After our meal Oleta and I went and paid our respects to one of the sweetest, best example of a Christian lady who just turned 100 years old on December 12th over at the Cliffwood Church of Christ fellowship hall. We told Evelyn Shannon (the honoree) that we brought her love and best wishes from all at the JBCoC including our fine preacher and Alma Faye. She looked beautiful sitting there and sure didn’t look like she was 100 years old by any stretch of the imagination. While there we saw many of our dear friends of years past that we haven’t seen for many years. Folks if you haven’t read the book Bro. Wes gave us, you should. It’s one of the most informative and interesting books I’ve ever read. Bro. Baxter explains the “Family of God”, a study of the New Testament Church in a wonderful way that anyone can understand! Semper Feidelis (Always Faithful)

Here and There
By Wes Price
At the time of writing this article, we have 93 on the list scheduled to be at our Holiday Party on Saturday. I am confident that all will have a great and happy time and that’s what this is all about, food, fun and fellowship. A big THANK YOU to Charlie and Nadine Brown, my wife Alma Faye, Jo Morris and Rick Ramsey for helping us decorate the Fellowship Hall with festive holiday décor. Helping serve on Saturday were Eugenia Talbott and Betty Conyers. The date of our party, December 12, is also the anniversary for Bob and Madeline Hinton. I hope you sent them a card. If not, it still isn’t too late to express your congratulations to them. ————- Our Ladies’ and Men’s Bible Classes will have one more time to meet before we take a holiday break and its this coming Tuesday, December 15th. We will resume our studies together on Tuesday, January 5th.

————- This past Wednesday evening, we distributed the Christmas Stockings filled with goodies for our shut-ins. I’m sure that we will be needing more help in distributing them so check and see if there are any names left on the table in the Community Room. There will be a card with the shut-in’s name and a sign up sheet for you to sign. Thank you for helping us make our shut-ins holiday time a little more cheerful. —————- On Sunday, December 20, you will want to join Mack Lyon and Phil Sanders on IN SEARCH OF THE LORD’S WAY, at 7:00 a.m. on Channel 27, KDFI-TV to hear their message on “Why Jesus Came to Us.” The Scriptures reveal many reasons why Jesus Christ came into the world, and each reason brings a blessing to those who believe. This world would be a much poorer place had Jesus never come. The world needs what Jesus brought and we can be thankful he came.
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FOLLOWING A MULTITUDE
Solomon warned against “following a multitude to do sin.” This tells me that the problem of going along with the crowd is an age-old problem. Sin is nothing new. When we think about peer pressure we ordinarily think in terms of very young people. They may be more sensitive to peer pressure than others but even the very old can be concerned about what others think about them. It was this danger of following bad examples which prompted God to warn Israel against intermarriage with the heathen nations around them. A prime case in point is Solomon who married many foreign wives. They stole his allegiance to Jehovah and he worshiped idols. In fact, he even built altars to ido gods. Ahab, King of Israel, was wicked enough in his own right but his marriage to Jezebel compounded his sins. We knew years ago that people were aping the lifestyles of movie stars in Hollywood. These were lifestyles which were very contrary to the teachings of the Bible. Example is always a more effective teacher then word of mouth. Paul cautioned Timothy to be a good example. The same should be true of every Christian. Instead of letting the wrong crowd decide how we shall act, we should be setting the pace. We should be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. In the words of the song, “Let the lower lights be burning! Send a gleam across the wave!”
Lewis G. Hale

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PRAYER LIST
We know of none of our members in the hospital at this time.
Remember all on the prayer list: R. C. Bell; Addie Bennett; Dr. “J” Coats; Urbanelle Cox, Ruby Faas, Gloria Garcia; Magdalena Gonzalez; Bill Hinton; Lewis Hinton; Ed Horn; Mary Catherine Jayroe; Jean LaPine; Nancy Lindley; Pat Mercer; Dorothy Mooney; Billie Morgan; Vernon & Mary Ruth Percival; Lois Rodriquez; Nancy Spurgeon; Mary Taylor; Treva Traylor; Augustina Vasquez; Fran Womelsdorff, Marie Works
VITAL SIGNS: December 6, 2009 Bible Study 57 Offering $4,197.50 Morning Worship 72 Budget $3,410.46 Afternoon Worship 39 Wed. Eve. Bible Study 12/2 35 —————–
Ladies & Men’s Bible Classes – Tuesday, @ 10:30 a.m.
—————- We want to offer our much love & sympathy to Charlie & Nadine Brown. Nadine’s sister-in-law, Jerry Carr passed away and the funeral was Saturday in Wichita, Kansas.

“REFLECTIONS”
by Jack Armstrong
Oleta and I have been knee deep in moving to our new place of abode, and we sure are enjoying our new digs! Too much hard work for two folks in their twilight years, but now that the hard part is behind us, we can go on with our regular routine affairs. We were sorry to hear about Vernon and Mary Ruth’s auto accident and pray they will be much better soon. We are all looking forward to our annual get-to-gether on December 12th. Oleta and I invited Cloyce and Kay Jurecka, but haven’t heard back yet, but we sure hope they are able to make it. I guess by the time you all get this, the party will have come and gone, but I know you will all enjoy it because we always do thanks to all of Wes’ planning and preparations! Please bear with me for awhile and for not having much news to report but we’lll be back in the swing of things before long. I probably have told you before, but I want to say it again what a wonderful job our Mamie Maarschaulk does in keeping up with all those who miss services by sending them the Visitor and a sweet note to boot. That’s just the sort of sweet, caring person she is, but everyone knows that. We have quite a few here at JBCoC who do things behind the scenes that lots of folks don’t know about, but sooner or later I’ll find out and let it be known, because as my ole dad used to tell me “son let people know when they have done a good deed now, and don’t wait until they’re gone to tell about it.” So that’s what I try to do. Well, folks guess that’s all for now, we pray things will be much better for all our sick and shut-ins. Please keep Rick, Stan and Vernon and Mary Ruth in your prayers along with all of our sick and shut-ins on the list!! Remember…”character may be manifested in the great moments, but it is made in the small ones.” Right, brother Wes? Semper Feidelis (Always Faithful)

Here and There By Wes Price
Reservations are coming in to fill us up for the Holiday Party. If you have not signed up yet, please do so this week by Wednesday so we can have an accurate count for the caterer. We want everyone to come. We’ll enjoy good food, good fellowship and good entertainment. Bring a friend if you have one (little humor, what?) Saturday afternoon, December 12, at 2:00 P.M.

—————-
We were saddened to learn that both Vernon and Mary Ruth Percival were injured in an auto accident on Monday morning. Mary sustained no broken bones but was bruised heavily. Vernon suffered a broken sternum and was in the hospital for a couple of days. We hope that by the time you are reading this that both will be at home and doing well. —————-
Some more sad news greeted us in a conversation with Mary Taylor’s daughter Mildred on Wednesday. Mary suffered a fall at her residence. The doctors have determined that a bone in her leg was broken but decided not to do surgery because her condition is so poor. She is now under Hospice Care and Mildred ask that she have no visitors at the present time. She said she would let us know when and if her mother could have visitors in the future. Please keep this dear lady in your prayers. She has been one of my favorites for many, many years —————-
On Sunday, December 13, join Mack Lyon and Phil Sanders at 7:00 A.M. on Channel 27, KDFI-TV for their regularly scheduled lesson. This lesson will be on WHO IS YOUR LORD? What rules your life? Everyone chooses a master to obey. Some become slaves to their desires and some to the world, but the best Master is our Lord Jesus Christ. The most crucial choice you will make is who will be your master and Lord. —————-

The Men’s and Ladies’ Bible Classes enjoyed a delightful birthday celebration last Tuesday in honor of Ann Schoolfield on her 80th birthday. Special thanks to Betty Thornton and Rita Wood for their planning and providing the refreshments.
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THANK YOU!
To Tuesday morning Bible Classes for the lovely 80th birthday party last Tuesday. Thanks to Rita Wood and Betty Thornton for hosting the party. Thanks to all who gave me cards, gifts, and flowers. I appreciated so much the outpouring of love. THANKS, THANKS, and THANKS. Yours truly, Ann Schoolfield
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PRAYER LIST
Vernon and Mary Ruth Percival are both home after a car accident on Monday morning. They still need our prayers for a complete recovery. Mary Taylor is now under Hospice Care at Victoria Gardens, Allen, TX – Room 607A. No Visitors at this time.

Lisa Pedford had foot surgery and is doing well.
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Remember all on the prayer list: R. C. Bell; Addie Bennett; Dr. “J” Coats; Urbanelle Cox; Ruby Faas; Gloria Garcia; Magdalena Gonzalez; Bill Hinton; Lewis Hinton; Ed Horn; Mary Catherine Jayroe; Jean LaPine, Nancy Lindley; Pat Mercer; Dorothy Mooney; Billie Morgan; Lois Rodriquez; Nancy Spurgeon; Treva Traylor; Augustina Vasquez; Fran Womelsdorff, Marie Works.
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VITAL SIGNS: November 29, 2009 Bible Study 53 Offering $2,396.00 Morning Worship 73 Budget $3,410.46 Afternoon Worship 35 Wed. Eve. Bible Study 11/25 41
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Ladies’ & Men’s Bible Classes will meet at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8 to fill stockings.
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REMEMBER – Make your reservations for the holiday party that is scheduled for Saturday, December 12th at 2:00 p.m. in our Fellowship Hall. Cost will be $12.00 per person. You can give your reservation to Ann Schoolfield, Rita Wood, Wes or Alma Faye.

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“FELT NEEDS”
I keep hearing more and more about “felt needs”. To listen to some folks, you would think that the main business of the church is to meet people’s felt needs. I have yet to see a clear-cut definition of that term but I get a general feeling for it. It seems to me they are thinking in terms of what people perceive their needs to be. There are some problems with this. In the first place, my real needs may be poles apart from what I perceive them to be. Are we wise enough to know what we really need? A child often thinks he needs something that would actually be a detriment to him. He may think he needs that hot coffee pot or a hot curling iron, until he gets it! Preachers who preach from the text of scripture are often criticized as not addressing people’s needs. You may hear someone say, “Here people sit hurting because of serious family problems and there the preacher stands talking about how to properly understand the Bible.” This attitude assumes that when God gave mankind the scriptures, he did not give us something adequate to help man where he is. I am committed to the view that the Bible furnishes us completely unto every good work. 2 Tim. 3:16-17. And that the Spirit has revealed to us everything that pertains to life and godliness. 2 Peter 1:3. The Bbile may not deal in specific terms with a specific problem, but it does give us the basic principles upon which we can work out every problem we have. If it is a marriage problem, I can find in scripture everything it takes to make a happy marriage. But if marriage partners are not willing to live by the teachings of the word of God, no amount of counselling will save that marriage. A preacher cannot do mass counselling from the pulpit. He may accomplish little even in the privacy of his office with just the parties present who are involved in some problem. What is he to do? Preach the word? Lewis G. Hale