8/20/2010
The Visitor – August 22, 2010
Here and There by Wes Price
We concluded out study in the book of Ephesians this past Wednesday evening with our DVD of Avon Malone. As has been the custom over these past several weeks, Roger Owen has concluded each lesson with a comprehensive discussion on the same text covered by Avon. This coming Wednesday evening, August 25, we will begin a new study with Avon Malone in the book of Philippians. I will assume responsibity for the concluding discussion after each lesson. My profound thanks to Roger Owen for his help. Of course, he will continue to be with us on Sundays until I gain more strength. How fortunate we are to have him with us.
Your assignment for next Wednesday evening prior to our beginning our studies in Philippians is to read the book at one sitting, without distractions and if you have a second translation or version of the Scriptures, read that too. I believe you will profit by this background to our studies together.
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Jack Armstrong now has a new newspaper column in the Duncanville Suburban, called, OPINION. The first article is posted on the Bulletin Board in the Community Room. Check it out, you’ll appreciate what he has to say. Good job, Jack!
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I received a call early this past week from Mack Lyon to check on my well-being. He and his wife Lois will be in our area this next week beginning a meeting at the church in Crandall. He and Lois paid us a visit on Saturday afternoon before going on to Crandall.
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Our “sack supper” last Sunday afternoon was a tremendous success. We had the largest attendance ever at one of these events. My personal thanks to Dan and Eugenia for their advance preparation of the watermelon and table arrangements. We had five visitors who remained to be our guests and one of these was present again on last Wednesday evening. The fellowship was out of this world. Thanks to all who helped clean up afterward. It was certainly worth the effort. ————-
We learned that Vera Solis had knee surgery last Friday and we are glad that she is able to be with us in worship today. Keep her in your prayers. Elsewhere in our bulletin you will find the address of Mamie Maarschalk’s niece. Some of you have been wanting to send her a sympathy card. Now’s your chance.
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The Snake Pit
When General H. Norman Schwarzkopf returned from VietNam, his back was severly damaged from numerous parachute jumps. Spinal surgery was all that could save him from paralysis. The surgery was successful, but the recovery was slow and painful. Schwarzkopf became depressed and contemplated retiring. Tom Bratton, an amputee in his ward, shook him out of his depression. He asked, “Sir, if I can walk on one leg, how come you can’t walk on two?”
In his book, It Doesn’t Take a Hero, Schwarzkopf relates how Bratton’s question affected him:
I was embarrassed because I was eventually going to have a normal life, while Bratton never would. He and his pals went in and out of my ward every day, joking, playing cards, and generally terrorizing the orderlies. I began to understand how (our ward), the Snake Pit, worked. Newcomers just back from VietNam were often bitter and consumed with self-pity. If a man didn’t snap out of it, the doctors would assign him a bed down in the Snake Pit. Like Bratton, most of the guys had been there for months or years and were fighting to overcome terrible injuries. So they were merciless when the newcomer would start moaning. They’d yell, “You wimp! Shut up! What are you moaning about? There’s a lot of guys here who are hurt worse than you. We don’t want to hear it.” They’d often reduce a man to tears. But after that, he’d grind his teeth and fight back, which was precisely what they wanted. The guys in the Snake Pit were relentless, but they brought people back to life.
In reading this story, I thought of how that we as Christians must sometimes push one another. In Hebrews, we read. “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24-25). As you know, it is easy for children of God to become discouraged and to drop out of service to the Lord. As Christians, we must provoke and exhort them to stay in the race. – Wade Webster ————-
=================================================== PRAYER LIST
Jennie Wright has pneumonia and was dismissed from the hospital Thursday evening. She would like all the prayers to continue.
Jimmy Mooney remains at home during his illness at this time.
Rick Ramsey will also have tests this month.
Muriel McMillion is waiting on the results of the heart tests that she took this past week.
Fran Womelsdorff did not get her report on her hearing test. The appointment was postponed till September.
Also pray fervently for the Tyson family.
Continue to remember: Sylvia McMillion; Mary Ruth Percival; R. C. Bell; Jim Birkhead; Lois Rodriquez; Jimmy Mooney’s mother, Dorothy.
REMEMBER ALL OTHERS ON THE PRAYER LIST
Donna Denise Allen; George Bailey; Addie Bennett; Dr. “J” Coats; Perry Cotham; Urbanelle Cox; Carol & Peter Diamond; Tom Duvall; Ruby Faas; Rita Harrison; Doris Henry; Bill Hinton; Bob and Madeline Hinton; Ed Horn; Mary Catherine Jayroe; Oleta Landin; Nancy Lindley; Pat Mitchell; Billie Morgan; Bobby Muirhead (sister of Billie & Jean Thompson); Lula Murray; Vernon Percival; Henrietta Pummill; Mildred Sala; Dan Sherbit; Nancy Spurgeon; Treva Traylor; Marie Works.
Vital Signs: August 15, 2010
Bible Study 57 Offering: $3,005.00 Morning Worship: 75 Budget: $2,893.27 Afternoon Worship: 51 Wed. Eve. Bible Study, 8/11 – 34 ———–
The following is from a niece of Mamie Maarschalk. Paulette Archemire called and spoke with Ann Schoolfield regarding Mamie. Paulette said the family has begun cleaning out her home and are giving most things to charity. Paulette would very much like to hear from us and her address is as follows:
Paulette Archemire 350 Windsor Avenue, Apt. #32 Terrell, TX 75160 .
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“Looking Forward” by Jack Armstrong I was just sitting here at my desk looking through some things in my bill paying rack and it dawned on me over half the envelopes were for charities and Vet organizations such as “Vets First”, “Feed the Children”, “March of Dimes”, “American Lung Association”, “Veterans of Foreign Wars”, “Help Hospitalized Vets”, “The Senior Citizens League”, “St. Jude”, “Easter Seals”, and “Kids Wish Network” . It is not much for each, but it adds up pretty good for all of them. Once you start you are on their list forever.
Well it’s been Friday the 13th all day and so far things have gone pretty normal.
If some of you are wondering why Oleta and I aren’t there for Bible Study on Wednesday nights, I want to tell you that with my old eys in the shape they are in (Degenerative Macular in both), I just don’t seem to do well in the evening, and the lights blind Oleta, so we just stay home. Bro. Wes did a beautiful job of presiding over our dear Mamie’s funeral on August 10th. He seems to get a little stronger each time, but we all know it is bound to take a lot out of him because he is still very weak. Bro. Jacob did a great job of leading the singing, as usual. What great talent and a great sense of feeling they have for their work. I’m taking over for Mamie in sending out The Visitor to those who had to miss out on the service, so until I get everything straight, please forgive me if I miss you at first. With Alma Faye’s help on the mailing list maybe we can get it right and get the Visitor to you.
Oleta and I attended the funeral service for our dear friend, Jean LaPine at 2:00 p.m. the same day of Mamie’s service, and it was also a beautiful service. The folks had a luncheon for the members and Jean’s close friends, and Oleta and I were asked to be there. The food was delicious and the fellowship was great also! Isn’t it wonderful to be a part of such a loving and wonderful group as we have in the Lord’s church.
Well folks, I’m going to cut off a little short and I want you to know I’ve really enjoyed all these years I’ve been attempting to write this little column, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your great comments and words of encouragement all along, and for all the great pieces you’ve given me to put in the column. Semper Fidelis (Always Faithful)