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December 18,2011 Bulletin

December 19th, 2011

New Requests: Violet Foster Family, John O’Cull Family, Lowell McClurg, Emma

Jordan Family, Natalie Bradley and her family

Continuing Requests: Jerry Love, Jason Cox, Scott Sullivan, Ellen Moore,

Carolyn Compton, John McLaughlin, Donna Dietrich

Cancer Patients: Lanny Cooper, Earl Cooper, Joe Hewlett, William Jordan, Paul

Roberts, Angie Bussell, Tara McCann, Kathy Sower, Ruth Hurst, Star Johnson, Edith

Westfall, Billy Barbour

Elderly and Shut Ins and their Families: Maxine Soards, Carrie Edington, Helen

Dixon, Ina Hurst, Sammy Ginn, Gardena Ginn, Flora Wells, Charles Riley, Donald

Lykins, Sr., Lance O’Cull, Joe Hardy, Carol Wills, Marie Drexell

Our Web Prayer Requests, Our Troops, Unspoken Needs, Missionaries, the

“Lost”, the Emotionally, Physically and Spiritually Troubled

 

 

 

Birthdays December 21 Billy Melton                                                  REMINDERS

 

Christmas Play—Sunday, December 18—6:30

 

Christmas Sunday—Morning Services Only

 

WHERE’S THE LINE TO SEE JESUS?

The story behind this song, as told by Steve Haupt:

“While at the mall last year, my four year old grandson saw kids lined up excitedly to see Santa Claus. Having been taught as a toddler that Christmas is the holiday that Christians celebrate the birth of God’s son; with the innocence of a child, he asked his mom, ‘Where’s the line to see Jesus? If Christmas is Jesus’ birthday, why don’t we see Him more?’ As his grandpa, I was so happy that little Spencer understood the meaning of Christmas at such a tender age, and then the words for a song were jotted down in just a few minutes. The song was inspired by my grandson, and the message was inspired by my Savior. Out of the mouths of babes come profound truths that many adults cannot understand. Hopefully Spencer’s observation and our song will cause people to reflect on the love of Jesus, and the certainty that one day we will all stand in line to see Jesus. Merry Christmas everyone.”

Christmas time was approaching, Snow is starting to fall,

Shoppers choosing their presents, People filling the mall.

Children waiting for Santa, With excitement and glee,

A little boy tugged my sweater, Looked up and asked me.

“Where’s the line to see Jesus? Is He here at the store?

It’s Christmas time, it’s His birthday. Why don’t we see Him more?

Where’s the line to see Jesus? He was born for me.

Santa Claus brought me presents. But Christ gave His life for me.”

As I stood in amazement, At this message profound,

I looked down to thank him, He was nowhere around.

Little boy at the mall, Might as well have had wings,

As the tears filled my eyes, but I heard him sing.

“Where’s the line to see Jesus? Is He here at the store?

It’s Christmas time, it’s His birthday. Why don’t we see Him more?

Where’s the line to see Jesus? He was born for me.

Santa Claus brought me presents. But Christ gave His life for me.”

In the blink of an eye, at the sound of His trump,

We’ll all stand in line at His throne. Every knee shall bow down,

Every tongue will confess, That Jesus Christ is Lord

“Where’s the line to see Jesus? Is He here at the store?

It’s Christmas time, it’s His birthday. Why don’t we see Him more?

Where’s the line to see Jesus? He was born for me.

Santa Claus brought me presents. But Christ gave His life for me.”

You can hear this song by going to www.youtube.com and searching for “Where’s The Line To See Jesus.”

 

 

What’s Christmas About?


It’s not about when Santa comes.
It’s not about candies and sugarplums.
It’s about the belief in the birth of a heavenly babe.
Which will bring us eternal life, once we are saved.
It’s not about getting the latest trend, toy or game.
It’s about knowing the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, are the same.
It’s not about the biggest tree or the brightest lights.
It’s about faith in His word that will keep us on a path that’s right.
It’s not about the amount of money we’ve spent.
It’s about the heavy load, on us, that causes His back to be bent.
It’s about the ultimate sacrifice, in the name of love.
A man, once sent to us, as a messenger from above.
A man, once sent to us, to save us from our sins.
Always offering a way to live and to begin again.
Maybe, Happy Birthday are words that need to be said,
Along with Merry Christmas, as we lie and pray, in our beds.
It’s about an oft said, cliche’,
That needs to be repeated, especially on this day.
Jesus is the reason — for the season!

Merry Christmas From Jason and Tammy Cox and Aills Christian Church

We will be having church services on Sunday Christmas Day . Everyone is welcome. Come worshop with us .

Jesus is The Reason For The Season !!!

 

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December 11,2011

December 11th, 2011

New Requests: David Dummitt Family,John O’Cull Family

Continuing Requests: Jerry Love, Jason Cox, Scott Sullivan, Ellen Moore,

Carolyn Compton, John McLaughlin, Douglas Applegate, Donna Dietrich

Cancer Patients: Lanny Cooper, Earl Cooper, Joe Hewlett, William Jordan, Paul

Roberts, Angie Bussell, Tara McCann, Kathy Sower,  Ruth Hurst,

Star Johnson, Edith Westfall, Billy Barbour

Elderly and Shut Ins and their Families: Maxine Soards, Carrie Edington, Helen

Dixon, Ina Hurst, Sammy Ginn, Gardena Ginn, Flora Wells, Charles Riley, Donald

Lykins, Sr., Lance O’Cull, Joe Hardy, Carol Wills, E. V. Holder, Louella Ruark

Our Web Prayer Requests, Our Troops, Unspoken Needs, Missionaries, the

“Lost”, the Emotionally, Physically and Spiritually Troubled

REMINDERS

Sunday Night Bible Study— Religions of Today

Ladies Meeting—Thurs. Dec. 15–6:00—All Ladies Invited—Bring a dish

Play Practice—Sat. Dec 17—4:00-6:30

Christmas Play—Sunday, December 18—6:30

Happy Anniversary December 16 Melvin/Jenny Wills

I  Wonder

Every year about this time I WONDER what happened to the real meaning of Christmas. Store sales, Christmas lights, etc. In many ways we have marred the true meaning of Christmas.
We all know the story of Christmas. On that night long ago, while the shepherds guarded the temple flocks at a place called Migdal-Eder, a ray of hope burst forth on a people and a world trapped in darkness. We’re told an angel spoke words which have become somewhat famous the world over.
“Fear not,” he said, “I bring you glad tidings of great joy!”
The shepherds turned their attention heavenward, for they understood what these tidings might be. The angel continued.
“Unto you is born this day in the City of David, a savior, who is Christ (the chosen and anointed one) the Lord.” Then the angel was joined by an entire company of heavenly beings, rejoicing and singing “glory to God in the highest…”
The shepherds, far from being dumbfounded by this display as we have been led to believe, understood what all of this meant. In fact, Jewish and Rabbinical tradition named this Migdal-Eder as the place where the long awaited announcement of the coming of the savior would occur. The proclamation would go out from that point. In answer to that very tradition, the scriptures tell us that, upon hearing this from the heavens, and seeing the child laying in the manger, the shepherd “made known abroad all they had heard and seen.” Some coincidence, huh?
As Christmas draws near, I wonder what the shepherds, the angels, and the baby in the manger of Bethlehem had to do with million dollar church buildings, million dollar church bank accounts, and church boards which pull the strings of puppet-like “pulpiteers.”
I wonder what the Christ-child would say about all the pretty songs being sung in shopping mall atriums where no one stops to hear — or even think about — the message of the season.
I wonder what the shepherds would think if they knew that we, too, have heard the glad tidings of great joy, only to fail miserably at spreading it abroad.
I wonder what Mary – who knew the truth of that boy-child at her breast and pondered it in her heart – would say if she could see how we idolize that manger and that starry night while skirting the issue of the cross and almost completely ignoring the truth of the empty tomb.
I wonder what Joseph, who had taken many a risk to get to this point in his eventful life, would say if he could hear the excuses we make, or the whining we do, when things get rough.
On that night, when the shepherds approached the stable, the wise men had only begun their journey to the Holy Land. They knew that this baby they would someday find in Bethlehem was no ordinary baby. They would bring him gifts from their home countries. They would honor him as a king.
I wonder what these gift bearing gentiles would think about our glut of gift giving; about our wanting and demanding, pushing and shoving to get just the right gift at just the right price. I wonder what they would say if they could hear a child – influenced by television and by family tradition – demand that his parents (or Santa Clause) get him another “accessories sold separately, batteries not included” fad toy of the year. They would all probably feel, as a friend of ours so eloquently states, that we “just don’t get it.”
The truth is, the Creator of the Universe gave a gift to this world on that special night, so long ago. This gift was wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger. It was a ray of warm sunshine in a cold, dark land. It was a gift of hope in a world gone wrong. It was God putting on skin and walking among men.

This baby we celebrate was not only Jesus of Nazareth, as some would say.
A good man.   A teacher. Maybe a prophet, but at any rate, at the very least a wise and just rabbi. No.
He was much more than that! He was the Christ; the son of the living God.   And he still is!

See Luke 2:1-20.   Have a true Merry Christmas everyone.

God’s Promises


Our precious Lord never promised us an easy road in life.
But He promised He’d be with us to help us face the strife.
He never promised us that we would never suffer grief.
But He promised He’d be with us to help provide relief.
He never promised us that we’d never have a broken heart.
But He promised to be with us to help ease the aching part.
He never promised us our life would be free of pain.
But He promised He’d be with us to help ease our suffering.
He never promised us that our life would be free of stress.
But He promised He’d be with us to help put our souls at rest.
He never promised us an abundance of earthly treasures.
The ones He promised are up above in unbelievable measures.
God will never break His promises, on that we can depend.
The most important promise was the Son He was to send.
By trusting all His promises and by trusting in His only Son,
We’ll overcome our earthly perils for the battle we have won.


 

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December 3,2011

December 5th, 2011

 New Requests: Billy Melton, Douglas Applegate, Billy Barbour, Donna Dietrich

Continuing Requests: Jerry Love, Jason Cox, Scott Sullivan, Ellen Moore,

Carolyn Compton, John McLaughlin

Cancer Patients: Lanny Cooper, Earl Cooper, Joe Hewlett, William Jordan, Paul

Roberts, Angie Bussell, Tara McCann , Kathy Sower, John O’Cull, Ruth Hurst,

Star Johnson, Edith Westfall

Elderly and Shut Ins and their Families: Maxine Soards, Carrie Edington, Helen

Dixon, Ina Hurst, Sammy Ginn, Gardena Ginn, Flora Wells, Charles Riley, Donald

Lykins, Sr., Lance O’Cull, Joe Hardy, Carol Wills, E. V. Holder, Paul Collier,

Louella Ruark

Our Web Prayer Requests, Our Troops, Unspoken Needs, Missionaries, the

“Lost”, the Emotionally, Physically and Spiritually Troubled

 REMINDERS

Sunday Night Bible Study—Bible Prophecy—Religions of Today

Ladies Meeting—Thurs. Dec. 9-6:00

Play Practice—Sat. Dec 10—4:00-6:00

Christmas Play—Sunday, December 18—6:30

Birthday December 10 Jennifer Sullivan

Congratulation on Shirley and Jack McCann on becoming grandparents again. Little Owen is 5 1/2 months old and will arrive in the states in three or four months. Let’s all pray that all goes well for Chuck and Lana in the next few months.

 

 

Twas the Month before Christmas  

 Twas the month before Christmas when all through our land, not a Christian was praying nor taking a stand.  See the PC Police had taken away the reason for Christmas – no one could say.  The children were told by their schools not to sing about Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.  It might hurt people’s feelings, the teachers would say December 25th is just a ‘ Holiday ‘.  Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!  CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-Pod something was changing, something quite odd!  Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa in hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda. As Targets were hanging their trees upside down at Lowe’s the word Christmas – was no where to be found, at K-Mart and Staples and Penny’s and Sears you won’t hear the word Christmas; it won’t touch your ears. Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty are words that were used to intimidate me.  Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen, on Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton !  At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter to eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.  And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith forbidden to speak of salvation and grace.  The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded the reason for the season, stopped before it started. So as you celebrate ‘Winter Break’ under your ‘Dream Tree’ sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.  Choose your words carefully, choose what you say  Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS, not Happy Holiday ! Please, all Christians join together and wish everyone you meet  MERRY CHRISTMAS.  Christ is The Reason’ for the Christ-mas Season!

THE THREE TREES

Once there were three trees on a hill in the woods. They were discussing their hopes and dreams when the first tree said, “Someday I hope to be a treasure chest. I could be filled with gold, silver and precious gems. I could be decorated with Intricate carving and everyone would see the beauty.”

Then the second tree said, “Someday I will be a mighty ship. I will take kings and queens across the waters and sail to the corners of the world. Everyone will feel safe in me because of the strength of my hull.”

Finally the third tree said, “I want to grow to be the tallest and straightest tree in the forest. People will see me on top of the hill and look up to my branches, and think of the heavens and God and how close to them I am reaching. I will be the greatest tree of all time and people will always remember me.”

After a few years of praying that their dreams would come true, a group of woodsmen came upon the trees. When one came to the first tree he said, “This looks like a strong tree, I think I should be able to sell the wood to a carpenter”… and he began cutting it down. The tree was happy, because he knew that the carpenter would make him into a treasure chest.

At the second tree a woodsman said, “This looks like a strong tree, I should be able to sell it to the shipyard.” The second tree was happy because he knew he was on his way to becoming a mighty ship.

When the woodsmen came upon the third tree, the tree was frightened because he knew that if they cut him down his dreams would not come true.

One of the Woodsmen said, “I don’t need anything special from my tree so I’ll
take this one,” and he cut it down.

When the first tree arrived at the carpenters, he was made into a feed box for animals. He was then placed in a barn and filled with hay. This was not at all what he had prayed for.

The second tree was cut and made into a small fishing boat. His dreams of being a mighty ship and carrying kings had come to an end.

The third tree was cut into large pieces and left alone in the dark.

The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams. Then one day, a man and woman came to the barn. She gave birth and they placed the baby in the hay in the feed box that was made from the first tree. The man wished that he could have made a crib for the baby, but this manger would have to do. The tree could feel the importance of this event and knew that it had held the greatest treasure of all time.

Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from the second tree. One of them was tired and went to sleep. While they were out on the water, a great storm arose and the tree didn’t think it was strong enough to keep the men safe. The men woke the sleeping man, and he stood and said “Peace” and the storm stopped. At this time, the tree knew that it had carried the King of Kings in its boat.

Finally, someone came and got the third tree. It was carried through the streets as the people mocked the man who was carrying it. When they came to a stop, the man was nailed to the tree and raised in the air to die at the top of a hill. When Sunday came, the tree came to realize that it was strong enough to stand at the top of the hill and be as close to God as was possible, because Jesus had been crucified on it.

The moral of this story is that when things don’t seem to be going your way, always know that God has a plan for you. If you place your trust in Him, He will give you great gifts.

Each of the trees got what they wanted, just not in the way they had imagined. We don’t always know what God’s plans are for us. We just know that His ways are not our ways, but His ways are always best.  

                                                                                         Merry Christmas     and    God Bless                                                                                                                                                                      From Jason and Tammy Cox

 

 

 

 

 

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November 27,2011

November 28th, 2011

New Requests: Harry Hester Family, Marie Dummitt Family, Vicki Clark, Carolyn

Compton, Mary Swearingen Family

Continuing Requests: Jerry Love, Jason Cox, Scott Sullivan, Ellen Moore, Marie

Drexel

Cancer Patients: Lanny Cooper, Earl Cooper, Joe Hewlett, William Jordan, Paul

Roberts, Stacy Pingleton, Andrew Grigson, Angie Bussell, Tara McCann

Kathy Sower, Alex Mason, John O’Cull, Ruth Hurst, Star John, Edith Westfall

Elderly and Shut Ins and their Families: Maxine Soards, Carrie Edington, Helen

Dixon, Ina Hurst, Sammy Ginn, Gardena Ginn, Flora Wells, Charles Riley, Donald

Lykins, Sr., Lance O’Cull, Joe Hardy, Emma Jordan, Wilson Moore, Malcolm Roe,

Mitch Hickle, Carol Wills, E. V. Holder, Paul Collier

Our Web Prayer Requests, Our Troops, Unspoken Needs, Missionaries, the

“Lost”, the Emotionally, Physically and Spiritually Troubled

 

Sunday Night Bible Study—Bible Prophecy

 

 

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Birthdays and Anniversaries

 

 

November 27 Michelle Himes

 

November 28 Stephen Cordle

 

December 2 Daneyl Carrington

 

December 3 George/Daneyl Carrington

 

December 3 Carol Cunningham

 

December 3 Mark Vergne

 

 

Will the Christ Child Come?


One Christmas we had an interesting experience that I would like to share. Halfway through December we were doing the regular evening things when there was a knock at the door. We opened it to find a small package with a beautiful ceramic lamb inside. We looked at the calendar and realized that the 12 days of Christmas were beginning! We waited excitedly for the next night’s surprise and only then, with the gift of a matching shepherd, did we realize that the lamb was part of a nativity set.
Each night we grew more excited to see what piece we would receive. Each was exquisitely beautiful. The kids kept trying to catch the givers as we slowly built the scene at the manger and began to focus on Christ’s birth.
On Christmas Eve, all the pieces were in place, all but the Baby Jesus. My 12-year-old son really wanted to catch our benefactors and began to devise all kinds of ways to trap them. He ate dinner in the minivan, watching and waiting, but no one came. Finally, we called him in to go through our family’s Christmas Eve traditions. But before the kids went to bed, we checked the front step – - no Baby Jesus! We began to worry that my son had scared them off. My husband suggested that maybe they dropped the Jesus and there wouldn’t be anything coming. Somehow, something was missing that Christmas Eve.
There was a feeling that things weren’t complete. The kids went to bed and before I went to bed, I again checked to see if the Jesus had come – - no, the doorstep was empty. In our family, the kids can open their stockings when they want to, but they have to wait to open any presents until Dad wakes up. So one by one they woke up very early and I also woke up to watch them. Even before they opened their stockings, each child checked to see if perhaps during the night the Baby Jesus had come.
Missing that piece of the set seemed to have an odd effect. At least it changed my focus. I knew there were presents under the tree for me and I was excited to watch the children open their gifts, but first on my mind was the feeling of waiting for the ceramic Christ Child. We had opened just about all of the presents when one of the children found one more for me buried deep beneath the limbs of the tree.
He handed me a small package from my former visiting teaching companion. This sister was somewhat less-active in the church. I had been her visiting teacher for a couple of years and then, when she was asked to be a visiting teacher, she requested to go with me. I had learned over time they didn’t have much for Christmas, so that their focus was on the children. It sounded like she didn’t get many gifts to open, so I had always given her a small package — new dish towels, the next year’s Relief Society lesson manual — not much, but something for her to open.
I was touched when at church on the day before Christmas, she had given me this small package, saying it was just a token of her love and appreciation. As I took off the bow, I remembered my friendship with her and was filled with gratitude for knowing her and for her kindness and sacrifice in this giving me a gift. But as the paper fell away, I began to tremble and cry. There in the small brown box was the Baby Jesus! He had come!
I realized on that Christmas Day, that Christ will come into our lives in ways that we don’t expect. The spirit of Christ comes into our hearts as we serve one another. We had waited and watched for Him to come, expecting the dramatic “knock at the door and scurrying of feet” but He came in a small, simple package that represented service, friendship, gratitude and love.
This experience taught me that the beginning of the true spirit of Christmas comes as we open our hearts and actively focus on the Savior. But we will most likely find Him in the small and simple acts of love, friendship and service that we give to each other. This Christmas I want to feel again the joy of knowing that Christ is in our home. I want to focus on loving and serving. More than that, I want to open my heart to Him all year that I may see Him again.
“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”   (Matthew 1:21 NIV)

Don’t Worry, Let God


Why do we tend to worry about the things we cannot change?
We only need to remember that God has our lives arranged.
He knew us when we were being formed within our mother’s womb.
He planned our life ahead of time from our birth until the tomb.
He knows our problems and our fears we have to face each day.
Just trust He’ll walk beside us and know He’ll be with us all the way.
When we think we can’t get through the day and let despair set in,
Just look above and ask for the help that He’s always ready to send.
Rather than placing our trust in God, we often think we can do it alone.
This is just part of our human nature; the sin of pride as it is known.
God loves us dearly and wants to help us; He’s just a prayer away.
Let’s call upon His wonderful name; He’ll get us through our day.
I have had many days I thought I would never get through.
But when I stopped and talked to God, He said, “I’m here for you.”
When I heard His tender voice, it gave me the strength I needed.
My friends I’m here to tell you, with God you can’t be defeated.
There is no worry or problem that’s too big for our Lord to handle.
Remember that on our darkest days, His love is like a candle.
His love for us will light our way with a beam so very bright.
No matter what we have to face, God will help us win the fight.

 

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November 20,2011

November 21st, 2011

New Requests: James Wilson

Continuing Requests: Jerry Love, Jason Cox, Scott Sullivan, Ellen Moore, Marie

Drexel, Star Johnson, Edith Westfall, Donna Jamison

Cancer Patients: Lanny Cooper, Earl Cooper, Joe Hewlett, William Jordan, Paul

Roberts, Stacy Pingleton, Andrew Grigson, Angie Bussell, Tara McCann

Kathy Sower, Alex Mason, John O’Cull, Ruth Hurst

Elderly and Shut Ins and their Families: Maxine Soards, Carrie Edington, Helen

Dixon, Ina Hurst, Sammy Ginn, Gardena Ginn, Flora Wells, Charles Riley, Donald

Lykins, Sr., Lance O’Cull, Joe Hardy, Emma Jordan, Wilson Moore, Malcolm Roe,

Mary Swearingen, Mitch Hickle, Carol Wills, E. V. Holder

Our Web Prayer Requests, Our Troops, Unspoken Needs, Missionaries, the

“Lost”, the Emotionally, Physically and Spiritually Troubled

 

Sunday Night Bible Study—Bible Prophecy

 

Birthdays November 21 Robin Sullivan

November 24 Henry Mefford

November 27 Michelle Hime

A Thanksgiving Prayer


Dear Father in Heaven


Please lend me Your ear


‘Cause I’ve got a prayer


You’ll be happy to hear.


Lord, there’s no request list


This time when I pray


I just want to give thanks


This Thanksgiving Day.


First, I want to thank You


For gifts from above:


Your unending mercy,


Your undeserved love.


And thank You for sending


Your Son down to earth,


For now those in Jesus


Can have second birth.


Lord, thank You for saving


Your children from Hell,


And giving Your Spirit


Who comes to indwell.


And thank You for choosing me


To be Your own,


For now that You’re in me


I’m never alone.


Lord, thanks for forgiving me


When I’m untrue,


And last, but not least, Father,


Thank You for You!


–Connie Cook

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

1Peter 1:3

 

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November 13,2011 Bulletin

November 13th, 2011

New Requests: Jerry Love, Marie Drexel, Evelyn Bare Family, Kelly Bentley

Continuing Requests: Jason Cox, Scott Sullivan, Ellen Moore, Star Johnson, Edith

Westpaul, Donna Jamison

Cancer Patients: Lanny Cooper, Earl Cooper, Joe Hewlett, William Jordan, Paul

Roberts, Stacy Pingleton, Andrew Grigson, Angie Bussell, Tara McCann

Kathy Sower, Alex Mason, John O’Cull, Ruth Hurst

Elderly and Shut Ins and their Families: Maxine Soards, Carrie Edington, Helen

Dixon, Ina Hurst, Sammy Ginn, Gardena Ginn, Flora Wells, Charles Riley, Donald

Lykins, Sr., Lance O’Cull, Joe Hardy, Emma Jordan, Wilson Moore, Malcolm Roe,

Mary Swearingen, Mitch Hickle, Carol Wills, E. V. Holder

Our Web Prayer Requests, Our Troops, Unspoken Needs, Missionaries, the

“Lost”, the Emotionally, Physically and Spiritually Troubled                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Reminder’s                                     

Sunday Night Bible Study—Bible Prophecy in Today’s World

Love Your Enemies


Some years ago, a tiny Korean orphan arrived in the United States to join her adoptive family. She was nine months old and weighed only 9 ½ pounds. She grew and blossomed in her new home, but remained a diminutive size. Her new name was Edie.
One day when Edie was in second grade, she ran home from school, crying. She was frightened. That day, three new girls had been enrolled in her class. During the first recess, they picked the smallest girl in the class as the object of their anger and frustration. They pinched, poked, and pushed tiny Edie and threatened to beat her up. Edie had spent an hour in the principal’s office with the three girls and was assured the teachers would be watching. The girls were given a warning.
Edie’s mother held her little one and comforted her. She learned later, after speaking with the principal, that the girls had been troublemakers at several other schools. They were being given one more chance at a new beginning.
“These girls must have been very hurt in their young lives to be so angry. Her mother said. “The Bible tells us, “Be kind to your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you. Edie, let’s pray.” Then they prayed for the girls and asked the Lord for a plan of action.
A plan began to take shape. “I can’t go to school with you everyday, so you will need to stay close to a teacher when you are at recess or in line to go into school.” said Edie’s mom. “If the girls start to pick on you, tell them, “I’d really like to be your friend Are you brave enough to do that?” Edie’s mother asked. “The Lord asks us to be kind to our enemies, let’s see what happens, okay?
The tiny girl perked up, and with a smile, looked at her mother and said, “Yes, Mom, I’ll try.”
The next morning, and everyday before Edie left for school, she and her mom prayed for her to be safe and brave, and for the girls to be open to God’s love. Everyday, the girls shoved into line behind Edie and called her names and tried to get in a poke or two.
Each time, Edie looked up at them and said, “I’d really like to be your friend.” She did have to look up at them since they were so much taller than she was. The teachers kept an eye on the proceedings, but did not need to interfere as the girls were not hurting her.
After about two weeks, Edie came home looking so discouraged. She told her mother that she didn’t think it was working. After they talked about it some more and prayed, she decided to keep trying and continued to faithfully tell them, “I’d really like to be your friend.”
One day the following week, Edie ran home as fast as she could and ran into the house shouting, “Mom, Mom, guess what happened today? Just like I always did, I said I’d really like to be your friend, and one of the girls said, “Okay, Edie, we give up, we’ll be your friend.”
Edie and her mom thanked the Lord for His faithfulness.
A short time later, as the girls were trying to become friends, Edie asked the teacher if she could sit at a table with these girls in the classroom. She had noticed that they were disruptive because they didn’t understand the lessons. Edie became their tutor.
Toward the end of the school year, when Edie’s parents went to school for a parent teacher conference, the teacher told them, “Because of Edie’s kindness, those girl’s have completely turned around and are productive members of the class.” She felt she had witnessed a miracle. And so did Edie’s mom and dad.
How many people go through life never experiencing kindness? They don’t see it in strangers, and some don’t even find it in their own families. Without experiencing kindness, it becomes impossible to express kindness toward others. The result of this tragic lack is seen everywhere. What a different society this would be if everyone who has received kindness would be kind to others, especially the unlovely.
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; Matthew 5:44

  Peace guy’s Prayer

May the people on this planet be changed.
Changed from hatred to love,
Changed from greed to giving,
Changed from selfishness to selflessness,
Changed from apathy to action,
Changed from jealousy to joy over someone’s accomplishments,
Changed from intolerance to acceptance,
Changed from being destructive to being constructive,
Changed from fighting to peace,
Changed from killing to protecting life,
Changed from censorship to freedom,
Changed from ignorance to education,
Changed from fearing our differences to rejoicing our variety.
May we each take it upon ourselves to feed the hungry, cure the sick, house the homeless, educate the illiterate, love the unloved, compete to do the right thing instead of winning at any cost, make heroes that teach our children to make the world a better place instead of glorifying violence and war, stand up and speak out against things that are wronginstead of sitting back and waiting for someone else, demand honesty from our governments, demand honesty from ourselves.
May we each take responsibility for our own actions and realize that by refusing to change ourselves,
we condone all the evils in the world.

If one person changes they teach others by example, who in turn change and teach more, one person becomes as a pebble rolling down a mountain, picking up more pebbles as it continues, becoming an avalanche of change.
It can happen, it must happen, it will happen.
To make this prayer work, you have to change yourself.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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November 6,2011 Bulletin

November 6th, 2011

New Requests: Jerry Love, Star Johnson, Phyllis Hampton, Jenny Sullivan

Continuing Requests: Jason Cox, Paul Collier, John McLaughlin, Glen Nolen,

Jenny Gilbert, Terry Porter

Cancer Patients: Lanny Cooper, Earl Cooper, Joe Hewlett, William Jordan, Paul

Roberts, Stacy Pingleton, Andrew Grigson, Angie Bussell, Tara McCann

Kathy Sower, Alex Mason, John O’Cull

Elderly and Shut Ins and their Families: Maxine Soards, Carrie Edington, Helen

Dixon, Ina Hurst, Sammy Ginn, Gardena Ginn, Flora Wells, Charles Riley, Donald

Lykins, Sr., Lance O’Cull, Joe Hardy, Emma Jordan, Wilson Moore, Malcolm Roe,

Mary Swearingen, Mitch Hickle, Carol Wills, Evelyn Bare, Louella Ruark,

E. V. Holder

Our Web Prayer Requests, Our Troops, Unspoken Needs, Missionaries, the

“Lost”, the Emotionally, Physically and Spiritually Troubled

REMINDERS

Sunday Night Bible Study—Acts 25

Ladies Meeting—Nov. 10—6:00

 BIRTHDAYS  November 9 Michael Iery    November 9 Shirley McCann 


 

                                                                                                     

                                                                                                      NOVEMBER 8, 2011

 

 

 

 

 

One of the greatest privileges we have in America is the privilege to vote. However, one of the greatest continual frustrations is that so many do not vote—VOTE. There is no shortage of opinions, no shortage of values and viewpoints, no shortages of beliefs and convictions, etc. But the reality is, if you and I do not voice our opinions, values, viewpoints, beliefs and convictions by voting, our voice is essentially silenced in our society.

 

Everyone should vote, especially Christians. It is your privilege and also your responsibility here in America to let your voice be heard in local and national elections. Do not belittle it, abuse it, or ignore it. We cannot make a difference if we think our votes still can not make a difference.

REMEMBER OUR VETERANS

 

 

 

You’re an 18 or 19 year old kid. You’re critically wounded and dying in the jungle in the Central Highlands of Viet Nam–11-14-1965. Your infantry unit is outnumbered 8-1, and the enemy fire is so intense, from 100 or 200
yards away, that your own Infantry Commander has ordered the MedVac helicopters to stop coming in.

 

You’re lying there, listening to the enemy machine guns, and you know you’re not getting out. Your family is 1/2 way around the world, 12,000 miles away, and you’ll never see them again. As the world starts to fade in and out, you know this is the day.

 

Then, over the machine gun noise, you faintly hear that sound of a helicopter, and you look up to see an un-armed Huey, but it doesn’t seem real, because no MedVac markings are on it.

 

Captain Ed Freeman is coming for you. He’s not MedVac, so it’s not his job, but he heard the radio call and decided he’s flying his Huey down into the machine gun fire anyway, after the MedVacs were ordered not to come. He’s coming anyway.

 

And he drops it in, and sits there in the machine gun fire, as they load 3 of you at a time on board. Then he flies you up and out through the gunfire, to the Doctors and Nurses and safety.

 

And, he kept coming back…… 13 more times….. Until all of you and your buddies are out, who would never have gotten out otherwise.

 

No one knew until the mission was over that the Captain had been hit 4 times in the legs and left arm.

 

He took 29 of you and your buddies out that day. Some would not have made it without the Captain and his Huey.

 

Medal of Honor Recipient Captain Ed Freeman, United States Air Force, died August 20, 2008, at the age of 80, in Boise , ID.

 

May God bless and rest his soul…..

 

 

(I bet you didn’t hear about this hero’s passing, but you sure saw a whole bunch about Lindsay Lohan, the Super Bowl, the bickering of congress over Health Reform and that Paul Newman died that day also. All of these got a lot more press that Ed Freeman.)

May this be a tribute to all of our Veterans who have served our country in times of war and peace. May we never forget that freedom is not free and it is because of men and women like Captain Freeman that we have the freedom to vote in an election to choose the leaders of our country and to have the freedom to worship the way we believe.

 

 

 

 

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October 30,2011 Bulletin

October 30th, 2011

 New Requests: Maurice Kennedy Family, Terry Porter

Continuing Requests: Jason Cox, Paul Collier, John McLaughlin, Glen Nolen,

Jenny Gilbert

Cancer Patients: Lanny Cooper, Earl Cooper, Joe Hewlett, William Jordan, Paul Roberts, Stacy Pingleton, Andrew Grigson, Angie Bussell, Tara McCann

Kathy Sower, Alex Mason, John O’Cull

Elderly and Shut Ins and their Families: Maxine Soards, Carrie Edington, Helen

Dixon, Ina Hurst, Sammy Ginn, Gardena Ginn, Flora Wells, Charles Riley, Donald

Lykins, Sr., Lance O’Cull, Joe Hardy, Emma Jordan, Wilson Moore, Malcolm Roe,

Mary Swearingen, Mitch Hickle, Carol Wills, Evelyn Bare, Louella Ruark

Our Web Prayer Requests, Our Troops, Unspoken Needs, Missionaries, the

“Lost”, the Emotionally, Physically and Spiritually Troubled

REMINDERS

Sunday Night Bible Study—Acts 23

Ladies Retreat—October 29th—47 in attendance/15 churches represented.

Birthdays  October 30  Keric Sullivan

                                                                                                     November 2  John Paul Cordle

                                                                                                     November 2 Mary Highfield

                                                                                                     November 4Judy Iery

 

Thank You, Lord

Lord, thank you for this sink of dirty dishes; we have plenty of food to eat. Thank you for this pile of dirty, stinky laundry; we have plenty of nice clothes to wear. And I would like to thank you, Lord, for those unmade beds; they were so warm and comfortable last night. I know that many have no bed.
My thanks to you, Lord, for this bathroom, complete with all the splattered mirrors, soggy, grimy towels and dirty lavatory; they are so convenient. Thank you for this finger-smudged refrigerator that needs cleaning. It has served us faithfully for many years. It is full of cold drinks

and enough leftovers for two or three meals. Thank you, Lord, for this oven that absolutely must be cleaned today; It has baked so many things over the years.
The whole family is grateful for that tall grass that needs mowing; we all enjoy the yard. My kids are healthy and able to run and play. Lord, the presence of all these chores awaiting me says You have richly blessed my family. I shall do them cheerfully and I shall do them gratefully.
Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when the alarm rings, Thank you, Lord, that I can hear. There are many who are deaf. Even though I keep my eyes closed against the morning light as long as possible, thank you, Lord, that I can see. Many are blind. Even though I huddle in my bed and put off rising, thank you, Lord, that I have the strength to rise. There are many who are bedridden. Even though the first hour of my day is hectic, when socks are lost, toast is burned, and tempers are short, my children are so loud, Thank you, Lord, for my family. There are many who are lonely.
Even though our breakfast table never looks like the pictures in magazines and the menu is at times not balanced, there are many who are hungry. Even though the routine of my job is often monotonous, thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to work. There are many who have no job. Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day to day and wish my circumstances were not so modest, Thank you, Lord, for life.
Addendum — Ephesians 5:20 (GNB) “In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, always give thanks for everything to God the Father.”

Keeping The Peace 
Do you remember the famous feud between the Hatfields and the McCoys? A squabble started between these families in the states of Kentucky and West Virginia during the American Civil War. After the war, the feud was kept alive by disputes over a fiddle worth $1.75 and a stray razorback hog.
 According to Stan Mooneyham, "Dancing on The Strait & Narrow," by Election Day 1882 the situation deteriorated to the point that three McCoy brothers killed Ellison Hatfield because he had insulted them. "Devil Anse," head of the Hatfield clan, had the three McCoys rounded up and tied to bushes within sight of their family cabin; then he put fifty rifle bullets into them. After that it was a life for a life -- sometimes two or three -- and even the women became just part of the body count. Hostilities didn't finally abate until the second decade of the twentieth century. The cost to those two families was immense. Almost thirty deaths were recorded in the most famous example of eye-for-an-eye revenge in U.S. history.
 You've seen this scene in the movies: a rugged cowboy pats his pearl-handled six-shooter in a holster hanging from his hip and drawls, "This here is my peacemaker." Peacemaker? Maybe widow-maker. Or orphan-maker. The problem is, shooting people is not a good way to peace. It's a little like the father who, while spanking his child, said, almost in cadence with each slap, "HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I TOLD YOU NOT TO HIT YOUR SISTER!" Gotta love the irony.
 If force and violence can't bring peace out of chaos, what can? What does it take to make peace? And to keep it?
 The answer is clear. Peacemakers are not weapons -- peacemakers are people. You and I. Peacemakers are people with hearts for reconciliation and understanding. In our families; with our neighbors; around the world.
 Level-headed and patient people have always been the best hope for a lasting and just peace. That is the only way it has ever worked.
Perhaps that's why peacemakers are call blessed. 

Drinking From My Saucer My Cup Has Overflowed



Jimmy Dean








I never made a fortune And it’s probably too late now




But I don’t worry about that much, I’m happy anyhow.




And as I go along life’s journey, I’m reaping better than I sowed




I’m drinking from my saucer, Cause my cup has overflowed.




I ain’t got a lot of riches, And sometimes the going’s tough




But I’ve got kids who love me And that makes me rich enough.




I just thank God for His blessings And the mercies He bestowed.




I’m drinking from my saucer Cause my cup has overflowed.




I remember times when things went wrong And my faith got a little thin




But hen all at once the dark clouds broke And the sun peeked through again,




So Lord help me not to gripe About the tough rows I hoed.




I’m drinking from my saucer Cause my cup has overflowed.




And if God gives me strength and courage When the way grows steep and rough,




I’ll not ask for another blessing,I’m already blessed enough.




And may I never be too busy To help another bear his load




I’ll keep drinking from my saucer Cause my cup has overflowed.




 



			


			

        

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October 23,2011 Bulletin

			October 23rd, 2011 

			

				
New Requests: Geneva Melton Family, Evelyn Bare, Thomas Howard Family,


Steve Harris Family


Continuing Requests: Jason Cox, Paul Collier, John McLaughlin, Glen Nolen,


Jenny Gilbert


Cancer Patients: Lanny Cooper, Earl Cooper, Maurice Kennedy, Joe Hewlett,


William Jordan, Paul Roberts, Stacy Pingleton, Andrew Grigson, Angie Bussell,


Kathy Sauer, Alex Mason, John O’Cull


Elderly and Shut Ins and their Families: Maxine Soards, Carrie Edington, Helen


Dixon, Ina Hurst, Sammy Ginn, Gardena Ginn, Flora Wells, Charles Riley, Donald


Lykins, Sr., Lance O’Cull, Joe Hardy, Emma Jordan, Wilson Moore, Malcolm Roe,


Mary Swearingen, Mitch Hickle, Carol Wills


Our Web Prayer Requests, Our Troops, Unspoken Needs, Missionaries, the


“Lost”, the Emotionally, Physically and Spiritually Troubled.


REMINDERS


Sunday Night Bible Study—Acts 21


Ladies Retreat—October 29th—9:30 registration


Birthdays


 October 23 Dean Ginn


October 23 Lucas Miller


October 30 Keric Sullivan




Don’t Waste Your Life


God desires that you not waste your life, but just give it back to Him,

for instead of misery, strife and loss, He can help you play to win.


Life is like a game, you see, a match that wrestlers play;

You do your best to stand and fight, but the devil is in the way.


If you give in and join the devil, then the fight so soon is o’er,

and you have lost the battle for he has skewed the score.


But if you give your life to Jesus, He takes the devil on,

and helps you over come him, gives you the victor’s song.


Sure, Satan’s punch is heavy, strength is in his arm,

But God, our royal Master, protects you from real harm.


The trials you face will strengthen you; their purpose is from God;

He uses them to train you, and drive you to His Word.


So, do not shirk your duty, and run about to play,

just commit yourself to Jesus, until the judgment day.


Feathered Fidelity




It’s a sad reality.

All relationships start with love and promise, but all too often we see them weaken, crumble and finally fail. It’s too bad all relationships don’t go to the birds.

I know that sounds strange, but read on.

Many years ago, when I was just a young boy, a small yellow bird hit our front door. When I looked outside, I saw its tiny, unmoving body on our deck. I opened the door to see if it was just stunned, or worse, dead.

I was kneeling over it when my mom joined me.

“Michael, I think it may be dead. I heard the bang on the glass. It hit pretty hard.”

“Mom, should we bury it?”

“I’m not sure, Michael. When I first looked out I saw another bird land beside it. It looked like it was trying to pick this one up. I think we should let nature take care of this. Let’s put it on the roof of the car and see what happens.”

We placed the unmoving, little bird on the roof of my dad’s car and went back into the house.

From our living room window we watched as the bird’s mate flew to its side, carefully grip the back of the dead bird’s neck in it’s tiny beak, and with a strength only love and devotion could provide, lifted its mate in the air.

It carried the body from the car, across the street, over the meadow on the other side and into nearby trees. It flew only a few feet off the ground. Sometimes it would get up to six feet high and then the weight of its companion would pull it lower again. Its struggle was great, but the desire not to be parted from its mate was greater.

Thirty-five years later, I stepped out of my home on a warm summer morning. I looked toward my next door neighbor’s — we lived in attached townhouses — and noticed a single strand of a spider’s web strung from the bush by the corner of their townhouse to the wheel of one of their cars. I thought it was strange for a spider to spin such a web, especially just one tiny strand.

I moved closer to investigate. When I reached down to break the web I discovered it wasn’t a web at all. It was a piece of fishing line. I gave it a tug and saw it was tangled in the bushes, and the other end was knotted under the car.

One of the boys was sitting on the front deck of the house.

I remarked, “Looks like someone booby-trapped your friend’s car.”

He came closer to see what I was talking about. I gave the line a tug. It was tightly jammed under the wheel of the vehicle.

“Strange, it seems to go all the way under,” I said.

I walked to the back of the car and saw a robin. It fluttered to get away, but the line, which was wrapped around its tiny leg, held it firm. The poor bird flapped around on the pavement with only a foot of line for it to move.

Slowly I approached and reached to grab it. When my fingers first touched his feathers it squawked and flapped away from me. I moved faster on the second attempt and managed to get a grip around his trembling body. It squirmed and twisted its head to snap at me, but I held tight.

The boy came closer for a look, and then went for a knife. When he returned I realized he would probably break the poor bird’s leg when the knife pulled the string tight before cutting it through, so I sent him for scissors. He came back and we carefully removed the string.

The bird was free, but I held him a little longer, so I could remove one last strand of the line from his tiny leg. It made a great effort and escaped from my grasp. He flew low across the pavement, under a row of mailboxes, and up into a tree.

It was free again.

Then I noticed a second robin fly down from a nearby tree and land next to the newly-freed robin. It had stayed close by, as its mate struggled for freedom, and would not have left until freedom or death ended their relationship.

The birds I witnessed mated for life and the struggles that come with it. Now don’t you wish a lot more relationships would go to the birds?

I know I do. 


~ Michael T. Smith ~

			


			

        

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October 16,2011 Bulletin

			October 17th, 2011 

			

				
New Requests:  John McLaughlin, Thomas Howard


Continuing Requests: Jason Cox, Paul Collier 


Cancer Patients: Lanny Cooper, Earl Cooper, Maurice Kennedy, Joe Hewlett, 


William Jordan, Paul Roberts, Stacy Pingleton, Andrew Grigson, Angie Bussell, 


Kathy Sauer 


Elderly and Shut Ins and their Families: Maxine Soards, Carrie Edington, Helen 


Dixon, Ina Hurst, Sammy Ginn, Gardena Ginn, Flora Wells, Charles Riley, Donald 


Lykins, Sr., Lance O’Cull, Joe Hardy, Emma Jordan, Wilson Moore, Malcolm Roe, 


Mary Swearingen, Mitch Hickle, Carol Wills, John O’Cull, Maynard Craft


Our Web Prayer Requests, Our Troops, Unspoken Needs, Missionaries, the 


“Lost”, the Emotionally, Physically and Spiritually Troubled


REMINDERS


Sunday Night Bible Study—Acts 19


Ladies Retreat—October 29th


 Birthdays October 17 Ruth Porter


 October 23 Dean Ginn


October 23 Lucas Miller






Coach Wooden




The years have left their imprint

On my hands and on my face.

Erect no longer is my walk

And slower is my pace.

But there is no fear within my heart

Because I’m growing old

I only wish I had more time

To better serve my Lord.

When I’ve gone to Him in prayer

He has brought me inner peace

And soon my cares and worries

And other problems cease.


He has helped in so many ways,

He has never let me down,

Why should I fear the future

When soon I could be near His crown.

Though I know down here my time is short

There is endless time up there

And He will forgive and keep me

Forever in His loving care.


May I not waste an hour

That’s left to glorify the Name

Of the One Who died, that we might live

And for our sins, took all the blame.


~ Coach John R. Wooden, 1910-2010 ~


Changing Colors 


Autumn this year in the mountains of my home has been truly spectacular. It is like an angel artist has been assigned to paint each tree in the most glorious colors imaginable. Perhaps it is the wisdom of age that has helped my eyes to see more clearly. Still, to me the leaves have never looked as beautiful as they do this Fall.


One tree in my backyard has especially caught my attention. Every year before this one its leaves had always turned to a rich, vibrant red in October. This year, though, the entire tree was bathed in the most outrageous orange. It was both delightful and amazing to watch this tree suddenly change its colors.


Looking at that bright, orange beacon in my backyard made me think too of how we can go about changing our own colors. I remember when cold, dark hues colored my own heart, soul, and mind. I remember when fear, apathy, and selfishness colored my life. I remember when my only thoughts were of my own wants, needs, and desires. It was an ugly picture indeed. One day, however, I am not sure exactly when, that picture started to change. It started with a single brush stroke, one kind act, and one loving thought. This was followed by another and another. Each one brought a new dab of color and brightness into my heart, soul, and mind. Slowly, choice by choice, moment by moment, and day by day I began to turn the cold, dark, miserable November of my life into a warm, shining, and loving October.


God in His endless love never ceases to give us fresh chances to change our colors, change our lives, and change the world. Each day is full of new opportunities to paint our hearts, souls, and minds with the brightness of love. Each day is full of moments to bring the colors of joy to this often drab world. We are the artists of our own lives. May we forever color them beautiful.


~ Joseph J. Mazzella ~ 

			


			

        

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