Can you believe it? Sunday is November 1st. Don’t forget to set your clocks back one hour for the end of Daylight Saving Time on Saturday, October 31st. I do enjoy this time of the year and look forward to the holidays.
This coming Sunday morning, we will continue in our series “The Way of the Cross.” As we begin our journey on the way of the cross, we must have courage, reason, obedience, sacrifice, and sincerity. As we journey, what can we expect to experience? Can you remember? C_____________, R_____________, O______________, S______________, S_______________. Our lesson this week will focus on the end of our journey on the way of the cross that leads home. What will we find? If you would like to read ahead, read John 14:1-6 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. Heaven will surely be worth it all!
On Sunday evening we will once again consider the greatest invitation ever extended. Jesus simply said in Matthew 11:28: “Come to Me.” We have looked at Jesus’ invitation to come to Him for help. We have looked at His invitation to come to Him for hope. This Sunday evening, we will look at His invitation to come to Him for healing. I hope we all will be challenged and encouraged to accept this great invitation. Read Matthew 11:28-30 and Mark 2:13-17.
Let me remind you of a couple of exciting meetings that are scheduled for November.
I will be preaching about the blessed assurance we have in Christ at the church of Christ at Windsor Lake on Sunday, November 1st, at 3:00 p.m. We will be taking the van and plan to leave the church parking lot at 2:15 p.m. Please sign up on the sheet in the lobby if you plan on riding with us.
Stacy Ferguson will be with us on Sunday, November 8th, to share the good news from the Pacific Islands. Brother Ferguson works full time with Robert Martin in the Pacific Islands Bible College. He and his wife, Kathy, are missionaries to the Pacific Islands. It will be a great to hear about how our fellow Christian brothers and sisters are doing on the other side of the world.
Please remember Cindi and me in your prayers. We will be traveling to Lady Lake, Florida, on Saturday, November 7th, where I will be preaching the gospel in the church of Christ at the Villages on Sunday, the 8th through Wednesday, the 11th. We plan to return to Columbia on Thursday, the 12th, Lord willing. May God bless us all as we take advantage of every opportunity we have to show and share the gospel of Christ.
The renovation to our facilities is moving along according to schedule. A special thanks to brothers Jerry Satterfield and Don Richbourg. They will be at the building on a daily basis to make sure everything goes according to the plans. For the next few days until further notice, we have been asked to enter and exit through the main entrance. If you are coming by the office, please give us a call. Thank you for your patience, your generosity, and your support during the renovation process. It is amazing how much work has already been accomplished in just a few days of work.
Congratulations to our new brother in Christ, David Goza. David has been meeting with us for the past few weeks. He made the most important decision of his life this past Sunday morning when he made that good confession and then put on Christ in baptism. He is now a Christian.
Have you been thinking about becoming a Christian? Do you believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God? Are you tired of sin and its power over you? Then accept Jesus’ invitation. Believe, Repent, Confess, Be baptized. Rejoice!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
It is good to write to you again after being out of town for a few days then coming home to move the church offices to our current temporary location in one of our classrooms. The renovation of our facilities has now begun. The work of the Lord’s church continues in the midst of construction workers, construction equipment, and thoughts of how much God is blessing us. The renovation of our facilities does not hinder our work for Christ. We continue in worship, in prayer and study, in fellowship, in reaching out with the love of Christ to those who are lost, and in providing encouragement and edification to the church. We continue in benevolence, edification, and evangelism. We will not be distracted from our mission. Our elders continue in prayer and the ministry of the word of God. Our deacons continue to fulfill their individual duties for Christ and the church. Your minister continues in prayer, in the study of God’s word, in helpful counsel with those who are in need, and in his daily evangelistic responsibilities. Every member of the church of Christ at St. Andrews Road continues to live the Christian life day by day to honor God assembling together on Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and Wednesday evening for worship, study, and fellowship. Our plans are to be in our newly renovated facilities in just three months, Lord willing.
Our sermon series on Sunday morning is entitled “The Way of the Cross.” This past Sunday, we looked at “The Way of the Cross – What is required?” This coming Sunday morning we will consider what we will experience on the way of the cross. If you would like to read ahead, read Galatians 6:11-15.
Remember that the five points of each lesson in this series begins with the letters C-R-O-S-S. Do you remember the points to last Sunday’s lesson?
C _______________
R _______________
O _______________
S _______________
S _______________
Our Sunday evening series is entitled “Come to Jesus for. . .” We all need help. Jesus knows this fact. He promises us that He will help us. He, also, gives us the terms and conditions of His promise of help.
Read Psalm 1 again. Can you see His promises: Blessing, delight, waters of life, fruit, leaves that are not withered, prosperity in all things? Now can you see His terms and conditions? Our counsel must only come from God’s law on which we meditate day and night. We must plant ourselves in Christ. We must bear fruit. We must not wither in our relationship with God.
Read Psalm 23 again. Look for His promises: I shall not want…green pastures, still waters, a soul restored, leadership, companionship, comfort, discipline, protection, provision, acceptance, blessings galore, goodness and mercy every day, heaven forever. Wow! Now look for His conditions. Can you see them? The Lord must be the Shepherd of our lives. We must follow His leadership even into the “valley of the shadow of death.” We must submit to His discipline and to His protection. We must sit at His table.
Even in John 3:15-17, we can see God’s promise and also His conditions. God promises salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ. He then conditions that salvation on “whoever believes in Him.” Of course, we know and understand that faith in Jesus Christ is defined in Hebrews 11:6 as believing that He is and that He is the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
This Sunday evening we will look at “Come to Jesus for…HOPE.”
Our sermon series on Sunday morning is entitled “The Way of the Cross.” This past Sunday, we looked at “The Way of the Cross – What is required?” This coming Sunday morning we will consider what we will experience on the way of the cross. If you would like to read ahead, read Galatians 6:11-15.
Remember that the five points of each lesson in this series begins with the letters C-R-O-S-S. Do you remember the points to last Sunday’s lesson?
C _______________
R _______________
O _______________
S _______________
S _______________
Our Sunday evening series is entitled “Come to Jesus for. . .” We all need help. Jesus knows this fact. He promises us that He will help us. He, also, gives us the terms and conditions of His promise of help.
Read Psalm 1 again. Can you see His promises: Blessing, delight, waters of life, fruit, leaves that are not withered, prosperity in all things? Now can you see His terms and conditions? Our counsel must only come from God’s law on which we meditate day and night. We must plant ourselves in Christ. We must bear fruit. We must not wither in our relationship with God.
Read Psalm 23 again. Look for His promises: I shall not want…green pastures, still waters, a soul restored, leadership, companionship, comfort, discipline, protection, provision, acceptance, blessings galore, goodness and mercy every day, heaven forever. Wow! Now look for His conditions. Can you see them? The Lord must be the Shepherd of our lives. We must follow His leadership even into the “valley of the shadow of death.” We must submit to His discipline and to His protection. We must sit at His table.
Even in John 3:15-17, we can see God’s promise and also His conditions. God promises salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ. He then conditions that salvation on “whoever believes in Him.” Of course, we know and understand that faith in Jesus Christ is defined in Hebrews 11:6 as believing that He is and that He is the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
This Sunday evening we will look at “Come to Jesus for…HOPE.”
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Last Sunday was certainly a day to remember at St. Andrews Road. We had a wonderful time of Bible study, worship, and fellowship. I hope you were encouraged and challenged to move from “have to” to “get to” to “want to” in your daily walk with Jesus Christ.
Our men’s meeting this past Sunday was very well organized and well attended. We had 50 men present for the meeting. There were ten men who could not attend the meeting but provided their support by proxy. When called upon for their support of the elder’s decision to renovate our facilities 59 men said “Yes.” Only one man said “No.” Our renovation will begin on Monday, October 12th. We will have new classrooms with more space to teach and study. We will have new up-to-date restrooms that will meet the needs of every member and guest. We will have a new kitchen that will meet our need for communion preparation, benevolence, congregational luncheons, ladies’ day, youth functions, men’s meetings, meals for those bereaved, wedding receptions, baby showers, and the many and varied events that require such a room. We will have a new pantry room that will aide us in stocking food items for those of our community who are hungry. We will have a room for the storage of our tables and chairs, Bible Bowl equipment, and other equipment. We will have new offices for our secretary and minister. We will have a new meeting room for our elders. We will also have new carpet and paint throughout the educational wing with new lighting and new redesigned heating and cooling systems. The renovation will take approximately 3 months to complete. It is our hope and desire that we can complete this project before February 27th, Bible Bowl 2010. These are certainly exciting times for us as members of the church of Christ at St. Andrews Road.
Our Ladies’ Day 2009 is now only one week away scheduled for Saturday, October 17th beginning at 9:00 a.m. Our theme for this year’s ladies day is “Lord, Teach Us to Pray.” Our special guest speaker will be Casandra Martin from Spring, Texas. Everything will be ready. Our ladies have been working overtime to see that our ladies’ day will be a wonderful event for every one present. If you can help in any way please see one of our committee members: Cindi Burleson, Sherry Pyle, Monica Holton, or Belinda Hutchinson. Men: We have been asked to help with lunch. If you can help, sign up on the bulletin board in the lobby.
Cindi and I will be out of town this weekend visiting our daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren in Conway, Arkansas. Please pray for us while we are away.
Brother Caleb Colley will be preaching on Sunday morning and Sunday evening while I am away. Brother Colley is a doctoral student at USC and a faithful gospel preacher. He speaks regularly at lectureships all around the country. He is also writes for Apologetics Press, a publication that reaches out all around the world to defend our faith in God. Please be here this Sunday to hear Brother Colley. You’ll be so very thankful that he is working and worshiping with us at St. Andrews Road.
Let us remember the words of our brother Paul in Ephesians 4:1-6.
“I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in your all.”
Our men’s meeting this past Sunday was very well organized and well attended. We had 50 men present for the meeting. There were ten men who could not attend the meeting but provided their support by proxy. When called upon for their support of the elder’s decision to renovate our facilities 59 men said “Yes.” Only one man said “No.” Our renovation will begin on Monday, October 12th. We will have new classrooms with more space to teach and study. We will have new up-to-date restrooms that will meet the needs of every member and guest. We will have a new kitchen that will meet our need for communion preparation, benevolence, congregational luncheons, ladies’ day, youth functions, men’s meetings, meals for those bereaved, wedding receptions, baby showers, and the many and varied events that require such a room. We will have a new pantry room that will aide us in stocking food items for those of our community who are hungry. We will have a room for the storage of our tables and chairs, Bible Bowl equipment, and other equipment. We will have new offices for our secretary and minister. We will have a new meeting room for our elders. We will also have new carpet and paint throughout the educational wing with new lighting and new redesigned heating and cooling systems. The renovation will take approximately 3 months to complete. It is our hope and desire that we can complete this project before February 27th, Bible Bowl 2010. These are certainly exciting times for us as members of the church of Christ at St. Andrews Road.
Our Ladies’ Day 2009 is now only one week away scheduled for Saturday, October 17th beginning at 9:00 a.m. Our theme for this year’s ladies day is “Lord, Teach Us to Pray.” Our special guest speaker will be Casandra Martin from Spring, Texas. Everything will be ready. Our ladies have been working overtime to see that our ladies’ day will be a wonderful event for every one present. If you can help in any way please see one of our committee members: Cindi Burleson, Sherry Pyle, Monica Holton, or Belinda Hutchinson. Men: We have been asked to help with lunch. If you can help, sign up on the bulletin board in the lobby.
Cindi and I will be out of town this weekend visiting our daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren in Conway, Arkansas. Please pray for us while we are away.
Brother Caleb Colley will be preaching on Sunday morning and Sunday evening while I am away. Brother Colley is a doctoral student at USC and a faithful gospel preacher. He speaks regularly at lectureships all around the country. He is also writes for Apologetics Press, a publication that reaches out all around the world to defend our faith in God. Please be here this Sunday to hear Brother Colley. You’ll be so very thankful that he is working and worshiping with us at St. Andrews Road.
Let us remember the words of our brother Paul in Ephesians 4:1-6.
“I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in your all.”
Thursday, October 1, 2009
October! Can you believe it? Only three months remaining in 2009! Can you remember all the promises you made to yourself back in January? Take better care of myself…Eat better…Exercise…Lose weight…Spend more time with my family…Read the Bible and pray every day…Save…Enjoy life and living…How are you doing? It’s not too late to get on track. Today is the best day of your life. Yesterday is past. Tomorrow may never come. Today is the only day that really matters. Eat better today. Take that walk today. Better health is a result of eating better and reasonable exercise. Turn the TV off. Get up from the computer. Put down the paper. Put down the cell phone. Spend some time face to face with your spouse, your children, and your parents. Look. Listen. Laugh. Spend some time with God reading His word and talking with Him in prayer. Don’t just survive. Live!
This Sunday morning we will look into God’s word to see that our entire lives can be different, better, more significant when we learn to “Let Our Duties Become Our Desires.” We each have our own individual duties in life, responsibilities that are personally only ours. Sometimes, we look at these duties as things we “have to” do. I have to get up early to go to work. I have to pay the bills. I have to mow the lawn. I have to cook dinner. I have to clean the house. I have to do my homework. I have to study for the test. I have to go to Bible study. I have to go to worship. I have to study, pray, give, wait. On and on we could go. Of course, I have never heard anyone say “I have to go fishing” or “I have to make a trip up to Darlington” or “I have to go on vacation.” Just a simple change in vocabulary can affect our entire lives. Change the words “have to” to “get to” or “want to” and see what a difference this small change can have in your attitude toward life. We no longer “have to” go to work. We “get to” or “want to” go to work. We no longer “have to” study, pray, give, or wait. We now “get to” and “want to” do these things. If you would like to read ahead, read Philippians 2:1-18.
On Sunday evening we will conclude our series “1st Century Success in the 21st Century.” The church of Christ in the first century was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. They were steadfast in the apostle’s doctrine, in fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayer. They lived their lives adding and abounding in the Christian Graces. They loved God and they loved one another. They were not easily discouraged. They were focused. Finally, the church of Christ in the first century lived transformed lives. Our brothers and sisters in Christ of the first century are wonderful examples of faith, hope, and love for us today.
Our Ladies’ Day 2009 is now just a few days away scheduled for Saturday, October 17th. This is a ladies only event. Our ladies have been praying, meeting, planning, organizing, and looking forward to this day for many weeks. Ladies at St. Andrew Road: Please invite and remind your family, friends, and neighbors about this special Ladies’ Day. Men: We have been asked to be here to help with lunch. There is a sign-up sheet posted on the bulletin board in the lobby. Please sign up if you can help serve.
The renovation plans for our facilities are proceeding according to schedule. There will be a very important meeting of the men of the congregation this Sunday morning, October 4th immediately following the morning worship hour in the Fellowship Hall. Please make every effort to be at this meeting. Thank you for your patience, your support, and your cooperation as we grow into the 21st century. To God be the glory! Great things He has done.
This Sunday morning we will look into God’s word to see that our entire lives can be different, better, more significant when we learn to “Let Our Duties Become Our Desires.” We each have our own individual duties in life, responsibilities that are personally only ours. Sometimes, we look at these duties as things we “have to” do. I have to get up early to go to work. I have to pay the bills. I have to mow the lawn. I have to cook dinner. I have to clean the house. I have to do my homework. I have to study for the test. I have to go to Bible study. I have to go to worship. I have to study, pray, give, wait. On and on we could go. Of course, I have never heard anyone say “I have to go fishing” or “I have to make a trip up to Darlington” or “I have to go on vacation.” Just a simple change in vocabulary can affect our entire lives. Change the words “have to” to “get to” or “want to” and see what a difference this small change can have in your attitude toward life. We no longer “have to” go to work. We “get to” or “want to” go to work. We no longer “have to” study, pray, give, or wait. We now “get to” and “want to” do these things. If you would like to read ahead, read Philippians 2:1-18.
On Sunday evening we will conclude our series “1st Century Success in the 21st Century.” The church of Christ in the first century was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. They were steadfast in the apostle’s doctrine, in fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayer. They lived their lives adding and abounding in the Christian Graces. They loved God and they loved one another. They were not easily discouraged. They were focused. Finally, the church of Christ in the first century lived transformed lives. Our brothers and sisters in Christ of the first century are wonderful examples of faith, hope, and love for us today.
Our Ladies’ Day 2009 is now just a few days away scheduled for Saturday, October 17th. This is a ladies only event. Our ladies have been praying, meeting, planning, organizing, and looking forward to this day for many weeks. Ladies at St. Andrew Road: Please invite and remind your family, friends, and neighbors about this special Ladies’ Day. Men: We have been asked to be here to help with lunch. There is a sign-up sheet posted on the bulletin board in the lobby. Please sign up if you can help serve.
The renovation plans for our facilities are proceeding according to schedule. There will be a very important meeting of the men of the congregation this Sunday morning, October 4th immediately following the morning worship hour in the Fellowship Hall. Please make every effort to be at this meeting. Thank you for your patience, your support, and your cooperation as we grow into the 21st century. To God be the glory! Great things He has done.
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