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Columbus Avenue Church of Christ Communiqué |
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August 19, 2007
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The Call For Fighting Saints
Have you ever noticed that the New Testament refers to Christians as
fighters? Take a look at 1 Timothy 1:18, 6:12, 2 Timothy 4:7 and 1 Thessalonians
5:8. Even in the Old Testament
the word for battle or fight occurs about 145 times and the word war about 160
times. Isaiah described Him as a dread warrior in garments of vengeance. He
has always required His people to stand and fight for His will against evil.
In order to successfully carry out any type of military campaign, one
of the first things you must be able to do is identify the enemy. The question
for the church today is this: without personal Bible study, how can we
accomplish our mission? I have heard people complain because the preacher
preached too long, the song leader sang too many songs or someone lead a
prayer that was too lengthy. Given the apparent lack of time spent with God on
our own, we should be glad to spend time with Him on any occasion we can.
Sundays, Wednesdays or during gospel meetings, it should make no difference.
The only way to identify the enemy is to spend time examining his
characteristics and mode of operation. What differences exist between the
world and Christians? How can we successfully carry the fight to the enemy?
Can others see that I am one of the “called out”, the church? God’s word
answers these vital questions.
Sometimes people seem to think that the “paid professionals” should
do all the work and studying. Phrased another way, the sentiment is: let the
ministers or the Elders do the work, let them fight the fight. But the fact is
that Jesus commissioned all Christians to go into all the world and preach the
Gospel. We are the army of God in the battle for the souls of men. We will all
answer to our Supreme Commander, God Himself, regarding our service or lack
thereof.
We must not think that the battle is over. Christians must never create
a “rest in Zion” environment. As people become less and less
involved in church, what is filling that vacuum? I have nothing against
entertainment, but we should be careful not to leave the Lord’s work undone
because of it. I find nothing inherently wrong with HD TV or super Bose sound
systems as long as I don’t become a slave to them. Look at where your
treasure is. Jesus said that was where we would find our heart. If our heart
is in the midst of the enemy camp, we cannot wage effective warfare against
him. Let us not settle for avoiding defeat. May God unite us and help us
answer His call for dedicated, committed soldiers in His service. Oh Victory
in Jesus... Gary ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ I. The
Need for Perseverance
A. Spiritual growth takes time.
Hebrews 5:12
B. Spiritual growth requires repetition.
2 Corinthians 9:6
C. Our growth can regress.
Revelation 2:4-5; 2 Peter 2:20-22 II.
Maintaining Perseverance
A. Self-control
2 Peter 1:6
B. Associate with like-minded individuals.
Hebrews 10:36-39
C. Keep your eyes on the goal.
Philippians 3:12-15; Hebrews 12:1-3 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Tonight we will have a shortened Song Service followed
by a short presentation by Don Allison. Don
will be speaking to us about the upcoming The Silencing of God Seminar
sponsored by the Muncie/Yorktown Churches of Christ, October 1-3.
More information is available on the Fellowship & Involvement
Bulletin Board. Ladies, it’s time to start gathering your ideas for
this year’s retreat! Please remember to attend today’s meeting at 5:00
p.m. and help in the planning of this annual event! VBS
Dinner Immediately following the morning assembly today, there
will be a Pizza Party to honor all the VBS teachers, craft workers, skit
performers and helpers. If you
helped with VBS in any way, this is for you!
Please Stay and have lunch! Birthday/Anniversary Pitch-in Tonight is our monthly pitch-in!
Bring your favorite finger foods and enjoy great fellowship with your
Christian brothers and sisters as we celebrate with those who have birthdays
and/or anniversaries this month! Sunshine Basket Sunshine Baskets are being made for our shut-ins and
donations are needed. Please place
your gifts in the box provided in the Family Room.
If you have questions, please see Louise Brock or Gladys Allison. Clothing Give-Away Our Annual clothing give-Away is scheduled for Saturday,
August 25th. If you can help with the preparation or by being here that
Saturday, please see Flo Smith. Ladies Inspiration Day The Fall Creek Parkway Church of Christ in Indianapolis
has invited the women of our congregation to attend their Annual Ladies
Inspiration Day this Saturday, August 25th.
Registration begins at 8:00 a.m.; Program begins at 9:00 a.m.
More information is posted on the Fellowship and Involvement Bulletin
Board. Secret Sisters It is almost time to reveal your secret identity
Thursday, August 30 at 7:00 p.m. for the “Secret’s Told” Party!
Bring a snack or dessert to share.
If you weren’t involved this past year and would like to be in the
next year, please come to the party! New
forms will be passed out and filled out at this time.
If you are unable to attend or have questions, please see Lorna
Gooding. Pantry
Items: Cereal, Instant Oatmeal
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Today
Birthday/ Anniversary Pitch-in Aug.
25 Clothing Give-Away Aug.
25
Ladies Inspiration Day at the Fall Creek Pkwy. Church of Christ, Indpls. Aug.
26 S.N.A.C. Aug.
30 Secret Sisters “Secret Told” Party, 7:00 p.m. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Happy Birthday to: Jay Allison……........……….Today! Casey Huffman..…………...Aug. 22 Bob Hathcoat………………Aug. 23 Dale Wiles…………………Aug. 23 Verla Wright……………….Aug. 23 Jerry Gaw…………………..Aug. 25 Shirley Allison……………..Aug. 25 Vickie Smith……………….Aug. 25 Happy Anniversary to: Barry & Becky King………...Aug. 24 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Karen Harrison’s uncle, Jim Savage,
has a punctured lung and is in St. John’s Hospital. Jared Harrison’s friend, Chris Richmond, has
congestive heart failure and will be having open heart surgery on the 30th. Ron Johnson is scheduled to
have shoulder surgery on the 28th at St. Vincent’s Hospital. Margie Tompkins is now at the Community
Northview Care Center, room 211. Tiena Smith asks for prayers for
her friend, Deanna Robinson, who will be having surgery on the 29th. Evelyn Apple’s mother, Harriet Hobbs, has
metastatic breast cancer that has spread to her brain.
She has received whole brain radiation therapy, but it is not a cure.
Please keep this family in your prayers. In The Hospital: St. John’s– Polly Smith, room 607;
Jim Savage, room 522 Community– Stan Lashbrook, room 329 (no visitors at
this time, please). Family
Members and friends with on-going Concerns: Bill Beck, Ron Boles, Bessie Coppock,
Robbie Dickerson, Mattye Gum, Ron Johnson, Pat Johnson, Jerry Johnston,
Tyler Jordan, Dennis Keener,
Marjorie Neiswinger, Anna Norris, Hubert
& Laura Oliver, Polly Smith, Laverne Toombs,
Don Archer, Ann McIntire,
Ellie Flowers, Wayne & Wilda Bryan, Della Stalcup Our nursing home residents: Alvie
Garrett (Community Northview)
Albert Burton (Community Parkview) Pauline Nash
(Miller’s Merry Manor, Middletown)
Roy & Lola Conner
(Community Northview) Mary Janes
(Miller’s Merry Manor, Chesterfield )
Betty Wunder (Rawlins House) Gladys Boles
(Miller’s Merry Manor, Middletown)
Bob & Betty Hathcoat (Manor Care) Gladys Sanders
(Miller’s Merry Manor, Chesterfield)
Selbert & Jewell Braden (Manor Care)
Our Mission Workers:
Jody & Evelyn Apple
(Pennsylvania), Vito & Antonietta Ligorio (Italy), Ned Isonguyo (Nigeria)
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 144-O Worship The King
222-There’s Something About That Name Prayer: Gary Meeker 238-You Are The Song That I Sing Contribution 379-IF That Isn’t Love The Lord’s Supper 1015-Jesus Loves the Little
Children (Children Dismissed to Classes) 695-None of Self and All of Thee Scripture Reading: Hebrews
12:1-3 Joe Wolf Lesson: Gary Meeker 477-There Is a Place of Quiet Rest Announcements: Norman Alexander 463– I Know Who Holds Tomorrow Prayer: Dave Parson
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