Nile Street
Anna Church of Christ
833-5815
Website:
www.annachurchofchrist.com
|
Those Serving
This Week: Announcements: RW McAlister Lord’s Table: Presiding: John Shelton Serving: Jamie Driskill Tony Ward Song Leader: Ron Schultz Scripture AM – RW McAlister PM – Singing Sun. Bible
Study Prayer: Bob McAlister Opening Prayer: Sun. AM – Wardell Barnhart Sun. PM – Ryan Thornsberry Wed. – Jamie Driskill Closing Prayer: Sun. AM – Wayne Schultz Sun. PM – Jamie Driskill Wed. – John Shelton |
Elders
Jamie Driskill 833-6245 Wayne Schultz
833-6487 John Deacons R.W. McAlister Robert
McAlister Ryan
Thornsberry Preacher
R.W. McAlister 618-697-0351 Email: rwmcalister@hotmail.com Office
618-833-5815 Services Sunday Bible Study Morning
Worship Evening
Worship Wednesday
Bible Study Television Program
In Search Of
The Lord’s Way Ch 49 Sunday Newspaper
Ministry The Preaching
Pen Gazette
Democrat |
The Difference Between a Cruise Ship and Battle
When I was in the Navy (a long time ago), I
was “ship’s company.” Ship’s company meant the ship was your actual home, it was where you lived and worked. The “Airdale’s” would come on for a cruise with their planes and
then return to the air base they were assigned as their duty station. I was on
the ship permanently whether journeying, at port, or dry
dock.
I’ve not yet been on a cruise ship, though one day
perhaps I’ll have the opportunity. A cruise ship is for pleasure and
relaxation. It is time to “get away!” Things are a lot different for “ship’s
company,” however. They are there for service. Each sailor has their assigned
job and is fully expected to carry out their intended service. Otherwise,
things don’t go very smoothly, and the whole ship may fail its
purpose. Such is the nature of a ship whose only contingent is her officers and
crew.
What is it with us? Are we on a “pleasure
ship” or a “battleship?” You know the Word of God presents the fact that as
Christians we are at war “...for our struggle is not against flesh and blood,
but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this
darkness, against the
spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places”
(Eph.
Every crewmember has a place to fit in, a
task to accomplish. We are not tourists aboard God’s vessel. We must find our
place and fit in. We are not here to wear sunglasses, flowery shirts, take
pictures, and slap on the tan lotion - we are here to serve. Each of us must
learn the job we’ve been chosen for and serve there faithfully.
While we do have a good time with one another,
we must remember first and foremost to have the mind-set of Jesus and do the
works of God while we have the ability and opportunity (cf. John 9:4-5)
-
Dave Ridenour (via Harrisburg church of Christ bulletin)
Here We Go
Again
In the 1960’s and ‘70’s, even most of the ‘80’s, the plea of the
homosexual was, “Just leave us alone.
We’ll go about out business, just please don’t bother us.” At that point, all they were after was social
tolerance and governmental protection from harm.
In the 1990’s and the current decade, the homosexual agenda has become
much more aggressive and has expanded to social acceptance and equal legal
recognition, hence the need for the “Federal Marriage Amendment” that has been
proposed (but not acted upon). Today, these couples don’t just want us to leave
them alone, they want to be recognized by government and society as equal with
the home as God designed it. They now
want the government to recognize their unions as legal and equal to the
heterosexual union of which God approves!
In addition, they also want legal rights, such as adoption; and they’re
making progress, too. Keep in mind that homosexual marriage has been legalized
in Massachusetts and that the Episcopal church ordained its first openly gay
bishop 5 years ago. AIDS has now become a special homosexual status
symbol. We’ve heard news reports of
making quilts bearing names in memory of these types of people who have died
from this horrible disease as though they were martyred dead from some noble
war; the “heroes” of homosexuality.
Legalization of homosexual marriage has happened again. Last Thursday, California's
Supreme Court overturned a ban on same-sex marriage, making California the
second state to allow homosexual couples to wed. California
already offers same-sex couples who register as domestic partners the same
legal rights and responsibilities as married spouses, including the right to
divorce and to sue for child support.
Why do social conservatives & Christians make such a fuss over
this? Because it’s sin! God condemns homosexuality. Remember Sodom and
Gomorrah? They had given themselves over to fornication, having gone after
“strange” flesh. Where are those cities today? They’re gone, but the people of
those cities “are set forth as an example, suffering the punishment of eternal
fire” (Jude 7).
Homosexuality is abnormal. Ever hear someone say, “God created Adam and
Eve, not Adam and Steve?” I first heard
that from my High School Biology teacher 20 years ago . That may be somewhat
crudely put, but absolutely correct! “Male and female created he them” (Gen.
1:26). God made humans as sexual beings of different genders.
When a man leaves father and mother, to whom is he to cling? “A man
shall leave father and mother and cleave unto his wife, and the two shall
become one flesh” (Gen. 2:24). Likewise, the wife becomes one flesh with her husband.
Like any other sin, the homosexual can turn from this and be saved from
it – IF he or she is willing to do so. God forgives sexual sins, but to obtain
forgiveness, there must be repentance (Lk. 13:3; I Jn 1:9). Some Christians in Corinth were former homosexuals
(i.e., abusers of themselves with men, ASV), but Paul
says they were forgiven when they obeyed the gospel.
Take
a stand for heterosexuality and for the home as God designed it. Pray for our
elected officials and take every legal measure available to make sure your
voice is heard. Can we not learn a valuable lesson from Sodom and Gomorrah? R.W.
SERMON TOPICS
A.M. – “Why Do People Sin?”
(James 1:12-15)
P.M. – Song service at 5 p.m.
Those For Whom We Are
Praying:
Kathleen Ritchey
Loren Eddleman
Josh Furlow (Friend of Rosemary)
Rosemary Dillow’s mother & Son
–in-law
Jerry & Betty Ward
Rodney & Nikki Lingle
Paul Frailey
Bill Whitnel
Sheilah Whittington
Gene Ballance (Kittie’s brother) – Battling pneumonia & not doing well.
Angie Dasher – Out of her casts and moving around much better. Has gone back to work.
Jared Toler – Walking w/o crutches or a cast and doing much better.
Ann Harvick – Still in therapy for her shoulder but is doing quite well.
Wisdom
From Proverbs: “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth
his trust in the LORD shall be safe” (Prov. 29:25).
Quotable Quote: You have
to expect things of yourself before you can do them.” – Michael Jordan
UPCOMING
ACTIVITIES/MEETINGS
*Today is the 3rd Sunday. We’ll meet at 5 for our
song service and
fellowship afterward.
*Gospel Meeting at Mounds beginning today and
running
through Wed. w/various speakers.
*Our food pantry needs canned meat
and beans.
*Parents: If you care to, feel
free to post any
pictures or information relating to your
children’s activities on the bulletin board above
the fountains.
*Be sure to sign the petitions
opposing the rental
of pornographic videos in Anna. The petitions
are in the foyer.
*Feel free to drop any Bible
questions in the
Question & Answer box in the foyer.
Just a reminder: in order to
hear the Bible class and sermons better, we have hearing assistance available.
Please take advantage of it! Let one of us know and we’ll get you a receiver.
If you don’t want a receiver, feel free to move closer to the front of the
auditorium.
BIBLE QUESTION/ANSWER:
Last week’s answer: Jochebed (Exodus 6:20)
New question: The writer of
Ecclesiastes says we should not be rash with what? (Hint – ch.
5)
Sentence Sermon: “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man” (Eccl. 12:13).
Birthdays &
Anniversaries
Kittie Yates - 5/23
TO ANYONE WITH CHILDREN AT HOME
WHO IS WORKING MULTIPLE JOBS AND EVERY OVERTIME HOUR POSSIBLE JUST TO “GET
AHEAD,” PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING:
The Right Thing Is Sometimes The Hard Thing
by Steve Higginbotham
May 10, 2008
Yesterday, several
good friends and I were sitting in the office of a neurosurgeon. We
listened to him as he explained why he left a thriving practice in a large
metropolis to come a much smaller hospital in our area of the country. He
said it was all because of a letter he received.
You see, he had been so busy with
his job, he told us that he literally had not seen his little girl in three
weeks. Then one night when he came home from work, there was a letter by
his bed from his 11 year-old daughter. It was a letter in which this
little girl told her daddy that she missed him and wanted more of his
time. She acknowledged to her daddy that he had an important job, but she
said, “Daddy, doing the ‘right’ thing is sometimes the ‘hard’ thing to
do.” It was at this point that this successful neurosurgeon decided he wanted
to be a father first. So he left his practice and moved his family to
South-Central Kentucky.
I couldn’t help but be touched by
this doctor’s story. Before me was a man who knew that there are things
in life that are more important than fame, ego, work, and money. It
doesn’t take a “brain surgeon” be able to identify proper values and priorities
in life. Sometimes, little 11 year-old girls who miss their daddy can
discern those things. The question I have for you is have you discerned
these same truths? Give it some thought.
- via MercEmail
You are always welcome at
the Anna church of Christ!