Anna Church of Christ
833-5815
Website: www.annachurchofchrist.com
Vol 22. Issue
24 June
15, 2008
The Art Of Saying, “I’m Sorry”
by Steve Higginbotham
Apologizing
doesn’t come easy for some of us. We sometimes choke on the words, “I’m
sorry.” Well, in fact, sometimes we speak the words, but we do so with
such animosity, the message is lost.
I can illustrate. Being a parent of four children, I have had to
“moderate” a good number of apologies. On many occasions, I have told one of my
children, “Now you tell your brother/sister you’re sorry.” What then
comes out of their mouth sounds more like a child who is demon possessed than a
sincere apology. Teeth clenched…jaw set…and the
words, “I’m sorry” are spoken in a forceful and almost growling tone. (If you
have children, you know exactly what I’m talking about).
But now, that’s just kid’s stuff right? Adults don’t behave like that,
now do we? Well, maybe we’re not so obvious, but we still have ways of
speaking those words with less than sincerity. For example, how many
times have you heard people say things like...
-- If I have done anything to offend you, I’m sorry.
-- I’m sorry, but if you wouldn’t have…
-- If you’ll apologize to me, I’ll apologize to you.
Isn’t it time we quit pretending to be sorry? Let us discipline ourselves
to be humble enough to graciously and freely say we are sorry when we have
offended others. When confronted with his sin, King David didn’t make any
excuses, but simply admitted his wrong by saying, “I have sinned against the
Lord” (2 Samuel
Next time you need to say you’re sorry. Humble yourself and do so, and
say it like you mean it.
via MercEmail
Let’s Give This a Try!
You’ve most likely heard about our new effort to reach
people and invite them to worship with us. It has been announced from the
pulpit and a few words about it are on the facing page in this bulletin. The
plan is to go alphabetically through the phone book and send at least 5
invitation letters out per week to individuals and write their names in our
record book. This is not a “preacher,”
“elder,” or “deacon”- only project, but one that should include every member of
our congregation. If you can address an envelope, you can be part of this. Letters
are on the preacher’s desk. Below is what the invitations look like, minus the
church letterhead (and condensed).
Dear Reader,
could I ask you a few questions and then share a few things with you?
Please let
me ask:
1. Do you ever
feel confused by the numerous “churches” you see on nearly every street corner
that all teach
different things
about God and salvation?
2. Have you ever
wondered what it would be like to just simply be a Christian, without also
wearing the name
of a
denominational body?
3. Are you
interested in what the Bible teaches without the additions to or subtractions
from it for which man
is responsible?
4. Do you want to
go to heaven when your earthly life is over?
Now, please
consider:
1. The Bible only
knows of one church, not the multitude of man-made religious organizations we
see all
around us. Jesus
promised one church (Matt.
The apostle Paul condemned religious
division (I Cor.
truth and to
“fables” (II Tim. 4:3-4).
2. New Testament
Christianity in the 1st century was made up of Christians who wore
no other name (I Cor.
3. Altering the Word
of God is sinful and leads to destruction (Lev. 10:1-2; Dt. 4:2; Rev.
22:18-19).
4. You can
go to heaven! You can be a Christian – without any other name. The Bible
teaches we must: Hear
the word preached
(Romans
faith in Christ
(Romans 10:9), be baptized for the remission of sins (to have them
washed away – Acts
Romans 6:3-4; I Peter 3:20-21), and live
faithfully (Rev. 2:10).
We invite
you to come learn more about the simplicity of the Bible and New Testament
Christianity with us at The Anna
church of Christ
Meeting Times: Sunday at
(
Wednesday at
Sincerely,
One of your
friends at the Anna
What easier way
to invite someone to worship with you? Will many of these be thrown in the
trash? Probably, but if even one person visits us because of this effort, then
it was worthwhile. Jesus commanded us to
“preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark
- R.W.
SERMON TOPICS
A.M. – “Father’s Day”
(Ps. 127:3-5)
P.M. – Song Service at
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
Bill Whitnel
Sheilah Whittington – Trying to strengthen her faith. Please
pray. Also, 2 of her nephews battered and bruised in an automobile collision
Friday.
Gene Ballance (Kittie’s brother) – Battling pneumonia.
Rachel Thornsberry – Her broken left arm is healing nicely.
Breanna Dillow – Also broke her arm recently.
Don Conant – Friend of Bob & Kris. Has cancer and is not doing well.
Pray for the Thornsberry family. They’re in
Wisdom
From Proverbs: “Treasures of wickedness profit nothing:
but righteousness delivereth from death” (Prov.
10:2).
Sentence Sermon: “Trials are medicines given by God for our spiritual health.”
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Tony & Sherry Ward (6/16)Larry & Donna Bell (6/17)
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES/ANNOUNCEMENTS
* Remember Ally and Sara Thornsberry in your prayers as they leave
for mission work in
where
Bryan McAlister ministers. Please pray for this entire group and the work they
will do.
* The fellowship get-together for this evening has been canceled
due to the number of
families
out of town.
* Rejoice! Wes and Shelley Hazel are working with a
congregation in
labored here with
us for nearly 5 years from 2000 – 2004. Their current address is:
*We now have invitation letters to our services to mail out. The
plan is to select 5 names (in order) from
the
phone book every week and mail those
individuals an invitation. If you’d like to be a part of this,
see
R.W.
*Our food pantry needs canned
meat and beans.
*Feel free to drop any Bible
questions in the Question & Answer box in the foyer.
*Men – Be sure to sign up for
one Wednesday service this month if you’d like to offer the
invitation.
* Andy and Melanie Erwin are
expecting their 4th child on
* Men: Check your calendars for suitable date this month for
a prayer breakfast.
Hearing assistance for any service is available upon
request.
BIBLE QUESTION/ANSWER:
Last week’s answer: A “kid of
the goats” (Gen. 20:31).
New question: What was Paul’s
occupation?
WHAT
UNITES THE CHURCH
A Savior all can serve. (Acts
A Book all can understand. (Ephesians 3:3-4)
A Gospel all can obey. (Acts 18:8)
A “Creed” all can believe. (Matthew 16:16)
A Race all can run. (Hebrews 12:1)
A Path all can walk. (1 Peter 2:21)
A
A Foe all can conquer. (James 4:7)
A Faith all can keep. (2 Timothy 4:7)
A Work all can do. (Matthew 21:26)
A Love all can share. (John 13:34-36)
An Inheritance all can claim. (Romans 8:14-17)
A Story all can tell. (Matthew 28:19)
We
have all these things in Jesus Christ and the New Testament gospel. Why then
are people who claim to be the church still so badly divided?
Via
The Encourager,