 |
Northwest Church of Christ 3904 38th Street NW Canton, Ohio 44718 330-492-5523 Fax: 330-493-7119 |
| Northwest News On Line July 26, 2009 |
  |
LIFE LINES
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD…”
Psalm 33: 12
I love this country, the freedoms I enjoy and the beauty of the land that I call home.
This system of government that we enjoy has been developed over a period of hundreds of years. It has been vigorously defended in speech, and when necessary, by force. It has been hard won, cost many lives and none of us are willing to see the freedoms we enjoy go away, even if it means we must take up arms to defend her.
Any nation of liberty can only exist based upon some standard; some moral foundation, and when a society loses its bearings the culture will collapse and this is exactly what we see happening in America today.
I personally believe that the preservation of this great nation is dependent upon the care of the souls of its people. I believe that many of the ills that we face today are due to an abandonment of the values and principles that once drove this nation. As we read the Bible we see over and over again how God elevated nations and peoples, and caused them to fall when they sank into depravity. (cf. Jeremiah 18 & 27, Daniel 2, Rome)
Who then is responsible for elevating the moral and spiritual nature of a people? If the New Testament is God’s standard for the world and this nation, and since He has given to Christians the charge and challenge of making known His will for the world, it then is our duty to elevate this nation by spreading His divine message.
The question is, are we as the Lord’s kingdom doing our very best to fulfill the great commission in this country today? Are we zealous for the work that has been given us? (Titus 2: 14) Are we giving priority to carrying God’s message to the souls that inhabit our great nation? If the answer is that we are not, then we are guilty of encouraging the depravity of this country.
As New Testament Christians we are to have a leavening influence on society that will stay the hand of God and allow us to remain free, or we can also sit back, wring our hands and watch a great nation collapse before our eyes. The choice is ours.
Brethren, we must be about our Fathers work! We must be about saving souls! And we must show those around us the Bible as the one and only moral guide that can save this nation from collapse and from an eternal Hell.
In the United States we hold free elections by which our people select our leaders. If our people vote based on “what’s in it for me” and not based on what is right and moral, then we are dooming ourselves as a nation.
The stakes are high, the service we render is invaluable, and when we teach someone the gospel we not only fulfill our mission from God we contribute to the survival of our nation.
Teach someone the gospel and you can change the nation and turn the tide of decline and depravity.
“Blessed is the nation whose God is Lord”
Earl
FAMILY NEWS AND NOTES:
Church Family: At this writing there are no members in the hospital; however, Ellen Meyers spent a few days at Mercy Medical last week with blood clots in both lungs.
Other Friends and Relatives: Bonnie Day (daughter-in-law of Ellen Day) is at Aultman Hospital. Carole Jeffers (friend of Pilar Phillips) is suffering with multiple physical problems and is struggling financially as a result. Rowena Maurer (friend of Sharon Saunier) was diagnosed with double pneumonia and a blood clot in her lung. Wilma Lindamood fell last Tuesday and is at Mercy Hospital. Eugene Rue (father of Jean McCrea) is now home. Judy Rohrer is at Aultman. Carol Dummermuth, mother-in-law of Sharon Stalnaker’s daughters, is battling cancer. Harry Fox (father of Eugene Fox and Rose Varn) is at Mercy Hospital. Val Roxby, former preacher at Barnsvile, OH remains in Wheeling Park Hospital: his address is posted on the east wing bulletin board.
Remember, too, our Shut-Ins, those in the Armed Forces, as well as the Leadership of the Lord’s church here at the Northwest church of Christ.
Thank You: Thank you so very much for the wonderful dinner, all the visits, calls, cards and prayers. The planter was beautiful. Thank you so much for everything.
The Fox, Mullen &
McLaughlin Families
New Address: Barb Hunter’s new address is: 1017 Smith Ave. SW, Canton, OH 44706. Her phone number is: 330-265-6445. Also, the new phone number for Donna Huggins is: 330-371-4714.
Note: A Picture Directory of the former Market Ave. Congregation is posted on the east-wing bulletin board FYI.
Work Day: A Work Day has been scheduled for Saturday, August 8th starting at 8:00 AM. There is a sign-up sheet on the east wing bulletin board. See Steve Moser for more information. There is also a sign-up sheet for food donations for the volunteers. See John Oberlin for what to bring.
Informational Meetings: The next meeting will be This Evening, July 26th, to cover our Support area. Be sure to give your written questions to one of the elders or preachers, and they will be addressed during these meetings.
VBS: If you can help with Vacation Bible School at the Market Avenue campus, scheduled for August 9th and 10th, contact Theada in the office. We have been asked to provide beverages. Bring drinks labeled for VBS and leave them in the kitchen by July 29th. The complete schedule is posted on the east-wing bulletin board. There will be a VBS meeting on August 2nd at Market Ave. See Keith Kull for more information.
Seniors: Will meet at the Market Avenue facility Tuesday, July 28th for a Bible Study and Prepared Meal at 10:30 A.M.
Reunion: Mark your calendars for Saturday, August 15th. There will be an S.C.C.A. Alumni Reunion at the North Canton Church of Christ beginning at 1:00 P.M. Any questions, see Joan Cook.
Church Picnic: Information concerning the church picnic is now posted on the east-wing bulletin board. Please sign up to attend, help, and what dish of food that you will be providing. Monetary donations will be accepted, also. We will have water balloon so bring a change of clothes for your child. The picnic is scheduled for Saturday, August 1st, here at the building, from 11 A.M. – 5 P.M.
Birthday Fellowship: This month’s fellowship will be held This Evening after the information meeting following services. Bring finger foods, a 2 liter bottle of pop and plan to stay.
Ladies: Mark your calendars for Friday and Saturday, August 29th and 30th for a Ladies Retreat. Details will be forthcoming.
Ladies Day: The 4th Annual Waterford Church of Christ Ladies Day is scheduled for Saturday, September 19th. The information flyer is posted on the bulletin board.
The 6th Annual Ladies Inspiration Day at the Circleville, Ohio Church of Christ is scheduled for Saturday, August 8th. The information flyer is posted on the bulletin board.
The following is a partial listing of upcoming Friday Night Sings in our area, which begin at 7:00 P.M.:
July 31st - Orrville Church of Christ
Aug. 7th - Massillon Church of Christ
Aug. 14th - Dover Church of Christ
*** Note: The Friday Night Sing here at the Northwest congregation will be September 11th. Mark your calendars!
North Central Ohio Bible Lectureship: Lorain, Ohio, Church of Christ, August 23-26.
Family Fun Day: There will be a Cookout/Nature Adventure Family Fun Day at the home of Eric and Talina Waidman on Saturday, August 15th from 10:00 A.M. until dark. There is an informational flyer posted on the east-wing bulletin board.
Youth News
August 14: Lock-In/38th Street
September: Cookout/ Moser
Oct. 24th: Weiner Roast/Smith
Nov. 20th: Encounter/OVU
November: “Bigger & Better”/Kruger
December: Camarata
Lock-In: A Lock-In will be held at the Northwest building for Grades 3-12 only, please. Students should arrive between 8-9 PM on Friday, August 14th and be picked up by 7:00 AM on Saturday, August 15th. We must have permission slips and medical forms for all students that attend. A sign- up sheet is posted on the Teen Board. Adult volunteers are needed; you can sign up on the Teen Board as well.
Allen School Supply List
NEED:
Pencils ……………………………. 2356
8-count Jumbo Crayons…………... 92
24-count Regular Crayons………... 644
Bottles of Glue……………………. 548
Glue Sticks…………………………. 538
Sets of Markers…………………… 277
Sets of Colored Pencils…………… 361
2-Pocket Folders………………….. 1112
Blue or Black Pens……………….. 191
Red Pens………………………….. 256
70-Sheet Spiral Notebook………… 719
Packs of Notebook Filler Paper…… 129
Preferring the Copy by Gene Taylor
While recently visiting the Chicago area, I took the time to go to the Field Museum of Natural History. They had portions of fifteen of the Dead Sea Scrolls and many archaeological artifacts from the area around the Dead Sea where the scrolls were found on exhibit there and I wanted to see them.
The Dead Sea Scrolls were written in Israel over 2,000 years ago. They were discovered in a series of caves in Qumran in 1947. Written on parchment and papyrus in Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek, they contain the earliest known surviving copies of the books of the Old Testament as well as apocryphal writings, legal documents and writings that reveal the beliefs and customs of the people who created them, the Essenes.
The museum was very crowded on the day my friend and I went there. Most were there to see "Sue," the reconstructed skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus Rex which had debuted the day before. Even the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit was crowded, the overflow finding its way to it.
The exhibit rooms were darkened. Exposure to light causes further deterioration in the scrolls. Each scroll was placed in a glass case. A small, dim light, controlled by a sensor, went on as someone stepped in front of each case. On the wall across from the case was a copy of the scroll and a description of it.
Though I had visited Qumran and gone to the Shrine of the Book in Jerusalem where many of the Dead Sea Scrolls are on display, I was still greatly enjoying looking at this exhibit. I found each scroll fascinating. While looking at one that contained a portion of the book of Hosea, I looked up to find my friend in order to share some information with him. While glancing around the room, I observed something interesting. My friend and I were the only ones in the entire room looking at the actual scrolls. The rest of the people were looking at the copies of them and reading the descriptions about them but were ignoring the scrolls themselves.
I continued to observe for a few minutes and my initial conclusion was born out. I thought, "How could these people prefer the copies and not be focusing on the genuine articles?" Then it hit me. That is what so many people do in religion. They prefer man-made copies to the genuine article -- the blood bought, divinely built church which belongs to Jesus Christ.
Which do you prefer, the copy or the real thing?
TODAY’S SERMONS:
A.M. - (Lance) “The Elder Son – Part I: His True Heart” (Luke 15:25-28)
P.M. - (Lance) “What’s Missing?” (I John 1: 1-4)
Those reading for lessons during the worship service are asked to use the “New King James Version”, as it corresponds to the pew Bibles and the projections on the screen.
*****************************************************************************
PRIVILEGED TO SERVE
** (If you are unable to serve in the scheduled capacity, let Art Hopkins know) **
July 26, 2009 A.M. P.M.
Opening Prayer Richard Smith John Oberlin
Song Leader Art Hopkins Art Hopkins
Prayer John Oberlin Rannie Cox
Read Ethan Shrake Don Dotson
Reading Luke 15: 25-28 I John 1: 1-4
Closing Prayer Don Ring Leo Howard
Communion Eugene Fox Tom Walton
Offering Mike Moss Bernie McFadden
Serving Communion:
1. Alex McMichael 5. Ethan Shrake 1. Leonard Miller 4. Terry Pyles
2. Clyde Nutter 6. Larry Moffat 2. Ken Gessel 5. Ed McCullough
3. David Whitter 7. Ryan Branch 3. Leo Howard 6. Don Ring
4. Eugene Fox 8. Michael Moffat
*************************************************************************************
August 2, 2009 A.M. P.M.
Opening Prayer Richard Smith Richard Smith
Song Leader Stephen Lindenberger Ethan Ash
Prayer Jim Ladson E.C. Bradley
Read Terry Pyles Terry Pyles
Reading Luke
Closing Prayer Josh Heid Don Hopkins
Communion Eugene Fox Dick Dimit
Offering Ethan Ash Rannie Cox
Serving Communion:
1. Clyde Burfield 5. Mark Daverio 1. Josh Heid 4. Mark Burfield
2. Brian Dimit 6. Charles Evans 2. Ray Brown 5. Ron Franks
3. Bill Dimit 7. Steve Franks 3. Eugene Fox 6. Ken Gessel
4. Jerry Cain 8. Ron Franks
For The Record (7/19/09) A.M. Worship – 207
A.M. Bible Study – 127
P.M. Worship – 206
Wed. Bible Study – 92
Contribution – $3816.60