Northwest News On Line - February 5, 2012

     Many people have unrealistic expectations throughout their lives. Sports fans who follow successful teams expect that level of success every year. Some have unrealistic expectations as they enter marriage. Starry-eyed young people, who get married expecting everything to always be great, are in for disappointment.
     Unrealistic expectations are dangerous for the Christian. Some anticipate that once they have given their lives to Christ that all of their problems have been eliminated. A mother was upset because after her teen aged children were baptized that they still argued and fought at times. Wake up Mom; they are still teenagers, they have a lot of maturing to do. Wonder if that mother ever had a disagreement with the children’s father? It is possible that we Christians give the wrong impression as to the difficulty involved in living the Christian life. We must remember that the devil did not die when we were saved. He is still very much alive and will do everything possible to get us to leave our relationship with the Lord. At times our teaching leaves the impression that once one gives their life to the Lord that they will find instant and permanent peace and all their problems will be solved. Then if things go wrong in their life they begin to wonder if they were saved in the first place.
     There is no question that Christ brings joy, peace, harmony and happiness to our life spiritually. But that does not remove the possibility and reality of problems, suffering and heartache of a physical nature. There are occasional mountaintop experiences in the life of a Christian, but not a continual one. In 2 Corinthians 12:1-5 Paul speaks of a man (most believe that Paul is referring to his own experience) who was called up into the third heaven, which is Paradise, and heard inexpressible words that cannot be uttered by man. Now folks, that is a mountain-top experience. But, if that was Paul’s experience, it did not eliminate the many physical hardships and times of suffering from his Christian life. He continues in this same opening to state that he had received a “thorn in the flesh” given to him by Satan. Paul asked the Lord three times to remove that thorn, but the Lord refused to do so telling Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness” (v. 9a). Paul accepts the Lord’s will in this matter and says, “Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (v. 9b).
     In 1 Corinthians 11:23ff Paul had already listed many of the trials and tribulations he had suffered for the cause of Christ. “Are they ministers of Christ? I speak as a fool-I am more. In labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren…” People speak of all their problems being solved by becoming a Christian, whereas we find Paul’s problems began because he became a Christian. Yet with Paul it was worth it. “Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish that I may gain Christ” (Phil. 3:8).            Do we believe, as did Paul, that God’s grace is sufficient for you? God was telling Paul to stop thinking about his physical welfare and stay busy doing the work of the Lord. Eventually Paul’s relationship with God would cost him his physical life. God is telling Paul that no matter what happens to him in this world he had been saved by God’s grace and that was the important thing. Salvation is the important matter!
            The same is true in our relationship with the Lord today. Question: Do you spend more time thinking about your physical condition or your spiritual condition? We are always talking about our aches and pains of the physical body. Seldom do we hear people talking about their spiritual condition. “If then you were risen with Christ, seek those things which are above where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Col. 3:1-3). If we will do this, we can have GREAT EXPECTATIONS of living with God throughout eternity!

FAMILY NEWS AND NOTES:

Church Family:   Marie Shanabarger is at Aultman Hospital. Tom Walton is in Union Hospital (Dover) after having surgery on Monday, January 30th. Anna Masalko is now home from the hospital. Freda Krider remains at Oakhill Manor Care. Dorothy Townsend is not doing well (a card shower is encouraged). Her address is: Rose Lane Health Care Center, 5424 High Mill Ave. NW RM. 119, Massillon, OH 44646. Continue to remember Cheyenne Newman and Katherine Green as they battle cancer.

Friends And Family:   Casey Day (the granddaughter of Ellen Day) had leg surgery last week and is continuing her recovery at home. Gretchen Tripp (daughter of Mary Pool) is struggling with diabetes and is on a waiting list for kidney & pancreas surgery. Fred Shepler (the father of Patrick Shepler) is under hospice care. Earnest Cato (the brother-in-law of Amelia Evans) is at Elyria Memorial Hospital with acute kidney failure. Tom Walton’s father, Delbert Walton (Chapel Hill Community Rehabilitation center).
            Remember, too, our Shut-In members, those in the Armed Forces and the leadership of the Lord’s church here at Northwest.

Death: We extend our sympathy to Amanda Cushman and her family at the passing of her grandmother, Lois Burgess, on Wednesday, January 25th.

Thank You: Dear Northwest Church of Christ Friends, We extend our continued thanks for the monthly tray favors. We appreciate your kindness! They bring smiles and our residents notice those kind of gestures. Have a Happy Valentine’s Day! Your Friends at Altercare of Noble’s Pond

Golden Agers: On Tuesday, February 7th, there will NO MEETING.

2012 Christian Training School: This year’s school will be held February 20th through March 19th. Now is the time to pre-register for one of eleven (11) classes offered. The forms and class brochures are on the table at the rear of the auditorium.
FYI: There are a number of sewing machines available to a good home. If interested, see Nancy Brown (330.209.2066).

Singing For Shut-Ins: We will be going to The Regency on Monday, February 13th, at 7:00 PM, to sing for Ellen Lautenschlager. Please sign-up if you can go with us!

PLEASE NOTE: If you wrote a check for your contribution on January 1st, 2012, please check with your bank. The bank we deal with inadvertently made an error and ran those checks twice through your account. Our bank assures us that it is taken care of, including any fees charged to your account. If you have any questions, please contact the office and speak with Kathy.

2012 Ladies Retreat: March 2nd and 3rd at the Carlisle Inn in Sugarcreek. See Kathy Lindenberger for details.

5th Annual Men’s Retreat: April 13th and 14th. Brochures are on the table in the foyer.

Ladies Breakfast: Ladies, there will be a breakfast here at the building on Saturday, February 11th, beginning at 9:00 AM. Please sign-up on the bulletin board by the kitchen if you plan to attend. Kathy Lindenberger will be the speaker.

Men’s Breakfast: Come and enjoy Christian men’s fellowship at the Men’s Breakfast which will be held on Saturday, February 25th beginning at 8:00 AM. A $3.00 donation is requested. Please sign up on the east wing bulletin board if you plan to attend.

Ladies Night Out: The ladies will be making “Valentines For Vets” tomorrow evening at 6:30 PM here at the building. Bring a snack and join us!

YOUTH NEWS

Lads to Leader Puppets: Every Sunday through February 19th (4:30 – 6:00 PM).
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2012 Stark County Youth Meeting
March 23rd & 24th
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There will be a meeting next Sunday, February 12th, following morning services for all adults and teens planning to attend the Christian Youth Conference (CYC). The meeting will be held in the Teen Class Room.

Greeter Schedule for February

TODAY
AM: Ken & Donna Gessel – Bob & Sue Hughes
PM: Don & Marilyn Hopkins – Bob & Judy Franks

Feb 12th
AM: Danny & Betty Watson – Gertie Turner & Diane
Oberlin
PM: Bill & Vee Craddock – Emmanuel & Cheryl Bradley

Feb 19th
AM: Nancy Peshek & Pilar Phillips – John & Pat Simone
PM: Joanne Miller & Darletta Myers – Chuck & Hope
Camarata

Feb 26th
AM: Bob & Sue Hughes – Neil & Betty Silvus
PM: Rannie & Nance Cox – Bob & Judy Franks

Q UESTIONS PEOPLE ASK

     How do you remain a faithful Christian with constant stress in your life?
     Needless to say, it is not easy. The main thing we must keep in mind is the difference between things of the world and spiritual things. Remember that all of God’s creation was perfect, even Adam and Eve. At that time there was no such thing as stress. Stress came into the picture when Satan tempted Eve and the perfect couple became imperfect. They now had the stress of being separated from God by sin and also the stress of the changes brought about physically because of sin. Eve’s pain was increased in the bearing of children and now her husband would rule over her (Gen. 3:16). Adam now had the stress of earning a living by tilling the soil and battling the thorns and the thistles (Gen. 3:17-19). Even the stress of earning a living is brought about because of sin.
     We must realize that we will never be free from stress as far as our physical life is concerned. Stress will come in our lives because of illness, family problems, employment or the lack of the same, money or the lack of it, unfaithful friends, enemies, and we could go on and on. We must remember that Satan will use these things in an attempt to get us to blame God for all our misfortunes. He will try to get us to think, “If God is really there and loves me the way He says He loves mankind these things would not be happening to me.” If he can get us to believe that God causes our stress, he has a good chance of winning us back from God.
     We should have no stress as far as our spiritual relationship with God is concerned. If we heed the words of Solomon we are at peace with God. “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is thewhole duty of man” (Ecc. 12:13). We also need to heed the words of Paul when he writes, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:6-7).
We will always have the stresses of the world with us. We must not let the worldly stress slip over into our spiritual life. We can have the stresses of the world swirling around us and yet be perfectly stress free spiritually. Satan is the author of stress. Jesus Christ is the author of peace (Heb. 5:8-9).

                                                                        - B. C.

TODAY’S SERMONS:

A.M. – “Let’s Be About The Father’s Business” – (Luke 2: 46-50) – Bill
P.M. - “Ministry That Lasts For Eternity” – (I Corinthians 3: 9-15) – Bill

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.

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PRIVILEGED TO SERVE
** (If you are unable to serve in the scheduled capacity, let Art Hopkins. **

    February 05, 2012                     A.M.                                            P.M.

    Opening Prayer                    Dick Dimit                                       Dick Dimit
    Prayer                                 Mark Daverio                                  Rannie Cox
    Read                                   Leonard Miller                                 Ron Franks
    Reading                               Luke 2: 46-50                                 I Corinthians 3: 9-15
    Closing Prayer                     Jim Jacobs                                      E.C. Bradley
    Communion                         James Blackwell                             Doug Clouse
    Offering                               Leo Howard                                    Chuck Camarata

    Serving Communion:
1. Richard Smith        5. Steve Moser                     1. Bill Dimit                4. Clyde Burfield
2. John R. Oberlin      6. Patrick Shepler                  2. Allen Crawford      5. James Dreussi
3. Mike Moss            7. Jeff Thompson                   3. Virgil Anderson      6. Eugene Fox
4. Don Hopkins          8. Al Ahmed

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February 12, 2012                   A.M.                                          P.M.

    Opening Prayer               Frank Kruger, Jr.                         Frank Kruger, Jr.
    Prayer                            Bob Franks                                 John R. Oberlin
    Read                              Steve Franks                              Matt Moser
  Reading                          John 15: 1-8                               Exodus 3: 1-10
    Closing Prayer                Kevin Johnson                             Jim Lemasters
    Communion                     Leonard Miller                             John Oberlin
    Offering                          Keith Hill                                     Richard Smith

    Serving Communion:
1. Charles Evans         5. Josh Heid                       1. Al Rohr                 4. Steve Moser
2. Bob Hughes            6. Jon Heid                         2. Alex McMichael     5. Cliff Schofield
3. John Simone           7. Don Higgins                    3. Terry Pyles           6. Bob Stotler
4. Ken Gessel             8. Brian Dimit

The Christian Training School is a cooperative effort of the
churches of Christ in the Northeast Ohio area. The school
meets in the building of the Northwest church of Christ located
at 3904 38th Street NW., in Canton, Ohio.

1. “When You Are Through With Sin , . . .” (Grades 6-8) Dennis Simmons
A great preacher friend taught a sermon that touched the hearts of young people, entitled “When you are through with sin, it may not be through with you”, and that sermon serves as the basis for this study. We will learn that there are sins that can’t be fixed or undone, only forgiven by a gracious God. These lessons will be aimed at the preteen and early-teen years. Our goal is to equip young people to identify, avoid and overcome sin. We will talk about the nature of sin, the consequences of sin, how sin affects our life, how to fight temptation, how to receive forgiveness and recover from sin. We will use biblical and real life examples of what sin can do in our life. The lessons will be filled with warning signs and consequences, but also encouragement and hope. Students will receive lessons that will last a lifetime.

2. Grades 9-12 Matt Lowe
Again this year we are offering a class for those of high school age, taught by Matt Lowe of the Alliance church of Christ. Matt has served in this capacity for a number of years, and has always done an excellent job of providing a course of both interest and relevance for our high school aged young people. While we cannot provide specific details for this course, we can, with assurance, say it will be well-taught and of importance to our young people. Sign up, and be surprised!

3. “Religion In America: The Colonial Period to 1860” Lance Lindenberger
When people came from Europe to explore, and then to settle in, the “New World” in the 17th and 18th centuries, they naturally brought their religious views and practices with them. These were as diverse as the people themselves. Certainly, the desire for religious freedom was not the only reason people came to America, but it cannot be discounted, or ignored, as a motivation for making the perilous journey across the Atlantic Ocean. Beginning with the earliest of settlements, this course will explore the development of religion in the colonial, early-national and ante-bellum periods of American history. In the context of this development, the class will also consider the Restoration Movement and its place as part of the religious history of our nation up to the time just before the outbreak of civil war.

4. “Is The Bible Reliable?” Ted Blackwood
This video-based class, produced by Focus on the Family, features Dr. Stephen Meyer, one of the world’s foremost defenders of intelligent design. Fewer and fewer people accept the Bible’s claims to be the direct revelation of God. Everything we believe as Christians stands or falls on the historicity and reliability of Scripture. Dr. Meyer challenges us to examine the historical and archeological evidence for ourselves. After taking this class, you will be able to defend your faith in an increasingly hostile culture.

5. “God’s Amazing Grace” Bill Craddock
To understand how we can be saved from our sins, we must understand the relationship of “grace”, “faith” and “works.” These three must work together for salvation to be accomplished. One or two of these without the third cannot result in the salvation of the spiritual nature of man. In our classes we will be specifically studying the role of grace in this process. Members of the church of Christ have historically had difficulty understanding the part that grace plays in the will of God. The Scriptures are very clear as to the role of grace in God’s plan of salvation. When we understand grace, it takes a great load off our shoulders in trying to do something that we can never do for ourselves. Come and study with us about the amazing grace of God.

6. “Make A Joyful Noise” (Singing Class) Stephen Lindenberger
Ephesians 5:19 states that we are to sing and make melody in our hearts to the Lord. This year’s class will again focus on the fundamentals of singing. Also, we will look at some newer songs and continue to sing the “old standards” as well.

7. Ladies’ Class Sharon Ray, Coordinator
The ladies class is always well-attended and this year should be no exception. Coordinating this class is Sharon Ray, of the Alliance church of Christ. As to topics and teachers, we lack that information, but, without any question, if you register for this class, you will be edified. Sharon is working to provide an uplifting, and enlightening, experience for ladies of all ages. Sign up for this class and share the experience with brethren and friends.

8. “Galatians – The Epistle of Christian Freedom” Glenn Hawkins
The book of “Galatians” has been called the Magna Charta of Christian liberty. Martin Luther said of it, “The Epistle to the Galatians is my epistle. To it I am as it were in wedlock. It is my Katherine” (his wife). The book of “Galatians” deals with a serious threat to the Christianity of that day. Judiazing teachers had been saying that Jewish and Gentile Christians both needed to be circumcised and keep the Law of Moses if they were to be saved. Many of the Galatian Christians had been deceived by this teaching. Paul wrote to remind them that salvation is by the faith of Jesus Christ, not by keeping the Law of Moses. Christians have been freed from the yoke of the law and thus are free in Christ. Come and study this great epistle.

9. “Great Chapters Of The Bible” Keith Kull, Coordinator
This class will be an in depth study of five New Testament passages. The schedule is as follows: February 20th: Romans 6 – Earl Ash, Northwest church of Christ; February 27th: Luke 15 – Dean Miller, Hartville church of Christ; March 5th: Hebrews 11 – Keith Kull, Northwest church of Christ; March 12th: Matthew 1 – Aaron Burch, Lisbon church of Christ; March 19th: Ephesians 1 – Steve Wilsford, Carrollton church of Christ.

10. “Changes In The Church” Chuck Hopkins
It has been said that the only consistent thing in this life is change. Life is always changing around us. Because of this there are some in the church who say that the church also needs to change. Throughout the brotherhood there are those who not only want change, but are making changes, such as adding instrumental music to worship, having women serve in worship, having praise teams and many other changes. Change is not always bad, but the Scriptures dictate what we can change and what we cannot. In this class we are going to look at these changes, and others, to see what God has to say about them.

11. “Groping For God” Randy Chapman
In Acts 17:27 we read “that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us.” God desires that we seek Him – not just for salvation, but for full fellowship. Our lifelong goal is to know Him. “But let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD (Jeremiah 9:24). Yet many plod through life without developing a deep and full relationship with God. If we draw near to God He has promised to draw near to us. This study will address: why we need to know God better, what a closer relationship entails, and how to develop that relationship. There will be no quiet voices in the night, but there will be a challenge that can change your life and its effectiveness. As is said, “It is not what you know, but who you know.” Come and begin a fuller and richer knowledge of God.

All registrations should be turned in to your congregational representative BY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2012. The fee for the school is $8.00 per student.

Joe Wells