In This Issue:
(click on an item to view, or scroll down)
Today
Class Lessons
All classes cover the same lesson texts. Children
preschool through grade six have the texts divided between
Sunday and Wednesday. All other classes cover the Sunday
and Wednesday assignments on Sunday.
Sunday School Lessons
Today: 1 Peter 5; 2 Peter 1 & 2
Next Sunday: 2 Peter 3 1 John 1 & 2
PULPIT PREVIEW
AM: Model of Confession
PM: Fellowship of Sin
Education Committee meeting at 4:30 pm
Prayer session at 5:30 pm
Exciting News
Several months ago Franco, Dow and I were talking about
Franco’s home, his family, and the church in his area.
Franco is from a smaller town in Kenya called Malaha, and
at this time there is not a New Testament church meeting
there. About the same time that Franco and I were talking
about some of these things I received an email from a man
named Wycliffe Afuma Odwori. Wycliffe had received a copy
of Upon the Rock that was sent to him from a lady in
Rockford, Illinois who grades lessons for the World Bible
School. Wycliffe preaches for the Butere Church of Christ
in Butere, Kenya. Wycliffe lamented the fact that his
village had never been visited by an American missionary.
He said that many people visit Nairobi, but few are
willing to travel the five extra hours it takes to reach
his village. He asked if there was any possible way for us
to come and help them in their work. Wycliffe not only
preaches for the church in Butere, but he has helped
establish many other congregations in his area.
I showed Wycliffe’s email to Franco, and asked if he knows
where Butere is. Much to my surprise and excitement Franco
said that it is only about 45 minutes from his home
village. A plan started to develop very rapidly. The plan
is to travel to Butere and hold a 2-3 day seminar for all
the Christians in the area. Wycliffe has told me that he
has already invited 40 preachers to come to the event. The
church there is beyond excited to hear that we will be
coming. As I said earlier, we will be the first American
missionaries to visit them. After this seminar we will
travel to Franco’s village and begin a campaign where we
will conduct Bible studies throughout the day, hand out
tracts, and have public preaching each evening. Our goal
is to establish the church of Christ in Malaha, Kenya.
Several from the church in Butere, including Wycliffe and
several of the preachers who are coming for the seminar,
will help us in the Malaha campaign.
Think of it! If everything goes according to plan the
Lord’s church will be meeting in Franco’s home village for
the first time in history! Not only that, but Wycliffe has
told us that there is a man in the congregation where he
preaches that has been trained in a good, sound preaching
school in Nairobi that would be willing to follow up, and
even relocate to Malaha to preach the gospel there. Lord
willing, Dow, Franco and I will be leaving on August 8 and
will arrive in Kenya the following day. If everything goes
according to plan we will be meeting with the Malaha
church of Christ the following Sunday.
You can imagine how excited the church in Butere is, and
you can imagine how excited Dow and I are. But none of us
can fully appreciate the excitement Franco must be feeling
knowing that the gospel will be going to his home. We ask
that you begin praying fervently for this trip. Although
funding for the trip has been established, the elders
thought that there might be those in the congregation that
would like to contribute personally. If you wish to help
in this work, please give a check to one of the elders, or
put it in the regular contribution with a notation.
Kenya Itinerary:
August 8 – Depart Charlotte at 2:55 pm to Nairobi via
Newark and Amsterdam.
August 9 – Arrive in Nairobi, Kenya at 7:25 pm and stay at
Franco’s uncle’s house for the night.
August 10 – Travel to the city of Butere (about a seven
hour trip). The church has been established here for
several years, but we will be the first American visitors
they have ever had.
August 11 – Seminar in Butere begins with over 40
preachers from around the area coming, and many members of
the church from the surrounding cities. Dow, Paul and I
will speak for about an hour and a half each on these
subjects: Entering the Church of Christ; The Holy Spirit;
and Baptism. After the seminar concludes for the day we
will all travel to the small village of Ibokolo on the
outskirts of town to teach another few hours of classes.
August 12 – Seminar in Butere. Dow, Paul and I will speak
on the subjects: The Authority of the Bible; The Christian
Faith; and Giving. Again the seminar will run from 9:30 am
– 3:30 pm. After the seminar concludes on this day we will
travel to Emusunguri, another village on the outskirts of
Butere to teach a few more hours.
August 13 – Travel from Butere to Malaha. There is a group
of denominational folks who have asked to meet with us,
and since they are on our way from Butere to Malaha we
will stop and spend a few hours with them on this day. The
preacher in Butere believes this group is very open to the
truth, and may be willing to obey the truth. PLEASE PRAY
EXTRA HARD ON THIS DAY!
August 14 -17 - Will begin each day with a devotional with
all the workers for the campaign (a group of 10 preachers
along with several members of the Butere congregation will
be working with us in the campaign). We will then go from
house to house, and business to business in the village of
Malaha (Franco’s home) conducting Bible studies, handing
out tracts (I have a friend in Tanzania who is printing
several thousand tracts for us), and inviting everyone to
the public gospel meeting. After lunch Dow, Paul and
Franco will be conducting classes on various Bible
subjects. Each evening I will be preaching the gospel in a
very public place using loud speakers. People will gather
in this public area and listen; people will be able to
hear it from their homes; and people will hear the gospel
as they go about their daily business. We will offer
further studies to those interested in the truth, and will
offer the Lord’s invitation to leave darkness and come
into His marvelous light.
August 18 – We will get up early to travel back to Nairobi
to catch our plane back to the United States via Brussels
and Newark. Our flight leaves Nairobi at 11:30 pm.
Other Notes and Plans: We hope that when we leave on
August 18, the church of Christ will be meeting in Malaha,
Kenya. If we are successful in this endeavor several
things will need to be arranged in the short time we are
there. First, we have a man from the Butere congregation
who is willing to relocate to Malaha to work with the new
congregation. We will need to help facilitate this.
Second, we will need to find a place for the church to
meet. This could be in somebody’s home, or maybe renting a
building somewhere in town. We’ll need to work it out.
Third, we will need to develop a good relationship with
the church to help them with the unique
opportunities/challenges that will arise with a new work.
People here at Charlotte Avenue are some of the most
giving I have ever seen. We are so thankful to you for
making this trip possible. Please pray that God will use
this opportunity for His good.
-Mark
PS: Blessed Be the “Ties”
Franco, Paul, Dow and Mark are collecting neckties to
take with them to Tanzania. If you have some ties that you
would like to donate, please place them in the box in the
foyer. Men over there love to wear ties to worship and
Bible study, but they are hard to come by. They will
cherish any tie they can get.
Back to Bulletin Menu
Am I Good Enough?
by Howell Ferguson
An Old story is told of three men who meet at the end
of a dock on a Florida beach. One of the men is an
alcoholic and homeless. The second man is just an average
guy. The third man is a fine, honorable man, well
respected in the community. Suddenly, the alcoholic runs
and jumps off the edge of the dock, landing five feet out
into the water. The other two men standing on the dock
yell, “What are you trying to do?”
The man in the water yells back, “I’m trying to jump
across the Atlantic Ocean!”
The second man, the average Joe, says, “Watch me, I can do
better than that!” He quickly runs across the dock, jumps
and lands ten feet out into the water, twice as far as the
alcoholic.
The third man, the outstanding man laughs and says,
“That’s nothing, Watch this!” He backs up about fifty feet
and makes a mad dash across the dock out into the water
and lands twenty feet out, twice as far as average Joe,
and four times as far as the homeless alcoholic.
If we were to actually see such an attempt we would think
these three men were crazy for attempting to do the
impossible—jump across the Atlantic Ocean! But people
trying to earn their own salvation are even more foolish.
God can’t be approached by man on the basis of man’s own
moral goodness. Sometimes people are heard to say, “I’m a
good person. Won’t God accept me and bring me to heaven?”
This question shows a woeful lack of understanding of the
grave nature of an individual’s sin and the absolute
holiness of God. If we were so good that we deserved
heaven, salvation would be owed as a debt rather than
something to be received as a gift of grace (cf. Romans
11:6).
A truth made absolutely clear in the Bible is this: “No,
God will not accept me because I am not a good person.”
Isaiah wrote, “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all
our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade
as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken
us away” (Isaiah 64:6).
A person may look moral when compared with other people,
but when compared with Christ, all people fall perilously
short. This is why Paul states, “For all have sinned, and
come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). No matter
how moral any person might be, he or she has fallen short
of the perfect mark of God’s righteousness. This is why in
the next verse Paul declares that we have been “justified
freely by his grace through the redemption that is in
Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24).
There are a lot of people who do good things for others
and demonstrate a level of morality. However, there is a
big difference between morality and righteousness.
Righteousness is defined and revealed by our “righteous
Father” in heaven, or seen in His Son “Jesus Christ the
righteous” (John 17:25; I John 2:1; Hebrews 4:15). To
become righteous before God means that you are innocent or
faultless in His sight. Such a person doesn’t exist (cf.
Romans 3:10). The only way anyone can stand in the
presence of a righteous God is to be forgiven and declared
righteous by faith in God’s work in Christ (Philippians
3:9). We are only accepted “in the beloved” because we
believe and trust in the righteous work that He did
(Ephesians 1:6). When a person finally realizes this, he
is on his way to realizing and receiving the free gift of
God through Jesus Christ (Romans 6:23).
Back to Bulletin Menu
You Have Friends at
the Church of Christ!
Long ago someone in the Bible said, “Come thou with us,
and we will do thee good.” We want to borrow that
invitation and say that we want you to be with us, for our
good and yours – in friendship, fellowship, Bible study,
worship, and serving God. Let’s all go to heaven together.
When we say, “You have friends at the church of Christ,”
we really mean that we care. Most of all we want to share
the good news about Jesus Christ and how to be a Bible
Christian in the modern world.
Jesus said, “I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18). It
is His church. By following the faith and practices we
find in the Scriptures, the church today can be the same
church as existed in the days of the New Testament.
We have no sectarian organization, no denominational name,
no man-made doctrines and creeds. We are just a
congregation of Christian people who seek to be the church
we read about in the Bible. We want to believe what the
Bible teaches, obey what the Bible commands, worship
according to the Bible’s instructions, and trust in the
Bible’s promises. It’s not our church; it is Christ’s
church.
-House to House Heart to heart (Vol. 14 No. 1)
God’s Plan for Saving Man
God’s Grace - Ephesians 2:8
Christ’s Blood - Romans 5:9
The Holy Spirit’s Gospel - Romans 1:16
Sinner’s Faith - Acts 16:31
Sinner’s Repentance - Luke 13:3
Sinner’s Confession - Romans 10:10
Sinner’s Baptism - 1 Peter 3:21
Christian’s Work - James 2:24
Christian’s Hope - Romans 8:24
Christian’s Endurance - Revelation 2:10
Back to Bulletin Menu
Back to Bulletin Menu
Prayer Requests
(Want to send a card? We sometimes have addresses at
the church office.)
Joe Smith had surgery Tuesday morning at Presbyterian
Hospital in Charlotte. He continues to recover.
Jason Lineberger had outpatient surgery this past
Wednesday on his back.
Tyler Walker is doing well after having his tonsils
removed Wednesday morning.
Lynn Beasley is going through some very difficult times as
she fights cancer.
Franco, Dow, Paul and Mark will be traveling to Kenya on
August 8. Please pray for a very successful campaign.
Please pray specifically for success in establishing the
church in Franco’s hometown.
Prayers for Our Members:
Peggy Pharr; Jerry Hager; Virginia Moss; D.C. Trotter;
Joe Smith; Bill & LaVerne Carroll; Wanda Carr; James
Bertha; Randy Hollingsworth; Margaret Manning; Alice Boyd;
Gretchen Boyd and Charis Nicholson.
Prayer List for Relatives and Friends:
Robin Bost; Richard Hager (Jerry Hager’s brother);
Dawn Dotson (Grace Hefley’s daughter); James Meadows (from
ETSOP); Ferrell Nowlin (relative of Lois Purvis); Jeff
Gream (cousin of Russ Conner); Madison McIlwain (friend of
Chris Hughes); Havis Morris (nephew of Mattie Hughes);
Kiki Brown (member of the University church); Lynn Beasley
(Daniel Beasley’s mother); Jimmy Mullinax (Ruth Hartsell’s
brother-in-law), Jodi Vaughn (Betty Vaughn’s
daughter-in-law); and Mark Sexton (friend of Ruth Hartsell).
Back to Bulletin Menu
Sympathy
Back to Bulletin Menu
Notes
REJOICE
Sara McCammon was baptized at Palmetto Bible Camp on
July 14th. We are so proud that she has decided to follow
the Lord. She and her family are special to us, and we
rejoice with them!
Pat Robinson was baptized into Christ Monday afternoon. As
with all baptisms, this was a wonderful event made even
more special by all who worked to make this happen. Ruth
Hartsell has brought Pat to church for quite some time and
has encouraged her with the truth. Several others have
also talked with Pat about her need to obey the gospel. As
many know, Pat has some medical problems that would have
made it difficult for her to be baptized in the baptistery
here so the Ashleys made their pool available as well as
their home to prepare for the baptism. Others helped to
get her ready for the baptism. Still others came to give
support and encouragement to Pat. It was indeed a very
special day.
NEW ADDRESS
Curtis and Twala McCray
1825 Lirope Way
Sumter, SC. 29150
CONGRATULATIONS
David James and Amber Pharr are the proud parents of
Luckas David Pharr. He was born at 2:14 a.m. on 7-8-10,
weighing 8 lb 1 oz and 22” long. The proud great-grand
parents are David and Peggy Pharr.
Amanda and Chad Garrett are the proud parents of a baby
boy named Koen Michael Garrett. Koen was born on July 19
and weighed 8 pounds 1ounce and was 21 inches long. Their
address is: 213 Township Drive, Ft. Mill, SC 29715.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
- Jon Mitchell will be with us this Wednesday night to
preach on the topic, “The Bible is Right about Generic and
Specific Authority.”
- The Education Committee will meet today at 4:30
- Congratulations to Isaiah Fitzgerald, Corinne Reynolds,
Keri Stone and Samuel Fitzgerald for completing twenty
“Listening to the Preacher” outlines.
- The art projects the children worked on in Art Camp this
week are displayed in the fellowship hall downstairs if
you would like to view them.
- If you have never attended Polishing the Pulpit, why not
start this year? Polishing the Pulpit is a family event
filled with classes for all ages. There are classes
specially geared towards Preachers and their wives, Elders
and their wives, Deacons and their wives, Teens, and each
member of the church. The event is held at the Wilderness
Hotel in Sevierville, Tennessee and runs from August
27-September 2, 2010. Look at their website for more
information: www.polishingthepulpit.com. ; You will love
this great event!
- The St. Andrews Road Church of Christ will be hosting an
All-Night Singing, Friday, August 6 beginning at 7:30 pm.
They will also be hosting a Youth Rally on August 7 with
Caleb Colley speaking. The theme is “Active Duty.”
- The Men’s Fishing trip is set for September 23-26.
Please see the bulletin board for more information, or you
can talk to Jack or Bennie.
David Pharr’s Schedule
July 18-23, Berea, AL
Update Directory Pictures
If you have an updated picture of you and your family
please make sure the church gets a copy so we can update
the picture in our directory. Some of the pictures have
children in them that are now grown.
Email Address
If you have an email address and do not receive the
daily update from church. Please give your email address
to the church secretary. You can do this either by writing
it on the attendance card or by emailing it to the office
at:
charlcoc@comporium.net
Back to Bulletin Menu
About Us and Ours
Back to Bulletin Menu
Questions for
Preacher’s Pals
* Preacher's Pals will resume in the fall.
Back to Bulletin Menu
Churches of Christ
The church of Christ is a non-denominational body of
Christians. We have no earthly headquarters. Our leader is
in Heaven at the right hand of God. We are not affiliated
with any organization such as the National Council of
Churches. Rather, each local congregation of the churches
of Christ looks to God and His word for guidance. We
believe the Bible to be the inspired word of God and that
it furnishes us completely for every spiritual need. We
stand for a return to New Testament faith and practice.
And we are confident that by believing and doing what New
Testament Christians did, we can be the same kind of
Christians they were. We know this is right before God. We
see no need, therefore, for denominational names, creeds
and organizations.
Jesus said that worship must be in spirit and in truth
(Jn. 4:24). Worship among churches of Christ follows the
Scriptural pattern.
When the Lord established the church, He organized it into
local autonomous congregations, with each taking care of
its own affairs. He made no provisions for a national or
international headquarters. In matters of faith all are to
be guided by the New Testament. In other decisions, each
congregation was to govern itself.
The work of the church Jesus built was to preach the
gospel, as well as edify its members and care for the
needy. Churches of Christ do not exist as political tools,
nor do they exist as recreation clubs. Their work is
spiritual, doing what God intended the church to do.
Remember, Jesus built His church. It is found in the New
Testament. We can be a part of it by letting the Bible be
our only guide.
–David Pharr
Back to Bulletin Menu
How to be Happy
Here are some attitudes and actions, revealed in
scripture, which if applied in our hearts will result in
the by-product we call “happiness.”
“Serve the Lord with gladness. . .” (Ps 100:2)
“Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.” (Ps. 29:2)
“Pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17)
“And be ye hind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving
one another.” (Eph. 4:32)
“Bear one another’s burdens” (Gal. 6:1)
“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all,
especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
(Gal. 6:10)
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and
supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made
known to God.” (Phil. 4:6)
“I have learned in whatever state I am to be content.”
(Phil. 4:11)
“. . . Walk in the light as He is in the light . . .” (1
Jn. 1:7)
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
(Phil. 4:13)
True happiness comes when God’s will is being done in our
lives.
–Roger Massey via Bulletin Digest
. . . . . .
God
Wants Me to Be Happy
Indeed He does! He wants you to be happier than just
happy. God wants you to live the “blessed” life! Jesus
spoke of true happiness (blessedness) as a reality for
those who follow Him faithfully (Matt. 5:3-12; Rev. 1:3;
22:7, 14).
However, some use this sentiment to justify continuing to
practice sins that they enjoy. They fail to see that while
God wants us to be happy, He does not condone sin as a
means to happiness.
God wants you to be happy, but He does not want you to
divorce your spouse for someone else whom you think will
make you happy (Matt. 19:3-9).
God wants you to be happy, but He does not want you to
abandon the purity of His New Testament truth or forsake
His church to experience the pleasures of worldliness (2
Tim. 4:2-4; Luke 11:28; James 4:4).
God wants you to be happy, but He does not want you to
destroy your body and your influence for Him through
addictions and abusive habits (1 Cor. 6:19-20).
The pleasure of sin (Heb. 11:25) must never be confused
with the happiness of God, even when it is wrapped in
religious and social approval. Find true happiness–God’s
way!
–John Gardner via Glad Tidings of Good Things
. . . . . .
He
who angers you, controls you!
. . . . . .
HAVE A GOOD WEEK!
Church
of Christ 339 Charlotte Ave. Rock Hill
SC. 29730
Church Office: 803 327-7853 Update Line:
803 327-4085
Sunday
Classes 9:30 AM. (Classes for all ages)
Sunday Morning Worship, 10:30 AM.
Sunday Evening Worship, 6:00 PM.
Wednesday Classes, 7:00 PM.
www.charlotteavechurchofchrist.org
charlcoc@comporium.net
|
