As announced last Sunday morning, Robert Prater has been hired to be our new preacher and will begin his work with Central on Sunday, October 3, 2004. After the long process of reviewing applicant resumes and tapes, Robert's name was at the top of each of our lists. Our interviews with Robert and his wife Maggie confirmed our belief that Robert was the man that we wanted for our new preacher.

Robert grew up at the 10^th and Rockford congregation in Tulsa where the preaching of Hershal Dyer left a lasting impact on Robert's life and Maggie grew up at the Carbondale congregation where Maggie's father serves as an elder. Robert attended Northeastern University from 1995 through 1998 where he received his Bachelor's degree in General Studies. Desiring to be a preacher, Robert enrolled in Harding University to study Bible where he graduated in 2000 with a Bachelor in Ministry. His first fulltime work after graduating from Harding was with the church in Cleveland, Oklahoma.

Our conversations with Robert led us to believe that he is solid in the Word, one who loves Truth and the church and one who comes with the heart of a servant. We are excited about his coming and are looking forward to his ministry with us.

As you have prayed for us during this selection period, we ask that you continue to remember Central and our new minister and his family in your prayers. The Elders

You will be happy to know that Central has contributed $1000 to the hurricane relief fund at the Central church of Christ in Sarasota, Florida.

Lola Duvall is now living at 1821 N. Bell, Shawnee, OK 74804. Her phone number is 273-1069. Sue Merritt is now living at 1306 Nottingham Court, Shawnee, OK 74804. Her phone number is 273-5638.

We receive almost as much junk mail over our fax machine as we do in email on the Internet. However, the following message is worth reading.

So far today, God, I've done all right. I haven't gossiped, haven't lost my temper, haven't been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish, or over-indulgent.

But in a few minutes, God, I'm going to get out of bed, and from then on I'm probably going to need a lot more help.

[Somehow this reminded me of Bob Bivins. - - WDD]

02 Leona Smith (Mrs. Gerald)

04 C.F. Drain

04 David Nail

05 Thomas Farris

05 Mariella Jacobs

05 Mary Martin

06 Chuck Carter

07 Janice McGalliard

07 Lori Farris

09 Burl Vanlandingham

09 Howard Vanlandingham

10 Gertrude Andes 98^th ! ! !

11 Bill Combs

12 Paul Harris

12 Lois Lanier

16 Barrett Bowers

17 Tamara Perry

17 Yuavonda Sperry

18 Larry Smith

19 Ruth Nevills 93^rd ! ! !

20 Ethel Fast 91^st ! ! !

21 Mitch Harmon

21 Al Pendleton

22 Paige Vanlandingham

25 Earnest Johnson 97^th ! ! !

27 Alice Williamson

28 Kenneth Epley

30 Thelma Franklin

03 Ron & Debbie Taffe - 28^th

11 Bob & Louise Perry - 22^nd

14 Arthur & Noma Epperson - 31^st

14 Frank & Rita Romberg - 36^th

21 Gene & Dorothy Norton - 57^th

26 Zane & Linda Qualls - 23^rd

We extend our best wishes to those celebrating birthdays and wedding anniversaries in September. We especially extend all good wishes to Gertrude Andes on her 98^th birthday, to Earnest Johnson on his 97^th birthday, to Ruth Nevills on her 93^rd birthday, and to Ethel Fast on her 91^st birthday.

Roe Honaker was discharged from Deaconess Hospital on Sunday after spending several days last week.
Teresa Story came home from the hospital in Ada on Tuesday of last week and is doing well following her surgery.
Vivian Cross spent several hours in ER Sunday morning with severe back pain.
It was good seeing Sarah and Larry Smith and family able to be in worship Sunday.

Gertrude Andes, Jack Aylor, Gwen Barrett, Jearline Bates, Chad Beard, Betty Bernard, Betti Boswell, Lucille Bowers, Harold Carothers, James Childers, Harold & Clydean Decker, C.F. Drain, Ola Fitzwater, Mary Gaines, Geneva Green, Dwight Harber, Phyllis Heald (Doris Whittern's daughter), Anna Jarvis, Earnest Johnson, Phil Lairson (Rosie Brightwell & Ellen Childers's nephew), Lloyd Lofties, Betty Martin, Mary Martin, Ida McIntyre, Don Allen McNutt, Inez McNutt, Aubrey Mercer, Harvey Moore, Ruth Nevills, Winnie Page, Monroe Pettyjohn, Ruth Pratt, Polly Reese, Alice Rice, Horace & Leoh Roberts, Naomi (Richards) Rutledge, Lillie Smith, Sarah Smith, Chub & Dorothy Strickland, Charles Thomas, Floy Turner, Alvie Vanlandingham, Dean Wall, Doris Whittern, Argil Wiggins, Emma Wilson, Carl Worley, Viola Yates, Verna Nell Young, and Tollie Zitterkopf. All these members and friends have continuing health concerns or other special circumstances. They appreciate your remembrance of them in prayer.

We had an excellent turn out Saturday evening for our family cookout. There were at least 60 people there enjoying the fellowship and fun. Thank you to Mary and Tracy Gettle for opening their home to us. Janet and I were thinking it would be a good idea to have these get-togethers more often. Let us know what you think and if you would be interested in hosting one, let us know that too.

Acapella will be at Oklahoma Christian on Sunday, September 12. The cost is $10 at the door. We originally had a devo scheduled that night, it will be rescheduled. The concert starts at 7 p.m., so we'll go into town early for worship, then go on to the concert. More information will be available as the date gets closer.