We express our loving sympathy to the McNutt family in the loss of Inez on Friday morning of last week. She was a faithful member of this congregation for nearly 60 years, and will be deeply missed by all. Dwyane Dennis conducted funeral services in our building on Tuesday afternoon.

I want to thank you for all your kind comments and positive feedback about the lessons and our work with you so far. You certainly know how to encourage a preacher and I appreciate each of you. I was recently talking to a member about the way I try to prepare sermons and lessons and I thought it might be helpful for you to know what I'm striving to do each week. I first pray about each lesson and it would mean so much to me if you would pray for my preparation as well. Then, I try to ask myself three questions about the lesson. #1 - Is it Biblical? If it's not Biblical - I don't want it; I'm first and foremost interested in what the Bible says. #2 - I ask, Is this lesson interesting? If it's not interesting, many people won't listen and they'll turn it off. #3 - I want to know - Is it practical? Is there something in it that people can take home with them that will increase their faith and help them in their daily walk with Christ? If people can't see how this lesson can directly help them, then there won't be much transformation taking place in their lives. That's what I'm striving to do in each lesson. Please continue to pray for me and for my study and understanding of God's Holy Word. I count it a distinct honor and privilege to be able to be your preacher and to have the opportunity to "preach the word" and to preach the "unsearchable riches of Christ."

Friends, we're so glad to be a part of the Central family. Maggie and I cannot thank you enough for the kind reception we have enjoyed. This is such a loving and supportive congregation and we are delighted to be your partners in the great work of the Lord's church. Thanks again for your patience and kindness during this stressful time of transition. We look forward to a bright future of serving God in Shawnee with you! - Robert -

"For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death." (2 Corinthians 7:10)

A World Bible School student sent this request: {Please kindly answer my question about repentance. How can I repent of my sins?

Starting at the very first of our text, we must learn that repentance is a product of godly sorrow. But what produces godly sorrow? The knowledge that: 1) Man, left unto himself, is hopelessly lost with no avenue of escape from Satan and sin. 2) God's infinite love provided that avenue through the giving of His Son on the cross. This provision is called grace or unmerited favor. 3) God revealed this love through the Bible. 4) Man learning of God's love and the depravity of his (man's) own soul, is driven to realize his pitiable state, and is filled with sorrow. Repentance is an inward abhorrence of a present state coupled with a resolve to change.

Repentance, however, is not the final step toward one's salvation but only one of several. We learn from God's word that Jesus, shedding His blood on the cross, provided the means whereby we can be saved. We approach that blood step-by-step in believing, repenting, and confessing Him to be the Son of God. (John 8:23; Luke 13:2; Matthew 10:32-33). The final act of that approach is in baptism. (Acts 2:38; 10:48). In baptism we are buried and resurrected in the likeness of Christ's burial and resurrection (Romans 6:3-4) and we put on Christ (Gal. 3:27). All the acts of repentance in the world would not take away one sin without the blood of Jesus Christ. That blood is appropriated in baptism and nothing else. None could understand this more than the writer of our text who experienced godly sorrow on the road to Damascus as found in Acts 9. His resolve is seen in his words, "Lord, what would you have me to do?" (Acts 9:6). His salvation was in the washing away of his sins. "And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord." (Acts 33:16)

Central, Shawnee, Oklahoma

Thank you for all the kind words, cards, and prayers in the death of my brother. It's such a blessing to be part of such a loving group of Christians. Joan Reeves

Harold Gober, the father of Angie K. Gober and Kevin Gober, had a kidney transplant at St. Anthony Hospital this past Monday morning. He is in room 9706. Visits are limited at this time. At the time the Gospel Guide was prepared, we were aware of no Central member in the hospital.

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, 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 the opportunity, two weeks ago, to host the youth group from the Contact Church from Tulsa. Five kids and five adults, including Tara Kelly, spent the night at the youth house. We enjoyed some fellowship and a devotional with them. Their youth minister, Bob Logsdon, encouraged us not to be Dr. Pepper Christians! Ask one of our kids for an explanation, they'll tell you what that means! By the way, thanks to Mary and Tracy Gettle for finishing up the bathroom remodeling in the house so it was useable for the contact kids.

A couple of weeks ago, Courtney Baskin and Sean Parman ran in a cross country meet in Stillwater. They both finished well beating their personal times. Good job!

Our band kids have been busy the last two weekends. Besides playing and marching in the band at the football games Friday night, they also spent their Saturdays at marching contests. Leslie Gettle, Hannah Farris, Nathan Kelly and Austin Beard have been staying busy marching up and down the field. Keep up the work!

We received the packet for LTC last week, so be looking for more info on that soon!