To all who knew and loved Winnie Page we extend our love and sympathy. She departed this life Thursday morning, and Dwyane Dennis conducted a private service on Tuesday morning at Resthaven.

One Christian brother always began his public prayers with an expression of gratitude. One Lord's Day, the weather was cold and miserable and some in the congregation wondered what he would say. He prayed, "We thank Thee, O Lord, that it is not always like this." There are few tests of spirituality more accurate than that of thanksgiving. Materialistic people of the world may not recognize the virtue of thanksgiving, but not so for the godly person. The spirit of "giving thanks" should be a natural response for the child of God. Gratitude is properly expressed in thanksgiving. That's why our worship in the assembly should always be accompanied by praising God for His wonderful generosity toward our lives. (Eph. 5:19,20; 1 Thess. 5:18)

This season of the year encourages thanksgiving, and we welcome it for that reason. It's a time for taking inventory of our blessings so that the Lord may be properly thanked. Truly an honest evaluation of our material possessions, our spiritual blessings and hopes will reveal that whatever we have, there is nothing, absolutely nothing that we have not received from the Lord! That gives us reason for gratitude and thanksgiving. Let's express it, in both worship and service to God!

03 Elva Gill - 92^nd

03 Robert Perry

04 Carol Mahnke

04 Emma White

05 Skyler Norwood

05 Lillie Smith

06 Harold Decker

06 Grace Lofties

08 Norma Cowden

08 Smiley Irelan

10 Larry Evans

11 Rosie Brightwell

11 Evelyn Dunavan

12 Zach Phillips

13 Tollie Zitterkopf

15 June Sharp

16 Bryan Hudgins

16 Anita Jacques

16 Amy Kelly

19 Agnes Norwood

19 Janet Walling

21 Marcus Carter

21 Scott Perry

25 Rachel (Dunavan) O'Neal

26 George Tate

27 Fred Bowers - 92^nd

28 Adam Beard

28 James Tucker

30 Anna Jarvis

30 Cody Parman

31 Fred Phillips

04 Howard & Talhia Vanlandingham - 28^th

17 Ray & Nancy Simmons - 3^rd

20 Bob & Janet Stephens - 22^nd

24 Timothy & Jennifer Hudgins - 5^th

28 Joe & Nadine Magee - 61^st

30 Robert & Ann Perry - 49^th

We extend our very best to those who are celebrating birthdays and anniversaries in December. We extend a special word of congratulations to Elva Gill and Fred Bowers on their 92^nd birthday.

Nadine Collins has moved into her new home at 211 E. Elizabeth, Shawnee, OK 74804. We congratulate her, and we know she will enjoy her next door neighbors, Steve and Mary Kelly.

Emma Wilson now lives in Colonial Estates #85, 535 W. Federal, Shawnee, OK 74804. Emma is Sarah Smith's mother. Sarah appreciates your visits to Emma.

Dennie McNutt has moved to Rt. 4, Box 2555, Stigler, OK 74462. Dennie's daughter lives there. His phone number is 918-799-5648. Why not write him a note or make a call of encouragement? We are pleased to note that he located the church of Christ there before his move.

Gwen Barrett has moved to Ranch Terrace Nursing Home, 1310 E. Cleveland #29, Sapulpa, OK 74066. Gwen has a daughter who lives in Sapulpa.

Sarah Smith had stints implanted in her legs and surgery for an aneurysm last week. She is home and feeling much better.
Cathy Pettyjohn received an encouraging report but did have to have some additional surgery this past Friday.

Gertrude Andes, Jack Aylor, Jearline Bates, Chad Beard, Betty Bernard, Betti Boswell, Harold Carothers, Billy Don Carter (Chuck's brother), 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, Harvey Moore, Eddie Morris (Louise Dixson's brother & Jim Pettyjohn's cousin), Ruth Nevills, Monroe Pettyjohn, Ruth Pratt, Polly Reese, Alice Rice, Horace & Leoh Roberts, Naomi (Richards) Rutledge, Lillie Smith, Sarah Smith, Mary Sorenson, Chub & Dorothy Strickland, Charles Thomas, Floy Turner, Alvie Vanlandingham, 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.

Chad Beard made the news recently. He and his teammates were featured in an article in the paper back in September. Chad is a part of a wheelchair basketball team called the "Blaze". They practice in Edmond at UCO and travel quite a bit to get decent competition. Last weekend, he and his mom, Denise, drove to Hot Springs, Arkansas to be in a tournament. Chad and his teammates played in several games including one that went into SIX overtimes! Talk about tough. Way to go Chad!

Teens, don't forget to sign up for LTC. There are sheets for each individual event in the Youth House. Parents, encourage your kids to try something new this year. LTC is a great way to find out what YOU can do for the Lord's Kingdom!

On Wednesday, December 22 the young men of the congregation will be in charge of the evening devotional. Keep this in mind fellas, be ready to say yes when you're asked to help!

We will be going to Chickasha this Saturday night to see the lights and to eat some barbecue. Remember teens, there's a piece of us missing if you're not there!