AMONG FRIENDS

with Robert Prater

This Sunday morning I will preach the last sermon in our recent series of lessons looking at "Undenominational Christianity." Our goal is simply to be the church which Jesus established. Jesus said that He would build His church (Mt. 16:18), and the apostle Paul wrote that there is only one body. (Eph. 4:4) Over the last 2,000 years of church history we have seen religious people stray away from the teaching of the New Testament concerning Jesus and His church.

Of course, historically speaking in America, during the early 1800's many people did in fact realize the tremendous need of not a "reformation" of Catholicism and Protestantism but a "restoration" of Jesus' church. The efforts of men like Thomas and Alexander Campbell and Barton W. Stone and others greatly contributed to this approach and concept of being undenominational Christians. We greatly appreciate these historical church leaders and the legacy they left behind. However, we are not members of a Stone-Campbell movement/heritage. We are simply Christians and want to be known only as members of Christ' church, not as followers of men.

We trace our spiritual roots back to the Christians of the New Testament. If we do the same thing the people in the first century did, then we can indeed be members of Christ' one church. In Acts 2, we see the beginning of that church. When the people on the Day of Pentecost became Christians and members of the church by faith, repentance and baptism in Christ (Acts 2:37-38, 41, 47) whose church were they members? Since there was only one church, the answer is obvious. The Lord added them to His church. (2:47) What were they called? Christians. What kind of Christians were they? They were just Christians - nothing more, nothing less. (See Acts 2:42; 11:26; 1 Cor. 1:10-17) Now, if we do what they did in the first century, of which church will we be members? The same church they were members! To whom does that church belong? Jesus

Friends it is my hope and prayer that we will be just simply Christians and members of the Lord's undenominational church you find and read about in the New Testament. It is also my prayer that religious people outside the Lord's church (and those within) will see the difference between New Testament Christianity and the substitute religions which have been made, consciously or unconsciously by human tradition.

If you'd like to obtain a tape of these and any other lessons presented at Central, they are recorded and made available Please write your requests down and place them in the tape box on the table in the foyer. It might be a good idea to give these lessons away to someone else who might be interested.

--Robert--(robprater@sbcglobal.net)

REQUESTING PRAYERS

This past Sunday evening Carol Mahnke requested prayer that she might truly put Christ first in all her priorities and that she might find strength and wisdom in coping with her illness. We appreciate Carol for what she has always meant to this congregation and continues to mean today. She is a great example of faith among her brethren and her fellow employees at work. Keep praying for her.

Dear Congregation, Thank you for your cards and phone calls. Special thanks to the Masticks, Carters, Glendon and Juanita Combs, Lola Mullinax, and Jack & Wilma Hickman who provided prepared food and did grocery shopping. Your deeds are recorded for all eternity.

Thanks again, Anita Jacques

We have had a very good response from our ladies on being available to sit with our members that are ill or have had recent surgeries. Thank you to: Cleta Allen, Beverly Aylor, Nona Carter, Sara Epley, Ruby Holt, Anita Jacques, Carolyn Mastick, Dorothy Norton, Mazella Patterson, Ann Perry, Cathy Pettyjohn, Kathryn Shields, Fay Truesdell, Barbara Vanlandingham and Bertha Ann Young.

MAY BIRTHDAYS

01 Jean Dossey

01 Jason Perry

06 John Aylor

07 Larry Reeves

07 Janet Stephens

10 James Reeves

11 Ed O'Neal

13 Don Allen McNutt

13 Geraldine Outlaw

13 Rita Romberg

15 Nancy Simmons

15 Jon Salter

19 Clavin Norwood

20 Analisa Beal

22 Margaret Hanifan

22 Louise Perry

25 Leslie Gettle

26 Virgil Beasley

26 Tim McGalliard

28 Jack Rye

28 Barbara Tucker

29 Jennifer Harmon

29 Lindsey Perry

31 John Webb

MAY ANNIVERSARIES

04 Charlie & Jean Dossey - 55^th

11 Buddy & Fay Truesdell - 4^th

12 Dave & Betty Emery - 5^th

22 Chuck & Nona Carter - 55^th

22 Boyd & Joann Cheney - 51^st

30 Bill & Diane Lawerance - 37^th

30 James & Joan Reeves - 52^nd

We extend best wishes to all who are celebrating birthdays and anniversaries in May. We especially congratulate Charley and Jean Dossey and Chuck and Nona Carter on reaching the 55^th Anniversary milestone.

Sarah Lawerance, daughter-in-law of Bill and Diane Lawerance, and wife of Billy Lawerance had major mandibular surgery on Monday, at Mercy Health Center. Surgery was very long and tedious, but successful. She will be hospitalized for 4 to 5 days.

Gerald (Snuffy) Smith had knee replacement surgery on Monday at Unity Health Center. Surgery went well and he is in room 304.

Paul Harris's dad Ray Davis, was taken to Baptist Medical Center on Saturday. He was in room 1055.

Ethel Fast was taken to Tecumseh Sunset Estates, room #8.

Please note this change in your directory. Erma Dean Farris will be with her family near Tulsa for several weeks and will have cataract surgery while she's there.

It was wonderful to have Rachel O'Neal able to be in services on Sunday morning.