We extend our loving sympathy to Dorothy Strickland and to all the family of Chub Strickland. Chub departed this life on Wednesday afternoon, July 12. Funeral services were conducted in the Central building by Dwyane Dennis and Robert Prater the following Saturday morning. Chub was a warm, faithful, positive influence in this congregation for many years. We miss him.

Marcus Carter is receiving his high school diploma after graduating from summer school. He is the son of Lisa and Bobby Carter and the grandson of Beverley MacMillan and has been part of the Central youth group in the past. Marcus plans to join the Air Force in the next few weeks. A surprise party has been planned for him at his parents' home, 2128 W. Benedict, on Sunday, July 30, at 2 pm. If you would like to contribute to a group gift for his class ring, please see Dwyane or Marcia Dennis or Bob or Janet Stephens.

Marlene Wadkins now lives at 500 Point Parkway Blvd. #1812, Yukon, OK 73099. Her telephone number is 265-2343 (local call).

Thank you to everyone who called, sent cards, flowers, and attended the grave side service for Mother. Dwyane was so comforting and uplifting. The songs were beautiful. Thanks to Kathryn. The dinner at the fellowship room was so good. We thank Ann for coordinating all that and making the delicious sandwiches.

Virginia Herrera, for the Family of Viola Yates

Dear brothers & sisters in Christ, Thank each and everyone of you for your prayers, cards, concerns, and the food you so thoughtfully prepared and delivered to Doris and myself. We enjoy your visits and are hoping they will continue.

Thank you all, Fred & Doris Phillips

Marcia Dennis is scheduled to have outpatient foot surgery on Friday at Oklahoma Orthopedic Surgery Center.

Gaylord Sanders was at Mercy Health Center at publication time following the removal of a large tumor last week. Gaylord is a former member and the grandfather of Analisa Beal.

Melba Boston is not doing well at this time.

It was good seeing Beverley MacMillan back in services Sunday morning following knee surgery.

Have you ever noticed how rowdy and rambunctious young children can be? They certainly introduce a disruptive element into the Sunday morning services of most congregations. Sometimes it is hard to concentrate and listen to the sermon because of the distracting sound of crying babies. Little ones crawl on the pews, over the pews and under the pews making it quite difficult for those sitting around them to maintain a worshipful mood during the weekly communion service. The rattling and clatter of noisy toys can easily become the source of unwelcome irritation when sincere Christians are trying to focus their thoughts in prayer. While undisciplined children can make it nearly impossible to concentrate during the worship hour, reckless little ones can become downright dangerous as they run wild in the foyer after the conclusion of services.

But, while all of the above might be true, that is not the real problem. The real problem is when there are no little children in the congregation whatsoever. The only thing worse than crying babies and running children is no babies and no children.

I recently preached for a twenty-member congregation in rural Oklahoma. It was a congregation composed exclusively of senior citizens. They were so pleased on the last night of that meeting when my wife and children were in attendance. Two elderly ladies cornered me after the final prayer. One of them asked, "Do you know what was my favorite part of the whole week? After it was all over....it was wondrous to have children running in the building again!" The second lady began to cry as she said in a trembling voice, "It was so good to hear a baby crying in the auditorium." After an emotional pause she concluded, "It has been so long".

You see the real problem is not undisciplined children. The real problem is when there are no children in the congregation. Let's all try to be more patient with one another. Take more time to pray for young mothers who are working so hard to get the whole family dressed and ready on Sunday morning that when they finally arrive in Bible class they are totally exhausted from all their efforts. Be careful to praise them for their hard work instead of criticizing them too harshly when their newborn babies and young toddlers find it difficult if not downright impossible to sit still for an entire hour.

Most importantly, let's strive to see our precious little boys and girls for exactly what they are, the future life of God's church and the rich resource of eternal blessings. The Psalmist says it best in Psalm 127:3, "Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward."

TIM LEWIS - North MacArthur Church of Christ, OKC

Jearline Bates, Chad Beard, Virgil Beasley, Betty Bernard, Melba Boston, Bettie Boswell, Harold Carothers, James Childers, Ray Davis (Paul Harris' dad) Harold & Clydean Decker, Clovie Dossey, Ethel Fast, Bill Fleming, Mary Gaines, John & Sue Hamilton (Sarah Smith's sister & brother-in-law), Roe Honaker, Nancy Irelan, Anna Jarvis, Carol Mahnke, Mary Martin, Harvey Moore, Ed O'Neal, J.D. Patterson (Lorine Watson's brother), Niki Peltier, Fred Phillips, Polly Reece, Alice Rice, Millie Riley, Sarah Smith, Mary Sorensen, Floy Turner, Alvie Vanlandingham, Cody Veteto (friend of Bob & Janet Stephens), Emma Wilson, and Carl Worley. All these members and friends have continuing health concerns or other special circumstances. They appreciate your interest and prayers.

COMING YOUTH EVENTS:

"D. L. Moody once said that at a certain meeting two and a half people
were converted to Christ. A friend asked if he meant two adults
and a child. The facts were just the opposite - two children
and an adult. When a child is led to Christ, a whole life is saved!"
Dwight L. Moody -- 8^{)