Bulletin for Sunday 03/04/2007
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AMONG FRIENDS
with Robert PraterLet me update you concerning our VBS Meeting last Sunday night. There are a good number of people who desire to be involved in our VBS this summer. If you were not able to attend the meeting, but want to be help in some way this year, there are sign-up sheets on the table in the foyer concerning the various areas to work in. We have VBS coordinators who will need workers involved in teaching, story telling, crafts, puppets, games, refreshments, decorations, registration and follow-up. If you have any interest at all, please let me know. We want as many as are willing to participate in this great local teaching and outreach effort. I’m always so thankful for the incredibly hard working members we have here at Central.
Please mark your calendars now for VBS and the date of July 16-20. This will be conducted during a five day VBS from 9 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. each morning here at the building for ages 3 through 5th Grade. I am very excited about this year’s theme for VBS, God the Builder – Building Character that Counts! Hebrews 3:4 (NIV) states that "…..God is the builder of everything." We’ll be looking at different Bible characters that teach some of the key components that establish the foundation of character that honors God. Monday: Faithful (Built to last) Elijah; Tuesday: Strength (Built to grow) Samson; Wednesday: Selfless (Built to care) Esther; Thursday: Joy (Built to be joyful) Paul & Silas; Friday: Forgiving (Built to restore) Zacchaeus.
Augustine in his Confessions, wrote, "O Lord…..you stir man to take pleasure in praising you, because you have made us for yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in you." He understood that in the soul of every person was an emptiness that could only be filled by a relationship with God. God has placed "eternity into man’s heart" (Eccl. 3:10), and in each one there is a crying need to understand and to relate to God.
The New Testament helps us understand what God intends for our lives. He desires that we be born again and conform to the image of His Son Jesus. (Eph. 4:20-24; Col. 3:10) We have been created in Christ Jesus "for good works." (Eph. 2:10) We were redeemed by the blood of Christ to be God’s possession, "zealous for good works." (Titus 2:11-14)
God desires that His people "proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." (1 Pet. 2:9-10) He wants us to share the hope and joy within us with those who need it, so that those who are lost and dying may be found and saved.
There are likely people all around you with a "God-shaped vacuum" in their souls and who need to hear the gospel of Christ. Help them find the Lord they seek. Help them find their purpose in God. --Robert-- (robprater@sbcglobal.net)
SERMONS FOR SUNDAY
AM Jesus – Man from Heaven (John 6:38)
PM Bible Questions – Dancing, Christians: saints or sinners?
WEDNESDAY NIGHT LADIES CLASS
The new Wednesday evening ladies Bible class will begin on March 7 in the fellowship room and will be a 13-week study from the book, "Keeping Your Balance" by sister Nancy Eichman. The class will be taught by various ladies, beginning the first week by Maggie Prater who is coordinating the class. All the ladies of the congregation are welcomed to be a part of this study.
HOMECOMING INVITATION LIST
We are compiling a list of former members and friends to receive an invitation for our Centennial Homecoming on September 29 and 30. An invitation from you personally would be the most appealing in many instances, but we will also send invitations from the church to those for whom we have names and addresses. Please be thinking about this and turn the information in to the church office as soon as possible.
OUR STAINED GLASS WINDOW
The following is an email received last week from Richard Scott, son of D.C. and Nell Scott and a nephew to C.E. Scott, all now deceased. Richard was born in 1938 in Shawnee. He thought we would find the following interesting:
"Back in 1941, when your building was being built, my cousin, John Atwood Scott, was 16 years old. He approached the elders with his message that the new church building needed some stained glass in it. The elders told him that if he could round up the money required for it, they would approve it. He did, and they did, and you still have that stained glass."
Richard goes on to tell us that John died last week on his 82nd birthday. We appreciate so much his sharing this historical note of interest. The window continues to be noticed and admired by most all who visit our services 66 years later.
PRAYER CONCERNS
Joyce Kelly is home and doing well. Lynn Harmon is home and doing well following knee surgery.
Remember Melba Boston in your prayers.
Anna Jarvis will be staying permanently at Colonial Estates, room 110-A.
Trilbia Anderson’s father Jackie Stripling is in Oklahoma Heart Hospital, room 250 for a stint implant. He would appreciate your prayers.
We did not know of any Central members in the hospital when The Gospel Guide was prepared.
CONTINUING PRAYER CONCERNS
Jearline Bates, Chad Beard, Virgil Beasley, Betty Bernard, Melba Boston, Don Brightwell, Harold Carothers, Alta Carroll, James Childers, Harold & Clydean Decker, Clovie Dossey, Ethel Fast, Roe Honaker, Anna Jarvis, Carol Mahnke, Mary Martin, Harvey Moore, Ed O'Neal, Zach Phillips, Polly Reece, Alice Rice, Millie Riley, Altha Smith, Sarah Smith, Mary Sorensen, Floy Turner, Alvie Vanlandingham, Emma Wilson, and Carl Worley. All these members and friends have continuing health concerns or other special circumstances. They appreciate your interest and prayers.
LOOKING AHEAD
March 7, Ladies Bible Class meets at 10:30 a.m.; monthly luncheon follows
March 7, New Wednesday night Ladies Class begins
March 11, Daylight Saving Time begins
March 14-17, Photography for new pictorial directory
April 15, Friends & Family Day with Bruce McLarty from Harding University
April 18 – 22, Gospel meeting, Highland, with Kent Allen preaching, "Desperate Households"
April 22 – 25, Gospel meeting at McLoud with Chuck Carter preaching
May 5, 28th Annual Bible Teachers Workshop, "The Promises of God are True," Eastside, Duncan
CENTENNIAL MOMENTS
Horace Busby holds the record for the number of meetings at Central. Brother Busby held meetings in 1929, 1932, 1938 and 1943. We tried to get him in 1942 for the dedication of this building, but he was booked. Brother Busby was a well known and respected gospel preacher.
Youth News
Bob StephensWe just finished studying the book of Acts in Sunday morning class. Throughout the book, Paul is an excellent example of being zealous. First, as a persecutor of Christians, then as a recruiter of Christians. Our LTC theme this year is "Unstoppable", a perfect description of Paul. We can see in many instances where Paul prayed for the ability to be bold in his efforts to reach the lost. Whether he was in jail, or shipwrecked, or being stoned, he didn’t shy away from speaking the truth about salvation through Jesus Christ. The last verse of Acts 28 says that Paul taught with boldness and without hindrance.
Paul, through Christ, was unstoppable. Are we? In our lifetime, we probably won’t go to prison because of our beliefs or be persecuted like the early Christians were. That should make us all the more unstoppable. Too often, we let the little things stop us. "If I say that, they may think I’m a religious fanatic". Or, "Maybe it would be better if I just try to blend in and not call attention to myself or cause trouble". Many times we let our concern for what people will think of us stop us from being bold with the truth of Jesus.
Paul was unstoppable – Through Christ, we can be too!
COMING YOUTH EVENTS
March 4, Sunday – AWTG @ Northridge – Leave at 4:30
March 9 & 10, Friday & Saturday – Spring Visit and Spring Sing at OC
April 6-7, Friday – Saturday - LTC
LAST WEEK'S RECORD
Bible School 133 Worship Service 196 Sunday Evening 121 Wednesday Evening 117 Contribution $4,189.00
SERVING THE CONGREGATION
Sunday, March 4, 2007
Announcements: Jim Pettyjohn Opening Prayer: Clavin Norwood Song Director: Dwyane Dennis Scripture: Bryce Beal Sermon: Robert Prater Closing Prayer: Mitch Harmon SERVING AT THE LORD'S TABLE
NORTH SOUTH Terry Banta Chuck Carter James Reeves Joe Curtis AT THE BACK OF AUDITORIUM
Burl Vanlandingham Glendon Combs/TD> USHERS
Paul Harris Gerald Smith GREETERS
Foyer: Paul & Paula Harris Elevator: Gerald & Leona Smith NURSERY ATTENDANTS
Ann Perry Carolyn Root ASSISTING OUTSIDE ELEVATOR DOOR
George Mastick PROJECTION CONTROL
Scott Perry
EVENING WORSHIP SERVICE
Opening Prayer: Ron Taffe Song Director: Dwyane Dennis Scripture: Austin Beard Sermon: Robert Prater Closing Prayer: Austin Beard AT THE LORD'S TABLE
SERVING AT THE LORD'S TABLE
NORTH SOUTH Frank Burton Jim Walling
WEDNESDAY NIGHT SERVICE
Classes for all ages
Song Leader: Paul Harris Scripture: Wade Baskin VAN DRIVER
Tracy Gettle If unable to serve during the week, notify Frank Romberg - 273-1297