38th Street Church of Christ 3904 38th Street NW  Canton, Ohio  44718 330-492-5523    Fax: 330-493-7119
The Messenger On Line July 6, 2008

LIFE LINES

          God’s approval of us as individual humans is dependent upon many things.  Certainly it would not be possible for one to receive divine approval without the person’s acceptance of Jesus as God’s Son.  Jesus said, “Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins:  for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins” (John 8:24).

            Further, we are made acceptable and approved for addition to the family of Christ, the church, through belief, repentance and baptism.  Acts 2:38 tells us, “Repent and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ . . .” Verse 47 explains what God did in His approval of their obedience:  “. . . the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”

We can readily think of numerous other conditions for approval by God.  Some of these are:  participation in scriptural worship (John 4:24); having godly character and lifestyle (II Tim. 3:1-10); being obedient to God’s will (II Thessalonians 1:8); and bearing fruit (John 15:8).
            Paul told Timothy to study to be approved of God.  We read in II Timothy 2:15, “Be diligent (study) to present yourself approved to God, a workman who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”  This condition of approval makes it possible to satisfy other conditions.  Many people are religious and consider themselves approved of God even though they are not obedient to Him and are not doing His will, as revealed in the New Testament (Matthew 7:21-23).  In order to please God, one must know His will.  However, we can know God’s will only when we know His Word and how to “rightly divide the word.”

Further instructions to Timothy can yield more understanding of this important condition of approval.  Consider the following verses:

• I Timothy 6:20:  “Shun profane and idle babblings: for they will increase to more ungodliness and their message will spread like cancer.”
  
  
• II Timothy 3:23:  “. . . Avoid foolish and ignorant disputes knowing that they generate strife.”
  
  
• II Timothy 3:24-26:  “. . . A servant of the Lord must not quarrel, but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.”

• II Timothy 3:16, 17:  “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

      Those who desire to be approved of God must study, learn, and apply the Word.  However, in II Timothy, the person approved of God is called a worker.  We are to do God’s work.  The Gospel is to be taught to all men everywhere (Matthew 28:18-20).  This can be done only by those willing to work and know God’s Word.

      To reach heaven we must be approved of God, which means we must study.  Study brings knowledge, understanding, faith, and the ability to obey.

     --      Wayne Barrier lives in Florence, Alabama, USA, and is involved with the World Evangelism team in taking the Gospel throughout the world.

 Family Matters

Prayer List:  Once again, as this past week began, no one from the 38th Street congregation was in the hospital.  Others, who had been hospitalized, had been discharged.  Olive Moser, the mother of Heather Lindenberger and Steve Moser, went home after her knee replacement surgery.  Bonnie Day, Ellen’s daughter-in-law, also was discharged and is waiting to go to the Cleveland Clinic, and Howard Howell continued his recuperation from recent outpatient surgery on his leg.  We learned last Sunday that Bonnie Finzer required emergency surgery that day because of a blockage in a kidney.  This was done at Aultman Hospital.  Others who need our prayers are:  Gwen Rose, who has problems related to her heart; Rosemary Hines, whose health is not good at this time; Charlene Green, Kim Pool’s mother, who is receiving extended care at the Aultman-Woodlawn facility; Marty Morris, Darlene and Marty’s son, who has now had additional surgery, with the removal of more of his injured foot, with skin grafted over the open wound at mid-foot; Kaci Craddock, Scott and Tiffany’s infant daughter, who at last report was doing well; Anna Masalko; Sharon Saunier; Barb Hunter; and Jean Howell, who is scheduled for surgery on her shoulder on July 14th at the Doctors Campus of Affinity Medical Center.  Pray as well for those with cancer (Kathryn Landers, the sister of Bob Mason, and Nancy Jensen, the mother of Sandy Evan’s daughter-in-law; those who are at home and ill; our Shut-Ins; the leadership of the 38th Street church; and, those serving in the nation’s armed forces.  Remember, especially, Matt Laubaucher, the son of Mary Jacobs, who left for Afghanistan on Tuesday of last week.  This is a nation where the dangers have increased recently.  Pray for Matt and for Mary, so that she can remain positive and Matt’s wife, Toni, and their daughters in the time Matt is away.  Also pray that Mary and Jim have safe journeys when they travel to be with that family.

Thank You:  Thanks to everyone for your cards, prayers, and visits while I was undergoing some testing procedures.  I appreciate you all so much.
Anna Masalko.

            I would like to thank all who helped me celebrate my special 85th birthday last Sunday.  Thanks to all who gave me cards, gifts, and best wishes.  It really made me feel special to have so many share with me at this milestone in my life.  God bless you all.  Marlen Thompson.

Free To A Good Home:  Terry and Carol Pyles have a set of Britannica Encyclopedias that they would like to give away.  If you are interested, see them or contact the office.

Need:   Barb Hunter is in need of an oven.  If you can help with this, see Barb or call the office.

Note:  Congratulations to SCCA for successfully collecting one million pennies for Christian Education!  To all who have been saving those pennies to help in this effort, I want to remind you that Stepping Stones for OVU is still collecting on our third (3rd) mile of pennies.  We are over $300.00 on the third mile.  One mile equals $844.60.  That’s a lot of pennies for Christian Education!  You can give them to any Stepping Stones member.  Thanks!  Janet Hadden.

Indians Game:   Because of the rain-out of the baseball game on May 2nd, another bus has been secured for a trip to Cleveland for the scheduled make-up date of Saturday, September 13th.  This will be a 1:05 PM start.  The cost of the bus ride, for those who have their tickets, will be $10.  Plans are to leave from the building at 11:00 AM.  If you have a ticket but cannot go in September, let Richard Smith know and he will purchase it from you for its face value of $14.  The cost of the trip for anyone wishing to buy these tickets will be $25.

Ladies’ Night Out:  All are invited to join the ladies at Fano’s for ice cream on Monday evening, July 7th, at 7:00 P.M.

Worship Time:  There will be NO “Worship Time” for the month of July, but will resume in August.

S.C.C.A. News:  Stark County Christian Academy is looking for a Preschool Aide, either half day or full day.  If interested, please call them at 330-454-3737.

Singings:  Here is a schedule of the congregational singings that begin at 7:00 PM on the following Fridays:
July 25th – Louisville Church of Christ
Aug. 1st – Dover Church of Christ
Aug. 15th – 38th St. Church of Christ

ALLEN SCHOOL SUPPLIES
              Here is an updated list of the items needed this fall for our Allen School supplies drive:

           
YOUTH NEWS

1. “Teen Night Out” meets every Thursday throughout the summer from 6-9 PM at Arboretum Park on 38th Street.
2. July 8, 15, and 22: “Terrific Tuesdays” from 9:00 A.M. until Noon.
3. August 6-8:  Trip to Freed Hardeman University (Henderson, TN).   A sign up sheet is posted on the “Teen Board.” You must be in 8th grade or above to attend this event.

Lads to Leaders & Leaderettes:  Activity forms have been distributed and mailed.  Please complete these forms and return to Earl Ash as soon as possible.  Remember that “Know the Books” is mandatory for 2008-2009.  There are extra forms by the L2L bulletin board.
         
Camp fliers are on the table in the foyer.  As in previous years, the congregation will pay $25 of your costs if you register early.  Please give the completed forms to Earl Ash to have this portion paid.  You may pre-register now.

 We are finishing a new office building this spring and your financial support and your labors are needed to maintain this beautiful camp.  There is over $3000 in the “matching fund.”    If you would like to make a donation, your gift can be doubled!  

 Camp Schedule (Flyers are on table in foyer):
                      July 6-12                       Grades 7 & 8
                      July 13-19                     Grades 5 & 6
                     July 20-26                      Grades 3 & 4
                     July 27-Aug. 2                 Family Camp

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DID YOU KNOW . . .?

            “Aoccdrnig to rseearch at Amabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn’t mttaer in what oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae.  The rset can be a ttoal mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porblem.  Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.”

            Many people mistakenly think the same holds true of reading God’s Word, that the order and details are not important, that a verse here and there gives one sufficient knowledge to please God.  However, Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by EVERY WORD that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).  We cannot rearrange any of the requirements or commands to suit ourselves or to conform to some religious doctrine created by man, and still correctly “spell” the salvation of our souls before God.

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TODAY’S SERMONS

A.M.  -  “Strength In God’s Family”         
                    (Ephesians 3:14-21)
                 
P.M. –   “Does God Really Care”
                     (Mark 4:35-41)

(Those reading for lessons during the worship service are asked to use the “New King James Version”, as it corresponds to the pew Bibles and the projections on the screen.

Privileged To Serve Today
July 6, 2008
                        9:00 A.M.                     6:00 P.M.

Elder                Eugene Fox                              
Song Leader     S. Lindenberger             M. Daverio
Prayer              Tom Walton                  Ethan Ash        
Read                Steve Franks                 Ron Franks      
Reading            Eph. 3:14-21                  Mark 4:35-41   
Closing             Harry Kindall                Leonard Miller
                       
(Communion: Bob Franks /Offering: Frank Kruger III)

Serving Communion:     
1.   Michael Moffett                  5.   Steve Moser
2.   Larry Moffett                      6.   Clyde Nutter
3.   Leonard Miller                     7.   David Witter
4.   Mike Moss                          8.   Bill Hootman

For The Record (6/29/08)

A.M. Worship – 237      Wed. Bible Study – 96
    Bible Study – 150

P.M. Worship -             119       Contrib. - $4609.05

           Pray without ceasing.   
               I Thessalonians 5:17.

Privileged To Serve
July 13, 2008
                        9:00 A.M.                     6:00 P.M.

Elder                Frank Kruger, Jr.                                  
Song Leader     Ethan Ash                     Art Hopkins     
Prayer              Mark Daverio               Mike Moss                    
Read                Ethan Shrake                M. Moffett             
Reading            I Peter 5:1-4                                            
Closing             Brian Heid                    Bill Dimit                                 
(Communion: Richard Dimit/Offering: Richard Smith)

Serving Communion:
1.  Terry Pyles                          5.  Jim Spencer
2.  Josh Reed                           6.  James Spencer
3.  Bryan Reed                          7.  Al Rohr
4.  John Oberlin                        8.  Jerry Cain

                                    GREETERS              

July 6th & 20th:
   A.M. – Bob & Judy Franks; Harry & Leila Kindall
   P.M. – Bob & Sue Hughes; Nancy Peshek & Bob Crock

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