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38th Street Church of Christ 3904 38th Street NW Canton, Ohio 44718 330-492-5523 Fax: 330-493-7119 |
| The Messenger On Line December 28, 2008 |
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LIFE LINES
Greetings to everyone on the last Lord’s Day of 2008. To our visitors, we offer a special welcome, and thanks for joining the spiritual family here at 38th Street for our assemblies and Bible study.
As we enter into the year 2009, our emphasis is upon local evangelism. On Wednesday evening, December 17th, Frank Kruger, Jr. shared with those present an e-mail he’d received that gives us all something to think about on this subject and the mission of the Lord’s church since its establishment. What he read is reprinted here. Read it, think about it, and let’s act upon this in 2009.
Have a great week, God bless, and Happy New Year.
-- LANCE
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ONLY ONE JOB!
by Louis Rushmore
Jesus Christ, through direct instructions first to eleven apostles, only gave the church one job to do – not two, not three – just one job to do (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:46-49; Acts 1:4-8). We call that one job the Great Commission, a notable expansion of the target audience characteristic of what we call the Limited Commission (to the house of Israel, Matthew 10:5-6). “And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15 emphasis added).
Most cite a three-fold mission of the Lord’s church (i.e., edification, I Corinthians 14:12; evangelism, Matthew 28:19-20; benevolence, Galatians 6:10). Yet, forasmuch as the Lord’s church and the Christians who comprise it may have responsibilities that include edification and benevolence, it remains a fact that our Lord Jesus Christ only gave the church one job to do – to evangelize the world with the Gospel.
Christians (the church) have the responsibility (and privilege) to worship God in his own appointed way (John 4:23-24), but Christians and the church only have one job to do – evangelize the world with the Gospel of Christ. Likewise, Christians have responsibilities respecting Christian living (Titus 2:12) and Christian service (John 12:16; Hebrews: 12:28), but Christians still only have one job – to take the Gospel to the world. Parents have parental responsibilities toward their children (Ephesians 6:4; II Timothy 1:5; 3:15), but Christian parents still have only one job – tell others about the saving Christ of the saving Gospel.
The Christian vocation is to evangelize the world with the Gospel. Evangelism is the lifeblood of the Lord’s church, without which the church of Christ will not have a physical presence in any community tomorrow where the church of today fails to tell others about the Gospel. Don’t the value of a single soul (Matthew 16:26) and the command given by our Lord to proclaim the Gospel (Mark 16:15; II Timothy 2:2) far outweigh many of things on which Christians and churches spend an inordinate amount of time and money (e.g., buildings, entertainment, creature comforts)? Noting that several individual Christians and a number of churches of Christ have a keen interest in taking the Gospel to the billions of souls that inhabit planet earth, how interested are the churches of Christ overall in doing the only job that Jesus Christ left for the church to do?
Jesus Christ has given Christians and the Lord’s church only one job to do, that is, our sole (soul) vocation is evangelism. It’s all about saving souls (Hebrews 10:39; James 1:21; I Peter 1:9); nothing on earth matters more than the salvation of souls. Christians and congregations that exhibit no or little interest in taking the Gospel to the lost, near and far, are in great jeopardy of missing the joyful eternity in heaven with God, since one’s crown of life, in part, is dependent upon winning souls (Philippians 4:1; I Thessalonians 2:19).
No Christian or church (group of Christians) has fought a good fight, finished its course or kept the faith (II Timothy 4:7) without giving due attention to taking the Gospel to lost souls. Have you made taking the Gospel of Christ to the lost world, directly or indirectly, your sole (soul) vocation, relegating everything else in life to avocation status?
-- L. Rushmore via Gospel Gazette
Family Matters
Prayer List: Once more, as this week began, no one from the 38th Street family was in an area hospital. Carla Duffield, Carl Earley’s daughter, was still a patient at Affinity Medical Center, in Massillon, in the rehabilitation unit, and Bonnie Day (daughter-in-law of Ellen) was at Aultman Hospital. Bonnie is facing surgery for the removal of her pancreas, but a time for this had not yet been determined. Ellen’s son, John, (Bonnie’s husband) underwent some testing recently and is being treated for an enlarged prostate gland. Marlene Lopez, the sister of Winnie German, suffered a heart attack on the morning of December 19th, and was scheduled for triple heart by-pass surgery on Thursday of this past week (the 25th). She lives in Virginia. Sue Adams, a co-worker of Cathy Heid, has been diagnosed with a blood clot in a leg. Cathy asks that we remember her in our prayers, as she also takes care of her husband, who has lung cancer. Roland Koch, Brenda’s former brother-in-law, has also been diagnosed with cancer. Pray for him, and others with cancer, including Karen Morgan. Remember those who are ill and at home, our Shut-Ins, those serving in the nation’s armed forces (we rejoice that Matt Laubacher, Mary Jacob’s son, has returned safely from his time in Afghanistan), and the leadership of the 38th Street church.
Thank You: A very special “thank you” for your love, prayers, visits, and gifts. It means more than I can begin to say. Ron is slowing improving; still cannot walk. He is in the Alzheimer’s unit of The Landing (Room 17), and I am in the assisted living (Room 212). It is so hard for us to be apart. Our 63rd wedding anniversary was December 21st. May God bless you and your family with joy and happiness!
Christian Love, Edra and Ron Litman.
Dear Christian Family, As we celebrate the return of our son Matt from Afghanistan, we would like to thank you for all the prayers, cards, letters, and packages that Matt received. We feel very blessed to have a Christian family. Your kindness and caring means so much to us. We would also like to thank Heather Lindenberger for all the effort she and her students did to keep Matt from being homesick. Thank you. In Christian Love, Mary and Jim Jacobs.
Young-In-Heart: Just a reminder to all of our senior members, the next regular meeting of Young-In-Heart will be Thursday, January 15th, at 10:30 A.M. at the building. We will resuming the study of Paul’s letter to the Christians at Rome, at Chapter 3 and verse 1, and have our usual good time of fellowship. Following the meeting, the group will go to an area restaurant for lunch. Resolve in 2009 to make Young-In-Heart a part of your regular schedule. The group meets on the first and third Thursdays of each month.
Snow Watch: In the event of bad weather, please be cautious as you travel, and do not take risks. If in doubt as to whether services have
been canceled, listen to 101.7 on
the radio and on your television Fox 8 (Cleveland).
Help Needed: Scott and Tiffany Craddock are looking for ladies to help with the care of their daughter, Kaci, especially all day on Fridays. If you are interested in helping this family, contact the office.
2009 Ladies’ Retreat: It is time to be planning for the Annual Ladies’ Retreat, which will be at the Carlisle Inn in Sugarcreek, on March 6th and 7th. A deposit of $25 is due to Kathy Lindenberger TODAY, and the check should be made out to 38th Street Church of Christ.
TEACHERS NEEDED: There is a need for a teacher for grades 1-3 on Sunday morning, and also for the Toddlers’ class on Sunday, as well. If you can help, see Stephen Lindenberger as soon as possible.
Ladies’ Night Out: We will meet on Monday, January 5th, at 6:30 P.M. for making tray favors and sewing. Bring a snack and join us!
NOCYC NEWS: There will be a winter fund raising dinner on February 28, 2009 at the North Canton Church of Christ building. Ohio Valley University Ambassadors will also be performing for our entertainment. We NEED your help. Please plan on joining us for good food, fun, and fellowship and welcoming another year of Christian camping. Contact Rod Stockdale at 330.499.4303 for ticket information or more details.
Singing: Singing practice resumes on January 11th at 5:00 P.M. Anyone who likes to sing is welcome to come.
Firewood Available: Wes Wyatt has a large amount of firewood available for anyone who might want it for this coming winter season. If you are interested in obtaining some of this wood, contact Wes.
Free To A Good Home: Norval Cole has a sofa and a love seat he would like to give away. If you know of someone who needs these, contact Norval.
2009 Calendars: You will find calendars for next year on the table in the foyer. You may take what you need.
2009 Contribution Envelopes: The envelopes are now on the table in the foyer. Please put your name beside the number of the box you take.
S.C.C.A. NEWS: *We have preschool openings for children ages 3 and 4, half day or full day, 2-3 days a week. Please call 330-454-3737. * Save your General Mills Box Tops and Tyson Labels and send them to the school. We receive $0.10 for the Box Tops and $0.24 for the Tyson labels. * Do you need colored copies made? SCCA can make your copies for you for $0.35 a copy. This is less than ½ price of most places. Let us know if we can help. * SCCA is planning a big “Parking Lot Sale” in the spring. Consider collecting items to donate for our sale.
Free Coats: There are several coats, sizes L and XL available for anyone who might need one or all. Check with the office if you are interested.
“Children’s Bible Time”: It’s time again to sign up for “hosting” Bible time for our little ones. There is a sheet posted on the east-wing bulletin board. Please consider helping in 2009!
Lads To Leaders
All students should be working on “Know the Books”. You can see Eugene Fox or Earl Ash when you are ready to complete this required event. This must be completed by Sunday, January 4th!
**Please return your completed convention packet to Earl Ash as soon as possible.**
Puppet Theatre: Puppet practice will be the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month at 4:30 PM.
Song Leading and Songs of Praise immediately following the evening service every 2nd Sunday of the month.
See Earl Ash or Heather Lindenberger if you need assistance with your speeches.
LOCK-IN
We will be hosting a “Lock-In” on Friday, January 2nd, 2009. Planned events include a devotional time, games, movies, food, and fun. Please bring a 2 liter bottle of pop and a snack to share. Plan now to attend and to bring a friend. A sign-up sheet is posted on the Teen Board. We must have medical / permission slips for everyone that attends this event.
TODAY’S SERMONS
A.M. - “Closing Out The Year”
(Psalm 26)
P.M. – “Dead Men’s Bones” (EARL)
(Acts 17:30-31)
(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
December 28, 2008
9:00 A.M. 6:00 P.M.
Opening Prayer Richard Smith
Song Leader Art Hopkins Ethan Ash
Prayer Tom Walton Ray Hunt
Read Eugene Fox M. Blocher
Reading Psalm 26 Acts 17:30-31
Closing Bill Dimit F. Kruger, Jr.
Communion: Richard Dimit Offering:Harry Rose
Serving Communion:
1. Bill Hootman 5. Ethan Shrake
2. David Witter 6. Clyde Nutter
3. James Spencer 7. Bryan Reed
4. Jim Spencer 8. Josh Reed
For The Record (12/21/08)
A.M. Worship – 199 Wed. Bible Study – 92
Bible Study – 114
P.M. Worship - 108 Contrib. - $4616.75
“Go into all the world and
preach the gospel . . .”
Mark 16:15
Privileged To Serve
January 4, 2009
9:00 A.M. 6:00 P.M.
Opening Prayer Tom Walton
Song Leader S. Lindenberger Art Hopkins
Prayer Chuck Camarata Jerry Cain
Read Eugene Fox J. Thompson
Reading Numbers 6:22-27 Rev. 8:1-6
Closing Bill English Ron Franks
Communion: Steve Franks Offering : F. Kruger III
Serving Communion:
1. Josh Heid 5. Ethan Ash
2. Jason Heid 6. Ethan Shrake
3. Jon Heid 7. Leonard Miller
4. Brian Heid 8. Terry Pyles
GREETERS
Dec. 28th:
A.M. – Charles & Sandy Evans; Mark & Carol Dimitro
P.M. – Mark & Georgia Daverio; Pilar Phillips & Carl Earley
Jan. 4th & 18th:
A.M. – Chuck & Hope Camarata; Gertie Turner & Bill Hootman
P.M. – Terry & Carol Pyles; Sharon Fox & Rose Varn