Pulpit Minister - South College Church of Christ
Transcription
Pulpit Minister - South College Church of Christ
Volume 9, No. 8 - August 2010 Pulpit Minister David Deffenbaugh I have heard Ernest Johnson speak of the terrible heat of the summer of 1936. It’s not that he remembers it, but he’s been told about it. He was born in July of that year. The reason he’s mentioned it to me is because he learned a few years ago that my dad was born one month after him that same year. I have heard my grandma talk about how hot it was that year. Ernest confirmed my grandma’s memory and I have since read newspaper stories about the record heat in the summer of ’36. Our present summer’s heat seems pretty oppressive. There is a big difference though, between then and now: the availability of air conditioning. Cooled air in our homes, cars, church buildings, and in virtually every business makes the unbearable, bearable. I know it sure beats the wet sheets hung in the windows grandma talks about. We are much better equipped to handle a very uncomfortable (if not potentially dangerous) problem. Somehow, though, Ernest, Dad, and Grandma survived. But we are very thankful for the advantages and comforts and help provided by the technological advancements we enjoy today. We continually look for new and better solutions to our present problems and difficulties. But here is something to consider. There never will be an improvement or even an alternative to the solution to our greatest problem. Nothing ever can nor ever will replace the blood of Jesus Christ as the answer to my sin (1 Peter 1:18-19). First of all, a quick apology is in order for the tardiness of this month’s Bulletin. Staff schedules were such, though, that it was unavoidable. We’re sorry for any inconveniences the delay may have caused. We are entering the final month of lessons for our Summer Series. Again, I want to thank the men who have prepared and presented lessons for us in this series. It has been so good to be reminded of the “Foundations” that are so essential to our faith and spiritual well-being. Scheduled speakers for this month (in the order of the schedule) are myself, Kevin Shumate, Tyrel Hatfield, and Daryl Buck. We have another Family Fun Night planned for the second Sunday evening of the month (the 8th) at the Murrell Home park following services. Why not plan to join us for a relaxing and enjoyable time together? August is always a transitional time for us. The traditional summer activities are behind us (camps and VBS). In other ways summer is still definitely with us, but by the time the month ends, schools will be in full swing and we’ll be thinking about fall schedules (even though the weather may not yet suggest that it’s autumn). Allow me to once again express my gratitude to this congregation for their continued support, prayers, and encouragement regarding our work in Ukraine. You will find a brief report on our recent trip on page 5. I may be able to convey the words of thank you from our brethren and sister congregations there, but I just cannot adequately express their depth of feeling when they say it. It seems as though we have had a greater than usual number of local visitors to our services. That is a wonderful thing. It can also be a sad thing. How so? If those visitors are not made to feel welcomed. I think that for the most part we do a good job of greeting and welcoming our visitors. But we can always do better. Let me encourage you to be sure and be aware of those who grace us with their presence at our assemblies. They really are not empty words when we say they “honor” us by visiting us. We should be so gracious as to at least thank them for attending. Our visitors should find it very difficult to get away from our services for all of the people meeting and greeting them. All “David’s article” continued on page 7 Join us on the 2nd Sunday of each month for our Church Family Fun Night! Enjoy food, volleyball, plus lots and lots of fellowship! When: August 8th following evening services Where: Murrell Home Park MINI CAMP • Fruit of the Spirit • July7-10 Youth Minister Tyrel Hatfield Mini camp - JULY 7-10 I have been a part of Burnt Cabin Christian Camp for nearly my entire life - As an underaged child of the director, camper, counselor, and now 11 years directing. There have been many changes made to the camp over the years; you’ll no longer see huge box fans at the end of the barracks, no more swimming in the lake, and air-conditioning! But the one thing has stayed the same - God and the teaching of His word. It’s so important that our children know the truth of God’s word and His desire to have a relationship with them. This is taught in our classes, modeled by our staff, and supported by your continous efforts to provide scholarships and make Burnt Cabin a special place. WHAT A BLESSING! With God at the center, even though the camp grounds may look different, my children can enjoy the same camp I was a part of all those years. For that I say thank you. Thanks to our shepherds for their leadership and guidance. Thanks to Sam and Joyce for their love for children and Burnt Cabin. And, thanks to all the many volunteers who have unselfishly given of their time and money. You are appreciated. Our theme for Mini-Camp this years was “Fruit of the Spirit!” We had 105 campers and 45 staff. What fun! | South College church of Christ Bulletin • 410 South College • Tahlequah, Oklahoma 74464 • 918-456-3414 Week of Service with the Junior High and High School Campus Minister Tony Bradley As the heat of the summer continues to try to bake us, there are signs of fall just around the corner. I know this because Riverhawks young and old have begun to arrive on campus... a tell tale sign that a new semester is about to begin. While classes start for some the week of the 16th, some of the football players and optometry students are already on campus getting used to the new living arrangements. One such student is Damon Tennison. Damon is a returning NSU football player and will be living in the Student Center this fall. He’s getting settled in and will undoubtedly be a great help representing RFC in our facility, and with new students as they arrive on campus. I’m looking forward to working with him. From my visits at Burnt Cabin this summer and other churches in the area, I know we have several new students and transfers for this fall. While it’s challenging to get to know them all at once, what a great blessing it is for us at South College to have them work and worship with us. Our weekly devotionals on campus will start on Tuesday the 24th. Other events are being scheduled for the congregation and students to get to know each and will be posted in the weekly Family News. I’m looking forward to having a great year with RFC. Continue to pray for us as we represent Christ on campus. More pictures on page 7 South College church of Christ Bulletin • 410 South College • Tahlequah, Oklahoma 74464 • 918-456-3414 | Hispanic Minister Edgar Lucero In the Hispanic ministry we continue working in evangelisim and our ladies are also planning to join us in the evangelistic work. We continue with our jail ministry visiting and sharing the message of Christ to the inmates. And also we are visiting the Tahlequah City Hospital to pray for the sick. We are planning to develop new congregational projects for the rest of the year that will benefit the spirituality of our members. We are planning to have a prayer meeting once a week in order to be more in contact with our God and take care of those prayer concerns. As the attendance grows, we also are planning to develop visitations to all of the families of the Hispanic congregation. My family and I just came back from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. We participated in the Hispanic National Teen Connections. I had the opportunity to speak; the other speakers were: Salvador Estrada from El Paso, Luis Fernando Rosas from FT Worth, Silas Prado from Mission, Ariel Villa from Tijuana, Mexico, Adan Guerrero from Los Angeles, and Omar Alvarez from Tijuana, Mexico. The attendance was of 250 teenagers. The activity was successf ul. We had 10 baptisms during the event. Please keep our ministry in your prayers. We are preparing for the Hispanic National Teen Connections in Oklahoma City for June, 2011. BAPTISMS Ben Adair Sheila, Kendal*, Kent* Davis and grandaughter Nicci. (*Baptized) NEW MEMBERS Lance & Lauren Claborn | South College church of Christ Bulletin • 410 South College • Tahlequah, Oklahoma 74464 • 918-456-3414 UKRAINE MISSION REPORT This summer’s mission trip to Ukraine focused on a Vacation Bible School (which they call “Children’s Week”) at the Artemovsk congregation. This is the second such program we have participated in with them, the first being in 2008. It was encouraging to look back at photos from two years ago and see some of the same children from the community who returned for this year’s VBS. Joining the six members from South College (Zach Shaffer, Lauren Bradley, Chisholm Waldroop, Dalton Deffenbaugh, Tim Watts, and me) were four from the Stilwell congregation (Pat Woodward, Alicia Ketcher, Carlene and Jewel Yell) and one from Neosho, MO (Spencer Murray). This was a nice mixture of experienced Ukraine mission workers (7) and first-timers (4). I always enjoy those visiting Ukraine for the first time. For one thing, it is good to see the country, the people, and even our work through their eyes. Not only that, but participating in this kind of trip really does change one’s perspective. I believe for the better. Whether we realize it or not, our outlook and perception can become skewed when all we ever know is America and the American way of life, and even the church in America. It is a good experience to see the Bible, the church, and faith in circumstances and conditions and cultures that are so different (sometimes radically so) from our own. The challenge we (those participating in such trips) face, and one we talked about on our trip, is remembering our newfound understanding and to live our faith based on it instead of falling back into the same old ways of thinking and doing. In addition to our VBS activities we had the privilege of spending some time with other congregations. This included the churches in Chasov-Yar, Minkovka, and Konstantinovka. All of these are small congregations that enjoy and appreciate the association and support provided from Tahlequah. Return visits to the orphanages in Artemovsk and Konstantinovka were as emotional and as rewarding as ever. It is heartbreaking to consider these very young lives and the greatly disadvantaged position from which they are getting started. It is also good to have some very small part in their care and provisions. Our group also enjoyed two excursions visiting the largest salt mine in Europe (just outside of Artemovsk at Soledar) and the beautiful resort/monastery area of Svyeta Gorsk. It is so encouraging to work with the Artemovsk congregation in this kind of effort. They have a wonderful track record of conversions that have come from contacts initially made through Vacation Bible School. Thank you, again, for participating with us in this marvelous work! South College church of Christ Bulletin • 410 South College • Tahlequah, Oklahoma 74464 • 918-456-3414 | Sun 1 Mon 2 Tue 3 Wed 4 Thu 5 Fri Sat 6 7 Bob Kennedy Dorothy Morris Jana Shumate Conagher Hardaway Wes Johnston *Chuck & Linda Lisa Hatfield Maria Gonzales Mae Hodge Sam Yaws Shaffer Bryan Walker *Tim & Robin Watts 11 12 13 8 9 *Bill & Shirley Kay 10 *Alissa & Marcus Crawford 14 Family Fun Night Molly Couch Chris McCoy Keri Sisco *Danny & Nancy Mason 15 Tyler Bradley Phil Kay Kayleigh Spears Cleva Smith 16 17 Monday Night for Gerry Sue Smethers the Master 6p.m. Dick Higginbotham Louis Sounders Jimmy Trammel 18 19 Margaret Blackburn 20 21 *LaHoma & Gilbert Bigby Rod Wyers 22 Linda Shaffer 23 *Tyler & Sara *Julia & Elena Martha Aguilar Nancy Mason Teena Neugin 24 25 26 27 28 Calvin McCoy Trudy Mickel Men's Breakfast John Gwin Erica Parris Aretha Jinks *Dean & Susan Ada Cannonie Kelley 29 Stewart Mosqueda Matt Hewitt 30 Danny Minor *Marvin & Paula 7a.m. Page 31 Toni Morse July S M T W September T F S 1 2 3 S M T W T F 1 2 3 S 4 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 26 27 28 29 30 * Anniversary “David’s Article” continued from page 1 What Is Different About the Church of Christ? Jack Harriman It is not a matter of being different. All religious organizations are different. It is a matter of accurately understanding the teachings of Jesus as revealed in the New Testament. There are at least seven beliefs held by the Church of Christ which are different. The church holds the Bible to be the only way that God now communicates His will to man. It holds the New Testament as the part in which Christians are instructed in matters of faith and practice. It holds the Bible to be verbally inspired, and the Bible’s silence as an important element in understanding God’s will for us. The church holds that water baptism is a condition of receiving God’s forgiveness (Acts 2:38). One is not a Christian – a saved person—until one has been baptized. The church holds that the First Century church observed the Lord’s Supper on the first day of every week (Acts 20:7). Therefore, such is the practice of the Church of Christ today. The church holds that singing in the First Century church was a capppella style (without an instrument) (Colossians 3:16). Therefore, such is the practice of the Church of Christ today. The church holds that each congregation was an independent body organized under elders and deacons (Philippians 1:1). Therefore, the Church of Christ today is organized that way believing that such is the Lord’s way. The church holds that the Lord’s church exists on earth today anywhere folks learn what First Century Christians learned, believe what they believed, and practice what they practiced. It further believes such is exactly what God intended (Ephesians 3:20). The church holds that all believers could be and should be united in the one body of Christ, and that this could be accomplished by the restoration of Christianity as it is revealed in the New Testament, and that such unity is the Lord’s desire (John 17:21). The Church of Christ is not trying to be different. It is different because of what it believes and practices that others do not believe and practice. And some of the differences are of such a nature that they separate it spiritually, and therefore physically, from all others. Center Street Bulletin Fayetteville, Arkansas you have to do is introduce yourself, tell them how much you appreciate their being with us, and invite them to come back whenever they can. (You can also go get one of the “Welcome” sacks from the Bread Ministry table and give it to them – yes, get it for them, not just point them in that direction). Friendliness and a welcoming atmosphere are two very powerful influences. The degree to which they are characteristic of us depends on each of us individually. It is within our power and control to be a very inviting and attractive congregation. Thank you for the good job you have done in this regard…keep up the good work…and I encourage us all to do better. Pictures continued from page 3 South College church of Christ Bulletin • 410 South College • Tahlequah, Oklahoma 74464 • 918-456-3414 | Elders Daryl Buck Danny Mason Danny Minor David O’Neil Kevin Shumate Charles Vanlandingham Ministers David Deffenbaugh, Pulpit Tyrel Hatfield, Youth & Children Tony Bradley, University Edgar Lucero, Hispanic Deacons Tony Bradley Virgil Carter John Gwin Rob Hensley James Kaufman Dean Kelley Mike Monholland Louis Sounders Missionaries George and Martha Tien - China Family News CONGRATULATIONS TO: …Jami & Josh Smith who were married July 24 here at the building. Jami is the daughter of Rick & Karen Rozell. …Bob & Ruth Kennedy on the birth of greatgrandson Parker Samson Love. His parents are Ryan & Diana Love. …David & Tanya Deffenbaugh on the birth of their first grandchild: Cale Braxon. He was born to Alissa & Jeff Lovett in Edmond on July 26. Dalton is the happy uncle. BAPTISMS …Ben Adair …Daria Yaws, granddaughter of Sam & Joyce …Kent & Kendal Davis SYMPATHY TO: …the family of former member Billie Hopkins. Her graveside services were at the Ft Gibson Military Cemetery. …Dave & Gwen Moss on the death of her sisterin-law in Granite, Ok. Schedule of Services Sunday Bible School..............................9:30 a.m. Morning Worship.....................10:30 a.m. Evening Worship.......................5:00 p.m. Tuesday Women’s Class (Sept. - May)...........................10:00 a.m. Wednesday Mid-week Class........................7:00 p.m. Office Hours - 8 am - 5 pm, Mon - Fri Phone - 918-456-3414 Fax - 918-456-3445 [email protected] www.sccofc.org 410 S College, Tahlequah, OK 74464 …Ray & Linda Stearns on the loss of her father, Lloyd Keener in Atkins, AR. …Steve & Pat Molloy on the death of her sister, Brenda Carpenter, here in Tahlequah. NEW MEMBERS ...Lance & Lauren Claborn, 1519 Northpark Dr. Tahlequah. OK 74464, 325-998-2033 or 580-9205389. Lauren is a new Optometry student ...Ben Adair, Children: Jacob & Sabrina 1201 W Keetowah, Tahlequah, Ok 74464 458-1998 ...Kent & Sheila Davis, daughter: Kendal, PO Box 27, Moodys, Ok 74444 456-3559 NEW PHONE NUMBER Debbie Minshew…316-8468 ASKED FOR PRAYERS …Alicia Young (NSU student)
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