The SOUTH COLLEGE CHURCH of CHRIST BULLETIN

The SOUTH COLLEGE
CHURCH of CHRIST BULLETIN
410 South College • Tahlequah, Oklahoma 74464 • 918-456-3414 • Volume 8, No. 8 - August 2009
Pulpit
Minister
David Deffenbaugh
Was it not shocking and sad to hear about Jim Dudgeon’s
best friend’s brother who was buried on the very day he had planned
to be married? Our sympathies to the family of Lee Paulson. Talk
about a bitter irony. This is one of those startling incidents that
remind us of Scripture’s teaching that “you do not know what your
life will be like tomorrow” (James 4:14). The final point of that
particular Scripture is this: “Therefore, to one who knows the right
thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin” (James 4:17). You
see the point is not just to recognize the uncertainty of life, but also
to recognize the certainty of doing what is right every day and every
opportunity we have.
And so our Summer Series (“Great Themes of the Bible”)
keeps moving along. We are down to the final month. We have had
some wonderful lessons presented thus far. I know they have been
helpful and appreciated by you because a number of CD requests
have been made. What a great way to share God’s word with others.
You may not feel you have the gift to teach others, but anyone can
pass along a CD to someone whom you would like to hear God’s
word. Our final round of speakers for this month will be David
O’Neil, Tyrel Hatfield, Edgar Lucero, and myself.
I very much appreciate your response to the “What’s It All
About?” series of lessons on Sunday morning. Sometimes a return
to the very basics can be very helpful and even necessary. May we
always remember (and occasionally be reminded of) the meaning
and significance of even the most fundamental and foundational of
truths.
I know Tyrel will be thanking everyone who contributed to
helping make our VBS such a success. What he won’t do is thank
himself, so let me do that (why don’t you do that, too?). So much
time and effort is put in to the VBS each year. For the past several
years Tyrel and his brother, Justin, have written the VBS material
we have used. They have done an excellent job and thankfully that
material has found a much broader audience than just here at South
College. This announcement is not the kind we have typically make
in the pages of our bulletin, but we do want to rejoice with those
who rejoice. The Lucero family has completed all of the necessary
processes for receiving their Green Cards. This has been a very
long, arduous, and often maddening ordeal. But thanks to Edgar’s
commitment and persistence, it has been accomplished. It is hard
for us natives to appreciate what an accomplishment this is. So now,
five years from now, they will eligible to apply for full citizenship.
Congratulations to the Luceros!
I hope you are taking advantage of our Family Fun Nights
at the Murrell Home. I was fearful last month that the temperature
was going to be prohibitive. The days leading up to that Sunday
had been very hot. But low and behold, that particular day turned
off very nice and we had wonderful weather in which to enjoy one
another’s fellowship. We are looking forward to more of the same,
Sunday evening, August 2, following services.
Right here at the end of August and beginning of July, it
seems to be a little bit of a slow time. VBS and camps are behind
us and even though our Summer Series (and the hot weather) will
“David’s Article” continued on page 7
Join us on the first Sunday of August
for our Church Family Fun Night!
Enjoy food, games,
plus lots and lots of fellowship!
When: August 2
following evening services
Where: Murrel Home Park
MINI CAMP • JUNE 28 - JULY 1
Youth
Minister
Tyrel Hatfield
Burnt Cabin Christian CamP
June 29-July 2
Our Mini Camp theme for the
summer, “Prepare for Battle!” was a huge
success. This theme was based on the
passage from Ephesians chapter 6, the armor of God. We enjoyed our largest Mini
Camp to date with 114 campers and 40
counselors. Our children always enjoy
great lessons and many activities. Thanks to all who provided
scholarships for our students. Mini Camp
provides a great environment for our children and helps them get their “feet wet”
for our full week of camp! The scholarships that you provide, help to make that
possible. Thank you very much.
Please extend a big thanks to
Sam, Joyce and many others who work so
hard maintaining the camp throughout the
year. Thanks for all your hard work and
dedication!
Vacation Bible School
JULY 13-16
“God’s Creation, Digging for Answers” was our theme for Vacation Bible
School this summer.
Each night the children learned
that God is the creator of all things and
would help Digger Davey chase away the
Under-Miner. Our children enjoyed puppet
shows, played games, sang songs, enjoyed refreshments, and heard great Bible lessons
on the six days of creation, dinosaurs, and
the flood. Our largest night in attendance
was 76 children.
Many thanks to those who helped
make this VBS special. It is encouraging
to see so many of our members making
such a great effort on behalf of our children. Thank you! Your time and energy
are much appreciated and vital to the success our education program!
VBS
Pictures
Hispanic
Minister
Edgar Lucero
I am so glad to announce that we
went to Huntsville, Alabama for the second
Hispanic National Teen Connection which
was very successful. The attendance was
around three hundred and fifty kids and
the speakers were Alejandro Ezquerra
from Bammel Road church of Christ in
Houston and Luis Fernando Rosas from
Ft Worth. They both did an excellent job
presenting their lessions. We all were built
up spiritually. Also there were two singing
presentations with “Voices” group and
“Restauración” group at the end of every
night. Thank you Carlos Gonzales from
California and Omar Corpus from Dallas
for your great job. The results: over 30 baptisims
with one from Tahlequah, Griselda Gonzales. She decided to become part of
Christ’s body. Alejandro Ezquerra took the
opportunity during his lesson to invite all
of us to attend at the Third National Teen
Connections in Houston on 2010.
We also went to Houston for the
Golf Conference. We had the chance to
meet many people from different places
arround the nation and other countries. I
had the blessing to share the pulpit with:
Salvador Estrada, Luis Fernando Rosas,
Ricardo Barrera. I have never attended
such a great activity. Bammel Road hosted
the program and they were very lovely and
so eager to serve everyone.
I want to give special thanks to
Alejandro Ezquerra and David Esparza
and Ignacio Barcenas and Carlos Perales
for their good work in the Gulf Conference
2009. The attendance was 806 people and
during the event there were 8 baptized.
Right now we continue to have Bible studies with some new families in the Hispanic
community. We are planning a Hispanic
Ladies’ Day on October 3. Please pray
for us and thank you so much for your
support.
[The following two pieces appeared under this title in “Daily
Bread” from the Bear Valley church of Chirst, Denver, CO]
Two Facets Of An Elder’s Work
“The elders are the undershepherds to watch over and feed the
flock. In accepting the work the elders bring themselves under the most
solemn and sacred obligations possible to men to guard and maintain the
honor of God, to keep his teaching and his service pure from all innovations of men. As shepherds and teachers of the flock, they assume the most
sacred and solemn obligations to the flock to feed the flock with the pure
milk of the word of God, that by this they may grow; to guard against all
teachings and practices that rest on human authority as vitiating the service
of God and defiling the spiritual nature of the taught, and cutting them off
from the blessings of God, which come to men only through the appointments of God unmixed with human inventions and traditions. A sadder
perversion of a sacred trust is never seen than when elders and teachers
forget the sanctity of their obligations both to God and his church, and, as
his trusted servants and chosen teachers, encourage the introduction into
his service of practices not authorized by God, so destroying his authority
as lawgiver, and, as a consequence, hurtful and poisonous to the spiritual
nature of men”
(David Lipscomb, Commentary on 1 Timothy, p. 309, and cited by William
Woodson).
___________________________________________
“Across this land I pray with my brethren in public assembly. One
petition I notice repetitiously--and it’s not ‘choose our changes,’ ‘guide,
guard, and direct us,’ ‘if we have been found faithful, save us without the
loss of one,’ ‘help us to partake of this loaf/cup in a manner well-pleasing
in thy sight,’ ‘give him a ready recollection,’ nor is it ‘bless those for whom
it is our duty to pray.’ It is this: ‘Lord, bless our elders and help them make
wise decisions!’ What does that say to you? Are the elders a formulating
board? Is their duty almost exclusively as an assembled body? Somehow it
leaves me cold. ‘Help them make decisions.’ ‘Let them say yes to the right
letter.’ ‘Let them decide best about the size of the directory.’ Is that their
job? I want an elder, not a board. I want a godly, praying, thoughtful, sensitive man. I want one to come to me when I’m weak, sick, strong, successful, bewildered. I want a leader in the church who will share his strength
with me. ‘Help them make the right decisions.’ Really? I want a brother
who helps make me right in the holy sight of God. That’s my prayer!”
(Jim Bill McInteer )
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
Conagher Hardaway
Mae Hodge
2
3
4
5
6
Family Fun Night
after evening
service at Murrell
Home
Wes Johnston
Sam Yaws
*Bill & Shirley Kay
9
10
Tyler Bradley
Phil Kay
Kayleigh Spears
Cleva Smith
16
17
*Chuck & Linda
Lisa Hatfield
Maria Gonzales
Shaffer
Bryan Walker
*Tim & Robin Watts
11
12
13
7
8
Bob Kennedy
Molly Couch
Dorothy Morris
Chris McCoy
Jana Shumate
Keri Sisco
*Alissa & Marcus
*Danny & Nancy
Crawford
Mason
14
15
Margaret Blackburn
Rod Wyers
21
22
*Monty & Bobbie
John Gwin
Kirk
Erica Parris
*Tyler & Sara
*Dean & Susan
Stewart
Kelley
28
29
Trudy Mickel
Toni Morse
Dick Higginbotham
Louis Sounders
Jimmy Trammel
18
19
20
Nancy Mason
Teena Neugin
Monday Night for the
Master 6p.m.
Gerry Sue Smithers
Linda Shaffer
23
*Lahoma & Gil Bigby
*Julio & Elena
Mosqueda
Martha Aguilar
24
25
26
27
Men's Breakfast 6
Ada Cannonie
Aretha Jinks
Matt Hewitt
Danny Minor
Jimmy Kirk
*Marvin & Paula
Page
30
Fifth Sunday
Fellowship after
evening service
(home-made ice
31
a.m.
Calvin McCoy
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cream!)
* Anniversary
“David’s Article” continued from page 1
continue through the end of this month,
we will also get started on a new school
year. Some area schools will barely allow
August to commence before throwing open
their doors to welcome students to a new
academic year. Already, a number of prospective
NSU students have visited our services. Tony is gearing up for another year leading
the Riverhawks for Christ. Every August
brings with it some anxious anticipation
for what lies ahead for the RFC program. Looking back over the past several years
we can remember some truly outstanding
young Christian men and women who
also happen to be NSU students. They’ve
become an important part of this congregation, but we didn’t know ahead of time they
were coming. They showed up and before
long became regular fixtures in our assemblies, Bible classes, and other activities. Who knows whom we may get to meet for
the first time this month that will turn out
to be a blessing and encouragement to us
all. Thank you Tony for your great work
in this important part of our congregation’s
life. Speaking of school, I well remember escorting our youngest child
across the street from the church offices
for his very first day of public education.
That was during the second week after our
family had moved to Tahlequah. Now this
month, that same child will be heading off
to Tennessee to begin his college career. That proverbial water which flows under
the bridge is a swift and relentless current. If you happen to drink from it, sometimes
it’s sweet and sometimes it’s bitter. But
on it flows. Occasionally there passes
events that can be considered nothing
short of milestone moments. Their passing
changes everything. What was will be no
longer. One may pause and gaze longingly
downstream for a moment. But you cannot linger there, because from upstream
the current still flows. Who knows what’s
coming next? “Brethren, I do not regard myself
as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I
do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on
toward the goal for the prize of the upward
call of God in Christ Jesus” (Php. 3:1314).
“…I Shall Not Want”
David Deffenbaugh
So familiar and well known is the 23rd Psalm that even those four
words are recognizable to most people. Numerous statements from Scripture may be quite recognizable to many people, yet very few of them do
those same people know exactly where they are to be found in the Bible. But this is one of those. As familiar as these words may be, are we familiar
with what they mean?
Likely, we would begin with some sort of statement suggesting
that God is our provider, since He is our shepherd. And as such He fulfills
that role perfectly. I willingly concur with the Psalm’s affirmation, otherwise it might be construed as an implication on God. I never want that sort
of thing to originate with me, explicitly or implicitly. From the vantage
point of God, I understand what these words mean. But what about from
my own vantage point?
Let’s think about this. You and I live in the most prosperous nation in the world. If there has ever been a time or a place in which it was
easier for someone get whatever he or she wants, I am unaware of it. So
easy is it for us to access virtually anything we desire, that we come to
view some of the most luxurious privileges and blessings as absolute necessities. Believe it or not, there aren’t that many places in the world that
you can go where most of the people own means of private transportation
(and yet we feel handicapped if we don’t have at least two cars?), personal and individual means of virtually limitless communication (can you
“survive” without your cell phone?), or on-demand access to any and all
the information or entertainment imaginable through a personal computer
connection to the internet. Let’s face it, the American lifestyle has come to
be based on and to depend on the greatest luxuries that modern life has to
offer. Come on now, is that what this Psalm is saying? Since God is
my shepherd, I have everything I want? Perhaps the question we should
ask ourselves is, “What is it that I want?” God, as my Shepherd, is my
provider. And when He provides for me, all of my wants are satisfied. And
what does He provide? Jesus said He provides clothing and food (Matt.
6:31-32). Paul says that with these we should be content (1 Tim. 6:8).
When we write out the list of God’s provisions and we come to its
end, do I still have wants? This pronouncement, “I shall not want,” is as
much about me as it is about God. We know He provides. What is yet to
be seen is if I am willing to be satisfied with what He provides. Truthfully,
it is only then that I can honestly say, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not
want.”
Elders
Daryl Buck
Lloyd Coppedge
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
SYMPATHY TO
… Letha Johnson on the death of her
brother-in-law Luther “Bottle” Hatfield,
in Stilwell. Luther is also the great uncle
of Tyrel Hatfield.
PRAYER REQUEST
…Diana Harbison
CHANGE OF ADDRESS
Dorothy Morris
1201 W 4th St
Room 924
Tahlequah, Ok 74464
Bob & Sharrolyn Reed
Francis Harkins
2312 E 36th St
Joplin, MO 64804
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 Classes.....................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