May 27, 2012

Volume 12, Number 22

There Must Be a Story in There Somewhere

2 Corinthians 3:3 I can still picture my grandfather, sitting in a lawn chair, outside their lake cabin, as we would sit in the grass near him. We would ask a question about his past. He would pause for a moment, and then he would say, Well, sonny boy, when I was a little girl and the story would begin. His stories were not long, but they were fun. If my grandmother was there, she would add much more detail. They would tell the stories as if we would know all of the names and people that were involved. Listening to their stories, it didnt matter that we had never met the people or seen the places, they made us feel like we had. They werent professionals. No one had purposely taught them. They just told what they knew. They just told about life. They had stories, and they told them. You too have a story. We all do. I keep thinking that if we told the story, we might find a greater success in reaching our children. There was a day in which we simply expected our children to go to church because the parents did. With lack of success, we changed tactics. We developed youth programs and hired professionals to encourage and educate our youth. Still, we have struggled against the challenge. Someone asked, What would you not do for your children? Outside of things that are immoral, illegal, and lacking in benefit there is not much that I would not do. I believe all of our efforts have been genuine. I believe we have a desire that our children be spiritually strong and faithful to the Lord. Perhaps all of the actions we have taken have had and continue to have some merit to them. Still, I believe that one of the greatest opportunities we have is that of simply telling them the story from our own hearts. Tell me the story of Jesus. Write on my heart every word. Tell me the story most precious; sweetest that ever was heard. Russ
Events, Resources, and Information www.southernridge.org

The Sentinel May 27, 2012

Keep These In Prayer

Larry Scottis in Southwest Medical Center. George Kinghas finished treatments and will meet with the doctor soon to evaluate any further needs. Glenda Cothern, Linda Suarezs sister had surgery on her broken wrist last Monday. Jeanette Mitchellis home recovering from hip surgery. Kathryn Danner Stephen Hopkins sister in need of a heart transplant. Don Fleming - Bills brother. Riley Baldwin chemo injections and surgery. Mark Baldwin, undergoing chemo treatments. Homebound or Limited: Jean Christian Lorella Wilson Aline McDaniel Serving Overseas: Barry Adams Perry Anderson -Address labels are on the bulletin board.

Events and Notices

Singing Class and Fellowship No singing class this evening, because of the holiday. Memorial Day Picnic May 28, 11 a.m. at the church building. There is a sign-up list on the bulletin board. See Keith for details. Vacation Bible School: June 1113 If you ordered a T-shirt see Josh. There is still a need for volunteers to decorate, be class guides, and other duties. Visitation Team #2is on duty this week. Check with Horace on Sunday evening for assignments. Clothes (Etc.) for the Christian Service Center Clothing and donations that are intended for the CCS may be brought to the church building and placed in the next to the last classroom to the east of the auditorium doors. There they will be sized, sorted, and folded or hanged before being taken to the Service Center. If you would like to help or know more, see Michael or Kim Berry. Steve Mays, Larry Baldwins brother-in-law passed away with cancer last week. Remember this family. Thank-you to Josh Dyer for doing so much computer and software preparation work to use the new projection system in the auditorium. We are still looking at screen options to improve the viewing for our songs, announcements and lesson presentations.

Happy Birthday to ... Kevin Keenan Wyatt Bruner Eddie Pelton Linda Suarez Happy Anniversary... Eddie & Mary Pelton J.C. & Stacy Glidewell Howard & Sandy Johnson

5/28 5/30 6/2 6/9

5/30 6/1 6/4

Order of Service
Announcements Scripture: Song 362 Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee Prayer Song 132 Does Jesus Care Song 7 Abide With Me Comments Lord's Supper Collection Song 585 Soldiers of Christ Arise Sermon: Where Are You, Lord? Song 50 Have You Been to Jesus Song 847 Bind Us Together Prayer

Fr eed o m
John 8:32
I have known only a few people in my life who have ever been unjustly held as a prisoner, or a captive in a war. I knew a man who was in a German prison camp during World War II. He marked the anniversary of his escape as his day of freedom every year. The Jews had a year of Jubilee in which the bond servants were to become free of their bondage. We also have in our penal system a limitation on the sentence of most criminal matters. We have the concept of one who is freed from some sort of bondage. Still the only physical bondage some of us may have ever endured may be the years that we had to spend in school, or at home with our parents. Jesus confronted the people of his day with a message of freedom. They did not comprehend it, because they did not know that they were bound. He pointed to their bondage. They had not seen it. Even when confronted with it, many chose not to recognize it as such. It is sad to be bound when there is freedom to be had. Bondage is often unfair, and anger provoking. Still, what is sadder is to see anyone bound and shackled from freedom when it has been freely offered to them. I cannot imagine any hostages choosing to remain a prisoner in the hands of uncaring, ungodly captors when freedom has been freely offered to them. Are there things in your life from which you would long to be free. There is a freedom. It is offered to you. We listen to the words of Jesus, look to ourselves, and maybe we find there is that from which we have yet to be freed in our lives. Much of the bondage we may see is that which is self inflicted. The freedom Jesus offers begins with a freedom from yourself. Russ

The Sentinel May 27, 2012

Scheduled to Serve Next Week (6/3/12)

Announcements
Dwain Thacker

Greeters
Teah Ausmus Michael & Kim Berry Walter & Carolyn McFadden
Spotlight on Mission Work Words of Life (Radio Ministry) Ed Smithsons 15 minute messages are heard in NW Arkansas., SW Missouri. SE Kansas and NE Oklahoma. He also manages a web site (www.oldpaths.com). On the web site he gives access to sermons, articles, music, poems and other information relating to the church. He recently began a link in which he offers assistance to young preachers. The Christian Service Center Churches in the metro area support this work which offers clothing and household items to those in need. Jack Grimes is the administrator of the facility. Through the contacts made with the people coming to the Center many bible studies are arranged. The Center is manned by volunteers and there is always a need for more help. Note that we have begun to use one of our classrooms to size and sort clothing.

Lord's Table (am) Prayers: Arless Murray

Alex Suarez Eddie Pelton Jim Skaggs Roger Scott Fred Jones Blue Suarez Bill Fleming Sunday Bryan Ausmus Horace Phillips Larry Baldwin Stephen Hopkins Brian Jaworsky

Lord's Table (pm) Prayers (am)

Darrell MacDonald

Prayers (pm)
Bill Sherman

Schedule of Services Bible study Worship Worship

Wednesday 9:00 AM 10:00 AM 5:00 PM 7:00 PM
Deacons Michael Berry Joe Downs Bill Fleming Walter McFadden

Bible Study
Elders Kevin Keenan Horace Phillips Roger Scott Bill Sherman

Ministers George King Dwain Thacker Darrell MacDonald Randy Vance Keith McDougal Russell Dyer Caleb Eggleston

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