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October 7, 2012

WELCOME!
WE'RE GLAD YOU'RE HERE

We are a group of believers who simply try to follow the Bible as a guide for all we do. Everything done in our worship service is something for which we have a Bible basis. You are welcome to participate as much or as little as you wish. We will sing hymns together and we will observe the Lord's Supper or Communion together. We will also have an opportunity to give to the work of God in this area. This collection is for the members here, and if you are visiting you should not feel and pressure to give. Our lesson time will be divided into two groups. The young children will go to our classroom area in the basement where they will be taught the Bible at a level they can understand. The adults will stay in the auditorium for a lesson at an adult level. We do try to serve the community, and if you have some needs that we can help you with, mention it to one of the members.

FAMILY NEWS

POTLUCK TODAY — This is the first Sunday of October, and we have a potluck every first Sunday of each month. We have lots of food, so plan to stay and enjoy good food and good fellowship together.

THANKS to everyone who helped pick up trash along the highway, and to Richard Hoyt who managed the clean up. The state will eventually put up signs on the road telling the community we are taking care of the highway!

FUN DAY — Every year the Gibsons have a special day for our young and young at heart. There are hot dogs, a hay ride, games of all kinds, snack foods — you name it. This year the fun day will be next Saturday, October 13, at 1:00 at Pitcher Lake Campground. If you need a ride, let us know.

SPECIAL NEEDS —We have so many people with sickness, injuries, and family problems that we do not have space to list them here. Be sure to get the prayer list sheet from Karl and Julie and please use it. Pray for these folks, send cards, make visits, and calls. Spend a few minutes each week making sure you contact those facing problems. No one should be alone.

TODAY'S LESSON

HOW A CATERPILLAR BECOMES A BUTTERFLY

ROMANS 12:2

INTRODUCTION
A. Text talks about being transformed — renewed.
B. Webster — “the wormlike, often hairy larva of the lepidopterous insect.” Ugly, short lived, etc.
C. Three steps change caterpillar into a butterfly.
WE MUST PUT THE PAST BEHIND US.
A. Philippians 3:12 –13
1. Paul had a problem with his past — 1 Timothy 1:15.
2. Many of us have a problem with our past.
a. How we lived before our conversion
b. Mistakes we have made (Rom 7:14 – 8:1)
c. Your mistakes ___________________________
B. The caterpillar has to leave it all behind.
1. He takes nothing with him.
WE HAVE TO USE WHAT GOD HAS GIVEN US.
A. Ephesians 4:7
1. God has given us a role — something to do.
B. 1 Corinthians 12:4 – 7
1. Verse 11
C. Suppose he decides not to be a butterfly?
1. Ever cut a cocoon open? — It is a mess.
2. Do not be impatient —  be content.
3. Roles can change — look at Paul.
DO NOT BE AFRAID TO TRUST GOD!
A. Philippians 4:12 –13
B. Sometimes it is hard to trust God — Examples:
1. Death —
2. Divorce —
3. Mental illness —
4. Chronic pain, extended illness —
5. Drugs, alcohol —
C. Romans 8:28 — do we believe it?
D. 1 Corinthians 10:13 — will we look for it — trust God it's there?
E. Finding your role in the church — God has one.
REALIZE THAT THIS DISCUSSION APPLIES TO CHRISTIANS — How can you trust a God you reject?

WORKING ON OUR IMAGE

We are seeing an increasing number of visitors at our services. We have some members that are very good at inviting people to visit our services, and we are seeing more and more children come with these visitors. We have upgraded our facilities, and we are adding things to our building that show the community that we are interested and wanting to serve the area. We are talking to radio stations in the area about having a program, and are using our sign in front to encourage people to come and be with us in class and during our worship service. Our building is kept clean and attractive, and we maintain our property.

All of these cosmetic things are important, but it is also important that we radiate to our visitors that we do things “decently and in order.” It is also important that we provide them with a warm comfortable welcome and a clear understanding of what is going on so they are comfortable being with us.

Our building is kept clean and attractive but it is important that we let people know we take our Bible study and worship seriously. We need to start on time, end on time, and be clear as to who is teaching, who is leading singing, etc. We need to have a handout to give our visitors that is attractive and explains who we are and what we are about. We need to ask them for a mailing address and then send them a follow up that does not pressure them, but lets them know we appreciate their presence and want them to come back.

We are doing all of these things to some degree, but we have a lot to work on. We do not have a hand out that is attractive and clearly states what we are about and what we have to offer. Our visitor card is not settled — we have two and one of them is too small and requests some information people may not be comfortable with. We need some volunteers to work on some of these things so we are all on the same page and we know who is doing what when we have visitors. Do not wait for someone else to do it. Volunteer to help get all this done.