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November 24, 2013
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. Thank you for worshipping with us. |
FAMILY NEWS
REMINDER: There will be no Wednesday night class on November 27 — the day before Thanksgiving.
POTLUCK NEXT SUNDAY: Next Sunday is December 1, and we have a tradition of having a potluck dinner together the first Sunday of each month. This is a great time of good food and wonderful fellowship. Bring a dish of something and join us — or just join us. We always have a lot left over, even after we all pig out.
CHILDREN'S BIBLES: We have bought new children's Bibles for the class and service that meets downstairs. We wanted all the kids to have the same translation, and we got a version that is easy for the children to understand. If you have a child who does not have a Bible of their own, let us know.
COAT GIVE AWAY: We always provide winter coats to kids in the area who do not have one, and we have an opportunity to buy what we need from a wholesaler the second week of December. If you know of a child who needs a coat, please see Bill or Patty Gibson so we can have the right size for them.
REMEMBER DECEMBER 6: We need everyone to help us with our float in the Dowagiac Christmas parade. No special talent needed — just ride the float, sing Christmas carols, and wave to the crowd and smile. We will have a time and float number for you — the parade will be in the evening.
TODAY'S LESSON
THANKSGIVING
1 Thessalonians 5:16-22
John Clayton
INTRODUCTION
A. Our theme today is Thanksgiving — a Christian mandate.
1. We have so much to be thankful for.
2. Being thankful shapes your character and your prayer life.
I. BE THANKFUL FOR AMERICA — song “God Bless America.”
A. God bless America, land that I love.
....Stand beside her and guide her
....Through the night with a light from above.
....From the mountains, to the prairies,
....To the oceans, white with foam
....God bless America, my home sweet home.
II. BE THANKFUL JESUS LOVES YOU ENOUGH TO DIE FOR YOU.
A. “Jesus Loves Me” — COMMUNION SERVICE
A. OFFERING and song “For the Beauty of the Earth”
III. IT IS EASY TO LET OUR JOY AND THANKSGIVING LAG.
A. Hard to be joyful all the time.
1. Lots of things can remove our thankful attitudes.
B. People alienated from God are thankless — Romans 1:21.
IV. BE THANKFUL FOR THE CREATION — song “How Great Thou Art.”
A. Psalm 19:1; Romans 1:20
V. BE THANKFUL FOR FAMILY — song “Jesus Loves the Little Children.”
A. Genesis 2:18; Psalm 127:3
VI. BE THANKFUL FOR FRIENDS — song “Count Your Blessings.”
A. Proverbs 18:24; Thessalonians 3:9 –
VII. BE THANKFUL FOR YOUR HEALTH
A. Psalm 139:14; 1 Timothy 1:12
VIII. BE THANKFUL FOR FOOD, WATER, AND SHELTER
A. 2 Corinthians 9:10 – 11
IX. BE THANKFUL FOR GOD'S WORD — song “Give Me the Bible.”
A. 1 Thessalonians 2:13
X. BE THANKFUL FOR THE CHURCH
A. 1 Thessalonians 1:2, 2 Thessalonians 1:3
XI. BE THANKFUL FOR YOUR SALVATION — songs “Thank You, Lord”
and “A Wonderful Savior.”
A. Philippians 4:6
THE BACK PAGE
I'M SO THANKFUL I LIVE IN DOWAGIAC, MICH., U.S.A.
I was carrying a bunch of groceries out of Hardings, with a lady in front of me and an old man (even older than I) behind me walking with a walker. As the door opened, a blast of wind and rain with a little sleet in it hit us forcing the lady to stagger backwards banging into me causing me to drop my sack of groceries. As I grabbed for the falling food I backed into the old man causing him to lose his balance. He fell, I fell on top of him, and she fell on the top of the two of us with groceries flying everywhere. The lady was cursing and the old man was laughing hysterically. When we all got back on our feet with all the groceries sorted out, she put her hands on her hips and yelled at the old man “What's so funny? I hate living in this crummy place with all of its #$%&@ weather.”
The old man smiled and said “I am so thankful I live in Dowagiac. I don't have to worry about earthquakes, a shortage of water, too much heat or too much cold. I've lived here all my life and I've never seen a hurricane, a war, or a landslide. It's cold enough to kill the bugs and warm enough to melt the ice and the colors in the fall and the flowers in the spring are beautiful. I can get medical help when I need it and medicine when the doctor prescribes it. This is a wonderful place to live.” The lady smiled and said, “Well it ain't my idea of heaven,” and she walked away.
I laughed and introduced myself to the old man. It turned out he was a believer in God, and we shared some words from the Bible. He taught me a valuable lesson about appreciating what you have. As I have watched the horror of the Philippines and all of the tragedy that those folks are experiencing, it just hits me again as to how blessed I am. Dowagiac “ain't my idea of heaven” either, but it is still a wonderful place to live, and I am so thankful to be here. At this time of Thanksgiving I thank God to be in a wonderful town with wonderful people and with beauty everywhere I look.
— John Clayton |