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FAMILY NEWSREMINDER: We will not have our Sunday night class tonight. The Tuesday senior brunch at Golden Corral is still on at 11:00 AM this Tuesday, January 3. OUR NEW CLASSES ARE STARTING! Wednesday night we are studying the book of Galatians, and on Sunday evenings we are beginning Proverbs. Learning God's Word should be important for all of us; and these are content studies that contain material that should be new to all of us. Join us as we learn and grow in our understanding of God's Word. CONGREGATIONAL MEETING: It has been a long time since we have had a congregational meeting to discuss the work here, find out what we have done, what our finances are, what we have planned for 2017, and what needs to be done. We have some logistical problems that need to be addressed, and we need some plans for efforts during the coming year. Please see the back cover for more on this. Let us plan on a meeting after the potluck on February 5. Plan now to stay and bring your ideas. If you see a problem with that date, please let me know. TODAY'S LESSON
INTRODUCTION
A. What does the word “new” mean to you?
I. GOD HAS CALLED MAN TO A “NEW SONG”
B. Galatians 6:15 — “What counts is a new creature.” C. The basic theme of the N.T. is Newness.
A. Psalms 33:3; 40:3; 96:1; 98:1; 144:9; Isaiah 42:10
II. GOD HAS CALLED MAN TO A NEW LIVING
B. All through Revelation 5:9, etc. C. Word study: “Kainos — new, of that which is unaccustomed or unused, not new in time, recent, but new as to form or quality, of different nature from what is contrasted as old … new covenant, new commandment … new character … new name … new life of the quickened spirit of the believer. Impossible to dissociate this from the operation of the Holy Spirit by whose power the service is rendered” (Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words). Other use of “song” is “ode” used in praise.
D. Begin this new year seeking a new song — praise. Spend some time each day thinking....about good. A. Lamentations 3:22 – “26 — “wait quietly” = do not talk it, live it. God will bring salvation.
III. WE LOOK FORWARD TO A NEW HEAVEN AND EARTH
... We are about doing — serving — washing feet Jn 13 B. Luke 5:36 — Old life styles donot fit new living. C. Colossians 3:10 — “put it on” D. Hebrews 10:19 – 20 “New and living way” — lifestyle E. Galatians 6:15 — “What counts …” F. Eph. 4:22 – 24 — New in the attitude of your mind G. 2 Corinthians 5:17 — Newness reconciles us to God H. The new way of living gives us a “new song.” A. Isaiah 65:13 – 25
B. Revelation 21:1 – 4 1. Let go of the “old order of things.” 2. Begin this new year as a new man/woman. 3. Do not let your Christianity get “old.” THE BACK PAGE2017 — NEW CHALLENGES/NEW OPPORTUNITIESToday marks the beginning of a new year and a chance to start thinking about what we want to do with it — both individually and as a congregation. It is also a time to look back at 2016 and see what the Lord did during the past 12 months and how he has blessed us. In 2016 we were blessed with several new families that are active, dynamic, involved, and opening some new doors for us. We are thankful to God that Gerry and Della Bundle's situation has made it possible for them to be with us regularly and to work with us. Melba Bestle became a child of God this past year, and Jerry Hagie is worshiping with us regularly as is Kim Schirripa. Shane and Mandy Wallace and their cowboy Benjamin have gotten involved in the work here, and we are building an outreach to young families with young children through them. The Wise family is with us during the summer and we are hopeful that Cody and Tonya Denton will be coming to services and getting involved in the work here. Harold and Pauline Mathis and Rose and Howard Marlin are with us on Wednesday and Sunday nights for our Bible studies, and along with Walter Swann work with us in special projects. 2016 was good to us, and the future is promising. We have had great success in programs that we have been doing for a long time. The highway cleanup effort continues to be noticed by the community. The coats for kids effort had some challenges because our supplier was no longer available, and while we got over that hurdle for this year we need a plan for next year. The food pantry continues to grow and has made some great inroads in the community. The flowers for our neighbors effort created a lot of good will and was well received. We are now a major fixture in Timbers for worship every first Sunday of the month, and that effort may be expanded. We need to talk about new efforts, and how we may want to tweak the ones we are doing. A Facebook page, expansion of our website, and a public meeting are all discussed options. We will have a meeting soon to discuss all of this, so give it some thought and prayer. — John Clayton Our sign by the street!
Sign saying adapted from 2 Corinthians 5:17. |
