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Bulletin cover

February 14, 2021
CORONA VIRUS ISSUE 35

FAMILY NEWS OF
THE CHURCH OF CHRIST ON M 51 S

This is the church bulletin for the congregation of the Church of Christ that meets in Dowagiac, Michigan, on M 51 just south of the city. Ordinarily we meet on Sunday morning for Bible study and worship and also on Sunday evening and Wednesday night for a Bible study. Since the pandemic forced us into not having meetings at our building we have been meeting via Zoom on our smartphones, tablets, and computers. After almost two months of worship under the trees we have moved into the building with our Zoom meetings for those who are not able to meet in person. Everyone is welcome to participate in this worship service at 11:00 on Sunday morning. If you want to participate with Zoom, contact Karl Marcussen at marcusen@michiana.org to get the information to join us.

DUE to the COVID-19 pandemic
and government mandates we
will not have Bible classes until further notice.

FAMILY NEWS

This bulletin is distributed in a variety of different ways. It is distributed during our worship services at the church building; it is made available on the web at our dowagiaccoc.org website; and it is sent by e-mail/messaging in connection with our ZOOM broadcast invitations. However you receive it, we hope it will be informative and encouraging. We are not a denomination, but a local effort to encourage people to follow what the church was like in the first century. We have no man-made creed and only follow the Bible. We do not have religious titles and do not solicit donations. Come and learn more by visiting with us, e-mailing us, or calling us.

REMEMBER OUR CLASS on Wednesday night at 7:00 P.M., either here at the building or on Zoom. See page 4 for more information.

ATTENTION LADIES: There is a ladies' prayer meeting on Zoom at 1:00 P.M. every Thursday. This is a great time of fellowship and prayer. If you have a smartphone, tablet, or computer you can be a part of this. If you have not been contacted and want to participate call or text Della Bundle at 720-272-8408.

MARK ON YOUR CALENDAR: The Food Bank Truck will be coming to our building April 27 at 4:00 P.M. and again September 28.

love quotes from the New Testament


TODAY'S LESSON

WHATEVER BECAME OF
THE PRODIGAL SON?

 Sound on icon

John Clayton
I. INTRODUCTION
A. We all know the story — Luke 15:11-24.
(John referred to the song sung before our lesson: “God Is Calling the Prodigal.”)
B. What was the prodigal’s life like after the party.
II. HE HAD TO RESIST TEMPTATION.
A. Satan does not give up.
B. We forget the slavery of sin
1. Galatians 4:9
2. Sin offers pleasures. Living God's way is hard.
C. Hebrews 11:13-16; Exodus 16:2-3
D. Hebrews 3:12
E. The prodigal's battle was not over. Neither is ours.
III. THE PRODIGAL SON HAD A TESTIMONY TO SHARE.
A. We all do — Galatians 1:13.
B. The prodigal knew about testimony — Luke 15:18-19.
A boy grew up: His testimony BEGAN there.
IV. HE HAD A TRUE APPRECIATION OF HIS FATHER.
A. Luke 7:41-47 — Do you have to hit bottom?
Remember the past to appreciate deliverance.
B. Ephesians 2:11-16
V. THE PRODIGAL SON HAD A TOLL TO PAY.
A. His relationship to his brother
Family is tough.
B. Galatians 6:5-8
VI. THE PRODIGAL HAD A TASK TO PERFORM.
A.Luke 15:25 — Had to go back to work in the field.
So do we — Ephesians 2:10.
B. Like the prodigal, our experience is a special talent.
Romans 8:28
VII. HOW IS YOUR LIFE SIMILAR TO THE PRODIGAL'S?
A. Do you need an awakening?
1. COVID-19 has been a wake up call.
2. You have a testimony to share
B. It is time to appreciate God the Father more.
C. Romans 6 is a application of Luke 15.
(John referred to our concluding song: “Lead Me Gently Home, Father.”)

THE BACK PAGE

WHY STUDY THE HISTORY OF ISRAEL?

Our Wednesday night class got off to a good start this past week. Zoom worked well, and we were able to see the map and learn about what led into the reign of David by our walk through 1 Samuel through the anointing of David as the king of Israel. Some may wonder why we study this material. This is ancient history long before the birth of Christ and long before the establishment of the church. So why study it? Let me give you a few reasons:

  1. The foundation of the gospels and the early history of the church is rooted in this material. Why were the Jews so opposed to Christ? What was the origin of the Gentiles that made Paul’s mission work so unique? You need to understand the background of Israel to appreciate what you read in the New Testament.
  2. There are repeated references to these chapters in the New Testament. Hebrews 11:32-40 is perhaps the most obvious, but there are other references that make it important to know this history.
  3. In our age of skepticism there are those who make ignorant claims about the accuracy and the correlation of these books. I too am ignorant of all this, and we have the blessing of having a man who has not only studied this material in depth, but who has actually visited the places described. What a blessing it is to have a man who is schooled and experienced in this material as our teacher.

1 Peter 3:15 tells us to be ready to give an answer of the reason of the hope that is within us to any person who asks. The reason we have people who have claimed a world domination by military might by Israel is because people are ignorant of this material. Dispensationalism and millennialism are a product of this ignorance. This is a needed class. Join us at 7:00 P.M. Wednesday either on ZOOM or at the building.

— John Clayton

Our sign by the street!

Start your year with God. He makes all things new!

Sign saying from Matthew 5:9

Scripture links/references are from BibleGateway.com. Unhighlighted scriptures can be looked up at their website.

www.dowagiaccoc.org
02/16/2021