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August 23, 2009TO OUR VISITORS
The family of God here at Dowagiac Church of Christ wishes to extend to you a warm welcome. If you have questions about our worship services and why we do what we do, we will be glad to give you a biblical answer. The uniqueness of the church of Christ is that we are trying to restore to the best of our ability those things that we see the first century church doing. We are also working hard at building the spirit, unity, and love that Jesus taught and prayed for. We have no clergy, but are working together as equal co-workers trying to serve one another and the area in which we live. Come study with us, grow with us, and serve with us as we strive to do God’s will in all things.
FAMILY NEWS
UPDATES:
Patty Gibson's mom had shoulder surgery Wednesday, and everything seemed to go well. Thursday she went to Bill and Patty's house until she is able to take care of herself, but Bill and Patty and family members will be caring for her until then.
Janice Love's blood prssurehas finally stabilized and is normal, so as she says "One down, umpteen to go," but we are glad to hear she has gotten some good news, and we hope she can make progress in the other things she is battling.
Lana Fox needs our prayers. She is battling an esophagus problem that has been going on for some time, and it seems to have gotten worse recently. Keep her in your prayers.
Terry Turman asked for our prayers as he faces challenges of forgiveness, both of himself and of those who have wronged him in the past. This is a tough area that we all need to pray about, but pray for Terry as he faces some unique challenges.
Congratulations to Samantha Wheeler for maintaining a 4.0 grade average in her nursing chemistry program. That is incredIble, especially with her family responsibilities!!
We know there are other issues going on among us that we haven't had updates on. Keep us posted about you and your family
TODAY'S
LESSON
MAKING
CHOICES
INTRODUCTION--What is the best way to have a good life?
John 10:9-10--Do we believe this?
In the critical issues of life--THINK!
| ISSUE |
WORLD | CHRISTIAN | RESULT |
| Sexual Needs | Score Look After #1 |
Genesis 2:24 1 Corinthians 7 |
The best |
| Handicapped | Abortion | Love Them 1 Thessalonians 5:14 |
Love |
| Death | End | Beginning 2 Timithy 4:6-8 |
Reduce Fear |
| Civil Obedience | Keep Order | Romans 13 |
Stop |
| Terminal Disease |
Euthanasia | Love Them 1 Thessalonians 5: 14 |
Last days the best |
| Use of Drugs | Recreational | 1 Timothy 5:23 | What Happens |
| Aid to Needy | Survival of Fittest | Acts 20:35 | Real Joy |
What is the evidence for each of the items above?
Sexual
needs--Masters/Johnson--later studies
Handicapped--Compare cared for and uncared for
Death--How do atheists approach death ?
Civil disobedience--Speed radar, liberal politicians
Terminal disease--Does euthanasia solve anything?
Use of drugs--where are the 60's kids now?
Aid to needy--where do you find real joy?
Bottom line--do it God's way--why? What works? Handicapped--Compare cared for and uncared for
Death--How do atheists approach death ?
Civil disobedience--Speed radar, liberal politicians
Terminal disease--Does euthanasia solve anything?
Use of drugs--where are the 60's kids now?
Aid to needy--where do you find real joy?
POSSIBILITIES
The year 2009 has been a good year
for this congregation. We have seen several projects move into the
community as a congregation and we have a number of things going on
among our members that most of us are not aware of. Leon Forbes and his
wife Margaret have been working as volunteers with a children's program
in the city associated with the schools. Leon also works with the
hospital as does Peggy Barcus as volunteers. There are a number of our
members who work with mentally challenged and elderly people who need
someone to look after them, and our food pantry work is constantly
expanded by individuals in the congregation. We praise God for this
quiet Christian spirit which moves people who believe in Jesus to do
the real work of the Church. James said "Religion that God our Father
accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows
in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world"
(James 1:27). Our lesson today deals with this latter subject. One of
the unique things about Christianity is that it deals with and works on
attitudes rather than just overt behavior. If we are convinced about
God and about His infinite wisdom in guiding us to have life and have
it more abundantly as Jesus put it, we will have the strength to live
as we should!
As we look to 2010 and what our projects should be and how we can evangelize this community, we need to build on what is already working. We need to continue to let the community know about our existence and presence and that we are here to serve. Our fair booth did that, and we need to continue to work at it. The Christmas Parade in Dowagiac is being discussed as a way we might continue to let people know we exist and want to serve. Ways of expanding our Food Pantry need to be discussed. Since school is in session we have some ways of finding distressed families and serving them.
There are also some families we have been in contact with for some time that need help. The Pitcher Lake Campground has some folks that are homeless, and Bill and Patty are serving them right now, but soon the Campground will close and these people need help. This is a congregational issue, not just a problem for the Gibsons. We need to streamline our methods of handling people who drive in wanting help. We have helped some people by spur of the moment decisions, but a better way needs to be found. Think and pray about these possibilities.
As we look to 2010 and what our projects should be and how we can evangelize this community, we need to build on what is already working. We need to continue to let the community know about our existence and presence and that we are here to serve. Our fair booth did that, and we need to continue to work at it. The Christmas Parade in Dowagiac is being discussed as a way we might continue to let people know we exist and want to serve. Ways of expanding our Food Pantry need to be discussed. Since school is in session we have some ways of finding distressed families and serving them.
There are also some families we have been in contact with for some time that need help. The Pitcher Lake Campground has some folks that are homeless, and Bill and Patty are serving them right now, but soon the Campground will close and these people need help. This is a congregational issue, not just a problem for the Gibsons. We need to streamline our methods of handling people who drive in wanting help. We have helped some people by spur of the moment decisions, but a better way needs to be found. Think and pray about these possibilities.