Thursday, July 12, 2012

Weekly Bulletin - July 8, 2012



Instructions To A Pencil


     A pencil-maker told the pencil 5 important lessons just before putting it in the box:

1. Everything you do will make a mark.

2. You can correct the mistakes you make.

3. What is important is what is inside of you.

4. In life, you will undergo painful sharpenings, which will only make you better.

5. To be the best pencil, you must allow yourself to be held and guided by the hand that holds you.

     We all need to be sharpened.  May this parable encourage you to know that you are a special person, with unique God-given talents and abilities.  Only you can fulfill the purpose which you were born to accomplish.  Never allow yourself to get discouraged and think that your life is insignificant and cannot be changed and, like the pencil, always remember that the most important part of who you are is what’s inside of you.

Author unknown, found at  http://bulletingold.com/goldvol12_5.html

 

WEEKLY BIBLE READING: Psalms 58-89


News and Notes:  

-Men’s Business Meeting:  Tonight after evening services. 

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL:

We had a wonderful time at our Vacation Bible School 2 weeks ago. The weeks of planning, preparing, the hours of effort put in by so many contributed to its success.  Total in all, there were over 35 kids who came.  By bringing in aluminum cans,  $95 was raised  to fund much of our supplies.  If there is any teachers that would like to be reimbursed for their expenses, please give your receipts to Tom.  A big thank you to everyone that helped in making it such a wonderful experience.  

Good News For Youth:  Each Monday night in July.  Any teens interested in going, please see Dale.

- Next Sunday will be the Parsley’s last Sunday with us.  On Saturday, July 14, there will be a get together at the Dupler’s house for them.  For more information, please see Patty. 



For The Record:

Sunday

Morning Worship……33

Evening Worship.........00

Wednesday

Bible Class…….…..…12

Contribution............$733



MORNING SERMON:

WHY CHRIST BRINGS MEANING TO L.I.F.E.

LOVE OF CHRIST

INSTRUCTION OF CHRIST

FORGIVENESS IN CHRIST

ETERNAL LIFE IN CHRIST






Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Weekly Bulletin - June 10, 2012



Complaints
Never once did our Lord have a path free from trouble.
When He went into the wilderness, He was tempted of the Devil.
When He tried to rest, the multitudes followed Him.
When He taught in the synagogue, the hearers became angry and sought to throw Him off the brow of the hill.
 When He gave others rest for their souls, He had no place to lay His head.
When He sought peace in the garden, they came with swords and staves and led Him away to the halls of judgment.
When He did His best to be kind and loving in face of mockery, they took Him as a sheep to the slaughter and drenched Calvary with His precious blood. And yet, in spite of it all, He never grumbled about His burden. Jesus did not complain at all! He just went about doing good. Let us be like Him! The busiest are the happiest.
 Cheerful, active labor is a blessing. The busy, the active, the happy, the cheerful—don’t have time to complain.
Author Unknown, Found at: http://bulletingold.com/goldvol12_4.html,

Morning Sermon:
TO DRINK OR NOT TO DRINK? (part1)
1.  “Wine” is not always wine:
2.  Words for Wine:
- Old Testament:
- New Testament:
3.  Drunkenness in the Bible:
-Defined:
-Demonstrated:


WEEKLY BIBLE READING: Job 32-Psalm 20

News and Notes:  
 Men’s Business Meeting:  Tonight after evening services. 
Fort Hill Christian Youth Camp: June 17-23.  Registration forms are in  the back.
Pop Cans:  Next Sunday will be the last Sunday to turn in any pop can for VBS.  Thanks to all who have donated. 
Sign up sheet is in the back for those who would like to cut the grass.

For The Record:
Sunday
Morning Worship……77
Evening Worship.........15
Wednesday
Bible Class…….…..…14
Contribution............$1,332

Monday, June 4, 2012

Bulletin - June 3, 2012



Morning Sermon:
A GREAT WORSHIP SERVICE -  Nehemiah 8
I.  A Great Example in ATTENDANCE  (verse 1)
II.  A Great Example in their ATTITUDE  Toward the Word of God
III.   A Great Example in their ATTITUDE in the WORSHIP OF GOD
IV.  A Great Example of  ACTUAL PREACHING  (verse 4, 7)
V.  A Great Example of APPLICATION  in Life  (verse 12)

News and Notes:  
- Potluck:  Today after morning services.
- Men’s Business Meeting:  Next Sunday after evening services.
-Parents:  Keep in mind that Fort Hill Christian Youth Camp is just right around the corner in June.   Registration forms are in  the back.
- Pop Cans:  Sunday, June 17 will be the last Sunday to turn in any pop can for VBS.  Thanks to all who have donated. 
-VBS Teachers:  If you would like to order anything else, please see Angie. 
-If you would like to cut the grass sometime this year, there is a sign up sheet in the back.   

WEEKLY BIBLE READING: Nehemiah 8-Job 7

FOR THE RECORD:
Sunday
Morning Worship……40
Evening Worship.........12
Wednesday
Bible Class…….…..…13
Contribution............$1,041

WARNING:  MISINTERPRETING THE BIBLE CAN CAUSE DEATH
In the news lastweek a pastor of the “Full Gospel Apostolic House of the Lord Jesus” in Matoaka, West Virginia died from being bitten by a rattle snake during their Sunday worship service. Even though snake handling churches are few and far between, they still allegedly exist in several states. Perhaps you’re wondering, “why would someone do such a crazy thing?” The answer is simple: churches that practice snake handling churches what Jesus said in Mark 16:17-18 and misinterpret or misapply what it meant back then and what it means for today.   
     To better understand the context of Mark 16:17-18, consider what Jesus said in verses 15-20.
“And He said to them, ‘God into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. (16) He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. (17) And these signs will follow those who believe: In my name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; (18) they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.’ (19) So then, after the Lord had spoke to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. (20) And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.”
     In light of modern day snake handling, there are several things to point out from these verses:
1. Verse 20 reveals the purpose of those who were given the ability to perform miracles. Notice “confirming the word through the accompanying signs.” Miracles were permitted at a time when the Word of God was not yet complete and in written form; thus, those whom God chose for the Holy Spirit to speak through (2 Peter 1:20-21; Matthew 10:19-20), could also be given miraculous powers as listed in verses 17-18 to prove their message was from God. Once the word of God was complete, the need for miracles ceased (see 1 Corinthians 13:8-10).
     2. A biblical example of the snake handling reference in verse 17 was when the Apostle Paul found himself shipwrecked on the Island of Malta. As he was gathering sticks to build a fire for himself and those with him, a viper bit him on the hand. Paul simply shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm (see Acts 28:1-6). What Paul experienced is much different than what snake handling churches practice today in that: (a.) Paul’s experience occurred in public, not in a private meeting house. (b.) Paul did not voluntarily allow himself to be bitten to show off his faith. It happened by accident, and as a result of not being harmed, it confirmed that he was a man of God, preaching a message from God. (c.) Just because someone handles a poisonous snake and is not bitten, does not mean it is a miracle. (Otherwise zoo-keepers would be performing miracles every day). (d.) Just because someone handles a poisonous snake, is bitten by it, and survives is not a miracle either. When Paul was bitten by a viper, he suffered no harm (Acts 28:5). Even when members of snake handling churches today are bitten and survive, they still end up scarred for life. (e.) If someone still believes that the miraculous gifts in the first century have not yet ceased, why didn’t someone raise the man who died last week from the dead? I mention this not to appear as unkind, but to prove a point: if snake handling is a demonstration that miracles still exist, what about other miracles such as raising one from the dead?
     In the end, the problem is not that this man did not have enough faith (as some modern faith healers allege when one of their miracles fail); anyone who is willing to handle a rattle snake in this sense probably has faith that all will be well. The real problem is that this man had an incorrect faith due to misinterpreting and misapplying the Bible. While I admire this man’s zeal, it is never the less a sad story of one who had zeal, but not according to knowledge (Romans 10:2).             
    -Dale P.
References: Veteran snake-handling pastor dies after bite, Vicki Smith, Associated Press,




Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Bulletin - May 13, 2012



HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!
Just for Laughs
Here’s how several elementary school students answered the following questions about moms: 
Why did God make mother?
-She’s the only one who knows where the Scotch tape is.
-Mostly to clean the house.
-To help us out of there when we were getting born. 
How did God make mothers?
-He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
-Magic plus superpowers and a lot of stirring. 
-God made my mom just the same like he made me.  He just used bigger parts.
Of what ingredients are mothers made?
-God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world, and one dab of mean.
-They had to get their start from men’s bones. They can mostly use string, I think.
Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom? 
-We’re related.
-God knew she likes me a lot more than other people’s moms like me. 
Selected from 1001 Illustrations that Connect, p. 284
WEEKLY BIBLE READING: 2 Chronicles 9-34

News and Notes:
-          Parents:  Keep in mind that Fort Hill Christian Youth Camp is just right around the corner in June.   Registration forms are in  the back.
-          VBS Teacher:  Most if not all of the supplies ordered are in the back.  If you would like to order anything else, please see Angie. 
-          VBS Helpers:  If you would like to participate in our VBS at the end of June, please see Dale. 
-          If you would like to cut the grass sometime this year, there is a sign up sheet in the back.   

For the Record
Sunday
Morning Worship……67
Evening Worship.........12
Wednesday
Bible Class…….…..….13
Contribution............$1,187

TODAY’S SERMON:
Mothers and GRANDMOTHERS-Titus 2:3-5
GRAND MOTHERS – OLDER WOMEN: 
1.  Reverent in Behavior
2.  Not Slanderers
3. Not slaves to wine
4.  Teachers of Good Things
5.  Training the Younger Women
YOUNGER WOMEN:
1. Love their Husbands
2.  Love their Children
3.  Self controlled
4.  Pure
5. Work at Home
6. Kind
7.  Submissive to  Her Husband

Friday, May 4, 2012

Bulletin - April 29, 2012



GOD’S DRAFT:
     For NFL fans, this weekend was probably one of interest because of the annual draft.  TV analysts, radio talk show hosts and the average fan was anxious to see the results of things such as: who will be the very first pick? What players will my team select?  How many players will be drafted from my favorite college team? Have you ever wondered what the odds are of a football player being drafted in the NFL?   Think about this: of the 100,000 high school seniors who play football every year, only 215 will ever make an NFL roster.  Even of the 9,000 players that make it to the college level, only 310 are invited to the NFL scouting combine, the pool from which the teams make their draft picks. In other words, only 2.4% of college players become NFL players, and only .02% of high school players make it to the NFL. 
     What’s the lesson?  If you’re not really good, and don’t have a natural gift to play football, you probably won’t make it.  Thankfully, God’s kingdom is not like this.  Paul wrote in Ephesians 1:3-4 “Bless be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. (4) just as he chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.”  God chooses individuals to be in Him?  Yes!  On what basis does He do this?  Is it on account of how good I am?  Does He choose someone on account of his intelligence, career, skin color, appearance, popularity? No!   God chooses us through the preaching of the good news Christ. Paul wrote in 2 Thessalonians 2;13-14 “But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth (14) to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.  This gospel message is extended to everyone (Matthew 11:28-30; Romans 1:16)  Regardless of one’s past, outward circumstances, etc., and unlike the NFL draft, God calls everyone to be chosen, the question for us is: who will respond and obey?  “And having been perfected, he became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him” (Hebrews 5:9). 
- Dale P.
REFERENCES:
WEEKLY BIBLE READING:  2 Kings 23-1 Chronicles 14

News and Notes:  
-           Friday Night Sing:  Thanks to all our members who came.  We had over 12 congregations represented  from Columbus to West Virginia; with over 90 people in attendance.  The food was great, the fellowship was fun and the singing was uplifting. 
-           5th Sunday Evening Sing:  Tonight.  This a great opportunity to learn new songs and be reminded of old one’s from long ago. 
-          If you would like to cut the grass sometime this year, there is a signup sheet in the back.   

FOR THE RECORD:
Sunday
Morning Worship……36
Evening Worship.........14
Wednesday
Bible Class…….…..….13
Contribution............$1,042

A.M. SERMON:
THE CHURCH:
1. DEFINITION OF THE CHURCH:
2. DESIGN OF THE CHURCH:
3.  DESIGNER’S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CHURCH: 

COME WORSHIP WITH US!

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Bulletin - April 22, 2012



LIVE IN THE MOMENT?
     In the news recently, the L.A. Times reported a Chinese teenager sold one of his kidneys in order to by an iPhone and an iPad.  I was shocked when I first read this.  Why would someone do such a thing?  An iPhone or iPad are both things that in our day and age are only going to be useful at best for 4-5 years. Yet your kidney is something you need for the rest of your life. 
     This teen’s foolish act can be a great lesson for us.  Clearly his decision to get rid of something so valuable, for objects that are short-term is a decision based on the here and now.  His immediate desires and interests were of greater value than the long term. As Christians, we can be guilty of this when we give into temptation. James 1:13 “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God’; For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.  (14) But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.  (15) Then when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full grown, brings for the death.”
     Notice again in verse 13: God cannot be tempted.  Why? 1. God is Spirit:  temptation is an appeal through the flesh.   Fleshly appeal has no appeal if something is not fleshly.  2. God is eternal: temptation by its very nature is an earthly or in the moment desire.   
     What better way to consider temptation: To see it through the eyes of God!  I’m not saying that temptation will no longer have any appeal to us, or we will no longer be troubled by the devil;   but if we can view temptation from the eternal eyes of God, temptation is not as appealing. In other words, if we can live our lives focused on spiritual things and things eternal, we are more apt to overcome in the hour of daily temptation. 
-Dale P.    

WEEKLY BIBLE READING:  2 Kings 4-22

News and Notes:  
-          Our Annual Friday Night Sing:  Friday, April 27, from 7:00-9:00.  We refreshments will be provided after the service. Finger foods, drinks and deserts will be needed.
-          If you would like to cut the grass sometime this year, there is a sign up sheet in the back.   
-          Ladies Bible Study:  This Thursday

For the Record
Sunday
Morning Worship……53
Evening Worship.........16
Wednesday
Bible Class…….…..….15
Contribution............$1,042

MORNING SERMON:
JOSIAH: GOD’S RIGHTEOUS KING
2 Kings 22-23
I. A RIGHTEOUS KING:
His  Description of Righteousness…  (2 Kings 22:2)
1.

2.
3.
Was Righteous in spite of his family tree…
1.
2.
II.  RIGHT RESPONSE TOWARD’S GOD’S WORD:
A.  He tore his clothes  because he:  __________________________
B. He ______________________________________________
C.  He ______________________________________________
D.  He ______________________________________________

COME WORSHIP WITH US!


Monday, April 9, 2012

Bulletin - April 8, 2012



SPRING CLEAN
NEXT SATURDAY!
8:00 – 12:00

WEEKLY BIBLE READING:    2 Samuel 13-1 Kings 7

News and Notes:  
-Men’s Business Meeting:  Sunday, April 15, after evening services.
-Spring Cleaning Day:  Saturday, April 14.  Sign up sheet is in the back including a to do list. 
- Secret Sister Luncheon: is going to be rescheduled for a later date.
- Our Annual Friday Night Sing:  Friday, April 27, from 7:00-9:00.  We will need refreshments for the fellowship after the service. 
- Ladies Bible Study:  This Thursday

FOR THE RECORD:
Sunday
Morning Worship……47
Evening Worship.........12
Wednesday
Bible Class…….…..….14
Contribution............$913

Those Serving Today:
Announcements: Steve Dupler
Song Leader: Dale Parsley
Lord’s Table: Lester Waldren
Assisting: Brian Dupler, Mike Morgan
Sermon: Dale Parsley
Next Week:
Announcements: Steve Dupler
Song Leader: Dick Morgan
Lord’s Table: Mike Morgan
Assisting: Tom Ogle, Jack Waldren
Sermon: Dale Parsley


MORNING SERMON:
What the Death, Burial and Resurrection of Christ Means  To Me – Acts 2
I. CONVINCED that Jesus Christ is the Son of God: 
Evidence for the resurrection…
A. Fulfilled Prophecy (Acts 2:25-28)
B.  The Empty Tomb (Acts 2:29-31)
C. The Apostles were Witnesses (Acts 2:32)
II.  CONVICTED of My Sins:
A. God’s Plan(Acts 2:23) –  B.  Man’s  Response (Acts 2:37)
III.  COMMITTED to the Cause of Christ:
What did they do?  
1. Verse 38 - Came to Christ  
2. Verse 42 -  Continued to learn
3. Verse 42, 44, 46 -  Came together as a family
4. Verse 42 - Continually partaking of the Lord's Supper (Acts 20:7)
5. Verse 42  - Continued in prayer
6. Verse 43 - Continued to grow in faith
7. Verses 44-45 - Cared for one another benevolently.
8. Verse 46 - Converted others
9. Verse 47 - Continued to praise God




Monday, April 2, 2012

Bulletin - April 1, 2012



“The Laws of Morality Don’t Apply To Me”
     It was said of Napoleon that he “always advocated the sanctity of the home and the obligation of public worship – for others.  Of himself he said, ‘I am not a man like other men.  The laws of morality do not apply to me.’”(William Barclay, The Letters to the Corinthians, p. 121) 
     We could say that Napoleon had a “do as I say, not as I do” policy.  The kind of thinking when someone says: “It’s wrong for someone to do this…except me.” Or “It’s good that everyone does this…but I don’t have to.”  This hypocritical thinking is something that any Christian can do.  For instance, if we are busy focusing on all the sins of others, yet neglect to examine ourselves, we’re applying the laws of God to other men, but not to ourselves.  Matthew 7:1-5 teaches us that the standard of judgment (and hopefully that’s the Bible) that we apply to others should first be applied to ourselves.  Sometimes we’ll discover that we not only have the same problem, but even worse. 
    There are two people who are in danger of this:  me and you.      
     ME: Preachers are one’s who can easily fall into the trap of looking at the problems of the congregation and not looking within first.  Each week I prepare and preach at least two sermons to other people on how to live the Christian life.  I constantly must be aware that I’m a sinner saved by God’s grace through faith (Eph. 2:8-9), and still deal with sin in my life; but as I seek to walk in the light, the blood of Christ continues to cleanse me of my sins (1 John 1:7).  The sermon applies just as much to me as it does anyone else.  
     YOU: I’m sure every preacher has had his share of frustration when services are over and as people are heading out the door, someone says, “that was a great sermon, ‘so and so’ really needed to hear that.”  Sometimes I want to ask, “Well, what about you?” “The fact is, we all probably needed to hear it.”  As Christians, we’re here to help one another go to heaven.  May we avoid being the Pharisees in Jesus’ day (Luke 18:9-14). 
-Dale P.

News and Notes:  
-           We want to extend our sympathy to the Hartman family.  Gerry’s father, Jack England passed away last week.  Funeral arrangements are as follows:  Visitation: Monday, 6-8; Funeral: Tuesday, 11:00 - at the Leavitt Funeral Home in Belpre, Ohio. 
-           Community Food Bank:  The one scheduled for this coming Saturday has been cancelled due to the holiday weekend. 
-          Men’s Business Meeting:  Sunday, has been moved to April 15.
-          Brief VBS Meeting:  Sunday, April 8 after morning services to decide on the theme. 
-          Spring Cleaning Day:  Saturday, April 14. 
-           Secret Sister Luncheon: Saturday, April 21. 
-           Our Annual Friday Night Sing:  Friday, April 27, from 7:00-9:00.  We will need refreshments for the fellowship after the service. 
-           Ladies Bible Study:  This Thursday

WEEKLY BIBLE READING: 1 Samuel 18-2 Samuel 12

FOR THE RECORD:
Sunday
Morning Worship……47
Evening Worship.........12
Wednesday
Bible Class…….…..….14
Contribution............$913

MORNING SERMON:
WARNING SIGNS OF A FOOL: How to be a Fool-Proof Christian
WHAT IS A FOOL? 
I.  THE BELIEFS OF A FOOL:  (Psalm 14:1)
He doesn’t _____________________ in God
He doesn’t _____________________ .  
II.  THE WAY OF LIFE OF A FOOL:
He believes in God, but ______________ as if there is no God (Ps. 14:1)
He is not _________________ to ______________ God (Prov. 10:8).
What he __________________ of himself (Prov. 12:15). 
How he _________________. 
1. When he is given _______________ (Prov. 12:15; 18:2; 15:5). 
2.  When he is ______________________  (Prov. 17:10).  
3.  When he makes ___________________ (Prov. 26:11)
III.  THE SPEEACH OF A FOOL: 
His tongue has no _______________ (Prov. 29:11). 
His tongue gets him into ___________________ (Prov. 18:6-7)
He is ___________________ (Prov. 19:1).
He repeats __________________ (Prov. 10:18). 


 
 "the churches of Christ greet you..."  Romans 16:16