Family News

December 9, 2001

Stuff Dave Shaner

As we start to wind up another year, be thinking about what you would like to see yourself accomplish next year and what you would like to see the church accomplish for next year. As we saw from our studies of Colossians, we live in a post-modern era. This simply means that the ways we have always thought are not shared by the populace like they used to be. In other words, people are not converted to Christ by simple or not so simple logic. Although, God's wisdom and logic far exceed ours, we need to still show people the truthfulness of the gospel. But we may have to start changing some of our approaches in order to even get the opportunity to proclaim God's message. Generally, people do not care how much you know until they know how much you care. This is not a postmodern principle, but is one that has always held true. Let's seek to make a more intense effort to communicate our love and caring so we can share the most important message of all. If each us can do this, each person will likely experience true joy and the church will be extended. Be praying about whom you may be able to help be drawn closer to the Lord. Ask God for an open door and then walk through it.

Have you noticed lately how many of our prayers are being answered? Jennie Brown is at home and doing much better. Shari Swaim has shown remarkable progress in her bout with cancer. Several have come to Christ recently. The Prayer breakfasts have been very well attended and many prayers have gone up to our Father as a result. We would like to encourage you to be a part of this every Tuesday morning.

Next Sunday, Kathy and I would like to invite everyone over to our house for some holiday cheer and Christmas goodies. You are welcome to come over anytime between 1 and 5 pm. It may get crowded at times, but we will all spread out through the house and have a good time. We hope to see you there!

Elders available for shepherding:
LaMont Petersen in the church office every Tuesday morning; Larry Grow in the office every Wednesday afternoon; two elders in the office every Sunday 4:00-5:00. This week - Dave Bruner & Mike Swaim

Dave & Kathy Shaner's annual Christmas Open House will be held Sunday afternoon, December 16th from 1:00-5:00 pm. Come and enjoy the holidays with us.

All are invited!

The church family is invited to join in the marriage celebration of Wayland and Mary Nell Lipscomb, following this morning's service in the small auditorium.

You are invited to the Tweener's Christmas Party

December 15th at 6:30 p.m. at the home of Ivan & Sally Archer

2789 E. Spyglass Ct.

We will be enjoying a delicious Italian meal catered by Tomato Street.

The cost for dinner is $10.00 per person.

You can purchase tickets from the Howards, Kishs or Frahms.

Tickets need to be purchased by Dec. 12th.

After dinner we will engage in an exciting round of gift stealing.

So please remember to bring a gift $10.00 and under for each person who comes and mark them for boy or girl.

If unable to find a babysitter we can help.

If you would like to save money on the sitter you can share a sitter with someone, let us know.

Mark 16:20 is a very interesting passage. 'Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.' I feel this passage tells us that if we really believe in what we do, in taking the gospel to others, we will see them grow and develop into Christian brothers and sisters. By loving one another and being in each other's lives, we can see this accomplishment. Love one another and find someone to share this week. God Bless you and your family.

Lamont Petersen

Budgets for each of the ministries should have been turned into Tim Frahm or LaMont Petersen by December 1. There will be a meeting of all elders & deacons on December 15 at 9:00 a.m. to finalize the 2001 budget. We hope to make this a shorter meeting.

Dear Brothers and Sisters at Dalton Gardens,

Thank you so much for the beautiful bouquet of flowers sent to our family at the passing of my mother, Nita Singleton. Just looking at them reminded our family of how many people were praying for us and reaching out to us to offer comfort and support.

We also appreciate all the cards, e-mails, calls and notes we have received from the family there. Your prayers are being felt in our hearts. Love, The Singletons

The staff of CCS would like to say 'Thank You' to all of those who helped make this year's CCS Craft Fair a big success. Thank you to those who helped move furniture to setup and cleanup, who donated the delicious baked goods, and craft items, helped work in the booths and down in the kitchen. It all was appreciated!

Dear Friends at Dalton Gardens Church of Christ,

We at the Manhattan Church of Christ appreciate so much your participation in our World Trade Center Disaster Fund. It is wonderful to know that our brothers and sisters around the country and the world are with us in meeting these great opportunities. We especially thank you for your prayers for New York City and for the ministry of the Manhattan Church.

Join us this Tuesday

December 11 - Morning Prayer Breakfast

December 15 - Tweeners Christmas Dinner

December 16 - Christmas Open House at the Shaner's

December 18 - C.C.S. Christmas Play

December 23 - Special Praise & Worship

December 31 - New Year's Eve Party

Robin Utter and her family need our prayers during this very stressful time.

Jennie Brown is now resting at home. Her condition seems to be improving. She covets your prayers and appreciates short visits. Continue to keep Bob and their family in your prayers.

Susan French is home recovering from Achilles Tendon transplant surgery. She will be bedridden for at least a few more weeks. Pray for comfort as she recovers.

Kenneth Bond, Kim Howard's grandfather has been diagnosed with cancer. Please pray for comfort as he has a lot of pain in his back.

Kay Acosta fell out of their trailer while on vacation. She broke her ankle and her arm in two places. Pray for quick healing.

Jason Hall, Jeff & Sheri's son, was injured in an accident. Pray for his broken bones to heal quickly.

Paul & Katrina Swaim have asked for your forgiveness and your prayers as they seek healing in their marriage.

Jim's brother, Leonard Almond, will have surgery for colon cancer in Carroltown, Georgia. Pray for God's blessing on him and the family.

Jenny Dupey as she prepares for tonsil/adenoid surgery in December.

Anita Haman is at home now and still is in need of our prayers for comfort and strength as she deals with a lot of pain from cancer.

Bill Elliott, Jan Almond's brother, is seriously ill with cancer.

Marian Demas, a dear friend of Carol Fredrickson's, is losing her battle with cancer. Carol has asked us to pray that she will open her heart to God.

Continue to pray for the Togo Team and their families. Malaria keeps going from family to family. Three of their children have malaria again at this time. Also, keep the work in your prayers, as they visit in the mountain villages around Cara.

Continue Praying For....

* Amber Anderson * Al Poland * Clarence May * Ron Bristow * Mark Mood  * David Morgan * Bonnie Myer * Opal Wilson * Shirley Parker * Cooper Family * Don Phelps * Jacob Sandford * Steve Taylor * Shari Swaim * Karmen Rouse * Alva Davis *

Mike's Memos

Study the Bible.......

.......personally at home

......in Bible Study Groups

......in Sunday and Wednesday classes

......and in the Sunday morning sermons

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. The year was roughly 750B.C., and God's people were enjoying a prosperity unknown since the days of David and Solomon. With Jeroboam II reigning in Israel, and Uzziah reigning in Judah, the combined national boundaries covered a territory nearly as great as the empire of David. Many people were becoming wealthy, building great cities, and living in luxury (Hosea 8:14).

But all was not well. Side by side with wealth, extreme poverty existed and the powerful oppressed the weak (Hosea 12:7). Neglect of the law of God was epidemic in the land. Sooner than the people dared imagine, the Lord would punish their land with the fury of the invading Assyrian army. Israel would be permanently destroyed, and Judah would be devastated. Only a heaven-sent miracle would save Jerusalem itself from the powerful foe(2Kings 19:35). Two faithful prophets, Hosea and Joel, tried to call God's people to repentance, but they did not listen. It was a time of increasing violence and bloodshed. At the death of Jeroboam II repeated assassinations brought three different kings to the throne in a single year.

God could not ignore such continued unfaithfulness. The whole nation was guilty and the whole nation would be punished. The leaders and the people deliberately 'rejected knowledge' and 'ignored' God's law. Therefore God's only choice was to reject them. They were being destroyed for lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6-7).

We must let this history lesson ring in our ears. God will not bless our nation, our church, or our families if we ignore his word. We need to personally commit to the study of God's word and to the teaching of it. We must pray for and encourage those who are apathetic about attending Bible study opportunities. We need to pray and work harder to see that God's word has an impact on our homes, churches, schools, communities and our nation.

Everyone is invited to share in the decorating of the building for the holiday season by bringing a potted Poinsettia. You may bring it to the lobby or the office at any time.

....for a brighter Christmas in Togo

Earlene has filled several large packing envelopes with things to help David, Becky, Hannah & Elijah to have a Merry Christmas in Togo, Africa. It costs $15 to mail each envelope. Would you send one? Your help in sending Christmas cheer to our missionaries there would be much appreciated. It would also be great if every member of this congregation sent the Reeves and the Sizemores a Christmas card.

It has been a hard year for many. If you are struggling to make the Christmas season, we would like to try to help. There is a Christmas Gift form on the kiosk in the foyer, next to the Christmas tree. Here you can fill out special Christmas requests, and return them to the box by which the Christmas Gift forms are. These wishes will be anonymously hung as ornaments on the Christmas tree, to be picked up in the following weeks. This gives those who have been blessed with much a chance to share Christmas joy, as it brings them joy also. Questions, call Kristine at 457-1815.

Some of us find ourselves overflowing with blessings and find much happiness in giving around Christmas time. This Sunday there are bags on the benches in the foyer for filling for Christmas dinner baskets. Feel free to pick one up and if you only fill it with one can of veggies, it will be greatly appreciated by a family. If everyone gives one, it comes together to be many. The bags can be brought back to the Christmas tree in the foyer. I (Kristine Robinson) will be there to receive the bags returned.

Also, next week ornaments will be hung on the Christmas tree in the foyer with Christmas wishes. Many of these requests will be from families in our congregation and other families in the community who are close to us. These families have difficult circumstances, which have put them in need. So much joy can be felt in knowing you brought a toy for a child, and as I have witnessed first hand, it may be a gift that is their only gift Christmas morning. Many of us blessed so abundantly, have a wonderful opportunity of bringing joy not only to others, but to our own hearts. Thanks and hope to see you in the following week. Questions, call Kristine at 457-1815.

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Other Bible Study Groups are offered at various times. Please call the office for times and places.

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