THE
HEIGHTENER
"Humble yourselves
in the sight of the Lord, and he shall exalt you." -James
4:10
| Volume XXXI |
November 9, 2010 |
Number 45 |
|
VIEWPOINT
You
probably get discouraged about events in the news too. Terrorism.
Family violence. Unemployment. Some of the scary news may even be
closer to home than the newspaper. Health problems. Damaged personal
relationships. Friction among people in your church. It can be
discouraging.
And
just whose responsibility is it to make things better? If your first
thought is God, I would not propose to correct you. I would only
remind you that God acts in this world through human agents.
There
is an old Hasidic story about a rabbi and his students. As they
walked along one day, the rabbi asked, “How can we know the hour
of dawn — the time at which the night ends and the day begins?”
No
one ventured an immediate answer, so they continued to walk. Then
one of the rabbi’s disciples offered something. “Is it when you
can look from some distance and distinguish between a wolf and a
sheep?”
“No,”
said the rabbi. And they continued to walk.
“Is
it when there is light enough to distinguish between a grapevine and
a thorn bush?” ventured another student.
“No,”
said the rabbi. There was a long silence.
“Please
tell us the answer to your question,” said one. “How is it
possible to know the precise time at which the dawn has broken?”
“The
dawn comes for each of us,” said the wise old teacher, “when we
can look into the face of another human being and — by virtue of
the light that comes from within us — recognize that even a
stranger is our brother or sister. Until then, it is night. Until
then, the night is still with us.”
Self-centered
lives are cramped, provincial, and ultimately forlorn. It is only
those souls large enough to live for others that are expansive with
joy and bright with love. Love is, in fact, the only spiritual power
great enough to overcome the selfishness that seems to be
instinctive to being alive.
A
central part of the Christian message is that Jesus came among us to
teach us how to value, affirm, and love one another. He taught us to
love God by loving one another. He wanted us to learn that giving is
better than getting.
There
is too much darkness. Let’s pray together for the dawn to come.
(FAX of Life)
I
look forward to seeing you Sunday with a Bible, a smile, and a
positive word!
RA
|
|
Mission
Updates
Pacific
Islands
Greetings
to all our loving co-workers this month in the Marvelous name Jesus Christ,
“the Only begotten of the Father” (John 1:14).
Now to this month’s GOOD
NEWS FROM OUR WORK TOGETHER IN THE PACIFIC ISLANDS!
Leaving
Fiji I picked up brother Pat Cowden at the Nadi International airport.
Away we were to the country of Vanuatu.
Vanuatu is the next Pacific Islands country west of Fiji.
After a few days in the capital of Port Vila we headed to the outer
island of Ambae.
This is one of the remote and primitive islands to the north of the main
island of Eftae.
Our first stop is at the Nakamel (men’s meeting house) of the powerful
Bqwangki tribe.
A welcome ceremony was provided by paramount Chief James Anga who eleven
years ago adopted me as his son.
This gives the gospel wide open opportunity in all the villages of
northern Ambae and for all those going there to preach the gospel.
Mary
and I thank the Lord daily that YOU ALL are our faithful co-workers with the
Lord in the Pacific Islands work.
Without the Lord and you, we could not accomplish all that we do for the
Pacific Islands.
We know that you are praying for us, Maria and our extended family.
Workers
together for the cause of Christ
–
Robert
and Mary Martin
Georgia
Outreach
Of
all areas of our State, the southeast region represents the greatest need of
evangelization.
Fewer churches exist in this section, and many existing churches are weak
and struggling.
Some have, in recent years, closed their doors.
For this reason, Georgia Outreach ministry has visited and worked in this
part of Georgia more intently over the past year or more.
Much
effort has gone into re-opening the church in Jesup.
The meeting place was in great need of repair and upgrading.
Many people from the Villa Rica and Lithia Springs congregations have
donated labor to accomplish this work. A
small “multi-purpose” room was also erected on the property.
Ephraim and Regina Robinson of the East Point congregation moved to
Brunswick and became the “preacher family” for Jesup.
For
more than 25 years Georgia Outreach was financed by congregations and interested
individuals, most of which was contributed without solicitation.
Over the past year, however, support has diminished, and beginning in
September 2010 the work will begin operating “in the red” as all surplus has
been depleted.
No “raise” in salaries or travel expenses has occurred over the past
26 years, and none is sought, but the work will be seriously curtailed unless
some good congregations come to our aid with a minimum of $400 per month.
Contributions should be mailed
to Villa Rica church of Christ, P.O. Box 17388. Temple GA 30179.
–
Robert
W. Gray
Massena,
New York
It
is
always a joy when I can begin this newsletter with a report of the baptism
of another soul. Robert Riehle was immersed into Christ on July
10, 2010. “Bob” is 62 years old and has been my personal
hunting buddy for over 20 years, so this was a special joy for me. We
have studied on and off over the course of this friendship, but our study
has enjoyed renewed interest recently. Bob is an early riser,
and I have been arriving at his home at 6:30 AM for a big breakfast with
him and his wife (baptized 4 years ago), followed by a Bible study. Our
families have had a long association, and we were actually together for a
mutual family reunion when Bob requested baptism. He was
immersed into Christ in the St. Regis River, with both our families
looking on.
It
was also a privilege for Denise and me to be present on the evening of Friday,
September 10, 2010 when Bridget Wing (age 36?) was immersed into Christ in the
Oswegatchie River by the Dekalb congregation. Bridget has been
attending the Dekalb congregation for some time with her boy friend, Robert
Maitland (baptized there last year). They are seriously trying to get
their lives right with God, and it was my honor to preside at their wedding
ceremony the following Thursday. Please keep each of these folks in
your prayers.
I
should mention that Denise and I have a new grandson!! Jeston Asher Kashorek was
born to Josh and Kim Kashorek on August 16, 2010. We are so well
blessed!
We thank you
for
your participation in these efforts, and treasure your continued prayers. —John
and Denise Kashorek
|
|
Bible
School Emphasis
Congratulations to all the winners in our Bible
School Emphasis during October. They are:
Cradle Roll Ivy Minichowski
Pre-School
Harrison Hamby
Kindergarten-1stGrade
Alex Greenwald
Mason Minichowski
2nd - 4th Grades
Cooper Minichowski
5th - 8th Grades. Riley Minichowski
High School
Levi Henderson
Adults - Auditorium
Sheila
Mixon
Adults – Fellowship Peggy
Hamby
|
FROM THE
MAILBAG
Dear
Cedar Grove family,
It's people like you who make us stop and realize how much God spoils us!
Thank you, church family, my brother and sisters in the Lord.
Love,
Elsie, Pearl and Saralee
SYMPATHY
The
sympathy of the congregation is extended to Jamie and Jacquelyn McDowell
as well as Jamie's family. His grandfather, Mr. Cleve Edenfield,
passed away last Thursday.
Sympathy is also extended to
Ralph and Geneva White in the death of her sister-in-law. She was
hit by a car while jogging.
Sympathy is extended to Jim
and Susan May in the death of her uncle in Texas.
10th ANNIVERSARY &
HOMECOMING
The
Riverdale church invites you to its 10th Anniversary -- Homecoming --
Gospel Meeting on November 14-17. More information is posted on the
bulletin board.
VETERANS
DAY CELEBRATION
You
are invited to show your support at Palmetto Elementary School on Wednesday,
November 10 at 9:30 a.m. for the 15th annual celebration honoring our
Veterans. The Army Ground Forces Band Brass Ensemble will be
featured.
CHANGE
FOR CHILDREN
The
Mount Dora Children’s Home has invited us to participate in a
“Change for Children” campaign.
The
goal is simple: Give
the children a better life.
Each
family is invited to take home as many coin banks as you wish and
fill them with spare change for the next three months.
We’ll
have a “coin counting day” sometime in January.
Your
generosity will give the children at Mount Dora haircuts,
allowances, personal items, new clothes, spring trips, and many
other daily needs.
Feel
free to put the coin banks in business places or offices as well.
You may have other creative ideas
to use them.
|
GEORGIA AGAPE
Thanksgiving Appeal
November
21
Churches
all over Georgia take up a special collection to support the work of
AGAPE. This is about 25%
of the annual budget, and the goal this year is $320,000.
|
OUR SICK
Doyle White is scheduled for surgery on Wednesday in Newnan.
Steve
Putman and Donna Putman's brother-in-law, Charles Thompson, is being
treated for his blood infection, but he has been released from the hospital
and is now home.
Nancy Kirkland and Danice
Perry were sick Sunday.
Continue to remember Helen Carroll, Susan Carson, Gloria Ferguson, Everett Hayes, Richard Smith and Geneva White.
NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS
|
November 1 |
Randi Kelly |
|
November 5 |
Barbara Massey |
|
November 8 |
Susan Carson |
|
November 12 |
Joe Minichowski |
|
November 15 |
Analicia Banuelos |
|
November 19 |
Sheila Mixon |
|
November 20 |
Linda Moore |
|
November 21 |
Jeri Maddox |
|
November 23 |
Josh May |
|
November 29 |
Ansley Fincher |
|
Josiah Henderson |
| |
Ivy Minichowski |
|
THOSE TO SERVE -November
14, 2010 |
|
Welcome |
Ross Anderson |
|
Song Leader |
Doyle White |
|
Opening Prayer |
Jim Warren |
|
Lord's Table |
* Joe Maddox |
|
|
* Alan Henderson |
|
|
Mitch Robison |
|
|
Josh
May |
|
Scripture Reading |
David Hamby |
|
|
Psalm
105:1-4 |
|
Closing Prayer |
Jim May |
|
Welcome -PM |
Ross Anderson |
|
Song Leader |
Doyle White |
|
Opening Prayer |
James Elliott |
|
Scripture Reading |
Josh May |
|
|
2 Kings
13:15-17 |
|
Closing Prayer |
Steve Putman |
|
Communion Preparation |
Henderson Family |
|
Nursery Attendant |
Henderson Family |
|
|
|
RECORD
11/7/2010
|
Bible School |
83 |
|
Worship AM |
104 |
|
Worship PM |
No Assembly |
|
Wednesday Bible Study |
48 |
|
Contribution |
N/A |
|
