Woodland Hills Church of Christ

 

Sunday, July 16, 2006 Volume 50, Issue 27

WHAT WE OWE OUR ELDERS

      We appreciate those who serve as elders in the Lord’s church. They have a tremendous task, and we are grateful for their willingness to serve in this role in the kingdom. As we think about the work of an elder I think it would be good for us to think about our responsibilities toward our elders.

      First, we are to hold them in high regard. Paul wrote, "And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves."  (I Thessalonians 5:12,13)

      Second, we are to follow them as they follow the Lord. Elders are to teach, through their examples, how to live a godly life. "Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of the God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation."  (Hebrews 13:7)

      Third, we are to make their work a pleasure. We do this by living godly lives, and working with them instead of against them. "Obey them that have the rule over you and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you." (Hebrews 13:17) 

      Fourth, we are to submit to them in matters of judgment. Elders do not have the authority to change the doctrine of Christ, but in matters of expediency they do have the power to make decisions for the local congregation. In these matters we are to submit to them and obey them. The above passage teaches us this.

      Fifth, we are to pray for our elders and encourage them in their work. They feed us with the word of God. They attempt to show us how to live for Christ. They are guarding against every false way. In these efforts they need to know we support them and are praying for them. 

      Each member of the Lord’s church owes these things to the elders. Working together we can help the church to remain pure and grow. We can also help each other on our way to heaven. We are thankful for Ron Barker, Dick Holt and Charles Mars. Let’s be sure to show them our appreciation.

See You in Bible Class Sunday,
Bobby O’Dell  

JOIN US FOR A
WEDNESDAY NIGHT SUMMER SERIES

THE PARABLES OF JESUS

Week #6 - July 19th

"The Vineyard"

(See The Bulletin Board For More Details)

ROSS RHAPSODY
We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

JUSTIN BROWN! A portion of the W.H.Y.G. has just returned from Honduras and we, like Brenda Brown, are all pleased to see Justin arrive safely. Justin is this week’s spotlighted youth because of the dedication to Lord that I have noticed in him this summer. Most at this congregation know Justin for his many musical talents but in spite his busy summer schedule he’s found a way to participate in every youth group event thus far. In Honduras I saw a young man who was determined to do everything he could to please. Thanks to this trip I have built houses alongside him, seen him interact with poverty stricken children, watched him drive up a steep mountain hanging off an Isuzu Trooper, but the thing that impressed me the most is how he sacrifices so much to be a disciple just as Christ asks us to do in

Luke 14:25-35. Just a quick note: Almost everyone has returned home from Honduras except for Erika Hill who has elected to stay until the 24th of July, so as a reminder we need to continue to keep her in our prayers. 

Vego’s Verse:
Romans 12:1-2
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

FAMILY NEWS

OUR SICK/HOMEBOUND
Remember in Prayer: Mary Rigney, LaVerne Baxter, Mary Glenn, Edd Marie Agnew, Mary Evelyn King, James & Ruth Sain, Marvin Allison, Ryan & Riley Hubbert had tonsillectomies last week, Lena Justus (Berclair CC), Louise Van Sickel
Out-of-Town: Aileen King (Dyersburg Rehab. Room 206, Dyersburg, TN, mother of Bob King), M.A. Malone (Sardis Nursing Home, 613 E. Lee St., Sardis, MS, father of Betty Barker), Bobbie Ann Ridgeway (Lenior, NC, sister of Kathy Betty), Virginia Baxter (1380 S. Main St. Covington, TN, 38019, mother of LaVerne Baxter)
Nursing/Assisted Living Homes: Ernestine Barron (Primacy Health Care), Mary Mullinaux (Cordova Rehab), Clemmie Allison (Wesley Meadows, Hernando, MS), Essie Brown (Carestone at Bartlett)

WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS
Sunday, July 16, 2006
A.M. Opening Prayer: Denny Thomas
A.M. Closing Prayer:  T. Neuenschwander
P.M. Opening Prayer: Dan Amar
P.M. Closing Prayer: Rod Kellow
Pick Up Attendance Cards: Noah Robison, Montrell Mosley
Nursery Volunteers: A.M. Alanna Kellow, Sharon Close; P.M. Jean Mauney, Pat Thomas

SERVICE GROUP ASSIGNMENTS
Service Group #3 will meet following the evening service to pick up their assignment cards.
Service Group #2, please turn in your assignment cards from last week.

SERVICE GROUP #3 LUNCHEON
Services Group #4 will have a potluck fellowship meal following the morning worship service July 23rd.

OUR RECORD
Sunday, July 9, 2006
Bible Classes  153
AM Worship  240
PM Worship  153
Wednesday (7/5) 158
Contribution $10,058
‘06 Average $ 8,292 

QUARTERLY GROUP POTLUCK
The last Sunday of July will be a fifth Sunday (July 30th). We will be using this as an opportunity to have our Service Groups enjoy a pot-luck together. We will also be awarding the leaders of the group with the highest percentage of returns through the month of June.

SYMPATHY
Our hearts are saddened at the passing of our friend and member of Woodland Hills. Mrs. Alice Jane Hanan passed away Sunday afternoon, July 9th. Even though Jane had not been with us for very long, she endeared herself to us. Visitation and funeral services were Wednesday at High Point Funeral Chapel. Burial was in Montgomery, Alabama.
We extend our sympathy to her family and friends.

THINGS YOU CANNOT DO
You cannot live wrong and die right (II Cor. 5:10)
You cannot do Satan’s work and draw God’s pay (Ro. 6:16)
You cannot fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness and maintain fellowship with God (Eph. 5:11)
You cannot sow to the flesh and reap spiritual things (Gal.6:7,8)
You cannot be a friend to the world and be a friend to God at the same time (James 4:4)
You cannot think wrong and live right (Matt. 7:20-23)

CAIRO MISSION TRIP
Our Youth Group left for Cairo, Georgia on July 14th to conduct a Vacation Bible School for the church there. They will be using the same theme, "Bible Heroes," that they conducted here at Woodland Hills and later in Brownsville, TN. It is a 40-member congregation that they will be working with. They will return on July 20th.
Pray for their safety in travel and success in the VBS.

CHURCH CAMP
The Youth Group will be going to Taylor Christian Camp with the folks from Marshall County, TN.  The dates for the camp are July 23rd - 28th. This camp is for all youth, starting at age 10. If you plan to go, you need to sign the list on Taft’s office door by July 19th. The cost for this week is $75.

EDIFICATION
 FROM OUR
ELDERS

I KNOW WHAT IS RIGHT

      There is a movement among some congregations to constantly bring in new innovations. Rather than staying with what the Bible teaches, they would rather go by their own wisdom. Following are several matters which, even though men try to alter them, we can know they are right as they are.

      I know that Christ established one church. "And I say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it." (Matt. 16:18). "There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." (Eph. 4:4-6).

      I know the organization of the church. "Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:" (Phil. 1:1).

      I know that I have to believe. "I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am [the one I claim to be], you will indeed die in your sins." (John 8:24).

      I know that I have to repent. "I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish." (Luke 13:3).

      I know that I have to confess. "Then Peter said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may. And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." (Acts 8:37).

      I know that I have to be baptized. "Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins."  (Acts 2:38).

      I know that I have to worship God. "Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only."  (Matt. 4:10).

      I know that I have to sing. "Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord." (Eph. 5:18-19).

      I know that I have to take the Lord’s Supper on the first day of the week. "On the first day of the week we came together to break bread.  (Acts 20:7).

      I know that I have to give on the first day of the week. "On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come."  (I Cor. 16:2).

      From the above scripture I know what is right because it comes direct from God through His holy Word. If God has told us what He wants, why would we want to do anything different from His commandments? If we teach anything different from what God has given us we are condemned by the scripture in Galatians 1:8, "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned."

For the Elders, Ron Barker