Woodland
Hills Church of Christ
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Sunday, September 17, 2006 Volume 50, Issue 36 WHY YOU SHOULD BE A MEMBER
OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST The church was heaven planned in its PURPOSE. Ephesians 3:8-10 shows its far reaching purpose by saying; "Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ; To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God." The church was heaven planned in its PROMISE. The glorious promise of Genesis 3:15 was finally fulfilled in the church: "And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise." (Gal. 3:29) The church was heaven planned in its PROPHECY. One such prophecy from heaven tells us, "And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills, and all nations shall flow into it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths; for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem." (Isa. 2:2-3) The church was heaven planned in its PREPARATION. One of the many people who helped prepare the church was John the Baptist of whom the scriptures say; "For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight." (Mt. 3:3) See You Sunday in Bible Class,
TAFT AYERS R.U.S.H. We will be heading to Freed Hardeman for this weekend on September 15th. We are set to return on September 17th from this event. The price will be $35 and you need to sign up on my office door by the 8th of September. CHILI BOWL 6 I say this each year, but I cannot believe that this is the sixth year for this annual event. It is going to be a great weekend of fun, fellowship and football for everyone that can attend. We will be going on Friday night for a devotional, followed by a Jacob Evans show. On Saturday, there are classes, speakers, flag football, and of course....CHILI. We will also be worshipping at the Rosemark congregation on Sunday morning for the concluding service and the potluck meal afterwards. There is no cost at all for this weekend. Make sure that you sign up on my office door. There is no deadline for this event, it would just help us out very much if we could get an idea of how many we will be carrying. WHITE WATER RAFTING Our excursion to the Ocoee river is approaching yet again. We will be leaving for this trip on Saturday morning, the 30th of September. We will return on Sunday night, the 1st of October right before our PM services. This year we will be making the trip with Rosemark, North Jackson and Quail Ridge. Check the youth board for details about this trip. Much Love,
FAMILY NEWS
WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Also, if you are currently a helper and would like a break, please mark through your name on the sheet. FLU SHOT CLINIC SERMON CD’S AVAILABLE THANK YOU Please continue to pray for us as Allison prepares to move to the retirement apartment with me. Wesley Meadows Retirement Community is a nice place and I feel sure we can be happy here. We don’t like to leave our home but feel under the circumstances that this is in our best interests. It will be a rather long drive but we hope to be able to continue to worship at Woodland Hills. We love you all and please don’t forget us. Clemmie Allison NEW MEMBERS Nat Baker, soon to be married to Linette Britt, placed membership with us Sunday. Nat and son, Brandon, are from Martin, TN. Brandon is in the 7th grade at Arlington Middle School. CAN YOU HELP? OUR RECORD
EDIFICATION LED BY A CHILD Ira North used to tell the story of two city boys visiting the farm. Upon one occasion, they found themselves in the barnyard attempting to get a rather large cow into the barn. They pushed, shoved, pulled, and tugged; however, the more they tried, the less effective they seemed to be - that cow was not going into that barn. A country boy happened to be sitting on the fence watching all this. Presently, he began to laugh; he could not help himself. Of course, his laughter was perceived as ridicule by the two city boys. Therefore, they stopped what they were doing and asked the country boy if he thought he could do any better. In fact, as far as they were concerned, it was now his turn to try to get her into the barn, and if he failed, they said they planned to give him a royal walloping about the head and shoulders. Without any hesitation at all, the country boy got down from his fence, walked over toward the cow, and stooping over, reached down and picked up her young calf. With both arms full, he then walked straight away into the barn. The cow followed him immediately and disappeared into the barn. Brother North used to tell this story to emphasize the idea of often being led by a child. In the Scriptures, the prophet Isaiah makes reference to being led by such (Isaiah 11: 6). Christ also placed an emphasis on the importance of children and of his disciples being child-like in spirit, attitude and conscience. Personally, whenever I hear a baby cry in our assembly, see our "young men" pick up the attendance cards at the end of the pews, or watch Taft and our youth come into our assembly, I am reminded of one of the reasons that our Woodland Hills patriarchs often gave for moving from the Union Avenue location in the first place - to invest in our youth. Certainly, we are proud of our youth, and we thank God for blessing our congregation with their presence. For the Elders, Dick Holt
IF TOMORROW NEVER COMES Tomorrow will never come for many people. "Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away." (James 4:14) The nature of our life is that we are on earth only for a brief time. What if tomorrow never comes in your life? If tomorrow never comes I want to be found in Christ. The Bible teaches we should, "be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith." (Philippians 3:9) I care nothing for self-achieved righteousness; I simply want to be found in Him. If tomorrow never comes I want to have served faithfully in the Lord's army. I long to hear God say, "well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord." (Matthew 25:2) Whatever has been put into my hands my goal is to be trustworthy in it. Being God's faithful servant is what matters. If tomorrow never comes I want to die in the service of my Lord. I realize, "I must work the works of Him who sent me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work." (John 9:4) I desire to be busy with God's business during the daylight of my life. Night is coming. If tomorrow never comes I want my family and friends to know of my love and I want to leave them an example to follow. Paul said, "Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ." (1 Corinthians 11:1) My prayer is that the example of my life can be such that I can say to family and friends, "follow my example. I followed the Messiah; now you follow me." If tomorrow never comes I want to have made some difference for good in my world. "Let your gentleness (unselfishness) be known to all men. The Lord is at hand." (Philippians 4:5). I want to serve my fellowman realizing that the Lord is near. What would be your desire "If tomorrow never comes?" Would you wish for one more day to obey?" (Mark 16:16) Would you wish for one more day to be restored? (Acts 8:22) Or would you pray, "Come, Lord Jesus?" (Revelation 22:20) by Charles Box
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