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A Great Church (
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May 4, 2008
The Jerusalem church was great numerically and great because of its stability in the apostles’ doctrine, fellowship, the Lord’s supper and prayers. Furthermore, it was a great church because of its spirituality. The spirituality of this church is evidenced in the following: “Then fear came upon every soul . . .” (Acts 2:43). McGarvey says it “. . . was that solemn awe . . . mingled with profound reverence . . . characterized by holy living” (New Commentary on Acts 48). Vincent calls it “. . . reverential awe” (Word Studies 457). It is a deep sense of the real issues of life coupled with dedicated application of oneself to the same (cf. Philip. 2:12-13)—a consciousness and awe of God on whom one depends for all, and by whom the strength to live life is received (cf. 2 Cor. 3:5). The writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews challenges his readers to faithfulness to Christ with the awareness that “it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb. 10:31). Does this awe of God really exist in large measure in the 21st century church? In his book, The Trivialization of God, Donald W. McCullough, makes a good case that much contemporary religion has lost it. He wrote: “Visit a church on Sunday morning . . . [Y]ou will not likely find much awe. . . . The only sweaty palms will be those of the preacher unsure whether the sermon will go over; the only shaking knees will be those of the soloist about to sing. . . . The New Testament warns us, ‘Offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe; for indeed our God is a consuming fire’ (Hebrews 12:28-29). But reverence and awe have been replaced by a yawn of familiarity. The consuming fire has been domesticated into a candle flame, adding a bit of religious atmosphere, perhaps, but no heat, no blinding light, no power for purification” (13). Lyon agrees: “We have become too casual about God. . . . Casualness is . . . America’s idol. Many . . . are worshiping at the alter of casualness. . . . The widespread casualness with which we treat God nowadays, even in our worshiping assemblies, may well be the primary and central cause for the deterioration of our American morality. . . . The irreverent and disrespectful manner in which many of us approach God in life and in worship is the root cause of the breakdown of our social order. . . . It isn’t enough just to attend church. . . . [W]orship is not a casual event, like a cookout, or a beach party. . . . [T]his contemptible casualness . . . especially about things that are holy and sacred . . . is simply destroying us . . .” (Holy and Reverend 46-47, 53, 62, 63). The Jerusalem church was great because of its spirituality (Godly fear and awe). How much of it do we possess today?I Charles C. Pugh III |
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Reminder: Weekly Services New Martinsville Health Care Center Wednesday afternoons, 1:30 p.m. Everyone able is encouraged to attend and participate. The residents enjoy this brief period of devotion and Christian fellowship. Charles begins speaking today for the Wilson Ridge Church of Christ in Grafton, WV, for a Gospel Meeting. The meeting continues each evening through Thursday. Keep him and his travels in your prayers. Singing Practice this evening 6:00 p.m. The Young Ladies Inspirational Day planning meeting for this evening has been cancelled. |
Among the Sick . . . Lexie Dennis is a patient at WCH recovering from what doctors say was a stroke that occurred some time ago, of which the effects have only recently been noticed. Glen Goddard is now home from the hospital recovering from a stroke. Roger Spencer had surgery Friday to remove a kidney stone. He was kept overnight and released. He is now home where he continues to recover. LaNora Aberegg continues to recover at home. She would appreciate visits and calls. Cindi DiLuca has been having gall bladder trouble this past week and if medication is not successful, may be facing surgery. Pauline Inman, Cindy DiLuca's mother, remains a patient at Willows Rehabilitation Center in Parkersburg. Her address is: Pauline Inman, Willows Rm# 230, 723 Summers Street, Parkersburg, WV 26101. Paul Buck, John Buck's father, remains a patient at Wetzel County Hospital. Please keep these, those in nursing homes, and our many shut-ins in your prayers. |
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In SEARCH of the Lord's Way (TV program) Mother's Day No. Mothers should not be worshiped, and we shall not do so or urge that in this program. However, from days of old we are taught to "Honor your fathers and mothers." They are worth. Mothers' role in God's scheme for populating the earth He had created is of the highest honor. Let's see what the Bible says. Scheduled Topic -- May 11, 2008 at 7:30 a.m. -- Channel 7 |
Coming Up at Bridge Street For more details of Bridge Street activities, check our Coming Events page. Ladies Bible Class held at Bridge Street and Steelton will begin again this coming Fall. Watch The Messenger for future details. May 18th: Youth Devotional. More details to come. |
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I Am Your Bulletin I am not just another piece of paper. I am your weekly church information sheet. I do not come to you easily, or without expense. I cost money, time, thought, and energy. I should not be taken for granted. I can only be as useful and valuable as you allow me to be. I am often abused and overlooked. Sometimes, all I get is a fleeting glance, sometimes all I get is a critical analysis. I want so much for you to read me, study, appreciate me, and make me useful for your spiritual activity and development. I want to serve you. For I Am Your Bulletin! Usually our weekly bulletin requires 4 to 5 hours for composition, one hour to print, one hour to fold and address, 1/2 hour to carry to the post office. There is the cost of paper, postage, computers, copiers, machines and repairs. What is the value of a single bulletin? Some have calculated the cost to be over $1.00 each. Is is worth it? If nobody reads it, it is a pure waste of money. But if every bulletin is read just once, what value is it? Are souls saved by bulletins? Are Christians encouraged by bulletins? Actually, the value of a bulletin is determined by the good it does and by what you do with it. The bulletin only begnis to hav worth when it gets into your hands and into your heard. Ask the shut-in what its value is to them? Ask those who live far away and enjoy reading about those back home. What is its value to them? Church buildings, song books, Bibles, preachers, etc. all cost money. Are they worth it? It depends on what value you place on souls. Edited from an article by Steven Eddy.
Needed: Hosts for the monthly Youth Devotionals. Families interested are asked to inform Paolo. Hosts are needed for May through December. |
Schedule of Events May 4-8: Steve Snider will be speaking during a Gospel Meeting hosted by St. Clair Ave. Church of Christ, East Liverpool, OH. May 4-8: Charles will be speaking during a Gospel Meeting hosted by the Wilson Ridge Church of Christ, Grafton, WV. May 5-9: Long Valley will host a Gospel Meeting with Ed Melott as guest speaker, 7:00 p.m. May 13th: Ladies Bible Class at Steelton. This will be the last class prior to summer break. Ladies Bible Class held at Bridge Street and Steelton will begin again this coming Fall. Watch The Messenger for future details. May 17th: Mid-Ohio Valley Ladies Inspiration Day hosted by 36th Street Church of Christ, Vienna. Theme: "Unity: The Silver Thread that Binds." Registration begins at 8:30 with refreshments in the fellowship hall. May 18th: Youth Devotional, Bridge Street. More details to come. August 5-8: 22nd Annual Greater Kanawha Valley Lectureship. Theme: "Prophesy and Fulfillment." August 18-21: 63rd Annual Ohio Valley Church Lectures hosted by Harmar Hill Church of Christ, Marietta, OH. Theme: "Philippians: The Joy of Christianity." |
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Attendance Record (Week of April 27th) Sunday Bible Classes 87 Sunday Morning Worship 114 Sunday Evening Worship 67 Wednesday Bible Class 75 |
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Parents Beware Some opposition to Christian values is coincidental. It arises from a culture that places too great of a value on science, materialism, and individual rights. These issues are presented on television and in books without much thought. At other times, a planned assault is made that demands an informed response. The new movie, The Golden Compass starring Nicole Kidman, seems to fall into this category. The movie, to be released on December 7, is based on a trilogy of books by noted British author, Phillip Pullman. Pullman is an avowed atheist with a serious anti-religion agenda. He once said, “I don’t profess any religion; I don’t think it is possible that there is a God.” Bill Donohoe, president of the Catholic League, states that “Pullman sells atheism for kids.” Calling the Narnia Chronicles by C. S. Lewis “one of the most ugly and poisonous things” he had ever read, Pullman wrote, “I want to kill God in the minds of children.” Indeed, in the third of the books, The Amber Spyglass, Pullman actually has two children representing Adam and Eve to kill God. The deceptive part of the movie is that it is based on the mildest of the three books and has been modified to avoid criticism from the casual Christian observer. Pullman and his producers are hoping that unsuspecting parents will take their children to see this exciting movie and that the children will want the books for Christmas. He openly says that he wants children to read the books and to decide against God. The movie is merely a gateway into people’s homes and children’s hearts. While adults may simply dismiss the movie as another drama featuring witches and armor-plated bears, children will be shaped by the underlying theme of a godless universe. The concepts of church and morality are not merely ignored in these books, they are challenged as wrong and destructive. God is not to be questioned, but killed. I would certainly attach the warning label, “BEWARE-DANGEROUS MATERIAL” to the trailer of this movie. Don Loftis The Gospel Messenger The link below gives more information about the movie and Pullman. Go check it out. http://snopes.com/politics/religion/compass.asp (Note: For those who do not have Internet access, copies of this material may be obtained from the office.)
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