THE EVANGEL

July 2019

From The Pastor,

       I had a new experience at the end of May. Kathy and I, along with the kids and grandkids, went on a cruise. This was my first experience of taking a cruise. Almost everything about the trip was a positive. The food was excellent, the service was extremely good, and the trip was problem free. The thing I enjoyed the most was sitting on our balcony, reading, with the breeze blowing, and watching the water go by.

      There were a couple of things that were simply overwhelming. One was an amazing awareness of the enormity of the ocean. you could look in any compass direction and all you could see was water. The other thing was the view of the sky. Whether watching a sunset or a sunrise the beauty was breath taking. Then looking up into the night and seeing the display of stars against the canvas of a black sky was spectacular. Each in their own way declared God. It is little wonder that the psalmist wrote, "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork." Psalm 19:1

      When we left port the ship quickly became its own community.  We were on one of the smaller ships, but there were almost three thousand people on board.  That is the population of a small town.  I quickly became very interested in watching those on board.  I broke them down quickly into two groups, the passengers and the staff. 

      As I observed the staff I remembered a story I heard years ago about a pastor bringing in another pastor from a rapidly growing church to talk to his Sunday School workers about growing a stronger Sunday School.  The visiting pastor went ahead to meet with the workers, while the church’s pastor greeted folks as they left the service.  When he joined the visiting pastor and Sunday School workers he found the meeting was already over.  He was a little bewildered and questioned the brevity of the meeting.  The visiting pastor was quick to respond that the secret of Sunday School growth or even church growth was for everyone to work like ants.  Each with a job and each doing his job.  That is exactly how the ship’s staff was operating.  It did not matter if it was cleaning the staterooms, serving food, folding towels by the pool, or dusting stair rails, they each had a job to do.  They even have people waiting for spills to happen.  I met one of those guys first hand. 

      Another thing was noticeable.  They obviously had been trained to do their work with a smile on their face and a quick, “Have a nice day,” on their lips.  All this was designed to make a good impression. I later learned if someone commented positively on a staff member they were in line for rewards, such as bonuses, extra time off, and a greater possibility of promotion.  Is that called “Positive Reinforcement” or just simple motivation?

     The church could learn a good lesson from the ship’s staff.  I am not sure the cruise company knows they are applying principles from the Word of God, but they are.  In the wisdom of Solomon we find these words, “There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise:  The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer;  The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks;    The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands;  The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings’ palaces.” Proverbs 30:24-28

     I do not have the time or space to share some of my thoughts concerning the other group on board.  The passengers gave me much to think about.  That will have to be the subject of a later newsletter.

       

Bro. Danny

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Mark Your Calendars !!

Homecoming Is

August 25th

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 JULY CALENDAR

                                                                        4 - Office Closed

                                                                             INDEPENDENCE DAY

                                                                       7 - Deacons’ Meeting 7:15 p.m.

                9 - Care Ministry 6:30 p.m.

              13 - Youth Tubing 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

              14 - Brotherhood 8:30 a.m.

              28 - Lord’s Supper 

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WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

Janel Ridge

Alex Unversaw

Oleta Niswonger

Kristina Sumner

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BIRTHDAYS

  1 - Greg Volz

               Mable Carroll

                     Betty S. Wheeler

     2 - Phyllis Reed

      3 - Carol Gravely

             Billy Ray Harris

               4 - Howard Holsomback

           Eddie Capehart

       5 - Coleman Moody

6 - Sheila Lane

       Steve Henry

  7 - Roger Smith

       Tommy Scott

  8 - Mary Brown

       Jesse Davis

       Stacey Zona

  9 - Pauline Dillard

 10 - Anita Strickland

    Marilyn Byrd

11 - Tom O’Rear

         Dora Wilborn

13 - Linda Gail Harris

       Kerri O’Rear

15 - Leslie Goodwin

16 - Brooke Bailey

       Harold Bowers

       David Jackson

       Jennifer Payne

17 - Becky Lewallen

18 - Theresa Johnson

       Michael Arp

19 - Valerie Headrick

       William House

       Ron Seals

20 - Imogene Phillips

21 - Bessie Armour

22 - Brittany Weldon

       Elberta Cline

23 - Debbie Brown

       David Southern

24 - Ashley Oliver

25 - L.D. Bowling, Jr.

       Chareen Humble

27 - Jimmy Sparks

28 - Joe Loyack

       Ben Byers

29 - Juanita Shirley

       Misty Gibson

       Stacey White

       Peggy Kinzalow

30 - Michelle Watkins

       Stephanie Dean

31 - Norma Jean Davis

       Ray Nichols

       Darron Perry

                           __________________________

 

 ANNIVERSARIES

   1 - William & Carolyn Rhinehart

   2 - Richard & Cathy Johnson

   6 - Jim & Christy Sparks

         Mark & Nissa Foster

   7 - Tony & Hazel Brown

   8 - David & Stacie Banther

   10 - Larry & Joyce Foster

   20 - Steven & Sheila Bailey

   24 - Mike & Patty Sargent

         William & Ashley News

27 - Carlton & Karen House

30 - Bryan & Kelly Lawler     

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VBS

               Well for years you have heard me say if something in ministry works give God the credit and if it doesn’t blame me.  This year we are giving God all the credit.  We made a lot of changes this year and everything seemed to run smoothly, but the biggest change was moving the closing program to Sunday Morning.  The church was full and I was so proud of all the hours and effort the workers had put in, but the boys and girls were terrific.  The youth sang with the adult choir.  The preschoolers were absolutely precious, and the children nailed their part of the program.  Then it came time for the message. I have never shared the plan of salvation with a more diverse group with more freedom in all of my ministry.  The   invitation was wonderful. in the words of Dr. Fred Luter,  “GOD SHOWED UP AND GOD SHOWED OUT!”  God did what only He can do. He saved parents and students alike by his Amazing Grace. 

     A much deserved “THANK YOU” is in order for all the workers.  They gave their best in so many ways.  But remember God gets the GLORY! 

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Back To School Fair

August 3rd

We will be receiving a special offering on Sunday, July 7th for the supplies we donate.  Each child attending will receive a backpack filled with school supplies. 

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Good News Bible Club

Graysville Elementary School

 New Liberty will be starting a new ministry the later part of August.  God has opened the door for us to do a Good News Bible Club at Graysville Elementary School.  This is an after school program for any of the boys and girls who want to participate in the club.  The club will meet one afternoon each week during the school year.  We will teach Bible lessons, scripture memorization, activities, and of course snacks.  If you are interested in volunteering please call the church office.  We also need you to be in prayer for this new ministry.