October 8, 2014 THOUGHTS FROM BRYAN The book “All Quiet on the Western Front” was banned by Nazi Germany because of the way it presented war. In it war is not seen as something glorious, but shown for what it really is – brutal and heartbreaking. I once heard it said that the people who hate war the most are those who have fought in one. While there are (like the Nazis) some really evil people in the world, deep down most all people just want peace. As Paul and his buddies comment in the book, “Almost all of us are simple folk. And in France, too, the majority of men are laborers, workmen, or poor clerks. Now just why would a French blacksmith or a French shoemaker want to attack us? ... I have never seen a Frenchman before I came here, and it will be just the same with the majority of Frenchmen as with us. They weren't asked about it anymore than we were.” How do we live in peace, amidst all the hate, war, evil and treachery in the world? Jesus says only one way - forgive our grievances and curb our desire for revenge. Hostilities come because we simply cannot let go of grievances—either real or imagined—that we have against someone else. There is a gripping scene in “All Quiet on the Western Front” where Paul, the main character, came face to face with a Frenchman in a foxhole. In a desperate moment, Paul stabbed this enemy in the darkness, but then saw that he was dying and decided to help him. He gave him a drink of water and made his last hours as comfortable as he could. When the Frenchman died, Paul said, “Comrade ... you were only an idea to me before, an abstraction that lived in my mind and Everyone please be making plans now to attend our called forth its appropriate response. It was that abstraction that I Fall Festival, it will be a fun family event. Please call stabbed. But now, for the first time, I see you are a man like me. I the church office if you plan to attend. We need a thought of your hand grenades, of your bayonet, of your rifle; now I see count in order to prepare enough food for everyone. your wife and your face and our fellowship. Forgive me, comrade. We always see it too late. Why do they never tell us that you are poor devils FEEDING THE FLOCK like us, that your mothers are just as anxious as ours, and that we have the same fear of death? Forgive me comrade, how could you be my eneOur next Feeding The Flock will be Wednesday, my?” October 15th. The menu: Fried Chicken, Baked Parmesan Let us do as Jesus did; not focus on color, past hurt or present Rice, Green Beans, Whole Kernel Corn, Coconut Cake persecution, but see people as created in the image of and Pound Cake. Please sign up on your attendance card God. There will always be war, hate and sedition, but … “If this Sunday, October 12th, how many in your family will possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all attend. men.” Romans 12:18 Page 2 Herald of Encouragement BUILDING OUR DREAMS By John Klimko, Jr Spiritual Enrichment Groups Next Sunday, October 19th, is the date for our Spiritual Enrichment Groups to meet! We will try to keep everyone up to date on the locations and times for each SEG to meet. Plan to join in with the members of your SEG next Sunday for a great time of fellowship. —————————————————— SAVE THE DATE RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE The Red Cross blood drive at Central has been rescheduled to Sunday, November 2. Sign-up will begin on Sunday, October 19. Watch for the blue sheets in each adult Bible class and in each foyer. LADIES DAY All ladies are invited to the Ladies Day at the St. Mary’s Church of Christ, 1912 Osbourne Road, St. Mary’s GA., Saturday, October 18th, 9:00 am — 1:00 pm. Lunch will be provided. Theme: Root Downward, Bear Fruit Upward. Guest speaker will be: Celine Sparks of Huntsville, Al. For more info contact: Lori Miles at: 912-552-5503 or 912-8825800. GOSPEL MEETING Everyone is invited to the Fall Gospel Meeting at the Swainsboro Church of Christ, 653 Turner Drive, Swainsboro, GA., October 27—30. Services will be at 7:00 pm nightly. Guest speaker will be Eric Doss of Paducah, Kentucky. ADDRESS FAITH AVENUE “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20. Thank you so much for all of the prayers, calls, cards, visits, food, and even crazy socks that you have showered Mr. John with since his accident! We have felt God’s peace and mercy and we know He is answering prayers on our behalf. As I write this I have the apple cobbler from The Lord’s Way Café in the oven. Little did I know that Mr. John would be the recipient of the cobbler this week, as a gift from the precious kindergarten children. It smells delicious…but most importantly it reminds me of all the love that is at Central Avenue! We are richly blessed by each and every one of you. “As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people both now and forevermore.” Psalm125:2. Please join us this Wednesday night as we continue with our regular classes and also begin practicing songs for our Holiday Play! We had a great turn out last week! Parents, please have your children here on time because we will begin promptly at 7:00. We will have a rotation and half of the children will be having a Bible lesson while the other half will be singing. We will rotate so that all of the children will be able to participate in each station. Thank you for always making sure your children are here on time! Our rotation is entitled: “Zacchaeus.” Our memory verse is: “The Son of Man came to look for the lost and save them.” Luke 19:10. The memory verse for the four year olds is: “For God is the King of all the earth.” Psalm 47:7. We are looking forward to Sunday! Several have asked for John Mark and Casey Stephenson’s address since John Mark had emergency surgery, it is listed RESPONSE below: Alex Bundrick responded to the John Mark Stephenson invitation Sunday, October 5, asking for 5209 Northwood Lake Drive, E. prayers of the church. Northport, AL 35473 VISITATION Thanks to all who encourage others through the visitation ministry. The visitation team for this Sunday, October 12 is listed below. Please pick up assignments from the folder on the table in the office hall foyer near the Large Auditorium. M/M Carl Brinson Mr. George Clayton M/M Harrison Cooper Mrs. Marion Copeland M/M Marc Dame Mr. Lindy Evans M/M Ashley McLeod M/M Mike Paine M/M Ron Williams THANK YOU NOTES Dear Brothers & Sisters in Valdosta, On September 29th, I traveled to Ukraine as your Ambassador for Christ. I find words inadequate to express the deep gratitude that I have for your continued support. Your prayers and financial support enable efforts to bring much needed relief to many refugees suffering in Ukraine as a result of the Krenlin’s war on its Slavic Brothers. I hope that I will be able to report in person this Fall on these efforts. For it is in this Service that I am, gratefully yours. Mike Lawson I want to thank the kindergarten class for the delicious apple cobbler they made for me after my recent mouth surgery. In Christian Love, Jerry DeLoach AREA WIDE SING Everyone is invited to the area wide sing at the Dawson Road Church of Christ, 2115 Dawson Road, Albany, Ga., Friday, October 17th, 7:00 pm. Refreshments will be served following the singing. Page 3 NURSING HOMES HERITAGE HOUSE: Irene Brown, Jackie Mathis, Louise DeLoach PRESBYTERIAN HOME: Melba Webb FELLOWSHIP HOME: Sylvia Higgins, Joyce Paine, Jeanne Jarvis, Sherolyn Ellenberg, Jane Little LAKEHAVEN: Margie Dasher, Frances Copeland LANGDALE PLACE: Margaret Hendry WILDEWOOD DOWNS COLUMBIA, S.C.: Phoebie Slocum CRESTWOOD: Linda Jones ALPHARETTA: Gordon & Elaine Teffeteller BAPTIST VILLAGE: Stella Laurene Taylor REMEMBER IN PRAYER SGMC: Charlie (Hawke) Parrish SMITH NORTHVIEW: Marilyn Ellis CENTRAL MEMBERS: Nick, Wendy & Collier Copeland, Anne S. Dasher, Fannie Dasher, Karen Evans, Joe Fanning, Glenn Geren, Rudene Harris, Peggy Herring, John Klimko, Allen Lancaster, Laura McCall, Debbie Paine, Craig Prince, Leo & Mary Nell Wells, Ronnie West, Lloyd Williams, Jenny Wisenbaker FRIENDS & FAMILY: Abbie Barfield, Delores Britt, Allison Bryan Carter and Children, Wanda DeWeese, Joe & Harriette Gray, Laura Johnson Griggs, Stacey McDowell, Ray Norvell, Sr., Steve & Sandi Parrish, Wayne Shear, John Mark Stephenson, Donnie Tomlinson, Pat Vann, Mitch Walker, Larry Youmans Behold His Mercy! Be kind and loving to each other, and forgive each other just as God forgave you in Christ. Ephesians 4:32 Jesus wraps a servant’s girdle around his waist, takes up the basin, and kneels before one of the disciples. He unlaces a sandal and gently lifts the foot and places it in the basin, covers it with water, and begins to bathe it. One by one, one grimy foot after another, Jesus works his way down the row….. You can be sure Jesus knows the future of these feet he is washing. These twenty-four feet will not spend the next day following their master, defending his cause. These feet will dash for cover at the flash of a Roman sword. Only one pair of feet won’t abandon him in the garden. One disciple won’t desert him at Gethsemane—Judas won’t even make it that far!.... Behold the gift Jesus gives his followers! He knows what these men are about to do. . . . And when they do, he wants BIRTHDAYS October 11: Collier Copeland Mason Hatfield Kelly Page October 13: Carolyn Alred Emma Herring October 14: Karsyn Black Shirley Dame George Sharp October 15: Lora McMullen October 16: Jayson Anderson Alton Hammock Will Herring October 17: Hank Johnson Matt Page MILITARY: Daniel Jordan, James McMullen,III, Skyler Pittman, Johnny Tucker, Nick Walker-Potts, Brandon Wells. DAILY PRAYER LIST October 9: Jayson, Kristy & Drew Anderson October 10: Sarah & Dagen Anderson October 11: Dee Arnold October 12: Emeka & Kendra Arungwa October 13: Mike, Mary & Mackenzie Atkins October 14: Ruth Babb October 15: Jay, Tracie, Meghan, Sidney & Jayson Barfield MISSION OF THE WEEK Raintree Village Children’s Home 3757 Johnston Rd. Valdosta, GA 31601 Phone: 559-5944 E-Mail: [email protected] UKRAINE SPECIAL CONTRIBUTION Once again Central has shown great generosity in giving. Sunday was the special contribution for the Christians and others in Ukraine. Central responded with $5,285. Thank you for such commitment to the Lord's work. AT A GLANCE ————————————————— them to remember how his knees knelt before them and he washed their feet. He wants them to realize those feet are still clean. . . . He forgave their sin before they even committed it. He offered mercy before they even sought it. October 19: Spiritual Enrichment Groups meet October 25: Fall Festival November 2: Red Cross Blood Drive Men’s Prayer Group: Tuesdays at 7 am in the Annex Ladies Bible Class: Tuesdays, 10:30 am in the Connector Christian Student Center: Devotional, Wednesdays at 7:00 pm Page 4 Herald of Encouragement Central Avenue Church of Christ 304 East Central Avenue Valdosta, GA 31601-5704 ELDERS: Homer Anderson, Kevin Boyd, Byron Brown, Jerry DeLoach, G.R. Holton, Bill Malone, Leon Weeks MINISTERS: Bryan Jarvis, John Klimko, Jr. DEACONS: Jay Barfield, Donny Bryan, Jeremy Colson, Richard Hamlen, Anthony Herring, Ted Hundley, Pendleton Little, Jerry McMullen, Sr., Matt Malone, Chris Prine, John Stephenson, Clyde Tomlinson, Phillip Walker Church Office: Leigh Carter...........................................................Secretary Gail DeLoach…………................................................Bulletin Phone: (229) 242-6115........................Fax:(229) 242-6116 Visit Central on the Web.......................www.cacoc.com MISSIONS: Paraguay, New Zealand, Ukraine, China, Malawi, India, Preaching the Gospel (TV) Central Avenue Church of Christ Family Gatherings Sunday Bible Class...……………………………...………...…………….….9:30am Worship.………………..….…………………..………………………..….....10:30am Evening Worship……………………..……………………….…………….…6:00pm Wednesday Bible Class.……………………………………………..……….7:00pm For the Record: October 8, 2014 Bible Classes 262 AM Worship 415 PM Worship 178 SEG 3rd Sunday Mid-week PM 263 Budget $12,450 Contribution $15,267 Over Budget $2,817 air again with great acceleration and exhilaration! Life is a cycle of good times and bad, valleys and Tough Times peaks, and for whatever His reasons, that’s how I think tough things in life always happen for a God set it up. definite reason. Sometimes it will be revealed We know, however, that His reasons are good while at other times we might never know the an- reasons; and the Bible teaches that all things turn swer and God will keep it hidden from us. out for good to those who love the Lord. I believe THE SHEPHERDS VOICE Although it’s sometimes weak, I have tremendous faith in God and without it I couldn’t have such an attitude. It is important to remember that through it all God remains firmly in control. that verse with all of my heart. I think we should earnestly seek God’s will in our lives and accept both good/hard times unconditionally… it’s called surrender. Whether it remains a mystery as to why we are enduring hard times, or it is revealed to us, invariably our character is defined by the toughest of times. Like refining silver, the impurities in our life are stripped out as God the “Master Silversmith” works towards purifying and perfecting us. Like pure silver when His image is seen in us, we have arrived. Truthfully, it's really hard for this rebellious guy to surrender my will to anyone... including God, but I’ve found that I’m only truly happy when I do bend my will to His. How do I do it? The Bible teaches I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. It’s the Lord who allows me to do it and without His strength I couldn’t come close. I must draw close to I’ve learned that to question hard times is sheer Him if I hope to succeed in finding His will for my folly and it doesn’t change a single thing. I’ve life. learned to expect them and I’m never surprised We give great honor to those who endure under sufferwhen they arrive. Life is like a ping pong game to ing. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great me; one minute we are gracefully soaring through endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the air, and then BANG! We have a hard landing, the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy. spinning wildly and then WHAP! We are James 5:11 viciously slammed hard with a sand paper laced Bill Malone paddle. But then we gracefully soar through the