2014 Edition, Number 42
October 19, 2014
Michael W. McLemore
A college professor prepared a test for his
soon-to-be-graduating seniors. The test questions were divided into three categories and
the students were instructed to choose questions from only one of the categories. The
first category of questions was the hardest
and worth fifty points. The second, which
was easier, was worth forty points. The third,
the simplest, was worth thirty points.
Upon completion of the test, students
who had chosen the hardest fifty-point questions were given A’s. The students who had
chosen the forty-point questions received Bs.
Those who settled for the easiest thirtypointers were given Cs.
The students were frustrated by what
they perceived to be an arbitrary grading systems. The professor leaned over the podium,
smiled, and exclaimed, “I wasn’t testing your
book knowledge. I was testing your aim.”
What is it we are aiming for? Speaking of
our spiritual aim in His Talent parable, Christ
reminded, “For unto everyone that hath shall
be given, and he shall have abundance.” Just
how high are we aiming?
With these thoughts in mind, I wonder if
we are aiming high enough in our spiritual
pursuits. Are expectation to low when it
comes to our children’s knowledge of the Bible? Do we ask enough of local church members when it comes to participation in efforts
to further the cause of the Lord? Are we selling ourselves short when it involves setting
and meeting our personal spiritual goals?
Could it be that the evil we must overcome is
not failure, but low aim?
She Hath Done What She Could
Michael W. McLemore
While the chief priests were seeking opportunity to
kill the Lord, a loving woman sought to honor Him. Jesus was in Bethany, a small village on the eastern slope of
the Mount of Olives. He had some there for supper at the
house of a leper, Simon, when Mary took a pound of very
costly ointment and anointed His feet, wiping them with
her hair.
Judas Iscariot impulsively objected saying the ointment might have been sold for a large sum and given to
the poor. Jesus responded: “Let her alone; why trouble
ye her? She hath wrought a good work on me. For ye
have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will
ye may do them good: but me ye have not always. She
hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to
anoint my body to the burying. Verily I say unto you,
Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout
the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her” (Mark 14:6-9).
Indeed it is significant that Mary was doing what she
could, but just what was she doing? Consider these
thoughts concerning her invaluable and instructive deed.
A Work of Love
Mary’s was a work of love. She willingly gave from
her heart. Her Lord was the object of her undivided affection. After a similar incident, Jesus taught the importance of love by doing: “Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my
feet: but she hath washed my feet with her tears, and
wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me
no kiss: but this woman since the time I cam in hath not
ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not
anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are
many are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little
is forgiven, the same loveth little” (Luke 7:44-47). How
great the number of saved would be if every one of us
would only do what we can. As we work for the Lord,
our work must be of love, not hypocrisy.
A Work of Sacrifice
Mary’s was a work of sacrifice, for the ointment was
very costly. She could have used the value of it for many
things. Yet, she chose to anoint the feet of Jesus with it,
willingly sacrificing all else that could have been done
with its worth. Even so the life of the Christian must be
one of sacrifice, not just of precious ointment, or three
hundred pence, but of our own bodies. Paul wrote, “I
beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God,
that ye present your bodies a living sacrifices, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service”
(Romans 12:1). Why would it not be so considering He
has given himself for us?
A Work of Faith
In our text, Jesus said, “She is come aforehand to
anoint my body to the burying” (Mark 14:8). This event
occurred just days before the death of Jesus of Nazareth.
How did Mary know? How could she have understood
that anointing was in order? She knew the same way we
know of His life, death, resurrection. Mary knew because
she heard and believed the Lord. She had been taught.
The disciples lamented; they agonized over Jesus’ assurances that he would die. But, had they the faith of Mary?
Mary had a history of listening to the words of Jesus:
“And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus
feet, and heard his word” (Luke 10:39).
Our work must also be a work of faith. For all the
works of love one may do, all the sacrifices one may
make will be to no avail unless they are done by faith.
“For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).
Whatever we do must be done by the authority of our
Lord (Colossians 3:17). Our faith must work by love, as
Paul declared, “For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision
availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which
worketh by love” (Galatians 5:6).
A Work in Season
This was the only anointing Jesus received before His
death and burial. Mary’s was done while there was time.
Jesus said, “...me ye have not always” (Mark 14:7). She
worked while she could. She worked by faith, while opportunity availed.
Have you done what you could for the Lord? The
Lord does not expect more than you are able. He wants
only what you can do. You will find that in doing what
you can you will increase your abilities to do. There is
much to do, it’s true, but there is much we can do, if we
will!
The Weatherly Weekly
2
O C TOB E R 1 9, 2 0 1 4
“Idleness”
News and Notes of Interest
To Weatherly Members
Pray for Those in Need
Auburn Henderson was taken to
Huntsville Hospital after suffering a
rather frightening cardiac event at home
on Monday. His physician preformed a
Cardiac Catheterization on Tuesday evening and successfully opened blocked
arteries with two stents. He was able to
go home on Thursday afternoon. We are
thankful that Auburn is doing better and
are praying for him to regain his
strength. Please remember both Auburn
& Silvia to the Lord.
Neil Hagewood got a good result
from a recent brain scan—ALL CLEAR!
You will recall that Neil had a bout with
Melanoma some months
ago. We are rejoicing in
this good result.
It was good to see W.D.
Patrick doing so much better. We are trusting he will
continue to do well. Also,
it was good to see LaNelle
Patrick Wednesday evening. She is slowly improving after extensive foot surgery. Say
W.D. & LaNelle’s names to the Lord in
prayer this week.
Forest Summers is doing great following Chemo. It was good to see him
on Wednesday evening. Please continue
to pray for him as he fights this very aggressive form of Cancer. He is anticipating putting this portion of his treatment
behind him in the next few weeks. He
and his oncologists are already planning
the next phase of his battle. Your
prayers are greatly appreciated.
Dennis Curtis remains on our
prayer list as he recovers from surgery.
Note of Thanks
“To our Weatherly family… During
and after my recent surgery, we appreciate your kindness and concern. Thank
you for the many cards, calls and food.
Thank you especially for your prayers.”
In Christian love, Gordon & Elaine
Sunday Night Study Series
We are off to a great start. Our Fall
Sunday Night Study Series continues
tonight with
week 3. We have
had very good
attendance for
each of our assemblies, but we
can do even better. Please do
October 5 — November 9
your best to attend this evening. You will
receive the benefit. This evening Hill
Roberts will be leading the auditorium
class as we study Jesus example of compassion.
Group 3 Meeting Tonight
Group 3, led by Murray Castleman,
will meet following evening worship
tonight. Plan to attend if you are a
member of Group 3.
Weatherly Birthdays
10-24 Amanda Jimison
10-26
Chris Farrell
10-26 Thelma Poole
10-26
Dwight Ivey
10-29 Charlotte Hagewood
11-1
Jake Curtis
11-1
11-1
Shellie Smith
Sandra Gore
Michael W. McLemore
Victorious Roman Legions, left
behind to rule a defeated Spain,
built and aqueduct in Segovia in
109 A.D. And for 1800 years, more
than 60 generations, that aqueduct
carried sparkling water to hot
dusty Segovians. About the turn
of the 20th Century thoughtful
Spaniards decided that the aqueducts should be preserved for posterity, and so should be relieved of
its age-old labor.
They laid modern pipelines
and stopped the flow that for
years had gushed and gurgled in
the aqueduct. Shortly thereafter
the aqueduct began to fall apart.
The blazing sun dried the mortar
and made it crumble. Its stones
sagged and fell and soon it lay in
ruins.
What ages of service could not
destroy, idleness rapidly disintegrated. And so it is with Christians.
Idleness, not labor, destroys.
In these days of early retirement,
we see the same thing happening
in men. Strong and healthy Christians are prematurely rent from
service and rendered impotent
“eating the bread of idleness.”
The safety and security of the
Christian lies in keeping busy in
the Lord’s service.
The Weatherly Weekly
O C TOB E R 1 9, 2 0 1 4
3
WEEKLY OPPORTUNITIES
THIS WEEK
OCTOBER 19
Sunday AM
Louis Garrett
Announcements
David Jacks
Song Leader
Opening Prayer Steve Hagewood
Scripture Reading Lennie Schrimsher
Closing Prayer Murray Castleman
NEXT WEEK,
OCTOBER 26
Louis Garrett
Jared Jimison
Louis Garrett
Collis Terry
Ken Cavender
AUDITORIUM SUNDAY
Hebrews
Mike McLemore
ADITORIUM WEDNESDAY
Sunday PM
David Jacks
David Hand
Nick Holland
Jared Jimison
Ron Harmon
Marty Hunt
Song Leader
Invitation
Closing Prayer
OCTOBER 22
Searcy Hall
Mike McLemore
Gene Preston
OCTOBER 29
Collis Terry
Mike McLemore
Jim Risner
Group Meeting
Group 3
Group 4
Song Leader
Opening Prayer
Closing Prayer
Wednesday PM
QUARTERLY BIBLE CLASSES
OCTOBER — DECEMBER 2014
MONTHLY OPPORTUNITIES
October
Serving on the
Lord’s Table AM
** Overseer
Lord’s Supper PM
Will Starks
David Hand
Ron Harmon
Mike Coward **
Phil Furlough
Kirk Hatcher
Nick Holland
Ryan Patrick
Collis Terry **
Will Patrick
Visitor Greeting
Sunday AM
Rear Door
Side Door
Sunday PM
Rear Door/ Side Door
Communion Prep
Building Lockup
Hebrews
Mike McLemore
WEATHERLY HEIGHTS ANNUAL LECTURES
2015 Weatherly Heights Lectures
Joseph Cashmier, John Kilgore & Kenny Moorer
Weatherly’s Shepherds
Louis Garrett
Neil Hagewood
Tommy Hill
(256) 883-7785
(256) 881-8251
(256) 883-0010
Evangelist
Michael W. McLemore
(256) 698-5941
Email: [email protected]
Weatherly’s Deacons
Steve Hagewood
David Jacks
Forest Summers
David Hand
Hill Roberts
Collis Terry
Ron Harmon
Will Starks
Bobby Wright
Terry & Kim Barnett
W.D. & LaNelle Patrick
Harmon & Starks
Dot Summers
Forest Summers
TIMES OF SERVICES
Sunday Bible Classes
Sunday Morning Assembly
Sunday Evening Assembly
Wednesday Bible Classes
9:00 a.m.
10:00 a.m.
6:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
WEATHERLY HEIGHTS CHURCH OF CHRIST · 930 WEATHERLY ROAD, SE · P.O. BOX 4619 · HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA 35815
PHONE (256) 881-9535 · E-MAIL: [email protected]