Luke 24:25-27 And He said to them, "O foolish men
and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not
necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?"
Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the
things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.
The above words came from
the newly resurrected Jesus. He spoke to two disciples traveling to
Emmaus. Likely they were going home after an event-filled Pentecost in
Jerusalem. They went with great expectations because of Jesus' successful
recent activities (Lazarus' resurrection; his triumphal entry; his public
teaching in the temple area). They returned home confused, bewildered, and
directionless.
They knew Jesus was dead. They heard he was
resurrected. Yet, they were grieved. Things occurred so
suddenly! They knew Jesus was God's mighty prophet. They hoped he
was God's means to redeem Israel. When Jesus joined these sad men on that
road, they were amazed he was unaware of all that happened in Jerusalem the past
few days.
How ironic! These men who knew Jesus by sight, who knew Jesus
received his power from God, who hoped Jesus was Israel's redemption, did not
understand God's redemption. They heard Jesus' resurrection
occurred. Yet, it meant nothing. How could God possibly use a man
raised from the dead to deliver Israel from her enemies? His resurrection
was fine, but it could not solve their problems or meet their needs.
Jesus, unrecognized by them, called them foolish. Beginning with Moses he
explained the Scriptures concerning him to these men. They, who had God's
redemption "figured out," learned how little they knew. Their concern was
Israel's redemption. God's concern is the world's redemption.
The essential key to understanding redemption is understanding God's intent in
Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. No faith in Jesus' death and
resurrection always means no understanding of redemption. There was no
substitute for faith in the resurrected Jesus.
All my life, with other Christians, I have played the human game, "If only..." In the 60's I
worked in a congregation with pitiful children's educational facilities.
"If only..." In the 70's I was in foreign missions. There was
nothing--no secretaries, no offices, no machines, no literature, and in many
instances no Bibles. "If only..." In the 80's I was part of a
congregation whose facilities were too small for worship or education. "If
only..." In the 90's change was rampant throughout our society.
Transition took a toll on a church living in the past. "If only..."
After 2000 I am part of a church who dares to seriously examine itself.
Self-examination through scripture takes a toll. "If only..."
Always, in every decade, there are relevant "if onlys." Always in every
lifetime there should be faith in Jesus Christ. We always will need the
material. Yet, the material never will substitute for faith in the
resurrected Jesus as the Christ. People with much less and much more can
live by faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus once asked, "When the son of man
comes, will he find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:8)
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**In Our
Thoughts and Prayers**
* Patty Kaiser's father, John Smith, is now under
Hospice Care.
* Bill Brazelton is doing well following surgery and was
dismissed from the hospital Saturday.
* Beulah Ann Chronister has had
hip surgery. She is recuperating at home and would enjoy cards and
calls.
* Jamie Loftin has been dismissed from the hospital but will
continue to stay there until the babies are released (3-4 weeks). She
would appreciate prayers for the babies.
* Dwonne Cogswell's
grandmother, Lorena Dunavant
* Sanh Luongvan is in St. Edward Hospital,
LT3-1.
* Maile McDonald
* Judi Green
* Lear Mae Moody
(mother of Sue George)
* Helen Branum in the hospital this week for a
tooth extraction.
**Bereaved**
Our sympathy is extended to Myra Flippo in the death of her
uncle, Glen Elmore of Allison Texas. Services were Thursday.
Many of you have
received e-mails requesting prayer for John Mark Williams, the 2 year old son of
Allen and Sandy Williams. John Mark went from the arms of his parents to the
arms of Jesus, Wednesday, June 9th.
**Military Service**
Remember in prayer Daniel Kweekul, Phillip Lux,
Johnny Lindgren, and Brandon Daws who are currently serving in Iraq.
Call the
church office if you have a family member in the armed service that you would
like to be added to our military service prayer list
**Bridal Showers**
A bridal shower honoring Genoa McDonald will be in
the home of Meg Canfield, 400 North 66th Street. Mark your calendar for the
shower 1:30 to 3:30 PM. Sunday, June 27th. Genoa is registered at Dillards, Home
Depot and Linens & Things.
**Wedding Invitation**
Mr. and Mrs. David Carson
and
Mrs. Martha Finley
Request the
honour of your presence
At the marriage of their children
Elise
Lynn
And
Mark Andrew
On Monday the fifth of July
Two thousand and
four
At three o'clock in the afternoon
Needmore Church of Christ
Indian
Mound, Tennessee
**60+ Event**
Our June potluck is Saturday, the 19th, at 6:00 p.m. in
the Annex.
**Note of Thanks**
Dear West-Ark:
Brenda and I want to thank you from
the bottom of our hearts for the going away gathering last Sunday night.
Your kind words and encouragement are very special to us. We already miss
worshipping with you but we will always remember you in our prayers as you
continue to grow in your relationship with our Lord. I know that God will
continue to bless you in your service in His kingdom.
In his
service,
Ron and Brenda Lenderman
My family and I would like to thank you all for the prayers, calls and
visits during my dad's recent hospitalization and illness. We would especially
like to thank Roy Dunavin for his visits and words of comfort during such a
trying time.
Thanks again,
Doy and Bernice Wilkins; Nancy, Ryan and Landry
Dockery
**Library News**
"Do You Have the Veggie Tales Videos?"
We had Veggie Tales Videos for children's worship. The cost to replace them
is $135.94.
No questions asked if you just drop them in the return box.
The book "Children Mean All the World to God," by H. Shank has been placed
in the library. This book expands on why babies are prayed for by the church
family.
A Coming Attraction for the church Library is a DVD and video of "The
Passion of The Christ." The movies will be here in a few weeks for your
use to check out and watch.
Put your nose in a book! You will find it a
worthwhile endeavor
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**Youth
News**
This week at Green Valley Bible Camp was one of the best weeks at camp
I've ever experienced. You can really make some close friendships when there is
a small group. It was Senior Week, which is a session just for high school. Our
total all week was thirty-five campers and a handful of counselors. In a usual
camp setting you might see around 120 or so campers.
During our class time we were studying Ephesians. There are six chapters so
we took a chapter a day. Jackie Chestnut, from the Southside congregation in
Rogers, taught our classes. After the classes the campers divided up into the
cabins and spun off many wonderful discussions that could have gone for days.
They learned one important fact, if nothing else all week. "You can't be the
Church of Christ until you are the Church in Christ."
Oklahoma Christian had recruiters there for the week and snagged a couple
of good catches, and you know me - Harding had a hand in there too. Both of the
college groups made some very long lasting friendships as well. Don't tell
anybody, I almost went to Oklahoma Christian College; but I decided that I
couldn't live with myself if I was an "Okie".
Chelsea Mahaney, a new teen in our group went with
us to camp and was
touched so much by the topics
in some of our classes that she decided she
wants
to follow Christ. She was baptized on Wednesday
evening in a
freezing cold swimming pool that she will
never forget.
Now that I've finally got all of my laundry done it is time to pack up and
leave once again. We are leaving Saturday morning for Uplift '04 at Harding
University. I am exited to see these kid's hearts touched again by the hand of
God. Thank you so much for all the support that we receive from all of you out
there; it means so much to us. "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more
than all we ask or imagine, according to the power that is at work within us, to
him be the glory in the church and throughout all generations, for ever and
ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21.
~ Aaron Davis
**Nursery Schedule*
Third Sunday Nursery
A.M. Nursery
Gail
Mason
Bo Mason
Flora Johnson
Missy Blasdel
Kristy Abernathy
P.M.
Nursery
Linda Wear
Terri Jones
**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday A. M.
564
Bible Classes 414
Sunday Night 282
Wednesday P.M.
294
Contribution $13,832
Children's Home
$233
The Way 54
Hispanic Attendance 37
Hispanic Contribution
$167
Laotians Attendance 26
Laotian Contribution $138
**Schedule of Services**
Sunday Morning Worship, 10:30
Sundy Bible
Classes, 9:30
Sunday Evening, 6:00
**Weekly Classes**
Tuesday Morning WINGS, 9:30
Wednesday Morning
Ladies
Bible Class, 10:00
Wednesday Evening Bible
Classes for all ages,
7:00
Elders
Michael Cole, Bill Dickey,
Roy Dunavin, Earl Flood,
Bob
Null, Joe Pistole
**Ministers**
Chris Benjamin
David Chadwell
Roy Dunavin
Brad
Pistole
Oscar Nolasco
Thomas Kweekul
Jack Lewis
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