West Main

Vacation Bible School

Vacation Bible School has gotten off to a wonderful start! We have kids smiling, singing and having a blast!

As I was watching the kids during the rousing morning Worship assembly, I was taken with the thought of just how much we could learn from them. They are inspiring to watch as they worship. What strikes me is that they are worshiping for God alone. They do not care what anyone around them thinks. They simply give God the best they can, with the most energy they can, and mean it with all of their hearts.

If the song rhythm calls for a clap, they give it their best. If it asks them to sing louder, they give it their best. If the song requires a step or two, they dance for the Lord too! It is SO FUN to watch. The way they worship and the love they show is infectious. There is energy in the air around a kids’ worship service. I don’t think it is just because their age is oozing with energy, but I think it is because of the total focus and purity they pour into their giving to the Lord.

I believe we could all learn from our kids when it comes to worship. I believe we could all use  a little childlike wonder and innocence in this area! I think far too often we are more concerned about what those around us will think about our worship styles, then caring about what GOD would think. I’d like to see us all give our hearts best like these kids!

I love the way scripture describes David’s worship. It says that he worshiped BEFORE THE LORD. No one else mattered. This was worship for God and God only……not a single other opinion mattered. This is the way we should also worship. And our children get this.

May we all learn from these kids at VBS. And me we always give our best to the Lord!

----Pannell

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT  AT WEST MAIN

The West Main congregation has a unique history of leadership. It started with Elders in 1951 and has had an unbroken list of elders every since. It has maintained more than the proportionate number to the membership. When Elders passed away others took their place. This history did not happen by chance. From the beginning, there was a purposeful intention to honor the leadership model set by New Testament churches. They were instructed by the apostles and we wanted the same leadership emphasis at West Main.

In fact, a renewed interest has been taking place. It is being realized we have needed to upgrade the expectations of elders and deacons. The elders, in particular, need to be more equipped as mentor-teachers-guides to the members. As the complexities of our society have increased we must be sure that the abilities of church leaders be relative to the needs. Goodness too often has compensated for leadership abilities. More purpose training must be provided for potential leaders. Where there is a definite and positive program to train leaders, starting very early, there will be a continuing number of good leaders coming to the front. More men must desire the work of leadership and make the personal sacrifices to grow in the abilities to do to the work and to gain the respect of the congregation.

Every man in the congregation should desire the qualities of an “elder-like” man. At their best, they are the qualities of maturity. And what man should not desire to mature in the faith? Every quality required of an Elder takes one closer to the person of Jesus Christ. And what man should not desire to be like Jesus. Whether one becomes an Elder or not, he should desire to be more mature each day: to think, to feel and to act like Jesus.

If Elders are what every man should aspire to be, then all elders should keep growing and progressing in the faith and in their abilities to lead. No elder can be content with his level of Bible knowledge, with his sensitivity to feel with people, with his ability to mentor and his wisdom to lead. He has progressed far in his Christian faith but is becoming even more what every father and mother want their boys to be and his wife is a model for what they want their girls to become.

An integral part of leadership development is the influence of the congregation. A congregation determines the substance of the leadership. To a great extent leaders are what they have been trained to be. They look like the church that produced them. They mirror much of the church that has taught them. Leaders are and do much of what the church has committed itself to be and to accomplish. Any leader, in most congregations, represents a substantial membership investment. They reflect the best the congregation possesses. Parents, Bible School teachers, youth ministers, pulpit ministers, elders, mates, relatives and many more have devoted much effort influencing such a one to make the right choices over a lifetime to become a leader. A congregation determines the number and quality of future leaders by its spirit and attitude. A congregation determines the effective of appointed leaders by their supportive spirit.

---Truman Scott

ELDER AND DEACON INSTALLATION

Our planned installation of our selected new leaders will be this Sunday, June 26. We will be having a Potluck Fellowship celebration following the morning services.  Please bring a favorite dish to share on that day. Please plan to be a part of this wonderful day of celebration.

NEW ADULT EDUCATION CLASSES

This summer the combined adult class will be during the months of July and August. We will be studying several hot topics or social issues that affect each one of us either directly or indirectly through work or people that we know.

As God’s children we need to understand these issues in light of the Word that he has provided to us.  Beginning in July, Terry will teach on  July 3, 10, and 17, covering the subject of Marriage and Divorce. Dan Beeks will cover the subject of Law and Grace on July 24 and 31.  Lance Lake will teach on August 7 and  14 and will discuss the subject of Alternative Lifestyles, specifically homosexuality.  Gerry Flock will teach on August  21 and 28 on the subject of Death with Dignity.  If you have any questions please contact Dan Beeks.

CIA AGENTS

Please check off the dates that you will be able to help with CIA projects.  The list is posted at the rear of the auditorium.  We really need for you to do this, so that we can plan our projects.

MUSIC FESTIVAL

Come join us for a music festival at Union Creek Resort on July 15-17th. This is fun family entertainment.  For complete information, please see the notice posted on the courtyard bulletin board.

PRAYER REQUESTS . . .

Please continue to pray for Doris Sutherlin who is recovering from colon surgery at home...short visits (please call first) or phone calls are welcome.....For Sharon Englert who is recovering from colon cancer surgery and is now in RVMC for a lung infection....For Bud Sanderbrink for his health to improve and to get over his depression.... For Cooper Albright who has developed lung nodules and while waiting for the doctors to decide the next step for his treatment....For the family of Adam Bradfield who passed away this past week-comfort for his family....For Jenny Way as she continues to deal with memory loss from her brain injury....David Mayes request your prayers for his friends, Cora Sawyer, Barbara Peterson, and Tami Mathews as they deal with their personal struggles....For our President, military men, women and families.

EVENING SERVICE  CHANGE

We will have NO evening services this Sunday,  June 26, and July 10. Please mark your calendars for these changes

YOUTH and CAMP NEWS

Camp is coming !!!!!! Don’t forget to turn in your registration form by Monday, June 27.  Camp cost is $180.00; Camp is  July 10-16.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

June 25: Burns/Rennels wedding; Cantrall Buckley park; 2:00 p.m.

June 28: Ladies Class Barbeque at the home

of Bill/Barb Viera; 11:00 a.m. - ?

June 29: Service Project

July 6: Service Project

July 10-16: Church Camp at Box R Ranch

July 20: Service Projects

July 23-29: Pump