West Main

WHAT A WONDERFUL DAY

Thought-full or Thought-less?

 

I came across a thought-provoking quote this week while reading which says, "All of us, including those who think professionally, are often enough thought-poor; we all are far too easily thought-less. Thoughtlessness is an uncanny visitor who comes and goes everywhere in today's world. For nowadays, we take in everything in the quickest and cheapest way, only to forget it just as quickly, instantly."

 

In terms of quick forgetting, I can recall a study I read a number of years of ago that demonstrated how few individuals can recall what was preached in one month. The study showed how barely fifty percent of members of one congregation could recall with accuracy what was preached the previous week. The sad reality is the percent got increasingly lower with each subsequent week so that by the end of the month barely thirty percent could recall what was preached at the beginning of the month.  Such statistics on the lack of sermon remembrance ought to humble any minister.

 

There is no question that today in our western culture we are over-saturated with information, and therefore often struggle to hold within our brains what is to be regarded as most relevant or significant. Yet, there is “information” that we must dwell upon more slowly and deeply. For instance, the Revelation of God is the living Word from the Living God. Thus, we must be ever diligent that we do not skip over God’s revealed thoughts like we might skim over a medical waiver for kids attending a field trip.

 

However, I often experience my own Bible reading in thoughtless ways. I often forget what I read quickly and instantly. I struggle against getting a certain amount of reading done for class, sermon, or a counseling appointment. What I have been missing of late, but used to enjoy very much, is reading meditatively and deeply for myself. Fast food may satisfy an immediate hunger, but not a nutritional need. I need to learn to savor the richness of God's Word for the care of my soul, and not settle for less.

 

The psalmist says, "My eyes are awake before the watches of the night that I may meditate on your promise" (Psalm 119:148). I need to rediscover the discipline of meditative reading--turning a passage over and over in my mind, contemplating the wonder and beauty of God's promise and Word for my life. The goal of reading Scripture is not to “finish the book,” but to let God’s book finish with us—transforming and shaping our hearts and minds to reflect God’s glory. Another psalm that comes to mind says, " . . . in all his thoughts there is no room for God" (Psalm10:4). We can only absorb so much information in so much time. What we choose to focus our attention upon and how much attention will greatly determine the value of what we read.  One question we perhaps all need to consider is, "Even if I have made room for God in my thoughts, what is the weight of those thoughts?" Is God thought-full or thought-less?

 

-- Terry

 

 

                                                                

 

WOMEN'S RETREAT  -- Ladies, get ready for a real treat - our Women’s Retreat is just around the corner!  This year’s theme will be Having the Mind of Christ with guest speaker, Liz Pence, of Hope Revealed Ministries and family friend of the Christopher’s.

 

The retreat is Friday, September 30 – Sunday, October 2 at Sugarloaf Cottages Resort at Lake Shasta, California.  The registration fees are $95.00- $155.00 depending upon what you sign up for.  Also, there is a $5.00 discount for registering and paying by THIS SUNDAY, AUGUST 28.  Scholarships will be available.  September 25 is the last day to register.

 

Please see Jessie Pannell with any questions and to give your registration forms and money to.  Registration forms are available in the lobby.  Please come, and invite your friends.

 

 

BIBLE CLASSES FOR THE FALL QUARTER

Beginning on September 18, we will have three new adult Bible classes.  Our Ladies class will meet in the Fireside Room and we will be studying the topic of “Bible Foods.” We will have an adult Bible study in the auditorium with Terry teaching on the book of “Revelation.” We will have an additional adult Bible study in the upstairs adult classroom studying on the topic of “The First Principles of Living a Christian Life.” Lance Lake and Brad Holm will be leading this class.

 

***Promotion Sunday for our children will be Sunday, September 4.

 

LIFE  GROUPS

Life Groups will begin meeting on September 11.  Look for more information over the next few weeks about times and places. If you are interested in starting a Life Group, please contact Brad Olson or Dan Beeks.

 

 

WEST MAIN BIBLE INSTITUTE will begin its classes on September 8, at 7:00 p.m. If you have questions about the classes, please contact Dan Beeks.

 

LEADERSHIP PICNIC/RETREAT

A West Main Leadership Picnic and Retreat is planned for September 24 for the elders, deacons, ministers and their families.  This is a time that has been set aside for the West Main leadership to get to know one another better, to dream and plan for the future of West Main and to build each other up through prayer and fellowship. The picnic will start at 11:00 a.m. at Cantrall-Buckley Park, Area A.  There is a $4.00 entrance fee for each vehicle.  There will be a sign-up sheet for side dishes, activities, etc.  Please see Dan Beeks to sign up.

 

 

PRAYER REQUESTS . . .

For Ferne Scott as she recovers from her neck injury ... For Dalton Moreno as he recovers from having stitches in his foot as a result of a bicycle accident ... For the Don Miller family on the passing of Betty Miller recently ... For all of our children and teachers who will be starting school soon ... For our President and all of our military men, women and families.

 

 

BAPTISM

We rejoice that Briar Rogers was baptized this past Sunday at Emigrant Lake.   Briar is the son of Justin & Jennifer Rogers.  The family will be moving soon to Clackamas, Oregon.  May God’s blessings be with them as they move to their new home and find a new church home.

 

 

THANK YOU NOTE . . . I want to thank everybody for their love and concern, the cards, the meals and your prayers while I have been recovering from my fall and fractured vertebrae. They were all greatly appreciated.  I love you all, Ferne Scott

Clothing and School Supplies Giveaway

and Carnival

Saturday, August 27 - 11:00 a.m. -2:00 p.m.

 

Our annual carnival will be held at the same time as our Clothing and School Supplies Giveaway. We need all volunteers to be at the church building at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday.

 

****Volunteers are needed on Friday, August 26, at 9:00 a.m. to help sort the clothing.  If you can help, please contact Betty Lake.

 

 

SUNDAY EVENING SERVICE  --  This Sunday, August 28,  will be our last Sunday evening combined service at the building for the summer.  Please come join us as we learn new songs and Terry will finish his lessons on the Ten Commandments.  There will be NO Fingerfood Fellowship after evening service.

 

 

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Aug 27: Clothing & School Supplies Giveaway

Aug 28: Evening services at the building, NO FELLOWSHIP following services

Sept 8: Bible Institute Classes Begin

Sept 11: Life Groups Begin

Sept 30-Oct 2: Women’s Retreat

 

Nursery Help is needed for Sept 4^th

Coffee Servers are needed for September

 

***Lost: Evelyn Bates left her sunglasses up at Emigrant Lake this past Sunday.  If anyone picked them up, please let her know.