West Main

The summer of 2012 for the West Main Church of Christ has come to an end. What an incredible summer we have experienced! Our Christians in Action, Sunday Nights at Lewis Park, Vacation Bible School, P.U.M.P., Southern Oregon Christian Camp, Clothing, Carnival, and School Supply Giveaway, Faith Quest, and Worship at Emigrant Lake were just a few of the events that filled up our summer as a congregation.

In light of all we have engaged in this summer I am extremely pleased and proud of our congregation. There have been so many sacrifices in time, money, and volunteer help to make everything come together. Even the Central Point Fire Department graciously allowed us to borrow their large gas grill for all our cooking events; and cook we did! We served roughly 1,300 hot dogs and around 600 hamburgers this summer!

The question I would like to entertain in light of all we did this summer is, “Was it worth it?” We spent a substantial sum of money in food, camp, supplies, and material to put these summer programs together. We had fundraisers, donations, and regular contributions generously given to allow for such an eventful summer. Was our money well spent this summer? How do we measure the value of all that we accomplished? Do we measure by the number of conversions, or the number of families now visiting as a result? What are we to look at in regard to the ratio of dollars spent and results returned? What are the results we ought to expect? —Hard questions for sure.

One factor that is hard to measure in all that we did this summer is the providence of God. How is God using and going to use our efforts from this summer? The Apostle Paul speaks to the providence of God in our works when he says, “What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building” (1 Cor 2:5-8).

One implication from what the apostle Paul says above is that we are called to faithfully discharge the love of God in sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. What “results” from our work is dependent on how the Holy Spirit is moving in the lives of the community we are serving and graciously trying to reach. We cannot always see nor know all that God is doing with our humble efforts. However, let me share just one “result” from our clothing and school supply giveaway. Many of you have probably already seen this post on Facebook, but in case not, here is a post from Brenda Bostic, an individual touched by our efforts:

“I just wanted to say thank you to everyone at West Main church for the open arms and letting my family come to the lake. You all made awesome food and a very awesome sermon and I'm really looking forward to seeing and knowing more of you. God bless everyone!”

Brenda came to our clothing, carnival, and school supply giveaway and was invited to attend our worship at Emigrant Lake. Here is just one family that is looking for love and acceptance. I know through our many sacrifices and donations this summer that at least this one family has found in our love for the Lord, the love and acceptance they are craving.

What I am personally taking away from this summer is that even little efforts such as giving away a free hot dog, some free clothes, and some free school supplies goes a long way in spreading the aroma of Christ in our community. We had well over 200 people from the surrounding neighborhood grace our place of worship this past weekend. The cause of Christ was advanced and the love of God so generously and freely given to us was shared with others. Was it worth it?  I say, "Most definitely, yes!"                                                                           

– Terry

New Sunday Morning Bible Classes to Begin:

This coming Sunday, September 2, we will start the Fall Quarter with these new classes:

*In the Auditorium: The Book of Romans with Grant Newton.

*Upstairs, Room 22: Principalities and Powers with Terry Christopher.

*In the East Room: Young Men’s Class with Don Walker.

*In the Fireside Room: Ladies Class with Denise Beeks. Ladies: If you plan on attending our Sunday morning class and you do not have lesson materials, let Denise know so she can order them. We will begin with Lesson Eight.

Life Groups, Ladies Class, Bible Institute

*Life Groups will start up again on September 9. At the Home of Gerry & September Flock:

Sunday Evenings: Life Group: 5:30 p.m. Wednesday Evenings: College Age Life Group:   6:30-9:00 p.m.

At the Home of Terry & Corinne Christopher: Young Marrieds Life Group. Time to be announced next week.

At the home of Bruce & Linda Farris: Time and date to be announced later.

Services at the building: 6:00 p.m.

*Ladies Tuesday Morning Class begins September 11 with a Potluck Luncheon at 11:00 a.m. Class will actually start the following week.

*West Main Institute of Bible Studies begins on Thursday, September 13, at 7:00 p.m.

Leadership Retreat – Deacons and Elders please mark your calendars for the Leadership Retreat scheduled at Cantrall-Buckley Park on September 22 for you and your family. We will begin about 10:30 a.m. and plan to be together throughout the afternoon. More details to come.

Our Monthly Deacons’ Meeting is scheduled for September 10 at 7:00 p.m. in the Fireside Room. Please make plans to attend.

Prayer Requests . . . .  For Nellie Kelton who will be having therapy on her hand and shoulder twice a week for the next six weeks - please pray that the therapy will help the problem and that her hand and shoulder will get better...For the safety of a group from the Rogue Valley that is on a mission trip to Romania - Brittney Denn, granddaughter of Larry & Wydie, is among the people on the trip... For our President and all of our military men, women and families.