November 28, 2012
CHRISTMAS BASKET MINISTRY
We have a long history of reaching out to our community. We especially reach out during the holiday season. We have much going on at the end of the year, and with all of the amazing ministries it can get very busy and stressful. So, in order to try and help alleviate this a little, we are starting the YOUTH GROUP CHRISTMAS BASKET MINISTRY early this year.
We have set up our “Angel Tree” on the back wall of the auditorium. There are also sign up sheets for food item donations. This is such an important ministry and I am asking each of you to PLEASE prayerfully consider helping us out. Take a gift or two off of the tree and sign up for a food item. ALL DONATIONS MUST BE RETURNED TO THE CHURCH BY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16, AT THE LATEST. Your gift items do NOT have to be wrapped, but they MUST BE LABELED WITH THE FAMILY NUMBER AND RECIPIENT NUMBER.
All donations may be given to Brian Pannell or the church office. You may also drop them off under the tree in the back of the auditorium. Any frozen food items (turkeys, pies, etc.) may be put in the freezers (be sure to label them “Teen Baskets”). As always, we will also gladly accept cash donations which we will use to shop for the project.
It is such a blessing to share a little love with some very needy families each year. I thank you in advance for your help and participation.
– Pannell
***P.S. – If you know of any family at all in our church or outside that could use help, please talk to Brian ASAP. ***
DO YOU WANT A JOB OR A BODY? (Part Two)
In my last bulletin article I made the following comment: “Who we are and what we do begins in the body of Christ. Therefore, every decision we make must be grounded and conditioned by the calling, gifts, and the responsibilities Jesus places upon each man, woman, and child in the local church.”
The above quote is attempting to get at the centrality of the local congregation in our lives. I also used the question of what we choose to do for a living as one illustration of how disconnected we have become from seeing the local congregation as central to all we do: “For instance, imagine that Christ called you to be a hand in the local body. But what if you choose to make a living in the world with a job that takes up all your time and energy, so that you have no time and energy left to be and do what Christ calls you to be and do in the local body? Is it not possible to be faithful and successful to your career, but completely faithless and sinful in your calling to Christ’s local body?”
What we choose to do for a living is generally regarded as a deeply personal decision in which the fellowship of the local body of believers has absolutely nothing to contribute. Yet, the apostle Paul tells us: “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Eph 4:11-14). Our first priority in life is the building up of the local body of Christ.
In my more cynical moments I think to myself that such a notion that we are one body and each of us essential and integral to the life of one another is a pipedream. Oh, I know we speak a good talk of being family, brothers and sisters when we gather for worship on Sunday morning, but what does being members of one another mean realistically and practically? Being family surely means more than sitting in pews for an hour as we stare at the back of each other’s heads—does it not?
I recognize that the problem does not rest with members simply showing up to various activities planned by the congregation. There is a responsibility for the leadership of West Main to provide, stir, and lead every member to love and good deeds exercising the gifts Christ has granted each man, woman, and child of the West Main Church of Christ. Our leadership must seek to create the necessary space and opportunities for every member to obey the calling Christ has given them.
However, no leader of West Main can tell you what your gift is! So here is what I suggest: Demand from our leadership that you be put to work exercising the gifts Christ has given you! Pray with us for the imagination, will, and opportunity for you to be what Christ is calling you to be for the West Main Church of Christ. Then and only then can we say we are a body and not just carrying out a job.
– Terry
Our Annual Christmas Program this year is scheduled for Saturday, December 15, at 6:00 p.m. Our theme this year is, “God’s Gift of Jesus to Us.” We will be presenting our program in the format of “West Main’s Got Talent” in which all members, young and old, are invited to participate. Please contact Christi Olson or Wyndee Thomas for further details. Our rehearsal dates are scheduled for December 2nd and 9th at 4:00 p.m. in the auditorium.
**Please bring lots of your favorite finger foods to share at our party in the Fireside Room following the program. (We will have a special guest in attendance during our fellowship time.)**
Elder/Deacon Meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 3, at 7:00 p.m. in the FSR. All Elders and Deacons are encouraged to attend.
Widows & Widowers Luncheon -- All widows and widowers are invited to a luncheon at Anna Maria Creekside at noon on December 5th. Please check in at the front desk and they will tell you where to meet at. Their address is 822 Golf View Drive, Medford, 97504. If you need more information, please contact Bill Viera.
James II Pantry Needs -- Our pantry is in need of the following items: hot or cold cereal, peanut butter, jams or jellies (not homemade), pancake mix and syrup. Thank you for all of your help in supporting our pantry.
PRAYER REQUESTS . . . Lillian Casebier fell and is in Hearthstone Rehab facility recovering from some fractured bones...For Mike Eddy and his continued recovery from surgery...For Larry Denn who has been ill this past week...Lynn Albright asks your prayers for her cousin’s daughter, Christine Brown, who was in a four-wheeler accident and broke her pelvis and collarbone and damaged her hand...For Betty, the mother of Mark Moreno, who is suffering from dementia - please pray for the family members who are caring for her...For Beth Johnson, for her strength and healing after successful cancer treatment...For friends of the Ivey family, Paul Newcombe and family, who lost everything in a house fire last week...Please pray for comfort and peace for the family of Margie Weck, a friend of Mary Slovak, who passed away on Tuesday.
Our Sympathy is extended to Nina Sanderbrink and family on the passing of her husband, Bud, this past Wednesday, November 21. No services are planned. Please remember Nina and family in your prayers.
We Are Pleased to Announce:
Randy and Mary Kelton are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Cassie, to Matthew Pitcairn on November 19th. Congratulations to this fine young couple!
Melodie Miller is pleased to announce her marriage to Ken Bailey on November 3, 2012.
October Financial Statement
INCOME:
|
General Fund Contributions |
|
$19,551.90 | |
|
Non Budgeted Contributions |
|
$342.92 | |
|
Development Funds & Rents |
|
$727.00 | |
|
Interest/Other Income |
|
$0.68 | |
|
Total Income for Month |
|
$20,622.50 |
EXPENSES:
|
Administration and Payroll |
|
$12,364.28 |
|
Youth on Fire |
|
$380.73 |
|
Vision Ministries |
|
$1,413.94 |
|
Office |
|
$426.33 |
|
Nurturing Brethren |
|
$554.12 |
|
Operational Ministries |
|
$984.39 |
|
Worship & Facilities |
|
$1,137.58 |
|
Non-Budgeted Mission |
|
$957.12 |
|
Development & Kings Hwy |
|
4113.37 |
|
Total Monthly Expenses |
|
$23,291.49 |
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DECEMBER SERVERS
Coffee Servers: Laura Drew
Nursery: Dec 2: Anna and Catie Lake
Dec 9: Ronalie Sweet; Lily Gann
Dec 16: Diane Liles and girls
Dec 23: Billie Barnett
Dec 30: Becky Anderson; Zach Kirk
Greeters: Grant & Valda Newton; Brad & Christi Olson
Children’s Worship: Wyndee Thomas; Jennielle Denn
***************************************
NOVEMBER ATTENDANCE
1st Sunday 231
2nd Sunday 192
3rd Sunday 233
4th Sunday 251
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Dec 1: Prayer Concert; 7:00 p.m.; Fireside Room
Dec 2: Program Rehearsal; 4:00 p.m.; Auditorium
Dec 3: Elder/Deacon Meeting; 7:00 p.m.; Fireside Room
Dec 5: Widows & Widowers Luncheon; Noon; Anna Maria Creekside
Dec 9: Program Rehearsal; 4:00 p.m. Auditorium
Dec 15: "God's Gift of Jesus to Us"; 6:00 p.m.; Auditorium
