In his excellent book, The Minor Prophets, brother Jack P. Lewis wrote,
³Some years ago a Draft official said to me, OYou are the people that throw
away the Old Testament.¹ I quickly denied the accusation, but in general
for all we know about the Minor Prophets, we might as well have thrown them
away² (p. 7). I realize that such an assessment could not be fairly said of
all. Perhaps many in the brotherhood of Christ are awakening to the riches
that abound in a study of ³the book of the twelve.² In 1990 the Power
lectures, sponsored by the church in Southaven, Mississippi, used the Minor
Prophets as their theme, and in 1995 The Spiritual Sword released an issue
studying these men of God. Apparently, many people feel that there are
great lessons to be learned from these Old Testament forthtellers of God¹s
word. I agree.
In his useful commentary on the Minor Prophets, Homer Hailey wrote, ³From
the prophets I have derived an insight into God¹s work among the nations
which has helped me to determine something of the principles on which He
works among them. This has enabled me to look to Him, rather than to men,
for the solution of modern problems; for He continues to rule in the
kingdoms of men² (Preface). So much for the question, ³Minor Prophets ­ why
bother?² Beginning Sunday, October 20th I will begin a series of lessons on
the Minor Prophets. Join us!

WHO NEEDS THE GOSPEL?
Dennis Gulledge

One of the unique features of the gospel of Jesus Christ is its
universality. It is not a message for just one nation, one color, one race
or one class of men. It is for ³all nations² (Mt. 28:19; Lk. 24:47); ³every
creature² (Mk. 16:15), and is to go ³unto the uttermost part of the earth²
(Acts 1:8). One of the many ways that we try to reach people with the soul
saving gospel is by the printed word. Who but God can measure the influence
of the printed word? Who can know the extent and length of time that
influence will endure?
I am always impressed with the power of the gospel to touch the hearts
of people who are in deep need for something better in life, and don¹t know
where to turn. A reminder of this fact came in the mail recently. Alan
Webster is editor of House to House/Heart to Heart, a paper with a
circulation of well over one million. Recently he featured our paper Gospel
Gleaner. We consequently received many requests for the paper. For this we
are delighted. We also received some mail that had to be redirected to other
congregations (churches that mail out HTH/HTH in the area of these
contacts). Two letters, are reproduced here exactly as written (names and
locations withheld), and are especially touching.
³My prayer request is: when my husband gets out of jail he won¹t hit me
no more, that he won¹t believe everything, anything people tell him, and
that we stay together to death does us apart.²
³Hello friends, my name is...I¹m 14 & I really need some help changing
my life around. I listen to Death meatle music & I have tried smokeing.
Ever since I met this Boy I have got into so much trouble. I really don¹t
know who Jesus is but I know he died for me because my friend told me & she
also bought me a bibe I started Reading it & I round it reather intersting.
But if you could help me I would really apperciate it.²
These letters serve as reminders to me that there are people all around
us who are struggling with sin in their lives and are crying out for help.
They remind me that we have the most important message in the world, and
that we must remain vigilant in getting it out.
Who needs the gospel? A lost world needs the saving gospel (Jn. 3:17).
A dark world needs the light of the world (2 Cor. 4:3-6). A perishing world
needs the heavenly lifeline (Lk. 13:3, 5). A sin-sick world needs the Great
Physician (Mt. 9:12). An untaught world needs to sit at the feet of the
Master teacher (1 Cor. 1:21). A doubting world needs the faith-giving word
(Rom. 10:17-21). A lost and dying world needs a living hope (Heb. 9:27). A
crooked world needs the straight gospel (Phil. 2:14-16). A world of hate
needs the love of God in Christ (Jn. 15:18-19). A changing world needs the
changeless gospel (Jd. 3). The world needs the whole gospel!

VOLUME 39 NUMBER 41 OCTOBER 14,
2002

OUR SICK

Ella Johnson had surgery on Friday, October 11th at Doctors Hospital.
*********************************
RESPONSE

To Place Membership on October 13th;
Bob & Eloise Jarrell
19 Pinedale Circle
Mabelvale, AR 72103
*********************************
LADIES TEA

There will be a Ladies Tea honoring the new ladies of our congregation on
Sunday afternoon, October 20th at 4:30 in the multipurpose room. We will
also reveal our ³Special Friends² at that time. All ladies are invited and
urged to attend.
*********************************
TEEN SING

The Teen Sing will be after the evening service on Sunday, October, 20th at
the home of Harold & Deloris Pigue. Girls bring chips and boys bring drinks.
*********************************
HISPANIC UPDATE

Our Hispanic Gospel Meeting and door to door work will be October 25 and 26.
Help will be needed in several areas. Please check the table in the foyer.
Thanks to Laura Tollett, Scott Perry, Jim Wallace and Johnny Bishop for
their help with classes and the van. *********************************

SERMONS FOR OCTOBER 20

Morning
What Is Sin? (1 John 3:4-6)
Evening
The Minor Prophets ­ The Men and Their Messages
*********************************
SYMPATHY

We extend our sympathy to Phyllis Defrese on the death of her mother, Marie
Wilfawn in Bloomfield, Iowa.
*********************************
SEARCH
Week of October 20
CHRISTIANS OPPOSE GAMBLING BECAUSE IT IS EVIL
It is impossible to define ³evil² apart from the Word of God. Gambling is a
concern of Christians, not because it is politically imprudent, but because
according to God¹s Word it is evil. Any evil abounds easily without
opposition. Therefore, let us oppose gambling as evil.

EVENTS OF INTEREST

October 20...........Teen Sing
October 20...........Ladies Tea
October 22..........All Comers Class
October 29..........All Comers Class Trip
November 2........Hobo Stew

OUR RECORD OCTOBER 13, 2002

A.M. WORSHIP 191
SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY 160
P.M. WORSHIP 136
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY 130

CONTRIBUTION 9413
BUDGET 5570
***********************************
MEN TO SERVE
October 20, 2002

John Boyd Cliff Boyd
Bill Boyd Ken Bittle
Ray Wehunt Eddie Black
Wayne Brewer Brian Brewer

Evening Johnny Boyd
Sasha Babenko
***********************************
WEDNESDAY SONG DIRECTOR

October 23 Johnny Boyd
***********************************
USHERS FOR OCTOBER

Morning Gary Poole
Evening Doug Parker
***********************************
GREETERS FOR OCTOBER

Lou Sullivan & Judy Morris
Shawn & Alicia Wallace
***********************************
ELDER CHAIRMAN

October Roger Horton
***********************************