“A friend loveth at all times . . .” (Proverbs 17:17).

Do we take advantage of every opportunity to meet visitors in the auditorium or foyer after assemblies? I know I have not taken advantage of every opportunity to walk over and introduce myself to someone I did not recognize. Last Sunday night I estimated around 75 to 100 people remaining after services talking and it showed me what love and interest we at Mabelvale have for each other. Our gospel meeting each year provides special occasions to invite and talk to visitors. Below are rules we can turn into habits making our visitors feel welcomed and appreciated:

HOW TO BE A FRIENDLY CHURCH

® The Aisle Rule: Unless you need to be on the aisle, leave room for visitors and guests to sit on the aisles. Our long pews make it necessary for many to sit in the middle.

® The Ten-foot Rule: Greet any person with whom you are not familiar who comes within ten feet of you. Make eye contact and be friendly.

® The Five-minute Rule: Take the first five minutes after services to seek out guests and greet them. Encourage them to return and thank them for coming.

Adapted from Lakeside Messenger--Higden, Arkansas

GOOD WORSHIP MANNERS

The God that we worship in our assemblies is not a God of confusion, but One who wants everything done decently and in order (1 Cor. 14:33, 40). Below are some ideas which, if practiced, will contribute to an orderly assembly for our Lord:

1. Arrive a few minutes before time to begin. Some folks are late every time because they wait too late to start getting ready. Consistent tardiness can and should be over- come. Late arrivals always cause some distraction.

2. Watch and follow the song leader. Nothing is as frustrating to a song leader and as distracting from the praise being sung as to have a loud voiced member or two to drag a word or two behind the leader. With a little attention to this matter our combined voices can be one voice of praise.

3. If you have a baby and he begins to cry, take him to the cry room. I would never knowingly say or do anything to discourage parents of little ones from bringing their babies to worship at the earliest possible age. I deeply admire and encourage those who do. However, when an innocent baby (or toddler who is old enough to be disciplined) starts to cry, he should be taken to the cry room promptly, thus keeping the disturbance of the assembly to the minimum.

4. Do not leave before the closing prayer unless absolutely necessary. Also, do not let your children parade in and out unless it is necessary. Take care of their water and restroom needs before worship and help them understand that they will leave the assembly only for correction or misbehavior. Every person who leaves during any part of the worship distracts others.

5. If you are late, if possible wait until there is a pause between activities to enter (between songs or between a prayer and a song, etc.) Otherwise, enter and take a seat with as little distraction as possible.

6. Read appropriate Scriptures during the Lord’s Supper to help keep our minds from wandering. Have your contribution check or cash prepared before you come to worship.

7. Stay awake (Retire at a decent hour Saturday night). Bring your Bible, paper, and pen. Follow the Scriptures cited and take notes on the sermon.

8. Sincerely sing the invitation song and refrain from distracting behavior while it is being sung. Don’t be talking, putting on your coat or other distracting things. You might cause someone that needs to respond to be distracted from that need.
--Adapted from News From Northside Bulletin

VOLUME 40 NUMBER 16 APRIL 21, 2003

OUR SICK

Alan Caudle had surgery at Baptist Hospital on Friday.
Millie Lynn’s brother, Deedry Simmons, is scheduled for surgery at UAMS on Wednesday, April 23rd.
Marvin Potts, the father of Jay & Martha Franklin’s granddaughter, is in the last stages of Leukemia.
Please remember all of these, as well as Larry May, Kellie Golden’s father, in your prayers.
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BRIDAL SHOWER

All ladies are invited to a Bridal Shower for Laura Tollett on Sunday, April 27th, at 3:00 PM in the multipurpose room.
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RESPONSE

Neil Swartz, 10226 Mabelvale Pike #1, Mabelvale AR 72103, 407-9941, was baptized on Thursday, April 17th.
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SALINE SINGING

The van will leave at 5:00 PM on Friday, April 25th to go to the Saline Singing.
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DOOR KNOCKING

The Door Knocking Campaign will be from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon on Saturday, April 26.
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Celeste & Christian Walch have moved to Houston, Texas.

SERMONS FOR APRIL 27

Morning
The Christian And Modesty (Esther 1:10-12)
Evening
Never Grow Weary In Well Doing (Galatians 6:9)
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CAC PLAY

Cliff Boyd is in a play at CAC, “Annie Get Your Gun”. We will take the van on Sunday, April 27th. We will leave at 1:30 PM. The cost is $5.00 per person.
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We will leave at 6:30 PM to go to a Twisters Football game on Friday, April 25th, Cost is $8.25 per ticket plus snacks.

SEARCH

Week of April 27
CHRIST THE KING
We have had several requests recently for information about the thousand-year reign of Christ referenced in Revelation 20, and other matters pertaining to the second coming of Christ and the “end times.” It deals with some (not nearly all) the problems with dispensational premillennialism.
EVENTS OF INTEREST

April 25……………...Saline Singing
April 26…………….Door Knocking
April 27………………..Sing S’More
May 1-4 ………Our Gospel Meeting
May 10………………….Bible Bowl

OUR RECORD APRIL 20, 2003

A.M. WORSHIP 250
SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY 182
P.M. WORSHIP 161
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY 135

CONTRIBUTION 7068
BUDGET 6351
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MEN TO SERVE
April 27, 2003

Richard Butler Henry Brooks
Phil DePriest Ray Bryan
Keith Golden James Goode
Ray Wehunt Chuck Farris

Evening Johnny Boyd
Alan Caudle
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WEDNESDAY SONG DIRECTOR

April 30 Johnny Boyd
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USHERS FOR APRIL

Morning Tim King & Wally Davis
Evening Greg King & Nicolas Lowe
Wednesday Rick & Danny Wooldridge
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GREETERS FOR APRIL

Greg & Cheryl King
Cliff Boyd
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ELDER CHAIRMAN

April Roger Horton
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