ISN'T IT STRANGE?
Isn't it strange how a $20 bill seems like a large amount when you donate it to the church, but such a small amount when you go shopping?
Isn't it strange how two hours seem so long when you're at church, and how short they are when you are watching a good movie?
Isn't it strange how everyone wants a front row ticket to concerts or games, but they want to sit on the last row in church?
Isn't it strange that we need to know about an event for church two or three weeks before we can include it in our agenda, but we can adjust it for any other event at the last minute?
Isn't it strange how difficult it is to learn a fact about God to share with others, but how easy it is to learn and pass on repeated gossip?
Isn't it strange how we believe everything in magazines and newspapers, but we question the words of the Bible?
Isn't it strange how everyone wants a place in heaven, but they don't want to believe, do or say anything to get there?
Isn't it strange how we send jokes in emails and they are forwarded right away, but when we get messages about God, we think twice before we share it with others? [In this case we had better apply Acts 17:11 and 1 Thess. 5:21, DG]. - Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (Given to me by Marolyn Beall) – Dennis Gulledge.
HAROLD MARLOE PIGUE
Dennis Gulledge For the second time during the month of April we, as a congregation, have experienced the death of one of our beloved elders. Brother Pigue suffered with congestive heart failure, the malady that took him from us on April 24th. When his condition took a sudden turn for the worse on April 20th he had the constant watch and support of a faithful wife and family throughout the entire ordeal. The family kept vigil in the hospital until there was nothing more they could do. I have to feel that as long as he was aware of anything he knew that he had the care and love of a devoted family.
Harold Pigue was born December 10, 1932 at Beechgrove, Arkansas. He served the Mabelvale church as an elder for sixteen years. He loved the Lord and his church with all his being. We will miss his quiet leadership. We will miss his friendly greeting after services each time the church assembles. He and Deloris were married for 53 years. They both served the church in countless ways. We will have the continued benefit of Deloris' busy involvement.
When you lose a loved one in death a great loss occurs. If you lose a parent you lose your past. If you lose a spouse you lose your present. If you lose a child you lose your future. If a congregation loses an elder they sustain a loss in all three of these areas. We have lost a past leadership of sixteen years, a present leadership and a future leadership in the death of Harold Pigue. We have lost an “elder” and “presbyter” suggesting age, experience and wisdom (Acts 14:23). We have lost a “bishop” and “overseer” suggesting superintendency and rule (1 Tim. 3:1; Acts 20:28). We have lost a “pastor” and “shepherd” suggesting care, protection and feeding of the church (Eph. 4:11; 1 Pet. 5:1-4).
But, on the positive side of the ledger we have gained. We do not want to just live in the past, but neither can we forget it. We would be most ungrateful if we did not recognize how we, as a congregation, have benefited from brother Pigue's pastoring for the past sixteen years. Obviously, we have gained sixteen years of Harold Pigue's leadership. Elders are chosen because of exemplary leadership abilities in spiritual and domestic areas (1 Tim. 3:1-7). It's a rare man who meets all of these Biblical qualifications. An elder's service is, therefore, of great value to the church. We have gained sixteen years of Harold Pigue's good example to the church (1 Pet. 5:3). We have gained sixteen years of Harold Pigue's assisting in handling problems that naturally go with overseeing the flock. We have gained sixteen years of Harold Pigue's direction and planning of the Mabelvale church. He was supportive of every good work of the church.
Now, it is time to look ahead. Hopefully, one day, additional men will meet the qualifications and desire the work of a bishop. Harold and Johnny cannot ever be replaced. We can only continue the same good work that they did for many years. VOLUME 41 NUMBER 18 MAY 3, 2004 OUR SICK Mary Nell Cohrt will enter St. Vincent on Monday (today) for surgery.
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THANK YOU The Pigue family would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to everyone for the cards, phone calls, visits to the hospital and the great food, but most of all, thank you for your concern and prayers in our time of need.
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PANTRY ITEMS Pantry Items needed for May are: Pancake Mix, Syrup and Canned Tomatoes or Rotel.
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LADIES FOOD TEAM The Ladies Food Team for May is: Lou Sullivan, Lisa Lowe, Edwina McClurkan, Linda Minor and Carolyn Howell.
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CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR GRADUATES
Jason Griffin – Bryant Bethany Gulledge – Freed Hardeman U SERMONS FOR MAY 9 Morning
Hannah-A Model Of Motherhood
Evening
Learning To Make Spiritual Decisions (Scott Perry)
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COLLEGE AGE SUMMER CLASS Wendell Thompson will teach a summer Bible class for the college age beginning May 16th. Also, there will be a singing for the college age at the Thompson's after services on Sunday evening, May 16th to make summer plans.
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SEARCH
May 9
FOR AND ABOUT MOTHERS
Despite the fact that the news media report almost daily of a mother's killing her own children, the big, big majority of mothers are not so. Mother is still the one who holds the family together. This program exalts motherhood and honors mothers. CALENDAR OF EVENTS May 15…...Youth Devotional at 3:00 PM
May 16…………...Teen Sing at Griffin's
May 16-19….Gospel Meeting at Malvern
May 23..Ice Cream Supper for Graduates
June 5……...Door Knocking for Meeting
June 10-13 ……………..Gospel Meeting
July 18-21……….Vacation Bible School
OUR RECORD MAY 2, 2004 A.M. WORSHIP 222
SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY 177
P.M. WORSHIP 164
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY 158 CONTRIBUTION 8665
BUDGET 6845
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MEN TO SERVE
May 9, 2004
Shawn Wallace Jim Wallace
Stan Smith Dave Tollett
Wendell Thompson Doyce Tarkington
Gary Poole Ray Wehunt
Evening
Gene Sullivan
Ken Sullivan
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WEDNESDAY SONG DIRECTOR May 12 Scott Perry
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USHERS FOR MAY Morning Roger Horton & Phil DePriest
Evening Ken Bittle & Jim Henson
Wednesday Jim Mauldin & Waymon Minor
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GREETERS FOR MAY Mike & Joanna Moore
Nathan Moore & Danny Wooldridge
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ELDER CHAIRMAN May Dale Morris
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