On Saturday July 27th, from 9:00 AM until 12:00 PM, we have brother R.
C. Thompson scheduled to conduct a one day church growth workshop with
emphasis toward our gospel meeting in the fall with Gary Colley. This is a
congregational event. Please mark your calendar and plan to be with us
during that time!
I have personally known R. C. Thompson for 32 years. He has always been
a great encouragement to me as a gospel preacher. Brother Thompson is an
evangelist for the Lord¹s church in Fairview Heights, Illinois. He is a
native of the state of Illinois and has been preaching in his home state for
over 40 years. Brother Thompson has always been very active in civic
affairs. He is a frequent speaker to civic and social organizations on
problems facing the modern community and home. He conducts workshops on
personal and family relations, church growth and teacher development and has
authored workbooks on "The Home as God Would Have It," "Dealing With the
Adult Child," "The Second Coming of Christ," and, "Leading Young Men to
Preach." R. C. is currently the Mid-Western Field Representative for the
Gospel Advocate Company in Nashville, Tennessee.
R. C. Thompson is a doctrinally sound, enthusiastic teacher who will
provide a great boost to us as we strive for growth and prepare for our
upcoming gospel meeting!!!

VOLUME 39 NUMBER 27
July 8, 2002

OUR SICK

Eleanor White is in Room 720 of Baptist Hospital. She is expected to be
moved to Baptist Rehab today (Monday).
Eunice Watson had a heart attack, she is in CCU of Baptist.
John Colbert, Jr. Stracener and Alan Caudle were in the hospital last week
but are now at home.
James Kinsey had tests last week, he is not doing well and will have more
tests this week.
Ray Levins, a church member from Nashville, AR, is in the VA Hospital and is
expected to have surgery on Tuesday.
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THANK YOU

Thank you so much for the prayers, calls and cards. They were appreciated
very much. Geraldine Chambers.
My family and I would like to thank you all for the beautiful service for my
husband held at the church building. Thank you for your kind words of
sympathy, flowers and thoughtfulness. They were all greatly appreciated.
D¹Elva Cruse and family.
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ARIZONA MISSION TRIP

Donations are needed for the Arizona Mission Trip. A list of items needed is
in the foyer. Please place items in the boxes provided and mark them off the
list. Supplies will be needed for the Mabelvale group and for the VBS.
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SERMONS FOR JULY 14

Morning
Salvation In Three Tenses (1 Corinthians 10:1-6)
Evening
Drawing Nearer To God (James 4:8) Scott Perry
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TWISTERS GAME

There will be a devotional at 6:00 PM before we leave at 6:30 for the game
on Friday, July 12th. The game starts at 7:30.
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SEARCH
Week of July 14
CAN GOD REALLY FORGIVE ME?
The telephone rings and an anonymous voice asks, "Can God really forgive me
for what I¹ve done?" It isn¹t an every day occurrence, but it¹s a frequent
one and it¹s serious enough to consider. Is there an "unpardonable sin," and
if so what is it?

EVENTS OF INTEREST

July 12S.."Twisters" Football Game
July 21S...Visitation Reorganization Meeting
July 27S.Church Growth Workshop
August 16SSArea Wide Singing at Mabelvale

WAYS WE MAKE MONEY ­ WHERE DOES GAMBLING FIT IN?
Dennis Gulledge

There is a very interesting little book called, "The Christian and His
Finances" written by brother Edd Sterchi (Privately published, 1992). The
area of our finances is no doubt a subject too little studied. Yet, as
Jesus indicated in the parable of the rich farmer, one can lose his soul if
he has misplaced priorities in this area of life (Lk. 12:15-21).
One very interesting chapter in brother Sterchi¹s book is entitled, "How
To Make Money." He asks the question, "Does the Bible give any guidelines
concerning how one is to earn his wealth?" And, he is right there with the
answer, "Most certainly it does." In this chapter brother Sterchi lists six
ways of obtaining possessions that are described in God¹s word. I will
below list these six ways along with some appropriate scriptures:

¸ Working or Performing a Service
(Genesis 3:17-19; Ephesians 4:28; 2 Thessalonians 3:10; 1 Timothy 5:8, 18)

¸ Selling Possessions
(2 Kings 4:7; Matthew 19:21; Acts 2:45; 4:34)

¸ Investing
(Proverbs 6:6-8; Matthew 25:27)

¸ Receiving Gifts
(Luke 11:11-13; Acts 20:35; Ephesians 4:28)

¸ Borrowing
(Psalm 37:21; Proverbs 22:7; Matthew 5:42)

¸ Stealing
(Exodus 20:15; Matthew 19:18; Romans 13:9; Ephesians 4:28)

Where does gambling fit into the overall picture of how we are to make
money? First, gambling is not labor or the performance of any service.
Gambling is opposed to the work ethic. Second, gambling is not selling
anything. Most people get nothing for their gambling dollar. Third, gambling
is not an investment. There is no justifiable claim to the principal amount
as there is in an investment. Fourth, gambling is not a gift. It is more
like a "take." Fifth, gambling is not borrowing. Gambling is stealing ­ it
is one party taking what belongs to another. It is theft by mutual consent,
but it is theft nonetheless. It should not be named among the people of
God.

OUR RECORD JULY 7, 2002

A.M. WORSHIP 183
SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY 142
P.M. WORSHIP 125
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY 126

CONTRIBUTION 5754
BUDGET 5570
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MEN TO SERVE
July 14, 2002

Chuck Farris James Goode
Keith Golden Roger Horton
Dennis Gulledge David Gulledge
Darren Gowen Jim Henson

Evening John Griffin
Jason Griffin
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WEDNESDAY SONG DIRECTOR

July 17 Waymon Minor
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USHERS FOR JULY

Morning Mike Moore
Evening Ray Wehunt
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GREETERS FOR JULY

Ken & Dawn Sullivan
Rick & Teresa Wooldridge
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ELDER CHAIRMAN

July Gene Sullivan
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