Dennis Gulledge

Several Mabelvale brethren were involved with the Oak Grove church in conducting their Vacation Bible School this year. A special “Thank You” to Bill and Lori Boyd for initiating this effort to involve Mabelvale, along with the youth group from West Palm Beach, Florida. It was heartwarming to be a part of this cooperative effort, and to watch love and fellowship in action.
Brother Earl West wrote in the Oak Grove bulletin, “We want to extend to the Mabelvale congregation a big thanks for their great support, by their presence, the cookies, and the fellowship here and at Petit Jean Mountain. It was Mabelvale who made it all possible from the beginning.”
David Sproule, and the wonderful youth group from the Palm Beach Lakes congregation, did an excellent job in conducting this VBS. It was a treat to be introduced to David Sproule and benefit from his excellent teaching at the youth meeting on Friday night. We need more young men like brother Sproule working with young people in the Lord’s church today. Cliff Boyd did a marvelous job leading singing at the youth meeting, and at other times!
Thank you to Brad Horton for printing the VBS brochures. Thanks to those who kept young people from Florida on Friday night. Thanks for the many fine refreshments. Thanks for driving the van. Thanks for being involved.

The Rooster Crow

Brent Smith

Growing up in the country, and being around farms, I’ve often enjoyed hearing the sound of a rooster crowing right at dawn. Even today, that distinct sound brings to my mind images of a beautiful sunrise, an early morning fishing trip, marching off to bring in the cows for milking and pancakes and bacon.
For Peter, that noise must have been so troubling. Having boasted of his own courage and devotion to Jesus, the Lord warned, “The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice” (John 13:38). After the Lord’s arrest, just as He had said, Peter denied Him three times (John 18:15-27). Of course, Peter was very sorry and ashamed of what he had done. He cried. He was forgiven and matured to be a great leader in the church.
However, tradition says that when Peter walked down the street, the people made the sound of a rooster. And one of the symbols of the early church was a rooster, which was used to remind Christians to be prepared, though there is some question as to whether or not that tradition had yet developed in Peter’s day. Regardless, Peter must have been haunted by the memory of the time when in the grasp of cowardice, he fell under the gaze of Jesus.
What skeletons are in your closet? What shame haunts your dreams at night, or causes you to blush in the presence of certain individuals? We struggle with sin’s sting (Romans 3:23). I’m so glad that when I act on my faith in repentance, confess the name of Jesus before others, and am immersed for the remission of my sins, the blood of Jesus washes my guilt away (James 2:19; Acts 2:38; Romans 10:9-10; 1 Peter 3:21; Revelation 1:5). And God says about Himself, when I forgive, I forget about it! You forgive yourself, and forget about it, too! (Hebrews 8:12; 10:17).

*In our June 1, 2003 bulletin, we mentioned a new class begun for the teens entitled Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible. Brother Eric Lyons with Apologetics Press has authored a book of inestimable value dealing with the specific allegations raised by enemies of God and His word. One of the so-called contradictions answered by brother Lyons has to do with the number of times the rooster crowed before Peter’s denial. Matthew (26:34), Luke (22:34), and John (13:38) record Jesus as saying, “before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” However, Mark (14:30), tells us, “before the rooster crows twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.” Is there a legitimate contradiction? Hop on to apologeticspress.org for the answer! Or check out the April edition of Reason and Revelation! --Scott

VOLUME 40 NUMBER 26 JUNE 30, 2003

OUR SICK

Nell Warren was in Southwest Hospital last week but went home on Sunday.
Ruth Hamilton is in Room 226 of Southwest Hospital.
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THANK YOU

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the wonderful Ice Cream Supper and for the Halley’s Bible Handbook. It means so much to me. It is so wonderful to have such a great Christian family. Each one of you has a very special place in my heart. Emily Gulledge.
I would like to thank everyone for the love and kindness shown me during my illness and surgery. Your cards, phone calls, flowers and food were all a tremendous strength throughout my absence. Extending great appreciation to my family at Mabelvale. Marie Rogers.
We would like to thank all our Christian friends at Mabelvale for the tremendous encouragement that you have been and for helping to make this an exciting time for us. Thank you for all the gifts, cards and prayers. We appreciate you very much. Scott & Laura Perry.
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BABY SHOWER

There will be a baby shower for Scarlett Vasquez on Saturday, July 5th at 2:00 PM at Lana Tarkington’s home in Bryant.
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Food Team for July is Colette Wilson, Colleen Parker, Lori Boyd & Lori Douglas

SERMONS FOR JULY 6

Morning
Hell: The Punishment Of The Wicked (Matthew 25:41-46)
Evening
Salvation — Eternal Deliverance From Sin (Luke 19:9-10)
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VBS REFRESHMENTS

We will need home baked cookies and caffeine free soft drinks for VBS. Please bring them to the kitchen on July 13.
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SEARCH

Week of July 6
JESUS’ PARABLE OF THE LOST SON
Jesus spoke in parables for two reasons: (1) to reveal the mysteries of the spiritual world from the realities of the physical world and, (2) to hide these truths from others who would misuse and abuse such information. His most popular parable is the one about the lost son in Luke 15. Perhaps it is so because so many of us can see ourselves mirrored in it.
EVENTS OF INTEREST

July 13-16………………...Our VBS
July 20..Audrey Oliver Baby Shower
August 1-8...Mission Trip to Arizona

OUR RECORD JUNE 29, 2003

A.M. WORSHIP 172
SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY 142
P.M. WORSHIP 131
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY 131

CONTRIBUTION 5543
BUDGET 6351
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MEN TO SERVE
July 6, 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

July 9 Wayne Brewer
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USHERS FOR JULY

Morning Mike & Nathan Moore
Evening Ray Wehunt & David Gulledge
Wednesday Jim & Shawn Wallace
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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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