May 28, 2000 Humble Messenger

Building Up One Another
Serve One Another - Lauren Hutson
In our society, the god of SELF plays a prominent role. Books, television commercials and shows, songs, psychologists  all extol I, ME, MINE, MYSELF. Is this the example Jesus left us? Can Christianity flourish in this kind of atmosphere?`
 Jesus emptied himself and became a servant, teaching us to be lowly in mind and to put others above ourselves, in love (Phi. 2:27). A cornerstone of the gospel is the first and greatest commandment: Love God; and the second greatest commandment: Love your neighbor (Mat. 22:37-39). The entire book of 1 John repeatedly states that loving one another is proof of loving God (1 Jo. 3:23; 4:7-8,20-21; 5:12). It would be difficult to separate the two.
 This love will allow us to subject ourselves to one another (Gal. 5:13-14), and to put our desires behind those of others so that we all may be built up (Rom. 15:12). If we give ourselves first to the Lord (2 Co. 8:18, Rom. 12:12), we will be able to transform ourselves from empty selfish beings into fruitful servants for the Master. Besides love as motivation, there are rewards to be gleaned from serving one another. Heb. 6:10 promises the approval of God. Personal growth is a consideration. Gal. 6:10 teaches that we will reap what we sow. How can we grow as we ought if we keep ourselves apart from others? Jesus exemplified compassion over and over. Are we too busy in our everyday lives to feel compassion, much less to act upon it?
Our obedience to the truth compels us to love our brethren fervently (1 Pet. 1:22-33). The great love of God compels us to do what we can for one another (1 Jn. 4:9-11). And, finally, serving one another through love insures that God is glorified through Jesus Christ (1 Pet. 4:7-11).  

Deaconsı Responsibilities
With the appointment of two new deacons, the responsibilities of the deacons have been realigned. Following are the duties as now assigned. If you have suggestions or questions concerning these areas, contact the respective deacon.
Doug Bernard  Teachers and teaching material; worship service responsibilities; backup on tapes
Jeff Bogs General maintenance
Jim Crain  Selection of song leaders; assist with counting contributions on Sunday morning; rides for Zelma Bobbitt
Bill Faulkner Treasury; take attendance on Wednesdays when Ennis is absent and backup on attendance at other times
Ennis Osteen Attendance, building cleaning, supplies for restrooms and Lordıs Table, yard maintenance
John Whitehead Tapes

NEWS
We appreciate the willingness of these men to serve in these capacities. Jeff may need help from others occasionally for maintenance projects. If you are willing to be called upon to help, please let him know.  
Genia Riceıs father was released from the hospital Friday. He was found to have diverticulitis, polyps, and an ulceration of an old surgery suture.  All was treated at once and he is doing fine . . . Eddie Crain has been suffering from a kidney stone . . .  Men, we have only two more classes in the spring session of the menıs training classes. We encourage all to come if you can, Thursday evening, 7:30 P.M. Boyd Hurst has had good suggestions for us and there has been good input from the class . . . Visitation group four will meet briefly after evening assembly . . . There will be no Wednesday morning class until the fall . . . Next Sunday, June 4, the new quarter for classes begins. If you are going to be in the auditorium class ("Answering Religious Error"), you can obtain a copy of the class material in the foyer. If you wish to be in the annex class ("Jeremiah"), please put your name on the sign up list on the bulletin board in the foyer . . . Remember our meeting, August 4-6, with Chuck Durham . . . John Lowrance reminded us to "sharpen our ax" by "praying without ceasing" last Wednesday evening. Letıs utilize this powerful weapon in our warfare against sin. "Pray in the morningŠpray at the noontimeŠpray in the eveningŠpray all the time." (Vana R. Raye ­ p. 107 in Hymns for Worship)

If you would like to have the "Answering Religious Error" class on your computer to work on, you can download it from Freedrive.com. Log on using user name: fonsr@bigfoot.com and password: fdbkupsrf. Click on the "Classes" folder to open it up. There you should see the file, "Answering Religious Error." Select it and then click on "Download." It is in WORD for MAC format. If you use WORD for PC version 97 or later, your WORD should convert it fine.

You can also get this issue of the Humble Messenger there if you wish (in the "Humble Messenger" folder.)

Wednesday Evening Close  
May 31 Craig Moore
June 7 David Osteen
June 14 Craig Ottersbach
June 21 Clint Palermo

SCHEDULED TO SERVE

Wednesday May 31
Song Leader: Gary Tuttle
Close: Craig Moore
Sunday AM, June 4
Announcements: Larry Legg
Song Leader: David Osteen
First Prayer: Rocky Rodriguez
Lordıs Table
_ Bread: Clint Palermo
_ Fruit of the Vine: Ralph Robinson
_ Contribution: Gary Tuttle
_ Assistant: John Whitehead
Preaching: Steve Fontenot
Closing Prayer: Ed Schindler
Sunday PM, June 4
Song Leader: Dwight Osteen
First Prayer: Robert Rice
Lordıs Table
_ Bread: Clint Palermo
_ Fruit of the Vine: Ralph Robinson
_ Contribution: Gary Tuttle
Preaching: David Osteen
Closing Prayer: Jim Porterfield