Lebanon Road

Church of Christ
2307 Lebanon Road; Nashville, TN, 37214 * (615) 883-6918 www.lebanonroadchurchofchrist.org

Volume 59, No.29

July 17, 2011 Elders

Joe Adams 773-2331 Johny Baker 758-7654 Ralph Brewer 871-4849 Wayne Davidson 758-2705 Earl Flynn 889-1659 Steve Ledbetter 889-8614 Jim Schroeder 754-8990 Cliff Wilson 889-6477

How Are We Doing?

Were well into the second half of 2011. July is over half finished, and students are, whether they want to admit it or not, starting to see school around the corner. This year, we set out with the theme of Greater Things. So, as we are underway in the second half of the year, we need to ask, How are we doing? Have we seen greater things at Lebanon Road this year? I think we have! Souls have been saved. Erring members have been restored. We have had great events to promote Bible teaching and fellowship. We have gained encouragement from many acts of kindness. It has been a great year thus far. But, we are not done yet! Just because we have had a good first half does not mean we can just sit back and think we are finished. There are still so many great things to be done, and we need to press forward! Tonight, after our evening services, youll get to see the memories that were made at this years Bible camp, and you wont want to miss that. Later this month, our youth group will be going on their annual mission

Adam Faughn
trip. On July 30, we will have a teachers workshop. On August 6, our annual Give-Away Day will be here. On August 19, Lebanon Road will host the Middle Tennessee Gospel Singing. In September, we will have a Gospel Meeting with brother Eddy Craft. And, of course, there is always an opportunity for Greater Things right where you are! What neighbor or friend needs to be invited? Who do you know who could use a word of encouragement, or an act of kindness? You see, it doesnt take a major event to have a great result! So, as 2011 continues, lets keep up the greater things. Dont slow down now! There is still so much to be done, and I want to encourage each of us to strive forward. Its still the year of Greater Things, and we each have a job that needs to be done. Lets get to it...today!

Pulpit Minister
Adam Faughn 973-4483

Outreach Minister
Harry Middleton 292-3164

Sunday Sermon Preview

AM: Propitiation (First John 4:1-11) PM: The Value of Memory

Youth Minister
JD Buckner (731) 336-4768

Sick List
Maxine Cox had total knee replacement and is recovering at home. Tina Rich had surgery in Memphis and is staying with her son while she recuperates. Sam Richards is home now. Cliff Wilson is at Donelson Place room 105. Limited visits please.

Worship Leaders
Sunday Morning (Contact: Bill 847-1113) Opening Prayer: Bill Myers Read Scripture: John Smith Closing Prayer: Shea Cofer Sermon: Adam Faughn Song Leader: Emory Buckner Serving Lords Supper: (Contact: David 754-7085) Bob Petty 1 Bob Butler 2 Jay Baker 3 Joe Adams 4 Sonny Gossett 5 Robert Cannon 6 Sammie Windsor 7 Joe Steelman 8 Sunday Evening (Contact: Tony 885-6391) Opening Prayer Tommy Moore Closing Prayer: Johny Baker Read Scripture: Roger Reaves Sermon: Adam Faughn Song Leader: Emory Buckner Serving Lords Supper (Room) Mark Pugh 1 Lon Keele 2 Wednesday, July 20th Read Scripture: Opening Prayer: Speaker: Song Leader: (Contact: Keith 889-7366) Adam Wilson Emory Buckner Adam Faughn Tim Mullican

Camp Video
Make plans to stay a few extra minutes following tonight's service for the camp video and awards.

Teacher Workshop

July 30TH
Speakers: Dwina Willis and Becky Welch Everyone who teaches in our elementary and preschool departments are encouraged to attend. Also, anyone who might want to teach, or hasn't taught in some time, is encouraged to attend. Lunch and child care provided.

Give Away Day

Saturday, August 6th 11:00-1:00 Monetary Donations for school supplies can be given to Lon or Audree Keele.

Announcements: Harry Middleton - Johny Baker Nursery Attendant: Jennifer Clay

The Record
Sunday Morning Worship Sunday Evening Worship: Sunday Bible Study: Wednesday Night: Contribution:
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by Harry Middleton

THE LOWLY PAPER CLIP

Several years ago, an expensive laboratory jet was approaching Edwards Air Force Base in California. When the pilot tried to lower the nose gear to landing position, it didnt respond. The co-pilot ran a quick check and traced the problem to a faulty relay panel. Recognizing the problem, he hunted around for something to bypass the relay and activate the nose gear. He found a paper clip and bent it, so that it bypassed the problem and triggered the nose gear. It worked like a charm, saving the expensive jet from a crash landing. At that moment, for that special job, the lowly paper clip was more important than the rest of the sophisticated equipment on the plane. (Author unknown)

Joshs Jargon
I find it enjoyable to study anything that Jesus personally taught. There is something amazing about knowing that we can learn the same lessons that those in the first century learned firsthand from Jesus. In Matthew 25, Christ gave a series of parables that dealt with living a life prepared for His return. Having already told His disciples to be ready for His return (Mat. 24:36, 42), He presented three lessons that we sometimes call the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins, the Parable of the Talents, and the Parable of the Sheep and Goats. The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins teaches us that we need to be ready for our Lords return at all times (25:1-13). After learning this point, one could ask, How do I live a prepared life? To that question, Jesus would respond with His next lesson: the Parable of the Talents (25:14-30). Use what God has given you in lifeto the best of your abilityfor His glory. How do I do this? one could ask, to which Jesus would respond with the Parable of the Sheep and Goats (25:31-46). Ultimately Jesus taught that by caring for those in need and living a life through which the love of God can be seen by others, we are living prepared for His return. Interestingly, when we live a prepared life for God, He gives us what He has prepared for us (25:34); when we live unprepared lives, the reward is something that was not originally prepared for us (25:41). Lets continue to be a people that God can use for His glory as we wait for Him!

Mark Your Calendar...

Today: Heartland services at 4:00 led by Scotty Studer, Philip Autry and Jack Steele Tonight:: Visitation team 1 will meet following services. Tonight:: Camp video following services 23-28: Mission Trip July 30: Teachers Workshop July August 6: Give Away Day August 19: Middle Tennessee Gospel Singing at Lebanon Road September: Crisis Care Class
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LEBANON ROAD CHURCH OF CHRIST

2307 Lebanon Road Nashville, TN 37214 Non-Profit Org US Postal Paid Nashville, TN Permit 2464

Current Resident or

Worship With Us Sunday: Worship 9 AM & 6 PM * Bible Classes 10:20 AM Wednesday: Bible Classes 7 PM

Do You Know Statler and Waldorf?

In the 1970s, when I was a boy, The Muppet Show was one of my favorite TV shows. There were many characters I really liked, Dr. Teech, Beaker, the Swedish chef, the Pigs in Space crew, and others, but Statler and Waldorf were probably my favorites. Why? Thats a good question. They sat up in the balcony, week after week, heckling and criticizing the jokes and performances. The talent was always terrible, yet they kept returning for the next show. They thought each other to be very witty. They hyperbolized curmudgeonly, cranky, critical people that all of us have known. It was such an intentional exaggeration that it was funny! What is not funny, however, are the real life Statler and Waldorfs that too often populate our pews and fill our fellowship. They may or may not be up in age. They may or may not couch their criticism with humor, but either way they are not funny at all. Like those two gallery grouches, some, appointing themselves as the churchs critics, sit, idly and oblivious to their own faults, and point out the shortcomings of the singing, sermons, Bible classes, programs, leadership, building use, and numberless other matters they feel need their expert opinion. They see so many flaws, yet some-

Neal Pollard
how they keep showing up week after week. They point out others deficiencies, but they do not volunteer themselves to help everyone see how it could be done better. One of the signs of worldliness in contemporary society is an increasing consumerism. We are customers and, as such, critics. The media has anointed us analysts, to, in Caesar-like fashion, give a thumbs up or thumbs down. It takes no particular talent, nor does it demonstrate the spiritual fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, or self-control (Gal. 5:22-23). New Testament writers often urge saying and doing what leads to edification (Rom. 15:2; 1 Cor. 14:12, 26; Eph. 4:29). What passage anoints any of us as congregational critics? I cannot think of a single person or group who tore down their brethren and were praised for it by the Lord! Its time to burn down the balcony and fire the faultfinders! That way, we can all join hands and work together to build up the precious bride of Christ. Certainly, this will draw the applause of heaven! from preacherpollard.wordpress.org