WEEKLY BULLETIN

Westwood Church of Christ, Week of January 30, 2012

 

COY’S CORNER

 

 Did God Create Evil?

  (author unknown)

   At a certain university, there was a professor with a reputation for being tough on Christians.  At the first class, every semester, he asked if anyone was a Christian and then proceeded to degrade them and mock their statement of faith.
   

    One semester, the professor asked the question, "“Did God make everything?"    A young man raised his hand and responded, "“Yes sir! God made everything."    The professor responded, "“Well, if God made everything, then  he made evil.”  The student didn't have a response and the professor was happy to once again prove the Christian faith to be a myth.
    

    No sooner did the professor proudly present his view, another student raised his hand and asked, "“Sir, may I ask you something?"    “Yes you may,"   responded the professor.  The young man stood up and said, "  Sir, is there such a thing as cold?"    “Of course there is!  What kind of a question is that?  Haven't you ever been cold?"
    

    The young man replied, "  Actually, sir, cold doesn't exist.  What we consider to be cold is really the absence of heat.  Absolute zero is when there is absolutely no heat,  but cold does not really exist.  We have only created that term to describe how we feel when heat is not there."
    

    The young man continued, "  Sir, is there such a thing as dark?"    Once again the professor responded, "  Of course there is!"    And once again, the student replied, "  Actually, sir, darkness does not exist.  Darkness is really only the absence of light.  Darkness is only a term developed  to describe what happens when there is no light present."
    

    Finally, the young man asked, "  Sir, is there such a thing as evil?"    The professor responded, "  Of course!  We have rapes, murders and violence everywhere in the world.  Those things are evil."    The student replied,  “Actually, sir, evil does not exist.  Evil is simply the absence of God.  God did not create evil.  Evil isn't like truth or love which exist as virtues like heat or light.  Evil is simply the state when God is not present…like cold without heat, or darkness without light."    The professor had nothing to say.

 

    The above article reminded me of Jesus’ declaration in John 8:12: “I am the light of the world. He that follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” 

    

    What happens when Jesus, the True Light, is absent in one’s life?  Without Jesus, it is life without hope, death without salvation, no purpose for living, no motivation for trying.

 

Sunday Night Sermons

Sunday evening, we will resume our study of Revelation.  We are ready for chapters 4 & 5. 

Join us for this exciting study!

 

---

Matt’s Message! 

If there is one thing I have learned after becoming a father is it this… things I want for myself are now a lot smaller on the priority list. I would say that this is most true when it comes to use of my time.  There are so many days I would love to go on an all day fishing trip, but I have to pick up Corbin that afternoon. There are afternoons I would love to get an hour nap, but I have to entertain Corbin.  There are evenings I would just like to get chores and tasks done, but Corbin needs to be cared for.

 

    I know that anyone who is a parent knows exactly what I am talking about. You still have things you want to do, but you pass on those things so that you can meet your child’s needs and wants. We sacrifice our desires to better “serve” the ones we love most. We do it out of love and we get rewarded in the smallest of ways, hugs, smiles, laughter, funny moments, and memories. In the end we are glad to sacrifice our wants because of our love for them.

 

    Don’t you wish we could as easily and gladly give up our wants and desires in order to better serve God? When it comes to God, things we give to him are usually towards the bottom of the list. I would say this is most true when it comes to use of our time. I was going to attend bible study, but I wanted to get home sooner. I was going to help with that activity, but I’m already too busy as it is. I was going to give more, but I’m saving for that thing I want. I meant to be a more active, helpful, giving, caring, loving, good, faithful Christian, but I guess doing things for my own selfishness is a little higher on the priority list. If that is the case, where does your #1 love really lie?        

Matthew 22:37  Philippians 2:3-8

 

Our Website has been

#1.  All 2011 A.M. & P.M. sermons are now available on CD in mp3 format. Because both sermons for each Sunday service are included, the cost this years is only $10 for 2 CD’s and a nice 2 CD case. Please contact Pat in the Church office or Mark Reep to place your order. Files include all dates and titles.

Serving in Worship this Week! Sunday, February 05, 2012

Sunday Morning

Welcome: Neil Helton

Shepherd’s Reading: Jeff Golden

Song Leader: Boyd Ramsey

Opening Prayer: Danny Jones

Sermon: Coy Hathcock

Closing Prayer: Tim Deason

Lord’s Table Preside: Jerry Davenport, Todd Willmore

Lord’s Table Serve: Phillip Buckner, Daryl Dunn,    Rawlin Jernigan, Jr.,

                                  Joe Martin

Lord’s Table Nursery: Mac Britton

Alternates: Brad Hillis, Devin Mason, Noah Medley

Beersheba Towers: Mike Garrison and Bill Underwood

Raintree: Windell Little and Dennis Mayfield

Nursery Attendants: Laura Fults and Amy Ware

Serve Coffee: Tommy & Kay Foster

         

 

Visitor’s Cards

  Kevin Navarrete, Nate Newby

   Jackson Noblin, Sloan Seymour

 

Sunday Evening

Announcements: Tim Deason

Scripture: MaCrae Thomsen

Song Leader: Boyd Ramsey

Opening Prayer: David Hall

Sermon: Coy Hathcock

Closing Prayer: Terry Boyd

Nursery Attendants: Julia Noblin and Tammy Womack

 

Wednesday Evening, Feb. 8th

 

Announcements: Jerry Davenport

Devotional: Richard Bost

Prayer: Terry Connor

Song Leader: Coy Hathcock

Nursery Attendant: Grace Reynolds     

 

Monthly Assignments:

Prepare Lord’s Supper: Neil Helton

Prepare Coffee: Wally & Pat McClarren

PowerPoint: John Tubb

Van Driver: Ben Nixon

Outside Sign: John Tubb

 

Greeters & Positions 9:00 a.m.

Front Doors: Paul Moore

Audit. Doors – Left: Mike Garrison

Audit. Doors – Right: David Hitchcock

Vestibule Top: James Roller

         

Ushers: Teddy Fults, Bob Heffington, Bob Deason, Harold Hoover,      

              Robert Kelsey, Carson Malone

 

Lord’s Supper Sunday Evening Room #207

          Glen Cannon and Leon Yoder

 

IF UNABLE TO SERVE CONTACT

BOBBY CANTRELL at 934-2007

 

 SUNDAY’S RADIO BROADCAST

WCPI FM 91.3 at 11:00 A.M. and 11:00 P.M.

WBMC AM 960 at 11:00 A.M.

 

 For the Record

Sunday, January 29, 2012

AM: 485      Bible Study: 321

PM: 157      Offering: $8,930.96

 

Our Website has been

#1.  All 2011 A.M. & P.M. sermons are now available on CD in mp3 format. Because both sermons for each Sunday service are included, the cost this years is only $10 for 2 CD’s and a nice 2 CD case. Please contact Pat in the Church office or Mark Reep to place your order. Files include all dates and titles.

HOSPITAL:

Chad Crabtree - Vanderbilt Children’s #6302

Leslie Lytle - Vanderbilt

 

REMEMBER: Cheryl Baker, Tammy Blake, Mary Bost, Terry Caldwell, Todd Collier, Jennifer Colvin, Don Crothers, Barbara Davis, Andy Dunn, Carolyn Dunn, Hazel Griffith (NHC Rehab #214B), Aubrey Haley, Jim Hill, Taylor Hobbs, Dylan Hollandsworth (needs bone marrow transplant), Robert Kirby (brother-in-law of Sue Allison), Louis Madewell (back surgery 2/7), Teresa Mason, Holly McNeal, Craig Mears, Avery Nixon,

 Lucille Parker (Raintree #311), Kathryn Phifer, Cornelia Powell, Geneva & Wayne Prater, Vicki Small, Anita Smith, Audrene Sissom, Charles & Irene Stembridge, Sonya Talerico, Hailey Taylor, Clareta Wilcher (surgery at a later date), C.N. Womack, Ramsey Womack and Dianna Zadeh

 

TREATMENTS: Liz Beard, Greg Beeson, Ken Caldwell, Kelsi Caten, Evelyn Hall, Billy Hawkins, Jerry Helton, Albert Johnson, Jr., Avalyn Lacy, Dwight Lowe, Inez Orrick, Barbara Rice and Tyree Smith

 

ALL OUR SHUT-INS, MISSION WORKERS, MILITARY PERSONNEL & THEIR FAMILIES AND LEADERS OF OUR NATION!

 

PANTRY ITEMS NEEDED:  chili, beef stew, powdered milk, instant potatoes, peanut butter, oatmeal, cereal, crackers

 

BLOOD DRIVE!  On Tues., Feb. 7th, there will be a Blood Drive in honor of Andy Dunn at Westwood from 1-7pm in our Fellowship Center.

 

MOVIE NIGHT!  On Thurs., Feb. 23rd, Dr. Eben Gilbert will present the movie “Courageous”.   The night will begin at 7pm in our auditorium.  Make plans to attend this wonderful movie night with your family.

 

Thursday Morning Ladies Bible Class—9:00 a.m.

Question for Thursday: “What About Cremation?”

Dear Westwood, I want to express my appreciation for all the cards, visits and calls.

                                    In Christian Love, Don Crothers

 

Dear Westwood Church, For all the prayers, cards, calls & visits, for the beautiful green plant, for the food brought to the funeral home, the value of one’s kindness is measured in the gratitude of another’s heart.  You have always come forth with love shown by our church family, sisters & brothers.  God Bless you and Thank You.     Betty, Barry & Sherri,

                                 Jessica, Abby & Melody Ferguson

 

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

Morris & Darlene Womack, 35 years - Jan. 22nd

Louis & Anne Madewell, 47 years - Jan. 31st

Jim & Theresa Durham, 44 years - Feb. 1st

 

IT’S A GIRL!  Congratulations to Dolores Reep and Tom & Naomi Pedigo on the birth of their great granddaughter, Laina Smith.  She was born Dec. 1, 2011 in Winchester, TN to proud parents, Jason & Miranda Smith.  She was welcomed by big sisters, Kadence and Jaelynn.  Congratulations to all!

 

BABY SHOWER!  All ladies of the congregation are invited to a Baby Shower, given by Carla Totty and Brandi Jarvis, in honor of Chancy Medley this Sat., Feb. 4th, from 2-4pm in Westwood’s Fellowship Center.  It’s a girl!

 

“BELLES” LUNCHEON!  All “Belles”, Elders & wives, ministers & wives, widowers are invited to a luncheon on Sun., Feb. 12th, following Bible School.  The lunch will be provided by the “Belles” Committee.  Please R.S.V.P. to the church office by Wed., Feb. 8th.

 

TEACHERS’ BANQUET!  Present & former teachers and their guests are invited to attend the Annual Teachers’ Banquet on Sat., Feb. 25th, at 6:30pm in our Fellowship Hall.  Please R.S.V.P. to the church office by Feb. 17th, or sign-up in one of the Bible Classes.

 

LADIES mark you calendars for March 16-17, 2012, for a Ladies Spring Retreat at Camp Hy-Lake.  Speaker is Opal Johnson and theme is “Relationships: Perfect and Imperfect”.

 

 

NOTE:  Please tell everyone how easy it is to get your Weekly Bulletin via e-mail and save postage and time.  Thanks!