SCHOOL IS IN SESSION

The elementary, middle, and high schools in our area have started a new year. In a week or so, our college students will begin the semester as well. As I think about the beginning of each school year, I’m reminded of the blessing of learning. God created us with the capacity to obtain knowledge and use it in an appropriate way. Those who make the most of this opportunity do well. Please say a prayer for all of our young people who are starting a new school year. Pray also for the teachers, administrators, and staff that will be working with them.

SPEAKING OF SCHOOL…

Our Bible School program at Gloster Street offers classes for all ages. Adults have three classes to choose from on Sunday morning and two options on Wednesday night. If you are not currently attending a Bible class, please consider doing so this week. You will be glad you did!

AREA-WIDE YOUTH MEETING

Each month a congregation in our area hosts the Area-Wide Youth Meeting on a Sunday evening. The Area-Wide this month will be hosted by New Albany church of Christ on Sunday, August 13. We hope that our young people in 7-12th grades will take advantage of this opportunity for fellowship.

UNDENOMINATIONAL CHRISTIANITY

I appreciate the many encouraging comments I received about the sermon this past Sunday morning. If you would like a copy to give to a friend, please contact the church office.

May God Bless You All!

Chad Ramsey

Worship Services Sunday Worship 9:00 a.m. Bible Class 10:10 a.m. Sunday Worship 6:00 p.m. Wednesday Bible Class 7:00 p.m.

www.glosterstreetchurch.com

Gloster Street

MESSENGER

www.dayspringtv.com

Sunday at 8:00 a.m. on ABC WTVA (ETVA)

Sunday at 8:00 a.m. on MY MS (Tupelo Comcast channel 3)

Monday – Friday at 6:30 a.m. & 8:00 a.m.

MY MS

August 13, 2017 vol. XLXI no. 29

Sunday at 9:00 a.m. SuperTalk 95.9 FM

Gloster Street Messenger Page 2

God Gave His Son

Chad Ramsey

There is arguably no passage in Scripture more beloved than John 3:16. Besides declaring the profound love God possesses for humanity, the “Golden Text” offers hope to those condemned by sin. Because of our Savior’s death, we do not have to suffer the consequences of our wicked behavior. Jesus paid the price for our sins with His own blood (cf. Revelation 1:5). No wonder Paul powerfully declared: “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7). Many do not realize that John 3:16 is part of the conversation Jesus had with Nicodemus—the ruler of the Jews who “came to Jesus by night” (John 3:2). After having discussed matters pertaining to the new birth, Nicodemus asked for further clarification (John 3:9). To this, Jesus responded: “If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?” (John 3:12). Guy N. Woods explained: “These matters Nicodemus, because of his background in the Jewish religion, had difficulty in accepting. If he were unable to apprehend these things and if he did not believe the Lord when he spoke of these earthly matters it is not likely that he would understand and be willing to accept the Lord’s word with reference to heavenly things” (65). Nevertheless, Jesus went on to describe God’s plan for man’s salvation. Included in this plan was, of course, His death. Thus, Jesus broached the subject by likening His impending death to an event that occurred during the wilderness wandering (cf. Numbers 21:4-9). He stated: “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up” (John 3:14). Importantly, the words “lifted up” are used elsewhere in John to point specifically to the crucifixion (cf. John 8:28; 12:32). Explaining the phrase, John wrote: “This He said, signifying by what death He would die” (John 12:33). It should be noted, however, that Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus did not just focus upon what He would do for humanity. Instead, Jesus also stressed the need for man to respond to Him in faith. He continued: “that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:15). The point is as powerful as it is simple. Jesus’ death would enable those who submit to Him in faithful obedience to be saved. “All who believed (in the New Testament, true belief is obedient faith) might, in him, have eternal life. The ‘in him’ or ‘in Christ’ refrain becomes an important phrase that warrants closer study (cf. 2 Tim. 2:10)” (Jackson, New Testament, 145). At this juncture, Jesus made it clear that His death occurred because of the immense love God possesses for humanity (John 3:16). “God’s attitude is love. The word translated ‘love’ is the noblest and strongest in Greek. It connotes an act of the will rather than an emotion, whim, or infatuation, and its measure is defined in terms of the result” (Tenney 89). The expected intent of God’s precious gift is not man’s condemnation. Instead, Jesus came so “that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:17).

Works Cited: Jackson, Wayne. A New Testament Commentary. Stockton: Christian Courier, 2011.

Tenney, Merrill C. John: The Gospel of Belief. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1976

Woods, Guy N. A Commentary on the Gospel According to John. Nashville: Gospel Advocate, 1981.

Gloster Street Messenger Page 3

Sympathy Sympathy is extended to Karen Botts and family on the passing of her mother, Rudell Murry on Saturday, August 5. Her funeral service was held on Monday, August 7, in New Albany. Sympathy is extended to Patsy Washington and Peggy Hayes and families on the passing of their sister, Jimmie Lou Hester on Sunday, August 6. Her funeral service was held on Wednesday, August 9, in Tupelo.

Care Groups

Miro/Palmer Care Groups will meet in the Annex on Sunday, August 13.

Labeling Labeling for House to House/Heart to Heart is Friday, August 11, at 6:30 p.m. in the Annex.

Gospel Meeting

Hillcrest Church of Christ in Baldwyn will host a gospel meeting August 20 through August 23. Sunday through Wednesday evening services will be at 7:00 p.m. Ray Kennedy will be the guest speaker.

Just For Fun Tosolvethefollowingpuzzle,rearrangetheprovidedletterstoformthecluewords,whicharethe

namesofsomeoftheparablesspokenbytheLord.Thenusethecircledletterstoformthehidden

words,whichcomposeagreatcommandmentofJesus.

ROWSE ____________________

VANEEL ________________________

TENSTAL ____________________________

DUNSOP ________________________

ESEPH ____________________

INCO ________________

STEAR ____________________

LEPAR ____________________

HIDDENWORDS:“________________________________________________________”

Lastweek’sanswers:11.False,12.False,13.False,14.False,15.True,16.False,17.False,18.False,19.True,20.False

Our Record

Worship A.M….…….….……...252 Bible Classes…………………...209 Worship P.M…………………...169 Wednesday (8-2).........................179 Contribution…………..…...$12,408 Weekly Budget……….……$12,500

Gloster Street Messenger

307 N. Gloster St. Tupelo, MS

38804 662-842-6082

THE GLOSTER STREET MESSENGER is published weekly, except for the week of Christmas, by the Church of Christ, 307 N. Gloster Street, Tupelo, MS 38804

ELDERS

Paul Callens 620-9814 Monte Key 842-9196 Gary Martin 844-6154 James Segars 842-8227 Wayne Washington 844-4586

DEACONS

Louis Cervantes Louis Miro Travis Cornelius Rusty Palmer George Heath Carlton Plunk Greg Jones Dennie Smith Branyan Johnson Steve Walden Tony Milam

MINISTERS

Chad Ramsey Brian Galloway

CHURCH OFFICE

Andrea O’Rear, Secretary

Sunday Morning Worship Reading…...............Brooks Crabtree Scripture…................................TBA Prayer……………….George Heath Closing Prayer..............Gary Martin Song Director…............Clyde Mize

Lord’s Table

North Side South Side

Paul Callens Kevon Brooks Mike Burleson Wayne Wilson Boyd Brumley Louis Miro Chase Cervantes Dan Yarbro Sam Cervantes Alternates: Jeff Collums, Travis Cornelius, Paul Crowe, Philip Crowe

Nursery Attendants

Worship A.M..Donna Castles, Crystal Crowe Bible Study….Marie Crowe, Stacie Crowe Worship PM....Tish Cornelius, Suzanne Cervantes Wed. (8-16)…..Sharon Galloway

Sunday Evening Worship Reading……….......John Thomas Kellum Scripture…………………………….TBA Prayer……………….......Donny Hamblin Closing Prayer………...........Tony Milam Song Director………….....Kevon Brooks Song Director (8-16)………Philip Crowe Speaker (8-16)...................Taylor Walden Prayer (8-16)...................Chase Cervantes

APPOINTMENTS FOR AUGUST 13, 2017

Prayer List: MEMBERS: Loretta Payne, Herb Guin, Bob Adderholt, Thomas Aderholt, Paul Burleson, Wanda Burleson, Geneva Brooks, Karen Wade

FAMILY & FRIENDS: James Draper, Bluford Miller, Ginger Jones, Diane Cartwright, Teri Ward, Alice Shands, Bruce Carter, Ed Herndon, Annette Gann, Shirley Thomas, Gerry Cornwell, Kinley Galbreath, Modena Green, Diane Peters, David Puckett, Thelma Plunk, Curt Mize, Marleigh Babbitt, Brian Fredrick , Bobbie Dupree, Joe Mears, Shelby Reed, Jr., Faye Sellers, Wayne Jackson, Barney Guyton, Alma Wilson, Tammie Walters, Kristy Tucker, Hayden Pippins, Addison Fowler, Susan Robin, Jai Eschete, Drew Edwards, Amanda Beard, Mike & Melissa Gaddy, Heyward Wilson, Beau Baker, Mattie Skelton Holloway, Sue Case

Health Care Centers: Greenhouse #800 - Maurice Kellum Greenhouse #600 Griffis House, rm. 12 - Edith Hutcheson, Avonlea Assisted Living, rm. 304 - Elizabeth Pritchard, Union Co. Health & Rehab – Geneva Brooks, rm. 208-B

UPCOMING...

GOALSUNDAY……………………………………August27

GospelMeetingatGlosterStreet……November5-8