-
T HE E DIF I ER “Let us therefore follow after the things which
make for peace,
and the things wherewith one may edify another” (Rom. 14:19)
Walnut Street Church of Christ Volume 50 December 6, 2020 Number
47
Word at Walnut Street Bryan
McAlister Th
e
“Go break to the needy sweet charity’s bread; “For giving is
living,” the angel said. “And must I be giving again and again?” My
peevish and pitiless answer ran. “Oh no,” said the angel, piercing
me through, “Just give till the Master
stops giving to you.” Of the Lord’s parables, stewardship was a
focus in three of His earthly stories with heavenly meaning.
Sometimes we consider stewardship pertaining only to money and our
handling of it in a responsible manner. When the Lord dealt with
stewardship, He looked at possessions, as is the case in the
parable of Luke 12:13-21. He also spoke of stewardship by
proportion (Luke 19:11-27), and He spoke of stewardship of
opportunity and ability, in the parable of the talents (Matthew
25:14-30).
“All you are unable to give possesses you” André Gide
(1869–1951). Perhaps Gide knew the parable of the rich fool when
this quote was attributed to him. Within this parable, one thing we
see most clearly is the intense focus of the rich man for his
possessions and the holding on to his possessions. From a
comprehensive biblical perspective, what man desires and what man
seeks, has been a problem from the beginning. In Eden, it was the
satisfying of the desire of the eye, the reasoning of the mind it
would be good, and the expectation of wisdom (Gen 3:6). In
Solomon’s temple it was a heart manipulated by women who did not
love the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (I Kings 11:4). In
Matthew 19, it was the attraction of wealth (Matt 19:22). In Luke 9
it was the pull and power of family (Luke 9:59, 61). Whatever we
cannot surrender, whatever we cannot give up and lay over to the
control and guidance of God, which is the one thing which possesses
us, and in reality, possesses our soul, and will hamper our soul
from receiving its eternal reward.
What about today? What do the times we occupy now, reveal about
our hearts and the focus of our hearts? To be very true, there are
many more people than possessions that have been in my life I would
rather have back. I want to hold on and keep holding on to them.
There are many people now I want to hold on to and not be without
as my days unfold. So, I want to keep living, believing my
relationships
are that valuable. However, my hope is not built on the
connections I have made here in the flesh, but rather the
everlasting bond which resides in the timeless promise of the
Lord’s saved church (see Philippians 3:20-21; I Corinthians
15:20-28). The recent days of a pandemic, the fear of contracting a
“novel” virus, and the dramatic halt and change it has brought to
our collective way of living, reveals many things. Perhaps most
revealing is the strength of our grip to this world, and our faded
focus on the world and life to come.
There is no suggestion within these words to be careless or
reckless in life. If you derive such a meaning, then you are guilty
of the aforementioned accusation in your means of judgment and
failure to discern. There is however the distinct reminder to the
people of God that our focus on eternity with God is our means of
enduring the hardships while separated from the presence of God
(Hebrews 12:1-2). Running with confidence and courage, facing
realities of life, yes, even the reality of death, with a resolve
that points to a confidence in God’s power to save, may be one of
the most charitable gifts we can give a world captivated by
fear.
Bu
ild
ing Bigger
Bar
ns
-
Prayer Requests • James Anderson, is very ill with COVID
• Rob Cude, who received good test results
• Sarah Woodard, who is recovering from knee surgery
• Billy Gentry, who has been placed under hospice care
• Peggy Bean, who is recovering from a broken leg
• Wayne Turbeville, who has greatly improved
• Catherine Kinnie and Leah Billingsby, who have both
returned home from the hospital
• Ray Myatt, who has moved to Horizon Rehab
• Preston Thompson, who remains hospitalized
• Lewis Curd, who is recovering from back surgery
• Janice Curd, who remains under hospice care
• Anita Moore, who is awaiting test results
• Avagene Moore, (mother of Steve Moore) who is
recovering from surgery
Family News
We wish to congratulate John Stokes and Sunni Koffman, who were
baptized Tuesday, November 24. John is the son of Chuck and Shelby
Stokes.
We extend our sympathy to Martha Owen and Marie Sawyer in the
loss of their brother, Donald Overton, who passed away Monday.
Funeral services were held Friday at Taylor Funeral Home.
We extend our sympathy to the family of Martha Hudson who passed
away Thursday. Funeral services were held Monday at Dickson Funeral
Home.
We extend our sympathy to Steve Leach in the loss of his father,
Tom Leach, who passed away in Indiana. A private family funeral was
held yesterday in Williams, Indiana.
We extend our sympathy to Bonnie Tidwell and Elaine
Hargrove in the loss of their father, Philip Boyer, who
passed
away in Pennsylvania. A small family service will was held
yesterday in Johnstown, PA.
Those of our number who are expectant mothers:
Meghan Richardson (1/3); Holly Cline (1/10), Bethany Moore
(3/18); Ivy Bishop (5/6)
Note of Thanks:
Dear Walnut Street Church Family,
Thank you so much for all the beautiful cards with sweet words
of kindness, calls, and food during the passing of my mother,
Virley Harris. Thank you to the awesome September food committee
for preparing such a wonderful meal for after the funeral. We are
so very blessed to have each of you in our
lives. With Love to All,
Jerry and Pamela Massie and the Harris Family
Thinking of You Steve Leach
Martha Owen
Marie Sawyer
Bonnie Tidwell
Elaine Hargrove
Happy Anniversary George and Linda Miller (61)
Walnut Street family, you are always so generous. This year has
been no exception. The office staff is so grateful for your recent
donations of Heart-Felt Food and regular pantry food donations. We
have seen a large increase in food needs in our community and these
donations have been very much needed. Thank you!
DECEMBER FOOD COMMITTEE
Chairman: Alice Poole
Co-chairman: Ann Luther
Eula Batey, Shasta Brown, Sue Buckner, Jessica Daniel, Janice
DeLoach, Wendie DeLoach, Janice Davidson, Angie Donegan, Maxine
Duke, Martha Gregory, Tianna Hudspeth, LuElla Lewis, Harriett
Shannon, Beverly Spicer, Wilda Weaver
-
ELDERS
Gaylan Brown ........ 446-9909 Robby Harmon ...... 289-1936
Gary Brunett........... 887-1227 Tim Hogue ............
319-6714
Bobby Cathey ........ 446-9216 Brian Ragan ..........
414-4529
George Caudill ....... 446-3996 Tim Spann ............
943-7248
Joe Corlew ............. 289-1855 Bob Spencer .........
446-3882
Ted Williams .......... 446-6441
MINISTERS Steve Baggett……Fam/Education Alan
Ragan....................... Youth
Bud Lambert……...….Counseling Larry Snow………...Involvement
Dr. Bryan McAlister…………Pulpit Bob Spencer………...…...Youth
Office Contact Information 201 Center Avenue, Dickson, TN
37055
Office: .................. 615-446-2909
CareLine: ............. 615-446-1909
Counseling: ......... 615-375-8021
Counseling Cell: .. 615-975-2395
Fax: ..................... 615-446-5265
Childcare: ............ 615-441-3410
www.wscoc.com
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
More Opportunities to Learn about Jesus
Search for Truth - Dickson Local Cable Channel 19
(Sundays 12 PM, Tuesdays 11 AM, Thursdays 11 AM)
WWW.STUDYJESUS.COM/WWW.ESTUDIAJESUS.COM: Stats YTD: 393,226
visits through 11/30
StudyJesus.com can be found in religious books section of
iTunes
Walnut Street Church of Christ Mission Statement
Manifesting the fruit of the spirit, proclaiming Christ to the
lost and serving mankind to the glory of God.
Remember our shut-ins during the holidays!
Poinsettias
We have updated our Shut-in and Long-term Prayer List. These are
available in the office, can be mailed or even
emailed. This is a great way to encourage, keep in touch and
show your
love.
There will be a list posted in the glass-front display
case in the Gathering Room.
For those who are picking up
poinsettias, you can pick your up
on Sunday evening,
December 20th.
If you have ordered a poinsettia and have not yet paid, checks
can be dropped off at the church office
($7 each)
-
Welcome
...........................................................................................
Song
Leader......................................................................................
Shepherd’s Prayer
........................................................ Brian
Ragan
Scripture Reading—Matthew 6:19-24 ...........................
Brian Ragan
Song ...........................................Lord, I Lift
Your Name On High
Song ................................ When My Love to Christ
Grows Weak
Lord’s Supper Meditation—Joe Corlew
Lord’s Supper
Song
.............................................................. A
Shield About Me
Song .........................................................
Sing to Me of Heaven
JESUS, MONEY AND YOU
(BECAUSE IT’S 2020...WHY NOT?) Bryan McAlister
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Song
...............................................................
Surround Us, O Lord
Song
........................................................................
Abide With Me
Prayer................................................................................................
SUNDAY EVENING - DECEMBER 6, 2020
Welcome
..........................................................................................
Song Leader
....................................................................................
Song
...............................................................................
Let It Rise
Song ..................................................... O
They Tell Me of a Home
Prayer
..............................................................................................
Scripture Reading—Luke 12:13-21
.................................................
IS YOUR BARN BIG ENOUGH? Bryan McAlister
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
Prayer
..............................................................................................
Check in with us today!
9 AM SUNDAY MORNING - DECEMBER 6, 2020
Contribution
Monthly Budget:
$156,167
November Contribution:
$123,300
Weekly Attendance (Avg.)
Sunday AM (In Person) - 480
Sunday AM (Online Check-In with QR
Code) - 135
Sunday PM (In Person) - 243
Sunday (online views)- 1215 AM, 551 PM
November Stats
