Together We Will Say: “Amen”

“To Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy – to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power, and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen” (Jude 24). Whoah! Read it again! What powerful words from our friend Jude as he gives all glory to God in the wonderful doxology that concludes his letter. He ascribes praise to the One who gives us strength. Praise to the One in whom we stand pure and holy and righteous. Praise to the One who alone deserves it. Who alone is worthy of (and in possession of) glory, majesty, power, and authority. Jude (the brother of Jesus, and whose name is derived from the tribe of Judah) places and envisions God high and exalted, and we as those who praise His high and holy name together. “Before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.” In one week we will come together for 24 continual hours of prayer as a church family. 24 hours of prayer. 24 hours of praise. 24 amazing, humbling, gut-wrenching, Spirit-empowering hours of pouring our hearts out to the Father together. And together, we will say: “Amen.” Friday May 3rd at 8am through Saturday May 4th at 8am. 24 Hours of Prayer. See any of our ministry team to sign up for a block of time. Keep the requests coming. Put some thought into them. Search your heart, and search the heart of God, as we pray with and for one another during this holy time of prayer. And what better way to wrap up 24 Hours of Prayer than by having breakfast (and coffee) together on Saturday morning at 8am in the FLC? Be planning. Be preparing. Be anticipating. And be praying. Glory to God! Jason

From the Heart of Tyler

REEVES’ RHETORIC

Youth with heart...By Danny & Eric

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Un   gran   ejemplo   para   el   creyente     (1   Tim.   4:12-­‐13).  El   domingo   pasado,   mientras   miraba     la  participación   de   cada   uno   de   los   jóvenes     en   la  presentación  de  LTC.  Vino  a  mi  mente  el  pasaje    en  cuestión,   porque   cada   uno   de   los   jóvenes   que  participaron   en   este   evento     son   un   verdadero  ejemplo  para  cada  uno  de  nosotros  y  para  los  demás  jóvenes   que   aun   no   lo   han   hecho.   Cada   uno   de   los  jóvenes   tiene   un   talento   especial     y   tienen   mucho  que   aportar   para   las   generaciones   venideras,   al    poner  en  práctica    esas  enseñanzas    de  la  palabra  de  Dios  y    al  traernos  un  mensaje  especial  en  cada  una  

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de  las  participaciones  de  LTC.    Algunos   nos   trajeron   un   mensaje   a   través   del  canto,   lecturas,   títeres,   drama,   poemas,   arte   etc.  Cada   una   de   esas   presentaciones   tenía   un  mensaje   poderoso   para   todo   cristiano   y   ese  mensaje   era   “Caminar   la   segunda   milla”.   Y   lo  hicieron   con   mucho   valor   y   destreza   y  dedicación,   aquí   es   donde     los   jóvenes   han   sido  un   gran   ejemplo   para   nosotros   los   adultos   y   de  todo   corazón   felicitamos   a   los   jóvenes     y   los  animamos  para  que  sigan  dándonos  ese  ejemplo  y  que  en  los  años  por  venir  ellos  sean  los  líderes  que  nos  van  a  presidir  y  predicar  de  la  palabra  a  los  ancianos  y  a  las  generaciones  venideras.  Dios  los   bendiga     Jóvenes   y   nos   miramos   el  domingo.    

Escritos de Israel

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Taking Shortcuts Lindsay told me of a shortcut to take on my way to work. It does not save me much distance, but it does allow me to miss three red lights. As with most shortcuts, it comes at a price. The good side is that now instead of seeing Lowes, Wal-Mart, shops, and restaurants; I see some cows, barns, pastures, and tree-limbed covered roads. The price I pay? The time I was saving missing those red lights, I now spend driving slowly through that country road enjoying the scenery. Taking that shortcut is nice for me, but sometimes taking shortcuts in life can be risky, especially when we are dealing with spiritual matters. For instance, how about raising children? It makes a difference when parents take the easy way out. Parents that let their

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children grow up with a steady diet of junk food, TV, video games, and worthless movies will pay the price down the road. How about marriage? Your spouse notices it when you take shortcuts in your communication, your leisure time together, and those special occasions. It might not seem so bad at the moment, but years of this neglect will take a toll on a marriage. What about your faith building? There is no quick and easy way to grow your faith. When we neglect the daily discipline of seeking Jesus, we become spiritually weak. The risk is that it could come at a time when our temptations demand that we be at our strongest. Our faith, our marriages, and our family are the most precious things we have in life. In order to sustain them, it takes our greatest efforts. They ensure the quality of our life and they deserve the best we can give. Watch out for shortcuts, they can be costly!

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MIDDLE SCHOOL MYSTERY Due to some scheduling conflicts, we have changed the dates for

Middle School Mystery. We plan to leave on Monday, June 24 & return on Thursday, June 27. Mark your calendars & Plan to attend!

24 HOURS OF PRAYER Next weekend is our 24 Hours of Prayer. Make plans to be

apart of this concentrated effort to pray for the many hundreds of requests our church family have submitted. Sign up Sunday!

MAYOR’S PRAYER BREAKFAST West Erwin will help host the Annual Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast

on Thursday, May 2. I need about 12 men who would be willing to get up really early and help! If you are interested, please sign the list at the Information Center.

IMPORTANT DATES Apr. 28 High School Devotional May 2 Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast May 3&4 24 Hours of Prayer May 5 Middle School Devotional May 13 West Erwin Hosts Karing Kitchen May 19 Baccaleaureate & Senior Devo June 24-27 Middle School Mystery July 4-13 Nebraska Mission Trip July 20-26 New Orleans Mission Trip

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I FORGOT ALL ABOUT THAT By the time you’re reading this, Jean and I will be all moved into our new home in Lindale. Over are the days of commuting from east of Longview, and we are VERY thankful for that! When you are in one place for a while, you forget about some of those things you have, some of those things in storage or at the bottom of boxes or the back of closets. Pictures, decorations, books, random electronics, pets, (just kidding), and many other things which had begun to collect dust and slip from memory. Out of sight, out of mind. When it’s not directly in front of us, we forget about it a lot of the time. When it comes to our Father, sometimes we become complacent and forget we worship a God who is infinitely creative. What do you do when that happens? One way to get out of the slump is to admit to God where you are. He knows already, but it’s often helpful to say it aloud. Be honest and self-aware. Can you face reality and admit you’re in a spiritual slump? Another help can be changing things up a bit. Grab a different Bible translation. Read a book of the Bible you always thought was challenging. When we’re changing things on a regular basis, it’s hard to become stuck in a rut. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, listen when God pulls on your heart. Those moments don’t happen for no reason, so don’t ignore them.

zzz  

Upcoming Gospel Meeting Emory Church of Christ invites you to their Gospel Meeting May 5-8. All the speakers at the meeting were once preaching school students that were sponsored by Emory Church of Christ. See the flyers at the Information Center in the foyer.

Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast The annual Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast for the city of Tyler will be Thursday, May 2. We need a few more men to help cook for this event. Please sign up on the sheet at the Information Center in the foyer. Contact Danny Snell for more info.

Wednesday Night Meal May 1: BBQ

Sara is the daughter of Daniel & Carol Morgan who we have been praying for as she battles cancer. If you cannot attend the event, you can send donations to: Trey and Sara Laminack Cancer Benefit, 1102 Havencrest Court, Garland, TX 75040.

Thank You Dear West Erwin, Thank you for your cards, phone calls, visits, food and prayers during our time of illness. Your love and prayers were appreciated. Please continue to pray for us. It is a true blessing to call West Erwin home. In Christian love,

Gerald & Martha Boykin Thank you to everyone who has sent cards to my mother. She is improving and my sister is starting chemotherapy. We appreciate your thoughts & prayers. Lorraine Whaley

Farewell to Dear Friends Over the years the West Erwin church has been blessed with some amazing people who have made an impact on the church body. But occasionally someone comes along that really stands out in making a profound difference. In March of 1990, such a couple became a part of the West Erwin family: Roy & Fern Bench. Over these past 23 years their light has shone bright & pure in such a way that no one who has ever known them will ever forget them. Ladies Bible Class, Conquerors Class, Small Groups, Leading Singing and Prayer Warriors are just a few of the ministries that they were not only involved in but were "all in." We cannot begin to imagine how many prayers that they have fervently offered on our behalf. You will probably never know a more Godly, sweet & caring couple than these 2. From the Purple Barney stuffed animal that they brought to our 4 year old Shannon when she was in the hospital to the weekly hug & kiss on the cheek that Fern brings every Sunday on the way out of worship. We will sorely miss you as you move to Henderson. Our loss is their gain. Thank you Roy & Fern for blessing us like you have.

On behalf of your West Erwin family... Danny Snell

Ladies are invited to a bridal shower for

Stacey Diggs Bride-elect of Eric Moseley Sunday, April 28 | 3:30-4:30 p.m. West Erwin Family Life Center Selections at Bed, Bath & Beyond & Target

May 3-4, 2013 Please sign up at the table in the foyer for your time slot to pray. We had a great turn out last year and are excited to see the power of prayer again this year!

  SERVING SUNDAY Call to Worship Eric Thornton Prayer Tony Adams Scripture Chris Ables Dismiss Ray Vannoy Presiding At The Lord’s Table Jim Armstrong

SERVING COMMUNION Jay Bynum Jim Carty Donnie Carnathan Bud Cawyer Michael Carnathan Gene Chandler Barry Ciaschini Chad Chauncey

P.M. ASSEMBLY Prayer Jim Boyd Scripture Jim Carty Dismiss Jason Browning

GREETERS Ron & Jean Parish Charles & Phyllis Rachui

Scotty Rouse Info Center: Dannie & Sue Skipper

PICK UP CARDS for 4/28 Caleb Heath, John Park, Wesley Smith, Nathan

Turner, Josiah Power

SOUND BOOTH for 4/28 Alex Mullins / Cody Frick

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY for 4/28: Nursery a.m.: Amber Chauncey & Kacey

Reeves|Toddlers a.m.: Sonja Carter & Lesly Sandoval| Nursery p.m.: Julie Ables| Toddlers p.m.:

Cayla Ables

Minibus driver for Sunday & Wednesday: Don Ingram, ph. 903.253.4600. Please call if you need transportation.

PRAYER & CARE: Hospitalized:Children’s in Dallas: Kalli Huff |Updates: Ginger Pippin is now home after gallbladder surgery. | West Erwin Family: Ernest Bradley | Charlotte Cawyer | Ruby Cliver | Dan & Wini Cullinan | Louise Culpepper | Sean Denman | Clay Kirby | Garland Latham | Velma Lemons | Tommy Lowrance | Carolyn McCune | Penny & Wade McDonald | Forest & Mary McFadden | Evelyn Messer | Aubrey Morman | Frances Phillips | Tommy Price | Sue Ramsour | Cathy Stowers | Brice Sustaire | Millie Tomlin | Marcus Turner | Nella Ware | Tony Wingate | Ongoing concerns: Darrell & Nell Beard | Delle Bullard | Kalli Huff | Opal Mathews | Bill McCain | Samuel Mink | Maxine Ray | George Richardson | Ira & Esther Wilson |Family & Friends:John Cliver, son of Ruby, esophageal cancer | Sue Ealy, sister of Carol Armstrong | Lana Hadley, sister of Lorraine Whaley, breast cancer | Larkin Hunt, 16-month old great-granddaugther of Charleen Clayton | Sara Laminack, daughter of Daniel & Carol Morgan

April  25,  2013                    From  The  Heart  of  Tyler                Vol.  44–  No.  17  Records Sun.-Apr. 21 Sun.- Apr. 14 Year Ago Bible Class 447 510 395 Worship a.m. 676 658 667 Worship p.m. 388 438 473 Wed. p.m. 346 299 345 Contribution $26,781.84 $70,687.55 $26,832.60 Weekly Budget $28,597.00