Serving Today

COMMUNION

Pete Leung Phil Marts

Jim McDonald Chase Mink

Lee Mink Samuel Mink

Cody Mitcham Adam Montgomery

GREETERS Info Center:

Glynn & Fran Starnes Main Doors:

Tom & Beverly Hale East Doors:

Billy & Lynda Terrell W. Erwin Doors: Burney Wilson

PICK UP CARDS

Owen Ables Ethan Stone Logan Stone Wes Thornton

Cade Thornton SOUND

Clifton Lindsey & Phil Matthews

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY

Nursery:

Jan Cook & Jaydee Diller

Toddler: Sara Scarborough &

Jazmin Palacios

Order of Worship

Believe | Connect | Serve

Our Weekly Schedule

SUNDAY Bible Class 9 a.m. Morning Worship 10 a.m. Evening Worship 5 p.m.

MONDAY Karing Kitchen 6 p.m.

TUESDAY Tuesday Lunch Bunch 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Clothing Distribution 8:30-10:30 a.m.

WEDNESDAY Food Distribution 8:30-10:30 a.m. Evening Bible Study 7 p.m. Food Distribution 6:30-7:30 p.m.

THURSDAY Clothing Distribution 8:30-10:30 a.m.

December 11, 2016 Volume 47 – No. 50

Welcome/Call to Worship - Titus 3:3-7 Danny Snell Song #453 Love Lifted Me Gary Ables Song #454 Rock of Ages

Prayer

Ira Wilson

Song #381 Years I Spent in Vanity

Communion & Contribution Lance Yarema Song Mighty to Save Davy Carter Scripture Reading Acts 2:36-38 Kelly Monahan Song #494 O Happy Day

Message: "The Response of Faith" Bill Allen Song #904 Have You Been to Jesus?

Elder's Prayer

Jay Bynum Song #381 Years I Spent in Vanity

5:00 P.M. Assembly

Welcome/Call to Worship

Danny Snell Song #147 I Stand Amazed Davy Carter Song #202 Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee Prayer

Larry Murphey

Scripture Reading Acts 8:38-39 Wayne Berryman Song Salvation Belongs to Our God Song #639 Rescue the Perishing

Message "The Response of Joy" Bill Allen Song #417 Where He Leads I'll Follow Song #290 Shine, Jesus, Shine

Dismiss

Gene Chandler

Bill’s Blog

BY BILL ALLEN

LIVINGINTHISWORLDLastweekwelookedatPaul’sinstructionstoTituswiththehopeofhelpingus copewith thisworld today. Paul’s feelingwas that focusing on bringingthe lost to Christwould be the key to a productive life. Let’s look at somepassages fromTitus3andseePaul’sviewof thatproductiveandrighteouslife. To speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to showperfect courtesy toward all people. For we ourselves were once foolish,disobedient, ledastray…passingourdaysinmaliceandenvy,hatedbyothersandhatingoneanother.ButwhenthegoodnessandlovingkindnessofGodourSaviorappeared,hesavedus,notbecauseofworksdonebyusinrighteousness,butaccordingtohisownmercy,bythewashingofregenerationandrenewalofthe Holy Spirit…I want you to insist on these things, so that those who havebelieved in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. Thesethingsareexcellentandprofitable forpeople.Butavoid foolishcontroversies,…dissentions, and quarrels about the law for they are unprofitable andworthless(Titus3:1-8).IamconvincedthatthebestwaytoopenthedoorstothelostistoshowthemthesamelovingkindnessthatGodshoweduswhenwe were lost. Throughout Paul’s writings, he reminds of what we werewithoutChrist.Itisimportantthatweneverforgetthatstate.Rememberingour lost condition helpswith our understanding and compassion for thosethataremakingsuchterribledecisionsinlife.Ill-willandmaliciousbehaviortowardthosewedisagreewithwillneverbringaboutpeace.SalvationcomesthroughmakingpeacewithGodonhisterms.PeacewithGodleadstopeacewithourfellowmanandrighteouslivingmakesadifferenceinthatprocess.Righteous living creates good works. Good works create opportunities.Taking advantage of those opportunities leads to changed lives. Changinglivesisthebusinessofthechurch!

By Danny Snell Family Life Minister

DonnieCarnathanBenevolenceMinister

Bible Class Join us for Bible Class this Sunday @ 9:00. This quarter our Bible Classes are studying Matthew & Exodus. The title of our study is “The Gift of the King" The lesson this week… “Beating Temptation" from Matthew 4:1-11. More on this in class this Sunday morning!

Consider the following from Matthew 4:1-3 “ThenJesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to betemptedby the devil.After fasting forty days and fortynights,hewashungry.Thetemptercametohim...”

Leadership Training For Christ Tis the Season… LTC… If you have children in grades 3-12… Your family ought to be involved in Leadership Training for Christ. LTC is one of the many things West Erwin does to build relationships among the families of West Erwin. It is not just a “kids” ministry and it’s not just about “something to do.” It has been & is one of the best ministries that we are involved in that can impact our young people’s lives for generations to come. Do you want to make a difference in the future of the church with your family? LTC is one place where that can happen. If you have questions… come to our informational & sign up meeting Sunday night in the FLC after the evening worship.

We were all saddened to hear the announcement this past Sunday from Eric and Jean Thornton that they will be leaving us soon. Eric will be the preaching minister at the Eastern Hills church in Athens beginning next month. While we will miss them dearly we recognize that they are answering the call of God to continue to serve Him and His church with this new adventure. From the first face-to-face meeting we had with the church here Joyce and I were impressed with Eric and Jean. They truly are very, very gifted people, and have done a remarkable service in being leaders and examples here at West Erwin. I’m certain that the church in Athens has no idea the quality of servant-ministers they are getting. But they will. Continue to remember Eric and Jean and the boys with praise to God for the great things He has done for us through them, and for them through us. Pray for them and the church in Athens and all the wonderful blessings God has in store for them. And of course pray for our West Erwin family as we go through this transition time and look ahead to the great family God has been preparing to be a part of us and lead our youth program in the years ahead. There are few things we do here at West Erwin that impact our children more than Leadership Training for Christ. LTC is an incredible opportunity for young people 3rd grade through 12th grade to use and develop their gifts to praise God and encourage others. LTC helps our children deepen their relationships with each other and creates and deepens bonds between our children and the adults who coach and mentor them. This Sunday evening there will be an informational and sign-up meeting for our kids, parents, and other adults who are interested in participating in or helping with LTC. We talk a lot about passing on our faith, and pray that God would bless our young people and keep them faithful to Him long after they grow up. Here’s your chance to be a part of that process!! God will use you in wonderful, mighty ways to make a difference for Him in the lives of our youth. And guess what: through it all, He may just do a little work on you and your heart as well…

BENEVOLENCE CENTER NEEDS Blankets * 5 Oz Cans Of Tuna * 18 Oz Jars Of Creamy Peanut Butter * 1 Pound Canned Hams *

15 Oz Cans of Peaches * Winter Clothing * Men’s Socks And Shoes

Kid’s Korner

LTC INFO MEETING – TONIGHT – DEC. 11TH Tonight, after our 5pm assembly, all families, coaches, and students who will be participating this year in LTC have an informational meeting in the Family Life Center. We will be getting out hotel information, individual event info, as well as just general updates about the convention in the spring. This meeting is ESPECIALLY important if your family has never participated in LTC before. We hope all of you can make it so that we can start planning together.

WEYM SANTA LAND / BONFIRE – DEC. 18TH We’re trying something a little different this year for our annual youth group Christmas party. This year, we’re headed to Santa Land Christmas light spectacular in Lindale. We’ll leave West Erwin NEXT SUNDAY NIGHT immediately following the 5pm worship time, and pile into some vehicles, head to Santa Land in Lindale, and then hop in the back of a trailer and hay bales to go through the park, so be sure to DRESS WARM!! Then we’ll have a bonfire to finish the night off at the Philpot’s house. We’ll return to West Erwin by 9pm. The cost is free so come!!

SIX FLAGS HOLIDAY IN THE PARK – DEC. 27TH Our annual pilgrimage to Six Flags Holiday in the Park with Shiloh Rd and Glenwood is Tuesday, Dec. 27th. The park opens at 2pm, so we will leave West Erwin at 11:30am. Please eat lunch before we leave. We will leave Six Flags at 9pm, so we’ll be back at West Erwin around 11:15pm. The cost is $35, as well as money for you to eat dinner inside the park. Signups have begun in class and all money is due NO LATER THAN Sunday, Dec. 18th. Any later than that and we cannot get you the group ticket rate, but you can still buy a ticket on your own and ride with us. If you already have a season ticket, please still sign up on the sheet but write down “SEASON TICKET” so that we can still be sure and reserve you a seat to ride with us.

WINTERFEST – JAN. 13-15 Come join over 4,000 other church of Christ students from across the Midwest for an incredible weekend to earn, be encouraged and worship together. This year’s theme is “Identity – Who Are You?” and there are some amazingly talented people coming this year, including THE Skit Guys, the Sand Artist – Joe Castillo, and many others. This is for our 8th grade and up, and the cost is only $50. Signups begin in class next Sunday, Dec. 18th. You must sign up and pay by January 8th so that we can reserve the correct amount of hotel rooms and pay for conference registrations!

Eric Thornton Youth Minister

Marla Cannefax Children’s Coordinator

THAN

KS!

We want to thank our church family for the expressions of love to our family during the loss of my husband and my children’s father and grandfather. The beautiful flowers, all the wonderful delicious food, cards, visits, calls, hugs and sweet smiles have made our journey a little easier. The West Erwin church has been my family’s refuge and rock through joyous occasions as well as sad ones such as this. We hold all of you dear to our hearts as we make our way forward. With love, the Weathers Family

A big thank you to Connie Sublette and her helpers in making the widow’s luncheon a huge success year after year. We certainly appreciate the women of West Erwin and all that they do for the Lord’s church. Also, thank you to those who helped in delivering the poinsettias in the inclement weather. - The Elders

LTC Signup December 11th

after evening services!

Our Year-End Contribution is December 18th. Be prayerful about your participation.

We are very excited that the Special Contribution is going to help us start planning our new children’s facilities! We are blessed to have leadership that sees the importance of providing for our young children and young families. As we move forward in this process, I ask that you be prayerful for our leaders as they make important decisions that will impact children for generations here at WE. Thank you to Melanie Benson and Cayla Ables for teaching our BLAST class for preschoolers. We know they love our children and work hard to help them learn more about God. Our Sunday Night Service class will be making gifts for their teachers this week. Hope to see your children there! I am so blessed to get to see all the individuals that pour their time, energy, love, and talents into our children. There are many people that work “behind the scenes” weekly – Sharon Beaver and Kim Frick are the first that come to mind. Thank you for your effort!

We have started a closed group on Facebook called West Erwin Children’s Ministry. If you are not already in this group but would like to keep up with us in this way, email me at marlacannefax@gmail.com.

Breakfast! eggs, bacon,

biscuits & gravy

The Douglas Project Volunteers: Couple of things coming up in next few weeks… Dec. 16 Volunteers needed to read to a couple of classes. It can be a Christmas read aloud or just a fun book. The 16th is also Pajama Day. Dec. 16 The Douglas Office Staff will be cooking Soups for all the Teachers. They would love for us to bring desserts & help with serving. We are also still looking for 5 people who would be willing to be mentors. See Danny for more details.

Prayer & Care Update:

It has been discovered that Larry Moore has cancer of the esophagus. Further testing is being done to determine treatment. Jess Hopkins is in Mother Frances following surgery. Joyce Allen was hospitalized with chest pain last week. Jim McDonald had surgery last Wednesday. He is doing well. Kalli Huff is home now. Connie Sublette is being treated for reflux problems. West Erwin Family: Wendy McAuley | Steve Denman | Stan Mallory | Bud Cawyer | Ira Groom | Pat Lewis | Kalli Huff | Clinton & Louise Culpepper | Elmer Miles | Forest McFadden | Brice Sustaire | Winona Shankle | Millie Tomlin | Joann Davis | Nella Ware | George Richardson | Ira & Esther Wilson | Charles Harris | Bob & May Helen May| Jess & Charlotte Hopkins | Ruby Cliver | Tommy Parrish | Mary Adams | Linda Boudreau

Minibus driver for Sunday & Wednesday:

Don Ingram 903.253.4600

Please call if you need transportation.

420 West Erwin St. Tyler, TX 75702 903.592.0809

www.westerwin.com www.facebook.com/WestErwin office@westerwin.org

Live stream of Sunday services from http://wechurchofchrist.christianworldmedia.com

The Elders of West Erwin are available to meet with our members at mutually agreeable times for counsel, questions and general information. You may make an appointment with one or more of our elders by seeing them at any of our church meetings or by a phone call at the numbers listed below: Jay Bynum 903.839.3133 Ken Culpepper 903.752.7801 David Hammond 903.279.1055 Gaylan Seagler 903.566.1958 Wade Weathers * 903.839.9797 David Wicks 903.534.9568 Fred Wingate 903.581.6440

*Chairman of the Elders

elders@westerwin.org

Our Records Dec. 4 Bible Class 249 Worship a.m. 412 Worship p.m. 185 Wed. p.m. 154 Contribution $27,624.75 Weekly Budget $24,867.00

“TheResponseofFaith”Introduction: The response of faith is possible only because of the gospel of ___________. Romans 1:14-17; 3:19-26; 5:6-8; John 3:14-17; 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Cor. 15:1-5

A. People in the first century were _________ about the response of faith. Acts 2:1-41—the people on __________________

Acts 8:5-13—the ___________________ Acts 8:26-39—the Ethiopian _______________

Acts 9:1-19; 22:1-16; 26:1-20—__________ of Tarsus Acts 10:1-48—__________________ and his family

Acts 16:13-15—____________ and her family Acts 16:16-34—the _____________ and his family

B. Christians in the first century were __________________ of their response of faith.

Titus 3:3-7; John 3:3-5; Acts 22:16 Rom. 6:1-4; Eph. 2:1-10; Col. 2:6-15

1 Cor. 12:12-14; Gal. 3:26-28; 1 Peter 3:18-22 Conclusion: The response of faith leads to the life of joyful _________________.

Titus 3:8; Eph. 2:10; Rom. 6:4ff; etc.

Thecollege-ageclasswillhaveaChristmasPartyThursday,Dec.15th6pmuntil10pm.

Therewillbeawhiteelephantgiftexchange,movie,snacksanddinner.We’llmeetintheannex

besidetheFLC.

There will be a reception honoring Eric and Jean Thornton December 18th in

the Family Life Center. Refreshments will be served. We will then have the evening worship service in the FLC at 5:00 p.m.