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Vol. 47,
No.14 SOUTHSIDE ORACLE
June 4, 2004
The Bulletin
Board
Congratulations to our graduating high school seniors! They are: John
Anguiano, Greenfield; Andrea Eufinger, Kettle Moraine; Tabitha Santana,
Pulaski; Sonia Shilts, Martin Luther; and Meagan Van Handel, Hartford.
The Sick – All of those who had surgery last week are now home and
doing well. Hank Karbiner is much improved. Tom Brockdorf’s surgery was
successful, but he will have to wear a neck brace for several weeks. Al
Gray went home Monday, but will have to spend some time rehabilitating
after his hip replacement.
Building Improvement Day – If you can, plan to join our youth Saturday
between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on cleaning up and fixing up our building.
Congregational Picnic – Join us Sunday after the second worship for
our church picnic at Whitnall Park, area 8. This is a different location
than in recent years. Last year we had over 120 at the picnic.
Southside Retreat – About 47 attended the Southside retreat at
Fallhall Glen last weekend. The sporadic rain did not dampen a good
retreat.
ATTENDANCE RECORD
Two years ago Last
year Last week Goal
Bible
classes 153
164 118 170
Morning worship
251 251 *209 250
Evening
worship 52 75
36 80
Contribution $8932.15
$4984.11 $3243.18 $4500.00
Camp Sessions – The start
of the camping sessions at the Wisconsin Christian Youth Camp is just
around the corner with junior camp beginning June 20th. For information
about working on the staff or youth going to camp, see Tim Shilts or Wayne
Alexander.
Jered Giombi was inducted into the high
school National Honor Society May 26th. Meagan Van Handel, and possibly
others, is also in the honor society.
Calendar of Events
June 5 – Building improvement day sponsored by youth
group, 9:00 a.m. - 3: 00 p.m.
June 6 – Congregational picnic after second service,
Whitnall Park, Area 8
June 12 – Juan and Diane Santana renew marriage vows
on their 25th anniversary – 1:00 p.m.
June 20 – July 3 – Junior camp session, Wisconsin
Christian Youth Camp
July 4-17 – Middle camp session, Wisconsin Christian
Youth Camp
July 6-11 – Menominee (MI) Youth Service Trip
July 18-31 – Intermediate camp session, Wisconsin
Christian Youth Camp
July 24 – Blood Drive at Southside
August 1-14 – Senior camp session, Wisconsin
Christian Youth Camp
August 9-13
– Lake Geneva Family Encampment, Williams Bay
Does God Hear a
Sinner’s Prayer?
It has often been asked if God hears the
prayers of sinners. A biblical answer is in order. John 9:31 is
sometimes quoted in response to the question. It reads, “We know that God
does not listen to sinners, but if any one is a worshiper of God and does
his will, God listens to him.” Using this verse in this context is
improper. The speaker was an uninspired blind man to whom Jesus had given
sight. It is as wrong to quote this verse as a proof-text as it is to
cite the serpent’s declaration to Eve that she would not die if she ate
the forbidden fruit. Even if the blind man’s conclusion is correct, the
verse should not be used in this way without first explaining that the
speaker was uninspired.
To answer our question, we must ask another – “Who
is a sinner?” In one sense we are all sinners. The Christian who yields
to temptation is a sinner by virtue of his action. But to deny that God
will hear his petition is to deny the efficacy of prayer.
The blind man seems to have been thinking about the
rebel who flaunts the will of God. If so, the testimony of Scripture
supports his conclusion that God will not hear the rebellious sinner. To
be heard one must first make his heart right with God.
However, there is another class to be considered –
those who seek the kingdom of God, but do not know how to find it. Such a
man was Cornelius, likely a “God-fearer”, a Roman centurion who had
adopted Jewish ethics without accepting Mosaic ceremonies. His moral
goodness is affirmed by the statement that he was “a devout man who feared
God with all his household, gave alms liberally to the people and prayed
constantly to God” (Acts 10:2). Yet he was lost without Christ. The Lord
told him, “Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been
remembered before God” (Acts 10:31). To deny that God heard this sinner
is to deny the Bible.
Note the implications of Cornelius’ prayer. God
told him to send for Peter who would in turn teach him the words of life.
God did not respond with instantaneous salvation, but with a messenger who
revealed the divine message.
From this story we must conclude that God does hear
the prayers of sinners who seek eternal life, but it is though human
“earthen vessels” that the gospel of Christ is made known. Perhaps you,
Christian friend, are the answer to a sinner’s prayer. Take him the
light! __Monroe
E. Hawley
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