Southside Oracle Archive

Vol. 47, No.31                         SOUTHSIDE ORACLE                      October 15, 2004

The Bulletin Board

      Joint Worship and Congregational Meeting – This Sunday is a special day for Southside as the entire congregation joins together in a single worship:

(1) There will be one Sunday morning worship at 11:00 a.m. with no service at 8:30.

(2) Bible classes will begin at 9:30 a.m. followed by a fellowship period before worship.

(3) During the worship hour we will also have a children’s worship in the basement.

(4) After worship we will share a potluck at about 12:30 p.m.

(5) The congregational meeting will follow the meal at about 1:30  p.m.

(6) There will be no Sunday evening worship at 6:00 as usual.

      Annual Give-Away – For many years we have had a Give-Away each fall.  Items that members, friends, and neighbors donate are given away to the general public.  The Give-Away is conducted like a rummage sale except that everything is free.  It will be held Saturday, October 23rd beginning at 9:00 a.m.  Donated things should be clean and in good repair.  There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board for those who would like to help.  Denise Eppler is in charge of the program.  Contact Denise or Julia Hawley for additional information.

ATTENDANCE RECORD

                                                 Two years ago       Last year        Last week         Goal

Bible classes                                           115                   146                 143            170

 Morning worship                                     219                  209                *215            250

Evening worship                                        71                    65                    61             80

Contribution                                   $4159.47         $4006.71         $3734.15     $4500.00

                                                       (*) first service, 114 ; second service, 101

      There will be a Ladies’ planning session on Sunday, October 24th.  A light lunch will be served at 12:30 p.m. in the fellowship room.

      The annual Wisconsin Christian Youth Camp meeting will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday at Fallhall Glen.   Bobby Valentine is current a member of the board of directors and is up for re-election.

      Elder Search – Our elders wish to add an elder or elders to our eldership.  Details will be announced at the congregational meeting.  Our members will be asked to submit the names of any that they feel are biblically qualified to fill the role.  Your prayers are requested.

      The Sick – Connie Hall underwent successful surgery at St. Luke’s Hospital on Monday, and will be home by the end of the week….Marilyn Martin, mother of Rick Wagner remains in rehabilitation at West Allis Hospital.

      Beginning this week, Southside will mail 20,000 pieces of direct mail about Southside into our community.  This is done twice a year and different areas are selected for each mailing.  We can expect to welcome a number of visitors in the next couple of months as a result.  

      Bobby and Pamella Valentine hosted our new members last Sunday afternoon at their home and provided an opportunity for the elders and members to get to know one another better.  Many attended and it was a great success.  Thank you, Bobby and Pamella, for making this possible.

Keeping House for the Lord

      Years ago a small church in New York City often had visitors from other parts of the country.  In response to an inquiry about the church’s progress, one of the leaders observed that the purpose of the congregation was to provide a place for visiting brethren to worship.  This church was merely keeping house for the Lord!

      We need to be careful not to misdirect our spiritual efforts.  It is easy to focus inwardly about our own needs rather than to look outwardly toward the lost.  Our limited vision may be unconsciously reflected in the way we view our weekly contributions.  Sometimes at the time of the offering the one presiding will stress the importance of meeting our basic expenses – paying the utilities, paving the parking lot, etc.  Of course, these things are necessary and it is important that we be made aware of our material needs.  However, we must remember that this is not the primary function of our stewardship.  The early disciples didn’t have houses of worship.  Their gifts were primarily used to minister to the needs of fellow Christians and to support the spread of the gospel.  Our comments about giving should stress the spiritual purpose of our offerings rather than the material aspects for which part of the contribution is used.  We must do more than keep house for the Lord!

                                                                                                           __Monroe Hawley

Calendar of Events

October 16 – Annual W.C.Y.C. meeting, Fallhall Glen, 10:00 a.m.

October 17 – Congregational meeting following morning worship

October 22-23 – Family Encampment, Camp Y-Koda, Sheboygan

October 23 – Annual fall Give-Away at Southside

October 24 – Ladies’ planning luncheon, 12:30 p.m.

November 13 – Senior dinner sponsored by our youth, 12:00 noon

November 14 – Elders/deacons meeting, 4:30 p.m.

November 14 – Praise and Palate, 6:00 p.m.

November 16 – Christian Workers’ Meeting, 9:15 a.m.

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