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Vol. 47,
No.40 SOUTHSIDE ORACLE December
17, 2004
The Bulletin Board
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ESTHER CHRISTENSEN
Esther Christensen, a member of Southside since her baptism in July, 1999,
died in her sleep Wednesday morning of last week at the age of 88. She had
been confined to her home with her infirmities for the last year and a
half. She had been hospitalized several times in recent months. Esther
lived with her daughter, Lorna Dolhun, who is also one of our members. The
funeral was Monday at the Southside building with Monroe Hawley speaking.
We will miss you, Esther.
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New Elder Proposed – A couple of months ago the elders asked the
congregation for nominations of men who might be added to the eldership. Of
those who received significant support to serve as an elder, one man,
Bruce Williams, has agreed to serve if it is the will of the church.
The elders solicit the opinions of our members on Bruce’s nomination to the
eldership. If you wish to give your input, please talk to one of the elders
– Wayne Alexander, Al Gray, Monroe Hawley, or Rodney Windell – by the end of
December.
The Sick – Kaiden Britton, Kent and Traci’s four month old son, has
whooping cough.
ATTENDANCE RECORD
Two
years ago Last year Last week Goal
Bible
classes 127 134
122 170
Morning worship
213 212 *230 250
Evening worship
43 72 70 80
Contribution $4062.35
$4412.87 $4864.79 $4500.00
(*) first service,
129; second service, 101
The Little Things
You
say you can’t do very much for the Lord? Then consider some of the little
things that other Christians have done that have produced great results.
Some
years ago the writer preached in a series of meetings in Omaha, NE. The
local preacher suggested that the members use the phone to invite all the
local residents with the same last name as theirs. Since one lady with an
unusual name found no one else listed in the phone book, she called all of
those with my last name. Two blind people visited and soon became
Christians.
A
Sunday school teacher in Flint, MI saw some neighbor children playing in
front of the church building. She invited them in. Soon the parents
visited, obeyed the gospel, and the father became a gospel preacher.
In
the 1950’s a lady began studying my Bible correspondence course, Studies
In the Bible, as offered by the church in her city. From that
contact ten people became Christians.
Many
years ago two Danish immigrants moved to Toronto, Canada. The wife soon
died and the husband found himself alone, without a job, and unable to speak
English. The church learned of his plight and befriended and helped him. He
became a Christian and raised ten children to become Christians. At least
two became gospel preachers, including one who baptized hundreds in India.
In
1882 a Christian couple moved to Western Michigan from Ohio. Many miles
from the closest church of their faith, they resolved to let their lights
shine. They converted their neighbors and secured a gospel preacher to
proclaim God’s word in their community. Among the converts were my
relatives. Had those two Christians not done their little bit this writer
would not be a Christian and these lines would not have been written.
__Monroe
E. Hawley
Small Group Report
– Pewaukee/Grays
The Bible study group that meets in the
home of Al and Esther Gray is currently studying the book Acts. Harold
Hruska is the facilitator for this study. As we study together the facts
found in Acts, we are alerted to show how it can impact us today. This
provides opportunity for a lot of discussion. A worksheet is provided for
each lesson and is completed during class. Students are encouraged to read
the Bible passages ahead of time. Esther teaches the young children at the
kitchen table using material from the church’s supply room. Our group
currently numbers three families after losing the McMillions, Crosses, and
Russells by moving away from our area. Our group moved to the Gray home
after Runyans moved to Ohio and currently meets at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays
during the school year, but returns to 7:00 o’clock when school is not in
session. For additional information or to secure directions, contact the
Grays. We would love to increase our
numbers. __Al Gray
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