Southside Oracle Archive

Vol. 48, No 37                                SOUTHSIDE ORACLE                    December 2., 2005

The Bulletin Board

Congregational Meeting - December 11th is the date of our next congregational meeting. Far that Sunday only our schedule will be changed. Bible classes will begin at 9:30 a.m. We will have a single morning worship service at 11:00 O'clock. There will be a sandwich lunch after worship followed by the congregational meeting from 1:00 p.m. to about 2:30 p.m. There will be no Sunday evening service that day.

Trustee Selection - At the time of the congregational meeting as required by law we will choose four trustees - three to serve for two years, and one to serve one year as a replacement for Kim Christian who has moved away. Outgoing trustees are Kevin Parker, Tom Brockdorf, and Brad Stanger who are eligible to serve another term. John Dickson will continue to serve for one more year.

Calling All Men! For three Sundays during the Bible class hour we will have a special class on participation in leading the congregation in public worship. It will be in the fellowship hall starting this Sunday. The topics will deal with how to engage in leading prayer, reading the Scriptures, and offering the Lord's supper. Though it may require leaving another class on those dates, the elders strongly encourage all Southside men (young and old) to attend these classes.

Wedding Bells - Congratulations to Allen Saunders and Amanda Griffin who will be married in Rochester this Saturday at 4:00 p.m.

ATTENDANCE RECORD

(*) first service, 138; second service, 95

Address Changes - Joe Roerkohl & Glenn & Leanna Hawley. Contact us for details.

Sunday, December 11th, is picture taking day for those not on the picture board. Come prepared to have Cliff Copass snap your picture.

        The next Christian Workers' Meeting will be Tuesday, December 20th.

The Sick - Ann Shilts, mother of Bob Shilts, Tim Shilts, and Caralyn Buettner, has been hospitalized in Chippewa Falls while their father, Robert, is now staying with the Buettners.... Richard Buettner's mother, Anna Buettner, is now in Mt. Carmel Nursing Home.

Sarcasm Can Be Sin!

No, I didn't say that sarcasm is Sin; but it CAN be. Perhaps this is why it is used so^, little in the Bible. In fact, I can think of only one instance in which a man of God used sarcasm. That was an Mt. Carmel when Elijah taunted the 450 prophets of Baal for not persuading their gad to consume their sacrifice (1 Kings 18). He used sarcasm against the false prophets to prove to the people that there is but one God.

Sarcasm is defined as "a keen or bitter taunt; a cutting gibe or rebuke." As a verbal weapon it can scarcely be surpassed, but because it is a weapon it can be harmful if used at the wrong time or against the wrong person. Its derivation is from a Greek word meaning "to tear flesh like dogs." The word implies the idea of verbal violence.

Why can sarcasm be wrong? First, it is bitter. "Let all bitterness ...be put away from you, with all malice" (Ephesians 4:31). While caustic language can be directed against sin, the usual object of our bitter speech is not sin, but people - people whom we should seek to help.

Sarcasm is also hurtful. Elijah intended his sarcasm to hurt sin; usually it hurts people. Jesus teaches; `Be wise as serpents and harmless as doves" (Matthew 10:16). When we use sarcasm we do not intend to be humorous though we may sugarcoat it with a half smile. We intend to cut to the core. This is the opposite of Paul's declaration, "The entire law is summed up in a single command: Lave your neighbor as yourself. If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other" (Galatians 5:14,15).

Sarcasm is often directed against those we love most. The man who would not use it in business may not hesitate to direct it against his own family. The Christian who would not think of using profanity may not hesitate to use sarcasm to hurt one of his own. Is good ever accomplished by hurting family members or brethren in Christ? Certainly, damage, often permanent, can result.

Before you use that bitter taunt that proves your point, stop! Ask yourself if any good will result. Will it help - or hurt? Let our speech always be seasoned with salt - not gall.

___Monroe E. Hawley

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