Southside Oracle Archive

Vol. 49, No. .8                         SOUTHSIDE ORACLE                      April 21 , 2006

The Bulletin Board

New Adult Classes on Sunday mornings will begin May 7th. They will continue for the next four months. The classes will be "Seeing the Unseen - The Holy Spirit," co-taught by Rodney Windell and Wayne Alexander; "Bible Biographies - A study of Bible Characters," Bruce Williams, teacher; and "The Book of Judges," Monroe Hawley, teacher.

Men's Retreat - The annual Southside men's retreat will be this Friday and Saturday at Camp Matawa near Campbellsport.

Some of our youth are attending the camp youth rally at Fallhall Glen this weekend. It is being conducted by the young people from the Northtown Church.

The Mother-Daughter Banquet will be Friday, May 12th. It is important that those planning to attend sign up on the sheet on the bulletin board by April 3&. All girls and women are invited.

ATTENDANCE RECORD

(*)first service, 153; second service, 125

Mark your calendar for the grounds clean-up day April 29th and plan to help if you can. See John Dickson for information.

A bound volume of the Southside Oracle for the last four years is now in the library and available for your use. The bulletin has been published weekly for the last 48 years since the congregation was established and all of the issues are in bound form in the library.

The Restoration Movement of which Southside is an heir began as a unity effort 200 years ago. However, there have since been divisions among the autonomous congregations in that heritage. Because of the current focus on unity, the fifth Sunday elders' forum at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 30 will be on that topic. All interested are encouraged to attend.

Calendar of Events

April 21, 22 - Southside Men's Retreat, Camp Matawa

April 21 - 23 - WCYC Youth Rally, Fallhall Glen

April 29 - Grounds clean-up day, church building

April 30 - Fifth Sunday elders' forum, 6:00 p.m.

May 12 - Southside Mother/Daughter Banquet, 6:30 p.m.

May 16 - Christian Workers' Meeting, 9:00 a.m.

May 16 - Tuesday Nights Together, 6:15 p.m.

May 21 - Elders/deacons meeting, 4:30 p.m. May 21 - Praise and Palate, 6:00 p.m.

May 26 - 29 - Memorial Day Southside retreat, Fallhall Glen

June 18 - July 1 - Junior session, Wisconsin Christian Youth Camp, Fallhall Glen

July 2 - 15 - Middle session, Wisconsin Christian Youth Camp, Fallhall Glen

July 12 - 19 - Mission trip to Dominican Republic

July 16 - 29 - Intermediate session, Wisconsin Christian Youth Camp, Fallhall Glen

July 30 - August 12 - Senior session, Wisconsin Christ. Youth Camp, Fallhall Glen

Inherited Religion

Where do we get our religion? Most of us inherit it. If one's faith were a matter of small importance, that wouldn't be too significant. However, religion deals with the soul, not the body, and it is vital that we choose well.

Inherited religion is not necessarily wrong, but it can be. Jesus said, "You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." But how can one ascertain the truth without investigation? Only when one's faith is subjected to the light of God's Word can it be determined that any religion, inherited or otherwise, is true.

Most of us believe that there is a God. My parents taught me that God exists and your parents probably taught you the same. But do we know WHY? Are we not believing a lie if in fact there is no God? Now, I believe that there is a God. I also believe that there are compelling reasons for that faith. My understanding is based on conviction rather than inheritance, even though my faith in God was originally inherited.

Too many choose a church on the basis of externals - the appearance of the church building, the beauty of worship, the social activities connected with it. While there may be merits in some of these things, truth will never be found in this way. Jesus said to the Father, "Thy word is truth." Only in God's word can we discover the certain guidance that leads to life eternal.

Dear reader, search the Scriptures to find the truth and make it your own. Do not accept any faith that cannot be sustained by God's word. Inherited religion can be wrong!

__Monroe Hawley

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