Southside Oracle Archive

Vol. 49, No. 18                   SOUTHSIDE ORACLE                      June 30, 2006

The Bulletin Board

Wedding Bells - We congratulate Michael Shuster and Julie Frey who were married by Bobby Valentine after the end of the second worship last Sunday morning.

Camp Notes - Our junior campers are returning from the Wisconsin Christian Youth Camp this weekend. The two-week middle session begins Sunday. Campers from Southside are: Chad Mudd, Lulu Valdez, Sydney Miller, Haley Slye, Tia Bass, Ricky Bass, Hannah Shilts, Rachel Orlovsky, Zachary Giemza, Maggie Mahan, and Brandon Schraven. Those working on the staff are Nina Miller, Connie Slye, and Corrina Orlovsky. The list does not include a number of friends of some of our campers who will also be going.

Can you help? The intermediate session of the youth camp is in desperate need of additional staff, especially women counselors. The session dates are July 16-29. Jim Coehoorn is directing the session. If you can help, you can reach Jim at (262) 723-6292, or if you prefer contact Monroe Hawley at (414) 281-8667.

ATTENDANCE RECORD

(*) first service, 122; second service, 82

The Sick - Elfriede Wandsnider was hospitalized at West Allis Hospital last week, but went home Monday.

We will have a "Farewell Gathering" for Keith, Toni, and Levi Toombs during the fellowship time after the first worship on July 9th. This will be the last Sunday that the Toombs family will be with us as they are moving to Texas. Though they have been with us less than a year, they have been deeply involved with Southside during that time. We wish them God's blessings as they take their leave.

Elders' Forum - Every fifth Sunday night at 6:00 o'clock the elders address questions from the congregation. On July 3& they will explain the ministerial responsibilities shift for Daryl Miller and how we plan to address the needs of our youth without a full-time youth minister.

Calendar of Events

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

July 9 - Elders/deacons meeting, 4:30 p.m.

July 9 - Praise and Palate, 6:00 p.m.

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, Wis. Christian Youth Camp, Fallhall Glen

July 30 - Elders' Forum, 6:00 p.m.

It Cannot Be Hidden

"It is truly written: There are two things a man can not hide - that he is intoxicated and that he is in love."

I picked up that quotation somewhere and, at first, it caused me to smile. Then a deeper implication began to grow upon me. Discounting the obvious reference to a man and a maid, it is true in a more general sense that a man cannot hide that he is in love. He may be able to veil for a time his hidden animosities and hatreds, but love breaks through every barrier to betray its presence.

If we have never experienced God's love, it is because we have shunned his presence. When we draw near to the throne of grace, through Jesus Christ our Lord, the great theme of true love shines all around us. There is no selfish emotionalism, petty bickering, or littleness in the way. God loved us even when we were sinners; He loves us still; He loves us always. His great heart beckons us continually to seek his blessings. There is no hiding that love; for God is love.

Even as God's love cannot be hidden, so also the reflection on us cannot be covered, provided that we have been bathed genuinely in its rays: We will not be able to suppress the plain evidence that we love God, and that we love our neighbors also.

We protest vehemently our faith.    We are great defenders of this, that, and the other. We wring our hands and sigh. We cry out mightily to the God of love that nothing will keep us from following Him. And then the cock crows.

"Lovest thou me more than these?" If you do, then show forth to the world that fact. Nay, if such be the case, that love will show itself. It cannot be hidden.

J. H. McCaleb in What is your life?

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