Southside Oracle Archive

Vol. 49, No. 27                          SOUTHSIDE ORACLE                    September 1, 2006

The Bulletin Board

Baptized - Mitchel Orlovsky was baptized at Fallhall Glen on August 21st by his father, Mark. We rejoice with Mitchel in his decision and ask God's blessing on him.

Our Condolences to the Wagner family in the death of Rick's father, Richard, who died August 22nd. The funeral was last Saturday.

Windells Leaving - On September 10th Rodney and Colleen Windell will take their leave and move to Abilene, TX. They have been an integral part of Southside since moving here seven years ago. Rodney has served as an elder for six years and they have hosted a midweek study group in their home for several years. In their honor we will have a going-away potluck after the second service on September 1&. We urge everyone to attend if possible.

Class promotion and new adult Sunday morning classes will be next Sunday, September 10th. Two new adult classes will be offered. Wayne Alexander- will teach a class on Philippians and Colossians while Bobby Valentine will direct a study of "New Beginnings," designed especially for new converts to Christ.

Ladies' Retreat - "Recognizing the Enemy" is the theme of our Ladies' Retreat September 8 & 9 at the Sienna Center in Racine: Becki Kidd will be the speaker.

New Class – “Please mark your calendars and plan to join us for a once a month evening ladies' class. We will begin, Tuesday, September 19th at 7:00 p.m. at the church building. We will explore "Soul Matters for Women." Pass the word along to any who may be interested. Any questions contact Jan Alexander." Jan.

ATTENDANCE RECORD

(*) first service, 160; second service, 91

Address Changes - Daryl and Nina Miller and Latanja Mudd. Contact us for details.

The Labor Day Encampment at Fallhall Glen is this weekend. Wayne Alexander is directing the session.

The United Ladies' Day Seminar will be hosted by the ladies of the Hampton Avenue Church will be at Hampton Avenue at 8:30 a.m. on September 16th. The theme will be "Bloom Where You Are Planted," For more information see Elizabeth Dickson or Nina Miller.

Fallhall Days at the Wisconsin Christian Youth Camp is a youth rally sponsored by York College. It will be September 22 & 23. See the youth bulletin board.

The 43^rd annual Midwest Preachers' Retreat will be at Fallhall Glen September 25 - 27. Prentice Meador of Dallas, TX will be the featured speaker. Though the retreat is designed especially far preachers, it is open to church leaders or anyone else. About 100 regularly attend. Contact Monroe Hawley for a brochure:

Calendar of Events

September 1- 4 -Labor Day Encampment, Fallhall Glen

September 8, 9 - Ladies' Retreat, Sienna Center, Racine -

September 10 - Going -Away potluck for Windells, after second service

September 10 - Elders/deacons meeting, 4:30 p.m.

September 10 - Praise and Palate, 6:00 p.m.

September 16 - United Ladies' Day, Hampton Avenue Church, 8:30 a.m.

September 22, 23 - York College Fallhall Days, Fallhall Glen

September 25-27 - 43rd Annual Midwest Preachers' Retreat, Fallhall Glen

October 14 - Annual Southside Give-Away, 9:00 a.m.

October 21 - Family Bible day

October 21- Annual Wisconsin Christian Youth Camp meeting

Converted At Gunpoint

It was August 14^th. Two Fox News journalists are abducted by four masked gunmen on the streets of Gaza City; After being held incommunicado for several days, the journalists appear on television reading an anti-Western speech and declaring that they have converted to Islam. They are then released by their captors.

The kidnapping poses several interesting ethical questions. Should the men have converted to Islam at gunpoint? Will they then continue to embrace their new religion? (I doubt it?) What would we have done were we in their shoes?

I'll leave these questions for another day. The point I would like to make is that we who choose to follow Jesus do not do so at the point of a gun. The true disciples of Christ voluntarily choose to walk in his footsteps. Jesus even warns would-be followers to count the cast before embracing his way of life. "If any man would come after me; let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me" (Matthew 16:24). Should one of his disciples walk away from his faith, that is his choice. No physical force will be exerted to keep him true to Jesus. You see, as Christians we are not motivated by threats or compulsion but by the love of God that draws us into His service. The kingdom of God is made up of volunteers who want to serve Him. __Monroe E. Hawley

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