Southside Oracle Archive

Vol. 49, No. 33                       SOUTHSIDE ORACLE          October 20, 2006

The Bulletin Board

Family Bible Day is this Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. It is designed for the entire family, not just the children so we encourage everyone to attend. Bring your friends. The theme is "What Trouble Are Giants" and you will find out what it is all about if you come. For more information contact Danny Giombi who is directing it.

Our Congregational Give-Away last Saturday was again a great success. Several hundred people from the community shared in the thousands of items that were donated by our members and others. There is no way we can determine the good that was accomplished. Our thanks to all who contributed to the give-away in goods and for the large number who spent many hours in preparation and at the time of the give-away itself.

A memorial service for Vic Kurmis who died two weeks ago will be held at the church building this Sunday at 5:00 p.m. Because our brother in Christ died at home and without any living relatives in this country, it appears that it will be several weeks before burial is possible so the memorial service will be Sunday.

Our next elders' forum will be Sunday, October 29th at 6:00 p.m. At that time the elders will answer written biblical questions that have been submitted in writing. If you have a question you would like them to deal with, put it in the box on the table in the foyer. There are forms there available.

ATTENDANCE RECORD

The annual meeting of the Wisconsin Christian Youth Camp will be at 10:00 a.m. this Saturday, October 21st, at Fallhall Glen. Four board members will be chosen at that time.

Address Correction - Gene and Nathalie Campbell, Contact us for details.

Talent Sheets - The elders would like all of our members to fill out a talent sheet so we can better use our abilities in the Lord's service. Pick up a talent sheet in the church office if you have not already filled one out. Those who are in charge of various areas of our work should ask Laurie Giombi, church secretary, for a list of those who have indicated their willingness to serve in a given capacity.

The Sick - Elfriede Wandsnider will undergo a heart procedure this Thursday at St. Luke's Hospital. Whether she will stay overnight will be determined at that time.

Calendar of Events

October 21 - Family Bible day, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

October 21 - Annual Wisconsin Christian Youth Camp meeting, 10:00 a.m.,

Fallhall Glen, Black River Falls

October 29 - Elders' Forum, 6:00 p.m.

November 10, 11 - Elders/ ministers retreat, Port Washington

November 12 - Elders/deacons meeting, 4:30 p.m.

November 12 - Praise and Palate, 6:00 p.m.

November 15 - Christian Workers' Meeting, 9:00 a.m.

November 18 - Senior Dinner sponsored by youth group, noon

Knocked Down, but Not Out

"We may be knocked down, but we are never counted out!" So reads J. B. Phillips' graphic translation of Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 4:9.

Faith and optimism are the hallmarks of the Christian's attitude. Yet there are times of temporary discouragement for everyone one of us. Paul was sometimes knocked down, but he was never counted out!

In verses 8 and 9 he also said that "we are handicapped on all sides, but we are never frustrated, we are puzzled, but never in despair. We are persecuted, but we never had to stand alone..."

Paul tells us about one time that he was so distressed that he couldn't make the best of an opportunity to preach. J. B. Phillips translates Paul's words, "Well, when I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, although there was an obvious God-given opportunity, I must confess I was on edge the whole time because there was no sign of brother Titus. So I said good-bye and went from there to Macedonia" (2nd Corinthians 2:12,13).

But though he was discouraged, he didn't really give up, for his next words are these: "Thanks be to God who leads us, wherever we are, on Christ's triumphant way and makes our knowledge of him spread throughout the world like a lovely perfume."

Why have we called attention to these words of the apostle? First of all, because we all sometimes get discouraged. When we do, it helps to know that great men of faith have also "felt low." And the second reason is to remind us that though we are knocked down, we have not been knocked out. We haven't really been defeated, but reminded that we must look to God and not to self for strength for battle.                                                          Edwin Broadus

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