Southside Oracle Archive

Vol. 49, No. 47          SOUTHSIDE ORACLE          January 26, 2007

The Bulletin Board

            Our Bible Bowl sponsored by the tweens last Sunday evening was an enthusiastic and great success. Five teams competed as Troy Jensen gave the questions on the life of Elijah. Attendance was somewhat smaller than it might have been because of teens and adults attending the Sunday Night Live youth program at Northtown.

            The Sick - Ethan Ondrejka, son of Matt and Jessica, was taken to Children's Hospital over the weekend because of the flu and dehydration .... Ann Tevik is currently in rehabilitation following her hip replacement surgery at Elmbrook Hospital .... Gary Byrne, former Southside elder now living in Kansas, is expected to go home this week following his recent brain surgery.

            Sunday Speakers - Daryl Miller will preach for us Sunday morning and Troy Jensen will bring the evening lesson.

            Trustee Selection - Our state laws require that we choose trustees for business purposes. Current trustees who have a year to serve are Brad Stanger, Danny Giombi, and Kevin Parker. The two-year terms of two trustees expire and at a brief congregational meeting at 6:00 p.m. Sunday we will choose two trustees to fill the expired terms of John Dickson and Tom Brockdorf.

ATTENDANCE RECORD

(*) first service, 120: second service, 66

            Our small attendance Sunday morning reflects the absence of families who could not attend because of the snowfall at the time of worship. We have a large number of families that live twenty-five or more miles from our church building.

            As on every fifth Wednesday, all our midweek study groups will meet jointly at 7:00 o'clock this Wednesday at the church building instead of at their usual locations.

            College Gift Boxes - We send gift boxes to our college students who are away from home. This month's recipients will be Tim Williams and Bethany Stanger, both students at York College. To contribute see the list of items on the table in the foyer and choose something and leave in the boxes provided. Suzanne Roberts is heading up this program.

            Men! Mark your calendar for the men's breakfast at 9:00 a.m., February 24th.

Calendar of Events

January 31 - Combined Midweek study groups, 7:00 p.m.

January 26 - 29 - Spirit Fest Youth Rally, Duluth, MN

January 28 - Trustee selection, 6:00 p.m. preceding worship

January 31 - Joint worship of all study groups, church building, 7:00 p.m.

February 11 - Praise and Palate, 6:00 p.m.

February 17 - Wisconsin Christian Youth Camp dinner/auction, 6:00 p.m.

February 20 - Christian Workers' Meeting, 9:00 a.m.

February 24 - Area-wide men's breakfast, Southside, 9:00 a.m.

March 16, 17 - Southside youth rally

March 31- Hearts and Minds Seminar, 9:30 - 3:00 p.m.

"I Have Finished the Race"

            "I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith " 2 Timothy 4:7.

            Paul was sitting in his prison cell as he wrote these words. Soon he would die as a martyr for his Lord. He reflected on his spiritual condition, exulting that he was triumphantly finishing the race.

            "I have finished the race!" Can I say this when I reach the end? Many new converts to Jesus begin their Christian race with a burst of enthusiasm and dedication. They work hard in the cause of Christ, almost feverishly. They have found a new way of life and joyously seek to share their discovery with others. They also perceive in others what they believe is a lack of similar commitment. They feel, sometimes correctly, that those older in the faith should be more dedicated.

            However, after their initial burst of enthusiasm they begin to encounter personal problems in their Christian race. They get depressed and slack off in their interest. Others must encourage them to keep running.

            There are other Christians who run in fits and jerks. One day they are all out for the Lord, working and expecting others to share their enthusiasm. A few days later they hit an emotional low and perform their service for Christ sluggishly and reluctantly. When they are up they expect others to keep up with them, but when they are down they must be prodded and pampered.

            The garland of victory is not given to the one who starts with the greatest burst of enthusiasm nor to the one who for a short time works hardest and runs fastest, but to the one who finishes. As in any distance race we must pace ourselves. One can no more run the Christian race all out all of the time than he can run the mile with the speed of the sprinter in the hundred yard dash. Sometimes we will tire and often we will hurt, but what really counts is staying in there - all the time.

            Truly, "let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith" (Hebrews 12:1).

Monroe Hawley

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