Southside Oracle Archive

Vol. 50, No.31                            SOUTHSIDE ORACLE                      October 19, 2007

The Bulletin Board

Identified - We welcome into our fellowship two families who have recently moved to our area and wish to be a part of Southside. They are: Chris and Martha West and Gary and Christel Petty. Contact us for details.

The new baby girl born to Jim and Natasha Morrow is doing reasonably well considering that she weighed two pounds, eight ounces at birth. Her name is Anastassia Abigael.

ATTENDANCE RECORD

(*) first service, 144; second service, 92

*The annual meeting of the Wisconsin Christian Youth Camp will this Saturday at 10:00 a.m. at the Mandrake Road Church in Madison.

 * Diane Santana is scheduled for back surgery next Monday.

Calendar of Events

October 20 - Annual meeting, Wisconsin Christian Youth Camp, Mandrake Road Church, Madison

October 29 - Family Bible Day

November 2, 3 - Ministers, elders' retreat at Port Washington

November 4 - Congregational meeting after single worship and lunch, 1:00 p.m.

November 11 - Praise and Plate, 6:00 p.m.

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

Reflections On the Give-Away

Our 26th annual Give-Away is now history. Last Saturday hundreds of people were blessed by thousands of items that were given to anyone who came. Everything was free.  I'd like to share some personal observations.

First, the multitude of things that covered the fellowship room reflects the affluence of our society. By past standards or those of much of the world today, Americans are rich. Do we appreciate our blessings?

The Give-Away would have been impossible without the generosity of the donors. While some may have given just to get rid of things, most did so because of their desire to help others.

The Give-Away helped to address the needs of the under-privileged.  Though the program is not designed simply as a ministry to the poor, many who came have few material goods. In his ministry Jesus reached out to human needs. We must do likewise.

The appreciation of the recipients was clear, especially to some like the family that had been burned out and were given mattresses. Christians do not serve to be praised, but when those who are helped respond in appreciation, it makes all the effort worthwhile.

The fellowship enjoyed by the workers who gave their time in sorting clothes before the Give-Away and in assisting in various ways on Saturday draws us closer together.

Finally, the greatest blessing received was to those who gave of their time and effort. Jesus said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Acts 20:35. It is blessings tike this that make the Christian life worth living.  

Monroe Hawley

Bought to be Freed

"We find freedom when we find God. We lose it when we lose Him."

A young mulatto girl was being sold at an auction one day. She was a beautiful girl, tall and slender. The bidding was keen, and quickly mounted higher and higher until at last only two men were left bidding for her ownership: the one a low, uncouth fellow who swearingly raised his bid every time to outbid the other, a quiet man of refinement. Finally, the bidding stopped, and to the gentleman who had bid so very earnestly were given the papers which made him the lawful owner of the young girl. With a shove the auctioneer presented her to her new master. Proudly, defiantly, she stood before him, hating him with every part of her being.

Suddenly, a change came over her face: first, there was a look of pure amazement closely followed by one of utter incredulity. Her owner was ripping up the papers of ownership, and with a smile of kindness, said to the trembling girl, "My dear, you are free. I bought you that I might set you free."

Too stunned for speech, the girl merely stared till finally, with a cry of happiness too deep for words, she cast herself at the man's feet, and through her eyes exclaimed, "Oh, master, I'll love you and serve for life!"

What the papers of ownership could not do, the man's kindness had won completely.

The Lord Jesus has loved you and paid such a price that He might buy you from the slavery of Satan and free you. Will you not tell Him, "Master, I'll love thee and serve thee for life"?

Maplewood Messenger

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