Vol. 46, No. 29                         SOUTHSIDE ORACLE                       October 3, 2003

The Bulletin Board

            Congregational Meeting – There will be a congregational meeting Sunday at 1:00 p.m. following a sandwich lunch after the second worship service.  The purpose of the meeting is to inform the membership about congregational affairs, and to solicit questions and input from the members.  Plan to be with us for the meeting.

            Southside Give-Away - 9:00 a.m., Saturday, October 11, is the time for the annual Southside Give-Away. The Give-Away is a time when donated items are given to church members and anyone in the community who can use them.  Everything is free.  You can help by bringing things that are clean and in good repair.  We have a huge number of items that have already been brought, and much help is needed in sorting and preparing for the Give-Away.  There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board for those who would like to help.

            W. C. Y. C. Annual Meeting – Through our members the Southside Church plays a prominent role in the Wisconsin Christian Youth Camp.  Every year we have 35 to 40 youth and staff involved in the operation of the youth camp sessions.  One of our members, Tim Shilts, is a member of the camp board of directors.  Probably no congregation in the state has been more deeply involved in the camp than Southside.  The annual meeting of the camp will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, October 18^th, at the Mandrake Road Church in Madison.  At that time four members of the camp board will be chosen and camp reports will be made.  If you can work it into your schedule, plan to attend!    

ATTENDANCE RECORD

                                                          Last year     Two weeks ago    Last week       Goal

   Bible classes                                            100                  171                   140            170   

   Morning worship                                     201                  254                 *210            250

Evening worship                                        73                    49                     73              80

Contribution                                   $2970.45         $3608.24          $4033.34   $4200.00

                                                              (*) first service, 128; second service, 82

      Since no Oracle was published last week, we have several events that need to be reported.  The Family Bible Day on September 20^th was again very successful with about 85 in attendance.  Our thanks to all who helped.  The 40^th annual Midwest Preachers’ Retreat was held at Fallhall Glen September 22 – 24 and attended by 112 from nine states.  Six from Southside participated including Bobby Valentine who made one of the presentations.  The Ladies’ Retreat at Camp Matawa last Friday and Saturday was a success, though attendance was smaller because of conflicting events.   

      Congratulations to Steve and Lindsay Allen on the birth of baby girl Piper on September 18^th in Searcy, AR.  Dana and Debbie McMillion are the grandparents.

      Wedding Bells – Cliff Copass and Sandra White were married September 27^th in  Portage, MI.  A large number from Southside were present.  We welcome Sandy to Southside.

      Parent to Parent 2000.  We remind you of the Parent to Parent 2000 program that will be offered this fall.  See Daryl Miller or John Giemza if you are interested.  

      There is a tentative directory of those attending Southside in the hall across from the church office.  Please check it for corrections.

      Praise and Palate will be Sunday, October 12^th at 6:00 p.m.  Bring your favorite fall food.

The Good Approach

      He was selling shoe polish, and he did a good job.  This young man was a friend of mine, and we got to talking about our daily work.  He told me about his job.

      I should have said that he showed me rather than told me.  Instead of hearing a long story about the merits of the product and a great many dry details, I was given a shine – and a good one.  After that it was easy to become interested in the information that every salesman is anxious to give.  Apparently this was the approach he used when contacting the trade.  This whole procedure so impressed me that I have become a booster for the polish myself.

      When it comes to Christianity, most of us are poor salesmen.  There is a tendency to do more talking than demonstrating.  We like to sit back comfortably in our armchairs and argue; or, we take great delight in telling everyone else how he should live, and what he should do.  The formal presentation is quite necessary, and there is also a place for the clinching bit of persuasion. But first, we must gain a man’s interest; he must want to listen. A good demonstration prepares the way effectively for formal discussion.

      To demonstrate the Christian life, one must be a ready servant.  He who is greatest is one who serves the most. When we show by our actions that we take delight in  performing for our fellow men the humble tasks of love, the other fellow will be inclined to listen.  The good salesman is willing to get down upon his knees.

                                                                          __J. H. McCaleb in What  Is Your Life?

Calendar of Events

October 5 – Congregational meeting, 12:45 p.m.

October 11 – Annual Southside Give-Away, 9:00 a.m.

October 11 – Camp workday at Fallhall Glen

October 12 – Elders and deacons meeting, 4:30 p.m.

October 12 – Praise and Palate, 6:00 p.m.

October 18 - Annual W.C.Y.C. meeting, Mandrake Road Church, Madison, 10:00 a.m.

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