wBible-Based wChrist-centered

wPeople-oriented wHeart-filled

wSent out

       

When All of Life Becomes Prayer As we embark upon a new year together, I wonder what sort of resolutions have been made among us? I wonder what sort of changes those of us who call the West Erwin Church of Christ our “home” have in mind to make in the year 2013? The beginning of a new year grants us an opportunity to reflect. An opportunity to consider the previous year. Who we are. Where we are at in life. What we are doing well. And what areas of life we are failing in. Not everyone takes advantage of this fresh start. To many January 1st is no different from December 31st. Certainly we have the opportunity to make changes every day. Every moment. But sometimes, taking advantage of an opportunity to draw a line in the sand and say, “From this point forward things are going to be different” proves monumental. So here’s my question: What if we became known as a people of prayer? What if prayer was definitive rather than supportive? What if a life of prayer characterized you and me? It seems to me that the Apostle Paul leads us to a reality of all of life encompassed within prayer (1 Thess 5:17). To a point in time when all of life becomes prayer. When prayer and connectedness to God becomes such a natural assimilation of who we are that we become a people of prayer. Could we integrate a commitment to prayer and to being a people of prayer into our thoughts and actions this new year as a church? Would you commit with me to praying bold prayers? Prayers from the heart. Prayers of reliance and praise and submission. Could we dedicate intentional effort to being men and women, individuals and families, who live lives characterized by prayer? Because only when all of life becomes prayer will we begin to see the Kingdom break in all around us in epic, radical, profound ways. Glory to God! Jason

REEVES’ RHETORIC

Youth with heart...By Danny & Eric

1

BIBLE QUIZ Our next quiz will be Jan. 28 over Matt. 15-21. Study

sheets are available. We will have a study session on Sunday Jan. 13.

COMBINED DEVOTIONAL All middle school and high school students are invited to

the devo this coming Sunday night in the FLC for our first devo with Eric. Please bring $3 for supper and wear tennis shoes. We will be finished by 8:30.

IMPORTANT DATES Jan. 6 Combined Devotional Jan. 18-20 Winterfest Jan. 28West Erwin Hosts Karing Kitchen Jan. 28 Bible Quiz Mar. 29-31 LTC

2

TRANSITION… As we begin this new year, I am reminded of the incredible

journey we have taken together and we look forward to what God has in store for us on our new journey together with the West Erwin Family. As we begin this time of transition, please keep us & our new ministry area in your prayers. We need your help not only for your prayers but also for your interest and abilities in ministering together.

How you might ask? When Moses was asked to lead God’s people he responded with an excuse about why he couldn’t… God simply said… not good enough. God has called us to be about doing the work of His Kingdom. He has called you. Maybe its time to get out of your comfort zone and get busy serving the Lord in many of the ministries West Erwin has to offer. We never have too many teachers. We never have so many volunteers that we turn people away. It’s time… time to say lets get this thing going. God only wants the ordinary… you and me. Would you consider? Pray for how God might use you… and then just do it! God will bless you and this church.

1

Sobreviviendo a la lucha diaria.

Todos los que hemos recibido el amor de Dios en nuestra vida y que ahora vivimos para Él debemos estar conscientes que nos encontramos en una lucha diaria. Todos los días libramos una batalla en nuestra vida, entre querer agradar a Dios y querer satisfacer nuestros instintos pecaminosos sean estos de cualquier tipo… La Biblia dice: (1 Pedro 5:8).No importa lo fuerte que creas que eres, ni la enorme capacidad que creas tener para poder resistir al enemigo, no se trata de ti, ni de lo bueno que seas para esto o aquello, se trata de que al igual que todos los humanos eres de carne hueso y con una naturaleza que te lleva fácilmente a pecar. Por esa razón el Apóstol Pedro nos recomienda: “¡Estén alerta!”, eso nos debería llevar a pensar que en cualquier momento el enemigo puede lanzar sobre nuestra vida uno de sus ataques para hacernos caer… Por esa razón también la Biblia nos dice: (1 Corintios 10:12). No se trata de creerse muy fuerte ante el pecado y por esa razón ir en busca de él, en la Biblia leemos que Dios nos motiva a huir del pecado, a alejarnos de él y no a buscarlo:

2

(2   Timoteo   2:22).   Quizá   los   últimos   días   has   andado  detrás   del   pecado,   te   has   creído   lo   suficientemente  fuerte   y   has   estado   en   lugares   que   tú  muy  bien   sabes  que  no  deberías  estar…  Quizá  has  estado  jugando  poco  a  poco  con   fuego  sin  quemarte  y  eso  te  ha  hecho  creer  que  el  pecado  no  puede  en  contra  de  ti,  sin  embargo  sin  que  te  des  cuenta  poco  a  poco  estas  siendo  arrastrado  al  campo   de   batalla   del   enemigo   en   donde   te   querrá  rodear  y  cuando  lance  su  ataque  final  te  querrá  herir  de  muerte…   No   permitas   que   el   enemigo   te   engañe  haciéndote   creer  muy   fuerte,   tú   al   igual   que   yo   somos  vulnerables,   tenemos  una  tendencia  a  pecar  y  por  muy  fuertes   que   creamos   que   somos,   podemos   caer   en  cualquier  momento.  (Santiago  4:7).  Humillarse  delante  de  Dios   tiene  que   ver   con   reconocer   nuestra   debilidad  al   pecado   y   nuestra   dependencia   total   de   Dios…  ¿Quieres  realmente  ser  fuerte  ante  el  pecado?,  entonces  humillemos  delante  de  Dios,  obedezcamos  su  Palabra  y  si  su  palabra  nos  motiva  a  huir  de  todo  aquello  que  nos  incita  a  pecar.  ¡Dios  te  bendiga!  Nos  vemos  el  domingo  si  Dios  lo  permite.

Escritos de Israel

1

HAVE A STEADFAST NEW YEAR

It is time to start another new year. I pray that we will have a blessed 2013 and that we grow spiritually in our walk with God. I wish you the best with any resolutions you might want to make for yourself. I think it is good practice to identify areas that need improving and sincerely get to work on them. For myself, I just want to be more steadfast in my walk. I want to get to the end of the year and look back, and feel that I did a good job in serving His kingdom. Steadfast is good. Steadfast is what is pleasing to God. Micah says that God delights in steadfast love (Mi.7:18). Barnabas encouraged the church at Antioch to “remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose” (Acts 11:23). Paul encouraged

2

the church at Corinth to be “steadfast and immovable” so that they could attain their resurrection and victory with Jesus (1 Cor.15:58). Paul told the church at Colossae to be “stable and steadfast” so that they would not shift from the hope they had received through the gospel (Col.1:23). The Hebrew writer says that God’s promises will serve us as a “steadfast anchor of the soul” (Heb.6:19). James tells us that those that remain “steadfast under trial” will receive the crown of life (James 1:12). Steadfast is good. Steadfast is the way we should love. Steadfast strengthens our purpose in life. Steadfast helps us face the realities of life, and steadfast will fuel our hope for Jesus’ return. Steadfast is what will get us trough the trials in life. I do want to wish you a “Happy New Year”, but I also pray that you have a “Steadfast New Year”. When we live for Jesus, we can have both.

Save the Date! The North Tenneha Church of Christ asks you to save the date for February 9 & 10 for a Marriage Conference on effective communication. They will send more information at a later date.

Marriage Seminar The LaPoynor Church of Christ will be hosting a “Stronger Marriage” seminar on January 18 & 19. The cost is $20 per couple or $10 per individual. Please register by January 10 by calling 903-876-4334 or emailing lapoynorcoc@gmail.com. See the flyer at the Information Center in the foyer.

Friends & Family Day at North Tenneha North Tenneha Church of Christ invites you to Friends & Family Day on Sunday, January 20. Bible class starts at 9:00 a.m. and morning worship begins at 10:15 a.m. Lunch will be provided at 12:30 p.m.

Baptism Mason Starkey, son of Patrick & Belinda Starkey, was baptized a couple weeks ago. Mason is in the 8th grade and his address is 1822 Old Oak Dr., Tyler TX 75703. We welcome you to the West Erwin family, Mason, and are so proud of you!

Welcome, New Members! Jason & Mandy Sherrod & Katie(6 years)

239 Hillside Circle, Lindale, TX 75771

Philip & Ellen Matthews 5801 Sheffield, Tyler, TX 75703

ellmatt56@gmail.com | 903-574-0831

Yolanda Yanez was baptized last week. She & her husband Pablo have 4 children: Deisy(4th grade) Ana(3rd grade), Carlos (2nd grade) & Nayely(3 year). Their address is 916 Trezevant, Tyler, TX 75702.

Bible Class Handouts Our winter quarter Bible class handouts are now available at the Information Center in the Main Foyer. Please pick one up and find a Bible class for you and your family. Bible classes are a great place to learn more from the Bible as well as connect with each other. Contact the church office for more information about our Bible classes!

Lost & Found Please go by the Lost & Found cabinet located next to the cry room in the foyer. There are several unclaimed items there.

Wednesday Night Meals Wednesday night meals are served at the Family Life Center at 5:30 p.m. and the cost is $5 for adults, $3 for children. Please indicate on your attendance card on Sundays if you plan to join us. The meal for January 9 is Bruno’s (Italian).

Ladies  are  invited  to  a  wedding  shower  honoring  

Mallori  (Philpot)  Kissinger  Sunday,  January  13  

3:00-­‐4:30  p.m.  

West  Erwin  Family  Life  Center  

Selections  at  Bed  Bath  &  Beyond  &  JCPenney    

Ladies are invited to a bridal shower honoring

Paige Lemons Sunday, January 20

West Erwin Family Life Center 3:00-4:30 p.m.

Selections at Dillard’s & Target

 January  3,  2013                From  The  Heart  of  Tyler                Vol.  44–  No.  1  Records Sun.-Dec. 30 Sun.- Dec. 23 Year Ago Bible Class 429 374 NC Worship a.m. 605 697 634 Worship p.m. 291 NC 350 Wed. p.m. NC NC 231 Contribution $24,723.07 $42,033.37 $35,669.54 Weekly Budget $28,597.00

 

SERVING SUNDAY Call to Worship Danny Snell Prayer James Hardin Scripture Alan Fisher Dismiss Phil Marts Presiding At The Lord’s Table Jim Armstrong

SERVING COMMUNION Dick Higginbotham Jeff Horton Roger Howell Jasper Huff James Hughes Greg Jones J Jones Kyler Whatley

EVENING ASSEMBLY Prayer Jim Boyd Scripture Jeff Horton Dismiss Jim Carty

GREETERS Todd & Kenna Kempton Carroll & Cherrie Magee

Pete & Alisa Leung Info Center: Stan & Ernestine Mallory

Odie & Dolores Kennedy PICK UP CARDS for 1/6

Caleb Heath, John Park, Corey Prestidge, Wesley Smith, Luke Wallace

SOUND BOOTH for 1/6-1/13 Alex Mullins/ Mark Frick

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY for 1/6: Nursery a.m.: Kim Frick |Toddlers a.m.: Kayla Gallegly

Nursery p.m.: Mary June Goodson | Toddlers p.m.: Sharon Gordon

Minibus driver for Sunday & Wednesday: Don Ingram, ph. 903.253.4600. Please call if you need transportation.

PRAYER & CARE: Hospitalized Mother Frances Hospital: Doris Neal, rm. 5525, leg infection | Roberta Tindall, room 573, flu. No visitors at this time. |Health South: Ronnie Brown, son-in-law of the Melvin Crows | Park Place: Joe McBee, Room 113 | Providence Park: James Phillips, Room 501 | Mary McFadden, Room 220 | Atria: Norene Ingram, rm 156

Updates Dub Fielden’s, brother-in-law of Phil Marts, heart surgery was postponed. | Tim Holt is now home after surgery. | Curt Jordan had hand surgery 12/31. | Thelma Nolley is now home. | Sondra Ramsour had knee surgery. |Cathy Stowers will have thyroid surgery 1/17. | Sylvia Tharpe will have eye surgery in February. | Kathie Thompson is now home after surgery. | Pat Wilson, sister of Phil Marts, will begin chemo in January.

West Erwin Family Ernest Bradley | Linda Boudreau | Ruby Cliver | Dan & Wini Cullinan | Louise Culpepper | Sean Denman | Bettye Sue Harris | Clay Kirby | Velma Lemons | Tommy Lowrance | Penny & Wade McDonald | Evelyn Messer | Aubrey Morman | Frances Phillips | Sue Ramsour | Brice Sustaire | Arlene Thomas | Sylvia Tharpe | Millie Tomlin | Marcus Turner | Nella Ware | Betty Willis | Tony Wingate | Ongoing concerns: Darrell & Nell Beard | Delle Bullard | Kalli Huff | Opal Mathews | Bill McCain | Samuel Mink | Maxine Ray | George Richardson | Ira & Esther Wilson | Dorothy Woods

Family & Friends John Cliver, son of Ruby, esophageal cancer | Sara Laminack, daughter of the Daniel Morgans | Jim & Helen Boyd’s daughter, in Michigan | Sharon Rhodes, aunt of Ron Lott, tumors on her brain