wBible-Based wChrist-centered

wPeople-oriented wHeart-filled

wSent out

       

I wonder how much we trust God. Do we trust Him? We engage God in worship. Our worship of Him is not relegated solely to what we are about, but rather encompasses the whole of one’s life (Romans 12:1). We commune with God in life. We dwell within His presence. We pour ourselves out to Him in prayer. We seek to honor Him and strive for fidelity to Him. But I wonder if we trust Him….

When our children are small it’s a momentous time when they take those first steps. I can remember our kids and how they would go from crawling, to standing, to finally taking those first steps. It was so neat to hold their little hands and help them to walk, but each step had to be taken on their own. At times they’d crawl over to the couch in the living room, and pull themselves up. And so there they are standing up on their own, but holding onto the couch for dear life. I’d be just a few steps away from them, down on their level, arms wide open. But the fear of taking those first steps was very real. “Come on,” I’d say. “Take just one step. Daddy will catch you.” And eventually, they’d muster up the courage to take that first step. To let go of the couch. And to trust that Daddy would catch them.

Really it came down to a matter of trust.

And so back to my original question: “Do we trust God?”

I love David’s words in Psalm 18:1-2, “I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Do you see how personal King David is in his language? (I reserve the right to preach this at a later date!) My strength. My rock. My fortress. My deliverer. My rock in whom I take refuge. My shield. The horn of my salvation. My stronghold.

Over and over David affirms all hope, all confidence, all trust is completely placed in God.

When he affirms: God you are “my fortress,” the Hebrew word for “fortress” is “masada.” There is a mountain in Israel, on the eastern edge of the Judean desert, overlooking the Dead Sea called “Masada” (Fortress). It is a powerful, beautiful, rugged piece of earth that rises over 1300 feet in the sky. David took refuge on top of Masada when he was being pursued by Saul. It was there upon Masada that he was protected and kept safe by God during a tumultuous time in his life.

And so what David conveys to us when he writes, God you are “my fortress” is this: “God when I am with you nothing can get to me.” “When I am with you I am completely protected.” “God when I am with you I am safe.”

Is that who God is to us? Can we let go of the couch and take those steps toward Him, knowing that we are indeed safe and secure when we are with Him?

Glory to God!

Jason

A Matter of Trust

“The Church With Heart”

REEVES’ RHETORIC

Crawford’s Clipboard

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KARING KITCHEN West Erwin will host the Karing Kitchen on Sept. 26.

Please continue to pray for this ministry! IMPORTANT DATES

Sept. 4 Out To Eat Sept. 11 Middle School Devo Sept. 25 Area Wide Youth Gathering Sept. 26 West Erwin - Karing Kitchen Oct. 1 “Courageous” Men’s Day Oct. 30 Fall Festival Nov. 6 Area Wide JR. High Dodgeball Nov. 18-20 Middle School ZEW Retreat Jan. 20-22 Winterfest Apr. 6-8 LTC

He  has  showed  you,  O  man,  what  is  good.  And  what  does  the  LORD  require  of  you?  

To  act  justly  and  to  love  mercy  and  to  walk  humbly  with  your  God.        Micah  6:8  

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Youth With Heart... by Danny THANKS!

Thanks to all who took part in leading our “All Church” worship this past Sunday. It was a blessing to be a part of all that! Thanks to our elders for having the vision to begin the Hispanic ministry at West Erwin.

OUT TO EAT… Middle & High School teens and their families are

invited to go out to eat with us this coming Sunday night. We plan to go to Ken’s Pizza across from the mall. We will be done by 8:00.

WEDNESDAY NIGHTS THIS FALL… Teens: Join us this September on Wednesday nights for

Bible Class! This is a great way to start the new school year! We will be having a Girls Bible Study taught by Lindsay Kelly and a Guys Bible Study taught by Mike Gravois. Stay tuned for more details.

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GROWING  IN  GRACE  by  Mike  Gravois  Sunday  A.M.  Fall  Adult  Bible  Classes  

College  |  Room  306  |  Jon  Murry  Lord,  Teach  Us  to  Pray:  Prayer  &  Discipleship  Young  Professionals  |  The  Annex    |  Eric  Mosley    Holy  Vocabulary    Couples  for  Christ  |  Room  114  Road  Trip  -­‐‑  Ray  Vannoy  Adventurers  |  The  Annex  |  Mike  Gravois  D6-­‐‑Fusion:Uncommon  Wisdom  (Job/Song  of  Solomon\Ecclesiastes)  Searchers  |  Small  Auditorium  |  Stan  Clark  Arise  &  Walk:  Selected  Miracles  of  the  Bible    Inquirers  |  Room  403  |  Don  Crawford  Acts    Discoverers    |  Room  112  |  Paul  Montandon  Revelation  Conquerors    |  Heritage  Room  |  Jim  Boyd  Holy  Spirit    

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Explorers  |  Auditorium  |  Forest  McFadden  David’s  Quest  for  Restoration  of  Life:  A  Study  of  Psalm  51    

Spanish  Class  |  The  Annex  |  Israel  Sandoval  Christian  Home  

 Wednesday  Night  Fall  Adult  Bible  Classes  

College  |  Room  306  |  Jon  Murry  A  Chronological  Open  Bible  Study  Ladies’  Class  |  403  |  Joy  Rousseau  Disciple:  The  All  or  Nothing  Relationship  with  Christ  Men’s  Class  |  112  |  Danny  Snell  The  Courageous  Living  Bible  Study  Singing  Class  |  Heritage  Room  |  Larry  Murphey  Adult  Class  |  Auditorium  |  Jason  Reeves  Conversations  in  Prayer  Spanish  Class  |  The  Annex  |  Israel  Sandoval    Gospel  of  John  

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Reminder: Sunday, Sept 11

Our nation is calling us to display an American flag on this tenth anniversary of the terrorists attempt to destroy our country. We want every home, every apartment, and every business to fly our flag as a reminder. I hope you can be part of that.

Since we have been looking at “R”

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words in the Bible, REMINDING is one of those important words. You will find it throughout the Scriptures. Jude says it this way: “Though you already know all this, I want to remind you that the Lord delivered His people out of Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not believe.”

Remember that it was GOD who delivered this nation from this attack. HE who fights for us is far greater than those who fight against us. Praise be to GOD! He still delivers His people from their enemies.

Pre-­‐K  Spots  Available  at  ETCA  ETCA has opened an additional Pre-K class and is now accepting applications for Pre-K 3 & 4. Contact 903-561-8642.

Children’s  Library  Additions  Attention teachers & parents of elementary school children! The Children’s Library has added 14 new Arch books and 5 DVDs. They are ready to be checked out now.

Welcome,  New  Members! Tres & Mandi Lowrance

Ryker (1) 3100 Brentwood Dr., Tyler, 75701 | 405-209-3393

tlowrance@gmail.com | mandi.lowrance@gmail.com We welcome you to the West Erwin family!

Thank  You  Dear West Erwin Elders & Church family, The Madison Church of Christ in Madison, Alabama, would like to thank you for your extremely generous donation to our Tornado Disaster Relief Fund. Your contribution makes it possible for us to assist those in our church family, in nearby congregations and our friends and neighbors impacted by the terrible tornados that ravished our state on April 27. We welcome you to visit us at Madison if you’re ever in the area & have the opportunity. Dear Christian friends, Thank you for the many cards, prayers and calls during my stay in the hospital and rehab at Park Place. It was a long time to be away from home, friends and brothers & sisters at West Erwin. I am much better and getting stronger every day. Thank you for every act of kindness and love., You lifted my spirits & encouraged me. In Christian love, James Phillips

Marriage  Matters  Seminar  You are invited to join Walnut Church of Christ in Texarkana for Marriage Matters, a National Marriage Conference with Dr. Jerry & Lynn Jones. It will be held September 11-14. There is no cost for this seminar and childcare will be provided free of charge if you notify the office that childcare is needed. Call 903-223-0388.

Arms  of  Hope  The Medina Campus grocery truck will be in the area October 31-November 4. They suggest donating canned fruit & canned juice (any variety).

 

West  Erwin  Playschool  Enrolling  West Erwin Playschool is gearing up for another great year! There is still space available in all classes Nursery through Pre K. Call Angie Coleman today for enrollment information! 903.312.7020.

Ladies’  Bible  Class  The Ladies’ Wednesday Morning Bible Class will begin September 14! The class meets at 10:00 a.m. in room 403 of the Office Complex. The teacher will be Fern Bench & the study will be from Philippians. Contact Fern if you need more info at fbench@suddenlink.net.

Heritage  Christian  University  Dinner  You are invited to the Dallas Area Partnership Dinner for Heritage Christian University hosted by Lewisville Church of Christ. Join in to learn more about HCU & its mission to train preachers, teachers & missionaries for work in the Lord’s kingdom. It will be held Tuesday, November 8 at 7:00 p.m. The cost is $1000 per table of eight or $125 per seat. The speaker will be Dennis Jones, HCU President. For more info, call 1-800-367-3565, ext. 204.

Ladies’  Day  in  Waco  The Lake Shore Church of Christ in Waco invites all ladies to their Ladies’ Day on Saturday, October 1 from 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. The topic will be Fruits of the Spirit & Mandy Conner will be the speaker. Lunch is provided. Please RSVP by Sept. 16 at 254-753-1503.

Praise  in  the  Park  Tyler Church of Christ invites you to Praise in the Park Songfest featuring contemporary, traditional & quartet acapella music groups. The concert is free of charge. It will be held at Bergfeld Park at the corner of Broadway & Fifth Street from 5:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m. on September 24. For more info, call Ruby Kendrick at 903-279-1237.

ETCA  Needs  Donations  East Texas Christian Academy started a music/band program last semester and is in need of any instrument that you may have at home and would like to donate. Please call ETCA at 903-561-9582 if you have an instrument and arrangements will be made to pick it up or you can deliver it to ETCA’s campus at 2448 Roy Road. The estimated price is tax deductible.

New  Address  Josh & Amy (Estes) Thibodeaux & Kelsey

1623 Seqouia Drive, Tyler, 75703 | 903-352-8699

 

Church DIRECTORY

It is time again for a new church directory! You can submit a recent photo to Kim DuPree at calemjess@gmail.com (please be sure to include your names in the email) or you can set up an appointment to have a photo taken. Sign up in the Main Foyer or call the office! Lindsay Kelly will be taking pictures September 7-21. There is no cost to have your picture made so don’t miss out! There is a form available online or you can pick one up when you sign up. Please fill the forms out so we can be sure your current contact info is correct. Bring the form with you when you have your picture made. If you are submitting a picture, go www.westerwin.com, click on Members then click Directory & scroll down until you see ‘Submit form online’ and click on that link to fill out the form, or pick up a hard copy from the Visitor Center. Contact the office (903.592.0809/office@westerwin.org) for any questions. Thank you for helping us!

Be a part

of

our family

album!

Pray for our TEACHERS & STUDENTS

 September  1,  2011            From  The  Heart  of  Tyler        Vol.  42  –  No.  35  Records Sun.-Aug. 28 Sun.- Aug. 21 Year Ago Bible Class 468 446 390 Worship a.m. 667 673 644 Worship p.m. NC NC 434 Wed. p.m. 310 317 342 Contribution $24,401.70 $28,157.98 $25,256.00 Weekly Budget $27,981.00

 

SERVING SUNDAY Call to Worship Danny Snell Prayer Clinton Culpepper Scripture Dan Cullinan Dismiss Phil Marts Presiding At The Lord’s Table Daniel DuPree

SERVING COMMUNION Gary Heath, Sr. Jeff Horton Gary Heath, Jr. Roger Howell Jim Holleman Jasper Huff Tim Holt James Hughes

5:00 P.M. ASSEMBLY Prayer Ken Culpepper Scripture Frank Debenport Dismiss Bobby Dingler

GREETERS Jimmy & Sue Carty & Bryson Bellar

Gene & Gwen Chandler & Casey Bellar Bud & Charlotte Cawyer & Brianna Bradshaw

Visitor Center: Chad & Amber Chauncey Jeri Church

Pick up cards for 9/4 & 9/11: Corey Prestidge, Evan Kingsbury, Toby Marse,

Braden Lockhart, Clay Mitcham

Sound booth for 9/4: Paul Lewis & Jonathan Stone

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

Children’s Ministry for 9/4: Nursery a.m.: Beverly Hale| Toddlers a.m.: Kristi Harris | Toddlers p.m.: Donella Jackson| Children’s Worship: Smith

PRAYER & CARE: Hospitalized: Good Shepherd- Longview: Carl Weeks, father of Charlie | Mayo Clinic: Charles Smart, son of Barbara | Mother Frances Hospital: James Hardin, had additional surgery Tuesday, no visitors at this time. | Carolyn Stitt is doing well after surgery. | Updates: Norma Durham is now home for rehab. | Jeff Fennell is now home. | Sharen Wester had knee replacement surgery & is home. |West Erwin Family: Roy Bench | Linda Boudreau | Jim Cox | Wini Cullinan | Clinton & Louise Culpepper | | Bill Hawkins | Fannie Jackson & family | Clay Kirby | Tommy Lowrance | Wade McDonald | Forest & Mary McFadden | Anita Potter | Sue Ramsour | Winona Shankle | Sharen Wester | Ongoing concerns: Johnny Anders | Darrell & Nell Beard | Delle Bullard | Kalli Huff | Archie Kennard | Opal Mathews | Bill McCain | Penny McDonald | Samuel Mink | Kay Parrish | Maxine Ray | George Richardson | Ira & Esther Wilson | Dorothy Woods | Family & Friends: Nancy Chandler, daughter of Wanda Cook | Matthew Farokhrouz, grandson of Mary Daugherty| Harold Nichols, uncle of Judy Hamm