YEAR IN REVIEW

 

                        Each year we try to reflect back on the events that occurred during the previous year.  Several people came forward requesting prayer and at least one was baptized from the teaching of GodÕs word at the jail.  Our young people participated in the Bible Bowl again and did very well.  Thanks to Mitchell Brooks for working with them. We helped several people go on mission trips this past year and we continue to help with work in India, the Carolinas, as well as East Tennessee School of Preaching and Missions.

There were several funerals and at least one marriage that were associated with Montrose family. There were at least two births, Tana Harville and Sawyer Cole. (I became a grandpa)!   We had our Skating Party in February and then in March we had our Friday Night Singing.  There were 134 present. We had our meal and bowling in Cookeville in April. Several young people graduated from college in May.  Montrose sent me to Sylva NC for a Gospel Meeting at Woodland church of Christ in early June.  Our church picnic at the barn was held in June as well as our Gospel Meeting with Tom Miller.  His theme was ÒSermons we Sing.Ó  The lessons and the singing, lead by Wally Kirby were excellent.  Our Vacation Bible School was held the first week of July this year. We had a full camp at Jackson/Smith County Youth Camp this past year (approx. 200 people).  Camp is always a highlight for the young people as well as some of us not so young.  I believe we had eleven young people and six adults to attend. We also were able to hear Bro. B. Ratnum this past year.  He and his son spoke on a Wednesday night in July.  Youth day was the first Saturday in August and we had a good turnout for it.  The Ladies breakfast was held at the barn in September with plenty of good food and fellowship.  There were 42 present.  Run4Don was held in September, which many of you help support.  We had a great turnout again this past year. October saw us have our Annual Hayride, which was well attended, and our Fall Lectureship with Paul Sain.  Paul always does an excellent job with lessons he presents.  We were able to help several families in the community with clothes and food during the holidays. We closed out the year with Open House at the Coles and a get-together at the barn.  Pray that we grow spiritually and numerically this year. 

 


 

AN APP FOR LIFE

 

Last winter, a powerful blizzard ripped through North Dakota causing white-out conditions which stranded hundreds of motorists across the state.  ÒSnow whipped up by wind marred the lines between pavement and grassy drop-offs, leaving some scared motorists unsure what to do,Ó reports Dave Kolpack.

 

Two software developers have developed an application (an ÒappÓ) for iPhone and Android smartphone users that can help people in these dangerous situations.  Bob Bertsch, an employee with the North Dakota State University Extension Service, and Jake Joraanstad, an NDSU computer engineering major, designed the free app called ÒWinter Survival KitÓ to be both Òa primer to help motorists prepare for winter driving and a beacon when things go badly,Ó according to Kolpack.  The app can pinpoint a motorist's location, call 911, notify friends and family, and monitor how long the gasoline in the vehicle will hold out.  Stranded motorists can also tap a big red button that reads ÒIÕm Stranded!Ó on the appÕs simple home screen to send out an emergency alert.

 

"It's our sincere hope that no one ever has to use it," said Bertsch.  "But if one person does have to use it and it keeps them in their car or keeps them from succumbing to carbon monoxide poisoning, then it is definitely worth the time and effort that was spent on the app."

 

Consider another ÒAPPÓlicationÉ

 

Life can be as confusing Ð and even dangerous Ð as white-out conditions in a blizzard.  Jeremiah said, ÒO LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own stepsÓ (Jeremiah 10:23).

 

But God has provided an ÒAPPÓ to give us help, guidance, and instructions for the abundant life now (John 10:10) and eternal life to come (Mark 10:29-30).  The APP is the Bible, GodÕs Word. The Psalmist declared, ÒYour word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my pathÓ (Psalm 119:105).

 

This APP informs us of our lost condition in sin and how, in sin, we are doomed to destruction (Romans 3:23; 6:23; Matthew 7:13-14).  However, this APP also proclaims the Good News (the Gospel) that God loves us so much that He gave His Son to die on the cross for our sins (John 3:16).  Through Jesus, we can have LIFE Ð abundant and eternal (John 10:10; 14:6)!

 

In order to enjoy these blessings and be saved, we must APPLY the ÒAPPÓ to our lives.  God has promised to save those who will place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).  Those who continue to follow the APPÕs instructions will continue to have their sins washed away by the blood of Jesus (1 John 1:7).

 

WonÕt YOU APPLY GodÕs APP (His Word) to your life so that you may know the Way to life eternal?                                                                                                           --David A. Sargent, Living Water, 01/07/12


 

IF JESUS COULDNÕT, WHY DO
WE THINK WE CAN?

 

Expectations have much to do with our contentment.  Those who place unrealistic expectations upon themselves are generally discouraged, and feel as though they are a failure.  IÕm convinced that if people had proper expectations, they would not be so soon moved to discouragement, depression, and despair. An obvious step to Òreeling inÓ our expectations is to understand the fact that Òif Jesus couldnÕt do something, we need to stop believing we can.

 

Consider:

 

    * Jesus couldnÕt make his own family believe that he was the Son of God (John 7:1-6), so why then do we beat ourselves up for sometimes failing to do the same?

 

    * Jesus couldnÕt avoid sadness and sorrow (Isaiah 53:5), so why do we sometimes act as though we expect life to be a bed of roses?

 

    * Jesus couldnÕt go without rest (Mark 6:31), so why do we feel guilty if we arenÕt on the go 24/7?

 

    * Jesus couldnÕt avoid making enemies (John 15:18), so why are we so surprised when people hate us for our faith?

 

    * Jesus couldnÕt cause all men to repent (Matthew 23:37), so letÕs be content with our best efforts.  We canÕt obey for others.

 

    * Jesus couldnÕt even forgive all men of their sins though he was willing (John 8:24; Luke 17:3), so why do we think we can forgive those who will not repent?

 

Maybe the first step to contentment is in shedding the guilt that comes from the unrealistic expectations we place upon ourselves.  After all, if Jesus couldnÕt do it, why do we think we can?

--Steve Higginbotham, preachinghelp.org. 01/20/12


 

MONTROSE FAMILY NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Jan 29, 2012

 

THOSE PRIVILEGED TO SERVE

WORSHIP----SUNDAY---9:00 AM

Co-Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . .       Billy Halliburton

Announcements . . . . . . . . . . . .  . .   Steve Anderson

Scripture Reading.. Heb 9:1-2 . . . .Tim Hommrich

Song Leader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     Glen Reece

Opening Prayer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Roger Draper

 

LordÕs Supper-Preside: Jacky Carver Sr.

Serve: Jimmy Smith, George Clay,

Alex Armour, Craig Anderson

Closing Prayer................................ Larry Kemp

 

GreeterÑ Jimmy & Melanie Smith

GreeterÑ George & Teresa Clay

 

Count Offering. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  Jacky Carver, Sr.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         .  . . . . . . . .  .  Kaleb Bush

AM SermonÑ Qualifications of Elders

PM SermonÑ Young men conduct services

 

WORSHIP---SUNDAY---6:00 PM

Announcements . . . . . . . . . . . . .  ..  ..            TBA

Song Leader. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . .          TBA

Scripture Reading..Heb. 9:3-5   ...Tim Hommrich

 

Opening Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . .TBA

LordÕs Supper  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .  . .  . . .  TBA

 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . É . . . . . . . .TBA   

Closing Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . .. . .   .  TBA

 

BIBLE STUDY WEDNESDAY---7:00 PM

AnnouncementÉ . . . . . . . . . . . . .   .  .  . George Clay

Song Leader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  .  . .  Jimmy Smith

 

First Prayer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .Harold Smith

Opening Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  .Mitchell Brooks 

Closing Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  .  .        Ricky Kirby

 

Prepare Communion for January

Karen Halliburton

 

Note: If you are not able to fulfill your assignment listed above, please notify the coordinator so that he can find a replacement.

 

MONTROSE BULLETIN BOARD

NURSING HOME: Hoss West

Those on the sick list:

Kathy HarvilleÑCarolyn HalliburtonÕs sister

Richard & Kathy Hommrich--TimÕs parents Alzheimers.  NHC Nashville

Billy Joe ClayÑhome

Melody HackettÑStallworth Rehab.

Titus RussellÑBaptist Hosp. 

 

 

OUR RECORD OF LOVE FOR CHRIST

01/22/12 

Wednesday. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  55     

  Worship Sunday AM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     68     

  Bible Study Sunday AM .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   61   

  Daily Bible Readers  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    38    

  Worship Sunday PM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    60    

  Offering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     $2,624.00

 

Upcoming Events

The India group will be leaving Feb 6th. Please remember that work in your prayers.

 This Sunday is a 5th. Sunday, thus the young men will conduct services Sunday evening.

5th. Sunday contributions go to capital improvement and to make up deficit in our weekly contributions

 

PANTRY ITEM: We are asking each family to bring items for the pantry to be used for needs in the community as they arise: Items for week: Canned Soup

 

BIBLE READING SCHEDULE FOR FEBURARY

01 Lev. 12-14       

02 Lev. 15-17    

03 Lev. 18-20

04 Lev. 21-25

05 Lev. 26-27

06 Num. 1-4

07 Num. 5-7

08 Num. 8-10

09 Num. 11-13

10 Num. 14-16

11 Num. 17-21     

12 Num. 22-24

13 Num. 25-27

14 Num. 28-30

15 Num. 31-33

16 Num. 34-36

17 Deut. 1-3

18 Deut. 4-8

19 Deut. 9-11

20 Deut. 12-14

21 Deut. 15-17

22  Deut. 18-20

23  Deut. 21-23

24  Deut. 24-26

25  Deut. 27-29

26  Deut. 30-32

27  Deut. 33-34

28  Joshua 1-3       

29  Joshua 4-6