Highland Lakes church of Christ

Our Monthly Fellowship Meal . . .

. . . is this evening after our worship assembly. Hosts and hostesses are Myron & Janet Fietz, Henry & Mary Kattner and Sherry Wills. Plan to come to this good fellowship!

World Bible School Workday

Our next Bible School Workday will be on Thursday, February 11th. The workers will meet at 9 AM in the education building and do this good work until everything is completed.

Welcome, New Members!

Fred & Carolyn Harwell come to us from the Ave. B church of Christ in Ballinger, TX. We welcome them as new members into our fellowship here at Highland Lakes!

Fred & Carolyn are already attending all the offered Bible classes; they have quickly become an active part of our congregation. Be sure and meet them! Please add their personal information to your directory that is available from the church office.

Beautiful Footnotes . . .

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice” – Philippians 4:4

The following is from a current report from our missionaries in Cambodia, Dennis and Sharon Welch sharing different aspects of the work there

We have now passed the seven-year mark as fulltime missionaries in Cambodia. Our work first began a s a February 2006 survey trip. Now, nearly ten years later we have grown ever more convinced of Him who is the Hea d, the Lord, the King. His Spirit within us causes us also to rejoice over you—for your love, encouragements, support and prayers. Thank you! Thank the Lord God Almighty!

SNACK Medical Mission

When one lives in the rural Cambodian countryside, receiving medical care is complicated by the cost of transportation to a doctor, clinic or hospital. The nutrition program team was again able to present a poor rural village with a day of medical care. The villag e of Trach Tong received the medical team, our staff, and a visiting couple with much joy. On the day 250 patients were blessed to receive care and treatment by the attending physicians, volunteers from Cambodia Christian Ministries (http://cambodiaministries.org/). Special than ks to the brethren who provided the funding for the medical supplies and meds. Please say a prayer of thanksgiving for the children, the medical team, the staff and for the donors. May God cause faith in Him to grow by our service to these villagers.

SNACK T-Shirts

Rural Cambodian children often have very few pieces of clothing that they frequently must share between siblings. Brethren from all over joined together to help the SNACK team bless the children with new t-shirts. The back has our SNACK Program logo in English and Khmer. On the front of the shirts is Khmer text which states “Jesus loves children” and an anchor with a heart within it. According to our research, an anchor was one of the earliest Christian symbols. Thanks to every one of you who helped these children have something new, useful and encouraging. Please join our prayer of rejoicing and thanksgiving for the opportunity for all of us to be light to these precious young souls.

More of this report later, but please remember to keep the Welches and other fellow servants, as well as the people of Cambodia in your prayers.

“Afterlife” Bible Class Material Available

Class worksheets and final chart from last years’ Wednesday p.m. class are available to anyone who might not have received all copies. See Ken Darnell.

Upcoming Events!

Sunday, January 24: Reorganization meeting for the Visiting for the Master — 2016 program after the evening worship assembly.

Saturday, January 30: Ladies Day at the Bertram church of Christ from 9 to 12 with lunch being provided.

Sunday, January 31: Our monthly Fellowship Dinner after the evening worship time.

Our Monthly Fellowship Meal . . .

. . . will start up again on January 31st. We will meet as always, in the Fellowship Room after our evening worship assembly. Hosts and hostesses will be Myron & Janet Fietz, Henry & Mary Kattner and Sherry Wills. Plan to come to this good fellowship!

Also remember:

*Our monthly singing on the last Wednesday evening of the month.

*The Men’s Prayer Fellowship on the second Saturday of the month at 9:30 in the Fellowship Room.

*The weekly Food Pantry on Tuesday mornings.

Beautiful Footnotes . . .

“Brothers, pray for us.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:25

A note from Cherokee Home for Children.

Dear brethren:

In 2015 we opened a new boy’s cottage in Phase 1 of our Stability First campaign. This new cottage eliminated the need for the boys to move back and forth between their primary and relief cottages each month. For children who have been moved from family to family in town to town and school to school the moving stirs up negative emotions that cause disciplinary problems and psychological instability. Already we have seen a decrease in discipline problems and better grades at school and even an increase in baptism with the boys who moved into their new cottage. More stability now translates into productive adults later.

Many have asked what about the girls? If it’s good for the boy’s stability, shouldn’t it be good for the girls as well? We agree and we have collected over 40% of the funds necessary to build a stability first cottage for the girls.

We received a challenge grant of $300,000 if we have $700,000 more on hand by October 2016. That’s where you our supporting churches come in. Will you consider a financial contribution to help us before April 2016 so we can plan a path to proceed?

For His sake and the children’s, Dan Cox, Dir of Development

We support the Home monthly now and often help them otherwise. Please pray about this effort as we consider it. For the elders, Ken D

WITH SYMPATHY

Kay Parker’s daughter, Mary Kathleen Scholl, passed from this life unexpectedly on Thursday, January 7th. She was only 57 years of age and lived in Fort Worth. Funeral services took place on Tuesday, January 12th in Fort Worth.  Our deepest sympathy, love and prayers go out to Kay and all the family and friends.

“Afterlife” Bible Class Material Available

Class worksheets and final chart from last years’ Wednesday p.m. class are available to anyone who might not have received all copies. See Ken Darnell.

Remember the reorganization meeting for the Visiting for the Master — 2016 program that is planned for Sunday, January 24th, following the evening worship service. Pizza will be served in the Fellowship Hall, followed about a discussion. There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board if you are interested.

Ladies’ Day At the Bertram church of Christ

All ladies are invited to attend the Ladies’ Day at the Bertram church of Christ, 535 West St. in Bertram. Julie Chapman’s topic will be: “Tapestry: Woven by God”.  The date for this is Saturday, January 30th, from 9 to 12. Lunch will be provided.

If you are planning on going, please let Brenda or Evelyn know for RSVP by Jan. 27th. A flyer is on the bulletin board.

Beautiful Footnotes . . .

1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 (ESV) 2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, 3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

We can be so thankful for all of the labors of love and the faith and hope of all those we are blessed to be able to support of the spreading God’s love through the world. Three excerpts of recent letters follow. We need to remain constantly in prayer for them.

For the elders, Ken D

From Sunset International Bible Institute

Dear Brethren, Thank you for your generous contribution toward our solar player ministry. Thousands of leaders in remote places have been able to grow in grace and knowledge of God’s word because of congregations like yours. We have met our goal this Phase 2 to distribute 2000 players to four nations, including Ethiopia in the Amharic language. In Phase 3 this year, the players will reach the Spanish speaking world. Blessings, Truitt Adaire, President

From Southern Africa Bible College

Thank you for you r donation to SIBI. Your generous gift ensures that more students are equipped to share the good news of Jesus in southern Africa. Thank you for your partnership in equipping preachers, teachers, evangelists, and church leaders for service all over the world. Peace, Kirk Eason, Dir. of Development

From India Evangelism

Dear Brethren, Thank you for your contribution in support of P.J. Krupalini in India. Several of our colleagues have entered India in the last few days. Please pray that the preparations will go well and that they will have a fruitful and safe trip. Your sister in Christ, Susie Fredrick, Sec. India Evangelism

VISITING FOR THE MASTER — 2016

Our visitation program has served us and the Lord well since its inception in 2007, and we desire to continue this ministry in 2016. A reorganization meeting is planned for Sunday, January 24, following the evening worship service. Pizza will be served in the Fellowship Hall prior to an evaluative discussion of the program and suggestions for the New Year. If you would like to be involved in this ministry, a sign-up sheet is posted at the rear of the auditorium.

THANK YOU NOTE

Thanks to all for the gift certificate, the cute reindeer and the cash! Everything is greatly appreciated! My love to all! ~~ Vicky

WITH SYMPATHY

W.B. & Ramona Stacy’s son-in-law, Stewart Coleman of Stanton, Texas, died Wednesday morning, January 6th from a heart attack. He was 61 years old. Funeral arrangements were not known at the time of bulletin printing.

Our heartfelt thoughts, prayers and love go out to W.B. & Ramona, the family and friends.

BEAUTIFUL FOOTNOTES……..

“For if I preach the gospel that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” – I Corinthians 9:16

Read the following exciting thoughts from Brother George Funk whom we have long supported in Africa thru the Gospel Chariot Missions. Continue to keep all efforts to spread our Lord’s kingdom everywhere in your thoughts and prayers. For the elders, Ken D

2016 – New Ministry – Brethren, I have been praying for 2 years about starting another GCM ministry, but this time in Australia due to me living there and commuting to Africa. I have toiled and waited on God and I believe the time has arrived for something that is close to my heart, and that is trying to reach unchurched people through caring and sharing and helping them worship God in their homes, but even more getting them to turn around and help their communities. We have to find ways of making the world a better place and being creative as we lead people to Jesus.

Australians are not very receptive, but many, many believe and pray to God, but they are tired of the religious confusion and land is way too expensive for church buildings. I believe God is showing me something that is driving me insane and I feel so compelled and so I have made the commitment on top of all our African work to start another work, but this time in Australia and we are calling it Gospel Care Missions. It’s exciting and God will reveal more as we slowly but surely put structures in place. PLEASE PRAY that from nothing something bigger than ourselves can happen for the most CARING person who ever lived and that is JESUS CHRIST.

Brethren, we don’t have the funds and cannot take from our African budget. This is just a dream that has now just become a goal that I will promote over the coming years and it’s not what I can do, but how many others I can encourage to buy into this vision. My goal is to get a gospel chariot camper and get retired brethren from the US to help follow up on possible house church plantings after advertising in the different towns. We can all do a month in the camper reaching and teaching Australians that you can be just a Christian.

PLEASE PRAY FOR US AND GIVE US YOUR BLESSING IN THIS REGARD. We have to be creative in Australia. As I said I don’t have to do this. I have a job, but I feel compelled and will only have peace if I TRY. Thank You All….Thank You Lord.

THANK YOU NOTES

Teri and I would like to thank the congregation for the lovely money tree we received at the Holiday Fellowship. We enjoyed “plucking” it together. Our hope is that each of you had a joyful holiday with family and friends. ~~ Joe

Thanks to all for the gift certificate, the cute reindeer and the cash! Everything is being put to a good use and is greatly appreciated. My love to you all! ~~ Helga

ATTENTION

If you need a letter of declaration about your contribution to the church for the 2015, please talk to Larry or Bob. We will then have this information letter for you — and the IRS — as soon as possible!

New Bible Classes Starting On Wednesday, January 6th

Kynn Maxwell will teach in the Fellowship Room, his topic will be “The Apostle Peter”. These lessons will examine “Peter, the Man”, “The Message” and “The Myth”.

In the Auditorium, Joe Winnett will be teaching lessons from “The Book of Acts”. This unique study will examine the historic record of the church that Christ left behind after His ascension. The Book of Acts is most useful for understanding how the church began as well as seeing the plan of salvation in action. We will also see how the church dealt with some of its early problems. Two very good classes to choose from!

Beautiful Footnotes . . .

13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” Romans 10:14-15 (ESV)

In reflecting at a year’s end and a new one’s beginning, we see the link in the saving of sinners, the saving news of the Gospel, and the faithful believers who support and send out those who live and proclaim the gospel. Through the blessings of the Father, the love of the Lord Jesus and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Highland Lakes church of Christ has been privileged to be involved in supporting outreach efforts via various ways to those who have not heard about the Lord and His saving grace.

What numbers in India have been touched by the preaching of P. J. Krupalini? How many souls have been added to the kingdom in Africa by the work of the Gospel Chariot led by George & Quinton Funk?

What impact in the Philippines has been made by the love shown by Richard Emperado and the Moses teams?

What impact for Christ has been made by Dennis & Sharon Welch in Cambodia by the SNACK program and their work with the Khmer people?

How has the Kingdom grown in Nigeria by the efforts of Doug Wheeler, Sylvester Imogoh, Sylvanus Obi and other workers as well as the WBS program itself?

How many will hear the Gospel because of the Southern Africa Bible College in Benoni State, South Africa, preached by their students like Comfort Mufunda?

How will the lives of children change because of the work of Cherokee Home for Children?

How many around the world will be given hope by the Spanish Literature Ministry?

How much impact will the SIBI Solar Player Project have on the people of Africa?

Who locally will be touched by the Helping Hands Food Pantry and Clothes Closet in Kingsland?

Remember to support these and other “beautiful feet” with your contributions as you can and in your prayers because you can. For the elders, Ken D