Highland Lakes church of Christ

New Bible Classes Will Start On Wednesday, January 6th, 2016

Kynn Maxwell will teach in the Fellowship Room, his topic will be “The Apostle Peter”. His study will examine “Peter, the Man”, “The Message” and “The Myth”. This sounds like a very interesting class! It may be your choice for the next few weeks.

Or you may want to hear Joe Winnett in the Auditorium. The lessons will come from “The Book of Acts”. We will be studying this unique 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 deals with some of its early problems.

If you have not been attending Wednesday night Bible studies, this is a good time to start out the New Year! Both classes promise to be a great help to us for growth, understanding and spiritual strength.

Beautiful Footnotes . . .

3 John 5-8 5 Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, 6 who testified to you r love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God. 7 For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. 8 Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.

Our congregation has been a long supporter of carrying the gospel to the people of Nigeria. What follows are from recent updates from Doug Wheeler describing some aspects of the Nigerian work. Continue to keep this entire work in your prayers. For the elders, Ken D.

Dear Brethren, the time has come as I announce to you my trip to Nigeria from January 2nd through February 1st, 2016 will be my last trip to Nigeria, West Africa. I have been traveling to Nigeria for short-term mission trips since 1984.

I request your prayers to God on my behalf and your financial support to make my last mission to Nigeria a spiritual success. Over the decades, you brethren have supported so many works in Nigeria through me – motorcycles for preachers, church buildings for congregations, support for preaching-training schools, tracts printed and circulated, Bibles bought in Nigeria and distributed through the preachers to those who need them, needed benevolence for many, leadership seminars that need to be held, and effective evangelistic efforts through World Bible School Seminars in so many villages, and cities in Nigeria! I compliment and commend you for our mission work TOGETHER over these decades. My day of special prayer and fasting in Nigeria this next year will be Sunday, January 17, 2016, if you wish to join me in prayer and fasting!

This financial support that you send for the Nigerian evangelists helps them to maintain themselves somewhat in the work of preaching the gospel of Christ to people they study the Bible with. Your support is helpful to them, and I am always happy and grateful that you are involved in Nigerian evangelism this way.

In Christian love, Doug Wheeler

SYMPATHY

Brenda Miller’s Dad, Lee Hugh Savage, passed from this life peacefully during the night of December 14th. He was 98 years old. Services took place on Thursday, December 17th at the George Price Funeral Home Chapel in Levelland, Texas. Our heartfelt love and prayers are with Brenda and Cary, and all the other members of the family and with all the friends who knew and loved Hugh.

Wednesday, December 23rd

All Bible Classes dismissed Wednesday Evening

Beautiful Footnotes . . .

The apostle Paul reminded Timothy, “and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” (2 Timothy 2:2). Entrusting the faithful word through the teaching of others is such a vital part of spreading the Kingdom of our Lord and Savior. Our congregation has long supported efforts to teach the word to others through missionary efforts and the training of dedicated servants in schools of preaching. Our congregation has recently undertaken the following three new support efforts in this area that also need your continued prayerful support. For the elders, Ken D.

Monte Gibson, will be partially helped with a one-time contribution, as he and a team of 20 Christians travel to Mityana, Uganda in February 2016. During the two week trip they will help with home and school construction projects, conduct a medical clinic for local needs, teach children in the Mityana School, and preach and teach the gospel to people of Uganda.

Evan ‘Bear’ Weiss and his wife Jeni, will be partially aided as he completes courses at Sunset International Bible Institute. He is working to complete the basic program and then going through the Family / Youth ministry tract and enter full time ministry. He is currently the youth minister with the Mineral Wells church of Christ.

Benjamin Crommedy, Jr. is a member of the Hillcrest church of Christ in Arlington, TX who has much study in Church music and Worship leading. He is planning to enter full time ministry after completing the Bachelor of Biblical Studies program at Sunset International Bible Institute. He will begin the program in August 2016 and we will contribute a partial monthly support during his schooling.

Our Holiday Fellowship Meal & Party …

… takes place today after our evening worship time. Be sure to come to this special time of good food, fellowship and other fun activities. The stuffed animals/dolls we collect yearly are here already and waiting to be turned over to Seton Care-A-Van. They will bring joy to young children who need to be comforted in difficult and frightening situations. Thank you for your help!

Beautiful Footnotes . . .

Colossians 4:8-11 8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, 9 and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here. 10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him), 11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.

The church has always grown partially due to the personal efforts of people sharing good news, encouraging each other’s hearts and being a comfort to their brothers and sisters. The church has always welcomed and greeted those who came from elsewhere to bring reports of good works. They understood that they were all fellow workers in the kingdom of God and rejoiced to hear what God was doing elsewhere. Surely it encouraged them and they in turn supported it in ways they best could.

Tonight for our evening service, brother Kirk Eason, Director of Development – USA will encourage our hearts about what is happening with the Southern Africa Bible College. We are fellow workers with them. We have been supporting a student there, Comfort Mufunda, who is preparing to carry the gospel to his people. Kirk was in South Africa recently and can “tell you of everything that has taken place”.

This coming year the College will celebrate 50 years of a ministry that has reached thousands for Christ. Kirk has suggested four things others could do in support:

 Devote 2016 as a year of prayer for the school, its faculty, and its graduates.

 Consider extra financial support.

 Introduce others to SABC and its story.

 Attend next year’s October Lectureship in South Afric

Plan on being here tonight to welcome Kirk and share in the good word he brings. Pray for the efforts of SABC and its students, especially Comfort Mufunda. For the elders, Ken D

Open House at the Millers

All are invited to a Come and Go Holiday Open House at the Miller’s Home on Thursday, December 10 from the hours of 5:30–8:30 P.M. This function is hosted by the Bryans, Darnells, Pat DeVore, Fosters, Garcias, Millers and Welches.

VISITING FOR THE MASTER

(VISITATION PROGRAM) Combined Teams 1 & 2 (leaders: Joe & Teri Winnett and Cary & Brenda Miller) will meet on Wednesday, December 9th at 6:30 pm in the library for their assignments.

Bereavement Workshop

For those who have lost love ones, this time of year can be rather difficult. Here is a helpful workshop:

December 11, 6-8 PM @ the church of Christ Fellowship Hall in Burnett. Please check the flyers on the bulletin board.

Our Holiday Fellowship Meal & Party …

… takes place in the Fellowship Room on Dec. 13th, after our evening worship time. Be sure to come to this special time of good food, fellowship and other fun activities. The stuffed animals/dolls we collect yearly are here already and waiting to be turned over to Seton Care-A-Van. They will bring joy to young children who need to be comforted in difficult and frightening situations.  Thank you for your help!

Beautiful Footnotes . . .

Update from Africa and the Gospel Chariot Missions

There is so much happening and we are so grateful to all our supporters and the amazing African team that works with us. We have officially, for the first time, baptized more than 2,000 souls in one calendar year. THANK YOU, LORD AND TO ALL WHO HELP IN THIS WORK.

My son-in-law, Rob Vander Kraats is home and will now receive physical therapy and speech therapy at home. This is an amazing blessing from God. Thank you to all for praying for Rob and the family. Please continue.

We now have the matching funds for the New Big Gospel Chariot for East Africa. This has come about sooner than what we thought. God is so good. Thank you to all. The Hino 500 4×4 truck that has arrived at the body builder and is now busy being transformed into a Gospel Chariot with sleeping quarters, storeroom, tent, sound system, generator and built-in baptistery. Lord willing this chariot will be up and running early next year. Please pray and watch our reports as this truck is transformed into a Gospel Chariot. Exciting, exciting developments. Please pray.

21,000 complete Old and New Testament Bibles that were printed in China and shipped to South Africa to assist with Gospel Chariot outreach. 2016 is looking so promising with more chariots and more literature. Last year we were able to send a container of Bibles to West Africa and this year Southern Africa and Lord willing, next year Central Africa. Meaning, as we travel we have supplies for the chariots. Thank you, thank you, and thank you to all.

Brethren, as you know we will now have 12 chariots going into 19 countries. That is amazing and I stand amazed at what God is doing through us all. The last year has seen things pick up so much so that we need to come up with some plan every year to find additional work fund as we send the chariots off every year and make sure we have funds ready to send to the different countries every quarter. Thank you, thank you, thank you to all for making this work what it is. TO GOD BE THE GLORY. Please continue working with us as we go into 2016. In Him, Love, Brother George Funk and the Team

Remember this effort that we support in your prayers, for the elders, Ken D

MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY

Corrections & Updates are available from the church office for:

 Kay Parker – mail address

 Linda Ortega – phone and birthdate

In the new directory:

 Todd Gerald – address correction

 E-mail for the secretary – correction

ANNUAL COOKIE COLLECTION

Remember the yearly Cookie Collection; this is for the Cherokee Home for Children. The Ladies class will pack them up this coming Wednesday, December 2nd, their last class before the end of the year. Home-made treats are very welcome by all, also good store-bought ones are well accepted. Make sure that your contribution is in the Fellowship Room before Wednesday, December 2nd, 10 a.m. Vicky & Jay Parr will pick them up and take them to the Home.

HOLIDAY FELLOWSHIP MEAL & PARTY

. . . is next Sunday, after our evening worship, in the Fellowship Room. This is always a special time of good food, fellowship and other fun activities. Again, we are collecting stuffed animals/dolls with no loose parts (e.g. attached eyes) that young children could pull off and injure themselves! Those toys are for the Seton Care-A-Van. They give them to children who need to be comforted in difficult situations. Please, bring those toys to the Fellowship Room before December 13^th fellowship. Thank you for your help!

BEAUTIFUL FOOTNOTES . . .

“‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God’” Matthew 4:4.

Once or twice in a lifetime, that’s how often World Bible School encounters a major change of Bible version. Original WBS-branded courses used the American Standard Version. It was literally precise, but awkwardly worded for many international students. So, when WBS developed an entirely new curriculum, they used the reader-friendly 1984 New International Version (addressing deficiencies through editorial clarity in the WBS lessons).

Recently, however NIV has removed its 1984 edition from all markets, making it impossible for teachers or students to have a Bible that matches WBS lessons. So WBS launched into renewed research into which version could best serve courses and Bible printings.

WBS pursued three priorities: availability, readability, and especially accuracy for in-depth study. Thus weighted, the “essentially literal” English standard version (ESV) emerged as a leader. Its readability is less suitable for some students, but editorial clarifications in WBS lessons overcome this disadvantage.

Converting all print and online courses to the ESV involves substantial work and expense, as does publishing WBS’ edition of the ESV Bible with study helps. This one-time transitional outlay comes on top of other current WBS outreaches. In order to keep the cost per piece affordable, WBS must print large quantities – so large that the cost exceeds the scope of normal cash flow. In order to move forward WBS is raising the necessary $230,000 upfront.

Why take on this challenge? Because WBS shares the same conviction we have: that the value of God’s Word far surpasses earthly costs. A Bible version change is rare, but when it becomes necessary it’s a great time to pull together with our partners in the Gospel, WBS. So far over 30,000,000 have been taught the Gospel through WBS. Let’s do what we can to gear up to teach many more. Our congregation will be supporting this effort. Pray for these efforts of WBS and be supportive of them as you can. For the elders, Ken D.