Vol. 25 No. 50– December 16, 2015

FROM TIM…

ANOTHER GREAT SUNDAY! God blessed us Sunday with 528 souls gathered to worship Him in the morning, 5 souls asking for our prayers as they recommit themselves to greater faith, and 2 souls baptized into Christ and having their sins washed away through His saving blood! God has blessed with us with an outstanding year of ministry and faith-building, and it’s been a year of seeing our church family grow to averaging over 500 in worship since July. Let’s keep praying, inviting, greeting, and serving, and let’s trust God to lead the way and increase His kingdom! ALIVE IN 2015 – This year we have challenged ourselves to truly be alive in our faith, and we are re-emphasizing that idea as we close out the year. Are you alive in your faith? If not, read through Revelation 3:1-6, and as that passage says, let’s “wake up” spiritually! Let’s close 2015 with over 500 hearts truly alive in our Christian faith, with God as our heart’s sincere desire. We will continue the “Alive” theme this coming Sunday morning... JOIN US FOR NEW YEAR’S EVE! Last year we had a great time bringing in the new year togeth-er at our “All-Ages” New Year’s Eve Party, and we’d love to have you join us again this year! We will renew some of the fun things we did last year – board games, video games, football watching, singing, angry watermelons, etc. – so make plans to join us here at the building from 8pm-midnight on December 31st. THOUGHTS FOR 2016? Our ministers, elders, and deacons have been planning and thinking toward 2016, and I’m excited to see what God will do through us as we keep improving our minis-tries in the coming year. Do you have any thoughts on things you’d like to see us do better in 2016 or beyond? We know we can’t do everything, and we know we have weaknesses, but we wel-come ideas and thoughts, as we want to keep helping Christ’s kingdom as best we can. Let us know if you see ways to improve our works!

Down to the last 2 Sundays of the year! Try to meet the unfamiliar faces you see on

Sunday, and let’s make it a great day of worship and encouragement…

As most of our members already know Jeff was recently baptized into Christ here at Great Oaks and now we are pleased to announce that he has officially placed his membership with us. Tresa, his wife, is a long-term member and they have been married for 35 years. Jeff enjoys trout fishing and motorcycle riding, but his favorite pastime is enjoying and helping with his 6 grandchildren. If you have not already done so please tell Jeff how glad we are over his baptism and desire to worship and work with us here at Great Oaks! 3654 Fairmont Ave, Memphis, TN 38122 428-2962

Welcome New Member! - Jeff Danley

REJOICE! Alex and Dinora Orozco were baptized into Christ! They

were contacts made through 12 questions and had been

studying with Will Alvarez. They have three children –

Dylina, Dylan (5th grade), and Damian. Their address is

2796 Mercury St, Memphis, TN 38134

Bill Cavataio has an appointment on Dec.

16th with his urologist to set up his treat-

ment plan.

Wanda Coats will have her fir st chemo

treatment ot January 6th. She is scheduled

for 8 treatments. She will go every other

week.

David Danley has a sprained ankle and is

undergoing some testing for pre-diabetes.

Patrice Dixon is r ecover ing at home.

Paula Fuller is doing well.

Mardecia Sutton needs people to sit with

her. Please see Donna Harris if you can

help.

Don Williams is under a doctor ’s care.

Hannah Wyatt had successful surgery.

She is recovering at home.

Mike Kohn, father of Erika Hubbard, had

2 stents put in. He is now at home. (3448

Beretta Rd, Bartlett, TN 38133)

Sympathy is extended to the family of Morris Montgomery. Morris’ father, Maurice

Montgomery, passed away last week. All ser-

vices were held in Memphis, TN.

Annie Johnson, mother of Annie Champion,

passed away on December 15th. The family

will have a memorial service at a later date.

OPERATION TURKEY

It’s cold outside!

Our kids

at Kate Bond

Elementary need to keep

warm! Let's

help them by

giving them

gently used or new coats,

gloves, scarves

and hats!

Please donate

items no later

than Sunday, Jan. 3!

Please place

your donation in

the box at

church.

Responding to the Invitation

on Sunday, December 13th Draylon Dixon said he has sinned and asks for

prayers to help him be a better Christian.

Steve Grinder said he hasn’t been serving like

he needs to and wants to make God the priori-

ty and focus of his life.

Ansley Tingle said she didn’t feel like God had

her whole heart.

Lorena Saenz said she wanted peace in her life

that only Jesus can give.

Edgar Ordonez said he wanted to be a better

Christian and asked forgiveness for his sins.

Please remember to encourage Draylon, Steve,

Ansley, Lorena, and Edgar this week with cards,

texts, and prayers.

We are collecting the

money for these

families now!

If you would like to,

you may also include

a note or photo of

your family.

Please give your mon-

ey to Brenda in the

church office.

Foundation Groups Meeting

Sunday, December 20th

There will be a brief meeting after

evening services for all those who

are helping with our new convert

foundation groups. Please meet in

the ladies classroom (201/203).

Breakfast with Santa! Friday, December 18th 5:30–8 p.m.

For Kids 5th grade and under-$3 per child Wear your favorite Christmas Jammies!

We will have a devotional, Santa will eat with the children, and we’ll play games, make

crafts, and watch a movie!

Party with your friends at

Great Oaks Thursday, December 31st,

8 p.m. until midnight.

Our countdown to our

New Year’s Eve Party

starts soon--

watch for it!

New Year’s Eve The church office will be closed

December 24th - 25th and December 31st - January 1st

Me

rry C

hristm

as a

nd

Ha

pp

y N

ew

Ye

ar!

Now is the time to

SIGN UP before all the good spots are filled! We

need help in 2016 to prepare communion,

locking the building, and to present

Wednesday night devotionals.

For the Record Dec 13 Week 2015 Avg. 2015 Goal

Wed (Dec 9) 284 268 285

Bible Study 317 312 330

Sun AM 528 483 490

Sun PM 312 258 280

Contribution $ 16,548 $15,018 $ 16,000

Building $ 355

Balance on new building $162,732

Nursery Attendants

Babies AM Cindy Campbell/Pam Green PM Melinda Crosslin/Kathy Waycaster

Toddlers AM Annette Knox/Lacey Ledlow PM Paula & Caitlin Pr iester

Deliver LeBonheur Baskets - Dec 21

Rick & Terri Arnett

SCHEDULE:

Sunday Bible Study 9AM

Sunday Worship 10AM & 5 PM

Wednesday Bible Study 7PM

PHONE: (901) 372-4449 FAX: 377-3039

SPANISH: 417-3786 (ELIAS ROQUE)

MINISTERS/CELL NUMBERS:

Pulpit - Tim Alsup 201-1341

Youth-Aarek Farmer 574-0192

College/Young Adult-Colton Shannon 652-0153

Spanish-Elias Roque 615-477-1982 ELDERS: Kenny Harris, Larry Jackson,

Lynn Parrish, Mark Pledge, Don Hutson,

Mickey Barker, Dick Deising, Michael Wil-

liams

SECRETARIES: Brenda Amon/Kelly Ward

WEBSITE: www.greatoaks.org

on Facebook: Iglesia de Christo Great Oaks

WORKS SUPPORTED:

♥ Voice of Truth International

♥ Tennessee Children’s Home

♥ Potter Children’s Home

♥ Memphis School of Preaching

♥ Focus Press/Brad Harrub/Nashville

♥ Church in Mezhevaya, Ukraine

♥ Church in Kraz, Ukraine

♥ Church in Zimbabwe/Noah Gonzo

♥ Church in Costa Rica/Joaquin Rojas

♥ Church in Cambodia/Andrew Hayes

♥ Church in Cusco, Peru/Gary Reaves

♥ Church in Brazil/Randy Short

♥ Operation Ukraine/Columbus, MS

♥ Church in San Luis Potosi, Mexico

OTHERS TO SERVE MONTH OF DECEMBER

Ushers: Cliff McKinney, Noel Martin, Rick Arnett, Don Williams

BACKUPS: Lynn Parr ish, Mark Pledge, Rod Pr iester , Tom Ross

(please meet in library 15 minutes before every service)

Greeters: Mickey & Michele Barker , Ronnie Kiinhl, Peter & Yvonne Welch - main,

Mike & Jennie Milligan - Ed./Gym, Don Turner- Brunswick,

David Waycaster - new building, Karry Dukes- back up

Lock Building: Robert Matthews

Sound System: AM: TBA PM: TBA Back-up: TBA

Prepare Communion: Don Williams

Announcements: Michael Williams (Mickey Barker-back up)

Lord’s Supper: John Irby*, Dave Jackson, Kevin Kelly, Rick Kelly, Don

Hutson*, Ronnie Kiihnl, Rick Knox, Troy Ledlow

YOUTH TO SERVE – DECEMBER

Attendance Card Collection

Youth Side Center Section Nursery Side

AM: Eian Alsup Jake Mims/Jack Gallaher Elijah Hubbard

PM: LJ Thom as Israel Ordonez/Luke Elkins David Danley

Restock Pens/Attendance Cards/Straighten Songbooks

Communion Cup Collection-5TH GRADE

TEACHERS/PARENTS - PLEASE REMIND THEM

SERVING – December 20, 2015

Songs: AM - Bryan Gore PM - Brandon White

Communion Devotional: Bill Bush

Prayers: AM Opening: Mike McBride AM Closing: Cole Traywick

PM Opening: Carter Milam PM Closing: David Waycaster

Scripture Reading AM: Griffin Ritter PM : Connor Pr iester

Visiting the Visitors - Dec 20

Holiday

5th GRADE

Jack Gallaher

Carter McKay

Morris Montgomery

Israel Ordonez

Manuel Reyes

Presiding Elder Mickey Barker Back-up: Dick Deising

Emily Saenz

Isabelle Skelton

Joseph (LJ) Thomas

Maria Vicente

Charlie Wyatt

Ladies Tuesday morning prayer group

will resume in January.

MidSouth Rehab gifts will be delivered Thursday, December 17th.

Thank you to everyone who brought a gift!

Congratulations to Mark and Roberta Pledge in the birth of

their grandson, Maddox Pledge. He was

born on December 10th. He is the son of Ma-

son and Robin Pledge.

Tom and Cathy Ross in the birth of their

granddaughter, Mackenzie Ross. She was

born on December 15th. She is the daughter

of TJ and Whitney Ross.