Sunday, May 7, 2017

MinisterDavid South

Minister of Songs & PraiseDennis Sangster

Family Minister Matt Mitchell

Youth MinisterThomas Williams

MissionsMalawi – Preacher TrainingBaxter Institute, HondurasFleming Tarpidu Institute, India

BenevolenceAGAPEChildren’s Homes: Pine Vale SunnybrookHope Works

E-MAIL/WEB PAGEinfo@woodlandhillschurch.comwww.woodlandhillschurch.com

Bible Classes 9:00 a.m.AM Worship Svc. 10:00 a.m.PM Worship Svc. 5:00 p.m.*Wed. Bible Study 7:00 p.m.(Attended Nursery at all svcs.)

*No 5:00 p.m. service on the third Sunday of the month

Phones:901-755-7709 (office)901-755-7214 (fax)

Volume 61, Number 18

Churches and Casseroles

The story is told of a woman named Susanwho made a delicious chicken casserole. Duringa party at her house, a friend named Cindytasted her casserole for the first time. Sheenjoyed it so much that she insisted on havingthe recipe. Some time later Cindy had a party ather house. When Susan came in, Cindy told her,“I made your chicken casserole. I didn’t havetime to prepare the chicken, though, so Isubstituted tuna fish out of the can. Oh, and Ididn’t have any Velveeta cheese, so I usedcottage cheese instead. Oh, and in place of theRitz cracker crust, I had to use biscuits.” Then,when Cindy presented the dish to her guests,she remarked, “This is Susan’s recipe, so if itisn’t any good, don’t blame me.”

Just because that recipe started out asSusan’s recipe does not mean the finishedproduct was hers. How do you suppose the Lordfeels when people start out with his plans for thechurch, but change a little here and a littlethere? The end product is no more the Lord’schurch than that casserole was Susan’scasserole. The Lord has given us free will. Thatmeans that we can design and operate a churchany way we want to – but, we cannot then call itthe Lord’s church. If we want to be a part of theLord’s church, let us follow the recipe he hasgiven in the Bible.

See you Sunday, in the Lord’s church… David

Israel and the ChurchDavid South

It is interesting (and somewhat challenging) to compare the New Testament churchwith Old Testament Israel. There are various aspects of comparison that prove beneficial forstudy.

Autonomy is one angle of comparison that might deepen one’s appreciation for thenature of the church. In its beginning, the nation of Israel was a group of twelve tribesinhabiting the promised land of Canaan. There was no federal government. There was aunified religion, which required service at the tabernacle. There was common ancestry aswell as common religion that held them together. But, there was no overarchinggovernment. This provided a significant advantage – if one tribe became unfaithful to God,it did not necessarily take the other eleven with it. But, the people eventually rebelledagainst that arrangement and wanted a king, so that they could be like the nations aroundthem (1 Sam. 8:5). This arrangement of a federal government with one leader brought withit a significant disadvantage – when the king became guilty of idolatry, he usually took thebulk of the nation with him (repeated throughout 1 and 2 Kings).

The church of the New Testament is arranged as individual congregations. There isno overarching structure or government, other than Jesus as the head (Eph. 1:22-23; Col.1:18). The apostles had authority over all churches, but no other governing structure over allchurches was ever set up. Elders are given authority over their own flock (1 Pet. 5:1-3).Some of the wisdom of this arrangement can be seen easily enough. If one church straysaway from God, it does not necessarily take others with it. If there is some structure where agroup of people decide what the congregations under them are to teach and practice, asignificant disadvantage arises – if that governing body strays from the truth, then everycongregation under them will go astray with them.

This arrangement also creates some confusion and difficulty at times. How one groupof Christians treats another group is sometimes hard to sort out. There is no organizingstructure that holds them together. They are held together by a common religion. Theyfellowship those who are following the truth. This, of course, allows for some differencesbetween them while maintaining the fellowship that they enjoy (cf. Rom. 14).

Another difficulty is that many people today cannot even think in terms of churchesthat are not part of a larger (denominational) structure. Thus the question “What does the‘Church of Christ’ say about this or that?” Or “What is the ‘Church of Christ’ doctrine aboutthis or that?” Even many in the church use that kind of terminology. The terminology itselfis so flawed that there is no way to answer the question.

Connected with this are those occasions when some among churches of Christcomplain about what “we” have been doing or teaching – which they think, of course, iswrong. One big problem with this is that the ones who say it are only reacting to what theyhave seen – and there is no way they have seen what all congregations are doing.

It is sometimes difficult to follow Christ’s pattern for the church in a culture wherethat pattern is very different from the accepted norm. It is hard even to have significantdiscussion with others about church and belief. Let us pursue Christ’s pattern anyway.

OUR PRAYER LIST

Our Woodland Hills Members: Clemmie Allison, Frances Bennett, Norma Davis,Sharon Estes, John & Jackie Greene, Ruth McClain,Ray Michael, Mary Ann Morrison, Janice Nolen,Billy Renner, Ruth Sain, Robi Seward, Tom Storey,Louise VanSickel, Keith WilliamsOur Friends/Relatives: Jim Adams, Melissa &Brenda Antwine, David Bartley, LaVerne Baxter,Richard Bennett, Lillie Baker, Jean Britt, Jan Burks,Patricia Caldwell, Garrett Carroll, Ramona Carter,Bobbie & Fonzy Coleman, Todd Collier, Gabbi Cook,Colby Cresswell, Corrine Crowell, Barbara Dailey,Tom Davidson, Sharon Davis, Eleanor Donald, RoseFranklin, Kristy Hearn, Eleanor & Jordan Herron, Dr.Heather Blackburn Irizarry, James Joshlin, MollyKelly, Christian Krogh, Eric Lafferty, JamesLangston, Carol Lynn, Joe McKay, David & WayneMcMillan, Sheryl Menz, Nolan Murray, ClaireMosley, Nancy O'Connell, Robert O'Connell, KeithRicks, Selina Rivieria, Dan Rokitka, Charles Southand William WilsonIn Assisted/Senior Living/Homebound: ClemmieAllison is at 1730 Dorchester Dr., Southaven, MS38671, Essie Brown at Germantown Plantation, 9293Poplar Ave, Germantown, TN 38138, Dwain Coleman,335 Fisherville Rd., Collierville, TN 38017, John &Jackie Greene, 308 Briarbrook Cv, Collierville 38017new phone 854-2182, Jane Nolen & Clara Shipman at7820 Walking-Horse Cr., Germantown, TN 38138,Janice Nolen (#1150 - The Village Nursing Home),Ruth Sain is at 6539 Knight Arnold Rd, Room 103A,Memphis, TN 38115, phone 365-9095.

TO SERVE MAY 7, 2017 Song Leader Dennis SangsterWelcome & Announcements Jerry ThompsonOpening Prayer Ron HintonSermon David SouthPrepare Communion David & Dee CloseServe Communion: Tom Adams, Charlie Bryson, EdDacus, Dane Dacus, Bill Lewelling, Charles Mars, JacobMaynard, James WilsonPick Up Cards Hampton Cox & Chase DacusAM Closing Prayer Mark MitchellNursery Debbie & Elinor Westbrook

5 PM SERVICESong Leaders Dennis SangsterOpening Prayer Bob KarrSermon David SouthClosing Prayer Mike BarriosNursery Carol Spellings

VBS is fast approaching (June 11-14) at 6:30nightly. The theme this year is “Mission Possible”Please see Robi Seward to volunteer or Matt Mitchellif you have any questions. Postcards have been left inthe foyer to get the word out about our VBS this year.Please see woodlandhillschurch.com to register VBSparticipants. Also, remember VBS workday will beSaturday, June 3rd.

FAMILY RETREAT

This year’s family retreat will be taking placein Chattanooga, TN from Friday, July 28 – Sunday,July 30th. Our previous family retreats to St. Louis,Atlanta and Louisiana have been a wonderful time.Don’t miss out this year! Please see Matt Mitchell formore details or to sign up!

SPRINKLER PARTYCome blow off some steam and have fun as

the school year ends and summer begins! OnSaturday, May 13th, 10 am, we will host the 1st everKid’s water day at Woodland Hills!. There will bewater slides, a dunk tank and water activities for allages! Lunch will be provided as well. This is a jointevent, hosted by the WHYG and the TNT. Can’t waitto see you there!

VBS MISSION OPPORTUNITY

Are you looking for a week-long summermission opportunity? We have just the trip planned!This year, WHCC will be teaming up with the Churchof Christ in South Holland, Illinois to help them put onVBS. The planned dates for the trip are July 7 – 14.All ages are invited to attend. Please see MattMitchell for more details or to sign up!

SYMPATHY

Our sympathy is extended to the family of JoeGooch who passed from this life last Sunday morning.Joe drew the plans for the Educational building addingclassrooms, office and gym at the Union Avenuebuilding back in the early 60’s. He was the brother-in-law to Jerry and Barbara Mathis and his daughter andson-in-law, Kelly and Kellye Michie attend ourservices here from time to time. Joe and wife, Jeannie,were members at the Germantown Church of Christ.

YOUTH CORNERThomas Williams

Hello everybody! I pray you are all doing well. Thisweek I want brag on some of our WHYG members.This last weekend a few of our youth went out of stateto attend their school band competitions. Vitalik Bakerand Isaac Amar traveled to Cincinnati, OH, as a part ofArlington’s band, while Matthew Close traveled toBranson, MO, with Briarcrest. Both bands wereawarded first place in their respective competitions! Ifyou happen to see them around, be sure tocongratulate them on their hard work.

Things like this make me wonder where ouryouth will end up. What sort of interests will theypursue? What sort of jobs will they have? There are alot of options for them, and they are quite talented! Wehave soccer players, softball players, instrumentalists,cheer leaders, and many others. And, let me tell you,they are smart! But while the career they pick isdefinitely important, I know the most importantquestion I ask myself is: “Will they decide to followJesus?”

I know that all of us here at Woodland Hillsare asking that question, and I am so thankful that weare working hard to encourage our Youth to make theright decision!

Upcoming EventsSaturday, May 13th- Summer Water Party

Sunday May 21st – Senior Recognition

May 26th-28th- Ultimate Youth Rally

OUR NEXT FELLOWSHIP MEAL

Our next fellowship meal, on May 21st will behot dogs and hamburgers grilled by some of our ownexcellent chefs. Please bring sides, garnishes anddesserts and drinks and we will eat inside in the cool!

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