“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.”  James 4:8

Daily Bible Reading: John 12:1-50 (“Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.”)

This Week’s Memory Verse: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”  Ephesians 2:10

Remember These In Prayer:

Claudette Rhea is scheduled to undergo gall bladder surgery today.  Say a prayer that all will go well for her.

Violet Yates has been placed under hospice care as her condition continues to slowly decline.  She is unable to walk or stand, but she still enjoys visits.  Keep this dear sister in your prayers, and let her know she is very much in our thoughts.

Ron Tester remains in a weakened condition at his home as he battles symptoms from a brain tumor.  He said on Wednesday to send his thanks to all who have sent cards or helped in other ways.  Pray for God’s blessings to be on Ron and Bandy.

Lucy Hagerty continues at Lakebridge Health Care as she recovers from surgery last week on her leg.  She is to meet with her surgeon today to evaluate progress.

Dean Minier, a coworker with Ginger Whitson, was to have undergone heart surgery on Wednesday after four blockages were discovered.  We have had no update on how things went; keep Dean in your prayers.

Greg Snodgrass, a former member of Central, has been diagnosed with MS, we learned Wednesday evening.  No other details are known; say a prayer that all will go well for Greg.  Greg lives in Boone, North Carolina.

Report From Africa: Chig Gunter, his son-in-law, and two of his grandsons are continuing their work with Chimala Mission in Tanzania, Africa.  Ramonda, Chig’s daughter, reported early this morning that Chig had met a man at Chimala whom he had taught in World Bible School!  Click here to see a photo of Chig and his family with beautiful Tanzanian mountains in the background; and here to see Chig and his grandsons working with a group of young students.  Keep these servants of God in your prayers.

Can You Help?Cathy Carter-Bisner asks if anyone has a comfortable double-sized bed for her son Zak, who recently moved back home.  If you have something that will help, please call Cathy at 423-741-9410.

Sending Out God’s Word: Earlier this week we received a certificate from the Jacksonville (AL) Church of Christ stating that Central is in the Top 25% of all participating congregations in sending out “House To House, Heart To Heart”.  In 2018 we were responsible for 11,785 copies of this bimonthly publication going to homes in our community.  It’s just one more way we seek to take the Good News of Jesus Christ to Johnson City.

Something We’ve Known: Click here to read a brief story entitled “A Cappella Music Is Popular”.  One church in Kirksville, Oklahoma is tapping into the popularity of singing without instruments, including state-supported universities.  We have, of course, known about the beauty of this kind of music for a long time.

Making Excuses?  *  “I never knew a man who was good at making excuses who was good at anything else.”  (Benjamin Franklin)  *  “How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.”  (Proverbs 6:9-11)