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

Daily Bible Reading: Mark 6:1 – 8:17 (“And immediately the king sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head.  He went and beheaded him in the prison.”)

This Week’s Memory Verse: “And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.”  Titus 3:14

Remember These In Prayer:

The family of Woody Crowder, brother of Jane Fillers, is mourning his passing on Monday morning in Mountain City.  Woody had come through a couple of lengthy hospital stays over the past couple of years, but his heart issues were challenging.  No arrangements have yet been made for a funeral service, but Tetrick Funeral Home of Elizabethton will be in charge.  Keep Jane and all of her family in your prayers.

Lee Davis is waiting to hear the results of tests that will determine when chemotherapy treatments will begin at Vanderbilt Medical Center.  He and Carla are preparing to spend a month or more in Nashville as doctors begin to treat the MDS that was just diagnosed.

Janice Moze has not yet returned home from The Cleveland Clinic, we learned on Monday.  She is waiting to undergo a heart catheterization procedure, and it will likely be done later this week.

Carlene Bannister is scheduled to undergo medical tests today; she will be hospitalized in Kingsport for these.  John has asked that we pray for good findings.

Emma Erickson is recovering at home from a severe case of mono.  She will be homebound until at least October 5.  Pray for God’s healing hand to be upon Emma, who is missing much of her sophomore year in high school.

Raymond Barton, brother of Pat Stiltner, underwent triple-bypass surgery on Friday.  When he has recovered sufficiently from that surgery, he is to have surgery on his neck.  Pat asks that we pray for him to do well.

Mary Murphy, older sister of Gene Arrowood, is hospitalized in Falls Church, Virginia with an infection.  Gene would appreciate our prayers for her.  Mary’s husband, Lambert, passed away just a few weeks ago.

Pauline McKinney, sister of Faye Bailey, is nearing the end of the treatments for breast cancer that began early this year.  Faye reported on Monday evening that her last radiation treatment will be next week.  Pauline seems to be doing well.

Everly, a young child with Down syndrome for whom we have prayed before, now has a blood infection throughout her body.  Doctors were going to attempt to insert a Picc line on Monday, a very risky procedure, but one that needed to be done.  She has only spent two weeks at her home in her almost one year of life.  She is at University of Virginia Medical Center, and Kathy Torgerson asks that we remember her and her family in prayer.

One among us is to undergo a medical biopsy later this week as doctors seek to learn more about a condition spotted in a recent test.  They have asked for our prayers, though they prefer not to be identified yet.

Another among us will undergo an out-of-town medical procedure later this week.  There are risks involved, but the procedure needs to be done.  Again, they would prefer not to be identified, but would feel more peace knowing that others are praying.

Be Prepared: We are in the process of having our parking lot resealed.  Most of it will be available for Wednesday evening Bible study, but the west side driveway (the one next to the office strip next door) may not be available.  Be on the alert when you are coming to Bible study.

The Numbers Keep Growing: There are now 117 who have created accounts with our new Instant Church Directory.  If you’ve not yet connected, click here for articles which will help you get started.  If you need assistance in setting up your account, just ask.

Helping Dorian Victims: Our own Colleen McAlister plans to go to The Bahamas in 2-3 weeks, and has asked for help in purchasing 2 generators to take with her.  If you’d like to assist, give your donation to one of the elders by Sunday, September 22.  Any funds in excess of the price of the generators will be used for other needs that Colleen will see.

Recognizing Opportunities:  *  “Opportunity is often difficult to recognize; we usually expect it to beckon us with beepers and billboards.”  (William Arthur Ward)  *  “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”  (Galatians 6:10)