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

Daily Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 11:1 – 12:31 (“But now he is dead. Why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.”)

This Week’s Memory Verse: “Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.”  Hebrews 7:25

Remember These In Prayer:

Dave Clark remains in ICU at Holston Valley Medical Center after suffering a stroke on Thursday morning.  He is slowly recovering his abilities, but needs rest before being transferred (Monday?) to a rehab facility.  It would be best that there be no visitors through the weekend.

Danny Hoilman continues to recover from total knee replacement surgery on Thursday at Holston Valley Medical Center.  If all continues to go well this morning, he will be discharged today to go home.

The family of John Holsclaw, uncle of Rebekah Hunt, continues to mourn his passing on Thursday after a battle with cancer.  He was a member of the Elizabethton Church of Christ, and a beloved member of his community.  To read a tribute to his life from the Elizabethton Star, click here.  No information has yet been received regarding funeral services.

Dylan Back, infant grandson of a coworker of Luanne Hoilman, continues at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital awaiting heart surgery.  He has other difficult health challenges.  Dylan’s parents are friends of Brandy and Shane Nixon, and Dylan has an older brother, Dawson.

The family of Mike Hoilman, cousin of Danny Hoilman, is mourning his unexpected passing on Wednesday at Mission Hospital in Asheville.  Danny and Luanne recently visited with Mike, and all appeared to be going well with him following surgery.  A funeral was conducted Friday evening.

The family of Sam Colvett, father of former Central member Kyle Colvett, is mourning his passing earlier this week, we learned through Chig Gunter.  Kyle’s brother is a member of the North Jackson Church of Christ where Chig’s daughter, Ramonda, is a member.

Tomorrow Is The Lord’s Day!  Let’s remember to prepare our hearts to worship God in spirit and truth.  Join us for Bible study at 9:15 as we begin a new quarter of study, and come worship with us at 10:15 and at 6:00.

Honor Flight Breakfast This Morning: Remember the breakfast this morning at our building to raise funds for Honor Flight of Northeast Tennessee.  Come enjoy a generous breakfast, and show your support for those who have served our nation in the armed forces.  The breakfast will go from 8:00 a.m. to noon.

Another Excellent Seminar!  On Friday another R&R (“Reconciled & Renewed”) Seminar was held at the main compound of Northeast Correctional Complex in Mountain City.  49 inmates heard presentations from God’s word on key life skills – motivation, accountability, priorities, and stewardship.  Pray that God’s word will grow and bear fruit in these men’s lives.

More Tags Posted: After nearly all of the tags from the Giving Tree were taken Wednesday evening, Ruth Boggs was able to obtain more on Friday.  Check the display in the lobby on Sunday morning, and help some of our elderly neighbors have a merrier Christmas.

Local Connections: Ruth Earnest shares this link to a YouTube video featuring a song about her beloved Shady Valley.  To add to its appeal, it is sung by former Central member Clay Bailey.  Clay is the son of Charlotte and Dan Bailey, who work with the State Street Church of Christ in Bristol.

The Center Of History:  *  “I am a historian, I am not a believer, but I must confess as a historian that this penniless preacher from Nazareth is irrevocably the very center of history.  Jesus Christ is easily the most dominant figure in all human history.”  (H.G. Wells)  *  “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.”  (Colossians 1:15-18)