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

Daily Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 17:1 – 18:33 (“And the king was deeply moved and went up to the chamber over the gate and wept.  And as he went, he said, ‘O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom!  Would that I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!”)

This Week’s Memory Verse: “Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.”  Acts 8:4

Remember These In Prayer:

Dave Clark continues with his rehab following his stroke last week; he is at HealthSouth Rehab Hospital in Kingsport, room 322a.  He is making good progress, and is scheduled to remain at HealthSouth until December 20.  He would be happy to have visits between 4 and 8 weekday evenings, and between noon and 8 on the weekends.

Janice Moze continues to recover at her home following a stroke a couple of weeks ago.  She reports that she is feeling better.

The family of Van Frasher, father of Nicole Misterly, is mourning his passing on Thursday morning following open heart surgery the day before.
A memorial service will be conducted on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. at the building of the Morristown (TN) Church of Christ.  Pray for God’s comfort to be upon Jacquelyn (Van’s wife), upon Nicole and all of the family.

The family of Jack Phipps, uncle of Elizabeth McConnell and Melissa Jacobs, is mourning his passing on Thursday morning.  Prayers have been requested for Betty, his wife, and for all of the family.  The family will receive friends on Saturday from 12:00 to 2:00 at Weaver Funeral Home in Bristol, with a funeral service following at 2:00.  You may view his obituary by clicking here.

The family of Peggy Phillips, a former member of Central, is mourning her passing on Tuesday.  You may view her obituary by going to this site.

The family of John Holsclaw, uncle of Rebekah Hunt, will receive friends this coming Saturday from 2:00 to 5:00 at the gymnasium of Elizabethton High School, with a memorial service to follow at 5:00.

The family of Shaun Hamblen, 23-year-old son of Carla Davis’ cousin, is mourning his recent death.  He was abducted a week ago, Carla reports, and his body was recovered yesterday; two men have been apprehended.  Carla asks for our prayers for the family.

Rob Walls, brother-in-law of Wilda Rumbaugh, continues to battle cancer.  Wilda asks that we pray for answers to be found for the best treatment.

Sunday’s Bulletin can be viewed by clicking here.  Take time to catch up on the latest news from among your Central family.

Winter Weather Policy: If a Sunday morning finds the roads slick due to ice or snow, there will be no morning services.  There will be a 2:00 p.m. worship assembly (weather permitting), and no evening worship service.  We will attempt to communicate these changes through (a) local TV and radio stations, (b) our urgent prayer request service, and (c) by email through the DF network.  If you have any questions, call the church office or my cell phone (423-426-2769).

The Day That Will Live In Infamy: Today is the 77th anniversary of the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, an event that propelled the United States into World War 2.  May we use this occasion to reflect on the exposure to dangers faced by all who serve in our armed forces.

Judging The Day:  “Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds that you plant.”  (Robert Louis Stevenson)  *  “… who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.”  (Titus 2:14)