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

Daily Bible Reading: Genesis 43:1 – 44:34 (“Then Joseph hurried out, for his compassion grew warm for his brother, and he sought a place to weep.  And he entered his chamber and wept there.”)

This Week’s Memory Verse: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”  2 Corinthians 5:17

Remember These In Prayer:

Lucy Hagerty is scheduled to undergo surgery today at Johnson City Medical Center to replace one hip and to repair the other.  Remember her in your prayers.

Janice Moze was to have been admitted to The Cleveland Clinic on Thursday.  She will undergo tests and scans to determine whether her heart valves are working as they should.

Charlie Grindstaff continues at Quillen Rehab Hospital as he recovers from recent surgery.  During the surgery it was discovered that the cancer has returned.

One Among Us is facing tests and consults with out-of-town specialists following findings from a recent diagnostic procedure.  They do not yet wish to reveal any details, but have asked that we pray for good results in the days ahead.  The Lord will know the one for whom you’ll be praying.

Sasha Chekalina, a young Christian woman, has been hospitalized in her home city of Barnaul, Russia since Tuesday with pneumonia.  Sasha and her husband Tim, have worked in China for the past three years teaching English in an academy, and I have worshiped and had Bible studies with them by means of WeChat, a program similar to Skype.  Pray for God’s wisdom to guide all that is done for our sister.  She and Tim are also wrestling with whether or not to return to China for another year of work.

Joyce Hall continues on antibiotics as the cellulitis continues in her leg. There has been some improvement, but the leg is still painful.

Sherry Carden is receiving steroid infusions each day this week as her doctors try to find solutions for her swallowing difficulties.  She will go to Knoxville in a couple of weeks for a motility study.  Keep praying for God’s blessings on our sister.

Kelly Shaw is scheduled to have her baby by today.  Say a prayer that both child and mother will do well during delivery.

Christine Russell is scheduled to undergo a treadmill test today, and will have an EKG in the near future.  She has been having breathing issues.  She and Charlie ask that we pray for good results.

The family of Matthew Barrette, stepson of Linda Barrette, is mourning his passing on Thursday after several days in ICU.  Linda reports that no funeral service will be held.

Gene, one of the men at Northeast Correctional Complex in Mountain City who has taken classes and attends worship at our services, is experiencing difficult migraine headaches 3-4 times a week.  He would appreciate our prayers for God’s help.

Sunday’s Bulletin can be viewed by clicking here.  Spend a few minutes catching up on the latest news and service opportunities from among your Central family.

126 Boxes Still Out!!  We’re hoping to have all 220 shoe boxes back by Sunday, filled with simple gifts for poor children in Nicaragua.  So far 94 have been returned.  If you plan to be out of town on Sunday, please try to drop off your filled boxes before then; if it’s after office hours, call me and I’ll meet you at the building.

Instantly Updated: On Thursday afternoon Glenda Haynie emailed us to ask that we update her Instant Church Directory listing with her Elizabethton address.  Within a very short time the update was made.  That’s just one of the advantages of using this new tool for your Internet-connected devices – rapid updates.  If you’ve not already installed the program / app, go to this site to find helpful articles showing how to get started.  If you’re still having trouble, talk to us.

Ambitions:  *  “Before you try to keep up with the Joneses, be sure they’re not trying to keep up with you.”  (Erma Bombeck)  *  “But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.”  (1 Timothy 6:6-8)