“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” James 4:8
Daily Bible Reading: Luke 2:1-52 (“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”)
This Week’s Memory Verse: “When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled.” John 11:33
Remember These In Prayer:
Lynda Gray came through her knee replacement surgery on Monday, and all went well. If all goes as hoped, she will be discharged today to go home, where she will undergo home physical therapy.
Mary Lou Cooper will begin her radiation treatments on Wednesday; our earlier report that she was to begin yesterday was incorrect. Once underway she will have radiation treatments five days each week, as well as chemotherapy one day a week. Keep our sister in your prayers.
Evandna Fruewirth remains at NHC HealthCare as she is being treated for pneumonia in both lungs.
The family of Bobby Prosser, grandfather of Kristin England, continues to mourn his passing Sunday evening in middle Tennessee. He had fought cancer (multiple myeloma) for the past year. Kristin asks that we pray for God’s comfort and blessings on the family.
The family of Boyd Lewis, husband of long-time Central member Wanda Lewis, continues to mourn his passing on Thursday morning in St. Augustine, Florida at the age of 95. The family will receive friends today from noon until 1:00 at Morris Baker Funeral Home, and a funeral service will follow at 1:00. Burial will be at Washington County Memory Gardens. Wanda was not able to make the trip due to health issues. Pray for God’s comfort to be upon her and all of the family. You may view Boyd’s obituary by clicking here.
An anonymous prayer request has been submitted for some who have very hard decisions to make. There will also be the need for healing following the decisions. Ask God to bless these; He will know the ones you’ll be praying for.
Don Russell, brother of Charlie Russell, and is now under hospice care at his home in Rosedale, Oregon. Continue to pray for God’s blessings on him and his wife, Anita.
Conrad Nolan, uncle of Gay Clark and Tim Hall, is now at his home in Harrison, Ohio under hospice care. His condition is gradually declining.
Dealing With Loss: We followed closely the reports of Hattie, a 4-year-old girl who was reported missing after tornadoes touched down in Cookeville, Tennessee a week ago. Now her father Matt Collins has shared some thoughts, and it’s getting attention throughout the world. Click here to read his post, and how it reveals their deep faith. Matt is the youth minister for the Collegeside Church of Christ.
Tornado Relief: Last week Tim Haywood announced plans to take a group of volunteers to help the church in Cookeville with cleanup efforts following the devastating tornadoes. Since then he has explored various options, but it seems there has been a crush of volunteers from nearby communities in both Cookeville and Nashville. For now, the best way to help is by monetary donations. Our elders are currently receiving donations for this purpose through this coming Sunday.
The Full Version Of “Taps”: We’ve often heard “Taps” played at funerals. What we don’t often hear is the full version. Click on this link and you’ll see Melissa Venema perform the tune beautifully. When this was recorded in 2013 she was only 13 years old. (Thanks to Rebekah Hunt for pointing us to this video.)
Support Sought: Time is running out for Morgan Stansell to raise the money she needs for a mission trip to Nicaragua this summer. Copies of an information letter can be found on the bulletin board in the old foyer, or you can contact her at stansellm@etsu.edu or text/call her at 615-785-9688. Morgan is a first-year medical student at Quillen College of Medicine, and is a graduate of Freed-Hardeman University.
Wisdom And Peace: * “The more humble and obedient to God a man is, the more wise and at peace he will be in all that he does.” (Thomas a Kempis) * “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” (James 4:10)
