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

Daily Bible Reading: 2 Kings 5:1 – 6:33 (“Then Elisha prayed and said, ‘O Lord, please open the eyes of the young man that he may see.’  So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”)

This Week’s Memory Verse: “So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.”  2 Thessalonians 2:15

Scroll down this page for a list of prayer requests.

Our Broadcasts Will Not End when we finally get back to “normal”.  We’ve seen great value in being able to broadcast and archive worship and Bible study assemblies, as well as videos of encouragement.  New equipment is being installed to make these forms of outreach even more effective.  All assemblies will be broadcast as long as the Lord allows!  Thanks for your feedback which has helped us hone our skills and extend our outreach.

New Video Series Continues: Our new series of videos designed to help us prepare for reopening the building for worship will continue today.  In today’s segment, one of our own medical professionals will address an issue that will affect how we go about things for now.  Be sure to watch this, which will come later this morning.  If you’ve not yet seen yesterday’s message from the elders, click here to see it now.

Building Preparations Underway: Earlier this week Central’s carpets were professionally cleaned using disinfectants.  Patti Fatherree and Amy Norris (who has been helping Patti in recent weeks) have been disinfecting surfaces on a regular basis for the past few weeks.  Other measures will be taken to ensure that our facilities are as clean and safe as they can possibly be.

Communion Sets Are Available for you to pick up so you can partake of the Lord’s Supper from home as you worship with us virtually.  Please call the church office to schedule a time to come pick it up.  If you can’t get out, let us know and we’ll bring it to you.

We Hate To Say Goodbye!  Today is the last day that Shannon and Brian Ketchem will be in Johnson City.  In the two years we’ve gotten to know them, we’ve found them to be dedicated servants of the Lord who have significant talents.  They’re moving to Denver where Shannon has accepted a rotation in pharmacy.

Don’t Try This At Home!!  The young chef in the three-minute video at this link can do some amazing things with a knife (there doesn’t seem to be any audio with this video).  Thanks to Rebekah Hunt for sharing this link.

Remember These In Prayer:

Landon, 3-year-old great-grandson of Louise Clites, is scheduled for outpatient abdominal surgery today.  This is to repair two problems that Landon has dealt with since birth.  Due to COVID-19 issues, only one of his parents can be with him; his father Zack will be there.  Louise asks that we pray for God’s blessings on both Landon and the surgeon.

Karen Stevens continues to receive hormone-blocking medications that are designed to attack the cancer in her body.  Pray for God to empower this approach, and to bring relief and strength to our sister.

Georgie Roten is recovering from cataract surgery last week on her one good eye.  There is some pressure in that eye, and her vision is not yet where she wants it to be.  She will return to be evaluated on Friday.

Jade Vance, daughter of Stephanie and Isaac Vance, continues to have pain in the leg from which a large blood clot was recently removed.  Doctors are working to find the cause of this pain as Jade is working with physical therapists to build up her strength.  Dean Neal, her grandmother, asks for our prayers that help can be given.

Will Terry, 8-year-old son of former Central member Adam Terry and his wife Catherine, was moved on Wednesday out of PICU at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital, and is now in a regular room.  He continues to make slow progress in responding to simple commands.  He is being considered for transfer to Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital in Atlanta, which features a comprehensive inpatient rehab program.  Keep your prayers going for Will; God has blessed him with amazing progress from such a devastating injury.

Don Russell, brother of Charlie Russell, remains hospitalized in Oregon, and has now developed pneumonia.  The initial diagnosis of kidney failure has now been dismissed, and efforts are underway to decrease the high level of ammonia in Don’s body.  Charlie reported on Wednesday that Don is now comatose.  He asks that we continue to pray for God’s comfort on both Don and his wife Anita, and to guide his doctors to do what is best for him.

Diane Nave, a dear friend of Elizabeth McConnell, underwent surgery Wednesday to address the pancreatic cancer that was discovered in March.  Though the surgeon tried different approaches, he was not able to remove the tumor.  Diane will rest for a few weeks and will then resume chemotherapy.  Our continued prayers for her have been requested.

Paula Tackett has improved enough to leave ICU and return home; she and her husband Joe both have the COVID-19 virus.  Joe remains critical and has actually worsened somewhat since the last update.  He remains on a ventilator and continual dialysis.  The Tacketts are members of the Highland View Church of Christ in Oak Ridge.

Ashley Lilly Cutshall, daughter of Mary Nell Lilly, has now tested free of the COVID-19 virus, and was to have returned to work on Wednesday.  She has been sick for the past month, and earlier tested positive for COVID-19.  Mary Nell sends her thanks to all who have been praying for Ashley, who lives in Denver with her two children.

Mamie Gates, mother of Carla Davis, was discharged from the hospital on Tuesday, and is now at Kirby Pines Rehab in Memphis.  Carla noted that she has had a rough time since undergoing surgery for a broken hip, and asks that we pray for her physical therapy to go well so that she might be able to walk again.

Gene Arrowood called the church office on Tuesday to say Hello.  Ruth Boggs reported that Gene said he is working hard to get better, is improving slowly, and hopes to be home in a few weeks.  Let’s keep Gene in our prayers.  Cards of encouragement can be sent c/o Gary Phillips, 108 Shepards Square, Nashville, TN 37211.

Bobbie Newland, a member of the Northeast Church of Christ in Kingsport, known to several among us, suffered a heart attack on Sunday and was admitted to the hospital.  Details are few, but pray for this faithful Christian to be blessed by her Lord.

Am I Valuable?  *  “Man is not valuable because he loves God. Man is valuable because God loves him.”  (Helmut Thielicke)  *  “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  (Romans 5:8)