Pulpit Minister - South College Church of Christ

Volume 9, No. 8 - August 2010
Pulpit
Minister
David Deffenbaugh
I have heard Ernest Johnson speak of the terrible heat of
the summer of 1936. It’s not that he remembers it, but he’s been
told about it. He was born in July of that year. The reason he’s
mentioned it to me is because he learned a few years ago that my
dad was born one month after him that same year. I have heard my
grandma talk about how hot it was that year. Ernest confirmed my
grandma’s memory and I have since read newspaper stories about
the record heat in the summer of ’36.
Our present summer’s heat seems pretty oppressive. There
is a big difference though, between then and now: the availability of
air conditioning. Cooled air in our homes, cars, church buildings,
and in virtually every business makes the unbearable, bearable. I
know it sure beats the wet sheets hung in the windows grandma talks
about. We are much better equipped to handle a very uncomfortable
(if not potentially dangerous) problem.
Somehow, though, Ernest, Dad, and Grandma survived.
But we are very thankful for the advantages and comforts and help
provided by the technological advancements we enjoy today. We
continually look for new and better solutions to our present problems
and difficulties. But here is something to consider. There never
will be an improvement or even an alternative to the solution to our
greatest problem. Nothing ever can nor ever will replace the blood
of Jesus Christ as the answer to my sin (1 Peter 1:18-19).
First of all, a quick apology is in order for the tardiness
of this month’s Bulletin. Staff schedules were such, though, that
it was unavoidable. We’re sorry for any inconveniences the delay
may have caused.
We are entering the final month of lessons for our Summer Series. Again, I want to thank the men who have prepared
and presented lessons for us in this series. It has been so good to
be reminded of the “Foundations” that are so essential to our faith
and spiritual well-being. Scheduled speakers for this month (in the
order of the schedule) are myself, Kevin Shumate, Tyrel Hatfield,
and Daryl Buck.
We have another Family Fun Night planned for the second
Sunday evening of the month (the 8th) at the Murrell Home park
following services. Why not plan to join us for a relaxing and
enjoyable time together?
August is always a transitional time for us. The traditional summer activities are behind us (camps and VBS). In other
ways summer is still definitely with us, but by the time the month
ends, schools will be in full swing and we’ll be thinking about fall
schedules (even though the weather may not yet suggest that it’s
autumn).
Allow me to once again express my gratitude to this congregation for their continued support, prayers, and encouragement
regarding our work in Ukraine. You will find a brief report on our
recent trip on page 5. I may be able to convey the words of thank you
from our brethren and sister congregations there, but I just cannot
adequately express their depth of feeling when they say it.
It seems as though we have had a greater than usual number of local visitors to our services. That is a wonderful thing. It
can also be a sad thing. How so? If those visitors are not made to
feel welcomed. I think that for the most part we do a good job of
greeting and welcoming our visitors. But we can always do better.
Let me encourage you to be sure and be aware of those who grace
us with their presence at our assemblies. They really are not empty
words when we say they “honor” us by visiting us. We should be
so gracious as to at least thank them for attending.
Our visitors should find it very difficult to get away from
our services for all of the people meeting and greeting them. All
“David’s article” continued on page 7
Join us on the 2nd Sunday of each month
for our Church Family Fun Night! Enjoy food,
volleyball, plus lots and lots of fellowship!
When: August 8th
following evening services
Where: Murrell Home Park
MINI CAMP • Fruit of the Spirit • July7-10
Youth
Minister
Tyrel Hatfield
Mini camp - JULY 7-10
I have been a part of Burnt Cabin
Christian Camp for nearly my entire life
- As an underaged child of the director,
camper, counselor, and now 11 years directing. There have been many changes
made to the camp over the years; you’ll
no longer see huge box fans at the end of
the barracks, no more swimming in the
lake, and air-conditioning! But the one
thing has stayed the same - God and the
teaching of His word. It’s so important
that our children know the truth of God’s
word and His desire to have a relationship
with them. This is taught in our classes,
modeled by our staff, and supported by
your continous efforts to provide scholarships and make Burnt Cabin a special
place. WHAT A BLESSING!
With God at the center, even
though the camp grounds may look different, my children can enjoy the same camp
I was a part of all those years. For that I
say thank you. Thanks to our shepherds
for their leadership and guidance. Thanks
to Sam and Joyce for their love for children and Burnt Cabin. And, thanks to all
the many volunteers who have unselfishly
given of their time and money. You are
appreciated.
Our theme for Mini-Camp this
years was “Fruit of the Spirit!” We had
105 campers and 45 staff. What fun!
| South College church of Christ Bulletin • 410 South College • Tahlequah, Oklahoma 74464 • 918-456-3414
Week of Service with the Junior High and High School
Campus
Minister
Tony Bradley
As the heat of the summer continues to try to bake us, there are signs
of fall just around the corner. I know
this because Riverhawks young and
old have begun to arrive on campus...
a tell tale sign that a new semester is
about to begin. While classes start for
some the week of the 16th, some of
the football players and optometry
students are already on campus getting
used to the new living arrangements.
One such student is Damon
Tennison. Damon is a returning NSU
football player and will be living in the
Student Center this fall. He’s getting
settled in and will undoubtedly be a
great help representing RFC in our
facility, and with new students as they
arrive on campus. I’m looking forward
to working with him.
From my visits at Burnt Cabin
this summer and other churches in the
area, I know we have several new students and transfers for this fall. While
it’s challenging to get to know them all
at once, what a great blessing it is for
us at South College to have them work
and worship with us.
Our weekly devotionals on
campus will start on Tuesday the 24th.
Other events are being scheduled for
the congregation and students to get
to know each and will be posted in
the weekly Family News. I’m looking
forward to having a great year with
RFC. Continue to pray for us as we
represent Christ on campus.
More pictures on page 7
South College church of Christ Bulletin • 410 South College • Tahlequah, Oklahoma 74464 • 918-456-3414
| Hispanic
Minister
Edgar Lucero
In the Hispanic ministry we
continue working in evangelisim and our
ladies are also planning to join us in the
evangelistic work. We continue with our
jail ministry visiting and sharing the message of Christ to the inmates. And also we
are visiting the Tahlequah City Hospital to
pray for the sick.
We are planning to develop new
congregational projects for the rest of the
year that will benefit the spirituality of our
members. We are planning to have a prayer
meeting once a week in order to be more
in contact with our God and take care of
those prayer concerns. As the attendance
grows, we also are planning to develop
visitations to all of the families of the
Hispanic congregation.
My family and I just came back
from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. We participated in the Hispanic National Teen Connections. I had the opportunity to speak;
the other speakers were: Salvador Estrada
from El Paso, Luis Fernando Rosas from
FT Worth, Silas Prado from Mission, Ariel
Villa from Tijuana, Mexico, Adan Guerrero from Los Angeles, and Omar Alvarez
from Tijuana, Mexico. The attendance was
of 250 teenagers. The activity was successf
ul. We had 10 baptisms during the event.
Please keep our ministry in your
prayers.
We are preparing for the Hispanic
National Teen Connections in Oklahoma
City for June, 2011.
BAPTISMS
Ben Adair
Sheila, Kendal*, Kent* Davis and
grandaughter Nicci. (*Baptized)
NEW MEMBERS
Lance & Lauren Claborn
| South College church of Christ Bulletin • 410 South College • Tahlequah, Oklahoma 74464 • 918-456-3414
UKRAINE MISSION REPORT
This summer’s mission trip to Ukraine focused on
a Vacation Bible School (which
they call “Children’s Week”) at
the Artemovsk congregation.
This is the second such program
we have participated in with
them, the first being in 2008. It
was encouraging to look back at
photos from two years ago and
see some of the same children
from the community who returned for this year’s VBS.
Joining the six members from South College (Zach
Shaffer, Lauren Bradley, Chisholm Waldroop, Dalton Deffenbaugh, Tim Watts, and me)
were four from the Stilwell congregation
(Pat Woodward, Alicia Ketcher, Carlene
and Jewel Yell) and one from Neosho, MO
(Spencer Murray). This was a nice mixture
of experienced Ukraine mission workers
(7) and first-timers (4).
I always enjoy those visiting
Ukraine for the first time. For one thing,
it is good to see the country, the people,
and even our work
through their eyes.
Not only that, but
participating in this
kind of trip really
does change one’s
perspective. I believe
for the better. Whether we realize it or not,
our outlook and perception can become
skewed when all we ever know is America
and the American way of life, and even the
church in America. It is a good experience
to see the Bible, the church, and faith in
circumstances
and conditions
and cultures that
are so different
(sometimes radically so) from
our own. The
challenge we
(those participating in such
trips) face, and one we talked about on
our trip, is remembering our newfound
understanding and to live our faith based
on it instead of falling back into the same
old ways of thinking and doing.
In addition to our VBS activities
we had the privilege of spending some
time with other congregations.
This included the churches in
Chasov-Yar, Minkovka, and
Konstantinovka. All of these
are small congregations that
enjoy and appreciate the association and support provided
from Tahlequah.
Return visits to the
orphanages in Artemovsk and
Konstantinovka were as emotional and as rewarding as ever.
It is heartbreaking to consider
these very young lives and the
greatly disadvantaged position
from which they are getting
started. It is also good to have
some very small part in their
care and provisions.
Our group also enjoyed two excursions visiting
the largest salt mine in Europe
(just outside of Artemovsk at
Soledar) and the beautiful resort/monastery area of Svyeta
Gorsk.
It is so encouraging to
work with the Artemovsk congregation in
this kind of effort. They have a wonderful track record of conversions that have
come from contacts initially made through
Vacation Bible School.
Thank you, again, for participating with us in this marvelous work!
South College church of Christ Bulletin • 410 South College • Tahlequah, Oklahoma 74464 • 918-456-3414
| Sun
1
Mon
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Tue
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Wed
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Thu
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Fri
Sat
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Bob Kennedy
Dorothy Morris
Jana Shumate
Conagher Hardaway
Wes Johnston
*Chuck & Linda
Lisa Hatfield
Maria Gonzales
Mae Hodge
Sam Yaws
Shaffer
Bryan Walker
*Tim & Robin Watts
11
12
13
8
9
*Bill & Shirley Kay
10
*Alissa & Marcus
Crawford
14
Family Fun Night
Molly Couch
Chris McCoy
Keri Sisco
*Danny & Nancy
Mason
15
Tyler Bradley
Phil Kay
Kayleigh Spears
Cleva Smith
16
17
Monday Night for
Gerry Sue Smethers
the Master 6p.m.
Dick Higginbotham
Louis Sounders
Jimmy Trammel
18
19
Margaret Blackburn
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21
*LaHoma & Gilbert
Bigby
Rod Wyers
22
Linda Shaffer
23
*Tyler & Sara
*Julia & Elena
Martha Aguilar
Nancy Mason
Teena Neugin
24
25
26
27
28
Calvin McCoy
Trudy Mickel
Men's Breakfast
John Gwin
Erica Parris
Aretha Jinks
*Dean & Susan
Ada Cannonie
Kelley
29
Stewart
Mosqueda
Matt Hewitt
30
Danny Minor
*Marvin & Paula
7a.m.
Page
31
Toni Morse
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* Anniversary
“David’s Article” continued from page 1
What Is Different About the
Church of Christ?
Jack Harriman
It is not a matter of being different. All religious organizations are
different. It is a matter of accurately understanding the teachings of Jesus
as revealed in the New Testament. There are at least seven beliefs held by
the Church of Christ which are different.
The church holds the Bible to be the only way that God now communicates His will to man. It holds the New Testament as the part in which
Christians are instructed in matters of faith and practice. It holds the Bible
to be verbally inspired, and the Bible’s silence as an important element in
understanding God’s will for us.
The church holds that water baptism is a condition of receiving
God’s forgiveness (Acts 2:38). One is not a Christian – a saved person—until
one has been baptized.
The church holds that the First Century church observed the Lord’s
Supper on the first day of every week (Acts 20:7). Therefore, such is the
practice of the Church of Christ today.
The church holds that singing in the First Century church was a
capppella style (without an instrument) (Colossians 3:16). Therefore, such
is the practice of the Church of Christ today.
The church holds that each congregation was an independent
body organized under elders and deacons (Philippians 1:1). Therefore,
the Church of Christ today is organized that way believing that such is the
Lord’s way.
The church holds that the Lord’s church exists on earth today
anywhere folks learn what First Century Christians learned, believe what
they believed, and practice what they practiced. It further believes such is
exactly what God intended (Ephesians 3:20).
The church holds that all believers could be and should be united
in the one body of Christ, and that this could be accomplished by the restoration of Christianity as it is revealed in the New Testament, and that such
unity is the Lord’s desire (John 17:21).
The Church of Christ is not trying to be different. It is different
because of what it believes and practices that others do not believe and
practice. And some of the differences are of such a nature that they separate
it spiritually, and therefore physically, from all others.
Center Street Bulletin
Fayetteville, Arkansas
you have to do is introduce yourself, tell
them how much you appreciate their being with us, and invite them to come back
whenever they can. (You can also go get
one of the “Welcome” sacks from the
Bread Ministry table and give it to them
– yes, get it for them, not just point them
in that direction).
Friendliness and a welcoming
atmosphere are two very powerful influences. The degree to which they are
characteristic of us depends on each of us
individually. It is within our power and
control to be a very inviting and attractive
congregation.
Thank you for the good job you
have done in this regard…keep up the
good work…and I encourage us all to do
better.
Pictures continued from page 3
South College church of Christ Bulletin • 410 South College • Tahlequah, Oklahoma 74464 • 918-456-3414
| Elders
Daryl Buck
Danny Mason
Danny Minor
David O’Neil
Kevin Shumate
Charles Vanlandingham
Ministers
David Deffenbaugh, Pulpit
Tyrel Hatfield, Youth & Children
Tony Bradley, University
Edgar Lucero, Hispanic
Deacons
Tony Bradley
Virgil Carter
John Gwin
Rob Hensley
James Kaufman
Dean Kelley
Mike Monholland
Louis Sounders
Missionaries
George and Martha Tien - China
Family News
CONGRATULATIONS TO:
…Jami & Josh Smith who were married July
24 here at the building. Jami is the daughter of
Rick & Karen Rozell.
…Bob & Ruth Kennedy on the birth of greatgrandson Parker Samson Love. His parents are
Ryan & Diana Love.
…David & Tanya Deffenbaugh on the birth of
their first grandchild: Cale Braxon. He was born
to Alissa & Jeff Lovett in Edmond on July 26.
Dalton is the happy uncle.
BAPTISMS
…Ben Adair
…Daria Yaws, granddaughter of Sam & Joyce
…Kent & Kendal Davis
SYMPATHY TO:
…the family of former member Billie Hopkins.
Her graveside services were at the Ft Gibson
Military Cemetery.
…Dave & Gwen Moss on the death of her sisterin-law in Granite, Ok.
Schedule of Services
Sunday
Bible School..............................9:30 a.m.
Morning Worship.....................10:30 a.m.
Evening Worship.......................5:00 p.m.
Tuesday
Women’s Class
(Sept. - May)...........................10:00 a.m.
Wednesday
Mid-week Class........................7:00 p.m.
Office Hours - 8 am - 5 pm, Mon - Fri
Phone - 918-456-3414
Fax - 918-456-3445
churchoffice@sccofc.org
www.sccofc.org
410 S College, Tahlequah, OK 74464
…Ray & Linda Stearns on the loss of her father,
Lloyd Keener in Atkins, AR.
…Steve & Pat Molloy on the death of her sister,
Brenda Carpenter, here in Tahlequah.
NEW MEMBERS
...Lance & Lauren Claborn, 1519 Northpark Dr.
Tahlequah. OK 74464, 325-998-2033 or 580-9205389. Lauren is a new Optometry student
...Ben Adair, Children: Jacob & Sabrina
1201 W Keetowah, Tahlequah, Ok 74464
458-1998
...Kent & Sheila Davis, daughter: Kendal, PO
Box 27, Moodys, Ok 74444
456-3559
NEW PHONE NUMBER
Debbie Minshew…316-8468
ASKED FOR PRAYERS
…Alicia Young (NSU student)