Decatur-Trinity Christian Church 2449 Altruria, Bartlett TN 38134

www.decaturtrinity.org 

901/388-4511 FAX 901/388-1049

 

May 22, 2001

Over the years I have heard people speak about particular aspects of their faith. As we approach Pentecost Sunday on June 3r^d, we are reminded that Christ's ascension into heaven is a firm belief for the Christian. There are many things that we all hold near and dear to our hearts and find a common ground to agree on. Then there are issues that more often than not tend to be divisive. And the interesting thing about most of these issues is that they don't come from the teachings of Jesus, they come from the teachings of Paul. Now I have to admit that I am an admirer of St. Paul. He was a man whose heart was 100% given to Christ. But he was also a Jew and carried with him a life time of Jewish tradition.

Like ministers today, Paul spent a good part of his ministry putting out fires that sprung up in the churches he had established. There was infidelity, adultery, gossiping, jealousy, hatred, deliberately causing one's brother or sister to sin, and a bunch of other things that tore congregations apart. He also said some things about the customs of the day. Paul was Jewish and strongly supported Jewish custom. "Women keep silent in the church" was one of those things that have found its way into many congregations. "Women wear a covering over your hair when in worship" was another. What I frequently hear is people talking about what Jesus said when they really are talking about Paul. There is a major difference between being followers of Jesus and followers of Paul. Although Paul was a great evangelist for Christ, he was not Christ nor did he ever claim to be. My point is simple. Let's be sure that what we are being critical about is something Christ taught us and not something that was a part of the Jewish culture.

Being the Church is so hard today because we are being forced to look at things we never had to look at in the past. A lot of those things I would rather not have to deal with because I don't want to change. But if I am true to the Christian faith, I must continually ask "what would Jesus do?" And when I am honest with myself, I will also answer that there are too many times he wouldn't have done things the way I did them.

See you this Sunday as we once again worship in His house.

Your Pastor

Frances Epperson – Methodist Central.

Dave Luechauer is having surgery on his hand Wednesday in Jackson.

Emma Lee Richardson – Baptist East.

Chuck Fitzgerald.

Nell Gaulding.

Jean Luzier.

Mildred Parker.

Ruth Jerkins.

 

 

 

We extend our love and sympathy to Ann Morehead and her family in the death of her nephew last week.

 

We also express our love and sympathy to Kathy Abbott and her family in the death of her mother-in-law.

 

 

 

In love and appreciation of Bill Parks from the Disciple II Bible Study.

 

In memory of Luther Coley from

Ralph & Sue Smith

Joy & Floyd Johnson (debt)

Ruth Simpson (debt)

Melvin & Jean Goforth (CWF)

John & Virginia Hummel

The Agape Class

Bob and Patsy Keith

Earl & Shirley Cunningham

In memory of Mae Anderson from

Tabitha CWF Group

Mary Mitchell

Earl & Shirley Cunningham

In memory of Toar McMillan from

Melvin and Jean Goforth

Barbara Lawrence

Mary Mitchell

In memory of Dorothy Weakley’s mother from Joy and Floyd Johnson (debt).

 

 

We welcomed the following visitors: Carly Rosa, Sandy Jarvis, Ann McAlister, Jack Ford, Jimmy Vester, Jesse Solis, Alex Toombs

Church School 126

Worship Service 220

SALT Service 57

Received May 20 $5,355

Rec’d to date in May $24,886

May Budget Needs $31,229

Debt/Touch the Dream $343

Total Debt/Touch Rec’d $154,706

 

 

Speaker for SALT this week will be Paula Coss.

Dear Church Family,

There are not enough words to tell all of you how much your love and support have meant to me these past 2 years as I struggled through my grief and loss after Buddy died. I really appreciate all the loving thoughts that many of you put in the book that was given to me the night before I left. You gave me a glimpse of how I’ve touched so many lives.

Scott and Bob, you have been my spiritual strength when I wasn’t sure I could go on. I keep both of you in my prayers as you minister to everyone in the congregation.

Sunday I plan to visit 1^st Christian Church and next week I’ll visit Northwood Christian. I hope I find one of them as loving as DTCC but I will follow the Lord’s plan for me.

Let me hear from you, and let me know if you’ll be in the Beaumont area. There is always room for you at my home.

In Christian love, Carol

 

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Thanks for standing with me as I prepared for surgery, went through the process and came out on the other side. Your prayers, visits, cards, and food have all been lifesavers to me and Bob and Emily. Please keep us in your prayers as I experience five more months in a wheelchair. God is surely teaching me patience. But He is also reminding me that God is good – all the time!             Love in Christ, Patsy Keith

P.S. A big "thank you" to Theresa Utley for filling in for me in the Agape Class. Rumor has it, you’re a great teacher!!!

THERE WILL NOT BE A WEEKLY VISITOR SENT NEXT WEEK – DUE TO A SHORT WEEK AND VACATION.

We are having another work day for making gifts for Breakfast with Santa – May 25 at 9 a.m. in the Agape classroom. Bring your scissors. For more info call Gerry Wilson.

The Agape Class is sponsoring a cookout in the church picnic area on June 2 from 4 p.m. until dark. All church members are invited. Hamburgers and hot dogs will be provided. Plan on bringing a covered dish and lawn chair. Please contact Pat Bussey for further information.

The Dessert Bake Off was a huge success at Sunday’s picnic. There were seven entries and seven winners! How could that be, you asked? Our panel of judges had them rated so closely, that prizes were given to all. The entries were Layered fruit salad - Melanie Stone; Chocolate layered dessert – Karen Pricer; Cheesecake with Blueberry Topping – Rick Pilon; Cinnamon Coffee Cake – Gerry Wilson; Strawberry Cake – Lil Stanek; Strawberry Pie – Kathy Srygley; and Chocolate Chip Pie – Jeanette Lawshe.

Lifeblood Donor Center at 3860 Covington Pike #102 will have a church blood drive on Sunday, June 10, from 12 – 4 p.m. All blood types are needed! Sign up on sheet posted on office window.

In honor of Jack Turner’s 70^th birthday from Genny, Jeremy and David McDuffie.

Brenda Jones is at St. Francis.

On Sunday, June 3, immediately after worship we will have a reception to honor Bob Williams for his service to DTCC. Finger sandwiches, cake, etc. will be served. We will present a money tree to Bob and Jane - envelopes will be available for your use, if needed. Hope you will make plans to attend this reception.

ATTENTION:

Please begin NOW making your plans to attend the All Church Potluck Dinner on Wednesday, June 6, at 6:30 p.m. This will be the CWF Installation of Officers for the year 2001/2002. It will be short and informal. God will be present, and He requests the honor of your presence, women, men, and children! Because the study material for this new year is on spiritual gifts, each of you will be important to the service. You will not be asked to say or do anything: just be there. The dress is casual and we will be through by 8 p.m. 

Thank you, Carol Rogers, CWF President and Board Members

BE A PART OF THE TRANSFORMATION

I wonder what it was like on that first Pentecost, when people could see tongues of fire over the disciples' heads, and everyone really heard the good news about Jesus in their own language --- in a way they could understand!  What an experience for the disciples to see this gift of the Spirit after the emptiness and devastation they had experienced at Jesus' crucifixion.

There must have been moments between the crucifixion and Pentecost when Jesus' followers wondered what difference their giving of time and effort for Jesus really made.  What an affirmation and celebration Pentecost must have been.

Sunday, June 3 is Pentecost Sunday!  We will have the opportunity to give in faith and watch the work of God grow.  Who knows what spiritual transformation might happen in us and in others because of our gifts?

Please wear RED on Sunday, June 3!

Through our gifts, we will be a part of opening doors to help ourselves and others to grow spiritually --- through our educational institutions, our churches, our camps, and our missions around the globe.

Surely the Spirit has blessed us!  Give generously to our Pentecost Special Day Offering, that people might see God's Spirit at work in us and around us.

MEET OUR NEW MEMBERS

On Palm Sunday, seven young people who had participated in Bro. Bob’s Pastor’s Class made the Confession of Faith. They were all baptized Easter Sunday. We recognize that these children have taken the first step in a lifetime of living for Christ, and we celebrate with them.

Brandon Knaebel, 8, attends Riverdale Elementary when he enjoys math. In fact, he says he’s "King of Math" in his 2^nd grade class – he’s the best!! Brandon wants to be a runner when he grown up, because running is fun, and he’s really fast!! He also enjoys riding his scooter and playing his Play Station games. Brandon helps big brother, Zachary, 10, and younger sister, Lindsay, 7, take care of their 3 hamsters, 3 cats and one rabbit. Brandon also likes spending time with his grandparents, Doward and Janie Benefield. He is the son of David and Janie Knaebel.

Emilie Poston, granddaughter of Bobby and Barbara Lamberth, has grown up at DTCC. She will enter the 5^th grade at Ellendale Elementary in the Fall. Her favorite subject is math and she hopes to be a nurse, although she might pursue something in the "singing and dancing" field. Emily, 10, tied for 4^th place this spring in her school’s "Putting on the Kid’s" Talent Show when she lip synced to "The Boy from New York City." Emily lives riding her scooter and swimming and is looking forward to Junior Camp and Family Camp at Bethany Hills this summer. She is the daughter of Steve and Debra Poston.

Bryce Western, 8, has two different answers to what he wants to "do" and what he wants to "be" when he grows up. Bryce says he wants to "be" a grocery store worker. But he wants to "do" something larger. Bryce says he’d like to help get rid of all drugs and alcohol because "they kill so many people." He has some good ideas for bringing this about – just ask him! While Bryce, who will be a 3^rd grader next Fall at Oak Elementary, says he favorite subject is math, he is also gifted in other areas. Last Spring Bryce was one of the children in Bolton High School’s production of "South Pacific." He will portray a young prince in "The King and I" this summer with the Bartlett Theater Group. Bryce, the son of Julie and David Western, has two younger brothers, Brett and Brady. He is the grandson of Scott and Karen Pricer.

(Meet Mairi Stockton, Kalie Pilon and Brittany Duke in the next Visitor!)

DISCIPLE BIBLE STUDY RECOGNITION

Congratulations and best wishes to the following graduates who have just completed their 34 week DISCIPLE BIBLE STUDIES:

Disciple I:  Becoming Disciples Through Bible Study:

Ann Brown, Mimi Dowling, David Dowling, Judy Sandlin, Jim Redus, Trina Luechauer, Judy Coley, and Luther Coley.  Leader:  Susan Roaten

Disciple II:  Into the Word Into the World:

Sue Acred, Lee Lewter, Paul Moore, Mable Parks, Dennis Roaten, Ruth Simpson, Kathy Srygley and Jane Williams.  Leader:  Billy Parks.

These Decaturites have joined a rapidly growing number of Christian believers longing to know what God's Word has to say to them and through them

In the United States there are 11,875 churches representing 32 denominations enrolled the the DISCIPLE program.  There are 34,933 trained leaders; 639,144 DISCIPLE I graduates; 180,583 DISCIPLE II; 93,127 DISCIPLE III; 35,116 Youth DISCIPLE grads; 5,845 Korean DISCIPLE and 1,025 Spanish.  At Decatur Trinity Christian Church there are now 37 DISCIPLE I graduates including 10 youth and 8 DISCIPLE II graduates.

DISCIPLE is offered internationally in Australia, Belgium, Canada, England, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Ireland, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland, and Virgin Island.  The study is translated into French, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese dialects), German, Korean and Spanish.

Again, congratulations and may God bless you as you continue in His word.  Disciple will be offered again in September.  If you would be interested in information about being in a class this fall, contact Billy Parks or Susan Roaten.

This website ©2001 Decatur Trinity Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), all rights reserved. Contact David Dowling, webmaster,  for updates.

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