“Sunday fellowship” has come to mean “bring your favorite dish and plan to stay for the potluck after services.” Five fellowships in a week, by that definition, might be a bit much.

Still, God wants His children involved in no less than five fellowships every week. The New Testament uses “fellowship” (koinonia, found 17 times1) to mean “association, community, joint participation” (Thayer) involving “participation; impartation; fellowship” (Kittel).2 What are the five weekly fellowships?

THE FELLOWSHIP OF FRATERNITY. The church is an exclusive club for everyone. Its members share “the right hand of fellowship” (Galatians 2:9) which means each one is considered a faithful member—one truly committed to serving the Lord and being a partner in the activities of the group (1 Corinthians 3:9). The local congregation is the place Christians put this spirit of fellowship into active operation. Fellowship is not just a theory on paper that applies to someone else in some other place.

The early church, a model for today, was a close-knit community. “The multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul” (Acts 4:32). They exercised unusual hospitality and generosity. Luke says of them: “All that believed were together, and had all things common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need” (Acts 2:44-45). “Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need” (Acts 4:34-35; cf. 2Corinthians 8:5; Philippians 4:10-16).

Does this mean we must sell our possessions and live in a commune? No. Early Christians were not communists. The difference between a Christian and a communist is that a communist says, “All yours is mine;” but a Christian says, “All mine is yours.” Those converted on Pentecost had intended only to stay for the feast week of Pentecost (Acts 2), but they had extended their stay to enjoy fellowship in the new church. While away from their regular jobs, they practiced voluntary, communal living. Local Christians sold possessions to support those from out-of-town.

How does this apply to us? Selling possessions was a means to an end. We have the same end as a goal. We should demonstrate genuine caring for each other and meet each other’s needs.

THE FELLOWSHIP OF WORSHIP. Fellowship includes worshipping together in the communion of the Lord’s Supper, giving, and praying (1 Corinthians 1:9; 10:16; John 4:23-24). It is illustrated beautifully in the harmony of a cappella singing (Ephesians 5:19).

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES SUNDAY

MID-WEEK

_____________________

ELDERS Wes Arabie 504-858-2881 Howard Goodale 504-319-3572 Steve Tucker 504-812-2617

DEACONS Tyrone Barthelemy 504-361-8449 Jerome Riddick 504-392-4110

EVANGELISTS Scott Cain 504-392-4110 Wes Arabie 504-858-2881

EMAIL: office@degaulledrivecoc.com MISSIONS OVERSIGHT: Micronesia: Joey Treat Family

WORKS SUPPORTED: Benevolence: Childhaven of Cullman, AL

Media: Gospel Broadcasting Network Good News Today In Search of the Lord’s Way

MISSIONS: Hungary: Curry Montague

curry.monta@gmail.com India: Ron & Karen Clayton

RCIndia@sonet.net

PREACHER TRAINING: Memphis School of Preaching

CHURCH OF CHRIST 4700 GENERAL DEGAULLE DRIVE

NEW ORLEANS, LA 70131 www.DegaulleDriveCOC.com

May 17, 2020

Morning Bible Class 9:00 AM Morning Worship 10:00 AM Pew Packers 5:30 PM Evening Worship 6:00 PM

Tuesday Ladies Class 10:00 AM (September – May)

Wednesday Bible Class 7:00 PM

FELLOWSHIPS IN A WEEK

ALLEN WEBSTER 5

It includes joining together to study the Bible (Acts 2:42-47).

The church is not a Sunday club. A church is more than an audience. An audience is not a fellowship. Any group of unrelated people drawn together by a temporary attraction is an audience.

• An audience is just a crowd, but a congregation is a family. • An audience is a gathering; a congregation is a brotherhood. • An audience is a collection of people pulled together like iron filings

to a magnet, but a congregation is a group of brethren bound together by the love of Christ.

• An audience is like a pile of leaves soon to be scattered, but a congregation, though scattered, will soon form again.

The early church met to break bread and praise God with glad and sincere hearts (Acts 2:42, 46-47; 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:23-28). The word “worship” occurs 191 times in Scripture (113 OT; 78 NT, various forms). While worship is individual, in a sense it is group-oriented. Christians gather in assemblies for “collective worship of one heavenly Father, to offer up praise to a common Savior, to mingle prayers in one great intercession for one another, to give each other mutual encouragement and sympathy, and to receive a common blessing.”3

THE FELLOWSHIP OF SUPPORT. The early church gave to the poor saints in Jerusalem (Romans 15:26; cf. 2 Corinthians 8:4; Philippians 4:18), so fellowship includes giving monetary support to good works. God’s family serves others. We provoke each other to “good works” (Hebrews 10:24). The church’s mission is to quietly, deliberately, unassumingly go about doing good to people who have needs (cf. Acts 2:45; Galatians 6:2).

THE FELLOWSHIP OF WORK. Fellowship includes cooperation and participation in the works of the church (2 Thessalonians 2:17). The congregation is God’s way for His people to accomplish things together. The work of Christ cannot be as effectively carried on by individuals as by groups—the total is greater than the sum of its parts. To “have fellowship” in a local church is to invest time, energies, and resources toward the accomplishment of the common activities of the local church. We “have fellowship” in these works only to the extent that we actually participate in them as “fellow-workers for the truth” (3 John 1:8).

THE FELLOWSHIP OF FRIENDSHIP. Fellowship means sharing of friendship (Acts 2:42; 2 Corinthians 6:14), enjoying each other’s company, and being involved in each other’s lives. It includes getting together in each other’s homes and collectively for meals. The early church ate together—a sign of unity and friendship. The Jews felt that when the blessing was said at the table, the table became a holy place and eating together a sacred activity.

The church allows for deep, lasting friendships. “When each can feel his brother’s sigh; and with him bear a part; when sorrow flows from eye to eye and joy from heart to heart.” John Bunyan said, “Christians are like several flowers in a garden, that each have upon them the dew of heaven which, being shaked by the wind, they let fall their dew at each other’s roots, whereby they are jointly nourished, and become the nourishers of each other.”

Let us seek to make the congregation a place where “no stranger goes ungreeted, no unfortunate members unbefriended, no needy person unassisted, no bewildered person unadvised, no tempted brother left to fight his battles alone, no home of mourning neglected and no act of mercy omitted.”4

Endnotes [1]The Greek word is found in Acts 2:42; Romans 15:26; 1 Corinthians 1:9; 10:16; 2 Corinthians 6:14; 8:4; 9:13; 13:14; Galatians

2:9; Philippians 1:5; 2:1; 3:10; Philemon 1:6; Hebrews 13:16; 1 John 1:3, 6-7. [2]Of the fifteen occurrences of “fellowship” in the King James Version, one is from Luke, four are from John, and twelve from Paul. The

subject is also in additional passages that discuss unity, reconciliation, church discipline, and withdrawal/rejection. [3]Author Unknown [4]Author Unknown

Attendance NEWS & NOTES

LAST WEEK

Please submit all prayer requests in writing to Scott or Melissa Cain. Please supply regular updates on each individual in order to keep the prayer list up-to-date. For the sake of space, any name (except shut-ins) will be removed after four weeks unless a new update is received. Thank you for helping us all to stay informed of the spiritual & physical needs of our members, friends, & family.

NEEDING CARE & PRAYERS Our Members & Visitors

Kristen Landis: Needs & deserves prayers for strength, courage, & good health as she & other medical professionals continue treating others during this medical crisis.

Doris Lepine: Returned home from the hospital this week under hospice care. Felix Amparo Marcel Birden Martha Clark Khloe Oubre John & Mary Cullum Voncile Lieteau Don Robinson Deanna Royal Louise Sylve Toni Sylve Joey Treat Family

Our Shut-In Lorraine Stephen: Is at Trish & Howard’s home under hospice care after suffering from a

stroke in March.

Our Family & Friends Robert Hester: Coworker of Stephen Goodale who was hospitalized with COVID-19; has

suffered complications & is back on a ventilator. Misty Rosser: Friend of Pat Lee & caregiver to Pat’s mother Ruby; facing a 3rd surgery for the

same health concerns; COVID-19 hospital restrictions have greatly limited her communication with her husband & child.

Ruby Bradd Gamily of George Brock Augustine Cobette Velma Jenkins Rene Lepine Mac & Chris Meek Ruby Sims Anthony & Claudia Smith Family of Loretha Starr Melanie Stern

“Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17

NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS UPCOMING EVENTS: 1. LET US COME TOGETHER AGAIN : On site worship assemblies will resume Sunday, May 24 at

10AM. All are invited, but none are compelled. We will share more information later this week. 2. VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: Given the uncertainty of coming weeks, & for the safety of all members

& potential visitors, the elders have made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s VBS. 3. LIVE-STREAMED WORSHIP SERVICES & Bible Classes from DeGaulle Drive:

Sunday at 10AM Wednesday Bible Class at 7PM Just go online to www.DeGaulleDrivecoc.com & select DeGaulle Drive Live. 4. VIRTUAL PTP: Hear 2020 PTP Lessons presented early

Every Tuesday & Thursday at 7PM – Lessons for everyone from PTP keynote speakers Each Saturday, 10:00-11:50AM – Women’s sessions will be mini-ladies’ days polishingthepulpit.com.

5. “CONNECT” ONLINE GOSPEL MEETING: Available through Facebook 6PM-9PM – Every night except Sunday & Wednesday On Facebook, search for “Digital Bible Study” or “Connect Online Gospel Meeting”

FAREWELL: Paul, TeNeal, & Lucas Macaluso are moving near Hunstville, AL, for a new position Paul has accepted. We pray God’s blessings for them at every turn, & they will be deeply missed!

Service Time

2020 Goal

Last Week

Bible Study 70 n/a Sunday AM 100 n/a Sunday PM 60 n/a Wednesday 60 n/a

Bible Reading Reading

Plan 2020 Goal

Last Week

Daily Readers 45 n/a Bible in 2020 45 n/a NT in 2020 60 n/a My Plan 2020 60 n/a

Contribution