VOL. 28 NO. 02 JANUARY 10, 2018

“Transformed” 2018 Theme

FROM TIM…

A RECORD-SETTING 2017 - Sunday morning, Larry Jackson made “you” the Elders’ Spotlight, saying thank you for all the good things you do for God’s kingdom. It was a fitting gesture, especially following another record-setting year for our church family. Here are our Great Oaks averages from 2017, and for the first time, all 5 of these “numbers” categories were new records for us…

Sunday Morning Worship: 500 (Previous record: 483) Sunday Evening Worship: 280 (Previous record: 264) Sunday Morning Bible Study: 322 (Previous record: 315) Wednesday Eve. Bible Study: 308 (Previous record: 290)

Weekly Giving: $16,516 (Previous record: $15,376)

2017 was also… …the year we celebrated Great Oaks’ 25-Year anniversary, thanking God for the relationships and good things

He has done in this church family through the years. …the year we finished paying off our building debt from the 2010 Education Wing Addition. A big thank you

to everyone who contributed toward paying that off! It frees up funds to pursue other ministries and open doors.

…the year we kept dreaming for our future ministries. Taking cues from your thoughts in the congregational survey we sent out in the spring, our elders laid before us some goals for our next 10 years. Here’s the link to those: https://www.greatoaks.org/sermons/elders-homecoming-presentation-thoughts-next-10-years/

God has blessed us with more people than we’ve ever had, which gives us the responsibility to serve more than ever before - let’s keep serving, praying, and growing!

MINISTRY SPOTLIGHT: 2018 FOCUS TEAM CHANGES

You’ve heard us say that we hope to rework FOCUS to make it even better in 2018. Here are some of the chang-es we are going to try out this year: Our FOCUS teams will group people of common age or life stages. The best way to feel connected in a larger

congregation is still to get to know people in your age and stage of life. That’s especially true for new mem-bers and new Christians. (And by the way, we will continue to encourage cross-generational relationships in other ministries to make sure that goal doesn’t suffer.)

We will try to make the groups a little smaller than they have been, hopefully encouraging our groups to be able to meet in each other’s homes more than they’ve been able to in recent years. This will also hopefully allow space to add new families that come to our congregation during the year.

We will have 5 FOCUS weekends, during which every group will meet. We have blocked off 5 “FOCUS week-ends,” on which nothing else will be planned. We will encourage all groups to meet sometime in that week-end, anytime that works between Thursday night and the following Monday night.

We will work with our FOCUS team leaders to try to help our groups not only be great for fellowship, but also to be more intentionally faith-centered, similar to what our Ladies Heartfelt Groups have been doing so well.

We believe these groups are important for our continued growth and connectedness as a church family, so please sign up and be part of FOCUS in 2018! We will introduce our 2018 Theme for the Year Sunday morning…we hope you can be with us, ready to worship

God and grow in faith!

Don Adams, still having difficulty breathing and coping with several other health issues. Continue to keep him and Lois in your prayers.

Bill Cavataio Prayers for pain management to con-tinue to help.

Derek Cooper, (visitor) Is recovering well from shoulder surgery. Address: 6763 Stonetrace Dr., Bartlett, TN 38135

Wanda Davis, underwent tests last week. Her tests are due back this week.

Tabitha Dugger, daughter of Mike and Cindy, is hav-ing a difficult recovery from tonsil surgery.

Paula Freeze: cousin of Jennie Milligan, is undergo-ing weekly chemo for the rest of her life for cancer in her brain, lungs and bones. She is now scheduled for brain surgery. Address: 6689 Locke Rd, Memphis TN 38053

Ann Goodwin: mother of Pam Green, is home recov-ering. Address: 411 Whaley St. Smithville, TN, 37166

Jeff Hall, father-in-law of Kensey (Harris) Is beginning 6 weeks of chemo. He will then have surgery for a herniated disc in his back. It was testing for the back pain that lead them to find the tumors on the blad-der. Their address is: Jeff & Cheryl Hall l1897 Foust Sledd Rd, Benton KY 42025

Jerry and Carolyn Hand are both still experiencing constant pain.

Violet Mathews: has 90% blockage in her legs, her feet are numb and she is on an antibiotic for an infection in her ankle.

Judy McKeown (visitor) has been diagnosed with breast cancer. She was scheduled for a lumpecto-my on December 26th.

Amy McNamee, former member (daughter of Ron-nie & Debbie Martin), will undergo colon cancer sur-gery, Jan. 12th. Cards can be sent to her at 8949 Brunswick Farms Dr., Arlington, TN 38002

Hunter Miller: former member (grandson of Larry & Pattye Jackson,) is home recuperating

Jackson Miller: former member, (grandson of Larry & Pattye Jackson) is undergoing treatment at 12838 N 22nd Place, Phoenix, AZ 85022.

Brian Olive: His next appointment is 1/12/2018 with the oncologist. He is still having a rough time so prayers for him, Ramona and Laura are appreciated.

Mike and Janice Shepherd: Janice has been hurting with shingles for several weeks and is still having a lot of pain. Mike has had a great deal of knee pain from arthritis and is beginning some shots to try to help. They haven’t been able to be with us as much recently because of these issues.

Nancy Sherrouse: cousin of Mike Smith, has been

diagnosed with multiple myeloma. Ansley Tingle: was diagnosed with Mono and anoth-

er health issue that they are treating. Dorothy Whitehead, sister of Peggy Brown and Bet-

ty Troup, She is doing well physically but experienc-ing mental confusion. Address: Dorothy Whitehead, c/o Randy Whitehead, #151 Delina-Booneshill Rd, Petersburg, TN 37144

Barbara Wallace: (sister of Peter Welch) is at her

son’s house undergoing occupational and physical therapy following a stroke

Don Williams: amputation surgery went well. He is

now in Room 201A at HealthSouth North Rehab on Austin-Peay.

Earnest Williams, neighbor of Tresa & Jeff Danley, is

coping with pneumonia that is being complicated by other health issues.

Nance Wurthman, long time barber of Larry

Jackson, had some serious surgery and will be una-ble to work for months. She had a large benign mass removed from her lungs. Address: 967 Stan-hope, Collierville, TN 38017

Tanya Zozulina: (Ukraine) is home from the hospital following her procedure. (tzozulina@hotmail.com

Prayer Requests

Senior High Gulf Youth Rally - January 12th—15th We will leave for Gulf on Friday at 8 AM and return on Monday around 4 PM. Kids need money for 3 meals

during our travel. If you have questions, please check with Aarek Farmer. (Pray for their safe travels.)

Our Sincere Sympathy: Margot Howe, mother of Yvonne Welch, passed way on Monday morning. Services were held, today (1/10),

at Valhalla Funeral Home in Huntsville, AL. Please keep Yvonne and her family in your prayers.

Sue Whitaker (wife of E.L), former member, passed away Monday. Her arrangements are as follows: Visita-

tion on Thursday 5-8 PM, Funeral on Friday, 1 PM. All services are at Memorial Park, 5668 Poplar.

Kay Janes, former member, who passed away last Wednesday. A Celebration service will be for family only.

767 Mt. Moriah Rd, Apt 29, Memphis TN 38117.

YOUTH GROUP UPCOMING EVENTS

JAN 10: FWENDSDAY

JAN 12-15: GULF YOUTH RALLY

JAN 19: HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS NIGHT OUT

JAN 26-28 Jr. Sr. SKI TRIP

Reminder:

Moms and Sisters meet:

Monday: Jan. 22nd

Tuesday: Jan. 23rd

Lawrenceburg IN

Focus Groups

Reorganization January 21, 2018

after PM Services

Please make sure you sign up to

participate in this ministry and

indicate if you would like to lead

a group. One Leader needed

for the 30-45 Age Group

Read the entire

Daily scripture read-ings for Old and New Testaments to com-

pletely read through

Bible in 365 days!

the Bible in 2018 are on the podium outside the auditori-

um.

You are cordially invited to join us for a

Bridal Shower Honoring

Kate Massey January 14th at 3:00 p.m.

Kate is registered at Target and Bed, Bath & Beyond

Deising/Harden/Troup

Barnabas Night

January 16th at 6:30 pm

See Tim Alsup

for details.

7005 Rose Trail Drive Memphis TN

January 14, 2018 @ 1:30-4:00 PM

Thank You Words cannot express the appreciation and

gratitude Donald and I feel for the prayers, concerns, messages, cards, visits, food and other kindnesses we have received during this difficult time. A special thank you to my preschool sisters for the food cards, food and baskets of goodies. And to Peggy, Brenda, Pattye and Larry for the gas card. Also Mike and Prue McBride for helping with transportation and the beautiful quilt and the Ladies Care Group for the fruit basket. Jeff Smock for coming to my rescue to fix our garage door. God has truly blessed us with a wonderful church family! We love you all and thank you so very much! Love, Don & Evelyn Williams

$120 + $/1 meal

For the Record Jan 3 Week 2018 Avg 2018 Goal

Wed (12/27) 302 302 325

Bible Study (01/07) 359 359 350

Sun AM 503 503 525

Sun PM 319 319 325

Contribution $17,256 $17,256 $17,000

Deliver LeBonheur Baskets - January 15 , 2018 Rod Pr iester

OTHERS TO SERVE MONTH OF JANUARY

Ushers: Cliff McKinney; Noel Mar tin; Robbie Matthews; Rod Pr iester

BACKUPS: Char les Ear le, Steve Gr inder , Jamie Hannah, Steve Hannah

(please meet in library 15 minutes before every service)

Greeters: Main: Will Alaverz, Pattye Jackson, Sherry Thorpe

Brunswick, David & Alicia Glenn Ed/GYM: Todd McWilliams

New building, Norr is & Glenda Bruff

Back Ups: Luis Zaora, Larry & Barbara Baker

Lock Building: Larry Jackson

Prepare Communion: Boquet Family

Video Streaming: AM: Keith Ledburytraining/Juan Boquet

Backup: Steve Ritter

PM: Jason McKay Backup: Todd McWilliams

Elders Spotlight: Kenny Harris Back up: Lynn Parrish

Lord’s Supper AM: Norris Bruff*, Cole Traywick, John Anderson,

Tucker Anderson; Bill Bush*, Rick Arnett, Larry Baker, Mickey Barker

Songs: AM – Graham Carey PM - Jonathan Long

Communion Devotional: Stephen Marvin

Prayers: AM Opening: Trip Campbell PM Opening: Rob Crossett

PM Closing: Bryan Hulen

Scripture Reading AM: Hunter McWilliams

PM : Chr istopher Bar rantes Presiding Elder: Larry Jackson

Visiting the Visitors –January 14, 2018

Food: Karen Baskin Visit: Jeff and Karen Baskin

FYI: There are 2 elders in the Elders Conference Room

following the Sunday AM services each week. If you have

a prayer request or need, please go and see them. No

appt. necessary.

Reminder: Prayer groups Thursday Mornings

Men’s prayer group@ 7:00 AM

Ladies prayer group @ 8:00 AM

In the Library

SCHEDULE:

Sunday Bible Study 9AM

Sunday Worship 10AM & 5 PM

Wednesday Bible Study2PM & 7PM

PHONE: (901) 378-2994

FAX: 377-3039

SPANISH: 417-3786 –Elias Roque

MINISTERS/CELL NUMBERS:

Pulpit - Tim Alsup 201-1341

Youth-Aarek Farmer 574-0192

College/Young Adult-

Colton Shannon 652-0153

Spanish-Elias Roque 615-477-1982 ELDERS:

Kenny Harris, Larry Jackson, Lynn

Parrish, Mark Pledge, Don Hutson,

Mickey Barker, Michael Williams

SECRETARIES:

Brenda Amon: office@greatoaks.org

Pam McKay: pmckay@greatoaks.org

WORKS SUPPORTED:

♥ Voice of Truth International

♥ Tennessee Children’s Home

♥ Potter Children’s Home

♥ Memphis School of Preaching

♥ Focus Press/Brad Harrub/Nashville

♥ Church in Mezhevaya, Ukraine

♥ Church in Kraz, Ukraine

♥ Church in Zimbabwe/Noah Gonzo

♥ Church in Costa Rica/Joaquin Rojas

♥ Church in Cambodia/Andrew Hayes

♥ Church in Cusco, Peru/Gary Reaves

♥ Church in Brazil/Randy Short

♥ Operation Ukraine/Columbus, MS

♥ Church in San Luis Potosi, Mexico

♥ Church in Honduras

♥ HopeWorks

♥ Apologetics Press

SERVING – January 14, 2018

WEBSITE: www.greatoaks.org

on Facebook: Iglesia de Christo Great Oaks

Nursery Attendants

Babies AM: Lindsey Nabor s; Amber Milligan

PM: Melinda Crosslin, Judy Deising

Toddlers AM: Amy McKay, Dodie Mitchum

Blake Warne