White Oak Church of Christ First Century Christianity for the 21st Century

May 31, 2020

2229 Lyndon Avenue Chattanooga, TN 37415 Phone: (423) 877-9762

Email: whiteoakcoc@gmail.com

Fax: (423) 870-5915

ASSEMBLY TIMES:

SUNDAY:

Bible Study: 9:30 A. M. Worship: 10:30 A. M. & 1:30 P. M.

WEDNESDAY:

Bible Study: 7:00 P. M.

THURSDAY:

Bible Class: 11:00 A. M.

MINISTER: Rick Owens

SONG LEADERS:

Carl Puryear and Joe Weir

Come study the word of God with us.

Call us for an appointment for a personal Bible study.

www.whiteoakchurchofchrist.org

We will have only the 10:30 A. M. Sunday worship service through the month of May, then beginning June 7th, the complete White Oak service schedule will be re-instated.

Social distancing rules will be followed during our services. If you do not feel comfortable and safe to attend the services at this time, it is understood, and please worship at home as you have been doing for the past few weeks.

Social distancing rules for services will include the following:

- Each family group will sit at least 6 feet apart

- No hugging, handshaking, close gathering

- No socializing in groups in the lobby, please come in, receive the Lord's Supper emblems, and take your seats

- Communion bread and cup emblems will be distributed to each person as they enter the auditorium

- The collection plate will be carried between the pew rows by the men serving and not passed down the pew by the congregation

- Face masks will be optional but are recommended by state and local governmental agencies

THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE ABOVE

Rick Owens

Paul encouraged the brethren in Colossae saying, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God” (Col. 3:1). It is clear to whom Paul is addressing; he is speak-ing to those who had obeyed the Gospel, having had their sins washed away in the waters of baptism (Col. 2:12). Knowing that, they were being encour-aged not to allow the issues and problems of this life to interfere with their heavenly march; in essence, they were to maintain their vigilance on “those things which are above.” That intends the Christian is to never stop reaching for the goal of heaven (Phi. 3:13), but to continually live his life toward that end.

The goal of heaven is paramount to the Christian because that is the place Je-sus prepared for the faithful (Jn. 14:1-3). If one is going to reach heaven, Paul warned, “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (Col. 3:2). If the faithful will continually fill their minds with “those things which are above,” such as God, Christ, and imitating them (Eph. 5:1;

BI-MONTHLY MEN’S MEETING!

The bi-monthly men’s meeting for White Oak will be held June 4th at 6:00 P. M. in the fellowship room of the building.

All the men of the congregation are encour-aged to attend as important current and future plans for White Oak will be discussed.

Upcoming Member Milestones! June 3rd: Browns’ anniversary June 8th: Waymon Brown birthday June 10th: Barbara Northcut birthday Haithcocks’ anniversary June 15th: Michael Wood birthday June 21st: Camrin Owens birthday June 22nd: Julie Wood birthday June 29th: Burma Pierce birthday Patricia Rogers birthday

1 Cor. 11:1), they will better reflect what heaven wants them to be. It is much like the man cursed with a demon (the departed spirits of wicked men), after having been freed from the affliction, and not having filled himself with righteousness, the demon returned with seven more even more wicked than himself. To that end, Jesus proclaimed, “and the last state of that man is worse than the first” (Mt. 12:43-44). That is why Paul warned Timothy, “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Tim. 2:22).

However, Paul did not intend for his readers to believe faithful Christians are not able or permitted to think about things other than heaven; instead, he wanted Christians to place God, Christ, and heaven above the other issues of this life. For example, Christians are not to put their trust in fi-nancial success in this life. Jesus warned, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for your-selves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Mt. 6:19-21). Again, Jesus was not teaching it was sinful to attain earthly wealth, He simply wanted it to be placed in its proper position. If one places earthly wealth above heavenly wealth, that is where his heart will be, and his spirit will not gain heaven. It is important for all Christians to remember where their citizenship lies, Christians are citizens of heaven (Phi. 3:20), we are simply sojourners in this world, waiting on the next one (Heb. 11:9-10).

Financial gain isn’t the only treasure often placed before God. The love of the praises of others is an obstacle that may need to be overcome (Jn. 12:43); perhaps, being honored above others is a temptation to be resisted (Lk. 11:43). Of course, the world is full of all types of immorality which must be overcome, but all that is possible if one will simply focus on “those things which are above,” and not those things Satan uses to tempt God’s greatest creation.

In confidence, Paul told Timothy, “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my depar-ture is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appear-ing” (2 Tim. 4:6-8). It is clear, the great apostle didn’t just preach “to” other people; he preached the Gospel, and he understood he needed to hear it and obey it also.

There is no better reason to embrace “those things which are above;” heaven awaits all the faith-ful, and there is room enough for everyone. After all, Jesus promised, “In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (Jn. 14:2-3). All we have to do is maintain our focus on “those things which are above.”

REMEMBER IN PRAYER!

Jane Coffelt, who is scheduled for surgery on May 28th

Dave Cooley and his sister, Michelle Young, who are caring for elderly parents in poor health

Jimmie Dockery, who is recovering from health issues at her daughter’s home

Teena Edmondson, who has ongoing health issues

Mary Goldston, who has ongoing health issues

Nellie Haithcock, who is recovering from a broken foot

Wade Jackson, who has serious ongoing health issues

Barbara Kilgore, who is recovering from health issues at her daughter’s home

Alexandria Rauchle, who is expecting a baby boy in early summer

Holly Shull, who has had a kidney stone and soreness from a recent auto accident

Betty Weaver, who had tests for her health issues and is awaiting more results

White Oak’s shut-ins: Shirley Crownover, Jewell McAdams, Barbara Northcut, Judy Parker, and Marion Randolph

Mason Cobble, young friend of Kane Vail (Martin Roberson’s grandson), who is receiving treatments for a brain tumor

Carol Dodd, good friend of frequent White Oak visitor Cindy Haynes, who is undergoing treatments for cancer and also recovering from shoulder replacement surgery

Micheal Douglas, Sr., husband of Ruby Douglas, who is recovering from colon cancer surgery

Joyce Goodwin, former White Oak member, who has ongoing health issues

Shannon Harper, Andrea Weaver’s aunt, who is suffering from serious kidney issues

Roy Headrick, former White Oak member, who has ongoing health issues

Walter Hillis, former White Oak member, who has ongoing health issues

Fred McEwen, brother of Susan Williams, who is recovering from blood clots and COPD issues

Clinton Miller, father of frequent White Oak visitor Cindy Haynes, who is being monitored for an aortic aneurysm

Harper Mynatt, granddaughter of Red Bank members Lynn & Cheryl Mynatt, who continues to make slow recovery from injuries sustained in the March 3rd tornado in Cookeville, TN

Joane Pendergrass, sister of Jane Coffelt, who is suffering from very poor health

Judy Poe, sister of Martin Roberson, who is in Life Care of Collegedale

Jerry Shepard, son-in-law of Barbara Northcut, who is receiving treatments for cancer

Essie Tinker, Andrea Weaver’s grandmother, who has been diagnosed with another kidney stone

Sharee Watkins, frequent White Oak visitor, who has ongoing health issues

Paul Weaver, son of Betty Weaver and brother of Jeff Weaver and Julie Wood, who has ongoing health issues

Also remember Waymon Brown, Emma Davenport, Tom Gentry, Bill Greer, Elizabeth Greer, Susie Hargis, Duane Lee, Maggie Leonard, Connie Mayhew, Hudson Pickett, those serving in the military, and faithful missionaries the world over

Sunday, May 24, 2020:

A. M. Bible Class …………………. — A. M. Worship ..…………………. 52 P. M. Worship ……………………. —

The digital bulletin is avail-able via email or online at the White Oak website:

www.whiteoakchurchofchrist.org

HEAR SERMONS ONLINE White Oak sermons are available

online at:

sermonshare.net/wococ

also, at I-tunes:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/white-oak-church-of-christ/

id413729334

and on a link from our website.

Sermon CDs are available upon re-quest.

MAY ASSIGNMENTS

If you are unable to serve, please call Jeff Weaver at 423-838-1032.

Leading Prayer for Sunday, May 31st: A. M. First Prayer: P. Edmondson A. M. Closing Prayer: Clay Brown P. M. First Prayer: No service P. M. Closing Prayer: No service

Leading Prayer for Wed., June 3rd: First Prayer: No service Closing Prayer: No service

Announcements: Jeff Weaver

Lord’s Table South Side: Clay Brown, Bert Phillips, and Sam Coffelt

Lord’s Table North Side: Greg Shull, Gary Brewer, and Ron Brew-er

Lord’s Table, Sunday P. M. Service: Clay Brown and Greg Shull

—INTERNATIONAL GOSPEL HOUR— Sunday, 8:30 P. M.; M-F, 7:15 P. M. 103.3 WLMR FM, Chattanooga, TN www.internationalgospelhour.com

—PROGRAMS TO WATCH—

The Gospel of Christ Sunday, 6:30 A. M., WTVC, Ch. 9.2

Fox Chattanooga (Comcast 11 & EPB 7)

Fabric of Family

Sunday, 7:00 A. M., WFLI-TV, Ch. 53 (Comcast & EPB 6)

Good News Today

Sunday, 7:30 A. M., WFLI-TV, Ch. 53 (Comcast & EPB 6)

and on GBN—EPB Ch. 152:

various times Also, on the web at www.gnttv.org

In Search of the Lord’s Way

Sunday, 8:00 A. M., WDEF Ch. 12 (Comcast 13 & EPB 12)

Book, Chapter, and Verse

Sunday, 9:00 A. M. Tuesday, 6:30 P. M.

WTNB, Cleveland, TN (Comcast 210)

Arise to Truth

www.arisetotruth.com and airs live Tuesdays & Thursdays at 2:00 P. M.

Preaching the Gospel

GBN—EPB Ch. 152: various times

Daily Bible Reading Schedule

Jun. 1: Ezra 9-10 Jun. 2: Neh. 1-3 Jun. 3: Neh. 4-6 Jun. 4: Neh. 7-8 Jun. 5: Neh. 9-10 Jun. 6: Neh. 11-13 Jun. 7: Esth. 1-3 Jun. 8: Esth. 4-7 Jun. 9: Esth. 8-10 Jun. 10: Job 1-5 Jun. 11: Job 6-10 Jun. 12: Job 11-15 Jun. 13: Job 16-21 Jun. 14: Job 22-28 Jun. 15: Job 29-33 Jun. 16: Job 34-37 Jun. 17: Job 38-42 Jun. 18: Psalms 1-9 Jun. 19: Psalms 10-17 Jun. 20: Psalms 18-22 Jun. 21: Psalms 23-31 Jun. 22: Psalms 32-37 Jun. 23: Psalms 38-44 Jun. 24: Psalms 45-51 Jun. 25: Psalms 52-59 Jun. 26: Psalms 60-67 Jun. 27: Psalms 68-71 Jun. 28: Psalms 72-77 Jun. 29: Psalms 78-81 Jun. 30: Psalms 82-89

SUMMER SERIES CANCELLED

White Oak’s summer series on “The Shadow of Superior Things” has been cancelled for Thursday evenings in June and July. We hope to resume this annual event next summer.

MY NEIGHBOR Floyd M. Groves

I once had a neighbor who built a wall A wall unfriendly, grim and tall; But I felt this neighbor could not be bad, Perhaps the man was timid or sad. So, I built a tower by his wall so grim, Then I looked down and smiled on him. This timid man’s heart was noble and great; He broke the wall and built a gate.