News & Notes from the Gallatin Church of Christ

Minister: Daniel Gordon Associate Minister: Byron Gibbs Elders: John Cox, Richard Pryor

Volume 40 Issue 11 November 2013 ’

October is coming to an end. What happened? Didn’t we just finish the summer? Indeed, time rolls on. When October 1 arrives, we buckle our seatbelts and hang on until January 1. During the ride, I hope that this month brings a meaningful Thanksgiving celebration for you.

Speaking of Thanksgiving, you have an opportunity to serve our preschool children and parents on Thursday, November 21, at their Thanksgiving lunch. Please let Zane Kittrell or me know if you can help.

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November 1 is celebrated in many Christian circles as All Saints Day, adapted (if I’m not mistaken) from an even older event, All Souls Day. For Christians, All Saints Day is a type of memorial day, a day to remember the brothers and sisters who have gone before us, without whom the torch would not have been passed. The celebration is, I think, a good idea.

Scripture itself calls to mind the past, the examples and heroes of faith (e.g., Hebrews 11). Our church archives room—set to receive fresh attention soon—is another effort toward the same goal. (Too many churches have no sense of real history.) On a personal level, you may possess a book, object, or other artifact given to you by a brother or sister in Christ. For my part, I have a devotional book from Inez Bateman.

People forget, and tragically and depressingly so, according to the Teacher of Ecclesiastes: “The people of long ago are not remembered, nor will there be any remembrance of people yet to come by those who come after them” (1:11). I suppose modern writing materials, photography, and other technologies could help this problem—or do they become a crutch so that our minds do not truly remember?

We are not the first disciples, and we will not be the last. I encourage you to take some time, even now, to remember the brothers and sisters who have gone before you, who influenced your life with God. What are their names? What did they impress upon you? What lessons did they teach? What character did they display, however publicly or quietly? What personality? What do you remember them for?

The body of Christ transcends time, such that we can rightly consider ourselves joined and knit to the saints of the past, as well as the present. I claim as my heroes brothers like Karl Barth, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Walter Rauschenbusch, and Barton Stone. Their life in the past has made a mark on me in the present. I am different than I would have been without an encounter with their life and work. The year 1804 can impact 2013.

continued on pg. 2 In our seasons of holidays and various celebrations, let’s remember our forerunners, the saints that went before us. All Saints Day is a great idea. (Perhaps we should do more with it in the future.) We can each remember in our own way, opening our eyes to see the hand of God weaving together a tapestry of saints whose works comes together in beautiful ways toward God’s great work in the world. God “will not overlook your work and the love that you showed for his sake in serving the saints, as you still do” (Hebrews 6:10). God keeps track of it all. We play our part for our time; and those who went before us help us know how to play our part.

TO THE BENEVOLENT FUND

In Memory of John Samples Our Sympathy to the families of these by Ben & Lou Della Mayberry who have recently passed away. Jim & Mary Bright Young John Samples TO THE RUTH FIELDS SCHOLARSHIP FUND Peggy Anderson (Louise Bradley’s mother-in-law)

In Memory of John Samples Kenneth Thomson’s mother by Myra Hayes

In HONOR of Sue Gilliam by Ada Key

TO THE YOUTH FUND

In Memory of John Samples by Ricky & Teresa Hollins Martha Nicholls The Right Attitude Sheryl Jetton Tom & Lucy Richey Now, our God, we give you thanks,

In Memory of Juanita “Mama Gal” Hale and praise your glorious name. by Jenny Hunt & Flor Hale 1 Chronicles 29:13 NIV

TO THE CHURCH The Pilgrim Fathers who landed at Plymouth to settle in what became the United States of America can In Memory of John Samples by Mary Young teach us an important lesson about giving thanks. Richard & Kathy Pryor During that first long winter, seven times as many Elizabeth Moss graves were made for the dead as homes were made for

In Memory of Tony Alexander the living. Seed, imported from England, failed to grow, by Zane & Linda Kittrell and a ship that was to bring food and relief, brought instead thirty-five more mouths to feed, but no TO THE VENA STUART FOOD BAG PROGRAM provisions. Some Pilgrims caught fish, and others hunted

In Memory of John Samples wild fowl and deer. They had a little English flour and by Linda Webster some Indian corn. Yet William Brewster, rising from a scanty dinner of clams and water, gave thanks to God “for the abundance Preschool Thanksgiving Dinner of the sea and the treasure hid in the sand.” According to today’s standards, the Pilgrims had Thursday, November 21 almost nothing, but they possessed a profound and 11:00 - 1:00 heartfelt gratitude to God for His love and mercy. In an effort to build relationships between our Church Gratitude is one of the greatest Christian virtues; and Childcare families, we are asking our members to ingratitude, one of the most vicious sins. help with the dinner. If you would like to be involved, Our English words thank and think come from the please see Daniel, Sheryl or Kathy. same word. If we’ll stop to think, we’ll be more thankful.

Daylight Saving Time Ends Don’t forget to set your clocks back one hour before you go to bed on Saturday, November 2.

Psalms 100:1-5

(1) A Psalm of thanksgiving. Make a joyful noise unto Jehovah, all ye lands. (2) Serve Jehovah with gladness: Come before his presence with singing. (3) Know ye that Jehovah, he is God: It is he that hath made us, and we are his; We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. (4) Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: Give thanks unto him, and bless his name. (5) For Jehovah is good; his loving kindness endureth for ever, and his faithfulness unto all generations.

When I was in fourth grade, I read the 100th Psalm at our Thanksgiving program at Meadowview Elementary School. I can’t tell you what the rest of the program was about, but it probably had something to do with Plymouth Rock, the Mayflower, turkeys, and so forth. I felt a real sense of joy being chosen to read the scripture. My Dad was and still is a preacher, and perhaps this is why I was elected to do this portion of the play, instead of being a Pilgrim or Native American. There are other Psalms of thanksgiving, but this one has always stuck with me over the years. As we near the holiday season, I hope that all of us find reason to thank God for the lives we have. What are you thankful for? I think it fair to say that we all have been blessed beyond our deserving, and for that let’s give God the glory, praise and honor. Enjoy the upcoming Thanksgiving Holiday and thank the Lord for all that he has done for his children!

Byron

Nov. 3 Bonfire/Hayride @ Linda Webster’s farm ~ 4:00 Nov. 6 NO Prepared Meal; Classes at 7:00 pm Nov. 8-10 Teen Fall Retreat ~ Standing Stone State Park Nov. 10 BENEVOLENCE SUNDAY Nov. 13 Prepared Meal ~ 6-6:45; Classes at 7:00 pm Nov. 20 Annual Chili Cook-off ~ 6:00 pm Nov. 21 Preschool Thanksgiving Dinner ~ 11:00 am Nov. 24 Community Thanksgiving Service ~ 6:00 pm at Long Hollow Baptist, Gallatin Nov. 27 NO Meal; NO Class Nov. 28 Happy Thanksgiving!!

Wednesday AM Bible Class ~ 10:00 am in the Ladies Precept Class Men’s Ministry - Thursdays at 12:00 Noon in the CEC. Bring a sack lunch and join us

Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his Leadership Meeting Sunday, December 8th ~ 5:00 p.m. in the CEC courts with praise. Give thanks to him, For elders, deacons, ministry team leaders, ministers and staff. bless his name. For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. Psalm 100:4-5

Member Care Good things are happening with Member Care thanks to deacon Scott Webster & Linda Webster. Be sure to check out the Member Care room (in the hallway by the offices) to see the list of names on the board of those in our church family who could use a call, visit or even just a card. Also check the “Opportunities to Serve” on the wall between the Library doors for that same list and more.

Teen Fall Retreat November 8-10 Standing Stone State Park We will leave on Friday after school The cost to sponsor the Prayer Line and return on Sunday afternoon. Sign up outside Byron’s office. is $25.00. See Sheryl or Kathy. See Byron for more details.

Church Office Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID GALLATIN, TENN PERMIT NO. 17 Gallatin Church of Christ ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED 150 East Main Street Gallatin, Tennessee 37066 Office: (615) 452-0271 ● Fax: (615) 452-7787 Prayer Line: (615) 664-1322

Email: [email protected] Web: www.gallatinchurchofchrist.com