(continued from front) a long time. In its absence, everyone has a truth. Those truths are PORT CHARLOTTE circulated. They are circulated at the national level. It’s not just C H U R C H O F C H R I S T individuals on podcasts but government leaders spinning truth to control 20484 Midway Boulevard the masses. Special interest groups sling their own Kool-Aid. There isn’t Port Charlotte, Florida 33952 just one flavor. You can pick your poison and join a cause. It’s divisive “SERVING CHARLOTTE COUNTY AND NORTH PORT” and dangerous. How do we operate as the church in this culture? The first thing is self-assessment. These divisive ideologies are creeping Vol. 29 No. 24 June 13, 2021 into the church. I need to be careful not to vilify these people. If I How to Teach the Brainwashed demonize a group of people that Christ died for, I am sipping the Kool-Aid. On November 18, 1978 in a Elders The next thing is to check our message. What are we saying? What are we Emmett Clark remote commune in Jonestown, Brice Dixon repeating and circulating? We are not social warriors but heavenly Guyana, a charismatic Jim Jones Ford Stinson ambassadors. We are to be constantly “nourished in the words of faith and convinced 909 people to drink John Temples of the good doctrine” and “reject profane and old wives’ fables” (1 Timothy cyanide-laced Flavor Aid. It is Deacons 4:6-7). the largest mass murder/suicide Ron Akers Mike Fox in history. J.R. Seales Finally, we must be kind, not combative. “A servant of the Lord must not Roland Snipes quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting This event popularized the Keith Tolbert those who are in opposition” that “they may come to their senses and phrase, “Don’t drink the Kool- Minister escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his Aid” – a warning of Richard Combs will” (2 Timothy 2:24-26). Satan is our enemy. He was the first one to unconditional devotion to Church Office hand out the Kool-Aid to Adam and Eve and he is still deceiving people Bodies lie near a tub of something potentially (941) 629-7454 today. Don’t drink the Kool-Aid he sells. cyanide-laced punch dangerous. It seems there are always people who are ready to drink the Kool-Aid. Those people are convinced of a reality that is beyond rational thought or Deacons and Their Area of Responsibility explanation. They are often tied to an ideology linked with strong emotion. Ron Akers - Involvement and Worship Jim Jones piggybacked on the civil rights movement for his Peoples Mike Fox - Building and Grounds Temple cult. J.R. Seales - Benevolence Roland Snipes - Building and Grounds Throughout human history, events like these have unfolded. We are in a Keith Tolbert - Education dangerous time ourselves. The concept of absolute truth has been gone for (continued on back) SCHEDULE OF SERVICES PRAYER LIST Freidenberg, Gabriella, Eileen Graessle, THOSE WHO SERVE Darlene Grant, Gregory, Carolyn Hall, Charles Hall, Ron Jackson, Craig Johnson, Sunday Gail Adams - blood clots in her leg BIBLE STUDY Matt Johnson, Ricky Kenny, Kate Kiel, Bible Study----------------------------9:30 a.m. Darla Blanchette - needs prayers Samantha Lehman, Merle Leiman, Opening Prayer: Jerry Radcliffe Worship Service---------------------10:30 a.m. Steve Blanchette - at home Betty Brownlee - needs prayers DonnaMarie Lorria, Margaret Martin, Bible Study----------------------------5:00 p.m. MORNING WORSHIP Cancer patients - Brice Dixon, Jeff Kiel, Gaye Matheny, Penny Mayes, Bobbi McCall, Alex McCarthy, Samantha Announcements: Phil Degelia Wednesday Betty Kwasniewski, Donna Snipes McCarthy, Ryan Mitchell, Ray Moore, Tim Song Leader: Emmett Clark Bible Study----------------------------6:00 p.m. Betty Clark - needs prayers Greta Connors - blood pressure issues Moore, Ron Northam, Kenneth Page, Opening Prayer: Mike Tuell Shirley Dixon - back pain Carol Parrish, Rita Patureau, Paula Lord’s Table: Dale Perry ANNOUNCEMENTS Shirley George - had eye surgery grandchildren, Matt Paula, Linda Sermon: Richard Combs Natalie Grandinetti - needs prayers Pendergrass, Michelle Perry, Stephanie Closing Prayer: Kaden Tolbert Ruth Venable has placed her membership Dave Holmes - shingles Philpot, Rhys, Rick Richards, Anna Ring, with us. Her address and phone number are Jean-Barts - need prayers for their family Brady Rosser, Rockey Rossi, Richard WEDNESDAY EVENING Rossini, Ruby Shaffer, Wendy Sileo, Keith 5573 Countess Avenue Patty Kiel - back pain Announcements: Ford Stinson North Port 34288 John King - needs prayers Smith, Jerry Smithbauer, Lanny Sowder, Larry Stidham, Sam Stidham, Susanne, Song Leader: Ron Akers (317) 724-9302. Christine Moore - needs prayers Opening Prayer: Dennis Chalaire Maxine Moore - needs prayers Ann Thomas, Paul Thomas, Jane Closing Prayer: J.R. Seales We will be giving small loaves of bread to David Nash - in a lot of pain Toadvine, Patricia Tomlinson, Marilyn our visitors. You can sign up to bake bread Dixie Nash - needs prayers Tooley, Mary Tyson, Myriam Vasquez, at www.takemeameal.com. The log in is Barbara Panno - needs prayers Wayne Vowell, Bob Welborn, Harold VERSE OF THE DAY church of christ and the password is 1234. Heather Patureau - back pain Whigham, Josie Wohlforth Frankie Perry - recovering from surgery “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, There will be a memorial service for Jean Annette Rohler - recovering from surgery OUR RECORD and always be ready to give a defense to Seale , Dona Cole’s friend, Saturday, June Jerry Sidock - hernia, pain everyone who asks you a reason for the hope 19, at 1:00 p.m. at the Punta Gorda church. Phyllis Silva - in a lot of pain that is in you.” Donna Snipes - recovering from surgery A.M. BIBLE STUDY 90 The ladies’ Bible class will resume next Lawrence & Donna Thomas - need prayers A.M. WORSHIP 126 I Peter 3:15 Sunday. Their class book, The Road to Millie Wingo - improving Forgiveness, is available for three dollars Rosemarie Wykel - in hospice care P.M. BIBLE STUDY 34 from Ann Akers, Bea Bates, or Julie Combs. Our family and friends: BIRTHDAYS AND Bonnie Allgood, Jay Aton, Aunt Mary, Jim WEDNESDAY 72 ANNIVERSARIES We are collecting new summer clothes Ball, Patty Barrett, Brittany Berry, Adrian sizes 2T-5T for foster children. Clothes Black, Richard Bolduc, Sandy Bolduc, CONTRIBUTION Birthdays should be brought in by July 4. For more Peggy Brock, Stephanie Brown, Renee June 14 - Caren Black information, please see Dawn Chalaire. Burke, Mark Byers, Nadine Campbell, 06/06 $5912 June 15 - Dennis Chalaire Kenny Cintron, Steve Clark, Jean Clutter, June 15 - Eddie Duncan BUDGET $2655 We are also collecting school supplies for Halee Collins, Kasey Collins, Anah Davis, June 17 - Penny Sidock the students at Peace River Elementary David Degelia, Toni Degelia, Donna, Carl which is a year-round school that starts July Edwards, Tyler Edwards, Nina Eiler, Tom Anniversaries 13. Please bring in supplies by July 4. Fendon, Christopher Fernandez, Teresa No anniversaries.