The Champions Spirit
Volume 68, Issue 23
June 14, 2009
In This Issue
...A Lot More to Lose Than Fifty Dollars!
The owner of the shop where I was getting a haircut came over to me, bringing three fifty dollar bills. “Look at them,” he said as he handed them to me. I knew there had to be something about them, but I just wasn’t quite sure of what he wanted me to see. (I might have done better if I could hold on to my own fifty dollar bills long enough to look at them!) Finally, his purpose became clear. A couple of the bills had the same serial number—that’s never a good sign! When compared with the original, neither did the “twins” have the same visual qualities. An image on the genuine bill would change colors when the bill was viewed from different angles. That was just one of the differences; others became noticeable as well. The two bills with identical serial numbers were copies of an original. They were good—very, very good—but they were copies just the same...and only the genuine bill could be deposited at the bank.
So it is with the church. Today, there are “churches on every corner.” All kinds of claims are made as to being genuine or correct. All kinds of nice sounding statements are made. Yet, Paul spoke of a day when truth would be distorted and men would cause disciples to follow them rather than Christ (Acts 20:28). How can we determine if a church is genuine or a counterfeit?
I would suggest that the only sure way to know is to examine the original. Look closely at the church as it is pictured in the New Testament. There you have the genuine—the “standard.” Now...look at the church you are wondering about. Does it teach what we find there about salvation? Does it practice what is there concerning worship? Does it proclaim what the Bible says about Christian living? If the answer to any of these questions is no...beware...it’s a counterfeit church! It might look good. It might attract a lot of people. It might sound exciting. Nevertheless, remember, counterfeits aren’t the real thing—and, in spiritual matters, there is “A Lot More To Lose Than Fifty Dollars!”
—Larry Keele
FAMILY MATTERS...
Visitors, we are blessed with your presence today and hope that you will find the services today uplifting and helpful in your walk with the Lord. Please come back soon!
Growing again! We are happy to have Jacki McKain and her sons Dylan and Matthew, place membership with us Sunday! We look forward to getting to know one another better and serving together!
Vacation Bible School was a real blessing! Attendance was excellent. We appreciate James Wyatt for coordinating this massive effort this year and for everyone else who gave of their time and effort to make this year’s Bible School such an outstanding success! Please read James’ article concerning VBS elsewhere in this bulletin.
Part of our youth group and several adult sponsors are away today to participate in Wilderness Trek this week. Remember them in your prayers.
Another portion of our youth group and adults are traveling to Medina Children’s Home where they will conduct a Vacation Bible School. Keep this group in your prayers as well.
We welcome Jason Freed as he will be working with us for the next months in the area of evangelism. He will be doing this as he and his family continue to make arrangements for their mission work. We are blessed!
Thanks to those who are teaching for me and to Myron Stewart for preaching today as well as next Sunday. Lord willing, I’ll see you on the 28th!
Parting Thought: Never expect good news in an envelope with a window.
HAVE A BLESSED WEEK!
James Wyatt - Vacation Bible School
What a turnout at Vacation Bible School this year!! At press time, our top attendance was 136 kids! According to my information that’s the most kids we’ve had ever on one day! As it is written in 3 John verse 4, “I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.” Indeed we are thrilled to see so many of our children AND plenty of visiting kids are learning the Lord’s will! We’ve had an army of people helping us out, showing these children how Jesus is our rescuer, our true hero.
I’d love to thank each person who has helped but don’t have nearly enough space to do so here! Setting up tables, prepping crafts, bringing cookies, helping with the Friday night Parent’s Night party… you’re all important and much appreciated! I do however have three individuals I’d like to single out. We have three folks who went above and beyond, despite being NEW members!
One individual is Pam Arnold. Pam worked our refreshments area for our kiddos (and thanks to everyone who gave us cookies!). She was here early and stayed late. She was all smiles and a great Christian influence on these kids.
Another standout is Emmett Gaines. Emmett did a little of everything, from running errands for us to stepping in as a group leader (and playing kickball!) to vacuuming the floors.
And ,of course, I have to mention our summer youth intern Ben Treme. Ben lifted the burden from Jeremy a bit and took a main role in song leading. He, too, filled in any and everywhere, working as needed.
Please hug the necks of these folks, and in fact hug EVERY neck of our VBS staff! We have a tremendous group of Christian examples here at Champions, and you are all working hard to show the Lord to these kids each time you take on a role like this. Thank you all for a great VBS! We’re taking sign-ups for next year’s VBS RIGHT NOW, as well as suggestions/comments on how to improve! Contact me with any and all feedback (my e-mail address is james@jamespwyatt.com), and help us grow together for God!
Thank you all!
James Wyatt
John's Jogs
LET’S TALK SUMMER
Summer is a time for vacations. However, remember – CHRISTIANS DON’T TAKE VACATIONS FROM GOD!!! That means we continue to worship each Sunday and give as we have prospered each Sunday wherever we are. Jesus certainly taught that we are to “re-create” (recreation) our emotional and physical well beings. However, there are activities that build-up but others that tear down. Thus we need to evaluate and plan our vacation accordingly by asking, “W. W. J. D?
We have an active summer planned here at Champions. First, is our three-pronged Educational program. Our successful Vacation Bible School was just finished this past week. Our Wednesday Evening “Summer Series” of visiting preachers started this past Wednesday on the theme “A Church that Advances” with thirteen sub-topics. Then today starts our summer quarter of Sunday School (Bible Study).
So much depends on our knowledge of the Word of God that I want to encourage every member of the congregation to take advantage of the great opportunities offered in these programs. Every member needs the food that is provided in these classes. I’ve been attending classes regularly for more than 60 years and still need and benefit from them. Won’t you join me in learning more of God’s Word?
On Friday, Larry, Marvin and four of the Mize family left for a 12-day trip to the “Holy Land.” Saturday, Jeremy and a qualified group of teens left for a week of “Wilderness Trek” in the Colorado Mountains. Today a group will leave immediately after worship to go downtown to the Impact congregation with food to serve the homeless. Also this afternoon Jason Jackson and Ben Treme will lead a group taking our VBS on the road to Medina Children’s Home. Then the next week Carey Smith, Jeremy and Ben will lead a group taking our VBS on the road to Munday, Texas.
July calms down for all but the youth groups. Uplift is July 1-2, Sooner Camp July 12-18 and, of course, Jeremy and Aubri will assist in conducting a youth camp in Lithuania. Ben Treme, our youth intern, and a small group of our teens will go to camp with them. Then, July 26-30 the 2nd through 5th graders will enjoy Camp Kichaca.
We’ll kick off August with the Quarterly Men’s Prayer Breakfast on the first. The Craig Ford family will also arrive on the first to be with us through the month of August on their furlough from the mission in Papua, New Guinea. Then August first will be our “Mission Sunday” with Craig, Kevin Rhodes (tentative) from World Bible School and Wes Smith will give a report on our Domestic Missions. Of course, the ever popular “Dollar Hot Dog Night” at the baseball stadium will be on August 20. The popular “Sundaes on Saturday” will be observed on the 22nd. Our summer quarter will come to a close on August 30 with our “Back to Bible School” Fifth Sunday Service. Mark your calendars and plan to take part in what you can. Be safe, work hard and have fun. Have a great summer.
—John Qualls
P.S. I forgot the most important item. Bowling starts after church tonight and Kathy is already trying to rattle me. She’ll never learn you can’t top the champ.