120 N Mt Vernon Ave ~ Prescott, AZ 86301 ~ (928)445-5190 mountvernonchurch.org ~ scripturessay.com

mtvernonchurch@cableone.net sagebridges@mountvernonchurch.org

Welcome Guest We are glad you chose to worship with us. Please fill out a visitor’s card and place it in the collection plate. Please worship with us again and often.

Schedule of Services Pioneer Home Service 8: 30 am Bible Class 9: 30 am Morning Worship 10: 30 am Evening Worship 6: 00 pm Wed. Ladies Class 12: 00 pm (at church building) Wed. Evening Study 7: 00 pm

Minister Sage Bridges

Shepherds Otto Buehler Morris Guest Gordon Gower Glenn Kenner

Larry Miller

Deacons Don Dillahunty Rick Pinney Spencer Guest Eddie Redman Bob Justice Troy Trammell

Church Statistics

OFFICE HOURS: M-Th 8am to noon ATTENDANCE Bible Class 86 Worship Assembly 130 Pioneer Home 27 FINANCES Weekly Budget $4018 Weekly Contribution $5426

Pioneer Home Schedule Date Lesson Song Leader

Feb 19 Rick

Pinney Roger Derda

Greeters for February Cristie Simmons 12th

Nancy Schultz 19th & 26th

The Outcasts We can learn a great deal by observing with whom Jesus chose to associate

Himself. Luke, more than other New Testament writers, spent a great deal of

time addressing the social outcasts. The contrast is often drawn between those

who consider themselves to be a “higher class” of people, with others that not

many in society regarded as significant. In the account of the great banquet,

after the ones who had initially received an invitation decline, the master said,

“bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame” (Luke 14:21). These were the

people who were able to taste the master’s banquet in the parable. In the next

chapter, we see tax collectors and sinners coming to listen to Jesus. Having

taken notice of this, apart of the Jewish leadership complained about Him

associating with those considered to be outcasts by the Jews (Luke 15:1, 2).

There are two perspectives involved that we can learn from. The first

perspective is that of Jesus. How much time do we spend with the lost? This is

not just spending time with them to kill time, but with spiritual intentions. If we

truly want to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, then we are going to closely

examine how He spent His time. Luke recorded Jesus spending a significant

amount of time developing relationships with people that the average Jew would

not have given a second glance. Spending time with the lost is crucial if we want

to have a fighting chance to help save the lost.

The second perspective is from the outcasts themselves. On the surface the

contrast is physical (e.g. rich and poor). Beneath the surface, Jesus is showing

a contrast between the humble and those who are self-righteous with a false

entitlement. One who is poor or has a disability in the Gospel of Luke has been

humbled by what life has presented that individual; this serves as an illustration

for what Jesus is looking for spiritually. Jesus said, “For everyone who exalts

himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke

14:11). One of our struggles in associating with outcasts and sinners is our way

of thinking, and if we are not careful, it can lead us to falsely believe that we are

better than others. As a result, we feel less Godly for hanging around “with the

likes of them.” Sometimes we only do this subconsciously, and even at times,

unintentionally. Humility is a characteristic that Jesus is looking for in His

followers. In one sense, we are all outcasts because of our sin. Admitting this to

ourselves will not only help our spirituality, but will allow us to help others

through association.

In Love,

Sage

Upcoming Lessons

Sunday Evening Worship 6pm

Lesson: What A Spiritual Family Looks Like

Acts 2:42-47

Wednesday Evening Bible Study 7pm

Lesson: Examples of Unselfishness

Philippians 2

Let’s learn together how we can become more like our Lord.

~Sage

Paula Harmon (former member here) her

husband Darrell passed away on Sunday Feb. 5th

after a car accident that also left Paula with a

broken back, sternum and nose. Please pray for

Paula as she heals from her injuries and for the

loss of Darrell.

Her address to send a card to:

26906 N 20th Lane

Phoenix, AZ 85085

Patti Brunner had CAT scan of her lungs, praying

for good results.

Mary Justice recovery after heart procedure,

had to be in hospital a few days last week.

Helen Gasdaglis still having discomfort from her

gallbladder, very discouraged about doctor’s

decision not to remove it.

Bonnie Parker recovering after surgery on her

rotator cuff.

Marian Johnson (Mandy’s grandmother) is now in

long term care. She is 92 years old, please pray

for her comfort and for Mandy to have peace.

Rachel Cordova (family to Kathy Cleaveland)

recovery after very bad car accident.

Continual Prayers Health Reasons/Treatment

Marcia Serrano in much pain from her

headaches daily.

Susan Bryant improved health.

Amanda Campbell (Friend of Sage & Alexis)

seizures

Becky Poteet (Larry Miller’s daughter) cancer

treatment and comfort.

Brad Hall (friend of Kathy Cleaveland) in need

of kidney transplant; on list.

Julie (friend of Sally Guest) husband, has liver

cancer. Please pray for his comfort.

Christian (Becky Hanna’s nephew) terminal

leukemia.

Joe Hixenbaugh (Jim Hixenbaugh’s brother)

cancer.

Our Shut-ins

Ruth Hague Dwain Oliver

Marjorie Trammell Bill Withers at VA hospital

Morning Assembly February 19th

Assembly

Announcements Don Dillahunty Announcements Don Dillahunty

Song Leader Roger Derda Song Leader Eddie Redman

Opening Prayer Larry Sanderson Opening Prayer Glenn Kenner

Scripture Reading David Kirschner Scripture Reading Pat Myers

Prayer Leader Barry Redden Prayer Leader Bob Justice

Lord’s Table Joe Braswell Lord’s Table Kelly Whisenant

Jim Wisniewski Greg Hendrickson

Les Turner Mike Wester

Nathan Erno Joe Braswell

Closing Prayer Larry Miller Closing Prayer Otto Buehler

THOSE SERVING ASSEMBLE IN THE CHURCH OFFICE PROMPTLY AT 10:20

Nursery/Cry Room

Available at the back of the auditorium

Potluck

TODAY after morning worship. COME JOIN US!

Elders, Deacons and Preacher Meeting

Feb 14th 7pm

Area Wide Singing

Sunday February 19th 3pm at the Prescott Valley

Church of Christ. Bring finger foods for a time of

fellowship following singing. There will be time to

make it back to Mt Vernon for evening assembly.

Breakfast at IHOP

Feb 22nd at 8am

Ladies Day

Sat. April 15th 8am to 1:30pm Northside church of Christ.

Flyers on back table.

The faith of the Roman centurion was so great that Jesus said it

exceeded the faith of any Jew He had ever met. This commander

of 100 Roman soldiers understood the matter of authority. He told

Jesus that He did not have to go to his home to cure his slave, all

He had to do was to give the command.

He understood this because he understood the nature of authority.

He said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my

roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. For I

also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I

say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he

comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it” (Matt. 8:8-9).

When it comes to religious authority, the principle is precisely the

same. Jesus is truly our Commander-in-chief, for He has all

authority in heaven and on earth. The fact that He has all

authority leaves no authority for those of us who have committed

ourselves to Him. The process is as simple as the arrangement in

the armies in Rome. That soldier stood before his commander

awaiting an order. When the order was given, he just did what he

was told to do. Why is it that we struggle with this principle today?

Like the Roman foot-soldier we stand before the Commander

awaiting an order. When the order is given, we just do what He

tells us to do.

If the command is believe, we believe. If the command is be

baptized, we are baptized. If the command is to worship Him

according to truth, we worship Him in that way. If the command

is abstain from those lusts which war against the soul, we abstain.

If the command is to not forsake assembling together, we do not

forsake worship. If the command is to love as I have, then we NEED

to love as HE does.

Faith and obedience to His authority!

John 15:5 I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in

Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can

do nothing.

Romans 8:31-35 (NASB)

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is

against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered

Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give

us all things? Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God

is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ

Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the

right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Who will

separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress,

or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

It is kind of fun waiting expectantly. When

I was a child, Christmas was that time of

year when I found myself waiting

expectantly. What was in the big box? Did

I get what I wanted? Will it be all I had

hoped for? Now that I am older, there are

more occasions when I find myself waiting

expectantly, all of those things I have

talked to God about. Today could be the

day that the house sells. Today could be

the day that we hear the cancer is gone

and the treatments are over. Today could

be the day that God brings a seeker into

my life. Today could be ... Today is a gift

from God and I can hardly wait to see what

is in this big box.

James 1:17 (NIV) Every good and perfect

gift is from above, coming down from the

Father of the heavenly lights, who does not

change like shifting shadows.

J. Tom Washburn