FAMILY MATTERS Elmore Church of Christ

Elmore Church of

Christ 470 Ceasarville Rd.

P. O. Box 95 Elmore, AL 36025

(334) 567-6670

Elders

Terry Carlisle 334-312-2696

Jimmy Davis 334-300-6987

Marshall Reese 334-235-0206

Stan Taylor 334-313-7259

stantaylor@aol.com

Preacher Don Myers

334-235-0147

dmyers@faulkner.edu

Education Director Andrew Bowens

334-717-0419

Times of Services

Sunday Classes 9 a.m.

Sunday Assembly 10 a.m.& 5 p.m.

Wednesday Classes

March 17, 2019

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO FAMILY DEVOTIONS?

J.J. Turner, Ph.D. © 2019

Unless one has been exiled on Mars or has just awakened from a Rip Van Winkle sleep, he realizes the family in our country is in deep trouble and it’s growing deeper. Yes, and even families which claim to be Christians and “churchgoers.” One teenager said, “I’m sitting on the edge of the pew waiting to graduate from high school, reach my 18

th birthday, and quit this forced-on-me churchgoing.”

Surveys and polls continually reveal that we, across all religious lines, lose approximately 85% of our mem-bers between 18 to 25. We have watched the divorce rate maintain a 50% average each year relative to the number of couples married each year. The breakdown in the family is seen in the violence, abuse, crimes, and unhappiness behind four walls in most neighborhoods. The social and psychological Einsteins of the 21st century continually drum-beat the causes and effects with very few sustainable solutions. Whatever the solutions might be, I personally believe they must start by affirming and putting into practice the words of one of the greatest leaders whose words we read in Joshua 24:14,15: “Now, therefore, fear the Lord, and serve Him in sincerity and in truth: …And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, CHOOSE you THIS DAY whom you will serve; …but as for me and MY HOUSE, we will SERVE THE LORD.” Wouldn’t it be great if the fathers in our congregations as well as in our nations would take a stand with Joshua and say AMEN? Sadly in our day, the proverb which was circulated in Israel applies to our day: “The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge” (Ezekiel 18:2). Even worse are those fathers who have followed in the steps of Eli. God informed Samuel about the judgment He was going to bring on Eli’s house and family; one reason was the failure of Eli to discipline his sons: ”For I have told him that I will judge his house forever for the iniquity which he KNOWS, because his sons make themselves vile, and he DID NOT RESTRAIN THEM” (1 Samuel 3:13). Most of us have heard these two sayings: “The family that prays together stays together” and “As the family goes so goes the nation.” Whatever we do as a nation or church begins in our homes. We leave the house to go to work and to attend the assemblies of the church. It is in our homes where we, for the most part, deter-mine what we will do once we exit the door. This brings up the once popular subject and practice of Christian families engaging in “Family Devotions” or “Family Worship Time.” When was the last time you heard an emphasis from the pulpit, classroom, or in the bulletin about family devotions? When was the last time, if ever, your family engaged in planned family devotions? I can remember when they were popular subjects in seminars, workshops, and lectures, as well as articles and bulletin articles. Whatever happened to family devotions? One preacher answered, “They were never started.” It is worthy to be noted, because it was written for our learning (Cf. Romans 15:4), that God instituted family devotions for the Nation of Israel: “And these words, which I have commanded thee this day, shall be in thine HEART: and thou shall TEACH them diligently unto thy CHILDREN, and shall TALK of them when thou SIT IN THINE HOUSE, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou LIEST DOWN, and when thou RISEST up” (Deuteronomy 6:6, 7). What do you suppose would happen if every Christian family started practicing this command every day?

OBSTACLES TO FAMILY DEVOTIONS

I doubt if a Christian family would come right out and express their disapproval of having a family devotional; perhaps a few would, but they would be the exception and not the rule. As I observe, read, and am chal-lenged in my own life, I have observed various obstacles which stand in the way of families, even those with good intention, having planned family devotions. Here are some of those obstacles:

1. The number one obstacle is the claim of not having enough time. However, upon casual observation, these families seem to have time for TV watching, Facebook, and recreation. Surely out of 168 hours each week 30 to 60 minutes can be dedicated to family devotion.

2. There is an attitude which is expressed in “We get what we need when we go to church on Sunday.” We need to ask, “What do you need and how do you use it?”

3. There are some families which once had family devotions but they, according to their observations, stopped because the devotions became too much like church services or rake ‘em over the coals ses-sions.” (cont’d on page 3)

Wednesday Night

Adult Class

Guest Speakers

Dr. Steve Wages spoke

last Wednesday night.

We will have guest

speakers leading these

classes for the next

several weeks. Our own

Chris Lloyd will speak

Wednesday, March 13.

Swap Meet

April 13

9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon

Fellowship Hall

Everything is Free

Acts 2:44 “And all who believed were

together and had all things in

common.”

This is an opportunity to share what you no longer need and to find

things that you can use. It is also for the community and those in

need. If you know of a family who could benefit, please let them

know ahead of time so they can come.

Please start bringing your clothes, household goods, sheets,

dishes, etc. and put them in the Ladies’ Mission room at the back of

the Fellowship Hall. We also ask that you mark it as being for the

Swap Meet. (The Fellowship Hall is open again.)

We will need help with setting up for the swap meet on April 12, so

plan to come if you can help on the 12th. See Sabrina Stover if you

have any questions.

Preparations are being made to update the church directory. Please take a minute and review your Information in the directory on the desk in

the foyer and initial your page once you have completed your review. You should also let Sue Mehearg know if you

need a new picture for the directory.

Jamaca Mission Trip July 5 through July 15

If interested, you must be a dedicated member of the Church and willing to help with Bible Stud-

ies and active enough to walk on your own, climb stairs, hills, etc. If you are a member of The Elmore church of Christ, the church will help with your expenses. Once we have a reasonably close number that would like to go, we can lock in that expense. For more information, see Jimmy Davis. He will set up a time for an information class on this trip for those that would like to ask questions and get more information. The brethren there are looking forward to our crusade there this year and are making plans for a great campaign. There is a signup sheet in the foyer.

Please start praying for this trip and all that will participate. Thanks you for your prayers and participation.

Make plans now to attend the

5th Sunday Fellowship Meal

On March 31

Young at Heart Banquet

March 30

Doors open at 5:30

Dinner begins at 6:00

Elmore Fellowship Hall

All adults 50 and older, please

make plans to attend this

annual celebration. This is

always a wonderful event!

Ladies celebrate Wilma Stough’s

96th birthday on Saturday, April 6 at

a birthday luncheon in the

Fellowship Hall

Stay tuned for more details!

Annual Fish Fry Fellowship

Friday, April 26

Stay tuned for more details in the

coming weeks, but make plans now to

attend this fun event!

Sunday Evening Services

The decision has been made to continue meeting for

Sunday evening services at 5:00 p.m.

Next Area-wide congregational singing

Friday, April 5

7:00 - 8:30 p.m.

Tallassee church of Christ

209 Gilmer Avenue

Wetumpka, AL

Remember to see Nick or Ginny Carlisle

for a bulletin for your child

to fill out each Sunday

At the end of service, they should show

It to Nick or Ginny for a special treat

There is a bassinet set up to

receive gifts for Baby Hazel Grace

Reese. Please keep

India in prayer as Hazel gets ready

to meet the world.

Teacher Needed for Sunday Mornings!

Cradle Roll (2 years old & under)

Please see Andrew Bowens

if you can help!

Ladies’ Bible Class meets each Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. in the

Fellowship Hall. All ladies are encouraged to attend.

PILL BOTTLES NEEDED

Please bring empty pill bottles and de-

posit them in the box outside of the

teachers’

resource room.

Pat Smith is cleaning these and sending them to an

organization in town that uses them for Christians in third

world countries to distribute much-needed medicine.

Elmore Ladies Book Borrow:

Please enjoy our little library! If you have

books that you would like to share, feel free

to add them to the shelves. Books may be

informative or historical or romance. All

books must be of a Christian nature! Be sure

to write your name in your books. When you

are done reading, return the books and

borrow more!

5. Some families would like to start family devotions but don’t know how or where to start. This points out the need for teaching and training.

6. Some families have stayed away from having family devotions be-cause they have heard negative things about them, such as they create confusion, negative and legalistic attitudes, and some church leaders are opposed to them.

7. There isn’t a realization that every opportunity to study and share God’s word contributes to growth in Christ-likeness.

Can you think of additional reasons why some families don’t have family devotions? How about your family?

SUGGESTIONS FOR CONDUCTING FAMILY DEVOTIONS

Here are a few suggestions for starting and conducting family devotions;

1. As a family spends some quality time together discussing what the Bible says about studying God’s word and worshipping Him in spirit and in truth (cf. 2 Timothy 2:15; John 4:23, 24), try to generate ex-citement and commitment.

2. Determine if your devotion will be every day, five days, or one day each week. Having it Monday through Friday is a popular routine.

3. Father should be in charge of the devotional, not as a dictator but as a spiritual guide.

4. Never forget the Bible is your major source for family devotionals; other materials may help but should be used sparingly.

5. Remember the goal is not to fill up a certain number of minutes, which may lead to rambling, when 5 to 10 minutes may be more beneficial. One intentional point with the planned application would be a successful devotional.

6. Try not to have one person dominate the devotional; having a leader is essential but it belongs to everyone, and everyone has something to contribute.

7. Remember it isn’t a time to debate, argue, or push an agenda. It is a time to encourage each other.

8. The core of the family devotion should be prayer, reading, and dis-cussing; then pray again and each participant determine one inten-tional thing they will take away from the devotional.

9. Remember there will be slow times which seem mechanical or your children may seem bored — even with adults. Let children be chil-dren. You do not determine the success of your devotional by one or two sessions.

10. If there are other families conducting family devotional, ask them for suggestions. There is wisdom in learning from the successes and failure of others. You may even look into forming a study group, etc. of families conducting devotions.

11. Never forget the overall goal of the devotional is not only to gain knowledge of God and His word but to share with one another as a family. While it’s not a fun and games time, it must not be a sober-faced and sad-sack time. It’s a time to “rejoice and be glad because it is a gift from God” (Psalm 118:24).

12. Keep in mind that a major key to a successful family devotional is commitment and variety. Continually share and discuss with the fam-ily how things are going and how to improve, as well as things which need to be adjusted or stopped.

13. Choose familiar Scriptures and Bible stories to discuss and apply in your devotional. Psalm 119 would be a great portion as well as se-lections from Proverbs; don’t neglect the Gospels.

The strength and ministry of the local congregation are the results of what each family brings to the church. Positive and biblical family devo-tionals will make positive contributions to the Lord’s church.

(cont’d from page 1)

4. Some families don’t have family devotions because the father isn’t a Christian or, if he is, he doesn’t feel qualified to conduct the de-votion. Another family member may not be Christian—this is a popular excuse.

Sunday Morning 10 a.m. Service Decent and in Order

3/17/2019

Announcements . . . . . . . . . . . John Capuzzo Announcement Alt . . . . . . . . Marshall Reese

Song Leader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jimmy Davis Opening Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . Marshall Reese Lord’s Supper . . . . . . . . . . . . Rob Langston Lord’s Table (Alt) . . . . . . . . . Ray Spivey Preaching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stan Taylor Closing Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . Tim Buck Greeter/Security . . . . . . . . . . John Capuzzo

Sunday Evening 5 p.m. Service

3/17/2019

Announcements . . . . . . . . . . John Capuzzo Song Leader . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jimmy Davis Opening Prayer . . . . . . . . . . Andrew Bowens Preaching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stan Taylor Closing Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . Nick Carlisle Greeter/Security . . . . . . . . . John Capuzzo

Wednesday Night 7 p.m.

3/20/2019

Devo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terry Carlisle Alternate Devo . . . . . . . . . . . Andrew Bowens Song Leader . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jimmy Davis Closing Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . Marshall Reese Greeter/Security . . . . . . . . . John Capuzzo

RECORDS FOR LAST WEEK

Sunday School 71

Sunday Morning 115

Sunday Evening 50

Wednesday 69

Contributions $4,219

NAME BIRTHDAY

Diane Goolsby March 19

Ed Dykes March 23

ANNIVERSARY

Andrew & Jessica

Bowens

March 18

Richard & Vanessa

Rogers

March 18

PRAYER LIST Daniel Albright Kaye & Shelton Baggett Ruth Beasley Anita & Bettye Beck Hannah Bradford Sawyer & Cade Brown (infants) Karen Calvert Vickie Capuzzo Ken and Maureen Crouse Ray Crouse Jenny Myers Eubanks Norma & Roy Evers Sonny, Becky & Randall Gilliam Diane Goolsby Mary Helen Hood Jacob Ingram Tabitha Jenkins Johnny & Jean Johnson Ann Knight Debra Knight Brad, Kayla & Evelyn Knowles Hannah May Sylvia McGowin David Mehearg Adam Parker Lauren Railey India Reese & Baby Hazel Teresa Knight Sides Layton Smith Lynn & Wilma Stough Pat & Chas Wade Stan Taylor Deborah Watson Lewis Tidwell Carl & Barbara White (Pat Wade’s parents) Betty Tyler Pam Withrow (Pat Wade’s sister)

Special Prayer Requests: Donald Garner, father of Brandi Carlisle, came home from the hospital this week and is feeling much better. Brother William Culp is doing much better. His tests indicat-ed his medicine was causing his problems. Jerry Turner had some tests done at UAB this past week. Please keep him in prayer for good results. Bettye Beck had another PET scan this past week. Please pray for good results and that her tumors have shrunk. McKinley Phillips is a 4th grader at PCA. Her mother passed away suddenly last week and the family asks for prayers. Mary Helen Hood’s husband, Alton, is not doing well. As a reminder, Mary Helen is Amanda Lightfoot’s sister and Mary Helen received a very poor prognosis from her doctor this week. Please keep all of them in your prayers.

Please send updates for the

bulletin to

Jenny Dunn at

jdunn44@charter.net or

334.224.8806.

Wednesday night is the

cutoff for placing your item

in the next bulletin.

Elmore Family

Christian School

We have a

ministry at

Elmore to serve

homeschool

families. Accord-

ing to Alabama

law, families who

wish to home-

school may use

a congregation

to facilitate their

children’s education. Elmore Family

Christian School helps families meet the

minimum requirements for the law to home-

school their children for the school year. If

you have any questions please see Andrew

Bowens, who serves as the administrator

for this ministry under the oversight of the

elders.