Celebrating with our Graduates

At our lunch today we recognize our high school seniors, Heather Boothe, Sarah Cook, Dylan Tyler, and Stephanie Zeller as they prepare to receive their diplomas. Celebrating such an achievement is certainly appropriate, as we wish to encourage them as they make an important transition in their lives. Occasions such as graduation should cause each of us to reflect upon the characteristics that enable one to reach such a milestone, and also ponder what challenges and opportunities that lay ahead. Let’s consider some valuable guidelines to help this year’s graduates (and those in coming years who will be following them) maneuver along this newest stretch of life’s highway. 1) Set spiritual goals. Most graduates have in mind a career path

they would like to seek. They set goals for getting a college de-gree, learning a trade, etc. to provide for themselves physically. In like mind, set specific spiritual goals you hope to achieve, such as: go on a mission trip, conduct a certain number of Bible studies, marry a Christian mate, become an elder/deacon or their spouse. Paul said in Phil. 3:14 “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

2) Keep your priorities right. The quest to “get ahead” in this world often leads young people to justify skipping worship or Bible study so they can “work a little extra”. Maybe one thinks they “deserve” to miss Wed. night Bible class to go to a movie as a “reward” for their hard work. Keep Christ and His church as the focus of your time and energy; everything else will work out just fine. Jesus says “But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matt. 6:33)

3) Make good choices. Being on your own brings about many choices: friends, activities, entertainment. Making wise choices in these areas can have a huge positive or nega-tive impact on one’s spiritual life. Dealing with peer pressure doesn’t end when they hand you the diploma; it simply takes a different form. Joshua made clear his choice in Josh. 24:15, “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

We say to our graduates, “Well done”. May God richly bless you as you continue on life’s journey. May you always choose the “narrow way” that will grant you much happiness in this life but will also lead you to an eternal reward in Heaven one day. – your Elders

The West Side Epistle

Ye are our epistle written in our heart, known and read of all men—II Corinthians 3:2

Welcome! We Love Visitors!!

You are invited to all our assemblies.

Sunday Wednesday

Bible classes for all ages 9:30AM Midweek Bible Study 7:00PM

Worship Services 10:30AM

Evening Services 6:00PM

From the Elders’ Desk

West Side

Church of Christ 1705 Starview Drive

Salem, VA 24153

540-389-9139

Elders:

Jeff Durham

Eddy Gilpin

Danny Guard

Charles Gwaltney

Deacons:

Fred Altizer

Jerry Anderson

Jonathan Beavers

Mike Durham

Greg Edwards

Bob Garby

Jim Harrington

Tom Richardson

Squeaky Valentine

Josh Whitlow

Minister:

Eddy Gilpin

Associate Minister:

Jerry Anderson

Visit our website at

www.westsidecofc-salem.com

Sponsors of “House to House/Heart to Heart

Missions

Moshi Bible School

FHU Student Missions

Potter Childrens’ Home

Truth for the World, Jim Dearman

(radio);

Preaching the Gospel, James

Watkins (TV)

House to House/Heart to Heart

Voice of Truth International (print)

Fishers of Men

We’ll take a Dozen – preacher

student support – Arusha,

Tanzania;

Gimme $5 for Tanzania

Supporting:

Ukraine Preacher Training

Sean Hochdorf, Tanzania, Africa

Joshua Ankiah, South Africa

Layne White, MSOP

Glenn Head, MSOP

Burt Jones

Look who’s having a birthday

Last week some birthdays were

accidentally omitted: May -19 Mark Grubb

May 19 -Natalie Valentine May 21 -Daria Van Ravestein

May 21 -Robert Glass May 21 -Jim Harrington

May 22 -Anneliese Beavers May 23 -Paula Gibson

May 26 - Cindy Williams May 31 - Kim Hagee

Marvelous May Anniversaries

May 19 - Mike & Judy Durham May 23 - Ryan & Jessica Vaden

Youth Events MAY 25- Honor Our Graduates

June 22-27 -Virginia Christian Camp

July 6-11 Horizons 2014 May 31 - Young Ladies Day

Applications for all - table in lobby

Kid Camp Nine Good Minutes will take

a summer break.

We will resume next school year.

Thanks to all who participated.

We had a good year. True success: living your life

and going to heaven

May ITEMS for the STAFFORDS:

Instant oatmeal (plain) no flavor, Meringue Powder, Sliced Pepperoni

Barnabas Project “Family of Focus" is:

Charlie & Hazel Maness

227 Parkwood Drive

Secret Sister Update

Secret Sisters’ box is now located in the library. Check often to add

or receive surprises.

Please leave all the outside entrance doors LOCKED at all times. Doormen and greeters are assigned to assist

entering the building . Thank you! The Elders

Lamination Machine Please submit all items you need

laminated to the church office.

Allow 5 days for completion.

Thank you. The Elders Summer Series 2014

Begins June 4

June 4 - Melvin Otey (Washington, D.C.)

June 11 - John Croft (Radford)

June 18 - Layne White (MSOP)

June 25 - Larry Elliott (Star City)

Come and meet and hear these good men.

June 14 WOW Trip to the D-Day

Memorial in Bedford & Lunch at Liberty

Station. Meet at the building at 9:00 am

See WOW board to sign-up. Lunch menu

also posted.

Area Happenings

August 22-28 Polishing the Pulpit - 20th Anniversary

August 22-28, 2014 Registration online is now open Early bird discount until July 1

Senior Servants

Bill Howell Jo Musgrove Evelyn Scott

Elsie Smith Grace Myers Willard Campbell Robert Glass

Pray for our

family & friends

Chris and Cathy Widrig ask for prayers for their son, Reagan. His health is failing. He is in ICU at RMH. The Widrigs are members at Radford. Jordon, Savannah and Tristan attend VCC. Ron White’s older brother is in the hospital with severe pain.

Kathleen Garby, Bob’s sister in Pittsburg suffered a detached reti-na. Surgery was last Wednesday and she is under doctor’s care to regain her sight.

Sandra Neighbors has been sick at home.

Suzy Glass continues to deal with bad migraines. I believe she is to have tests this week to help deter-mine the source and provide relief.

Steve Lester, co-worker of Bob Martin has cancer.

Upcoming Events at West Side

May 25 - Graduates Honor Potluck

May 27- Blood Drive at the building from 3-6pm

June 22 - 27 Virginia Christian Camp

July 6- 11 Horizons @ FHU Bus Trip

May 31 - Young Ladies Day

July 7 - Vaden Baby Shower

VCC Camp

Kitchen Request West Side to furnish salad

dressing. We need

40 small squeezable

bottles of Ranch

Dressing

24 down 16 to go

PRAYER LIST

Annette Shrader Ruth Hartman Mitchell Floyd

Shirley Baker Lori Whitlow

Susan Mountcastle Lori Cook

Helena Doss Aimee Skene

Dick Cook Jean Argabright

Bob & Sandy Garby

Buddy Martin Reagan Widrig Kathleen Garby

Suzy Glass

Baby shower for Jessica and Ryan Vaden

Sunday , 7/6/14 - Fellowship Hall - 4:00 6:00 pm

Registered at Target. They will not know the gender ahead of time. There is a meeting next Sunday (5/18) at 5:15

in the fellowship hall to plan. Come if you would like to help. Questions? See Jeanny

Lost and Found Items have been placed on the small white bench in the foyer.

Please check for any items you are missing. Items left will be disposed of after June 8.

Monthly Servants June 2014

Announcements: Jeremy White

Song Leader (AM): Jeff Durham

Opening Prayer (AM)

6/1 Jim Harrington

6/8 Glenn Gabbard

6/15 Charlie Gwaltney

6/22 Dylan Tyler

6/29 Sam Valentine

Preside at Communion: Don Pettit

Serve Table: Mark Grubb Bobby Martin

Bob Garby Andrew Gibson

Closing Prayer (AM):

6/1 Herb Baker

6/8 Bill Camp

6/15 Philip Doss

6/22 Glenn Gabbard

6/29 Ed Mickens

Song Leader (PM): Charlie Gwaltney

Opening Prayer (PM)

6/1 Don Pettit

6/8 Mike Durham

6/15 Barry White

6/22 Greg Edwards

6/29 Young men

Scripture Reader: Robert Lawrence

Closing Prayer (PM)

6/1 Danny Guard

6/8 Glenn Hartman

6/15 Jim Cooke

6/22 A C Janney

6/29 Young men

Serve Table (PM) Bradford Durham Garrett

Laplante

Song Leader (Wed): Ed Mickens

Prayer (Wed)

6/4 Jonathan Beavers

6/11 Jeremy White

6/18 Jerry Anderson

6/25 Eddie Gilpin

Open/Close Bldg: Mike Durham

Greeters: McFalls

Nursery Attendant: Olivia Valentine

Ushers: Curtis Oakes, D. Valentine

Doormen: Justin Maio, Bob Martin

Handouts: Lee Doss, Kevin Mickens

Prepare communion: Patti Gwaltney

Velda Gearhart

Baptismal Garments: Gayle Hodges

Cards/Pencils: Sophia Mays Kylie White

Attendance 5/18/2014 - 5/21/2014

Bible Class– 160 Worship Service- 169

Sunday PM– 166 Wednesday PM– 157 14

Contribution- $ 5121

May 25, 2014 Number 3328

The Difference in a Drop and All-You-Can-Drink

The word “water” is found 396 times in your King James Bible. Its plural form occurs an additional 287 times. To say the least, water plays an important role in the Bible (and that, for many reasons).

Two instances in which this word is found demonstrate the vast difference in serving the Lord faithfully and failing to serve the Lord at all. The first is found in a familiar account—the rich man and Lazarus. When he opened his eyes in torment and saw Lazarus resting comfortably in the bosom of Abraham, the unnamed rich man requested, “Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame” (Lk. 16:24). Consider a couple of facts about this once wealthy man:

1) He was now begging. Likely, he had never pled for anything in his life. But now he was suffering a “reversal of fortunes,” and (likely for the first time ever) his was the dire situation.

2) He didn’t ask for a large amount of water. Although I’m sure he would have gladly taken a gallon, a quart, a pint, or even just a sip, all he asked for was a drop. Have you stopped to think about just how little an amount would be involved in dipping the tip of one’s finger in water and passing it on to the mouth of another? And yet, even such a meager request was denied. Why? There was not to be found even a drop of water in the place where this man now found himself.

Contrast this scenario with what the Lord said regarding this same substance: “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely” (Rev. 21:6). Earlier, to the Samaritan woman whom He encountered at Jacob’s well, Jesus had made the statement: “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life” (Jn. 4:14).

Quite a contrast indeed in being refused a mere drop and being allowed to drink freely of all the water one desires. Herein is the contrast, then, between serving the Lord faithfully and failing to serve Him at all. Which would you prefer- a mere drop for which you will plead and never receive; or, all you can drink, and

that freely so? “Choose you this day” (Josh. 24:15; cf. II Cor. 6:2). -Eddy

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Welcome Guests

Thank you for worshipping with us

today. Please fill out a card located

in the pew pockets and put in the

collection basket when passed.