White Oak Church of Christ First Century Christianity for the 21st Century

January 17, 2021

2229 Lyndon Avenue Chattanooga, TN 37415 Phone: (423) 877-9762

Email: whiteoakcoc@gmail.com

Fax: (423) 870-5915

ASSEMBLY TIMES:

SUNDAY:

Bible Study: 9:30 A. M. Worship: 10:30 A. M. & 1:30 P. M.

WEDNESDAY:

Bible Study: 7:00 P. M.

MINISTER: Rick Owens

SONG LEADERS:

Carl Puryear, Joe Weir, Zach Rauchle, and

Jeff Weaver

Come study the word of God with us.

Call us for an appointment for a personal Bible study.

www.whiteoakchurchofchrist.org

BEING HAPPY IN A WORLD FULL OF SADNESS

Rick Owens

Abraham Lincoln said a great many inspiring things in his life, but he was also credited with many things he never said. In 1914, 50 years af-ter his death, he was quoted saying, “Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be” (https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/63002/9-popular-quotes-commonly-misattributed-abe-lincoln). Whether or not he said it, someone did, and they were right. However, true happiness really comes from only one source: Christ, because He holds the key to happiness, not only on earth, but also in eternity. It is only in a right relationship with God where one finds true inner peace, and where he or she can rejoice in the blessings of heaven. Paul said, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Eph. 1:3). Because of the deep trust one has in God, the Chris-tian can be truly happy in a world full of sadness, setbacks, problems, and trouble. Solomon said, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Prov. 3:5-6).

One’s trust in God is directly related to genuine happiness; consider the rich young ruler. He placed his trust in riches, himself, and in others; ultimately, “he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved” (Mk. 10:17-31). One’s riches will be destroyed, and people will disappoint, but God will never abandon His people. Knowing that, true happiness is found in righteous living, when one fully gives himself or herself to Christ and is committed to serving Him, even in a world full of sadness.

True happiness is also found in worshipping God, and it is a won-derful thing for God’s people to assemble in praise to the Al-mighty; after all, worship is for the glory of God and the happi-ness of His creation. The Psalm-ist said, “O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joy-ful noise to the rock of our salva-tion. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods” (Psa. 95:1-3). As Christians join in singing

hymns, they consider the wonder and might of God, how He is deserving of the praise He is given, and how they have been created to worship! That gives joy to the Christian, and it did to the first century Christians, as the Bible tells the story of their possessing great joy as they gathered to wor-ship God.

True happiness is also found in contentment, because the grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence. There are al-ways going to be those who complain and aren’t happy unless they can make others unhappy; but those who want to be truly happy must learn to be content. When one complains, he is overlooking the blessings he does have, and when he becomes aware of those blessings, he will find he complains less. Paul wrote the Philippi-an letter from a Roman prison cell, and there is no doubt there was no comfort afforded prisoners of that day. In that letter, there are 104 verses, and 15 times he spoke of joy or used the word rejoice. He also said, “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I

know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am in-structed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Phil. 4:11-13).

Finally, true happiness comes with being busy with the Lord’s work, persistently working, with dil-igence (Col. 3:1-2). Not everyone wants to be happy, but most people do, even in a world full of sadness, and Christians can be happy.

A NEW ATTITUDE!

www.housetohouse.com

Stay positive in a negative world; concentrate on the good things.

Give people more than they expect, cheerfully (Phil. 1:21).

Don’t let a little dispute injure a great friendship (Prov. 27:10).

When you say, “I’m sorry,” look the person in the eye.

Do an anonymous kindness each day (Eph. 4:32).

When you make a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

In disagreements, do no name-calling, threats, or bringing up ancient history.

When you say, “I love you,” really mean it (1 Pet. 1:22).

Remember the three R’s: respect for self, respect for others, and responsibility for all your ac-tions.

Smile when answering the phone; callers can hear it in your voice.

When someone asks you a question you don’t want to answer, smile and ask, “Why do you want to know?”

Look at both sides of everything, but concentrate on the bright side.

Don’t let other’s actions determine your attitude.

Think on things that strengthen your soul (Phil. 4:8).

If a window of opportunity appears, don’t pull down the shade.

REMEMBER IN PRAYER!

Gary Brewer, who is still battling an infection in his ear which appears to have flared up again

Ron & Ronnie Brewer, who both have ongoing health issues

Waymon Brown, who has ongoing health issues

Jane and Sam Coffelt, who both have ongoing health issues

Jimmie Dockery, who is recovering from health issues at her daughter’s home

Teena Edmondson, who has ongoing health issues

Mary Goldston, who has ongoing health issues and low blood platelets

Nellie Haithcock, who has been diagnosed with arthritis and bone spurs in her feet

Barbara Kilgore, who is recovering from health issues at her daughter’s home

June Sims, who has ongoing health issues

Andrea Weaver, who has Crohn’s disease and Hashimoto disease of the thyroid

Betty Weaver, who has had serious neck pain recently

Jeff Weaver, who is recovering well from surgery on his rotator cuff

White Oak’s shut-ins: Shirley Crownover, Wade Jackson, Jewell McAdams, Barbara Northcut, Judy Parker, and Marion Randolph

Sue Beeler, aunt of Nicole Owens, who is suffering from kidney failure

Mason Cobble, teen friend of Kane Vail (Martin Roberson’s grandson), who is traveling to Duke each week to receive treatments for his brain tumor and has recently had kidney stones

Micheal Douglas, Sr., husband of Ruby Douglas, who has ongoing health issues

Carolyn Gilstrap, sister of Christy Jackson, who is recovering very well from her stroke

Joyce Goodwin, former White Oak member, who is recovering from a broken femur

Shannon Harper and Essie Tinker, aunt and grandmother of Andrea Weaver, who both have on-going kidney issues

Judy Harvey, mother of Patricia Cerantonio and grandmother of Alisha Shull, Paige Martin, and Austin Martin, who is receiving treatments for cancer

Melanie Hatcher, wife of evangelist Barry Hatcher, who is mourning the lost of her mother

Randy Hensley, friend of Jeff Weaver, who has Covid-19 and is mourning the lost of his wife

Fred McEwen, brother of Susan Williams, who is now under hospice care

Kevin Plemons, grandson of the late J. C. Watkins and member at East Ridge, who is undergo-ing cancer treatments following surgery

Judy Poe, sister of Martin Roberson, who is in Life Care of Collegedale and not doing well

Jerry Shepard, son-in-law of Barbara Northcut, who is receiving treatments for cancer

Former White Oak members Roy Headrick, Walter Hillis, and Connie Mayhew who have ongo-ing health issues

Also remember Ian Buttigieg, Dave Cooley and his parents, Emma Davenport, Carol Dodd, Tom Gentry, Bill Greer, Elizabeth Greer, Susie Hargis, Duane Lee, Clinton Miller, Vicki Nelms, Hudson Pickett, Holly Shull, Sharee Watkins, those serving in the military, and faithful mission-aries the world over

Sunday, January 10, 2021:

A. M. Bible Class …………………. 28 A. M. Worship ..…………………. 38 P. M. Worship ……………………. 26

On The Calendar!

Jan. 4—Mar. 29: Winter term of the Chattanooga School of Preaching and Biblical Studies at Green’s Lake Rd. on Monday evenings and Union Grove in Cleveland on Tuesday evenings; see the flyer on the bulletin board in the foyer for topics and class times.

The digital bulletin is avail-able via email or online at the White Oak website:

www.whiteoakchurchofchrist.org

HEAR SERMONS ONLINE White Oak sermons are available

online at:

https://wococ.sermon.net

also, at I-tunes:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/white-oak-church-of-christ/

id413729334

and on a link from our website.

Sermon CDs are available upon re-quest.

JANUARY ASSIGNMENTS

If you are unable to serve, please call Jeff Weaver at 423-838-1032.

Leading Prayer for Sunday, Jan. 17th: A. M. First Prayer: Clay Brown A. M. Closing Prayer: Charles Knight P. M. First Prayer: Zach Rauchle P. M. Closing Prayer: Carl Puryear

Leading Prayer for Wed., Jan. 20th: First Prayer: Charles Knight Closing Prayer: Sam Coffelt

Announcements: Clay Brown

Lord’s Table South Side: Ron Payne, Zach Rauchle, and Waymon Brown

Lord’s Table North Side: Greg Shull, Jeff Weaver, and Ronnie Brewer

Lord’s Table, Sunday P. M. Service: Ron Payne and Greg Shull

—INTERNATIONAL GOSPEL HOUR— Sunday, 8:30 P. M.; M-F, 7:15 P. M. 103.3 WLMR FM, Chattanooga, TN www.internationalgospelhour.com

—PROGRAMS TO WATCH—

The Gospel of Christ Sunday, 6:30 A. M., WTVC, Ch. 9.2,

Fox (Comcast 11 & EPB 7) and WGN America (Comcast 2 & EPB 20)

Fabric of Family

Sunday, 7:00 A. M., WFLI-TV, Ch. 53 (Comcast & EPB 6)

Good News Today

Sunday, 7:30 A. M., WFLI-TV, Ch. 53 (Comcast & EPB 6)

and on GBN—EPB Ch. 152:

various times Also, on the web at www.gnttv.org

In Search of the Lord’s Way

Sunday, 8:00 A. M., WDEF Ch. 12 (Comcast 13 & EPB 12)

The Everlasting Gospel

Sunday, 11:00 A. M., MyNetwork TV, WFLI-DT2 53.2, Chattanooga, TN (Comcast 226, EPB 8, Charter 2)

Friday, 11:30 P. M., The CW Network, Ch. 53.1, Chattanooga, TN

(Comcast 6 & EPB 6)

Counterpoint with Mike Hixson and B. J. Clarke

Tuesday, 7:00 P. M. WTNB, Cleveland, TN

(Comcast 210)

Arise to Truth www.arisetotruth.com and airs live Tuesdays & Thursdays at 2:00 P. M.

Preaching the Gospel

GBN—EPB Ch. 152: various times

Daily Bible Reading Schedule

Jan. 1: Gen. 1-3 Jan. 2: Gen. 4-7 Jan. 3: Gen. 8-11 Jan. 4: Gen. 12-15 Jan. 5: Gen. 16-18 Jan. 6: Gen. 19-20 Jan. 7: Gen. 21-23 Jan. 8: Gen. 24-25 Jan. 9: Gen. 26-28 Jan. 10: Gen. 29-30 Jan. 11: Gen. 31-32 Jan. 12: Gen. 33-35 Jan. 13: Gen. 36-38 Jan. 14: Gen. 39-41 Jan. 15: Gen. 42-44 Jan. 16: Gen. 45-47 Jan. 17: Gen. 48-50 Jan. 18: Exo. 1-3 Jan. 19: Exo. 4-6 Jan. 20: Exo. 7-9 Jan. 21: Exo. 10-12 Jan. 22: Exo. 13-15 Jan. 23: Exo. 16-18 Jan. 24: Exo. 19-21 Jan. 25: Exo. 22-24 Jan. 26: Exo. 25-27 Jan. 27: Exo. 28-29 Jan. 28: Exo. 30-32 Jan. 29: Exo. 33-35 Jan. 30: Exo. 36-38 Jan. 31: Exo. 39-40

LIFE ISN’T ALWAYS EASY By Clifford Reel

Life isn’t always easy With a path that’s filled with delight

But there’s a lovely land awaiting Where Christ himself is the light.

Each heart will suffer some sadness Keep the lamp of faith burning bright

For Jesus is coming to take us To heaven where cometh no night.

“He hath shewed thee, O man, what

is good; and what doth

the Lord require of thee, but to do

justly, and to love mercy, and to

walk humbly with thy God?” Micah

6:8 (KJV)