WOE IS UNTO ME

The apostle Paul stated to the church at Corinth, “For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!” (I Corinthians 9:16). Paul was telling them that he had no reason to glory simply because he was preaching the gospel. In fact he says there would be a woe against him if he did not preach the gospel. Paul had made a similar statement to the church at Rome in Romans 1:14-16, “I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” I am debtor…I am ready…I am not ashamed. He realized the great responsibility of preaching the gospel and making sure it was God’s word that was preached. To the young man Timothy, Paul declared, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:2). I have two scriptures written in the margin of my Bible beside I Corinthians 9:16. One is Amos 3:8, “The lion hath roared, who will not fear? The Lord God hath spoken, who can but prophesy?” The other is Jeremiah 20:9, “Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.” I mentioned these verses and others as we studied I Corinthians 9 last evening. Paul knew that the matter of preaching was one of compulsion, it must be done, but he was also saying that I do this because I want to do this. I do this because I can see the results when people listen to this word. I do this because God has given us this responsibility. His desire to save souls is pointed out in this chapter, as he is willing to forfeit his own will and desires and pleasures and his own ease so that he might win some souls to Christ. By preaching the gospel Paul was giving people an opportunity to hear God’s word and be saved. What do you do with the gospel when it is preached to you?

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THOUGHTS FOR THOSE WHO LEAD IN PUBLIC PRAYER

The person who leads in prayer in a public worship service provides an important service and is to be commended. He also recognizes that he has the weighty responsibility of representing not only himself but others before the Lord. He therefore will therefore feel keenly his responsibility and do his best in determining what to pray and in expressing himself. The church needs more men who will serve by leading in worship, and all who will should be encouraged and helped. These thoughts may be of assistance to those who lead in prayer.

Preparation

Prayers can be prepared for, just as readings of the scripture or sermons are. While spontaneity is desirable, there is also a call for preparation. Indeed those that are planned are likely to be the more effective. In preparing to lead in prayer, consider the following steps.

1. Ask God to guide and assist you in this public service.

2. The major portions of prayers are praise, thanksgiving, and petitions. Plan what you will say in each of these parts of your prayer. List those blessings for which you will give thanks and petitions that you will make. Be specific. List the names of people for whom you will pray or works on which you will ask God's blessing. Consult with those in the congregation who know of people or efforts which need prayers. You may discreetly use these written references while leading the prayer.

Leading the prayer

1. Remember that you are representing the entire assembly before God and not only yourself. Generally, therefore, it will be more appropriate to use "we," speaking in the plural for all present, rather than "I."

2. Speak loudly enough for all to hear and speak slowly and distinctly. Since your words are representing the prayers of those whom you are leading, they should hear you clearly to be a part of the prayer. The best way to be heard is to use the public address system. Speak clearly and directly into the microphone. When you lead the prayer from where you are in the auditorium, it is best to stand, turn so that you will be facing the largest portion of the audience, and speak with your head high enough that your words will be directed outward.

3. Do not use the prayer as an occasion to preach or to say things, which are actually directed to the audience rather than to God.

4. Speak with expression, but without too much emotional display.

5. If the prayer is for a special purpose, strive to accomplish it. For example, the original purpose of the prayer for the emblems in the Lord's Supper is to give thanks for the bread and the fruit of the vine. If you are leading this prayer, remember to specifically express that thanks.

6. In expressing that the prayer is offered through the name of Christ (Jn. 14:13), state this accurately. It is inaccurate to say, "In your name we pray" when addressing the Father, since the prayer is offered in the name of Christ, the Son (John 14:13; 1 Timothy 1:5).

7. Express everything that needs to be said in the prayer, but do not continue it too long. Public prayers differ from private ones in that the audience cannot concentrate on the words of a prayer leader as long as they might on their own thoughts in their private prayers.

8. Please be aware that the congregation deeply appreciates your effort to lead them in prayer. Thank you for this service.

–John Parker 12/15/09

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THE ATTRACTION OF THE AGES

Jesus said: “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me” (John 12:32)

No person has ever had the influence upon the lives of so many people for such a long period of time like Jesus Christ. A seer has said: “Twenty centuries have come and gone, and today He is the central figure of the human race and the leader of mankind’s progress. All the armies that ever marched, all the navies that ever sailed, all the par-

liaments that ever sat, all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of man on this earth as this one solitary life.”

Why is this so wonderfully true? Surely not because of ancestral, political, or social prestige.

Despite the fact that Jesus was the foster son of a lowly carpenter in despised Nazareth, though there was no room for Him in the inn, and though the first cries of this newborn infant was heard only by His parents and the stable animals, and despite the statement of the scriptures that He “hath not where to lay His head,” still our Lord is the attraction of the ages.

What was the amazing reason for the attractiveness of our Lord. What magnetic drawing power did He possess? How did He by his tragic death on Calvary know that He would draw all men unto Himself? What other marvelous qualities did this meek, kind, compassionate, and lovable man of Galilee have that so pulled mankind away from sin and worldly things, and prompted them to rise up and follow Him.

Jesus is attractive because of the things He said. His teaching was so different, so revolutionary, so extraordinary, that even those sent to arrest Him, said of Him: “Never man spake like this man” (John 7:46).

Jesus is attractive because of the things He did. His supernatural feats, miracles, and wisdom have attracted and continue to hold man in perpetual wonder. Never man performed the works that

Jesus did.

Jesus is attractive because of His actions toward others. He wept with the sorrowing, rejoiced in the happy society of His day, prayed for His enemies, and healed the sick and suffering. Such marvelous actions had never been so fully demonstrated before.

Jesus is attractive because of His perfect life.

The attractiveness of Jesus-what a subject!

--Levi Sides, Jasper, AL; Words Of Truth, 01/09

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MONTROSE FAMILY NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Dec 27, 2009

THOSE PRIVILEGED TO SERVE

WORSHIP----SUNDAY---9:00 AM

Co-Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mitchell Brooks

Announcements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Steve Anderson

Scriptures Reading... . .Gal. 5:16-21.. . . .Brian Harville

Song Leader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .Glen Reece

Opening Prayer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jacky Carver Sr.

Lord’s Supper-Preside: Robert Hackett

Serve: Jacky Carver Jr., Roger Draper,

Ted Russell, Justin Draper

Closing Prayer................................ Brian Smith

Greeter-Robert & Linda Hackett

Greeter- Ted & Vicki Russell

Count Offering. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jacky Carver, Sr.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kaleb Bush

AM Sermon—Stop Dating the Church

PM Sermon—4^th. Sunday Singing

WORSHIP---SUNDAY---6:00 PM

Announcements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Steve Anderson

Song Leader. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . Jimmy Smith

Scripture Reading.. Gal. 5:22-26. . . . .Brian Harville

Opening Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Harold Smith

Lord’s Supper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Billy Halliburton

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ethan Leonard

Closing Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Roger Draper

BIBLE STUDY WEDNESDAY---7:00 PM

Song Leader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jacky Carver Sr.

First Prayer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Glen Reece

Opening Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jimmy Smith

Closing Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Larry Kemp

Prepare Communion for December

Dianna Dillehay & Vicki Russell

Prepare Communion for January

Karen Halliburton

Note: If you are not able to fulfill your assignment listed above, please notify the coordinator so that he can find a replacement.

MONTROSE BULLETIN BOARD

NURSING HOME: Lucille Smith,

Those on the sick list:

Donald Chaffin (Zion) Lou Gehrig’s disease

Hoss West

Vaughn Allen

Barry Wayne Kemp

Webb Craighead

Marie Castleman

Rick & Debbie Slagle—Karn’s congregation

Clayton & Vivian Winters—Erwin TN

OUR RECORD OF LOVE FOR CHRIST 12/13/09

Wednesday. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Worship Sunday AM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90

Bible Study Sunday AM .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

Daily Bible Readers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Worship Sunday PM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Offering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2735.00

We are asking each family to bring items for the pantry to be used for needs in the community as they arise: Items for week: We cleaned out the pantry so we need non-perishable items of your choice.

Get together at the Barn on Dec. 31^st. to welcome in the New Year.

BIBLE READING SCHEDULE FOR. JAN

01 Gen. 1-3

02 Gen. 4-6

03 Gen. 7-9

04 Gen. 10-12

05 Gen. 13-15

06 Gen. 16-19

07 Gen. 20-23

08 Gen. 24-26

09 Gen. 27-29

10 Gen. 30-32

11 Gen. 33-35

12 Gen. 36-38

13 Gen. 39-42

14 Gen. 43-46

15 Gen. 47-50

16 Exod. 1-2

17 Exod. 3-5

18 Exod. 6-8

19 Exod. 9-11

20 Exod. 12-14

21 Exod. 15-19

22 Exod. 20-22

23 Exod. 23-25

24 Exod. 26-28

25 Exod. 29-31

26 Exod. 32-34

27 Exod. 35-37

28 Exod. 38-40; Lev. 1-2

29 Lev. 3-5

30 Lev. 6-8

31 Lev. 9-11