Urgent Prayer Requests
* Pete Koelling, health concerns
* Brida’s daughter-in-law, Dawn
* Special prayer for Zachary
* Cynthia Wordlaw, need for a kidney
* Health of Cynthia’s mother and mother-in-law
* Dennis fighting kidney failure
* Sandy & Rachelle, working many hours (plus Rachelle is under the weather)
* Julie at Mizzou plus problems with ex-boyfriend.
* Dan, health concerns
* Marilynn Norvell
* Gene & Lois Schulze at home
* Mark & Julie Johnson and the situation with their Illinois home
* Our church and need for revival
Upcoming Activities
1. Bible Study (Brief Books) and Prayer
Meeting, Wednesday, 7 p.m.
2. Sunday school, Sunday, 9:15 a.m.
3. Worship Service, Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
including the Lord’s Supper.
4. NO Discipleship Training this Sunday.
Concerning the sanctification and preservation of believers, John Owen wrote the following:
“If He (God) doth it not, none other can do it. … He doth it of Himself, from His own grace; by Himself, of His own power; for Himself, of His own glory.”
Ministry to Afghan Soldiers
The women’s ministry is doing a project involving sending items to Afghan soldiers. Since there will be more than one box, we expect the postage to be costly. We wanted to give everyone an opportunity to participate in the mailing of these boxes. If you wish to contribute, please write “postage” on your check or envelope and drop it into the offering during the next two Sundays. Thank you for helping us bless these soldiers.
Also, we will be including homemade cookies. If you would like to bake some cookies (any kind) to include in these boxes, give them to Debbie by December 1st. We will also be including letters, cards, and pictures drawn by the children to thank them for their service!
Upcoming Facility Changes
In case you did not notice, our church sign is gone! Several of our members spent their Sunday afternoon a week ago removing the sign in preparation for our new sign scheduled to arrive at the end of the month. We thank those who took the time to remove the old sign.
Also, Harry and Audrey are donating an organ and piano to the church. Some of the men are working on moving these new instruments from their present home in Chesterfield to our auditorium. Thank you, Harry and Audrey, for your gift. And thank you to all the men involved in moving these instruments!
“For this is the will of God, your sanctification. … For God has not called us for impurity but in holiness.”
1 Thessalonians 4:3,7
Sermon Extras
“… may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23)
For centuries this verse has played a significant role in the discussion of man’s being. Is man a two part being composed of a body and soul (or spirit)? Is man a three part being composed of a body, soul, and spirit? The theological term for stating man is a two part being is “dichotomy”. Similarly, “trichotomy” views man as a three part being. Obviously, verse 23 appears to teach a trichotomous nature for man.
Without getting into a lengthy debate in our newsletter, there are other possible interpretations of Paul’s words in this verse. Here are three of the more popular ones.
1. Man is, indeed, a trichotomy.
2. Paul is describing the nature of a believer in v. 23, men who have a body & soul (like all men). But believers also have the spirit of God.
3. Paul is making a general statement to refer to the entire nature of man. It would be like you and me describing something about ourselves by saying “from the top of our head to the bottom of our feet”. Hopefully we are more than head and feet!
In the context of 1 Thessalonians, I believe view 3 above is the more reasonable understanding of the phrase. Paul is telling us that his request is for those believers, in every part of their being, be sanctified and preserved by God.
Ultimately, whether you are a dichotomous or trichotomous supporter on the nature of man, we can agree man has a material part and an immaterial part. When God sanctifies and preserves us, he preserves both parts completely!
Hallelujah!
Nominating Committee
Let each of us use the gifts and abilities the Lord has given us to serve Him through our church next year! How would the Lord have you serve Him? Contact the Nominating Committee (Sandy Brandel and Debbie Walker) and let them know.
Thanksgiving Fellowship
Join us this Sunday morning after worship for our Thanksgiving Fellowship potluck dinner! The church is providing all the meat so, bring a side and dessert (and yourself) and enjoy a time of giving thanks to our God for all of His man blessings!
Pastor’s Postscripts
We’ve completed 1 Thessalonians and will begin 2 Thessalonians in January. In the meantime, Sunday will find us in the book of Revelation. Please pray for me as I prepare for a message I have entitled “Worthy are You!” God is indeed worthy of all our praise and thanksgiving!
May Christ be glorified in your life and ministry this week!