We Will Go on Without You, But....
Mac Layton

Yes, we will go on without you, but what a wonderful work we could do if we had you!

We will continue to meet for worship, have Gospel meetings, special efforts, and hold Sunday and Wednesday worship services without you, even if you do not as yet recognize your God-given duty and privilege to support the work of Christ. I have heard of some churches abandoning some great things because of a lack of cooperation, but we have enough faithful, God-fearing, Christ-loving people to carry on despite the fact you may choose to be elsewhere.

But what good things we could do with you' How many could be led to the Lamb of God if you were faithful? How many could you convert if you really wanted to be a good example? Ah, if only we had 100% cooperation in the work of the Master, what wonderful heights we could ascend for Him and what blessings would flow to us! We could easily double our membership every year if we all worked together.

It has been proven a thousand times over that the people who do the work are the ones who attend. The churches that are really growing are the ones that have a great degree of loyal attendance. Brother and sister, you cannot imagine the power of a church where every member is present at every service. The condemnation of one-hour-a-week Christians will be that they worked against, by their absence, what faithful Christians were working for by their presence. And this is just what we are talking about: they are blind to what they could do for the Lord if only they would. I am just as convinced that a Christian cannot get to Heaven on one-hour-a-week attendance as I am that a man can't make it without Gospel baptism.

Sure, we will go on without you, but what about you? What will your end be? Don't you know that when you fail to cooperate with fellow Christians you are brother to a wrecker? And when absent deliberately you are a stumbling block? "He that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad, and he that is not with me is against me." (Matthew 12:30)

Since the church is a body, a family, and a vineyard, then each member must function, each son must do his work and each branch must be fruitful. We shall be eternally lost if we fail, but somehow God's work will go on. Yes, "thy seat shall be empty and thou shalt be missed" (1 Samuel 20:18). But aren't you ashamed that the work of Christ must go on in spite of you? Determine today that you will seek first the Kingdom of God and be a faithful servant of Christ!

Bible Bowl

We are scheduled to host the Bible Bowl here at Orange Street on Saturday, September 11, 1999 (this coming Saturday).

Our team of youngsters has been preparing for several months and is just about ready. We expect approximately 180 participants from various Florida congregations to be in attendance.

Please keep in mind that we need to keep the building in tip-top shape and if you haven't volunteered to help out with the activities already, see Matt Faneuf.

Personal Work Group

The Personal Work Group is scheduled to meet tonight, after the evening services, in assembly room "B". All members and prospective members of the group should plan to attend.

New Men's Class

There will be a Men's class on "Leadership" that will be offered, starting on Wednesday night, September 15^th. If you have any questions or comments, please see Bill Norton.

Youngsters

Parents are encouraged to see that their pre-teen youngsters are here fifteen minutes early (5:45) before the start of the evening worship services, for a session with brother Gaylon West.

Add To Your Directory

Sister Heather Howell is off to college and will be attending classes at Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, Tennessee. It would be encouraging for all of us to stay in touch. Her address is:

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Orange Street Online

The Orange Street congregation of the Lord's church will be online with our own web-site in the next week or so. The address is www.orangestreetcofc.com. We'll keep you informed of it's progress.