December 26, 1999
 Volume XIX - Number 52 
"The Birth of a Babe"
(Luke 1:1-4; 2:1-20; Matt 1:18-23)

CHRISTIANITY

Christianity does not remove you from the world and it's problems. It makes you fit to live in it, triumphantly and usefully.

Real Christians do not carry their religion; their religion carries them. It is not a weight -- it is wings. It lifts them up; it sees them over the hard places. It makes the universe seem free, life purposeful, hope real. It sets them free from fear, futility, discouragement, and makes sacrifice worthwhile.

...Author Unknown

An Open Letter to the Brothers and Sisters at Orange Street

December 1, 1999

Orange St church of Christ
310 Orange St.
Auburndale, FL 33823

RE: Resignation

Dear Brethren,

This letter is to bring you up to date in a public way, regarding recent developments. On Sunday, November 28, I advised the elders that I was resigning as the full time minister for our congregation. My reason for doing so was to seek secular employment . I had found such work and began this past Monday, November 29.

With the elders agreement, I asked to continue to preach, teach, and worship with the Orange St. church. This is our home and we have no desire to leave. I ask that you continue to pray for me and my family. I look forward to as fine a relationship with this church and eldership as I have enjoyed in the past.

Yours In Him,
Gene Hill

 

January Calendars

The January 2000 edition of the Orange Street Men to Serve List and Activities Calendar is available today in the foyer. Pick up your copy so that you might be informed of the activities and duty schedules for the coming month and the beginning of the new millennium.

In Sympathy

Our hearts go out in deepest sympathy to sister Jean Clark in the passing of her mother, Margaret Clark, this past Friday, after a lengthy illness. May God provide His strength and peace in this time of loss and sorrow.

Restored

Our hearts were made to rejoice this past Sunday evening at the response of Bobby and Fay Wells to the invitation of our Lord Jesus Christ. Brother and sister Wells came forward asking for forgiveness and the prayers of the congregation.

"If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up
his cross daily, and follow me." (Luke 9:23)

Our Lord never taught or practiced a halfhearted, watered-down religion. He desires his children to follow him every day.

Bill Norton

Sign-Up Sheets

The sign-up sheets have been taken down from the foyer and entered into our computer system. There are several open dates still on the sheets and need to be filled. We will post the revised lists next week. Help us to fill in the holes.

Tony Price, Keely Watkins, Jeff Brooks, B.C. Carr, Robert Cox, Barb Faught,
Latanea Sims, Theresa Chadwick, Sue Church, Norris Clark, Alma Eubanks,
Ervin Eubanks, Dot Thornhill, James Thornhill, Travis Thornhill, Robert West,
Vannie Dowdy (Pensacola), Vera Willis, Juanita Ashley, Sherry Hobbs,
Mattie Hughs, Virgie Liles, Olivia Miner, Alzonio Rhodes,
Doc Anderson, Elizabeth Gillespie, Wanda Huggins, Floy Murphy,
Talmadge Royal, George Willis, Victoria Wooster