THINGS WE CAN ALL DO
Bill Hamrick

We live in a period known for a lack of personal involvement. It may be true that many people do not want to invest in the lives of others. However, we don't believe this is true of most people. When it comes to the work of the local congregation, the lack of involvement of much of the membership may come from some misconceptions.

There is the idea that all Christian service must come from organized programs of the church. This is not to downplay the importance of organization for it is still true that everyone's business often becomes nobody's business. However, there are so many good works that cannot be effectively formalized into church programs. We would like to suggest some things almost every member can do that will really make a difference.

• Be alert to visitors to all of the services. Don't become so involved with visiting the people you see all of the time that you fail to greet visitors. Introduce yourself and invite them to sit by you.

• Every congregation will have a few "loners" who do not mix well with others. Make a special effort to talk with them and make them feel noticed.

• Send a card to someone who is ill or has lost a loved one recently. Let them know that you are thinking about them.

• Write a note of appreciation to a teacher, song leader, youth worker, etc.

• Pray for the mission and benevolent work the congregation is supporting. Remember to pray for the elders and deacons that they might faithfully serve the congregation.

• Be alert for members who are not present and give them a call. If they are ill, let others know and offer to help in some way.

These are just a few ways that every member can serve even if they are not a part of an organized program. There will never be a lack of good things to do if we but open our eyes to see the opportunities.

For Your Information
Bob Bauer will be leaving for Bible Camp this afternoon and will be gone all next week. He will then be leaving on Tuesday, July 31^st, for Ghana, West Africa and will return on August 18^th.

Restored. . .
We were made to rejoice with the angels in Heaven at the response of brother John Greene who came forward last Sunday morning confessing that he had been unfaithful and asking for forgiveness and the prayers of the congregation. It is good to have John back and we are strengthened in his courage. Keep John in your daily prayers.

Children's Class
Our youngsters meet each Sunday afternoon at 5:40, here in the auditorium, for about twenty minutes of story and song. The scheduled teacher for this evening's class is Greg Littleton.

Let us raise our persecution \ tribulation tolerance level so that we can, with God's help, take our blunders and failures and make them great in our lives. We can, like Moses, "choose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season."
--Hebrews 11:25

Upcoming Events

Central Florida Bible Camp
July 22nd (today) - 28th
Eustis, FL

Bob Bauer's Missionary Trip to Ghana
Leaves on Tuesday - July 31^st

Bible Bowl 2001
September 8th
Pinellas Park church of Christ