Friendship is a wonderful blessing that all men can enjoy. Every child desires a playmate, parents desire neighbors that are willing to be friendly, and the lonely soul cries out for a companionship that is fulfilled in a friend. Friendship is never a one sided venture, it must stand on both sides. "A man that hath friends must show himself friendly. and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother" (Prov. 18:24). No group of people should understand this truth any more than Christians. As servants in the vineyard of God, Christians must depend upon good and strong mutual relations with others. The New Testament offers many examples of Christian friendship:

1. Peter and John (Acts 3:1)
2. Paul, Priscilla and Aquilla (Rom. 16:3,4)
3. Luke and Theophilus (Luke 1:1-4; Acts 1:1)
4. Paul and Timothy (Phil. 2:19-20)
5. Paul and Epaphroditus (Phil. 2:25-30)

The above stated friendships were vital to these saints. They had a need for one another. They had a need for spiritual support in times of persecution. They needed physical aid during droughts and famine, and companionship in going from house to house.

Whenever true friendship and love is lacking in the church, God's work will suffer. The extent of this suffering may vary from one congregation to another, but there are at least two things that all churches will suffer. (1) Our worship to God suffers because of our lack of communion with our brother (Matt. 5:23-24; 1 John 1:6-7). (2) Our efforts to reach the lost suffer due to the absence of love and true friendship of Christians. Even the lost of the world will not have a part in, nor accept the invitation to enter a body that may be dead because of indifference and dissimulation (Matt. 12:25; Rom. 12:9-10).

When Christians maintain a mutual bond of strength through friendships, the key to individual and congregational growth will be magnified and his outlook on life made positive. Congregationally, many good works will follow and the church will be a true light in the community of men (Matt. 5:14-16).

As Christians, let us not waste this wealth of strength that we are to have with both God and each other. When we realize our need for each other, we can in unity, convert the lost. ❦

Restored
Our hearts rejoice with the angels in Heaven at the response of Don Adkins this past Sunday morning. Brother Adkins came forward confessing that he had been unfaithful and asking for the prayers of the congregation on his behalf. Keep Don in your daily prayers that he might have strength to run the race before him.

Congratulations...
Our hats are off to sisters Katherine Moses and Pansy Sims who were presented plaques commemorating 50+ years of service as Bible Class Teachers at Orange Street. The presentation was made during the teachers appreciation dinner a couple of weeks ago at Quincy’s.
Thanks ladies.

Home Bible Study
The regular monthly Home Devotional and Bible Study will be hosted in the home of Bob and Shirley Bauer this coming Saturday evening, July 20^th. There will be a sheet in the foyer for those who plan to attend.

Chrysostom wrote, "God hath given a man two eyes: if he lose one, he hath another. But hath but one soul: if he lose that, it is irrecoverable; it can never be made up again."

UPCOMING AREA EVENTS:

     • Starts July 20
     Vacation Bible School
     Springhead - Plant City

     • First week of September
     Personal Work Class at Orange Street
     “Fishers of Men”

     • Sept 29 - Oct 2 - Gospel Meeting
     Orange Street church of Christ
     Guest Speaker - Jimmy Clark
     Start Making Plans Now