Have you ever noticed how we run hot and cold? There are times down at church when we are truly excited. Then the bottom falls out and we settle into a rut for a few months and then things warm back up. I find it true in other things too. We are subject to "mood swings" in most areas of our lives. Someone has suggested this is why the church needs so many service oriented programs. Somehow we have to get the work done, even when the mood isn't favorable. The poor and sick need to be cared for. Evangelism - teaching others - must be done even when I would rather be doing something else. Sunday worship services must come off smoothly, even when we feel like not even going to church. So, we put deacons in charge of committees to be sure these things get done. The apostles had to get some guys to take care of the Greek-speaking widows (Acts 6). They felt neglected, so something special had to be done. Times haven't changed much! To get things done we still have to make special provisions.

In reality, if every Christian was carrying his share of church work, we wouldn't need so many committees! Things would just naturally get done. I believe one of the reasons we have such problems is that there is too much emphasis placed on being a — member of the church," and not enough placed on being a "disciple of Jesus Christ" A member contents himself to just show up down at church, but a disciple is vying each day to be more like Jesus. A member wants, to be in the head-count on Sunday and escape the fires of hell, but a disciple finds delight in Christian service and wants to grow as a follower of Christ (2 Peter 3:18).
The great commission does not say to make "church members" of every nation, but to go make "disciples" of every nation (Matthew 28:18-20)! When folks hear us present the gospel, they may get the idea we are trying to get them to "join up" with the church, rather than to become hardworking dedicated, surrendered disciples of Christ' This may help to explain the "mood" problem. Members have to be "pumped up." Disciples are consistent. You can count on them! "Members" go to church on Sunday— "disciples" go into all the world! Are you a just a "member of the church" or a "disciple of Christ?"

Did you know . . .

• If you read about one chapter a day you can read through the New Testament in one year.
• If you read about two chapters a day you can read through the Old Testament in one year.
• If you read about three chapters a day you can read through the whole Bible in one year.
• If you read about four chapters a day you can read through the Old Testament once and the New Testament twice in one year.

Which plan is best for you?

Personal Work Group
Visitation Team “A” is scheduled to meet this morning after the AM worship services in Assembly Room “B”.

NOTICE....
There are NO “Home Devos” scheduled for November or December. They will resume in January 2005.

2005 Duty Sheet
Check the 2005 Duty Schedule posted in the foyer and make any necessary changes. This is the schedule that will be used to assign the monthly duties in the coming year.

Teachers Dinner
A Teachers Appreciation Dinner is planned for tonight (14th) after the PM services, in the annex. This dinner is in honor of and in appreciation of all of our teachers and all of the hard work they do. The dinner will be followed by a very important teacher’s meeting. The dinner and meeting is for all teachers – including classroom, Bible Lab and adult classes.

Cell Phone Owners
If you have a cell phone - please put your number on the list in the foyer so that we might have it in case of an emergency. You may choose whether or not it will be published in the directory.

Please change the incorrect directory information we published last week for Tom & Lois Bryant. The online directory has been corrected – sorry:

A rule for each day. -- "Let God say something to you". God speaks to us today through His Son and the Son speaks to us through the written word. A Christian needs daily, divine guidance and the Lord provides such guidance through His word.