No person familiar with the Scriptures would affirm that human tradition is divinely inspired. But that doesn't mean tradition has no value; sometimes it has great value. Consider this statement "Every culture and society exudes a certain critical glue, an undergirding on life and reality that perseveres it's cohesiveness. When that adhesive bond deteriorates, the sense of shared community tends to come apart at the seams" (Carl F. H. Henry). This statement is not true because a conservative theologian made it. It is true because of its own innate worth.

When children honor the tradition of saying. "Yes, Sir" and "Yes, Ma'am" to adult men and women, recognition of and respect for the older generation is manifest (see Leviticus 19:32). The same value principle is involved when gentlemen open doors for, and rise to give their chair to ladies. Disrespect for such traditions is usually accompanied by a corresponding loss of respect for the values the traditions represent.

But what about the church? Does tradition have value there? It surely does! No, tradition, as normally understood, may not be divinely ordained, but it is usually "common sense" ordained. The way we do things is more often than not the result of trial and error. Songleaders are not commanded by God to stand before the congregation while leading the singing, but doing so is a tradition that has proved itself valuable. Having several men pass contribution baskets down the aisles to worshipers is surely a superior tradition than having worshipers march one by one to a specified place and deposit their gift. The traditional pulpit is much better than having a preacher sit in a pew and deliver his sermon. Regularly set times for worship are much more appropriate for the majority of Christians than deciding from week to week when the next assembly will be.

Before loosening established traditions that have developed over time, churches do well when they look more deeply into their customs than someone's whim that a different way would be superior.

Our hearts go out in deepest sympathy to the family and friends of sister Ethel West who passed away early yesterday morning (Saturday, Dec. 4). Keep Gaylon, Mary Lou and the rest of the West family in your prayers during this time of loss and sorrow.

TODAY! We will be honoring the senior members of the Orange Street congregation at our annual Senior Appreciation Dinner in the annex after the AM services. All are invited to attend.

Youth Devotional
The teen group is scheduled to meet for their monthly fellowship and devotional tonight after the PM worship services. See Matt Faneuf for more details.

2005 Duty Schedules
Please take a couple of minutes and check the 2005 Duty Schedules posted in the foyer, to be sure the times assigned for you to serve are compatible with your plans for the coming year. Make any necessary changes on the sheet.

In The Foyer
All are invited to pick-up a 2005 pocket calendar (with Orange Street’s information on it), a wall calendar (courtesy of Kersy’s) or one of the vinyl automobile license plates that advertises the Orange Street church of Christ. All of these are available for your taking in the foyer.

In giving the principles of Christianity, God did not give one standard for the woman and another for the man. What he demands of one, he demands of the other; and whatever may be said about the appearance and conduct of woman, God expects of man. Man is to be as modest, sober minded and spiritual in every way as he expects woman to be. We cannot be too careful about our appearance, for we all have an influence of some kind upon someone else.