The word friend can be a light and casual thing as when Sydney Smith uttered the line, "Madam, I have been looking for a person who disliked gravy all my life; let us swear eternal friendship." But it can also be a strong and robust word as in Deuteronomy 13:6, "Your friend who is as your own soul."

I felt the depth of the word friend as I watched an interview on television of a woman whose life had spanned the entire 20th Century. After recounting the historical events of one hundred years, she was asked about the greatest sorrows she had known. Without hesitation she replied, "The deaths of my five children ... and the loss of my friends." As she uttered the words, I could see the grief etched in her face. As one who has lived long enough to lose close friends, she did not need to elaborate for my sake.

Ralph Waldo Emerson speaks of how everyone searches for friends. Intuitively we seem to understand how precious they are. And his comment, "A friend may well be reckoned the master-piece of nature," seems right on target.

Friendship means confidence, trusting, sharing, respecting, helping, and loving -especially loving. "A friend loves at all times." David Atkinson puts it well: "There is a liberty, an intimacy, a mysteriously transcendent and loving quality to friendship." And then he adds , "It is most often in friendship relationships to others that we discover who we are in ourselves."

As the years pass by, I have come to appreciate how wonderful it really was when Jesus turned to his disciples and said, "I have called you friends."

Question: “Can He call me friend?" I don't really have to wonder, The answer is given in John 15:14. ❧

How Often Do You Attend "Church"?
Author Unknown

First, the question is incorrectly stated. People are the church; we do not attend "church." But, this is how many often as the question.

There are 52 Sundays in a year (normally). How many of the 52 do you get up, get ready, and attend and participate in the worship of the Lord? Do you attend only on Easter and Christmas? Do you attend only when forced, an accident occurs, someone dies, etc.?

The Bible teaches, the apostles and writers of the New Testament admonished, the first century church practiced, and we today should worship each first day of the week! They came together to worship (Acts 20:7) and participate as authorized (1 Cor. 16:1-2).

Worship is not a matter of choice (if we are to please God, be acceptable in His sight). God is the object of our worship. He is the One we seek and fervently want to praise!

Ghana Update
At last word the missionary team in Ghana was having great success in spreading the Gospel. Some of the team is preparing to return to the states and part of the group will be staying a bit longer. Keep them all in your prayers that they may have a safe journey and much good may be done.

Auto Tags
There are automobile tags in the foyer, advertising the Orange Street congregation of the Lord’s church here in Auburndale. Pick-up one and mount it on your front bumper. It can be a very handy conversation starter.

Happy 4th of July
We would like to take this opportunity to wish all of our members and friends a happy and safe “Independence Day”. Keep America and her leaders in your prayers that we may continue to enjoy the freedoms that God has provided us as citizens of this great land.

Update Your Directory
Recent updates to the online directory include a new phone number for the Chad & Sabrina Tagtow and a new e-mail address for Darin & Heidi West.

Youth Devotional
The regular first Sunday Youth Meeting and Devotional is scheduled for this evening after the PM worship services. See Matt Faneuf for more information.

New Study Beginning
A new study on “Heaven” begins today in the adult class that meets in room #3. There will be various teachers teaching the class during the coming quarter.

Genuine appreciation requires and understanding and generous heart. It is a fruit of careful cultivation. “It is the ..sign of noble souls”, said Aesop. A great business builder says: “Appreciation is the oil that keeps the machinery of human relations running smoothly.” Look around! You probably need to oil the machinery.