'Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you..."'  Matthew 28:18-20

Those of us who have grown up in the church have often thought of this verse as calling us to support missionaries in far away places.  While it is right and good for us as a church to support missionaries in other countries we must not forget that Jesus also calls us to become missionaries for his kingdom.  While many missionaries in foreign lands are taking the gospel to people who have never heard it before, we are given the task of relating the gospel to a culture that has often misunderstood or garbled the truth of God’s love for them.  The people who live around you, who work with you, who you see everyday in the grocery store, these men and women are a mission field that is "white unto harvest."

How are we to reach these people?  John 3:16 tells us that God so loved us that he gave his Son.  John 1:14 tells us that the Word (Jesus) became flesh and lived in our midst.  How do we reach the hurting souls around us?  We must love them and be willing to enter into their lives.  Could this be messy?  Sure, it might be.  Just remember that Jesus left the glories of heaven to come to earth for us.  If God "so loved" the people around us every day, can we do anything less?  The Great Commission - it is a serious and holy calling for all of us.  It can seem intimidating sometimes.  That is why Jesus ends the Commission with this promise: "...And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Brad Sullivan

Congratulations to Enid and Brian Schlotzhauer (and the rest of that clan) on the birth of Jacob Alan on Thursday.  Statistics: 8lb. 13 oz., 21 inches and healthy.

NOTE: The youth & college devotional for Sunday night has been canceled.

Baptism in Leipzig, Germany: Email- "Dear Ones in Christ, We rejoice in sharing with you that Dina Ernst put on Christ in baptism September 12, 2004.  Dina began studying the bible as a result of the 2003 "Let’s Start Talking" Campaign.  Dina's baptism was witnessed by the Leipzig church family, a close friend from Bavaria who is not a Christian, and by members of the family whose pool we used for the baptism.  We are encouraged by her decision and ask you to continue to pray for Dina and those continuing to study God’s word in Leipzig.  Praise the Lord!"  (photo on bulletin board across from office)

Several jobs need to be done!  Where can you help?  When can you start?  Can you...

• sit in back and help with the sound system? (training available)
• sit with children during Sunday service before Children’s Worship?
• sit with children Wednesday evening during devotional after class?
• drive a van to pick up children for Wednesday evening services?
• help a Wednesday evening children’s class teacher?
• mow the grass on the playground when necessary?
• pray for missionaries and the lost of foreign countries?
• pray for the lost of the USA and Abilene?
• pray for the lost of this country and this city?

Families are a divine creation from God

Luke 12:49-53

I have come to bring fire on the earth,
and how I wish it were already kindled!

But I have a baptism to undergo,
and how distressed I am until it is completed!

Do you think I came to bring peace on earth?
No, I tell you, but division.

From now on there will five in one family divided against each other,
three against two and two against three.

They will be divided, father against son and son against father,
mother against daughter and daughter against mother,
mother-in-law against daughter-in-law,
and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.

STATISTICS FOR SEPTEMBER 19, 2004