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Page 6 - The Lee County Ledger, Thursday, December 27,2001 What the Bible Teaches TOES STUDENTS OF THE WEEK Anna Hoffman, Ashley Daughtry and Candice Wells have been selected Students of the Week at Twin Oaks Elementary School. Anna Hoffman is a nine year old third grader. Her parents are Terry and Carrie Hoffman. Ashley Daughtry is a ten year old fifth grader. She is the daughter of Mrs. Laura McCool. Candice Wells is an eleven year old sixth grader. She is the daughter of Sheila Wells and Wesley Wells. Can You Pass The Rejection Test? Rev. Levi F. Robinson, Pastor Mount PLeasant Missionary Baptist “He came unto his own, and his own received Him not. ” John 1:11 The “Word” For The Week By Dr. Dennis Prutow By Frank Taylor Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to wor ship Him.” Matthew 2:1 To search out the Messiah shows true wisdom. The Magi are remembered as wise men be cause they sought Jesus. It is still a wise person who makes the time and takes the effort to find Christ in Christmas. So today, while Christmas is still with us, look at your Decem ber calendar and review the ways you’ve celebrated. Ask yourself: Did I look for Jesus? Did I wor ship Him? Did I present Him with gifts? “And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense and myrrh.” Matthew 2:11 The wise men brought special gifts to young Jesus - gold, frank incense and myrrh. Gold, a valu able, pure and incorruptible metal is the element of kings. Frankin cense, a resin requiring a slow and tedious extraction process was burned by the priests to make a fragrant aroma pleasing to God. The leaves of Myrrh were often used in embalming. These gifts were special in their value, but they were also pro phetic in their meaning, for in them we see the child Jesus be ing honored as the King, the High Priest and the Savior who would die. Each of these roles was es sential to Jesus" ministry on the earth. In Jesus we see both man and God. We relate to Him as a fel low human being, but we cannot forget that He is God, for not even flesh could hide His deity. Pro claiming truth, He taught us how to live. Radiating grace, He showed us what it means to for give. And as the only begotten of the Father, the unique Son of God. His coming into our midst showed us that God had a plan for us - to be with Him forever. j There is probably no better time than Christmas season to envi sion the glory of God. Every pag eant, each nativity scene and all the twin- k 1 i n g lights are our at tempts to capture the glory. B u t through all the glitz and celebra tion, remember most of all that Christmas represents God’s gra cious plan of redemption. As the New Year approaches, we may be tempted to speculate about what the future holds. Will there be challenges or trials? Will there be unexpected blessings or windfalls? Thinking about the future can seem like we are un raveling an intricate mystery plot, but the prophet Jeremiah assures us that God reveals exactly what we need to know! “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3 As we look to the New Year, we may try to gain a sense of con trol over the unknown by plan ning, dreaming, setting goals or making resolutions. But, most of us realize that the future really lies outside of our control. We can, however trust God for what lies ahead. God sees it all and He sees us as well. God, through Jeremiah, didn’t encour age us to try to set our course. God encouraged us to call on Him as we face the future, and to anticipate a faithful answer. God has promised that He will show you great and mighty things. As you trust Him for the future, you can know that He will show you things you would never have known outside of Him. Be encouraged that He goes before you and follows close behind. His hand is lovingly directing your course. Would you spend your last night on earth with someone, if you knew they were going to betray you the next day? Jesus did. He is faithful, even when we are not. There is no greater opportunity to grow in love, than when you've been mis treated. Look at Jesus on the cross; He asked His Father to forgive those who ripped the flesh from His back, and drove the nails into His hands. How you handle rejection reveals whether or not you've truly died to self - for it's impossible to hurt a dead man! On the other hand, being rejected without being of fended, is one of the greatest demonstrations of spiritual maturity. It's being Christ-like! In the Old Testament a priest was disqualified from ministry if he had "scabs," (an unhealed wound) (Lev 21:20). Why? Because it made him "touchy." He couldn't allow you to get close to him, in case you brushed up against his sore spot. It showed up in the things he said, and kept him from functioning the way God wanted him to. Ever been around a "scabby" preacher? He preaches out of his own unhealed areas, and expounds from the depths of his own struggles. But God has a solution. Listen: 'I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the Lord" (Jer 30:17). God wants to heal you, so that through you. He can reach out and make others whole. Won't you let Him? "Make A Better You In 2002" Let us Go and See Everyone loves a baby. We gladly take trips to the hospital to see the newborn infants. They are cute and cuddly. They evoke wonder in our hearts as we see perfect tiny hands and feet. If a baby had more than perfect physical features, if this baby was actually Divine, God in human form, our wonder and amazement would be multiplied. So it was with the shepherds on the hillsides of Bethlehem. “When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shep herds began saying to one an other. ‘Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us"” (Luke 2:15). The shepherds went to see. Offer thanksgiving The mighty God, even the LORD, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof. Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined. And the heav ens shall declare his righteous ness: for God is judge himself. Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, and I will testify against thee: I am God, even thy God. I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices or thy burnt offer ings, to have been continually before me. I will take no bullock out of thy house, nor he goats out of thy folds. For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fullness thereof. Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats? Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. How will we go and see? We cannot turn back the clock and go to Bethlehem with the shepherds. We can go to the Bible. We can study the record and stories the Bible gives us. The story centers in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John in the New Tes tament. It begins in the Old Tes tament with many promises about the coming of Christ. There are also many pictures of Christ in the Old Testament tabernacle, temple, and sacrifices. The apostles round out the story by interpreting Christ's coming in letters to various churches. Get into the Bible. You too can see what the shepherds saw. For a free audiotape on this sub ject, call 1-800-777-0389: e-mail free_tape@juno.com: or visit www.sterlingpulpit.org By Jerry Kingery But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth? Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee. When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulter ers. Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit. Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother's son. These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was alto gether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes. Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver. Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conver sation aright will I shew the sal vation of God. from Psalm 50 For a free Scripture packet, please write From the Bible, BIBLE FOUNDATION, PO Box 908. Newberg, Oregon 97132. email: bf@bf.org From The Bible Attend The House of Worship of Your Choice This Sunday 'nuntu Ohurrh nf Christ Kinchafoonee Rantist Leesbura Church of God Leesburg First Bapti Lee County Church Of Christ Maurice Johnson, Jr. Minister Bible Study 9:30 AM Worship 10:30 AM Evening Worship 6:00 PM Mid-Week Bible Study 7:30 PM Smithville Baptist Lance Fendley, Pastor Sunday School 10:00 AM Morning Worship.... 11:00 AM Evening Worship 7:00 PM Wed. Prayer Service. 7:00 PM Leesburg Presbyterian Sunday School 10:00 AM Morning Worship.... 11:00 AM Women of the Ch 3:30 PM 3rd Sun & 3rd Wed .. 6:30 PM Union Wors. Service 7:30 PM Every 6 weeks Lords’s Supper 11:00 AM Philema Road Baptist Dan Harris, Pastor Sunday School 9:45 AM Morning Worship.... 11:00 AM Evening Worship 6:00 PM Wed Bible Study 7:00 AM Alpha Baptist Rev. Joe Jenkins Sunday School 10:00 AM Morning Worship.... 11:00 AM Discipleship Training 6:00 PM Evening Worship 7:00 PM Wed. Prayer Service 7:30 PM Antioch Baptist Church Rev. Lem Wright 1st and 3rd Sunday Sunday School 9:00 AM 4th Sunday Worship Service 10:00 AM Zion Hope Baptist Rev. H. L. Holsey Sunday School 10:30 AM Sunday Worship 11:30 AM Phillip Grove Baptist Rev. Solomom Loud Jr. Highway 195 Leesburg Sunday School 10:30 AM 1st Sunday 12:00 PM Mt. Pleasant Baptist Pastor Levi Robinson Sunday School 10:00 AM Worship Service 11:15AM Tuesday Tuturial Service . 5:30-7:00pm Prayer and Bible Study 7-8 pm Kinchafoonee Baptist Rev. Charles (Chuck) Smith Sunday School 9:45 AM Morning Worship.... 11:00 AM Training Union 6:00 PM Evening Worship 7:00 PM Wed. Services 7:30 PM Smithville United Methodist Pastor - Randy Carnley Worship 10:00 AM Sunday School 11:00 AM Palmyra Baptist J. D. Bolden Sunday School 10:00 AM Morning Worship .... 12:00 PM Bible Study (1st Sun) 5:00 PM Eve. Wor. (1st Sun) ..7:00 PM McAfee Grove Missionary Baptist Minister Robert Lewis Morgan First & Third Sundays Sunday School 10:30 AM Morning worship 11:30 AM Second & Fourth Sundays Sunday School 10:00 AM New Hope AME Rev. Alfreda Williams every 1st and third Sunday Sunday School 10:00 AM Sunday Worship 11:00 AM Macadonia Baptist Church Sunday School 10:30 AM Wed. Bible Study 7:00 PM First Sunday Morning Worship.... 11:45 AM Third Sunday Evening Worship 6:00 PM Jordan Grove Baptist Rev. R. O. Calhoun Sunday School 9:45 AM Worship Service 11:00 AM Unity Church of Christianity Rev. Joanna Gabriel Dial-A-Prayer 435-7077 Comer of Ledo & Hugh Roads Morning Worship.... 11:00 AM Leesburg Church of Christ Leesburg Church Of Christ Sunday School 10:00 AM Morning Worship.... 11:00 PM Evening Worship 6:00 PM Wednesday Evening 7:30 PM St. Stephen’s Episcopal Father Ron Davidson 298 Leslie Hwy 759-1506 Sunday School 10:00 AM Morning Worship.... 11:00 AM Living Hope Fellowship Four Square Gospel Church Highway 19 S. Leesburg 1/2 mile north of 19 Bypass Worship Service 10:00 AM Evening Service 6:00 PM Wednesday Evening 7:00 PM Children Church during both Sunday Services New Piney Grove Baptist Pastor Henry L. Holsey Third Sunday Services Sunday School 11:30 AM Worship 12:30 PM First Sunday Sen/ices Sunday School 11:00 AM Mt. Hope Baptist Church Pastor: Rev. M. W. Willis Services 1st Sunday Sunday School 5:00 PM Church 6:00 PM Services 4th Sunday Sunday School 10:00 AM Church 11:00 AM For any corrections or additions to the Church Page, Contact The Lee County Ledger at 759-2413 Leesburg Church of God Rev. Sean Faircloth Sunday School 9:45 AM Morning Worship 10:40 AM Evening Worship 6:00 PM Wed. Fam. Training 7:00 PM Wooden Grove Baptist 1st & 3rd Sunday Services Worship 11:00 AM Weekly Sunday School 10:00 AM Tuesday Night Bible Study 7:00 PM Thundering Springs Baptist Church Sunday School 9.45 AM Morning Worship 11:00 AM Church Training 5:00 PM Evening Worship 6:00 PM Wed. Prayer Services7:00 PM Leesburg United Methodist Church Pastor Russ Elkins Worship.... 8:45 and 11:00 AM Sunday School 10:00 AM Adult Choir 5:30 PM Youth Fellowship 5:45 PM Evening Worship 7:00 PM Wed. Supper/Bible Study 6:00 Green Grove Baptist Smithville, GA Rev. H. Waters Sunday School 11:00 AM Every First Sunday Morning Worship 11:45 AM Kingdom Vision Christian Center Rev. Earl S. Harrison, Pastor 1027 N. Philema Road N. Sunday School 10:00 AM Sunday Worship 11:15AM Wed. Bible Study 7:00 PM Lutherian Church of Our Savior Rev. Bill Behrend 101 Hickory Grove Road Sunday School 9:30 AM Worship 11:00 AM The Lee County Ledger Your Source of Local News 759-2414 o&m Member FDIC located on Robert B. Lee Drive in Leesburg - 759-2800 and 2609 Ledo Rd 430-8080 Member FDIC The Future of Banking is Here. Clyde’s Auto Part Turner Field Industrial Park 1507 Rodgers Street Albany, Georgia 31705 Clyde Massey (912) 436-1502 We Buy Wrecked Cars CraiegS£ Mathis Attorney At Law 124 Fourth Street 759-2243 jHatljetos: Funeral Home Crematory/Memorials Mike Mathews - Gary Mathews 3206 Gillionville Rd. Albany, GA 31707 435-5657 Leesburg Cemetery Jnmj/a£ut Hughes Hardware 1497 S. Hwy. 19 432-0037 Worrell Paint and Body Shop Would like to thank you for the support you have given us. U.S. 19 - South of Leesburg 439-1555 Jack Foi e 'XmfaM'Stem FUNERAL DIRECTORS Crematory and Memorials Crown Hill Cemetery 1503 Dawson Road • P.O. Box 92 Albany, Georgia 31702-0092 Phone: (912) 883-4152 “Sevice Since 1880” BUMPER *u BUMPER 759-6561 759-6482 Walnut St., Leesburg Leesburg First Baptist Rev. Bobby Harrell Sunday School I 8:15 AM Worship I 9:30 AM Sunday School II 9:30 AM Worship II 11:00 AM Evening Worship 7:00 PM Wednesday Church Supper 5:30 PM AWANA 6:20 PM Prayer Meeting 6:30 PM Youth Meeting 7:00 PM Sovereign Grace Baptist Church Steven Youngblood, Pastor 121 Creekside Dr. - Lees. Morning Worship.... 10:30 AM Evening Worship 6:00 PM Wednesday Awana .. 6:30 PM Amazing Grace Baptist Church Pastor, Dr. Ron Baxley 2217 Ledo Rd., Albany Morning Worship & Sunday School ... 10:45 AM Evening Worship & Youth Choir 6:00 PM Wednesday 6:30 to (Youth only) 8:00 PM House Of God Saints In Christ Elder A.F. Caldwell, Pastor Sunday School 10:30 AM 1st, 2nd, & 4th Sundays Morning Worship.... 11:45 AM 2nd & 4th Sunday Evening Service 6:30 PM Wed. Bible Study 7:30 PM Fri. Sharing Ser 7:30 PM Piney Grove #3 Pastor W. G. Groover Every Sunday Sunday School 10:00 AM 2nd and 4th Sunday Worship 11:00 Noon Emmanuel Community Baptist Church Al Bryant, Pastor Sunday School 10:00 AM Morning Worship.... 11:00 AM Every Wednesday Bible Study 6:30 PM Shady Grove Baptist Church Rev. Marcus Glass, Pastor 1st and 2nd Sunday Worship Service 11:00 AM Every Sunday Sunday School 9:50 AM Wed. Bible Study 7:00 PM Fourth Sunday Evening Service 6:00 PM Liberty Primitive Baptist Morning Worship.... 10:30 AM 2nd and 4th Sunday Evening Worship 6:00 PM IBANK An affiliate of Synovus Financial Corn. Member FD1C 430-5383 1531 U.S. 19 South Leesburg in front of Winn-Dixie