For Your Benefit...

• The Price's new address is 2304 Hobbs Lane; Fisherville, KY 40023; Phone 502-245-3728.
• The new quarter begins today. Make sure you know where your class is. We have shuffled rooms a bit!
• We have just finished the sixth month of 07 — we're halfway through the year. How are you doing with your spiritual resolutions for 2007?

Calendar

• July 8-12 — High School Road Lectures (Indianapolis).
• July 15-20 — Overland VBS (Lawrenceburg).
• July 20 — Taylorsville Rd Singing.

As the nation prepares for the 4th of July celebration, some cities will not be doing much celebrating. Because of severe drought in many parts of the country, many communities have scrapped their annual fireworks exhibits ("Dry Areas Must Settle for Quiet 4th", USA Today, 6-29-07, p 1A).

Droughts are nothing new, global warming notwithstanding. If we think drought is bad these days, you have only to think back as far as the Depression-era droughts, and the "dust bowls" in the Plains States, to correct that flimsy idea.

Droughts in Biblical times were often associated with God's judgments (Deuteronomy 28; 1 Kings 17:1ff). Some droughts were severe enough to cripple nations economically and militarily.

All of this is not to say that our present droughts are signs of Divine judgment — perhaps so, perhaps not. We are not privy to such information.

What we should remember is that God takes care of his world and his people. "He waters the mountains from his upper chambers; the earth is satisfied with the fruit of his works" (Psalm 104:13).

He has not left himself "without witness in that he did good and gave your rains from heaven and fruitful seasons" (Acts 14:17).
Our God is Lord of drought and flood. He is Lord of all.


For this week…

Respond with sincere joy over someone else's successes!

As Paul said, "Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep" (Romans 12:15).

It seems that for most of us, the latter is easier than the former. It might be that when rejoicing over someone's success, we must give up some credit we though belonged to ourselves. Or perhaps we're jealous that we're not as talented or popular or recognized as others. Rejoicing is sometimes hard.

That's exactly why we need to do it! Because it is hard, it is probably something that builds character. Most of all, it requires that we look outward to others, rather than inward to ourselves.

So, for this week, look for something praiseworthy in a fellow Christian, or a family member, or a friend, or a co-worker, or a school mate. Look for something good that has happened, and share in that joy.

Christian, rejoice!


Last Sunday morning, the elders announced several important changes that will take place here at Eastland. They involve our public worship and our adult teaching program. What follows is a summary of what was decided.

Third Quarter Adult Bible Classes

• The new quarter begins today (July 1).
• The ladies' class will be taught by Lora Shields. The topic is "Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World." This is in the large adult classroom (#7) on Sundays and Wednesdays.
• Cloyce will teach the NT books of James, 1 & 2 Peter. This will be in classroom #6 (back hallway) on Sundays and Wednesdays.
• Reggie will teach a topical class on "The Holy Spirit" and "Godly Living". This will be in classroom #5 on Sundays and Wednesdays.

 Adult Bible Classes 2008

• Beginning in 2008 we will have 2 adult classes.
• Both classes will go through the Bible in a 4-year cycle — 2 years in the OT, and 2 years in the NT.
• One will study the OT for 2 years, and the other will study the NT for 2 years. At the end of the 2 years, the classes will swap. What was the OT class will become the NT class for 2 years; what was the NT class will be come the OT class for 2 years.
• Both classes will follow Bob & Sandra Waldron's study guides to the Bible.
• There is presently no plan for topical classes during this 4-year period.
• The elders are asking you to participate by following the plan as outlined. (No double-dipping — no staying permanently in the OT or in the NT!)

Public Worship

• Since we are now using PowerPoint to show the announcements before and after the worship period, announcements from the pulpit will be limited.
• The announcements at the beginning will be limited primarily to a greeting and an explanation of our worship. We will also announce any urgent matters.
• Gospel meetings (except for our own) will not be announced (they are in the bulletin, on the monthly calendar, and on the PowerPoint announcements).
• Each of us will have to pay more attention to the print and PowerPoint announcements more closely. This is now our personal responsibility.
• The song leader will begin the services with a song. This has been optional in the past. The elders now want the song leaders to begin the services with a song. Song leaders, please have the extra song ready.
• Men who participate in the worship services (song leader, prayers, announcements, speaker, scripture readers, Lord's supper) will meet 5 minutes prior to the beginning of the worship service (10:25, 4:55). We will meet in one of the classrooms to review assignments and to pray. You must be present at the time of this meeting in order to serve. If you are not present, you will not be permitted to participate at that service; your assignment will be given to someone else.
• Men please review your assignments at the beginning of the month. To that end, Joel Gorick is now sending out the monthly roster via email, as well as having it in print. If you cannot serve as listed, make a note on the master chart on the bulletin board; or find a substitute and make the notation on the chart; or notify one of the deacons. Men, your cooperation is expected and appreciated in this matter.