Thoughts About Marriage

Transcription

1 Volume 20, Number 7 February 16th, 2014 Thoughts About Marriage by Why do people marry? There are many different answers to this question. The ideal concept of marriage in most cultures embraces the idea that marriage is for life. No one marries intending to divorce, or be widowed! Many people today forego the formality of a marriage, however: Among the celebrities of our society, there seems to be a distinct disconnection between marriage and children. Many assert that marriage is just a piece of paper, yet one fairly recent best-seller claims to show women how to play hard to get until a man comes across with a marriage proposal! No earthly institution is more fundamental to a peaceful, prosperous society than marriage. Despite constant efforts to minimize or redefine it, stable marriage remains the foundation of civilization. Godly marriage is the root of effective government, the basis of happy homelife, a charter for Christian child-rearing, a motivator and ethical stabilizer in business, and the nursemaid of Christian character and citizenship in our children! Solomon emphasized that Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, And obtaineth favor of Jehovah (Proverbs 18:22). God s word tells much about what makes a holy and successful marriage! We learn that God established marriage. In Genesis 2:18, He declares that man is better with a companion than without one! He created woman as man s counterpart (verses 21-22), and in verse 23, Adam accepted Eve, recognizing that she was intended for him. In short, God arranged marriage for the happiness and contentment of humanity! Jesus emphasized the spiritual side of marriage in Matthew 19:4-8 showing that it is much more than a mere legal contract! It is God Who does the joining of husband and wife in a marriage, not the state. A happy marriage is the nearest thing to HEAVEN on earth, but an unhappy marriage is (you get the picture)! Hebrews 13:4 says marriage is honorable and undefiled before all. Honorable means precious, of great price, highly esteemed. Marriage is prized by all reasonable people! It provides each gender with appropriate companionship and support, Genesis 2:18-25! Animals can t replace a companion. Friends can t take this place, even when they are especially dear (1 Samuel 18:1 & 2 Samuel 1:26). Neither can work or hobbies take the place of a faithful, loving spouse! Marriage is also the ONLY proper relationship for the expression of sexual desire, Genesis 2:24 (cleave, one flesh). The unique husband-and-wife relationship is the ONLY place where God placed His seal of approval on procreation: He made this plain in Genesis 1:27-28 ( multiply ), and Genesis 4:1 & 25 give examples of this. Additionally, only marriage gives a built-in protection against the sins of fornication, 1 Corinthians 7:2. Why would a man desire another woman when he has a wife? Further, marriage provides a loving, nurturing environment where the social and physical needs of men, women, and children can be effectively met, Titus 2:2-5. Marriage (as God designed it) is meant to be the natural state of mankind. Numerous secular studies show that married people generally live longer, happier, more productive lives.

2 Family matters Ray Cozart Will have cataract surgery on Feb 19th. Joann Trawick Will have knee surgery Feb 17th at Piedmont Henry Hospital. Larry Obert Is waiting on MRI results. Members With Health Problems: Carla Sorrell, Larry Obert, RuPearl Sharpe, Larry Carroll, Scott Kelly, Una Fortson, Amy Nash, Jim Scoma, Becky Higginbotham, Equillar Butler, Bernice Gillespie, Janis Libby, Nobie Davis, Mattie Williams, Dave & Joan Poskevich, David & Shirley Lee, Gerry & Cathy Whitacre, Hick & Estell Higginbotham, Butch & Joann Trawick, David & Jill Nash, Ed & Doris Buckner, Graham & Beth McDonald Shut-ins: Audrey Shaw, Jane Lankford, Kathryne Hardy, Annette Benefield, Frances Elder, Dick & Lillian Gray Others: Joyce Greene (Denise s mother), Cecile Whitacre (Gerry s mother), Joe Hand (Jim Scoma s brother-in-law), Marvin Cook (Jean Johnson s brother), Barbara Cozart (Ray & Barbara s sister-in-law) February 23-27, 2014 Progressive Meeting A Beautiful Picture Speaker: Larry Acuff, Lithia Springs church of Christ Sunday 6pm McDonough COC Brethren Dwelling Together in Unity (Psalm 133) Monday 7pm North Ave COC The Lord s Prayer for Unity (John 17) Tuesday 10am Middle Fayette COC Being of One Mind (Phil 4) (Lunch will be provided) Tuesday 7pm Fayetteville COC A Common Mind for Unity (Acts 15) Wednesday Forest Park COC The Walk of Unity (Eph 4) Thursday 7pm Old National COC One Body Working Together (1 Cor 12)

3 Calendar Feb 18 at 6pm SilverWings Dinner Fried Green Tomato in Newnan. The bus will leave the building at 6pm. Feb Progressive Meeting Mar 2 Buford Church of Christ's Grief Recovery Ministry Speaker: Don Williams, Executive Director of the North Alabama Christian Children s Home Mar 6 at 7pm Book Club Meeting in the Foyer Muscle and a Shovel by Michael Shank Mar 7 at 6pm Game Night Mar 8 Time Change! Spring Forward at Midnight Youth Calendar GIFT Class at 2pm in the fellowship hall See Jean Johnson Area WideYouth Devo, Old National COC Feb CYC in Gatlinburg, Tn. Feb 23 FROG Family Potluck after the AM Services Mar 16 Area Wide Youth Devo, East Point COC Apr 13 Leaderette Tea Apr Lads to Leaders/Leaderette Week-end Apr 19 Egg Hunt Apr 20 Area Wide Youth Devo May 4 Senior Recognition Dinner after the PM Service May 18 Area Wide Youth Devo June 8-13 Camp Inagehi Week Mar 21 at 6pm SilverWings Dinner Mar Spring Gospel Meeting Mar 30 5th Sunday Fellowship Meal Bible Bowl: Feb 9th, 3-5:15pm ACTS (NKJV), Here AM I, Send Me in the Fellowship Hall Snacks: 2/9 Susan Pelfrey 2/23 Jo Hurt 3/2 Denise Biles 3/9 Larry Rose Fayetteville Church of Christ 2014 Goals 1. Love God (Know His Word) - Psalm 119:7 2. Love Others - John 13:34 3. Serve Others Galatians 5:13 4. Make Disciples Matthew 28:19-20

4 Call to Worship Scripture Reading Opening Prayer Song Leader Preside Lord s Supper Sermon Response Elder Announcements Closing Song Prayer Evening Service Opening Prayer Scripture Reading Sermon Closing Prayer WORSHIP ASSIGNMENTS Jake Garner Dennis Etheridge Charles Nash Kenneth Fincher Kim Cline Sammy Hugh Harry Williams Tommy Chapman Maylon Swann Jake Garner Ray Russell Wayne Nash Feb 23 Zeke Poskevich Andy Johnson Stan Mitchell Jack Sorrell Kim Cline Sammy Hugh Harry Williams Tommy Chapman Maylon Swann Tom Durden Gayle Pelfrey Zeke Poskevich Prayer Service Hugh Kelly Wayne Nash In SEARCH of the Lord s Way On Channel 57 at 7:30am -What Have You Done? Feb 23-Be Wise Your Help Is Needed If you have any blankets or coats that you would like to donate to the homeless, please bring them to the church office or give them to Paul or Decieta Lyons. Address: 870 Redwine Road Fayetteville, Georgia Monday Friday, 9-4 Office Telephone (770) , (770) Fax mail@fcoc.com Web Page: Minister: (361) Dave.rogers@fcoc.com Youth Minister:, (404) (cell) gnash999@gmail.com Office Secretary: Susie Graham celiagraham@bellsouth.net Elders: Gerry Whitacre (770) (404) (770) Jim Pelfrey (770) Tom Durden (678( Deacons: Dennis Graham Hugh Kelly Jerry Kendrix Andy Johnson Paul Lyons Stan Mitchell David Poskevich Jack Sorrell Assembly Schedule: Sunday 9:00 am Bible Classes 10:00 am Worship Service 6:00 pm Worship Service 10:00 am Tuesday Morning Bible Class (September 11 May 14) 7:00 pm Wednesday Night Bible Study 7:00 pm Thursday Night Ladies Class Communion Preparation Denise Greene Nursery Care of Building -28 Andy Johnson/Curtis Hurt Ushers 16 Rick Sharpe/Gayle Pelfrey 23 Jack Sorrell/Lewis Armstrong Our Missionaries Open Arms 16-Susie Graham, Barbara Edmonds, Zeke Poskevich, Anne Siebert, Paul & Decieta Lyons Wednesday Devotional 19 Jimmy Garner 26 - Larry Rose Graham, Elizabeth, Joshua, Megan, Bethany & Elijah McDonald Scotland,11 Woodhead Ct, Westfield, Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire, G68 9DB graham@gmcd.net Skype: gmcd105 or Scott, Rebecca & Violet Shananhan Pohnpel scottshanahan@hotmail.com Kenloy & Ivell Walker Jamaica Brown s Town Church of Christ, Forrest & Burma Chapman, Georgia Hiawassee, Ga. ftc1952@alltel.com

5 Anthony Ravenell Shirley & Leisa Allender Jessa Quinn Michael Boelsterli Tyler Burdette David Poskevich Ladies Night Out 7-8:30pm Shirley Lee Jim Scoma Ann Siebert Melanie Boelsterli Mike McCullough Riley Biles Ethan Boelsterli Ray Cozart Keith Harris Janis Libby Linda Ravenell