Clayton's Connection
The Rockets' Red Glare
Last Sunday night seemed to have been prepared by Francis Scott Key. Our family had been vacationing in Omaha, but we came back to Lincoln Sunday afternoon. The rain had been steadily falling, but by evening, the clouds cleared out, leaving a brilliant blue sky sporting a red-hued sunset. So we headed to downtown Lincoln to take in Toy Story 3 3D. By the time that experience was complete, dusk had fallen. We headed out of downtown on Vine Street, and quickly realized a bluish haze was engulfing our van. Fireworks were in full swing, as the city display had been cancelled due to inclement weather. Had they known how the weather would turn out, they might have just gone ahead with the full display at Oak Lake. Instead, people mobbed fireworks stands all over the city in a last-minute rush to produce their own displays. By the time we drove past Wal-Mart on North 27th Street, the skies were lit up with rockets of varying degrees and splendor. We pulled off the road and parked in a bank lot to take in the scene. Never before have I witnessed such a spectacular site on the 4th of July. Thousands of booms filled the skies all over the city. With no wind to take the smoke away, the place looked like a war zone. It hit me that this scene was similar to that which Francis Scott Key took in during the War of 1812 and the bombardment of Fort McHenry, when he wrote: "And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there." On this July 4th, I was reminded that no matter what crisis our nation faces, whether it be one of war, morals, economy, or oil spill, our flag is still there as a symbol of this great nation that found its footing on the foundation of God's Word. As long as we hold to that guide, our freedom will remain intact, and the Star Spangled Banner will continue to wave.
Prayer Requests
Ongoing needs for prayer:
Roger Hatzenbuehler, Mary McBee, Jim Keck, Michelle Blaser, Mary Winslow, Martha McCarthy, Mary Latshaw, Jim West's parents, Julie Lichty, military personnel (Zach Davidson, Ty Davidson, Todd Merrill, Aaron Sturm, Justin Chitwood, Mike Gillott, Mary Campbell, Kevin Campbell), our shut-ins
People dealing with ongoing cancer concerns: Louise Field, Lois Bernadt, Leila Jenkins, Norma Mittan, Marlene Kruse, Dot Brownie, Ron Brockman, Lucille Salts, Don Leseberg, Linda Woolsey, Steve Percival, Brenda Moss, Elsie Watson, Tom Bartels, Beverly Habrich
New prayer requests: Our sympathy and prayers for comfort go to the family of Michael Wathor, who passed away June 30th at the age of 35. Survivors include parents, Bob Wathor and Pat Wathor; sisters, Mindy Pyle and her husband, Dale, and Whitney Wathor; and grandmother, Ruth West. Services were here at the Church of Christ, Tuesday morning, July 6.
Our sympathy and prayers for comfort also go to the family of long-time member of this church, Vyral Vasey, who passed away at the age of 95 on July 1st. Survivors include her son Stan and wife Carol Vasey; five grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Services were at the Church of Christ Tuesday afternoon, July 6th.
Coming Up....
SUNDAY .
..... 8 a.m.: Early worship service .
..... 9:15 a.m.: Fellowship time, followed by Sunday School classes for all ages .
..... 10:30 a.m.: Worship service .
..... Noon: Last week's message on KWBE .
TUESDAY, 9 a.m.: Ladies' Bible study .
FRIDAY, August 6, 6 - 10:45 p.m.: "Men at the Cross" at the Berean Church in Lincoln (Cost is $29.00. See last week's Visitor for complete information or talk to Clayton.).
Through SEPTEMBER: Donations will be needed for the College Tuition Scholarship Fund ($2,500 each semester).
You Are Invited....
The family of Eula Stolldorf cordially invites you to celebrate her 90th birthday Saturday, August 14, at the Wymore Church of Christ. A light meal will begin at 4:30 p.m. There will be a short program at 6 p.m. Please RSVP to Joanie Evans by calling her at 402- 680-4493 or you may send her an email at evansjke48@aol.com. If you would like to send a birthday card to Eula, her address is 300 N. 7th, #20, Wymore, NE 68466.
Happy Birthday...
We unintentionally have omitted Samantha Novotny's birthday, which is on July 11th. Please add her name to your birthday list. If there are others who attend worship services here whose names we have not had on our birthday list, please let us know. We hope you have a happy birthday, Samantha!
Thank You!
Dear Church Family,
Thank you for all the love and support that you have given me over the years and all the "Good Times" we have shared. A SPECIAL thank you for the graduation fellowship banquet and all who prepared it. The food was GREAT; the message and words of wisdom by Virg were AWESOME and the gift of a cross will remind me of my WONDERFUL CHURCH FAMILY and their love for the Lord that I'll be taking with me when I head off to school.
Thanks for being a part of my life.
Love,
Robbie Fitzwater
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Thanks to Jim Barr for bringing the morning message on July 4th. Thanks also to Fracia Workman and her great niece, 5-year-old Hope Workman, for their special music, a medley of songs about Jesus.
Reminder -- July Camp Sessions
Discovery (3rd, 4th grades)........July 8-10
Jam 2 (5th, 6th grades)..............July 11-16
Blast 2 (7-9th grades)................July 18-23
Sports Camp (5-8th grades).......July 25-29
Family Camp*............................July 30,31
It is still possible to register for camp, up until the date the camp starts. Call the church if you have not yet sent in an application, but have decided to attend one of the camps.
*This is a special camp for the Wymore Church of Christ and will be held at Camp Cornhusker near Humboldt, Nebraska.
Serving Sunday
July 11, 2010
ELDERS: Sam Kohler, Virg Marshall .
COMMUNION MEDITATION: Sam Kohler .
SHUT-INS: Scott Fitzwater, Lynn Carr .
SERVERS: Ben Fitzwater, Norm Frerichs, George Gallisath, Marlin Kliewer, Keith Oltmans, Bob Ossowski .
USHER: Rod Warford .
GREETERS: M/M Bob Ossowski .
SLIDES AND SOUND SYSTEM: Gloria Portenier, Daniel Barr .
WEE WORSHIP: Janene Fitzwater, Cassie Minor .
JUNIOR WORSHIP: Rebecca Lundstedt .
NURSERY: Elaine Mick
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COUNTING THE CONCERNED
Sunday School..............................86
Sunday Worship..........................121
Regular Offering.........................$2,096.50
Weekly Budget............................$3,050.00
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Pledge of Allegiance....
In 1969 comedian Red Skelton told of comments about the Pledge of Allegiance which had been made by his teacher when Red was a child because the class had been saying the pledge as if it had no meaning. Having just celebrated Independence Day, we think it bears repeating, even if you've heard this several times.:
I: Me, an individual, a committee of one.
Pledge: Dedicate all my worldly goods to give without self-pity.
Allegiance: My love and my devotion
To the flag: Our standard, Old Glory, a symbol of freedom. Wherever she waves there's respect because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts freedom is everybody's job!
Of the United: That means that we have all come together.
States:. ..48 individual communities with pride and dignity and purpose; all divided with imaginary boundaries, yet united to a common purpose, and that's love for country.
And to the Republic: A state in which sovereign power is invested in representatives chosen by the people to govern. And the government is the people, and it's from the people to the leaders, not from the leaders to the people.
For which it stands, one nation: One nation. Meaning "so blessed by God."
Indivisible: Incapable of being divided.
With liberty: Which is freedom, the right of power to live one's own life without threats, fear, or some sort of retaliation.
And justice: The principle or quality of dealing fairly with others.
For all: Which means, boys and girls, that it's just as much your country as it is mine.
Since I was a small boy, two states have been added to our country, and two words have been added to the Pledge of Allegiance, "under God." Wouldn't it be a pity if someone said that was a prayer and that would eliminate it from our schools too? (by Red Skelton in 1969) |
