September 3, 2017 Volume 14, Number 36

Good morning, Northside Family. I hope this Labor Day weekend is a blessing to all of you. Wednesday night, we concluded our Summer with the Savior journey through the Gospel of Luke. And, while we’re finished with our study of Luke, I hope Luke’s story of Jesus is not finished with us! I hope the good news story of a Savior who came, lived, died, was buried, rose again, appeared and ascended to heaven continues to transform us into His image every day.

Today, we are blessed to have a guest speaker, one of our very own, Houston Colson. Houston is a jun-ior in high school and has expressed an interest in pursuing preaching as a possible path for his future. Houston has shown good leadership among the youth group, especially during the Lithuania mission trip. He is very ex-cited to speak to us this morning and I know you will encourage him. This evening, we’ll all gather in the Worship Center (LIFE Groups will not meet this week due to the holiday weekend). Will Gist, another of our teens and an eighth grader, will speak this evening. I am beyond impressed and inspired by Will’s desire to do this despite the burden his family is carrying. Will is adamant about wanting to speak in honor of his dad and he, like Houston, is interested in preaching in his future. Come back tonight to encourage Will with your presence. During the last week, we’ve certainly been reminded of how fragile life can be. Our hearts break for our neighbors in southeast Texas and the immense flooding they’ve suffered. The devastation and displacement of lives and families is unimaginable. Our Shepherds have invited you, if you would like, to place a donation marked “disaster relief” in the offering plate this morning. All donations to relief will go to a church of Christ sponsored relief effort in the Houston area. Closer to home, all of our hearts break for Joanna, Will, Sam & Max Gist. Our dear brother and a Shepherd of our church family, Brad Gist, lost his valiant fight against terminal cancer. But Brad ultimately won, in the words of Paul, by fighting a good fight and finishing the race. Heaven is brighter today because of his presence, but our church will sorely miss Brad’s leadership, commitment, teaching and devotion to prayer. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. at the Pleasant Valley Church of Christ on Rodney Par-ham Road in Little Rock. Today marks the beginning of the fall quarter in our education ministry, a ministry to which our brother Brad was deeply devoted. Elsewhere in today’s bulletin, you can find a list of adult class options for the fall. A big thank you to Wes & Amanda Ader, Charlene Beck, Jessica Brumley, Susan Burton, Jarred & Jennifer Crow, Carroll & Betty Davis, Martha Davis, Susan & Jennifer Dorsey, Todd & Tracy Ferguson, Dustin & Sara Fullerton, Chris & Tammy Givens, Sarah Gober, Michael & Hayley Haltom, Alex & Kristen Hamilton, Terry Hastings, Donna Howell, Beverly Mayberry, Billy McLain, Jimmy Mitchell, Randy & Dawn Mitchell, Rob Nossaman, Jeannie Pryor, Charlotte Pyle, Tim Rinehart, Art & Bernadette Rock-well, Carson & Jill Sloan, Conner Smith, Mary Stuart, Jody & Andrea Styles, Shelly Thompson, Rick Treadway, Carolyn Trusty, Kim Wallace and Matt & Savanah Wells for teaching during the summer quar-ter. To all of our summer quarter teachers, we love and appreciate you for the time you devoted to study, pre-pare and share with us to help us grow in faith, hope and love. I Love You all, Jim

Billy’s Thoughts

What is important to you? What is really important to you? Is there something that always takes prece-dence when there is a conflict between opportunities, schedules or activities? Jesus said his purpose was to “seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10) and to “preach” (Mark 1:38). An-other obvious priority was prayer (author Mike Fleischman counted 45 times in the Gospels when Jesus prays to the Father). Perhaps you remember other priorities of Jesus: training disciples, confronting hypocrisy, spend-ing time with the outcasts of society, caring for the hurting. Every so often, it is good to stop and honestly examine what is important to you. Where do you spend your focus, your energy, your paycheck, your time, your effort, your thoughts, your life? A deeper question as a follower of Jesus is, do these priorities align with things important to Jesus? When we confess Jesus as Lord and Christ, have we really allowed him to regulate (or be Lord) over all of our life? Does our pulse beat with the heart of Jesus? Next Sunday evening new LIFE Groups start. The theme is A Healthy Heart. Perhaps God will use these times of study, devotion and fellowship to transform each of our hearts and realign our thinking. If you haven’t yet decided on which group you’ll meet with, please go ahead and sign up anyway. Every group will be an encouragement.

Conner’s Contemplations

As this Sunday passes most of us will have heard the sad news. One of our own, Brad Gist, has passed away. As I write this I am unable to find the words that express my feelings on such a mournful day. Usually my articles will follow a certain template of addressing the teens first, then the parents, and end with events. However, after such a loss, I feel I cannot follow that template this morning. My thoughts and prayers go with Joanna, Max, Sam, Will, Erica, Joe, Zac, Steve, Cheryl and all of Brad’s family. Teens, remember that when you cannot find the words to help a situation, just being there makes a world of difference. Be there for those who need you, right now we all need each other. Please be there in sup-port and love for each one who faces such dismal times in their lives. God may not give us the ability to find words for such a situation but he has given us bodies. Let us use those bodies to comfort one another in any way we can. I pray that we can come together and surround the Gist family with love and support that God has given us the ability to use. It is going to be a very hard next few weeks, months, and years. Let us be there for one an-other as well as the lord intends. I love you all so much, teens and parents alike.

Note from Stephanie

3 year olds through 6th grade LIFE groups have a new location. On Sunday nights, we will meet downstairs in the main building, opposite of the 5th and 6th grade classroom. We will have a time of praise from 5:00 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. Following the time of Praise, Wendy Christy will take the 3 year olds through pre-k to the Sunday morning 3 year old classroom. Todd Ferguson, Dawn Mitchell, and myself will be leading the kindergarten through 6th grades. We will have a Bible lesson and then be split into small groups for different activities throughout the school year. If you or your child have not been a part of a LIFE group, it is a great time to start! Our first LIFE group of the school year starts next Sunday, September 10. Tonight, we will sit together in the worship center to support the young men who will be speak-ing. At 6:30 p.m., on Wednesday evenings, 2 year olds through 6th grade need to be taken to the front of the old auditorium for a time of praise. These children will sit on pews with their classmates. Our teachers will lead the children down to their classes at 6:45. You will need to leave at the first bell to pick up your children in their classrooms downstairs. After being at school all day, I think this change will be welcomed on Wednesday evenings. I am hoping this will also help with those who are reluctant to teach on Wednesday evenings because of scheduling issues.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.

He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil;

For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life;

And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23

Prayer: Frank Bray, former member at Northside, will undergo a heart ablation on September 8 at St. Vin-cent Hospital. Martha Davis is now at home after hav-ing surgery last Tuesday. Dennis Flowers is now at home. Bryan Garner, Sr. is in the N.L.R. VA Hospital in 1 B 34. Howard Highfill is back at Southern Trace Health & Rehab after being treated at Saline Memorial last week. James Howell, Layton’s dad, is much better following a spinal tap to relieve fluid on the brain. Bar-ney Phillips, the father of Carolyn Trusty’s daughter-in-law, Tracy, had surgery last Thursday at UAMS. He has been diagnosed with stage-4 metastasized cancer. Shirley Ridge, Dale’s wife, is recovering at home after having surgery last Monday. Earl Smith is in the recu-perative unit at Baptist Rehab room 427. Ann Spann, Jody Barnes’s aunt, is hospitalized after having a stroke. Carolyn Stegall, Cathy Dhane, Christy Evans, & Contessa Scism’s aunt, is now at home after a prolonged hospital stay. Betty Styles is in Saline Memorial Hospi-tal. Billy Joe Styles is in room 4089 at St. Vincent Hos-pital after having multiple procedures last week. Betty Taylor, Stacy Barnes’s aunt, is in ICU in Fayetteville with blood clots in both lungs. Mary Alice Turner, Stacy Barnes’s cousin, has been diagnosed with metas-tasized kidney cancer. Rachel Wooten, Doug Wilson’s cousin, had successful surgery last week. The prognosis is good to have full recovery.

Continue to remember: Kelly Black, Donna & Blythe Bowers, Ruth Bowman, Nelda Burrow, Charles Ca-radine, Sandra Cearley, Jenny Chandler, Cash Clancy, Cathy Dhane, Ron & Ellen Fant, Don & Patricia Flow-ers, LaJuan Ford, David Freeman, Mark Gober, Sharon Harkreader, Seth Henry, Tom Hess, Zac House, Jessica Hurst, Sarah Jones, Glenn Kays, Reba Leonard, Jon & Melita Porter Lewis, Wilma Lunsford, Robert Matheny, Bonnie Mayberry, James Mayberry, David Mayes, Jim Miller, Sharon Pearson, Frank Poe, Jewell Powell, Fran-cille Pryor, Asher Ray, Geneva Rhodes, Sammie Rhodes, Tony Riddle, Sheila Roberts, Danny Russell, Carolyn Ryan, Bess Sanders, Bernice Scruggs, Becca Sipes, Janice Smith, Betty Stuckey, Billy Joe & Letha Styles, Fred & Edith Swaim, Pat Traylor, Carma Walsh, B.E. Webb, Ima Whisenhunt, Jean White, Syble Wom-ack, Mark & Mary Woodville.

Upcoming Events

MONDAY: Happy Labor Day! The office is closed. If you have an emergency, please call an elder or call the of-fice and leave a message. The messages will be monitored.

WEDNESDAY: Bible Class 10:30-11:30

THURSDAY: Outreach class will meet 6:30-8:00 in the outreach building. Everyone is invited and encouraged to attend. Please let Andrea Styles know if you are going to attend.

September 10:Singing at Mt Carmel 3:00 to 4:00

September 29-October 1: Teen Fall Retreat at Timber-lodge

October 1: Mission Sunday

October 6-7: Men’s Retreat at Corin Read Christian Camp. More info later.

Please make this change in your church directory: Nick Rice’s new address is 414 E. Capitol Ave. Apt. 111, Little Rock AR, 72202.

The Hudson 5K walk/run that was scheduled for Octo-ber 7 has been cancelled.

Please pick up you coin box on a table in the foyer. Mis-sion Sunday is October 1st. Please pray for our mission efforts.

During the month of August we provided food from our food pantry to 401 families for a total of 1260 people. Thanks to all who support this ministry by either bringing the suggested food items or making a monetary donation.

The meal prepared by Janie Elliott for the Hospice House in Bryant on the first Friday of the month was chicken & dressing, green beans with potatoes and fresh sliced tomatoes. Carol Shepard provided the dessert. Thank you to all of you who contribute to this ministry to make it successful.

Children’s Homes in Paragould has openings for house-parents on their main campus. They must be faithful members of the churches of Christ and must be a married couple willing to work together to provide a stable home environment for children in need. If you are interested in more information, a flyer is posted on the bulletin board next to the kitchen.

Sympathy is extended to JoAnna Gist and her family in the death of Brad last Thursday. His funeral will be Tuesday morning at 10:00 at Pleasant Valley Church of Christ.

We extend sympathy to Clifton Sheridan and his family in the death of his sister, Norma Jean Hill. Her funeral was last Wednesday.

Sympathy is also extended to Nicole (Davenport) Cockran and her family in the death of her Dad, Glen May, last week. He lived in Sevierville, TN.

FALL CLASSES BEGINNING TODAY

Auditorium: Acts (part 2) chapters 13-28 Norman Hurst

Young Adults & Others: Living Jesus—Randy Harris (video series)—Rob Nossaman & others

Praise Class: Jimmy Mitchell & Tim Rinehart

Outreach Building

OR 1: Textual Study of 1 Corinthians—Dickie Hooton

OR 2: How We Got the Bible—Matt Wells

Wednesday Night

Auditorium: 2 Corinthians—Billy McLain

Men’s Class: 1 John—Wes Ader & Dan Reed

Ladies Class: "Listen, Love, Repeat: Other Centered Liv-ing in a Self Centered World" by Karen Ehman. Shirley Wallace

10:30 AM Worship

Jimmy Mitchell…..…….……..….....….….......Worship Leader

As the Deer Thirsts…………...............................................PH

Todd Hastings..…………………….Welcome & Family News

We Bring the Sacrifice of Praise…….……….……………..54

Praise the Lord………….…………………………………..74

Lord, We Come Before Thee Now………………..………797

Grisham Phillips……..…...……..….…..……...………Prayer

Every Time……………………………..…….……….…...PH

Jeff Oliver…………...…………Communion Devo & Offering

I Love You, Lord............................(offering song)……......PH

Jesus Loves the Little Children…..(children’s song)……...PH

There Is a Habitation……………….……….……………..860

Conner Smith………………………………Scripture Reading

Houston Colson……….……………………………...Message

I Am Mine No More……....……...….……………………683

God Be with You…………………………………………..755

Jim Acree……….……..…...….......…...…....Shepherds Prayer

Infant Nursery

Cristin Goodner & Kathey Campbell

Toddler Nursery

Curtis & Christy Evans

5:00 PM

LIFE Groups Meet at the Building

Communion

Kelley Geurin

Infant & Toddler Nursery

Charlotte Pyle

Service Schedule Sunday Morning Bible Study 9:30 a.m. Sunday Morning Worship 10:30 a.m. Sunday Morning Bible Study-Hispanic 9:30 a.m. Sunday Morning Worship-Hispanic 10:30 a.m. Sunday Evening Worship 5:00 p.m. Sunday Children’s Bible Hour 5:00 p.m. Wednesday Morning Bible Study 10:30 a.m. Wednesday Bible Study 6:30 p.m.

Office Information

Telephone 501-315-1128 Fax 776-1604 E-mail office@northsidecofc.info Web www.northsidecofc.info Address 917 North East Street Benton, AR 72015

Office Hours Monday—Thursday 8:30 a.m.--4:00 p.m. Friday 8:30 a.m.--Noon

Records: August 27, 2017

Bible Classes 305 AM Worship 553 PM Worship 153 Wednesday 227 Contribution $ 9,738.75 Legacy $260.00

Shepherds Jim Acree Terry Hastings Carroll Davis Randy Mitchell Tom Davis Jody Styles Todd Ferguson Richard Wallace

Email address: elders@northsidecofc.info Chairman thru September: Jim Acree

Deacons

Gary Black Todd Hastings Jarred Crow Phillip Howell Rodney Crownover Charlie Manning Curtis Evans Billy McLain Kelley Geurin Steve Smith Chris Givens Alejo Solis Michael Haltom Freddy Swaim Alex Hamilton Greg Tapp

Staff

Jim Gardner Stephanie Howell

Billy McLain Jimmy Mitchell

Linda Pike Conner Smith

NEED PRAYER?

An Elder and his wife will be in the Elders’ office after services to pray with anyone that needs

prayer. Elder and his wife this week:

Terry & Jan Hastings

The backpack program for Caldwell & Howard Perrin schools will begin real soon. Thank you to everyone who supports this ministry.

Pantry Needs

Green Beans, Spaghetti, Spaghetti Sauce, Corn, Tuna, Dishwashing Liquid