March 25, 2007

Polar Bears and Lost Souls

Tosca had twins born, and then soon rejected them both. Tosca is a Polar Bear living in a zoo in Berlin (I think Tosca needs to attend some parenting classes). One of the cubs died, but his brother (Knut), was “adopted” by one of the zookeepers who has been raising him for the three months he has been alive. Thomas Doerflein has moved into the zoo to sleep next to the bear, he bottle feeds the bear, washes him and cuddles him. There has developed a great deal of furer over this act. Animal rights activist Frank Albrecht is quoted as saying, “Hand rearing a polar bear is not appropriate and is a serious violation of animal rights. In fact, the cub should have been killed.” This little cub was without hope until Mr. Doerflein intervened.

“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.” Eph 2:1-3. This passage does not say that we were dead because we had committed sin, but because wewere in sin. Sin is what keeps us away from God. Matthew 12:35 reads, “The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.” In the most basic sense, sin is failing to honor God.

We were not abandoned spiritually speaking (Read Romans 8:39). But like the Polar Bear Cub, Knut, being left to myself I would have died. Rom 5:6-8, “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

I am glad Thomas Doerflein stepped in to save Knut. More so, I am glad that God stepped in to save you and me.

…………………………Dennis

NEXT SUNDAY

April 1

Bring A Friend Day

Potluck Following

Services

(See Sign Up Sheet In Foyer)

There is a special invitation inserted in today’s bulletin. You can use this invitation to invite your friends and family next Sunday. If you need more invitations there are additional invitations on the table in the foyer.

Easter Family Day

April 7

See Sandy To Find

Out How You Can Help

BIRTHDAYS…
March… 25/June Henris-27/Mike Zdrojewski-27/Nicole Kliest-29/Sharon Zdrojewski-30/Carla Hooks

April…1/Time Morris-2/Craig Ball-2/Craig Morgan-4/Cleta Cardner-6/Coreen Ruffino 6/Martha Morris-6/Joyce Niedermann-6/Gina Senior-8/Jim Roberts-8/Norman Light-19/Jose Orozco-19/Annie Thomas-20/Jean Carey-22/Sandy Russell-24/Andy Savoy-29/Bobbie Surra

ANNIVERSARIES April
2/Richard/Darlene Westfall,30/Roy & Anne Senior

In Our Prayers…

Continue to pray for the church family members who are still out with the colds/coughs/flu

Jean & Paul Maynard - Health

IN IRAQ: Andy Savoy

TRAVELING: Susan Pratt is visiting grandchildren in Indiana. Pray for Susan’s safe return home and for others who are traveling.

CONTINUE TO REMEMBER

Jim Gardner - Tricia Bartelotte - Irma Hernandez - Howard Dunn - Jean & Paul Maynard–-Dale Morris –- Waneen Wolff - Carol Strutz - Linda Ross – Mattie Hamburger –Linda Hampton (Walt Wittman’s daughter) - Norman Light’s sister, Jane (cancer) –Austin (Neighbor of the Dunns)- Monique Hernandez (Irma Hernandez’ granddaughter) Jeff (Russ Schofield’s friend) - Ken Dickey (Wayne Barbarick’s nephew) - Monty Cartwright (Joyce Gardner’s brother) – Pearl Keith

FOR THE RECORD – LAST WEEK

ATTTENDANCE:

Sunday AM- 125… Class-55… PM-38…Weds-70

FINANCE

Budget:........................$2,815.62
Contribution:................$2,750.38
YTD Budget:..............$30,971.82
YTD Contributions:....$30,472.59
Over/Under (=/-):...........-$499.23

Please make checks payable to Church Of Christ

PANTRY ITEM

March – Canned Meat (Spam or Chicken)

April - Cereal May - Canned fruit

Check the expiration date on the food you