Wednesdays Around Main Street

Every Wednesday is an exciting time around the church~ this week was no exception. We always have a nice group of young people-- and sometimes their parents-- attend our Wednesday program. This spring we are using our grill more and more. Join us for a "picnic" each week!
We offer Bible classes for all ages. Don't miss out on the fun!

The adults are getting the food ready for the children

Colburn family

Before Bible classes begin, there is ample time for visiting with your friends

Here, Luke Wall and mom are grilling the burgers and hotdogs

Derek, Tasha, and Amanda

Tristan

Amanda

This photo will appear in the Times Dispatch newpaper very soon

Daniel Abbott and Ted Coker

I had a many more photos, but I can't get them to load-- sorry.

From The Preacher's Desk

Make Plans for Eternity

The November 2001 issue of National Graphic featured The Bushmen of the Kalahari Desert, who were made famous in the movie "The Gods Must Be Crazy". These Bushmen are able to survive under very difficult circumstances. For example, the desert area where they live does not have any surface water. How does someone survive without even the most basic supply—water?

The Kalahari Bushmen have some ingenious methods. One of them was to collect ostrich eggs and then, during the wet season, fill them with water and seal them. The ostrich eggs would then be buried and recovered during the dry season. It was this type of planning and preparation that enabled the Bushmen to survive where no one else could.

Planning is important in all aspects of our lives. In Luke 12: 13-21 we read of a parable about a man who made plans for his future. The problem was, he planned for a future on earth, but did not make provisions for eternity. The rich fool decided to tear down his barns and build bigger ones. The man represented many in Christ’s day and many in our day. He planned and planned and planned. He was a real businessman, always looking for an angle on making more money.

One of the greatest lies of our world is that money provides security. You can go to bed a millionaire and wake up a pauper. The rich fool’s covetous and greedy nature led him to tear down his barns and build new ones. But he didn’t plan for eternity. This man deceived himself into believing he had plenty of time. “Soul, you’ve done good...”

God spoke the truth, “Tonight your soul will be required….you will die.” Something to think about, isn’t it? Rob Combs, Minister

Juvenile Diabetes Workshop

Debbie and I were able to attend the Juvenile Diabetes Workshop that was held in our annex this afternoon from 12-4pm. Area children were invited to come and stuff, dress, and name a stuffed animal-- plus get to play some games and do a craft project.
There are so many activities available to families here at Main Street. Did you get a youth calendar for April? It is filled with events and activities you and your children can be involved with.
Our niece, Laura Combs, was the first child in attendance-- here is the happy day from her prespective:
Laura chose to stuff and dress a duck-- or is it a chicken?

Laura first stuffs the animal and learns about its "friendship" qualities. She later received a birth certificate and named the chicken "Belle."

Look at all the stuffed animals and accessories available.

Laura picks out a shirt-- (with all the choices it wasn't easy-- but she eventually settled on the purple shirt)

Mommy, Julie Combs, decorated a photo frame for Laura

Laura entered the coloring contest

Here she is playing one of the games

Another game-- fishing for prizes! (Laura caught a BIG one-- a package of barrettes)

Josh and Mindy Horn Wedding Shower

Rob and Debbie's Life Group hosted a wedding shower Sunday, April 6th for Josh and Mindy (Milligan) Horn, who were recently married here at the church. We wish them many years of happiness and joy!




Debbie Rice
Mindy's brother and sister-in-law
Mindy opens a gift

Our youth minister, Tim Wilkins
From left: Amber, Zach, Matthew, James, and Robin
Genny Milligan and family
Mindy and daughter, Ashley Nicjolas
The happy couple: Josh and Mindy prepare to open their gifts

Grandmother, Mary Light
Josh's new mother-in-law Genny Milligan
Mindy's brother
Grandpa Kendall and Mindy
Josh Horn

Paradise, Brittney, and Janie
From left: Amber and Tyler Wilkins, Kendall and Asbrene Milligan
Amber and Tyler
Nancy Medlock and Pat Graham

Laura Jo Gray

The Money Tree

Evelyn Crow, Dawn Wilkins, Helen Swindle, Beth Poindexter
Debbie Combs and Martha Coker
Debbie, Nancy, Asbrene

Wed. "Kids for Christ" Program

Here are some of the kids and families who attended the Wednesday Program last night. I was a speaker at the Skaggs Church of Christ in Pocahontas last night, so I had to leave early to attend. From what I saw, there were a great number of kids from the community who attended... these are some early photos:



CJ Hibbs
Darbie Hudson and Mackenzie Hibbs
Dalton Cagle
Amber Wilkins and Zach

Amber, Hailey, and Heather

Jordan and friend
We tried out the new grill tonight-- hamburgers and hotdogs! Here, Chris Wall and Bill Gordon are working as a team!
KJ Johnson

Carrie Colburn got the grill fired up, while Samantha and Natasha help
Our program begins at 5pm on Wed~ here are some of the kids that arrived early-- about 4pm to start playing before church

Amber Gordon
Janie and Paradise

From The Preacher's Desk

The Importance of Loyalty

One of the all-time greats in baseball was Babe Ruth. His bat had the power of a cannon, and his record of 714 home runs remained unbroken until Hank Aaron came along. The Babe was the idol of sports fans, but in time age took its toll, and his popularity began to wane. Finally the Yankees traded him to the Braves.
In one of his last games in Cincinnati, Babe Ruth began to falter. He struck out and made several misplays that allowed the Reds to score five runs in one inning. As the Babe walked toward the dugout, chin down and dejected, there rose from the stands an enormous storm of boos and catcalls. Some fans actually shook their fists.
Then a wonderful thing happened. A little boy jumped over the railing, and with tears streaming down his cheeks he ran out to the great athlete. Unashamedly, he flung his arms around the Babe’s legs and held on tightly. Babe Ruth scooped him up, hugged him, and set him down again. Patting him gently on the head, he took his hand and the two of them walked off the field together. That is a good example of loyalty, isn’t it?
How loyal are we towards God? The first commandment that God gave to Moses was “You shall have no other gods before me.” God is serious about our loyalty to Him. God expects us to always be loyal. He says “Be faithful, even to the point of death” (Rev. 2:10). The Apostle Paul reminds us, “Therefore, dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you” (I Cor. 15:58).
Some Christians live their lives in such a way that they will be loyal to God and His church… as long as it doesn’t interfere with other pursuits in their lives. They will worship God – as long as it doesn’t interfere with activities they feel are more important. That Christian is serving his own gods, isn’t he? That Christian is not being fed from the teaching and preaching of God’s Word, because he isn’t present in worship services.

With whom does your loyalty lie? It can often be seen by our actions. Let’s be loyal to God, who has given us so much. Rob Combs, Minister