SCHEDULE OF SERVICES SUNDAY

MID-WEEK

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ELDERS EVANGELISTS EMAIL: office@degaulledrivecoc.com WORKS SUPPORTED:

Benevolence: Childhaven of Cullman, Alabama Media: Gospel Broadcasting Network In Search of the Lord’s Way The Old Landmarks The Truth in Love MISSIONS: Budapest, Hungary: Curry Montague,

curry.monta@gmail.com India: Ron & Karen Clayton

RCIndia@sonet.net Padova, Italy: Jeff & Tia Brauer

Family, brauer@padovateam.org Marshall, Texas: Azael & Dinora

Alvarez PREACHER TRAINING: Memphis School of Preaching

WesArabie 504-858-2881 HowardGoodale 504-319-3572SteveTucker 504-812-2617ScottCain 504-392-4110WesArabie 504-858-2881

CHURCH OF CHRIST 4700 GENERAL DEGAULLE DRIVE

NEW ORLEANS, LA 70131 www.DegaulleDriveCOC.com

May 28, 2017

MorningBibleClass MorningWorshipPewPackersEveningWorship

9:00AM 10:00AM5:30PM6:00PM

TuesdayLadiesClass(September—May)

WednesdayBibleClass

10:00AM

7:00PM

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Some of the great preachers of the past were known for saying that a faithful eldership was, many times, the only thing that stood between the Gospel preacher and the “nut” in the pew. While this statement is somewhat “colorful,” the truth it

embodies is relevant and insightful. Men who spend time and effort to bring themselves into alignment with the word of God as it relates to being a shepherd over God’s flock are to be appreciated, thanked, and encouraged. While some elderships are not what they should be, and accordingly should not receive this kind of commendation, many nevertheless are and most assuredly should be praised. Being an elder is often a thankless job and, when a shepherd does his work properly, it can at times be extremely challenging and emotionally exhausting. Thus, these men need our encouragement and we should willingly demonstrate our gratitude for their many good works.

First, remember that we should encourage elders because of who they are. Elders are not “supermen.” God has not required them to be sinless, but to be faithful. While it is true that elders (or any Christian for that matter) are not to practice sin, at times sin will nevertheless be committed (I John 1:7-10). Like any other Christian, an elder who has committed sin must confess it and repent. Often it is the case that men in the position of being a shepherd will not allow themselves to be what God has described them to be. They will invent for themselves artificial and unrealistic standards that God does not expect them to meet. They set themselves up to fall. Many times this is done to appease various false conceptions that some brethren have of the eldership. Elders must learn to please God and to be God’s men! Likewise the church must cultivate the realization that elders also struggle. Elders have heartache, sadness, regret, anger, and other emotions that they must control and manage. To whom does an elder go in order to relieve these and other “bottle up” feelings? Many elders to not feel that thy can go to anyone with their troubles, lest they be looked upon as “failures.” If you truly want to encourage your shepherds, let them know that you are praying for them and that you would gladly listen to their concerns and sorrows. Let them know that when they have to make difficult decisions, you will support and stand behind their leadership.

Second, we should encourage these men for being elders because of what

Lee Davis

2N D ANNUAL

DEGAULLE DRIVE CHURCH OF CHRIST

MEN’S LEADERSHIP

RETREAT OCTOBER 12TH-14TH Berry Creek Cabins, Bogalusa, LA

FREE OF CHARGE & open to all men of the DeGaulle Drive Church of Christ.

TheEarlier,theBetter!Thursday,October12th,willbeadayoffellowship,preparation,&enjoyingthearea.Comeoutearly&havesomefun!

AllaredeveryonetoarriveASEARLYASPOSSIBLEonFriday,October13th,aswewilllookathoweachofuscanbecome

theleadersGodwantsustobe!

Don’t miss out on this weekend of fellowship & leadership.

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“When life hands you lemons, make lemonade!”

How often have we heard this motivational slogan? It’s that don’t-quit-in-adversity

mentality. It’s the you-can-do-it mindset. It’s also Biblical.

“If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small” (Proverbs 24:10).

“For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked fall into mischief” (Proverbs 24:16).

“…I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and how to abound: every where, and in all things, I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:11-13).

Of course, some folks only focus on how sour the lemons are without realizing their potential benefit. Such souls see only obstacles, never opportunities. “All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast” (Proverbs 15:15).

Which are you?

Are you the person that is so ugly that when you were born, the doctor slapped your mother? Were you so unlucky as a child that your rocking horse died? Are you the fellow that visited a psychiatrist & was then scheduled to be tested for an inferiority complex, only to be told, “We have good news & bad news: the good news is that you do not have a complex,

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they do. As Paul stated in I Timothy 3:1, a man who desires the office of a shepherd desires a “good work.” If a man is qualified to be an elder, he will understand shepherding the flock involves work, service, and dedication. Sometimes we hear prayers prayed on behalf of elderships that go something like this, “Father, bless the elders in the decisions they make.” While this is a valid prayer, it is also appropriate to pray like this, “Father, bless the elders in the work they do.” The shepherd is to watch over souls, “as they that must give account” (Hebrews 13:17). What a responsibility! It is no wonder that the Holy Spirit used the word “labor” to describe the work of a shepherd (I Thessalonians 5:12-13). And let it be stressed that we as sheep should “esteem them very highly for their work’s sake.” Let your shepherds know that you appreciate what they do and honor them for it.

Third, elders should be encouraged because of why they do this work. It is true that an elder should “desire” the word of a bishop (I Timothy 3:1); but why? What is his motivation for doing so? The apostle Peter discusses this aspect of the shepherd’s work in his first epistle (I Peter 5:1-4), and uses several terms to describe the proper motivation for being an elder. The context here reveals that the elder does this work because of the shared glory he will receive from the “Chief Shepherd,” Jesus (I Peter 5:1, 4). Elders must remember that though the world (and sometimes even those within the congregation) may resent and persecute them, the Chief Shepherd knows and understands their situation and will take them home one day to be with Him for eternity. Peter also uses the word “willingly” to describe the motivation behind serving as an elder. When men serve out of selfless desires, not having to be coerced to serve, we should respect and admire their dedication. One should not have to have his “arm twisted” in order to take on this responsibility, and those who willingly serve with joy should be commended. Yet another expression that is used by Peter is “ready mind” (KJV), or “eagerly” (NKJV). The elder cannot be motivated by what he may or may not receive from his work. He does so because he is eager to serve the Lord and his fellow Christians. Service is at the heart of being a shepherd.

When a congregation of the Lord’s people has men who are qualified to be elders, these men must be appointed to this work. And when they are in this position, let us not abandon them. Let us be an encouragement to them for who they are, what they do, and why they do it. God bless men who will take this awesome burden upon themselves for the Lord.

Adapted

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but the bad news is that you really are inferior”?

That’s a lot of adversity: a lot of sour lemons. And while these lemony scenarios may seem laughably unrealistic, they nevertheless demand the question: “Can these lemons be juiced?”

A nephew of Deion Sanders had come into hard times, so he wrote his wealthy & famous uncle to ask for a short-term loan, knowing his uncle’s reputation for generosity. However, annoyed that the young man would ask for money without the two having seen or spoken to one another for years, the Hall of Famer uncle replied with a chilly note to his nephew, bluntly recommending that he earn money through his own diligence.

How did the nephew react? Did he see this as the ultimate rejection from his greatest potential source of help, or did he do something with those lemons?

The young man put the letter on the open market & sold it for a thousand dollars!

He made lemonade!

Are sour scenarios causing your face to look like you’ve been sucking lemons? Back up, take a look at your tart troubles, & see if those lemons can’t be squeezed for all that they are worth.

And while you’re at it, don’t forget how Paul squeezed, strained, & sweetened the lemons in his life: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13).

Are you ready to make some lemonade?

Scott Cain

Attendance

Bible Reading

NEEDING CARE & PRAYERS Our Members & Visitors.

Hunter Cain: Received an official diagnosis of Sjogren’s Syndrome. A new course of treatment is already showing good results. Please pray that progress continues.

Mary Cullum Sandy Jones Pat Lee

Our Shut-In Elwanda Piskorik

Our Family & Friends Kaiyah Alexander Luis Durango Dawn Gil lespie Karen Johnson Kei th Kreppein Mary Jo Knigh t Family of John Ledette Benjamin Macaluso Sandra Martin Yvette Milazzo Adam Rose Erin Torres

Our Deployed Military Personel Vauchel le DeArmas: Is currently stationed at Fort Hood & will be officially deployed

to Kuwait in July.

PRIVILEGED TO SERVE NEXT WEEK

JUNE 04 Sunday AM

Welcome: Howard Goodale

Prayer: Roland Keith

Song Lead: Howard Goodale

Ron Landis Romans 5:6-8

Lord’s Table: Ron Landis

Sermon: Scott Cain

Dismissal: Stephen Goodale ———————

Sunday PM Welcome:

Howard Goodale Prayer:

Tyrone Barthelemy Song Lead:

Paul Macaluso (2) Lord’s Table:

Ron Landis Sermon:

Scott Cain Dismissal:

Jerome Riddick

THIS WEEK MAY 28 Sunday AM

Welcome: Wes Arabie

Prayer: Jerome Riddick

Song Lead: Howard Goodale

Keith Cooper I Cor. 1:17:29

Lord’s Table: Paul Macaluso (2)

Sermon: Scott Cain

Dismissal: Don Robinson ———————

Sunday PM Welcome:

Wes Arabie Prayer:

Roland Keith Song Lead:

Wes Arabie Lord’s Table:

Paul Macaluso (2) Sermon:

Readings: Mk. 15-16 Dismissal:

Ron Landis

LAST WEEK’S

RECORD

Service Time

2016 Goal

Last Week

Bible Study Sunday AM Sunday PM Wednesday

70 100 60 60

60 82 64 61

Reading

Plan 2016 Goal

Last Week

Daily Readers 45 28 Bible in 2017 45 28 NT in 2017 60 32

Please submit all prayer requests in writing to Scott or Melissa Cain. Please supply regular updates on each individual in order to keep our prayer list up-to-date. For the sake of space, any name (except for shut-ins) will be removed after four weeks unless a new update is received. Thank you for helping us all to stay informed of the spiritual & physical needs of our members, friends, & family.

NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS UPCOMING EVENTS: 1. SONG LEADING CLASS: Will meet at 4:30 PM. 2. VBS REGISTRATION: Began on May 7th. Parents, please register your children now! VBS will

be June 19-23 from 9AM to 11AM for ages 2-6th grade. 3. FELLOWSHIP MEAL: Will be today after AM worship. Those with last names M-Z are asked

to help with set-up & clean up. VBS DONATIONS: For those who have asked how they can help with donations for VBS, please

see Paula Landis or Howard Goodale.

2ND

ANNUAL DEGAULLE DRIVE CHURCH OF CHRIST

FAMILY RETREAT AUGUST 10TH-12TH AT Fontainebleau State Park.

This Family Retreat is free of charge & is open to all members of the

DeGaulle Drive Church of Christ.

Please plan to be part of this wonderful weekend of fellowship.