SON LIGHT

UNIVERSITY CHURCH OF CHRIST

Vol. 34, No. 18, May 1, 2008

Murray, Kentucky

How $5.00 Built a University

The story of George Pepperdine, part 1

As the Youngbloods are in Malibu, California this week attending the annual Pepperdine University Lectures, it’s a good opportunity to take another look at George Pepperdine (1886-1962) who was one of the most interesting and unusual high profile figures among the Churches of Christ of the 20^th century. While the university which bears his name has become known today throughout the world, much less is known about the man behind the university.

For the first twenty-three years of his life, George Pepperdine lived in rural and small town Kansas before moving to Kansas City in 1909. Realizing that the relatively new automobile, with all its attendant businesses and industries, was going to largely define America in the 20^th century, Pepperdine hit upon the idea of establishing a mail-order auto parts and supply business. In March of 1909, Pepperdine invested $5.00 to buy 500 one-cent stamps which he used to mail printed list of auto parts to prospective customers all over the Midwest. With the receipt of his first order, a $1.90 brass kerosene tail lamp, from Alva, Oklahoma, what would later become one of America’s most celebrated and trusted chain stores, the Western Auto Supply Company, was off and running.

By 1915, the first branch store opened in Denver. For health reasons, Pepperdine sold the Kansas City store and moved his family to San Diego in early 1916. Within weeks, he had opened his first California store in Los Angeles and, by 1918, Pepperdine had the largest automobile supply store in the country. Two years later, he had eleven stores in various western states. Also, in 1920, he “went public” by issuing a million dollars worth of stock which, largely upon his good business reputation, sold within a few months. By the stock market crash of 1929, George had 170 stores in the Rocky Mountains & Pacific Coast states. Through hard work and shrewd business insight, Western Auto survived the Great Depression and, in 1939, Pepperdine sold his controlling interest in the chain to a Minneapolis-based company.

Throughout his life, he had been a devoted member of the church of Christ but he also gave generously to many other causes such as Boy Scouts, Y.M.C.A., and others. In 1931, he set up the George Pepperdine Foundation through which he planned to do a large portion of his philanthropic work.

—To be continued next week

Charley’s Campus Comments

This past Monday night was our last dinner and devotional, for the semester, at the UCSC. It was also our night to honor the six UCSC students who are graduating this year. Those honored this past Monday night included: Josh Dunn, Jared Vincent, Jessica McKnight, Courtney Walker, Zach and Karen Pressley.

As for the plans these students have for the future, here is what we know now: Zach and Karen Pressley will be moving to Auburn, AL later this summer. Karen has been accepted in the Veterinary Program at Auburn for the coming fall. Zach will be looking for a teaching job. Josh Dunn has been accepted into the Physical Therapy program at SIU and Jessica McKnight will be pursuing a Ph.D in Math at SIU as well. Josh and Jessica will be getting married May 17^th. They will be moving to Carbondale, IL later this summer. Courtney Walker has been accepted into the School of Medicine at UK. She will begin her M.D program in August. Jared Vincent plans to sit out a year and then attend graduate school at UK in the area of Business Economics in the fall of 09. We wish all these young people the very best in their future studies and career opportunities.

We appreciate the young men who led our services this past Sunday morning and the fine job they did in leading our worship. Each young man did an outstanding job. Each one should be praised and encouraged for his contribution to what proved to be a very uplifting time of worship. I look forward to next fall when, hopefully, we can do it again.

Youth and Family News

We need to have a Youth Committee meeting on May 11th at 3:30pm to discuss Promotion Sunday, Senior Banquet, Rafting Trip, Mission Trip, etc.

My computer crashed last week and I've lost all my e-mail addresses. If you would like to receive notices by e-mail, please drop me a line at roydavidhawkins1@yahoo.com

The Sign-Up for the Spring Retreat Rafting Trip to the Ocoee on May 30 - June 1st is on the bulletin wall in the high school room. The cost is $60 and will cover the lodging and the rafting. You will need a little additional money to cover three meals while we are there. We have 30 spaces open so please sign up as soon as possible. We also have room for a few more chaperones if you are interested!

The Sign-Up sheet for the Summer Mission Trip to St. Louis, MO on June 29th - July 4 is on the bulletin wall in the high school room. The cost is $175 and covers lodging and 13 meals. This is a wonderful opportunity, as this trip offers diverse missions working with children, elderly, disabled, and homeless. This will give your child a comprehensive idea of the kind of work that is available and needed for Christian evangelists and missionaries here in America. We only have 12 spaces available, so sign up as soon as you can.

Don't forget the deadline on your hair for Locks of Love (if you are involved) is May 18th!

Thanks,

Roy 3:16

Check out: www.universityouth.org

Remember in Prayer

Continuing List: Liz Brown, Jerry Callahan (Kaye Marasco’s son-in-law), Winford Claiborne, Laura Nell Cochran, Earleen Doran, Jane Garland, Gail Harris, Mildred Hodge, Wayne Johnston, Cecil Like, Bobby Morris (brother of Ann Brooks), Myra Nanny, Steve Nanny, Dorys Norsworthy, Casey Smithson (Judy Overbey’s friend), Larue Spann, Melba Suiter, Tom Travis (Kay’s father-in-law), Bernice Wallin.

Nursing Homes: Fern Terrace: Sylvia Doores (Norma Wilson’s mother; #38), Marguerite Morgan (#2), Wayne Williams (#31). Spring Creek Health Care: Paul Bailey (413), Jack Boaz (316), Alice Like (401A), Harry Sledd (119A), Gerald Waldrop (413A), Roszella Williams (407A).Morningside Assisted Living: Stilline Green (Sharon Youngblood’s mother).

Military: Matthew Chrisman (Cindy Veach’s nephew), Taylor Houston (JoAnn Coy’s nephew), Mark West (Tonda Thomas’ son), Adam Winebarger (Brandon’s brother).

Missionaries: Maria Dutton (Brazil), Antonio Garcia (Mexico), Joseph and Shirley Rikumahu (Indonesia)

April 27 - Stats

Bible Classes — 181

A.M. Worship – 275

Evening – 46 / Life Groups –105

Contribution - $8356.

A Reminder from Our Elders

Please remember to turn in your green Elder Affirmation Form to one of the elders no later than Sunday, May 11. If you did not get one, there should be more on the information tables located on each side of the auditorium.

THANK YOU NOTES

University church of Christ friends,

Thank you for the prayers and concern you have shown during my knee surgery. Your thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated.

Ann Brooks

Dear Christian Friends,

Thank you so much for the beautiful birthday cards you sent. Each one brought a smile to my face. I still miss you so much. Please keep my son, Stephen, in your prayers and me also.

Again, thank you,

In Christian Love,

Myra Nanny

Dear University Church,

I love everybody and I really appreciate what everyone has done for me. Keep us in your prayers.

JoeAnn Johnson

GRADUATES

Clark Herrington, son of Kent and Wyneth, will graduate, May 2, from Mississippi State with a degree in Aerospace Engineering.

Rachel Davis, daughter of Dan and Jan, will graduate, May 3, from Middle Tennessee State with a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations.

Wes Claiborne, son of Danny and Gina, will graduate, May 3, from Lipscomb University with a Bachelor of Arts in Bible with an emphasis in Youth Ministry.

Brandon Steele, son of Denise Steele, will graduate, May 3, from Lipscomb University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Bible.

Congratulations to all!

LIFE GROUPS

Our Life Groups meet on Sunday evenings in homes to discuss and apply this morning’s message to daily life. If you would like to know more about or visit with a group, you can contact one of the leaders or co-leaders.

Group 1 (includes children)

Danny Claiborne 753-7078

Randy Dunn 759-1848

Group 2

Greg Delancey 753-0569

Kent Herrington 767-9053

Group 3

Jim Feltner 753-7596

Terry Smith 753-6752

Group 4 (includes children)

Jerry Green 767-2245

Levi Weatherford 753-2840

Group 5 (includes children)

Matt Hale 759-5410

David Taylor 759-4545

Group 6 (Teen Group)

Roy Hawkins 759-8972

Group 7 (includes children)

Walter Mehr 492-6200

Mitchell Hunter (270) 345-2999

Group 8

Pat Powell 761-4484

Brian Overbey (731) 247-5587

Group 9 (UCSC students)

Charley Bazzell 759-3626

Vernon Gantt 753-9679

Group 10

Richard Youngblood 767-9313

Jack Wilson 753-7276

Group 11

Paul Randolph 759-2560

Keith Hays 489-6168

Group 12

Kent Sutherland (270) 527-7871

Dan Davis 226-9637

Pulpit Ministers

Charley Bazzell & Richard Youngblood

Campus Minister

Charley Bazzell

Congregational Minister

Richard Youngblood

Youth & Family Minister

Roy Hawkins

Worship Leader

Danny Claiborne

Shepherds

Randy Dunn

Lloyd Hasty

Paul Randolph

Terry Smith

David Taylor

Deacons

Danny Claiborne

Kennie Colson

Greg DeLancey

Jim Feltner

John Gallagher

Vernon Gantt

Jerry Green

Matt Hale

Keith Hays

Kent Herrington

Wayne Horton

Jim McCrory

Don Overbey

Tommy Reid

Mike Russell

Jerry Stark

Kim Wallis

James Wilson

Regularly Scheduled Activities

You are invited and welcome

to attend any activities.

Sundays

Bible classes for all ages – 9 a.m.

Morning Worship – 10 a.m.

(Children’s Bible Hour)

Ladies Singing Group—4:00 p.m.

Evening Worship – 5 p.m.

Life Groups—

(at homes at various times)

Mondays

Men’s Prayer Breakfast – 7 a.m.

University Christian Student Center

Monday Night Meal & Devo—6 p.m.

Tuesdays

Care Corps – For those in need – 1:00-2:00 p.m.

Wednesdays

Ladies Bible Class —9:30 a.m.

(during school year)

Fellowship Meal—5:30-6:30 p.m.

Bible classes – 7 p.m.