SON LIGHT
UNIVERSITY CHURCH OF CHRIST
Vol. 34, No. 40
Oct.2, 2008
Murray, Kentucky
Dealing with
Addictions: A New Ministry
The proliferation of addictions in our
world today is surprising and exasperating.
One writer listed the following as addictions: “alcohol, drugs,
gambling, food, pornography, or work, or in another person, through
codependency, sex, or love.” I suspect
that each one of us has either personally dealt with an addiction problem or
knows a family member or close acquaintance with a serious addiction problem.
For some time our church leaders have been
aware of the seriousness of this problem in Murray and even within our church
family. Limited help has been provided
at times with some success. However,
they have looked for ways to minister more fully in this area.
This past summer we met David Self from
Nashville. David grew up in a Christian
home. His father was a well-known song leader in Churches of Christ in middle
Tennessee. He attended a Christian college.
However, he also became addicted to alcohol for many years. Now in recovery through the help of the Lord
and the spiritual guidance of Christian ministers and friends, David is giving
his life to helping others. In addition
to working as outreach director for Discovery Place, a recovery center
for addictions in Burns, Tennessee, David helps churches set up local Sunday
school classes and groups for ministering to people with addictions. He helped start a program at the Benton
Church of Christ several years ago that has grown significantly.
On
Sunday morning, October 19, David will be with us to explain how we can
minister as a church to those with addiction problems. We plan to combine our teen through adult
Sunday school classes in the auditorium.
At that time, Charley and/or I will interview David so as to allow him
to explain what we plan to do. He will
also give an opportunity for questions from the congregation. At some point during the Sunday morning
sermon, he will be given an opportunity to tell his personal story of addiction
to alcohol and recovery.
I am reminded of the statement Jesus made:
“For God did not
send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through
him” (John 3:17). To the Pharisees who seemed to think of
themselves as being without any sin, Jesus said: “It is not the healthy
who need a doctor, but the sick. But go
and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come
to call the righteous, but sinners" (Matthew 9:12-13).
This church has generally been good about accepting and ministering to
people whatever their need or problem.
We are confident that we will pray for and support efforts to help
people with addictions. We cannot stand
in judgment, for we all have some sin in our lives for which we have the need
for God’s continual grace and help. I
hope you will be here on October 19 to learn about this new ministry endeavor.
--Richard D. Youngblood
Charley’s
Comments
Fall Break at
Murray State is this Friday Many students will take advantage of the extra day
and head home for a longer than usual weekend. From the look and actions of
some of the students I’ve seen this week, a day off from classes may be coming
at the right time. We wish all our students a safe and relaxing weekend.
Next
weekend is Homecoming at Murray State. We usually have some special activities
planned in conjunction with that activity. I will give a more complete list of
Homecoming activities in next week’s article, but one thing to be looking forward
to is the Sunday morning worship that weekend. Once again our entire service
will be conducted by our university men.
Once a semester, if possible, we give our young men an opportunity to
lead our Sunday morning worship. With
the events and activities surrounding Homecoming weekend, we thought this might
be the best Sunday to let our college students lead the worship. If you are
scheduled to serve on the table or lead prayers that morning, please allow our
young college men to take your place. We appreciate your cooperation in this
effort.
We had a good turnout of college students for
the devotional at Hickory Woods last Monday night. The residents
seem to enjoy the attention and the singing.
The students who went are to be commended for going and supporting this
work. Thanks gang.
Youth
and Family News
30 young and young-hearted workers showed up for
A.W.O.L. Jr. this past Saturday, and we were able to work on a couple of yards.
A huge THANK YOU! to everyone who was involved!
Below
are some upcoming events to mark on your calendar; please call me if you have
any questions.
October
11th - Cool Kids/Youth Mini-Golf
with the Saints Alive. We will meet at 4:00 p.m. at the building to go
play at Sullivans. After we return to the building, we will enjoy pizza
and fellowship and, perhaps, a surprise. Please put your name on the
sign-up sheet on the library window so we will know how much pizza to order.
October
18th- Family Trip to
Lambert's Cafe. Leaving the building at 10:00 a.m. and returning
around 3 p.m.
October
25th- Neewollah at the Mehr's home at 7:00 p.m. A full-dress costume
party with awards for the best costume, most creative, etc.
October
26th- Trunk or Treat at the
Church lower parking lot at 6 p.m.
November
2nd- WKYC Reunion at
Farmington Church of Christ. If you have been to Stan Colley's week at
WKYC this year or past years, you are invited!
Angie
and I will not be here this Sunday. There will be no High School Life Group Sunday evening.
Don't forget our 30 Day Challenge starts Sunday!
God Bless!
roy
Remember
in Prayer
Alice Like MCCH rm. 408; Marguerite
Morgan moved to Spring Creek
rm.110A; Joseph Rikumahu (missionary in Indonesia) serious problems with diabetes; Chris Rowland (son of Ed
Rowland) stomach surgery last week but seems to being doing well.
Continuing
Prayer List: Liz Brown, Jerry Callahan (Kaye Marasco’s
son-in-law), Steve Chadwick (brother of Jane Garland), Laura Nell Cochran,
Earleen Doran, Dortha Dunn, Vernon Gantt, Jane Garland, Gail Harris, Mildred
Hodge, Woody Herndon, Doug Johnson (cousin of Kent Sutherland), Evelyn &
Wayne Johnston, Cecil Like, Myra Nanny, Dorys Norsworthy, Mary Jean Packett,
(sister of Margaret Dunn) Larue Spann, Melba Suiter, Hazel Sutherland (mother
of Kent), Tom Travis (Kay’s father-in-law), Bernice Wallin, Richard Wilson
(brother of Jack).
Nursing
Homes: Fern
Terrace: Marguerite Morgan (#2) in the hospital at this time. Spring Creek Health Care: Paul Bailey (413), Alice Like (401A), Harry
Sledd (119A), Gerald Waldrop (413A); Roszella Williams 407A: Morningside Assisted Living, Mayfield, KY:
Stilline Green (Sharon Youngblood’s mother). Paducah Rehab., Paducah, KY: Jack Boaz
Wednesday Evening Meals
Menu for this week, October
8, is chili dogs, slaw, chips, dessert
and drink. We begin serving at 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 28 –
Stats
Bible Classes — 219
A.M. Worship – 287
Evening – 60 / Life Groups 146
Contribution – $7182.
It
is a Boy!
Brody
Hutson Buckingham was born Monday night at MCCH to Megan Colson. He was 6 lbs 3
oz and 18 ½ inches long. Mother and son are well. Congratulations also to
grandparents, Kennie and Carolyn Colson, and great grandmother, Rachel Hendon.
Saints Alive
The Saints Alive are planning a joint activity
with our Youth Group on Saturday, October 11, with a miniture golf tournament.
We need players to meet the challenge of the Youth Group that say there is no
way we can beat them at miniature golf. The tournament will be at Sullivan’s
Golf course. We will return to the church building for pizza and awarding of
prizes. Plan to meet at the building at 4:00 p.m. and go by bus; then we will
return at 6:00 p.m. Cost of miniature golf will be $2 per person. Sign the
sheet posted on the library window if you plan to go.
Congratulations
Wesley and Kristen Mathis (son of JoAnn and
Gary) were married September 4th and are now living in Paducah. We
are assembling a “Happy Basket” of gifts and good wishes. If you would like to
give a gift or a gift card to go in this basket, please give it to Greta Gargus
or leave it with Jan in the office by October 10.
Thank You
University Church of Christ,
Thank you,
Thank you, Thank you for your prayers, cards and visits during my recent
hospitalization.
I am
recovering well but must stay close to home. Dee and I value the friendship of
all of you.
God
Bless you all,
Vernon
Gantt
New Pathways for
Children
The annual benefit
dinner will be held at University church. It will be on October 16th and begins
at 6:00 p.m. There will be a silent auction before and during the dinner; and,
as the custom, donations will be taken. Mr. Todd Thomas, a former member of the
Board of Directors at New Pathways, will be this year’s speaker. Please join
us!
Annual Ladies
“Candlelight Dinner”
October 17
“My Heart, Christ’s
Home”
Ladies, make your
reservation by signing the list on the library window. If your Life Group
has not signed up to decorate a table for this event, please contact Mandy
Youngblood.
Pilates/Yoga Classes
Ladies, a few of us are meeting here on Monday
evenings at 5:30. If you would like to join us we are downstairs in the Ladies
Wednesday night Bible classroom.
Area Meetings
Gospel Meeting at Lebanon Church of Christ,
Mayfield, October 5-8. Mon.- Wed. at 7:00 p.m.
Gospel Meeting at Union Hill Church of Christ,
Benton, October 5-8 Mon.- Wed. at 7:00 p.m.
Details on Family News bulletin board
University Church of Christ
801 North 12th
Street, Murray, KY 42071
(270) 753-1881
www.nchrist.org