Sun, 10 May 2026 11:44:41 -0600WeeblyWed, 25 May 2016 23:42:49 GMThttp://www.carthagechurchofchrist.net/blog/from-the-preachers-heart4899203Welcome, VISITORS!  The Lord’s church at Carthage is so honored to have you visit with us.  Your presence indicates an interest in spiritual matters.  We, too, have great interest in things divine.  We encourage you to study God’s Word with us.  If you have questions or comments about what you hear and observe, please feel free to approach us.  Please come again!
          Attendance has held steady the past couple of weeks with contributions averaging above budget over the past four weeks.  Let’s all strive to be faithful in attendance and in our giving as well as in all other areas of our lives.
          This Sunday, like every first day of the week, is a special day.  We will have an early afternoon service at 12:30 instead of the usual 6:00 P.M.  The P.M. service will be preceded by a potluck meal, which will follow our morning worship and Bible study.  We will recognize our graduates and their families.  Make plans to be present for all services.  Justin Mauldin will preach Sunday morning and Chris Hicks the afternoon.  We are also to host the devotional at The Pavilion at 2:00 P.M.
          Our Vacation Bible School is June 6-10.  Please circle the date on your calendar.  The evening sessions begin at 6:30 P.M. “Growing Our Spiritual Fruit” is our theme.  Begin now to invite others – especially the little ones, middle-schoolers, and teenagers. Classes for adults are scheduled as well. So invite them, too!  We have excellent speakers to address a grand theme Monday through Thursday in the following order:  Larry Cole (Love/Faithfulness); David Lipe (Joy/Kindness); Doyle Crawford (Peace/Patience); and Sammy Webb (Gentleness/Goodness).   We will study “Self- control” (Temperance) on Sunday.
          If you requested one of the tables from the annex, please pick it up tonight (Wednesday).  We need them removed because of setting up for the meal on Sunday.  We will be using the new tables and chairs.  Thanks to those who assembled the carts/racks for the tables and chairs.
          A public discussion of “Water Baptism” will take place this Friday and Saturday (27th and 28th) evenings at Macon County Junior High in Lafayette.  Jack Honeycutt and Michael Brawner will be the disputants discussing two propositions.  It can be viewed on the internet via the Gospel Broadcasting Network (GBN) site.
          It is good for us to be together for the mid-week service.  I personally appreciate your being here.  Have a great rest of the week.  I hope to see you Sunday morning, our Lord willing.
​Edward L. Anderson]]>Thu, 12 May 2016 00:08:36 GMThttp://www.carthagechurchofchrist.net/blog/from-the-preachers-heart6          Welcome, VISITORS!  The Lord’s church at Carthage is so honored to have you visit with us.  Your presence indicates an interest in spiritual matters.  We, too, have great interest in things divine.  We encourage you to study God’s Word with us.  If you have questions or comments about what you hear and observe, please feel free to approach us.  Please come again!
          We are dedicating this issue of Smith County Light to those who are graduating.  Graduation is a major milestone in life.  It speaks of years of study and hard work.  It is accompanied by a sense of accomplishment and, at least in some cases, a sense of relief on the part of the student and the parents.  It also lends itself to opportunity which varies with the degree of application of what has been learned.  I wish to add my personal congratulations to all those, whose pictures and/or names appear in the adjoining columns.  I know I speak for numerous others as we wish you God’s blessings in your future endeavors.  Always keep Him in your plans, your work, and your life.
          Our Vacation Bible School is rapidly approaching.  June 6-10 is the date.  We will begin the sessions at 6:30 P.M. this year – thirty minutes earlier than in previous years.  Please circle the date on your calendar.  Begin now to invite others – especially the little ones, middle-schoolers, and teenagers.  Of course there will be nightly classes for adults as well. So invite them, too!  We have  an excellent slate of speakers to address a grand theme – “Growing Our Spiritual Fruits”, a study of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).  The first lesson (“Self-control”) will be delivered on Sunday morning, then four other lessons will be studied Monday through Thursday, with awards given Friday.
          A special thanks to all who assisted with the devotional at Kindred on the first Sunday.   This is always an enjoyable time with the residents.  We will have our next service there in August (7th), as we alternate with Rome and Montrose.
          The new white chairs and tables for the annex have been purchased and delivered.  They will be much lighter (in color and weight), than the older ones. They are much easier to move and arrange. They are supposed to be very durable as well.  Several have been involved in selecting the new, removing the old, and just getting it done.  Thanks to everyone!
          I appreciate the comments received regarding recent sermons.  It is a distinct joy to preach the word and to receive encouragement from those who love and respect it.
          I am glad you are here for the mid-week service.  I hope to see you Sunday morning, our Lord willing.    

Edward L Anderson
​]]>Thu, 28 Apr 2016 00:18:17 GMThttp://www.carthagechurchofchrist.net/blog/from-the-preachers-heart5     Welcome, VISITORS!  The Lord’s church at Carthage is so honored to have you visit with us.  Your presence indicates an interest in spiritual matters.  We, too, have great interest in things divine.  We encourage you to study God’s Word with us.  If you have questions or comments about what you hear and observe, please feel free to approach us.  Please come again!          
     We say “So long” to Cobie and Shirley Sadler who are moving to Lebanon.  They have been faithful members of the church here for a long time and very involved in the work, with Cobie serving as a deacon.  He and Shirley have been involved in the Honduran work and many other good works.  They will be attending Maple Hill.  We will miss them!          
     Attendance bounced back this past Sunday even with some still being ill and a couple of families out of town.  Wouldn’t it be wonderful if all were present and together every week?!  Let’s put forth every effort to bring that hope to fruition.            
     Our contribution rebounded as well.  Our giving is a “gauge” of our love for the Lord and His church (2 Cor. 8:24).  It also provides opportunities for the church to do good in the areas of evangelism/mission work, benevolence, and edification.  We are admonished “to be ready to every good work” (Titus 3:1; cf. 2 Tim. 3:17)/          
     The annual fish fry went well.  I am not sure of the total number served, but the food and fellowship were great.  We were blessed to have several guests, friends, and family members.  A large number of meals were delivered to shut-in and sick folks.  All those who assisted with delivery are to be thanked, especially our youth, who were very helpful.  Those who prepared the annex and cleaned up afterward did a great job.  Others picked up supplies, cut up and battered fish and chicken, etc.  The desserts and side dishes were great.  Thanks to all who brought them.  And, last, but certainly not least, our hats are off to the cooks and helpers!  They did their usual great job.          
     We enjoyed a safe and pleasurable day trip to the SEIBS lectures at the Karns’ building (Knoxville), on Monday.  We heard a number of excellent lessons and enjoyed the fellowship as well seeing a number of friends and fellow-gospel preachers.          
     We will be doing the devotional at Kindred this Sunday afternoon.  The time is 2:00 P.M.  We congregate in the up stairs dining area with those residents who are able and desire to attend.  Please come and bring a hymn book with you.           
     I hope to see you Sunday morning, our Lord willing.                                                                                            
Edward L Anderson]]>Wed, 13 Apr 2016 23:49:23 GMThttp://www.carthagechurchofchrist.net/blog/from-the-preachers-heart4​Welcome, VISITORS!  The Lord’s church at Carthage is so honored to have you visit with us.  Your presence indicates an interest in spiritual matters.  We, too, have great interest in things divine.  We encourage you to study God’s Word with us and if you have questions or comments about what you hear and observe, please feel free to approach us.  You are cordially invited to return at your earliest opportunity.
          I just learned this morning of the passing of Bob Spurlin, faithful Christian and gospel preacher, who had suffered with MS since 1995.  Many have been blessed by his three inspirational books and his example of patience in suffering and loss.  Four days after his diagnosis, he and Beverly lost their daughter in an auto accident.  Keep this good family in your prayers.   
         Not very often do churches have more in attendance on Sunday evening than on Sunday morning, but such was the case this past Sunday with our hosting of Youth Unite.  More than two hundred (219 to be exact), attended the 5:00 P.M. gathering.  We were blessed by so many guests.  Most of them were college age, high school, junior high, and elementary.  And don’t forget the toddlers and “crawlers”!!  The future is bright and promising.
          Many of you worked very hard in planning and in executing the plan. Thanks to Justin and others for organizing the devotional.  He and Allen White iced down the drinks and set up tables and chairs. A big thanks is due Drew Milligan for presenting a wonderful lesson.  It was very practical for all, but especially challenging for youth.  The singing was superb.  Thanks to Jeff Crockett for leading us in song.  All the young men are commended for their roles in reading scripture, leading prayers, and presiding at the Lord’s Table.
          A very special “THANK YOU” is extended to all those who prepared food; those who served food and drinks; and those who cleaned up after the meal.  Someone commented that we could have fed 500 or more!  Our ladies always come through when it comes to hospitality.  Thank you, ladies!  
          The annual fish fry is approaching – April 23 is the date.  Maybe it will be warmer, but if it isn’t, the food will be hot!  I am sure the cooks are all lined up and ready to go.  Fish, fries, and hush puppies will be provided.  Just bring some side dishes and desserts, please.  The youth group will again be delivering to the shut-ins.  Please give Justin and Sarah the names, addresses, and phone numbers of those needing meals.         
          I am glad you are here for our mid-week gathering.  I hope to see you Sunday, too, our Lord willing.                  Edward L Anderson
]]>Sat, 02 Apr 2016 19:19:28 GMThttp://www.carthagechurchofchrist.net/blog/from-the-preachers-heart3​         Welcome, VISITORS!  The Lord’s church at Carthage is so honored to have you visit with us.  Your presence indicates an interest in spiritual matters.  We, too, have such an interest.  We encourage you to study God’s Word with us and if you have questions or comments about what you hear and observe, please feel free to approach us.  You are cordially invited to return at your earliest opportunity.
         Attendance was good Sunday morning in spite of much sickness and some families out of town with “spring break” beginning over the weekend.  Our attendance was down Sunday evening, but we enjoyed a wonderful service devoted to singing praises to God, as we have been doing on fourth Sunday nights for many years. 
          Contributions for March reflect an encouraging increase.  God is good (James 1:17).  Those who are thoughtful and thankful will respond accordingly in giving.  Whether the amount we are prospered is great or small, we should give with loving gratitude.  The poor widow cast but “two mites” into the treasury, but she gave with all her “might”!  Let’s strive to do the same.
          We will be hosting “Youth Unite” Sunday, April 10 at 5:00 P.M.  Drew Milligan will be the speaker.  A meal, featuring spaghetti, will be provided after the service.  A food sheet is posted on the foyer bulletin board.  Soft drinks and desserts are also needed. NOTE:  We are missing a table in the annex.  It will be needed for the large crowd we anticipate for youth night and the fish fry.   
          Check out the “Youth”, “Calendar”, and “Area” events sections elsewhere in the bulletin.  Many opportunities for study and spiritual nurturing are available.
          A special “Thank You” is extended to those who brought laundry detergent for Tennessee Children’s Home.  So many of you respond to good works of this type on a regular basis.  Every act of love in the name of the Lord is important.
          A tender and touching portrayal of God is presented in the account of the “prodigal (waster) son” in Luke 15:  “But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him” (v. 20, Emphasis added).  God longs, looks, and loves.  Why would any erring one not want to return to such a Father?!  Come home.
          I am glad you are here for our mid-week gathering.  I hope to see you Sunday, too, our Lord willing.                    
                                                    Edward L Anderson                                       
]]>Sat, 19 Mar 2016 01:15:01 GMThttp://www.carthagechurchofchrist.net/blog/from-the-preachers-heart2           Welcome, VISITORS!  We are so honored to have you visit with us.  Your presence indicates an interest in spiritual matters.  We, too, have such an interest.  We encourage you to study God’s Word with us and if you have questions or comments about what you hear and observe, please feel free to approach us.  You are cordially invited to return at your earliest opportunity.
          Some were able to be back with us Sunday morning, but attendance was still down somewhat.  Perhaps some forgot to “Spring Forward”.   It was a beautiful day weather-wise and, above all, it was the first day of week!  What a privilege it is to assemble together to worship the Creator and Sustainer of us all.  Every gathering of God’s people should be anticipated with joy.  

        Our recent contributions have held steady right around our budget.  This indicates a love for the Lord’s work and a willing commitment to His cause.  As Paul reminded the church at Corinth, giving is a proof of love (2 Cor. 8:8, 24).  Love produces cheerful givers and those are the givers God loves (2 Cor. 9:7).     

         Our website is up and running.  Check it out.  More will be added later.  Thanks to Jeremy Hassler and Dusty Whitaker for their work.  The website address remains the same except it has been changed to .net instead of .com.
          Our hot water dilemma in the annex has been corrected.   A big THANK YOU is extended to Jeff Whited and Cobie Sadler for installing a new water heater and moving it to a more accessible location.
          We will be hosting Youth Unite April 10.  This area-wide gathering of young people and parents is always an encouraging event.  The time of the P.M. service will be 5:00 P.M. with refreshments following.
          It is only a few weeks until our annual fish fry.  It is scheduled for April 23.  We will begin serving at 4:00 P.M.  Some of our young people and others deliver to the shut-ins.  Invite a friend to come with you.
          Our Vacation Bible School will be June 6-10 with the same format as last year, with classes and other activities Monday – Thursday and awards and pizza on Friday.  An introductory lesson will be presented Sunday morning.  This year’s theme is “Fruit of the Spirit:  Growing our Spiritual Fruit” (Gal. 5:22-23).
          Jackson-Smith County Youth Camp (JSCYC) is July 17-23.  Camp info and dates for planning will soon be mailed.  Our theme for 2016: “The Least of These:  A Servant’s Heart”. Glad you are here for our mid-week gathering.  Hope to see you Sunday, our Lord willing.                        
                                                           
                                                        Edward L Anderson        
]]>Thu, 03 Mar 2016 00:52:31 GMThttp://www.carthagechurchofchrist.net/blog/wed-mar-02-2016         Welcome, VISITORS!  We are so honored to have you visit with us.  Your presence indicates an interest in spiritual matters.  We encourage you to study God’s Word with us and if you have questions or comments about what you hear and observe, please feel free to approach us.  You are cordially invited to return at your earliest opportunity.
          Our attendance has been pretty consistent since the first of the year except for the Sundays with bad weather.  It is very encouraging to see our older members and others with health issues put forth great effort to be present for all services.  You remind us of the importance of worshipping and serving the Lord.  Thank you for your example!
          One definition of a steward is “a manager of a household or property”.  God expects His people to be good stewards (1 Cor. 4:2), of that which He has entrusted to our care.  Let us use our time, talents, and money in a wise and God-glorifying manner.  
          Parents, be sure your children sign up for Bible Bowl.  Young people, this is a great opportunity to increase your Bible knowledge and to participate in something which will truly bless your lives and, perhaps, the lives of others. I know BB is not until October, but study has already begun and the material – the book of Leviticus - is somewhat challenging.  Note:  Chapter 15 will be excluded.  Contact Justin and sign up soon!
          David Lipe met with our elders this past Sunday afternoon to update them on the work at the Southeast Institute of Biblical Studies (SEIBS), formerly East Tennessee School of Preaching.  He also preached Sunday evening and he and Linda were guests at our fellowship meal following services.  We appreciate his good lesson.  We were also blessed with the presence of other visitors, including a group traveling home for CYC conducted last weekend in Sevierville.  (Our Sunday night singing was moved to March 6.) 
          Thanks to everyone who prepared food (soups, sandwiches, and desserts), for the meal this past Sunday.   And thanks also for bringing liquid laundry detergent for Tennessee Children’s home.  Your generosity will assist greatly with the good work there.
          Our website will soon be up and running.  Thanks to Jeremy Hassler for his work.  We have several men who work with our power point needs – announcements, singing, and sermons.  THANKS to all!       
          We are glad you came tonight to be a part of our mid-week gathering.  I hope to see you Sunday, our Lord willing.               
                                                            Edward L Anderson    ]]>Thu, 18 Feb 2016 01:01:52 GMThttp://www.carthagechurchofchrist.net/blog/from-the-preachers-heart1Welcome, VISITORS!  We are so honored to have you visit with us.  Your presence indicates an interest in spiritual matters.  We encourage you to study God’s Word with us and if you have questions or comments, please feel free to approach us.  You are cordially invited to return at your earliest opportunity.
          Attendance was down Sunday due to weather and an inordinate amount of sickness.  It doesn’t seem to be any trouble for it to snow this winter – three already!  And the various “bugs” seem to quite active, too (See News & Notes section.) We hope everyone will soon be feeling much better.
          The first six Sundays of 2016 have seen our contributions average above budget.  Your generosity will be blessed.  Paul placed giving on a level with faith, utterance, knowledge, diligence, and love (2 Cor. 8:6).  He urged the Corinthians to “abound” in liberality as they did in the other “graces”.  The will to give begins with giving ourselves to the Lord and committing ourselves to the doing of His will in all things (2 Cor. 8:5).
          A big “THANK YOU” is extended to those who assisted with the devotionals at the Pavilion and at Kindred on the fifth and first Sundays respectively.  This is a good work which is encouraging to the residents of these facilities and also to those of us who are involved.  Be a part and your life will be blessed.
          Justin, R. W., and I, along with Stan Stevenson and Tim Owens from Rome, traveled to Henderson for the FHU Lectures last Monday (8th).  Cobie and Shirley Sadler drove down on Sunday.  Leaving at 4:30 AM and returning at 9:00 PM made for a rather long, but very rewarding day. The lessons and the fellowship were excellent.  Dale Sadler, Ben Flatt, and many other capable speakers delivered profitable lessons.  As usual there was quite a change in the weather, but we returned home safely.
          Please be sure to consult our “Calendar of Events” section and reserve the dates on your calendar for those events.  All are important, but give special attention to those that will contribute to our spiritual growth – VBS, JSCYC, the Annual Singing, and Gospel Meeting.  Avoid scheduling vacations, etc. for those dates.  Parents with young children should plan for them to take part in Bible Bowl and other activities for our youth.  “Seek first the kingdom…” (Matthew 6:33)
          Bible Bowl note:  The book of Leviticus is the subject matter for this year’s event.  Chapter 15 will be excluded.            
          We are glad you came to our mid-week gathering.  I hope to see you Sunday, our Lord willing.                 
                                   
                                                         Edward L Anderson    
]]>Sun, 07 Feb 2016 15:25:23 GMThttp://www.carthagechurchofchrist.net/blog/from-the-preachers-heart          Welcome, VISITORS!  We are so honored to have you visit with us.  Your presence indicates an interest in spiritual matters.  We encourage you to study God’s Word with us and if you have questions or comments, please feel free to approach us.  You are cordially invited to return at your earliest opportunity.
          Attendance was excellent Sunday with the return of spring-like weather.  What a difference a week makes!  We had exactly one hundred more for Sunday morning worship than the previous Sunday.  It was good to see some of the sick back with us, but we were sorry to have several still shut-in and unable to be with us.  Keep them in your daily prayers.
          We are blessed to have so many faithful and talented young men.  Justin Mauldin presented an excellent lesson Sunday morning and Eric Swann followed with another at the P.M. service.  Thanks to both for their study, preparation, and delivery. Several other young men took led in other areas for the afternoon worship as they customarily do on fifth Sundays.  We commend them for their devotion to the Lord and their willingness to serve Him.
          We had a delicious meal together after Sunday morning services.  All those who prepared the annex, cooked food, served, and helped to clean up following the meal are thanked for their work.
          We are scheduled to lead fifth Sunday devotionals at the Pavilion (assisted living facility), at 2:00 P.M.  We express gratitude to all who attended this past Sunday.  We sang several hymns, had prayers, and studied a lesson from Psalm 12.
          Thirty of us enjoyed the annual men’s breakfast together this past Saturday morning.  Jonah Mauldin was the youngest present and W. A. Gibbs the oldest. We had a great southern menu with all the trimmings, down to the sorghum molasses and Tennessee honey!  Everyone seemed to enjoy the meal and the fellowship.
          Some of us will be making a same day trip to the FHU Lectureship on Monday (8th).  Dale Sadler will be speaking in the afternoon.  We will leave at 4:30 A.M. and return following the Open Forum.  We usually eat breakfast at McD’s, lunch at FHU, and on the way home at Cracker Barrel.  If you intend to attend, let R. W. Vincent or me know.
          Bible Bowlers take note.  The book of Leviticus is the subject matter for this year’s event.  However, chapter 15 will not be covered due to the difficult subject matter.            
         I hope to see you Sunday, our Lord willing.                
                                                            Edward L Anderson
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