I s sue 49 Volume 47

2201 Rainbow Drive Gadsden, AL 35901 Phone: 256-547-3731 rainbowchurchofchrist.org Times of Service: Sunday Morning Worship 7:30 am Bible Class 9:30 am Morning Worship: 10:30 am Evening Worship: 5:00 pm Wednesday: 7:00 pm

December 27th, 2015 “Where strangers become friends, and friends become family.”

Blake Jones Dave Lasseter Jessica Lasseter

Minister Youth Minister

Secretary

256.504.5080 256.393.6405 256.547.3731

blakesemailaddress@yahoo.com lasseter.dave@gmail.com j.lasseter@comcast.net

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The Ultimate New Year’s Goal

Philippians 3:7-11

The ultimate goal is to _________________ and _________________ Jesus (John 17:3)

What does it take to effectively pursue the goal? (Philippians 3:12-15)

____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________

What do you need to leave behind in 2015?

facebook.com/rainbowcofc

youtube.com/rainbowcofc @rainbowcofc & @rcocym

rainbowchurchofchrist.org

BIBLE STUDY 105

McGUFFY’S BIBLE CLASS 40

SUNDAY MORNING 241

SUNDAY EVENING n/c

MIDWEEK STUDY

LOCAL BAPTISMS 10

OTHER RESPONSES 85

WBS/JAIL BAPTISMS 88

ZIMBABWE BAPTISMS 44

CONTRIBUTION 6993

Our leadership will be meeting Sunday, January 3rd, Our elders will be meeting at 2 p.m., our deacons will be meeting at 3 p.m., and then they will meet collectively at 3:30 p.m. We are so thankful for all of the men who serve this congregation so diligently in these important roles of leadership.

Greg Hill - The Gospel of Matthew (emphasis on Beatitudes) - Auditorium

With the upcoming holiday season we will be moving our mid-week (Wednesday night) Bible study on the following dates: Tuesday, December 29th

Our thanks to Marilyn Gentry for the beautiful poinsettias that are in our pulpit. She donated two, one to honor the memory of her beloved late husband, Tim, and the other is

in memory of her brother, Jerry Reeves. What a beautiful way to remember those who have gone to be with the Lord. Thank You Marilyn!

Our teens and chaperones will be leaving for EXPOSURE Youth Camp TODAY! They will be leaving right after our morning worship service, so please make sure your luggage is packed and ready to go. The cost this year is $75 and if you have not paid yet, please see Dave. Thank You! This camp always proves to be a spiritually uplifting experience for all

who attend and we pray that this year will be no different. Let’s all be praying for those attending as they travel and that their experiences bring them closer together and closer to God.

February 7, 2016

Each month our Elders take a turn sharing the responsibility of “Elder of the Month”. During that month,

that Elder is the contact person for our flock for any needs that they might have. During the month of

December, John Wallace is the “Elder of the Month” you can reach him at 256– 393-0194(James 5:14)

“...if there is anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things” (Philippians 4:8)

There have been so many praiseworthy things that have been brought to my attention this past week that I just have to share a few with you. This past Sunday morning Tabitha Cole and Jerry Allen responded to the Lord’s invitation expressing their desire to rededicate his life. Tabitha wrote these powerful words, “I have been to the depth of the earth and back and made it but I have back slid and I want to rededicate my soul. I went down hill when my parents passed away, but no excuses...I did wrong and I knew it. I want you to pray for us, that we stay on the path of good living and we both do what we say we will do. Thank you for praying for us.” We are so thankful for the example that these two have set for us, and let us continue to lift them up in prayer as we encourage them in any way we can. We were excited to hear about the birth of Annabel Morgan on Tuesday, December 22nd in Montgomery. She is 19.5 inches long and weighs 6 lbs 14 ounces. Congratulations to Pat and Suzi Morgan as they welcome their second grandchild into the family!

On December 31st, Betty and Selton Long will be celebrating their 66th Wedding Anniversary. Congratulations to this sweet couple and their tremendous example of faithfulness to the Lord and each other that they have set for us all. May God bless them with many more years together. While our world is continually moving further and further away from the pattern of marriage established by God in His word it is wonderful to see couples like the Longs whose commitment to the Lord and each other proves that marriages can last a lifetime, just as God intends. We are so blessed here at Rainbow because we not only have the Longs example to

follow but many others who have met and surpassed that precious 50 year milestone in their marriage. They are: Wilson & Treva Jones, Tony & Jane Cleveland, Perry & Jo Hathcock, Bob & Joyce Kennedy, Paul & Vangi Baker, Jason & Arthel Higginbotham, Berry & Betty Shirley, Doug & Sybil Brown, and (the most recent addition) Robert & Sandra Lasseter. If that’s not enough, three more couples will hit this impressive mark in 2016, John & Judy McCullars, Gerald & Mary White, and Larry & Jane Naler. Lord willing, many more couples will be added to this great list in coming years. We have 13 couples who have been married over 40 years! How wonderful to see so many holding true to those precious vows they made to each other and to God.

While they are still a quarter of a century removed from celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary, we do want to congratulate Dwight and Amy Harper on their 25th Wedding Anniversary which they will celebrate on December 29th. May God bless you two so that you too can enjoy many, many, many more years together. This past Sunday the McCarver visitation team met at the home of Craig and Cindy King. As always, everyone had a great time and it has been reported that a snowball fight even broke out before the conclusion of the evening. While the “adults” were meeting at the Kings house, the teenagers were having their annual Christmas

party at the home of John and Nancy Wallace. We are so thankful for so many within this congregation who continually open up their homes and show such beautiful hospitality so that our fellowship with one another can be strengthened.

It is such a blessing to be a child of God’s. Child of light, do not allow this dark world to overwhelm your mind when there are so many praise worthy things to think about and celebrate! TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY!

Serve the Family

Zack Buckner / Tim Barbaree Jason Mikle / Mike Simmons

Donnie Keener / Haydn Hayes Brandon Hollis / Chris Hardegree

Ushers Jeff Birchmore / Steve Lorren

Communion Preparation John Lengyel

Lock Up the Building Mike Bowdoin

Deacons

Mike Bowdoin 256-282-2650

John Bowling 256-328-4727

David Wallace 256-390-2273

John Wallace 256-393-0194

Elders

December

Opening Prayer: A.M. Jim Mckleroy

P.M. Tim Parker

Scripture Reading: Sam Wallen

Preside Lord’s Supper: Milton McArthur

Closing Prayer: A.M. Steve Lorren

P.M. Haydn Hayes

Greeters: Chris & Ann Mikle

Communion Cup Pick Up: Barbaree Family

McGuffey’s Group #

Servants for December 27th

Birthdays

Anniversaries

Dec. 29—Beth Blisard Dec. 29—Jessica Lasseter :)

Dec. 29—Madison Dalesandro Dec. 30—Cheyenne Brinlkley

Jason Keener hd surgery on his ankle this past week, and will be out of work for 3 months. Brenda Windham will be undergoing medical tests soon and requests prayers. Dewey East is home from rehab, but is still in need of prayers for his health. Hunter Howell, a student at Gaston, was in a car accident, and is in a coma. Suzi Morgan is at home recovering James Kennedy is awaiting test results of his biopsy Judy McCullars is recovering at home from her back surgery Paul Baker has aggressive bladder cancer and it has spread. Jeanie Erickson has been hospitalized at Riverview.

following heart stints and kidney problems. Beth Jones, co-worker of Chris Mikle, is battling stage-4 lung cancer. Robert Lasseter is in need of prayers for his back. Charlotte Bailey, the sister of Mike Simmons, was in a bad car accident and has a broken neck. .

Please Continue to Remember These Also: Helen Cloud, Butch Jones, Kim Naler, Ron Patterson, Gordon Smith, Betty Jones, Beulah Sylvis, Louise Butler, Sarah Foote Jennifer Davis, Natalie Garner, Connie Barabalce, Jill Gardner, Paul Colbert, Nellie Ruth Teal, Alton & Eloise Miller, Bill Cooley, Betty Yancey, Bob Kennedy, Vangi Baker, Rita Bowdoin, Joseph Brown, Brittany Womack, Marilyn Gentry, Roy Helms

If we have inadvertently left anyone off, we are truly sorry. Please forgive the oversight and let us know so that we can make the additions next week.

Prayer Requests

Doyle McCarver 256-390-0770

Visitation/Transportation

Chris Mikle 256-413-1038

Outreach Ministry/Daycare

Tim Parker 256-490-2053

Fellowships

Mark Westcott 256-441-0667

Benevolence

Jeff Birchmore 256-547-3718

Elderly Care

Tony Cleveland 256-538-5295

Prison Ministry

Charles Clifton 256-549-1422

Involvement/Security

Steve Lorren 256-442-8192

Building & Grounds

Memories

Paul Baker Lisa Cook Arthel Higginbotham Lana Calvert Seretha Watts Reginae Marbury Glenda Fitz Roger Dale Maureen Staudt Steve Proffitt Jimmie Masters Wade Richey Libby McClendon Lila Buchholtz Thompson Wagner

A.M. Scripture John 17:2-3

P.M. Scripture James 1:5

Dec. 29—Dwight & Amy Harper Dec. 29—Ken & Anita Kinsey Dec. 31—Selton & Betty Long