What We Are Missing
Or What Happens When You Don't Respect Bible Authority
Jay Horsley
I was recently shown a program from a worship service that some members here attended. They were visiting relatives over the holidays and went to worship with them. They were shocked that the service contained a man singing while playing his guitar, a performance called “Dialogue Between a Mother and Daughter,” the singing of Christmas carols and other holiday fare.
I asked our sister if it was a Methodist Church that she attended. Her face soured as she turned the program over and pointed to the name on the back: “Plymouth Park Church of Christ.” My macabre curiosity was peaked, so I investigated their website, www.plpark.org, where much worse that I imagined was found.
Not only were numerous examples of the social gospel's appeal to the flesh in the form of feeds, parties and games evident, but it was obvious that the “worship” service is made for entertaining. When they know that they can't compete with worldly entertainment, they will cancel their worship service for the Super Bowl. They had a full scale denominational type Christmas pageant complete with live nativity scenes, caroling, decking the halls, and the lighting of “Advent candles.” “Bible School” classes were stopped for parties. Children sold goodies at garage sales and in the foyer after worship to raise money to help pay for projects and for the building fund. In the final items excerpted from their bulletin, notice that full fellowship with the Baptist and Methodist denominations are lauded.
Here are excerpts from the last three editions of this “Church of Christ's” biweekly bulletin:
Adult Christmas Party: December 16, 5:00 p.m.
There will be no 3rd Sunday Luncheon this month, but instead there will be a festive evening with a Christmas Supper...
'Tis the Season
It is a joyous time of year; and yes, indeed the halls are decked to give a festive venue for all that this season holds! Even those scorched posts out front are wrapped with greenery; and inside we find a delightful display of garlands, trees, wreaths, lights and ribbons...
This advent season celebrating the coming of Jesus also comes with contemplation and self-examination as pointed out by Steve Barrett in his sermons. Last Sunday we had the lighting of the first advent candle. In the midst of the hustle and bustle, let's remember to prepare our hearts for the rich gift only He can give.
Sunday, December 16 is the time for the Chamber Choir and Youth Christmas Program. (The dress rehearsal is Saturday, the 15th, at 10 a.m.) This focus on the birth of our Lord is a time to let one's spirit soar with the beautiful music as we contemplate God's Son.
Holiday Memories:
We made some nice memories this last holiday season. Advent began with beautiful decorations and anticipation of spiritual insights. Each week an additional candle's light added to the joy. We were touched, as always, by the special telling of the story of the birth of our dear Savior by the Chamber Choir, the Youth and the Children. The girls playing angels overlooking the manger seemed very in touch with the awesome story they were helping to tell.
The lighting of the Christ Candle was during the beautiful "Eve of Christmas Eve" service. The lights were low, the carols sweet...
Kid's Korner
Kids, remember your Christmas Party is this Sunday, the 23rd, at 9:15 a.m. You little ones will meet in the old Nursery room in the Education Building. The Sonflower Girls will also have a party at that time.
The kids did really well in last Sunday's program depicting angels and the nativity scene, complete with a donkey and lambs.
The Sonflower Girls are becoming very adept at fundraising for their pledge to the "Arise and Build in Faith" campaign. Coming right off the heels of their successful garage sale, their sale of Christmas goodies for gifts was enthusiastically received...The two tables holding jars of cookie, spiced tea, hot chocolate, and soup mixes were surrounded before and after services Sunday. They have surpassed their pledge for the year toward the building fund in only three months!
New Year's Eve Party and Talent/Untalent Show
At 7:30 New Year's Eve we'll begin with hamburgers (furnished) and the snacks and desserts that we are to bring. Then there will be the Talent/Untalent Show where you can share your skits, musical talents, standup routines, etc. Then there will be board games, 42, or maybe even Po-Keno, until time to usher in the New Year.
Superbowl Party February 3, 5 p.m.
The Cowboys may not be in it, but come cheer for your team, enjoy the hotdogs (furnished) and big-screen football...
Upcoming Activities
Chili Cook-Off Saturday, February 23, 5 p.m. Get your chili-cooking team together...The whole church will want to be involved in this fun event...
Youth News
The Youth group will have another Christmas party during the Sunday school hour...
Please note that the Murder Mystery Dinner Theater has been postponed to April 6th.
All-Church Meeting 1/27
The Elders have called a "Town Hall Meeting" on Sunday evening January 27 at 6:30. The new budget will be presented and some plans for the future discussed. Also, we need to vote (as required by our bylaws) on the sale of some real estate that was donated in the "Arise and Build in Faith" campaign.
Duane Stark, Natalie Jenkins, and Lauryn Jenkins will take part in a Christmas program hosted by Calvary Temple at West Park Recreation Center on December 5th. The evening will consist of several choir performances, door prizes, and a skit...
Member Profile: Nancy Cogburn
Nancy Cogburn is a native Dallasite...Nancy previously went to Belt Line Church of Christ, but came to Central in 1966. She has been there 35 years now. Nancy became involved in the Jelly Bean Theater with the puppets right away. She was known as Patty Pig. Some of the older members and their kids, I am sure would remember those good times. Nancy tells me she learned a lot from that and really enjoyed doing the part for 10 to 12 years.
After Nancy's divorce, she established a group of friends and started going to a singles group at Lovers Lane Methodist Church in Dallas. It was the beginning of a new relationship with Larry Cogburn...
Having read these things, answer for yourself just were these people are in the process error:
These folks must be on step 6 or 7. If they believe at all that they are the “New Testament” church then they may only be on step six, but if they practice open fellowship with denominations and refuse to distinguish between themselves and those denominations biblically, then they fellowship then they are on step 7.
Just think we could have all the pageants, parties and fun we could be having if we would quit asking for Bible authority for all things. But until we give up our plea for book, chapter and verse for all things we'll have to forgo all the following: “festive evening with a Christmas Supper,” “advent season,” “Chamber Choir and Youth Christmas Program,” “`Eve of Christmas Eve' service,” “garage sales, sale of Christmas goodies,” “Murder Mystery Dinner Theater,” “Jelly Bean Theater”, and the all important “Superbowl Party.” I think that sacrifice for the sake of truth is worth it, don't you?