September 19, 2023

Weekly Bible Reading

Week 38:

Epistles - Sunday - Philemon

The Law - Monday - Num 21-24

History - Tuesday - 2 Chr 1-5

Psalms - Wednesday - Ps 111-113

Poetry - Thursday - Prov 25

Prophecy - Friday - Amos 5-9

Gospels - Saturday - John 19-21

SEPTEMBER PRAYER FOCUS: FORGIVENESS

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Sept 20 Koinonia Fellowship Meal, FLC, 6 p.m.

Sept 20 God Squad, FLC 1, 7-8 p.m.

Sept 27 See You At The Pole

Sept 30 Cleburne Pregnancy Center Walk for Life

8:00 a.m. Registration opens; 8:45 a.m. Pre-walk ceremony; 9:00 a.m. Walking kicks off.

Oct 3 Ladies Bible Class, FLC 2, 10 a.m.

Oct 3 Silver Eagles, FLC 2, 4 p.m.

Oct 4 Piecemaker’s Quilting, FLC, 9 a.m.

Oct 4 Grief Support Group, Parlor, 7 p.m.

BOOKS AVAILABLE

Cheryl Porter has generously donated many books from her late husband’s, Kern Porter, personal library available to anyone who will use them. They are located in the conference room in the office hallway. Emily is available to give you access to the books Mon-Thurs, 8:30 a.m.-12 and 1-3:30 p.m.

MISSION TRIP OPPORTUNITY

Lu Gilter is planning another mission trip to Ciudad de Angeles children’s home in Cozumel, Mexico. The trip will take place summer 2024. Summertime slots at the children’s home tend to fill up fast so please contact Lu soon if you’re interested.

GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP

October 4 – November 15, 2023

Wednesday Nights from 7:00pm – 8:00pm at Westhill Church of Christ

Open to church members and community members alike.

Childcare provided. For more information call 817-645-9193.

Devotional Thought for the Week

A Monotone Hymn

By Russell Crook

For the entirety of my childhood, my family would camp the first two weeks of July at a semi-primitive campground on Lake Texoma called Platter Flats. It was two weeks of swimming, fishing, exploring, bike riding as well as the absence of all domestic chores (well, for everyone but Mom). It was something my whole family looked forward to all year long.

However, the first couple of nights always took some getting used to. It took some acclimation to sleep under the stars after just leaving our air-conditioned home. It also took some time to get used to the deafening sound from the most annoying insect known to city kids, the locust. Except this bug-eyed shiny winged mini monster was not really a locust but a cicada. It was years later that I learned the true name and later still before I learned their story.

The cicada begins its life as an egg planted under the bark of a tender twig of a tree. It feeds on that twig until its weight eventually sends it to the ground. From there the young nymph burrows underground feeding on the sap of the roots. It will continue to develop into a stubby, sightless bug that lives about 8 feet underground. Blind, alone, underground, feeding on sap – this is the existence of the cicada for the next 13 – 17 years, until, at last it emerges above ground, sheds its skin, and is equipped with vision, the ability to fly and the ability to sing. What a transformation!

Tragically, the cicada only lives 4 -6 weeks before it dies. I can’t imagine what a change it must be for this underappreciated bug.

Now when I hear the chorus of male cicadas in my neighborhood each evening, I’m reminded of their long journey to freedom and transformation. I’m also reminded of the blessings of youth, family and fun. And lastly, I’m reminded of a passage from Psalm 150:6…

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!