Communion Meditation
The Touch of the Master’s Hand
‘Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer
Thought it scarcely worth his while
To waste much time on the old violin
But he held it up with a smile.
“What am I bidden, good folks,” he cried,
“Who’ll start the bidding for me?
A dollar, a dollar – now who’ll make it two –
Two dollars, and who’ll make it three?
“Three dollars once, three dollars twice,
Going for three” … but no!
From the room far back a gray-haired man
Came forward and picked up the bow;
Then wiping the dust from the old violin,
And tightening up the strings,
He played a melody pure and sweet,
As sweet as an angel sings.
The music ceased and the auctioneer
With a voice that was quiet and low,
Said: “What am I bid for the old violin?”
And he held it up with the bow;
“A thousand dollars – and who’ll make it two?
Two thousand – and who’ll make it three?
Three thousand once, three thousand twice
And going – and gone,” said he.
The people cheered, but some of them cried,
“We do not quite understand –
What changed its worth?” The man replied:
“The touch of the master’s hand.”
And many a man with life out of tune,
And battered and torn with sin,
Is auctioned cheap to a thoughtless crowd,
Much like the old violin.
A “mess of pottage,” a glass of wine,
A game and he travels on,
He’s going once, and going twice –
He’s going – and almost gone!
But the Master comes, and the foolish crowd,
Never can quite understand,
The worth of a soul, and the change that’s wrought
By the touch of the Master’s hand.
- Myra B. Welch
Submitted by Forrest Colegrove (a teaching friend of Fred Schuld)
who visited us in September.
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THE FOLLOWING WILL BE ABSENT next Sunday attending the Loving & Learning conference at our North Hills Church of God near Springfield Ohio: Steve Weaver, Mark & Karen Cain & family, Skip & Marge Reed and Rex and Sharon.
My thanks to the congregation for this opportunity to meet and fellowship with many friends from our N.E. Conference and General Conference who will be there taking part in the program or enjoying it from the pews.
1046 PENNIES plus 217 nickels and 437 quarters plus many other coins and paper money brought our COINS FOR AFRICA total to $204.10. Check was sent last Monday. THANKS for your support of the many needs of our brethren in Africa!!
HOME BIBLE STUDY will be held at Phil and Susan May’s home this coming Tuesday evening (6th) at 7pm. Anyone is welcome. I would suggest you call a few hours before the meetings to make sure all systems are go. Contact Pastor Cain for an address. 440-232-3970
BRO. RICHARD MARSH will be bringing God’s Word next Sunday in my absence. Come with a hunger for His Word and attentive hearts to learn more of God’s ways for our lives. Matt. 5:6: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
HELEN MATTHEWS, entered Huron Road Hospital 10-27 due to a serious infection and much pain. She will soon be moved to hospice care at 185th and Lakeshore. Your prayers are needed.
AGAPE MEETING TODAY AFTER SERVICE.
Turkey Towns
Three places in the U.S. are named after the turkey. Turkey, Texas, with 496 residents; Turkey Creek, Louisiana, with 357 residents; and Turkey, North Carolina, with 267 residents. There are also 16 townships around the country named “Turkey.”
WE’RE MAKING A PUSH FOR
THANKSGIVING FOOD!
Our S.S. staff wanted to “push” this month the need for food for the Salvation Army (or for a need we personally know about). Yes, we appreciate the food you bring year ‘round, but we want to make a special effort to get LOTS of food this month. We’ll take it down before Thanksgiving. Thanks!
AL & ARLENE SZEKELY: They were to see the doctor last Friday (after this was printed) to set a date for Al’s prostate surgery. He has been feeling some better. After the surgery, they will remain in Savanna GA at least another week putting their FL travels toward the latter half of November. Keep them in your prayers.
I
HOPE NO ONE ARRIVED EARLY
to church today because they forgot to set their clocks back, but if they did,
we had time to visit over a cup of coffee.
PRAY FOR: Margie (pregnancy concerns, sister to S. May), Anita Cain, Ken-Kathy Cramer, Al Szekely, Tyler Moore (auto accident), Jeff Stoneman (cancer, by Whaley), Frank Toth (tests), Terry James (cancer, by Roper), Evelyn Pennington, Emory Macy (broke hip 9-10), Jason Dishong (by G. Whaley), / Pastor Beder (cancer, Peru), Jack Hearp, Kate Liauw (28, MS, by R Phillis), Amy Gunselman (cancer, by R Phillis), Ruby Korode, Lucinda (by Szekely), Gene & Gloria Faehnrich, Edith Speer, Grady Hudspeth*, Jacob Hinton*, Kathy & Destiny Reed + current pregnancy*, (*by Skip), W.C. & Craig Blankenship, College students: Andrew Weaver, Jackie Schuld, Dan & Rachel Cain (internship / teaching degree), Shut-ins: Helen Matthews, Evelyn Pennington Military: Rodger Schuld, Those serving in other countries: Lupe Badillo-Mexico, Tracy Zhykhovich-Russia, Beder Ucañay-Peru, Pastors in Malawi & Mozambique, Lesly Bertrand and the Pastors in Haiti. Colleges / Churches: RRCC, ABC, Golden Rule, Grace Brethren and for the peace of Jerusalem, Ps. 122:6; Isa. 62:6, 7
November 2007
04 Agape Meeting / End daylight saving time
06 Home Bible Study / Home of Phil-Susan May
8-10 THRIVE Love/Learning Conference / North Hills Church
25 Hanging of the greens
Future dates: Dec 2, Secret Pal Social / Dec 9, Emerald Ridge Christmas program / Dec 16, Christmas Banquet / Dec 23, Christmas theme – specials / Jan 13 Gideon Speaker
SUNDAY SCHOOL: 9:45A.M.
WORSHIP 10:45A.M.
Musicians: (Sharon Cain and Frank Roper)
Welcome / Announcements
Worship Hymns / Mark Cain
71 I Sing the Mighty Power of God
243 “Give Me Thy Heart,” Says the Father
Prayer / Offering
Message: “The Touch of The Master’s Hand”
Key Texts: Lk 8:43-48; 5:12, 13; Jn 9:41; 6:25-27; Matt 20:29-34; 6:7; Lk 7:12-17
Communion: Pastor Cain
CD: “He Touched Me”
Who is more irrational? A man who believes in a God he doesn't see, or a man who is offended by a God he doesn't believe in.
Currently On Our Outdoor Sign
True Thanksgiving: First Give Thanks, Then Give
“Give Thanks In All Circumstances” (1 Thess. 5:18)
