GOOD MORNING WEST OAKS FAMILY

A small congregation met in the Spurling family's grist mill on the banks of Barney Creek in Monroe County, Tennessee. The leader, Rev. Spurling, concluded his sermon and invited those gathered on Thursday, August 19, 1886, to sit "together as the Church of God." 8 of his hearers responded and together they established a congregation they named "Christian Union."

While those who responded to Spurling's call in 1886 might not have imagined the tremendous growth of Church of God ministries, they knew that their actions were significant. Growth of the church offered new possibilities and new challenges. The success of their labors led to a need for a general meeting "to consider questions of importance and to search the Bible for additional light and knowledge." Founders recognized the Old Testament gatherings of Israel and the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15 as scriptural examples of such a meeting. The first General Assembly of the "Churches of East Tennessee, North Georgia, and Western North Carolina" met January 26-27, 1906. Twenty-one people braved the winter weather to gather in the home of Melissa and J.C. Murphy in North Carolina (see the photo of the first General Assembly.(They prayed, studied the Scriptures, and sought answers to their questions. The delegates viewed themselves as restoring New Testament Christianity rather than perpetuating a "man-made" denomination.

This General Assembly continues and this year it was held in Indianapolis, Indiana. Several wonderful sermons and amazing songs were heard by special guests, including The Bill Gaither singers, Angie Primm, Rev. Tim Hill, and Rev. Ramirez. Attendees from over 192 countries were present and celebrated.

PRAYER REQUESTS

Priscilla Laughlin, Sharilyn Boynkin, Donna Scott, Grayson Cordor, Junie Wilson. Pray for our Pastor Tommy, our pastor's wife Teresa, and our school West Oaks Academy.

DID YOU KNOW?

• --Today Linnette Gayle has invited the entire church family to join her in thanking God for caring for her for 85 years (July 13th). If you can, please stay with us after church to join her sister and daughters in celebrating life. What a gift of love to invite us all to her party!
• --Angie Primm sang at our General Assembly this year. She is one of the premier voices of our time. Her musical history spans genres, continents,and audiences. She has commanded the attention of mega-stars from Aretha Franklin Brooks and Dunn to Southern Gospel music legends, Dolly Parton, and the late Vestal Goodman. Watch and listen to her sing with Lynda Randle by going to this site:
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sb1Op5Wo8k0
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Wise Quotes to Live By from Billy Graham

• When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost, all is lost.
• The greatest legacy one can pass on to one's children & grandchildren is not money or material things accumulated in one's life, but rather a legacy of character & faith.
• God has given us two hands, one to receive with and the other to give with.
• Tears shed for self are tears of weakness, but tears shed for others are a sign of strength.
• Being a Christian is more than just an instantaneous conversion; it is like a daily process whereby you grow to be more and more like Christ.
• "Nothing can bring a real sense of security into the home except true love."
• "When granted many years of life, growing old in age is natural, but growing old with grace is a choice."
• "Racial prejudice, anti-Semitism, or hatred of anyone with different beliefs has no place in the human mind or heart."
• I think it is a sin to look at another person as inferior to yourself because of race or because of ethnic background, and I think the greatest thing to do is to pray that God will give you love for them, and I do."