"All the churches of Christ send greetings." (Paul to the saints in Rome, Rom. 16:16-NIV)
1705 E. HILLSIDE #5
(Click on image to enlarge)
Mail address: 115 W.Village Blvd. Laredo, Texas 78041
Updated: Nov. 17, 2008, Newsletter -- Article and newsletter link below LET'S BE REAL IN OUR PREACHING; Oct. 13: Thoughtquestions on Luke 7 - 15.
LET'S BE REAL IN OUR PREACHING
There is a great lesson in Jesus’ talk about the praying habits of the hypocrites (prayed to be seen of men) and babbling pagans (Matt. 6). For this story, it is that Christianity is not as much show as it is in the doing of it. I think we might too much give the impression of how good we have it, and in our preaching we don’t talk enough of the reality. While that might be the desire often times we come up short. It does my heart good to hear people speak of the reality, and it is good to hear it from our pulpits from time to time. Too often we only speak rules. Our brother Chad Porter brought our lesson Sunday. Celebrating his 30th birthday, he shared some of what he had learned in that time, mostly in the time since he has been a Christian, some eight years. The really good part for me was his admitting that he has not always succeeded, personally, in his Christian walk. Perhaps in thinking of that I may have missed the more important parts of his lesson, because I got to thinking how some of our people, particularly our youth, needed to hear from a professional (Chad is the university baseball coach) how things can go wrong but how one then can and should pick up the pieces and go forward in the Lord. As I listened, I thought, a man less than half my age was probably doing a better job at conveying truth than I do a lot of the time (I tend to do a lot of rule preaching), and how I do so want to reach the ones who are going to encounter the world in a way that maybe I never had to do. Things are that bad now, or so I think. Still, as Chad pointed out, the goal is still there, and it is possible to achieve it through Jesus Christ, who is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. We do need to be real in our preaching. We need to teach the goals, and we need to talk of pitfalls, which includes talking some about our humanness. We need to acknowledge before those who hear that we don’t always succeed on our own. Was it Paul who mentioned that he had to buffet his body daily lest after preaching to others he himself might be a castaway? I think it might do us good to let our people know that even the best, as they or we might perceive it, sometimes come up short. Knowing that enables them to be able to come back when it happens to them. I thank Chad for expressing that in his time at the pulpit. We needed it.
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LINK TO NEWSLETTER AND TOPIC DISCUSSION AT LINK BELOW
LINK BELOW TO BIBLE THOUGHT QUESTIONS - IMPROVE YOUR BIBLE STUDY
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CONTACT INFORMATION
Chuck Owen, minister
Phone (956) 206-3651.
E-mail chxowen@stx.rr.com
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CHURCH MEETING TIMES WITH NOTES
Sunday Bible Study, 10:30 a.m., currently, a study of Luke's gospel, led by Chuck Owen.
Worship, 11:30 a.m., with fellowship meal afterward.
THURSDAY BIBLE STUDY at 7 p.m. -- Topical studies, led by Chuck Owen and Roger Valadez.
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NORTHSIDE OUTREACH TEACHING PROGRAM
--TV PROGRAM, CABLE CHANNEL 2-- with Chuck Owen and Roger Valadez
"The Way, the Truth, and the Life," a study to help us know the direction we should take in our lives.
SCHEDULE (TIMES PM):
FRIDAY - 2:30 TO 3 AND 7:30 TO 8
SATURDAY - 1 TO 1:30 AND 6 TO 6:30
Also, programs sponsored by Laredo's Arkansas Ave. Church of Christ
TUESDAY - 1:30 TO 2 AND 6:30 TO 7 (ENG)
WEDNESDAY - 2 TO 2:30 AND 7 TO 7:30 (SPAN)
YAHOO BIBLE DISCUSSION GROUP BY EMAIL.
Good exchanges on a variety of Bible topics, designed to engage minds and promote spiritual growth.
If you are interested in this kind of study, email chxowen@stx.rr.com
We want participation and not just reading.
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------IMPORTANT MARKS FOR NORTHSIDE CHURCH OF CHRIST-------
Sept. 1, 1996, began meeting at Majesty on Hillside, for the primary purpose of expanding the cause of Christ in North Laredo.
We came from the Arkansas Avenue Church of Christ in Laredo, having worshipped and worked there for six years.
1999, moved to meet at the motel Fiesta on San Bernardo
May 14, 2000, moved to 1705 E. Hillside (current location), subleasing a one room facility
October 2001, rented more space at 1705 E. Hillside, including a small auditorium, two classroom spaces, and a childrens' classroom
Sept. 1, 2007, Northside took the roadside (Hillside) space for its auditorium, providing more visibility,
a roadside sign, and increasing auditorium space, including separate class/fellowship room.
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DIRECTIONS
Northside's meeting space is easily located. About 3.4 miles east of IH-35, 1.7 miles east of McPherson, on Hillside. We are the second
building on the right after passing Bartlett (4-way stop). Our sign is on the front of the building; parking is on eastside of the building.
Hillside, an east-west artery, originates just south of Mall Del Norte at IH-35 and runs east to the Laredo airport.
TRUCKERS WELCOME!
From McPherson, follow Laredo truck route (Gale) east at bowling alley from McPherson to Hillside.
Turn right on Hillside. 1705 E. Hillside is one block west of truck route intersection with Hillside.
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READ WEEKLY MESSAGE AND NEWSLETTER -- "WEEKLY GOOD THOUGHTS" LINK BELOW
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The following description is made so that people who are looking, particularly for a church home at which to
work and worship in Laredo, Texas, might better understand who we are at Northside Church of Christ.
It is NOT intended as a comprehensive statement of our collective or individual beliefs and practices.
It is a best effort by Chuck Owen, minister and webmaster, to give description as to who we are. OUR BELIEF
We believe that God's instructions for us are revealed through His word, which is contained within the Bible. The Bible
tells us how to be His children, how we are supposed to live and worship Him. We agree to "no creed
but the Bible," with the caveat that what we practice and believe has come down, in many ways, through those
who have gone before; where we agree, we affirm -- what they did and preached is what we should do and
preach. Still, we search the Scriptures and seek agreement on what we understand the Bible reveals on any particular subject.
When a subject is not covered, we rely on the general biblical direction and love for each, which includes a respect for each
other's opinions. We believe the Bible teaches that we are an autonomous group, that we are not directed or led by any group
outside the local congregation.
The members at Northside Church of Christ believe that on the local level they are part of the church Jesus said he would establish
(Matthew 16:18). Since it is His church, we call ourselves church of Christ. We are that church to the extent that we follow biblical
commands and examples related to that church, which we believe is under the headship of Christ.
We believe that God through His Grace adds to the church those
who are being saved through Jesus Christ our Lord,
as indicated in Acts 2:47. We understand that the process of getting into the church, and into Christ,is revealed
in such passages as John 3:16; Mark 16:15,16; Matthew 28:19,20; Acts 2:38; Rom. 6:3,4; Col. 1:12; and Gal. 3:26-28.
Into the church and into Christ through belief, faith, repentance, confession and baptism is only a start, if we continue to live.
We are expected to be faithful servants of His.
As Christians our spiritual work includes being good citizens in the community in which we live,spreading the word about Jesus,
loving God and loving people. In loving one another and others we demonstrate to people that we are Jesus' disciples.
We meet each first day of the week and celebrate the
Memorial Supper that Jesus instituted (Matthew 26:26-28), doing so in His memory.
We believe that anyone who considers himself or herself as a follower of Christ should participate in this Communion as Jesus said "In Memory of Me."
In our worship, we also honor the Father and the Son, sing a capella -- without the accompaniment of an instrument,
pray, study God's direction to us, usually in the form of a sermon delivered by one of the men, and give of our material means
in support of the work as God has prospered us.
As Christians, we have fellowship together, particularly in a meal together following our worship,
encourage each other and answer to each other's needs, and look at how we may serve others.
We believe there is no better calling than to respond
to the call of Jesus to follow Him and be loving to
our fellow man, looking toward eternal life (John 14:1-4).
WHAT YOU WILL EXPERIENCE
First, we will want you will feel welcomed. You will be our honored guest. You will find a small group of people who enjoy being with each
other, who are seeking to learn, worship, and praise the Lord. Compared to some, you will recognize ours is a rather simple service time.
We begin our Sunday with an adult Bible Class for those who wish to participate. Using some
biblical text, we present and discuss, each taking a part as he or she feels moved to do so.
Next is our worship service, where we sing, pray, have a sermon, and participate in the Lords Supper. During sermon time, one of the
ladies takes the younger children to a special class, where they experience Bible learning on their level. The men of the church
alternate in leadership of our singing, sermons, prayers, and presentation of the Lord's Supper. Our singing is a capella and
congregational. Each attendee is provided a hymnal from which to participate. In our Lord's Supper, each leader takes it upon
himself as to the way the Supper is presented, usually including a presentation about the meaning of the Lord's Supper. While the
Supper is for followers of Christ, we make no judgment on who can and who cannot partake. The service is simple, and is directed so
that each person in attendance will have the fullest feeling of worship and participation. Usually, we will offer an invitation,
sometimes accompanied by a song, inviting anyone who wishes baptism, prayers, or to make any kind of statement appropriate to
the assembly. Traditionally, at the end of the service, we'll usually stand and hold hands and sing in unison "Bind Us Together,"
a tradition we have kept since our beginning in 1996.
After our worship service, we have a meal together for those who wish to stay. Members usually bring "pot luck," and it always turns
out to be the best restaurant in town, we like to say. Some have other obligations and do not stay, but those who do stay enjoy
the time of fellowship, and of learning more about each other.
Our class begins at 10:30 A.M. and we usually end up our meal and cleanup by 2 P.M.
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MOVING TO LAREDO OR LOOKING FOR A HOME CHURCH?
Come join us. We think you will appreciate, as we do, a free spirit in Christ, exhibited by this fellowship.
Because of our understanding of Bible teaching, our vision includes having a strong church on the north side of Laredo, to serve as a
base center of hope and Christian activity in the community
of Laredo. If you are moving to Laredo, or if you are in Laredo and
are interested in making a valuable, spiritually satisfying contribution, JOIN US. Join with us in our excitement in showing
Christ in us to the community.
Our prayer is that God will be with all as we serve Him.
Call for more information.
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WANT A BIBLE STUDY? WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE CHURCH OF CHRIST?
Call or email for one-on-one study (Acts 17:11).
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QUOTE FOR THOUGHT:
"Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of thouse will you build for me? says the Lord." Steven before he was stoned,
indicating that God does not live in houses made by men. (Acts 7:48, 49) Point: God lives in our hearts not in the houses we build for him.
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MORE INFORMATION AND HELP: Check our links at the end of this page.
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Thanks to NETSCORP (www.netscorp.net) in Laredo, Internet service provider, for graciously hosting our church web page.
