"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)
NEW Mail address: PO Box 450610, Laredo, Texas 78045-0014
New television schedule below
'We will do fine in 2009' -- by fixing our thoughts (Heb. 3:1) and our eyes (Heb. 12:2) on Jesus.
Updated: June 30, 2009 - Newsletter, WHICH SOIL ARE YOU?
WHICH SOIL ARE YOU? That was the question we posed Sunday as we talked about Jesus’ parable of the sower in Luke 8. (It’s also in Matthew and Mark.) We know the story, how that Jesus talked about seed being sown, some falling on the hard ground path, some on rocks, some in the thorny ground, and some in the good ground. Jesus tells us that the seed is the Word of God; he is talking about the different hearts that hear this word. The thing I liked about the story of Luke is in the set up. There is Jesus, the Twelve, and a number of women travelling along. Jesus comes to a place that looks good for doing some seed sowing. I can imagine that he looks off in the distance and sees people coming to hear what he has to say. People were coming from every direction, streaming in to hear. In that setting, Jesus does some explaining to the ones who are with him already. He tells the parable to describe the people who are coming. What he is going to say will be received differently. He must be hoping that many will be like the good soil, but he knows some are coming just for curiosity. Here is the point: What he said then is the same as today. If it were true then it is true also today. While it would be wonderful if everyone who heard about Jesus and the salvation through him would receive it totally and then preserver to grow in it, it is not going to happen. Even today, some people’s heart is like the hard path. The seed cannot reach in. And some are like rocks – about the same difference. Indeed, we got a lot of thorns out there too, which is the devil who seeks to trample and choke out with enticements every good word we hear. Our encouragement is to be like the good ground. That does not mean all is going to be easy, though. It is going to take perseverance, just like in the parable. But if we will hear it, work it and seek strength, our crop will grow and we will be worthy of harvest come harvest time. There is a lot of good in that story for us to think about. Which soil are you, today? Where you spend eternity might depend upon 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 Old Testament books, led by Roger Valadez.
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
We are fortunate in Laredo to have a religious access television cable channel on which
we can bring programs. Northside has been involved and using this manner of taking the
gospel to this community since 1997. We continue it for the benefit of Christ and
the Church. Chuck Owen, minister for Northside, serves as an officer to the
organization responsible for providing all the programming.
"The Way, the Truth, and the Life," a study to help us know the direction we should take in our lives.
SCHEDULE (TIMES PM):
WEDNESDAY - 12:30 TO 2 AND 5:30 TO 6
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)
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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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SPECIAL HISTORY PROJECT
Chuck Owen has been working for several months on a history of the Church of Christ in Laredo. People who were here 50 and 60 years
ago have joined in to provide and collaborate in this project, especially the period up up to 1980. Also, we have made connection with people
who know the Spanish language history in missions, which may have had some impact on Laredo or Los Dos Laredos.
Hopefully, we will soon have more to say about a publication of Laredo Church of Christ history, the first of its kind. It has been a fun project.
BTW, best we can find, the origination for the Church of Christ in Laredo was 1937.
If you are reading this and have something to contribute, please contact Chuck Owen at chxowen@stx.rr.com .
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A STATEMENT RECOMMENDED FOR ALL WHO WISH TO CONVERT OTHERS
Jesus came to earth as God’s son to save mankind from sin. For that, he died on the cross. But God resurrected him from death’s
hold and took him to his right hand in heaven. He will come back to claim his own. You can be ready by accepting Christ
in faith, and you can be a child of God. Do you believe in Jesus and that he died for your sins? Are you ready
to accept him as Lord and Savior; repent of past sins; and be baptized into his name? You too can be a child of God.
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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 Him.
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
Perhaps you have never attended a service of the Churches of Christ. If that is the case, we would like to tell you something about
what you will experience in our service.
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 us all as we serve Him.
Call Chuck Owen @ 956-206-3651 or Roger Valadez @ 956-334-1231 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:
"God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though
the earth give way
and the mountains fall in the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their
surging." (Psalm 46:1-3)
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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.
