Lake Land Church of Christ PO Box 634, Mattoon, IL 61938 Phone: 217.235.1645 Web Site: www.lakelandchurchofchrist.org Ti

1. We at the Lake Land Church of Christ are a non-denominational, independent congregation of the Lord’s people. We try our best to follow the New Testament design of governance and worship, which means we are an autonomous group whose allegiance lies with no one or any organization but Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, Who is King of kings and Lord of Lords. We belong to Him because we are clothed in Him at baptism (Galatians 3:27) and it is through His blood that the church was purchased (Galatians 3:13; 1 Peter 1:19), and the church is His alone (Matthew 16:18). We believe that in His infinite wisdom He has left the local congregation to be overseen by elders to watch over and guard the spiritual needs of the flock (1 Peter 5:1-2); deacons to assist the elders in seeing that its members are provided for (Acts 6; 1 Timothy 3); teachers to help the congregation grow spiritually and in wisdom (1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11) and a minister or evangelist to proclaim God’s word in season and out of season (Ephesians 4:11; 2 Timothy 4:2). If you are looking for a congregation that has no creed but only seeks to follow God’s word as it is written, but acknowledges our own human foibles and weaknesses, then you need look no further! We want you to be a part of our congregation! Welcome to the Lake Land Church of Christ August 18, 2013 Lake Land Church of Christ PO Box 634, Mattoon, IL 61938 Phone: 217.235.1645 Web Site: www.lakelandchurchofchrist.org Times of Meeting Sunday: Wednesday: 9:30 AM Bible Study 10:30 AM Assembly 6:00 PM Assembly 7:00 PM Bible Study

2. From the Preacher’s Desk Thoughts for the Day: “Work consists of whatever a body is obliged to do. Play consists of whatever a body is not obliged to do.” -- Mark Twain The Epistle of Jamesis a wonderful letter full of down-to-Earth wisdom with practical advice for Christian living. James tells us in verse 22 of Chapter 1 [NAS], Chapter 1 [NAS], “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.” This epistle from James so refutes the doctrine of “faith only” that it is laughable that any sane person would continue to teach such a false doctrine. In fact, the ONLY time the words “faith only” appear in Scripture come from the Epistle of James, and listen to what he has to say about it: “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only” (James 2:24). James, the Lord’s brother, cites Old Testament characters in Chapter 2 that illustrate these individuals were justified by their works of obedient faith, not merely from proclaiming a mental assent of belief. Whether it was Abraham or Rahab the harlot, James tells us these people acted upon their faith, and those works of obedient faith are what justified them before God. If we are unwilling or refuse to act obediently then our faith is absolutely meaningless. It is a dead faith. James sums up this section of his letter by stating, “For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead” (James 2:26 [NAS]). James points out in his rather whimsical manner the foolishness of those who do not act upon the word of God once they hear it. He writes, 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; 24 for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. (James 1:23-24 [NAS]) Just as it is a silly notion for a man to look at himself in a mirror and then turn away and forget what he looks like immediately afterwards, it is just as silly for a person to hear the word of God, say “I believe!”, and then not act upon that belief in obedient faith. It is nonsensical for anyone to teach or believe anything other than obedient works of faith are required by God if we are to stand justified in Christ before Him. As James puts it, “But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does” (James 1:25 [NAS]). May the Lord bless you and your family! ************************************************************ The will of God never takes you to where the grace of God will not protect you. ************************************************************ We don’t change the message, the message changes us. ************************************************************ You can tell how big a person is by what it takes to discourage him or her. ************************************************************ God will never ask us to do more for Him than what He was willing to do for us. ************************************************************ Church Bulletin Blunders: Let us join David and Lisa in the celebration of their wedding and bring their happiness to a conclusion.

3. Jasper Mangiaracina: Cancer and hospice care Bea Mangiaracina: Health and recovering from carpal tunnel surgery Joe Mangiaracina (Son of Jasper and Bea): Melanoma cancer Jeanette Henderson: Cancer Maxine VanMeter: Health Debbie Pugh (Kevin’s aunt): Liver cancer Larry Henderson (Wayne’s nephew): Lung cancer Keith Schwabe (Pat’s brother): Prostate cancer and blockage of heart Melissa Dawson (Butch’s sister): Health Forrest Ferguson: Cancer Jackie Ferguson: Myasthenia gravis Malena Brown: Leukemia Gavin Waterman (Great grandson of friend of Bev’s): Cancer Angie Pittman (Niece of Minnie and Mary Alice): Tumor on her brain Mitch Carter: Recovering from colon cancer surgery Mike Carter: Upcoming hip replacement surgery Brenda and Terry Grisamore (Friends of A.L. and Jeanie Carter): Poor health Janeth O’Dell: Double knee replacement surgery September 16th Faith to Obey Word Search A Y W F L G P G C Y Y F J R C V S B U A E N Q C J E B Y K D B L O P R I R E O D B L N J H S S K F S V T X R H O L F A W B P E S L V D H Y B W I R M A F C E T U A V H P O J B O E Y T L U O T J W C R E W E R S C B Z K T E C H R O O F R R F T C E R S J K A X Z N O T I Y D Q R U L V N W O R D V Y M C J E S E V J A I Y C O S E B B Z Q T S R D E C E I V E D R C B D Q A S A Q B R O A D M P T W A X Y G J E G F W D W D F Z P T S I R H C H I S Q R F W V E Prayer List “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” -- James 5:16 ************************************************************ This Morning’s Speaker: David Ferguson Sermon Title: Faith to Obey Sermon Highlights: Hearing is not obeying. James 1:22-24. The law of God is perfect. James 1:25; Psalm 19:7; John 8:31-32. Continue in the word. Ephesians 1:3; Matthew 7:13-14. Reading: James 1:22-25 This Evening’s Speaker: David Ferguson Sermon Title: The Perfect Law of Liberty Write the secret words in the space below! ON THE ROAD: **ATTENTION LADIES** Remember to plan on attending the upcoming Ladies Day here on Saturday, September 21st!!

4. Kids' Corner! This week’s memory verse: “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.” -- James 1:22 [NAS] Hey,kids!Drawapictureintheboxbelowbasedupontoday’ssermonand wewillpostitonthebulletinboard! Faith to Obey Help the lost find Jesus. ************************************************************ Remember Shults-Lewis: We are collecting school supplies of all types and cream of tomato soup and cream of any kind of soup. Fun Zone