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On the night of His betrayal Jesus told the apostles, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (Jn. 13:34-35). This was not a suggestion from the Lord to the apostles. He was not just expressing a good idea. Nor was He simply giving some good advice. He characterized this instruction as a “commandment.”
Last Sunday was a momentous day for the Sunny Slope church of Christ. Five men- Travis Horton, North Witcher, Mark Grimes, Dwayne Kennedy and Gary Hutchens- were appointed as the first elders in the history of the congregation.
Just how important is it to be at services when the church meets? The beginning of a new year is an especially good time to consider this question. As Christians, we need to always be examining ourselves to make sure that our lives reflect true faithfulness (2 Cor. 13:5). But many people are reflecting on their lives more seriously right now than they normally would do.
This is the first Sunday of another new year. This is the thirty-eighth bulletin article that I have written marking the beginning of a new year, thirteen of them with this congregation. I have had the privilege of writing four articles marking the beginning of new decades and the most unique experience of writing one that marked a three fold new beginning: a new year, a new decade and a new millennium.
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September 2022
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