PRAISE!!!

WoooHOOO!!!

After being off work for a week and a half, I'm back to the land of the living.
Strep throat is NOT for "old people".  It hurts. It knocks you down.
AND...  add in bronchitis too. UGH!
I'm back at work today and thankful to be feeling better!
Please wash your hands. Please cover your mouth when you cough/sneeze.
Most importantly... STAY HOME if you are sick!

Sarah Smith Funeral Services...

Sarah Nell Clem Smith 92, of Paris, died at 11:35 PM, Monday, January 28, 2019 at Paris Regional Medical Center.  Funeral services are set for 11:00 AM, Friday, February 1, 2019 in the chapel of Fry & Gibbs Funeral Home with Dr. John H. Cannon officiating.  Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM until service time on Friday at the funeral home.  Fry & Gibbs Funeral Home has charge of the arrangements.

Sarah Nell was born October 11, 1926 in the Jennings Community of Lamar County to Robert Claude and Nola Maude Greenlee Clem.  She graduated from high school and Paris Junior College.  She married Alvin Zack Smith on October 2, 1959 at the Lamar Avenue Church of Christ.  He died in July of 1974.  She was a secretary for the Texas Highway Department in the Paris office.  Mrs. Smith was a member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees, the hospital auxiliary, and the Texas Public Employees Association.  She was a longtime and faithful member of Lamar Avenue Church of Christ.

Sarah loved to travel with the Young At Heart group from Lamar Avenue Church of Christ and play Chicken Foot with a group of ladies from the church.

Survivors include a sister, Margaret Preston; her sister-in-law, Marjorie Clem; nieces, Cathey Weaks and husband, Gary, Lynn Rosas and husband, Alex, Jan Preston, Kay Forbes and husband, Harris, and Barbara Reeves; and her nephew, Norman Clem. 

Pallbearers will be Jay Spencer, Richard Peace, Kyle Jones, Keith Bollman, Lewis Anderson, and Wayne Kerby.

Our Sympathy...

Our sweet sister, Sarah C. Smith, passed away late last night. Arrangements are pending with Fry-Gibbs Funeral Home. Service details will be posted as they are known.

Prayer Request 1/28

Laura Cannon sent this message:
I would appreciate your prayers for my dad, David Kelly. He is scheduled to have a cardiac ablation on Wednesday.  He's just recovered from a prostate surgery but they didn't get all of the cancer so he will need radiation when he has recovered from his ablation.  Then at some point he may need a pacemaker.  I'm thankful that God has already blessed him with a good attitude and a strong faith! 
Thank you for your prayers!

Prayer Requests 1/27

Jennifer Blount asked that we pray for 2 families in need of prayers:

• The family of Landon Moore.   He is the young man who passed away this weekend. We  attendeded church with them, in the past, and they live in our community.
• Also, Billy Thomas.  I work with his wife, Anecia and she has said to please add him to the prayer list. He is having health problems and has very little kidney function. They have said he may require a transplant.  

Prayer Request 1/23

Derald Bulls sent this message: Please add my longtime friend and PJC co-worker, Randall Cox to the prayer list. He had back surgery and is now having issues with his leg and food. Randall is a wonderful Christian man and plays/played in several Christian groups thru the years. Many thanks!

Congratulations!!!!

Congratulations to the cast and crew of Stone Middle School’s One Act Play Charlotte’s Web! They won FIRST PLACE at Middle School UIL One Act Contest!!
Rebecca Murillo is their teacher/director!

Thank You!

(Myparistexas.com posted this article today. Below is excerpts from the article regarding LACOC member Tim Keele.)

LCSO Deputy Roper Hill and DPS Trooper Tim Keele have been honored for their quick-thinking actions last week.

They saved a man and two boys from a vehicle overturned in a muddy creek bed. Deputy Roper Hill and Trooper Tim Keele didn’t think twice about jumping into the creek when they came upon the wreck on January 8th. “We knew ahead of time there were children trapped in the vehicle,” said Hill. “The vehicle was overturned in a creek bed in a tree line and you could only see about an inch of the headlight faced down towards the ground.”  Together, they were able to get the family out of the vehicle with no serious injuries. “You don’t think twice about it in situations like that,” said Hill. “You just do what you need to do. When we pulled those kids out, one of them kept saying over and over ‘I love you, I love you’ and it was a good feeling.” 

"It could have been a lot worse but having Trooper Keele there to help, who didn’t hesitate for one second, I was very grateful for.” 

Sheriff Scott Cass said “Our county is blessed to have the dedicated professionals that work hard to make sure that folks are safe and helped in the time of need,” said Cass. “I want to commend Deputy Roper Hill and Trooper Tim Keele for their quick action during a major accident that both agencies responded to.”

Our Sympathy...

Former member, Phyllis Giguere, age 66, of Sulphur Springs, Texas, formerly of Paris, Texas, will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Thursday, January 17, 2019 at Murray-Orwosky Funeral Chapel, in Sulphur Springs, Texas.  Interment will follow at  Restlawn Memorial Park following the services with  Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.
Phyllis earned her heavenly wings and dancing shoes, on Tuesday, January 15, 2019 at 5:00 a.m. surrounded by her love of her children, grandchildren and friends. 
She is survived by two children; Barbara Cherry Usry and husband, Charles Usry, and David Cherry; two grandchildren, Taylor Usry and Caiden Usry, all of Sulphur Springs, Tex.  

Our Sympathy...

This message is from former member, Sandy Keith. "Roy's sister Mary Jarnagin passed away last Friday in Magnolia Arkansas. If you like, you can read Mary’s obituary you can go to: www.lewisfuneralhome.biz  She was truly beloved and loved everyone in return. She has left a huge hole in our family and hearts."

Weekly Update - 1/13

Thank you Randy for our message from Colossians 1:10-12... "Live a Laudable Life".
He also announced that Buddy Bell, from the Landmark Church in Montgomery, Alabama, will be joining us the weekend of Feb. 23-24 to talk about Life Groups.

WELCOME:  Carter Lytle has been worshipping with us, since last summer. He asked to be identified with LACOC today. 

PRAYER REQUESTS:

• PRAISE:  Haiti Mission Team made it back safely.
• Naomi Bassett - Health
• Vicki Humphrey - Cancer. Doctors have said they've done all they can. She'll be going to Dallas to meet with cancer specialists to start a clinical trial.
• Connelle Peace will have cataract surgery tomorrow. Hopefully this will correct the problem with her eyes and she won't have to have shots in her eyes every 6 months. 
• Doris Moore - Lung issues.
• Joel McGee - Received good results from thyroid surgery.
• Carl Haggard - Surgery found that he has bladder cancer and will have his bladder removed.
• Donna McGee - Cancer.  She's begun the blocker treatments.  
• Hugh and Jean Anthony  - Health
• Cynthia Norris - Health
• Jackie Helm - Cancer
• Vicki Humphrey - Cancer
• Dorothy Pearce - Health
• Peggy Dotson - Health
• Peggy Wright - Colonial Lodge
• Roy Jones - Heritage House
• Kristi Anthony - Physical and mental health. 
• Phyllis Giguere, has been placed on hospice, in Sulphur Springs. (She's a former member.)
• Taylor and Rene Mayes had a miscarriage this past week. (Greg and Kristen May's son and daughter in law.)
• Kay McMillian. She recently found out she has cancer and it is in the lymph nodes. They will do a PET scan on the 15th. (Friend of Leslie Keele.)
• Randy Daw minister at Creekside CoC in Greenville, had brain tumor surgery. His dad passed away this week also.
• Cindy Housley - Health (She's a friend of mine from Frisco.)
• Kanyon Philips - Health (Jay and Gay Spencer's grandson)
• Billy Icenhower - Besides all the other health issues he has, he now has a blood clots in lung and one in his leg. He continues to be in M.D. Anderson/Houston (Ken and Shelia's son). He's continuing chemo and dialysis and hopefully will have surgery in March.
• Paul McClain - Is at home and continues rehab at Baylor.
• Holt Price  - Cancer. Three year old son of former member Alden Bowers Price.
• The Vanderpools - in Haiti
• Prayers for our college students as they start back to school this week.
• Prayers for our military.
• Prayers for our first responders.

Clint Spencer came back from Haiti with a request from Laurie Vanderpool. They are in need of 85 soccer balls for the Haitian children. Clint asked that those who can donate $10 towards this cause.
If you weren't able to donate today, you may take your donation to the church office this week or Clint will be at the Welcome Center on Wednesday evening.
There's another mission group headed to Haiti this next week. They will get the balls  delivered. 

 RAINBOW ROOM ITEMS:  Jeans ALL sizes (school age) and soft fleece blankets

PANTRY NEEDS:  Mac-n-cheese and Chunky Soup

SIMPLE SUPPER:  This weeks' entrée is Chicken Taco Soup.

KEEP THE DATE:
Jan 13:  CDR Summer Registration
Jan 14:  Monday Night Movie "The Shack"
Jan 18-20:  Winterfest Youth Weekend - Jr. High and High School
Jan 28:  Young @ Heart - bring a dish to share and games to play.
Feb 10:  Faithful Readers
Feb 22-23:  Ladies Retreat
Feb 23-24: Buddy Bell at LACOC to speak.
Mar 18-22:  Spring Break
Mar 29-31:  Jr. High Retreat at CDR

Love you - MEAN IT!

Church is hard...

Church is hard.

Church is hard for the person walking through the doors, afraid of judgement.

Church is hard for the pastor’s family, under the microscope of an entire body.

Church is hard for the prodigal soul returning home, broken and battered by the world.

Church is hard for the girl who looks like she has it all together, but doesn’t.

Church is hard for the couple who fought the entire ride to service.

Church is hard for the single mom, surrounded by couples holding hands, and seemingly perfect families.

Church is hard for the widow and widower with no invitation to lunch after service.

Church is hard for the deacon with an estranged child.

Church is hard for the person singing worship songs, overwhelmed by the weight of the lyrics.

Church is hard for the man insecure in his role as a leader.

Church is hard for the wife who longs to be led by a righteous man.

Church is hard for the nursery volunteer who desperately longs for a baby to love.

Church is hard for the single woman and single man, praying God brings them a mate.

Church is hard for the teenage girl, wearing a scarlet letter, ashamed of her mistakes.

Church is hard for the sinners.

Church is hard for me.

It’s hard because on the outside it all looks shiny and perfect. Sunday best in behavior and dress.

However, underneath those layers, you find a body of imperfect people, carnal souls, selfish motives.

But, here is the beauty of church—

Church isn’t a building, mentality, or expectation.

Church is a body.

Church is a group of sinners, saved by grace, living in fellowship as saints.

Church is a body of believers bound as brothers and sisters by an eternal love.

Church is a holy ground where sinners stand as equals before the Throne of Grace.

Church is a refuge for broken hearts and a training ground for mighty warriors.

Church is a converging of confrontation and invitation. Where sin is confronted and hearts are invited to seek restoration.

Church is a lesson in faith and trust.

Church is a bearer of burdens and a giver of hope.

Church is a family. A family coming together, setting aside differences, forgetting past mistakes, rejoicing in the smallest of victories.

Church, the body, and the circle of sinners-turned-saints, is where He resides, and if we ask, He is faithful to come.

So even on the hard days at church—

The days when I am at odds with a friend, When I’ve fought with my husband because we’re late once again. When I’ve walked in bearing burdens heavier than my heart can handle, yet masking the pain with a smile on my face. When I’ve worn a scarlet letter, under the microscope. When I’ve longed for a baby to hold, or fought tears as the lyrics were sung. When I’ve walked back in, afraid and broken, after walking away.

I’ll remember, He has never failed to meet me there.
Church is a body, a family, a place to love God and love others through our struggles!
I love MY church!!

Update on Phyllis Giguere - 1/10

Debra Usry sent this message: Phyllis was moved to Sulphur Springs Health and Rehab. Her daughter Barbie said that "the hospice nurse was just here and only God knows the time frame ... but probably within the next 24 to 48 hrs she will be able to dance again. I didn’t even think she would make it from the hospital to the Rehab center."
Barbie wants me there so I am going to pack and leave as soon as I can.

Prayer Request - 1/10

Leslie Keele asked that we pray for Kay McMillian. She recently found out she has cancer and it is in the lymph nodes. They will do a PET scan on the 15th.

Update on Phyllis Giguere 1/9

Debra Usry sent this update on Phyllis Giguere by Barbie her daughter “Wanted to give you an update on mom. She is off the vent and doing ok on the oxygen. But, she is still going into afib, has cirrhosis of the liver, and pneumonia and a lung disease. Unfortunately. We are talking hospice 😭😭 the doctor said with hospice we could possibly have 6 months to a year. “

Thank you all!!!

Update on Billy Icenhower - 1/8

Billy has done well with the forty eight hour chemo drip. As always thank you for your prayers.
(This update from Mom, Shelia.)

Weekly Update - 1/6

Thank you Randy for your message this morning "Happy New Year 2019"  a new year brings a time of reflection and resolution.
He also asked us to CLAIM a verse as our own; study it, memorize it, live it!!!

Our Sympathy is extended to the family of John Figgins.  He passed away last Sunday.  His services were held yesterday at LACOC.

PRAYER REQUESTS:

• Please keep the Haiti mission team in your prayers this week.
• Naomi Bassett - She had a fall last week. But in true Naomi style... she's doing just fine!
• Joel McGee - Had surgery on his thyroid this week. They removed a portion of it. He is doing well.
• Carl Haggard - Will have surgery on Thursday to have a mass removed.
• Derald Bulls - Pneumonia
• Judy Clark - Bronchitis and Type B flu.
• Kim Hanley - Health
• Lilla Buchanan - Health
• Claude Jones - Health
• Donna McGee began the blocker treatment this past week.  She's ok and at home resting.
• Hugh and Jean Anthony  - Health
• Cynthia Norris - Health
• Pete Taylor - Health
• Webber Woodall - Health
• Carol Murphy - Health
• Jackie Helm - Cancer
• Vicki Humphrey - Cancer
• Dorothy Pearce - Health
• Peggy Dotson - Health
• Peggy Wright - Colonial Lodge
• Roy Jones - Heritage House
• Kristi Anthony - Physical and mental health. 
• Mac Fulbright - Dealing with cancer issues. (Friend of Derald Bulls.)
• Randy Daw minister at Creekside CoC in Greenville, had brain tumor surgery this past week and is doing well. 
• Cindy Housley - Health (She's a friend of mine from Frisco.)
• Kanyon Philips - Health (Jay and Gay Spencer's grandson)
• Billy Icenhower - He got a port for chemo this past week and will start a drip for forty eight hours, in the evening after dialysis. If all goes as planned they will do this every two weeks for 6 months.  At this time he has the dialysis catheter, biliary drain, abdomen drain and now the chemo port.  Continues to be in M.D. Anderson/Houston (Ken and Shelia's son)
• Paul McClain - Is at home and continues rehab at Baylor.
• Holt Price  - Cancer (son of former member Alden Bowers Price.)
• The Vanderpools - in Haiti
• Prayers for our teachers and students as they start back to school this week.
• Prayers for our military.
• Prayers for our first responders.

RAINBOW ROOM ITEMS:  Jeans ALL sizes (school age) and soft fleece blankets

PANTRY NEEDS:  Cereal and Spaghetti Sauce

SIMPLE SUPPER:  This weeks' entrée is Chicken Strips.

KEEP THE DATE:
Jan 5-11:  Haiti Mission Trip
Jan 8:  Men's Breakfast
Jan 13:  CDR Summer Registration
Jan 9:  Ladies Bible Class resumes.
Jan 14:  Monday Night Movie "The Shack"
Jan 18-20:  Winterfest Youth Weekend - Jr. High and High School
Jan 28:  Young @ Heart - bring a dish to share and games to play.
Feb 22-23:  Ladies Retreat
Mar 29-31:  Jr. High Retreat at CDR

Love you - MEAN IT!

Always SING!!!

Pray...

Haiti Mission Team

Update on Billy Icenhower - 1/3

Update on Billy Icenhower:  Billy is getting a port for chemo today and will start a drip for forty eight hours tomorrow evening after dialysis. If all goes as planned they will do this every two weeks for 6 months. 
At this time he has the dialysis catheter, biliary drain, abdomen drain and now the chemo port. 
Prayers are always wanted and appreciated.

Wednesday Evening Classes

Happy New Year 1/1/19

Prayer Request 1/1

Derald Bulls asked that we add his high school classmate to the prayer list, Mac Fulbright, dealing with cancer issues.