EASTSIDE CHURCH OF CHRIST

Volume 61 Issue 12/March 24, 2013

In matters of faith, unity. In matters of opinion, liberty. In all things, love.

The Quiet Act of Attention
Wendell Berry has written a poem that haunts me frequently. As a creative writer, the act of paying attention is both a spiritual and professional discipline. But far too often my aspirations for paying quality attention to everything dissolves into something more like attention deficit disorder. As it turns out, it is quite possible to see and not really see, to hear and not really hear. And this is all the more ironic when my very attempts to capture what I am seeing and hearing are the things that prevent me from truly being present. Berrys poem is about a man on holiday, who, trying to seize the sights and sounds of his vacation by video camera, manages to miss the entire thing. . . . he stood with his camera preserving his vacation even as he was having it so that after he had had it, he would still have it. It would be there. With a flick of a switch, there it would be. But he would not be in it. He would never be in it. I sometimes wonder if one of the most quoted sayings of Jesus is not often employed with a similar irony. Consider the lilies, Jesus said, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin. Yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field . . . will He not much more clothe you? Therefore, do not worry (Matthew 6:28-31). Typically, Jesus is quoted here as giving a helpful word against worry. And he is. But worry is not the only command he articulates here. Consider the lilies, He said. Many of us hear the first instruction peripherally, hurriedly, as mere set up for the final instruction of the saying. And in so doing, we miss something great, perhaps even something vital, both in the means and in the end. With our rationalistic sensibilities, we gloss over consideration of the lilies, ironically, in an attempt to consider the real work Jesus is describing. But what if considering the lilies is the work, the antidote to anxious, preoccupied lives? What if attending to beauty, to the ephemeral, to the fleeting details of a distracted world is a command Jesus wants us to take seriously in and of itself? It is with such a conviction that artist Makoto Fujimura not only paints, but elsewhere comments on Mary and her costly pouring of perfume on the feet of Jesus. The anger of Judas and the disgust of the others are all given in rational terms, the cacophony of their reactions (and likely ours) attempting to drown out her quiet act of attention: That bottle would have cost over a years wages . . . The poor could have used that money . . . This sinful woman clings to a holy mans feet . . . Does he not see who it is who touches him? Their responses to her and to her act of beauty expose their own inattention to a world beyond the one they seeto their own peril. As Fujimura writes, Pragmatism, legalism, and greed cannot comprehend the power of ephemeral beauty. The opposite of beauty is not ugliness; the opposite of beauty is legalism. Legalism is hard determinism that slowly strangles the soul. Legalism injures by giving pragmatic answers to our suffering. The corollary, of course, is that beauty can offer healing; that paying attention, even to fleeting glimpses of glory, is deeply restorative. When Jesus asks the world quite counterculturally to consider the lilies, to consider beauty in the midst of all the ashes around us, his request is full of promise, for He is both the Source of beauty and its Subject. Paying attention to the ephemeral, being willing like Mary to risk and to recognize beauty, is in and of itself restorative because it is paying attention to Himto Christone easily dismissed, having no form or majesty that we should look at Him, nothing in His appearance that we should desire Him, one rationally rejected, having been struck down, afflicted, led like a lamb to slaughter. Here, both the anxiety-addicted and the attention-overloaded can find solace in a different sort of kingdom: one in which there is room for the paradox of a fleeting world with eternity in its soul and in its soil, for death at a Roman cross to somehow be horrifically beautiful. But perhaps Jesus also instructs the world to consider the lilies because it is characteristic of Gods concern for the world. The daily liturgy of lilies comes with unceasing care and attention for all who will see it, the gift of a God who revels in the creation of yet another flower, the details of another sunset, the discovery of even one lost soul. Consider the lilies; how they grow. They neither toil, nor spin. by Jill Carattini, managing editor of A Slice of Infinity at Ravi Zacharias International Ministries in Atlanta, Georgia.

Our Purpose:

Our Mission:

To Glorify God in Every develop completely Aspect of Our Lives committed followers
Calendar of Events
Weekly Worship and Bible Study
Please see schedule on back page of this Bulletin

Each Thursday at 11 a.m. Senior Seekers meeting Second Monday of each month at 11 a.m. Area mens meeting at the Southside building First and Third Tuesdays at 10 a.m. Ladies Class Each Sunday at 4:00 p.m. Coys Genesis class

Travis Ray was baptized into Christ last Saturday, March 16, 2013, at Eastside by Elam Fisher of Rockville, Indiana. Welcome into the body of Christ at Eastside, Travis! Traviss address is 1503 Chestnut Street, Terre Haute, IN 47807. His phone number is 843-408-8668. Tomi Padgett says they are looking forward to returning to Terre Haute. They are planning on beginning a search for a residence in Terre Haute soon.

Announcements
A fellowship lunch will be served in the fellowship hall today after services. Please plan to stay and make new friends! Bobbie Petersen is now undergoing chemo and radiation for colon cancer. Bobbie is the mother of Loren Petersen, who perished in the apartment fire with Coy and Shirley Siddalls daughter Lacy. She would appreciate cards and prayers. Her address is 313 Timberwood Drive, Bethalto, IL 62010 Camp Wabashi Work Day is scheduled for April 6, 2013, starting at 9 a.m. Lunch will be served. Please come out and help us get ready for another great year at Camp Wabashi! Hear ye, Hear ye! A new group called Wednesday Workout, led by Rusty Jordan, has been formed to meet each Wednesday before services from 5:45-6:45 p.m. in the fellowship hall. Everyone is welcome! A good time is guaranteed! Check with Rusty for full details. Frank Jones has placed on the welcome center a list of prayer requests from inmates of the Vigo County Jail. Donald Shake was baptized into Christ by Donnie Townsend on March 09, 2013, in the Wabash river. Welcome into the body of Christ at Eastside, Donald!

Creation
The visible mark of extraordinary wisdom and power appear so plainly in all the works of creation. John Locke History is a vision of Gods creation on the move. Arnold Toynbee The created world is but a small parenthesis in eternity. Sir Thomas Browne Each species is a masterpiece, a creation assembled with extreme care and genius. Edward O. Wilson The whole difference between construction and creation is exactly this: a thing constructed can only be loved after it is constructed; but a thing created is loved before it exists. Charles Dickens

The Youth Corner

Upcoming Events

Mar. 28 -7 p.m., devotional at Hal Strahms Annex Mar. 29 -7-9 p.m., girls devotional at the Waldbeisers house April 12, Pacers game with Harding April 12-14, Renovate at Bloomington (more details on the bulletin board)

Prayers and Praise for Physical and Spiritual Healing & Help

Sunday a.m. Servers for March 24

Deacon in Charge Welcome Greeters Usher Song Leader Opening Prayer Lords Table Scripture Reader Scripture Reading Prayer Requests Communion Prep Shepherds Prayer Deacon in Charge Welcome Greeters Usher Song Leader Opening Prayer Lords Table Scripture Reader Scripture Reading Prayer Requests Communion Prep Shepherds Prayer Phil Cornwell John Harvester Jane & Leonie Paul Wasson John Harvester Ray Nightingale Rusty Jordan Mark Aaron Luke 22:47-53 Doreen & Janie Tom & Kelly Jeff Griggs Phil Cornwell John Harvester Jane & Leonie Paul Wasson Josh Rampey Randy Stott Frank Jones Mike Waldbeiser NA Glenda & Johnna Travis & Emily Bill Turner

Prayer List David Poucher, Wayne Padgetts uncle, for success in overcoming difficulties after surgery. Phil and Kim Bridges, for the return of their son Zach to home and family and friends. T. R. Higbee, for success of coming surgeries. Lavon Garrison, friend of Grace Unverferth, for recovery from heart and lung problems. Family of Margaret Grile, mother of Isaac Wonderlin's friend, for strength and comfort at Margaret's passing. Frank, Fred Winston's ex-brother-in-law, for recovery from recent open heart surgery. Chris Dust, for success in finding a job after putting in multiple job applications. Nikki Reed and three children, friends of Chris Dust, for success in finding household furnishings. Also, pray that they may be able to attend worship at Eastside. Jennie, Taylor and Todd Henry, for strength, wisdom, and love to enable them to keep their relationship together and stronger in Christ. Ruth Chapman, for relief from severe back pain and numbness. Praise and Thanks Kim Bridges tests show her problem to be noncancerous. April Birthdays
6 Travis Turpen 9 Tammy Hicks 11 Barbara Forsythe 14 William Edwards 15 Norma Shaw 19 Rodney Reel 21 Rebecca Caruso 26 Hilde McHenry 29 Grace Puller 30 Jo TeVault

Sunday a.m. Servers for March 31

Those in Hospitals / Rehab / Senior Living

Royal Oaks, 3500 Maple Ave., Terre Haute, IN 47804 Mary Cox Sycamore Manor, 222 S. 25th Street, Terre Haute, IN 47803 Charity Kehoe, Apartment 232 Mary Plascak, Apartment 431 Westridge Healthcare, 125 West Margaret Dr., Terre Haute, IN 47802 Edith Austin, Room 102 Continuing prayer for: Paul Akers! Shirley Shelton! Wilma Stark ! R. L. Baker! Randy Stott ! Helen Piety! ! ! ! ! ! ! Casey Chaney Edith Austin Charity Kehoe John & Norma Frump Nina Strahm Mary Plascak

Those Who Are Homebound

Carolyn Payne Clarence Vanatti

Eastside Church of Christ

4025 College Avenue Terre Haute, Indiana 47803
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Loose change in todays collection will go to the Shults-Lewis Childrens Home.

Members and Guests: Please ll out a yellow attendance card and place it in the collection plate.
Senior Minister Elders
Jerry Goff Jeff Griggs Bill Turner Tom Woodason
Coy Siddall Youth Minister Rusty Jordan Office Fax Coy (cell) Rusty (cell)

Telephones
812-235-9322 812-235-8460 812-841-7219 812-251-8443

Administrative Assistant
Hal Strahm Publicity B & G inside, purchasing College Class Shine Time Education Treasurer Education Curriculum B & G outside

Deacons
Eric Austin Gordon Bryan! Phil Cornwell Frank Jones Wayne Padgett Randy Stott Ed Warner Bob Williams

ASSEMBLIES
SUNDAY Bible Study 9:30 a.m. Worship 10:30 a.m. Evening Worship 5:30 p.m. WEDNESDAY Bible Classes at 7:00 PM

Church Email
eastsidechurchterrehaute@gmail.com

Coys email coysiddall@gmail.com Rustys email rustysmail@gmail.com

Church Address
4025 College Avenue Terre Haute, IN 47803

Church Website
www.eastsideterrehaute.com

Elders & Ministers available for prayer before & after Bible study

Classes
Adult Bible Study Adult Bible Study College Class Ladies Class Mens Class Young Adults Mid & High School Coy Siddall Auditorium Danny Turpen Fellowship Hall Phil Cornwell Room 1 Glenda J. & Kelly W. Room 9 Gordy Bryan Library John Harvester Rusty Jordan Room 10 Teen Room

Message
March 24, 2013
Sunday Morning Worship 10:30 a.m. Coy Siddall The Darkest Hour Sunday Evening Small Groups

Vital Statistics
March 17, 2013 Bible Study Worship, Adult Worship, Shine Time Worship, Total Sunday Evening Offering Weekly Budget Wednesday Evening Senior Seekers 137 180 30 210 NA $8,818 $2,286 66 43

Pre-School & Elementary Educational Wing Attended Nursery--ages 6 to 36 months, during worship Mar. 24, 2013: Glenda & Tracy Mar. 31, 2013: Anndea & Jo Childrens Bible Hour Shine Time a. m. 3 years old through 5th grade

A reminder: Prayer requests will be published in the Bulletin for two weeks. Please resubmit requests if you wish the listing to continue for an additional two-week period. Prayer will continue as long as there is need. Call the church ofce (812) 235-9322 or E-mail eastsideprayer@gmail.com