Category: Article

by Justin Morton

Good morning and welcome to the Walter Hill church of Christ.  We are so grateful that you have chosen to be here with us for worship this morning.  Whether you are a guest or a member of our family here, you could have chosen to be anywhere else this morning but you made the choice to be here with us to worship and praise our heavenly Father.  And we are thankful for that. If you have questions about anything, please let one of our shepherds or ministers know, and we would be happy to try to assist you.

This afternoon we have the Analog Faith In Digital Babylon Workshop beginning at 2:30 P.M.  Jason Helton, the Media Outreach Minister at the Madison church of Christ in Madison, AL. will be here with us.  Jason has been in full-time ministry since 2007 and began working as the Media Outreach Minister in 2017.  This workshop is designed to help church leaders, parents, grandparents and young people navigate the Digital Age by sharing information and resources that will encourage and strengthen our faith while equipping us to effectively use technology to glorify God.  Each session will run about 45 minutes.  There is a handout in the lobby with more information about each session.  Here are the times and topics for this afternoon:

            2:30PM – The {Perceived} Generation Gap

            3:20PM – Analog Consequences to Digital Choices

            4:05PM – Break and Snacks

            4:30PM – A Christian View of Artificial Intelligence

            5:30PM – Intimacy & Technology (teen and adult Bible class session only)

                             Bible classes for 6^th grade and under will meet as normal

            Next Sunday afternoon, October 25^th, we will be having our annual Fall Fellowship.  Bible classes will begin at 4:30PM (note the time change).  We plan to begin dinner at 5:30PM.  Then there will be time for the kids to change, and we plan to have our Trunk or Treat around 6:30PM.  Sign-up sheets are on the board in the EDW hallway for food and the cornhole tournament.  This is always a fun evening for our members of all ages, so we hope you will make plans to join us for this special time together as a church family.

            It is hard to believe that we are already into the third weekend of October.  This year has certainly flown by.  As the cooler temperatures of fall settle in and the holiday season approaches, let’s make sure we continue to feed and grow our faith.  Plan to be a part of the Lord’s body every Sunday.  Come and study with us in our Bible classes on Sunday and Wednesday nights.  Take advantage of opportunities to fellowship with church family.  As our days and weeks get busier, let’s be sure we are staying faithfully connected. 

God Never Retires His People

This week while on vacation in Hilton Head, South Carolina, we attended Wednesday Bible class at the Hilton Head Church.  They recently started a series on members who are beyond retirement age.  We are blessed in the Walter Hill congregation to have so many members beyond retirement age who are still so dedicated to serving Christ and His church.  We never retire from serving Jesus.  The Bible never mentions retiring from serving the Lord.  Psalm 92:12-15 says “The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.  Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God.  They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing, To declare that the Lord is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.”

The most influential years of Moses’ life were after he was 80 years old.  This shows the later years in life can be our most influential.  We have wisdom and life experiences to share with others who are younger to guide them in service to God.  We can look back and see how God has carried us through the struggles of life and know He is going to be with us in everything we may endure.  John 21:18 tells us, we may lose our independence but losing independence doesn’t mean we lose our usefulness.  There are still so many ways we can be involved in the Church to be an encouragement to others.  It is such an inspiration to see those of you that struggle with health issues still make it a point to be at worship services.  Whether you realize it or not, those who are younger see your dedication to the Lord. 

We are also blessed to have so many young people who are so eager to serve in the Lord’s church at Walter Hill.  Your dedication and service are just as important.  In 1 Timothy 4:12 Paul tells Timothy, “Let no one despise your youth, be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith in purity.”  It is encouraging to see our young people lead our worship services.  Those that are younger, reach out to those who are older and let them know how much you appreciate them as you observe their faithfulness in the Walter Hill church.  Those who are older reach out to those who are younger and encourage them to continue to grow and remain faithful all their lives.  Let’s all work to strengthen, encourage and love each other as we worship and work together to keep Walter Hill a light that shines bright for God. 

Lads to Leaders/Leaderettes (L2L) is a leadership program geared to train the youth in leadership in the church.  Leadership through the program is developed in four different areas: (1) leadership through spreading the gospel, evangelism and teaching, (2) leadership through leading worship, (3) leadership through fellowship and relationships, and (4) leadership through knowledge.  All these leadership skills are vital for continual growth in the church.  Each of these leadership skills can be used in the church, in the family and in the business world.  The world needs more Christian leaders!  Strengthening and sharpening these leadership skills give our youth encouragement and confidence in themselves to lead and even stand up for the teachings of Christ at times when standing up for Christ is not popular.

L2L offers a wide variety of areas that the youth can continue to develop their leadership skills; including art, Bible bowl, Bible reading, blogging, debate, podcasting, PowerPoint presentations, puppets, scrapbook, song leading, songs of praise, speech and many more.  What’s great about the L2L program is that it is for those in kindergarten through high school!  This is a great opportunity for all youth, kindergarten through the seniors in high school, to be involved and work together for a common purpose.

The L2L program prepares for a convention held at the Opryland Hotel March 25-28, 2027, but L2L is more than the convention.  The growth comes through practices and preparation.  You do not have to attend the convention to participate in the L2L program.

The program also gives adults an opportunity to serve and build strong relationships with the youth that they would not have otherwise.  As our church continues to grow, we need more adult mentors and coaches.  A mentor and coach assist our youth with planning, preparation, goal setting, time management, etc.  A mentor and coach can be in any stage in life; from college age to the PrimeTimers!

Another great aspect of L2L is the opportunity for our young ladies to continue to grow their leadership skills.  We continue to need more mentors and coaches for our young ladies to continue to grow in the Lord.  We want to thank those that have already agreed to coach and mentor this year but we are in need of many more.

The theme this year is “No other God” based on the scripture 1 Kings 8:60.  Bible bowl is on 1 Kings.  Sign-ups begin today!  We encourage our youth to sign up to participate and strengthen leadership skills covering at least two of the four leadership areas.  Use the QR code to sign up.

  Sign-ups include signing up for events, adults signing up to help and signing up to reserve a room at the Opryland Hotel.

If you have any questions, see Scott or Heather Miller or Chris or Mandy Harrington.

by Justin Morton

            For the last couple of weeks, we have been asked to consider and pray about appointing seven men as deacons here at Walter Hill.  These men are: Timmy Gambill, Chris Harrington, Tanner Jones, Andrew Lykins, Michael McNabb, Will Mitchell, and Eric Qualls.  This morning we will appoint these men to this important work.  We are thankful for their willingness to serve and ask you to continue keeping them and their families in your prayers as they begin serving in their respective role.

            Our new quarter of Bible classes is underway.  If you have not been able to attend the last couple of weeks, why not make plans to join us tonight?  There is a handout in the lobby with a list of all the classes being offered on Sunday and Wednesday nights.  Take a look, find a class that sounds interesting, and make plans to attend.  I know you will be blessed by whichever study you choose.

            Speaking of opportunities to be together, our Halftimers group will have a chance to enjoy some time together this evening following Bible classes in the new fellowship hall.  We will be having a taco bar, so if you have not already signed up, please take a look at the EDW board to see what is still needed.  Also, be sure to mark your calendar for Saturday, October 17.  The McNabb family will be hosting a watch party for the Tennessee and Alabama game here at the pavilion for the Halftimers.  More information will be provided as we get closer to the date.

            Finally, we have two opportunities for our young people to participate in Bible Bowl.  The Rutherford County Bible Bowl and this year’s Lads 2 Leaders Bible Bowl will both be studying 1 Kings.  If your child would like to participate in one or both of these Bible bowls, please see Miranda or me today so we can provide the study material and schedule.  You do not have to participate in the L2L Bible Bowl to participate in the Rutherford County Bible Bowl.

            On Sunday, October 18, we will host the Analog Faith in Digital Babylon Workshop.  Jason Helton, the media outreach minister for the Madison church of Christ in Madison, AL, will be with us.  This workshop is designed to help church leaders, parents, and local congregations navigate the digital age while guarding against the dangers that exist online.  Be sure to invite any family and friends who would benefit from this important workshop.

            As always, we have much to be thankful for here at Walter Hill.  We are blessed with opportunities to worship, study, serve, and spend time together as a family.  Let’s use those opportunities to encourage one another as we serve the Lord.

The Work of a Deacon
When we hear the word deacon, we should think of one simple idea: a servant. The word translated
“deacon” comes from a word meaning one who serves or ministers to others. A deacon is not simply a man
with a title. He is a man who has been entrusted with a work.
In 1 Timothy 3:8–13, Paul gives qualifications for deacons. These qualifications show us that God ex
pects deacons to be men of good character, faithful in their homes, sincere in their faith, and dependable in
their service.
The work of a deacon is different from the work of an elder. Elders are charged with overseeing and
shepherding the congregation (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2). Deacons serve under that leadership by taking re
sponsibility for particular areas of work that need attention.
That work may involve caring for the church building, helping with benevolence, organizing transpor
tation, assisting with worship needs, working with youth activities, caring for widows, managing special pro
jects, or countless other responsibilities. The particular assignment may differ, but the attitude should always
be the same: “How can I serve?”
A good deacon does not wait to be recognized. He sees a need and works to meet it. He communicates
with the elders, involves other members, follows through on responsibilities, and helps the congregation ac
complish more for the Lord.
Jesus taught that greatness in His kingdom is found in service: “Whoever would be great among you
must be your servant” (Matthew 20:26).
A faithful deacon is therefore much more than someone who attends meetings or carries a title. He is a
dependable servant who helps turn the plans of the congregation into action.
Every congregation needs men who are willing to roll up their sleeves and say, “There is work to do.
How can I help?”

WHEN: Sunday, October 18^th

WHERE: Walter Hill Church of Christ

WHO: Anyone who is interested in learning more to help yourself or your young people navigate the digital age.                 

TIME: 2:30PM-6:15PM

SCHEDULE AND SESSION TOPICS: More information about each session can be found on the tables in the foyer and EDW.

1)  The (Perceived) Generation Gap | 2:30PM

2)  Analog Consequences to Digital Choices | 3:20PM

           Light Refreshments | 4:00PM – please sign up to bring snacks and drinks for everyone to enjoy.

3)  A Christian’s View of Artificial Intelligence| 4:30PM

4)  Intimacy & Technology | 5:30PM

Meet Our Speaker: Jason Helton is the Media Outreach Minister for the Madison Church of Christ in Madison, AL. He has been in full-time ministry since 2007. In 2017, after 10 years in Youth Ministry, he transitioned into his current role as Media Outreach Minister. Jason has a B.A. in Youth & Family Ministry from Faulkner University and an M.A. in Online Ministry from Regent University.

by Chris Elrod

What makes Jesus special?  This may be one of the most loaded questions ever.  Scripture says so much about the identity of Jesus!  There’s Jesus the man, Jesus the Son of God, the Son of Man, the great High Priest, the Lamb of God, and we could go on and on.  Each of these things speak to what makes Jesus so special!  Many of them are intertwined and are dependent on one another.

It’s important to understand who Jesus is because we need to understand who we serve.  In understanding Jesus’ identity, we understand not only what makes Jesus special, but find motivation to serve Him faithfully, and we are moved to worship.  Jesus is incredibly special and knowing Him leads us to living a life that will bless others.

In Matthew 1:21 Jesus hasn’t even been born yet, but His mission is known.  He’s going to save His people from their sins.  Jesus’ purpose on earth was clear— He was to be the one His people needed to save them from their sins.  He didn’t come to solve world hunger, to ease the political landscape, or to simply show people how to be happy.  He came to save them from the bigger problem: sin.

His mission stays clear throughout His life!  He says in Luke 19:10 that He “came to seek and to save the lost.”  As He talks more and more about His mission, it becomes clear He was aware of how His mission would be accomplished.  In Matthew 20:28 He explains His time on Earth isn’t about being served but about serving others and giving “His life as a ransom for many.”  In Matthew 26:26-29 Jesus institutes the Lord’s Supper, after giving thanks for the fruit of the vine, He says, in verse 28, “for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”  Jesus knew He was going to bleed and die in order to complete His mission.  This doesn’t deter Him though.  Sure, He wished there was another way (Matthew 26:39), but what He wanted more was to do the will of His Father.  He wanted to save us!

There’s a lot that makes Jesus special, but at the top of the list sits this reality.  Jesus is our Hero!  He is the one who comes and saves us from our sins!  When we were helpless and could do nothing to save ourselves, Jesus appeared and went to the cross dying in our place, so we could be saved.  Jesus is our Hero!

by Justin Morton

This past week, my family and I were blessed to be in Sevierville for the annual Polishing the Pulpit (PTP) conference.  Each August, thousands of Christians gather there for Bible classes, worship, study, and fellowship.  It is one of my family’s favorite weeks of the year.  Our family is thankful for PTP and for the encouragement it provides to members of the Lord’s body.  If you have never attended, I hope you will have the opportunity to do so in the future.  If you have any questions about this event, Miranda or I would be glad to share more about it with you.

Writing to the Christians in Rome, the apostle Paul said, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17).  Our faith is strengthened as we receive the Word of God.  As disciples of Jesus, we should be eager to hear what He has revealed in His Word and intentional about placing ourselves where His Word is taught.  We are blessed with many opportunities to listen to Bible classes, sermons, podcasts, Gospel meetings, and events like PTP at almost any point in the day.  What a blessed privilege we have, one that many others do not have.

One of the continuing blessings of PTP is the availability of the audio and video recordings after the event.  All of the recordings are available on all podcast platforms for free, which provides a great way to listen on the go or to share God’s Word with your friends and neighbors.  In the coming weeks, many of the sessions will be uploaded to the Polishing the Pulpit 365 website.  This valuable resource is available to us at Walter Hill through the generosity of our elders.  If you would like video access, please reach out to Janice, and she can point you in the right direction.  These lessons offer hours of helpful teaching to encourage us in our understanding of God’s Word.

Friends, we are very blessed to live in a time when the Word of God is so readily available.  May we seek every opportunity to hear it, learn from it, and obey it, trusting that God will use His Word to strengthen our faith and bless our lives.  This week, why not commit to spending a little more time in His Word?  You will not regret that decision!

by Justin Morton

Last Sunday was a memorable day for our Walter Hill family.  Together with friends and family from years past, we celebrated the completion of our building expansion.  A good number of former members joined us, and we were blessed to have 424 people present for worship.  How awesome is that?  After our Bible classes we shared a wonderful time of fellowship and enjoyed plenty of delicious food together.  All in all, our homecoming was a joyous occasion many of us will remember for years to come.

As wonderful as last week’s homecoming was, it gives us only a small glimpse of the greater homecoming that awaits.  How grand it will be to gather with brothers and sisters from every nation, tribe, people and tongue, most of whom we have never met in this life, and yet all of us will be united together by the blood of Christ.  On that great day, any distance, language or background that separates us will be gone, and God’s redeemed people will worship together around His throne.  What a beautiful reminder that the family of God is far larger than any one congregation, and that one day the faithful from across the world will share together in the joy of heaven.  What a homecoming that will be!

The promise of that eternal gathering gives us comfort and hope as we travel along this road of life.  What makes that homecoming even better than the one we just experienced is that, unlike the gatherings we enjoy here on earth, that great homecoming in heaven will never come to an end (I Thessalonians 4:17; I Peter 1:3-4).

Our homecoming together last week ended after only a few short hours together.  We eventually had to say goodbye to friends and former members who have moved away.  Now we are left looking forward to the next time we may see them.  But thanks be to God, the gathering that awaits us in heaven will be different.  It will not be limited by time, distance or even goodbyes.  It will be a far greater homecoming than the one we just experienced…one that will never end.  How magnificent that day will be!

Homecoming is a time when family and friends gather, memories are shared, and we give thanks for the blessings God has given through the years.  Some of us have been blessed with being able to worship together for many, many years, while others may be joining us for the very first time, and still others may have been away from us worshipping elsewhere.  Whatever your circumstance, we are excited you are here and appreciate you being with us today!

Homecoming also reminds us of the parable of the prodigal son found in Luke 15:11-32.  Here Jesus reassures us that it is never too late to come home.  The invitation is always open and other verses in Luke 15 tells us of the joy in heaven when those that are lost are found.

Days such as this also remind us that this world is not our permanent home.  What awaits us is a far greater Homecoming.  For those who faithfully follow Christ, there awaits a day when we will gather in the presence of God our Creator forever!  There will be no sorrow, pain, separation, or death—only eternal joy in the presence of God.  What a glorious day that will be when the redeemed from every generation are finally together in our heavenly home!

As we celebrate today, we are also thankful for the completion of our auditorium renovation, along with the additional fellowship and classroom space.  These improvements will provide wonderful opportunities for worship, Bible study, fellowship, and special occasions for years to come.  We look forward to how these facilities can serve our congregation and our community.

At the same time, we must always remember that the church is never defined by bricks, steel, or sprinkler systems.  The church is people.  It is the family of God, redeemed by the blood of Christ and committed to serving Him together.  Buildings are valuable only because they help us fulfill the mission Christ has given us.  They are tools that enable us to teach the truth, encourage one another, serve our neighbors, and reach those who have not yet come to know the gospel of Jesus Christ.

May we enjoy this Homecoming with grateful hearts, celebrate the blessings God has given us, and renew our commitment to use every opportunity—and every resource He provides—to glorify Him until the day we experience our eternal Homecoming with our Father in heaven.