This week we have been praying, planning, and preparing!  Next week we have at least three great opportunities for service, fellowship, and spiritual growth.   On Sunday night immediately following our evening service, Cindi and I will host our monthly Single/Single-Again Get-Together.  Please make plans to come to our house at 1337 Raintree Drive, Columbia for a wonderful time of fellowship together.  This get-together is specifically designed for those who are  single (college age and up) and single-again.   On Tuesday we will host the monthly midlands Men’s and Preachers’ Meeting at 10:00 a.m. in the fellowship hall.  This month Brad Fry, minister at Long Creek, will be presenting a program in the minister’s private world of motivation, use of time, wisdom and knowledge, spiritual strength, and restoration.  Following our meeting we always enjoy a “dutch-treat” lunch  together.  This month we will be going to Cracker Barrel on Bush River Road.   On Saturday, September 22nd, we will host our annual Ladies’ Day with a special program       designed to encourage every Christian woman to grow and mature in her faith.  This is a “ladies           only” event!  Last year we had almost 200 ladies in attendance.  Maybe we can have many more         this year.  Extend your personal invitation to your family, friends, and neighbors.  Mail a personal   invitation to your grandmother, mother, sisters, cousins, those you work with, and everyone you         know and love.  E-mail every lady in your address file to extend to them your personal  invitation.         A personal invitation is powerful!    Men, Our ladies have asked us to provide lunch for our sisters  and guests.  Please go by the   Bulletin Board in the lobby and sign up to help.  The last time I looked the sign-up sheet still had        several lines that needed names.  Even if you can only help for a short time on Saturday, your help       is needed and is greatly appreciated.   You are invited to a special study on Wednesday nights in the main auditorium, for a study       entitled  “The  Deep  Things  of God” (1 Corinthians 2:6-10).  We will consider the following topics      straight from God’s word, the Bible.                        Does God Exist?                               Satan                       The 2nd Coming of Christ                Death and Dying                       The Holy Spirit                                   Beyond this life: The Resurrection                       Angels                                                 The Three Heavens                              The Body, Soul, and Spirit                 The Book of Life   Just as Paul had prayed, it is my prayer that we will be encouraged and challenged in our faith to come to “comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and              height – to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the             fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:18-19) .   On Sunday morning we will continue in our series entitled “Walking in the Footprints of                Jesus” with a lesson on baptism.  Baptism is a step every person must take in order to receive                the blessings of faith, forgiveness, and family.  I hope you will be here for this very special lesson.   On Sunday evening we will conclude our series of lessons, “Four Steps to Effective Living.”           We have discussed Step 1 – Knowing who I am is essential to living an effective life.  We have              looked at Step 2 – Knowing how to make good choices is also essential to effective living.  Last          Sunday evening we considered   Step 3 – Knowing where I am going is so very important to           effective living.  This Sunday we will look at Step 4 and the question:  How can I know the way?            May God bless us as we live the Christian life wherever we are every day!