1. 8:15 AM Service
Welcome
Song Leading
Nico Sugita
Opening Prayer
Jeffrey Howell
Scripture Reading
Mike Cagle
Sermon
Lord’s Supper/ Contribution
John Gallagher
Closing Prayer
Elder
10:30 AM Service
Welcome
Song Leading
Brandon Madaris
Opening Prayer
Craig Huffstutler
Scripture Reading
Steve Putnam
Sermon
Lord’s Supper / Contribution
Michael Dykes
Closing Prayer
Elder
5 PM Service
Song Leading
David Dangar
Opening Prayer
Bob Keith
Lord’s Supper/Contribution
Les Self
Closing Prayer
Elder
Deacons of the Month
Steve Putnam
Chuck Spitzley
Yoshi Sugita
September 17, 2023
CHURCH INFORMATION
5348 Old Springville Road
Pinson, AL 35126
205-833-1400
www.deerfootcoc.com
office@deerfootcoc.com
SERVICE TIMES
Sundays:
Worship 8:15 AM
Bible Class 9:30 AM
Worship 10:30 AM
Sunday Evening 5:00 PM
Wednesdays:
6:30 PM
SHEPHERDS
Michael Dykes Stan Mann
John Gallagher Skip McCurry
Rick Glass Darnell Self
Sol Godwin Phillip VanHorn
Merrill Mann Steve Wilkerson
DEACONS
Michael Cagle Steve Maynard
Ryan Cobb Mike McGill
Gary Cosby Mike Neal
David Gilmore Steve Putnam
Bobby Gunn Ken Shepherd
Craig Huffstutler Chuck Spitzley
Johnathan Johnson Yoshio Sugita
Chad Key Randy Wilson
Terry Malone
MINISTERS
Richard Harp
Jeffrey Howell
Johnathan Johnson
Alex Coggins
September 17, 2023
Sunday PM
Devo in Auditorium followed by:
September 17– Old Testament Bible Characters- in
auditorium
Disciple Making Parents– Adult Classroom 2
Kid’s Classes–Juniors- Bible Bowl in the
education building, Seniors- areawide
September 24– Old Testament Bible Characters- in
auditorium
Disciple Making Parents– Adult Classroom 2
Kid’s Classes– Good Samaritan/misc. workshops
in the education building
October 1- Singing Night– men in the auditorium, young
ladies in adult classroom 1
October 8– Old Testament Bible Characters- in
auditorium
Disciple Making Parents– Adult Classroom 2
Kid’s Classes– Bible Bowl in the education
building
Sunday AM Classes
• The Life of Christ taught by John Gallagher in the
• auditorium.
• The Life of Christ, a discussion class taught by
Michael Dykes in adult classroom 1.
• Young Professionals are studying 1st and 2nd
Thessalonians taught by a rotation of men from the
congregation in adult classroom 2.
Wednesday PM Classes
• The Ladies’ class will be studying Appointed: Rising
to Your Spiritual Potential by Kristy Huntsman in adult
classroom 1.
• First Century Churches will be the topic for the
auditorium. Classes will be taught by various men
from the congregation.
What was Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh?
“So to keep me from becoming conceited because of
the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was
given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass
me, to keep me from becoming conceited” (2 Corinthi-
ans 12:7).
This is the only passage where Paul explains that he has
a thorn in his flesh. There is a lot of speculation con-
cerning what that thorn may have been.
Maybe it was bad vision (Galatians 6:11) or some form
of sickness.
Paul tells the Christians in Galatia: “Brothers, I entreat
you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are.
You did me no wrong. You know it was because of a
bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first,
and though my condition was a trial to you, you did
not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel of
God, as Christ Jesus (Galatians 4:12–14).
The Greek word here for bodily ailment means “a state
of debilitating illness, sickness, disease”
It is the same word used for the man who had been an
invalid for 38 years in John 5:5.
This illness is mentioned to be in his “flesh” which is
also where Paul explains his thorn inhabited.
While there is no definitive answer to what Paul’s
“thorn” was, the fact that it was a thorn nonetheless
gives us great insight into Paul’s struggle and his focus.
Trying to pinpoint “what” it was causes us to miss the
point (pun intended) of “why” it was. This answer is
given clearly by Paul himself.
“…a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of
Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceit-
ed” (2 Corinthians 12:7b).
Paul was a “chosen instrument” of Jesus Himself (Acts
9:15). This could rush straight to one’s head, creating
pride. Yet in the same breath, Jesus said, “For I will
show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my
name” (Acts 9:16).
We must realize that thorns come in different shapes
and sizes. We all have them. Some may be deeper or
longer-lasting than others. Thorns are there to keep us
focused on our true purpose. Being uncomfortable might
just make us focus on Heaven. It might just cause us to
focus on the grace of God.
Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it
should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is suf-
ficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weak-
ness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my
weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon
me” (2 Corinthians 12:8–9)
A Note From the Harp

2. Prayers
Sue Adams Betty Aldridge
Vera Bonner Faye Bradford
Michael Burkowski Milton Chandler
Bobbie Clark Nancy Clemens
Edith Collett Judy Crawford
Audrey Gammage Marilyn Glass
Mike Godwin Kim Green
Dyer Honeycutt Randy Johnson
Bev Key Julie Kincaid
Nancy Locklear Dot Mitchell
Larry & Rita Morgan Ancel Norris
James Pepper Pam Rachal
Judy Roeder Doug Scruggs
Darnell Self Ashley Shepherd
Donna & Tim Shoemaker Joyce Taggart
Marilyn Torrice Johnny Tucker
Becky Tuggle Gayle Varner
Mary Wells Barbara Whisenhunt
Karen Whisenhunt Billy White
Maxine Wilson Don Young
Friends & Family
Jim Langston- relative of Cindy Birdyshaw
Cierra Mullican- granddaughter-in-law of Alan England
Jalea Riley- 3 yr old in Children’s Hospital
James Smith III- brother of Derek Smith
Pam Stringfellow- having multiple health issues
Robert Clark- former member in need of prayer
Vickie Hardin- sister of Rena Stamps
Darlene Calfee- friend of Janice VanHorn
Ron & Judy Mixon- Mike McGill’s family
Sadie Coffey- grandaughter of Bob and Linda Carter
Julia & Martin Lopez- cousins of Patricia Putnam
Debbie Dangar- daughter-in-law of Dial & David Dangar
Suzan- daughter of Kay Carver
Joann Cook– aunt of Terica Turner
Paula Malone– niece of Terry and Janet Malone
Phyllis Hallman– friend of Paul Windham
Ralph Banks– uncle of Horace Sanders
Peggy Hickerson– friend of Robin Spitzley
Katrina & Sarah Mitchell– friends of Derek Smith
McRoy family– new to the area and requesting prayers
Joseph Kelly– great nephew of Jean Tuggle McDonald
Parker Burgess– Cousin of Martha Lybrand
Doreen Hartzog– mother of Julie Kincaid
Shirley Mitchell– friend of Martha Lybrand
Bonnie Rasche– mother of Amy Gunn
Lori Brown– friend of Sherita Bitten
Tara Jessen– sister of Amy Gunn
Kim Bywaters– aunt of Dawn Taylor
Lucas Adkinson– grandson of Mark & Billie Adkinson
Betty Trull– sister of Sandra Singer
Gloria Smedley– neighbor of Sandra Singer
Jerrie Paschal– sister of Alan VanHorn
Hospital / Sick List
Kim Green- UAB Highlands
Dyer Honeycutt- recovering from knee
replacement
Julie Kincaid- facing back and neck surgery
David Lybrand- having mitral valve repair on
10/6
James Pepper- Fair Haven
Pam Rachal- undergoing treatments
Joyce Taggart- recovering at home
Mary Ann Wells- Grandview
Violet Whitman- East Glen Rm. 42
Attendance:
9-10-2023
AM 328 PM 149
Weekly Purpose:
$19,348.00
Contribution:
$24,542.95
Contribution YTD:
$781,054.00
Purpose YTD:
$715,876.00
Average Weekly YTD:
$21,109.00
Mission Sunday:
$126,510.00
Week 37
Bus Drivers
September 24- James Morris
October 1- Steve Maynard
Baptismal Garments for September
Elizabeth Cobb
Upcoming Events
October 14- Ladies’ Day
October 20- Prayer Session for Door Knocking Day
7pm
October 21- Annual Door Knocking Day 9am
October 21- Pumpkin Carving 5pm
October 28- Trunk or Treat 4-6pm
November 3-4- Men’s Retreat
Food Pantry
Please remember our food pantry. We are in need of all
food items especially soups and meats. We have several
families who use our food pantry regularly. Please help
to encourage these families through this ministry.
Thank You
What a joy it is being a part of this wonderful family of
God. Your prayers, visits, calls, the many beautiful cards
and delicious meals have been such an uplifting blessing
to us during my recovery. You have truly shown the love
of Christ to us. There are not enough words to say how
very much we appreciate all you have done.
We love you all.
Thank you so much,
Joyce & Jack Taggart
A Downward Renewal
Scripture Reading: Hebrews 9:24–28
1 Thessalonians ___:___ & ___:___
T__________ is E_____________:
1.F_____ T_________ W_____ are A____________.
a.B______________ of H____________
1 Thessalonians ___:___
b.B______________ of a R____________
1 Thessalonians ___:___
1 Thessalonians ___:___-___
c.Be___________ of N____ M____________
G_____________
1 Thessalonians ___:___-___:___ & ___
Hebrews ___:___-___
T__________ is N___ E_____________:
2.F______ T__________ W_____ S__________ on the
J_______
1 Thessalonians ___:___-___
Acts ___:___-___
T__________ is E_____________:
3.In C___________ for P_________,
P______________, and F_____________
1 Thessalonians ___:___-___
Youth News
September 17- Areawide at Decatur Hwy bus leaves at
4:29
September 22-23- DEEP Youth Conference
September 24- L2L Day
Ladies’ Day Meeting
There will be a meeting of all the ladies’ on the Ladies’
Day planning committee on Sunday, September 24th at
4:00pm in Adult Classroom 1.
Lads to Leaders
Mark your calendar for an all day Lads to Leaders day
on Sunday, September 24th. A schedule for the day will
be listed next week.