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October 29th, 2000 Short By Stuff Dave Shaner It was great to see all of you respond so generously with our special contribution last week. We were behind for the year and simply needed to have some help in order to meet our obligations and to be able to continue some of the plans. A total of over $9,200 was collected! A special thanks goes to each one who contributed. Many of you had already contributed over $3,000 towards the new carpet and tiling. Several have also pitched in to help financially with the new drain field and septic system. All of those are now paid off, so that other matters can take a priority once again. We are so blessed to be able to have a facility to meet our needs. It is also able to be used by the Coeur d'Alene Christian School, and other events as well. Remember that the building is simply a tool to help us advance the cause of Christ. It needs to be properly taken care of and used wisely. Any facility that is going to get used is going to show wear and tear. I am thankful that this building is used so much for good causes and shows such. Still, however, all of us need to exercise care so that it can continue to be used for many years to come. Each of us needs to remember that the church is about people not buildings. I do not know that the 1st century church ever owned any property per se although the local members opened up their private homes. That is because God is more interested in your soul than anything else. He is concerned about your welfare right now, but it does little good to be rich in this world's goods and poor in spiritual goods. Let's also be sure to spend our time in reaching the lost with the gospel of Christ, maturing the saints, and knitting the body of Christ together into a close family. Your financial support of it is important in helping the church to reach its goals that God has placed before us. Continue to grow in every area. Paul worded it like this, "But just as you excel in everything -in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us -see that you also excel in this grace of giving." - II Corinthians 8:7. Have
a Great Week!!
Missions Day Workshop November 19-21 With November 19-21 being our missions seminar, we have been highlighting several of our missionaries. In addition to some stateside support, we are currently helping to financially support Dave & Becky Reeves in Togo, Africa, Jerry & Pam Sizemore in Siberia, Russia and Ralph & Anna Crump in Nigeria, Africa. The current potential for Christian growth in Africa is phenomenal. In fact, it has grown so fast that the Christian Chronicle has recently reported that Africa has replaced North America and Europe as the center of Christianity. There is still a lot of paganism, and Islam has also been making inroads, but people are searching for the Lord in increasing numbers. The fields are indeed white for harvest. With the number of new converts to Christianity, there is a great need for training of new local preachers and other members to stabilize the new churches. Ralph and Anna were/are members of the Dalton Gardens congregation. They have been involved at some level with this work for a number of years. They were invited by the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Theological Studies (NIATS) to work with them in maturing their faith. They had been retired, with Ralph having been a Christian counselor and Anna having been a nurse. It is exciting for those who have reached retirement years to launch out into a new area to share their faith. Both of them are very capable teachers of God's Word. They moved to Nigeria in July and their work is already underway having adjusted quite nicely. They report that it is very hot and humid in their area. Many of their supplies have yet to reach them, but hope that they will be there soon. The following is a partial report of their work. "Ralph has filled many hats as an expatriate missionary here. He has functioned as preacher, architect, builder, organizer, supervisor, teacher, counselor, board member for NIATS, seminar speaker, and many more. It has been many years since there has been a missionary here. Therefore, everyone wants to meet, greet and hear the new missionary." The following things have been accomplished: 1. A library was built and is now in use as a classroom and meeting place. It has been furnished with 18 bookcases, chairs and a conference table. 2. They have been able to secure student desks for the classrooms. 3. Ralph has already preached in 16 different congregations traveling over many 'bush' roads. Ralph reports that he preached his first funeral for a man who was a former idol worshiper but became a Christian last Nov. (His stated age was 127 years. 4. Ralph has also spoken at Nigerian Christian Institute in Uyo-- Secondary and Preacher Training School. 5. Both Ralph and Anna have attended and addressed the audiences of combined congregations at 4 different welcome receptions. 6. Ralph has interviewed approximately 20 preachers to learn of the needs of congregations and cultures of the area. 7. Ralph is also teaching Ancient Church History, Hermeneutics, and possibly counseling (if our container with materials arrives.) The container contains all of their personal items, books, lesson plans, WBS lessons, video lessons and tracts. Please pray that the problems can be resolved soon and the container on its way. 8. A vehicle was purchased to use in the Bible School work. Anna has also been working at the hospital. The Matron of Nursing is retiring at the end of the month. She has agreed to assist someone in that position but doesn't want the job on her own. She reports, "The Ibo people are a very family oriented culture. Many have 6-8 children. They are clanish and live mostly in small villages either in cement block houses with tin roofs (if one can afford it) or in mud houses with thatched roofs. Most of the people are bilingual and speak English (albeit not always the way Americans do) so we do communicate with one another. We have been invited to speak at the 3rd WBS Seminar in Imo State on Oct. 27. Ralph will be speaking on The Kingdom and the Church. Anna will speak on Woman's Role in the Church. They also report that last week one their watchmen died. The cause of death was unknown for autopsies are seldom done. He had worked the night before and no one knew of any illness. Thankfully he was a Christian.We hope that the mission workshop will be very successful and we appreciate all that good you are able to accomplish for so many. God bless you all. Please keep us in your prayers."
Address Correction: David & Becky Reeves
The magi project: Interested in making a child's Christmas dream come true? This Sunday is the last day to turn in your gifts for the Magi Project. We appreciate all who have helped.
Calendar Of Events Oct 30 - Nov
13: Cookie Dough sales - CCS
Prayer concerns Russ Allen requests your prayers on behalf of his sister, Doris Dingman, He asks for you to pray that the Lord would soften her heart and that she would come to the Lord and be saved. Pray for Mark and Mandy Mood as they face a pending court date. Edna Scott is in room 103 of the hospital's transitional care unit, and on Monday will be transferred to Gands'l Cottage assisted living home at 1921 Hayden View Drive, Hayden Lake. Be sure to keep her in your prayers as she adjusts. Claudia Moberg has been in and out of the emergency room and is currently undergoing tests. Stacey Hanson, a friend of Jeff Almond's passed away this past week. Keep her family in your prayers. Continue Praying For... Howard Rude Sr. * Edith McDonnell, Alyssa's stepmother's mother* Paul Kulinsky, Heather Rude's father * Heather & Eric & family * Laura Yuill, Barbara Monette's mother * Edna Scott * The Togo Team * Shawn Putnam * Noritta Anderson & family * Ruth Musgrave, sister of Steve & Tim Frahm * Anita Haman * Betty & Chuck Spalding* Our missionaries
Congratulations are extended to Bruce & Heidi Cox from Bellevue, New England at the birth of their daughter, Erin Anne Cox! She was born on July 17, 2000 and weighed 5 lbs, 10 oz. Heidi is the daughter of Don & Barbara Hampton former members of this congregation.
Attention All Couples!! Larry & Peggy Flanagan are starting a Marriage Enrichment Bible study in their home. There will be six couples involved in two studies. The studies will last approximately six months; the benefits will last forever! There will be a Wednesday evening class which will start on October 25th, 6:30 PM, and a Sunday evening class beginning on October 29th, also 6:30 PM. No matter what stage your marriage is in, this study will enhance and excite your relationship! Please see or call Larry or Peggy for more information. Hurry, there are only a few openings left.
Mike's Memos Weekly Youth Events Sunday Morning Class 9 - 9:50 am in the Bus Barn Sunday Morning Worship 10:15am Sunday Evening LTC 5:30 -
7pm
Wednesday Night Class - 6:30
- 7:30pm
TNT (Thurs. Night for teens)
7- 8:30pm
Don't forget daily prayer and Bible study!!!
EVANGELISM - BANKRUPT LIVES VS THE LORDSHIP OF JESUS In a recent article in Church Growth magazine, the argument is made that every human heart struggles to suppress some basic truths. It is hard, for example, to ignore the fact that "life is a gift". That is evident in every facet of our existence. We receive life and everything associated with it from God. But still, we often try to live outside the knowledge that our very existence is in God's hands. We also know that, to one degree or another, "we are all moral failures". The universal emotions of guilt and shame are evidence of this fact, but society is bent on teaching that this moral dilemma is just an illusion. A third, and more painful truth which we want to suppress is that "we do not deserve to live". A casual understanding of facts one and two make number three quite obvious. Although these truths are precisely and painfully true, they are the very heart of what we humans want to suppress. We are debtors to the power behind the universe, and we are unworthy debtors at that, because we do not even do the good that we clearly see. If we honestly face the truth at the center of our hearts, we know we don't deserve to live. The story of Jesus becomes wonderful news to anyone who will admit rather than deny these facts. As Christians, perhaps our best evangelistic tool would be the confessing of these truths in our own lives, and then the sharing of our confession with others. In other words, tell the story of our spiritual struggle....the story of what Jesus did when we admitted our dependence on him and accepted his Lordship in our lives. Next we need to listen carefully for signs of the truthful ownership of personal failure in others, and show them how failure can be swallowed up in the triumph of Christ. Then, sharing and receiving the message of Jesus becomes pure joy.
CCS Corner Torches - Berniece Ayers Hall Thank You, God, for autumn
trees
CCS Calendar * Magi Project
Wednesday Night Ladies Class The Becoming A Woman of Prayer study will conclude during the month of November. The lessons and teachers for November will be as follows:
A big Thank You to all the women who volunteered to teach a class during this study. We truly have many talented ladies in our congregation who let their love for the Lord shine.
Welcome to the Family Dan & Jodi Martinez and their son, Daniel, wish to be identified as members of this congregation. They have moved here from Helena, Montana. Please make sure to welcome them into the family here. Their address is: 405 W. Hughes Lane
WHO'S WHO IN AMERICA. - Zig Ziglar Several years ago the people listen in Who's Who in America were analyzed. Researchers discovered that it took 25,000 laboring families to produce 1 child who would be listed in Who's Who. It required 10,000 families in which the father was a skilled craftsman, 6,00 Baptist preachers, 5,000 lawyers, 5,000 Presbyterian preachers, 2,500 dentist, and 1,200 Episcopalian priests to produce someone who's listed in Who's Who. However, every 7 Christian missionary families produced a member of Who's Who. I can only speculate on the reasons for the remarkable difference. Surely most of the preachers from the various denominations were men and women of faith, but I believe the missionaries, in most cases, demonstrated a stronger commitment. Their example demonstrated their faith and courage to their children. Also, they probably did not have many things to give to their children, but the mother and father, with fewer distractions such as daily newspapers and television, were probably spending an unusual amount of time with them. The kids had a day-to-day example and a chance to study what real success was all about. Needless to say, the parents were teaching and preaching the Bible every day and felt a unique relationship with God through the person of Jesus Christ. Undoubtedly the role modeling and demonstration of their faith played a significant part in the development of the children. All of us have heard that we teach what we know, but we reproduce what we are, which is exactly what God tells us in Luke 6:40 (NKJV): "A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher." My mother repeatedly said to me as a young father, "Son, your children pay more attention to what you do than to what you say." In many cases, the missionary family had to learn to communicate in a different language from their native language and get along with people of different cultures, which brought about a maturing of the youngsters. Then, when the kids returned to America to live, they had a chance to view the difference in the opportunities in America, and they capitalized on those opportunities. The bottom line from Zig: God's Word is an enemy for depression, an escape from temptation, the promise of the future, as well as a guide, hope and inspiration for now and always. TO SERVE November 5th, 2000
Contact Dave Bruner ASAP if you are unable to serve.
PRAYER
HOT LINE - Lynelle
Dehlbom 762-1029
Assembly Times: Sunday:
Wednesday:
Bible Study Groups:
Dalton Gardens Church
of Christ
Church Office Hours:
DEACONS: Win Minstry:
Mature Ministry:
Knit Ministry:
Statistics: WEEK OF 10/22/2000
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