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February 25, 2001 Short By Stuff Dave Shaner We have now concluded our recent sermon series dealing with the subject of baptism. There is, of course, much more that could be said on the subject. As a part of our larger series, "Leading Others to Light", we will be looking more deeply at the subject of the church as the body of Christ. However, we will be continuing the study of how one gets into Christ via the Family News from time to time. Can God save someone without the benefit of baptism? Of course, He can if He so chooses. And anything that God does is right. Will He do so? I don't know. I only know what He has revealed in the scriptures. Many times, some attempting to minimize the essentiality of baptism, will bring up "what if..."examples and can not possibly see how God would not save them. "What if a person dies on the way to the baptistery... ... what if a person dies without having heard about its importance but otherwise lived his life for the Lord... ... what if a person is in the desert with no water available... ...what about last minute pardons like the thief on the cross?" I suppose the question I have for the questioner is, "Do you want to be the exception?" Especially for those who have been exposed to the LORD's teachings for years, is that really a valid way to be saved? A similar argument can be made concerning those who have never heard the name of Jesus. (This certainly can not be made of Americans.) But can God really refuse salvation to those who have not had the opportunity to respond? First remember this ... Jesus said that He was "...the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."- John 14:6. There is no other way to be saved except through Jesus. But when we ask these questions, we are operating off of the wrong premise. A person is not lost because He does not know Jesus. A person is lost because he is a sinner. The scriptures teach that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God - Romans 3:23. Jesus came to save man not because he was already saved, but because he was already lost. Further, He has asked us to go into all the world to spread the message of salvation. Why would he want us to do this to saved people and risk them rejecting the message taking them from a saved state to a lost state. The conclusion is that all are lost because of sin. Jesus is the answer, not the problem. Jesus has spelled out his admission terms into the kingdom very clearly. Does all this sound legalistic? It may to some. But if simply insisting on using the scriptures as our rule of faith is legalism, then I claim guilt. God loves man and desires that no one be lost, but that all come to repentance. He has offered the invitation and opened the door. It is up to us to accept it and walk through that door. He will not force anyone. He made us that way. Have a Great Week ! Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Colossians
3:1
Wednesday Night Praise and Worship This Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m. we will be having our monthly praise and worship evening. All the classes will be meeting in the small auditorium for a time of encouragement, singing, prayer, and scripture reading. Be sure to come and be a part of this. Your presence encourages everyone else.
Bible Study Groups A new Bible Study group will be starting in March in Post Falls, on Sunday nights, taught by Dan and Jodie Martinez. If you would like to be a part of this study please contact either Dan (773-3891) or Dave Shaner (772-0541). This study will have younger children involved. Of course, there are many other Bible Study Groups meeting throughout the community. We would encourage you to be actively involved in one of these studies. A listing of these can be found on the back of the bulletin.
Special Offer!!! The little book, The Prayer of Jabez by Bruce Wilkinson, is still available for $6.95 from Christian Book Distributors. You can read the whole book in less than an hour, but it will give you inspiration for a changed prayer life. I believe it could be a tool to help empower this congregation this year. Five books have been purchased; eight more are ordered. Order NOW!
Young Adults Conference There will be a special workshop for young adults March 2-4 hosted by the Holgate church in Seattle. Acappella will be singing at this workshop. Steve Maxwell, a former member of this congregation, is now a member of the Acappella singing group. Steve is referred to in the singing group as the gentle giant. This workshop deals with developing relationships, stress on the job, at work, and in school, and how to use your spiritual gifts. Also included, "Living Single" and "How to Have a Successful Marriage." More information can be found on the bulletin board.
Prayer Requests It is a blessing to see Shari Swaim back at work. Keep her in your prayers as she continues treatment. Betty Wilhoite is at home now, but is still experiencing some problems. Let's remember to keep Betty in our prayers. Please pray for God's healing hand upon Christopher and Micaela Dehlbom as they deal with their athsma. Peggy Flanagan asks us to remember her sister, Shirley Finney in our prayers. She is having heart problems. Joanna Wuest's stepmother, Carol has a massive tumor in her stomach. Please pray for Carol and Joanna's dad, that they can find God's hand in this and for Carol's healing. Let's remember to keep the Taskila family in our prayers. Their son, Ian, sometimes attended the Valley church and was a close friend of the Valley teens. Ian was killed this past week in a car wreck. Pray for comfort for his family and friends in this time of loss. Continue Praying For... * Rob Mullaly's Mom * Cheryl Mullaly's Dad * Al Cayere * Pam Dunbar * Anita Haman * Orient Huseby * Laurie Parker * Ken Arnold * Mae Fultz * Opal Wilson *Anita Poland * Jack Pierce * Lynda Frost * Continue to pray and keep in touch with Mark Mood, Jeff Hall, and David Morgan that their strength and faith will not fail.
Notes of Encouragement Region One Juvenile Detention
Mark Mood, Inmate
Mohave County Jail
Calendar Of Events Feb. 28 - Wednesday Praise
and Worship
Changes of Address Ocie Howerton
In case you forgot....... Last week we placed sign-up sheets for you to complete to help with Bible Hour. I am very grateful to the six people who have already returned their forms indicating their willingness to serve. We need thirty others to take your turn serving for one month, so that our children can have the special learning opportunities they need. Please sign up now! If you've lost your form, please talk to Debbie Yanzick or Mike Reeves
Ladies night out!!! All Ladies have been invited to Joanna Wuest's home, Tuesday, February 27th at 7:00 p.m. for fellowship and a lot of fun. For more information you can reach Joanna at 772-6247. Hope to see you there!
Missions Praise God for new Bothers and Sisters in Siberia! This week we heard from the Sisemore family. (See bulletin board or for complete report.) Church News: "This month has been a blessing to us in so many ways. We have 7 new brothers and sisters, two of them being around 50 years of age. It is always wonderful to see new people commit their life to our Lord, but it is especially exciting to see middle-aged and older adults make this commitment. The studies have been carried out entirely by Russians, young and old, who are committed to Christ and to the evangelization of their world." Please place a hold on the dates of July 1st -3rd for our meeting, visits and activities with our missionary family working in Barnaul, Siberia. Jerry, Pam and Levi Sisemore will be here for those three days to portray life and living in Barnaul, the people's attitudes and ways of thinking, which influence how the mission family relate to them and how they relate to Christianity and what it means to work in such a culture and different situation.
Mike's Memos Upcoming Youth Events miqvah 2001
The Youth Group has tons of youth rally preparations to complete in the next three weeks as we get ready to share a special weekend with 150 to 200 teenage guests. With God's help, we will teach the concept of being "Living Stones" in the Lord's temple using some very innovative, activity-oriented classes. Some of God's help needs to come through you. Each year MIQVAH weekend requires the wonderful cooperation of the whole Dalton Gardens Family. Please mark your calendars, and plan now to assist in every way you can, especially with the housing of our guests. Be prepared to be host and hostesses for as many visiting teens and sponsors as you possibly can. We'll also need lots of cookies for snack times, so get ready to crank up the cookie machines. And, we'll need help providing the Saturday night meal, and Sunday morning lunch sacks. Prepare your heart to be a wonderful servant for the Lord as we share MIQVAH 2001 to the glory of God. TNT THURSDAY NIGHT FOR TEENS SCHEDULE Mar.1 Dupey's House
Sledding
Party at the Schild's
Education SPRING 1/4 CLASSES Sunday am
Wednesday pm
Teaching Material
CCS Corner - School News Chapel: Join us any day for chapel 8:45 CCS Fundraiser Peeler Cards are available from the school office or any staff, for $10.00, valued at over $170.00! They can be used for bowling discounts, dry cleaning, car washes, videos, and food! At Coeur d'Alene Christian School, we are already well into the second semester. We have plenty of events to keep us busy. This coming week we have the Book Fair, and the 3rd through 8th graders will be having their class spelling bees to determine who will be going to the Regional Spelling Bee on March 22nd. Our basketball season will continue on through the month. On March 27th we will be having our creativity fair which will display projects that the students have been working on. Before we know it, March will be gone, and spring will be here - spring vacation that is! When we get back to school after spring vacation, April will be well on it's way. Then we can look forward to IOWA testing and the big event that we are all working toward: The Auction! Georgette Rude and many others are working hard to put together what is going to be a great day of fun and fellowship! Thanks to all of you who have been planning and getting together donations. We are going to a have a great time!
Use Our Church Library! Hundreds of wonderful, spiritual books are available for anyone who would like to check them out. The library is located in the room on the right front of the large auditorium. Video tapes are also available for check-out from the conference room between the offices. Please use the check-out system, and return books and tapes in a timely manner.
We must not lose sight of our goals! **Daily
Bible Reading & Prayer**
Increased Attendance & Participation Let's GROw!!! TO SERVE March 4th, 2001
Contact Warren Brown ASAP if you are unable to serve. PRAYER HOT LINE - Lynelle Dehlbom 762-1029 Email Prayer Hot Line - prayers@dgchurch.org Assembly Times: Sunday:
Wednesday:
Bible Study Groups:
Dalton
Gardens Church of Christ
Church
Office Hours:
DEACONS: * Benevolence * Communications * Evangelism * Finance * * Lost Sheep * Missions/VBS * Audio-Visual *
Mature
Ministry:
Knit
Ministry:
Statistics: WEEK OF 2/18/2001
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