Family News

October 21, 2001

Stuff Dave Shaner

Our upcoming seminar with Randy Harris is only two weeks away. This will be a great seminar and is sure to make you think. Take a look at the lesson titles and you will wonder what he is up to. Does he really believe that the Lord's church is doomed to failure? But then again, can success be assured? There are several things that you can do to help make this special meeting a success. First of all is that you can pray. Pray for Randy. Pray for open hearts to hear the message. Pray for others to be in attendance to hear the word preached. Pray for yourself to be transformed to become more like Christ. Pray for the church as a whole to be committed to true growth. A second thing you can do is to bring a friend. Talk the meeting up among your friends and encourage them to be present. Offer to pick them up if they are hesitant. You may wish to plan a time out with them for pie and coffee after the meeting. A third thing that you can do is commit to being present yourself. One of the shepherd's responsibilities is to make sure that the flock is properly fed. But they can not force feed anyone. They can set the table and provide the food, but each one of us has to sit down and eat.

It has been said that studying the Word of God comes in three stages. Stage #1 is the cereal stage - dry but nourishing. Not every lesson you ever hear will cause bells and whistles to go off, but over the long haul, you will find that you have learned some good things. Stage #2 is the meat and potatoes stage - it is satisfying and fills you up. Stage #3 is the desert stage - it tastes great and is a feast that keeps you coming back for more. My wife, Kathy, is a great cook. I don't recall every meal, but I have been well nourished (stop snickering already). I would not be as healthy without them. Most of us also eat every day. We wouldn't think of only eating once a week. It is the same with God's Word. Take the time to make dining off of His Word an every day habit. When we have special times together, let's be sure to meet for nourishment.

The elders, deacons, and preachers will be meeting this coming weekend for some prayer and planning time. Be sure to keep them in your prayers as they encourage each other in their planning.

October 21st 5:30pm

Tonight there will be a special LTC / Nigerian Mission presentation. The normal Bible Study Groups that meet on Sunday evenings will not be meeting to encourage all to be at this. This time will be led by our kids participating in LTC. It will also include a video presentation and sharing time with Ralph and Anna Crump from their work in Nigeria, Africa. You don't want to miss this time together. You might even want to bring a friend.

The Dalton church will be hosting a very special seminar November 4-6 with Randy Harris as our guest preacher. Randy is a professor at Abilene Christian University and is very much in demand all over the country. Be sure to make your plans to be here at each and every session.

Sunday, 9:00 am - Spirituality Is Our Future

Sunday 10:15 am - Discipleship Is Our Future

Sunday 5:30 pm -Why Churches of Christ are Bound to Fail in the 21st Century

Monday 7:00 pm - Why Churches of Christ are Bound to Succeed in the 21st Century

Tuesday 7:00 pm - Certainties for an Uncertain Future

Elders available for shepherding:

LaMont Petersen in the church office every Tuesday morning; Larry Grow in the office every Wednesday afternoon; two elders in the office every Sunday 4:00-5:00.

Do you remember the 5 minute rule? This was the rule that was introduced about a year ago to encourage us to meet our guests. We were to take the first five minutes after our assembly service to meet visitors. How many of us have been doing that? Recently I read a magazine article that utilized another method to do the same thing. This method is an acronym: NICE which tells you specifically what you can do. The following is a excerpt of that article.

Notice people: First, we need to develop the skill and habit of simply noticing the new people around us.

Introduce yourself: We need to be the ones to initiate a relationship by reaching out to people. Smiling, approaching someone with an unfamiliar face, and extending your hand is a way of extending a little bit of the love and kindness of God. We especially want to meet any guests who are present at our assemblies. To do so, we must remember that we will often feel uncomfortable since they don't know the ropes and may not know any of the people. Just say, 'Hi, I'm _____.

Connect with people: Sincerity demands that we offer people more than a token introduction and handshake. Show interest in them by asking if they are from in town or out of town. Ask about their family, occupation, or what they like to do for recreation.

Extend an invitation: The primary message we want to leave with people initially is that they are welcome here. We might extend an invitation for them to come back next week, attend our Bible class, come to our fellowship group's cookout, go out for coffee, etc. Whatever invitation we extend, it tells them they are welcome, and may lead to an opportunity to sit down and explore the gospel together.

So, remember the 5 minute rule and be NICE.

David Bruner

The last day to turn in supplies you would like added to a box is Wednesday, October 24. We are in need of cash donations, shoe boxes, (cardboard and plastic), new small size toys, small books, school supplies, and travel size health/hygiene items. Your contributions would be greatly appreciated!

We will be having a work time to pack all of the boxes on Wednesday, October 24 at 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. right after class in the small auditorium. Items needed for the work night are scissors, scotch tape, and Christmas paper. For more information call Alyssa at 665-5851.

Bulletin Want Ads

For Sale: 4 studded 13' snow tires, mounted and balanced on Toyota wheels. Used one season. $75.00 for all. If interested call Greg Morse at #772-1672.

October 21 - Tonight - Special Evening

October 24 - Magi Project Work Night

October 27 - Elders, Deacons, Staff Planning Day

November 4-6 - Fall Meeting with Randy Harris

November 6 - Morning Prayer Breakfast

November 10 - First Northwest Bible Bowl Challenge

Prayer Requests

Jennie Brown is still in the hospital. Her condition seems slightly improved. She appreciates short visits, and covets your prayers. She is currently at KMC #312. Remember also to keep Bob and their family in your prayers.

Hannah Reeves and her family were to have gone home on Tuesday, if the doctor released them. David was pretty confident that they would, but we, the grandparents, have been unable to reach them so are not sure. Hannah seemed to be responding well to treatment of her skull fracture and concussion following her accident. Please keep her in your prayers, along with the family and all the Togo team.

Bonnie Myer, a friend of Pat Irmer's, was just diagnosed with tongue cancer. Pray for her as she begins to find out what the treatment will be.

Remember to keep Ray Rayburn in your prayers as he is away in Vienna. Keep his mission efforts and his safety in your prayers.

Debbie Hennes is struggling with MS. Debbie is a sister in the Valley church, a friend to many of us here.

Jacob Sandford, Alfred and Barbara Monette's grandson, was scheduled to have a valve in his heart repaired or replaced last Friday.

Ivan & Sally Archer, are in China at this time. Remember to pray for their safety as they travel.

Don Phelps, Vanessa and Hillary's grandpa, is very sick. Remember to keep him in your prayers.

Special prayers are requested by Ric & Cathy Dukes in Bonners Ferry. Ric's mother passed away last week, and his dad is not doing very well at this time. Several members of the family are really struggling. Ric & Cathy have asked us to pray. Write them a note of encouragement, and let them know you are praying for them, and that you truly care.

Continue Praying For....

*Al Poland*Bill Elliott*Leonard Almond*Beverly Bauer*Clarence May*Ron Bristow*Mark Mood*David Morgan*Robin Bechtold*Opal Wilson*Shirley Parker*Anita Haman*Shari Swaim*

Send birthday greetings to Ray Rayburn in Vienna: errayburn7@hotmail.com

Mike's Memos

Growth in the Kingdom is always a thrilling thing to see, but I have been especially thrilled recently to see three of our teens...Alex Young, Scott Simpson, and Adam Welch baptized into Christ. All three of these young men have hearts that really desire to please the Lord, and tremendous potential for service to Him. Please pray for them as their faith grows. Especially pray for Alex who moved, on Friday, back to Portland to live with his grandparents, and finish his senior year in high school. I have already contacted the youth minister at Metro to take care of this new Christian. We will miss Alex here, but believe he has made a wise decision and we wish him God's speed.

Also be praying for Jackie Adams, Betty Wilhoit's granddaughter. We've been having some good studies together, and she recognizes her need to become a Christian. Pray that she will make the decision to obey the Lord in baptism very soon.

There are several others who also are very near the kingdom at this time. I'm confident more great news will becoming in the very near future.

************************

TNT this Thursday night

will be at Jeff & Sharon Nirk's home. Because of the distance to their house in Athol, we will leave at 6:30 and return at 8:30. They plan to have a bonfire, which will feel good on a cool, fall evening. We'll roast hot dogs, make s'mores and have a great time. We are so glad to have Shelby in the youth group, and we really appreciate this new family, and their willingness to get involved and serve in the Youth Group and the Lord's church here.

Our first weekly Prayer Breakfast is planned for Tuesday, November 6 at 6:30 a.m. at the Village Inn restaurant. The address is 300 Neider Ave. in Coeur d'Alene. Everyone is invited to attend and be part of this exciting new ministry. If you have any questions you may call Margie Waddell at 765-2423 or Russ Allen at 765-2828.

How are we doing with our daily family devotions and prayer? By today's reading, day 21, how do we measure up? These daily devotionals can draw us closer together as a physical family, as a spiritual family, and most importantly closer to God.

Jim and Diane Rude at the Astoria Church of Christ are asking us to donate coats and blankets to provide warmth to those in need. There will be a box in the lobby for your donations. For more information please see Betty Rude.

Each day they pulled and tugged at his flesh. Each step was almost intolerable. His ankles ached as the chain rubbed deeper into the torn skin. Bruises were obvious everywhere that these links had landed on hard bones with less skin. The man was thinking....always thinking about what he had done. It was too late for him, he thought. A crime that was not to be tolerated had happened. He was hated for a crime that would not be tolerated. His life came to a screeching halt. The plans he had made were now dissolved. The friends he had made were gone. The people that depended on him no longer existed. He would pay for what he did. He could not stop the thoughts that rolled out each day. The memories...the could have's...and should have's were there and would not go away. But, now he was serving. He was reaching the children...unloading boxes....taking the food and clothing from the large dusty trucks. He looked at the empty village. The children sat everywhere...long faces...skin on bones. Few adults could be seen. Most were without parents... without homes...food...or safety. The man had been hated, but now he was welcomed. A smile formed on their faces as the children saw boxes and boxes being taken from the trucks. The man's heart was touched. How could something so simple be so good? He wanted to do more. He wanted to help make their lives better. Even through the pain of his life, and the agony he had gone through, he could see good. He wanted to make a difference. His heart was touched.

God will get his work done in many ways! Are you prepared to be hated because of your commitment to Christ? What has your faith cost you? Are you doing what God wants? We live in a busy world and sometimes we become caught up in it. We need to take time for God. We need to go to Him more often... to lean on Him in our prayers... to read His Word more often... to know who He is and what He wants us to do. We are His servants. He may send us. Remember... 'Here I am Lord, send me!' Let's remember to donate and be part of the work of the Magi Project, as we give gifts out of love to the children all around the world.

Thursday, October 25th: A play will be performed by the K4 - 5 and 1st grade classes, followed by a Spaghetti dinner, featuring Olive Garden's and Tomato Street's delicious French bread and Cyrus O'Leary's pies all for your generous donation at the door. The program begins at 6:00 p.m. Please come and invite your family and neighbors!

Saturday, December 8th: Our annual craft fair is coming up and there is much to be done. We could use help in lots of different areas. There are sign up sheets on the kiosk. We need men, women and teenagers! Please take a look at the lists and sign up for a space or two. The staff and students of CCS thank you for your participation!

New Addresses

Military & College Students:

James Dupey   Jessica Bruner Zach Shaner
ACU Box 27256 ACU Box 28062  ACU Box 27563
Abilene, TX   Abilene, TX    Abilene, TX
79699-7256    79699-8062     79699-7563

Jenny DuPey/Ryan Rouse/David Rude
c/o Cascade College
9101 E Burnside
Portland, OR 97216

Robbie Vanek & Scott Wagnon:

SR SMITH, ROBERT, 1       SR Wagnon Scott, C
DIV 385 Ship 10           DIV 948 Ship 04
Recruit Training Command  Recruit Training Command
3301 Indiana St           3301 Indiana St
Great Lakes, IL           Great Lakes, IL
60088-3127                60088-3127

TO SERVE October 28^th, 2001

Song Leader:	Danny Sims
Opening Prayer:	Stan Howerton
Closing Prayer:	David Bruner
Scripture:	Paul Welter
Offering:	Steve Howard
Lord's Supper:	Dale Herboldt
	Garrett Jaynes
	Russ Morris
	Jason Litterell
	Nathan Frisk
Ushers:	Eldon Rude
	Mike Haas
	Steve Jaynes
Greeters:	Jerry & Christine Welch
Announcements:	David Bruner
Audio:	Mike Swaim
Computer:	Rob Mullaly
Lock-Up Building:	Jack Pierce

Contact Warren Brown ASAP if you are unable to serve.

	October 28th	November 4th
Nursery:	Delvona Rude	.
Helpers:	Katie Neubauer	.

Other Bible Study Groups are offered at various times. Please call the office for times and places.

Bible Study Groups: