Family News

STUFF     Dave Shaner

Today is the last day to turn in your selections of whom you would like to serve as your shepherds and deacons for the coming two years as well as evaluate your current preachers. I case you are new to this process, may the following can help you to understand what is taking place. The New Testament calls for the establishment of elders in every church (Titus 1:6). Proper leadership is an essential part of church growth. I Timothy 3 also give qualifications for both elders and deacons. In examples where leaders in some capacity were shown, the congregation selected the ones that they desired to be appointed to such positions. There is nothing said about their tenure or the method that was used to select them. Our current leaders feel that it is good to give the congregation the chance to select its leaders every two years. This does a couple of things. first it gives the congregation a say in who the leaders will be. Second it does not lock a leader into a position indefinitely. Sometimes a person's schedule changes such that it is necessary to serve the Lord in some other way. This gives him a gracious way of being able to make that change. Remember these positions of responsibility are about service and being a caring shepherd more than they are about exercising authority.

The compilation committee will submit the list of names along with how many times they were selected to the current elders. The men selected will be asked to meet with the elders to see if they are willing to take on that kind of responsibility. From that initial list, a final list will be submitted to the congregation for approval. If you do not consider a man to be a viable candidate for such a position, we would encourage you to talk to that person. If you do not feel comfortable doing that, you may also express your concerns to the current elders either through a letter or in person. Assuming that all goes well, the new leaders will be put into place as soon as possible. We hope to have this entire process wrapped up by May.

Sometimes this process may seem tedious, but approach this with prayer. Ask the Lord to bless the local church here with wonderful leaders. He has been faithful is giving us such leaders in the past and we can look forward to working with these new leaders again.

Have a Great Week!!

Elders available for shepherding:
LaMont Petersen is in the church office every Tuesday morning; Larry Grow is in the office every Wednesday afternoon;  two elders are in the office every Sunday 4:00 - 5:00.
This week - David Bruner & Mike Swaim

Elders & Deacons Selection

Remember to turn in your selection of elders and deacons form today!

We will be having a building and yard work day on Saturday, April 27 at 9:00 a.m. All ages are welcome to come. Please bring buckets and we will provide the cleaning supplies. God has blessed us with a very nice facility to meet together. Let's honor him in the care we show for it.

We will meet at the Howard's house for a time of playing games and fellowship at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 27. Please bring ice cream sundae and banana split supplies. George Wuest will be making a large amount of homemade ice cream for us.

Child care will be at the Frahm's house for a fee of $5.00 per child for the night. You must call the Frahm's at 665-5851 by Thursday, April 25 in order to reserve a spot for your children. This way we can provide safe and adequate child care for your children.

Churches of Christ around the world will be participating in a special day of prayer. In today's bulletin is a copy of the 'Family Giving Calendar' to used in May to help us focus on our blessings. It is also suggested that families use these calendars with children and grandchildren to save 'pennies' for our special collection on June 2. This will help us all focus on our blessings and the money given will help poor and suffering children around the world.

The elders encourage all that are able to participate in this worthy effort.

- Larry Grow

Ladies bring your not yet started or not yet finished projects to the church building on Friday, April 26, from 6:30 p.m. 'til you get tired. Bring your supplies to use and share, plus snacks to keep us going. See you all there!

There will be a baby shower for Kathy Taylor on Saturday, May 4 at 10:30 a.m. in the small auditorium. Come for brunch and games! Kathy is registered at Target. If you'd like to contribute to a larger gift, please talk to Katrina Swaim, Shari Swaim, or Jennifer Rude. Kathy is having a boy!

I asked God to take away my pain. God said, No. It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up. I asked God to make my handicapped child whole. God said, No. His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary. I asked God to grant me patience. God said, No. Patience is a byproduct of tribulations; it isn't granted, it is learned. I asked God to give me happiness. God said, No. I give you blessings. Happiness is up to you. I asked God to spare me pain. God said, No. Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me. I asked God to make my spirit grow. God said, No. You must grow on your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful. I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life. God said, No. I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things. I ask God to help me LOVE others, as much as He loves me. God said... Ahhhh, finally you have the idea. THIS DAY IS YOURS DON'T THROW IT AWAY.. May God Bless You, "To the world you might be one person, But to one person you just might be the world.'

April 9 - 25 - AIM Team in Barnaul, Siberia

April 23 - Prayer Breakfast 6:30 a.m. at JB's

April 26 - 6:30 p.m. - Ladies Craft Night, Small Auditorium

April 27 - 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. - All Church Workday

April 27 - Tweeners Game Night at the Howard's

April 30 - May 3 - Pepperdine Lectureship

May 2-6 p.m. National Day of Prayer Meeting, Large Auditorium

May 2 - 7 p.m. CCS Talent/Art Show, Small Auditorium

May 3-5 - Tri-Cities Youth Rally

May 10-12 - Camp Prince's Pines Work Day

Prayer Requests

Shari Swaim as she continues cancer treatment.

Bill Elliott, Jan Almond's brother, has been ill due to chemotherapy and radiation treatments for cancer.

Chris Flick, Opal Wilson's grandson, is still in a coma.

Margie Dupey, as she heals from eye surgery.

Ron Bristow, Mae Fultz's son, is struggling with cancer. Remember to keep their family in your prayers.

Larry, Teri Dupey's brother, to have courage and to focus on God while he is in prison.

Anita Haman, for comfort from the pain the cancer is causing.

Jenny Dupey, for the discomfort she is having with her mouth and gums.

Ken Neubauer as he applied for a millwright position in Athol. Pray that Ken will be able to win this position so he can return to his family.

Continue to pray for the Togo Team, their families, and their work in the villages. Dave and Becky are both struggling with bad colds as a result of the dust and very hot temperatures.... from 100 to 115 degrees.

The selection of new shepherds and deacons

Continue Praying For....

AIM Team in Barnaul*Ken Arnold*Larry Moberg

Phyllis Herboldt*Sherri Miller*Lona Workman

Betty Wilhoite*Mark Mood*Steve Lucas

Jeremy Johnson*Bob Brown & Family

The Rayburns, Barbara-Davis Anderson

There will be a work day at Camp Prince's Pine May 10-12. Bring your tools and help us get the site ready for the summer camps.

It is that time of year again! The Men's Christian League softball season will be starting up again soon. A sign up sheet is located on the kiosk in the foyer. See Arrty Rude or Steve Taylor for more information.

Teens, don't forget.... Saturday nights from 6 to 8 pm. Call Jeff or Sharon Nirk for information.

The theme for this year's Tri-Cities Youth Rally May 3 - 5 is 'Return To Sender' Pre-Registration is $12, postmarked by April 26th, $17 at the door. Registration forms are in the classroom.

Freshmen - Seniors, be making plans for this year's Senior High Spring Formal, May 17th. Make your plans to attend the very special formal dinner at Warren & Lynn Brown's.

Jesus, in his 'great commission', tells us to 'go teach'. And in the church we are always looking for those who will teach in our Bible classes. We really appreciate those who so willingly take their turns sharing the scriptures with others, but far too often, we hear reasons / excuses for not taking a class. In a recent Church Growth magazine article they listed the following top 10 reasons why Christians decide to not teach a Bible class:

10. I don't enjoy children

9. I taught when my children were little, so I've done my time.

8. I love my own class so much, and just can't imagine not going to class myself.

7. I am with my children all day and need a break from kids.

6. I don't think I have enough patience to work with children.

5. I work and don't have time to prepare my lesson.

4. Aren't women better with kids?

3. I am just so busy right now, I can't possibly take on another thing.

2. I am sure there is someone else who would be much better than me.

1. No!

There is no doubt that every one of us could give at least one of those reasons, but the question is, 'Who will teach the children about Jesus?' In Matthew 9:37 Jesus says, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.' We must know, as Jesus expressed in verse 36 that the people, and our children, are harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He loved them, and he had compassion on them, and he taught them. We must put the excuses aside and pass the blessings of Christ on to our children.

And besides, no one learns, or is blessed more than the teacher. If you would volunteer to teach one of our Bible classes for a quarter, please see Arrty Rude. He is doing a wonderful job of coordinating our education ministry.

Howdy, ya'll! Wednesday was Cowboy Day, in honor of our Annual Auction at the Fairgrounds on

Saturday. The theme this year was 'A Country Ho-Down.' Thank you to all who participated. A special thanks goes to Georgette Rude for the fantastic job of planning and organizing the Auction!!! Also a big thanks to all of you who donated many wonderful things. We appreciate you so much. There were performances given by the students, as well as live music, ribs and corn on the cob, super silent auction tables for the kids as well as adults, and a fantastic auctioneer! Ya'll come back now, ya here!

And that's not all. The students and teachers were also busy with the Science Fair on Thursday night. The small auditorium was 'busting at the seems' with terrific projects. The kids had a marvelous time working on their boards and experiments throughout the past couple of weeks.

Coming up on May 2nd is the C.C.S. Spring Talent Show and National Day of Prayer Day. The prayer time begins at 6:00 P.M., and the Talent Show begins at 7:00 P.M. We hope everyone will come and enjoy a wonderful time of fellowship.

-Sandy Simpson , 2nd/3rd Grade Teacher

We would like to give a huge thank to ya'll who gave donations and helped with this year's auction.

We will be posting results on the bulletin board.

Thanks again! Georgette Rude

1st Grade:

1st Place - Jonathan Howard 'Animal Homes'
2nd Place - Kiera Conner 'Habitat'
3rd Place - Ara Fromm 'Mammals'

2nd/3rd Grades:

1st Place - Sheala Rehms 'Dinosaurs'
2nd Place - Ashlee Bymaster, Ni'Chel Cooper and Brandon Flock 'Butterflies'
3rd Place - Jenna Davis & Erica Valenzuela 'Mammals'

4th/5th Grades:

1st Place - Jeremy Glisson 'Hamsters'
2nd Place - Colleen Samsel 'Coral'
3rd Place - Josh Nelson 'Antlers'

6th/7th/8th Grades:

1st Place - Thad Smith & Brian LaFollett 'Rainbows'
2nd Place - Kristie Sachs 'Egg in a Bottle'
3rd Place - Chris Dehlbom and Ian Nelson 'Friction'

Grand Champions

1st-3rd Grades: Adam Borsheim & Connor Bailey 'Rainforest Animals'
4th-8th Grades: Matt Smith 'Magnetism'

Assembly Times:

Sunday:

Bible Class	9:00-9:50 am
Worship Assembly	10:15 am
Bible Study Groups	5:30 pm

Wednesday:

Bible Classes

6:30 pm

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

Bible Study Groups:

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