Bulletin - December 29, 2002

I hope everyone has had a great holiday time with your families. It seems winter has teased us by having our first snow of the season come the day after Christmas. This holiday season, I have been reminded of just how blessed we really are. Even in a downturn economy, most of us still received more than we deserved. Let's continue to make the spirit of sharing a regular part of our lives. Thanks so much to Kristine Robinson and the many who helped with the Christmas and Food Baskets for those less fortunate. Also thanks to all who contributed financially above and beyond to other good works such as the work in Komsomolsk, Russia. You have been a great blessing to the children there. Also, a special thank you to those who have made regular contributions to the church here. We would not be able to do what we do if not for you. We would like to encourage you, in the words of the apostle Paul (II Corinthians 8), to excel still more. There are some very worthwhile seminars coming up soon that will require some additional outlay from the church. If you are able to give a special contribution before the end of the year, it would be appreciated very much.

Your giving has come in more ways than money. As I type this article, Kent Rude has shown up to plow the parking lot. It seems that many things go unnoticed simply because someone saw something that needed done and did it. Throughout the year, many of you have worked in the Soup Kitchen, administered benevolence, taught Bible Studies, visited the sick, encouraged the struggling, helped maintain the building, worked in the Coeur d'Alene Christian School, worked in the LTC program, wrestled in prayer, built up our youth ministry, housed guests, volunteered in the office, organized fellowship outings, etc. The list goes on and on. Above all, your expressions of worship to our God has provided great encouragement to so many people.

When all of us do what we can, the work load is easier on all. When this happens the body grows, members are encouraged, the community notices, and the Lord is glorified. Jesus said, 'In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.' - Matthew 5:16. Let's make 2003, a year to let our light shine for Him.

New Year's Eve Party..... only those looking for fun need to arrive. Dinner will be Chili and Cornbread from 7 PM to 8 PM. Bingo will be from 8 PM till 10 PM with prizes. Bonfire starts at 9 PM. Movies will start at 8 PM Lilo & Stitch and Atlantis. Glow in the dark marbles game begins at 10:30 PM; board games from 10:30 till 11:40; singing from 11:40 till 11:55 PM. Door prizes will be given every half hour starting at 9 PM. Please bring a friend for a chance to win a scanner for you and your guest! Please bring drinks and chips to share. We still need help for clean up after dinner, after banana splits, and for the end of the party. Please call George or Joanna and ask how you can help make this fun for every one 772-6247.

Do you like to play board games, card games, dominos, etc.? Please bring snacks and drinks. Bring any games you'd like to play. If you are a family with children, come and bring the little ones. Just be sure to bring an activity for them so they will have fun while you are having your fun. Game night will be Friday, Jan. 10, at 6:30 p.m. in the kitchen.

This year's Tweeners Retreat is planned for January 24-26th, at Camp Princes Pine. Scott Rouse has already agreed to be our speaker for the weekend. If you did not go last year, make your plans for this year. You will have a blast. The whole family is invited. We will have several special times of Bible study while the children are being watched. Also, plan on group games, individual games, singing, camp fires, good food, warm beds, lots of sledding and snow fun. The cost will be $30 per family and $20 for singles. Of course we need lots of help getting all of this to happen, so please pitch in. This is a great time for family fun!

As you read this message Christmas Day will be over and we will be looking forward to the New Year. Each year I know that it is tradition to set resolutions for the coming year to do things that we either failed to do previous years or want to set new goals and objectives. The leadership of this congregation also wishes to set new goals and objectives for the church, but we need your help in doing this. Please pass on any ideas or projects that you feel are worthwhile to the leadership so we can discuss them at the next congregational meeting that is currently set for January 19, 2003. Also as you set goals for 2003, please include an increase in giving from your pocketbook and an increase in your time in ministry. You will be blessed if you will take on these goals for next year. Please continue to pray for each other, the staff and the leadership of this congregation. May God bless each one of us as we continue to serve in 2003.

We want to thank everyone who donated a coat or blanket to the Astoria church for our third annual coat give away. We were able to provide over 170 coats for the community. Although we didn't have any direct results from the give away, we know that we are just to be 'seed planters' and God will do the rest. We continue to have people come into our clothing bank and many need coats. Our name is out in the community and we are able to serve a lot of people through this ministry.

Again, thank you for your hard work to get the coats and blankets, and for your generous donations.

Thank you from Jim & Jan Almond and the family of Bill Elliott for all your prayers.

Thank you so much for all the prayers, cards, phone calls and visits - and a special thank you to the 'Carolers'. In Christian Love, Jack & Dee Pierce

Thanks so much for the support. It looks like we are back on the road to recovery.

Thank you for so warmly welcoming my family back into the family. You are all such a great blessing to us. -Wayne Frisbie

Lisa Bagwell, Dave Shaner's sister, had cervical neck fusion surgery last Monday. Keep her in your prayers as she recovers and heals.

John Hughes, Karmen's step-dad, has advanced prostate cancer. He will soon be starting daily treatments.

Christen Johnson, Tim Frahm's niece, is involved in a gang in El Paso, Texas.

Jack Pierce is in pain following a fall resulting in a cracked clavicle, ribs and bruises. We are thankful he is slowly recovering.

John Santos, Joyce Erwin's father, is in the hospital in Glendale, Arizona. He is recovering from triple bypass surgery. He is doing better.

Lorraine Johnson, a friend of the Welter's, had surgery last Monday at Sacred Heart Medical Center for an artery aneurysm. Visits would be appreciated.

Anita Haman, Teen Pearson's daughter, is having blood transfusions regularly, as her health is really deteriorating.

Leo Ebel, Sharon Nirk's father, is suffering with lung cancer and the prognosis is not good.

The Togo Team*David Morgan*Mark Mood
Rick Howard*Zach Shaner*Dallas Miller*Mandi Ward
Chris Flick*Joe Jovanovich*Rod Hopkins
Geri Gwin*Dick Atkinson*Mandy Mood

Our thoughts are with Jim and Janet Almond, in the passing of her brother, Bill Elliott last Sunday evening. Bill has been a wonderful servant of the Lord for many years, serving as a stateside minister, and as a missionary in the Philippines. Remember to keep their family in your prayers during this time of loss.

Even though, as most of you know, I am not much of a football fan, and even though I feel a little hypocritical wearing the very nice Cowboys jacket a friend gave me, there are some things about a football game I do enjoy. I like the action; the carefully executed plays, and especially the long passes. But one thing stands out to me: the timeouts (Stop laughing Dave!).

The time-out is a fantastic part of football. When things are getting out of control...timeout! When your team has lost momentum....timeout! When the direction is unclear.....timeout! When you've been hit hard by the enemy and your vision is a little foggy....timeout! It's in those brief, well-timed moments of rest that the coach hopes to redirect, re-motivate, and refresh his players.

Our lives and our work in the church are not a whole lot different. Despite our best intentions, things get out of control, we lose our momentum, our direction becomes unclear, and the enemy hits us hard. These things are part of the game; we knew it when we became part of the team.

Please listen: It's okay to call timeout! Our heavenly Father is waiting for us to slow down long enough to allow him to re-energize, re-focus, re-motivate and refresh our souls. It is foolish for us to miss the times when we study the rule book to learn how to better play the game, the times when the team huddles to get the next play or pray for help, the times when we retreat to re-focus and re-group. Jesus knew time-outs were important, and he practiced them personally and with his disciples.

Heading into the New Year is a great time to make time-outs a priority. Don't let 2003 just happen to you. Take a time-out now, and plan the new year. Set aside as priorities the timeouts you need to keep your Christian life focused and motivated.....ready to take offensive action, as well as having a strong defense to meet the enemy's attacks.

Leadership Training for Christ Opportunities for all 3rd - 12th graders every Sunday evening from 5:30 - 7:00.

Bible Challenge - Matthew's Gospel for all 3rd - 12th graders 6:30 - 7:30 every Wednesday Night.

Friday Night Youth Group 7:00 - 8:30pm Activities hosted in parents' homes or at the church building. We would also welcome opportunities to come to other church member's homes.

A Christmas Day report from David & Becky Reeves in Togo, Africa was like another Christmas present. Not only was it great to hear that the family is all well except for bad sinus infections due to the dusty dry season, but they reported the baptisms of 30 more Kabiye natives, and the planting of two more congregations of the Lord's church. The whole congregation from Togodaga walked the 31/2 hours to the road where the missionaries could pick them up to drive to the little village of Te where 24 were baptized into Christ. One of the 'old Christians'- four months old! - gave an encouragement for the new Christians. Pray for this new church in Te. Members of the church in N'dji walked to Kpindei for the baptisms of 6 in that village where more baptisms are expected.

If you are keeping track, in the last nine months there have been more than 150 baptisms, with five new congregations being planted. These new Christians are teaching and baptizing others without the help of the missionaries, and already have plans to plant five other congregations on their own in neighboring villages. Our mission team members are teaching follow-up, church maturation studies in all of these villages and beginning studies in the village of Toongpo (translated 'elephant river'- where the elephants often destroy the crops) and Kindga. David hopes to begin soon in the Bebeda region, a mountain area where ten to fifteen thousand people live in many little villages. They estimate the planting of 15 to 20 more churches in the next year! The work is far ahead of expectations. The fields are truly white unto harvest, and the Lord is working powerfully in the Kabiye people and with this mission team.

We must pray daily for this team of missionaries, and for the awesome work of the Lord in Togo. David especially asked for prayers for Becky, Andrea and Jane as they go to the villages to teach ladies classes. Although some have already been baptized, the Kabiye women are very hesitant to respond because their culture has not allowed the women to be a part of 'religious ceremonies'. The gospel, and the love of Jesus demonstrated by these godly young women missionaries is making a difference in the lives and culture of the Kabiye.

We are looking for volunteers to help with 'Wee Worship' (Bible hour for 2 & 3 year olds). If you are willing to teach or help for one month each year, please contact Jennifer Rude at 683-1634. Thanks!

Song Leader: John Erwin

Opening Prayer: Kent Rude

Closing Prayer: Scott Rouse

Scripture: Adam Welch

Offering: Dale Herboldt

Lord's Supper: Wayland Lipscomb

Scott Simpson

Garrett Jaynes

Jeff Nirk

Don Flanagan

Ushers: Eldon Rude

Mike Haas

Paul Welter

Greeters: Russ & Jo Allen

Announcements: Scott Rouse

Audio: Scott Dehlbom

Computer: Steve Taylor

Lock-Up Building: Jack Pierce

Contact Warren Brown ASAP if you are unable to serve.

January 5^th January 12^th

Nursery: Karley Graham Kathy Taylor

Helpers: Dawn Knife Laura Utter

PRAYER HOT LINE - Lynelle Dehlbom 762-1029
Email Prayer Hot Line - prayers@dgchurch.org
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:

Ralph Crump PF - Thursday 7:00 PM 773-6945

Dan Dupey Cd'A - Sun 5:30 PM 666-0228

John Erwin Spirit Lake - Sun 6:00 PM 683-7001

Mike Reeves Building - Wed 10:00 AM 762-8024

Don Rude / Warren Brown DG - Sun 5:30 PM 772-5532

Dave Shaner Bldg - Sun 5:30 PM 765-8524

Mike Swaim Hayden - Sun 5:00 PM 772-4341

Paul Swaim (college age) Cd'A - Sun 7:00 PM 676-0354

Jeff & Sharon Nirk (Teens) Various - Friday 7:00 PM 691-9447

Dalton Gardens Church of Christ
6439 N. 4th Street
Dalton Gardens, Idaho 83815
(208)772-0541
Fax # 772-2963
E-mail: office@dgchurch.org
web site: http://www.dgchurch.org/

Church Office Hours:
8:00 am to 4:30 pm Monday-Friday
Closed daily from noon-1:00
Phone messages can be left any time.

ELDERS: PREACHER:

David Bruner 667-2943 Dave Shaner 765-8524

Ralph Crump 773-6945

Larry Grow 664-3522 YOUTH MINISTER:

LaMont Petersen 777-4309 Mike Reeves 762-8024

Scott Rouse 623-4203

Don Rude 772-5532

Mike Swaim 772-4341

DEACONS:

Mark Borsheim 772-8183 Warren Brown 772-9556

- Leadership Training for Christ - Assembly Management

- Missions / World Bible School - Greeting & Ushering

Scott Dehlbom 762-1029 Tim Frahm 665-5851

- Benevolence - Tweeners

- Prayer - Finance

Arrty Rude 755-6409 John Simpson 687-5822

- College Age - Building & Grounds

- Bible Hour - Senior Saints

- Education George Wuest 772-6247

- Family - Fellowship

Steve Taylor 765-8263 - Men's Activities

- Audio / Visual - Women's Activities

- Statistics - Soup Kitchen

Baptisms, Year to Date - 27

Statistics:
WEEK OF 12/22/2002

Attendance:

Assembly 225

Bible Classes 94

Wednesday Bible Study --

Bible Study Groups 114

Contribution:

Current $3,137.95

Goal $4,561.00

Average $4,066.00

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