Bulletin - January 5, 2003

2002 was a great year. God blessed us in so many ways. 2003 promises to be even better! The church has planned many events designed to enrich your life and reach more into the community than we have in the past. There are several things each of us must do individually that are critical to pleasing God. One is to have a consistent prayer life. The scriptures encouraged us to pray without ceasing. This doesn't mean that we are to be in the posture of prayer but in the continual habit of praying. New prayer trios are being assigned to give you somebody in the church here to keep in your prayers as they pray for you. Remember the teaching of James 5:16b - 'The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.' The church here also has a prayer ministry to help you and provides many great opportunities for corporate prayer.

Also we would like to encourage you to make a daily habit of Bible reading/study. This is a where you receive your spiritual sustenance. Don't just study to prepare to teach a class, but to receive God's Word for what He will do for you. The aim of Bible Study is not just information but transformation. Even though right conclusions are important, maybe even more important is what God does to you as you study His Word.

It is also important to, 'encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.' - Hebrews 3:13. This can be done by a simple phone call or a card of concern as you are aware of needs. One of the main purposes of the assembly is to encourage one another - Hebrews 10:25. When God's people meet together every Sunday, it is a reminder of who we are, why we exist, and to remain true to our vows to the Lord. I saw a sign recently that read, 'Church attendance prevents divorce.' One of the greatest gifts you can give to your family this year is to be present at every assembly. Our world is so pervasive and deceitful in what it claims to offer, but a regular habit of church attendance keeps our head and hearts clear of distractions.

The church can provide many opportunities, but these things require individual initiative. Make your relationship with God above all. Love and nourish your family. Encourage the entire household of faith. Let's have a great year.

We had dinner, bingo, piñatas, glow in the dark marbles, games, movies, banana splits and to finish the evening and start the New Year we sang and prayed then popped 500 balloons-yes it was noisy!!!!! God blessed us with lots of friends, neighbors and family members whom we had the chance to enjoy fellowship with. We thank all who came and made the evening so much fun. Last but never least, we cannot tell you how much we love and appreciate those who helped prepare for the evening and keep it going. George and I cannot even list all who donated, cooked, cleaned, prepare the small auditorium, and do anything we asked-but the list does need to begin with the wonderful teenagers of the congregation-they were servants we are very proud of.

P.S. Mr. Dave Shaner and Mr. Mike Reeves were our special vacuum crews-you guys are men of God. We wish you a year blessed by the Father and that we all grow in faith with each breath we take.

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, January 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! See Tim or Alyssa Frahm for more information.

As the new year begins we may think about things we would like to do differently than in the past. New Year resolutions and goal setting can be a great benefit if done correctly. Sometimes we are unrealistic in our goals. It is very important to set goals that we can reach. If we set goals we need to include God in the process. Rather than saying, "I'm going to baptize a dozen people this year", you might think about making a commitment to allow God to use you in whatever way He needs you. By doing this we accomplish several things. We have given God control allowing him to use us. If we truly trust him to guide us as we seize each opportunity he sends, we don't have to be concerned with the numbers. Another benefit is it requires us to develop that trust, which in turn should improve our prayer life. When we choose to make such a commitment, keep your eyes and ears open because He will send opportunities our way. Allowing the Spirit to use us in this manner is a very powerful and faith building experience.

The time has come for our high school seniors to select the college they will attend. We always encourage them to select a Christian college. That encouragement could not be better stated than this quote from Matt Reinstein, a former member here:

'When making my college choice, I was struggling against my parents' wishes that I attend a Christian school. I eventually decided that I needed a Christian environment to develop myself in. It is the best choice I possibly could have made and it has changed my life's path completely from what I would have been if I had gone to a state school.'

Matt attends Oklahoma Christian University. He selected OC because of its good engineering school, even though he lives close to Harding where his brother, Josh, attends. Matt has recently changed his major to Bible and Ministry. I would encourage any of our seniors or their parents to correspond with Matt.

A new Bible Study Group has started in Rathdrum at the home of Dan & Dawn Morgan. It will be meeting at 7 pm and will be led by LaMont Petersen. For more information, call 777-4309 or 772-0541.

Also a reminder that the College Age Group has Sunday Bible class at 9:00 a.m. taught by Steve Jaynes in Rm. 2. It meets on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. and is taught by Paul Swaim in Rm. 9. The Sunday evening Bible Study Group meets at 7:00 p.m. at Paul & Katrina Swaim's home. For more information, call 676-0354 or 772-0541.

Wayne Welter, Paul Welter's brother, has a ruptured disc. He will find out on the 9th if he is going to have surgery.

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

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

We are thankful that Jack Pierce is slowly recovering from a cracked clavicle, broken ribs and bruises.

John Santos, Joyce Erwin's father, is recovering from triple bypass surgery and is doing better.

Anita Haman, Teen Pearson's daughter, is having blood transfusions as her health has deteriorated.

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

Steve & Alaysha Maxwell's parked car was totaled by a drunk driver Christmas morning. Pray that they get transportation soon.

Please pray for the new churches and Christians in Togo - and for the team, to have good health to continue the work - especially the ladies as they reach out and teach the women.

Let's pray continually for those who serve our country in this time of turmoil. Our local National Guard unit has been deployed as of January 30. This includes Michael Kish & Steve Howard. Pray for them and their families.

Lorraine Johnson*David Morgan*Mark Mood*Rick Howard
Zach Shaner*Dallas Miller*Laura Dickson
Chris Flick*Joe Jovanovich*Micaela Dehlbom
Geri Gwin*Dick Atkinson*Christen Johnson

There will be a Congregational meeting on January 19 at 3 pm. We will be discussing plans for the year 2003 as well as receive input from anyone desiring to do so. Included in this will the mandatory Idaho State Incorporation Meeting. Everyone is encouraged to attend.

2 Timothy 4:7-8 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

Roller coaster Christianity' on track for a while' slip back into old ways' feel guilty about it' get it all confessed and fixed' back on track for a while. Big highs, devastating lows; fear and apprehension at what the next hill or turn may hold. Up down; Up down; On off; Hot cold. Guilt, embarrassment, discouragement and frustration. Any of that sound familiar?

Do you long for a consistent, stable Christian walk? We all know that there are the occasional 'bumps', but would you like to get off the 'roller coaster'? If yes, then we have to lose our impulsive nature and start developing a consistent, routine, structured and predictable lifestyle.

The world today breeds impulsiveness. We want Godliness for three easy payments on a Spiritual Visa Card. We think short term. Right now. Today. Fast, quick, convenient. It is hard for us to think of any process or life that requires daily discipline and year after year small, incremental daily growth.

Impulsiveness is the killer of spiritual growth. Consistency is a day by day, step by step process that will take your whole life to develop. It cannot be created in a day or a week or a year. It is created with a moment by moment choice of your will to act in accordance with God's will. Satan is using our impulsiveness when we set aside our commitment to Jesus and his church for personal enjoyment.....whether it is a movie, a ball game, skiing, friends or family, or anything else that breaks the consistency of our commitment.

We have to determine to make a complete shift in our way of thinking. We have to starve our 'short term' nature, and start developing a 'long term' mentality. Ironically, a long-term mentality is created with a day-by-day approach.

Impulsive Christianity (the old roller coaster) leads us to spiritual frustration and eventually discouragement because the day will come when we get sick of it and don't even want to try anymore.

What is the cure for impulsiveness? Discipline - Consistency - Routine & Daily Living. We will discuss these in next week's bulletin article.

I am sorry, all our Angels and Saints are busy helping other sinners right now. However, your prayer is important to us and we will answer it in the order it was received. Please stay on the line. If you would like to speak to:

To find a love one that has been assigned to heaven press 5, then enter his or her social security # followed by the pound sign. (If you receive a negative response, please hang up and dial area code 666)

For answers to nagging questions about dinosaurs, life and other planets, please wait until you arrive in heaven for the specifics.

Our computers show that you have already been prayed for today, please hang up and call again tomorrow.

If you are calling after hours and need emergency assistance, please contact your local preacher.

I am truly thankful to everyone for the prayers, love, hugs and concern for me during my six months of recovery from a broken leg. Many I don't know by name, even approached me with concern and love. I am blessed for a sincere Christian family and church who practices God's ways so willingly. Thank you again. Love, Vera Calfy

Song Leader: Danny Sims

Opening Prayer: Rick Blanchard

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

Steve Howard

Greeters: Russ & Jo Allen

Announcements: Scott Rouse

Audio: Scott Dehlbom

Computer: George Wuest

Lock-Up Building: Jack Pierce

Contact Warren Brown ASAP if you are unable to serve.

January 12^th January 19^th

Nursery: Kathy Taylor Sharon Nirk

Helpers: Laura Utter Kelsy Nirk

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

Statistics:
WEEK OF 12/29/2002

Attendance:

Assembly 193

Bible Classes 96

Wednesday Bible Study 154

Bible Study Groups 78

Contribution:

Current $3,592.98

Goal $4,561.00

Average $4,056.00

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