STUFF   DAVE SHANER

As we enter the holiday season, most of us are starting to think of all the ways how God is such a continual blessing to us. A part of Christian maturity is learning who we really are and learning not to complain, but rather to be thankful. I ran across an article that I would like to share with you (in humor) that helps me to keep things in perspective.

If you can start the day without caffeine,

If you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains,

If you can resist complaining, and boring people with your troubles,

If you can eat the same food every day and be grateful for it,

If you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you any time,

If you can overlook it when those you love take it out on you when, though no fault of yours, something goes wrong,

If you can take criticism and blame without resentment,

If you can resist treating a rich friend better than a poor friend,

If you can face the world without lies and deceit,

If you can conquer tension without medical help,

If you can relax without liquor,

If you can sleep without the aid of drugs,

If you can honestly say that deep in your heart you have no prejudice against creed, color, religion, gender preference, or politics,

... THEN, you have reached the same level of development as your dog.

Whew, I was starting to feel good about myself. Remember Romans 12:3 - '...Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.

'Our church is going to publish a new pictorial directory using the Olan Mills Video Image Proofing System. Reserve an appointment time today at one of the sign-up locations. Each family photographed will receive a complimentary directory and a free 8 x 10 Custom Color Portrait from Olan Mills. Because of the Video Image Proofing System, you will make only one trip to the church. Plan forty-five minutes to one hour for the entire process. All pose selections for the directory, your free 8 x 10 portrait, and any additional portrait purchases you may wish to make will be completed at this time.' If you have any current church activity photos, please turn them in to LeeAnn Freshour or her mailbox for the new directory.

This event will take place this Sunday evening, November 16th, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Evening of Giving is a private evening of shopping for customers who have purchased a ticket from a participating non-profit organization. Special features include store discounts, door prizes and entertainment. (Several CCS students won items in the drawings at this event last year, including the grand prize!) Tickets are $5.00 each. (children 13 and younger will be admitted free).

To be a part of this fun night of savings you may purchase your tickets from any CCS student or staff member. CCS gets 100% of the profit from ticket sales. A list of drawings and store offer savings can be found on the CCS bulletin board in the foyer.

Ladies of all ages, you are invited to a Thanksgiving Tea at the home of Marci Nelson on Sat., Nov. 22, at 12:00 p.m. Come with a spirit of thankfulness and fellowship and your favorite finger foods to share. Meet at the church building at 11:00 a.m. for car pooling. Directions to Marcie's house can be found at the kiosk.

November 30, at 5:30 pm, we will be having an evening worship assembly. All of our LIFE Groups will be meeting here instead of their normal meeting times. We will be doing this whenever there is a 5th Sunday in a given month. This gives our leaders a break plus allows us to get together to learn new songs, pray together, and enjoy each other's fellowship.

Do you know some members of the congregation better than others? Do you wish you could know some of the members better? That is the reason that the Elders started Getting to Know You. As busy as our lives have become, we find it difficult to spend the time with one another that is necessary to know our brothers and sisters well. The time we spend each Sunday during class time with families has been a real asset for gaining knowledge about desires and maturity. It is not designed for any type of discipline or witch hunt, but a time to spend to encourage one another, much like we would at a dinner or lunch time. Please respond positively to Kim when she calls to ask you to spend some time with the Elders.

-The Elders

Holiday luncheon party is scheduled for Thursday, December 11, at 12 noon at Ivan and Sally's home. Food sign-up sheet will be posted in late November.

It is almost time for the Tree of Giving to make an appearance. We wanted to get an early start at collecting the wish lists from any of our brothers and sisters who have had a hard year. Please also consider any friend or family you may know that could use some help, and encourage them to fill out a Wish list. You can find a wish list on the kiosk in the church foyer and return them to the church office or Loretta Robinson. The joy of Christmas is complete when we can participate in sharing gifts with each other. Ornaments will be hung with kids' wishes on the Tree of Giving in early December. We hope everyone can participate, either by filling out a wish list or picking up an ornament. For any questions please feel free to contact Kristine Robinson at 691-3718, Loretta Robinson at 762-2794, or the church office (772-0541). Happy Holidays!

There is a cherry red list on the kiosk of requested items for David and Becky Reeves and their family for items they could use when they return back to Togo, Africa. Please sign your name next to the item or items you wish to donate by November 30th. There is a box located in the foyer to put these items in. Your willingness to help them out is greatly appreciated!

Nov. 16 - CCS Evening of Giving at the Mall 7 p.m.

Nov. 18 - 6:30 a.m. Prayer Breakfast at JB's

Nov. 21 - 23 - Teens Come Before Winter Retreat

Nov. 22- Ladies Thanksgiving Tea at Marcie Nelson's

Dec. 4 - Teacher Appreciation Dinner

Dec. 6 - CCS Craft Fair 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Dec. 7 - Begin Winter Quarter Bible Classes

Dec. 11 - 13 - Olan Mills, Church Directory Pictures

Dec. 11 - Senior Saints Holiday Luncheon 12:00 p.m.

Ivan Archer is now recuperating from the breaks in his pelvis and hip joint at Ivy Court until Nov.18. He hopes to get out of traction on Monday.

Dave Shaner Sr., Dave's father, has been diagnosed with bladder cancer. He appreciates your prayers.

John Simpson is healing from carpal tunnel surgery.

Pray for healing and a quick recovery from surgery for Irene Clark.

Nicholas Litterell, Doug and Geri Gwin's great grandson, is still undergoing tests. His food is not digesting correctly. Pray the doctors will soon find out why.

Pray for safety for Larry & Jean Grow as they travel to Arizona and back over the next three weeks.

Fred Bonney is suffering with pain in his shoulder.

Bea Phippen is recovering at the Pinewood Care Center, in room #408. She will be having cataract surgery soon. Visitors welcome!

Lillian Lane is having back and hip pain.

Bobby Inabnet, Robert's mother, has been diagnosed with intestinal cancer and the outlook does not look favorable. The family appreciates your prayers.

George Parrish, Earlene Reeves' father, is recuperating at home and is doing much better.

Ashley Shumaker, Don and Wilma's great niece, has asked for prayers that God will strengthen her as she heals from cancer surgery.

Continue to pray for faith, strength and good health for Cindy Rupnick.

Keep Russ Allen in your prayers as he deals with constant physical pain.

Pray for all the children of Komsomolsk and all the children who are helped by Lifeline of Hope.

Continue to remember: Virginia Filbeck, Harold Long, Ake Laititi, Steve Bell, Donann Scott, Anita Haman, the families in Tecate, Mexico, Ralph Shook, Bruce Pleasants, Rita Welter, Julie Bryant.

November 21st - 23rd

Each year this retreat seems to be the spiritual highlight of all our activities. It draws the group together in the strong bond of Christ's love, and builds our faith in the Father. We play a little, but we study and worship a lot. We appreciate the Don & Eldon Rude's for allowing us to abuse their cabins on the St. Joe River for an excellent setting for the retreat. I pray that every single teen in our Youth Group has made it a priority. Don't miss this one!

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THE WHOLE STORY

Have you ever really looked at God's whole plan for redeeming man? It's awesome. After the sin in the garden God said to Satan, 'I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head and you will strike his heel.'

Man often tried the Lord's patience, as at Mt. Sinai when he said to Moses, 'Go down and bring Aaron up with you. But the priests and the people must not force their way through to come up to the Lord, or he will break out against them,'

And sometimes men tried very hard to do enough to merit God's favor. King Solomon and the entire assembly of Israel that had gathered about him were before the ark, sacrificing so many sheep and cattle that they could not be recorded or counted.'

Finally the real sacrifice arrived. 'Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover Lamb had to be sacrificed.'

Now a main road was about to be paved from the Holy Place, through the Holy of Holies, out into the the courts of the Jewish men, the Jewish women, and finally to the courts of the Gentiles - right up to your door and mine. Finally a perfect, unblemished Lamb would be sacrificed to fulfill the righteous requirements of God's alter. Finally something would happen to reconcile believing man to God once and for all. After thousands of years of man's folly, someone in a cloak of flesh did it right. Finally.

Yes, from the garden to the cross, the road to reconciliation is strewn with man's mistakes and futile attempts to make things right with his maker. Jesus built the bridge for us to cross back into the garden of God's love. It's a long story with a beautiful ending for those who will follow the straight and narrow road walked by the Savior. I want to go....don't you?

'''' The first quarter is already over!' The 2nd graders have been learning many new things.' We have enjoyed two field trips:' Carver Farm, and Tomato Street.' There are pictures on the wall by my classroom, rm. 9.

''''' We are excited about seeing everyone at the Mall tonight.' It is the "Evening of Giving" from 7:00-9:00 pm.' Hope you can make it!' Tickets may be purchased today from Dan DuPey.' The entire amount of the ticket goes to our school if purchased ahead of time, which is $5.00.' Children under 13 are free.' There will be many store discounts as well as drawings.' Last year several of our members and school parents won prizes.' It was fun to see so many friends at the mall!' Gift wrapping is free!

'''' The kids are looking forward to our traditional Thanksgiving lunch with lots of delicious food!' If you would like to help with serving or cleanup, see Patty Welter.

'''' The Craft Fair is also coming up December 6th, featuring many holiday crafts, sweets, ornaments, breakfast and a hot lunch.' We will need help with set up and clean up, as well as cooking.'

'''' We have begun our annual Cherry dale Fundraiser.' There are many nice items in the brochure.' Be sure to ask a student to order!' Thanks so much for supporting our wonderful Christian School.

Sandy Simpson, 2nd Grade Teacher

The 8th Annual CCS Craft Fair December 6th, 9 a.m.- 3 pm.

We still have craft booth spaces available but they are going fast. Those still interested need to talk to me as soon as possible. Also we are still in need of donations for the baked food booth and the candy store..... Such as homemade food items (jams, jellies, fudge, pies, breads, cakes, etc.) would be greatly appreciated. A sign-up sheet can be found at the kiosk. Thanks! Patty Welter.

St. Vincent de Paul would like to announce that National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week starts November 16, 2003. In observation of this important event, St. Vincent de Paul is planning activities throughout the week and would like the community to come join the fun and learn more about hunger and homeless issues in Kootenai County.

We would like to let you know how much we appreciated all the cards, calls, visits and prayers for Irene's recent surgery. It has been a true blessing.

-Bob & Irene Clark

TO SERVE November 23^rd, 2003

Contact Warren Brown ASAP if you are unable to serve.

Assembly Times:

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

Statistics:
WEEK OF 11/9/2003

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