STUFF   DAVE SHANER

Sometimes visitors will ask why we take the Lord's supper every week. The short answer is the scriptures reveal that was how it was done in the first century church. The churches of Christ are associated historically with what is known as the American Restoration Movement. This is a movement that saw the then present state of denominationalism as having strayed from the teaching of the Word of God. They simply sought to bypass the years of manmade traditions and went back to the Bible. In actuality we are simply seeking to go back and restore the form and function as revealed in the New Testament. We are not asking to restore the churches that existed in the first century. They were not perfect and neither will we be. It is important to try to do Bible things in Bible ways and call Bible things by Bible names.

The church met every first day of the week for the purposes of worship, encouragement, and teaching. This was done in a variety of ways. Jesus Christ set up the Lord's Supper the night before He died. He asked us to remember him as we take this. Later I Corinthians 11 revealed that it was a time to come together as a body to celebrate our oneness in Christ. Even though we do not have a command to take it every first day of the week, we find that this was the consistent practice of the early church. In this they celebrated his resurrection from the dead. This was the day that the church had its beginning. They were commanded to meet on the first day of the week and to give of their means. But the purpose of meeting had its roots in the taking of the Supper together as a body. It has become very popular to take it on other days. We have no teaching nor example to take it on any other day. To me, the question is not so much why do we take it every Lord's Day, but why would anybody not take it every first day of the week. It is about Jesus. It is about his body, the church. It is not something that we do as individuals, but something we celebrate as a body of Christians together. It is an important time for all of us as we look forward to the Lord's return.

Have a Great Week!!

Our church is going to publish a new pictorial directory with Olan Mills. If you have not already, be sure to 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 Portrait. Because of their 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. To help complete the directory, we are in need of current pictures that you may have of church activities. If you have any current church activity photos, please turn them in to LeeAnn Freshour or her mailbox for the new directory.

THE SOUP KITCHEN WILL BE CLOSED DEC 24TH & DEC 31ST
THIS WILL ALLOW THE SOUP KITCHEN STAFF TO BE WITH THEIR FAMILIES FOR THE HOLIDAYS.

This year we are going to try something different!! We are going to have small group parties of 10 to 20 people. So if you are interested in hosting or going to a party with brothers and sisters in Christ, please talk to George Wuest.

This year we will not be having a Christmas party but a New Year's party instead. This will be at the Frahm's house. Dinner will start at 6:30 p.m. Please bring your favorite dish. It's a potluck. Children are invited! We will have kids' games from 7-9 p.m. and then an early kids' New Year's at 9 p.m. We will then put on a movie and have the kids lay down in our basement. From 9-12 p.m. we will have grown-up games and fellowship. We will have the usual Christmas gift exchange. Please bring a gift for everyone in the family. $2 max. for kids gifts and $5 max. for adult gifts. Be creative, make cookies or candy - no minimal cost limit. We will ask for donations for a couple of baby sitters to watch the kids from 9-12 p.m. Please help if you are able. For any questions, call Alyssa Frahm at 665-5851.

John 3:16 and 1 John 3:16

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. - This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.

CHURCH: The Elders love every one of you, and there is not a thing you can do about it!

- For the Elders

In the foyer of the church you will find the tree of giving now decorated with paper ornaments which hold Christmas wishes of children. Merry Christmas and may we share the joy of giving in our church family! More specific directions are inside the ornaments.

(If you still need to turn in a wish list, please get a hold of us as soon as possible, and we'll do our best! Kristine at 691-3719, Loretta at 762-2794, or Kim in the church office at 772-0541)

Holiday luncheon party is scheduled for Thursday, December 11, at 12 noon at Ivan and Sally Archer's home. A sign-up sheet is on the kiosk. Please bring an inexpensive wrapped item for a game of sharing.

Remember this is the last week to do something encouraging for your secret sister. It will soon be time to find out who she is! Mark your calendars for Saturday, December 13th at 11:30 am. We will be having a potluck lunch at the home of Sally Archer. The revealing will take place at 11:30 with lunch following. Bring your secret sister a gift that gives a big hint of who you are. Please let Katrina Swaim or Kathy Taylor know if you will be unable to attend the luncheon. For those who did not participate in this time around, we will begin a new round in January.

Be ready for tons of fun at our monthly game night, December 12, 6:30 p.m. down in the kitchen. Bring snacks and games. Come join the fun!

Kids' Christmas Party

Mark your calendars for December 14th from 2-4 pm for the Kids' Christmas Party. The party will be for children 6th grade and younger. There is a sign up list on the kiosk and it will be very important to get your children's names on the list because we will be decorating mini gingerbread houses and we want to be sure we have enough for everyone. We would also like for each family who has a child attending the party to bring a gift or some stocking stuffers for the Tree of Giving. We welcome donations of graham crackers and candies to decorate the houses and also of cookies and candy canes for the party.

Dec. 9 - 6:30 a.m. Prayer Breakfast at JB's

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

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

Dec. 12 - Game Night in the Kitchen 6:30 p.m.

Dec. 13 - Secret Sister Luncheon 11:30 a.m.

Dec. 13 - Teens Bible Bowl Challenge

Dec. 14 - Elders/Deacons Budget Meeting

Dec. 14 - Kids' Christmas Party 2-4 p.m. Sm. Aud.

Dec. 18 - CCS Christmas Program 7 p.m.

Dec. 19 - Teen Christmas Party at the Welter's

Dec. 21 - Shaner's Holiday Open House

Wilma Flanagan is at KMC recovering from intestinal surgery. She would appreciate no visitors at this time.

Red Caylor, Opal Wilson's son-in law, had an aneurysm in his stomach and is not doing well.

Carole Fredrikson is recovering from foot surgery.

Fred Bonney has been sick with the flu. He will be having surgery on his neck on Wednesday.

Myrtle Cornett, Opal Wilson's sister, had a heart attack. She is awaiting tests.

Bea Phippen is now home and doing better!

Laura Dickson asks for prayers for her son, Sean, that his heart will soften and turn to God.

Pray  for Mark Mood's aunt, Patty, who is fighting bone marrow cancer and is experiencing kidney failure.

A special prayer is requested for two CCS school mothers who have cancer, Tammy Heath and Susan Vetch. Both have several children.

Continue to remember: Harold Long, Ake Laititi, Donann Scott, Anita Haman, the families in Tecate, Mexico, Dave Shaner, Sr., John Simpson, Irene Clark, Nicholas Litterell, George Parrish, Lillian Lane, Russ Allen, James Dupey, Daniel Moberg, Ivan Archer.

To all that donated baked goods, candy, jams, helped decorate and came and shopped! It is truly a wonderful blessing for all the wonderful support that each and everyone of you give to our school.

In Christ, Patty Welter

A BIG thank you to Warren and Lynn Brown, Arrty Rude, Mike Reeves and all others who were involved in planning Thursday evening's Teacher Appreciation Dinner! The food was wonderful, the fellowship was uplifting, and the present raffle was a great source of fun and laughter!

To all members: please consider allowing God to use you this year as Bible class teacher. You'll not only get yourself invited to a great party, you will be building the Kingdom of God by touching the lives of His children.

Northwest Bible Bowl Challenge - Dec. 13th

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(from Jim McGuiggin's Celebrating the Wrath of God)

I am willing to forgive all your sins, God teaches us, but you must at least be willing to confess there's something that needs to be forgiven.

God help us. We're so busy explaining why we sin that we sometimes forget that we have sinned. It's our parents, you see, or our environment, our culture, our peers and fears, our doubts and complexes; this is where the trouble lies. By the time we're finished, we've explained why we had no choice but to sin, and so sin has vanished.....we're not at all responsible. We have too much to say for ourselves.

But one of the purposes of the curse, one of the functions of the wilderness is to expose our sinning for what it is so that forgiveness can become possible. The shriek and bedlam of a world in turmoil functions to silence us, to generate a humble confession of dire need. It shuts our mouths so that we won't have too much to say for ourselves.....

But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God have mercy on me, a sinner.' Lk. 18:13

No explanations, no denials, no excuses; no extenuating circumstances or sob stories; no bitter recriminations or long list of good deeds done that might outweigh the bad. When face to face with the holy and loving Father - nothing to say for himself.

Do we get the point? We are guilty! The best solution, no the only solution to our problem, is to confess our guilt, fall on our knees in humbleness before the great God of the universe, and to beg Him, with His mercy and grace, to cover our sins with the precious blood of Jesus. No excuses. Just guilt and graciousness. Confession and forgiveness. Thank you, Jesus.

It is December already! My how time flies. The year has progressed and so have the kids in my class. My 4 and 5 year olds have learned their vowels and several consonants. They are already putting these letters into blends, words and learning to read those words. They are also accomplishing many other skills in class. Skills such as counting, using scissors and following directions. Each student is also learning how to work in groups and cooperate with others. Being patient is also another important skill each is learning.

It is a joy to watch each student as they learn and grow.

We hope you enjoyed the craft fair yesterday. A lot of hope and planning goes into it. Applause to Patty Welter for taking the craft fair on and making it a success. Thank you, Patty!

Merry CHRISTmas, Lynelle Dehlbom

4K Teacher

God's mighty act in freeing the Israelites from Egypt gave His people a rallying point. Through the centuries the escape from Egypt was a major influence in their lives. But of all the occasions in which God has acted, the greatest was not at the Red Sea, but that which began in Bethlehem.

God not only acted for man; God became a part of humanity. 'The word became flesh and dwelt among us' (John 1:14). Traditionally, we have called this the incarnation.

In this act something is revealed about the nature of God. He is personal and loving. In this act something is declared about the relation of God and the universe which He created. He entered the created world.

In this act something is made known about the nature of man. Man must be unique for God to take on the qualities of man.

At Bethlehem something is said about sin. Only that which is real, threatening and condemning could cause God to send His Son to die. The incarnation is a declaration of hope. Only through it can men have assurance of conquering sin and death. Salvation is only possible because there was first Bethlehem. Not the Bethlehem of glitter, tinsel and gifts of a single season. But the Bethlehem of incarnation that undergirds all that we do every day of every season.

Beginning at Bethlehem God gave the reason for hope and the call to action for all men for all time.

'Sew in Love' ladies luncheon Tuesday, December 16 in the small auditorium. Ladies, come join us for class at 10:30 a.m. and lunch following.

Did you know that the Dalton Gardens church is helping to supply preaching for the churches in Bonners Ferry, Pinehurst, and Priest River. We are very blessed with some very capable preachers and teachers. A very special thank you goes to Andrew Marchese, Ralph Crump, Ray Rayburn, Scott Rouse, Steve Jaynes, and Ivan Archer among others. If you would be interested in being a part of our traveling preaching crew, you may contact Ivan Archer or Dave Shaner.

TO SERVE December 14^th, 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 11/30/2003

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