STUFF   DAVE SHANER

Listening to KVNI radio yesterday, a caller informed the disk jockey, Dick Haugen, that it was politically incorrect to say 'Merry Christmas' anymore. Dick responded by saying, 'in that case, Merry Christmas!' It is amazing that so many today want to do anything they can to not offend someone but actually go completely limp when it comes to any mention of God. In many ways, we have become a nation that is not about freedom of speech or freedom of religion, but freedom from religion. In fact, it seems that you can say anything you want no matter how offensive, but you can not mention the name of Jesus Christ. One day every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. My prayer is that more and more will confess His name in this lifetime. If one waits, his knees will be forced to acknowledge what he would not before.

The word 'Christmas' is not in the Bible, but it is all through it. The word actually came from Christ Mass. Of course, we do not use the terminology of a mass as referring to a religious service. But do not be afraid to speak about Christ no matter what the occasion. I am amazed how football players are quick to give glory to God no matter how commercial it seems. At the same time, many of us are afraid to give glory to God in a public way because we do not want to offend. As we approach a new year, let's just start talking more about Jesus Christ no matter how politically incorrect it is.

Christmas is also about family. We want to encourage you to enjoy this holiday. There will be no Bible classes this Wednesday evening or the following Wednesday, New Year's Eve. Be sure to attend one of the many New Year's Eve celebrations held at different members' homes. Be sure to come over and visit for our open house this afternoon. Hopefully you will read this before it happens. Kathy and I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas!

Have a Great Week!!

Amanda Wilson was baptized into Christ last Tuesday evening. Amanda has been a part of the College Study on NIC campus. After one more semester at NIC, she will transfer to LSU. Be sure to welcome her to the family of God and keep her in your prayers as she grows in Christ.

Dave & Kathy Shaner's annual Christmas Open House will be held this afternoon, Dec. 21st from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. Come and enjoy the holidays with us. All are invited!

We would like to congratulate our new Stephen Ministers. Lavina Dooley, Ron McIntire, and Larry & Sylvia Slate graduated last Monday evening. The Stephen ministry provides trained men and women to help bear one another's burdens. If you are interested in becoming a Stephen Minister or would like to receive the help that a Stephen Minister can provide, please see Dave Bruner, Anna Crump, or Ralph Crump.

"But you (Church) are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light." 1 Peter 2:9

Church, in this season of giving, may we reflect on all the blessings that have been lavished upon us Christians through Jesus Christ our Lord. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

- For the Elders

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.

We would like to send our sincere thanks to Ivan and Sally Archer for opening their home to us for the Secret Sister Discovery Luncheon. It was a beautiful day as we found out the identity of the Christian sister who had been praying for us for the past six months. I pray the ladies who participated as Secret Sisters have been blessed and encouraged. We will begin another round in January, so be watching for more information.

Thank you to all the people who helped make the Kids' Christmas party a success. We played games, visited with Santa and decorated gingerbread houses. There were some pretty fancy creations, to be sure! Even some of the parents got involved with houses of their own! Special thanks to Katrina Swaim and Alyssa Frahm for their special efforts organizing the party. Thank you to all those who helped set up, run the party and clean up afterwards, as well as those who provided cookies and candy.

The generosity of our church is astounding and it is such a pleasure to see our church family put together a wonderful Christmas for children they have never seen.' You've brought a smile to a mom's heart and may it brighten your Christmas!' Thanks for everything!

Dec. 21 - Shaner's Holiday Open House

Dec. 22 - Youth Ski Trip - 6:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Dec. 31 - New Year's Eve Party - Sign up on kiosk

Jan. 9th - Game Night 6:30 p.m. Small Auditorium

Jan. 9 -11 - Sr. High Retreat 9th -12th grade

Jan. 11 - Congregational Meeting

Jan. 16 - 18 - Teen Winterfest, Northside in Spokane

Weslee Heberling (age 6), grandson of a co-worker of Donna Coleman, is at Sacred Heart Hospital with a RARE disease - Kawasaki Disease that affects the mucous membranes, lymph nodes, lining of the blood vessels, and the heart.

Robert Frisk's dad, Richard Frisk, age 89, fell on Wednesday and broke his hip. He will have surgery at John Muir Hospital in Walnut Creek, California.

Russ Allen is recovering at home following a fall on the ice.

Nicholas Litterell had an intestinal biopsy last Wednesday.

Rita Welter, Paul's mother, has fractured two vertebrae in her back.

Ron Dupey is scheduled for gall bladder surgery on Monday.

Beverly Finney, Paul's Welter's boss' wife, has a pulled muscle on her side.

Pat Hauck, Don and Eldon's brother-in-law, had a stomach aneurysm.

Ann Kish, Mike's mother, broke her leg.

Red Caylor, Opal Wilson's son-in law, had an aneurysm in his stomach and is improving slightly.

Fred Bonney is at Ivy Court recovering from hip surgery following a fall at the hospital.

Chris Williams, Pat Irmer's nephew, is recovering from having two of his toes removed due to a staph infection.

Barbra David Anderson, Bobbie and Joleen's grandmother, fell on the ice and broke her ankle. She will be in the Life Care Center for a few weeks.

Donann Scott, Mary Nell's daughter, is having thyroid surgery soon.

Tom & Jamie Morgan lost their barn and livestock to a fire last Tuesday morning.

Continue to remember: Harold Long, Ake Laititi, Anita Haman, the families in Tecate, Mexico, Dave Shaner, Sr., George Parrish, Tammy Heath, Susan Vetch, Ivan Archer, Bea Phippen, Myrtle Cornett.

Bill and Theresa Hartofilax
10895 Jannel Street
Hayden, ID
Phone: #762-4402
Mailing address:
P.O. Box 92
Hayden, ID 83835

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I'm writing this on Thursday for the bulletin, but I have already talked to 55 teens and parents who plan to be a part of our new class.....

'HOUSE ON THE ROCK'

which began today in the small auditorium. If my count is correct, we could have 80-90! I'm excited! Dr. Adrian Hickmon, a family therapist, counselor, and professor at Harding Christian University has produced this class series on the important subjects of dating, marriage, and sex, with the much broader purpose of developing stronger relationships, and better communication in the family. We hope to help develop skills in Christ-focused parenting, and in being Christ-focused, parent-respectful teenagers. John Simpson, Ryan McCrea and I will lead this combined class of teens and parents as a Sunday morning Bible class. Some of the topics to be shared in the series include:

If you missed the first class, please plan now to join us next Sunday at 9 am sharp.

We all know that none of us is an expert at home relationships. We all have struggles to face. Please pray for John, Ryan and me as we lead this class, and for all who are / could / should be in the class. It is God who has all the answers, and can help us through the tough times.

A Youth Group New Year's Eve Party at Triple play and then to the Borsheim's for food, games, movies and surprises. Cost is $5.00. A Sign up is on the kiosk. We need to know if you are coming! More details to come.

As I write this note to you, we are finishing our l st week of school before Christmas break. I asked my students what Christmas to them. The following are their replies:

Christmas is about getting together with my family and celebrating Christ's birth. - Jenna Davis

Getting presents for another person. Be kind and getting to see your family - Kory Lackey

To spend Christmas with my family - When the open gifts and seeing their smiles - to listen to Christmas music and hearing the Christmas story from Luke 2 - to have a joyful Christmas and getting into that holiday spirit - Hannah

Christmas to me means celebrating Jesus' birthday and spending time with my family. Seeing all their faces and just being around them makes me happy. That's what Christmas means to me. - Ronnie

What I like about Christmas means to me is thanking Jesus for all he did for us, giving people presents and seeing joy. I like being with my family and putting presents and decorations too. I like being with my friends. - Robin Flanders

To be joyful and kind. - Jay

Christmas means to me presents and being with my family. - Ciara Anderson

Christmas means to be joyful and kind to one another. Christmas means being with my family and getting presents. - Felicia Rex

I like Christmas because it is Jesus' birthday and because we get to open presents and because we get to spend time with my family. - Mike

Being with my family and celebrating Jesus' birth. It's not about getting, it's about giving. So it doesn't really matter if you get any presents, it's when you give that makes you happy. - Jenna Davis

I like Christmas because you can open presents and see happy faces. I also like Christmas because I can watch people open their presents. - Micaela

The holidays, especially Christmas, is just a time to be with your family. It just fills your heart with joy being with your family. I don't know about you but my family is so important to me I don't know what I would do. Especially on the holidays. - Ni'Chel

Christmas is that time of year that everyone is happy and excited at this time of year. But most importantly it is our Lord and Savior's birthday. That is what Christmas is about. - Conner

Thank you to all who pray for our school and support it in so many other ways.

Remembering Him, Arrty Rude

Keep the school auction in mind when the clearance sales start - our theme is trains - 'All Aboard!'. We can use items for Kids Silent auction, Silent auction and Live auction as well as drawing prizes. We also can use anything depicting our theme for decorations. Thank you, thank you!

Just a reminder, it takes many trees to make a forest, we need the help of every member. There is a small thing that each of you can do to make it possible for the garden to be functional. We will have a list to be posted on the board in the foyer of specific duties after the holidays. Think of the mustard seed and see where you can be planted!

TO SERVE December 28^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 12/14/2003

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