STUFF   DAVE SHANER

2004 is almost here. Remember that this year we will not be having New Year's Eve celebration at the church building. Instead several have graciously opened their homes for some smaller gatherings. See the accompanying article for places to go and people to see.

As we start on a new year, let's take a brief look at some of the happenings in the Dalton Gardens church for 2003. We had several excellent seminars. Jerry and Lynn Jones from St. Charles, Missouri were here for their Marriage Matters Seminar. Their presentations were fast-paced, humorous and insightful. Many marriages were helped by this seminar.

We also completed our own 6 week study entitled 'Take God at His Word.' This was a study of giving and how generosity benefits the kingdom of God and individuals alike. This was followed up by a 'No, Debt, No Sweat' Seminar with Steve Diggs from Nashville, Tennessee. This taught us many principles about how to get out of debt and how to honor God with our finances. Partly because of these teachings and also simply because of your commitment to the Lord and His purposes, we were able to do so much more for Him in 2003. Our regular giving for the year was far above what it has ever been in the history of this church. In addition to this, there was a great increase to some of our mission points. Notable was your generosity toward the children's home in Komsomolsk, Siberia, Russia in addition to our other missionaries.

One of the highlights this year was the Garden of Prayer. The community is very excited about this resource. Many of you helped to make this a reality. It will be a great tool to draw people closer to God. We also had 22 people give their lives to the Lord this year in baptism. Nothing is greater than to see someone go from darkness to light.

God has been good. But we have barely cracked open the door to what God has in store for us this new year. I believe that we can look forward to much greater blessings in every way. Remember as we start off a new year that 'it is not about me, but about Him!'

There are several families who have opened their homes this year for New Year's Eve gatherings. We would like to encourage you to get together with your Christians brothers and sisters to enjoy some good food and fellowship. Listed are some of the places where you are welcome to go. They all start at 7 p.m. Remember that there will be no formal Bible study services here this Wednesday.

1. Tim & Alyssa Frahm (Tweeners), 3511 Pineridge Drive, CDA, 665-5851

2. LaMont & Mary Petersen, 3030 N Slice, PF, 777-4309

3. Ivan & Sally Archer, 2789 E Spyglass Court, CDA, 772-0426

4. Paul & Patty Welter, 106 S. Scott, PF, 773-8673

5. Mark & Kim Borsheim (Teens), 9411 Finucane Drive, HL, 772-8183

"LOVE must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality". Romans 12: 9-13

In this Christmas season of caring and giving, the above passage is easier to live. However Church, our challenge is to live this way all year, and we can thru the power of the Holy Spirit. May 2004 be the greatest year of our blessed lives.

The Tweeners New Year's Even Party 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 a gift exchange. Please bring a gift for everyone in the family. $2 max. for kids gifts and $5 max. for adult gifts. 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.

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. The date for the auction is April 24. Thank you, thank you!

We will have a congregational meeting on January 11 at 3:00 pm. Our LIFE Groups will not be meeting that evening to encourage participation. Included will be plans for 2004. Also included is our annual corporate meeting. Be sure to come.

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

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

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

Jan. 11 - Congregational Meeting 3 p.m. Sm. Aud.

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

Jan. 25 - 26 - Mark McLean Church Growth Seminar

Prayer Requests

Norman Dawson, Alyssa Frahm's step father, has been diagnosed with cancer.

Jan Almond will be having an eye implant on January 7th.

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

Pray for Anita Haman, who has cancer, that she has less pain.

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

Ron Dupey is at home recovering from gall bladder surgery.

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 and would appreciate your visits.

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

Please pray for David Morgan, Sr. who is serving a life sentence in Montana. He has requested to be baptized but prison officials have refused his request.

The Reeves arrived back in Kara safely. Remember to keep the Togo Team's health, and the work they are committed to fulfill for the Kabiye people, in your prayers.

Continue to remember: Harold Long, Ake Laititi, the families in Tecate, Mexico, Dave Shaner, Sr., George Parrish, Tammy Heath, Susan Vetch, Ivan Archer, Bea Phippen, Myrtle Cornett, Chris Williams, Donann Scott, Nicholas Litterell, Russ Allen, Ann Kish.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Robin Utter and her family in the loss of her grandmother, Ivy Craddock. Remember to keep her family in your prayers during this time of loss.

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!

We will begin with bowling at Triple Play($5) at 6:30, then go to the Borsheim's at 8 pm for food, games, movies and surprises. You may leave at 12:15, or the girls may stay for the night, while the boys go

to the bus barn with for the night. Get ready for a great time!!

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During the Christmas season, we saw lots of tinsel and bright colors, especially red and green, as a part of the holiday season. However, these colors impact our lives on a daily basis as traffic signals.

Of course, when driving, we always want to have the green light. When you think about it, it is great to be a part of a green light family, a green light church, and a green light community. These would be places where the positive is emphasized.....environments where people look for the good, appreciate your efforts, and encourage you to do your best.

God sent Jesus as the most powerful beacon of green light the world has ever known. He fulfilled the old law of do's and don'ts, and set us on the positive road of God's grace.

However, contrary to much current thinking, he did not take out all the stops. He did not give us permission to do whatever feels good. He gave us some very clear stop lights to protect us from hurting ourselves and from the evil power of Satan. He also included the yellow lights....to caution us to be wary, recognizing the devil's schemes and avoiding them.

Some of us want to run as close to the red as possible, always hurrying along on the yellow caution light. Intending humor, someone said, 'Go like the devil to beat the red.' However, I think there is a subtle truth in there somewhere.

I'm sure we've all enjoyed the holiday season, and I hope we are all positive contributors to help make our environments pleasant. I also hope we appreciate, not just the green lights in our lives, but also red and yellow stops and cautions that help protect us from Satan and guide us in our relationships.

A Holiday Break by Dan DuPey

Coeur d'Alene Christian School had a great holiday singing night last week! It was very successful and we had many, many great comments. We appreciate all the work that Jennifer Rude spent directing this. Thank-you, again, Jennifer! The students have finished most of the work required for their semester. Semester grades will be coming out in mid-January. Even though God does not change our time, it does seem like it is flying. We, again, thank all of our volunteers and sponsors. You have meant so much to our school. Thank-you!

The Bible says to have an answer for why you believe to those who ask you. Here is a good example of an answer to one of the most common reasons sinners give for ignoring God and His goodness.

A Christian went to his favorite barber shop for a haircut. In the course of their conversation, they touched upon the subject of God. The barber said, "Look, I don't believe that God exists as you believe."

"Why do you think that?" asked the Christian.

"Well, it's so easy, you only have to go out into the streets to realize that God does not exist. If God existed, would there be so many sick people? Would there be abused children?' If God existed there would be no suffering or pain. I can NOT imagine a loving God who would permit ANY of these things."

The Christian did not want to enter into an argument and could think of no immediate response to the barber's logic.'' The barber finished his job and the Christian left the shop. The moment he stepped out the door he saw a man sitting on the curb whose LONG hair and beard were in need of a barber's attention. (They were long, dirty and untidy)

The Christian turned around and went back into the barber shop and said to the barber, "You know what? Barbers absolutely do NOT exist!"

"How can you say that! I just cut your hair. And, I am here and a barber!"

"No" the Christian exclaimed. "Barbers do not exist because if they did exist, there would be no one with long, stringy, untidy hair or beards out in the streets, sitting on the curbs."

"Oh, but barbers do exist. What happens is that people must first come to me. They seek me out and find me if they want my help."

"That is exactly right!" affirmed the Christian. "That is exactly the point. God DOES exist. What happens is that people do not go to Him and seek Him out. That is why there is so much pain and suffering in the world."

The Christian walked out of the shop.

TO SERVE January 4^th, 2004

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 12/21/2003

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