Family News

January 4, 2004

STUFF   DAVE SHANER

We appreciate all those who opened their homes for our annual New Year's Eve gatherings. As we start a new year, I am excited about what is happening and will happen with the Dalton Gardens church. Now is a good time to start some new habits. In addition to your other personal goal, consider the following:

1. Start every day with some quiet time with God. Include both prayer and Bible reading. This doesn't have to be an extended time, but simply get started.

2. Make it a priority to be at every assembly and Sunday Bible class that you can.

3. Evaluate how much you can contribute, both financially and in the usage of your time, to the church.

4. Be an active member of a LIFE Group.

5. With the Lord as your helper, Be praying for at least one person that you can bring to the Lord.

Churches reach certain plateaus as they seek to grow into all the world. It is no different for Dalton Gardens. We have seen a number of baptisms, people moving in, and an increased awareness of who we are. The church here is known for many good works and has a reputation throughout the community as one that follows the Bible. Generally, as a a church, we enjoy the favor of the people. Yet with all of this, the attendance or membership of the church has shown very little net growth. It is true that it is difficult to measure a church's success based on numbers alone, but numbers are not silent either. Churches are like individuals. They take on personalities and establish for themselves, without realizing it, a comfort zone that is difficult to break out of. With that in mind we have invited Mark McLean, from the Central Kitsap church, in Silverdale, Washington to address this subject. He did his doctoral dissertation on how churches can eclipse the 200 mark. We are larger than this, but the principles for growth are very similar. This will be a two day seminar January 25-26. We would like to encourage all to attend, but especially the leadership, both male and female, of the congregation. Keep this time in your prayers and make your plans to be here. More information will follow.

Have a Great Week and a Happy New Year!

I am concerned for you and will look on you with favor; you will be plowed and sown, ...

- Ezekiel 36:9

Congregational Meeting

There will be a congregational meeting next Sunday, January 11, at 3:00 pm. This will be a time to lay out plans for this year, many of which were laid out in Think Tank meeting last November. Also included is our annual corporate meeting, which is required by Idaho state law. Be sure to come and be an active participant in the work of the church. The LIFE groups will not be meeting this evening to encourage participation.

Beyond 250 Workshop

We will be hosting a 'Beyond 250' workshop with Mark McLean from Silverdale, Washington on January 25-26. This is a church diagnostic and treatment presentation. Be sure to mark your calendars now and plan to be a part of this seminar.

Tweeners Winter Retreat

This year's retreat will be held on January 30th - February 1st at Camp Princess' Pine. The cost will be $35 for families, $30 for couples and $20 for singles. This is to cover the meal cost and pay for the use of the campgrounds. If money is the only reason you will not come, please talk with Tim Frahm. We do have a little extra left over from other events and we can help out. If you have never been, it is time to come and try it out! We have so much fun and fellowship. Paul Swaim will be presenting the Bible lessons and services on Sunday morning. There will be lots of fun family and kid activities. If work keeps you from getting out to make a family snowman, then you need a break and this is the perfect opportunity to have a get away weekend and make that snowman with the kids. Please sign up and pay your money as soon as possible so we can plan and buy food. The sign up sheet is on the kiosk. Any questions ask Tim and Alyssa Frahm. More information to come in the weeks ahead.

Family Game Night

Be ready for tons of fun at our monthly game night, January 9, 6:30 p.m. in the small auditorium. Bring snacks and games. Come join the fun!

Shepherds Corner

Where are you spiritually? Last week Dave gave an excellent lesson on restoring our first love. His lesson caused me to do some serious soul searching. It's easy for us to go about our acts of service and let them become routine. Sometimes we do them more out of habit than anything else. The continued discussion of Dave's lesson in our life groups asked the question 'what motivates you to serve the Lord?' This question should provoke much thought for all of us. When we are stuck in a rut, a habit, or a routine we need to think again about why we do what we do. The cross is a huge motivation for me. I look back and see the love displayed for me, for us and can't help refreshing my love for Him. So as we begin the new year, let's all remind ourselves daily of what motivates us to serve.

- For the Elders

CCS SCHOOL NEWS

We have had a great year!' Our first semester comes to an end in two (2) weeks!' We also have many, many activities coming up including the following: $1 Candy Bar sales, K-2 Special Performance, The Auction, The Talent Show, The Jog-A-thon, National Testing, etc.

January 5th School Begins!

Sponsorship Help Needed:'

We have 1 student that is a relative of a Church member that needs tuition help for the new semester.' If you can help, please contact the school office.' Thank you so much for your support in 2003!' Our mission for God is truly'alive and well!

Thank you!

THANKS! I am now free of wheelchair, crutches, and walker in my recovery from a broken pelvis. From the congregation, Sally and I experienced an abundance of concern, caring, and compassion. This is a wonderful church family. Thank you so much for being there in our time of need. Your Brother in Christ, Ivan

In Sympathy

Our thoughts and prayers are with Robert Inabnet and his family at the passing of his mother, Bobby Inabnet, last week. May God's blessings be with you during this time.

New Addresses

Chris Rouse           Zach Shaner
304 W. 4th Street     1137 W. 'A' Street
Post Falls, ID 83854  Moscow, ID 83843
Ph. 625-0828          Ph. (325)-370-1372

New e-mail address for David & Becky Reeves:

kabiye4christ@yahoo.fr

Calendar of Events

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

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.

Pray for Robert Frisk's dad, 89 year old Richard Frisk, as he recovers from a broken hip. He is doing well.

Pray for Anita Haman with her cancer that she has less pain.

Wally Forbush, Carrie's husband, is working in Omak. Please pray for the family in his absence.

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.

Russ Allen is back home after a few days in the hospital. Pray for his comfort.

Shirley Lindell, a former member of this congregation and now in Fort Benton, Montana, had a heart attack last Friday. Dean is also experiencing health problems at this time.

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.

Pray for Keith Fredrikson's Uncle Graydon, who has a tumor on his heart.

Please pray for John Brown, Brenda Tupper's father. He had open heart surgery and one of the repair sites began to bleed. They went back in and repaired it and he doesn't seem to be responding. Brenda is still here at home. She is trying to decide whether to fly back to W. Virginia or stay and wait.

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 in the Kabiye people, in your prayers. Becky, Hannah & Elijah have the chicken pox, but are doing okay.

Betty Spaulding, Don Flanagan's sister, is in the hospital for heart stint repair. Don & Wilma's grandson, Chris Henrikson, is having back pain.

Continue to remember: Harold Long, the families in Tecate, Mexico, Dave Shaner, Sr., George Parrish, Tammy Heath, Susan Vetch, Bea Phippen, Chris Williams, Donann Scott, Nicholas Litterell.

Mike's Memos.....

Upcoming Youth Events

Winterfest 2004 - Jan. 16th-18th

Plan to leave the building on Friday at 5:30 pm.

'Homeland Security: Operation Safehouse'

Northside church of Christ - Spokane

Jan. 9th - 11th....Sr. High Guys' Retreat

Camp Prince's Pine

Jan. 9th - 10th....Sr. High Girls' Retreat

Coeur d'Alene Resort

Jan. 9th Jr. High Party

at the Dehlbom's

____________________

New Teen / Parent Class

'House Upon The Rock'

I can't tell you how pleased I am with the beginning of this new study experience for all of us as Teens and Parents of teens. Thank you for choosing to participate. We are off to a great start, and I know, as the material challenges us, we will all grow as God's children. If you haven't started yet, we still have a place and a book for you. PLEASE come. And let's all be very prompt each week.

----------------------------------

A special thank you to the Borsheims for hosting a wonderful New Year's Eve party for the Youth Group. The bowling at Triple Play started the evening off with lots of 'funny stuff' bowling. Then at their house we ate pizza, spaghetti, and rice with meatballs, enjoyed team competition and 'gift stealing' as we played Air Hockey, Darts, Pool and Operation. Then we watched the movie, 'Holes' which has a great story line and a good moral....until midnight when, with George & Joanna's help, we tooted our noisemakers, sang and hollered, and shot off fireworks to ring in the new year. Next we ate brownies and ice cream and finished the movie. The girls stayed the night there, while we guys moved to the bus barn for the night. We played ping pong, pool, and talked until 4 am when we turned off the light. Some slept. Others of us could not. We went home about 9:30 on January 1st with Thanksgiving for a fun and safe night, and for a new year.

God is soooooo good!

---------------------------------

Purchase tickets through Northside church office for $10. Phone 509-325-2456

Computers. Do they ever get the best of you? Have you ever typed up something that you really wanted to keep, like a test for a class, a report, a letter, or maybe even a bulletin article? And, you lost it. It never reached its destination? I am told over and over: "Save!'' So, I begin article #2.

Teri and I woke up New Year's Day, surprised. There was snow on the ground, and we were in Lewiston, Idaho! Now, how often does that happen? Not just a few flakes to remind everyone that it IS the winter season. I mean there were two inches on the ground and it was still snowing outside. Teri's mother was even contemplating getting snow tires! Well, we knew this meant that northern Idaho would have much more snow and it was continuing to fall. It was a beautiful drive home despite the danger involved following vehicles without snow tires and those that had NEVER driven in snow before. I mean 25 mph was a little TOO cautious on these, somewhat, snowy northern roads. The key to safety in times like these is FOCUS. Be alert. Focus on what is ahead. Be a defensive driver.

The new year is here! God has blessed the community with His pure, white snow. He has let us know that it is the season! As we start the new year, we need to remember to surrender to God and His will. Hopefully, this has filled our lives over the past year as well.

Arrty Rude and I have started a very interesting class on Sunday morning. This class is structured in a way that asks the question, "Are you using what God gives you in your daily lives?" We all can say that we KNOW what our purpose is, but what drives us to action with this purpose that God gives us? The topics we are presenting are very revealing for all of us.

We know that we are pleasing God when we surrender to Him! We also know that surrendering to God lifts all of our burdens away, whatever they may be. By doing this we let God into our lives and rely on him to carry us through. And, He WILL "Carry Us through"! Surrendering to God gives us a "peace". It gives us self-confidence, knowing that He is on top. He is in control. Surrendering means putting God before our jobs. It means putting God before our hobbies and sports activities. It means putting God before our families. Surrendering is putting God first, period. Give yourself completely to God, and as James 4:7 says, flee the devil!

It takes self-confidence and strength to do this. But, we can accomplish this. Christ will give us the strength. "We can do all things through Him who gives us strength!" Phil 4:13