STUFF   DAVE SHANER

Be sure to come to our congregational meeting this afternoon at 3 p.m. The primary items of discussion will be the items proposed at the Think Tank last fall. Included among the agenda items will be our education program, the planting of a new congregation, a new sign/reader board, our mission efforts, and the launching of a campus ministry. Also, our annual corporate meeting required by the state of Idaho will be included. As an incentive for all to come, the Fellowship Ministry will be serving banana splits afterward. You do not need to bring anything, just yourself. Our LIFE Groups will not be meeting that evening as well. LTC will be meeting as normal.

Meetings ... many people do not always relish attending meetings. Proper planning and communication are integral parts of any group. This is especially true of the Lord's church. Nothing good and long lasting happens accidentally. I am reminded of the old adage that is just as true as ever, 'Those who fail to plan, plan to fail.' Marvin Phillips once said that, 'Those who aim at nothing hit it with incredible accuracy.' The elders meet every Wednesday evening. The staff along with several of the elders meet every Tuesday morning. The LIFE Group leaders meet every Sunday morning. Each of the various ministries meet at different times and frequencies. Planning takes time. Time is valuable; but for the kingdom of God to blossom as God would have it, we must prepare a plan, communicate the plan, and then work the plan. Much of our leaders time is spent in prayer. Be sure to be involved and help the church to grow.

Overcoming Barriers to Church Growth is the theme of our meeting January 25-26. Mark McLean will be the speaker. It is easy for churches to simply become comfortable with where they are. What do we need to do to develop the paradigm required to advance the kingdom both numerically and spiritually? Your presence is appreciated.

There will be a congregational meeting this afternoon, at 3:00 pm. This will be a time to suggested plans for this year, many of which were laid out in our 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. You are also invited to stay afterwards for banana splits! The LIFE groups will not be meeting this evening to encourage participation.

All members of the church are invited to a special seminar entitled 'Overcoming Growth Barriers in Middle-Sized Churches.' Mark McLean from the Central Kitsap church of Christ in Silverdale, Washington will be the presenter. This area of expertise was part of Dr. McLean's doctoral dissertation in Louisville, Kentucky. All are invited and encouraged to attend.

Sunday, 1 p.m. - Part I
Your Diagnosis of Your Growth Barriers

Monday, 7 p.m. - Part II
Identifying & Remedying Your Growth Barriers

This year's retreat will be held on January 30th - February 1st at Camp Prince's Pine. The cost will be $35 for families, $30 for couples and $20 for singles. This is to cover the cost of meals 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.

Don't forget about our church web site! Steve Taylor does a great job of keeping this maintained for us. There is a lot of great information on it, including: church calendar of upcoming events, current and archives of bulletins, prayer lists, outlines and audio from Sunday sermons, local weather link, and a church e-mail directory. Consider setting us up as your home page! Check us out at www.dgchurch.org.

Steve also e-mails anyone who would like to receive prayer requests. Let him know if you would like to be on the e-mail list.

Among the many excellent ways we serve our community, the food pantry is one of those quiet, behind the scenes ways we reach out and touch peoples lives. You can help Betty Wilhoite and Edna Miner share our love with those in need by providing supplies for them to stock the pantry shelves. Peanut butter, macaroni & cheese, and canned fruits are always in demand. Almost any nonperishable items you would use in your home can be used in the pantry.

And don't forget, this ministry also serves anyone in our own church family who may need some help with groceries during a lean month. Don't hesitate to ask. Let's always be sharing with one another.

A special thank you goes out to Kent Rude and George Wuest who have faithfully plowed snow out of our parking lot. Be sure to let them know how much you appreciate them.

I thank God for my return to good health. There is no way I can really express my thanks to this great congregation of God's people. I just thank God so much for you wonderful brothers and sisters. Thank you so much for all of the prayers, visits, and calls. I love every one of you so much. May God bless you.

Love in Christ, Russ Allen

Wanted..... A set of 14" tires for a single dad. See George Wuest if you have extra tires to share.

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

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

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

Jan. 25 - 26 - Mark McLean Church Growth Seminar

Jan. 30 - Feb. 1 - Tweeners Retreat

Feb. 6 - 8 - Teens Mid-Winter Retreat

Prayer Requests

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

Jan Almond had an eye implant last Wednesday.

Donann Scott, Mary Nell's daughter, is recovering from having her thyroid removed. Keep Mary Nell in your prayers as she is in Texas with her daughter.

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. Keep Ron in your prayers as he awaits for results on a liver biopsy. He appreciates any calls.

Fred Bonney is slowly improving. He would appreciate your visits.

Continue to pray for comfort and healing for Russ Allen.

Shirley Lindell, a former member of this congregation and now in Fort Benton, Montana, is recovering from a heart attack. 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.

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, Nicholas Litterell, Red Caylor, John Brown.

Oscar Evans, Judy Sanborn's step-father, passed away last Tuesday. Pray for this family during this difficult time, and for their safe travel back from Boise.

Richard Frisk, father of Robert and grandfather of Nathan, Alan & Jeremy, passed away in Walnut Creek, CA, on Thursday. Robert has gone to be with the family. Pray for this family who has had more than their share of struggles in the last year.

We continue to grow! Last Sunday we had 63 in class, and there could be at least 17 more!! 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. We really need every minute of the class time. Keep in mind that youth events will sometimes conflict with the class. Next Sunday most of the teens will be at Northside for 'Winterfest', so everyone who is still here is encouraged to attend the Adult I or II class. PLEASE don't miss class. Continue to do your journaling and weekly home assignments.

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Sometimes a song's lyrics, even though not necessarily written for a spiritual message, seem to have an excellent connection to our lives as Christians. Such is the case with the words in a song by Josh Groban.....

I am a scrapbooker. I have scrapbooks of Josh and Adam's first years that include first moments of life, first smiles, first teeth, first steps..... I have a family scrapbook that includes pictures of vacations, trips to the park, holidays, and so much more. And I have a scrapbook of my past classes at CCS. On the pages in this scrapbook you will find pictures of Johnni, Ashlin, Cameron, Ian, Chris, Brandi and many others. You can see them learning and playing, silly and serious, and much shorter than they are now! In a few months, I will have new pages to make. Pages that will include Christine, Samantha, Jonathan, Catherine, Ryan, Ashlee, Adam, Haily, Gerry, Anna, Morgan, Colby, Nathan, Shawn, Erin, Ara, Devin, and Jeremy. Scrapbooks bring back memories and emotions. They are windows into the past. I so enjoy flipping through the pages and remembering times spent with my family and with the children I have been trusted to care for and teach over the years. When I look back at these cherished books, I can't help but to smile.

I wonder if God has a scrapbook. Does He have a book with not only names, but pictures, too? Are there pictures of His children serving Him, praising Him, and worshipping Him? Are there pictures of me teaching His word? Are there pictures of you doing His will? I like to think that He, like me, carefully cuts and pastes 'pictures' of those He loves onto pages that represent moments in time. I like to think that each one of us has a lovingly assembled page in His scrapbook. And I like to think that every once in a while He takes out His scrapbook and is reminded of good times spent with His children. But most of all, I like to think that when He turns to my page, He smiles.

by Jennifer Rude

Don't forget we 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.

Keep the school auction in mind on store clearance items to donate - 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!

TO SERVE January 18^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 1/4/2004

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