Our church growth seminar, 'Overcoming Growth Barriers in Middle-Sized Churches' with Dr. Mark McLean is off to a good start. He will continue his presentations this afternoon and Monday evening. Be sure to come and participate in how we can help our church to become better. This area of expertise was part of Dr. McLean's doctoral dissertation in Louisville, Kentucky.

If you haven't seen the movie Seabiscuit, it is an inspiring film. Normally, I do not care to watch movies about 'real life' events. We get that everyday. I want movies to be entertaining and unrelated to real life (e.g. - Star Wars, Aladdin, etc.) Could it be my superficial ways? You can be the judge of that. :-). With some director's liberties, it is a fairly accurate portrayal of a real event that occurred during the Great Depression. Seabiscuit is the parallel story of a racehorse and a jockey both of whom have been discarded as washed up and no good. They have both been broken by the harshness of life and the fact that nobody ever gave them much of a chance. One man sees what brokenness can do to a man, and believes that everyone deserves another chance at life. He says 'You don't throw a whole life away just because he's banged up a little'. By the end of the movie, one sees the power of how we can help people simply by not giving up on others.

This same theme is really the story of how God deals with us. Isaiah says, in reference to God, 'A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.' - Isaiah 42:3. God wants you to succeed. He sent his only son to give us that chance that everyone needs. Whether it is at work, school, home, or play, life has a way of beating us down. Let's not give up on others. God did not give up on us. Everyone needs someone to believe in them. That someone is you and me!

Our church growth seminar, 'Overcoming Growth Barriers in Middle-Sized Churches' will be continuing this afternoon and Monday evening. Be sure to come and learn how all of us can help the church grow and become more pleasing to God. Childcare will be provided.

Sunday, 1:30 p.m. - Part I
Your Diagnosis of Your Growth Barriers

Monday, 7:00 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. If you have never been, it is time to come and try it out! Paul Swaim will be presenting the Bible lessons and services on Sunday morning. There will be lots of fun family and kid activities. 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.

It is time again to start planning this year's Vacation Bible School. We need lots of help this year. Several of our usual teachers will not be available. Please come to this meeting if you want to help teach, assistant teach, prepare food, crafts, etc. Also if you are a teen planning on going on the mission trip to Mexico this summer, you need to come to this meeting. The meeting is on Tuesday, February 10 at 5:30 p.m. in the small auditorium. See Alyssa Frahm for more information.

Solomon wrote in Psalm 127:1, "Unless the Lord builds the house, it's builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city the watchmen stand guard in vain." Families establish homes and watchmen guard cities, but both of these activities are futile unless God is with them. A family without God can never experience the spiritual bond God brings to relationships. A city without God will crumble from evil and corruption on the inside. Don't make the mistake of leaving God out of your life, if you do, all your accomplishments will be futile. Make God your highest priority, and let him do the building! - For the Elders

It is only 9 months until our 2004 Ladies Fall Fellowship on Saturday, October 2, 2004. This year our speaker will be Lacreta Scott from Altadena, CA. Final decisions on the title, topic, and theme have not been completed. We need to start forming our committees and planning now. Some of you have already volunteered to head committees, etc. But everyone's help is needed to make the day bring glory to God and encourage one other. To this end we will have an important meeting this Tuesday, January 27 at 6:30 pm at the church building. Please plan on attending and being involved, whether heading a committee, or just being a helper. You are needed. Be thinking where and how you want to help? Please fill in and return the form in your box to Jean Grow today. Remember the purpose of the Ladies Fall Fellowship:

1. To involve our ladies in working together to serve the Lord and draw closer to one another.

2. To be an encouraging, uplifting day and growing time for our sisters as Christian women.

3. To be a non-threatening time to share Christ with our non-Christian family and friends.

4. To bring glory to God.

See you there.

Work Needed: 'If you need any work done, I am looking for extra work.' Please call James Graham at 665-9487.

The CCS Valentine's fundraiser has begun! You may put your completed order forms in Patty Welter's mailbox or turn them in at the school office. Extra order forms can be found at the kiosk. Sale ends Monday, February 9th.

Jan. 25 - 26 - Mark McLean Church Growth Seminar

Jan. 27 - Ladies Fall Fellowship Meeting 6:30 p.m.

Jan. 27 - 6:30 a.m. Prayer Breakfast at JB's

Jan. 30-Feb.1-Tweeners Retreat at Camp Prince's Pine

Feb. 6 - 8 - Teens Mid-Winter Retreat

Feb. 10 - VBS Planning Meeting 5:30 p.m. - Sm. Aud.

Feb. 13 - Game Night 6:30 p.m. - Small Auditorium

Feb. 17 - Ladies Night at Joanna Wuest's 6:30 p.m.

Prayer Requests

Kathy Shaner... praise God that her surgery went well, and no malignancy was found.

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. As of today's writing, her time seems to be very short. Pray for the family.

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

Ron Dupey... continue to keep Ron in your prayers as he visits a liver specialist. He appreciates any calls.

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

Bill & Jamie Wright, Katrina's brother and sister-in law, gave birth to a baby boy, Seth, a week ago. Keep Seth in your prayers as a muscle in his stomach strengthens so he can hold his food down.

Continue to pray for comfort and healing for Russ Allen.

Barbra Davis Anderson, Bobbie and Joleen's grandmother, will be going home from the Lifecare Center on Monday. Pray for her as she resumes life alone.

Pray for The Reeves and the Togo Team as they continue to fulfill the Lord's work with the Kabiye people in Togo, Africa. At this time of year they are dealing with the dry season's dessert winds which fill their homes with dust. But it is a good season for teaching them because there are no crops and the people are idle.

Continue to remember: Harold Long, the families in Tecate, Mexico, Dave Shaner, Sr., George Parrish, Tammy Heath, Chris Williams, Nicholas Litterell, Red Caylor, James Rude & Family, Shirley Lindell

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Our deepest thanks for all your prayers and visits. You can't possibly know how much we appreciate them. It's wonderful to be a part of such a caring family. Our love and thanks, Fred & Opal Bonney

Thanks for the prayers! - Ron Dupey

We would like to thank Edna Miner for the donation of an electric scooter to be used by our members and guests.

Dear God:

Why didn't you save the school children at . . .

Moses Lake, Washington 2/2/96
Bethel, Alaska 2/19/97
Pearl, Mississippi 10/1/97
West Paducah, Kentucky 12/1/97
Stamps, Arkansas 12/15/97
Jonesboro, Arkansas 3/24/98
Edinboro, Pennsylvania 4/24/98
Fayetteville, Tennessee 5/19/98
Springfield, Oregon 5/21/98
Richmond, Virginia 6/15/98
Littleton, Colorado 4/20/99
Taber, Alberta, Canada 5/28/99
Conyers, Georgia 5/20/99
Deming, New Mexico 11/19/99
Fort Gibson, Oklahoma 12/6/99
Santee, California 3/5/01 and
El Cajon, California 3/22/01

Sincerely,
Concerned Student

Reply:

Dear Concerned Student:

I am not allowed in schools.

Sincerely, God

Let's see, I think it started when Madeline Murray O'Hare complained she didn't want any prayer in our schools.

And we said, OK...

Then, someone said you better not read the Bible in school, the Bible that says' "thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbors as yourself,"

And we said, OK...

Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem.

And we said, an expert should know what he's talking about so we won't spank them anymore...

Then someone said teachers and p principals better not discipline our children when they misbehave.' And the school administrators said no faculty member in this school better touch a student when they misbehave because we don't want any bad publicity, and we surely don't want to be sued.

And we accepted their reasoning...

Then someone said, let's let our daughters have abortions if they want, and they won't even have to tell their parents.

And we said, that's a grand idea...

Then some wise school board member said, since boys will be boys and they're going to do it anyway, let's give our sons all the condoms they want, so they can have all the fun they desire, and we won't have to tell their parents they got them at school.

And we said, that's another great idea...

Then some of our top elected officials said it doesn't matter what we do in private as long as we do our jobs.

And we said, it doesn't matter what anybody, including the President, does in private as long as we have jobs and the economy is good...

And someone else took that appreciation a step further and published pictures of nude children and then stepped further still by making them available on the Internet.

And we said, everyone's entitled to free speech....

And the entertainment industry said, let's make TV shows and movies that promote profanity, violence and illicit sex... And let's record music that encourages rape, drugs, murder, suicide, and satanic themes...

And we said, it's just entertainment and it has no adverse effect and nobody takes it seriously anyway, so go right ahead...

Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, classmates or even themselves.

Undoubtedly, if we thought about it long and hard enough, we could figure it out. I'm sure it has a great deal to do with...

"WE REAP WHAT WE SOW"

The first and second grades are a combined class in the afternoons. I am teaching about "The Human Body" in science. The students are amazed at its complexity. They are interested to hear that every detail was planned out carefully by God and that he also has a special plan for their lives.

"For I know the plans I have for you, and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

Also, with Mrs. Yanzick, the students are learning about the importance of exercise as a part of their health class. They are making books and stretching their muscles as well as their minds.

As always, I am blessed to have the opportunity to teach God's children,

His servant, Teri DuPey

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 Saturday, April 24. Remember to keep your eye on the school bulletin board in the foyer for more information. Thank you for your support!

TO SERVE February 1^st, 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 1/18/2004

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