Family News

June 13, 2004

SHORT  BY
STUFF   DAVE SHANER

The outpouring of love and sympathy toward Ronald Reagan's family from all parts of the globe were very moving to me. He, indeed, was a great man. He ended the cold war without firing a shot. He was a man of vision, a man of leadership, a family man, a genuinely happy man, and a man of faith. Despite how difficult it was for so many to face Reagan's inevitable death, the pageantry of the week was very good for our country. With those thoughts in mind, I am reminded of the great Christian heritage we have in our country and the value that the church plays in our nation. Reagan was described as a light on a hill, an obvious reference to Jesus' statement that Christians are to be the light of the world. He was not a perfect man. His feet like ours are made of clay. Ten years ago, President Reagan described himself as being in the sunset of his earthly life knowing that Alzheimer's disease would eventually take his life.
In like manner, we must also understand that our days are limited on the earth. You may not have the public persona that our late President had, but the impact you may have on the eternal destiny of others is just as important. Our heavenly father has given us the opportunity to take hold of eternal life. He has commissioned his church with the responsibility to take the gospel message to a lost world. I would like to encourage you to remember what Jesus Christ has done for you. Ask every day, "what can I do to be more pleasing to Him?" We are simply broken vessels that God has chosen to place His truth in. It is vitally important that we allow God to be seen despite our own weaknesses. That is God's plan. He wants to convert the world through you and me. In II Corinthians 6:1, we are described as God's coworkers. Indeed we are. What a great blessing to be a child of God!

We would like to get more people involved to share the gospel. Of course, this is an individual responsibility as well as the mission of the church, but we would like to be able to help you learn what to say and help provide opportunities for you to practice. We are in need of both men and women to go out on any day of the week to encourage those in need, visit our newcomers, and teach the gospel. If you would be willing to help, please see Dave Shaner or the office.

Have a Great Week!

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  -Romans 15:13

Congregational Meeting

Remember to come back this afternoon and be a part of our quarterly congregational meeting at 3:00 p.m. in the small auditorium. Some of the agenda items include our deacon assignments, the Prayer Garden, the church planting, finances, etc. Your input is very valuable. Be sure to be in attendance. Homemade ice cream will be provided. Please bring your favorite dessert to share.

Special Bible Class

Next week, we will be combining all of the Bible classes from 7th grade - adult together in the auditorium to see a film that deals with how the church can be better prepared to meet the challenges of our culture. Jeff Walling will challenge us in how we must take the timeless truths of the scriptures and place them in changing methods to better become all things to all men. Be sure to be here at 9 a.m. next week.

Praise the Lord for those LIFE groups who volunteered to weed areas in the Garden of Prayer once a month! May God's love bless each hand.

Gethsemane - Dan Dupey
West Entrance - Dave Shaner
Calvary - Jeff Nirk/Larry Grow
Firepit - Youth Group
South Entrance - Mike Swaim
Rose - Lamont Petersen
Manger - Scott Rouse

We still need groups or individuals to help with the rest of the weeding. If you are able to help, please see the office window in the foyer. For more information, please see Rick Blanchard or Georgette Rude.

Music Camp begins next Sunday!! About 80 of us - teens, counselors, teachers - will spend the week at Camp Prince's Pine praising God, and learning how to do that better. Along with that good time, we will do lots of other fun and games stuff. Worship time is every night at 7:00 p.m. Visitors are always welcome at that time. But especially on Friday night, we'd like to have you visit us for our end of the week program. You will be impressed, and enjoy what the kids have learned. The program will start about 7:45 p.m.

Shepherd's Corner

Have you experienced change in your life? In Bible class? In church? On June 20 we are going to make a change in our Bible classes for that day. On that Sunday morning we will combine our adult Bible classes. They will meet in the large auditorium to watch a DVD of Jeff Walling about Waves of Change.
We believe that this DVD is informational and encouraging as we continue to grow as God's family. We know that we are always going to be confronted with changes in life. The question is how does God want us to respond to them? We plan for this to be the lesson and discussion of our LIFE Groups.

-For the Elders

Togo Trip Mike & Earlene, Bobbie, Ashlin and Joleen will leave July 19th to visit David & Becky in Togo, Africa and to check up on our mission work there with the Kabiye people. I plan to bring back a first hand account of the Lord's work being done there by the Togo Team. There are now 18 congregations with over 300 Christians, in just two years. Some of you have already been helping us with money for additional required shots, and additional visa requirements. This is VERY much appreciated. I still have to pinch myself to believe we are actually going, but with your help and the Lord's wonderful blessings we will go with very grateful hearts.

Thank you!

A special thank goes to Pat Riggs and her crew who helped in the renovation of the classrooms and kitchen. There is still some work to be done, but it already looks wonderful. If you have not seen it yet, be sure to see it and express to them your own appreciation.

Thank you so much for all of the prayers, love, support, gifts and money for Nuanna. Because of you we will be giving the Khon Kaen Church of Christ $152. This is enough to support one married couple and one single Bible student. Thanks for your love!  -The Frahms

Thank you for the prayers for my son-in-law Lucky Baldwin. Lucky has been taken off oxygen and his health is improving since his open heart surgery last month.
-Edna Miner & Family

Dear Church,
I want to say 'Thank You' for all the cards, prayers and hugs during my recovery from surgery. It is good to be up and around and to worship with all of you!
-Karmen Rouse

Thank you for all the prayers, cards and calls during Dee's surgery. They meant a lot to us.
-Jack & Dee Pierce

Calendar of Events

Today - 3 p.m. Congregational Meeting & Dessert
June 15 - 6:30 a.m. - Prayer Breakfast at JB's
June 20-26 - Music Camp for 7th - 12th graders
June 23 - Noon - Ladies Brown Bag Luncheon
June 26-July 2 - All Teen Camp for 7th - 12th graders
July 8 - 6:30 p.m. - Angie Storm's Baby Shower
July 9 - 6:30 p.m. - Game Night in the Sm. Aud.
July 12 - 15 - Vacation Bible School

Prayer Requests

David Shaner, Sr., is awaiting upcoming prostate surgery -- probably the first week of July.

John Montgomery, Larry and Jean Grow's neighbor, is in the hospital recovering from a stroke.

Pray for good health and safety for Russ & Jo Allen as they travel.

Jenny Dupey is having some health issues. Pray for good health.

Pray for Jim & Diane Rude as they do the Lord's work in Astoria, Oregon.

Christopher Henrikson, Don and Wilma Flanagan's grandson, is in Iraq. Also, Claudia Moberg's grandson, Daniel Moberg, is in Kuwait. Keep their safety in your prayers as they serve our country.

Matt Rude will be going to Texas for training and then deployment.

Pray for James Dupey, who is in Europe for a six week extension study from Cascade College.

Jim Saldona, a relative of Bill Hartofilax, from Channelview, TX, is hospitalized undergoing cancer treatment.

Cheree Johnston is struggling with back pain. Pray that the doctors will find out what is causing the pain.

Pray for the Reeves and the Togo Team, as they work among the Kabiye people of Northern Togo. The Lord is continuing to bless the work with wonderful success. Also a new church has begun in the city of Kara with the baptism of a denominational preacher and his wife, and 25 others. The team is hoping to raise $1000 to build a church building for this group.

Continue to remember: Jeff Almond, Hannah Reeves, Robert & Irene Clark, Angie Storms, Betty Wilhoite, Karmen Rouse.

Attention: Ladies!

Mark your calendar now for a special brown bag luncheon on Wednesday, June 23 at 12 noon at the home of Marnelle Marchese, 6016 N. 17th St., Dalton Gardens, 762-0237. Please plan on attending and spending this time in fellowship with your sisters. LeeAnn Freshour will present a short devotional. Bring your favorite brown bag lunch. Drinks will be provided. See you there!

Mike's Memos.....
Guest Editor Levi Sisemore - Youth Intern

Why is it that sometimes we are ashamed of our beliefs? Why is it that we attack ourselves, trying to discredit our own beliefs as a brotherhood? Why is it that in some crowds or with people of other beliefs we don't seem quite as convicted of Christianity's roots as we are on Sunday morning?

I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: First for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the Gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written, 'The righteous will live by faith' (Romans 1:16-17).

Paul was writing to people who were Christians in Rome, telling them that there is nothing shameful about the Gospel, but that it is something to revel in.
What does it look like when someone accepts this treasure that Paul writes about? I would ask you to look at Acts 2: Peter, the fisherman-apostle, stands up to address the crowd, teaching them Gospel message that you killed Jesus, you put him on the cross, you killed the innocent Messiah. They heard [heard Rom. 10:17] Peter's message, thought about it, remembered the events of the past few years, and believed [believe - Heb. 11:6] his message, knowing that it was truth. In 2:37 the Jewish crowd wanted to turn from this murderous sin, so they asked Peter how they could fix what they had done. Peter replied, turn your lives from sin to godliness [repent Acts 17:30] and be immersed [be immersed - Acts 22:16], each one of you, by the authority and power of the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is for you and your children.

We do each of those actions because we acknowledge that Jesus is Lord! That's the same conclusion that Peter brought that crowd to in Acts 2 and the result was marvelous: Those who accepted his message were immersed and they were added to Jesus Christ's church by God. The story doesn't end there, though. These same 3,120 Christians devoted themselves to the apostles teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.
Beautiful. It's simple, too.

Why do we complicate things by adding or taking away from God's pattern? Why are we ashamed of some of those words in bold? Peter wasn't, Paul wasn't . . . Hearing the message for the first (or five zillionth) time, developing a faith based on that message, refining our lives to better reflect God, and killing the sinful old self and bringing up a new self -- these are all images of astounding beauty for the Christian. None of those things deserve to be run away from, but rather we should embrace them all as God-ordained steps to salvation.

But what if, due to our _____, we shamefully remove any of the Acts 2 elements from Acts 2? How could we have a conversion without someone sharing the message? Without someone believing the Gospel? Without someone determining to change lifestyles? Without someone's conscience making that pledge to God (which is, immersion -- I Peter 3:21)? Without someone joining with the church of the Messiah in learning, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer?

So, which of these things/steps is more important? The answer is "D: All of the above.'' All of these things are equally vital to being a Christian. None can be taken away and the same results achieved.

BIBLE BUILDERS MEMORY VERSES
Children's Sunday A.M. Bible Classes

4 years - 5 years:
'Sons are a heritage from the Lord.'
Psalm 127:3a

1st - 2nd Grade:
'Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him.'
Psalm 127:3

3rd - 4th Grade:
'Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth.'
Psalm 127:3-4

5th - 6th Grade:
'Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.
Psalm 127:3-5a

Secret Sisters!

Please remember to contact your secret sister at least once per month and pray for her much more often than that! Also, be sure to check the bulletin board at the bottom of the ramp for thank you notes from your sister. There are a lot of notes that have been hanging up for a while.

Reminder.... that the Soup Kitchen will be closed again this Wednesday and will reopen on Wednesday, June 23.

Please Note.... If you feel you might have misplaced any of your dishes from past potlucks or events, please check on the kiosk in the foyer. Thanks!

TO SERVE June 20^th, 2004

Contact Warren Brown ASAP if you are unable to serve.

Assembly Times:

Sunday:

Other Bible Study Groups are offered at various times. Please call the office for times and places.

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