Family News

June 27, 2004

SHORT  BY
STUFF   DAVE SHANER


A special thank you to Mike Reeves and Levi Sisemore for preaching in my place over the last two weeks. I have been at the Harding Graduate School in Memphis, Tennessee taking some courses designed to upgrade my skills in ministry. This week my class has been on how to provide better care through Christian counseling. It has been very challenging yet everyone has times when we wish we knew just what to say to someone in time of need. As Christians, we are being called to help give people a different worldview. Yet we can not escape the fact that we live in a world that is often very antagonistic to the Christian message. When Jesus was in the synagogue reading from Isaiah, the prophet, he said, "The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach the good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." - Luke 4:18-19. As Jesus' ambassadors today, we have a similar mission. People need the Lord. Despite our own struggle with sin, we have been of all people most blessed. Our lives are not perfect, but God has placed his treasure within us so that others can see God living within us. Paul told the Colossians, "We proclaim him admonishing and counseling everyone with all wisdom so that we may present everyone mature in Christ. To this end I labor struggling with all his energy which so powerfully works in me." - Colossians 1:28-29.

What is your mission? What has God placed on your heart to be his instrument in freeing those oppressed from the stranglehold this world has on them? The purpose of the church is to be the assembly of God's people to remind us that although we live in this world, we are not of this world. We are just passing through to a city whose architect and builder is God.

Have a great week as you live for Him!

The nearer we come to Christ, the nearer we come together. But just as you excel in everything - in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us - see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
-2 Corinthians 8:7

Fourth of July Potluck!!

All are invited next Sunday, July 4th after church to a potluck and Barbecue at Don and Betty Rude's cabin at St. Maries on the river. Come down and enjoy visiting, swimming, games and boating. Maps and a sign-up sheet can be found at the kiosk. Hamburgers, hot dogs, plates and silverware will be provided.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

"SUPERHERO VBS"
July 12th - 15th
9 AM - 12:30 PM
for 3 yr olds - 6th grade

Come and learn about Bible Superheroes:
DANIEL, RUTH, NOAH, PETER

HAVE YOU PRE-REGISTERED your children, grandchildren, neighborhood children for VBS? Please do so in the foyer today! (If you could bring the children between 8:45 and 8:55 each morning we would be able to get started by 9 AM.) So invite others, sign up today and plan to attend the Thursday night program on July 15th at 7 PM.

'Wee Ones' Help Needed!

Teachers are needed for the Wee Worship class in July and September. This class is held during worship for 2 - 4 year olds. If you can help please let Marnelle Marchese or Arrty Rude know. Thank you!

Come Hiking With Us!!!

We are planning on leaving on Sunday, July 25th right after church. Trip time will be 4 - 5 days. Distance of hike about 30 miles. Number of lakes visited, 8 - 9. Fishing is memorable. This is the Mallard-Larkin Pioneer area. It is the divide between the St. Joe and the Clearwater drainage. For more information, please see Don Flanagan or Dave Hopkins.

Shepherd's Corner

'Have you hugged your child today?' What do you think of when you read this slogan? About bumper stickers. Maybe it is from someone who works for a children's protection agency, or orphanage. Do you think that is reminding me to love my child, and to express that love? One way we express that love is to provide for their needs, and to help educate them so they will grow up as good men and women. We do this by making sure they go to school and get a good education.

Spiritually we do that through our Sunday School classes. The education team has worked hard to provide excitement in the learning process of God and His Word. Children will come when the parents are encouraging and bring them. Have you hugged your child today? Hug them and express your love by bringing them to Bible class.

There are adult classes, too. That way you can keep studying and learning also.

-For the Elders

Baby Shower

There will be a baby shower for Angie Storms on Thursday, July 8th, at 6:30 p.m. here at the building. Angie is having a girl and is registered at Target, Wal-Mart, Babies-R-Us, and the Baby Depot. For further information, please contact Katrina Swaim, Kathy Taylor, or Jennifer Rude.

Togo Wish List

A list of requested donation items for our missionaries in Togo, Africa, David and Becky Reeves and children can be found in your mailbox today. There is a trunk in the foyer where these donated items can be returned. Please have these items returned by Wednesday, July 14. Thanks for your support! Let's fill the box!

Reeves Togo Trip

God does answer prayer! After months of prayers and planning the time of our leaving for Togo is less than a month away. We still have one more dreaded 'shot' appointment and physicals to endure. July 19th is not far away. We do have one hugely important need left. A pet/house sitter for the time we're away. We'll be gone July 19 - August 11. So if anyone would enjoy taking care of our dogs, cats, rabbits, horse and chickens for us, it would be fun and very much appreciated. 3 1/2 weeks is a long time to be away and peace of mind about the 'home front' is a precious thing to be able to have. So if anyone would like to help us with this, talk to me or Mike. A big 'thanks' also to all who have already helped. You will be with us in Spirit on this wonderful adventure.

Love, Earlene

Calendar of Events

June 29 - 6:30 a.m. - Prayer Breakfast at JB's
July 1 - 7:00 p.m. - Summer Program Performance
July 8 - 6:30 p.m. - Angie Storm's Baby Shower
July 12 - 15 - Vacation Bible School - Bible Heroes
July 21 - Noon -Ladies Brown Bag Luncheon
July 24 - Senior Saints at the Fredrikson's

Prayer Requests

Jim Almond is slowly recovering from his sickness. Keep Jim and Jan in your prayers as they are in Montana.

Gwen Hauck is recovering from a fall in which she broke her shoulder, ribs and wrist.

Keep David & Linda Bruner's safety in your prayers as they travel to Texas.

Pray for Tim & Alyssa Frahm and Nuanna as they return from Thailand on July 3. Please keep their family and Nuanna's transition in your prayers.

Pray for Carol Hoffman, a friend of Claudia Moberg's, who doesn't have long to live. Keep her and her family in your prayers during this difficult time.

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

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

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.

Mike Kish & Matt Rude will be going to Ft. Bliss, Texas, for training and then deployment to Iraq.

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

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. Remember to keep Mike, Earlene and the girls in your prayers as they prepare to leave for Africa on July 19th.

Continue Praying For...... Jeff Almond, Hannah Reeves, Jim Saldona, Rita Welter, Angie Storms, Betty Wilhoite, Karmen Rouse, Jenny Dupey, George Kane.

Come join us for Prayer Breakfast on Tuesday mornings, at 6:30 a.m. at JB's Restaurant on Appleway for prayer and encouragement!

Mike's Memos.....

I will share a part of the account of Jesus washing the disciples' feet as recorded in John 13, and retold by Larry Huntsperger in The Fisherman. It is written as though the apostle Peter is telling it first hand.

I was sitting between James and John, still arguing with them about my obvious, rightful role as Jesus' second in command, when it happened. I was completely unaware of the growing silence in the room until I suddenly realized my voice was the only one left still blasting forth. Even then, in my arrogance, I at first assumed my fellow disciples were finally submitting to my leadership, heeding my words. Then turned and saw him, a towel tied around his waist, his hands resting on a bowl of water, as he knelt before Andrew at the end of the row of his disciples.

We all watched, dumbfounded, as Jesus removed Andrew's sandals and gently placed each foot into the water, washed it thoroughly, then dried it in turn. He then moved to the next man in line, and the next, and the next.

No one spoke a word. Here was our Master, our King, scooting along on his hands and knees, fulfilling the role in our society reserved for the most lowly household servant. For several minutes the only sound in the room was the gentle lapping of the water in the bowl as foot after foot was placed in, cleaned, removed, and carefully dried, followed then by the sound of Jesus shuffling along the floor to his next disciple.

When he finally came to me, I could stand it no longer. As he knelt before me, I reached out, placed my hands on his forearms, and said, 'Lord, are you going to wash my feet?'

He knew it was not a question so much as it was a challenge. This was terrible. The thought of him serving me in this way went against everything I thought I wanted him to be. I wanted my King to go forth in his almighty power, conquering his enemies, with me by his side. I wanted lightning bolts flashing around him, with the multitudes kneeling before him in submissive adoration. To see him now, kneeling before me, a bowl of muddied water in his hands, a soiled towel around his waist, struck at the cornerstones of my existence. I had no way of knowing that in less than twenty-four hours, he would be offering himself not just to me and to a handful of other disciples but to the entire human race, presenting not just a bowl of water but his own blood, seeking to cleanse not just the dust from our feet but all the accumulated moral filth and sewage of the ages from our lives.

He looked up at me and said simply, 'You do not realize what I am doing now, but the time will come when you will understand.'

His answer didn't satisfy me, and I drew back my feet as I bellowed, 'You will never wash my feet!'

The words he spoke in response, however, caused me to recant instantly. 'If I don't wash you, you have no part with me.'

There it was, the central message of his life in single statement: 'If I don't wash you, you have no part with me.'

I didn't understand it at the time, of course, as my response made abundantly clear. 'Lord, don't just wash my feet, but also my hands and my head.'

C.C.S. ENROLLING NOW
FOR 2004-2005 SCHOOL YEAR!

Spread the word for us as we get ready for the next year. For more information call the school office 772-7118.

VBS Cookies Needed!

We will soon be needing cookies or mini muffins for VBS. Every day for VBS we will need 300 for a total of 1,200 cookies! Your help with baking or buying them would be appreciated. (No nuts, peanut butter or M&M's, please). Please bring them to the church office by Sunday, July 11th. Thank You!

VBS Supplies Needed

In addition to the supply list sent out a couple of weeks ago, we need a few additional items for decorating the classrooms and doing activities. If you can help with any of these items, or the items from the first list, please leave them in the box in the foyer or contact Kathy Taylor about the larger items. Thank you for your help! Items needed: heads of wheat stalk (enough so the class can "glean"), 1 c. whole wheat berries, 1 c. cracked wheat, 1 c. whole wheat flour, 4 small loaves or 2 large loaves of whole wheat bread (will not need until the week of VBS), 1 jar of jelly or preserves, mortar & pestle or flour mill (or some way to practice grinding wheat), animal posters, big white beard, bale of straw, different sizes of boats, some type of food trough, stuffed animals, posters on obedience, rainbow themed decorations, crepe paper streamers (any color), brightly colored poster board. Also, we are in need of refrigerator boxes. Please give them to Alyssa Frahm or Michelle Kish.

VBS Parent Night!

There will be a special evening program on Thursday, July 15 to share with parents and all of us the lessons learned and the joys shared by all our VBS participants. Everyone is welcome at 7:00 p.m.

Camp Prince's Pine

Registrations are coming in for Senior Camp (9th-12th grades completed), for Junior Camp (6th-8th grades completed), and for Pre-Teen Camp (3rd-5th grades completed). Get registrations on the kiosk in the foyer, and register NOW!! Be sure to register early. SAVE $30 BY PRE-REGISTERING!!!

TO SERVE July 4^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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