Family News

July 4, 2004

SHORT  BY
STUFF   DAVE SHANER

We live in a society where we are always looking for ways that we can improve. This is good as even the apostle Paul said, 'Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.' - Philippians 3:20. However, we must be careful not to develop a critical mode of thinking that tends to focus on what we are not rather than on what we are. The church of Christ is the redeemed family of God. Jesus said, 'In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.' - John 16:33. Not everything in this world is perfect, even for the devoted follower of God. But we have so much more to be thankful for that outweighs all of the troubles we may have to encounter. Paul went on to say, 'I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.' John also said that, 'the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.' - I John 4:4.

The church in Dalton Gardens also has so much to be thankful for. I have been reminded lately of some of the good works that are on going that we simply take for granted. First, our Soup Kitchen has fed thousands of people from the community in addition to allowing our own members to eat and fellowship together. The kitchen staff spends countless selfless hours to make life a little easier for someone else. Our Stephen Ministry is now in its second year. We have over 20 trained Stephen Ministers who have care receivers. Because of confidentiality, they do not broadcast what they are doing or those they are ministering to, but their service is invaluable. It is a ministry devoted to sharing one another's burdens with distinctively Christian care. Our LIFE groups have grown over the past few years. A great deal of study of God's Word has taken place as well as many needs have been met via prayer and fellowship. We have some excellent Bible teachers who devote many hours to preparation and classroom instruction. We could name many other, good works that so many of you are involved. It is not appropriate to toot your own horn, but it is very appropriate to toot somebody else's horn.

Next week, we will look at areas to improve, but I am proud of the good works that so many here do.

Have a great week!!!

For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer. - I Timothy 4:4-5

Fourth of July Potluck!!

All are invited today 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.

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!

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.

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

Today is our 228th anniversary of our declaration of independence from England in 1776. How much do you thank God for your spiritual liberty? 'Stand fast in the liberty by which Christ has made us free' KJV. 'It is for freedom that Christ has set us free' Gal. 5:1. BUT WHAT ABOUT PATRIOTISM? Let us listen to noble patriots in past centuries. 'Let our object by our country, our whole country. And by the blessings of God, may the country itself become a vast and splendid monument, not of oppression and terror, but of wisdom, of peace, and of liberty, upon which the world may gaze with admiration forever' Daniel Webster. 'After what I owe to God, nothing should be more dear or more, sacred that the love and respect I owe to my country' Do thou. Think on these things and have a happy 4th holiday.

- From the Shepherds

'Wee Ones' Help Needed!

A teacher is needed for the Wee Worship class for the month of 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!

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.

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.

Attention Ladies!!!

Mark your calendar now for a special brown bag luncheon on Wednesday, July 21 at 12 noon at the home of Jean Grow, 5905 Pleasant Way, (off Dalton between 95 and Ramsey, phone 664-3522). Please plan on attending and spending this time in fellowship with your sisters. Jennifer Rude will present a short devotional. Bring your favorite brown bag lunch, drinks will be provided. See you there!

Bridal Shower

Come fellowship and encourage Jessica Bruner as she prepares for marriage. A Bridal Shower is planned for Thursday, July 22 at 6:30 p.m. here at the church building. Bring a copy of your favorite recipe to be put in a book for her. See Karmen Rouse for more information.

Calendar of Events

July 6 - 6:30 a.m. - Prayer Breakfast at JB's
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 22 - 6:30 p.m. - Bridal Shower for Jessica Bruner
July 24 - Senior Saints at the Fredrikson's

Prayer Requests

George Wuest is recovering from rotator cuff surgery.

Opal Bonney is recovering from eye surgery.

Jerry Welch is scheduled on Wednesday to have a small tumor removed from his bladder.

Jim Almond is slowly recovering from his sickness.

Praise God! Christine Welch had a skin cancer successfully removed from her leg. Keep her in your prayers as her leg heals.

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

Carol Hoffman, a friend of Claudia Moberg, 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.

Christopher Henrikson, Don and Wilma Flanagan's grandson, and Claudia Moberg's grandson, Daniel Moberg, are serving in Iraq. Also, Mike Kish & Matt Rude are now at Fort Bliss, Texas for training. Keep their safety in your prayers as they serve our country.

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, July 19th.

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

Food Pantry Ministry

The pantry needs peanut butter, jams or jellies, canned fruit (15 to 16 oz. size) and individual containers of applesauce. Please place these items in the blue donation tub located in the foyer. Thank you!

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.

Mike's Memos.....

Guest Writer Levi Sisemore - Youth Intern

Grace and Peace

'Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ'

Have you ever read those words before? If you've read through many of the New Testament epistles, I'm sure you have. Yet, don't we all often run right though that line, 'rushing to the good stuff'?

Romans, the Corinthian letters, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, the Thessalonian letters, Titus, Philemon, Peter's letters, II John, and Revelation all start out with that oft-skipped greeting of God.

What if you stop and think for a moment ... what is the significance of grace coming before peace?

Grace: The easy answer to what question 'what is Grace?' is, grace is an unmerited [unearned/undeserved] gift. Grace is the eternal life that God has promised us in His Son (the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life. Romans 6:23).

Peace: God's peace, the peace that passes all understanding, is another awesome gift that Christians are given. To have been made friends again with God (reconciliation), to live at peace at him, rather than being his enemies, we are his allies -- this is to be at peace with God.

God's unequaled Grace is a prerequisite to Peace. When someone becomes a recipient of God's Grace -- the sacrifice of God's own son -- the Peace follows, but you can't have Peace without Grace.

The source of these is, of course, God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Only sovereign God and King Jesus are able to bridge the gap between God and mankind (grace) and only they can give the assurance that you are their friend, that you are their son and brother (peace).

As you read through your Bible, don't take the 'little things' for granted. Even on such a small thing as the letter's salutation you can find great theological truths.

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!!

Vacation Bible School

Many helpers are needed to make such a large project go smoothly and successfully. Please take a look at the following articles and find a place that you can help with!

Attention Teen VBS Helpers

There will be a meeting for all teenagers helping with VBS on Thursday, July 8th, at 3:00 p.m. at the church building. This is a VERY important meeting and attendance is required for all teenage helpers. See you there!

VBS Workday

On Sunday, July 11, there will be a workday to work on decorations for VBS. We will begin after church services and stay until everything is finished, so bring your lunch! This workday is required for all VBS teachers to prepare their rooms and we need everyone involved with VBS and extra volunteers to help with decorating the small auditorium. Let's all help to make this a great VBS!

VBS Supplies Still Needed

We have had a great amount of help with donations for the VBS crafts, but we still need some additional items. 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 and 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, posters on obedience, rainbow themed decorations, crepe paper streamers (any color), brightly colored poster board. There is a sign up sheet on the kiosk for all of these items. We need to know before Wednesday what you are willing to bring so that we know what gaps to fill!

Volunteers to Prepare VBS Crafts

There are packets of craft supplies that need to be cut out by Wednesday. Anyone willing to help with these preparations, please sign out a packet after church, and return the cut out projects by Wednesday. Thank you for your help!

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!

TO SERVE July 11^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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