Family News

November 21, 2004

SHORT  BY
STUFF   DAVE SHANER

As we enter into the holiday season, we have so much for which to be thankful. Out of all of the holidays that we celebrate, Thanksgiving is probably the most spiritual of them all. After the apostle Paul encourages us to let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts, he adds '...and be thankful.' It is not an afterthought, but is the basis which allows us to be at peace. One can always find the doom and gloom side of just about anything. One that is thinking like this can never experience the peace that God wants us to have. A friend of mine was once having difficulties with his job and felt that his employer had mistreated him. It was my opinion that he had been mistreated. But instead of creating a scene or feeling bitter, he decided to thank his employer for the opportunity to work for him and then asked God to bless this man's business. I do not know how the business fared, but this man went home with peace in his heart. He decided that no matter what happened, that God would take care of him and his family.
Too often we let the world determine for us how to handle various 'negative' situations. God tells us not only to be thankful but to 'give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.' - I Thessalonians 5:18. I know that my own attitude has not been what it ought to be lately. It is so easy to let little things bug you that in the long view of things mean absolutely nothing. But this is exactly how life is viewed by many. You can choose to let outside circumstance govern your attitude or you can let Christ govern your attitude. Paul said in Romans 14:7-8, 'For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone. If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.' As you sit down this week, take time to not allow the concerns of this to life crowd out the blessings that God has given you. They really do vastly outnumber our momentary and light troubles. God is so good. He cares for you. Let us be thankful.

HAVE A GREAT WEEK !!!

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. -Colossians 3:15

Time for Christmas Wish Lists!
Every year we like to reach out to families who may have had a hard year and would like a little help from their brothers and sisters in making their children's wishes come true. Wish lists can be filled out for your children or a family you know of in need. Requests are anonymously placed on ornaments and will be hung on the church's Christmas tree. It is an exciting time where everyone receives a special gift. There is true happiness in buying a gift for a child you don't know! You can find wish list forms available on the church kiosk and return them to the church office by November 28. If you have any questions, please call Lorraine Robinson (208) 691-8719.

Astoria Church - Coat Give Away
Jim and Diane Rude at the Astoria Church of Christ are asking for donations of coats and blankets to provide warmth to those in need. There is a box in the lobby for your donations. For more information please see Betty Rude.

Ski Trip to Schweitzer - December 20th
Yes! In six more weeks there will be plenty of snow on the mountain to go skiing (I hope!). Make your plans now. If you have questions, ask Dave Shaner. There is a sign-up form on the kiosk.
Student cost with your own equipment - $17
Adult cost with your own equipment - $35
Student cost with rental equipment - $29
Adult cost with rental equipment - $50

BIBLE BUILDERS MEMORY VERSES
Children's Sunday A.M. Bible Classes
For the month of November - Genesis 50:20

3 years - K: 'God intended it for good ... to save many lives.'

1st - 3rd Grade: 'You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good.'

4th - 6th Grade: 'You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is not being done, the saving of many lives.'


Help Needed
We are needing help for Kim (Frisk) Morris with baby sitting for a two month old little boy. Maybe two or three people could help out.

She also needs to find a studio apartment or a trailer in the $200 -$300 per month range. Please contact us at the church office if you could serve in this way.

Notice To Tweeners:
The Tweeners will have an after-Christmas Christmas party in January this year, due to the very busy holiday season. More information to follow.

Thank You!
Dear church family,
We were not going to ask for prayers until we knew how serious it was but I was flooded with your love, prayers and phone calls. One of God's greatest gifts he has given to us is this very precious family.
I'll have surgery on my heart to patch the hole in December, then all should be well. Thank you with all my heart (hole and all) for your concern, love and prayers.
-Carole Fredrikson

Thanks to all who have done so many things for us already and please continue to look after my family.
-Mike Kish

New Address
Fred & Opal Bonney
7000 West Ford Place N.W.
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87114
(505) 792-4052

Calendar of Events
Nov. 23 - 6:30 a.m. - Prayer Breakfast at JB's
Nov. 23 - 10:30 a.m. - Sew N' Love Ladies Bible Class
Nov. 26 - 28 - Teens Come Before Winter Retreat
Dec. 2 - Bible Class Teachers Banquet
Dec. 4 - C.C.S. Craft Fair 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Dec. 11 - N.W. Bible Bowl Challenge at Dalton
Dec. 12 - Winter Class Quarter Begins
Dec. 14 - Elders/Deacons/Ministers/Wives Dinner
Dec. 16 - C.C.S. Christmas Program 7:00 p.m.
Dec. 19 - Shaner Family Christmas Open House

Prayer Requests

Anita Poland is at home recuperating from having her right knee replaced.

Pat Irmer is recovering from an infection in her foot.

Howard Rude, Sr., is at Kootenai Medical Center with fluid in his lungs.

Betty Wilhoite is recovering well from knee surgery, but she is having problems with the blood not flowing correctly to her heart.

George Parrish, Earlene's father, age 97, still needs our prayers during this time of the loss of his wife, Lorraine.

Remember to keep in your prayers: Christopher Henrikson, Daniel Moberg, & Cameron Davis are serving in Iraq.

Mike Kish & Matt Rude are now in Louisiana and Lamont Petersen, Jr., is in North Carolina preparing for deployment to Iraq. Remember to keep them and their families in your prayers as they physically and mentally prepare for this mission.

The Kabiye Christians and the Team of Workers continue to need our prayers as they deal with circumstances much more difficult then we are used to. There are new Christians in several of the villages. Praise the Lord!

The Archers are now in Cape Town, South Africa, elbow deep in the Lord's work there.

Pray for Ray & Karen Rayburn as they are temporarily employed in North Pole, Alaska. They say hello and wanted you to know they are having a wonderful time.

Continue Praying For...... Leona Howard, Robin Utter, Shelly Rainboldt,
Dewayne Ray, Leona Baker, Don Pederson.

In Sympathy
Our thoughts are with Brad Roberts, in the passing of his father, Keith Roberts last Thursday. Also, remember to keep their entire family in your prayers, especially Aaron Roberts in the passing of his grandfather during this difficult time of loss.

Mike's Memos.....

Coming Youth Events:

'Come Before Winter' Retreat - Postponed until Nov. 26th - 28th
Because of so many conflicts on this weekend, we have rescheduled our 'Come Before Winter' retreat for the next weekend. That has also made it necessary to have it at a different place. This year it will be hosted at Rick & Janet Blanchard's home, and we are so thankful to them for allowing us to do this. We will be leaving on the youth bus at 5:00 pm, on Friday, November 26th, and returning early on Sunday afternoon, November 28th. This is a spiritual retreat, not a party. We will have lots of fun, but you should go expecting / desiring to grow in your faith, and to be drawn closer to one another and to God in spiritual relationships. This weekend's challenging theme will be. 'What Is Spirituality?' I pray that all our teens will make this event a priority.

BRING: your Bible, a sleeping bag and pillow, toiletries....including your towel and wash cloth, some grubby clothes for playing outside, as well as some inside clothes. Cost - $10.

Bible Bowl Challenge with Richland - Dec. 11th
It is only four weeks until the teens from Richland will come to challenge us on our knowledge of the first ten chapters in the book of Luke. In an effort to motivate us to study, and be better prepared for this Bible Bowl, I have made an outrageous offer! WE WILL HAVE AN EXHAUSTIVE TEST OVER LUKE 1 - 10 on December 8th. AND.... all those kids and adults who make 80% or above will be invited to participate in a food fight!!! out on the playground. OOOHHH Macaroni! ooooOOO mashed potatoes! AAAHHH Oatmeal!!!! It will be fun. AND, those who make 90% or above will get to choose what color they can dye and style my(Mike Reeves') hair!!! And I promise to wear it to church one time that way!

Have I lost my mind? Am I crazy? Yes, I'm crazy to get you guys to learn God's word! Will you accept the challenge?

Teens and others Ski trip - December 20th
This is always a wonderful, fun day at beautiful Schweitzer Mountain Ski Resort. Yes, it is planned for all our teens and their friends, but the more the merrier. Everybody is welcome, and please do bring a friend to share the fun and Christian fellowship. We usually leave about 6 am, and return about 6 pm. More information and a sign-up sheet is on the kiosk.

C.C.S. CORNER SCHOOL NEWS
Hello From the Kindergarten Class. We have a Thanksgiving Poem to share:

Thank you, God
Thank you God for all that grows,
Thank you God for the sky's rainbows,
Thank you God for the stars that shine,
Thank you God for the moon and sun,
Thank you God for all you've done!

Happy Thanksgiving, The K Kids & Miss Utter

This years CCS Christmas Program is
'Grandpa's Christmas Story'
Mark your calendars to join us on
Thursday, December 16th at 7 p.m.

CCS November News
November is the month when things really get busy around here. First quarter ends, parent/teacher conferences are held, practices begin for holiday shows, preparations are made for Thanksgiving lunch and the craft fair. My third grade class is beginning to prepare for our own booth at the craft fair. We have decided to make items to sell to raise money for Lifeline of Hope. Mrs. Freshour has recently visited our class, and has given us more detailed information on the organization. When I presented the idea to my class, their enthusiasm was so encouraging. In a time when so much emphasis is put on what we want for Christmas, these kids had lots of ideas for items to make with our class and were even making plans to prepare items on their own at home to bring to the booth. Please make some time to stop by the craft fair on Saturday, December 4th, visit our booth and help us help kids in need.

There are so many ways you can be involved with our school and we need each one of you. We have a booster club which is offering homemade hot lunches once per month (in addition to the Tuesday/Friday hot lunch program already in place), they are having a bakery booth at the craft fair and are adding a gift wrapping service as well. Donations are needed for the bake sale booth and supplies for the gift wrapping booth: paper, ribbon, bows and tape. If you are interested in helping to support the school in either of these areas, please sign up at the kiosk or drop supplies off at the school office. Please continue to collect those Boxtops for Education and drop them in the collection box at the kiosk. So far we have collected about 1,000 boxtops since school started! That translates into $100 just for cutting out a small piece of cardboard that is already in your pantry! We appreciate your support of our school, and have a great holiday season!

DON'T FORGET TO SAVE YOUR BOX TOPS!
(They can be placed in the box on the kiosk - Thanks!)

TO SERVE November 28^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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