Family News

December 26, 2004

SHORT  BY
STUFF   DAVE SHANER

Kathy and I appreciate all who came to our home last week. We had one of the largest turnouts ever. It was a lot of fun and a small token of our appreciation for all that the church here means to us. We hope that your Christmas was just as special to you as it was to us.

The new year is now at the door and waiting impatiently to get in. Don't forget about the New Year's Eve Fellowship starting at 6:45 p.m. There will be lots of food, games, singing, and a devotional to bring in the new year. Many have worked hard to involve a lot of people and to make this the best kickoff to a new year ever. Be sure to see the accompanying article for further details.
Starting off the new year in a big way can be just a prelude to what can happen with the work of God's church here in this area. There is a lot of difference in opinion on how goals should be set. But I would like to encourage you to try, with God's help, to lead at least one person to Christ in the year 2005. You may even start off with bringing them to the New Year's Eve party. Let's also seek to be more loving and caring toward each other and toward our neighbors. A comment was made by someone asking if we consider ourselves a 'maintenance church' or a 'go-get-em' church. We had several new members last year but our baptism totals were low. I would like to encourage you to rededicate yourselves to fulfilling the Great Commission. It is too easy to become satisfied with where we are. We need to be content in our relationship with God, but as long as there are unsaved people, the Lord desires us to bring them to Christ. However, ask that same question of yourself. Are you a maintenance type of person or one that actively seeks out others. It may or not be a 'Bible study'. It may be that cup of cold water, an invitation to church, some caring attention when your friend is in need, but whatever you do, do it in the name of the Lord. Continually keep Him in the forefront of all that you do. Seek to lead someone to the Lord on purpose. The Great Commission of Jesus asks us to go ... let's go on purpose. At this time, next year, let's look back and know that at least one person is in the kingdom because I cared.

Have a Happy New Year!

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. - I Corinthians 13:6

Happy Holidays!
from the
church
staff

New Year's Eve Party!!!
This is the party to bring in the NEW YEAR and all are welcome!!! Only one week away. We will start at 6:45 p.m. for dinner and when the kitchen is clean we will move upstairs to play bingo or any games you want to bring. Later we will bust a few piñatas. There will be a movie in the large auditorium and marshmallow fighting in the basement. All you have to bring is snacks for the evening (desserts, chips, or finger foods) We will sing and pray in the NEW YEAR. OH YEAH PLEASE HELP CLEAN UP. If you want to help please see me. I need lots of help. Thanks George and Joanna 772-6247.

Tweener's Christmas Party!
The Tweeners will be having their after Christmas, Christmas party on January 15th at 6:30 p.m. at the Kish's home. Cost is $5 per person to cover a casual dinner of snacks and dessert. Get creative and come up with the looniest 'White Elephant' gift for a gift exchange. Please no children. For more information see Alyssa Frahm or Michelle Kish. We hope to see you there!

Congregational Meeting
There will be a congregational meeting on Sunday, January 9, at 3:00 pm. This will be a time to lay out plans for this year. Also included is our annual corporate meeting, which is required by Idaho state law. Be sure to come and be an active participant in the work of the church. The LIFE groups will not be meeting this evening to encourage participation.

Shepherd's Corner
Christmas is now over, and we are rapidly approaching the New Year. This is that time of the year when everyone begins to review their life for the past year and then to make a New Year resolution. Do you find yourself doing this?
We learn from the Bible that we are to do this. But not just once a year. We are to do this continuously. We can read in Romans 12:1-2 that we are to be transformed to a new life by a renewing of our minds. We are encouraged as to how we are to live this new life as God's children.
-The Elders

Honor with Poinsettias
So many beautiful poinsettias were brought to beautify the front of the large auditorium. Thank you very much.

Poinsettias were given in honor of:
Anita Haman, Loraine Parrish, Ivan & Sally Archer, Gen Halfhide, Bill Williams, Steven Williams, Loren Filbeck, Mitchell L. James and others unknown.

CONGRATULATIONS ADAM!
We share the pride with Scott & Karmen Rouse as their son, another of our young people, has completed college. Congratulations to Adam Rouse, upon graduation from the University of Idaho with a degree in Education.

Keeping In Touch
Recent updates and mailing information of servicemen deployed from families of our congregation, can now be found on the new military bulletin board (hanging on the wall across from the cry room).

Thank You!
Thanks to those who sent cards. Thanks for the prayers. I am recovering well.
-Phoebe Hruska

Our family wishes to thank everyone for the generosity shown through the gifts that were given to our children during this holiday season. Thanks again and God bless.
-Anonymous

Thank you to all who have helped in the Soup Kitchen this year. Many have helped cook, bring in desserts, clean, wash dishes and donate food items. Each week we are blessed and see God in all that is done. Thank you church. We see God in you.
-George & Joanna Wuest

Calendar of Events
Dec. 30 - 6:30 a.m. - Prayer Breakfast at JB's
Dec. 30 - 10:30 a.m. - Sew N' Love Ladies Bible Class
Dec. 31 - 6:45 p.m. - New Years Eve Party!
Jan. 7 - Junior High Teens Party
Jan. 7-9 - Sr. High Boys' Retreat - (9th -12th grade)
Jan 8-9 - Sr. High Girls' Retreat - (9th - 12th grade)
Jan. 9 - 3:00 p.m. - Congregational / Corporate Meeting
Jan. 14 - 16 - Winterfest Youth Rally at Northside
Jan. 15 - Tweeners After Christmas Party - 6:30 p.m.

Prayer Requests

Anita Halford, Annette Aiello's daughter, was hit by car in her wheelchair. She fractured her hip and broke three bones in her ankle.

Dick Blythe, Ray & Karen Rayburn's son-in-law, has been released from the hospital and is being treated for a heart attack.

Betty Wilhoite is recovering well from knee surgery and other complications.

Edna Miner will be in room #255 at KMC for a couple more days following knee surgery. Then she will spend two to three weeks recovering at Lacrosse Rehabilitation Center.

Karlene Graham is struggling with arthritis.

Ed & Ada Brown, Warren's parents, are dealing with various health issues.

Ron McIntire has been dealing with health issues. Please pray for God's comfort and healing.

Pray for Robin Utter as she prepares for surgery.

Matt Bunker, Georgette Rude's nephew, is awaiting possible surgery.

Barbara Cooper's brother had a massive coronary.

Remember to keep in your prayers: Mike Kish, Matt Rude, Terry Morgan, Lamont Petersen, Jr., Christopher Henrikson, Daniel Moberg, & Cameron Davis who are serving in Iraq.

Andrew Crump is training for 4 months at Fort Stewart for deployment to Iraq.

Pray for the Kabiye Christians and the Team of Workers. The dry, dusty Harmattan Winds bring the Christmas season to Togo, but as Hannah was decorating the tree, she said repeatedly, 'This is going to be the best Christmas ever!' Let's pray for missionary families who are spending their Christmas far away from home.

Ray & Karen Rayburn are temporarily employed in North Pole, Alaska.

Continue Praying For....
Leona Howard, Cathy Litterell, Leona Baker,
Don Pederson, George Parrish, Sherrian Bersi
Steve Lucas, Anita Poland, Phoebe Hruska

Just a reminder that there will be
NO Soup Kitchen on December 29th

Mike's Memos.....
The Teens Ski trip went off smoothly, unless you're talking about the texture of the snow....or shall we say......ice. We did all have a good time in spite of the rather poor conditions of the ski slopes. I appreciate all who went with such good attitudes, and I appreciate Dave for planning this youth event for us each year. Other parents.... I need to hear from you. Which event will you plan / chaperone / sponsor in 2005? Our youth ministry can only be as good as we make it together. HELP!

NEXT YOUTH EVENTS.....
New Year's Eve Party with the church family, followed by a lock-in. Your input and some parental assistance is needed.
WINTERFEST - The youth rally at Northside in Spokane, January 14th - 16th.
'Dangerous for Good'


A New PTC Study shows .....
Hollywood not reflecting the religious viewpoints of most Americans.
Well, duh!

Today the PTC in conjunction with the National Religious Broadcasters, released the results of a new study entitled Faith in a Box: Entertainment Television and Religion.

This comprehensive study shows a clear disparity between the religious beliefs of most Americans and how these beliefs are reflected in television programming,

A total of 2,385 hours of primetime entertainment programming on the seven commercial broadcast networks were analyzed and contained 2,344 treatments of religion. In the PTC's last study on religion, done in 1997, the PTC found only 551 treatments of religion in 1,800 hours of programming. That sounds like improvement. BUT the study revealed.....

¥ NBC was the decisive leader in broadcasting negative depictions of faith and religion. NBC programming had 9.5 negative treatments for every positive treatment of faith. Fox followed with 2.4 negative depictions for each one that was positive. WB and ABC tied with 1.2 negative for each positive, followed by UPN with 1 negative for every 1.1 positive, CBS with 1 negative for every 2 positive and Pax which did not have a single negative depiction.

¥ Negative depictions of clergy were more than twice as frequent as positive depictions - 36.2 percent negative compared to 14.6 percent positive. Representations of devout church members tended to be negative more than positive.

Yes, any observer can see that it is Hollywood's intent to make fun of and even bash religion. This diet of negativity toward all things religious is just one more reason why it is difficult to teach our kids the proper respect for God, His values, and His church. It is also another reason to critically limit the intake of TV for our families.

CCS Auction Note
Keep the school auction in mind when the clearance sales start - our theme is 'Big Bands'. We can use items for 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 April 22. Tickets will be on sale soon. For more information see Georgette Rude. Thank you!

Sew In Love Request
Our Sew In Love class is looking for three-pound plastic margarine tubs - can you help us?' You can put them in the Sew In Love donation basket in the foyer.' Thank you.

Job Opportunity
We are looking for a substitute janitor to fill in when Tiana is ill or on vacation. If you would be interested in this position contact John Simpson at 687-4000.

A New Year's Prayer from The FAX of Life

Holy Father,

I know that a thousand years are as a day to you,
but I am finite and bound by time. As a new year is
beginning for me, please teach me to . . .
care more about people and less about money,
enjoy my work but refuse to let it enslave me.

Lord, with all the experiences, memories, and habits
I have accumulated over the past few years, please
help me to . . .shake off the monotony of my life,
try some new things in this new year,
and mend some broken fences.

And, Father of Mercies, teach me in this new and unspoiled year to . . .enjoy children, sun-sets, reading, and long walks with friends, avoid quarrels and know the joy of being a peacemaker.

I cannot know what the new year will bring, and for that I am most grateful! But I want your help to . . .
eat less junk food, discover how to turn off my TV set, and exercise and take better care of myself.

Above all other things, Holy Father in Heaven, I want to be your instrument in this world to . . . lighten somebody's too-heavy load,
take away some sad person's pain,
and introduce a lost soul to Jesus Christ.

These are the things I want in the new year, Father. Because I believe they would give you honor as well,
I dare to ask your blessing to receive them.

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

TO SERVE January 2^nd, 2005

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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