Christmas stuff

Hey all – hope you had a great Christmas!  Thanks for all your kind words, gifts and prayers!  We have one more week of ‘Christmas’ left at church – with some great music scheduled! 

 

In the evening (on Sunday), we are getting together for our annual Family game night!  Bring your favorite table games to play and a snack to share.

 

We’ll have some video games available for the kids to play if they want.  We’ll meet from 6 – 8:30pm.  Hope you can come!  You don’t really know someone until you see them play a game J

 

Also – Have you given your gift to Jesus yet?  Remember to bring your end-of-year offering this Sunday.  The church needs extra financial support at this time. 

 

Looking forward to Sunday!

 

Pastor Bob

Prayer Request

Hey all – Just got a call from Jo Fetters asking prayer for her daughter-in-law’s (Steve and Pam) dad.  He had a heart attack and is in the hospital being treated right now. 

 

Also – don’t forget that the Christmas Caroling/Cookie Sharing/Christmas Movie is this Sunday night at 6:00pm.  Everyone is invited! 

 

Pastor Bob

Adopt-a-family

One more thing – we’ve received $30 toward our Christmas Adopt-a-Family project.  We wanted to be able to help a couple families in our church this Christmas.  We are collecting money toward this project and need around $200.  Mark your gift “Christmas Project” and place it in the Offering plate.

 

Thanks!

 

Pastor Bob

This Sunday

Dear Folks – just a reminder about the Holiday Dinner this Sunday.  Church is providing the main meal (meat, potatoes, gravy, rolls and beverage), you need to bring a side dish/dessert to pass.  We even have some gift baskets to give away!  Tell people who may not get this email!

 

Dan & Jean Chamberlain have decorated the church for the holidays – looks really nice!  We are getting things together for the Christmas program on the 21^st.  Also going to be showing “the Nativity”, eating Christmas cookies and singing Christmas Carols on the evening of the 14^th.  Lots of family things going on!

 

Debbie, Anna and I are going to go see Mark today and watch Olivet University’s presentation of the “The Messiah”.  Looking forward to it!

 

Have a great day today!

 

Pastor Bob

One more thing

I failed to mention that we are offering a Griefshare outreach event this Thursday night (Dec 4th and 18th) from 6 – 8pm at the Tecumseh Public Library and on Tues, Dec 9^th at the Christian Family Center from 6 – 8pm.  These special video showings of “Surviving the Holidays” will help those who are struggling with grief during the holidays.  There is a clear message of faith as well as practical help for those who grieve.  If you know someone who may benefit from this event – please invite them to come (and even go with them!).  See Dana Hendrickson for more details.

church stuff

Dear Folks – Hope you’re having a good week!

 

I wanted to give you an update on some things.  I really enjoyed the special worship service on Sunday.  It was fun to have a little different perspective on what worship is and to learn that we can freely express ourselves to God in a variety of ways!  Thanks for the special offering and for the generosity of the individuals who made it possible for us to have him with us!  Hopefully, we’ll be able to take some good ideas from him and improve our services!

 

Notice:  We are cancelling Awana for tomorrow night.  The Britton Band Christmas Concert is tomorrow night, and several of our workers are going to be performing.  Please pass the word around – thanks!

 

Also, remember that our Holiday Dinner is going to be THIS Sunday, Dec 7th (note the date change).  The church is providing the main meal, beverages, rolls and place settings, you only need to provide a side dish or dessert.  We are going to be giving away gift baskets to some lucky individuals – so make sure and stay.  There will be no evening service.  Again – pass the word around!

 

The following Sunday (Dec 14^th), we will be having a special evening event with a Christmas cookie exchange (bring your favorites!), hot chocolate, Christmas caroling, and a special big screen viewing of “The Nativity” movie.  Should be a really fun night!

 

On Sunday the 21^st, we will be having our SS Christmas program.  The day will start out with hot cinnamon rolls at 9:45am; then we’ll have our Special Christmas Program and service from 10:30am – noon.  We’ll have Candy Canes ready for the kids after the service.  There will be no evening service.

 

On Sunday the 28^th in the evening, we’ll be having our Annual End of Year Family Game night at church.  We’ll have table games, ping-pong, Video games and finger foods.  Lots of fun!

 

These are all extra opportunities for you to invite your friends and neighbors to our church.  They’re also an opportunity to get to know your church family.  Take advantage of these events!  Lots of work has gone into planning them!

 

Pastor Bob

 

P.S. Just a note about my recent assembly at Addison Public Schools.  It went great and I was able to speak to 200 teens about the process of building identity and value into their lives.  What an opportunity!  Twelve students responded that they want to be contacted for further information.  I will be speaking soon in Hudson High School, Blissfield High School and Adrian Middle School.  Please pray for this opening door of ministry.  God is using us to reach out to the students in Lenawee County!

Happy thanksgiving!

Dear Folks - Just wanted to wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving and hope that you enjoy God’s blessings today!

 

Also – Prepare your heart for this Sunday as we learn about worship and the part it should play in our church and life.  Jon Schoonmaker will be our special guest and will lead us in Worship and teach us what it means.  There will be a luncheon/workshop after the service for the Leadership Board (anyone who has a ministry position in the church) as well as others interested in learning how to implement aspects of worship in our church.  We will be receiving a special offering for Jon’s ministry.

 

See you on Sunday!

 

Pastor Bob

Thanksgiving Eve Party!

Hey All!  Just a reminder about the Thanksgiving eve Party tonight at church – we are having an “all-chocolate” night.  Every activity, game and snack will revolve around chocolate – one more thing to be thankful for!  Plan on coming.  We will accept donations for the cost of the food.  See you at 6:00pm!

 

PB

prayer and stuff

Dear Folks – hope you enjoyed the baptism service last night – I know I did!  It’s great to see God at work in our lives.

 

Please pray for Shirley Russ and Shirley Garmany.  Shirley Russ fell last Friday and hurt her wrist and got a pretty good bump on her head.  She went to urgent care when it happened and is waiting for the Dr.’s report this week.

 

Also, pray for Shirley Garmany (Tammy Stewart’s mom).  She is having knee surgery today and will be in recovery for awhile.  I’ll let you know how things go when I find out!

 

Have a blessed day!

 

Pastor Bob

 

P.S.  Don’t forget about the special GriefShare meeting tonight at 6:30pm at church.  If you know someone who may need extra support at this time, this program is very helpful!

 

Also – be praying about the special worship/seminar this coming Sunday morning.  It will be a very encouraging day!

prayer

Folks - Just a quick note to let you know that Harold Jeffrey went back into the hospital for a follow-up procedure.  His leg (where they took the extra veins from for his heart surgery) wasn’t healing up right, and they had to drain the cyst that was forming.  When he got back from the hospital, Elsie was not doing good and went into a diabetic reaction.  He called the ambulance and they took her to Bixby.  They assume everything will be okay, but please keep them in your prayers!  A lot is going on in their lives.  If you can help them out with meals, visits, rides, please let them know!

 

Looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow!  Remember that we are having a baptism service in the evening (at 6:00pm).  Cake/Ice Cream to follow!

 

Pastor bob

This Sunday...and beyond!

Hey all!  Just a reminder that this Sunday we will be hearing from Andy Bishop (our missionary to Italy) in the morning and will be having a baptism service (6:00pm) in the evening.  We have three people who are getting baptized – two adults and a child.  As usual, we will have a fellowship (with cake and ice cream) afterwards to celebrate!

 

All our off-site ministries (high school/college age) will meet at church.  Looking forward to seeing you this Sunday!

 

Pastor Bob

 

P.S.  Also – remember that next Sunday morning (Nov 30^th), we will be having a special Worship Concert and Seminar with Jon Schoonmaker.  He will lead us in worship, help us understand the goal and vision of worship, and teach us methods for using worship effectively in our church.  We will also have a luncheon/workshop with Jon following church for those who are interested in taking our worship to the next level. 

 

P.S.S.  Another thing – On Wednesday (day before Thanksgiving), we will be having our annual Family Thanksgiving Fun Night at 6:00pm.  We always have a great time together playing games, eating food and reflecting on our blessings.  Please come with (or without) your family!

 

P.S.S.S (can you do that?) – One final thing – Christmas is just around the corner – we will be suspending our Study of Revelation for the month and concentrate on the meaning of Christmas.  We’re going to be looking at the four “Solas” of our Faith – the things that make our Salvation unique – and how Christ is at the center of it all.  It’s an exciting study and one I know you’ll appreciate!  I enjoy the Christmas season and am looking forward to all the special things that take place.  Hope you do, too!

Thanks for praying!

Dear Folks – Just a quick note to thank you for your prayers for the Teen Christian College Trip last week.  We had a great time together and the teens were really impressed by the colleges we visited and the sites we were able to see. Each college had its uniqueness and atmosphere and were so helpful!  We had a couple of last minute changes to our schedule that needed to be worked out, but we were able to fix them (one of the churches that we were scheduled to stay at in NYC had plumbing problems and had to cancel on us – for awhile, I thought we were going to have to sleep on the streets!).  But we were able to find a really nice hotel just outside of NYC for really cheap (on hotwire – a 3-star hotel for only $65 a room!).

 

Anyway – God kept us safe on the highway (one close call – there was an accident on the expressway as we were going into Washington DC.  The cars didn’t notice it until we came over the hill and traffic was stopped.  The van in front of me put on his brakes, then I did, but the car in back of me wasn’t able to stop – so she swerved around me and slid into the lane in front of me – barely missing several cars – pretty scary!)  Anyway, I’m glad she didn’t hit us!

 

I heard that services went well on Sunday.  I’m glad you were able to hear from Chris Walker.  I went to Bible College with him and have always been impressed with his ministry.  It’s amazing what New Tribes Mission is doing in the world.  I’m looking forward to being with you this Sunday.  We are going to be hearing a report from Andy Bishop.  He is leaving for Italy this next week – and had an open Sunday, so I asked him to be with us.  You might remember that we recently voted to increase his support to $200/month.  I’m glad we’ve been able to help him out!  Also – Steven is coming home this Monday (Nov 24^th).  His plane arrives at 3:15pm.  If you’d like to come with us, we are meeting him there.  It would be fun to have a group from church there!  Let me know.

 

This is pretty cool…I have been asked to go into Blissfield, Addison and Adrian Schools over the next month to present some opportunities for counseling/assemblies.  I’m excited about that!  Our team from Recovery Lifestyles will be challenging youth about the perils of poor lifestyle choices and the benefits of integrity, wisdom and honesty.  It’s amazing to see things open up for ministry.  Also – our church has been asked to sponsor a “Celebrate Recovery” Chapter in Adrian.  This program is designed to help those who are struggling with various addictions from a Christ-centered perspective.  We’ll be recognized nationally for our participation.  The best thing – the material is already purchased and the staff is already in place – we just get the benefit of the advertising!

 

I don’t know about you, but it’s interesting to me to see how God is opening up our little ministry in Britton to the larger community.  What is your part?  Are you involved in praying for the work here?  Are you faithful in giving to make sure the bills are paid?  Are you giving your time to make sure the programs are staffed and the committees are functioning?  Are you attending services and bringing your family and friends to the programs?

 

Get onboard!  Good things are happening here.

 

Pastor Bob

church stuff

Dear Folks – thanks for bringing all the GREAT food this last Sunday!  Church dinners are the best.  Also – thanks for all the great input at the business meeting.  Some great ideas for making our church better!

 

I wanted to also thank you for the generous offering on Sunday – over $3,000!  That really helps the ministry.  We can never take our church for granted or think that someone else will take care of it – especially in these tough economic times!  Each of us needs to contribute liberally as God gives us the ability.

 

For those who weren’t able to be at the meeting, we increased missions support for Andy & Ruth Bishop by $50 per month.  They have been seriously underfunded for awhile (a couple of churches have had to drop their support) and need help.  I’m glad we were able to step in!

 

I was thinking the other day how fortunate we are not to have a church mortgage right now.  It’s nice to be able to say that we are totally debt free!  Not many churches can say that – and I know of several churches that are struggling with large debt that they took on in the last few years and are now wondering what is going to happen.  Some have had to let staff go, and some are having to greatly reduce their mission support or programs.  I’m glad that we are still managing through this difficult time!

 

I will be leaving tomorrow with the teens for a Christian College Tour.  They are excited – so am I!  I get to spend five days with our teens, taking them to see Christian Colleges and enjoying them.  Pray for safety and good conversation.  Last time we did this, two teens decided to go to one of the Christian colleges we visited.

 

In my absence (this Sunday), Missionary Chris Walker from New Tribes Missions will be speaking.  He was with us about four years ago (just before he left for the field in Papua New Guinea), and is now on furlough.  Please come and support his time with us.  He will be here for Sunday School and Morning church.  The Jr. Church kids will be upstairs during the service so they can hear him.  We will be taking a special offering for his ministry to cover his travel and other expenses.

 

I was able to present our ministry last night to the Britton School Board.  The principal asked if I would come in and talk for 15 minutes about the counseling that I’m doing at Britton.  Exciting!  I am currently involved with approx 30 kids on a weekly basis now talking about life issues (divorce, depression, grief, substance abuse, student success, etc.) and building relationships with them.  My prayer is that this contact will translate to future decisions for Christ and an opportunity for personal ministry.  Thanks for allowing me to be involved in this “extra” ministry.  I think it will pay huge dividends down the road.  I’m going to Addison School District in December. Also, Blissfield School District called me last week and wants me to go there, too.  Incredible!

 

As always – please pray for our church – its people, ministries, programs, weekly offerings, missionaries and organization.  We need EVERYONE to be involved in some way here!  If you don’t currently have a personal ministry here, please find one!  If you need some suggestions – SEE ME! 

 

For those of you are involved – THANKS!!!  You make our church a great place to be!

 

Have a blessed day!

 

Pastor Bob

This Sunday & Stuff

Hey Folks – just a reminder that this Sunday after morning church is the Church Potluck and Quarterly Business meeting!  Please bring a main dish and side or dessert to share.  The church will provide beverages, rolls and place settings.  After the dinner, we will have a short business meeting for members to discuss some of the things going on in the ministry here.  There will be no evening service.

 

Teens!

College Trip!  Remember that the rest of your money MUST be in by this Sunday for the Christian College Tour.  We are meeting at the church on Wednesday, Nov 12^th at 10:30am at church.  Luggage space is very limited, so only pack what you need.  We will be returning on Sunday evening, Nov 16^th.  I’m looking forward to a great time! 

 

Laser Tag!  This Friday, we’re going to Jackson All Skate to play Laser Tag and eat ice cream at “The Parlor”.  Cost is $10 for Laser Tag (bring extra money for ice cream and $2 for gas).  Meet at 7pm at the church! 

 

Youth Meeting!  We’re meeting at the Britton high School gym this Sunday night at 6:00pm for youth group.  Bring a friend!

 

Good news!  Harold is home (he came home on Tuesday) and is doing great!  Thanks for all the prayers and calls.  They are going to need help – he can’t drive for 4 – 6 weeks and is limited.  Elsie can’t drive either – so please remember them and offer to help if you can!  (517) 423-4434.

 

More good news!  I will be starting three weekly counseling groups (for 6 – 8 weeks) at Britton School for high school teens this week.  The School has asked me to be involved in helping them. Please pray that I might be sensitive to the needs of the students and be able to offer hope, grace and light.

 

Pastor Bob

Prayer Update

Dear Folks – just wanted to let you know that Harold’s surgery went well.  The doctors were pleased with the results, and as of this morning, he was up in a chair already!  He looked really good.  He wanted me to tell you that he is very grateful for all the prayers.  He should be in the hospital for 3 – 4 days if everything goes well. 

 

Also – we are having a special dedication for our Operation Christmas Child boxes tomorrow.  We have over 50 to send out!  That’s quite something.  Next week on Sunday (Nov 9^th), we will be having a church potluck after the morning service and a quarterly business meeting after that.  We will not be having an evening service.  Please plan on coming to the dinner and meeting!

 

The High School teens will be meeting at the Billau’s home tomorrow evening at 6:00pm.  Thanks Marty and Susie!

 

Looking forward to tomorrow!  We’re having communion, so be thinking about Christ’s sacrifice on your behalf and come to church prepared!

 

See you tomorrow!

 

Pastor Bob

Update on Steve

Dear Folks – just wanted to give you an update on what Steve is doing.  He is currently in Cambodia doing ministry with College Students (at least that was what I heard from him about a week ago).  He is in his last month now.  He said that he is in a very poor part of the country but is seeing some amazing things.  He is not feeling well and thinks he may have malaria.  We haven’t heard yet from him what the test results revealed.  Please pray for him and his team as he finishes this last month.  He still needs about $1,500 to be able to finish the race.  Would you consider giving a gift to help him?  He really appreciates all that you have done to help him – prayer, following his journey, giving money. 

 

He will be arriving home on Monday, Nov. 24^th at 3:15pm at Detroit Metro Airport.  We will be meeting him there.  We’d love to have a group from the church welcome him back.  Let us know if you’d like to come!  If you want to give a donation, you can do it online at www.stevewright.theworldrace.org.  Here’s a note from a recent blog:

 

I was just thinking the other day of Iquitos, Peru, and it instantly brought back a flood of feelings.  So many things were going on back then, I was in such a different state of mind.  It’s hard to believe that I have been away for 10 months now.  Back in Iquitos. I couldn't see the end of the trip.  At the time I was sick, and a lot happened that month.  This was the month where the bus got attacked by an angry mob, and we went to the Amazon river and stayed on a boat.  I'm pretty sure I had a few dreams in Peru, where I was in a tunnel, and the light kept disappearing from my sight, it was really depressing, but at the same time, God was doing a lot with me, and he has really changed me.

 

Skip forward a few months, and now we only have a little over a month left before we get on our planes and go back to the States.  I can't wait for this month to start, the community here is really amazing.  I have so many friends here that I feel like I can connect with, and mostly what we talk about has to do with things that are really interesting to me.  I feel so safe and protected…and we are all looking out for each other.  I know I'm going to have a lot of fun this next month.

 

Here’s a picture of his team in Cambodia.

 

 

 

prayer request

Dear Folks – just wanted to ask you to pray for Shirley Russ.   She just found out that her only brother passed away yesterday (he lives in California).  She is sad because she’s not sure if he was a believer.  She’s hoping that the conversations she had with him over the years will have borne fruit in his last days.

 

See you tomorrow! 

 

Pastor Bob

Prayer update

Folks - Just received this note from Jared about Julies dad…

 

It looks like Julie's dad is going to be ok, they had to correct an arrhythmia and then do a heart catheter to diagnose his condition.
They determined he doesn't have any more blockages than he had 5 years ago, but his heart is weaker.  So there are going to have a defibrillator implanted in him that will correct the arrhythmia when it happens again.

 

Thanks for praying!

 

Pastor Bob

prayer request

Dear Folks, please pray for Julie Burkeen’s dad.  She got a phone call last night about him that he was having a possible heart attack.  Here’s the latest news from Jared..

 

I just got off the phone with Julie and it looks like her dad is pretty stable right now. 
They are still not sure if he had a heart attack, but they may know more tomorrow after they run some tests.
He had an arrhythmic heartbeat, which they were able to correct.
They plan on doing a heart catheter in the morning to help determine the cause, and depending on what they find they may do an angioplasty or a stint.

Still don't know a whole lot, but he appears to be doing a lot better now.
He will be in the hospital at least through tomorrow night while they observe him.

 

Thanks for praying!

 

Pastor Bob

Prayer request

Folks – please pray for Libby Cochrane.  She went in to Saline Hospital on Wednesday night with some chest pains and after they did a stress test, the results were not conclusive, so they sent her to St. Joe’s for some additional tests (a heart cath).  They’re hoping that it is nothing, but doctors said it could be a narrowing of an artery.

 

Also – Barb Bishop called yesterday and said that her granddaughter (Joy’s daughter) went in for tests (MRI) for some severe pain and an unknown problem.

 

Thanks for keeping your church family in prayer.

 

Don’t forget about the Missions Breakfast on Sunday morning at 9:15am!   Have a good day.

 

Pastor Bob

Prayer Request

Folks – wanted to add that I’d like you to pray for Harold Jeffrey this next couple of weeks.  He will be going in for triple-bypass heart surgery on October 24^th.  He’s in good spirits and is trusting God for his care, but would like prayer for him as he goes through this and the time it will take for recovery.  Let him know you’re praying for him and Elsie.

 

Harold & Elsie Jeffrey

9110 Holloway Rd

Britton, Mi. 49229

423-4434

This weekend - Missions!

Hey folks – wanted to encourage you to come to the Missions Emphasis day on Sunday!  We are having great speakers and good food.  We will be hearing from a Palestinian Christian (Nicola) who grew up in Bethlehem (Israel) and is currently attending U of M.  He is a very unique individual!  He’ll be talking about the difficult situation in the Middle East.  We’ll also be hearing from Norm and Louis Barnard – our missionaries to Asia.  They are transferring back to the states and have some great insight on the changes in the Asian World.

 

Here’s the schedule:

9:15am – Hot Breakfast Buffet in the Fellowship Hall

9:45am – Mission Session #1:  Nicola – “Missions in the Arab World”

11:00am – Mission Session #2:  Norm Barnard – “Missions in the Asian World”

6:00pm – Dessert Fellowship (Bring a dessert to share)

6:00pm – Mission Session #3:  Panel Discussion – Norm, Louise and Nicola:  “What’s next in Missions?”

 

Don’t miss any of these!  Remember that we are collecting your Faith Promise Cards this Sunday.  Pray about how much you’d like God to give through you this year and then we will pray together to see it happen.

 

Invite a friend to these special meetings!

 

See you Sunday!

 

Pastor Bob

Other new babies

Folks – just wanted to let you know about some other new births in the last few weeks (I mentioned some of these in church)…

 

Yesterday a teen came up to me after the morning service and wanted to get saved – so I hooked her up with Valerie Bartenslager and after they talked, she gave her heart to the Lord!  Last week her sister also accepted the Lord (during AWANA), so that was pretty cool.

 

Also, in the last three weeks, three Jr Highers have accepted the Lord during youth group.  That has been pretty encouraging for Sam McCarty (our Jr. High youth leader).  Please be praying for these new believers as we start the process of discipling them.  It’s always good to see God at work in the lives of people!

 

Have a great day!

 

Pastor Bob

Baby Update

Mike and Jennifer named their son Anthony Dale.  8lb. 1oz and 21 inches long!  He’s cute (of course) and has lots of dark hair.  They’ll be coming home from the hospital today.  Drop them a line of congratulations if you’d like!

 

Mike and Jennifer Grudnoski

9078 E. Monroe Rd

Britton, Mi. 49229

 

new baby boy~

Folks – just to let you know that Mike and Jennifer Grudnoski had a baby boy yesterday around 3pm.  They haven’t named him yet – but he was 8lbs 1oz and lots of dark hair!  Most of all – he’s healthy.  Make sure you pray for them as they enjoy their new son!

 

Also – just a note that I really enjoyed the service yesterday.  Hope you did, too!

 

PB

FW: Loser, anyone?

Folks – get involved in this contest and have fun!  The contest starts this weekend!

 

From: stacie mcmullen [mailto:staciemcmullen@yahoo.com]
Sent: Monday, September 08, 2008 4:40 PM
To: Bob Wright
Subject: Fw: Loser, anyone?

 

Howdy!

 

We're starting another Biggest Loser weight loss competition!  The competition was inspired by The Biggest Loser show on NBC  (the new season begins 9/16).  Each week participants email in their weights, and then I email the results to everyone playing.  The emailed results only contain names and the cummulative percentage of weight lost for each participant.  Actual numbers are very top secret and I only see them long enough to enter them into a spreadsheet, and th en the cells are hidden.    Many people have benefited from the competition--and it's fun!  The prize amounts depend on the number of participants, so the more the merrier-and healthier!

 

 

The specifics are as follows:

~$30 entry fee

~Weigh-in on Fridays

~$15 returned if you lose at least 10% of your starting weight by the end of the competition.

~The first weigh-in will be this Friday, September 12th

~The final weigh-in will be Friday, December 12th (just before Christmas, and long enough after Thanksgiving so that you can "wisely" enjoy yourself!!)

~The top 3 "losers" receive cash prizes

~Email/call me if you are interested in playing or know someone who is

~Email/call your friends!  The more people around you living healthy, the easier it is for you to live healthy!

 

 

 

 

Update and news for Sunday

Hey all – hope you’re day is going well. 

 

I wanted to let you know that we had a good first night at AWANA on Wednesday.  I think I counted 12 kids who were in attendance (two new families, too!).  We had a lot of fun getting to know them and making them feel comfortable.  We had nine workers/helpers.  So thanks to those who came.  We need you to invite kids to come and to bring your own kids!  We also need people willing to help.  See Jim Stewart for details.

 

We also had 17 Jr high kids that came for JV Awana youth group and had 8 helpers.  That’s a pretty good group!  I appreciate Sam McCarty’s leadership in that group and those who come to assist him – you’re awesome!  Also, we had 12 high school kids out for youth group on Sunday evening.  Thanks to Marty & Susie Billau for opening their home to us!

 

We have a little problem, though.  We have depleted our Awana budget and need to purchase supplies and books.  Would you please consider giving some extra in the offering over the next couple of weeks?  We need about $150 to buy books and supplies (some of that will be reimbursed by the kids who buy the books).  Your assistance will be appreciated!  Mark your gift “Awana”.

 

This Sunday, we are going to be visited by a missionary.  Elizabeth Bowman is going to the country of Chili (in South America) and will be sharing with us during Sunday School and present a brief testimony in the Church service.  She will also be with our Jr. Church kids during their worship time, and with the high school group in the evening.  There will be a special offering taken for her ministry.  We need a family to host her for lunch on Sunday.  If you can help, let me know.  Missionaries are great people to have your kids/grandkids exposed to!

 

Also – the High School youth group has challenged the College-age group to a volleyball match on Sunday evening at 7:00pm at the Britton Park Volleyball Pit (behind the school).  Everyone is invited to come and watch!  We’ll have fun together.  Bring your chair and bug spray!

 

See you Sunday!

 

Pastor Bob

 

 

Prayer request

Folks – I just got a call from Ken Smith asking for prayer for Renee (Amy’s Sister).  She was taken to the hospital because she has another blood clot in her lung.  Please pray for her.  She moved down to Florida recently and is currently in Jacksonville.  If you would like to send her a card, her address is:

 

Renee Rendel

7061 Old Kings Rd. South

Apt. 7

Jacksonville, Fla.  32217

 

Thanks, Pastor Bob

Questions

Hey all – Hope you’re having a good day. 

 

I have a wireless G router (Linksys 2.4 GHz) that I am not able to use. If someone could use it, I’ll give it to you.  No charge.

 

Also – we need a twin-sized mattress in good condition.  If you have one or know someone who does, let me know.  Thanks!

 

Also – we received a large offering last Sunday that helped bring our church budget back into balance – thanks for helping!

 

Communion is this Sunday – see you then!

 

PB

What the media DIDN'T report...

Wow, some amazing pictures!               As usual, the good news goes unreported.    There is tremendous re-enlistment in Baghdad......but it never made mainstream media...maybe it doesn't fit with their reporting of the hollow force, poor morale, etc.  For those who have been in the Al Faw Palace you'll have a better estimation of the number of people crammed in the rotunda.   Here is a re-enlistment ceremony from Baghdad on the 4th of July, 2008. Somehow this did not make it into network news broadcasts (imagine that).  Attached are pictures of what is reputedly the 'largest re-enlistment ceremony ever held in military history'.   The ceremony was held July 4, 2008 at Al Faw Palace, Baghdad, Iraq. General Petraeus officiated.   A pizzeria in Chicago donated 2000 pizzas that were made (frozen), shipped on Sunday, arrived in Baghdad Wednesday and were fed to the troops on the 4th.  Oh, by the way, the media DID report on the 2000 pizzas...just not what they were for.   THANKS TO OUR TROOPS!

 

A note from Steve and one of his teammates

Dear folks – Steve wrote a recent blog that was quite touching.  Also, one of Steve’s teammates on the World Race wrote a recent blog.  I thought both were worth copying portions of to get the feel of what the team is having to deal with this month.

 

Steve needs $2,500 total to finish the race - $700 of it by Sept. 1^st.  If you can help him out, please contact him at www.stevewright.theworldrace.org.  Go to “Support Me” and follow the directions.

 

Thanks.  Here’s the quotes.

 

From Mark Stratman –

 I have to say, however, that I'm feeling like a marathon runner at the moment. Everything...EVERYTHING is getting to me. Delhi is a tough place to be at this point in the race because it's a noise pollution definition. A simple walk to the corner store to get something to drink involves getting honked at from 3 motorcycles, 2 cars, and 3 rickshaw bikes must ring their annoying little bells all right in my ear...in case I didn't know they were there. While my ears continue ringing, I step over cow poo, walk around a cow, and smell some really nasty scents. I am over it. I think it's funny, still. I must admit that after yelling at the drivers to shut up and stop honking at me, I laugh. What if I brought this culture to the States? What if I decided that the lines in the road were optional? What if I took 1 million cows and released them in New York City, declaring that you couldn't so much as touch them? What if I honked at everyone just to let them know I'm around them...every car, bike, pedestrian, cow? What if I busted up the road to make them so pothole covered that you needed a 4x4 to go anywhere? What if I took away all the Wal-Marts and malls and replaced them with mini stores that you could get 3-4 things on your shopping list at any store and had to go to 4 stores to get all the things you wanted for dinner? What if?

 

From Steve –

We basically have three ministries that we have been doing.  Orphanage, leper colony, and Burmese refugees.  At this point I’ve been to all three, and they are going well.  At the orphanage, we've been able to play with the children, and they love the bible lessons and singing.  IN the morning when they are at school, there is a group that has gone in and fixed up the place as best as they can.  We bought some paint and also fixed a few fans of theirs. 

 

About a week ago I went to the leper colony, and I saw something that was difficult to take in.  There was a man that was crippled from leprosy.  All I could do was pray for him.  We prayer walked through the colony and played with kids.  Some of us sat a talked with some of the people there.  As soon as I went off on my own I saw this man, covered in a blanket, and swarmed with flies.  I went to put my hand on his shoulder and I only felt his bone.  I had to walk away after that, I didn't have anything to give him. 

 

Continue to pray for Steve and the ministry – I know he appreciates it!

 

Pastor Bob

 

A Good Story

JUST PUSH

 

A man was sleeping one night in his cabin when suddenly His room filled with light and God appeared.  The Lord told the Man he had work for him to do and showed him a large rock in front of his cabin.  The Lord explained that the man was to push against the rock with all his might.

 

So, this the man did, day after day. For many years he toiled from sunup to sundown, his shoulders set squarely against the cold, massive surface of the unmoving rock, pushing with all his might.

 

Each night the man returned to his cabin sore and worn out, feeling that his whole day had been spent in vain.  Since the man was showing discouragement, the Adversary decided to enter the picture by placing thoughts into the weary mind: "You have been pushing against that rock for a long time and it hasn't moved." Thus, he gave the man the impression the task God had given was impossible and he was a failure.

 

These thoughts discouraged and disheartened the man.  Satan said, "Why kill yourself over this? Just put in your time, giving just the minimum effort and that will be good enough."

 

That's what the weary man planned to do, but decided to make it a matter of prayer and to take his troubled thoughts to the Lord.

 

"Lord," he said, "I have labored long and hard in Your service, putting all my strength to do that which you have asked. Yet, after all this time I have not even budged that rock by half an inch. What is wrong? Why am I failing?"

 

The Lord responded compassionately, "Dear child, when I asked you to serve Me and you accepted, I told you that your task was to push against the rock with all of your strength, which you have done. Never once did I mention that I expected you to move it. Your task was to push.

 

And now you come to Me with your strength spent, thinking that you have failed. But is that really so? Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled, your back shiny and brown; your hands are callused from constant pressure, your legs have become massive and hard.

 

Through opposition, you have grown much and your abilities now surpass that which you used to have. True, you haven't moved the rock. But your calling was to be obedient and to push and to exercise your faith and trust in My wisdom. That you have done. Now, my child, I will move the rock."  Which He did.

 

Moral: At times, when we receive a task from God, we tend to validate whether it is valuable from our own perspective and use our intellect to decipher what He wants, when actually what God wants is simple obedience and faith in Him. Don’t allow Satan to distract you!  By all means, exercise the faith that moves mountains, but know that it is still God who moves them.

 

Thought:  "Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending."

 

Have a good day!

 

Pastor Bob

 

 

Church news, prayer and a blessing!

Dear Folks – Hope your day is going well!  I wanted to update you on a couple of things. 

 

This Sunday, there is an important meeting right after church for all Children’s workers.  If you have a position working with children in our church, please attend (this includes Awana).  Also, if you are not currently involved in a ministry, but are interested in working with our children’s program (Sunday School, Nursery, Awana, Jr. Church, Youth Group) you are also invited to come.  The fall program is just around the corner!

 

The High School Youth group needs your help.  We are looking for various homes in which to meet on Sunday evenings from 6 – 8:30pm for Bible Study and fun.  It doesn’t require a lot of commitment on your part, just a willingness to open your home and provide snacks for about 10 teens.  If you are interested, please give me a holler.  We’ve already received several offers, so it would be sometime during Sept/October.  Thanks for considering this ministry!

 

The Haiti Team is returning on Saturday (hard to believe it’s been 10 days already!).  I’m excited to hear how things went – hopefully, they’ll be able to give a brief report this Sunday – we’ll have a full report shortly!

 

Please consider helping out the church financially at this time.  We are about $4,000 behind on our YTD giving and need to “catch-up” for the fall season.  I know things are tight for many people right now.  We need to remember that giving is a matter of worship – not resources.  God desires us to give regardless of our ability or circumstances.  Trust Him to honor his Word and provide for your needs.  While we don’t always receive a physical blessing for obedience – we ALWAYS receive a spiritual one!

 

Please pray for Kelly Waynick today – she is having carpel tunnel surgery at Bixby this morning.  Everything is expected to be fine – but surgery is always a scary thing!  If you want to be an encouragement to them, their address is 151 10^th St.  Britton, Mi. 49229

 

Finally – the church is receiving a blessing on Monday – there is a Christian carpet-cleaning place in Adrian (B & T Floor Care) that has offered to clean our church carpet for FREE!  (That’s a $300 value!).  I was very impressed at their heart for ministry.  If you are looking to have your carpets cleaned – I would highly suggest them to you (sorry you don’t get the same deal J)!  Call Bob at 517-605-0754 to have them come to your home or office. 

 

See you on Sunday!

 

Pastor Bob

prayer

Folks – Jo Fetters asked for prayer for Steve & Pam.  Steve’s diabetes is acting up and it is affecting his job and his mood (discouragement).  Please pray for him as he tries to get it under control.

 

Also, Pam’s sister-in-law just found out that the baby she’s carrying will not make it.  The baby has some brain problems that will not allow it to survive.  Sad!

 

In other news…The Haiti team got off yesterday!  They traveled to St. Louis to meet up with the rest of the group that’s leaving.  They will be flying to Florida today and will be leaving tomorrow for Haiti.  Please pray for safe travel and a great ministry.

 

Also – Chuck Koman died yesterday.  I was able to be there with the family shortly after he passed and prayed with them.  I’m glad I’ve been able to have a ministry with them.  Pray for the services.  I will let you know more when I have information.

 

Our church is having a great ministry at the school this week!  Thanks to those who have helped with money, supplies and time.  Almost $250 was given to purchase food and supplies.  The new Supt. of Schools was very impressed with our church!  He said yesterday that he has noticed how much our church likes to be involved with the community!  Yea!  He said that he is looking forward to moving his family here next year (his son is in his last year at Pittsford).

 

Anyway – thanks for praying and helping!

 

Pastor Bob

Need some help!

Dear Folks – I mentioned on Sunday that we have a unique and fun opportunity to minister to our community next week in preparing lunch for the teens in the Britton Marching Band during band camp. 

 

We are scheduled to provide lunch on Monday for 65 people (Taco Bar and fixin’s).  We need people to donate money and/or food and need at least four people to help cook and serve it.  So far, no one has let me know that they can help cook or provide anything for it.  That’s not good!  I’ve committed our church to this event and need your help.

 

On top of that, I just got a call that one of the other churches is not going to be able to take their day (Tuesday).  Can we do both days? 

 

I’m thinking that on Tuesday we could grill some hot dogs and serve chips and water – and maybe make some brownies or something (and also need four more people).  What do you think?  Can we do this?  How cool would it be if our church is the one that comes through and supports the teens in our community! They will remember it – so will the parents!  How many families do 65 teens represent in Britton?

 

Let me know what you think.

 

Pastor Bob

 

P.S.  An update on Dave Newman – he had surgery on his leg today.  Doctors said it went well.  He did not break his neck, but does have serious injuries to the rest of his body (foot, ankle, leg, pelvis, ribs, shoulder, etc).  He will not be able to put weight on his leg for 4 – 6 months.  Please pray for this family – they are definitely dealing with a lot – and we have an opportunity to show them the love of Christ!

prayer request for Dave Newman

Folks – just got a call from Justin Newman.  His dad (Dave) fell over 20 ft from some scaffolding and broke his foot, ankle, leg (several places), pelvis, ribs and neck (not sure about the neck yet).  He is at U of M in ICU right now.  Please pray for him as they evaluate his injuries.  He will be having emergency surgery tomorrow.  Thanks for praying!

 

Pastor Bob

Robbery story from Steve - a little long, but worth it!

Folks – Debbie had a conversation with Steve today over the internet concerning the recent robbery in Africa, and I thought I would post some of it.  It’s quite something to read!  Keep praying for him!  He is now in New Delhi, India ministering at a leper colony and an orphanage.  He said conditions there are very difficult – over 100 degrees each day with mosquitoes and filth everywhere.  The only thing to eat is peanut butter and jelly.  Very little water.  It’ll be an interesting month!

 

[2:26:09 PM] Debbie Wright says: kind of tough when someone rips your stuff away from you with a gun pointed at you

[2:26:15 PM] Debbie Wright says: that has to be pretty traumatic

[2:26:22 PM] Steve Wright says: yeah, I was in the other room

[2:26:49 PM] Debbie Wright says: did they have you go in the big room?

[2:27:15 PM] Steve Wright says: yeah, I was joking around with Eli and Matt S when the guys came into the room and told us to leave the room

[2:27:20 PM] Steve Wright says: I thought it was a joke at first

[2:27:37 PM] Debbie Wright says: yeah, it would be hard to believe something like that was really happening to you

[2:28:05 PM] Steve Wright says: I looked over at Eli, and his hands were up, so I figured out it wasn't a joke

[2:28:21 PM] Debbie Wright says: did it kind of seem like you were in a TV show and not real life?

[2:28:32 PM] Steve Wright says: ummmm

[2:28:34 PM] Steve Wright says: I guess

[2:28:54 PM] Steve Wright says: I wasn't scared at all during, just thinking through things

[2:29:06 PM] Steve Wright says: after talking with other people, I realized how much danger we really were in

[2:29:11 PM] Debbie Wright says: did it kind of hit you afterwards?

[2:29:17 PM] Debbie Wright says: the scared I mean

[2:29:30 PM] Steve Wright says: yeah

[2:29:42 PM] Steve Wright says: several different people told us we were lucky to be alive

[2:29:46 PM] Steve Wright says: we saw their faces

[2:29:49 PM] Debbie Wright says: very true

[2:29:50 PM] Steve Wright says: that was scary

[2:30:01 PM] Debbie Wright says: I was wondering if they had masks on or not

[2:30:06 PM] Steve Wright says: later we talked with a waitress, and she told us we were lucky

[2:30:21 PM] Steve Wright says: one of my teammates told me that a lot of Americans are shot dead in Africa

[2:30:27 PM] Debbie Wright says: wow

[2:30:29 PM] Steve Wright says: anyways, I’ll stop giving you details

[2:30:32 PM] Debbie Wright says: God watches you

[2:30:32 PM] Steve Wright says: we are safe

[2:30:36 PM] Steve Wright says: yeah

[2:30:46 PM] Debbie Wright says: always has and always will

[2:30:47 PM] Steve Wright says: I kept praying through the whole thing

[2:31:04 PM] Steve Wright says: I think that might have been why I wasn't so scared

[2:31:11 PM] Debbie Wright says: yeah

[2:31:37 PM] Debbie Wright says: I don't mind the details

[2:31:49 PM] Steve Wright says: I could tell you the story if you have a minute

[2:31:53 PM] Debbie Wright says: sure

[2:31:58 PM] Steve Wright says: alright

[2:32:01 PM] Steve Wright says: so,

[2:32:05 PM] Debbie Wright says: always have a minute for you!

[2:32:23 PM] Steve Wright says: Eli and I had went out for supper, and then on the way back we stopped at this Chinese internet cafe

[2:32:51 PM] Steve Wright says: we played this shooting video game, where me and Eli were on a team, and we played against two other Chinese people we didn't know

[2:33:02 PM] Steve Wright says: so it was dark, and Eli and I were joking about

[2:33:22 PM] Steve Wright says: if people were going to jump us, we were ready and kind of wanted some action so that we could get some aggression out

[2:33:38 PM] Steve Wright says: we got back to the hotel, and just relaxing for about an hour

[2:33:53 PM] Steve Wright says: then Matt S left, and Eli and I were about to leave to see what else was going on

[2:34:25 PM] Steve Wright says: as soon as matt left, a small guy came into the room waving a gun, followed by a tall guy with a gun

[2:34:36 PM] Steve Wright says: he said, don't look at my face, and get out of the room

[2:34:48 PM] Steve Wright says: I looked him straight in the eyes and thought it was a joke

[2:35:03 PM] Steve Wright says: but then looked at Eli and saw him with his hands up, so I did the same

[2:35:12 PM] Steve Wright says: he said, go to the lobby, and get down

[2:35:40 PM] Steve Wright says: I stepped into the lobby, and he kind of twisted my arm so that I would go to the ground

[2:36:04 PM] Steve Wright says: When I was on the ground, I realized I was breathing really heavy, which was weird because it was only a few steps

[2:36:15 PM] Steve Wright says: I breathed deeply so that I could think clearly

[2:36:27 PM] Steve Wright says: then I heard a dog bark and it caught me off guard

[2:36:40 PM] Steve Wright says: I jumped, the dog was huge, and he bit at me earlier

[2:36:54 PM] Steve Wright says:  I kept thinking, God keep the dog away from me, because he could bite me

[2:37:16 PM] Steve Wright says: then the dog came right up to me and sniffed me, which was so scary, because at the same time the robbers had guns

[2:37:28 PM] Steve Wright says: He went away

[2:37:35 PM] Steve Wright says: we kept hearing threats from the gunmen

[2:37:40 PM] Steve Wright says: I’ll shoot you dead

[2:37:49 PM] Steve Wright says: don't look up, I’ll kill you

[2:37:50 PM] Steve Wright says: you will be dead

[2:37:54 PM] Steve Wright says: lots of threats

[2:38:36 PM] Steve Wright says: one guy next to me kept looking up, I thought he was going to get shot, and I kept thinking of what I would do if his blood spread over to me, pretty graphic, but that was what was going through my head

[2:39:05 PM] Steve Wright says: the guy next to me was the owner, the gunmen grabbed him, and hit him a few times, then told him to get to the safe

[2:39:30 PM] Steve Wright says: he opened it and then they took off with about $12,000 USD from one of the other guests that lived in England

[2:39:37 PM] Steve Wright says: then they left

[2:39:56 PM] Steve Wright says: Robbie, Rusty and I took off to see the girls in the other room

[2:40:02 PM] Steve Wright says: they were crying

[2:40:06 PM] Steve Wright says: they were fine though – not hurt

[2:40:13 PM] Steve Wright says: they had it much tougher then us

[2:40:18 PM] Steve Wright says: I have low battery on this computer

[2:40:24 PM] Steve Wright says: but anyway

[2:40:35 PM] Steve Wright says: the robbers thought that they (the girls) had all of the money

[2:41:00 PM] Steve Wright says: they would get the girls up and tell them to give them their money and purse, but they didn't have any because the team leaders were in a different room

[2:41:14 PM] Steve Wright says:  the gunmen didn't believe them, so they said, I will shoot someone, or something like that

[2:41:28 PM] Steve Wright says: I only stayed up for another hour, then got a shower and went to sleep

[2:41:38 PM] Steve Wright says: a lot of them stayed up the whole night

[2:41:58 PM] Steve Wright says: then I stayed with a few others at the hostel, and the others left for Pretoria until the plane ride to India

[2:42:05 PM] Steve Wright says: that’s about it

[2:42:07 PM] Debbie Wright says: wow that's quite the story!

 

church potluck tomorrow

Hey folks – I wanted to remind you about the potluck dinner after church tomorrow morning.  Please bring a main dish and side dish or dessert to pass.  Church will provide rolls, beverage and table settings.  We’ll enjoy a meal together, and then have a short business meeting for members afterwards.  Doug McMullen will be leading the meeting.  Please have your reports ready to share!  There will be no evening service.

 

See you tomorrow!

 

Pastor Bob

Taylor McMullen & Stuff

Hey Folks – Taylor is home now and recovering from surgery.  Yesterday was her birthday!  She is doing well and would love to hear from you.   Her email is taterbug725@yahoo.com.  Please give her an encouraging word! 

 

Also, Esther Sroufe’s father in law’s funeral is today at 10:00am at St. Mary’s Catholic church in Adrian.  Please be praying for the family.  Todd had bariatric surgery this week, so there’s a lot going on!

 

Steve is flying to India today with his mission’s team to start ministering there.  They have not been able to  find the people who robbed them yet.  I did find out that they were at a hotel in Johannesburg when they were robbed, so that was pretty bold of the men who did it.  Also, he’s been looking into serving at a church in England after he finishes the World Race.  He was accepted by them, so he will begin serving there in December for about a year! He’s pretty excited.  You can read all about the robbery at www.stevewright.theworldrace.org

 

I was able to speak with Chuck Koman on Thursday (he has terminal cancer) and he assured me that he finally ‘gets it’ (salvation).  He was so appreciative of our church praying for him and is now ready to meet Jesus!  I was pretty happy to have a part in his salvation.  He said he wished he would have understood it 50 years ago.  But is so glad to know that when the time comes, he will be with Jesus.  Such a great God we have!

 

Thanks and see you tomorrow!

 

Pastor Bob

Pray for Steve's Team

Dear Folks – I just got off the phone with Steve (4:00pm).  He arrived today in Johannesburg, South Africa with his  team.  They are waiting to leave for India in a few days.  Tonight as they were settling down for the evening (it’s 10pm there), four men with guns burst into the building they were staying in.  Steve and a friend were in one of the rooms and thought it was a joke at first, then realized that they were serious when they started waving their guns and shouting. 

 

The men gathered the group together (about 20 of them) and made them lay down on the floor.   They took most of the group’s possessions (computers, money, passports, etc), and were being quite threatening.  Steve said it was pretty scary.  Fortunately, no one was hurt.  The men didn’t find Steve’s money or his passport, but did take his computer and other things.  Then they left.

 

Please pray that the police will find the men and be able to get their possessions back (especially the passports).  Also pray for the team as they process this situation and praise God for His protection.  While it’s scary to think what might have happened (kidnapped or worse), we know that God is in control, that Steve has been called to serve on this mission trip and that everything that was taken can be replaced. 

 

As parents, we thank you for praying for Steve.

 

Pastor Bob

Update on Taylor McMullen

Dear Folks – wanted to give you a quick update on Taylor.  She went into surgery around 8:00am this morning (Tuesday), and was supposed to get out around 1pm.  The best news is that they aren’t going to have to do the more extensive surgery that would have required her to wear a halo around her head for 3 months.  That is a blessing.   Keep praying!

 

Pastor Bob

correction

Hey – a piece of information in Steve’s blog is incorrect – it should read that almost 5,000 kids (not 50,000 kids) are fed at the center each week.  Still way too many – but fewer than he wrote!

 

PB

Update on Steve and pics

Hey Folks – thought I’d send out an update on Steve.  He just finished a three-month ministry in Africa and is getting ready to leave for India in a couple of days.  Here’s a recent blog he wrote…

 

Hello to everyone back home.  It’s been awhile since I blogged last, but the internet at Durban went down as soon as we got to the missionaries house.  Things have been going very well this month, and we are getting ready to move on to India soon.  Thanks for all of your support.

This past month, we worked with Missions Ablaze.  This is a missions organization located about half an hour outside of Durban that focuses on the poor.  They feed about 50,000 people a week.  Also, they are busy building an orphanage that will house one hundred children and give jobs to ten widows.  There are about twenty people that are missionaries here, and it was amazing to be a part of their lives for the past few weeks.

Our team mostly helped out with the orphanage.  We were busy building beds and tiling walls.  Tiling can be difficult, and several times I was very tired from the day of work.  I had a lot of time to think about the work that we were doing and I was overwhelmed many times about the significance.  There were three areas of ministry that stuck out to me, even though in actuality I was only doing one thing.

The first and most obvious was the children.  These  children currently were being fed, but their living conditions were less then suitable.  They were all crammed into a small house, and it definitely gets cold here in the winter.  I was excited to know that these children will have a nice place to stay.  It’s one less thing for them to worry about, and they can focus more on growing into strong and intelligent adults.

The second area I saw myself being used in was in helping the widows.  I can’t relate too much to a widow at this point in my life, but I know that being connected is important to me.  These widows will be connected with each other, the children, and the missionaries at the base here.  Besides that, they are crucial in these children’s education and health.  I know that a hard day’s work is actually a blessing, and I am glad that these women will be able to live better.

The third area that I saw myself, and to a much greater extent the missionary that I was working with (Peit) was with the workers I was with.  Some of these guys knew how to build things while others didn’t know anything about building.  Peit showed me that these guys need to learn how to make a living, and he was teaching them what he knew about building so that they could earn a living on their own.  Along with that, he was also telling them about the gospel.  It was encouraging to see.

 

Sounds amazing doesn’t it?  We are going to try to connect live via internet with Steve this Sunday during church.  He’s at a place where there is internet access.  That should be fun!  Praise!!  Steve recently received enough support to get him through the next phase of his trip (he’s currently at $12,000 and needs about $2,000 more by Sept 1^st to finish the race).  Thanks to all who are giving and praying for him!

 

Also this Sunday, we are going to be hearing a report from Anna Wright about her recent mission’s trip to Africa last month.  She has some great pictures and stories to tell!  We’ll be seeing a brief video presentation in the morning, and then have a full report from her in the evening.  Please come!  The Mission’s Committee has asked everyone to bring a dessert to share.  We’ll be meeting in the Fellowship Hall at 6:00pm.  All groups will meet together.

 

See you tomorrow!

 

Pastor Bob

 

P.S.  Here’s some pictures.  Enjoy!  You can follow Steve’s team and travels (and give toward his support) at www.theworldrace.org

 

 

   

Church News

Hey Folks – Just wanted to let you know about a couple of things…

 

We got back from the church camping trip (those who were able to come) tonight.  We had a great time together, and the weather was really nice!  We stayed at a wonderfully rustic (yet surprisingly comfortable) campsite.  There were only three other campers around – so it was really quiet!  The scenery was breathtaking!

 

When I got home tonight, I visited (along with some teens) Kristin Korican (one of our teens) in the Hospital.  She had surgery today and some of the teens wanted to see her, so I took them up.  The surgery (to correct her leg) went well.  She will be in the hospital for three days.  Please pray for her recovery.  Also, pray for Mary Gardener.  She visited our church last Sunday (lives across the road in the Apartments), and is going through some pretty deep struggles.  She is reaching out to us, and is finding help! 

 

Tomorrow, I’m leaving for Chicago with a group of teens from Britton School to take them on a service trip to see the difficult side of life.  We will be touring Pacific Garden Mission, visiting a local shelter and will be feeding the homeless on Saturday.  Please pray for us as we minister to the teens and present Christ to them!

 

If you get a chance, invite a friend to come to church with you on Sunday!

 

See you then!

 

Pastor Bob

Invitation

Folks - Just wanted to let you know you’re all invited to come to church this Sunday J.  We’ll be having a communion service and be challenged by a special message from Jesus (Revelation 2 – 3).

 

Don’t miss this opportunity to worship together.  We need each other!

 

Also – if you can come earlier (at 9:45am), you’ll gain special insight into the Bible.  Ladies class is studying repentance; Pastor’s class is studying how to memorize and meditate on Scripture. Both are helpful in developing a growing Christian life.

 

See you Sunday!

 

Pastor Bob

 

Here’s a cartoon to enjoy!

 

Anna pictures

Some of you couldn’t open the pictures – maybe this will help!

 

Anna teaching them the chicken dance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anna helping to lay the foundation of the missions building.