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