All hands on deck for the Harvest Festival, the latter part of October.
Or may it be said, let*s have a happy hoedown. Candies are being
collected from parishioners for the craft project, pumpkins and/or
colorful squash for autumn decor, and food for the famished hayride
revelers. A sign up sheet in the Fellowship Hall for some of these
items will be available.
*
The Zach family has made a lovely effort putting together music for
Sunday services. They appeal to congregants for ideas on special songs
or arrangements to be used on occasion. If you have a favorite CD or
title, please talk to Jan.
We appreciate Joan Tiemeyer for many years working as editor of our
beloved newsletter. Nevertheless, she is planning to retire from this
duty in December. If anyone would like to take up the baton, give it a
go, try on a new hat, please let Joan know, so she may help with needed
advice. Marcia has thought about it, though feels she wouldn’t be able
to follow through consistently with the responsibility. An alternative
solution is being considered. However, if you have dreamt of being the
elegant editor of an informative flyer, don’t hesitate to hail Joan and
hash over the details.
The socializing after church is an enjoyable mainstay of our
fellowship. Those who provide treats are very much appreciated by the
congregation. Some have intimated, however, that less is more, or
healthy is happy. It seems to me though, that we are very blessed to
have so much high quality sustenance of any kind from so many talented
cooks and hosts.
Thank you. Marcia L., Secretary
Monday, October 19, 2015
From the Secretary
Wednesday, October 7, 2015
Mission Accomplished
Four weeks ago the congregation was challenged to collect sneakers, gym shoes and baseball caps for the Syrian Refugee Crisis. Results were tremendous as 70 pairs of shoes and nearly 200 baseball caps were received. They will be mailed out the week of October 1st and should reach their destination in Greece in 6 to 7 weeks.
While the crisis is enormous our prayer is that those who will receive and wear the shoes and caps will sense the love and care through this small effort. Remember the words of Jesus, “As you do unto the least of these my brothers you do unto me.”
Please be in prayer that the boxes arrive in good condition and that those who will wear them will find peace and safety for themselves and their families.
A special thank you to our partners in this ministry. United Faith Community Church, Valley, Nebraska and First United Methodist Church, Hamburg, Iowa.
Will keep you posted if a notice of reply is sent.
Monday, October 5, 2015
Pastor’s Thoughts
All of us have things that scare us. For some it's thunder and
lightening; others the dark, snakes, spiders, flying, and some at the
end are scared to die Halloween is a time when young children dress up
and try to scare someone in their costumes and masks. They'll run up
behind us and yell BOO! Most of us will act scared even if we're not.
Scaring people can be fun.
*There are other occasions that being scared is real and frightening.
The Lord doesn't want our hearts to be afraid or scared. Jesus promises
that he'll be with us when we feel afraid. In I John 4:18 the Bible
states,"Where Gods love is, there is no fear, because Gods perfect love
drives out fear." Gods love for us enables us to depend on him whenever
we 're afraid. We don't have to fear. The 23rd Psalm states, "Yea though
I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil;"
Why? For thou are with me. Gods love and presence is with us wherever
we are and we go. We don't have to be afraid.
The next time we experience fear or the emotion of being afraid remember
the words of Psalms 27:1, "The Lord is my light and my salvation: whom
shall I fear?" The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be
afraid? May our loving Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ bless and keep each
and every one of you in His loving care
Pastor Blaine
Sunday, September 27, 2015
Monday, August 31, 2015
Pastor’s Thoughts
Challenging would be the optimum word for the agricultural community
especially the farmers over the past five to six months. However, in a
few weeks those farmers will be busy bringing in the yields that were
planted in the spring. Whether it be bountiful, average or below they*ll
go about the harvest. It*s a part of life.
*Challenges confront all of us in different forms and various degrees;
family relationships, economic, financial, health issues, urban,
suburban or rural, education, political, social and cultural and moral
issues; every one of these areas present challenging responses to and in
our lives.
*As the people of God spiritual challenges await us we confront the
challenges of living in this world. Jesus states, *That we are to be
the salt of the earth and the light of the world.* How do we shine as
the world seemingly becomes darker and darker in despair, hopelessness,
violence, and moral decay?
*Yet the challenge is *to shine.* We as God*s children are *Blessed,*
blessed with a hope, faith and trust that is grounded in the promise of
God*s word. Scripture proclaims; *I will never leave you or forsake
you,* *our strength is to be in the Lord,* and that *Surely goodness and
mercy will follow me all the days of my life, *till I dwell in the house
of the Lord forever.
*Yes, the challenges of life do press upon each and every one of us, but
let us not grow weary or stressful or anxious. But let our *light shine:
that it will illuminate the goodness of God, glorify the Savior, and
show the *Blessed Assurance* that Jesus is mine.
Shine! Shine! Shine!
Pastor Blaine
Monday, August 10, 2015
Sunday, August 9th
Everyone who was present in church Sunday was blessed to hear the beautiful voice of Haley Kessinger. She played the piano and sang, “I Will Rise.” I had never heard that song before and it is absolutely beautiful. I wish I would have taken a picture but I was so in awe of her beautiful voice and wonderful piano playing that it just escaped me. She is truly blessed with a wonderful talent.
After church we were all invited to fellowship at the beautiful home of Lynn and Barb Handy. It was very gracious of the Handy’s to open their home to us all. We had some very nice refreshments and everyone enjoyed visiting. A big thank you to Lynn and Barb.
Remember the Birthday Gathering this month will be at Cubby’s Thursday, August 20th at 11:30 am.
Click on the following link to listen to the song, “I Will Rise”
Monday, August 3, 2015
Pastor’s Thoughts
Summer has arrived. Hot and Hotter!
I grew up in the desert of East Washington, Richland to be exact where
95 to 105 was a common temperature for July, August and maybe September,
but with little humidity. Deserts are forbidding places for shade,
food, and is a hostile environment for most people. Yet when the Lord
God got angry with his people following the modeling of a gold calf He
sent them on a journey in the wilderness for forty years until all who
had participated died. Jesus went to be tempted of Satan in the
wilderness, John the Baptist preached and roamed in deserts and many a
prophet found solace and sanctuary there.
*Desert environments in reality put us to the test of fully trusting in
the Lord for everything. Need water? I’ll lead you to an oasis or speak
to a rock. Need food? I’ll supply it. Need shade for cooling down? I’ll
provide a tree or bush now and then for you to rest under. Wilderness
experiences will test our depending on the Lord for the essentials of
survival.
If you*re like me once in a while I feel like the Israelites wandering
in this dry and thirsty desert of life. I’m thirsty, hungry, tired, and
needing to find an oasis with a spring.
It’s at that moment that the Lord Jesus Christ furnishes His living
water, a hungering for the word, and a place of shade and rest under the
shadow of the Almighty. If you’re experiencing a desert time in your
spiritual life cry out unto the Lord and He will supply and provide all
the refreshment you need.
Pastor Blaine