Tuesday, May 27, 2014

DEVOTION:  To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning.  And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.  The Story p.250
 
When I was a kid I was often in awe of my dad and the gifts and abilities he had.  Still to this day I don't know of anyone who worked harder or longer than my dad.  He would get up at 4am to go and do the chores on the farm before he would go to work for the State Hwy Dept.  Then he would come home after working for them all day and work on the farm, doing the chores, and whatever else had to be done a lot of times till after dark.  His gift was the ability to work hard every day to take care of his family. 
 
Some wouldn't say that's a gift, but it is.  It is a gift just lie any other gift.  A lot of people don't have the physical capabilities to do such things.  For others, like my mom, her gift was being a good mother and caregiver as well as working at another job most of her adult life. 
 
In both my mom and dad's lives these gifts were given to them by God.  Just like Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had gifts given to them by God for the good of the people and the furthering of the kingdom, so we all have gifts that God gives to us.  It's just a matter of whether we will use them or abuse them, whether we will be lazy with them and let them go to waste or use them to their fullest. 
 
The story of Daniel is a great story to get us to understand what dedication to God is all about.  In a way, it is motivation for us to get off our lazy rear ends and serve God with the gifts he has given us. 
 
Don't sell yourself short.  God has given you a gift too!  He doesn't create us without his gifts.  What is your gift?  Is it love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, or self control?  Are you good at math, science, literature?  Are you good with tools and with your hands?  Are you especially compassionate towards God's creatures?  Do you like to work hard and do you have the body and mind for it?   Are you gifted in music? 
 
Paul says, "Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all to the glory of God." 
 
Prayer: Lord God, help me to use my gifts to serve you with all that I have.  Amen. 
 
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:    Who was the King of Babylon who took the Jews captive?  Nebuchadnezzar

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TODAY'S QUIZ:  What was Daniel's Babylonian name?

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CALENDAR:

Tues- Quilters 9-2; Bible Study 11:30-12:15

Wed- Choir 7pm

Fri- 7-12 grade camp out at Mim Dunn's house Friday, 3pm- Saturday, Noon
Sat- Bible study 4; worship 5
Sun- worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; worship 11
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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS WEEK
Acolytes- 8:30- Emily Brunson  11- Grace Hargrove
Altar guild- Set up- ???; Clean Up-- ???
Greeters- 8:30- Sharon Spoede 11- Charlie and Lynn Figura
Communion Assistants- Sat- Jim Rahn???; 8:30- John Hachtel; 11- Charlie Figura
Lay Readers- Sat- Jim Rahn??; 8:30- Jennifer Figura;  11am- Lynn Figura
8:30 Ushers- George Hoelscher, Gary Hoelscher, Brent Davis, Walt Schirr
Projectors- Sat- Pam Bueltmann, 8:30- Sophie Tinnin, 11- Becca Bettlach
Sat pianist- Molly Hendershot
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NEWS:

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL CAMP OUT THIS FRIDAY, MAY 30!!!

Current 6th graders (those going into 7th grade) through those going into college are invited to join us for a night of camping, with a bonfire, s'mores, swimming, canoeing, and many other adventures. 

 

If your child is younger, he or she may come too, but a parent has to come with him or her!! 

 

Let me know if you are coming and if you have a tent BRING IT! 

 

I will be arriving around 3pm on Friday and we will all be out of there by noon on Saturday.

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KELSEY OVERBECK (OUR DCE INTERN) WILL BE INDUCTED ON SUNDAY, JUNE 22nd!!  There will be a potluck at noon to welcome her!

 

Please sign up on the sheet in the narthex that you will be there and be bringing a dish to share.

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THE STORY: CHAPTER 18 "Daniel in Exile" IS THIS WEEK!!!

Daniel and the rest of the people of Judah were in captivity for most of their lives.  Learn all about how God kept them safe and brought them back to himself even through this time of captivity.

 

PLEASE KEEP UP WITH YOUR READINGS AND COME TO BIBLE STUDY!!  I know it is difficult, but make time!  It is very important!

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WHY AM I BIKING ACROSS KANSAS????
I greatly value and appreciate our relationship and want to let you know I have taken on the physical challenge with 23 other riders from LeadaChild and around 800 other bikers, of biking across the state of Kansas to raise awareness and financial support for LeadaChild CCCS.

 

Pray that I make it. Emoji I will be biking June 11-13, and going about 220 miles, the rest of the group will be biking the whole week and going a total of 550 miles.  If you are interested in seeing what and where we will be biking go to: www.bak.org

 

As you may know, LeadaChild provides Christian education to over 26,000 children in 30 countries. The website is: www.leadachild.org.  Would you consider sponsoring my ride by sending in a check directly to CCCS or you can give the money to me and I will get it to the right place. Make checks out to CCCS, 1000 SW 10th Ave., Topeka, KS. 66604. 

 

Any amount will make an impact, but our 23 bikers for LeadaChild CCCS is trying to raise $100,000 and I am trying to raise $25,000.   I currently have $5,650 raised toward that goal. A long ways to go however,

 

With the Lord anything is possible, even a big old lug like me making it across Kansas.

 

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Jeremiah 29: 11

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DONUT LIST NEEDS FILLING  (pun intended)!!!

Please consider bringing donuts, muffins, or another kind of treat for our fellowship time.  Here are the dates:

June 1- Jason and Cora Cluver

June 8- Dave and Linda Callies

June 15-

June 22-

June 29- Jim Rahn

July 6-

July 13-

July 20-

July 27-

Aug 3-

Aug 10-

Aug 17-

Aug 24-

Aug 31-

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T-SHIRTS FOR SALE!!!

Wonderful blaze orange t-shirts are for sale for $10 a piece to help support our board of outreach and evangelism's efforts and to raise money to provide for those in need.  Pick up your size today and put your $10 in the box provided!!!  They are located in the narthex (entry way) of church upstairs.

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TWO GROUP TRAVEL EVENTS COMING UP THIS YEAR!!
October 4--A DAY IN ST. LOUIS--  We will tour places that are hidden gems in St. Louis
 
December 6-- CATHOLIC RECTORY IN HERMANN AND POSSIBLY A CHRISTMAS SHOW IN OSAGE BEACH
 
Let Marilyn know if you are interested in either of these trip so she can make definite plans.

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PRAYER REQUESTS:  (If you have a prayer request please reply to this email or call me at 636-359-1061)

For BEN FRICK, who is hospitalized with pneumonia and a yet unidentified growth on his esophagus.

 

For RICK SPINIOLAS as he recovers from a fever at home.  He was hospitalized this past weekend.

 

For RON WILLIAMS, recovering from an appendectomy.

 

For JAXSON WHEELER, recovering from a sickness and fever this past weekend.

 

For ED KOHRS, who had to have a feeding tube put in so that he would be able to receive enough nourishment.

 

For EMOGENE FRYANT, friend of Marv and Molly Hendershot, who has been placed on hospice care.

 

For CHERI VERME, daughter of Lil WInter, who is suffering from severe osteoporosis and has a cracked pelvis (all the way across her pelvis) because of it.

 

For FRAN WAGNER, a good friend of Sandy Robine, who has been placed on hospice care.

 

For TRICIA MEYER, who is dealing with ovarian cancer.  She is a friend of many in our congregation.