April 1, 2007
Communion Meditation:
In 1998, Glynn Wolfe died alone in Los Angeles at the age of 88. No one came to claim his body; the city paid to have him buried in an unmarked grave. This is sad, but not unusual. It happens all too often in large cities where people tend to live disenfranchised lives.
Glynn's situation was unique, though, because he was no ordinary man. He held a world record. The Guinness Book listed him as the Most Married Man, with 29 marriages to his credit.
This means 29 times he was asked, "Do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife ... forsaking all others do you pledge yourself only to her, so long as you both shall live?" 29 times Glynn Wolf said, "I Do," but it never quite worked out that way.
He died leaving behind children, grandchildren, great grand-children, a number of living ex-wives, and innumerable ex-in-laws - and still, he died alone. He spent his entire adult life looking for something he apparently never found - and he died alone.
Glynn Wolf is an extreme example of how people spend their lives drifting in and out of marriages, in and out of relationships, only to find themselves isolated and alone. Even worse, there are others who spend their lives married to the same person who still struggle with isolation.
The fact is, if we look for ultimate fulfillment in marriage, or romance, or friendship, or family, we will never be satisfied. As important as these relationships are, they cannot take the place of the Ultimate Relationship for which we have been created.
Our primary purpose is to love God but when we allow secondary relationships to take God's rightful place in our lives, we become dissatisfied and frustrated. The result is, like Glynn Wolf, we end up isolated and alone.
When Jesus was asked, “What is the greatest commandment of all?” he responded by saying: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." (Mark 12:30)
Part two of this commandment is to "Love your neighbor as yourself." Our success in loving others is dependent upon our willingness to love God above all else - with all that we have.
February 9, 2007 / “LOVING GOD” Mark 12:30
– Steve May / www.thriveministry.net
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COMMUNION: Each first Sunday of the month, our church sets aside time to celebrate our redemption from eternal death by observing communion, the “updated” version of Passover that Jesus instituted in the upper room just before His crucifixion for our sins. Let’s observe this service with a mixture of sadness (that death was required to redeem us) and gladness (because our sins have been forgiven and Jesus now lives). Jesus commanded us to “Do this in remembrance of me.” (1 Cor. 11:23)
LILIES: You can grace our sanctuary with Lilies and do so in honor or in memory of a loved one. Remember: You only need to give one Lily even if you have more than one name. Tell Pastor Rex by April 4th.
VICKI PHILLIS: Rex, an update on Vicki. She has breast cancer and we are awaiting decision on her surgery, and treatment. The good news is this is the non aggressive type. So God did hear our prayers. Please keep the prayers coming. The hard part is Vicki has a 10 year old daughter … and it is hard to explain without scaring her. God will lead us through this time I'm sure. -- In Christian love. Rick Phillis / 3-21-07
Later news: (Mar. 24th) Rex, Vicki will be having her surgery on April 5. I am praying she will be a candidate for the new balloon treatment. They insert a balloon in the body and twice a day insert radiation into the balloon for five days. Otherwise it will be six weeks of radiation daily. Keep the prayer wheel going. – Rick
BEDFORD BOUGHT SIX BEDS FOR HAITI!!
The grand total of cash received for missions month in the vortex jug was $753.11! $600 was ear marked for the beds – so we bought six of the 15 needed beds at $100 each for our orphanages in Haiti. I think that’s wonderful!!! Thanks and thanks again for your generous support!
Hi Rex! Thank you for sending us news from Bedford each week. We really appreciate hearing about everyone, and reading your messages. – Sincerely, Jim and Cheryl (Marsh) Koryta
Coming Here May 6th
a creation/evolution
power point presentation.
v Three long time “spiritual pillars” were at the conference: Emory Macy (95), Jack Hearp (81) and Louise Lapp (97).
v Elected Kent Ross as President and
v David Swartz as Vice President
v Retained Vicki Brewer as Treasurer
v Voted to give $5000 to Troy View to help with renovation costs of their new church building
v Voted to give $1200 to North Hills for training in Children’s Ministry
v Okayed a budget at $24,700.00
v Heard a glowing youth camp report from John Huston / 68 already pre-registered for this summer
v Didn’t hear mentioned at conference, but Pleasant Hill has purchased 10 acres to build a new church in the future.
v Standing ovation for Lawrenceville’s hospitality
JUNE MACY ROUTSON: My mother is doing GREAT. She has been doing some walking without a walker & she is anxious to get out of the nursing home and so is working hard on her therapy. We'll be taking mom to church on Easter and for dinner with us. She loves to get mail: Good Shepherd Nursing Home / Galatia IL 62935. -- Etta Marie Routson Wetzel, 3-26-07
PRAY FOR: Lois Maze (by Robertson), Bobbie Weaver (surgery soon), Iris Horst (cancer, by Roper), Vicki Phillis (treatments), Emory Macy, Beth Marsh (2-26 hip surgery), June Routson (stroke), Dave Cheatwood, Bob Knebl (heart, by R Cain), Amy Gunselman (cancer, by R Phillis), Evelyn Pennington, Katie Cramer (chemo), Ralph & Iona Childs, Ruby Korode, Penny Frederick, Lucinda (by Szekely), Gene & Gloria Faehnrich, Edith Speer, Grady Hudspeth*, Jacob Hinton*, Kathy & Destiny Reed*, (*by Skip), W.C. & Craig Blankenship, College students: Jackie Schuld, Dan Cain, Rachel Cunningham, Shut-ins: David Onderdonk Sr., Helen Matthews, Military: Rodger Schuld, Those serving in other countries: Lupe Badillo-Mexico, Tracy Zhykhovich-Russia, Beder Ucañay-Peru, Pastors in Malawi & Mozambique, Lesly Bertrand and the Pastors in Haiti. Colleges / Churches: RRCC, ABC, Golden Rule, Grace Brethren and for the peace of Jerusalem, Ps. 122:6; Isa. 62:6, 7
April 2007
1 Palm Sunday / Communion Sunday
8 Easter: 8a.m. Sunrise Service / 9a.m. Breakfast (Men) / 10a.m. Worship
29 Andy & Barney Movie (Postponed from last month)
Future Dates: May 6 Joshua Railton here, Carry-in Dinner, Annual Mtg. / Jun 3, Grad Social & Bridal Shower for Dan & Rachel / Jun 10-15 State Camp / June 23, Dan’s wedding / July 15-20 National Camp / Aug 26, Annual SS Picnic
SUNDAY SCHOOL: 9:45A.M.
WORSHIP 10:45A.M.
Musicians: (Sharon and Mark Cain)
Welcome / Announcements
Mark Cain Family: “Palm Sunday”
Worship Hymns / Mark Cain
124 The Old Rugged Cross
140 Lead Me to Calvary
Prayer / Offering
113 The Palms / Piano, Doris Schuld
Message: The Love of God, How Rich & Pure
Key Texts: Rom 5:6-11; Heb 9:11-14; 1 Pet 1:17-21;
Eph 5:25-27; Matt 26:28 Heb 10:19-25
57 The Love of God
