April 15, 2007
FRANCIS BURNETT with the help of a daughter, Michal, composed a letter in January ’07 to be shared with the pastors. I don’t see but what excerpts could also be shared with members of the church as well. Below are just a few lines from his letter. Note his hope in the last paragraph. Francis died in Christ on March 15th, 2007
I have wanted for so long to let each and every one of you know how very much your prayers, cards, letters, gifts, visits, and phone calls mean to me.
The Lord has greatly blessed my life. I was able to continue my ministry until one week before my 87th birthday. The congregation of the Belle Plaine [Iowa] Church of God became like family … retiring was not an easy thing for me to do, in addition to leaving the place and the people that had been part of our lives for 23 years. Rex Cain recollected a time when I said, “No minister should ever think of retiring unless he has to.” I guess I would still be ministering if it had not gotten to the point that I had to retire.
The Lord surely blessed my life with a talented and beautiful wife, to which I was married for 58 wonderful years. He also blessed me with four lovely and talented daughters, of which I am so proud. He continuously blessed my ministry. The two trips to Israel were so meaningful to me personally.
Soon, we know the clouds will break and our Savior will descend. The dead shall be raised and those who were asleep in Christ will rise to meet him in the air. It is hard to imagine a life without pain, crying, sorrow and death, but I claim it in faith with all my heart. May God grant each of you peace and strength until “that great and notable day.” (Acts 2:20).
- Francis E. Burnett, Jan. ‘07
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(Not in last week’s bulletin)
Adele & David Onderdonk / Tom Onderdonk /
Tom and Helen Tekavec / Brenton Onderdonk
By David & Kathy Onderdonk
First Time in 46 Years of Ministry!
Dear Congregation, I can’t believe we had to cancel last Sunday’s Easter services – it all seemed so surreal (and I felt guilty) – but we had no choice. The weather didn’t cooperate at all and some of our people couldn’t even get out of their driveways! Even the Cleveland Indians are now the “Milwaukee Indians” since they couldn’t clean the snow off the stadium field to play their first home game – they tried 4 different times with no success. So their first “home game” was in Milwaukee!!
However, we are trying to make up for last Sunday by pretending that today is Easter Sunday. Our service today will duplicate last Sunday’s plans exactly including breakfast! Our thanks to all those whose patience makes this possible! There were a few things that required extra work to make today happen, but it was accomplished and we pray we can celebrate “Easter Sunday Services” today!
THANKS to everyone who is making today’s Resurrection Sunday very special! To all who brought flowers, to those who are involved in the services, to Rachel Weaver for speaking, to Frank Roper who organized the breakfast and to those who came very early to prepare it! There are many hands involved and I for one really appreciate your time and talents! - Pastor Rex
Coming Here May 6th
a creation/evolution
power point presentation.
IN CHEMISTRY, HE TURNED WATER TO WINE.
IN BIOLOGY, HE WAS BORN WITHOUT THE NORMAL CONCEPTION.
IN PHYSICS, HE DISPROVED THE LAW OF GRAVITY WHEN HE ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN.
IN ECONOMICS, HE DISPROVED THE LAW OF DIMINISHING RETURNS BY FEEDING 5,000 MEN WITH TWO FISHES AND 5 LOAVES OF BREAD.
IN MEDICINE, HE CURED THE SICK AND THE BLIND, WITHOUT ADMINISTERING A SINGLE DOSE OF DRUGS.
IN HISTORY, HE IS THE BEGINNING AND THE END.
IN GOVERNMENT, HE SAID THAT HE SHALL BE CALLED WONDERFUL COUNSELOR, PRINCE OF PEACE.
IN RELIGION, HE SAID NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH HIM.
JESUS HAD NO SERVANTS, YET THEY CALLED HIM MASTER; HAD NO DEGREE, YET THEY CALLED HIM TEACHER; HAD NO MEDICINES, YET THEY CALLED HIM HEALER.
HE HAD NO ARMIES, YET RULERS FEARED HIM.
HE WON NO MILITARY BATTLES, YET HE CONQUERED THE WORLD.
HE COMMITTED NO CRIME, YET THEY CRUCIFIED HIM.
HE WAS BURIED IN A TOMB, YET HE LIVES TODAY.
I FEEL HONORED TO SERVE SUCH A LEADER WHO LOVES US!
- Submitted by Anita Cain, 4-9-07
The Untold Story of the First English
Settlers' Landing 400 Years Ago
This April marks the 400th anniversary of the founding of America. On April 29, 1607, English settlers made their first successful landing in North America. After a four-month voyage, a young Anglican chaplain, Robert Hunt, led a group ashore on what is now known as Cape Henry, Virginia, seeking God's blessing on the new land. Three days earlier, their landing party was attacked by Chesapeake Indians and suffered injuries. Upon returning to the ship, Chaplain Hunt suggested that the company regroup to pray for three days. Only after purifying their hearts and spirits did they make a second attempt. Upon reaching the beachhead, the settlers held a prayer service, planting a cross on the dunes, dedicating the new land to God's purposes and declaring that the Gospel would be carried to the entire world from those shores. Exactly 400 years later, top Christian leaders from across the country are gathering in Virginia Beach for a special conference leading up to the actual anniversary, April 29. On that date, prayer will be made for America... recommitting the nation to God's purposes.
PRAY FOR: Kate Liauw (28, MS, by R Phillis), Onderdonk Family, 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
15 Our “pretend” Easter Services because of being snowed out last week
29 Andy & Barney Movie (Postponed from last month)
6 JOSHUA RAILTON HERE / POWER-POINT PRESENTATION
6 Carry-in Dinner / Annual Congregation Meeting
Future Dates: 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.
Today’s Program is the same as last Sunday … see your last Sunday’s bulletin that you were handed this morning.
