October 14, 2007
BLOSSOM WHERE YOU’RE PLANTED!
It's the great Christian paradox: we live in the world but we are not to be of it (John 17:15-16). How do we live a Kingdom lifestyle while living in the world?
Many of God's words to Jeremiah were directed to the Jewish people about living in exile in a foreign land. They had incurred the wrath of God because of their disobedience and were taken away into captivity in Babylon. While they were there God gave these instructions:
"Build houses and live in them; and plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and become the fathers of sons and daughters, and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; and multiply there and do not decrease. Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare." (Jeremiah 29:5-7)
It seems that we also are exiles in a foreign land as we await the Kingdom of God, and so these words have significance for us: build houses, plant gardens, marry, raise children, actively seek the Lord's favor upon the land of our exile. Basically, live normal lives while never forgetting the most important perspective: our true allegiance is to the government which is to come; which exists in part invisibly today.
Amidst our lives "in exile" comes a great promise: "For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD YHWH, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you." (Jeremiah 29:11-12)
We are on a progressive path set before us by the Lord, regardless of the setbacks that we seem to face. The Lord has the ultimate plan for our welfare and future; a plan filled with hope and possibility. His invitation to us is to come to Him, and call upon Him, and pray. He assures us of an audience; He will listen.
I've had plenty of moments of doubt and concern about my immediate future at times in life. I've lost jobs and faced setbacks, as so many of you have. Yet I'm reminded that the ultimate plan of God has never changed or been compromised or threatened. God's words through Jeremiah remind us that His ultimate plan is the building of character that enables us to live today as citizens of the kingdom to come. Regardless of how today's circumstances may appear, be assured that they fit in to His plans for your hope and future.
Anticipating the working of the plan amidst today's activities,
Pastor Steve Taylor, Phoenix AZ, 6-19-07
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IT WAS AFTER POSTPONING OUR READING of ‘Homecoming” letters for one week that these names were mentioned in last Sunday’s service: know any of these? Alan Shaw, Tammy Speer Vinson, Susan Stickley Olling, Wanda and David Cheatwood, Pat Beam, Ken Howe, Sam & Sarah (Cain) An, Dan and Rachel Cain and Donna Whaley Doublin. All the names mentioned except for Pat Beam (who is deceased) wrote letters for our Homecoming Sunday. It took a while to read them all. Tammy (Speer) spoke very fondly of Pat Beam harking back to childhood memories during Golden Rule days. We’re so grateful to hear from these folks and their wishing us well.
PHILIPPIANS 4:19 is the text Mark & Karen Cain used to develop the beautiful Thanksgiving bulletin board display. They have part of the verse on the board – it goes:
glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
(Phil 4:19 NIV)
Our Blessings Are Abundant!
We have set aside October to use our faithful “spin jug” to collect coins and dollars for Africa. There are several needs there – for example: For buildings, cement ($11.25 per bag) / Tin for roofs ($10.00 per sheet) / Food for orphans ($12.00 per week) / Bibles ($5.00 each).
Your coins and dollars can be a tremendous encouragement to our brethren there!
CHILDREN’S MEMORY VERSES are encouraged in our S.S. Recently, Justin and Kaitlin Kostyo quoted perfectly the “Shema” (transliteration of Hebrew imperative meaning, "Hear," / Deut 6:4), and Jacob Cain quoted Psalm 23. We are very proud of these young people! Adam Cain (3) has memorized verses too and recited them for us.
I have hidden your word in my heart that I
might not sin against you.
(Psalm 119:11)
AL & ARLENE SZEKELY called 10-5 saying they arrived safely in WV at her brother’s house. They plan to push on to LaBelle Florida about Aug. 15th. Perhaps arriving a week or so later (they have other stops along the way). Keep them in prayer.
MAINTAINING OUR CHURCH PROPERTY recently involved: 1) repairing two faucets at the parsonage, 2) getting roof/gutter heaters to keep the snow and ice from backing up under the roof and damaging the wood below, 3) repairing the water damage in the entryway from last years winter snow and, 4) signing a new gas contract to obtain a gas carrier costing less. A check from the insurance company for repair of the entryway has already been received.
Have You Thought About Attending the
Nov. 8-11 at North Hills Church of God?
See Details on Bulletin Board!
BETH MARSH has requested that anyone wanting Christmas baskets (needlepoint on plastic canvas) should let her know soon.
ANDREW
WEAVER
and his fiancée ran the Chicago Marathon last Sunday. But as you’ve probably heard on the
news, it was canceled due to extreme heat and humidity. There was a 35-year old MI policeman who
collapsed and died, over 200 received medical treatment, 49 were taken to the
hospital and scores fainted. Andrew
was in the 16th or 17th mile of the race when it was
called. Now he won’t know if he
could have beaten his father’s record set in 1990 at 5.25 hours – he’ll have to
try again!
PRAY FOR: Tyler Moore (auto accident), Jeff Stoneman (cancer, by Whaley), Frank Toth (tests), Terry James (cancer, by Roper), Evelyn Pennington, Emory Macy (broke hip 9-10), Jason Dishong (by G. Whaley), / Pastor Beder (cancer, Peru), Pastor Jack Hearp, Kate Liauw (28, MS, by R Phillis), Amy Gunselman (cancer, by R Phillis), Ruby Korode, Lucinda (by Szekely), Gene & Gloria Faehnrich, Edith Speer, Grady Hudspeth*, Jacob Hinton*, Kathy & Destiny Reed + current pregnancy*, (*by Skip), W.C. & Craig Blankenship, College students: Andrew Weaver, Jackie Schuld, Dan & Rachel Cain (internship / teaching degree), Shut-ins: Helen Matthews, Evelyn Pennington 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
Why the Name, Church of God?
The name "Church of God" is based on the Apostle Paul's salutation to the church in Corinth. (1 Cor. 1:2; 2 Cor. 1:1) The subtitle "Abrahamic Faith" distinguishes us from the many other denominations that call themselves "Church of God." Abraham was the recipient of many promises from God, and he was a man of great faith. He was an outstanding example for all who desire to please our God and Father in heaven. We're also affiliated with the Northeast Conference of the Church of God, a fellowship of churches in southern Ontario and in the northeastern United States. We are bound together by the theme: "If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." -- Galatians 3:29 / copied from our Web Site where, as of 10-8, we’ve had 6756 visits!)
October 2007 (“Coins for Africa” Month)
28 SS Offering goes to “Coins for Africa” project
Future dates: Nov 8-10, THRIVE Conference, North Hills Church, Springfield OH / Nov. 25, Hanging of the Greens / Dec 2, Secret Pal Social / Dec 9, Emerald Ridge Christmas program / Dec 16, Christmas Banquet / Dec 23, Christmas theme – specials / Jan 13 Gideon Speaker
SUNDAY SCHOOL: 9:45A.M.
WORSHIP 10:45A.M.
Musicians: (Doris Schuld and Mark Cain)
Welcome / Announcements
Worship Hymns / Mark Cain
223 The Church’s One Foundation
218 The Family of God
Prayer / Offering
Message: “It’s Hard to Leave Traditions”
Key Texts: Matt 9:14-17; Mk 7:7-11; Rom 10:5-9; 2 Cor 3:7-9; Heb 10:11-24
512 There’s A New Day Dawning
