October 2006
From the Pastor:
During the past couple of weeks we have heard members of the church share how God has blessed them and how they are growing spiritually. We have listened and reflected on how God is working in our lives.
The response of the believer to these blessings should be one of thankfulness. But being thankful is just one step in our response to God. Being able to take that sentiment and put it into action is what God requires of each of us.
On Sunday, October 15, 2006, the Stewardship Committee is planning an event that will allow us to put our thanksgiving into action. Consecration Sunday invites us to come before God and each other and put our faith into action by pledging a percentage of our income to God.
This will be done during the 9:00 a.m. service followed by a catered meal for all members and visitors who attend worship. Imagine coming to a fine restaurant and being told that you don't have to pay for the meal. What a deal! Consecration Sunday gives all of us an opportunity to reflect on how God has blessed us and how we will respond to such grace.
Back by popular demand, Consecration Sunday gave our members last year an opportunity to offer their percentage offering to God within the context of the liturgy. For some, this act of worship truly made them think of the question, "What percentage of my income is God asking me to give? Is it 1%, or 2%, or 5%, or 10%, or 20%?”
Consecration Sunday also reminds us that when we give to God, we don't ever look at the church's budget to determine the gift we will offer. But rather, after reflecting on the many blessings we have been given throughout the year, our offering is birthed out of that response.
Giving to God is also a spiritual discipline that contributes to our growth as Christians. Research shows that people who don't give from the perspective of what God is calling them to give, give only meagerly. This then stumps their spiritual growth. But people who give sacrificially are people who model the face of Christ wherever they are. They are Christians who continue to grow in their faith.
For many Christians stewardship is a nasty word. For others the idea that money is being spoken of from the pulpit is an affront to God. But Jesus himself spoke more about money that anything else. The question is why? The answer is quite simple. "Wherever your heart is, that is where your treasure is also." Money can become a sin when we love it more than we love God. Listen to Jesus in Matthew 6:19-21, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
If you are a Christian and your mantra is, "I have worked quite hard for my money, and nobody can take it from me," think again. The Bible says, "But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, so that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your ancestors, as he is doing today." Deuteronomy 8:18
All that we have and all that we are belong to God. For God is the one who provides the wealth we have, according to Deuteronomy. Giving to God is one way we stay connected to the source of all our blessings. However, if the love of money is the ideal we proclaim, then we will miss out on that source of all.
So where is your treasure? Is it in the hands of God? I pray so. On Sunday, October 15th, we invite you to offer a percentage of your income to God. The reason we are inviting you is because when you do that, your heart will be in the heart of God, and that's the best place for it to be.
Until next time.
Peace and grace, Pastor Mara
Worship for the Month of October 2006
October 1, 2006
World Communion Sunday
9:00 a.m. Worship with Traditional Communion in Fellowship Hall
Readings: Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22 and Mark 9:38-50
Sermon Theme: Esther, the biblical whistleblower, illustrates that goodness is courageous, wise, godly and focused on others. In the same way Esther was called to be all these things so are we as we proceed to live holy lives before God and the world.
______________________________________
October 8, 2006
27th Sunday in Ordinary Time
9:00 a.m. Worship
Readings: Job 1:1;2:1-10 and Mark 10:2-16
Sermon Theme: You’d think a cruise trip to celebrate retirement would be good for a marriage. It’s not, according to some studies. Jesus can help us with what’s good for a marriage.
_______________________________________
October 15, 2006
28th Sunday in Ordinary Time/ Consecration Sunday
9:00 a.m. Worship
Readings:TBA
Sermon Theme: Today we welcome Cheryl Lepak to our pulpit. Cheryl will share God's word with us by exploring how percentage giving can lead us to spiritual growth. So what percentage of your income is God calling you to give? Come and find out.
_________________________________________
October 22, 2006
29th Sunday in Ordinary Time
9:00 a.m. Worship
Readings: Psalm 104:1-9; 24, 35 and Mark 10:2-16
Sermon Theme: Researchers have found a new “Garden of Eden” in New Guinea. What can their adventures teach us about discovering new horizons in our own lives? Each day we are given to experience nature is an opportunity to care for God's good creation. Each day we are given to experience new people provides for us an opportunity to see how connected we are to one another.
________________________________________
October 29, 2006
30th Sunday in Ordinary Time
9:00 a.m. Worship
Readings: Psalm 34:1-8 19-22 and Mark 10:46-52
Sermon Theme: Yesterday’s advertising superstars are making a comeback, giving people a warm and fuzzy feeling about days gone by. But more than nostalgia kicks in when a biblical icon appears. Not only does he provide healing for a blind man, but Jesus guides him to new life.
Youth Fellowship - God's Gift of Sexuality. This topic will be taught by Pastor Mara. Parents will be asked for permission before sending their child. October 10, 2006 (11:30 A.M. - 1:30 P.M.)
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
In October we will begin a three week discussion on the Peace, Unity, and Purity report adopted by our General Assembly. The discussion will conclude the first week of November. Join us as we discuss why some in the denomination believe this decision is one that will impact the life of the church for years to come.
Adult Education
October:
1 When Religion Becomes Evil (Chapters Four and Five)
8 When Religion Becomes Evil (Chapters Six and Seven)
22 Peace, Unity, Purity (Christology)
29 Peace, Unity, Purity (Biblical Authority and Interpretation)
November:
5 Peace, Unity, Purity (Sexuality and Ordination)
Worship Attendants for October:
Ushers: Roger and Bette Hoytink
Lay Reader: Jessica Harrison
Communion Servers: Karen Angell, Mary Selle, Nancy Harrison and Pam Verkuilen
Nursery Attendants:
October 1 - Karen Angell, October 8 - Sandy Buser and Shannon Grinnell, October 15 - Romi Norton and MacKenzie Verkuilen, October 22 - Romi Norton and MacKenzie Verkuilen, October 29 - Sandy Buser and Kaitlyn Mickelson
OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS
SCHAFER, David 4-Oct
ANDERSON, Vernice 6-Oct
LEHR, Shane 6-Oct
CULLOM, Mike 8-Oct
SELLE, James 9-Oct
ANDERSON, Gail 11-Oct
LUCE, Delores 12-Oct
ZEHNER, Jane 12-Oct
LUCE, Charles 16-Oct
GRINNELL, Sawyer 17-Oct
BEYER, Nancy 19-Oct
SPAULDING, Ron 21-Oct
LUYSTER, Janice 22-Oct
HARMON, John 25-Oct
MALEK, Jim 26-Oct
FARRELL, Joan 27-Oct
Mark your calendar
for the Annual Deacon Chili Fundraiser to be held October 18th. Sign up sheets will be placed in the entry of the church. Volunteers are needed to donate items, volunteer time or bake goods. We are asking that all donated items be brought to church by Monday October 16th. We hope to see a full tree of hats, mittens and scarves to be donated to those in need. A Coats for Kids box will be placed in the entry of the church for donated gently used coats .
Thank you from the Deacons
During the past couple of weeks we have heard members of the church share how God has blessed them and how they are growing spiritually. We have listened and reflected on how God is working in our lives.
The response of the believer to these blessings should be one of thankfulness. But being thankful is just one step in our response to God. Being able to take that sentiment and put it into action is what God requires of each of us.
On Sunday, October 15, 2006, the Stewardship Committee is planning an event that will allow us to put our thanksgiving into action. Consecration Sunday invites us to come before God and each other and put our faith into action by pledging a percentage of our income to God.
This will be done during the 9:00 a.m. service followed by a catered meal for all members and visitors who attend worship. Imagine coming to a fine restaurant and being told that you don't have to pay for the meal. What a deal! Consecration Sunday gives all of us an opportunity to reflect on how God has blessed us and how we will respond to such grace.
Back by popular demand, Consecration Sunday gave our members last year an opportunity to offer their percentage offering to God within the context of the liturgy. For some, this act of worship truly made them think of the question, "What percentage of my income is God asking me to give? Is it 1%, or 2%, or 5%, or 10%, or 20%?”
Consecration Sunday also reminds us that when we give to God, we don't ever look at the church's budget to determine the gift we will offer. But rather, after reflecting on the many blessings we have been given throughout the year, our offering is birthed out of that response.
Giving to God is also a spiritual discipline that contributes to our growth as Christians. Research shows that people who don't give from the perspective of what God is calling them to give, give only meagerly. This then stumps their spiritual growth. But people who give sacrificially are people who model the face of Christ wherever they are. They are Christians who continue to grow in their faith.
For many Christians stewardship is a nasty word. For others the idea that money is being spoken of from the pulpit is an affront to God. But Jesus himself spoke more about money that anything else. The question is why? The answer is quite simple. "Wherever your heart is, that is where your treasure is also." Money can become a sin when we love it more than we love God. Listen to Jesus in Matthew 6:19-21, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
If you are a Christian and your mantra is, "I have worked quite hard for my money, and nobody can take it from me," think again. The Bible says, "But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, so that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your ancestors, as he is doing today." Deuteronomy 8:18
All that we have and all that we are belong to God. For God is the one who provides the wealth we have, according to Deuteronomy. Giving to God is one way we stay connected to the source of all our blessings. However, if the love of money is the ideal we proclaim, then we will miss out on that source of all.
So where is your treasure? Is it in the hands of God? I pray so. On Sunday, October 15th, we invite you to offer a percentage of your income to God. The reason we are inviting you is because when you do that, your heart will be in the heart of God, and that's the best place for it to be.
Until next time.
Peace and grace, Pastor Mara
Worship for the Month of October 2006
October 1, 2006
World Communion Sunday
9:00 a.m. Worship with Traditional Communion in Fellowship Hall
Readings: Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22 and Mark 9:38-50
Sermon Theme: Esther, the biblical whistleblower, illustrates that goodness is courageous, wise, godly and focused on others. In the same way Esther was called to be all these things so are we as we proceed to live holy lives before God and the world.
______________________________________
October 8, 2006
27th Sunday in Ordinary Time
9:00 a.m. Worship
Readings: Job 1:1;2:1-10 and Mark 10:2-16
Sermon Theme: You’d think a cruise trip to celebrate retirement would be good for a marriage. It’s not, according to some studies. Jesus can help us with what’s good for a marriage.
_______________________________________
October 15, 2006
28th Sunday in Ordinary Time/ Consecration Sunday
9:00 a.m. Worship
Readings:TBA
Sermon Theme: Today we welcome Cheryl Lepak to our pulpit. Cheryl will share God's word with us by exploring how percentage giving can lead us to spiritual growth. So what percentage of your income is God calling you to give? Come and find out.
_________________________________________
October 22, 2006
29th Sunday in Ordinary Time
9:00 a.m. Worship
Readings: Psalm 104:1-9; 24, 35 and Mark 10:2-16
Sermon Theme: Researchers have found a new “Garden of Eden” in New Guinea. What can their adventures teach us about discovering new horizons in our own lives? Each day we are given to experience nature is an opportunity to care for God's good creation. Each day we are given to experience new people provides for us an opportunity to see how connected we are to one another.
________________________________________
October 29, 2006
30th Sunday in Ordinary Time
9:00 a.m. Worship
Readings: Psalm 34:1-8 19-22 and Mark 10:46-52
Sermon Theme: Yesterday’s advertising superstars are making a comeback, giving people a warm and fuzzy feeling about days gone by. But more than nostalgia kicks in when a biblical icon appears. Not only does he provide healing for a blind man, but Jesus guides him to new life.
Youth Fellowship - God's Gift of Sexuality. This topic will be taught by Pastor Mara. Parents will be asked for permission before sending their child. October 10, 2006 (11:30 A.M. - 1:30 P.M.)
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
In October we will begin a three week discussion on the Peace, Unity, and Purity report adopted by our General Assembly. The discussion will conclude the first week of November. Join us as we discuss why some in the denomination believe this decision is one that will impact the life of the church for years to come.
Adult Education
October:
1 When Religion Becomes Evil (Chapters Four and Five)
8 When Religion Becomes Evil (Chapters Six and Seven)
22 Peace, Unity, Purity (Christology)
29 Peace, Unity, Purity (Biblical Authority and Interpretation)
November:
5 Peace, Unity, Purity (Sexuality and Ordination)
Worship Attendants for October:
Ushers: Roger and Bette Hoytink
Lay Reader: Jessica Harrison
Communion Servers: Karen Angell, Mary Selle, Nancy Harrison and Pam Verkuilen
Nursery Attendants:
October 1 - Karen Angell, October 8 - Sandy Buser and Shannon Grinnell, October 15 - Romi Norton and MacKenzie Verkuilen, October 22 - Romi Norton and MacKenzie Verkuilen, October 29 - Sandy Buser and Kaitlyn Mickelson
OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS
SCHAFER, David 4-Oct
ANDERSON, Vernice 6-Oct
LEHR, Shane 6-Oct
CULLOM, Mike 8-Oct
SELLE, James 9-Oct
ANDERSON, Gail 11-Oct
LUCE, Delores 12-Oct
ZEHNER, Jane 12-Oct
LUCE, Charles 16-Oct
GRINNELL, Sawyer 17-Oct
BEYER, Nancy 19-Oct
SPAULDING, Ron 21-Oct
LUYSTER, Janice 22-Oct
HARMON, John 25-Oct
MALEK, Jim 26-Oct
FARRELL, Joan 27-Oct
Mark your calendar
for the Annual Deacon Chili Fundraiser to be held October 18th. Sign up sheets will be placed in the entry of the church. Volunteers are needed to donate items, volunteer time or bake goods. We are asking that all donated items be brought to church by Monday October 16th. We hope to see a full tree of hats, mittens and scarves to be donated to those in need. A Coats for Kids box will be placed in the entry of the church for donated gently used coats .
Thank you from the Deacons
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