The truth of God s continuing plans for Skiff Lake Bible Church. church. # of Participants Faith Promise for Global Missions

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1 Oct 27-Nov 2, 2013 Skiff Lake focus BIBLICAL MISSIONAL EVANGELICAL We have recently completed our Faith Promise for 2013, a campaign through which church members have prayerfully considered how they can give sacrificially and cheerfully to support Skiff Lake Bible Church as she plays out her unique role in God s global mission. The results from this year s campaign were both informative and exciting, and they also provide some insights into the future of Skiff Lake. In order to catch the excitement, we need to take a look at some of the data (don t worry, we ll try not to deal with too many numbers). First and foremost, the number of households participating should be exciting. Everyone at Skiff knows that the transition from the long-established ministry of John Larkin to that of his successor, Jonathan Arnold, has had its share of proverbial bumps in the road. During that transition, some members have left--for a variety of reasons, some related to the transition time and others not. Regardless of the reasons (that discussion is for another time and place), Skiff Lake has not been immune to those shifts in membership and participation. The fact, then, that more giving units participated in this year s campaign should be cause for celebration and excitement. This recognition should also serve as a bit of a wake-up and even a call to greater dependence upon God. For His own purposes, God has seen fit to add to the active participants at Skiff Lake. He has determined that the great legacy of Skiff Lake Bible Church should (and will) serve as a foundation for the future. New faces will join the congregation, some turnover will occur, but God s plans for Skiff Lake will not be thwarted. Those who are part of the Body of Christ that meets at Skiff Lake Bible Church have a job to do. # of Participants Faith Promise for Global Missions Skiff Lake Bible Church PO Box S. Jackson Rd skifflake@skifflakebible.org Clarklake, MI The truth of God s continuing plans for Skiff Lake Bible Church can also be seen in the incredible resources God has seen fit to place under her stewardship. The people of Skiff Lake continue to be impressively generous, and God continues to use her to be a supply line for His ministries across the globe. The data collected from this year s Faith Promise campaign demonstrates that God s plans in this regard have not changed. As we consider these data, we should also remember that the Skiff s pattern is to give more than is promised in the Faith Promise Campaign. In 2012, the church gave almost $10,000 more than was pledged in the Faith Promise Campaign. This will especially be true as new people become enmeshed in the life of the church, as the history of Faith Promise will be unknown to many who have not been part of Skiff Lake s past. In the end, the data reflected in the table below provides some incredible opportunities to proclaim God s glory to each other and to the world. As we seek God s wisdom in the decisions that lie ahead (as the elders use these data to help budget for the ministry year, we are called as a people of God to seek Him through corporate and individual pray, asking that He will continue to expand His work through Skiff Lake, that He will see to it that the needs of this church are met and that we are able to increase our generosity to other believers and other ministries, that He will develop our eyes to be able to see more local opportunities to love His people--both believers and unbelievers--well, and that He will continue to prod Skiff Lake to further spiritual maturity (even utilizing, if necessary, His righteous hand of discipline!). We have plenty to pray about! Let us be known as a praying church. Faith Promise for Local Ministry $125,460 NA $97,342 $81,212

2 Upcoming Events Last week, I noted that I struggle with growth, that my own pride-filled self keeps raising its ugly head (and that is the only place you have permission to talk about me being ugly... just to end that talk before it gets started!) and causing all kinds of problems. Since I wrote that column, I have had another opportunity to witness that struggle in my life. (Okay, let s be honest... I ve had a TON of opportunities to witness that struggle, but I m only going to talk about one of them.) This time, my issue came to light when I had the opportunity to do something helpful for an individual without anyone else seeing. Without thinking, I agreed to help--a good bit of decisionmaking that I could chalk up to some maturity (no matter how small it may be). Unfortunately, that s precisely where I ceased to display any bit of maturity and began to struggle once again. As the labor love began to drag on throughout the evening, I started to question the appreciation of this person I was called to serve. Few gestures of gratitude were sent my way despite the fact that my entire evening had been destroyed -- well, at least my planned family time had been taken from me. One question led to another. Quickly, I found myself being convinced that I deserved some credit for this incredible act of love I was offering to a near stranger. My mind shifted from questioning to scheming, trying to figure out how to let others know about this act of love without seeming arrogant. the sin-foundation of this inner struggle, and I tried to hide that strugge from others. That recognition did not stop my scheming; it simply made that process that much more complex. funny Sin doesn t need a lot of time to attempt to re-take control over a vulnerable life. Even in that scheming, I recognized my personal pride attempting to gain control of my actions. I implicitly understood Calendar The thing is that all of this struggle took place in a nanosecond. After all, sin doesn t need a lot of time to attempt to re-take control over a vulnerable life. In this particular instance, I was able to see the struggle happening and, through the work of the Holy Spirit, fend off those natural desires. But even just that momentary struggle reminded me of my need for divine grace. I can t even do good of my own accord... at Theology Discussion Group: Nov 20, 2013 Wilkins Thanksgiving Baskets Project, TBA Community Thanksgiving Service: CAN- CELED--re-scheduled for Jan 12, 2014 Monday, Oct 28--6:30pm--Men s Bible Study 7:30pm--Elder Meeting Wednesday, Oct 30--SLBC Prayer Group, 7:00pm LaFlamme Prayer Group, 7:00pm Sunday, Nov 3--Worship Service, 9:30am Sunday School, 11:00am Choir Practice, 4:30pm AWANA, 5:45pm Evening Service, 6:00pm

3 Studying together to grow together in order to magnify God together Hebrews We have begun our sermon series in Hebrews, a series which will take us through the rest of 2013 and much of As part of that series, we have produced a study guide for the congregation, intended to help the church work through this biblical book together. The study guide includes some biblical commentary--where we will have an opportunity to go deeper into some of the many intricacies of the biblical text; household discipleship ideas-- suggestions for extra teaching moment ideas that can help families learn together and can also be used by small groups of adults; scripture memorization--highlighted verses that apply to or come from our study of Hebrews that will be memorized by our church together. The first installment of the study guide covers the first several weeks of the sermon series. Work through the guide at your own pace. Read and re-read the concepts. Soak in the scripture passage (Luke 24) and let it change you. Begin the process of asking questions so that you can make the knowledge your own. Using this guide will take some adjustments and accommodation (just to get used to the concept), but our hope is that this type of study will help us to grow as a community. We recognize that one of God s main tools for developing His people--both individually and collectively--is the study of His Word. That study simply must include more than just a single sermon a week. Spend some time memorizing scripture. The passage for the first installment is Psalm 107:2. Hopefully by the time we publish the second installment, that verse will be part of your psyche. The second segment of the study guide is now available. This segment moves into the actual text of Hebrews and begins to deal with the specific arguments of Scripture. The guide does not move at exactly the same pace as the sermon series, but it is intended to provide complementary material for your consideration. Please note, the guide is intended to be used in community. Try to make an effort to do so!

4 Opportunities to Serve SLBC Youth Ministry Children s Ministry SLBC Transportation see the Matthews Service Design Team From the Pastor continued least not in a way that is pleasing to God (which must be part of the definition of good, right?). Rather, even when I try to help others, I allow my own desires for personal acclaim. In short, even when I am trying to do good, I sin. In that, I fully understand Paul s inner turmoil-- knowing what he should do but not doing it. In this instance, I knew that I should just offer the help without seeking honor, but I couldn t even get through the act of love itself without succumbing to that struggle. Let me be clear. While I recognize this struggle for what it is--a struggle with sin--i am not interested in beating myself up over it. I pray that I learn to move beyond this struggle. I pray that I mature in my spiritual journey, but I am not willing to berate myself. Nor do I have any desire to play the martyr--after all, I am not alone in this struggle. Rather, my desire is simply to remind myself--and whoever reads these musings--that my relationship with God is ALL ABOUT GRACE! Of my own accord, I will always display my own sinfulness, my inherent ungodliness, my pride. But when God works through me, He will be glorified (rather than me) and actual good will be done! I pray that God will keep working on me! Weekly Bible Reading Hebrews 1-2

5 Member Classes Sunday Oct 27--4:30pm (Library) Wednesday, Oct 30--7:00pm (Library) Sunday, Nov 3--11:00am (Sanctuary Sunday School) Sunday, Nov :00am (TBA) by Mike Horton Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth! Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into His presence with singing! Know that the LORD, He is God! It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with Thanksgiving, and His courts with praise! Give thanks to Him; bless His name! For the LORD is good; His steadfast love endures forever, and Hi faithfulness to all generations. Psalm100 What does this Psalm have to do with missions? It s talking about giving thanksgiving and praise to God. You may be asking and saying these sentences or something like them. You are correct that this psalm is talking about giving thanksgiving and praise to God. I like to share it during Thanksgiving. This is why I want to share it with you now. In about 1 month, families will be gathering around dinner tables to enjoy a nice meal that may include turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, corn, rolls, cranberries, pumpkin or apple pie or both. In about a month, there will be families who are trying to put together a meal just to survive. Both sets of families will be thankful for what they have to eat. share these comparisons on s not to put a guilt I feeling in your minds but to share the opportunity that we have in reaching families in our community in our Jerusalem. It is a mission opportunity. As in the past several years, we will be collecting food to give to families who are struggling to put food on the table-- not just turkey with the fixings. Even though the actual deadline for getting the food in is Sunday, November 24, we need to be praying about the identities of the families who will receive these baskets. As in the past few years, we want to minister to families that we (our Skiff Lake family) may know. So if you know someone who could benefit from this ministry, please get me the following information: name, address, phone number (if possible), number and age of family members by Sunday, November 10. These families can be members of our church family, friends, or acquaintances. Please pray that God will open our eyes to see opportunities to share Christ s love. This is a great opportunity to bless a family this Thanksgiving. Psalm 100 reminds us that we are God s and that we need to be thankful for what He gives. It also reminds me of my fourth-grade teacher who planted a seed that eventually ledto me putting my trust in Jesus as my Savior. This Thanksgiving is an opportunity to plant a seed in a family s life that may lead to salvation. It s an opportunity to be the church. We began this aticle by talking about local missions. Now, I would like to talk about Global missions. First of all, we are putting together a schedule of people praying for missions during the Sunday morning worship services. The prayers are to be 3-5 minutes long. We can provide specific information about the missionaries needs. If you are interested in this opportunity, please let someone on the Missions Committee know. The Committee consists of Nick and Sue Serafin, myself, Kathy DeCosta, Dawn Freeman, and DaveHorn. Secondly, we have received information that the Caudle family is coming to Michigan in late November for a couple of weeks. They will be in need of a minivan that can seat 6-7 adults. If you can help them, please let one of the committee members know. This week s focus on missions has provided three ways to be the church. Now is the time to act. Let s be the church!