April Hickor y Grove Church. The Gold of Friendship-Seeking and Sharing the World s Greatest Treasure

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1 Hickor y Grove Church April 2013 The Gold of Friendship-Seeking and Sharing the World s Greatest Treasure Upcoming Events April 1st- Council 2nd-6:30 3rd-Women s Fellowship 4th-11:30 Golden Agers 5th & 6th-Fusion 9th-6:30 10th-7:00 Bible Study 11th-7:00 Quarterly Business 15th-Trustee & Deacon 16th-6:30 17th-7:00 Bible Study 20th-Women s Prayer 22nd- Council 23rd-6:30 24th-7:00 Bible Study 30th-6:30 Friendship may be as near as next door. Or shining unexpectedly around the next corner. Or hidden deep inside us. Those who search will find the precious gold of friendship everywhere, for a friend is the most precious discovery of all. And you ll know that s true when you know a friend has found gold in you. ~Helen Hanna This is from a Hallmark book (now out of print) given to me by the late Judy Britton in 1997 when I had breast cancer. This is a tribute to my Hickory Grove friends, and to my genealogical family of friends. May 1st-Women s Fellowship He has made everything beautiful in its time Eccl.3:11 Rainbow Camp dates have been set for the 2013 summer session. Please take a moment to look those over. There is a link on our church website with a listing of dates. If you have any questions, see Brenda Johns.

2 Page 2 April 2013 P A S TO R S PEN Charles Haddon Spurgeon, one of the greatest Christian thinkers of all time and undoubtedly the most celebrated preacher of the 19th century, began his ministry as a country-boy with only a year of formal education. But even without much training, his brilliant mind and depth of spiritual insight quickly became legendary throughout the world. During his lifetime Spurgeon is estimated to have preached, in person, to over ten million people. He published over 3,500 sermons, totaling between 20 and 25 million words and more than 38,000 pages. Today, over a century after his death, his sermons and devotional texts continue to challenge and touch Christians and non-christians alike. It is no wonder that this country-boy became known as the "Prince of Preachers." Charles Spurgeon died at the relatively young age of 57, in January of His funeral service was held a week later, on February ninth, at the Metropolitan Tabernacle. Over 60,000 people waited in line to file past his casket. The following article is a devotional from his probably most popular book: Morning and Evening Devotions. As we read this may we find ourselves growing closer in devotion and commitment to Jesus. Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled. Matthew 26: 56 He never deserted them, but they in cowardly fear of their lives, fled from Him in the very beginning of His sufferings. This is but one instructive instance of the frailty of all believers if left to themselves; they are but sheep at the best, and they flee when the wolf cometh. They had all been warned of the danger, and had promised to die rather than leave their Master; and yet they were seized with sudden panic, and took to their heels. It may be, that I, at the opening of this day, have braced up my mind to bear a trial for the Lord s sake, and I imagine myself to be certain to exhibit perfect fidelity; but let me be very jealous of myself, lest having the same evil heart of unbelief, I should depart from my Lord as the apostles did. It is one thing to promise, and quite another to perform. It would have been to their eternal honour to have stood at Jesus side right manfully; they fled from honour; may I be kept from imitating them! Where else could they have been so safe as near their Master, who could presently call for twelve legions of angels? They fled from their true safety. O God, let me not play the fool also. Divine grace can make the coward brave. The smoking flax can flame forth like fire on the altar when the Lord wills it. These very apostles who were timid as hares, grew to be bold as lions after the Spirit had descended upon them, and even so the Holy Spirit can make my recreant spirit brave to confess my Lord and witness for His truth. What anguish must have filled the Savior as He saw His friends so faithless! This was one bitter ingredient in His cup; but that cup is drained dry; let me not put another drop in it. If I forsake my Lord, I shall crucify Him afresh, and put Him to an open shame. Keep me, O blessed Spirit, from an end so shameful. ~Pastor Ken

3 April 2013 Hickory Switch Page 3 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT Hickory Grove Church Council Melanie Johns 21 Ron Simons 15 Haley Wharff Kris Hanna Trustees and Deacon s Mtgs. 22 Council 6:30 Tom White Roy & Connie Dunn 6: :30 23 Pam Simons 6:30 7:00 Women s Fellowship 10 Erica Hill Avenell Johns Travis Curts 7:00 Bible Study 17 Emily Felz 7:00 Bible Study 24 Rebecca Kelly Steve & Sandy Coultas Logan Todd Rob & Leisha Hill Taylor Nacke 11:30 Golden Agers 11 7:00 Quarterly Business 18 Rachel Bowlin 25 Owen Crowel Fusion Brandon Cunningham Jim and Jamie Best 26 Patti Lashbrook Fusion Coral Altman 20 Lily Anderson Women s Prayer 27 Heather Salmon 7:00 Bible Study N 700 W Delphi, IN Phone: Ken Smith, Pastor Coral Sparks 6:30 7:00 Women s Fellowship May Josh & Ashley White Jim Best DELPHI, IN Page 3 Check out our website at Never Too Young- Never Too Young-

4 Page 4 April 2013 Golden Agers Submitted by Dieter Hantschel Although only nine Golden Agers, Arleen and Bud Stangle, Marilyn and John Crowel, Sherry and Dieter Hantschel, Don Dill, Jonah Peterson and Bob Tobey, assembled at Angler's Restaurant last March 7, the meeting was blessed with good fellowship and Christian lessons. Grace was prayed and as some of the appetizers were brought in, there was the excitement of witnessing a Greek cheese dish, called Saganaki, replete with flames shooting from the skillet. It was a new experience for everyone. Never a dull moment! We reflected on the Sunday School work we were doing and had discussions about the following week's topic. Arleen had prepared some extensive devotional material with the focus on the (then) upcoming Palm Sunday and Easter holy days. Her Palm Sunday reading focused on Mark 11:1-11. When you read this, both holy days will already be in this year's past again. Let us not forget, though, the beautiful words, "Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord." Matthew 27:33-54 brought to our attention the Crucifixion and the heart rendering description of Jesus' horrible suffering for us. High atop the cross, the sign INRI (Latin: Iesus Nazarenus, Rex Iudaeorum, Jesus the Nazarene, King of the Jews), was written in the form of an accusation and mockery. We rejoice that the supreme sacrifice of a loving God gives us the promise of no more fears, no more sorrow. On the topic of "What Easter Means" she shared many thoughts that brought reflection to us all. There are so many symbols surrounding Easter - the list might never end - and we are mindful that the most important is Christ's resurrection. Spring and Easter are synonymous for bringing life and hope."and in this hope we will rejoice and be glad." You, dear reader, are invited to join the Golden Agers on April 4, 11:30 a.m. at the Angler's Restaurant in Monticello. If you might need a ride, please contact one of us. We'd love to have you and, while our name implies an age group, age is not at all an issue when it comes to having a good time in Christian fellowship and love. To Think He Died for Me By Pastor Kelly Sensenig Oh, can it be, upon a tree The Savior died for me? My soul is thrilled, My heart is filled, To think He died for me! C H R I S TIAN R A D I O S TA T I O NS Submitted by Stephanie Felz For those who may be interested in listening to Christians music or Christian talk radio, here are a few stations you might tune into! 90.7 FM (Christian Talk radio) FM (Christian music) FM Christian music).

5 Page 5 April 2013 For the Young at Heart

6 HICKORY GROVE CHURCH 9714 N 700 W Delphi, IN Phone: Ken Smith, Pastor The friendly church at the side of the road! Cards and Visits People who may appreciate your cards, prayers and visits: Dee Davis 306 S Illinois St. Monticello, IN Mary Rishel Carroll Manor 6409 W 100 N. Delphi, IN (Marlene Joseph s mother) Irma Jenni White Oak 814 S 6 th Street, Monticello IN Joan Mikesell White Oak 814 S 6 th St Monticello IN Phyllis Wise Rosewalk Commons 250 Shenandoah Dr Apt 32 Lafayette, IN (765) Our College Kids: Nicholl Cain and Coral Sparks 508 Michigan Street, Apartment 3, Plymouth IN Ivan Veach 200 Seminary Drive Box 1275 Winona Lake IN Sam Lashbrook 730 West 10th Street Apartment 100 Indianapolis IN Serving in the Marine Corps Recruit Lewellen, Oakley D. 2nd BN, Fox CO, PLT Midway Ave San Diego, CA In Your Moment of Need... In your moment of need please feel free to call: Pastor Ken Smith Phone: Pager: Or one of our Deacons: Bryan Felz Ron Felz Rob Hill Jesse Kelly Alan Sickler Judy Miller Have something you want to share... If you have any minutes to meetings, class party info or anything you think the rest of us might enjoy hearing about, please get it to Amy or Brenda. We can be reached at: Amy White-Spitzer 605 Hanawalt Rd, Monticello, IN whispi@comcast.net Brenda White-Johns 9457 W 650 N, Delphi, IN johns4@ytci.com Sundays in Review... Did you miss a Sunday recently? No problem, you can now borrow a taped copy of the Sunday service! Copies are made every Sunday to be distributed to Shut-ins or those who were absent for whatever reason. Just contact anyone from the church, and they can get you a copy!