IN TOUCH MAY - JUNE EMOTIONS AND THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT Submitted by Tanya Whitley

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1 IN TOUCH WITH COMMUNITY MAY - JUNE 2014 EMOTIONS AND THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT Submitted by Tanya Whitley Most of us know people who overreact in various situations. Just like Chicken Little in the classic children s story, who runs around calling The sky is falling! The sky is falling! they allow their emotions to escalate and turn something minor into a catastrophe. As Pastor Chip reminded us recently, our actions affect everyone around us. For that reason, it s best to keep our emotions under control. A person who is able to stay calm during a crisis helps everyone else do the same. How do we develop a calm nature? If we don t fully trust in the Lord, fear can overtake us and we will never know real peace. In John 14:15-17 Jesus tells his disciples, If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit who leads into all truth. We must be willing to step into the supernatural power and wisdom available to us by the Holy Spirit, who is our comforter, encourager and counselor. The more we spend time in the Word, the more intimately we know God. By living in His presence we reap the fruits of the spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control. Jesus stated in John 14:27, I am leaving you with a gift peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don t be troubled or afraid. What comforting words these are, as we struggle to know peace in our modern lives. The Holy Spirit will convict us and lead us back to God, but we have to be willing to listen.

2 PAGE 2 IN TOUCH Copied from the Orthodox Presbyterians Church s website - (h p:// on_id=343) submi ed by Pastor Chip Question and Answer The Fruit of the Spirit and Our Emotions Question: Unsaved people can experience the feeling of love, joy, peace, etc. God gave us emotions for a reason, and I understand that even we who are saved have un-sanctified emotions. Now when I worship, I experience the Lord's presence (the Spirit), and I also experience joy. How does the Spirit produce joy, for example, in us? Does he enter us and "amplify" our emotions? Does he, because he himself is joyful, allow us to see him and our souls thereby become "like him". How, specifically, does it work? Wouldn't there be spiritual joy and human joy, and how would they compete? Answer: Emotions and feelings are things which are common to humanity as a whole, whether believer or unbeliever. However, those emotions are not the same for both believer and unbeliever. And the reason why is that the object of their affections are not the same. The believer's entire being both intellect and emotions are focused on that which is uncreated: God and his glory. The unbeliever, by contrast, has his affections set on the things which are below: earthly things and his own glory. So, when Paul speaks of the fruit of the Spirit what he has in view is the result of the work of the Holy Spirit. It is the Spirit who unites us to Jesus Christ and his redemptive work, as Paul makes clear in Galatians 5:22 24, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self -control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." The Holy Spirit makes us "belong to Christ Jesus." And as a result of that work in us, there is a difference in how we live. Christ not only redeems us from the guilt of our sin, but from its power as well. Therefore, as a result of our being in Christ by the Spirit we will love others in a way we didn't before. We will have a joy we didn't have before, and so on. This joy is not the joy which unbelievers experience. They experience joy, but it is as a result of earthly, temporary things. Their joy is the fruit of the flesh, not the Spirit. Just one last thought. You want to be careful to distinguish between the Holy Spirit himself and your emotions. The emotion you experience is not the Holy Spirit himself. Your emotions are still a fallible, created, and fallen aspect of your being. But they are now, by God's redeeming grace through Christ and given to you by the Spirit, directed toward God and thus are the fruit of God's grace. I might recommend reading Jonathan Edwards' The Religious Affections and/or Charity and its Fruits.

3 PAGE 3 ---Submitted by, Mary Seaman CONGRATULATIONS AND BLESSINGS TO: Mark and Kari Cosens on the baptism of their daughter, Anna Joy. New members: Matthew and Paul Jolliffee Wayne and Sandy Boss Derrick Carroll Matt Thompson Matt Seaman and Heather Hand on their recent marriage. Ross and Miriam Winters on their 65th wedding anniversary on April 23rd. Remembering our Military Men and Women Please pray and send words of encouragement. Numbers in parenthesis indicate their birthdate. Please consider sending birthday cards CMCR - Mariah Miller Longview Lane, Poplarville, MS (8/23) SYMPATHY AND PRAYERS TO: David R. Merrill/AIC (Air Force)- PSC 41 Box 4577, APO AE Lackenheath, England (9/13) Danielle Merrill/AIC (Air Force)- PSC 41 Box 4577, APO AE Lackenheath, England (10/20) 1LT Kyle Leese Marion Center Road, Charlevoix, MI (serving at Camp Grayling) Garrett C. Miller II (U.S. Navy) Wedgewood, Sterling Heights, Michigan FC3 Nuttall, Logan D (U. S. Navy) - WEPS/CG 04 USS Monterey (CG61) FPO AE (4/22) PFC1 Jeffery Buckner (U.S. Army) Hickman Court, Raeford, N.C, (11/15) 1 Lt. Boss, Megan (U.S. Army) Seven Mile Ferry Road, Clarksville, TN (11/19) Capt. Kathryn Marks (Ricks), DDS, (Air Force) Cross Creek Trail, Valdosta, GA (11/18) Commander Russell John Coolman (Navy) Pecan Chase, Frisco, TX (03/04) Cameron G. Canupp (US Air Force) - PSC 41 Box 5218, APO AE 09464, USA (Lackenheath England) (6/21) Jones, Cyril (US Army) - 576th Engineer Company, Shindand Air Base, APO, AE (3/24) Elaine Westenbroek and family on the passing of Elaine s husband, Roger. Mike Wheat, Sandra Knack and family on the passing of sister-in-law, Vickie Wheat. Kim Seaney and family on the passing of her uncle, John Gudiatis. Dianne Penfold-Sayward, Dennis Penfold and their families on the passing of their mother, Wilma Penfold. Rct Keie, Christopher D. (US Marines) MC CES (AMAT/EFTS/RMTS/TETS) Bldg., th Street, Box , Twentynine Palms, CA (1/10)

4 PAGE 4 WELCOME NEW MEMBERS New member MATTHEW JON JOLLIFFE moved to the Charlevoix area seventeen years ago with his parents, Bob and Noreen Jolliffe. Matt has five siblings: Bob Jr., Paul, Barbara, Lee Ann and Nancy. Matthew attended Kalamazoo Public Schools, the Young Adult Program, then, the Char-Em Program until he was 26 years old. He attends the Bergmann Center, works in the workshop there, and participates in community service activities like recycling and meals-on-wheels. Matt belongs to Bergmann s Aktion Club, a service club sponsored by Kiwanis, and traveled to New Orleans as past president of Aktion. Matt spends his leisure time bowling, swimming, strumming on his guitar, watching TV (especially wrestling and Love Boat ), going on cruises, swimming in Special Olympics, and attending Friendship Bible Study. His favorite sports teams are U of M, Tigers, Lions and Red Wings. Matthew is excited about becoming a church member. He says, Thank you to the other members of CRC for helping me know that I am a part of God s family. ****** PAUL ANDREW JOLLIFFE, Matthew s brother, has been introduced to most of us at CRC through his piano playing when he has provided special music during our worship services. Paul also attended Kalamazoo Public Schools, including Kalamazoo Central where he went to school with Derek Jeter (MLB New York Yankee)! From there Paul went to the Young Adult Center until age 26. Paul attends Bergmann Center and works at Bergmann s Resale Shop. In the past, he has worked at K- Mart and Glen s Market in Charlevoix. Paul also belongs to Bergmann s Aktion Club. Besides playing the piano, Paul spends his free time swimming, bowling, playing video games, and watching TV, especially wrestling. He enjoys music of all kinds, loves cruises, and participates in Special Olympics (swimming), and the Friendship Bible Study. He joins his brother Matt in cheering on U of M, Tigers, Lions and Red Wings. The most recent special event in Paul s life is joining CRC after talking with Pastor Chip. The members of CRC have made Paul feel that he is a part of the CRC family. For this, he says, Thank You. ----Submitted by Mary Seaman (Those received into membership on May 4 will be interviewed for the next issue of In Touch. )

5 PAGE 5 IN TOUCH Consistory Meeting Highlights HIGHLIGHTS FROM APRIL CONSISTORY MEETING Consistory discussed Sunday night ministry meetings. (Pastor Chip, Sco Philp, Ted Polleys, and Jim Malewi will meet to review the proposal.) Executive Commi ee will continue work toward the Executive Administrator position. Facilities Improvement Team has narrowed the field to two architects. Pastor Sauer s evaluation was opened for input. Marriage Enrichment Team will report at the June Consistory Meeting. (Tom DeKorte will be the coordinator.) Developing Community Team will report at the June Consistory Meeting. (Garry Miller will be the coordinator.) Book Review, by Vinnie Klooster The Madonnas of Leningrad by Debra Dean The setting for this historical fiction novel goes back and forth between current day America and war-torn Leningrad in The main character, Marina, an elderly Russian woman now living in America, is suffering from the effects of short term memory loss, but she has vivid memories of her younger life as a tour guide in the Hermitage Museum, that housed scores of masterpieces with the Madonna as their subject matter. While struggling with starvation, bitter cold, and the relentless ravages of German invasion, the staffers of the Hermitage Museum painstakingly remove the priceless art for safekeeping, leaving only empty frames in their place. As a coping mechanism, Marina rebuilds a virtual Hermitage, which allows her to walk the halls of the museum in her mind and see each masterpiece in its exact place. This novel is beautifully written, especially in its descriptions of the art, the resilience of people in a seemingly hopeless situation, and how the author weaves together the importance of Marina's past and her present. The Madonnas of Leningrad is a great read for anyone, especially those that enjoy historical fiction or have experienced a loved one suffering from short term memory loss. (Available at the Charlevoix Public Library)

6 STEPS TO EMOTIONAL MATURITY ---Submitted by Sandy Malewitz PAGE 6 Chip just finished a series on emotional maturity. It is an important topic in the life of a believer, especially for our spiritual growth and sense of wellbeing. Chip pointed out that it is the work of the Holy Spirit, but we must do our part and be intentional. It is a longterm process that will produce lasting change in us. How exactly can we take steps to take control of our emotions? These are a few ideas that may help you: Our starting point should be the ONE thing we are called to to love one another. I Corinthians says that we should let love be our greatest aim. As Christians, we should strive to filter every circumstance in our lives through this commandment. Are we truly loving others? If we are not loving, then according to I Corinthians 1:2, We are nothing. It is our high calling. Keep in mind that our difficult circumstances are not a surprise to God. They are given to us as a means to transform us into being like Christ. Getting our emotions under control opens us to seeing our situation differently and finding out how we can have a Godly response and use these situations to further God s purposes for us and those we love. It is work, but we will be glad we did it down the road when we see the fruit of our work. mind on these verses. Tape them up on your bathroom mirror, car dash or bulletin board. Keep them in a small notebook. Clarify your thoughts and motives by writing in a journal. It is amazing how clear our situations become when we write them down. We see the path that God wants us to take in dealing with our emotions. We can renew our minds through these practices. Check yourself at the end of every day to see if you have lived up to your intentions. Look to Jesus as your role model. How did He act in difficult circumstances? Rick Warren, in The Purpose Drive Life, says, Since God intends to make you look like Jesus, He will take you through the same experiences Jesus went through. To do that, we have to learn to respond the way Jesus would. II Timothy 3:17 (Msg.) states, Through the Word (Jesus) we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us. Don t keep unhealthy emotions to yourself. Let them out into the open and share your struggles with a mature Christian. Strongholds are difficult to break and we need encouragement. Have close friends or family lift you up in prayer as you endeavor to gain insight and to persevere in your journey to get a handle on your emotions. We need encouragement to grow emotionally mature. God s Word is full of inspirational verses that help us make changes. Pick out a verse that has meaning for you in your situation. Memorize it. Spend time over several weeks or months to concentrate on a particular verse and let it get deep down into your heart. This is where the Spirit really does His work. We just need to be in God s Word and intentional about setting our God is so good. He will never leave you while He accomplishes His purposes for you. He is in the business of transformation. Trust Him to be your guide. He has great plans for you (Jeremiah 29:11). His desire for us is to be fit for kingdom work. James 1:3-4 says, Let the process go on until your endurance is fully developed and you will find that you have become men of character with no weak spots.

7 PAGE 7 IN TOUCH THANKS TO KITCHEN CREW From Dianne Coolman A big Thank-You to our awesome Kitchen Crew for your help on Wednesday night, family dinners. Thanks to Bev Boss, Gay Pung, Pat Brown, Diane Priess, Linda Forrester, Marcia Trimper, Tricia Benjamen, Tim and Sharen Coen and, of course, my husband John!!!! Thank-you to Ron and Maryann Cox for filling in when needed. Kathryn Boss, we thank you for providing yummy cookies for us this past winter. Hats off to all of you; we couldn t do this without your faithfulness to this ministry. We always welcome additional help. Fall schedule is mid-september through mid-november. If interested, please contact Dianne Coolman at dcoolman@charter.net or We have fun doing what we do!!!! Blessings to all, Dianne WELL DONE, GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT. Matthew 25:23

8 PAGE 8 Ministry Updates NEW MINISTRY OPPORTUNITY AT CRC There are times in our lives when we need a little help because we have just gone through a major change. We may have experienced the death of a family member or a close friend, or just learned of a medical condition that is putting stress in our lives; or we may have difficulties making appointments because of transportation challenges; or we may have the blessing of a new child in our family, but need help to readjust. If you are not experiencing these types of challenges, you may know others who are. In either case, you probably would like to know where you could find some assistance to make life a bit easier through these times. A new ministry that will provide prayer, meals, and transportation is being formed at CRC to help assist people who are going through life s challenges. The projected start date for this ministry is September first. If you are willing to be a part of lending a hand with meals, transportation and/or prayer, please give Jim Malewitz a call at , or sign up at the information center. A dedicated phone line will soon be in place for future assistance. Youth Ministries SENIOR HIGH MISSION TRIP On March 27, 2014 I joined Ted, Drew and seven high school students for a weeklong trip to serve the Lord in the Dominican Republic. We prayed for God to use us and bless our journey. None of us were sure what to expect, but God answered our prayers and sent the Holy Spirit to ride along. We met many wonderful people who hosted us with generosity and joy. The congregation should be proud of our young people who accepted every work assignment with a smile. They never let the language barrier stop them from interacting and in every situation proved to be great sports. I was brought to tears when we got to witness their youth worshipping one night at the Vida Joven (Young Life) camp. Some of the songs were the same songs we sing, but in Spanish. The Holy Spirit was in the air as they demonstrated great passion. Fernando, our host, shared his testimony around the campfire on our last night at camp. He told about growing up with his single mom and some of the struggles he had been through. A man

9 PAGE 9 IN TOUCH befriended him when he was a teenager, and invited him to a Vida Joven club night. It was comical as he admitted that his motivation to accept the invitation was to meet pretty girls that might be there. God knows how to get our interest, and then how to capture our hearts. Fernando is now teaching bible study, taking seminary classes and doing everything he can to win young people to Christ. Our visit helped to get some of the DR teens interested in Young Life, even if they just came to see the pretty American girls or handsome guys. God knows teens. Our kids played basketball and baseball, danced, played games and some of the DR kids rapped to Gavin s Beat Boxing. I felt the Holy Spirit at work many times on the trip. Our prayers were answered as we safely made our way home, never to forget our new friends in Christ. -Tanya Whitley F.A.C.E.S. Orphan Ministry Submitted by Lynda Stolt Sixteen attended the Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO) Summit 2014 April 30-May 2nd at Willow Creek in Chicago IL. 27,000 people, representing 35 countries, were in attendance. What an amazing show of how God is moving the globe to step forward, speak up, reach out and act on behalf of the millions of orphans and vulnerable children. Here are a few quotes from participants: CAFO was not only inspiring and encouraging; it was so educational. I learned helpful foster care information, parenting tips, and discovered many supportive organizations. The main idea I came away with was that everyone involved in foster care, especially foster parents, needs to be extremely supportive of the birth parents with their journey of healing and bringing their children home. (Continued on page 10)

10 PAGE 10 I felt like the Orphan Summit was a small taste of heaven... so many wonderful people and organizations truly seeking the heart of God Himself for the care of orphans and vulnerable children. The plenary speakers and workshop presenters were outstanding people from all over the world with a heart for this outreach. I was inspired both on a personal level...and...built up to continue in ministry in my little corner of the world. I was so deeply touched and moved beyond imagination that there were so many people that loved orphans. By the end of the summit, I found myself to be a total train wreck, wanting to let the tears flow. I recommend that anyone with a heart for the orphan find a way to attend next year s event. To have so many people in the same place with the same heart for the orphan was an obvious expression of how much God loves and wants us to care for the orphan and vulnerable child. Have you ever questioned if God is at Work? All you need to do is attend an Orphan Summit. It s humbling, encouraging, amazing to gather with 3000 others having a heart for orphans. He is at work, praise God. I am so happy I chose to attend my first Summit! I learned so many new things that I will, hopefully, put into practice. I am going to share a few snippets of what I learned over a broad spectrum of topics--give your child a voice by starting to say yes more, let adopted children blend in a little more; orphans don't want to be rescued, but, instead, they want to be parented. God, I am going to let you make me adequate. This conference spoke to my heart and gave me insights that can help me to become a better mom to all my children! There are great opportunities ahead for the F.A.C.E.S. Team to care for the orphan, vulnerable child and those who come alongside them.

11 PAGE 11 IN TOUCH Global Outreach Missions Submitted by Lynda Stolt Join the Global Outreach Team to Welcome Dr. John Kim at our 1 Day Mission/Prayer Seminar on Saturday, May 17th beginning at 9:30 a.m. Please RSVP to Lynda at or sign up at the Information Center Schedule Arrive 9:30 a.m. for coffee and fellowship Session 1 will begin at 10:00 a.m. Lunch at noon Session 2 will begin at 1:00 p.m. Dismiss at 3:00 Session 3 - Corporate Prayer for Missions, 7:00 p.m. Sessions will cover the importance of Prayer and Missions in the building of God s Kingdom. Sunday, May 18th Dr. Kim will be interviewed during the 1st and 2nd service. At 9:30 Dr. Kim will share his story in the community room with those wanting to learn more.

12 COMMUNITY REFORMED CHURCH Phone: Fax: Join us for Worship: Sunday, 8:30, & 10:15 a.m. Nursery: 8:30, & 10:15 a.m. Sunday School: Sunday, 10:15 a.m. Prayer: Sunday, 7:15 a.m. Monday - Friday, 6:15 a.m. Wednesday (2nd floor City Hall), 12 p.m. Wednesday, 5:00 pm Saturday, 7:15 a.m. Non-Profit Org. US Postage PAID Permit No. 81 Charlevoix, MI COMMUNITY REFORMED CHURCH 100 Oak St. Charlevoix, MI Contacts at CRC: Chip Sauer, Pastor Jan Boss, Director of Spiritual Formation Ted Polleys, Associate Pastor Lynda Stolt, Office Administrator Michael Brown, Maintenance Engineer Leslie Nitchman, Office Assistant Theda Williams, Worship Director Gail Cherry, Director of Children s Ministries Dianne Coolman, Kitchen Manager Cindy Mansen, Choir Director