Pilgrim Call Newsletter

Transcription

1 Issue 474 April 11, 2012 Pilgrim Call Newsletter F I R S T C O N G R E G A T I O N A L U C C S P E C I A L P O I N T S O F I N T E R E S T : The 9:02 am Praise Service will resume this Sunday, April 15 th. We hope that you had a blessed Easter and gave lots of praise to God for the sacrifice He made for us. Praise God, Jesus Lives! I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E : Prayer concerns 2 Nan-2-Man Breakfast National Day of Prayer Fredrick House Purchase R.S. Women s Conference, Fill the Pantry Easter Lily List 5, A N o t e f r o m P a s t o r T i c e I just thought you might enjoy reading this interesting letter, adapted from inspirationalarchive.com A letter written to a man on death row by the Father of the man whom the man on death row had killed: You are probably surprised that I, of all people, am writing a letter to you, but I ask you to read it in its entirety and consider its request seriously. As the Father of the man whom you took part in murdering, I have something very important to say to you. I forgive you. With all my heart, I forgive you. I realize it may be hard for you to believe, but I really do. At your trial, when you confessed to your part in the events that cost my Son his life and asked for my forgiveness, I immediately granted you that forgiving love from my heart. I can only hope you believe me and will accept my forgiveness. But this is not all I have to say to you. I want to make you an offer I want you to become my adopted child. You see, my Son who died was my only child, and I now want to share my life with you and leave my riches to you. This may not make sense to you or anyone else, but I believe you are worth the offer. I have arranged matters so that if you will receive my offer of forgiveness, not only will you be pardoned for your crime, but you also will be set free from your imprisonment, and your sentence of death will be dismissed. At that point, you will become my adopted child and heir to all my riches. I realize this is a risky offer for me to make to you you might be tempted to reject my offer completely but I make it to you without reservation. Also, I realize it may seem foolish to make such an offer to one who cost my Son his life, but I now have a great love and an unchangeable forgiveness in my heart for you. Finally, you may be concerned that once you accept my offer you may do something to cause you to be denied your rights as an heir to my wealth. Nothing could be further from the truth. If I can forgive you for your part in my Son s death, I can forgive you for anything. I know you never will be perfect, but you do not have to be perfect to receive my offer. Besides, I believe that once you have accepted my offer and begin to experience the riches that will come to you from me, that your primary (though not always) response will be gratitude and loyalty. The Way Youth, Marital Getaway Spring KNOCK Children Singing 7 8 Some would call me foolish for my offer to you, but I wish for you to call me your Father. Sincerely, The Father of Jesus

2 Page 2 P i l g r i m C a l l N e w s l e t t e r Prayer Concerns April 8 Ron Smith, friend of Tracy Reichel, please pray for medical complications that have occurred while waiting for surgery to correct an infected hip replacement surgery. March 28 - Billie Crabtree, friend of Denise Young s, has been at St. Vincent s dealing with complications from Krone s Disease and also waiting for biopsy results. Please pray for healing. March 21 - Lilly Gentry, infant daughter of Heath Gentry, please pray for the doctors to find the right medication to treat her acid reflux. March 11 - Michael Fuller, son-in-law to the Cottingham s, please pray for health concerns and test results March 11 - Kaza Green, Susan Cottingham s friend, please pray for healing from a double mastectomy. March 11 - Gerry Bitner, Bryan Bitner s father, Barb Linzey s brother, please continue to pray for strength and healing following his open heart surgery March 11 - Russena Comer, friend of Betsy Hoshaw, prayers for strength as she is battling cancer. March 7 - Jacob Jansen, Mark and Kristin Jansen s son, please pray for medical discernment and healing for unexplained pain. Continue with Prayers Trevor Emerick, please continue to pray for recovery and healing. Jim and Crystal Butcher, please continue to pray for comfort and peace while their family grieves. Kathy Harding, please pray for heart complications necessitating a heart transplant, caused by chemotherapy. Jack Holder, Barkley Holder s father, please pray for health concerns Corky Williamson, Chris Williamson s father, please pray for health concerns Lexi Marini, 10 year old friend of Chris McQuiston, diagnosed with leukemia. Prayers for treatment to be successful. Jane Young, please pray for continued health concerns. Grayson Neer, please continue to pray for the chemotherapy treatments to be successful. Darrell King, continued prayers for cancer treatments. Mike Huemmer, friend of Tim and Gayle Ryberg, now home and continuing rehabilitation. Carol Hale, friend of Rebecca Gentry, pray for her next two chemotherapy treatments and for her to gain strength. Military Soldiers of our Church David Carey Aaron Knight Shane Reed Andrew Reed Richard Young Amy Peabody Leaders for this Sunday, April 15, 2012 Attendance for Sunday, April 1 & April 8, 2012 Lay Leader: Jaynie Ribble Palm Sunday, April 1: 184 Greeters: Chris and Joan Kellum Jr. Church: Kara Gingerich and Kris Bewley Easter Sunday, April 8: 218 March Treasurer s Report General Budget OCWM Outreach 3/4 $ $ $ /11 $ $ $ /18 $ $ $ /25 $ $ $378.00

3 P a g e 3 P i l g r i m C a l l N e w s l e t t e r Attention: Calling All Men Man 2 Man Breakfast Ministry! Food ~ Fellowship ~ Bible Study Mark Your Calendars for the Man 2 Man Breakfast Ministry on Saturday, April 21 st from 6:30 to 8:00 a.m. This would be a great opportunity to invite family, neighbors and co-workers to this event. If you have any questions, please call Rex Gingerich ( cell) or Mike Lupoi ( ). In Howard County, we will have our National Day of Prayer event on Thursday May 3, 2012 in front of the courthouse. This year s theme is One Nation Under God based on Psalm 33:12, Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. Limited seating is available, so feel free to bring a lawn chair. In case of rain or threat of rain, the event will be held at Grace United Methodist Church located on Washington Street and intersecting with Mulberry Street. Thank you to all of our wonderful gentlemen cooks. The all-church breakfast was delicious. We really appreciate you serving us! Fredrick House After closing on the Fredrick house last Tuesday, the church now possesses the 516 W. Walnut property (Fredrick house). The Finance Committee will be investigating options and possible uses for the property and at a given time will present those findings. Please contact John Beechy at with any questions, concerns, or comments. Thank you!

4 I s s u e P i l g r i m C a l l N e w s l e t t e r Fill the Pantry Sunday Coming Up This Sunday, April 15 th, is Fill the Pantry for Kokomo Urban Outreach. Please bring in canned fruit, cereal, feminine products, and canned soup, especially chunky soups (NO Tomato soup). Thank you! Hello My Sisters In Christ! We are yet praising and thanking God for all he is doing at Refreshing Springs Church of God in Christ. We are being blessed as we know you are too. We would like to cordially invite you to worship with us during our Third Annual Women s Conference. Our guest speaker is the dynamic Evangelist Janice Craig of Dallas, Tx. She is an anointed powerful speaker with a powerful testimony, and is an encouragement to all who will receive. You will NOT want to miss. Service times are as follows at First Congregational Church. Friday, April 29 th, 7:30 p.m. Service Saturday, April 21 st, 11:00 a.m. Luncheon and Workshop Sunday, April 22 nd, 3:00 p.m. Celebration of Praise Women s Ministries of Refreshing Springs C.O.G.I.C. Come and join us. We look forward to seeing you. Note About Prayer Concerns and Care Cards If you have a friend or family member not listed in the Church Directory and would like them to receive a card of care from the church, please On contact Friday, Rebecca February Gentry 17th we at will be having or the a Mexican church office Fiesta at Family Fun Night in Pilgrim Hall. We will have a Mexican food bar and play , and let us know their address. A card expressing our care Minute-to Win It games, volleyball, board and card games. There and prayers will be something can be very for uplifting everyone and. Nursery encouraging. Care will Maybe provided. you know If someone needing reminded your family that is planning they are to special attend, and please important sign up to in their lobby. church This family, we would love will to be send a great them time a note for fellowship. of cheer and We care. hope you We will want join to us! make sure that no one is missed, so please make sure we have their address. Thank you, Rebecca Gentry

5 Special Remembrance The lilies that were placed by the outside cross on Easter Sunday are in loving memory of Bill Cree, given by Juanita Cree Moss. Easter Lilies That Were Given for Our Easter Sunday Celebration Kitty Bell, in honor of Stacey Tice, my nurse. The Braught Family, in memory of Nathaniel Braught. Darla Burris, in memory of George Burris, Troy Aaron, and James Fowler. Don and Ann Button, in honor of Pastor Tice, Stacey, and family, in honor of our Church family, and in memory of loved ones. Jerry and Karen Caylor, in memory of John and Helen Caylor, and Arthur and Josephine Jonsson. Ernie and Susan Cottingham, in memory of Ernest and Betty Cottingham, and Kay Hintz. The Harmon Family, in honor of our parents, Jim & Eleanor Harmon. The Harmon Family, in honor of Darla Burris and in memory of George Burris. Bob and Betsy Hoshaw, in memory of their parents, and Gerri McIver. Chris and Joan Kellum, in memory of Dr. John Bowman and Mitzi Kellum.

6 Derek, Tamra, Haylee, and Kendall Krause, in honor of our mothers, Deborah Huff and Betty Krause. Bob and Barbara Linzey, in memory of Gerald and Edie Bitner, and Jim and Erma Linzey. Marilyn, Scott, and Kent McFadden, Susan Bergman and family, in memory of The Jim Meck Family, in memory of Howie Meck. Wayne (Bud) L. Whitacre. James Paff, in memory of Margaret L. Paff. Mary Ann Peabody, in memory of Hod Peabody and William W. Tremain. Mary Lou Ricketts, in memory of Dr. James Ricketts. Inder Seekri and family, in honor of Bertie Stuart. Ted and Mimi Slate, in memory of John, Ruth, & Johnny Fredrick. Jeff and Lisa Smeltzer, in honor of Kitty Bell and in memory of Jim Jacobs. Pastor Jon Tice and family, in honor of Margaret Bell Tice, in honor of Rosalie Corbin (Stacey s mother), in honor of the resurrected lives of the First

7 February P a g15, e P i l g r i m C a l l N e w s l e t t e r No Matter What Nothing above us, nothing below us, not anything else in the whole world will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:39 No matter what you do, no matter how far you fall, no matter how ugly you become, God has a relentless, undying, unfathomable, unquenchable love from which you cannot be separated. Ever! ~Max Lucado~ The Way Youth Group Grades 6-12 will meet this Sunday, April 15 at the Church, in the Youth Room, from 6:30-8:00 p.m. Please join us for a fun time & Bible study! Doors are open 6-8:30, so there are 30 minutes before and after for hang time. If you have any questions please call Brad Coon at or Will Bewley at You re Invited to the Love & Laughter Marriage Getaway The Love & Laughter Marriage Getaway is not your typical marriage conference. This event is guaranteed to make you laugh until your sides bust! Unlike other marriage seminars that are just a talking head saying, blah, blah, blah. Can you say boring? The Love & Laughter Marriage Getaway is custom made for you and your spouse to bring some fun and adventure back to your marriage. No marriage is perfect. We all have that every day stuff that needs taken care of and we often don t take time to take care of our marriages. Maybe you ve been looking for a tune up, a stimulus plan, an upgrade, some spice, and why not? Dr. Gary Smalley (known for his hilarious stories about his own marriage) and special guests will take you into all the details you need to rekindle that adventure you ve always wanted. Come and take a getaway from your grind and laugh together. Just like you did when you dated. Where: Crossroads Community Church Date and Time: April Friday Night 7:00pm 9:30pm Saturday Morning 8:30am 12:30pm Target Age: Anyone from 18 to 80 married or thinking about it! Cost: $25 per person or $50 per couple. The Church has purchased these tickets at a reduced rate to help make it affordable for you to be able to go and hear this famous speaker. Please contact our church office to reserve your ticket.

8 First Congregational Christian UCC 505 W. Mulberry St. Kokomo, In Non Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Permit No. 83 Kokomo, Indiana Come Worship With Us On Sunday Mornings! 9:00 AM Praise Service 10:00 AM Sunday School 10:45 AM Classic Service Contact Information: Phone: (765) Fax: (765) Nearly New: Web Site: kokomofirstcongo.org Spring K.N.O.C.K. We are planning to have our Spring K.N.O.C.K. this Friday, April 13 th, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. We will begin the evening with dinner followed by a movie, cookie decorating and an egg hunt game (there will be no need to have filled eggs). Please plan to bring your children for an evening of fellowship, fun and food. Note From Cathy Trout Attention Parents: The Sunday School Singers have been learning an Easter Anthem, This is the Day, that they will sing at the second service on Sunday, April 15 at 10:45. Please have them wear black or black and white. The words will be sent home with them so that you may help them memorize the words. For more information, please call Cathy at or at catherin_trout@comcast.net