The Good News. Bringing you

Transcription

1 Bringing you The Good News July 2011 Volume 23, No. 7 In this Issue: Page 2 A Different Voice Opportunity to Give & Save Diaconate Notice Page 3 Stewardship CWF News Laurie Care Center Worship Page 4 Lectionary for July In Need of Prayer Page 5 & 6 The Parish Paper Page 7 Directory Changes Parish Nurse No doubt, by now you've heard that WLCC will be hosting "PandaMania, Where God is Wild About You!" Vacation Bible School this year. We're excited about this opportunity to share God's love with the children in our community! VBS will be held daily at our church July 25th - July 29th from 9:00 a.m. until noon and will include sharing: "Wild Bible Adventures, Incredible Music, Amazing Crafts, Wild Games, and Lip-Smacking Snacks"...all we need is YOU to help ensure its success. At PandaMania children don't just hear about God's love; they see it, touch it, sing it, taste it, and put it into action through God Sightings." Its goal is to share a deeper understanding of God, and most importantly, to learn that Jesus loves us so much that He came to die for our sins and make a way for us to live with God forever. We've already begun to publicize the event and will "step-up" our efforts in the next week or so. Please watch for our VBS display in the Church Narthex to see more about this program and how you can help. And, be sure to both share, invite, and encourage pre-registration whenever you have the opportunity! Please save mid-afternoon Friday, July 22 and Saturday, July 23 to help us setup and decorate and...most importantly, please pray for this event that it will touch lives, change hearts, and draw kids and adults closer to Christ. Page 8 A Note of Thanks Birthdays & Anniversaries Page 9 July Calendar Page 10 Adopt-a-Space You are invited to attend a 60th Anniversary Reception for Midge and Bill Hilker Sunday, July 10, :00-2:00 p.m. in Loehr Center Cards only, please.

2 A Different Voice By Gary Hagan There are a few special words in the Church which carry more significance than others. We talk of Discipleship, Fellowship, Membership, Stewardship, Outreach and Evangelism. The latter is a word practically guaranteed to make most of us uneasy--- we know it as the E-word. It can pop-up anywhere, at anytime. Most of the other words are emotionally neutral. Mainline Churches tend to form committees built around these key words, though discipleship more typically might be called Christian Education. We could add to this list Worship, Property, and Communications to round it out. This is the form/ structure of many churches, and most of these words are inter-connected. Still, there are those who view some of these words with the same sense of trepidation as the Eword. There are those who view Stewardship as an emotionally charged word, because they equate the word with giving money. However, Christian Stewardship is much more than just that. It is the faithful management of all God has given us. This means that, in gratitude for all that God has given us, we faithfully and proportionally develop a systematic response which manages all of our time, all of our resources, and all of our abilities so that God can use them-use us-to effect a spiritual transformation of human life, to help those who are hurting, and to reach out beyond our circle with God s redeeming love. That love takes many forms, yet falls into the general category of Outreach; that which we are willing to share beyond our own particular needs or interests. I am pleased to report that we received just over $1,400 in our special offering for Joplin. There is much that we can do---may it be so glh Attention Early Service Diaconates! Please have one or two of your group pick up all the attendance books at the end of the service. Tear off the top sheet, stack and place in the receptionist s office. Thank you. Nancy and Ed Milburn Page 2 Opportunity to Give and Save at the same time GIVING WITH YOUR IRA TO YOUR CHURCH! Have you ever wished you could stretch your charitable dollars a little farther or find a way to do more for the causes you love? For individuals who are 70 ½ and have a traditional IRA, Congress has again opened a window of opportunity during 2011 to allow this wish to come true. Building on the success of the IRA charitable rollover legislation introduced in 2006, the law allows persons who are at least 70 ½ to request their IRA administrator make distributions directly from the IRA to a qualified 501(c) (3) charitable organization. This distribution can be counted as part of the Required Minimum Distribution (RMD.) It will not be counted as a taxable distribution and can be up to $100,000 in Distributions cannot be counted as a charitable contribution deduction, but it does reduce the value of the IRA so that future RMDs are less; therefore, future income taxes are reduced. In some states, making charitable gifts through an IRA will save state taxes, since this income will not be included in the Adjusted Gross Income (AGI.) The combined impact of saving state, local and federal taxes is most dramatic for non-itemizers, who are now able to give tax-free dollars to charity - stretching their dollars by 25, 30, or even 35 percent! This opportunity can allow people to give more to charity at the same or reduced "out-of-pocket cost" to them. Persons might consider fulfilling their normal support of the church or charity's operating budget with a gift from an IRA, or use this opportunity to stretch a gift to support a special campaign or project. For persons over 70 ½, or will be before December 31, 2011, contact the IRA administrator or church or charity for more information. What a great opportunity to help charitable causes in the months ahead! For more information, contact Kirby Hughes Gould at the Christian Church Foundation at , or at kgould@ccf.disciples.org, or Kent Elliott at West Lake Christian Church at No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. -Aesop

3 Stewardship Prayers, Presence, Gifts, and Service Be content People today experience anxiety over lots of things, but finances are often near the top of the list. This was true in Jesus day as well. You may remember Jesus said: Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? (Matthew 6:26) There is no need to worry, Jesus says, about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink or what you will wear (Matthew 6:25.) There is more to life than such material concerns, and if we seek God s rule and righteousness, we will discover that all the things we need will be given to us as well (Matthew 66:33.) Jesus does not mean that we should be naïve about life. Simply trusting God to provide is not presented as a substitute for careful planning, reasonable preparation, or dedicated labor. But there is a basic sense in which recognizing we have a God who loves and provides for us can set us free from the anxieties that would make us slaves of mammon to use Jesus colorful expression (Matthew 6:24.) Near the end of his life the apostle Paul said I know what it is to have little and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances, I have learned the secret. What secret was Paul referring to? It is a secret that Paul says sustained him through life when he was well-fed and when he was hungry; when he was prosperous and when he was in need. I have learned to be content with whatever I have. (Philippians 4:11-12) What Paul knew was that God was in charge. He knew that everything he had belonged to God. He knew that he himself belonged to God, that he was precious to God, and that the God who valued him so dearly was in charge of his life. And he knew that God would provide for him and sustain him, sometimes with little, sometimes with plenty, but always with what ever was the right amount, for him to have the life God wanted him to have. I know that God is in charge and we as a church have learned to be content with whatever we have, but it is my job as stewardship chairman to be the one who has the privilege to talk about money and you know that if I have to talk about money, it is probably because of the lack of it. We have been able to almost pay our bills for the first 5 months. We have not Page 3 been able to support any of our outreach causes like our Region (Disciples Mission Fund,) Area (Ozark Lakes Area,) Rickman Center, Community for Christ, Habitat for Humanity Camden Co, Habitat for Humanity Morgan Co, West Side Senior Center, or Medical Missions for Christ Camdenton, to name just a few. Zero. I ask you to think like Paul and next week make a very special offering to our church that reflects Paul s secret I have learned to be content with whatever I have. Be generous so that we may be able to help those who are so much more less fortunate that us. God loves you. Kent Elliott CWF NEWS Christian Women s Fellowship Gail Renick, President CWF would like to thank everyone that helped us at our Yard and Bake sale. Without your help and support we could not have made it. Here are the total numbers: Yard Sale $1, Bake Sale $ Kitchen $ Quilt Tickets $ If you didn't get a chance to purchase your quilt tickets, or you would like more tickets, there is still plenty of time. Due to the Yard Sale, we did not have a June meeting. July's meeting will be on Tuesday, July 12 at 1 p.m. This will be a business meeting only. Hope to see all of you there. Have a safe 4th of July. God bless everyone. You are invited to join our Elders at The Laurie Care Center for a time of music, communion, and worship with our members and friends who live at The Knolls and the Care Center. Sunday, July 31 at 2:00 p.m. We will gather in the Activities Room. Come share your faith!

4 The Ultimate Destination What s better than the first day of a long-awaited vacation? The excitement of reaching our destination, the anticipation of fun-filled adventures, the freedom to relax and lay down our burdens for a while we ll pay good money for that. But it s a fleeting pleasure. Before our bags are even unpacked, the clock has already begun counting down to when we ll have to return to the pressures of everyday life. It won t always be so. One day, we ll lay down our burdens for good. When we reach our ultimate destination, God our Father will welcome us. Our loved ones, long gone, will gather to celebrate. And every day of this breathtaking adventure will be like the first because time will no longer rule over us. The best vacations are just a shadow of what God has in store for his children. Remember to continue to support your church while you are enjoying your vacation! Spiritual Insomnia Studies show that most Americans don t get adequate sleep. Whether an overcrowded schedule or insomnia is to blame, the short and long term effects are alarming. It s tough to maintain a healthy mind and body when you re sleep-deprived. Likewise, we require sufficient, regular quiet time with God to stay spiritually healthy. Even Jesus needed time alone with God. Luke 5:16 says Jesus withdrew to deserted places to pray. Think how much more we need to listen for God s voice and learn from his Word! The Lectionary For July July 3 July 24 Genesis 24:34-67 Genesis 29:15-28 Psalm 45:10-17 Psalm 105:1-11, 45b Romans 7:15-25a Romans 8:26-39 Matthew 11:16-19, Matthew 13:31-33, July 10 July 31 Genesis 25:19-34 Genesis 32:22-31 Psalm 119: Psalm 17:1-7, 15 Romans 8:1-11 Romans 9:1-5 Matthew 13:1-9, Matthew 14:13-21 July 17 Genesis 28:10-19a Psalm 139:1-12, Romans 8:12-25 Matthew 13:24-30, Page 4 The following names have been in need of our prayers. Please call the church office if you would like a name on the prayer list. Names will be taken off the list after one month, but you are always welcome to request that the name be added again. Pawnee Algren Jenifer Simpson s grandmother Wayne Beard Gerri s brother-in-law Sarah Carr Caldwell s friend John Dabrow Betty Greenley s son-in-law Courtney Field Stan s daughter Mark Gustafson Dorothy s sons Taylor Herring Maggie Houdek s friend Robert Hesse Maggie Houdek s brother-in-law Kathy Kuni illness Russell Leaton hospice Loren Rod & Linda Lambie s granddaughter Judy McGinnis injury Jane McKeown illness Mike Rinker illness Gene Sherman Jenifer Simpson s grandfather Belle & Jenifer Simpson- illness Bernie Steck illness Pat Stewart illness Brandon Tennison Kendall Walters illness John Wentz illness Carl Willbrad Maggie Houdek s friend Bob Yates illness

5 Church Directory Changes Address change: Harriet Drake 1703 Bella Vista Dr. Platteville, CO Please be sure to make the additions and corrections in your directory so that you will always have the most current information. Thank you! Sandy White If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under. -Ronald Reagan JULY 4th From Our Parish Nurse Betty Greenley Skin Cancer LRHS Parish Nurse Network Wellness Tip of the Month Risk Factors Age: The risk of developing skin cancer increases with age, as many skin cancers develop slowly. History of Sunburns: Every time you sunburn you damage your skin cells and increase your risk for skin cancer. Fair Skin: Having less pigment in your skin provides less protection from damaging UV Radiation. If you have blond or red hair, light colored eyes, and you freckle or sunburn easily, you re more likely to develop skin cancer. Moles: People who have many moles or abnormal moles called dysplastic nevi, are at increased risk. These abnormal moles are more likely to become cancerous. Family History: If one of your parents or a sibling has had skin cancer, you may be at increased risk. Weakened Immune System: People with weakened immune systems are at greater risk. This includes HIV/AIDS or leukemia. Precancerous Skin Lesions: Known as actinic keratosis, these lesions typically appear as rough, scaly patches that range in color from brown to dark pink. Most common on face, arms and hands. Personal History: If you develop skin cancer once you re at risk of developing it again. Page 7 It s All About Prevention! Limit Your Exposure: UV rays are at their peek between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Limit your outdoor activity during these times. If you are outdoors, take cover under shade as much as possible. Wear Protective Clothing: When outdoors, wear a wide-brim hat, long sleeve shirt and long pants. Clothes that are more tightly woven offer more protection. Wet clothes can loose their ability to block UV rays by up to one-third. Apply Sunscreen Liberally and Frequently: Sunscreen containing zinc and at least a 15 SPF is recommended. Apply liberally to your entire body including face, ears, and neck. UV rays can penetrate clothing, so unexposed areas of skin are still susceptible. Sunscreen, even waterproof brands, should be reapplied 30 minutes before going outside and every 2 hours throughout the day. Avoid Tanning Beds: There is no such thing as a healthy tan. If you MUST have a tan, use a sunless tanning lotion. Perform Regular Skin Checks: Monitor your skin closely watching for any new moles, or changes in moles you already have. Early detection is the key to simple intervention and cure!

6 A NOTE OF THANKS A big THANK YOU to Nancy Pate for planting the beautiful flowers in the flower boxes and barrels surrounding the chancel area in the outdoor chapel. She lovingly cares for them during the week for your enjoyment and to the glory of God. Thank you so much, Nancy, for your gift to us. **************************************** Thanks to all our friends for their prayers, cards and calls during the time of our mother s illness and passing. She slipped away so peacefully we knew she was in God s hands. In Christian, The family of Helen Klopp Coleen Modglin and LaRue Palmer **************************************** Our thanks go out to our church family for their prayers, cards, and support through the loss of my brother, Robert. A special thanks to Pastor Hagan for his hospital visits. Bob Yates **************************************** Thank you to all those who called, sent cards, and expressed sympathy in the death of our grandson, Graham. Martha and Herb Bultemeier **************************************** July Birthdays 1. Nancy Pate 2. Kelly Caldwell 2. Charles Wilson 6. Tony Smith 6. Roy Snitker 8. Gary Hagan 11. Dorothy Gustafson 12. Carlene Chubbuck 12. Cheryl Sander 13. Shelby Conley 16. Dick Frey 16. Verna Pottorff 18. Jim Arnold 19. Walt Hicklin 20. Jenifer Simpson 21. Jim Stovall 23. Ellis Wilcox 25. Bill Stewart 28. Bill Hilker 29. Myron Blackwell Our deepest sympathy is extended to Janet Carlson and family, upon the death of her husband, Elom, on May 18, Our Christian love and sympathy is extended to Coleen Modglin and family upon the death of her mother, Helen Klopp, on May 29, Our deepest sympathy is extended to the family and friends of Thelma Turner, who passed away on June 3, Our hearts go out to Bob Yates and family upon the death of his brother, Robert Yates, on June 9, July Anniversaries 1 Jeff & Tenessa Rehmer 5 Rick & Sandy White 7 Jerry & Nikki Swearingen 8 Bill and Midge Hilker 11 Tom & Ginny Thorson 20 Nip & Arlene Mohler 26 Gale & Norma Boydston 30 Richard & Lois Fenwick If your birthday or anniversary is not included, please notify the church office. Thank you. Page 8

7 JULY 2011 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 Sunday Morning Schedule 8:30 a.m. Outdoor Worship 9:30 a.m. All Sunday School Classes 10:30 a.m. Sanctuary Worship :30 Water Colors Office is Closed 4:00 Youth Rec. & Meal 5:30 Praise Team 7:00 Praise Service 3:00 Unbinding The Gospel 4:30 Education Committee Community for Christ Food Drive Sunday 12-2 Hilker 60th Anniversary Celebration 9:00 Crafts 9:30 Prayer Ministry 5:30 4-H 7:00 Board 1:00 CWF 4:00 Youth Rec. & Meal 5:30 Praise Team 7:00 Praise Service 9:30 Water Colors :00 Crafts 9:30 Prayer Ministry 6:00 Stewardship Committee 4:00 Youth Rec. & Meal 5:30 Praise Team 7:00 Praise Service Newsletter Deadline 9:30 Water Colors 3:00 Evangelism Committee VBS Set Up VBS Set Up :00 VBS 9:00 Crafts 9:30 Prayer Ministry 4:00 Cancer Support Group 9:00 VBS 9:00 VBS 4:00 Youth Rec. & Meal 5:30 Praise Team 7:00 Praise Service 9:00 VBS 6:00 Elders 9:00 VBS 6:00 Dominoes 31 2:00 Laurie Care Center Worship If you do not see your event on this calendar, it is not on the church calendar. Please contact the church office to get your event scheduled. Thank you! Page 9

8 West Lake Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 936 Hwy. O Laurie, MO Address Service Requested Presorted Standard Non-Profit Organization U. S. Postage Paid Permit No. 14 Website: Phone: (573) Fax: Office Hours: Mon-Fri 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. MINISTRY TEAM Rev. Gary L. Hagan, Minister Home: Pastor@westlakechristianchurch.org Sandy White, Church Secretary Westlakechristianchurch@gmail.com Gwen Welch, Treasurer Gwen@westlakechristianchurch.org Dona Johnson, Music Coordinator Betty Greenley, Parish Nurse Adopt-a-Space The Adopt-a-Space program is in need of an update. We have spaces that were adopted in the past and the church member is no longer with us. There is a need for monitoring the condition of the church and reporting to the Property Committee of any needed repairs. This job is too big for just a few people to handle. Your participation is greatly needed in order to keep God s home in a respectable condition. The group or individual who adopts a space would be responsible for checking on the space on a regular basis, like once a month or so, depending upon the space. If something needs to be repaired, you would notify the Property Committee chair. If something needs to be cleaned, you can do it or notify the custodians of a need. Some of the repairing and cleaning can be done by the adoptee. As an example, the Parable Class adopted their classroom. Any trash was thrown away. Any furniture that needed repair was reported to the Property Committee. The class brought a vacuum cleaner and got into those corners that are so hard to get with the church vacuum. The baseboards were washed down and the windows cleaned out. If lights burn out, they report it to the custodian. You get the idea?! Our hope is every individual and group in the church will be willing to join in Adopt-a-Space. This property belongs to us all. This is God s home. Let us all assume the needed responsibility to show God how much we honor Him. A sign-up sheet will be in the Narthex on Sunday mornings and in the church office during the week. Please sign up or call the office to become a proud owner in the Adopt-a-Space program. The Elders Page 10

9 T H E P A R I S H P A P E R I D E A S A N D I N S I G H T S F O R A C T I V E C O N G R E G A T I O N S Coeditors: Herb Miller, Lyle E. Schaller, Cynthia Woolever - July Volume 19, Number 7 Copyright 2011 by Herb Miller How to Select Quality Staff Picking a new staff member is often a daunting challenge. To (a) reduce the number of long-term headaches, (b) increase the number of happy camper staff, and (c) effectively accomplish the ministries to which God calls your congregation, build appropriate answers to the following seven questions. 1. Do we use appropriate hiring procedures? Ask the staff member who supervises this employee to update, or draft, the job description and begin searching for candidates. That staff member chairs the interview team, usually appointed by the personnel committee. One personnel-committee member serves on the interview team, plus two other people who are (a) involved in this ministry or (b) possess expertise relevant to this staff position. Advertise the position as open to all qualified applicants, both inside and outside the congregation. Distribute the job description to all interested parties. 2. Is the job description accurate and clear? An effective job description answers the following questions: For what ministry activities am I responsible in this job? What general objectives am I trying to achieve in this work? What top priorities are more important than anything else I do in this job? To whom am I accountable for my work? Job descriptions that do not answer these questions produce supervision migraines and unhappy staff. If you employ someone from within your congregation, include the following in your interview and staff orientation: Church members express opinions to anyone on any issue. Staff members who are also church members relinquish that prerogative. We expect employees to voice concerns about church policies or procedures only to their supervisors or in staff-meetings; then, in all other conversations to support whatever decision their supervisor and pastor deem appropriate. 5. How do we run references on potential staff? Never rely solely on paperwork for reference checks. Telephone, use the following outline, and take notes: I m from Church in. Our church is looking for someone to fill the position of. One of the people we are considering is. He/she gave us your name as a reference. May I ask you a few questions and get your opinion about? After the reference answers each of the following questions, say thank you and go to the next question. How long have you known, and in what capacity have you observed or interacted with him/her? 3. What qualities are essential to effectiveness in this job? Put this in writing before you begin considering candidates! Example: This staff member should possess (a) passion for this ministry role, (b) spiritual gifts appropriate to the role, (c) aptitude for the role, (d) appropriate skills, (e) ability to work with other staff, (f) cooperative spirit in working with the senior pastor and supervisor, and (g) if applicable, willingness to work some evening hours every week. Staff members can sharpen their skills at workshops, but no amount of continuing education compensates for the absence of these qualities. 4. Where do we look for staff? Spread the widest possible net by announcing this position in your church newsletter, your regional denominational communication system, and for staff members such as nursery workers appropriate local media.

10 If you were making a list of his/her strengths, what would come to your mind for that list? At first, some references are hesitant with their responses. They become more comfortable with the conversation after they begin talking. Next, do not ask, What are his/her weaknesses? Instead, say the following: No one is perfect. Everyone has growing edges in which they and the people they work with wish they had greater skill. If you were forced to make a list of s growing edges, what would you put on that list? The reference has already listed strengths, so he/she does not hesitate to answer that question. Listen responsively. Ask follow-up questions such as, It sounds like would be good at, but might not be as comfortable in doing? What is s most pleasant quality? Listen. What is s most irritating quality? Some references cannot think of an answer. Other references respond with amazing information not revealed in their earlier answers. Example: At this point, after giving quite positive answers to earlier questions, one reference said, He needs to listen more. He over-talks. He talks for his wife. He talks for other people. He often comes across in a dominating way during meetings. Anything else you would like to say about? Would you mind giving me the name of one other person who has had the opportunity to observe s work? After the reference responds, ask, Do you happen to have his/her telephone number handy? Almost every applicant can provide a list of references that highly recommend him/her. This second circle of people often provides a wealth of new insights. Telephone this second circle and repeat the process with only one variation. Prior to the first question, say, I believe you are acquainted with. Reference questions for clerical staff: On a scale of one to ten, with ten being the highest, how would you rate s enthusiasm level? s general energy level? s willingness to take initiative in moving ahead to the completion of projects? s tendency to procrastinate on difficult tasks? Would you describe the volume of work produces each day as extremely high, higher than average, or lower than average? 6. How do we interview the candidate? Wait until you have two candidates; three is better. Two candidates can polarize a committee; three candidates can often provide points of comparison, making a choice easier. Mail resumes to interview-team members in advance. Schedule one hour for each interview. During the first twenty minutes, only the interviewteam chair asks questions, and other team members listen. Ask open-ended questions so the candidate talks at length. Possible interview questions (you may not complete all of these during the first twenty minutes): As you look back over the years, what church experiences have you found the most satisfying? Among the many work and church activities in which you have engaged, in which ones do you feel you have the most skill? If you had to list activities in which you feel you need to develop more skill, what would you put on that list? Among all of the things that churches do, what do you feel are the three most important ones? If applicable: In your work experience as a, among all of the things you did in a week, what were the three highest priorities for how you used your time? If applicable to this staff position, discuss housing. Examples: You live in a parsonage now; can you see your way clear to making the transition to a housing allowance and owning your own home? You own your own home now; would you consider moving into a parsonage? At the twenty-minute mark, the chair excuses the candidate from the room. The team compares observations/concerns and develops additional questions. At the thirty-minute mark, the candidate returns. The interview continues, with the team chair asking all questions. At the fifty-minute mark, the chair invites the other team members to ask additional follow-up questions. Ask the candidate whether he/she can think of any additional information to add, or has additional questions regarding the position. Thank the candidate for his/her interest in the position. Tell him/her approximately when you plan to finalize the decision. Do not promise a precise date! After completing the three interviews, team members decide whether they have sufficient consensus to offer one of the candidates the position. A team that lacks consensus agrees on a course of action. It may decide to dig deeper into the candidate s background. Some teams ask a candidate to (a) answer additional questions in writing or (b) return for an additional interview. [Some points adapted from Paul Nixon, Fling Open the Doors (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2002), pp ] 7. How do we avoid the halo effect? This happens when an applicant possesses a great quality that impresses the committee. So it rushes to close the deal, forgetting other important factors. Later, deficiencies in those disregarded factors become glaringly apparent! To guard against the halo effect, download free of charge Volume 21 of Church Effectiveness Nuggets from the Web site. Distribute and discuss the twenty-five questions from page 32. If one or more of those twenty-five questions raises a red flag, rethink and continue the search. The right choice is better than a quick choice. Copyright 2011 by Herb Miller