L i v i n g F a i t h Church of the Brethren

Transcription

1 BRETHREN NEWS Volume MMXIX Issue 2 March 2019 L i v i n g F a i t h Church of the Brethren Continuing the work of Jesus... Peacefully. Simply. Together.

2 2 LIVING FAITH CHURCH 310 North 250 West, Flora, IN or Toll Free: :00 AM - Worship Service 9:15 AM - Children s Church 10:15 AM - Brethren Break 10:30 AM - Sunday School for All Ages Pastor Jeff Tomson (cell) pastorjtomson@gmail.com Pastor s Office Hours: Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM DAY OFF 12:00 PM- 3:00 PM by appointment only DAY OFF DAY OFF 9:00 AM 12 PM Secretary Shelly Turnpaugh Cell: livingfaithcobsecretary@gmail.com Secretary Flexible Hours: (days and times may vary) Tuesday Thursday Friday 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

3 3 4 Debbie Allbaugh 5 Becky Cossairt 9 Becky King 17 Dianna Mooney 17 Jim & Mary McDonald (A) 18 Sandy Cripe 25 Atlee & Doris Oyler (A) 28 Mercedes Johnson Patton 28 Roger Daugherty 30 Pauline Humbarger 2 Glenda Allbaugh 9 Joe & Pat Spence (A) 11 Duane Simmons 14 Janice Marvin 18 Peyton Moss 26 Jacob Moss 28 Susan Denny 29 Janet Miller If your anniversary or birthday was not listed here for March or April, please notify the church office.

4 Message from...pastor JEFF 4 Where Has the Time Gone The months of this new year have flown by, and I find myself thinking of the impending springtime rush of activities. I am working on organizing the Lenten services for our section and starting to think about graduation activities too. As I look at my winter to do list, I wonder where the time has gone. There is still a car that needs to be put back together in my shop, thank you notes to write, medical paperwork to do from my knee surgery, a pile of books to read (let s be honest, I read what I really want/need to read but don t enjoy it), and I still have a few Christmas/Winter decorations out still holding on color in the backdrop of the yucky post-winter pre-spring grime that is Indiana. If I don t let that list distract me too much, I can see that the time has not gone to waste and that some things have been accomplished. Personally, I think that my knee will be a lot better this year than last year. We survived the Arctic cold blast! I m still learning about pastoring two churches but feeling more at ease in it. I want to commend both Living Faith and Guernsey for working together and supporting each other in various ways. Looking ahead, I can tell you that both congregations need to grow. Functionally, we need people in the seats but more than that we need to grow in the Spirit. I ve been reading about the early Church, and I ve come to see that they were adding to their numbers daily, but it was not a result of great programs and marketing schemes. Their growth was due to the power of The Holy Spirit and the fact that they were different than the rest of the world. They loved sacrificially, they refused to be dissuaded even if it meant death, and they could not stop talking about what Jesus had done for them. I have heard many reasons over the years to not read the Bible, to have limited prayer time, and to keep worship orderly.

5 5 However, the question then remains, How do we grow in Christ if we don t study the Word, we aren t in deep prayer, and we don t worship passionately? Jesus is the groom, and He is coming for His Bride; how does He know that the Bride loves Him? If you spent as much time loving on your family as you do loving on Jesus, would they know that you love them? So as Lent approaches, I Challenge you to commit : devoting to a little more Bible study time; 10 minutes more a day in prayer; and, to forget about everyone around you when you worship and focus only on Christ. I know that many times it seems that Faith is about rules, but it really is about the relationship that we have with Jesus through the Spirit and the Father through Christ. It can t be faked, it can only be nurtured. Let us set our hearts on growing that relationship and then see what fruit it produces. Think it over, Pastor Jeff

6 6 Note from CRT As you know we canceled worship services twice in January due to inclement weather conditions. As a result of missing those two services and the weekly offerings that accompany them, we are experiencing a short fall in our funds. I want to remind you that a tithe is the first fruits of our income, and not based on how often we attend church. As the CRT attempts to oversee the operation of the church, it works from a budget that the congregation approved. We ask that you examine your giving to see if you may have overlooked your tithe in January and can make it up to help strengthen the church s financial position. Tom Allbaugh, C.R.T. Facilitator Weekly Giving Needed for 2019 Budget $2, Year to Date Averages as of January 31, 2019 $1, $ (531.94) Be sure to change your clocks before bed on March 9th. CAMP MACK Summer Camp Registration forms due to Pat Spence or Church Office by March 13th

7 7 What is Lent: Honoring the Sacrifice of Jesus With excerpts by Sarah Phillips, Crosswalk.com Contributing Writer Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And he fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterward he was hungry. Matt 4:1-2 Lent is an intensely penitential time in which we examine our sinful natures and return to God. Lent is also an opportunity to contemplate what our Lord really did for us on the Cross - and it wasn't neat and orderly. But ultimately, the purpose of Lent does not stop at sadness and despair - it points us to the HOPE of the Resurrection and the day when every tear will be dried (Rev. 21:3). And about three o'clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?"that is, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"matt 27:33-49 During Lent that we are reminded of what Jesus did for you and for me. The Cross is where our faith stands when all other faiths fail. Christ's sacrifice and his subsequent resurrection are the true "cruxes" of the Christian faith. Without one there would be no salvation, without the other, no hope. This is why Good Friday and the following Easter Sunday are the most important dates on the Christian calendar - even more so than Christmas. The Lenten season begins Ash Wed, Mar 6 and ends on Holy Sat, April 20, Purple is the color of repentance for sins and also symbolizes the state of our souls outside the light of Christ. During this time, pray for those who do not know Christ and for those who have sinned gravely against Him. The 40 days are set aside to really examine areas of recurring sin in our lives that prevent us from being conformed to God's Will. Honestly examine your life in light of God's Word and to make a commitment to change in any areas you have not submitted to the Lord. A good way to start an examination of conscience is by praying Psalm 139, verse 23-24: "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Then, hold up your life to the Ten Commandments. Confess, (James 5:16), the ways you've sinned against God, thank Him for His forgiveness, and ask Him for the grace to change. Fasting and Prayer: Fasting can be found in both the Old Testament and the New, with Moses (Exo 34:28; Deut. 9:9,18 ), Elijah (1 Kings 19:8), and our Lord (Matt 4:2)all participating in 40-day fasts. Fasting is a way of denying ourselves the excesses of life so that we might be more attuned to the Lord's voice. It is also a way of disciplining yourself, strengthening your "spiritual muscles" so to speak, so that when temptations arise in life, you are already used to saying "no" to your desires. Fasting is also a way of participating, in a small way, in the sufferings of Christ and can be particularly powerful when accompanied by prayer and confession. Jesus warns us to guard against pride while, fasting (Matt 6: ). Meditating on Christ's Sacrifice for Mankind: In addition to periodic fasting and prayer, our scriptural meditations typically turn to the salvation offered to us through Christ's suffering. Read Old Testament Scriptures prophesying the suffering of Christ and the New Testament Gospel accounts. Charity/Almsgiving: A very important element of the Lenten season is becoming aware of not only the suffering and sacrifice of Christ but also to the suffering of others. Choose one way you can increase your giving to those in need. It could be through extra financial offerings, donating goods you no longer need or use to charity, or increasing your personal time commitment to a ministry or cause close to your heart. Philippians 3: "I want to know Christ, yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participate in his sufferings, becoming like him in death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Joel 2: "Even now," declares the Lord, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate.

8 8 West Section Lenten Services Theme: Focus on Jesus Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. - Hebrews 12:2 Services 6 pm March 10 Hosted by Lafayette COB Speaker Beth Sollenberger March 17 Hosted by Guernsey COB Speaker Lower Deer Creek March 24 Hosted by Lower Deer Creek Speaker Dana Hood March 31 Hosted by Pike Creek Speaker Jeff Tomson April 7 Hosted by Rossville Speaker Aaron Gross In Memory Of... Preparations are being made to decorate the sanctuary with Easter Lilies, Tulips, or Hyacinths. You can help by purchasing a plant in memory of loved ones. The plants can be picked up after worship on Easter morning. Sign up sheet is on the information table. Lilies, Tulips or Hyacinths - $9.00 Orders are due by March 31st MAUNDY THURSDAY Love Feast & Communion April 18th 6:30 PM at Living Faith Church of the Brethren

9 9 MONDAYS 6:30 pm LIVING FAITH CHOIR PRACTICE Living Faith is in charge of to prepare for the Easter Cantata. for the week of March 11th-15th. Please sign up on the Graffiti Wall if you can help. Contact Frances McGill with any questions. Living Faith is the volunteer Church For the month of March this year for the Flora Food Pantry. Each Monday & Friday in March, the Church needs 2 volunteers then on Truck Day, March 12th we need 3. Please sign up on the Graffiti Wall for both opportunities. You can be the hands and feet of Jesus to feed those in need.

10 10 B I N G O Monday MARCH 4th 1:15 pm Carroll Manor Flora Community Thrift Shop The volunteer schedule is: Saturday - MARCH 9th Saturday - MARCH 16th Saturday - MARCH 23rd Thank You to everyone who has signed up. Women s Fellowship Women s Fellowship met January 8th at 2:30 pm at the church with six (6) present. Game winners were Judy Roberson, Pat Spence, and Margaret Sibbitt. The Valentine Meal was held on Feb. 10th with 45 present. Next Meeting is March 12th at 2:30 pm hosted by Judy Roberson and Mary McDonald. Funeral Dinner Work Schedule MARCH MAY, 2019 Nancy Clingenpeel Becky King Janice Marvin Maureen Johnson Joyce Simpson

11 11 The Purpose of Christian Discipleship What is the purpose of Christian discipleship? The main purpose of Christian discipleship is to be like Christ. Christian discipleship might best be described as a training or mentoring program designed to develop individuals to become more like their Savior. When Christ became man and lived on earth, he endured all of the same trials, pains, and persecutions that man suffers in order to prove himself as a perfect example for us. Therefore, one of the primary purposes of Christian discipleship is to emulate the character of Christ. 1 Peter 2:21 says, "To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps." Another purpose of Christian discipleship is to learn about the Father. In Christ's three-year public ministry on earth, He often stated that His goal was to teach His disciples about His Father. Christ wanted us to know that God is alive, real, sovereign, loving, and is preparing a place for His believers in heaven. So another purpose of discipleship is to grow in our knowledge of God. In Philippians 1:9, Paul said, "And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight." As we grow to know God, we yearn to know His power and to experience it at work in our lives. We long to feel His presence more closely and fully than we have experienced previously. We yearn to understand and grow in God's grace.

12 12 The Purpose of Christian Discipleship Bearing fruit for the kingdom of God is another purpose of Christian discipleship. It says in John 15:8, "This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples." It is essential to increase the fruit (or those character virtues we exhibit in our lives) to be productive as well informed disciples of Christ in order to carry out the responsibilities given to believers such as serving others and spreading the gospel. "When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life'" (John 8:12). Then in Matthew 5:14-16 Jesus says, "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." We are commanded to take the light we are given and spread it around the world to others so that they may see Christ and receive Him for themselves.

13 MISSION TRIP Tijuana, Mexico JULY There is still 1 spot available if you are thinking about joining our group. Fundraisers in addition to the Quarter Tower are being scheduled with the next one being the Dan s Fish Fry April 6th. Contact: Alisha Turnpaugh if you wish to attend or have questions. VALENTINE COOKIES A big THANK YOU to all who helped with the Valentine Cookie Sales! Thank you for supplying ingredients, mixing up dough, decorating, and selling 450+ cookies! Thank you all for joining us for lunch on March 3rd. Through your generosity we raised over $290 on the meal. It was a great day of fellowship and food. Even though it snowed. If anyone did not get to stay for the movie due to the weather but would like to see it, contact Shelly to make arrangements to check out the movie.

14 14 More Details to Come Later...Save the Date and pass the word

15 15 Please remain in prayer for the following: Families mourning losses: Ernie Stingley Jr Stan Cronk Greg Hoffman Brad Brummett Joyce Whitman Those struggling with health and/or other issues: Greg Lareau Ginny Wheeler United Methodist Church Denomination Virginia McKnight Avery Cloutier Nathan Seele Aubrey Nikki s friend Debbie Best s daughter Charlie Lybrook Morgan Yoder Craig Dennis Rupert Bill Cassell Karen Geaben Becky King Kevin McLay Julie McKnight Paul Adams Heather Brown Dianna Mooney Doug Winger Jerry and family, Kenny s Co-Worker Freda Everett Joann Reef Irene Stewart Lee Simpson Wanda Best Barbara Adams Margaret Best Frances Lohrman Joe Remaly Thomas Miller Jerry Lareau Passion for Lost & Filled w/holy Spirit Ron Scowden Wayne & Marjorie Sines Pauline Humbarger Virginia Brown Jean Hughes Phyllis Haughs Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. I Thessalonians 5:16-18

16 16 C O R N E R A M P M A C K PO Box 158, Milford, IN Phone: info@campmack.org Website: (continued next page) Summer Camp Registration is now open! New This Year: a $75 deposit is required to reserve your spot and camps do fill up. Register in paper or online Summer camp early registration deadline is March 18. Register by March 18 to avoid the late charge of $30 ($15 for Beginners and Samplers). Please give your completed registration forms and your share of the fee to your Camp Rep by Sunday, March 17th. After March 18, campers will pay the late fee. Campers requesting financial assistance must register on paper. If your camper registers online, please let your Camp Rep know. The Annual Dinner Planting the Future is March 8. Join us for an evening of fellowship and food as we share exciting announcements for the future of Camp Mack. $35 person, $300 for a table of 6, or $400 for a table of 8. Hors d'oeuvre begin at 6:15 p.m. and dinner begins at 7 p.m. OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS AT CAMP: Team Leader Training March 2 Annual Dinner March 8 FLYE Weekend March 8-9 Volunteer Work Days March Mother Daughter Retreat March Applications are being accepted for 2019 Summer Staff, 18 years of age or older, with a heart for the ministry at Camp Mack. Applications are available at the Camp Mack website or persons may call or camp for an application.

17 17 CAMP MACK continued... Please consider being a Team Leader or counselor this summer to enrich the young lives at Camp Mack. Contact Jessica Kreider to check needs and dates or jessk@campmack.org UPCOMING GET-A-WAY DAYS AT CAMP: April 28 Container Gardening April 28 Target Sports April 29 Wildflower Walk Go to the Camp Mack website: for information and to register or call PRAYER REQUEST: Please pray for children making summer camp decisions, Camp Mack staff, those applying for Summer Staff, and program/support volunteers. Peace Works Empowering Peacemakers Act justly, love mercy and walk humble with your God.. ~ Micah 6:8b South/Central DISTRICT PRAYER CALENDAR FOR March March 3 - Please pray with us for the Burnettsville COB and Northern Plains District. March 10 - Please pray with us for the Christ Our Shepherd COB and Northern Ohio District. March 17 - Please pray with us for the Eel River Community COB and Southern Ohio District. March 24 - Please pray with us for the Four Mile COB and Pacific Northwest District. --Check the South/Central Indiana District Facebook page for specific prayer requests.

18 How might God be calling YOU to SERVE 18 at Living Faith? Would you like How to serve might as an God acolyte, be calling usher, YOU media to SERVE tech, worship at Living leader, Faith? praise team member, Would chorister, you like provide to serve special as an acolyte, music, nursery, usher, media serve tech, in one worship of the 3 open positions leader, on praise the CRT? team member, chorister, provide special music, and nursery, listen serve to how in one God of may the be 3 open calling positions you to on use the the CRT? gifts He s Please read over these scriptures, pray, given Please to you: read over these scriptures, pray, and listen to how God may be calling you to use the gifts He s given to you: James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 Now, about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sister, I do not want you to be uninformed. You know that when you were pagans, some how or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says Jesus be cursed and no one can say, Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. There are here are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different tongues, and to still another the interpretations of tongues, All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines. Proverbs 22:29 Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank. 1 Peter 4:10-11 Each of you should us whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should od so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Ephesians 2:10 For we are God s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

19 19 Living Faith 2019 Church Officers, Ministry Teams, Committees, & Delegates: Moderator- CRT Facilitator- Clerk- Treasurer- Asst. Treasurer- Financial Secretary- Asst Financial Secretary- Faith Development- Fellowship & Hospitality- Gifts Discernment- Servant Evangelism- Missions Coordinator- Disaster Relief Coord.- Dick Fife Tom Allbaugh position needed, OPEN Debbie Allbaugh Joyce Sibbitt Judy Roberson Debbie Lipp Pat Spence Joyce Simpson *1 positions needed, OPEN (Elected Facilitator), Alisha Turnpaugh (F-Appointed) Kris Seward (Deacon Rep) Travis Seward (M-Appointed) position needed, OPEN Alisha Turnpaugh position needed, OPEN Stewards- Worship- Pastoral Relations- Personnel- Scott Miller, Atlee Oyler Joe Spence Rodger Replogle Jeanna Johnson Shelly Turnpaugh David Welch Rod Seward Vearl Turnpaugh Joe Spence Kim Laxson Atlee Oyler Tom Allbaugh District Conf. Delegates Alternate Delegates- Annual Conf. Delegate- Mary McDonald Vernon or Sandy Cripe position needed, OPEN Jeff Tomson

20 Living Faith Church of the Brethren 310 N 250 W Flora, IN Address Service Requested For as the earth brings forth its bud,...so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth all the nations. ~ Isaiah 61:11 Place Stamp here 20