TRANSITIONS 2019 Pastor Don Smith Transitional Senior Pastor Jamie Conkling Worship Arts Pastor Beau Butcher Youth Director Stacy Krull Director of Children s Ministries Nancy Krick Office Manager Notary Transitions are normal in the life and ministry of a church. I m talking about Big Transitions! Decatur Church of God is in such a transition. It is that period between where you have been over the last two decades and where you want to go in the future. This transition is marked by the conclusion of the dedicated ministry of the Brinks who have given so much of their lives to you as your Pastor and the calling of a new pastor in the future whom God wants to send to you. Chris and I feel privileged to walk this transitional journey with you in-between times. We have some experience with transitions in ministry, well, lot s of experience! I was taught in seminary that long-term pastorates were the mark of mature ministry. I believed it back then, but through our ministries, the longest time we spent anywhere was eight years (in Africa) and we have had several assignments of three to five years in length. I felt badly about that for years until I finally realized, God uses some pastors to be change agents and that usually does not interpret into long-term assignments. I value and respect those who do long-term ministry, but now after 43 years in ministry I can look back and understand how God had been leading me in those assignments and why He gifted me the way He did. I am humbled by His trust. We can tell you a lot about transitions. Sparing you the details of nine major moves and 14 different assignments in six different states and two continents, we can truthfully affirm, With God, all things are possible! Transitions can be hard. There is that sense of chaos going into the process. It is normal to have doubts and fears. There are many times you d like to quit and turn around (remember the Israelites after crossing the Red Sea?). You find yourself having to let go of things you have valued because they do not seem to fit the future. At times, you want to take your frustrations out on those who seem to be getting in your way and even upon those you love. You want to blame someone for all the changes or at least question God. Why? How many times did Moses say that? Yet, to move forward, you have to commit to something you cannot fully understand or see. That takes faith and leads to spiritual growth and new ways of doing ministry. Please understand, I am not saying we are going to get rid of the old ways of the past. There is a wonderful heritage of faith and foundation of ministry here to which we are forever indebted. Ours is the responsibility to carry that forward for future generations of Christian disciples. That is going to require us to make the adjustments necessary to reach the world God loves, beginning at home and extending to wherever God leads the ministry of this church. So, whatever length this transition will be, trust God, pray for your leaders, and love one another! Grateful to be on this journey with you, Pastor Don
HIS FOOD PANTRY SUNDAY February 3rd Items Needed: Kleenex, toilet paper, paper towel Please put your items in the cart down by the office. Thank you! Ladies Candlelight Dinner April 5th CALLED TO SERVE... The children's ministry is looking for some people to help serve in GIGville. If you are feeling called to serve, have a heart for kids, or simply like to act like a kid yourself, we'd love to have you join us! Please see Stacy Krull or contact her with any questions. Please remember that for the safety of our children, any volunteer applicant must consent to and pass a background check. Our Women s Ministry is providing you with the opportunity to purchase new baby items for The Hope Clinic. We are hosting a church-wide baby shower the month of February so that we can bless moms who have chosen life for their child. TO BENEFIT HOPE CLINIC The following are items that are always needed: diaper bags, diapers (especially sizes 4, or 5 or 6) and wipes, new baby equipment (cribs, mattresses, high chairs, baby gates, strollers, carrier infant car seats, car seats for up to 40 pounds, and toddler seats/boosters), crib sheets, laundry soap, potty chair or ring, pacifiers, teething toys, bottles and sippy cups, baby tableware, baby toys, baby clothes (newborn through 2T), receiving blankets, and formula. We would especially like to have children s books for infant through at least 3 years of age. Items not needed at this time include: baby powder and baby oil. For our mothers, we need gently used maternity clothes in sizes large and extra-large that are suitable for the work place. You may put items in the designated basket in the lobby. You may also donate money if you wish and we will buy items to give to them. Thank you for your support!
From the desk of Pastor Jamie February 2019 Edition 2019 has started off on a terrific note! Pastor Don is a loving and caring leader and it will be rewarding and growing time to serve with him. I pray you all get to know this amazing couple! I have had the opportunity to serve under some terrific leaders in my short 44 years of living. One leader, Randy Vader, is the owner and president of Gaither Music Company & Praisegathering Music Group. He directed and led our choir and orchestra at East Side Church in Anderson (He was an awesome bass singer as well). He wrote this article a few years back and I wanted to share it with you ۰۰۰۰۰۰۰۰۰۰۰۰۰۰۰۰۰۰۰۰۰۰۰۰۰۰۰۰۰۰۰۰۰۰۰۰۰ I wrote this nearly 10 years ago. I received so many comments back then. This discussion has not changed much - I thought the article was to the point - I did not know it would be prescient. I love to sing. I love to hear singing. I love the idea of using music for the purpose it was created to bring praise to God. I love everything about the music of the church except the music of the church I don t like. Music I don t like distracts me. Music I don t like makes me angry. Music I don t like frustrates my ability to worship. How many times have we heard comments like these? When I am confronted by dear saints who struggle with this, I always start the conversation with... I don t want to talk about what you like. I want to talk about what you don t like. And when they vent all of their feelings about the awful state of music in the church, I ask the big question. What is the big question? Are you prepared to believe that God can use something for His glory that you can t stand?! I certainly have my preferences but as a song writer and publisher and minister, I try to not let my personal preferences get confused with my Theological absolutes. Because something does not speak to me culturally or does not fall into the realm of my own taste does not mean that it isn t speaking to someone else. Psalm 40 tells us that God gave us a song a song of praise but He did not tell us what it sounded like in fact, He did not say that many will hear the song and their lives will be changed He said that many will SEE and their lives will be changed. I hope those who are trying to praise the Lord don t see some saints with arms folded and angry looks on their faces or worse yet getting up and walking out! And lest you think I am above the argument, I am sorry to confess that I have been guilty of all of these. My prayer is that we would spend more time focusing on who we have come to worship rather than how we are going about it. That is where the Scriptures put the emphasis that should tell us something. Psalm 40 (A David psalm) I waited and waited and waited for God. At last He looked; finally He listened. He lifted me out of the ditch, pulled me from deep mud. He stood me up on a solid rock to make sure I wouldn't slip. He taught me how to sing the latest Godsong, a praise-song to our God. More and more people are seeing this: they enter the mystery, abandoning themselves to God. Psalm 95 Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song. For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods. In His hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to Him. The sea is His, for He made it, and His hands formed the dry land. Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for He is our God and we are the people of His pasture, the flock under His care. Be the SALT! Pastor Jamie
MISSIONARY OF THE MONTH Zach and Audrey Langford United Kingdom "Be Known, Be Loved, Be Community" has been the mission statement driving ministry at Egan Road Church of God since Spring 2017. This shift toward outward focused ministry began slowly. Meeting neighbors was difficult. People didn't really know our church was open or if they did, didn't know what the purpose of church is. Last year (2018), we really started seeing fruits of our intentional engagement. Our Kids Club, Youth Club, and Tots Group are well attended. We have been able to have deeper and more frequent meaningful conversations about Jesus with nonbelievers. Entire new families began volunteering and attending our church. More of the community is represented in our events. Three people were baptized this year. Babies were dedicated. Relational growth is a slow and very meaningful process. We celebrate what God is doing in our midst. We look forward to 2019 as we continue to focus on our surrounding neighbors and community. Egan Road CHOG plans to launch Celebrate Recovery in the coming 4 to 5 months after our leaders and volunteers complete a step study. Thank you for the many ways you all have continued to support and pray for us! We couldn t do the work we do without you! January came so quickly and we started youth back up for 2019 on Wednesday, January 2 nd. We are currently working through a series called The Devil s Workshop. This series is one that is aimed at challenging the youth to think about the ways in which the devil can (or attempt to) steer us away from Christ. The leaders are challenged by these weekly lessons as well. We are also working on solidifying the 2019 calendar for youth events. These events will include service activities, camps, fun adventures, fundraisers, and dates where there won t be youth. Youth schedules will be sent out to all parents once the schedule is complete. Pray for our youth this year that 2019 will be the year that they come to know Christ, choose to act more like Christ, or share Christ with a friend. Beau & Lindsay Butcher Thank you so much for your caring words, support, prayers and cards following Mother's recent death. Also, thank you for the beautiful lantern. It is a great reminder of the shining light of Jesus Christ that was reflected by her life as she served the Lord in so many ways. Lew & Mona Simerman & Family Thank you for the love offering taken for the Agape Express Puppets! We pray the Lord touched hearts with the message of the program! Thank you also for your prayers as we shared the love of Christ during the Christmas season. Rick & Christine Garner Many thanks to DCOG for prayers, notes of encouragement, care and concerns for me before, during and after my kidney transplant. God showed Himself mighty and faithful in many ways. Michelle McKuras (Janelle Coates sister)
On February 9th from 5-8pm, kids ages 5 thru 4th grade are invited to come and have a night away from your parents. We will be having dinner, dessert, games, crafts, and LOTS OF FUN! Please have your parents register you by Monday, Feb. 4th with Stacy Krull. You can hunt her down at church or call her at 724-3566 or 701-1301. Hope to see you on the 9th! If you have a prayer need to place on or added to the Prayer Chain, please call Prayer Coordinator Karen Carty #260-223-2789 Email: Lark54@live.com If you need further assistance, please call the church office - 724-2580. Weekend On-Call Pastor: #724-2893 If you have food service needs for February please call: Barb Fox, Becky Cook, alternate, Karen Fouts ITEMS DUE: February 15th
Sunday: Weekly Services 9:00 AM Worship & G.I.G.ville 10:30 AM Cross Training, Kid s Church, Sunday School Wednesday: 6 PM Worship Singers Practice 7-8 PM Family Activities 6:30-8 PM Youth 5-12th graders 7 PM Worship Band Practice February 2019 MISSIONARY OF THE MONTH: Zach and Audrey Langford Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Febuary Hope Clinic Baby Shower 1 2 7:30 AM Men s Fellowship Richard s 1:30 PM Bingo Woodcrest 3 His Pantry Sunday 4 5 8 AM DMA 6 7 6:30-8:30 PM DC4K SMC Divorce Care 8 9 5-8 PM Kids Night Out Valentine Party in FH 5 PM Youth - Movie -ABCinema 10 11:45 AM Full Staff Meeting 11 6:30 PM FE&T (L) 12 13 14 6:30 PM Elders (L) 6:30-8:30 PM DC4K SMC Divorce Care 15 16 7:30 AM Men s Fellowship Richard s 17 18 6:30 PM B&G (L) 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28