The Federated Messenger February 2018 Building Bridges in our Relationships by Pastor Rick Plucknett God is relational and due to the fact that we were made in His image we are also relational beings. Our calling in life is to pursue a deepening relationship with God and a deepening relationship with others. I believe that when Jesus gave us the two greatest commandments, (Love God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37)), He was encouraging us to make the pursuit of a deepening relationship with God and a deepening relationship with others a top priority. In order for us to deepen relationships though, effort and energy are required. Much like the construction world, you can work hard at building a bridge but you must also take steps to maintain that bridge or it will eventually deteriorate and collapse! So it is in our most important relationships. We can begin a relationship with God by faith in Jesus, but we must work at deepening that relationship through spending time with God in prayer, solitude, and in the daily intake of His Word! And in our human relationships, we can have many casual friends (or acquaintances might be a better word), but in order to deepen our relationship with at least a few to the point where iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17), we must invest time and effort. This month in our worship servicess we will take a closer look at the importance of various relationships and how we can deepen them. But since this is Valentine s month, allow me to share just three tips for maintaining one of the most important human relationships in life that of marriage. 1. Speak Up in a healthy relationship, if something is bothering you, it is best to respectfully talk about it instead of holding it in. In our marriage we must speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) and if you are on the receiving end of something you may not like to hear, remember that the wounds of a friend can be trusted. (Proverbs 27:6) 2. Compromise and Sacrifice usually when we end up compromising with our spouse, that s what it feels like like we are sacrificing what we want in order to give them what they think they need or want! But giving of ourselves is what Christ did for each one of us and we are called to exhibit this kind of self-denial and sacrificial love toward the one whom we said I do! (Ephesians 5:24-25) 3. Love your husband or wife deeply but love God supremely! Our relationship with the love of our life can never deliver to us all that we need and it wasn t meant to do that! Only God can be all things to us no human being has the capacity to fill the deep needs and longings that can only be satisfied by a deepening relationship with God. I think that s why Jesus suggested this particular order in Matthew 22:37: Love God first and supremely and then, out of the overflow of that love, love others deeply as well. You will never squeeze out of your spouse all the deep needs and longings that are in your heart only as you love God first and supremely will those needs be met. The amazing thing is however, that out of the abundance of both loving God and receiving His love, you will be empowered to love your spouse more deeply than ever before!
Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch By Malcolm Beall In January the WLD Ranch had three different groups come in for weekend retreats. It was a great time with some people that we know from being campers here. We had our own retreats in and so these campers were familiar with the Ranch, the staff, and the program. They expect certain things to be the same, and enjoy the new introductions of our program. One of the things that does not change is the purpose of why WLD Ranch exists which is in the Mission Statement. Guiding campers and guests to Jesus as the truth in Life. I really enjoy working with campers that have been here in the past. February is as exciting as January but the groups do change. The sizes of the groups that are coming are larger. Each group comes from church retreats. What a great experience to hear the campers communicating about what they really enjoy about WLD Ranch with the newbies. With these outside groups, we as a staff can witness the new activities that they bring in. We don t steal the ideas, but adapt them to our program if it is worthy. One of the groups from Pittsburgh is new, Youth for Christ coming and we are excited about sharing what we have with them. As we service these groups, we represent Jesus. One of my favorite groups of the year is the Federated Church Winterblast. Steve and his crew do such a good job in using the Ranch for sharing and representing Jesus to our local kids. February is also a prep month for the upcoming schedule which starts in March. We prep for Horse Lessons, Rough Riders (Shriner s program), and retreats. From the first Monday in March till Thanksgiving we have people on the property six days a week. I asked Anna this morning as we headed to the barns to feed in the beautiful snow-covered land and 10 degrees outside. Do you wonder how long God is going to allow us to continue? We are gonna keep on going as long as the Lord allows, and we are a benefit to February 2018 the ministry. February 1, we start our 42 nd year of joining with you, the Federated Church, to serve at this facility named the WLD Ranch. May the Lord continue to use us and the Ranch as a light in this world that needs Jesus! Thanks for allowing us to be a part of your family. Springfield Senior Center Tuesday, February 13 ~ Devotions will be presented by Pastor Rick Plucknett of the Federated Church. Cheryl Trost will present a special Valentine s Day program with Music of the Heart. Tuesday, February 27 ~ Devotions will be presented by Pastor Tim Krause, Conneaut Church of Christ. Karen Seggi from the Second Harvest Food Bank will present our program. Please bring nonperishable food items for Second Harvest. The meetings begin at 9:45 AM but come at 9:30 AM to join in with the senior ringers and singers! A home-cooked meal will be served at Noon. Good fellowship, blood pressure readings, exercises, lunch all for $3. Snow Closing: If Northwestern Schools cancel, Senior Center will not meet. TRAVEL WITH THE SENIORS June 1, 2018 to Shipshewana, IN We will enjoy the talents of Mark Lowry. Singer, songwriter, author and humorist. Mark Lowry is best known for penning the lyrics to Mary Did You Know? Dinner, show and lodging will take place at the Blue Gate Restaurant, Theatre and Inn plus buffet lunch at Potawatomi Inn. Also shopping, Hostetler s Hudson Auto Museum and other things are being planned. Only 40 seats available! Cost per person in a double room: $246. Triple $229 and Quad $220, due no later than March 27 th. See flyers in the Welcome Center for additional information and many other trips such as to Cleveland in May, Conneaut in June, Presque Isle in July, the Erie Playhouse in August and Pittsburgh in September! Questions/Reservations call Nancy Crabtree, 922-3249 or the Federated Church Office, 922-3655.
February 2018 Come have some fun at the Family Camp-In on Friday, February 2 nd starting at 5:00 PM. Pizza making starts at 5:30-6:30, then organized family games are after dinner. The fun will go through until 11 AM Saturday, February 3 rd. Questions? Call Becky Ward at 440-998-1100. The Spring Missions Weekend is scheduled for March 3 & 4 We will enjoy an exciting time of hearing stories of what God is doing through the lives of our supported Missionaries. SPECIAL GUESTS INCLUDE: Dan and Courtney Schmidt, Africa Inland Mission FOR TIMES AND MORE INFORMATION COMING SOON! middle school and high school students! Don t Miss these events!! February 9 is Winter Jam. This is a concert with multiple bands like Skillet, Kari Jobe, Building 429 and KB just to name a few. It is for 7 th through 12 th grade students. The cost is $15 plus food. We will be leaving around 2 PM and returning home late! Sign up by Pastor Steve s door. WinterBlast is February 16-18. This is our annual winter retreat held at WLD Ranch. We invite students to join us for a weekend of great games, sled riding, music, fun but most importantly, great messages about Jesus Christ. Our theme this year is MOVE and we are excited to see how God will move in the hearts of the young people who attend. The cost is only $45! Please don t let that be the reason your student doesn t attend. Info and signups are by Pastor Steve s door. This event is for 6th through 12 th grade students. FEBRUARY 4, 2018 After our normal morning schedule we will have a SOUPER BOWL FAMILY FEED to support the Northwestern Community Youth Center. Praise Choir will rehearse following the meal at 1:15 PM, Ignite will meet at 1:00 PM and AWANA will meet from 4-6 PM.
February 2018 EQUIPPING DISCIPLESS IN SUNDAY SCHOOL Sanctuary Class A verse-by-verse study of the book of Proverbs, led by Jerry Hills in the Family Center. Good News Class Family Center, Room 1, is currently studying the book of Ruth with Seth Huntley and Sam Ring leading. Kingdom Bound Class Led by Andy Ward, studying His Story, Christ s Last Week in Room 12, Family Center. Celebration Class All are invited to this class in the church dining room currently studying the life and teachings of Jesus. Newcomers Class This class led by Paul Burgess in Room 31 in the church, is studying The Miracles of Jesus. Faith Chapel Ladies Class This class is studying the book of Revelation with Nancy Wuenschel leading. Ladies Class studying Thriving in Babylon in Room 10 on the ground floor of the church, team taught by Chris Naylor and Libby Anderson. Men s Class Studying various topics, led by Pastor Rick, Bob Pettis, and John Sargent, Family Center Rooms 10 & 11. College/Young Adult Class 18-24 years Rooms 8 & 9 of the Family Center, exploring what the Bible says about topics relative to life, led by Mike and Cheryl Anderson and Brennan and Dorothy Plucknett. The ACTS Class which meets in the Family Center coat room is studying the Biblical relevance in our society of A. W. Tozer s book Man The Dwelling Place of God. Jeff Wuenschel is the facilitator. Moms & Daughters of the King come to be refreshed, encouraged and challenged in the journey of motherhood. This class meets in the Family Room, upstairs of the sanctuary, behind the balcony. Nursery 8:30 AM P. Machacek, TBA D. Brown, M. Conley C. Repoff, D. Gerety TBA Nursery 10:00 AM A. Hayes, TBA B. Blum, C. Pettis B. Hulley, M. Hulley S. Johnson, S. Stuyvesant Nursery 11:15 AM TBA L. Anderson, E. Corbett M. Barlow, A. Ring C. Owens, M. Oaks Toddler 8: :30 AM M. Egli C. Durfee, E. Durfee T. Pratt, M. Pratt TBA Toddler 10:00 AM A. Glover A. Glover A. Glover, L. Burgess D. Snyder, T. Snyder Toddler 11:15 AM B. Hulley, D. Rogers J. Huntley, C. Huntley B. Crosby, S. Wohlford V. Sontheimer, K. Wurst February Childcare Schedule
SUNDAY MONDAY TUES. WEDNESDAY THUR FRI. SAT. 1 2 5 PM Family Camp-In until 11 AM Saturday 3 7:30 AM Elder & Deacons Prayer 4 8:30 & 11:15 AM Worship Souper Bowl Family Feed 1:15 PM Praise Choir & Ignite 4-6 PM AWANA 5 7 PM FOCAS 6 7 10 AM Golden 8 9 10 Am Tabitha Team Sewing Ministry 10 11 8:30 & 11:15 AM Worship Bake Sale to benefit the DR Trip 5 PM AWANA, Ignite Small Groups 12 13 9:45 AM Senior Center Elders & Deacons 14 10 AM Golden Ash Wednesday 15 16 17 18 8:30 & 11:15 AM Worship 5 PM AWANA, Praise Choir 19 7 PM FOCAS 20 21 10 AM Golden 22 23 24 25 8:30 & 11:15 AM Worship 5 PM AWANA, Ignite Small Groups 26 1 PM Mobile Food Pantry Study 27 9:45 AM Senior Center 28 10 AM Golden