Pilgrim Call Newsletter of First Congregational Church August 9, 2016 Issue 685 A Note from Pastor Jon Tice GOT HOPE? This week I wanted to share this authors list of how to build Hope. Not a week passes that each of us don't come across someone who needs hope from the Lord. But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. I Thessalonians 4:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Romans 15:13 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: I Peter 3:15 How do I build Hope? A. Hope is a choice, and you choose to have hope by addressing your soul (Ps 42:5,11; 43:5)! B. Gird up the loins of your mind from discouragement, be sober, and choose hope (I Pet 1:13)! C. Choose to put on the helmet of the hope of salvation against despair (I Thess 5:8; Eph 6:17)! D. Act with courage upon your faith and hope in God, and He will strengthen you (Ps 31:24). E. Increase hope by reading and remembering God s works (Psalm 71:14-24; 78:7; Rom 15:4). F. Increase hope by reading and remembering God s words (Psalm 119:43,49,74,81,114,147). G. Ask God to give you hope and confirm it (Ps 119:116; Jer 17:17; Rom 15:13; Eph 1:17-18). H. Remember how God has delivered you in the past (Rom 5:3-5; Psalm 5:11; 63:7; 116:1-9). I. Observe and remember God s merciful deliverances of others (Job 5:16; Romans 5:2-5). J. Increase hope by hearing the gospel of the New Testament (Col 1:15; Heb 7:19; II Cor 3:12). K. And then take measures to not move away from the hope of the gospel (Col 1:23; Heb 3:6). L. You must learn more about the Lord Jesus Christ, Who is our hope (I Tim 1:1; Col 1:27). M. Remember the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which is proof for our hope (I Peter 1:20-21). N. Comfort, encourage, and exhort one another in the church body (I Thess 4:13,18; 5:11). O. Good works prove eternal life and build hope (Heb 6:10-11; I Tim 6:17-19; II Peter 1:10-11). P. Reject any negative thoughts from the inside or outside about your future. The devil is a liar. Q. Do not forget to allow God His timing in matters, for He will come in deliverance (Ps 9:18). R. Hate hypocrisy, for the hope of hypocrites is short and vain (Job 8:13-14; 11:13-20; 27:8). S S. The hope of the wicked is vain and that will not happen (Prov 10:28; 11:7; Matt 7:21-23)
Attendance for Sunday, August 7th, 2016 Praise Service: Adults 45, Children 2 Classic Service: Adults 45, Children 2 Total 94 Leaders for Sunday, August 14th, 2016 Greeters: Hal & Sherry King Junior Church: Marcia Grant, Gayle Ryberg Prayer Concerns August 9 Marjorie Longshore, please pray for Marjorie as she is in the ICU at St. Joseph undergoing tests. August 8 Bob Schweitzer, please pray for health challenges and strength. He has been moved to St. Vincent s in Indianapolis, and is having surgery on Tuesday, August 9th. August 2 Matt Rink, Barb Rink s son, please pray for healing as he recovers from back surgery. July 26 Jim Hurst, friend of Kim & Mark Herr. Prayers for good results as his radiation and chemotherapy begins. July 26 Jan Duchateau, Nearly New volunteer, please pray for new health concerns and discernment for her doctors who will be deciding on treatment options. Continue with Prayers July 25 June Horner, Tory Horner s mom, please pray for healing and relief of discomfort following surgery and for discernment for her doctors as they plan for further treatment. July 25 Jerry Bitner, Barb Linzey s brother, is at home following surgery. Please pray for a recovery free from complications. July 21 Kevin Love, please pray for healing following his surgery. July 12 Family of Shawn Forte, Larry Forte s brother, passed away from pancreatic cancer. Please pray for peace and comfort for the family. July 12 Diana, sister-in-law of Karen Lewis, please pray for her as she has a life-threatening blood disease, hemochromatosis Continued prayers for: Nancy Phillips, Sonie Durbin, Amy Duranto, Norma Knack, Skip DeBolt, Margaret Orr (Joe Orr s mom), Greg (friend of Kyle Hughes), Barbara Gentry (Rick Gentry s mother), David Bohall (Ron Phillips brother), Ernie Cottingham, Chuck Simon (friend of Dawn Wisler), Mark Downs (friend of Dawn Wisler), Janice Wilson (Stephanie Reeve s mom), Dorothy Unger (Buffey Hedrick's mom), Dean Madigan (Marilee Neer s brother), Betty Gaffney, Mary Myers (Nearly New volunteer), Carol Record (Buffey s friend), Peggy (friend of Angie Love). Continued prayers for cancer challenges: Penelope Puskedra (friend of Neer s), Barbara Broomfield (Jesse s mother), Jaycob Solomon, Brad (friend of Nate & Krista Steward), Steve Cassidy (friend of Bailey s), Linda Trent, Linda (Mandy Behler s friend). Please continue to pray for these members and friends of our congregation who are facing cancer treatments, those who have finished treatments, and those in remission. Heal me, O LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise. Military Soldiers of our Church David Carey Andrew Reed Aaron Knight Richard Young Riley Johnson Adam King
Thank you to all who supported the Fund raiser for our family last Saturday night as we walk through this earthly challenge that God has given us. We appreciate all who helped in any way with the food and dinner preparations, the beautiful table decorations, set up, clean up, etc. A big, big thank you to Mandy & Drew Behler for organizing it, and Buffey & Nick Hedrick for heading up the delicious spaghetti dinner. We were once again overwhelmed by your generous gifts and donations that will certainly help a lot with the expenses that we have incurred and the ones that lie ahead. We have felt God s love and presence through all of this, and know that He will walk with us and comfort us as we follow in His footsteps along the way. He has blessed us with you as a church family, who have supported us in every way what more could we need? I know many of you have us in your daily prayers and we especially appreciate that! Thank you all!! Love you, Nancy & Ron Phillips Euchre Champs The Way (Grades 6-12) ~~Wednesday evening hangout time at the church will continue from 6:00-9:00 PM. NO dinner provided. Come and hang out with your friends! ~~The Way meets Sunday, August 14th, from 5:30 to 7:30 at Jackson Morrow Park. ~~On Sunday, August 21st, the Way will meet from 5:30-7:30 at the home of Bill & Lyn Shirley (1900 Greytwig Dr. in Stoneybrook)
Congo Summer Fun Calendar! LADIES POOL PARTY/SALAD CARRY-IN at the Tice home (1507 Fairway Dr.) MARK YOUR CALENDARS Tuesday, August 16 for an 6 PM to? Adult Pool Party and Game Night No sign-ups just come with a salad to share and be ready for much fun and fellowship! Carolyn Jacobs will be our special speaker as we enjoy delicious food, conversation and fun around the table. If you are a swimmer, plan to enjoy the water too! Bring a friend! At the Tice s Friday, August 26 7:00 PM to? Adults are invited to the Tice Home (1507 Fairway Drive) for an evening of fun, food and relaxation. Weather provided, we will have yard games, table games, and swimming (floating) available. Food and other fun provided. Please sign up in the lobby if you plan to join in the fun. RALLY DAY! Included in the day: Picnic & Baptisms at Meney s Pond Rally Day~August 28 Rally Day is traditionally the day we, as a church family, begin our new year of study, set new goals and announce new opportunities of service. This year our Rally Day tradition will begin with a breakfast at 9:30 in Pilgrim Hall (the basement) with our service following at 10:15. We will meet at the Meney's Pond later in the evening for our traditional games, food and baptisms. Plan to join your church family for the beginning of a great new year.
Confirmation Retreat & Next Meeting Thank you for those who participated in our Confirmation Retreat in any way. Whether you attended, provided food or prayed your participation was very important. This is the beginning of a great year of growth for these young students. Our next meeting is Sunday, September 11, 45:30PM. Forget-Me-Not 5K All profits benefit the Altzheimer s Assoc. Saturday, August 13th @ 8:30 am @ Waterford Place Beth Moore Simulcast Living Proof September 17th Worship with Travis Cottrell Lifeway@eglancesender.com Project 117 Mission Trip, January 1-8, 2017 We held an informational meeting for the mission trip to Haiti the first week of 2017 a couple of Sunday's ago. If you missed this meeting and are interested in knowing more about this trip, please contact Stacey for information. (271-6677) The CASA program of Howard County provides volunteers who advocate for the best interest of children who come to the attention of the court due to negligence or abuse. There are currently 63 children in our county who do not yet have a CASA volunteer. A new training class begins in September. To get more information about how you can make a difference in the lives of children, call Katina Silver, Director of CASA of Howard County, at 765-454-5575. YES WE CAN - Sunday, September18 The youth group will be participating in our annual can drive to benefit the Kokomo Rescue Mission following our church service. You can participate in various ways. You can be a driver, help collect cans, provide cans to our group and pray. Please plan to join in the fun. Let Stacey, Kylan or Jordan know if you have questions or would like to participate
Non Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Permit No. 83 Kokomo, Indiana First Congregational Christian Church 505 W. Mulberry Kokomo, IN 46901 Come Worship With Us On Sunday Mornings! 9:00 Praise Service 10:15 Classic Service Contact Information: Phone: (765)452-8285 Nearly New: 459-8121 E-Mail: first.congo@aol.com first.congo22@gmail.com Web Site: kokomofirstcongo.org Facebook:FirstCongo-Kokomo, IN. Today s forecast: God reigns and the Son shines. AUGUST CHURCH CALENDAR August 10, 17, 24, 31 The Way hang out night @ 6-9 Aug. 14 The Way at Jackson Morrow @ 5:30-7:30 Aug. 16 Ladies Pool Party @ 6:00 Aug. 21 The Way at Shirley s @ 5:30, Fill the Pantry Aug. 26 Adult Pool Party @ 7:00 at Tice s Aug. 28 Rally Day at church, & Baptisms at Meney s pond. Serve dinner at the Rescue Mission @ 3:50-5:30