September 2, 2008

Good Moanin' Springfieldians,

Why doesn't it ever happen to me?

I'm the guy that gets the only pit in the cherry pie. I'm the one who will find the only bone in the chicken soup. One time (true story) I bit into a Burger King hamburger and cracked a tooth in half because I had bitten down on a piece of bone. I sold a car but was given a counterfeit certified bank check. The insurance company was going to pay off as a stolen car, but the police recovered the car week before pay off day; but only after it had been in a police chase and the thief crashed it. The insurance company fixed it, but I couldn't drive it because it had been titled in the thief's name, he jumped bail and no one bothered to look for him, and so for a year I couldn't drive my car. All of those things are just the normal, every day happenings when you're a "fred."

My question is, why couldn't this happen to me? Did you see it in the paper a while ago? Craig Randall works as a garbage truck driver in Peabody, Massachusetts. He has been known to bring his work home with him on occasion. One time he found an old sewing machine which he was able to salvage. There have been books he's lifted from the trash. He's always on the lookout for the next treasure.

One time as he threw someone's garbage into the truck, he spotted a Wendy's cup that still had the sticker on it from their latest give away. He peeled the sticker off and won himself a chicken sandwich. So, a couple weeks later when he spotted another Wendy's cup with its sticker still untouched, quickly he picked it up and peeled off the sticker. It said, "Congratulations! You have just won $200,000 toward a new home!"

At first he thought it must be a mistake, but at the insistence of his fiancée, he mailed it in, found out it was legitimate, and the week the story was in the paper he had gone down and picked up his check for $200,000.

Why doesn't that ever happen to me?

And then in a moment of great insight I realized why. Never once have I picked though the garbage looking for a cup with a sticker on it. (Though I have been known to make an extra and unnecessary trip to Mickey D's to try to win at Monopoly.) So, I shouldn't expect to find the winning sticker.

I will never win the lottery because I never play the lottery.

I will never win the Publishing House Sweepstakes, because I never mail back the envelop assuring me I could be the next millionaire.

I'll never win a bowling tournament, because I'll never enter a tournament.

I'll never have the ex-Prime Minister from Nigeria wire $10,000,000 to my bank account because I never answer the e-mails assuring me that the e-mail is legitimate and the money is to be used for God's work.

Also I don't think I've missed out on the blessing of God, even though all of those blasted e-mails tell me I'm going to miss out, if I don't forward the e-mail to ten people in the next 10 minutes.

It's the simplest of principles; you can't accomplish what you don't try. We all understand the principle.

But too often, we don't apply what we know to be true, when it comes to our own spiritual life. If we want to know the blessings of God; if we want to know the secret of being content in every situation whether well fed or hungry, living in plenty or in want; if we want to experience the joy of being in a dynamic, intimate relationship with Jesus Christ; if we want to see God working in our families  then we must be in the place it can happen. Or better yet, He must be in the place it can happen. You won't accomplish what you don't ever try.

Try putting Christ in the center of your life and see if the circumference won't take care of itself.

Did You Know?

Did you see Sunday's newspaper? Patti Young received the Administrative Award of Excellence at the American Heart Association Midwest Affiliate All Staff-Conference. Patti was recognized for her performance, which stood out as exemplary among all 11 states of the AHA Midwest Affiliate. We all knew how special our own Patti Young is; now others know it and recognize it. Way to go Patti!

I received this e-mail from Andy Peterson: Hi P. Fred, (I hope that isn't like P Diddy, you don't want to hear me try to rap anything.)
Hey, we're having a garage sale next Saturday, and anything we don't sell, we're giving to Salvation Army. So, anyone can come by at Noon and take whatever hasn't sold. We're talking kids' toys, kids' clothes, a baker's rack, TV, luggage, furniture (chair w/ ottoman) and a lot of various stuff, so if you want to mention that in your G Mornin Email, have at it!
Andy

Church Board Meeting tonight at 7:00 p.m. Meet in the sanctuary for prayer.

Alleta Britton, at this time, is still in St. John's Hospital. Her son, Tim, appreciates all those who have visited and sent cards, (remember short visits are best) but Alleta loves to see her friends. Alleta will soon be moved into hospice at St. John's and visitors are welcomed there also.

At our last Blood Drive we donated 38 units. That is fantastic!

Kidz Express on Wednesday evenings from 6:00  6:15 will be a time of games and activities before the start of Caravan. Gloria Sanguedolce is planning great times for the kids.

The next Season of Celebration gathering will be tomorrow, Wednesday, September 3rd. Dinner will be from 5:00  6:00 p.m. the menu is Mostaccioli and Garlic Bread, Tossed Salad, and Cake. And then we will have a great time of praise beginning at 6:15 p.m.

Ladies Craft Connection  this Saturday, September 6th. Bring a craft, a snack to share, and a friend; come to the gym for a girl's night out without kids. (Yahoo!) Come any time between 5:00  11:00 p.m.

Teen Car Wash  Saturday, September 6, at One Stop Auto Shop in Chatham. This is a fund raiser to help support our teen ministries.

All Church Workday  Saturday, September 13. Meet at the church at 9:00 a.m. and help spruce up, make small repairs, and clean up the building and grounds. Lunch provided. For more info contact Andy Wubker or Dave Buchanan.

All Church Fellowship right after the morning Worship Gathering on Sunday, September 14th. Light snacks will be served and it is being sponsored by Small Group Ministries. Plan on staying for a few minutes for good conversation; who knows you might start a new friendship.

The Wednesday Night Connection Classes will kick off on Wednesday, September 10. Caravan and Velocity for our kids and teens will begin, and for adults we have a great selection of 6 week classes to choose from:

The Pastors' Prayer Team facilitated by Joan Small. A group of people committed to praying for the pastors of the church and the needs in their lives and for our church. Starting September 10 they will meet from 5:45-6:15 p.m. on Wednesdays.

A Parent's Forum facilitated by Kathy Hedden  this group will look at the central focus of parenting  the Gospel. We need to direct not simply the behavior of our children, but also the attitudes of their hearts. They will look at some simple parenting strategies that any parent can carry out. They will also spend a significant amount of time in prayer for the children, and learn how to turn to the Father and place every detail of our child's life in His loving and capable hands.

A Ministry of Encouragement facilitated by Mike and Julie Duncan. This is a ministry that writes notes and contacts new people to our church, those who have been missing church, and those going through difficult periods of time in their life

Financial Sense Class  (10 weeks) facilitated by certified trainers, Tom Hedden, Geoff Sarginson, Larry Hochstetler, or Bob McIntyre. Using the Bible as a guide this class' focus is learning how to handle our finances God's way. Cost is $45 per person, $55 per couple (this covers the cost of the curriculum).

Where is God When? facilitated by Fred Prince. We will explore ways to find God in difficult times. Cost of the book is $8.00.

Self-Defense Class facilitated by Kim Barrington. Basic self-defense techniques will be taught to beginners and more advanced students alike.

"Answers for Life - Reaching your non-Christian friends with the Gospel." Facilitated by Andy Peterson. Develop a fully integrated biblical worldview and use it to witness for the Lord. Click here for more information.

Men's Bible Study facilitated by George Bagley and Jerry Stone. A time of looking at God's Word together, discussion, and the practical application of becoming the men God designed for them to be.

We are in need of some more volunteers to help staff the nursery both on Sundays and especially on Wednesdays. It may come to the place where we can not offer this important ministry to families if there are not some more volunteers.

This coming Sunday, September 7, our wonderful nursery volunteers are: LaVon Nelson with the infants; and Andy/Amy Wubker and Brytani Young with the toddlers, and Nikki Leggett as the floater. Tomorrow, Wednesday, September 3rd, there will be no nursery so the entire church family can participate in the Season of Celebration gathering. Thank you!

Upcoming Events: Season of Celebration Service September 3rd

Coffeehouse Comedy, November 8 & 9

A bulletin board is being put together to help us remember those from the church or family members who are serving in the military. If you'd like to include someone on this board contact Debi Adams for the info you will need to supply. You can see the bulletin board above the drinking fountain in the hallway going towards the Family Life Center.

Keep using GoodSearch.com, we've earned $25.20 for the year 2008. Remember this is a search engine very similar to Google. You just type in goodsearch.com and then you are able to use as you would Google or other search engines.

ADULT MINISTRIES

The next Prime Time Dinner is next Tuesday, September 9, at 6:00 p.m. in room #106.

CHILDREN MINISTRIES

Upward Basketball sign-up will be on Saturday, October 25.

Caravan registration will be taking place on September 7th. Children ages 4 through sixth grades are invited to join Caravan, a Christian based scouting program. Cost is $10 per child. Caravan meets every Wednesday beginning September 10 from 6:15-7"15 p.m. See Director Janice Young for more information.

Children's Quiz Party is this Sunday, September 7th, following Morning Worship until 5:30 p.m. at Sharon Hiatt's home at 209 W. Walnut, Chatham. Bring a sack lunch and a change of clothes to play in. Children from 2nd through 6th grade are eligible for the Children's Quizzing program.

Kidz Expressway has begun collecting Culver Restaurant "Team Scoopie Points" from children's meals (on the side of the bag). The children would like to earn enough points to acquire several pieces of equipment. You can give your points to Gloria Sanguedolce, drop them at the office, or leave them at the Kidz Check-In area. The children appreciate your efforts to help with their projects. You can also continue to bring in those "Cans for Kids."

TEEN MINISTRY

Oasis is happening on Wednesdays. Earn those points! Velocity will kick off on September 10th.

PRAYER REQUESTS

Those listed in Sunday's bulletin

Ivan Fink

Alleta Britton

Lynette Heppe

JoEllen Van Houten