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QUILT OF HOLES
As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt
before the Lord along with all the other souls. Before each of us laid our
lives like the squares of a quilt in many piles; an angel sat before each
of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life.
But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged
and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant holes. Each
square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the
challenges and temptations I was faced with in every day life. I saw
hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of all. I glanced
around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and
there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright
hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened. My
angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty,
like binding air. Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed,
held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose; each in turn,
holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been. My angel
looked upon me, and nodded for me to rise. My gaze dropped to the ground
in shame. I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes. I had love in my life,
and laughter. But there had also been trials of illness, and wealth, and
false accusations that took from me my world, as I knew it. I had to start
over many times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to
somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I spent many
nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I
had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time
offering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin
beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me. And now, I had
to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what
it was. I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the
light. An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who
stared at me with wide eyes. Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me.
Light flooded the many holes, creating an image, the face of Christ. Then
our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said,
"Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My
hardships, and My struggles. Each point of light in your life is when you
stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than
there was of you". May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing
Christ to shine through!
Author: Unknown
Pastor: Dr. George J. Lespagnard
SUNDAY SERMON: June 1, 2008
Title: The Bible—Its Nature and Purpose
Text: II Timothy 3:1-5, 10-17
SUNDAY SCHOOL: 9:30 a.m.
WORSHIP: 10:40 a.m.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
OFFERING: $2,597.40
ATTENDANCE: Sunday School: 58 Worship: 89
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NOTICE
MEETINGS SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 9TH AND 10TH HAVE
BEEN RESCHEDULED FOR JUNE 16TH AND 17TH DUE TO VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
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BIRTHDAY/ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
The first Sunday of the month at 10:15 a.m. we meet
in the sanctuary to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries for that month.
Sunday, June 4th we will celebrate June birthdays and anniversaries. If
you care to participate, bring one penny for each year you are celebrating
to put in the Birthday/Anniversary Bucket.
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FRIENDS NIGHT OUT CANCELLED
We will not eat out this Thursday, May
29th
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MEN'S FELLOWSHIP BREAKFAST
The next scheduled men’s breakfast will be on
Saturday morning June 7th at 7:30 a.m. Dan Atkeson will be the guest for
the morning. A sign up sheet is on the table at the back of the
sanctuary. If you plan to attend, please sign the list so the chefs will
know how many to prepare for.
NOTE: Property work day following breakfast
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CHURCH GROWTH
This coming Friday night at 7:00 p.m. is our UFO night here at
church. If you have a craft that you are working on, bring it to church
and work on it here. Some of us bring our sewing machines to work on
quilts or other items, while others bring scrap booking items or work on
cards. Once again, if you have a craft you need to finish, bring it
Friday night with a snack and enjoy lots of fun and Christian
fellowship!
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CAMP TAWAKONI
Stefanie Jimenez will be attending church camp at Camp Tawakoni May
27 through May 31. Please keep Stefanie and her family in your prayers
this week as she experiences life at church camp.
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| GREETINGS FROM GEORGE AND ANITA
We are having a great time in Florida visiting with
Anita’s brother Jim and his wife Mary.
We will be home sometime this week.
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| VISITORS:
Wichita, KS: Joe Botinelly
Pahrump, NV: Bob and Vickie Katick
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| PRAYER LIST
Dan Atkeson family, Jack Braden, Dale Foust, Ernie
Hurdle, Inez Agers, Harvey Wells, Jim West,
Lynn, Julie and Gary Garrelts, George and Susan Hatcher, Tom VonFeldt,
Pat Carr, Beulah Rees, Kirby and Pat Barnes, Elijah and Jeremiah Atkeson,
Randy and Karla Kelly, Ollie Robbins,
Ron Esslinger and family, Andrew Fillmore, Don Fillmore, Paul
Smeltzer, Dan Andrade family,
Jim and Laura Vargas, Jim Elliott, Tony Brocotto, Destiny, Phyllis
Hephner, Rick Daney,
Steve, Brandi and Mackenzie Latimer, Rick Daney, David Farney, Seth
and Tearia Cochran
Shirlene Crain, Luc, Kira and Leonce Valentin
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| PRAISE THE LORD . . . DID YOU KNOW?
Brandon Eastman made straight A’s all through middle
school. He is leaving for Washington DC this Wednesday for a four day trip
with the 8th grade.
Ashley Eastman completed her second year of college. Yea!
Raeven Blackbull got straight A’s on her report card.
Adrianna Vargas got straight A’s on her report card and on Wednesday
she will become a teenager.
Teresa Hall is HERE for a home visit—surviving her first ever airplane
trip all by herself!
Tom VonFeldt (battling cancer) will be taking a week vacation with his
family to Disney in Florida, a gift from his brother.
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| THANK YOU!
A very special thank you to Mary Beth Morrell for
her help with the newsletter! May 19th she began a new job with Midwest
Hearing in Haysville and will not be available to help anymore. Since we
began sending the newsletter by e-mail it isn't the time consuming job
that it once was. Machaelle has volunteered to help with the proofing and
the 50 newsletters we mail out. "I’m grateful for her help - like she
doesn’t already have a thousand other things to do."
Dee
Thank you Donna Atkeson and choir for the beautiful music. Thanks to
the soloists Nancy Sturm, Carolyn Roberts, Mike Hauser and Dale Atkeson.
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