Dear Church Family,

Facebook has given me a connection to people from the churches we have served, to old high school classmates, to family and everyone in between. When I first started using Facebook a couple years ago, the upside was apparent. Connection, networking and just keeping up with our kids made the possibilities endless. However, just like the human condition, something created for good, has turned or is turning dark. Sites displaying and exploiting women (soft core) and people dropping "F" bombs make Facebook dangerously close to going the way of My Space. I thought about it and decided that whatever men create no matter the pure intent, others will compromise and seek to destroy, which by the way is the age old way of the enemy of God.

I am monitoring Facebook. I have used it to spread encouragement and the Word of God, but, when it becomes a place for people to spread viruses, to "trick" people into attaching themselves to sites they do not want to be associated with, then it is time to look elsewhere. The technology of our day is mind boggling, but we have to use it responsibly. Therein lies the issue, what is responsible for me is far different from someone else's definition of responsibility. That is why the Word of God has to be our guide, our moral compass and our True North!

I'm so thankful for God's Word and the Holy Spirit who brings it to life. When we read it, study it, memorize it, and follow it, because we love God and His revealing presence in our lives, we find that elusive True North!

Then he showed me another vision. I saw the Lord standing beside a wall that had been built using a plumb line. He was checking it with a plumb line to see if it was straight. 8 And the Lord said to me, “Amos, what do you see?” I answered, “A plumb line.” And the Lord replied, “I will test my people with this plumb line. I will no longer ignore all their sins.
1Amos 7:7-8

Jay

Holy Bible : New Living Translation. 1997 (Am 7:7-8). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House.

Sunday, August 29, 2010
SUNDAY SCHOOL: 9:30 a.m.
WORSHIP: 10:40 a.m.
ATTENDANCE
Sunday School: 48 Worship: 104

OFFERING: $2,113.60

VISITORS:
Tony and Earleen Ferran, Earl Engbreck, Jake and Gail Jernigan, Ann Jester, Elizabeth Davis

Dan Atkeson family, Jack Braden, Ernie Hurdle, Lynn Garrelts family, Tom VonFeldt, Shirlene Crain, Beulah Rees, Kirby and Pat Barnes, Neva Middleton, George Hatcher, Ed Carr, Michael Galvan family, Janet Goldwater, Mary Jane Bell, Shannon Lisk, Annette Beal, Anetta Kay Webster, Mary Ellen Shockey, Dick Eastman, Pierce Noah, Roy Whitney, Cecil Harp, Mary Ann Morgan, Paul Smeltzer, Matthew Proctor, Marilyn Stagner, Carl Hall, Drew Batycki,
Family of Jill Clark-Sims, Kerry Sims, Family of Dr. David Baldwin, Sandy Baldwin, Janie Mowrey, Wally Sturm

Drew Batycki received an encouraging heart check-up report. Keep the prayers coming! Marsha Devan

Marilyn Hubbard is having carotid artery surgery Tuesday morning. Skip Noordhoek

Wally Sturm was dismissed from the hospital on Monday . . . prayers for decisions to be made. Scott Sturm

David Pippen is in the hospital for a bleeding ulcer. (Liz Shank’s special friend)

Prayer concern for test results this week for my sister Sherry Payton. Marsha Devan

Tony and Earleen Ferran came forward Sunday, August 29, 2010 to place their membership with First Christian Church. We welcome them to our church family and look forward to having them worship with us. If you haven’t met Tony and Earlene, take time to do so and let them know how happy we are to have them as members of our church family.

Saturday, September 4, 2010
7:30 a.m.

All men of First Christian are invited to attend and enjoy a delicious breakfast with lots of good fellowship. If you haven’t signed up please call Dee in the office (524-5884) so we will know how many plan to attend.

Zac Hall made the 33 hour drive to his Vermont job this past week. Thank the Lord for the job and for a safe trip. Johnna Hall

God has answered our prayers for a job here in the community. I started working for Haysville schools this week as receptionist for the Administration Building. Dartha Lewis

Michael Galvan is home and doing well. Alana Galvan

God provided and Billy was delivered to K-State on Friday. His parents are relieved and excited.

Janie Mowrey, friend in OH of Marsha Devan will be undergoing chemo and radiation.

Dr. David and Sandy Baldwin are dear friends of the Falley family. David and Sandy were involved in a head-on-collision and David was killed. Sandy is in CICU in Indiana.

Robin Greenup is a Kansas Honor Scholar and will be honored on September 20 at Valley Center. Barb Greenup

Carlos and Stephanie Jimenez had a healthy 8 lb. baby boy named Josiah, which means, “Who is like God.” Rafael Jimenez

“Come unto me all ye who are heavy laden and I will give you rest”. . . Ask and ye shall receive. I thought I could do it alone but the mountain of getting rid of garage sale leftovers was more than I could bear. Donna and Dale took it upon themselves to organize a crew and in 2 ½ hours the mountain became a mole hill. I thank them for an amazing job! I thank God for answering my prayers. Donna Hansen

Elizabeth Earlywine has a splint on her leg and Karhryn Earleywine has been diagnosed with MD. The girls are great grand daughters of Joeann Strawder.

Beginning September 22, 2010
Dr. George Lespagnard, Pastor Emeritus-Facilitator

We experience some of life’s most difficult struggles when a loved one dies. The painful weeks and months that follow bring feelings hard to understand. Questions abound!

Does anyone really understand? How do I go on and how will my life get back to normal?

There are many adjustments to make and many times major decisions to consider. How do I deal with these and other issues?

One good way is to meet others who are grieving the loss of a loved one as well. Opportunities to talk, share, listen and learn to gain understanding, to give and receive support help us on our journey.

In order to help those in our community with the pain and adjustments of loss of a loved one, First Christian Church is offering a free GRIEF RECOVERY SUPPORT GROUP.

The group will meet from 7:00-8:00 (8:30) p.m., one time a week on Wednesday evenings, for 6-8 weeks in the First Christian Church library for a biblical approach to recovering from the loss of a loved one.

Call 524-5884 to reserve your place in this group. Reservations will be accepted until September 15, 2010.

The following people have volunteered to deliver meals to homebound people in our community: Janice Church, Jay Lewis, Carolyn Roberts, Nancy Sturm, Machaelle Shetler, and Merrill and Dee Deck.

Meals are to be picked up at the Senior Center at 10:30 on Wednesday. There are six homes where meals will be delivered. We have six signed up to deliver so therefore any one person only has to deliver meals every six weeks. There is still room for more volunteers. See Dee if you need more information or would like to volunteer.

September 15th starts K-5th grade Wednesday night Friends Time . . . from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. at the church. There will be Bible Lessons, Singing, Crafts and Games. Bring a smile and come on along.

The office will be closed Monday, September 6 in observance of Labor Day.

The Newsletter will NOT be printed Tuesday, September 7.

Saturday, September 11
6:00 p.m. Family Night

Monday, September 13
7:00 p.m. Committee Meetings

Tuesday, September 14
7:00 p.m. Board Meeting