February 16, 2011
Thirty Hour Famine
Our teens are part of a special generation I believe is transforming the church. They have a passion for the world that makes me so proud. They constantly inspire me! Kayla Christopher is part of this generation.
She is a senior at South and is working on her Senior Project. She decided to use this opportunity to make a difference in the world. The area she chose to focus on is the issue of world hunger. Did you know that hunger kills one child every ten seconds? Every day nearly 8,000 kids under age five die because of hunger-related causes. More than one billion people go hungry every day. There are more six billion people on the planet. So one in six will go to bed hungry tonight!
Kayla believes we can make a difference, and I agree with her! We can stop hunger in its tracks. There IS enough food in the world. There ARE enough resources and know-how. There are enough of us who can raise our voices to fight hunger, but the question is: Will we?
Every year World Vision distributes enough emergency food to fill 8,000 semi-trucks. They help families grow their own food and store it longer.
They defend the rights of the poor to those in power and challenge global leaders to tackle the causes of hunger. And we are going to help support them!Kayla is sponsoring what is called a “Thirty Hour Famine!” She’s asking her peers to go without – so others can eat. Every year students around the world unite in loving God and fighting hunger. They’ll learn about hunger, raise funds to help hungry kids, and experience hunger for themselves. They will go thirty hours without food. For a teenager this is HARD! During that time we’ll all gather together for a lock-in that involves learning, worshiping, praying and playing. At the end of the thirty hours, we will have a BREAKFAST to celebrate. Kayla will be asking many of you to help with that breakfast, and we’ll be asking you ALL to join in support.
The teens will be seeking financial sponsors to raise funds for World Vision. You will be asked to be a part! You may sponsor $20.00 if they make it, or you may choose to give a specific amount for each hour they complete. It’s completely up to you!
I am proud of this effort. Won’t you join me in encouraging the kids involved and cheering them on for their love for God’s world?!?
– Pannell
SHEPHERD’S TALK
February 2011
Dear Ones,
What have your Shepherds been talking about recently?
1. They have marveled with gratefulness that the congregation is so generous that we could finish 2010 with a positive balance, strong enough to finally complete the courtyard/foyer project by carpeting the area. You have probably noticed how much quieter, safer, calming and complete the area is. Other projects are in discussion pending financial resources and pressing need.
2. They have felt and shared the grief with the Holm family over the tragic loss of Branson, but, have rejoiced how the West Main family has surrounded the Holm family in warmth and financial support.
3. They have prayed much for the Holms and others in the congregation who are suffering critical treatments: Ernie Strawn, Gerry McCord, Ed Way, EEthel Flock, Mel Hamilton----and the passing of Mary Kilburn and Bill Breeden.
4. They have been working to insure that the congregation will be legally protected and we all will be of one mind in developing a set of amended bylaws. The bylaws will be submitted to congregational review in the near future.
5. They have continued to look among the congregation to encourage members to grow in leadership, marriage and spiritual maturity – offering seminars in all three areas.
6. They are studying ways to further develop other Bible study areas for youth and adults: Denise Beeks is leading in children studies, Brian Pannell in youth studies and Dan Beeks in adult education.
7. They are beginning to talk about another active CIA summer with Terry Christopher and Brian Pannell leading the way.
8. They are scheduling meetings to re-evaluate the work of both ministers, as required by contract, and discuss with the Deacons a full year of ministry, with increased emphasis upon the spiritual opportunities for deacon involvement.
9. They periodically discuss ministry activities and needs: youth ministry, pulpit ministry, worship, Bible classes (VBS, Camp), Safe Harbor, cell groups, missions, Mexico, prison ministry, widow assistance, benevolence, James II, building maintenance, etc.
10. They focus on specific member needs and difficulties and how to reach out to them, either in visiting, praying and helping to resolve issues.
Your Shepherds,
(Lance Lake, 2011 Chairman, Merlin Ragsdill, Mel Hamilton, Charlie Anderson, Truman Scott, Larry Denn, Gerry Flock)
WHO WANTS TO BE LIKE JESUS?
Starting on Saturday evening, February 26, Truman Scott will begin a seminar on Spiritual Development. Beginning with a dinner prepared by Thadd Flock, at 5:30 p.m., seminar participants will draw a picture of their development of personal traits. The following Saturday evening, March 5, an explanation of the trait-picture will be given. Then, for the four Wednesday evenings in March (9, 16, 23 and 30) growth plans will be studied for each of the traits being examined. The Saturday sessions will start at 6:30 p.m. and the Wednesday sessions will start at 7:00 p.m. Each session will last one and a half hours. Children’s classes will be available.
Being like Jesus – feeling how He feels, thinking how He thinks and doing how He did – should be the longing of every follower. This seminar will promote the development of the Christian traits that reflect the person and attitudes of Jesus. It will help the participants remove obstacles to growth that have hindered becoming like Jesus. It will set people on a course to be free to grow toward the “stature of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13).
Sign-up ends Wednesday, February 23. The seminar regularly costs over $100.00 but is given FREE to the first fifty participants reserving a place.
Daughters of the King will be this Saturday, February 19, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Corinne Christopher will be our speaker with her topic being, “How Can You Encourage My Teenage Children?” Get out your best tiara and join all the “Daughters of the King.” P.S. There will be a fitness skills group - please bring extra clothes.
Prayer Requests and Praises . . .
Cooper Albright is awaiting the results for his tests - his blood test was bad news - positive for HAMA ... Please remember Mel Hamilton and Sharen Rose as they heal from their falls ... Larry Albright will be having cataract surgery Feb. 16 as well as their neighbor, Frances Nelson ... Eva Loy Knight’s chest x-ray was clear of cancer. Please keep praying that it stays that way ... Colleen Abbott lost a family friend. Please pray for his family and the four children he left behind ... Doris Sutherlin requests prayers for the family of Hilda Hackworth who passed away Tuesday morning ... Patsy Brophy has a praise – Beth came out of the coma with no brain damage and is going home. Thank you for your prayers ... For our President and all of our military men, women and families.
HAVE YOU NOTICED HOW NICE our new carpeting looks? We would like to keep it looking that way. Please, if you spill something, either liquid or food, clean it up ASAP. Please ask your children to help out too, if they spill something. Also, we are asking that NO beverages be served that are red, orange or purple in color as these colors stain the carpeting. Thank you for your help.
The Memorial Service for Branson Holm will be Saturday, February 26, at 1:00 p.m. at the building.
2011 Church Directory Updates
* Photos – Sandra Cummings is now taking pictures for our directory of all our new members or families that have had babies this past year. Please contact Sandra to set up your appointment.
* Listings – Please proof your directory listing posted in the hallway by the stairs. Make any necessary changes or initial if all is correct. If you would like your cell phone number or email address to be printed, please add them. *If your name is not on the printout, there is a sheet next to the listings for you to write down your information.
*Prayer Chain – For those who would like to be added to or removed from the prayer chain, please check the listing posted by the directory.
Placing Membership:
Please welcome to our West Main Family two ladies who placed membership on Sunday:
Kinsey Parker who has attended our camp for several years and her mother, Toni, has helped at camp also.
Terrie Becker- recently moved here from Red Bluff, California.
Please meet these two ladies if you haven’t already done so.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Feb 19 Daughters of the King
Feb 26 Memorial Service for Branson Holm
Feb 26 Personal Holiness and Spiritual Development Seminar Begins
**Coffee Servers Needed for the months of March, April, May and June. Please sign up on the sheet posted on the bulletin board by the stairs. Thanks!
