July 30, 2014
A G A P E B L I T Z
August 9-15
Every summer our teens look forward to driving several hours north on I-5 to an old, abandoned college dorm. They plan on working several hours in impoverished schools, women’s shelters and homeless camps with no air conditioning. They plan on sleeping very little. And this is no punishment! It is their choice and in fact, they consider it a privilege. It is our annual “AGAPE BLITZ Mission Trip.” They work hard to get there, raising money to go and serve. And they give selflessly for an entire week.
Nothing makes me more proud than how these kids work there. It has become the most beloved outreach they do every year. They talk about it all year long. In fact, most continue helping out long after they have graduated from our High School program. Recently I had a college kid say to me, “You know I am going to Agape until you won’t let me anymore, right?” It really means something to us a group.
We learn so much. Our kids learn that they have been blessed with their families and friends. They learn how important love and community is. They learn how valuable a good, safe home is. They learn about different races and cultures. And they are combining all of these lessons to better themselves in the future as individuals. It is a life-changing week.
The fact that the gospel truly is “good news” is what we try to teach our youth. And we are showing them that the sharing of this good news takes place in RELATIONSHIP. It takes place when you give someone your attention and when you acknowledge their importance and dignity. We strive to simply join those we encounter at AGAPE where they are in their world, even if just for a week. We enter their lives with no agendas. We enter only with the desire to love and serve in genuine comassion. We enter truly believing in the command of Jesus to love our neighbors. We enter believing that everybody truly does matter, and when we leave we are never the same.
We believe in the ability of God’s church to change this world! When the church is working like it should, there is nothing like it in the world! And every year in Portland we experience a group of folks who have grabbed hold of this vision and are making it real. Please pray for us next week.
Car Wash -- Nineteen of our teens are heading out soon to work with AGAPE BLITZ in inner-city Portland. It's a wonderful opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus. They will work hard and share the love of the gospel. But....it costs to go and they are working to earn their way!
– Pannell
Back - to - School Supplies -- Last year we were able to help 250 children with their school supplies with your generous donations. It takes over $3,000.00 to be able to help this many families. Please prayerfully consider how you can help with your donations for this worthy outreach. If you need more information, please contact September Flock. Our school supply giveaway is scheduled for August 23.
KIA & Service Projects -- Wednesday Evenings -- 6:30-7:30 p.m.
August 6: KIA Singing; Anyone who would like to join us - you are welcome! We will meet at the building at 5:45 p.m. or come to Hearthstone at 6:00 p.m. and join us for singing.
August 13: KIA Cleaning at Building; Classrooms
August 20: Back to School Giveaway Setup. No Laundry Service; Videos upstairs for younger kids - ages 2 years- 3rd grade; 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Family Bowling Night -- Everyone is invited to join us for a fun evening at Lava Lanes on Tuesday, August 5, at 6:00 p.m. Come join us and bring a friend!
Nursery Help -- We still need help with our Sunday Morning Nursery during worship services. If you can help for a Sunday, please contact Diane Liles.
Prayer Requests . . . Emma Tompkins passed away on Tuesday. Please keep her family in your prayers. No details yet for a memorial service...For Evelyn Bates who has congestive heart failure - she is at home - please keep her in your prayers...Safe travel for Amber and Carlos Parker as they return from Brazil...For Harold Storm who has a melanoma cancer on his shoulder - please pray for a successful surgery...Wydie Denn’s brother-in-law, Bob, broke his hip last Sunday night and is recovering at Three Fountains. Please pray for his quick healing and for his wife, Liz, as she helps care for him...Larry and Wydie Denn’s son, Tony, has a knee injury - pray for his quick healing...David Mayes asks prayers for his friends, Cora - to influence her friends; Layla - for good health; Mikey - to accept Christ; Gloria - for her healing; and for himself to be more Christlike...For all of our members while they are traveling on vacation...For our President and all of our military men, women and families.
Thank You Very Much to everyone who helped make VBS a success this year either through your help or your donations! We had ninety-six children and we served lunch to over 200 people on Friday! Thanks to your donations, every child that was here received their own Bible. Thank you again, Denise Beeks
June Financial Statement
INCOME:
|
General Fund Contributions |
|
$ 20,546.00 |
|
Non-Budgeted Contributions |
|
$ 358.20 |
|
Development Funds & Rents |
|
$ 2,553.00 |
|
Interest/Other Income |
|
$ 0.70 |
|
Total Income for Month |
|
$ 23,457.90 |
EXPENSES:
|
Administration and Payroll |
|
$12,369.13 |
|
Youth on Fire |
|
$923.06 |
|
Vision Ministries |
|
$0.00 |
|
Office |
|
$814.00 |
|
Nurturing Brethren |
|
$28.50 |
|
Operational Ministries |
|
$1,239.96 |
|
Worship & Facilities |
|
$1,388.86 |
|
Non-Budgeted Mission |
|
$120.00 |
|
Development & Kings Hwy |
|
$4,509.39 |
|
Total Monthly Expenses |
|
$21,392.90 |
***************************************
AUGUST SERVERS
Coffee Servers: HELP NEEDED
Greeters: Michele Cooper; Don & Zana Walker
Nursery: August 3 & 10: Shawna Parker
August 17:
August 24: No nursery this Sunday
August 31: Codi Spodnik
***************************************
JULY ATTENDANCE
1st Sunday 257
2nd Sunday 288
3rd Sunday 237
4th Sunday 230
Calendar of Events
August 5: Family Bowling Night at Lava Lanes; 6:00 p.m.
Everyone is invited
August 6: KIA Singing; Hearthstone; 6:00 p.m.
August 20: Setup for School Supplies and Clothing Giveaway;
No Laundry Service Tonight
August 24: Emigrant Lake Family Encampment
