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FROM
THE PASTOR
I have never had to experience long, or repeated,
periods of loneliness. During my growing up years and as an adult I have
always been blessed by the presence of family. Parents, siblings, wife,
children, grandchildren - these have all added so much to my life and
continue to be a blessing to me.
Unfortunately, many people in our world are not blessed by the
closeness of family. They experience much loneliness. I am not saying
that times of being alone are all bad; on the contrary, we can all benefit
from having times when we are alone. Those can be creative times, times
when we reflect, times when we can, as Psalm 46:10 says, "Be still, and
know that I am God." What I am talking about is the loneliness imposed by
circumstances which leaves persons sad and unfulfilled.
I can only imagine what this would be like. Even imagining it gives
me feelings of sadness. Is there any remedy? Is there any help? Is there
any hope?
We cannot create biological families for others, but we can tell them
about the "church family," what it means us, and invite, encourage and
assist them in becoming connected with this family. No, that won't keep
persons from still experiencing times of loneliness, but it does give them
options and opportunities to be with people who love and care for one
another. This is one of the joys and blessings of the church. We can be
part of God's family.
George
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Pastor: Dr. George J. Lespagnard
SUNDAY SERMON: February 24, 2008
Text: Exodus 20:1-6
Title: GOD IS SERIOUS . . . ARE WE?
SUNDAY SCHOOL: 9:30 a.m.
WORSHIP: 10:40 a.m.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
OFFERING: $3,713.51
ATTENDANCE: Sunday School 54 Worship 89
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THANK YOU
Dear First Christian Church,
With your help last year, children at Tennyson Center for Children at
Colorado Christian Home received the care, education and therapy that is
critical to their healing.
Our records show the following cash donation of $1,587.50 given by you
to Tennyson Center for Children. Serving together,
Lynn Woods, Chief Development Officer
Dear Friends at FCC, Haysville,
We appreciate so much you including us in your gospel outreach. We
are blessed indeed.
Aloha, Steve and Blossom
The OAHU CHRISTIAN OUTREACH for January-February 2008 from Steve and
Blossom Sturm is posted in the glass bulletin board in the entryway. The
2008 calendar that Steve sent with beautiful Hawaiian scenes is posted
also.
We would like to thank our church family for your love and support
after the death of our son, Rick. George performed a wonderful service.
The ladies furnished a wonderful meal. Jesse came to our son's home and
prayed with us immediately after his passing. Machaelle took time out of
her busy day to run the sound system. For all these things and all of the
kind words, prayers and cards, we say thank you.
Gary and Alma Murrow and family
Thank you to Phyllis Rafler for the book of stamps and to Anita
Lespagnard and Lenora Heath for their thoughtfulness.
A special thanks to those who sent cards, those who brought food to
our house and to those who furnished a wonderful meal at the church for
Orion's family, we are so blessed to have wonderful friends and church
family.
God Bless You All, Pat, Kirby and Boni
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CHURCH GROWTH
Victory in the Valley is our Cause for February. We
here at First Christian are a vital part of VV and our help is deeply
appreciated. We can help by bringing individually wrapped snack items
(sugar and sugar free) for the Hospitality Centre, across from St Francis,
and/or monetary offerings. We will also be making cotton turbans for women
who have lost their hair during chemotherapy. Contact Lenora Heath for a
pattern if you think you would be able to help with this project. You may
continue to bring snack items through the rest of the month and we will
take the snacks, money and turbans to the Centre. Thanks for your support.
Church Growth
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PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES
Each Sunday morning there is an opportunity for a
dedicated time of prayer at 9:00. Anyone who would like to pray together
is invited to come to George's office for group prayer. As Dale Atkeson
said in his message last Sunday, "prayer is the language we use to talk
with God." Our needs are many and varied. You may pray silently or out loud
as we lift our hearts to the One who hears all prayers. It is a beautiful
way to start the worship experience each Sunday morning.
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Each Sunday following the worship service, the elders are available
for individual prayer requests or needs. Simply contact the elders who
served at the altar that morning, or contact any of the other elders in the
congregation, and we will be glad to meet with you in private or as a group
to lift your concern in prayer. The elders currently serving our
congregation are: Plinio Andrade, Bill Eastman, Dale Atkeson, Jesse
Shetler, Ted Clubb, David Walker, Margo Walker, Nancy Sturm and Marsha
Devan.
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The war in Iraq wages on. Our military personnel need prayer for
protection, well being and for comfort. At the back of our sanctuary is a
list of friends and family that are with the military that we as a church
can support in prayer. Please pray for these dedicated men and women and
for the military leaders and advisors of our country. If you have a name
that you would like to have added to the list, or changes of status of your
loved one currently on the list, please contact Marsha Devan (788-7693) so
that the list can be updated periodically.
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Did you know that the elders are available to serve communion to those
at home that are unable to attend church? If you could benefit from this
service, please contact Marsha Devan at 788-7693 to arrange a day and time
that would be convenient for an elder to bring the elements of the Lord's
Supper to you at home, hospital, or nursing facility.
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WEEK
OF COMPASSION
First Christian will receive the Week of Compassion
Special Offering Sunday, February 24, 2008. Gifts to Week of Compassion
support programs that help families and villages around the world build
lives and communities that are healthy, safe and sustainable, changing
lives of millions of God's children. Accomplished by individual
denominations alongside Church World Service, work made possible by Week of
Compassion.
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FROM
THE E-MAIL FILE: Davin and Amanda Reust
Hello all! Well, we are still in Mali. I don't know if
we'll be here another three weeks, three months, or three years (well, I
can probably say no to that one!), but we're trying to make it work. It's
not easy. We never expected it to be, but sometimes it seems like it may
be too much. But we're here and we are trying to make this the best
experience it can be. Thank you all for your continued support.
Note: Amanda's e-mail was lengthy so I printed and posted in the glass
bulletin board.
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CLEARWATER CHRISTIAN CHURCH
Greetings,
A member of our congregation should be returning home after several
months of stroke rehab. The family is looking for someone who helps with
light housework, breakfast/lunch preparation and available from 7:30 a.m.
to 1:00 p.m. Mon - Fri (fewer days are an option as they could schedule
multiple workers). Someone with experience and references would be
preferred. All other details would be determined with the family
directly.
Any leads (individual or organization) would be appreciated and I will
forward them directly to the family. Thank you for your consideration.
Our local care facilities are not yet licensed to provide such assistance
or leads.
Lenten Blessings,
Pastor Brian Wells,
First Christian Church, Clearwater, KS
(620) 584-2458 - local call in Wichita area.
wells_b_r@hotmail.com
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| VISITORS:
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Eureka, KS: Patty Tucker
Kansas City, MO: Mike and Kristan Townley
Haysville, KS: Beverly Sale, Matthew Vestering, Stephanie Faidley,
Tehra Faidley
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| PRAYER LIST:
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Dan Atkeson family, Jack Braden, Dale Foust, Ernie
Hurdle, Inez Agers, Lynn, Julie and Gary Garrelts, George and Susan
Hatcher, Blanche and Billy Williams, Tom VonFeldt,
Ed and Pat Carr, Kirby and Pat Barnes, Jim West, Jerry Kennedy, Beulah
Rees, Mike Deck, Harvey Wells,
Seth Falley, Elijah and Jeremiah Atkeson, Rose Maloney, Randy Kelly,
Dorothy Dugan, Harold King
Sympathy to the family of Orion Hills, son of Boni Hills, grandson of
Kirby and Pat Barnes
Keep Velma Stites and Susan Hatcher in your prayers as they have been
in the hospital.
Pastor George's cousin, Ron Brigstocke and Dale Atkeson's cousin,
Keith Harvey passed away.
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| DID YOU
KNOW? |
Praise the Lord, I found a job! I'm a Receiving
Inspector and I love it! God does hear our prayers and He does answer them!
Beverly McCormick
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| MEN'S BREAKFAST
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The next Men's Breakfast will be Saturday, March 1st at
7:30 a.m. The sign up sheet is on the table.
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| CHS SPECIAL
OLYMPICS BREAKFAST BENEFIT |
The Knights of Columbus are having a breakfast, Sunday,
February 24th in the hall at St. Cecelia School to benefit the Campus Colts
Special Olympics.
Biscuits, gravy, sausage, pancakes and juice will be served 7 am -
11:30 am. Cost is $6.00 for adults and $3.00 for children under 12. We
appreciate your support. Laura Spears-Vargas
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| PROPERTY |
Unlocked Doors
When you go in and out of the church, be sure you check to see that
the doors are LOCKED and the lights have been turned off before you leave.
Several times lately doors have been found UNLOCKED and lights left on.
Take time to pull on the doors to make sure they are closed and locked.
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| CHURCH MEMBERSHIP
CLASS |
Persons interested in being part of a class on becoming
a Christian and a member of the church meeting during the Sunday School
hour (9:30-10:30 a.m.) March 2, 9 and 16 please make it known to the office
or to George.
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