July 2015 - Church of the Good Shepherd

Shepherd’s Journal
Church of the Good Shepherd
July 2015 Issue 7
“To keep a fire burning
brightly, keep two logs
together, near enough to
keep each other warm,
and far enough apart for
breathing room. The
same rule holds for a
good marriage.”
—Author unknown
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Birthdays & Anniversaries ............. 2
PASTOR’S PONDERINGS
Recently a man entered a church and, after sitting and listening
to the Bible study for an hour, killed nine people. In his website
"Manifesto" he said that too many people merely talked on the
internet about killing black people and it was time for someone
to be brave enough actually to do something.
Following this tragedy, the governor of South Carolina called for
the removal of the Confederate flag from its position of honor
above the capitol. Since then, talk shows and internet comments
have flared with the injustice of the governor's planned action.
Isn't there something wrong with this picture? It reminds me of
hearing Tony Compolo address a Christian group by saying,
"I have three things I’d like to say today. First, while you were
sleeping last night, 30,000 kids died of starvation or diseases
related to malnutrition. Second, most of you don’t give a s**t.
What’s worse is that you’re more upset with the fact that I said
s**t than the fact that 30,000 kids died last night."
July Calendar ................................. 3
Recipe of the Month ....................... 3
Righteous anger is what caused Jesus to cleanse the temple.
Let's be sure we are angry about what offends Jesus.
Saints on Safari ............................ 4
Annual Conference Report ............ 5
What’s Happening ......................... 6
Church Camp Forms''''.....7,8
Missions'''''''''...9, 10
Fair Share & Financials''.. 10, 11
See you in church.
Happy Birthday
July 15
Debbie Kines
July 16
Harry White
July 2
Trevor Smith
Peter Brown
July 3
Judy Dawson
Marik Chambers
Julie Lipscomb Knight
July 6
Julie Reneau
Mick Elsey
July 12
Leah Powell
2
July 20
Muriel Bean
July 23
Mark Stewart
July 25
Kristen Weaver
July 26
Robert Riggs
Father, I’m bringing you my trials and
frustrations. You know each and every
detail. Help me give my unfulfilled
expectations to you, trusting you’re
working out a plan for me.
I want to thank each and every one of
you who have visited me, sent a card
or prayed for me. It meant so much.
I especially want to thank Pastor Bert
and Suzanne for reaching out to me
miles above the call of duty!
Thanks,
July 31st
Dave Barlow
July 1
Don & Linda Sapp
July 16
Janie & Mike Skinner
July 6
Catherine & Tim Brown
July 24
Michael & Elena Hawranick
July 9
Bev & Louie Gerard
July 25
Richard & Wilma Warne
July 14
Dennis & Judy Dawson
July 28
Scott & Shelley Elsey
Jeannine Mankins
July 30
Kelly & Jim Brown II
July 31
Paul & Julie Reneau
July 4
July
Independence Day
7
6:30pm
Education Committee Meeting
July 13
6:30pm
NU-2-U Evening Workshop
July 14
12:30pm
July 17
9:00am
July 18
12:00pm - 3:00pm
July 20 - 25
Circle 4 Meeting @ Jerry’s Restaurant
Set up for Block Party
Block Party
Set up for VBS
July 27 - 31
5:30pm - 8:30pm
Vacation Bible School
Recipe of the Month
Scalloped Pineapple - From the Kitchen of Jeannine Mankins
Ingredients
Directions
1 1/4 cups sugar
Mix together sugar, oleo, eggs and milk. Add cubed bread and let soak for 5 minutes.
1 stick Oleo (margarine
Add pineapple chunks with juice.
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
Bake in a greased uncovered dish at 350 degrees for 1 hour.
4 slices bread (cubed)
1 can pineapple chunks with juice
Letters from dogs to God:
“Dear God: Why do humans smell the flowers, but seldom, if ever, smell one another?”
“Dear God: When we get to heaven, can we sit on Your couch? Or will it be the same old story?”
“Dear God: If a dog barks his head off in the forest and no human hears him, is he still a bad dog?”
“Dear God: Are there mailmen in heaven? If there are, will I have to apologize?”
—via Rev. Bud Frimoth
Portland, OR
3
S S
by Carol Crawford Rowe
The Father’s Hand
Most of you know that our family has been experiencing a trail on our safari that no one chooses. Here
is an update, for your prayers and loving support.
Fifteen year old Nathaniel has completed stage one of his treatment for a rare lymphoma and is now
awaiting the decisions of his medical team about what comes next. His maturity of attitude and his
steadfastness of faith have been a source of strength for all of us. He has already undergone more
than many do in a lifetime, and has maintained dignity and grace.
During the early stages of his chemotherapy, he was hugging his teddy bear while his father sat at his
bedside. He looked up and said “Thank you.”
His father asked, “For what?”
Nathan answered, “For holding my hand. It helps.”
As I wiped the tears from my eyes after hearing that story, I began to think. How often on our journeys,
when we encounter the less than perfect days, we complain. We remind ourselves and others about
how rough is the journey, how unfair are the circumstances in which we find ourselves.
I want to be like Nathan. I want to look into the face of my Father and say “thank you for holding my
hand. It helps”. And I will remember, no matter where the safari takes me, Jesus has promised that
nothing can take me from the Father’s hand. The Father is greater than any bump or mountain that we
encounter. We are safe in his hand. The safari can not separate us from the Father’s love.
John 10:28-29.
4
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Annual Conference Report – June 11-14, 2015
The conference was interesting this year with several things happening.
The Bishop has a goal of 2,400 new professions of faith by the end of 2016. The Bishop’s Cabinet
report cast a vision of a conference renewed through making disciples. They asked that all churches
host confirmation classes and new member classes this fall. Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett, discussed
balcony people: the people who see the best in others and help them on the journey through life. We
were told that we need to strive to be balcony people for others and asked to think about the balcony
people in our lives.
Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball asked the conference, “Do you want to make disciples?” After her address
we sang a song “Do You Want to Make Disciples,” that was set to the tune “Do You Want to Build a
Snowman,” from the Disney animated film, “Frozen.” She also asked, “Can you accept that God loves
you no matter what?”
Rich Shaffer’s lay address told us to “Get Off Our Donkeys.” It was related to the story of The Good
Samaritan and asked who really helped the man lying by the side of the road? We have to get off of
our donkeys to help other people. He told us that, “What we say and do, matters. And sometimes,
what we don’t do and don’t say matters.”
Wesleyan President Pamela Balch welcomed the conference to the campus and announced that the
college is one of two colleges in the country that has been awarded a $10,000,000 grant.
The conference adopted a budget of $12,159,191 for 2016, an increase of $132,952. The budget
passed without discussion. A resolution also passed that updated parsonage standard revisions
concerning internet service and moving costs.
Delegates to the General and Jurisdictional Conferences were elected. One of the most interesting
things for me this year was Native American storytelling. The storyteller told a story about an older
man who had lost his family. In the story the community adopted the man with a blanket of adoption.
When the man was adopted he was told, “This one I take, this one I love.” I felt that this is what God
is telling us. During the conference next year there will be a ceremony of reconciliation. The Native
American that was the storyteller told us that when the Native Americans were moved to reservations
they were not allowed to dance. If they were caught dancing, they would receive no food for ten days.
I felt that was terrible. Some of the oldest Native American sites in the United States are found in West
Virginia.
Thank you for letting me be your delegate,
Carla Powell
5
WHAT’S HAPPENING
Block Party set up will be July 17th at
9:00am. Make your plans now to attend
or help with this years event.
6
CHURCH CAMP
7
8
MISSIONS
Great News from Tyumen
While the whole world is stunned at war conflicts and moral situation in the world, we try to see what Jesus
calls us to do in the midst of all of this.
Family Day evangelism. On June 21, our church actively participated
with all Protestant churches in an evangelism campaign devoted to
Biblical family values. Last year the program was so successful that city
administration (which is always very reserved to support any Protestant
minority activity) even supported financially. Protestant Christians put up
a great concert from 2pm to 6pm nonstop in the main City Park. Each
church had a spot, where we gave out literature, drinks, visited with
people, played games and organized competitions. We were able to talk
about Christ and Biblical family values to a great number of people. We
gave out New testaments, nice magazines with words of Scripture,
booklets on family. Our youth performed on a stage, as well as our
praise team. We were so excited to be given free four hours to talk freely, loudly about Jesus in our city. We
were happy to carry the verses of Scripture about family on the streets of Tyumen.
On June 22-24 we had a church camp for youth in the forest. There
were 19 youth and 7 adults serving them. Great weather, great games,
great fellowship. But the best part is that youth gave their lives to Jesus
and were powerfully touches by the Holy Spirit. An inspiring story. Last
year Nastya A, who used to come as a little girl to church children’s activities, accepted the Lord at the youth camp. She has become one of a very
active leaders of the church this year. At this camp, another Nastya S.,
who also was taken by relatives to some of our children’s activities in the
past, were invited to the camp. She accepted the Lord with her whole
heart at this camp. Then she served at a children’s camp as a councelor.
She says she feels happiness and gladly worships the Lord. I thank God
that He let me see the fruits of our labor: we have been investing in children all these years, and now they are coming to the Lord as teens. I can’t tell you how excited we are!!!!!
On June 25-27 we had a children’s camp in the church – 12 children, 4 teens helping and 9 adults serving.
The program was written by church members. It was interesting and exciting. At the evening kids hold candles
and gave testimonies what God has done in their lives. It has been an exciting week!
There is one more joy we want to share. A Baptist pastor from Lugansk came to visit Tyumen. Lugansk is
one of the hot regions in the Ukraine that is suffering from war. Members of our church made a collection for
the saints in the Ukraine. I believe – this is our response to war – to continue to spread the Gospel over the
land and to love one another. We heard great news that a Methodist church in Lugansk is still very active –
we were told before that it is not any more. We heard that their will have a children’s camp in Lugansk. We
were moved by God to share finances with them for the camp for kids in the territory where there is war. We
had tears when we received reports from a pastor of a Baptist church who sent pictures of children from the
camp and words of thanks. We just wanted to say: How great is our God!
Thank you all, who pray for us, who support us, who love us. We love you! We are so to be in ministry together
for our Lord Jesus!
Pastor Katya Zubkova.
pictures continued on page 10
9
Pictures from Tyumen
continued from page 9
FAIR SHARE AND FINANCIALS
10
11
Church of the Good Shepherd
3025 Lucas Dairy Road
Grafton, WV 26354-8470
304-265-1705
[email protected]
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
PERMIT NO. 57
GRAFTON, WV 26354