July-August 2012 Church Mouse Newsletter

The Church Mouse
The Lake of the Woods Church
Volume No. 25
July-August 2012
From the Senior Pastor…
__
On Sunday, June 10, The
LOWC baptized into Christ
seven followers who vowed
with God’s help to be lifelong
devoted disciples. Each one
shared the story of his/her faith
journey.
Many were in
attendance, sharing in the
moving of God’s Spirit. Some
who came to the point to picnic,
asked questions.
Interestingly, after Jesus’ baptism the scripture says,
“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the
wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” (Matthew
4:1)
Friday, June 29
5TH FRIDAY LUNCHEON
11:30 a.m. Friendship Hall (page 5)
Wednesday, July 4
INDEPENDENCE DAY
Church Offices closed
July 15-21
WORLD SERVANTS MISSION TRIP
Richwood, WV (page 12)
July 9-13
ONCE UPON A PARABLE CHILDREN’S MUSICAL
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon – Rehearsals in the Worship Center
Sunday, July 15
Performance at 8:30, 9:45 and 11:00 (page 13)
July 23-27
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon
The evil one is never far away from any of us.
Scripture says, “If you think you are standing
strong, watch out that you do not fall.” (I
Corinthians 10:12)
The many believers of LOWC are shining a bright
light of love, mission, devotion, discipleship and
salvation. Many are finding God’s favor in their
lives. Let us with repentance and humility continue
to be about God’s work.
I want to encourage you to faithfulness in
worshipping with the congregation of believers.
Anyone who believes they are above this or not in
need of giving corporate worship to God…is
already falling to the devil’s myths.
Partnering in the Gospel,
Pastor Tom
Sunday, July 29
11:00 VBS Celebration (page 13)
July 29-August 3
TEEN CAMP – MADISON, VA
(page 12)
Saturday, August 11
3:30 p.m. Emmaus Gathering (page 11)
August 13-17
BACKYARD BIBLE CLUB WEEK
(page 12)
Friday, August 31
5TH FRIDAY LUNCHEON
11:30 a.m. Friendship Hall (page 7)
Sunday, September 23
CHURCH PICNIC
October 20
HEALTH FAIR SYMPOSIUM
November 2-4
WOMEN’S FALL RETREAT
(page 4)
A Word from Pastor Jim
As writing this, I am midstream in
my study of Gideon. He's been
our theme character for the
Saturday AM men's group since
the April Men's Retreat. That series is being
adapted for the summer preaching study I'm
leading. Gideon is the character who comes to
mind as we are asked by God to move ahead into
something new, risky, unfamiliar. God is calling us
in faith. Our human heart and mind wants to hang
back in what is safe, even if safe is claiming less
than the Lord made us for. I invite you to engage
with me in this SUMMER PREACHING
SERIES, either in person Sunday mornings or by
accessing the messages on-line at
www.lowchurch.org.
At this point in my study, Gideon's faith now
engaged to respond to God's call is about to go the
other
way
into
extreme.
So sad.
But then again, we
do the same. Here, I
guess
we
see
ourselves in Gideon
too. Trying too hard
to obey. Trying too
much to be sold out
for Christ. Working
less from what Jesus would do and more from our
human reason and personality.
How much we need the help of others around us to
keep us in check. How much we need to see what
we are capable of and the lessons of overzealousness. And how much we need the steady
input of God's Truth in the Bible.
After the Fourth, the SAT AM MEN'S GROUP
will be starting a summer discussion of PAUL'S
LETTER TO THE GALATIANS. It's a great
place to nail down what it means to be "saved" by
God.
The
truths in this
Letter ground
us about the
"gift" of God
in Jesus Christ an antidote to the poisoning we
eagerly ingest by thinking we earn God's favor or
must be so zealous to show ourselves to be His
"real" followers.
If you're a man…come join us Saturday mornings
starting July 14th.
If you're a lady or a guy who can't join up…how
long since you have read GALATIANS yourself?
Makes for good SUMMER READING for your
daily prayer time.
If you're a small group…check it out as a great
SMALL GROUP TOPIC.
Praying your summer weeks are refreshing in all
their ways, Jim
VISITATION & CARE
MINISTRY
Minister Lemay
Visitation & Care Ministry
We still need two people or a
husband and wife team for
Homebound ministry. Set you own hours for one of
the most rewarding ministries.
Contact [email protected].
Coming Soon to Your Church
The Health Fair Symposium in
October 2012
Guest Speakers from the
Medical Profession
“Love one another as I have loved you.”
John 13:34
HOSPITAL VISITATION




Prayer
Gives
Hope
Comfort
Call us! We want to visit
you in the hospital.
COMMUNION
We bring
communion to
your home
monthly or bimonthly!
HOMEBOUND
We share with
those who are
homebound!
VOLUNTEER NEEDED FOR A
our brothers and sisters:
Fran Black
Nila Bock
Cheryl Boyle
Cameron Chubb
Kevin Chubb
Dortheia Clark
Ashley Critzer
Fran Curtis
Shelia Derryberry
Desi Desarmeaux
Jim Divelbiss
Susan Dyer
Rose Finn
Diane Fox
Leslie Gage
Edie Gessford
Richard Griggs
Deloris Hedgepath
Carlene Hill
Ruth Inman
Soon Ja Ingels
Bob Jones
Doug Jones
Suzanne Lentine
Mark
Mastrofrancesco
John Norton
Lynn Nowakoski
Jim Parker
Bill Rawls
John Rueckert
Danielle Schneider
George Schneider
Dee Sitnik
Doris Velona
Annie Wald
Betty Wilson
Jan Wright
Our sincere condolences to the family of Edna
Lumpkin in her recent passing.
If you know of anyone in need of a ministerial visit,
communion, and sharing the gospel, contact Minister
Mike Lemay by phone at 972-9060 or by email
at [email protected].
I am in need of someone to go on a reconnaissance
mission! It is not to enemy territory but to friendly
territory. I would like to know more about what 3
or 4 area churches are doing regarding resource
centers, in-house bookstores or libraries in their
churches. A visit or phone call would be required.
It’s not that we need to copy what others do but that
we do not need to recreate the wheel. I am
interested in upgrading how we make Christian
materials for learning available to adults. If you
have an interest in knowing more about this shortterm mission, please contact me, Pastor Tom
Schafer, [email protected], 972-9060.
– Pastor Schafer
GRACE TO LIVE BY
August 5
Sustaining Grace
“He who has begun a good work in
you will bring it to completion, at the
day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6
Life has its trials! How can I receive
sustaining grace?
Ladies,
The members of The Lake of the Woods Church
Fall Retreat Committee are very excited about our
upcoming retreat on November 2-4. We are so
excited because our speaker sounds fascinating.
Her name is Grace Fabian and she is the author of
“Outrageous Grace” and a former Wycliffe
translator in the wilds of Papua, New Guinea.
Grace has an incredible story to share about her
family and their life as translators in New Guinea.
Her story is both riveting and inspiring.
This is one retreat you will not want to miss! So,
mark your calendars and start saving the date now!
-Pat Ericksen
August 12 Healing Grace
“God heals the broken hearted and
binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3
When you discover and experience
how God really sees you…your eyes
will be opened and healing will flow!
August 19 Restoring Grace
“Restore, O Lord, and bring us back
to You again! Give back the joys we
once had!” Lamentations 5:21
August 26 TBD
We are saved by grace. But is there more? Yes,
there is more grace for God’s sons and daughters,
so much more. God did not provide a way for the
forgiveness of sins, just for a life in heaven. Jesus
came to give us abundant life, here and now.
Life can be hard but God’s grace is more than
sufficient. This series will be like a rain in the
desert for your soul.
July 4
Church offices closed.
THE SUNBEAM CLUB
Bev Zabka
Live a Life That Matters
(from a Christian friend)
Ready or not, someday it will all come to an end.
There will be no more sunrises, no minutes, hours
or days. All the things you collected, whether
treasured or forgotten, will pass to someone else.
Your wealth, fame and temporal power will shrivel
to irrelevance. It will not matter what you owned or
what you owed.
Your grudges, resentments,
frustrations, and jealousies will finally disappear.
So, too, your hopes, ambitions, plans, and to-do lists
will expire.
The wins and losses that once seemed so important
will fade away. It won’t matter where you came
from, or on what side of the tracks you lived, at the
end. It won’t matter whether you were beautiful,
handsome or brilliant.
Even your gender and skin color will be irrelevant.
So what will matter? How will the value of your
days be measured?
What will matter is not what you bought, or what
you got, but what you gave. What will matter is not
your success but your significance.
What will matter is not what you learned but what
you taught. What will matter is every act of
integrity, compassion, courage or sacrifice that
enriched, empowered or encouraged others to
emulate your walk with the Lord.
What will matter is not your competence but your
character. What will matter is not how many
people you knew but how many will feel a lasting
loss when you’re gone.
What will matter are not your memories but the
memories that live in those who loved you. What
will matter is how long you will be remembered,
by whom, and for what.
Living a life that matters doesn’t happen by
accident. It’s not a matter of circumstances but of
choosing to live for JESUS!
Barbara Crawford
We enjoyed a perfect evening
weather-wise on June 15 for our
“closeout for the season” gettogether at Sweetbriar Park. As always, the potluck
main dishes, salads, and “sweets” offerings were
delicious, and we always have a good time getting
to know each other better and sharing a tricky
memory lane puzzle----movie stars from “way
back” in the ‘30s, 40s, and 50s!!
We’ll take a rest in July and August and be back
together again on Friday, September 21 for a
surprise program and dessert. See you then, and
have a great summer.
A support group forming for those caught between
two generations!
How do we care for the children God has given us
and also care for our parents who raised us?
How do we help an older generation to still feel
independence even as they become more
dependent?
How can we raise our children to respect this older
generation?
contact: Sharon Cooksey at 972-3281 or
email: [email protected]
5th FRIDAY LUNCHEON
June 29
11:30 a.m. in Friendship Hall
Please bring a main or side dish to share!
Desserts will be provided!
Contact: Gloria 972-7545
or Shirley 972-3812
WOMEN’S GUILD
Women United in Loving Discipleship
Judy Minzes
The LOW Church Women’s Guild held its Spring
Retreat on April 21 in the LOW Church Worship
Center.
The guest
speaker was Deborah
Shank, a spiritual and
inspirational
speaker.
The theme for the retreat
was “Groceries, Bibles, and Work Boots.” Deborah
talked about how we need to become “authentic” in
our Christian walk, to learn how to “walk in the
spirit.” We need to work at eliminating obstacles
that impede being authentic, such as fears of
rejection or trying to live up to the expectations of
someone other than God. We need to turn our focus
to trusting God and know that He is the one we
need to please and serve. We need to continually
ask Him to help us become the person HE wants us
to be. We also enjoyed Christian music led by
Angie Neely on the piano and Rachael Zello leading
us in the hymns. Rachael also performed a
beautiful solo “Hallelujah” on her guitar. Thank
you, Angie and Rachael!
At the last meeting (May 3) for 2011-2012 year,
Women’s Guild members enjoyed a Breakfast
Buffet at the LOW Clubhouse. We celebrated
having a wonderful year of becoming more
spiritually centered and focused through using the
principles and guidance of our study guide
“Overcoming Overload” and the many wonderful
speakers (WG members and church pastors and
others) who presented programs. Vera Moody read
a sermon written by Dr. Robert H. Schuller entitled
“I Am the American Flag,” written in 1972 and
delivered many times over the years around
Memorial Day. It talks about pride in our country
in spite of problems we face, of freedoms we enjoy
and the unlimited possibilities we have in this
country. It speaks of pride in our military, clergy,
missionaries, teachers, and agriculturists who have
gone to the ends of the earth to bring freedom,
education, clean water, hospitals, schools, and
education to people about sewers and sanitation.
Dr. Schuller says that the Ten Commandments,
the Bible and the Word of God are the foundations
upon which our country was founded, and if we
depart from those virtues and values we will see
our freedom fade. Read an excerpt of the sermon
by Dr. Schuller at www.hourofpower.org. Thank
you, Vera, for this inspiring program we all
enjoyed!
The outgoing Women’s Guild Chair, Laurel
Buongiovanni, provided her personal testimony
concerning how she came to take on the role of
Chair for Women’s Guild for the past two years.
Thank you, Laurel, for your spiritual leadership and
for the many great programs you provided each
month and the retreats we all enjoyed these past two
years. Thanks and accolades also go to ALL the
members of the outgoing Women’s Guild Board for
the wonderful job they did this past year.
The 2012-2013 Board members are as follows:
Chair - Sally Shope, Co-Chair - Sue Silliman,
Secretary - Julie Phend, Treasurer - Linda Wight,
Publicity - Judy Minzes, Missions - Joyce Hetrick,
Lora Wood and Joan Parnell, Welcome and
Hospitality - Ruth Fraser, Kitchen - Jean Stutz,
Decorations - Jo Davis.
Ministries that the Women’s Guild contributed to
this year are: LOW Church Flower Guild, Kitchen
Supplies, SAFE House, Child Evangelism
Fellowship (CEF), Children’s Ministry (CentriKids), Youth Missions (CYIA), Youth Missions
(Teen Camp), and Pastors Benevolence.
Please join us on September 6 when the LOW
Church Women’s Guild kicks off the 2012-2013
year. Meetings are held on the 1st and 3rd
Thursdays of each month. Women’s Guild is a
multi-denominational ministry and welcomes all
women. Our purpose is to provide fellowship, Bible
study, prayer and community service.
“For where two or three are gathered together in
My name,
I am there in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20)
TRUSTEE’S CORNER:
GUIDELINES FOR GIVING TO EXPANDING
OUR VISION (EOV)
1. Cash:
Use an envelope, write your name
and indicate EOV or Vision
2. Check:
Write a separate check, indicate
EOV or Vision on the Memo Line
3. Mutual Funds: Liquidate shares and have
check sent to:
The Lake of the Woods Church/EOV
1 Church Lane
Locust Grove, VA 22508
4. Stocks: Use the form attached: Exhibit A
** Notify the Treasurer’s office (9060) with
your name, name of the stock, share price,
and number of shares.
5. IRA Minimum Distribution: (over age 70 ½):
Have check written and sent to:
The Lake of the Woods Church/EOV
1 Church Lane
Locust Grove, VA 22508
For other types of contributions, please
contact the Treasurer’s Office (972-9060).
For personal tax questions, please contact
your Financial Advisor or Tax Consultant.
AUTHORIZATION AGREEMENT FOR
DIRECT PAYMENTS (ACH DEBITS)
I/We hereby authorize The Lake of The Woods Church,
hereinafter called Church, to initiate debit entries to
my/our checking account at the depository institution
named below, hereinafter called Depository, and to debit
the same to such account. The debit entries will be
posted on the 8th – 10th of each month in the amount of
$_________. I/we acknowledge that the origination of
ACH transactions to my/our account must comply with
the provisions of U.S. Law.
Depository Name _________________________
City/State/Zip _____________________
This authorization is to remain in full force and effect
until Church has received written notification from
me/us of its termination in such time and manner as to
afford Church and Depository a reasonable opportunity
to act on it. Joint accounts must be signed by both
parties.
Name: ______________________ Date _______
Owner
Name: ______________________ Date_______
Joint owner
Signature(s):
Owner _________________________________
Joint Owner _____________________________
th
5 FRIDAY LUNCHEON
August 31
11:30 a.m. in Friendship Hall
Please bring a dish to share!
SEE YOU THERE!
Contact: Gloria 972-7545
or Shirley 972-3812
Please attach a CHECK marked VOID. Submit form
and voided check in sealed envelope addressed to
LOWC Treasurer.
MISSIONS
Shared Hope International is an organization that
was founded by former U.S. Congresswoman from
Washington, Linda Smith. This organization exists
to rescue and restore women and children in crisis.
They are leaders in a worldwide effort to prevent
and eradicate sex trafficking and slavery through
education and public awareness.
A trip to India in 1998 as a congresswoman and a
visit to a brothel in Mumbai with Teen Challenge
director K.K. Deveraj caused Linda Smith to hear
God’s call on her life to attempt to rescue and
restore as many as possible from a life of slavery in
a brothel. To that end partnerships were developed
in places like Nepal (and others) where facilities are
arranged to house and train people for a
trade/business and teach them about the love of
God. These places are usually called “homes of
hope.”
To offer material, emotional, and spiritual support
to the various partners that Shared Hope has
developed through the years, periodic trips are
conducted by members of SH staff. As I write this
article a group of women from SH is just
completing such a visit. They have visited Mumbai
and the home SH supports in Nepal. I would like to
quote from a blog on the SHI website about that
visit on 5/18/12:
In the midst of 2009 and world-wide economic
contraction, Timothy and Joyce founded “Sparsh”
which means “to touch,” and the way they have
touched so many lives in such a short time is utterly
amazing. It is our first stop on our site visits to
India and Nepal. Today included a happy reunion
with children who, thanks to our partner here, will
not have to suffer what their mothers suffered.
Bright and well-behaved, these “smallies”
clambered all over us. They sang for us and recited
Bibles verses they had learned. But today was also
a jolt of reality---a trip into a brothel, looking into
the hopeless faces of ladies submitted to “the life,”
and a conversation with a 17-year-old trafficker.
We were introduced to Samir who gave us a look
into how the system works. Two years ago at age
15 his mother died and he went to live with his aunt,
a brothel owner with mafia ties. She put Samir to
work in the family business. He was good at it---he
secured 7 or 8 girls every month and poured them
into the voracious pit of the Mumbai brothel system.
For this, his cut was a bit more than 25% of the
$2000 selling price for each innocent young girl-an alluring way to make money in a difficult
economy.
There is a large mafia element in India’s
trafficking. A common scenario is that mafia scouts
look for poor families with young daughters,
befriend the father, and offer him small loans to
keep his family from starvation----until one day they
call the loan and take the daughter as payment.
Most of these girls cannot read or write and soon
bear children in the brothel, a situation that ensures
their continued service in order to provide for their
own children. It was explained that almost all
would leave if they knew their children would be
cared for---and that is where Sparsh comes in.
They first earn trust, then care for the children, and
then ultimately support the mother’s initiative to
leave the life.
Of course, Samir is not his real name---he is now a
changed person since meeting the Lord and
becoming convicted of the evil he was doing. But,
he is not safe---recently he was badly beaten by
mafia, with police cooperation, for turning
informant. Saddest of all was our helplessness.
Samir shared the knowledge that in just a few hours
3 girls were scheduled to be transported.
Destination: hell in Mumbai.
About five years after founding SHI and working
abroad, Linda Smith was horrified to discover that
the same assault on human rights was taking place
here in the U.S. While many Americans may be
aware of rampant prostitution and human sexslavery in other countries, few realize that human
trafficking happens in their own backyards. The
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
estimates that at least 100,000 juveniles are either
abducted or lured into prostitution each year.
According to the U.S. Justice Department, these
targeted victims are, on average, between 12 and 14
years of age.
In this past year, SHI has made real advances
through their “Protected Innocence Initiative.” This
is a study SHI has conducted to assess and grade the
laws that impact the issue of domestic minor sex
trafficking in every state. Armed with information
gathered, Shared Hope is pushing for policy
changes that punish traffickers, facilitators, and
buyers and protect the victims. On a practical level,
despite the fact that such laws in most states are not
yet formulated, Shared Hope is investing in service
providers who are standing in the gap by assisting
rescued victims.
Law enforcement officials working in this area
welcome the drive to improve trafficking laws.
And many are encouraged by the gains in public
awareness of this problem. Smith says, “Even two
years ago, Americans were just waking up. People
didn’t “get” the issue. Since then we’ve trained
12,000-14,000 first responders to deal with this
problem, most of them in law enforcement.” She is
seeing much progress in this country----from lawenforcement, to the awakening of the public, to
individual stories of girls who have been rescued
and restored. This is the work of SHI, their
partners, and like-minded groups.
The Lake of the Woods Church is supporting the
efforts of Shared Hope International through the
Mission and Benevolence Committee.
We
encourage prayers for the rescued victims, for this
organization and its commitment, for their ministry
partners, and for all the others who are working to
bring God’s hope to this troubling problem.
Summer’s here, and before
you know it Fall will come,
and with that, Operation
Christmas
Child,
the
Shoebox
Ministry
of
Samaritan’s Purse, will be
revving up!
If you’re new to the church
(or forgetful), you may
need reminding about the
Shoebox Ministry.
We
serve the Lord by filling
shoeboxes with “treasures”
for a child who has very
little. The shoeboxes are shipped (right before
Thanksgiving) and distributed all over the world
through the Samaritan’s Purse organization.
Children who receive the boxes are given the
opportunity to learn about Jesus, which makes it a
VERY special gift. Many of these children have
suffered through war, hunger, loss of homes or
parents, or just poverty.
It’s time to start thinking about what you want to
put in your box. We here at LOW Church often
have the opportunity to add neat little things to our
boxes, such as knitted hats, hand puppets, beanbags-and who knows what will show up this year from
some generous members who “just happen to have
made extras.”
We don’t have the pamphlets yet, but why not get a
head start when you go to town and start collecting
for your box. Call Susan or Ray Godfrey (9724296) with any questions or if you’d like to help
when we actually collect the boxes. God bless you
all!!
-Susan Godfrey
Never too Early to Get Started!!
-Susan Doubet
Pastor Tom Savage
(Pastor of Young Families and Outreach)
Young Families Ministry
Our Vision
Acknowledging that God created the family to reflect His image in society, we desire to multiply Christfollowing families* who reflect that image. We will make Christ known in our Young Families ministries,
focused on families with kids “under their roof,” by doing L∙I∙F∙E together:
Living in vital connection with Jesus Christ and each other
Influencing families in their spiritual journey towards Jesus
Fostering small groups to meet the needs of our families
Empowering young families to thrive to be all that God desires us to be
*Families include single, married, single parent, blended, and people “parenting again.”
L∙I∙F∙E GROUP FOR YOUNG FAMILIES
Sundays—9:45—Founders
Room
Discussion: Tough Faith for Tough Times—The Book of James
Come and be a part of us Sunday mornings at 9:45 in the Founders
Room. Our desire is to strengthen our families by doing L∙I∙F∙E
together—figuring out how the Bible applies to life by getting into the
Word, praying for each other, supporting one another and having
some fun doing it! And we’ve got food! There is childcare too for all
ages during this time in our nursery and children’s ministry! Our goal is
to grow in our walk with Jesus and each other which will impact our
families and our world. For more info, go to our church website
www.lowchurch.org
Family Fun Night
A great chance to have fun spending time with your family with other families doing the same! During the
summer, we will continue to have FFN. We have a special “parents only” night in the works for August!
Continue to watch the Mouse, bulletin, and website (www.lowchurch.org) for more on all these events!
Interested in being part of the planning team? Give Pastor Tom2 a call (816-590-0897) or an email
([email protected]).
July:
Sunday, July 29 starting at 12:15--Join us for the VBS picnic here at The Lake of the Woods Church. Our
exciting VBS for kids is July 23-27! More info: www.lowchurch.org
August:
Saturday, August 4 or 11; 6-10 p.m. (tentative date) Parents ONLY date night! Pontoon Party!
Sunday, August 19 from 5-7:30 p.m. Theme TBD.
Want to see a great video of the Memorial Day weekend Family Fun Night? Go to the website
www.lowchurch.org. Are you in it?
SPECIAL INVITATION TO ALL
CHURCH ATTENDEES
Harry and Joan Brown
On August 11, Emmaus of the Greater
Fredericksburg Area will be holding their
monthly gathering at The Lake of the Woods
Church. This is open to all church attendees and
not to just those who have walked Emmaus or other
similar retreats. These gatherings are a wonderful
time of fellowship, praise and worship.
Walk to Emmaus is a worldwide organization based
on Luke 24:13-35. There are approximately two
dozen churches active in the Emmaus of the Greater
Fredericksburg Area. Walk to Emmaus retreats are
held spring and fall each year. The men’s retreats
are held in March and October; the women’s
retreats are in April and November. If you would
like further information about The Walk to Emmaus
and the opportunity to enjoy a wonderful retreat
filled with singing, learning, laughing, and
worshipping, pick up an Emmaus brochure at the
Welcome Desk or contact Harry or Joan Brown at
972-0439 or at [email protected].
It is a privilege to host this gathering. The
gatherings are monthly and are rotated among the
churches.
Please come out and join our local
community, including over 80 LOWC members
who have walked Emmaus or a similar retreat as the
Emmaus of the Greater Fredericksburg Area, for a
special time of fellowship, praise and worship. It
would be a good opportunity to worship with people
from other churches and to learn more about
Emmaus activities.
Mr. Checkers (a.k.a. John Lentine) shared some
illusions at our Family Fun Night (FFN) on May
27. Watch for future FFNs!
SAVE THE DATE!
Saturday, August 11
3:30 p.m. - Fellowship (snacks will be provided)
4:00 p.m. - Gathering in the Worship Center
CHURCH PICNIC
SEPTEMBER 23
Pastor Adam Colson
MIRACLE FRUIT SUMMER
Did you ever hear of the African Miracle Fruit? It is a small berry that, once eaten, everything you eat after tastes sweet
like candy. EVERYTHING…that includes broccoli and lemons. I was reading about this berry recently and it got me
thinking about summer. As summer approaches, teenagers are thrilled with the idea of “me time.” Time to rest, time to
hang out with friends, time to sleep in, time at the beach and pools, time at the amusement parks, etc. However, every
summer the unexpected happens. The unexpected boredom creeps in, the unexpected bad situation arises, the
unexpected sad event shows up, the unexpected struggle with family or friends happens. How to handle the sour,
unexpected that will show up this summer? By eating from the miracle fruit. As you purpose this summer to have a
miracle fruit summer, a summer of putting God first, you will be amazed at how sweet everything else will seem.
Purpose this summer to read God’s Word, purpose to talk with Him each day in prayer, purpose to attend a mission trip
or Teen Camp. Purpose to love others the way He loves you and demonstrate that love this summer. As you taste from
the miracle fruit God has to offer, everything else this summer will taste so much sweeter. I am not saying your summer
will be perfect, but it sure will taste sweeter as you spend time with your loving heavenly Father! Why not taste some
of the miracle berries below…
LUAU OUTREACH GAME NIGHT
GAMES, FOOD, PRIZES
Wednesday, June 13 – Great fun!
Hope you were able to join us!
Christian Youth In Action
June 17-23
in Surry County, VA
World Servants Mission
Trip to Richwood, WV
July 15-21
TEEN CAMP…
Horses, Archery, Air Soft, Riflery,
Crafts, and so much more
Madison, VA - Cost $25
July 29-Aug. 3
BACKYARD BIBLE CLUB WEEK…
TEEN WORKERS NEEDED
August 13-17
Children’s Musical
July 9-13
9:00 – 12:00 noon
Performance July 15
Sherri Gaskill, Director
Awesome God….Amazing Power
This is the theme for this year’s Vacation Bible
School. The children will be learning how God
has power over nature, circumstances, sin, death
and life. VBS week begins July 23-27 and will
end with the Sunday celebration on Sunday, July
29. The celebration will begin with the children’s
performance at 11:00 a.m. and a church-wide
picnic on the grounds until 2:00 p.m.
(during all service hours)
(Age: Rising 2nd grade thru teen)
Cost $25.00 per person /
$50.00 per family
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
See the church website www.lowchurch.org for
online registration or visit the registration desks in
the Discovery Zone and Gathering Place.
The Children’s Musical is July 9-13. This year the
children will be entertaining us with the parables of
Jesus. The Children’s Musical is for all rising 2nd
graders through teens. The fee to participate in the
musical is $25.00 per person or $50.00 per family.
Register in the Discovery Zone or Gathering Place.
The performance is July 15 in the Worship Center
during all service hours (8:30, 9:45 and 11:00).
Backyard Bible Clubs are a great way to tell
children about Jesus and to share
mission stories with them.
During the week of
August 13 – 17 several
teams of teens will be
leading the Backyard
Bible Clubs in the
LOW and surrounding
communities.
Watch the bulletin and church
website for locations and time.
The B-I-B-L-E is the focus on our studies during
Sunday School this summer. The children have
been learning to use their Bibles and learning the
books of the New Testament. Step Up Day for our
new Sunday School year is on Sunday, August 26.
July 13 VBS Adult Bible Study (7:00 – 9:00 p.m.)
July 14 New VBS volunteer breakfast (9:00 –
11:30 a.m.)
July 17 VBS Craft Night (7:00 – 9:00)
July 22 Decorating Day (12:00 – 4:00)
July 23 – 27 VBS (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon)
July 29 Sunday Celebration (11:00 – 2:00)
(Ages for VBS: 3 years by 9/30/12 through
rising 6th grade)
THE CHILD CARE CENTER
All Day Child Care, Preschool Program and
Before and After School Child Care (972-2349)
Belinda Divelbiss, Director
Our Summer Program began on June 18, and we are enjoying all of our summer activities. Summer will be
over before we know it, and we will have to start thinking about school again.
Registration has begun for our Fall School-Age and Preschool Programs. If you would like more information
or to enroll your child, please contact Belinda at 972-2349 or visit us on the web at www.lowchurch.org, click
on “Ministries” and then click on “Child Care Center.”
Preschool Orientation will be by scheduled appointment again this year. Teachers will meet with each
enrolling family. If you are already registered for the next school year, you will receive more information on
this in late July.
Please continue to pray for this growing ministry as “We Strive to Make Christ Known” to the children and
their families in our thriving community and surrounding communities
Thanks from the Kelley Family
MOPS (Mothers of Pre-Schoolers)
SUMMER PLAYDATES
July 11 Picnic at Greensprings Park LOW, 11:00
a.m.
July 13 MOMS NIGHT IN @ Tabitha Ferris’
home!! 8:00 p.m.
July 25 FREE Bowling at AMF Fredericksburg.
Register kids online; pay only for shoe
rental! 10:00 a.m.
Aug. 1 Ramsay Beach Party! 10:00 a.m.
Aug. 10 MOMS NIGHT OUT! Elani’s, 8:00 p.m.
Aug. 15 Putt-Putt and Ice cream Play date! The
Ice Cream Shoppe on Route 20, 2:00 p.m.
After a year of serious health problems, Wenah
“Grandma Kelley” went home to the Lord this
past winter. The Kelley clan would like to
sincerely thank our church family for the many
blessings and kindnesses given to us,
expressions of love, food, cards, music, even a
special memorial service by the choir. We
really appreciate all that was done by the
pastoral staff, choir, food committee and
individual members.
End of August-TBA- Family Cookout in LOW
Details and reminders will be on Facebook Page
and sent out via e-mail.
Questions? Contact Tabitha Ferris via email
[email protected] or call/txt 540-8418927.
Crafters meet Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m.
in the Friendship Hall for fellowship
and the making of crafts for their annual
fall craft show in support of LOWC
missions! All are welcome!
Shared goodies “break up”
office staff Patti Wheeler
and Sparkle Capitano!
NOTE: Whoever borrowed one of the
sewing machines, please return it as it is
desperately needed for completion of
numerous projects! THANKS!
Please keep the
following soldiers and
their families in your
prayers:
John Grimesey, serving in Okinawa, Japan, son of
Carol & Bob Grimesey.
Noah Leary, Navy, safely home from the Middle East
and serving in the United States, son of Angie Keep,
LOW.
Jeff Pfeil, Navy Lt. Commander, serving in Africa, son
of Michael and Gayle Pfeil (LOWC).
Anthony C. Schienschang, Army, stationed in Kuwait,
son-in-law of Barbara Bounds (LOWC).
Tom Taylor, stationed in Afghanistan, son of Chuck
Taylor (LOWC).
Edy Whitehead, stationed in Iraq, daughter-in-law of
Randy Whitehead and Susan Barnes (LOWC).
USHERS - JULY
SANCTUARY
8:30 Please check with Usher Coordinator Ken
Frohnert (8824).
9:45 Captain Barbara Hernan; Ushers: Deo Hardman
Linda Rupard, Laurel Buongiovanni
WORSHIP CENTER
9:45 Captain Ralph & Pat Ericksen, Dee & Jim Flood,
Shannon Bridgham, Karen Deome
11:00 – Roy & Susan Cottoms, Meighan Perez, Lynn
Shutts
USHERS - AUGUST
SANCTUARY
8:30 Please check with Usher Coordinator Ken
Frohnert (8824).
9:45 TBA
WORSHIP CENTER
9:45 Captain Mike & Susan Brennan, Iris & David
Hamrick, Barbara Rakes, Joyce Hite
11:00 – Roy & Susan Cottoms, Meighan Perez, Lynn
Shutts
We offer special prayers for God’s healing touch for
every serviceman who returned from the Middle
East with the mental and physical scars of war. We
pray that their healing be in God’s loving hands.
Average Sunday Attendance Reports
Church
(Worship)
Avg. in May
578
Avg. Year-to-date
633
Children
(SS)
121
109
Youth Min
(SS)
BUDGET REPORT – MAY
Grief Share meets Tuesdays at 7
p.m. in the LOWC library. Contact
Lynn Shutts (7714) for more info.
Actual
$ 72,992
$417,760
Budget
Difference %
$ 86,465
($13,473) (16%)
Year-to-Date
$432,323
($14,563) ( 3%)
Congregational Care
Ministries
2012 BOARD OF ELDERS
Chairman
Wayne Thompson (5375)
[email protected]
Admin, Budget &
Stewardship
Jerry Davis (0596)
[email protected]
Adult Education
Barbara Larson (1928)
[email protected]
Buildings and Grounds
Art Griggs (4592)
[email protected]
Congregational Care &
Fellowship
Nancy Moore (0395)
[email protected]
Missions and Benevolence
Larry Ingels (6112)
[email protected]
Outreach
Dick Rankin (2862)
[email protected]
Worship
Newt Wilson (3274)
[email protected]
Young Families & Children
Joe Wilson (5745)
[email protected]
Youth
Linda Wight (9020)
[email protected]
Pastoral Visits
Counseling Ministry
(by appointment)
Stephen Ministry
(Providing Care for the Challenges of Life)
Contact: Diana Duffy (972-8109) or
Ann Schuneman (972-1978)
Shepherd’s Staff
(Caring Contacts to Members)
Lay Visitation Ministry
(Hospital, Sick, Homebound, Prayer Shawl Ministry,
Lay Home Communion)
GriefShare Ministry
(Grief Recovery Support Group)
Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. in the Library
First Place 4 Health
(Christ Centered Nutrition and Weight Loss)
Saturdays at 7:00 a.m. in the Library
Chronic Illness Support
Meets 2 and 4th Tuesdays, 1:30-2:30 p.m. in Library
Contact: Pat Ericksen (972-4033)
The Church Mouse – Bev Zabka, Proofreader
nd
Sunbeam Club
(For those who have lost a spouse)
Contact: Dick Berra (972-3225) or Ruth Fraser (972-6686)
AA
Mondays & Fridays at 7:00 p.m. Downstairs Room 505
AA “Big Book” Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. in Cabins
AL-ANON
Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. in the Founders Room.
Contact: Gary C (379 0311) or Betty C (661 2174) or
Angie P. ( 972 7744)
Alzheimer’s & Dementia – Support Group
3rd Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. in Room 210/211
Annie Peterson 434-973-6122 or [email protected]
at The Alzheimer’s Association, CWVA
For More Information
Call the Church Office at 972-9060
(Most Congregational Care Ministries open to the LOW Community)
THE LAKE OF THE WOODS
CHURCH STAFF
OFFICE HOURS: M-TH 8-5:00, FRIDAY 8-3:00
Pastoral Staff (972-9060)
Senior Pastor – Tom Schafer
Senior Associate Pastor – Jim Smith
Pastor for Young Families and Outreach – Tom Savage
Youth Pastor – Adam Colson
Visitation Minister – Mike Lemay
Children’s Ministry Director – Sherri Gaskill
Youth Ministry Coordinator – Shannon Ford
Music
Traditional Music – Paul Workman
Blended & Contemporary Music – Dave Goodrich
Organist – Kathy Pellegreen
Handbells – Lois Frohnert
Financial
Treasurer-George Schneider; Fin. Secretary-Shirley Bunch
Administrative Staff
Susan Weiford, Patti Wheeler, Sparkle Capitano
Custodial Staff
David Bailey, Barbara Doman, John and Susan Lee, Mario
Marino, Joe Wright
Child Care Center (972-2349)
Director – Belinda Divelbiss
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Martha & Cork Grandy
Hilda & Thomas Seary
Janet & Jim Bloom
Connie & George Chapin
Dee & Jim Flood
Jennifer & Harry Lovell
Mary & Lawrence Reinhart
Theda & Ray Massie
Ruth & Tom Styles
Ellie & Ed Brown
Joan & Bill Hulse
Louise & Bert Ransom
Linda & Ralph Rupard
Ann & John Sawyer
Pat & Ralph Ericksen
Kathleen & Don Smith
Lois & Ken Frohnert
Barbara & John Rueckert
Anne & Bob O'Bannon
Marilyn & Wally Bloss
Cheryl & Jonathan Morey
Nancy & Lee Strain
Nancy & Bob Gibson
Karen & Dave Kovarik
Lauren & Shawn Cotton
Sibyle & Bob Jenks
Mary & Hank Altman
Tanya & Timothy Hall
Jean & Mike Lemay
Donna & Linc Landis
Barbara & Gary Bounds
Teresa & Mark Shumate
Judy & Dan Schofield
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Cathy Gnik
Randall Halverson
Richard Heinbach
Florence Rose
Danielle Schneider
Jim Flood
Christina Ray
Patricia Unkle
Aaron Widor
Mary Ann Hamilton
Iris Hamrick
Jean Peterson
Paulette Tantlinger
Marc Birdsong
Shayna Connell
Janet Delozier
Betty Larson
Jim Parker
Sue Dickinson
Adam Porter
Brian Barnes
Renee Graves
Ed Harn
Julie Phend
June I. Stevenson
Jamie Coleman
Dick Rankin
Jesse Rossi
Jamee Hearn
Judy Mayfield
Penny Medley
Pat Carson
Sharon Cole
Linda Parker
Melody Widor
Ruth Wilson
Alan Berry
Louise Ransom
Trenia Jeffries
Frank Cangelosi
Lauren Cotton
David Hamrick
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Pam Evatt
Margaret Thode
Pat Cope
Lisa Medas
Carol Stanley
Johanna Colson
Bruce Doolittle
Toni Hamblet
John Lentine
Charles Lewis
Bob Jenks
Sam Patrick
Angela Patterson
Charles Adams
David J Bailey
Shirley P. Broaddus
Dottie Moser
Mattie Habner
Jean J. Lemay
Bobbie Sides
Loretta T. Johns
John McQuaid
Beth Sundberg
Anne Westerman
Suzanne Zimmerman
Pat Arntson
Linda Coleman
Gina Doolittle
Randy Whitehead
George Chapin
Judy Curnow
Sue Doubet
Jolie Morris
Jeffrey Pfeil
Delma Roessler
Ossie Schmidt
Joan Batten
Lois DeLongis
Judy Eiben
Jacklyn Gill
Patti Wheeler
Susan Richards
Joy & Wendell Phillips
31 Judy & Jeff Flynn
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Frances & Nelson Lynch
Heather & Corey Randall
Debbie & Hugh Risseeuw
Leslie & Warren Gage
Norma & Larry Ervin
Barbara & Jack Miller
Susan & Ray Godfrey
Suzanne & Walter Benton
Brenda & Jim Brooks
Sue & Ray Dickinson
Lisa & Jim Smith
Inez & Ralph Hollm
Sharon & Bruce Killian
Nancy & Carl Hoffmann
Ruth & Sparky Watson
Anne & Bruce Boyd
Barbara & Vic Larson
Moon & Bob Halstead
Sandi & Thomas Plummer
Dawn & Richard Heinbach
Margaret & Orville Brockman
Maria & Bill Meldrum
Olga & Alan Patnode
Rhonda & Jason Richard
Lora & Hal Wood
Susan & David Richards
Michelle & Ken Lyons
Patty & John Bell
Laura & Chuck Handy
Marthellen & Ed Hoffman
Jill & Jeffery Johnson
Linda & Bob Parker
Susanne & Richard Kurz
Hope & Mark Murphy
Nancy & John Bowles
Carolyn & Don Fisher
Jeanne & Don Larsen
Carol & Dick Rankin
Sally & Ken Rouse
Mattie & Wade Habner
Gwen & D.J. Mallmann
Pat & Alan Berry
Nancy & Squire Brooks
Vikki & Tom Hansen
Iris & David Hamrick
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Mike Neely
Toni Ruther
Rachel Schneider
Judith Thompson
Pat Bowman
Brianna Trainham
Mary Hadley
Lincoln Landis
Robert Mackes
Judy Schofield
Barbara Young
James Beard
Jim Fulton
Wyatt Gosnell
Jean Hopkins
Ruth Lenwell
Wally Bloss
Kathy Genson
Frederick Hetrick
Jack Miller
Vicki O'Hara
John Rueckert
Aaron Lovell
Vera Moody
Joan Parnell
Buzz Sybilrud
Mary Lewis
Pat Berry
Jacque Morey
Easter Bowman
Doug Jones
Larry Ervin
Sherri Gaskill
Laura Moore
Ed Hoffman
Jeff Kindred
Curtis Bruce
Donnie Hill
Gene Santucci
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Melissa Hart
Jeff Flynn
Pat Watterworth
John Boheim
Alexis Calero
George Colby
Audrey Lawrence
Nancy Joy Rauch
Jamie Shafferman
Deborah Fleagle
Anthony Gathers II
Virginia Lynch
Marie Barrett
Diana Duffy
Ralph Hall
Bruce Sundberg
Lynn Hein
Bob Johnson
Carol Johnson
Kathryn Van Leer
Jim Brooks
Nancy Lynch
Chuck Taylor
Brenda Rogers
Greg Williamson
Anne Boyd
Paul Harry
Laird Knights
Kristie Peters
Thomas Murphy
Donna Sanchez
Bev Zabka
Susan Weiford
Desi Desarmeaux
Bill Howard
Bill Meldrum
Bob Shope
Karen Whistleman
Nancy Bowles
Wendell Phillips
Anne Marie Rubin
Susanne Kurz
Eileen McFarland
Neil J. Pedersen
Alejandra Solis
ALTAR DUTY
MINISTERS (Schedule subject to change.)
8:30
9:45
9:45
11:00
Traditional
Traditional
Blended Contemporary
7/01 Pastor Smith Rev. Engels ----------Pastor Smith----------7/08 Rev. Rigstad Pastor Smith ----------Rev. Rigstad----------7/15 Musical
Pastor Smith ----------Musical ----------------7/22 ----------Pastor Smith---------- ----------Pastor Savage--------7/29 Pastor Smith
TBA
Pastor Smith Pastor Savage
8/05 --------Pastor Schafer------8/12 --------Pastor Schafer------8/19 --------Pastor Schafer------8/26 --------Pastor Smith----------
Pastor Smith Pastor Schafer
Pastor Smith Pastor Schafer
Pastor Smith Pastor Schafer
---------Pastor Savage----------
LAY READERS - TRADITIONAL SERVICES
8:30
9:45
7/01
7/08
7/15
7/22
7/29
Georgianne Cedarblade
Howie Cedarblade
Art Griggs
Nancy Bowles
Lois Frohnert
Hank Altman
Margaret Brockman
Dwight Mottet
Debbie Fleagle
Joan Parnell
8/05
8/12
8/19
8/26
George Duffy
Diana Duffy
Marvin Snoddy
Orville Dee
Joan Gladstone
Barbara Rueckert
Brenda Rogers
Madeline Salustri
FLOWER CONTRIBUTORS
7/01
7/08
7/15
7/22
7/29
8/05
8/12
8/19
8/26
Sanctuary
Nancy Doseff
Bob & Sibyle Jenks
Ralph & Inez Hollm
R. Whitehead/S. Barnes
Vic & Barbara Larson
Jan Griffin
Brenda Rogers
Worship Center
Dee Flood
Joan Parnell
R. Whitehead/S. Barnes
Vic & Barbara Larson
The Church Mouse is published by
The Lake of the Woods Church
One Church Lane
Locust Grove, VA 22508
(540) 972-9060
www.lowchurch.org
Jean Peterson (8141) and Sibyle Jenks (3859)
SECURITY DUTY
7/01
7/08
7/15
7/22
7/29
Randy Halverson
Doug Wheeler
Buddy Beazley
Henrick Thode
Tom Seary
8/05 Kerry Sipe
8/12 Boyce Wray
8/19 Bob Shope
8/26 Don Larson
Ushers – please see page 16.
SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES
8:30 Traditional – Sanctuary
9:45 Traditional – Sanctuary
9:45 Blended – Worship Center
11:00 Contemporary – Worship Center
SUNDAY SCHOOL SCHEDULE
Adult – 8:30, 9:45, and 11:00
Youth Higher Grounds Coffee House – 9:30
Children and Nursery – 9:45 and 11:00
EUCHARIST
Wednesdays, 6:00 – 6:30 p.m.
at “The Lake of the Woods Church”
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