- Apostolic Christian Church of America

Transcription

Vol. 71, #2
Feb. 2016
The heavens declare the
glory of God; ...
Psalm 19:1
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Walking in a Living Faith
page 3
Monthly Sermon page 4
Ministry Program
Updates page 6
The Challenge of Unmet
Expectations page 8
Remembering Our
Spiritual Heritage
page 70
The Light of Hope
page 71
To Our Readers
Correspondence
For March issue
(news from Jan 16-Feb 15)
Due: February 20, 2016
Whiter Than Snow
For those of us in northern climes, it’s the season of cold and snow.
Although I don’t always appreciate driving in snow or shoveling it, I
do value how it reminds me of what Christ has done. As the hymn
says “to those who have sought Thee, Thou never saidst No, Now
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.”
The Silver Lining
1523 County Road 400N
Congerville, IL 61729
USPS 496780
Published Monthly by the Apostolic
Christian Church of America
As I look out at a landscape covered in a fresh blanket of snow, I
marvel at the beauty and purity it gives to everything, including
things that previously were quite unappealing (perhaps an ugly
building, dead grass, or bare trees). That’s what Jesus’ blood can do for
us. He covers our shame with a dazzlingly white robe of righteousness.
Counselors:
Rick Plattner, Jeff Grimm
Official Apostolic Christian Church
Website:
www.apostolicchristian.org
May we strive to keep it unspotted.
In Christ,
Send correspondence to:
[email protected]
Rick Plattner, along with Jeff Grimm, counseling elders
(email is preferred)
The Silver Lining
Ph: 309-657-4455
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SILVER LINING February 2016
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of address. Send both old and new
Front cover: The Falls at Tangle Creek, Jasper National Park in Alberta by Bro. Keith
Leman, Elgin, IL. Back Cover: Snowflakes by Sis. Julie Schmidt, Winthrop, MN
2
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The Silver Lining
Writings based on God’s Word
Light from the Word
Walking in a Living Faith
beginning to end. “For therein is the righteousness of
“Now the just shall live by faith”
God revealed from faith to faith (from beginning to
In our Apostolic Christian Church culture, we
end): as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”8 We
use the word faith in many different ways. In this
live for Christ, we trust and obey Him, and we cling
article, we will consider three common usages: our
to His promises through whatever blessings, tests, or
saving faith in Jesus Christ, walking by faith as
trials may come our way.
believers, and the practice of referring to our church
Abraham’s strong faith was greatly tested when
denomination as “our faith.”
God commanded him to offer his only son Isaac as
A true saving faith in Jesus Christ is the basis of
a sacrifice. God told Abraham to go to Moriah, a
our salvation. “Therefore being justified by faith, we
journey of three days, to carry this out. On the way,
have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Isaac asked a question that must have increased the
By whom also we have access by faith into this grace
heaviness of Abraham’s burden, “behold the fire and
wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of
the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” 9
God.” 2 This faith—“wherein we stand”—is based
Abraham relied solely on his faith in God to reply
specifically in Jesus Christ’s shed blood as the
that He would provide a lamb for the sacrifice.
sacrifice for sin. “Even the righteousness of God which is Abraham’s faith and obedience were rewarded, but
by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that
not until he reached the ultimate point in his trial.
believe…Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation
God told him, “By myself have I sworn, saith the
(atoning sacrifice) through faith in his blood, to declare LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast
his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past,
not withheld thy son, thine only son: That in blessing I
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through the forbearance of God.”
will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy
This saving faith must necessarily precede our
seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is
repentance and conversion as we begin our Christian upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of
walk. Works alone, even when accompanied with our his enemies; And in thy seed shall all the nations of the
best intentions, will never bring us salvation. “But we earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.”10
are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses
We read in Hebrews that Abraham believed that
are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our
God was able to raise his son from the dead. “By
iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”4 “For if
faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac:
Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to
and he that had received the promises offered up his
glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture?
only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac
Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him
shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to
for righteousness.”5 Our works (often referred to as
raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he
spiritual fruit in the Bible) will follow as the result
received him in a figure.”11
and evidence of a saving faith. “For as the body
Another Old Testament figure, the woman
without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is
Rahab, was a wonderful example of living by faith
dead also.”6 Many other scriptures expound upon the and is listed in the “honor roll of faith” in Hebrews
proper relationship of faith and works.7
11.12 Her faith journey began when she first heard
This saving faith must grow into a living faith
of the children of Israel crossing the Red Sea some
that becomes an integral part of our lives from
— Please turn to pg. 65
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February 2016 SILVER LINING
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Monthly Sermon
Sermon by Bro. Warren
Schlatter, Junction, OH
1 Chronicles 7:1-11 & Acts 6
I appreciate those words of introduction as we
think about opening the Word together. We think
about the fact that we don’t know what this next
week will bring. Yet we’re thankful, aren’t we, for the
Spirit of God that we depend on, that we found in
the past to be so faithful to provide for us. It’s a part
of God, and we’re thankful to know that He knows
what will come in the lives of each one of us in the
days that lay out ahead, however many those would
be. He knows that also, how many they are.
We open the Word together, this living Word
that can provide for us in the time that we live in, and
we know It has provided for those in the past who’ve
looked into the wisdom that God has placed there
for us. We can have a confidence if we’ve prayed that
God will bless us as a group and individually. It’s hard
sometimes for us to comprehend how He can do that,
but we’ve seen it happen. So with that faith we trust
and open the Word together again this morning.
I don’t know how it is for you, but as we opened
there in the Old Testament and read through the lists
of names, some of them that are hard to pronounce
and certainly that we don’t know very much about,
sometimes I struggle to get a lot out of those chapters
in the Word. We have some of that in this chapter
in the New Testament also. Some of these names
perhaps we don’t even read again in the Bible. Yet we
know as we read through them that God has given
us enough that we can understand the things that
are the most important. I think the Apostle John, in
the Gospel that he wrote, said there are many, many
other things that could be written about just what
Jesus did when He was here (St. John 21:25), but
there’s enough that we can understand those things
that are important.
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One of those things that is important is we see
that, despite the fact that in our limited ability we
can’t know who all these people are and can’t really
understand their lives in detail and where they fit
into God’s plan, but God can. All the things of our
life are important to Him. He’s not limited by the
finiteness that we have as people. He’s able through
the power of His Spirit and His Word to work in the
lives of all mankind if there’s willingness.
We read here in the book of Acts about this time
in the early church after Jesus had come, had taught
His disciples, had taught all those who were willing
to listen about the Gospel, and about the need. If we
think about what Jesus began to teach and what He
instructed His disciples at the end, He told them to
go out and preach the Gospel of repentance (St. Luke
24:47) — the fact that mankind has sin, that sin
separates us from God, but God doesn’t intend for
that to stay that way. He wants us to recognize our
need for Him, to come in faith, to believe in Jesus
Christ as we read here that they preached, and then
to walk in faith in Him. It’s encouraging to me as
we read this book of Acts that we begin to see that
very simple message preached and people believe and
come to faith.
Then we can also see that for most of us, there
are exceptions but for most of us, when we begin
our walk of faith, God doesn’t choose at that time to
take us out of this life, but He has work for us to do.
The work of salvation in our hearts is His work, and
He wants that for all mankind. So He has work for
us to do to help others as we come in faith to follow
Him. We can see so many examples in the book of
Acts how that was lived out in the lives of those early
believers. So there are things for us to learn from
that. We can see here as the Word was preached that
the number of believers increased. God added His
blessing. God gave faith in the hearts of those that
heard the Word.
That in itself should encourage us. We can think
back how Jesus sent out those twelve disciples, and
in another place it tells us how He sent out seventy,
two by two, and how they came back and were
encouraged (St. Luke 10:1-17). They had that simple
instruction from Jesus to go out, don’t take earthly
preparation with them, don’t even take a preparation
of message with them, but go out in faith and preach
the Word. They came back and were amazed as they
were obedient to that instruction how God blessed
their willingness to serve.
So we can see that here also. The number of the
disciples was increased. Souls heard the message of
salvation. They yielded their lives to it in repentance.
The number of believers was multiplied. (v.7) The
blessing of God was on those that were obedient to
His instruction.
We can also see that their lives then, just like
ours today, still had challenges. There were those
that believed the Word, that saw the need of their
soul, but they also still had earthly concerns and
needs. There were some that were widows, and if
we think about the time that they lived in, we’re
reminded of how good we have it in our time. There
were probably those widows that had no close family,
and what to eat from day to day was a challenge something that we hardly think of in the time that
we live in. It was probably very real for them. There
was an awareness in the church, wasn’t there, that
those needs needed met.
We’re reminded in that, aren’t we, that part of
the work that we have to do as we’re here is to be
God’s hands on earth. We could perhaps ask why.
We know that all the things of God’s creation are
at His disposal. He made all the things we see with
His word. We could think how David wrote in the
Psalms that the cattle on a thousand hills are God’s
(Psalm 50:10). So we know that much the same way
He could send an angel, and He did from time to
time, to meet earthly needs, to bring messages. That’s
in God power, but very often He instead chooses to
use us in His work to speak the Word but also to
meet the needs around us.
We can see in the early church that they were
reminded of that. It’s encouraging to see that they
were willing to recognize that, as the number of
disciples was multiplied and there were those that
were added to the church, that God could use those
numbers. God could use brethren that had different
gifts in His service.
We see it lived out here, but we could turn back
just a few pages in the Word and see where there’s
that instruction for us each one to recognize that
God sets different gifts in the church. He gives some
apostles and prophets and evangelists and pastors and
teachers. (Romans 12:6-8, I Corinthians 12) He gives
some that have gifts just like we read here to meet the
needs in a physical way that people have.
So I think God wants us to look. We can think
back to Jesus’ teaching about the parable of the
talents, those resources be they financial or gifts that
we would have, and there are some that have talents
to build things or fix things or we could go on and
on with the very real things that are a part of our
life, a part of our needs. God’s aware of all those. All
of those are things that we can and He intends to
be used to meet our own needs but also to meet the
needs of others.
We know that God wants us to keep those
things in perspective. There were those that came to
Jesus and they needed healing. As we think about
those many different times, whether it was those
that couldn’t walk or couldn’t see or couldn’t talk,
Jesus met those needs. I don’t think we can find an
example where the need was not met when there were
those that came to Jesus. Yet it’s encouraging here
also as we see this example that the church kept it
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And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus...
– Colossians 3:17
Ministry Program Updates
Jamaican Children’s
Transitional Home
Caribbean Committee
A burden has been placed on the Jamaican HarvestCall
missionaries and Caribbean Committee to establish a
“safe place” for Jamaican children. Plans have begun
with Jamaica CDA (Child Development Agency) to
open a transitional home for babies (0-2) who need a
temporary place to stay. Sis. Erin Davis
plans to live in and provide a home where
babies can be safe, loved and cared for,
and stimulated properly in those first
crucial months of life. Whether they
need to stay for a few days, weeks, or
months, a safe and nurturing place will
be provided where they can be cared for
until they find a long-term home.
For a few years now, HarvestCall
has been involved with a local children’s
home in Mandeville, Jamaica.
Comments are heard frequently from the manager, “we
had to turn away 4 babies yesterday”, or “CDA called
again and we had to turn away another baby”. Because
there are limited homes that take babies, they must
go to a hospital until a long-term home can be found.
Children who arrive at the children’s home after time
spent in a hospital struggle for weeks, months, and,
sadly in some cases, years, to catch up for lack of love
and affection during critical development months. Lord
willing, our new transitional home will be a safe haven
for these children.
Please pray for the efforts of Sis. Erin and the
Jamaican HarvestCall team as they are led to
provide for these children. Your prayers and financial
support are greatly appreciated. Donations can be
made to the Jamaica-General Fund online or to the
HarvestCall mailing address.
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Dedicated Focus
to Establish New Churches and
Nurture Existing Ones
Church Establishment Committee
The charge given to HarvestCall by ordained leaders
and the elder body is to, “enable the brotherhood to
proclaim Christ and serve others beyond the capacity
of the local church.” Recognizing that the church
is the house of God, the pillar and ground of the
truth (1 Timothy 3:15), it is clear that establishing
healthy churches is of primary importance. The
Church Establishment Committee (CEC) was
initially chartered by the Mission Committee and is
transitioning into a cross-regional committee within
HarvestCall with the primary responsibility to carry
this out. The CEC has a dedicated focus to establish
new Apostolic Christian Churches and nurture our
smaller churches to fulfill the “Great Commission” of
sharing the gospel and teaching the truth (Matthew
28:19). Fulfilling this charge will take everyone’s
support and prayers as we enable brethren to proclaim
the gospel to the lost, nurture the believers in the
churches and demonstrate the love of Christ in our
communities through deeds of compassion. The goal
for new and existing smaller churches is for them to
grow and become thriving churches that exalt Jesus
through obedience to His commandments.
Action: As you read through this article, reflect
on how God is using your gifts and talents
locally or at a distance to teach. How might He
be calling you to assist in these efforts?
Planting new churches
Today, over 90 Apostolic Christian Churches are
operational throughout the world. The international
efforts to plant new churches in Magdalena and
Ixtlan, Mexico with an intentional focus on outreach
are an inspiration to the CEC. This same planting
mindset will be used
as we look to God for
direction on a location
to start a new church
first in the United
States. Then, other
global locations will be
considered with the help
of the HarvestCall Regional Committees.
Action: Pray for clear discernment for the
brothers who are considering the locations to
start a new church.
Nurturing our smaller churches
Many of our Apostolic Christian Churches today
have fewer than 40 members and depend on national
church support. Seventeen of our churches are
receiving minister rotation support (and generally
have less than 25 members).
To help these churches grow, thrive and become
self-sustaining, CEC members will come alongside local
brethren to assess the needs of the congregation and
assist in providing resources, tools and services to help
them. A framework has been developed to assist our
churches, and currently “pilots” are being undertaken in
our St. Louis, MO and Austin, TX churches.
Actions: Pray about opportunities to help in these
two churches which are now coming through
pulpit announcements and church bulletin
boards. Learn more about bolstering efforts and
the framework being used in these churches at
www.harvestcall.org/plant-bolster-churches
Key Attributes Needed for Healthy,
Thriving Churches
Through studying the scriptures and recent history
of the start of our small churches, we believe four
key attributes are needed for congregations to
thrive and become self-sustaining churches – deep
abiding love for God and each other, critical mass
of believers, local ministry / leadership, common
purpose or vision for outreach. These attributes will
guide efforts to start new churches and nurture our
smaller churches. Sub-committees comprised of local
brethren and CEC members will be formed to focus
on new and small church endeavors.
Action: Engage in and support the vision of
establishing our churches.
Everyone is Called to Help
Since Paul wrote “I have planted, Apollos watered;
but God gave the increase” (I Cor. 3:6), we all are
called to help in the harvest fields. In Ephesians 4,
some are called to be evangelists and apostles (setting
up churches and reaching out to the lost) and some
are pastors and teachers (counseling and nurturing
spiritual growth). Some are called to be missionaries in
foreign lands. Some are called to witness in Jerusalem,
Judaea, Samaria and the uttermost parts of the earth as
outlined in Acts 1:8. Others are asked to show Christ’s
love and confess his name in their communities.
What gifts has God given you to further His
Kingdom and help in our church planting and
bolstering efforts? It will take all of us for these efforts
to be successful. Pray for the work, move if you are
called by the Lord, encourage others, visit small
church congregations and give financial support.
Action: Consider more ways to help on the
“Opportunities in the Harvest” web page at
www.harvestcall.org/opportunities-to-help
Whatever God is calling you to do, move with
urgency. The time is short. Jesus is coming back
soon as he said in Revelation 22:7, “Behold I come
quickly…” The fields are truly ripe for harvest.
If you would like more information on
our church planting and bolstering efforts or
opportunities, Email us at [email protected].
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The Challenge of Unmet Expectations
“But we trusted…” Luke 24:21
Often reality does not line up with the
expectations we had hoped for. These times of unmet
expectations can be tremendously challenging. In the
Scriptures we find ourselves in good company.
On the road to Emmaus (Luke 24): The two
hour stroll through the Judean hills was a welcome
change. After all Cleopas and his companion had
been through in the last week, this seven mile
hike from Jerusalem to Emmaus could have been
longer. To be sure, the events of this Passover week
would take years to unpack. Jesus “was a prophet
mighty in deed and word,” Cleopas asserted. He was
the one who “should have redeemed Israel.” He and
his companion agreed together, “We trusted!” “He
should have!” Their sad countenance permeated their
expressions and manners. Onlookers could detect
their dejection.
Raising Lazarus (John 11): The past four days
were painful. Losing your brother to death was bad
enough, but to be ignored by the One you adored
made the pain unbearable. “If thou hadst been here,”
Martha exclaimed to Jesus, “my brother had not died.”
Mary sat grief stricken in her house, leaving the
explaining to Martha. Mary loved the Lord deeply,
more than most.
Moses’ rejection (Deut. 3:25-26): Moses
faithfully led the Israelites for over forty years,
weathering rebellion, murmurings, faithlessness
and cowardice. The joy of the Promised Land
pressed him forward; a land flowing with milk and
honey. Yes, a reward worth the struggle indeed. The
pronouncement of judgment regarding his failure to
speak to the rock when commanded came down like
a gavel. “I pray thee, let me go over, and see the good
land!” Moses pleaded. God replied, “Let it suffice thee;
speak no more unto me of this matter.”
Moses, Mary, Martha, Cleopas and his
companion struggled as we all do – with unmet
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expectations. “I expected my spouse… I trusted
this leading to work out… I hoped my children… I
envisioned my job… to be different, to be more, to
be better.” Unmet expectations occur and can cause
us to spin into confusion, invalidation, despondency,
bitterness and doubt. We, like Cleopas, Mary and
Moses sometimes raise our voice toward heaven and
cry out, “If Thou hadst been here! I expected You to
show up!”
Unmet expectations are a type of ambiguous
loss, a pain brought on by absence. The soul suffering
from this loss grieves the reality that never was. For
this reason we often cannot even put our finger on
what exactly we are mourning. The loss of not having
children, not being married, not being promoted, not
having our prayer answered and so on are shrouded
in ambiguous loss. The pain of unmet expectations
is unique in that its reality grows gradually. The
realization our expectation will not be met comes
upon us like a dark cloud from off the horizon. We
dread its possible approach, investing significant time
and energy in worrying about the prospect. When
and if it comes, we can deny its arrival. When did
Cleopas and his companion come to grips with their
shocked realization Jesus was not going to set up His
kingdom on earth? Was it when events went terribly
“wrong” in the garden? Did the dark cloud loom as
Lazarus was struggling for breath? Moses tried to
argue the cloud away. Ambiguous loss lacks closure
and thus resolution.
Many times this loss gives rise to disenfranchised
grief – sadness that is unrecognized and/or
unwarranted in the view of others. The view of our
grief from the perspective of others is commonly,
“Why are you grieving? You have nothing to grieve
about.” Disenfranchised grief doesn’t have the luxury
of clearly warranted pain, such as the loss of a loved
one. It is often borne alone. A feeling of rejection
in marriage proposals, miscarriage, unrealized
hopes and unmaterialized dreams are examples of
ambiguous loss that give rise to disenfranchised grief.
At times like these we may exclaim with those of old,
“But I trusted!”
One will quickly realize the matter of unmet
expectations lies in either the “meeting of the
expectation” or the “expectation” itself. Furthermore,
the responsibility of “meeting the expectation” is not
wholly ours. A dozen factors which lie outside of our
control can all have influence on this aspect. The
“expectation,” on the other hand, is owned by the
soul who possesses it. Therefore, we turn our gaze to
our expectations.
While we cannot escape having expectations,
we can cradle them in a larger understanding. This
understanding will give context to our expectations
and a lens through which we can process meeting
them. A few key points to consider:
1. Find meaning in God: We so easily search
for meaning in our spouses, careers, children,
possessions etc. What we possess should not
impute or give meaning to the possessor. God has
purchased us with His highest currency. He did
so not out of obligation but out of desire. Our
meaning is not a product of our environment,
status or accomplishments. Our meaning comes
down from Him on High.
PRINCIPLE: The possessor imputes meaning to the possessed and God is our Possessor.
2. Understand the fallen state of the world: The
curse of sin has touched every area of our lives.
Mistakes and errors are common among us and
in those things in which we invest expectation.
In many cases, our expectations would have been
met – if it were a perfect world.
PRINCIPLE: Expectations do not naturally take into account the fallen nature of this world.
3. Have your identity redeemed: Jesus Christ has
met all the expectations of the Father to redeem
this world. His perfect payment was sufficient
and adequate for our redemption. We who
believe and have repented of our sin are hid and
complete in Him (Col. 2:10, 3:3).
PRINCIPLE: When God sees me He sees Christ.
4. Rest in hope: The gospel speaks hope into our
situations. His “higher ways” have been the
marks of His praise through the ages (Is. 55:89). Resurrection instead of healing for Lazarus,
Savior of the world instead of King of the earth
to Cleopas, and Heavenly inheritance instead of
an earthly promise to Moses.
PRINCIPLE: God’s expectations are better than ours, and His are always met.
Throughout time, God has used unmet
expectations in His workings with men. Our unmet
expectations put us in a place to see God’s purposes
more clearly. “And to whom is the arm of the Lord
revealed?” Isaiah prophesied of the coming Messiah.
“For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant,
and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form
nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is
no beauty that we should desire him.” No doubt this
prophesy mystified the hearer. It undershot the
character expectations of the Messiah so much its
revelation was missed by most. From the angels
declaring the lowly birth of our Savior to the coming
of the Spirit at Pentecost, man’s expectations have
often been turned on their head, thereby righting
themselves to the reality God desires.
God understands unmet expectations. They
are near to His heart. The grief associated with
them might be hidden from others, but it is felt by
Him. After all, Isaiah goes on to announce Jesus is
“acquainted with grief ” – He has “carried our sorrows”
and was “wounded for our transgressions” – all for our
healing (Is. 53). Yes, God understands. And He cares.
“My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my
expectation is from him.” Psalms 62:5
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Congregation Updates
Apostolic Christian Home
for the Handicapped
www.achh.org
The Word instructs us to care
for those in need, to love those who
are alone, and to see the needs of
others before we see our own needs.
ACHH exists in order to fulfill
those commands. It takes a wide
range of skills and a significant
number of willing people to assure
the work gets done.
This month we would like to
share some information about the
employees of ACHH. We currently
have about 325 employees with a
wide variety of responsibilities.
We are committed to
providing high quality care to
each resident that we serve. We
provide such care 24 hours per
day, 365 days a year. We look for
dedicated and caring individuals
to join our mission to serve
individuals with an intellectual
disability. We seek to offer
competitive wages, an extensive
benefit package and a pleasant
Christian work environment.
We believe God has raised up
the people He has needed to serve
in these positions and we believe
He will continue to do so. We
encourage people who feel this may
be a calling for them, to contact us
and explore this prompting.
The positions at ACHH
include a wide range of specific
professions, specific talents,
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and caring people. They range
from executive management,
middle management, specific
professions, and a variety of
department specialties:
• Executive Leadership Positions
• Management or Department
Head Positions
• Professions (Physical and
Occupational Therapy, Social
Work, etc.)
• Registered Nurses (RN)
• Licensed Practical Nurses
(LPN)
• Direct Service Providers (DSP)
• Case Managers
• Education, Human Services
• Dietary / Kitchen Staff
• Maintenance
• IT, Clerical
• Accounting and Financial
• Activity Staff
Anyone with a specific degree or
training or just an openness to serve
can contact the Human Resource
Director or administrative staff to
discuss opportunities.
We depend on the prayers of
all our supporters to continue to
lift up these employees to God in
prayer so they can serve well and
God would be glorified. He has
faithfully provided good devoted
staff in all of these areas. Our
services are completely dependent
on His continuing to provide
people who want to serve Him by
serving others.
Gateway Woods Apostolic
Christian Children’s Home
Abby Greutman
– Foster Care Case Manager
Working with Gateway
Woods foster parents has been
amazing! It is really neat to see
so many couples and singles with
vast differences in backgrounds
step forward in faith and take
hurting and traumatized children
into their homes and families.
They show the children the love
that Christ shows them. They
rearrange their schedules. They
sometimes stay up late into the
night comforting their foster
child. In some cases, these foster
parents spend hours a month
transporting the child to visitation
with their biological parents and
countless more hours in prayer.
The healing and growth isn’t
one-sided, however. I’ve seen God
use fostering to grow the foster
parents in love, grace, and patience
just as often as I’ve seen Him use it
to help the foster children. At times
the foster children push their foster
parents to the end of their rope—
only for the parents to find that
God has made their rope longer. I’ve
seen God choose to use Sustaining
Grace instead of Saving Grace,
which has been amazing and
humbling. I’ve seen God choose to
say, “You aren’t enough to make
it through this, but I AM.” Praise
God for being forever faithful.
News:
Now that the Oak house
renovation is finished and the
house will soon be reopened,
we have an increased need for
Houseparent couples. Please
prayerfully consider this
opportunity to serve!
We are searching for a
Summer Volunteer Coordinator
for 2016. Please see the
notice in this issue or contact
Bro. Clint Plattner at clint.
plattner@gatewaywoods.
org or 260.627.0220 for more
information. This is a great
opportunity to impact the lives of
the children on our campus!
We are also searching for our
Summer Education Intern and Top
Quality Coordinator. Please see the
notices in this issue or contact Bro.
Adam McAfee at adam.mcafee@
gatewaywoods.org or 260.627.0220
for more information. This is a great
opportunity to gain some experience
while impacting our residents!
We have a need to fill three
career positions at Gateway Woods:
several openings for Alternate
Houseparents, one opening for an
Assistant Houseparent, and one
opening for a Communications
Coordinator. For more information
please see the notices in this issue
or visit the Career Opportunities
page on our website at www.
gatewaywoods.org/careers. We trust
that God will provide qualified,
mature brothers and sisters who
will serve Him in a ministry that is
‘Turning Lives Around’.
Alabama, Athens
Apostolic Christian
Preschool
Kalla Knobloch
The themes for January were
blue, community helpers, winter,
and the New Year. We studied the
letters N through Q this month.
We’ve been taking every
opportunity to get outside before
colder weather hits. The kids have
been great at helping with raking
pine needles and picking up pine
cones and sticks. We have also
been asking our four and five year
olds to be helpers for the two and
three year olds by helping them
with their coats. It takes more
time, but the children are so proud
of their hard work.
1 Corinthians 10:31 “Whatsoever
ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
All of the classes have been
busy getting back into the swing
of things after Christmas break.
We take a two-week Christmas
break which takes time to get
back into our school schedule and
normal routines. We have been
finding fun and new ways to work
on our lessons. A fun way we
have been working on our letters
is by practicing writing them
with shaving cream. Each child
would get a pile of shaving cream
sprayed in front of them and was
responsible for spreading it out on
the table and writing with it. It
works great because it doesn’t stain
clothes, it smells good, and slowly
disappears the more it’s worked
with. This also cleans the tables!
The children could not
wait for our PJ Party! We had
the children come to preschool
in their PJs and bring their
favorite book and stuffed animal.
Morning snack was popcorn
and we had pizza brought in for
lunch! The kids love any type of
party and it helps break up the
long winter season!
Alabama, Athens
Monica Price
Not much newsworthy has
happened here in Athens this
past month, but we appreciate the
slow times, too, as it gives us time
to rest and renew our strength
from our previous busy months.
Many of us were traveling for the
holidays and we had wonderful
times being with family again. We
were also thankful for safe travels.
Sis. Joyce Ray has not been
feeling well the past few weeks and
others of us have passed around
colds. The winter months seem to
be the season for colds and flu, so
during those months we are extra
thankful for good health.
Lately, I have been reminded
about weakness. When we get
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a cold/flu or have other health
problems, no doubt we are
physically weak, but what about
our spiritual weakness? I, myself,
have many weaknesses, but how
easily pride slips in and instead of
admitting my weaknesses, I put on
a front and show those around me
that everything in life is running
smoothly. I am very thankful,
however, that in God’s word we are
told, “My grace is sufficient for thee;
for my strength is made perfect in
weakness. Most gladly therefore will
I rather glory in my infirmities, that
the power of Christ may rest upon
me.” 2 Cor. 12:9. What an amazing
thought that God’s power shows up
brightest in our weakness. Because
of that, Paul was willing to gladly
boast in his weakness! Instead of
hiding our weaknesses, let’s allow
God to use our weaknesses and
show Himself strong.
We would like to extend a
welcome to anyone who would
like to include Athens in their
travels, especially if you are
heading to the southern states for
the winter months. Please feel free
to visit us. If you would like to
stay in our guest house, please call
Rebekah Klaus at (815) 674-5411
for accommodations.
Arizona, Phoenix
Marge Lindenbaum
“Delight thyself also in the LORD;
and he shall give thee the desires of
thine heart.” Ps. 37:4
Has it hit you yet? Have you
had your breath taken away at
the unimaginable realization
that God LOVES you? It really
12
is unimaginable – we have no
concept of the magnitude of His
love for us, or what that love
entails. It is personal, practical
and passionate. He thinks about
us ALL THE TIME and wants
to interact with us at every breath.
When God gives an instruction,
He provides the means for us to
fulfill it. When we really begin
to understand the love of God
toward us, there is no way to avoid
delighting in Him.
The Spirit of God enters our
heart and mind and, sooner or
later, we come to know a love that
is real and personal. The first time
we whisper an urgent prayer that
receives an immediate response,
we might wonder if that was God
or coincidence. The next time
it happens, it seems less likely
that it can be chance and we
suspect, “That was You, right?”
And eventually the time comes
when there can be no doubt, and
it feels like nothing we’ve ever
experienced before. God is paying
close attention to us and takes care
of the minutest detail – because He
LOVES us. To trust in Him is not
to grudgingly agree to go wherever
He leads; it is to know, without
reservation, that He loves us more
than anything; He desires our good
and is able to happily accomplish it.
When we can see His presence in
everything good and His goodness
in everything present in our life, it
is recognition of His love. We must
be delighted because He, in fact,
has become the desire of our heart!
Phoenix was, typically, busy
this month with our wonderful
winter guests and visiting ministers,
including Elder Bro. Tom Klotzle
(Sis. Jody, Altadena, CA), Bro. Jim
Meiss (Sis. Candy, Bastrop, TX),
Bro. Joe Klotzle (Sis. Sue, Altadena,
CA) and Elder Bro. Nick Gutwein
(Sis. Suzanne, Lafayette, IN). We
appreciate the Word they brought
to us, in the spirit of love.
We bid farewell to our
dear Brother Jim (Sister Lois
Bauman) Beres after his long and
courageous battle with cancer.
Brother Jim is remembered for
his reliable smile, no matter his
circumstances, and his ability
to capture the hearts of children
(young and old). We also lost our
Sister Ethel (Massner) Smith, who
had been living in Fort Scott, KS
for many years. Our condolences
go out to her family and loved
ones. She brought light and
laughter to our congregation over
the years she lived in Prescott and
every time she returned to visit.
We will miss them, rejoice in their
victory in Jesus, and look forward
to laughing with them again.
We welcomed two new
members to our fold, Sis. Kailey
Wuethrich and Sis. Ginger
Holland. We praise the Lord for
their peace and for all they bring
to our church family.
“I fear no foe, with Thee at hand
to bless;
Ills have no weight, and tears
no bitterness.
Where is death’s sting? Where,
grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide
with me.
Hold Thou Thy cross before my
closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom and
point me to the skies.
Heaven’s morning breaks, and
earth’s vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide
with me.”
-H. F. Lyte
Arizona, Prescott
Autumn Rokey
The first month of the New
Year has almost passed and 2016
is well underway. Prescott has
finished our study of Romans
and we have started the Crown
Financial Bible study. In studying
the scriptures about money,
Col. 3:23, “Whatsoever ye do,
do it heartily, as to the Lord and
not unto men,” is a wonderful
reminder to recommit our lives,
and all its little details, to God.
New Year’s resolutions often are
left unfulfilled when life gets busy.
Yet, we are called to keep God at
the forefront whether it’s doing
the dishes, managing our money,
going to work, or in any aspect of
our daily life. Our prayers are with Bro.
Rolf Kaeppler (Sis. Verna) as his
only brother, Manfred Kaeppler,
84 yrs. old, of Muehlhausen,
Thuer, Germany passed away on
December 31, 2015. We are thankful for visiting
ministers who continue to support
our little church on Sunday’s.
This past month ministers: Elder
Bro. Herbie Knochel (Sis. Laurie),
Bro. Mark Steffen, and Bro. Keith
Hinrichsen (Sis. Tammy) all from
Phoenix came to support us on
Sundays. Thank you for your time
and willingness to serve. Arizona, Tucson
Dean and Jackie Knobloch
There are some very common
topics of conversation among a lot
of people lately. It seems weather
and politics are high on the list.
We are so grateful to have a solid
anchor in our daily life and future
outcomes. Those who believe in
the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior
of mankind know this truth:
“Jesus Christ the same yesterday,
and to-day, and for ever.” Hebrews
13:8. It would be wiser and more
productive to dwell on this than
any other topic known to man.
We were privileged to have
Elder Bro. Ben Wiegand (Sis.
Michelle, Philadelphia) with us in
December. We are always blessed
by his words of encouragement.
We have welcomed back a few of
the returning winter visitors and
are thankful for their faithfulness
in attendance. May God be near
all who travel our way to the
warmer climate.
Our prayers continue for all
undergoing physical trials. We
know many often rely on those
prayers and so we want to be
faithful in lifting up those who are
brought to mind.
California, Altadena/Los
Angeles
Kali Sauder
There is a reason Jesus preached
childlike faith. I caught a glimpse
of the joy that must fill Christ’s
heart when, recently, a Sunday
School student had a “lightbulb”
moment. In class we were talking
about Jesus’ baptism, what baptism
means, and what Jesus meant when
He told Nicodemus he must be
“born again”. Suddenly, her eyes lit
up! “Oh! It’s like your heart is born
all over again!”
Many of us traveled to
Phoenix for a special weekend
of worshiping with that
congregation. One of their own,
and now one of our own, Kailey
Wuethrich, testified of her heart
being “born all over again” and
was baptized. Since Kailey has
been attending Biola University
the past 2 years, we’ve immensely
enjoyed her being with us on
the weekends. Her baptism also
served as a send-off. We lift her
up in prayer as she travels to
Jordan to study and serve abroad
this semester. Her passion for
lifting up the name of Christ is an
example to us all!
“Go ye therefore, and teach all
nations, baptizing them in the name
of the Father, and of the Son, and
of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to
observe all things whatsoever I have
commanded you: and, lo, I am with
you alway, even unto the end of the
world. Amen.” Matthew 28:19, 20
California, San Diego
Annaleise Wagenbach
On New Year’s Eve, Bro.
Joe Klotzle (Sis. Sue, Altadena,
CA) read from Genesis 1 about
the creation of time. We were
encouraged to use the time given
by God in 2016 for His glory!
Reflecting back over the year
February 2016
SILVER LINING
13
2015, we are thankful to have
experienced a year of growth with
a few additions. In February,
Bro. Brian Wagenbach and Sis.
Annaleise Wagenbach were
married. In August, we were
blessed to add Bro. Doug and
Sis. Tricia Banwart along with
their twins, Arianna and Stryder,
to our church family. Finally, in
December we welcomed three
sisters to the family of Christ: Sis.
Sarah Fulop, Sis. Abby Fulop, and
Sis. Sophia Dotterer.
Our love and prayers are with
Sis. Andrea Luthi and Sis. Marie
Luthi as they remember their
grandfather, Bro. Lloyd Luthi,
who passed on to his reward.
We are looking forward to
our winter residents joining us for
a few months, as we have indeed
been blessed by their support and
love over the years.
If anyone is vacationing in
the Palm Springs/Palm Desert
area this winter, please feel free
to contact Bro. Doug and Sis.
Janelle Brewer at djbrewer2003@
gmail.com or 309-256-9606. We
plan to have midweek services
until the end of March. Also, if
you know of anyone with church
connections living in the area, we
would also like to know about
them so we can reach out to them.
Let us all use the months, days,
and minutes to glorify the Father.
“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to
receive glory and honour and power:
for thou hast created all things, and
for thy pleasure they are and were
created.” Revelations 4:11.
14
Colorado, Denver
Naomi Wiegand, Tess Leman
Greetings from Colorado!
Bro. Jeff Bahr spent some time
here recently and was willingly
used to share the word. We
appreciate hearing Bro. Jeff and
the refreshing way he brings out
truths from the Bible so that we
all can relate and understand.
We are excited to announce
the birth of three new babies in our
congregation. Connor Oak was
born to Bro. Jake and Sis. Tifani
Leman on January 16. Lennon
Coal was born to Kevin and Kerry
Haeflinger on January 20. Harper
and Marley are excited to have a
new little brother. Bro. Dan and
Sis. Tess Leman welcomed Joanna
Rae a few hours later. Sophia and
Adam are also excited to have a
new sibling. Thankful grandparents
are Bro. Mike and Sis. Deb Leman
(Denver), Bro. Jeff and Sis. Janice
Bahr (Kiowa), Earl and Julie
Haeflinger, Bro. Bill and Sis. Mary
Berg (Bern) and Jan and Valerie
Gutwein (Haiti).
We as a church are rejoicing
at the miracle of these new lives.
We also want to announce that
Demetrius Wiegand (Bro. Charlie
and Sis. Naomi) has begun his
walk with the Lord. Although he
is repenting in the Bloomington
church, we want to share this good
news and encourage him in his
new-found faith.
Connecticut, Rockville
Sheila Gerber, Lauren Gottier
“That ye put off concerning the
former conversation the old man,
which is corrupt according to the
deceitful lusts; And be renewed in
the spirit of your mind; And that ye
put on the new man, which after
God is created in righteousness and
true holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-24
Our congregation was
blessed to witness the marriage
vows of Bro. Sam (Bro. Tim and
Sis. Dana) and Sis. Leah (Bro.
Ronnie and Sis. Sheila Gerber)
Schneider. We were reminded in
their marriage ceremony of the
importance of a simple faith.
We appreciated having Bro.
Adam Luginbuhl (Sis. Jami,
Philadelphia, PA) minister
to us on New Year’s Day. He
emphasized that there are times in
our lives when we need to make
changes in our hearts in order to
be right with God.
District of Columbia,
Washington
Henrietta Meyer
While we are excited to
meet new caretakers and renew
friendships with returning ones in
2016, we didn’t have caretakers this
month. Our members have taken
their turns each week caring for the
physical church. If you feel led to
support one of our small churches,
being caretakers here would be a
wonderful way to do so. If you are
interested and are free to spend
3-4 weeks in the DC area, please
contact Sis. Doreen Steffen at
[email protected] or 302-5406574. She reports there are a few
months still available this year.
Our ministers this month were
Bro. Todd Sinn (Sis. Janet, Latty,
OH), Bro. Mark Wettstien (Sis.
Karen, LaCrosse, IN), Bro. Wayne
Hartzler (Sis. Camille, Rittman,
OH), and Bro. Duane Reutter (Sis.
Kay, Rockville, CT). Other visitors
this month were from Rockville,
CT; Philadelphia, PA; Sardis and
Columbus, OH churches.
Winter brings smaller crowds
visiting DC, giving visitors a
chance to see exhibits at museums
at their own pace. We usually
don’t get as much snow and cold
as the mid-west and what we get
doesn’t last as long. If you are
planning to visit Washington,
D.C. area, please contact Bro. Joe
and Sis. Holly Bohart at jbohart@
gmail.com or Sis. Henrietta Meyer
at 703 904-8301 for assistance
and to let us know how many to
expect for Sunday services.
Florida, Ft. Lauderdale
Renee Mangold
We were fortunate to have
several visiting ministers this month.
Sharing God’s word and fellowship
were: Bro. Tom Bolliger (Sis. Jane)
Tremont, IL; Bro. Virgil Metzger
(Sis. Mary) Chicago, IL; Bro.
Stephen Baner (Sis. DonnaLou)
Gridley, IL and Bro. Dan Beer (Sis.
Deb) Milford, IN. We are thankful
for their efforts and pray that the
Lord will bless them.
Sis. Kayla Blunier of Eureka
has relocated to Fort Lauderdale.
We are delighted to have her as
part of our church family and pray
for God’s continued blessing as she
makes this transition.
Sis. Vi Gerber is back home
after a stay in the hospital. We pray
that God will strengthen her and
give her grace, health and peace.
Sis. Doris Huber is recovering
well from a hip replacement. We
pray that our Lord will continue
to heal and strengthen her.
Our winter residents are
returning. We are enjoying this
time of year with a fuller church
and renewed fellowship with
friends and brethren. Of course,
all are always welcome to come
and enjoy the sunshine and visit
our Ft. Lauderdale church!
Florida, Ft. Myers
Dustin Hodel
Psalm 133:1 “How good and
pleasant it is when God’s people live
together in unity!”
The snowbirds have arrived.
Starting in January, our church
attendance increases dramatically.
As a year-rounder, and someone
who did not have this phenomenon
until I moved here, it can take
some getting used to, but the thing
that it always does is fill me with
amazement and appreciation at
the benefit of brotherly love. You
see when the brothers and sisters
from up north come to winter here,
it changes the complexion of the
church, but there is no drop-off in
operating the church. People bring
things for lunch and everyone gets
fed. People sign up for duties that
need to be done and things run
smoothly. Brothers who can lead
singing sit up with us song leaders
and pitch in. This year we’ve even
implemented afternoon Sunday
school and people stepped up to
teach it and give it a go. It has been
a great example of how the body
works together for the benefit of
everyone. I hope and pray that all
of our churches get to experience
that on some level as well.
If you are considering a move
to the Naples/Fort Myers area
and would like to talk to someone
about it, please call Bro. Marvin
Steffen at 239-353-0508. He will
help you gather information on
anything from serving in a small
church to job opportunities and
housing in the area.
The New Beginnings of SWFL
We are approaching another
exciting time at The New
Beginnings! One of our mothers,
Valerie, is getting ready to
graduate! We have been hunting
for jobs and exploring areas for her
to live as she gets ready to leave
our program and spread her wings
a bit. Times like these are exciting,
yet breed a bit of apprehension
as change is happening and the
safety of being at TNB is not as
close. The women who leave us are
always a part of our family, but
transitioning to independence is
very important. Please join us in
praying for Valerie as she looks to
implement the things she has been
learning on her own!
Florida, Sarasota
Mary & Vera Martin
February is the month to
celebrate love and certainly a time
to reflect on the gift of love that
our Savior continually bestows on
us. Our church has once again
become alive with activities as our
northern winter residents return.
February 2016
SILVER LINING
15
Our youth group had an
invite-a-guest weekend and
enjoyed the fellowship and the
opportunity to meet new friends.
Bros. Randy Mogler (Sis. Evie,
Washington) and Tim Drayer (Sis.
Gwen, Bluffton North) shared
their time and talents with a Bible
Study and the group took time to
do a community painting project.
We also appreciated our
visiting ministers: Elder Bro.
Wayne Banwart (Sis. Charlen,
Champaign), Bro. Dennis Rassi
(Sis. Diane, Austin), Bro. Curt
Rassi (Sis. Kathy, Tremont) and
Bro. Jeff Fischer (Sis. Gloria, Fort
Scott) as they shared their time to
minister to us.
Georgia, Peachtree City/
Atlanta
Lexi Knapp
“Praise ye the Lord. Praise, O ye
servants of the Lord, praise the name
of the Lord. Blessed be the name of
the Lord from this time forth and
forevermore.” Psalm 113:1-2
As we have started a New
Year, we are praising God for
His continual blessings! How
precious it is to rest in Christ’s
love and salvation now and in
the years to come!
We were so thankful to
welcome Bro. John and Sis.
Katherine Magnin (Indianapolis,
IN) to Georgia in December. We
are so blessed by their involvement
in our congregation and wish
them God’s blessings and grace on
their new life in Georgia.
Also, on December 20, Bro.
Kevin and Sis. Erica Kipfer
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welcomed Gabriella Hope into
their family. Big sisters, Ellie and
Charis, are excited for the new
addition to their family. Her
grandparents are Bro. Linn and
Sis. Brenda Stoller (Peachtree City,
GA) and Bro. Ron and Sis. Linda
Kipfer (Bluffton, IN).
Likewise, we would like to
thank visiting ministers Bro. Ron
Kipfer (Sis. Linda, Bluffton, IN)
and Bro. Curt Rassi (Sis. Kathy,
Tremont, IL). We were blessed and
deeply appreciate their service to
our church.
If anyone is coming to the
area, we would love to have you
worship with us! Our address is:
202 Robinson Road, Peachtree
City, GA 30269. However,
please all ahead! (Tom Waldbeser
770.463.4788 or Richard Aberle
678.364.0507). For photos and
additional information, visit our
website at www.ptcacchurch.org.
Haiti, Bonne Fin Hospital Lumiere
our medical supplies. One of our
blessings of living at the Hospital
is to form relationships with
people who come on work teams.
Several of those who came on
this work team had been to the
Hospital before. It is encouraging
to be able to continue these
Christian friendships that have
been formed.
As we begin a new year, we
look forward to what God will do
and where He will bring us. Please
continue to pray for the Hospital,
the patients’ physical and spiritual
healing, the missionary families,
the staff of the hospital, and those
who He may choose to lead here
in the coming year.
A new year also brings in
a new name for the joining of
our former ACWR and Mission
Committee. The new name is
HarvestCall, and reminds us as
Jesus said, “Pray ye therefore the
Lord of the harvest, that he will send
forth labourers into his harvest.”
Matt. 9:38
Rick and Komari Aberle,
David and Janella Zimmerman
Haiti, Les Cayes
Christmas was a time of blessing
for us. Some of our missionaries
were able to travel back to the States
over the holiday to be with their
families. For those who stayed here,
we gathered together as a missionary
family to remember the birth of
Christ. We enjoyed the time of
sharing food, fellowship, and being
able to enjoy the good weather in
Haiti, even though we were away
from our families.
After the New Year, we had a
work team come to help inventory
Mike & Susie Walder
This month we had a farewell
singing for Robenson-n and Renee
(Slagel) Leger as they felt that
God was leading them to move
back to Fairbury, IL. We will
truly miss their smiles, words of
encouragement, and spiritual gifts
in our midst. We welcome them
back any time. May God help them
through the adjustment period they
will experience with the culture
switch, as well as the upcoming
addition to their growing family!
We also enjoyed the visits of
two of our “college kids”. Bro. Evan
Walder (Smithville, OH) and Bro.
Alan Kaeb (Francesville, IN) were
left behind when their families
moved to Haiti. Thanks for the
efforts of many who remember
them while separated from us.
To begin the 2016 team
season, we appreciated the willing
workers who arrived on the Ohio
construction team. Team leaders
included Bro. Ron Palitto (Akron,
OH) and Elder Bro. Duane Farney
(Croghan, NY). These brothers
conducted a Wednesday night
church service for us on our roof
under the stars. May God bless
them for serving both the Haitians
and the missionaries while here.
Bro. Ed and Sis. Julie Sanders
(Alto, MI) joined the Ohio team
that week, but did not return
with them. They plan to remain
here through the entire work
team season to lend their skills
and support. With Bro. Brent
and Sis. Alisha Wagenbach being
in the States as they expect their
first child, the Sanders’ loving
contribution is especially timely.
We pray that God will bless and
protect them through their term
of service in Haiti.
We would encourage you to
review the positions available in
Les Cayes posted in the back.
These positions have been open
for quite some time. If God
is working in your heart, but
you don’t feel exactly qualified,
be assured that God is most
interested in your availability.
(God doesn’t call the qualified;
He qualifies the called!) The
dictionary definition of a
missionary is one who goes to a
foreign land to share the gospel.
The actual position is only part of
the mission; the most important
work is finding ways to share
God’s Word which wakens the
spiritually dead. We find that the
Haitians really do respect the Bible
and many need clear teaching.
Will you go to a dying world?
“Lift up your eyes, and look on the
fields; for they are white already to
harvest.” John 4:35
Illinois, Belvidere
Krista Anliker, Shayla Steffen
“As we have therefore opportunity,
let us do good unto all men,
especially unto them who are of the
household of faith.” Galatians 6:10
Displaying serving love this
month were visiting Elder Bro.
Duane Rocke (Sis. Bonnie,
Minneapolis, MN), Elder Bro.
Paul Messner (Sis. Jan, Winthrop,
MN) and Bro. Dean Messner (Sis.
Wanda, Winthrop, MN). We
thank them for their service in the
ministry and for their willingness
to do their part.
“Seeds of goodness we are sowing
In the hearts of men today.
Bless it Lord that it may prosper,
And bear fruit for harvest day.
Hasten gladly to the labor,
Consecrate to God your heart.
Say this day unto your Savior,
Lord, I’ ll gladly do my part.”
Hymns of Zion, #46 vs. 1
Illinois, BloomingtonNormal
Megan Kaeb, Sarah Maurer
Happy New Year! We hope
this year finds you and your family
well, and we pray the coming year
brings many blessings to you from
the Lord.
“Behold, I will do a new thing;
now it shall spring forth; shall ye not
know it? I will even make a way
in the wilderness, and rivers in the
desert.” Isaiah 43:19.
Our congregation is happy to
welcome five new souls into our
fellowship: Sis. Leah Monagle (Bro.
Pete and Sis. Lisa), Bro. Travor and
Sis. Haley Lehman (Bro. Andy and
Sis. Jill), Sis. Alivia Stoller (Bro.
Bruce & Sis. Mary, Princeville),
and Bro. Harrison Martin (Bro.
Brad and Sis. Kara).
Special thanks to visiting
ministers who shared the word
with us this month. We appreciate
the work of Bro. Howard Plattner
(Sis. Kristen) from Alto, MI, Bro.
Lynn Steiglitz (Sis. Leonda) from
Leo, IN, and Bro. Nate Lehman
(Sis. Yvonne) from Denver, CO. It
was nice to spend baptism Sunday
with many other visitors as well
and worship our Lord for the great
God He is.
We rejoice to welcome
new little ones into our church
family as well. Bro. David, Sis.
Tara Prevo, and big sister, Zaya,
welcome Jack Robert into their
growing family. Grandparents are
Bro. Mike and Sis. Barb Prevo
(Gridley) and Bro. Mike and
Sis. Faye (Fort Lauderdale, FL).
Dominic Israel was welcomed
February 2016
SILVER LINING
17
into the hearts of Bro. Dustin
and Sis. Elizabeth Rabe. His
grandparents are Marcela
Martinez (Magdalena, MX) and
Bro. Derek and Sis. Julie Rabe.
This past month has also
brought the passing of loved ones.
Sis. Wilma Knapp (Bro. Norval)
was the mother of Bro. Charlie
(Sis. Paula) and will be missed.
Trayden Ryker and Collum
Ronan entered into glory this
past month as well and will be
greatly mourned by their loving
parents, Clark and Jessica Kaeb.
Sadly, both infants were stillborn.
Grandparents are Bro. Dave and
Sis. Brenda Kaeb.
“Blessed are they that mourn: for
they shall be comforted.” Matt. 5:4.
Illinois, Bradford
Roseann Stahl, Sandi Joos
“Brethren, I count not myself
to have apprehended: but this one
thing I do, forgetting those things
which are behind and reaching forth
unto those things which are before, I
press toward the mark for the prize
of the high calling of God in Christ
Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14
As we begin a new year, let
us continue to press toward the
eternal prize. We are thankful to
be reminded in our sermons of
that goal and those things that are
needful. Our visiting ministers
this past month were Bro. John
Grimm (Sis. Julie, Columbus,
OH), Bro. Scott Schambach (Sis.
Hope, Elgin, IL), Bro. Ned Stoller
(Sis. Heidi, Alto, MI), and Bro.
Doug Brewer (Sis. Janelle, San
Diego, CA).
18
As we begin the New Year,
we welcome Bro. Kellan and
Sis. Elizabeth Kershner to our
congregation. They have moved
from West Lafayette, IN. We
pray that they will feel welcome
and at home.
We were happy to hear the
engagement announcement of
Bro. Andrew Klumpp (David and
Barb) and Sis. Rachel Snodgrass
(Bro. Wayne and Sis. Becky) from
Iowa City, IA. We pray for the
Lord’s blessings as they plan their
life together.
While some are experiencing
joy in the New Year, others
are experiencing sorrow. Linda
Hoffman passed from this life on
Friday, January 15. Our sympathy
is extended to her children, Paula
Gillespie and August Hoffman,
along with her grandchildren.
We also extend our sympathy
to Bro. Dennis and Sis. Becky
Pyles as his brother, Edward Pyles,
passed from this life.
Bro. Brandon Baer (Sis.
Melissa) and Bro. Brad Kieser
(Sis. Rachel) are our new
ushers. Our new trustee is Bro.
John Joos. We appreciate their
willingness to serve.
In the New Year, we were also
blessed to have the Princeville
congregation join us for a Sunday
evening singing. We appreciate the
efforts they made to be with us on
a wintry evening.
Illinois, Champaign
Dona Fehr
Greetings from Champaign!
We congratulate Cortney
Eisenmann (Bro. David and Sis.
Jackie) in her recent engagement
to Joshua Lanzona! We wish
them God’s blessings as they begin
planning for their future together.
We would also like to extend
our congratulations to Bro.
David and Sis. Ethel Wiegand as
they celebrate the birth of their
new granddaughter, Sophia,
born to Bob and Chiu Wiegand
(Washington DC).
We are thankful for the safe
return of those who went to
Reynosa, Mexico recently. The
group of 19 worked on horses/
mules and carts of the garbage men
as in the past few years. It is always
a privilege to be able to help others,
and often we return home feeling
that we gained as much as we gave.
Illinois, Chicago
Diana Eisenmann
Greetings from Chicago!
We extend thanks to our
visiting ministers, Elder Bro. Steve
Ringger (Sis. Myra, Bluffton
North, IN) and Bro. Nathan Rassi
(Sis. Michelle, St. Louis, MO).
In January, we again hosted the
Elder Forums. It is always a blessing
to our church. We thank all of these
dear brothers for their time and
effort in this important work.
Sis. Betty Schlatter is the new
Chicago church representative for
the Highland Oaks Board. Bro.
Ryan Eisenmann has accepted
the position of trustee. We are
thankful to all who are willing to
serve in so many different ways!
We offer prayers and
condolences to Bro. Boyd Metzger
and his family at the loss of his
brother-in-law, Bro. Harold Witzig
(Sis. Dorothy, Morton, IL).
Illinois, Cissna Park
Sandy Rudin, Pam Walder
Bro. Dan Moser (Sis. Anne,
Elgin, IL) shared New Year’s Eve
service with us. On January 17,
Bros. Jay Steffen (Sis. Melinda,
Congerville, IL) and Dana
Nieman (Sis. Lea, Remington,
IN) served us on the pulpit. May
our Lord bless these brothers for
faithfully sharing God’s Word.
Our sympathy and prayers are
extended to Sis. Vi Greiner. Her
sister, Mary Ann McGrew, passed
away on January 2, 2016.
Our dear elderly sister-in-faith,
Helen Janssen, went to her eternal
rest on December 28, 2015. She
married Louis P. Janssen on June
20, 1959, and became the mother
to three young children. Survivors
include two sons, Darrel and
Dennis Janssen, and one daughter,
Linda Hudson. She will be missed
among us.
We recently held our annual
business meeting. Sis. Cheryl
Eisenmann and Bro. Joe Stuckel
are new Sunday School teachers.
Bro. David Maul will become a
trustee. Bro. Tom Stock expressed
his appreciation to all who
willingly serve in various church
duties. I personally want to thank
Sis. Janie Waldbeser for faithfully
being a Silver Lining reporter for
the last three years.
Bro. Ken Eisenmann spoke
on True Contentment vs. False
Contentment at our first Topical
Bible Presentation of 2016.
Lord, keep me always
mindful of Your inevitable return.
Thanks for the assurance that this
world is not all we have, but that
a blessed eternity awaits all who
trust in Thee.
Illinois, Congerville
Erica Steffen
“Many are the partings on earth
below,
Dear ones must say good-bye!
But a glad reunion we then
shall know
In that blessed county where we
cannot die.
Many of them that sleep in the dust
Shall awaken unto life and sing
In the glorious resurrection of
the just
At the coming of our blessed Lord
and King!”
Hymns of Zion #195, vs 3 and
chorus
Our dear Sister Polly Schrock,
departed this earthly life on
December 24, leaving behind
her husband, Bro. Roy. Although
we will miss Sis. Polly’s presence
among us, we look forward to
the time when we will join her
on that glorious day, united again
in Heaven! In the meantime,
our prayers and sympathies are
extended to Bro. Roy and the rest
of the Schrock family.
Christmas is always a
wonderful time when we are able to
reconnect with family and friends
that visit our church. Familiar
faces, some that we have not seen
for a while, bring such a joy to our
hearts and a reminder of the special
bond we have as brethren. We
are thankful that several visiting
ministers labored for us this month,
as well. Bro. Brent Walder (Sis.
Naomi, Rockville, CT), Bro. Ryan
Schock (Sis. Melonie, Bloomfield,
IA), and Bro. Randy Mogler (Sis.
Evie, Washington, IL). The Lord
always, has and always will provide!
“…continue ye in my love.”
John 15:9
Illinois, Elgin
Amy Gasser
Congratulations to Landon
Kellenberger (Bro. Greg and Sis.
Debbie), who recently graduated
from Colorado State University
with a degree in construction
management. He is now back at
home and working in the family
business.
Little Jakob Steffen (infant son
of Daniel and Samantha) has been
discharged from the hospital and
is doing well at home.
We extend sympathy to Mark
and Rose Gerth in the passing
of his father, Delmar Gerth of
Montgomery, IL on January 16,
after a brief illness.
Several couples in our
congregation are spending time
in warmer climates this winter.
We miss them and wish them safe
travels until we meet again.
“The Lord watch between me and
thee, when we are absent one from
another.” Genesis 31:49
Illinois, Eureka
Debra Blunier, Linda Rocke
As we peer into the year ahead,
2016 seems to offer another chance
February 2016
SILVER LINING
19
to begin again, and we resolve to
do better. But always, we have to
remember that we can only do this
in the strength of the Lord and
with His leading, or our efforts will
be in vain, having as little result
as all those millions of New Year’s
resolutions made and discarded
year after year by so many.
Many of our recent sermons
have centered on commitment, as
God reminds us of the importance
of cleaving to Him and to the
leading of the Holy Spirit.
Whatever the year brings, we are
reminded to “Commit thy way unto
the Lord; trust also in him; and he
shall bring it to pass.” Psalm 37:5
We were thankful to have
visiting ministers bringing us the
Word, including Bro. Don Manz
(Sis. Connie, Junction), Bro.
Randy Beer (Sis. Deb, Milford),
Elder Bro. Duane Rocke (Sis.
Bonnie, Minneapolis), Bro. Kent
Getz (Sis. Betty, Elgin, IA),
Bro. Craig Stickling (Sis. Jackie,
Peoria), and Bro. Tony Manz
(Sis. Denise, Junction, OH). God
richly blesses us through all who
serve us (and Him).
Births: Timothy Joseph Wyss
was born December 12 to Bro.
Benjamin and Sis. Laurel Wyss.
He is welcomed home by Lemuel,
Gideon, Abigail, and Lydia. Andy
and Sis. Liz Meeks have another
granddaughter, as Grace Renee
Eckert was born December 24.
She is the daughter of Paige
Cottingham, and sister of Hope.
Deaths: Sis. Velma (Bro.
Gerald, dec.) Leman completed
her life’s journey December 29.
20
We extend our deepest sympathies
to all her family, including her
children: Bro. Mike (Sis. Kathy),
Bro. Dale (Sis. Lezlee) of West
Bend, Judy (Roy) Braker of
Lamar, and Bro. Ed (Sis. Ruth).
Sis. Barb (Ed, dec.) Meiss
passed away January 14. We offer
our deepest sympathy to our Elder
Bro. Trent and Sis. Lucy Meiss
and all their family. Her other
sons are Ty (Sharon) and Tim
(Susan), all of Eureka.
We began the year by singing
a farewell song to Sis. Kayla
Blunier, daughter of Bro. Duane
and Sis. Eileen. Kayla moved to
Ft. Lauderdale, FL, January 5,
and will attend church there. She
will be missed, of course, but
we are glad for the congregation
she will join and the hospitals
where she will work. The idea of
commitment reminds us to follow
wherever God leads, and to trust
Him to bless our obedience.
Hospitalizations: Seth
Schumacher (Bro. Dale and Sis.
Lavonne) was hospitalized, as were
Bro. Duane (Sis. Eileen) Blunier
and Nigel Meiss (Bro. Trent and Sis.
Lucy), but all are home again and
recovering well. We are thankful
that Sis. Janel (Bro. Jason) Sanders
and Sis. Ashley (Bro. David) Knecht
are also recovering nicely.
Note of Thanks:
The family of Sis. Velma
Leman sincerely thanks everyone
for their many loving expressions of
sympathy in the passing of our loved
one. Your cards, visits, gifts, and
prayers are deeply appreciated. May
He richly bless you.
Bro. Mike & Sis. Kathy Leman,
Bro. Dale & Sis. Lezlee Leman,
Roy and Judy Braker,
Bro. Ed and Sis. Ruth Leman
Illinois, Fairbury
Angela Herr, Janelle Stoller
“Word which God has spoken,
Word of peaceful token, Gospel of
the Lord! Fount of benediction,
Comfort in affliction, Holy Spirit’s
sword! Source of might, Of life
and light! Joyful message of God
given, Sent to us from heaven! The
Gospel, Zion’s Harp #97, verse 1
Bro. Dale Stoller (Sis. Sandra)
recently shared that he is planning
to retire from the ministry at
the end of January after 25 years
of service on our pulpit. We
appreciate his willingness to serve
in the ministry and pray that
God will richly bless him and his
dear wife for their examples of
faithfulness and labors of love.
We were blessed to have
several visiting ministers this past
month. We thank Elder Bro.
Duane Rocke (Minneapolis, MN),
Bro. Dallas Massner (Burlington,
IA), Bro. Matt Knapp (Peachtree
City, GA), Bro. Dewayne Dill
(Minneapolis, MN), Bro. Brian
Waibel (Champaign, IL), Bro. Al
Schambach (Remington, IN), Bro.
John Steiner (Oakville-Mediapolis,
IA), and Bro. Zach Anderson
(Congerville, IL) for preaching the
truths of God’s Word.
On January 8, we gathered
with the Forrest brethren to hear
a presentation on Technology. We
would like to thank Bro. Matt
Kaufmann (Bloomington, IL) and
Bro. Arlan Miller (Gridley, IL) for
presenting to us on behalf of the
Apostolic Christian Counseling
and Family Services.
We extend our sympathy to Sis.
Laura Knapp in the death of her
sister-in-law, Sis. Leanore Knochel
(Bay City, MI), on December 20.
Sis. Arlene Walter’s twin sister, Alene
Perkins, passed away on January 15.
Our thoughts and prayers have been
with Sis. Arlene at this time of loss.
CJ and Allison Kaisner
welcomed Declan Ryan into their
hearts and home on December
23. Brenna is his big sister. Bro.
Jerry and Sis. Donna Kaisner and
Dennis and Debbie Oakland are
his grandparents.
Kenton William was born to
Bro. Blake and Sis. Kristin Zehr
on January 11. Garrett is happy
to be a big brother. Thankful
grandparents are Bro. Quinn and
Sis. Joan Zehr and Bro. Bill and
Sis. Anna Schmidgall.
In our prayers we often
remember those who are dealing
with infirmities of the flesh. Sis.
Rosemary Hartman (Bro. John)
and Sis. Ione Broquard (Bro. Don)
are recovering from surgery. Liam
Bunch (Curtis and Sis. Traci) and
Sis. Pat Hartman recently spent
time in the hospital. May God
heal and provide for each one
according to His will.
Illinois, Forrest Carissa Knapp, Shannon Brown
We were blessed with visiting
ministers this month. We want
to thank Bros. Mark Klaus (Sis.
Rebekah, Athens, AL), Darren Fehr
(Sis. Nora, West Bend, IA), Dale
Frank (Sis. Christine, OakvilleMediapolis, IA), and Leland
Plattner (Sis. Mary, Zapata, TX) for
being willing to share God’s Word.
Bro. Jeremy and Sis. Shara
Leman welcome a new baby girl,
Harbor Raine, to their family. Her
older siblings are River, Madeira,
and Finn. Grandparents are Bro.
Ernie and Sis. Carol Leman
and Bro. Dan and Sis. Kathy
Banwart. Bro. Matthew and Sis.
Katie Schneider are also blessed
with a new baby girl, Lynsey Rae.
Welcoming her home are siblings
Lauren, Brett, Luke, Brenna, and
Layna. Bro. Jim and Sis. Sandra
Schneider and Bob and Sally
Rinkenberger are the grandparents.
We extend our sympathies
to Bro. Mark and Sis. Laverne
Aberle in the loss of her sister,
Deloris Meiss.
Our thoughts and prayers are
with Sis. Dorothy Zimmerman
who spent time in the hospital
this month.
As we start this New Year, the
following verse comes to mind:
“Trust in the Lord with all thine
heart; and lean not unto thine own
understanding. In all thy ways
acknowledge him, and he shall
direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5&6
Let us be thankful and rejoice
that we can look to Him and put
our full trust in Him as the New
Year unfolds.
Illinois, Goodfield
Kayla Wiegand, Melissa Rokey
Our church family joyfully
extends prayers for God’s blessing
on two newly-married couples in
our congregation. Congratulations
to Pete and Jacey Hoekstra, and
Bro. Will and Sis. Jamie Rokey,
as they start their married lives
together.
It was a treat to see some of
our missionary families home for
Christmas. We enjoyed the time
spent with Sis. Erin and Neiah
Davis from Jamaica, and Bro.
Kurt and Sis. Joan Plattner and
their children from Haiti. We
continue to be prayerful for them
and Bro. Erik and Sis. Carrie
Wiegand’s family in Zambia.
The work on the fellowship
hall addition and remodel is
progressing well. We wish to
thank all of the volunteers who
have helped with this.
Bro. Kenny Rokey (Sis.
Phyllis) fell and broke his
hip, requiring surgery and
hospitalization. Ethel Finley
recently was in the hospital
with some health issues and is
recovering at home. Morgan
Rokey (Bro. Robert and Sis.
Melissa) was hospitalized with
pneumonia. Please keep these dear
ones in your prayers as they heal.
“O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come, Our
shelter from the stormy blast, And
our eternal home.”
Gospel Hymns #693
Our hearts are filled with
compassion for those in our
congregation who have said
goodbye to loved family members.
We extend our sympathy to Bro.
Alan and Sis. Joanne Roth at
the passing of their son, Brett on
February 2016
SILVER LINING
21
December 23. Continued prayers
of grace and support are offered for
the whole family, including Bro.
David and Sis. Kasey, Jonathon
and Kandace, and Lisa Roth.
Sis. Polly Schrock, the mother
of Chuck Schrock (Diane), passed
away December 24. Please be
prayerful for Chuck and Diane
and their family.
We express our appreciation
to the visiting ministers who have
spoken God’s word from our
pulpit recently, including Bros.
Rick Kaisner, (Sis. Michelle,
Chicago, IL), Tim Hohulin
(Sis. Cathy, Roanoke, IL), Brad
Gudeman (Sis. Teresa, Bradford,
IL), Tim Drayer (Sis. Gwen,
Bluffton North), John Bradle (Sis.
Jill, Roanoke, IL), and Steve Baner
(Sis. DonnaLou, Gridley, IL).
Illinois, Gridley
Perry Klopfenstein
“O, Saviour, might I thus as Thee,
Likeminded, pure and humble be!
With Thee, O Lord, I’ll walk aright,
A child and servant in Thy light!”
The Image of Christ, Zion’s Harp
#164
Surely the author (who is
unknown) was inspired, as an
accurate description was given,
as to how a believer is to conduct
himself in walking aright: in a
likeminded way, in pureness, and
in humility. All three are critical
in one’s quest to walking as a child
and servant, in the Savior’s light.
We are sorry to report the
death of the father of Sis. Willow
Gramm. The deceased was Bro.
James “Jim” Beres, 80, of Phoenix.
22
Surely, we offer our sympathies to
Sis. Willow and her husband, Bro.
George, and family.
We also note the passing of
Byron L. Martin, 69, on January
19, 2016. He is survived by
his wife, Sis. Carolyn “Katie”
Aberle Martin, to whom he
was married for 46 years. He
is survived as well by two
daughters, Heather (Justin)
Meiss of Bloomington, Sis. Debra
(Grant) DesCarpentrie, Normal;
a son, Bro. Richard Martin (Sis.
Jackie) of Gridley; two brothers,
Stan (Karen) Martin, Omaha,
NE; Sid (Nancy) Martin, Crystal
Lake, IL; and six grandchildren,
Emma and Sophia Meece;
Samuel, Nathan, and Anna
DesCarpentrie; and Brynn
Martin. Byron was endeared to
his family, and we enjoyed his
presence at our congregation.
The funeral of Sis. Barbara
A. Funk Meiss, 92, of Eureka,
was held at our church on the
morning of January 18. Although
she attended the Eureka church,
she grew up in Gridley, and was
buried in the Gridley cemetery. She
is the mother of Elder Bro. Trent
(Sis. Lucy) Meiss, Eureka, to whom
we extend sympathies, along with
his brothers, Tim (Susan) and Ty
(Sharon) of Eureka. Ministering
Bro. John Cottrell, Eureka, was
here for the occasion.
Sis. Ruth Rinkenberger is
dealing with cancer and pain. Bro.
Bob Hock is recovering from back
surgery. Bro. Orlan Miller continues
to receive cancer treatments. We
pray for God’s healing power
according to His will.
As of January 1, 2016, our
church listed 11 souls in varying
stages of conversion. May God
grant them grace and humility to
walk as God would want them
to walk in reflecting the change
He has wrought in their hearts
through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Illinois, Morton
Annette Tanner, Julie Bahr
In the year 1913, our
present church building was
constructed and has served
as an edifice to worship our
Living God! Now as our new
Morton church building is being
constructed, our church family
wishes to celebrate the treasured
times of rich heritage and legacy
with all those who have come
to worship here! Everyone is
welcome to join us in worship
services and fellowship during the
construction of the new edifice.
Sunday morning singing service
starts at 9:45 AM with the pulpit
ministry beginning at 10:00 AM.
Sunday afternoon singing begins
at 12:00 PM and the service
begins at 12:15 PM. Also ‘Legacy
Hymn Sings’ have been planned
to accommodate those who desire
to join us singing praises together
and then reminisce as they tour
the 102 year-old building. The
evenings of May 1, July 17 and
October 2 are the remainder of
the hymn sing dates that have
been selected for this purpose.
Those evenings each will begin at
6:30 PM. All who would have the
desire to come, please know that
you are most welcome! We appreciate our visiting
ministers who come to share
the Good News! Thank you
Bro. Scott Schafer (Sis. Gigi,
South Bend); Bro. Greg Rassi
(Sis. Carla) and Bro. Matthew
Rassi (Sis. Bridget) of Chicago;
and Elder Bro. Steve Sauder
(Sis. Mary, Tremont). Bro. Dave
Obergfel of Peoria came to give
our Wednesday Evening Family
Worship topic “The Armor of
God”- “Shield of Faith”! Bro.
Dave reminded us of the scripture
Ephesians 3:20 that is a promise
to those of us who put on God’s
Shield of Faith!
Our prayer is that God’s
comfort will be with those of our
church family who have lost loved
ones. Our sympathy is shared
with Bro. Scott Sinn (Sis. Kay)
in the passing of his father Carl
Sinn, Tremont; and also to Bro.
Roger Ackerman (Sis. Margie)
in the passing of his sister, Diane
Ackerman, from Michigan.
Our love and sympathy is
also shared with our Sis. Cheryl
Wuthrich (Bro. Mark) in the
passing of her dear mother, Sis. Polly
Schrock (Bro. Roy) of Congerville.
Sis. Sheri Daniel (Bro. Billy)
has our love and prayers as her
family grieved the loss of her
father, Robert Warner, Morton.
He is survived by his wife, Vicki,
and a son, Scott (Debbie), along
with his sister, Sis. Lynn Garber
(Bro. Ralph).
Our Bro. Harold ‘Bert’
Witzig entered his heavenly home
and is rejoicing with the angels
on high. A ‘beautiful farewell’
was expressed by the family He
leaves. Surviving are his wife, Sis.
Dorothy ‘Dort’, and his children,
Ann (William) Troyer, Scott
(Darci) Witzig, Gwen (Roger)
Stuber, Bro. Phil (Sis. Cindi)
Witzig, and Cindy (Will) Gomez.
Isaiah David is the name
chosen for the precious grandson
of Bro. Bob and Sis. Jeannie
Barth. Little Isaiah entered the
home of Trevor and Dani Barth
on December 15.
Bro. Howard and Sis. Gloria
Leman are blessed grandparents
to a new baby girl, Haven Joy
born to their son Bro. Darin and
Sis Jessica Leman, Bloomington.
Siblings of baby Haven are Ethan,
Will, Micah and Hannah.
December 22 Adam and
Emma Bucher welcomed baby girl,
Collette “Lettie” Marie. Thankful
grandparents are Bro. Dana and
Sis. Kris Taufer.
Daniel Yaejung Park was
born into the home of Sae
Han and Summer Park, along
with big sis, Abigail. Bro. Steve
and Sis. Lynn Roeschley are the
joyful grandparents.
Illinois, Peoria
Pam Fritzenmeier
Two dear couples began their
marriages on December 20. Here
in Peoria, Sis. Danae Hoerr and
Bro. Drew Martin, Princeville,
were married. Parents are Bro.
Don and Sis. Jackie Hoerr, and
Bro. Alan and Sis. Janice Martin,
Princeville. Bro. Craig Martin
(Sis. Terri, Princeville) and Bro.
Matt Kaufmann (Sis. Rebekah,
Bloomington) shared from the
pulpit on this special wedding day.
Meanwhile, in Peachtree City,
GA, on December 20, Sis. Elise
Waldbeser was married to Bro.
Isaac Funk. Parents are Elder Bro.
Tim Funk (Sis. Debi) and Elder
Bro. Tom Waldbeser (Sis. Susan,
Peachtree City).
Two ministers visiting family
for the holidays shared God’s
Word on December 27: Elder Bro.
Paul Messner (Sis. Jan, Winthrop)
and Bro. Rick Kaisner (Sis.
Michelle, Chicago).
Then on January 3, we
celebrated another wedding,
uniting in marriage Sis. Larissa
Feucht and Bro. Tristan
Herrmann, Princeville. Parents are
Bro. Tim and Sis. Robyn Feucht
and Bro. Roger and Sis. Darlene
Herrmann, Princeville. Bro. Erik
Givens (Sis. Debbie, Princeville)
was here to share from the pulpit
for their special day.
Around and in-between all
those weddings, we celebrated the
birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ,
and the dawning of a brand new
year in which to serve Him.
The annual Bible Class
pancake and sausage fundraising
supper was held at the Fellowship
Hall January 9. The following
evening was the monthly hymn
sing, with Kindred Spirit present
to sing with and for us.
Please remember to pray for
those suffering health issues.
These include: Sis. Lois (Bro.
Willis) Ehnle, Sis. Dot (Bro.
John) Hoerr, Aleah Hartter (baby
February 2016
SILVER LINING
23
daughter of Bro. Ben and Sis.
Heidi), Sis. Nanette David, Mary
Funk, Mary See, Rosalie (Bruce)
Johnson, Andrea (Aaron) Staley,
and Fede, Sis. Daniela (Bro. Zach)
Knobloch’s brother.
Bro. Harry (Sis. Loretta)
Eisenmann passed away January
15 after a 15-year battle with
cancer. He was the father of Sis.
Michelle (Bob) Coburn, Sis.
Patty (Bro. Chris) Kummer, John
(Lynette) Eisenmann, and Beto
(Laura) Ortega.
We also think of those
serving far from home at CVE in
Magdalena and ask you to pray for
them: Bro. Jonathan and Sis. Bere
Aupperle, Bro. Jason Grassi, and
Sis. Laura Ricketts.
Following our annual business
meeting, January 10, we held
elections. Our new Sunday
school teachers are Sis. Kathy
Huthmann, Sis. Leah Ramseyer,
Sis. Laura Streitmatter, Bro. Ben
(Sis. Heidi) Hartter, Bro. Derek
(Sis. Wendy) Menold, and Bro.
Matt (Sis. Lisa) Waibel. We need
to remember to pray for all our
Sunday school teachers as they
help parents plant the seed for the
growth of our future church. Also
we thank those serving on the
various committees that keep our
church functioning in godly order.
Martinez (Sis. Keyna, South Bend,
IN), Bro. Barry Dietz (Sis. Rachel,
Bradford, IL) and Bro. Tyler Joos
(Sis. Tanya, Bradford, IL). May
God be their rich rewarder for
their willingness to serve others.
Bro. Bill and Sis. Kathy
Stoller are thankful to be
grandparents again. Bro.
Jason and Sis. Rebekah Stoller
(Washington, IL) are parents to a
baby girl, Simona Ivory.
Sunday, December 20 was the
wedding day for Bro. Drew Martin
(Bro Alan and Sis. Janice) and
Sis. Danae Hoerr (Bro. Don and
Sis. Jackie) of Peoria. May God’s
blessings be on their marriage.
Sis. Victoria Stoller (Bro. Bruce
and Sis. Mary) and Bro. Cody
Walburn of Bluffton, IN (Bro.
Jim and Sis. Lora) were united in
marriage on Sunday December 27.
May God bless their marriage.
The first wedding of this year
was Bro. Tristan Herrmann (Bro.
Roger and Sis. Darlene) to Sis.
Larissa Feucht (Bro. Tim and Sis.
Robyn, Peoria, IL). We wish them
God’s blessings as they became
one in the Lord. We welcome Sis.
Larissa and trust she will feel at
home soon.
Tammy Wieland (Bro. Bob
and Sis. Nancy) and Mary Beth
(Curt) Wagenbach are both
recovering from surgery. We pray
Illinois, Princeville
for God’s mercy and healing hand.
Gloria White, Renee Herrmann
Our sympathy and prayers
Our visiting ministers this past are with Sis. Marie Menold in
month have included Bro. Earl
the passing of her sister, Sis.
Ringger (Sis. Dixie, Gridley, IL),
Helen Knapp.
Bro. Nick Gutwein (Sis. Suzanne,
Our business meeting was held
West Lafayette, IN), Bro. Joshua
the first Wednesday of the new
24
year. We are thankful for those
who have served and completed
their terms of duty. Let us be
prayerful for those assuming new
duties and responsibilities in the
coming year.
Illinois, Roanoke
Barb Schwind, Judy Sauder
Bro. Ken and Sis. Kathy
Hodel welcomed a sweet, little
granddaughter, Gloria Grace, born
to Jeremy and Tammy Hodel of
Morton on December 11. On
December 22, Bodry William
was born to Bro. Mark and Sis.
Stephanie Rieke. Big sisters,
Sophia and Avery, are thankful to
have a baby brother. Grandparents
are Bro. Steve and Sis. Shirley
Leman and Dean and Julie Rieke
of Jackson, MI.
Sis. Mandy (Bro. Scott)
Yordy and Sis. Bri, Chloe, and
Gabby were home for few weeks
over Christmas. They serve with
MEBSH in Haiti. It was a blessing
to have them home in Roanoke.
Our love and prayers are
with those in our congregation
who recently lost loved ones.
Bro. Jim Leman’s sister, Sis.
Mary Ellen (Bro. Fred) Ringger
from Gridley, Sis. Jennifer (Bro.
Matt) Feucht’s grandma, Sis.
Marguerite Stoller from Latty,
and Sis. Emma Hoerr’s sister,
Sis. Ethel Smith, from Fort Scott
went home to be with the Lord.
Sis. Helen Knapp passed away
January 11. She is survived by a
daughter, Barb (Dave) Rankin
of Eureka; daughter-in-law, Sis.
Carol Knapp; 7 grandchildren; 11
great grandchildren; 1 great-great
grandchild; and sisters: Sis. Marie
Menold (Princeville), and Laura
Leuthold of Melbourne, FL. Sis.
Helen was a loving mother and
grandma. May the Lord comfort
these families.
We thank visiting ministers, who
shared God’s Word with us: Bro.
Mike Hohulin (Fort Lauderdale),
Bro. Jeff Wiegand (Goodfield),
Bro. Bill Wettstein (Eureka), and
Bro. Matt Oesch (Alto).
Bro. Marv and Sis. Michaleen
Braker celebrated their 50th
wedding anniversary on December
26. Bro. Lyle and Sis. Mary Lou
Martin celebrated their 65th
wedding anniversary on January
14. We rejoice with these couples
and appreciate their example of
faithful commitment and love.
Ryan Knepp (Bro. Curt and
Sis. Denise) was married to Taryn
Kaiser (Bro. Fred and Sis. Chelly)
of Morton on January 9. May the
Lord richly bless this dear couple.
Our prayers continue for Bro.
Dennis (Sis. Rita) Schwind.
Our congregation was invited
to Morton church for a Legacy
singing on January 10.
On January 17, we witnessed
the baptism of Bro. Tim Wettstein
(Bro. Gary and Sis. Elna), Sis.
Mary Kate Fowler, and Sis. Lydia
Luginbuhl (Bro. Scott and Sis.
Bev). We appreciate their testimony
of faith and their love for the
Lord. These young people are an
encouragement to our church.
Over Christmas vacation
I visited an old friend. This
remarkable woman, who turns 90
this month, runs 2 miles a day and
participates in 5K Runs. I asked
her how she does this. Her reply
was, “I just get up every morning
and run.” She’s determined not
to quit because if she doesn’t
continue she will lose the ability to
run. She is persevering even with
the obstacle of old age. I had to
think about how we could apply
this to our spiritual lives. There
are many obstacles that tend to
discourage us in our Christian
walk — health issues, family
problems, job concerns, grief,
loved ones who are not walking
with the Lord, financial problems,
concerns for our country, but what
a blessing it is if we get up every
morning and run our spiritual race
with the Lord.
Persevere in reading the Word,
praying, worshipping, serving, and
fellowshipping to stay spiritually
strong. Don’t quit! Finish strong!
Isaiah 40:31 “But they that wait
upon the Lord shall renew their
strength; they shall mount up with
wings as eagles, they shall run, and
not be weary; and they shall walk,
and not faint.”
Illinois, Tremont
Debbie Aberle, Janice Sauder
With the holidays, a wedding,
and a baptism this past month, we
have enjoyed many visitors. Our
visiting ministers include: Bro.
Darin Massner (Sis. Twila, West
Bend, IA), Bro. Dallas Massner
(Sis. Christy, Burlington, IA), Bro.
Stan Schambach (Sis. Norma,
Prescott, AZ), Bro. Kevin Wulf
(Sis. Annie, Morris, MN), Bro.
John Steiner (Sis. Carol, Oakville/
Mediapolis, IA), Bro. John Bradle
(Sis. Jill, Roanoke, IL), Bro. Virgil
Kaeb (Sis. Suellen, Sarasota, FL),
and Bro. Jon Zeller (Sis. Christine,
Morton, IL). May God richly
reward these dear brothers for
their willing service.
“Be ye therefore followers of God,
as dear children; And walk in
love, as Christ also hath loved us,
and hath given himself for us an
offering and a sacrifice to God for a
sweetsmelling savour.” Eph. 5:1-2
We rejoice with Bro. Gabriel
and Sis. Mary (Wagenbach)
Koch, as they exchanged vows
of faithfulness to each other on
January 3. Their parents are Bro.
Nathan and Sis. Sandi Koch and
Bro. Ron and Sis. Liz Wagenbach.
May their continued walk in love
be a blessing to all!
We wish rich blessings upon
Bro. Tim Schaefer and Sis. Dawn
Massner in their engagement.
Their parents are Bro. Maurice
and Sis. Marge Schaefer and Bro.
Dennis and Sis. Gail Massner
(West Bend, IA). May their love
for each other grow as they plan
for their wedding.
We welcome Bro. Jeff Kaeb
(Bro. Dave and Sis. Barb) into
the family of God, as he gave his
testimony of God’s work of salvation
in his life and was baptized. May
Bro. Jeff continue to walk in love
with his Lord and Savior.
We extend our sympathy to
Sis. Esther Musselman at the
death of her sister, Sis. Velma
Leman (Eureka, IL). We also
pray for God’s comfort for Bro.
February 2016
SILVER LINING
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Karl and Sis. Velda Glueck, at the
death of his sister, Rose Glueck
(Morton, IL).
There are always those who
have health needs. We continue to
pray for God’s healing hand and
recovery on Sis. Marcella Steiner
(Bro. Joe) and Les Burge (Pam).
Our congratulations to Bro.
Dale and Sis. Meg Koch at the
birth of a son, David Edward. His
three big sisters are Maria, Hanna
and Eva. Tremont grandparents
are Bro. Dave and Sis. June Koch.
David was named for his greatgrandpa and grandpa!
Our prayers go with Sis.
Heather Steiner (Bro. Glen and
Sis. Rachel, Winthrop, MN) as
she has moved from Tremont to
Dallas, TX to pursue her study
of linguistics. May God bless
her in this new endeavor! We’ll
look forward to “catching up”
when she visits in Tremont in
the future. We also pray for Sis.
Rebecca Koch (Bro. Dan and Sis.
Julie) as she will be volunteering
five weeks at Hospital Lumiere in
Bonne Fin, Haiti. May God use
her in His work!
Illinois, Washington
Kendra Funk, Patricia Knapp
“The fear of the Lord is clean,
enduring forever: the judgements
of the Lord are true and righteous
altogether.” Psalm 19:7
We rejoice with Bro. Jason
and Sis. Rebecca Stoller and the
birth of Simona Ivory blessing
their family, and to welcome her
home are Sage, Clay and August.
Grandparents are Bro. Wayne
26
and Sis. Gloria Laubscher (Cissna
Park) and Bro. Bill and Sis. Kathy
Stoller (Princeville).
We thank each of the willing
servants visiting us this month:
Bro. Brent Kellenberger (Sis.
Beth, Kansas City, MO), Bro. Joe
Klotzle (Sis. Sue, Altadena, CA),
Bro. Mark Klaus (Sis. Rebecca,
Athens, AL), Bro. Matt Feucht
(Sis. Jennifer, Roanoke, IL) and
Bro. Wes Moser (Sis. Esther,
Lester, IA).
Indiana, Bluffton
Suzie Fiechter, Kim Meyer
There are times in all of our
lives that we find ourselves in
situations that are too big for us
to handle. We may have expertise
and experience. We may have
wisdom. But this time, it’s too big.
We are overwhelmed. We can’t
do it anymore. This is just the
situation in which the disciples
found themselves in Matthew 8.
They knew how to handle a ship
in rough seas. They had done it
before — many times. But this
night, the storm was too rough.
What was their response? They
turned to Jesus. He calmed the
sea and rebuked them for their
small faith. They did the right
thing — they called on the Lord.
But they did it in fear. We have
the same choice. Looking to Jesus
is always the best thing to do in
any circumstance, but do we go
to Him in fear or in faith? Do
we really believe that He is with
us and will deliver us? Why are
we fearful? I must confess that I
easily profess my faith in Him, but
often live in fear — fear of man,
fear of circumstances beyond my
control, fear of the future, fear for
my children and grandchildren
— the list goes on and on. I am
learning that as I take everything
to Him in prayer, as I spend time
with Him, as I surrender myself to
Him and obey Him, I trust Him
more. I can more easily shake off
the bondage of fear and keep my
eyes upon Him, saying, “Thy will
be done”.
Our faith can be tested in
times of death. We pray that
Bro. Jay and Sis. Ronda Grube
will trust the Lord to care for
their family as they mourn the
passing of their brother-in-law,
Mike Raines. Bro. Craig and
Sis. Jean Steffen and Bro. Duane
and Sis. Karen Steffen grieve the
unexpected loss of their brother,
Randy. Sis. Luella Geisel (Bro.
Vernon – dec.) went to be with
the Lord. Her children are Tim
(Donna) Geisel, Jeff (Denise)
Geisel, Tadd (Heidi) Geisel, and
Shauna (Rod) Roesler. May they
feel the comfort of the Holy Spirit!
Bro. Matt, Sis. Julie, Kayla
and McKenna Freed were blessed
with the birth of Colton Lee.
His grandparents are Bro. Larry
and Sis. Deb Reinhard and Bro.
Tom and Sis. Kathy Freed of
Indianapolis. Bro. Austin, Sis.
Rachel, Lydia, Laura and Ellie
Smith welcome a son and brother,
Gerritt Edward, into their family.
Bro. Larry and Sis. Deb Reinhard
and Dave and Loretta Smith
are Gerritt’s grandparents. Bro.
Ron and Sis. Linda Kipfer are
rejoicing with the birth of their
granddaughter, Gabriella Hope
Kipfer, born to Bro. Kevin and Sis.
Erica Kipfer of Atlanta. Bro. Lynn
and Sis. Brenda Stoller (Atlanta)
are the maternal grandparents.
Little Decklin Wayne Gerber
surprised his parents, Bro. Kyle
and Sis. Deone, and grandparents,
Bro. Kent and Sis. Kim Gerber
and Bro. Bob and Sis. Kim Maller.
He was born about 3 months
early, weighing under 2 pounds.
Decklin is currently struggling in
the NICU, as we pray for God’s
will in the life of this precious
family. As the world continues to
look darker, we trust that God
will bless these families with the
courage and grace to raise these
little ones to be mighty men and
women of God.
We are so thankful for our
church’s practice of trusting the
Holy Spirit to speak to us through
ministering brothers. He is so
faithful and we are so blessed!
Bro. Tim Wiegand (Sis. Christa,
Leo), Bro. Jerry Isch (Sis. Linda,
Philadelphia), Bro. Joe Sprunger
(Sis. Tara, Indianapolis), and Bro.
Lynn Stieglitz (Sis. Leonda, Leo)
ministered to us this month.
Faith marriages are a witness
of God’s care and involvement in
our lives. Bro. Jesse Kaehr (Bro.
Jon and Sis. Julie) and Sis. Lindsey
Beeks (Bro. John and Sis. Laura,
Bluffton North) have felt God’s
call to marriage. As they put
their trust in Him, we know He
will lead them. We rejoice with
Bro. Cody Walburn (Bro. Jim
and Sis. Lora) and Sis. Victoria
Stoller (Bro. Bruce and Sis. Mary,
Princeville) as they were married
in West Lafayette.
Bro. Nathan, Sis. Rachel,
Kaine, Halle, Layla, and Daisy
Mueller are following God’s call
to “make Jesus famous” in Papua,
New Guinea. We held a sending
service for them and commit them
into the care and keeping of our
Heavenly Father. We are humbled
by the commitment of this precious
family and pray they will continue
to feel our love and prayers!
“I know not what of good or ill
may be reserved for me,
Of weary ways or golden days
before His face I see.
I know not when my Lord may
come, at night or noonday fair,
Nor if I’ ll walk the vale with Him
or “meet Him in the air”.
But I know whom I have believed
and am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed
unto Him against that day.”
Hymns of Zion # 109
Indiana, Bluffton North
Corinne Stettner, Amy Moser
This coming year, do not put
your trust in the donkey or the
elephant, but in the Lamb.
We were grateful to have many
visiting ministers with us this
month. Bro. Jeff Waibel (Sis. Margo,
Leo, IN), Bro. Tim Wiegand
(Sis. Christa, Leo, IN), Bro. Stan
Schambach (Sis. Norma, Prescott,
AZ), Bro. Ron Messner (Sis.
Pam, Washington, IL), Bro. Alan
Schambach (Sis. Sarah, Remington,
IN) were all kind enough to come
and share God’s word with us. We
thank them for their time.
On December 19, our
congregation was treated to the
blessed story of our Savior’s birth
through song. The Sunday School
students did a wonderful job at
our annual program. We thank
them for their time and effort.
Our Bro. Braden Isch had
sinus surgery at Riley Hospital on
January 7. We are very thankful
that with God’s hand, the surgery
was successful.
Please continue to pray for our
Sis. Terry Murray as she struggles
with complications related to her
long battle with cancer. We pray
for her family and the doctors
involved with her ongoing care.
Indiana, Francesville
Jacki Huber, Mildred Clauss
As we begin the New Year, our
thoughts are with many who are
experiencing change in their lives.
Two young brothers are
spending a few months in other
countries, and our prayers are with
them. Bro. Evan Kaeb (Bro. Les
and Sis. Christine) is participating
in a study abroad program in
China. Bro. Jonathan Pelsy (Bro.
Roger and Sis. Lily) is in Uganda
with a work opportunity.
Sis. Glendoris Huber (our late
Bro. Lester) has tender care from
her daughter, Sis. Barb, along
with hospice care. She is currently
residing at Parkview Haven. Our
thoughts and prayers are with
them in the many changes of
life. Their lives of service in the
Lexington, KY area for 45 years
with Bro. Lester, who has recently
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SILVER LINING
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gone home to be with the Lord,
are so appreciated. We have been
blessed with their presence in
Francesville for the past few years.
Bro. Jim Bogart (Sis.
Eleanor) has been a surgery
patient. We hope and pray that
he has a good recovery.
Bro. Paul Huber (Bro. Chad
and Sis. Pam) and Sis. Talitha
Fischer (Bro. Paul and Sis. Leanne,
Leo, IN) were married on Sunday,
January 3. We rejoice with them
and pray that God will continue
to guide their steps as they serve
Him together.
Three visiting ministers have
blessed us with their presence and
sharing inspiration from God’s
Word this past month. Thanks to
Brothers Andy Kaufmann (Sis.
Marie, Bloomington, IL), Jeff
Neihouser (Sis. Sue, Morton, IL),
and Elder Bro. Nick Gutwein (Sis.
Suzanne, West Lafayette, IN).
At the ending of 2015, we
enjoyed New Year’s Eve services
and the annual New Year’s Eve
program. We were comforted and
encouraged by God’s faithfulness.
Indiana, Indianapolis
Nancy Pfeifer, Sandy Lichtle
“...that we might receive the
adoption of sons. And because ye are
sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit
of his Son into your hearts, crying,
Abba, Father.” Gal. 4:5, 6
Alexander Edwin Wales born
August 21, 2014 in Korea was
brought home by Bro. Jonathan
and Sis. Melanie Wales December
23. What a God-given Christmas
present! Quoting from their
28
Christmas letter, “we are awed by
the parallels to our own adoption
as sons and daughters of God
through Christ.” They had gone
before a judge who confirmed they
had met the child--as Jesus has
met us. They promised to care for
him, protect him and advocate
for him, again as Jesus has and
is for us. The new parents have a
positive word picture to share with
their new son. Grandparents are
Donald Wales (Kansas City, KS),
Sis. Carol Wales (Kansas City, KS)
and Bro. Roger and Sis. Sue Levy
(Denver, CO).
We are also so thankful for the
safe delivery of Maxwell James to
Bro. Phil and Sis. Jaimie Bertsch on
January 5. Grandparents are Bro.
Lonnie and Sis. Patricia Bertsch
and the late Rebecca Bertsch
(Bluffton, IN) and Henry and
Debra Oppermann (St. John, IN).
We have the wonderful situation
with the baby room overflowing.
We started out this
reporting period with Elder Bro.
Wayne Banwart (Sis. Charlen,
Champaign, IL) coming to share
with our Bro. Ken Wuethrich in
the reading of the Memorandum
on December 20. We ended with
the yearly business meeting on
January 13. It’s like going to the
doctor for a yearly checkup to
make certain that all is well or
find out where we need to change:
one was for the spiritual aspects
of our church and as individuals
and the other for the physical
aspects of our church. Aren’t we
blessed to have a group of mortal
men working together, each
with a different situation and
personality, looking for God’s
direction, giving of themselves and
their time. Thank you, brothers.
God bless you all. When you get
discouraged, I pray that someone
will come to hold up your arms.
As for the business meeting, it
also touched on the spiritual side
as well as the physical. What is
our attitude toward our building?
How do we approach the trustees
with what we see as problems?
What is our attitude toward
coming to church? Do we rejoice
about being able to worship God
when we come into church? Do
we encourage our children to
clean up after themselves? Are we
teaching them to be respectful of
God’s house? With the blessing of
69 children in Sunday School, it
sometimes becomes an issue. We
actually divided the 3 and 4 yearolds into 2 classes. Fortunately we
had an extra room that could be
used! God provided again. I was
so thankful for the Sunday School
teachers when one explained how
she made a work sheet that the
children could use as they listened
to the sermon. The parents could
use it as a stepping stone to start a
serious spiritual discussion. I don’t
know why I am amazed at the
talents that are distributed among
our members. I sometimes forget
that God has planted us to use
our talents where we are so all the
world will give Him the glory.
It is always sad for the family
of a loved one whom God has
called home. Our prayers are with
Bro. Scott Ringger (Sis. Becky)
and Sis. Kate Levy (Bro. Scott)
whose mother and grandmother,
Sis. Mary Ringger of Gridley, IL,
was called Home Christmas day.
healing of others in our church
family who have met with accident,
and beseech the general health of
all as colds and flu are upon us!
Indiana, Lacrosse
Indiana, Leo
Meagan Frank, Julie Rocke
Kirby Reutter
On the morning of January
1, 2016, we were encouraged that
the most important thing we
could do in the coming year is to
strengthen our relationships. We
were inspired to first examine our
relationship with our Heavenly
Father, not to limit what He can
do in our lives. His grace will
then enable us to strengthen
our relationship with those we
meet each day, whether that be a
family member, co-worker, or a
“neighbor” on the side of the road.
The Spirit spoke to us through
several visiting ministers this
month. We heartily thank Elder
Bro. Ted Steffen (Sis. Sandy, Alto,
MI), Bro. Jim Butikofer (Sis.
Diana, Iowa City, IA), and Bro.
Josh Zimmerman (Sis. Molly,
Forrest, IL) for being willing to
serve as His mouthpiece.
Bro. Brendon & Sis. Sharla
Messner recently laid to rest Bro.
Brendon’s grandmother, Sis. Melva
Messner (the late Bro. Roland)
from Winthrop, MN. Our prayers
are with the Messner family as
they mourn their loss, but rejoice
in her victory.
We also pray for and rejoice in
the recovery of two brothers who
have had surgery this month, Bro.
Glen Heinold (Sis. Sandy) and our
Elder Bro. Curt Frank (Sis. Lyla).
We give thanks for the safety and
Perhaps I am too old-fashioned,
or maybe too sentimental (or
probably both), but I still can’t get
over Christmas. I can’t get over an
entire battalion of angels who saw
no contradiction in announcing the
peace—by disturbing the peace.
I can’t get over poor jabbering
shepherds—who couldn’t mind
their own business and keep their
comments to themselves. I can’t
get over an old man who refused
to die and an old woman who
refused to leave the temple—just
to see a barely-circumcised, poorlyclothed Baby. I can’t get over magi
who crossed deserts and defied
magistrates—just to visit a peasant
family in a backwoods community.
Some came from the sky, some
came from the fields, some came
from the temple, and some came
from far-away exotic lands—but
they all told the same story that
never grows old!
Has the story grown old to
us? This month I couldn’t help
but notice all of the ways the story
is still being told…in our times!
Here are just a few examples that
crossed my path:
Example One: “I am excited
to announce the addition of Bro.
Chad Heiniger to the Gateway
Woods Development Public
Relations team. Bro. Chad has
accepted the full-time position
of Development Coordinator
and will be working remotely
from his home in Elgin, IL.
Chad and his wife (Sis. Heather)
have been the Gateway Woods
Church Representatives for
Elgin the past four years. His
passion for Gateway Woods and
his personable nature will be a
tremendous asset as he shares the
‘stories’ of Gateway Woods to our
supporters. Please welcome Chad
to our Gateway Woods Family!”
Example Two: This was a latenight email I received from one
of the House Parents. “Tonight,
I spoke with [former Gateway
resident] at Bdubs where we
went for his Honor Roll dinner.
He readily recognizes he is a
sinner, that he has violated many
of the 10 commandments, and
that he should go to hell because
of this. But he’s one of the first
kids in awhile that has a hard
time believing that faith in Jesus’
sacrifice, death, and resurrection
can save him. I asked him if we got
in a crash on the way back from
Gateway if he felt, for sure, that
he would go to heaven. He said,
‘I hope so.’ He said he has been
praying for guidance and for God
to work in different situations to
his family. He said it’s weird to
pray because there’s just silence—
he doesn’t hear anything back. I
empathized how weird it can feel
to pray to God in faith and wonder
if He hears at all. I told him that
the way He speaks back to us is
through the Bible, and that if we
seek and pray for guidance, it can
be found in His Word. Have lots
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of hope for this young man…his
heart seems softer than it maybe
has ever been.”
Example Three: “We would
like to thank the church for their
prayers as we made our quick
trip to Uganda to meet our boys,
Albert and Kumbo. God has
been so good. Things moved very
quickly and Uganda has granted
us guardianship! We are now just
waiting for an appointment with
the US Embassy in Kampala.
Once we have that appointment,
we will head back to Uganda to
bring our boys home!”
Example Four: This was a
texting exchange between a House
Parent (HP) and Former Resident
(FR). “FR: We had a Christmas
program at my church. And some
kids there sung a song. If you was
there you would like it a lot. HP:
What did they sing? FR: They sung
Amazing Grace. It was food there
too. HP: So glad to hear you and
your mom are going to church! FR:
I’m gonna be a Christian for sure
now. HP: Praise God. When you
are fully committed to Him, He
is fully committed to you…John
17! FR: I wanna visit the Apostolic
church again. I miss that place.”
Example Five: “Many of
you know Bro. Nathan and Sis.
Rachel Mueller. They are former
Gateway staff, and have been
training and preparing to be
missionaries to Papua New Guinea
for years and the time has come for
their departure. I just wanted to
encourage everyone to be prayerful
and supportive to a family we love
very much and who have a real
30
heart for seeing God made known.”
Example Six: (And I might
be a tad partial to this example.)
The story goes something like
this: Antwerp High School’s
beautiful Spanish teacher (don’t
worry, I’m married to her) asked
her semi-cooperative students to
create a PowerPoint presentation
which compares and contrasts
Christmas customs in the United
States versus Christmas customs
in Mexico. After a little bit of
research, one excited student
exclaimed in surprise: “So the
purpose of Christmas in both
countries is to celebrate the
birth of Jesus?” That’s when
my beautiful wife received the
following inspiration: “I don’t care
about the differences between
the silly countries. Just learn the
Christmas story!”
Just like the angels, the
shepherds, the wise men, and
the temple-dwellers, we all come
from different places and stations.
But it’s the same story! Let us
please never (ever) let this or that
difference among us get in the way
of learning—and sharing—the
Story of Stories!
Indiana, Milford
Minnie Beer, Pat Mikel
One morning after an
overnight snow, everything outside
was covered in white glistening
snow. The world looked so fresh,
so clean, and so pure. What a
reminder of what Jesus’s blood can
do for each of us.
“Come now, and let us reason
together, saith the Lord: though your
sins be as scarlet, they shall be as
white as snow; though they be red
like crimson, they shall be as wool.”
Isaiah 1:18
Family gatherings over the
holidays brought several visiting
ministers. On December 27, Bro.
Daron Price (Sis. Monica, Athens,
AL), Bro. Marvin Hartzler (Sis.
Sue, Rittman, OH), Bro. Ed
Lester (Sis. Tricia, South Bend,
IN) and Bro. Tom Troxel (Sis
LuAnn, LaCrosse, IN) shared the
pulpit. On New Year’s Eve, Bro.
Daren Metz (Sis. Rita, Gridley,
IL), Bro. Brett Lanz (Sis. Renee,
Rittman, OH), and Bro. Chris
Laukhuf ( Sis. Rachel, Latty, OH)
labored on our behalf. We want to
thank all of them for sharing the
Word. We look forward to them
returning soon.
We are rejoicing with Bro.
Larry and Sis. Melinda Gramm as
their daughter, Nikola, has started
her repentance.
Our condolences go to Bro.
Carlton Beer (Sis. Mary Ann) and
Bro. Jesse Beer (Sis. Shirley) on
the loss of their sister, Sis. Eunice
Fiechter of Bluffton and to Sis.
Minnie Beer (Bro. Nelson) on the
loss of her brother, Walt Sinn.
Our prayers have been with
Sis. Carol Hurd as she awaits
approval from the doctors for a hip
replacement. May she feel our love
and concern.
On January 7, we held our
annual business meeting. We
appreciate all those who take on
the many responsibilities to keep a
church going and we are thankful
for the financial support.
Indiana, Remington
Jenni Honegger, Marcella Tyler
We were thankful to have Bro.
Stan Schambach (Sis. Norma,
Prescott, AZ) share the Word with
us while visiting family in the
area. We pray God will bless him
for his willing service.
We enjoyed a special New
Year’s Eve service along with the
Wolcott congregation. As we
reflected back on the blessings and
challenges of the past year and
also look forward to what the Lord
has in store for us in the coming
year, we recognize and praise
God that He has once more been
faithful to us all.
Lord willing, our Bible class
and high school students from
the young group are planning
on a spring break work team trip
to Magdalena to work at Casa
Vida y Esperanza along with the
Silverton Bible class. In order
to raise funds for the trip, they
invited many to a special Mexicanthemed meal at our Fellowship
Hall. They decorated beautifully,
served a delicious meal, sang
praises to God in Spanish, and
gave a heartfelt presentation on
the children’s home. It was a fun
evening to all who attended and
we pray that their upcoming trip
will be blessed and fruitful!
This past week we held
our annual business meeting
and elections. We are thankful
for those who have completed
their terms and look forward to
supporting in prayer those whose
terms are just beginning and/
or continuing. Be assured that
God sees the work each one does
and will reward them for their
continued faithfulness!
Indiana, South Bend
Joshua Martinez
“Praying always with all prayer
and supplication in the Spirit,
and watching thereunto with all
perseverance and supplication for all
saints.” Ephesians 6:18
We pray for God’s healing
hand on our Elder Bro. Curt
Frank (Sis. Lyla, LaCrosse, IN)
who recently had back surgery and
Sis. Sharon Flis who is suffering
from foot problems. We had a
church potluck on January 3
followed by an all-church singing.
The special occasion was a visit
by Bro. Rob Parker, the Gateway
Woods LARC Director, who
updated us on his efforts in the
South Bend area.
“And let the peace of God rule
in your hearts, to the which also ye
are called in one body; and be ye
thankful.” Colossians 3:15
Indiana, Valparaiso
Sherry Meiss
Well, winter is upon us,
though we don’t have the snow,
we sure do have the bitter cold.
Our pews are a little thin at this
time of year, for all the snow birds
have left and gone south and some
of the others have been visiting
their families. There is a saying,
“absence makes the heart grow
fonder”, and though this be true
with our brothers and sisters, it
is not with God. It is too easy to
shut the blinds, lock the doors and
close out the world. We must work
hard and stay close in His word,
keeping His commandments and
doing His will. What helps us
do this is God’s Love thru His
word…John 15:13 “Greater love
hath no man than this, that a man
lay down his life for his friends. v.1:”
Ye have not chosen me, but I have
chosen you, and ordained you, that
ye should go and bring forth fruit,
and that your fruit should remain:
that whatsoever ye shall ask of the
Father in my name, he may give it
you.” We do pray for everyone to
be safe, warm and comfortable.
There have been many
passings of our friends and
acquaintances this month, which
is bitter sweet. though we lose
them here on earth and will never
see them again in the flesh. We
celebrate their life for they have
gone on ahead of us to be with
our Lord. We pray the families
can reach out to God in their time
of sorrow and feel His comfort.
Matthew 5:4 “Blessed are they that
mourn; for they shall be comforted.”
We were all so happy to see
our good friend Dave Kotzer in
church with us! He is almost back
to normal and getting around
much better. Sis. Leona Bucher
is recuperating from replacement
surgery and would appreciate your
prayers. Please keep Sis. Dawn
Ailes in your prayers as well. She
has been having trouble with
getting her heart into rhythm and
is apprehensive about the next
step, if it comes to that.
Our thanks for all the visitors
that have shared their time in
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worship with us this past month.
It has been enjoyable sharing our
time together. Don’t forget to
pray for each other. If you are ever
in the area, please know you are
welcome to worship with us. We
are just south of US Hwy 30 on
IN Hwy 49.
Indiana, West Lafayette
Kris Widmer, Libby Wahl
We closed the month of
December, and the year of 2015,
with weddings and a birth and
much thanksgiving for the Birth
of Births.
On December 20, Sis.
Janessa Wahl (Bro. Fred and Sis.
Libby) shared life vows with Bro.
Ryan Warren (Randy and Beth,
Rensselaer, IN). Their home is
Cincinnati, OH, for the next
couple of years as Bro. Ryan
completes schooling there. From
our Purdue youth group, Sis.
Victoria Stoller, Princeville, and
Bro. Cody Walburn, Bluffton,
were married as also were Bro.
Paul Huber, Francesville, and Sis.
Talitha Fischer, Leo. Please see
their respective church reports for
more information. Words cannot
fully express the comfort of a
supportive church family during
life events. We pray for the
powerful presence of the Holy
Spirit in the lives of these couples
as they walk together as one.
The birth of Logan Ryan
Virkler was celebrated on
December 22 by his loving
parents, Bro. Paul and Sis.
Miranda, and siblings: Ali, Dakota
and Trae. We wish God’s best to
32
them as they add another seat at
the table.
Special thanks and prayers go
to our ministers and elders who
assisted on our pulpit this past
month: Bro. Greg Lehman (Sis.
Mary Beth, Wolcott, IN), Bro.
John Lehman (Sis. Tamara,
Wolcott, IN), Bro. Jim Plattner
(Sis. Marlene, Princeville, IL)
and Bro. Ron Messner (Sis. Pam,
Washington, IL).
With Bro. Ron’s visit came a
moving update, in our fellowship
room, of the current work and
mission of Morton Apostolic
Christian Services. “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto
one of the least of these my brethren,
ye have done it unto me.” Matthew 25:40.
As always, we so enjoyed
having Bro. Blake and Sis. Tashi
visit for the holidays. They were
quite thrilled also to have some
of our congregation visit them in
Jamaica on a work team the first
part of January.
We regret we missed sharing
in December our loss of Bro.
Kellan and Sis. Elizabeth Kershner
as their life path has taken them
closer to employment. The
Bradford, IL congregation will be
most blessed with their presence. Thoughts on ‘letting go’.
Surrender brings victory and a
clearer understanding of who God
is and His ability to do what He
says. We see His power at work in
and around us, and we will see His
faithfulness as He accomplishes far
more than we could ever imagine.
-J. Doyon
Indiana, Wolcott
Beckie Lehman, Erica Blume
We were blessed in December
to witness our Sunday School
children recite and sing of the
Good News of Christ’s birth.
They shared the truth of the
Word proclaiming God’s love to
us given in the form of a baby
born so long ago.
December 20 was the wedding
day of Bro. Ryan Warren (Randy
and Beth, Rensselaer) and Sis.
Janessa Wahl (Bro. Fred and Sis.
Libby, West Lafayette). We rejoice
with them as they begin their life
together. May God bless them as
they seek God’s will together.
Once again our church
gathered together for our annual
meeting. We are thankful to
each of the brothers and sisters
who are leaving a position after
serving the church. We pray for
God’s guidance for those who are
assuming new roles as teachers,
trustees or other various positions.
Bro. Mike and Sis. Sherice
Reinhard welcome a new little
son into their family. Titus James
joins Erica, Caleb, Bennett and
Julia. It is always a joy to see a
new little one at church. Benjamin
and Brittany Lehman (Bro. Rob
and Sis. Beckie) also rejoiced
in the birth of a new daughter,
Mia Elizabeth. Big sister Aria
welcomed her home. We wish
both of these families God’s
blessings as they nurture new lives
in their homes.
Our prayers are with Winsford
Wood and his family at the
passing of his wife, Arlene Wood.
The separation will seem as
momentary when we see our loved
ones in eternity, but the farewell is
always difficult here on earth. We
extend our sympathy.
Iowa, Bloomfield
Teresa Schock
Traveling here and serving
us on the pulpit were Bros. Don
Steidl (Sis. Nan, Akron, OH)
and Mike Grimm (Sis. Amber,
Goodfield, IL).
January 3, we welcomed Justin
Birkner (Bro. Jeff and Sis. Angie)
as our new brother-in-faith. Elder
Bro. Brad Strahm (Sis. Michelle,
Bern, KS) assisted with the
testimony and baptism. Bro. Brad
Funk (Sis. Laura, Garden Grove,
IA) also shared in this special
weekend.
Elder Bro. Dan Kilgus (Sis.
Jenna, Remington, IN) came for
a weekend and helped with the
reading of the memorandum. He
then brought forth the Word on
Sunday. May God bless all those
that take time to come visit.
Here in Iowa we are breathing
a sigh of relief from the political
attention, though it’s always
interesting and thought-provoking.
A phrase that comes to mind is,
‘Great minds talk about ideas,
average minds talk about events,
and small minds talk about people.’
Iowa, Burlington
Ivy Steiner
Greetings from Burlington!
We recently held our annual
business meeting and elections.
We thank Bro. Mike Steiner, Sis.
Mary Massner, Sis. Dixie Messner,
and Sis. Monica Eisenmann for
their past labors of love. Brother
Leo Banwart is our new trustee,
Sis. Melody Schulz and Sis.
Janette Schulz are now on the
kitchen committee, and Sis. Elaine
Eisenmann is our new Silver
Lining coorespondent.
Sis. Elaine Eisenmann’s
brother-in-law, Bro. Harry
Eisenmann (Sis. Loretta, Peoria,
IL), passed away January 15.
Brother Harry was baptized
in our Burlington church and
worshipped with us for several
years. Our sorrow and sympathy
for his family is intertwined with
joy for a victory won.
Clay and Jessica Buster,
along with Ayden and Ali,
welcome a precious baby girl,
Ayla Mae, into their family. Bro.
John and Sis. Ingrid Buster are
the happy grandparents.
Iowa, Elgin
Maria Rocke
At our annual business
meeting, we voted to change our
Wednesday evening schedule.
The monthly schedule will be as
follows:
1st Wednesday – Sunday school
activity,
2nd Wednesday – evening church
service at 7:30 p.m.,
3rd Wednesday – HarvestCall in
the fellowship center at 6:30 p.m.,
4th Wednesday – evening church
service at 7:30 p.m.
We trust this change and our
efforts will be God-pleasing. Also,
Bro. Kent Schupbach was voted in
as the new trustee. We thank Bro.
Jim Knobloch for his service as his
term has now ended.
Visiting us this month for
church services was elder Bro.
Wayne Grimm (Sis. Rose, West
Bend, IA) and Bro. Jim Butikofer
(Sis. Diana, Iowa City, IA).
Iowa, Garden Grove
Laura Funk
Our visiting ministers this
month were Bro. John Steiner
(Oakville-Mediapolis, IA), Bro.
Aaron Frank (Elgin, IA), Bro.
Aaron Luthi (Lamont-Gridley,
KS) and Elder Doug Schock
(Bloomfield, IA). We are thankful
for those who are willing to travel
and share God’s word with us.
Sis. Willa Clark and Sis.
April Parmer have just returned
from a trip to Israel. They have
shared their pictures and some
experiences they enjoyed. To think
that these two dear sisters have
walked and viewed where Jesus
was born, preached, and died and
the tomb where He was buried...I
have no words. Amazing!!
An angel visited a couple from
our congregation this past Sunday.
This couple and seven children were
on their way to church when a tire
blew and disabled their vehicle. An
“angel” stopped and asked where
they were going and if he could
help. He loaned them his pick-up
with 2200 miles on it. “Bring it
back when you are done.” He didn’t
even ask for their names! When the
brother thanked him, he said, “You
and I both know it is from Jesus.”
Safe in the Arms of Jesus.
February 2016
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Iowa, Iowa City
Diana Butikofer
We rejoice with Sis. Rachel
Snodgrass (Bro. Wayne and Sis.
Becky) and Bro. Andrew Klumpp
(Dave and Barb) from Bradford,
IL on their engagement, which
was announced Christmas Day.
We pray the Lord will guide and
bless them as they seek His will
and plan for a life together.
May the Lord bless Bro. Jon
Pratt (Sis. Sharon, Valparaiso,
IN) and Bro. Dale Wulf (Sis.
Becky, Lester, IA) for visiting and
preaching the Word this month.
Iowa, Lester
Audrey Metzger, Joyce Moser
“In everything give thanks: for this
is the will of God in Christ Jesus
concerning you.” 1 Thess. 5:18
We listened gratefully at our
New Year’s Eve service when
Elder Bro. Rod read us the
“statistics” for 2015. We were
blessed to welcome five new
babies into our church family.
We also welcomed three new
brothers and sisters-in-faith. We
have several converts at this time,
which is such a precious blessing
to our congregation. We also had
five deaths during 2015, but were
reminded that each of those had
made preparation for their souls
to meet their Maker, so we could
also be thankful for that.
Two of our converts, Tyra
Knoblock (Bro. Travis & Sis.
Kathy) and Taryn Knoblock
(Bro. Troy and Sis. Donna) have
expressed that they feel God’s
peace in their hearts. We rejoice
34
with them and pray for them to
experience His continued grace in
their lives.
Our hospital patients this past
month were Sis. Estelle Leuthold
and Sis. Margene (Bro. David)
Peasley, and Brayden (Ross &
Heather) Metzger. We pray for
the Lord’s strength and healing as
they return home.
Bro. Andy and Sis. Abby
Knoblock welcomed their third
son, Trevor Ray, on January 2. His
big brothers are Tanner and Tyler.
His grandparents from Lester
are Bro. Terry and Sis. Elaine
Knoblock. May the Lord bless and
guide this young family as they
raise this precious new blessing!
Visiting ministers are always
much appreciated. This past month,
Bro. Kevin Wulf (Sis. Annie,
Morris, MN) and Bro. Mark
Schmidgall (Sis. Sally, MediapolisOakville, IA), were with us over
Christmas. May the Lord bless them
for their efforts on our behalf.
Congratulations to Jim and
Ronda Thielen on the marriage of
Ronda’s son, Bro. Jesse TeSlaa to Sis.
Kari Kuenzi, which took place in
Silverton, OR, on January 10. We
wish them all God’s rich blessings!
We were glad that a nice number
from Lester were able to journey to
Oregon to witness their vows !
The annual church services at
Clyde Park, Montana will be held
the weekend of June 25-26, 2016.
Please contact Bro. Gene Metzger
at 712-472-2187 or Bro. Wes Moser
712-478-4622 with any questions,
or email: [email protected], or
[email protected].
Iowa, Oakville-Mediapolis
Kelsey Banwart, Tami Lanz
On December 31, Tyler Gray
and Amanda Little were united in
marriage. Tyler’s parents are Bro.
Sean and Sis. Valerie Gray. We
wish them God’s nearness as they
start their life together.
We welcome two new baby girls
to our congregation. On December
30, little Saylor Kate Wagenbach
joined her parents, Bro. Reilly and
Sis. Katie Wagenbach, and big
brother Ellis. Her grandparents are
Bro. Colin and Sis. Barb Wagenbach
and Bro. Andy and Sis. Vicky
Wiegand (Eureka, IL). Cecelia
Elise Frank was born on January
4 to Bro. Brent and Sis. Bethany
Frank. She is welcomed home by
her siblings: Neil, Russ, Aiden,
and Brielle. Her grandparents are
Bro. Dale and Sis. Tina Frank and
Roger and June Schulz.
We are thankful for our many
visiting ministers this month: Bro.
Aaron Frank (Sis. Sharla, Elgin, IA),
Bro. Greg Fehr (Sis. Denise, West
Bend, IA), Bro. Michael Wagenbach
(Sis. Erica, Wolcott, IN), and Bro.
Phil Schulz (Sis. Kelli, Burlington,
IA). May God bless them for their
willingness to serve us.
Iowa, West Bend
Becky Virkler, Jenny Banwart
We wish to thank Bro. Duane
Metzger and his wife, Sis. Ruth,
for all their labors in the ministry
of God’s word as he announced his
retirement. May God be their rich
rewarder. Our Sis. Della Metzger
has again spent time in the
hospital. May God grant healing.
Bro. Jim and Sis. Joan Wirtz
rejoice in a new granddaughter,
Sophia Elise, born to Matt and
Bethany Kirk (Belle Plain, MN).
Big sister Gabriella welcomes her
also. May grace be given to raise up
children in the way they should go!
Our sympathy and love goes
to Bro. Dale and Sis. Lezlee
Leman in the passing of Dale’s
mother, Sis. Velma Leman
(Eureka, IL); Jim and Sherry
Schmidt as Jim’s brother, Chuck
Schmidt (West Bend), was laid to
rest; and Bro. Dave and Sis. Kay
Eisenmann as Dave’s brother, Bro.
Harry Eisenmann (Peoria, IL),
passed from this life.
“Shall we meet beyond the river,
Where the surges cease to roll?
Where in all the bright forever,
Sorrow ne’er shall press the soul?”
Hymns of Zion #217
Our visiting ministers this
month included Elder Bro. Paul
Messner (Sis. Jan, Winthrop,
MN), Bro. Clint Schmidt (Sis.
Magdalena, Winthrop, MN),
and Bro. Phil Schultz (Sis. Kelli,
Burlington, IA).We were truly
blessed by God’s Spirit working
through these brothers. They
reminded us that having the Holy
Spirit leading our lives can be as
natural as breathing, if we ask,
seek and knock; and encouraged
us to start fresh in this new year by
not letting our old self rise up and
laying our burdens at the cross.
Japan, Tokyo
Anna Inoue, Marie Inoue
We welcomed the New Year
with joy and thankfulness as we
look forward to a new year of
service to our Lord and Savior.
Bro. Seth Bollier was our first
visitor this year . He is a brother
of our Sis. Anna Inoue. Her
family and all of us enjoyed him
as he was introduced to a new
culture. We so appreciated his
part in our afternoon Bible class
and the thoughts he shared with
us in Psalm 23 as Jesus, our true
shepherd, leads and guides us.
Our Bro. Teruo Sanada
had a short hospital stay and is
home again. We are thankful
he recovered well and was back
in church the following Sunday
turning on heat and lights before
others arrived.
Another blessing was the
visit of the Ito family of Shioda
church. Bro Akihiro (Sis. Carrie)
ministered to us concerning Saul’s
downfall which began when
he became proud and lost his
humility. Bro. Akihiro related that
this situation can also happen to
us in this day and age. The kindly
warning of watching and praying
was given to all of us that we may
face victory in humility instead of
downfall with a proud heart.
Kansas, Bern
Tiffany Menold, Jill Meyer
We are always thankful to
have the Word of Life brought to
us and appreciate the willingness
of visiting ministers to serve
us. Bros. Wayne Hartzler (Sis.
Camille, Rittman, OH), Scott
Aberle (Sis. Dorine, Washington,
IL), Aaron Luthi (Sis. Maria,
Lamont, KS) and Roger Aberle
(Sis. LaVonne, Sabetha, KS) have
helped in sharing the Gospel with
us this month.
Our sympathy and prayers
are with Sis. Pearl Miller and her
family in the loss of her sister,
Sis. Ethel Smith of Fort Scott,
KS. May God be their source of
comfort during this time.
The annual business meeting
was held in January and our
prayers go to all those who have
been given a responsibility to help
our church function as a body.
As we begin a new year, we
have no idea of what the Lord
would have in store for each of us.
May this song be as a prayer on
our hearts, that each day we would
serve Him more faithfully.
“Now grant Thy godly light to me;
Thy holy love instill!
May envy, hate, and darkness flee;
my heart with courage fill!
O, give my faith its steadfastness
in Christ, God’s Son, always,
That fearless I His name confess,
whatever foes may say!
Grant that in hope I firm may be,
humbly and patiently,
That when all hath forsaken me,
Thy grace my comfort be.
Lord, let my heart Thy temple be
the while I sojourn here,
And then, through all eternity
make it Thy dwelling there.”
Zion’s Harp, #163, vs. 6-9
Kansas, Ft. Scott
Karen Kellenberger
“Chance has not brought this ill
to me:
It’s God’s hand, so let it be,
For He sees what I cannot see.
February 2016
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There is a purpose for each pain,
And He one day will make it plain
That earthly loss is heavenly gain.
Like as a piece of tapestry
Viewed from the back appears to be
Only threads tangled hopelessly;
But in the front a picture fair
Rewards the worker for his care,
Proving his skill and patience rare.
You are the Workman, I the frame.
Lord, for the glory of Your Name,
Perfect Your image on the same.”
-Lettie B. Cowman
Our dear Sis. Ethel Smith
would have read this poem in
her daily devotional for the date
of her next birthday. Instead, it
graced the front of her memorial
pamphlet upon her succumbing
to a quick illness. Our hearts
go out to Sis. Ethel’s daughters:
Deb (Jeff) McCoy (Fort Scott,
KS), Pamela (Jimmy) Jackson
(Redfield, KS), Paula (John) Read
(Andover, KS); ten grandchildren;
and 25 great-grandchildren as
they bid farewell on this side of
Heaven. Bro. Klint Beyer (Sis.
Kara, Sabetha, KS) and Bro.
Jeff Fischer supported Elder Bro.
John Lehman (Sis. Connie, Bern,
KS) in the January 19 memorial
service. Sis. Ethel’s legacy of a life
of service to her Lord and Savior
could be summed up in two words
– agape love.
We appreciated the visiting
ministers who shared the Word with
us: Bro. Justin Moser (Sis. Robin,
Altadena, CA) and Elder Bro.
Randy Kellenberger (Sis. Karen,
Kansas City, MO). Elder Bro.
Gerry Hertzel (Sis. Ellen, Sabetha,
KS) assisted Bro. Randy in reading
36
the memorandum of the general
conference. We were blessed that he
stayed for our Sunday service the
following morning.
Kansas, Kiowa
Millicent Frieden, Janice Bahr
1 Peter 5:1 “Likewise, ye younger,
submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea,
all of you be subject one to another,
and be clothed with humility: for
God resisteth the proud, and giveth
grace to the humble.”
This scripture speaks of the
respect we should have for one
another, but the lack of respect we
see in our schools, our workplaces,
ever our homes, is really sad. The
bullying, backbiting, violence,
domestic abuse we read about every
day must make our God, who is
the author of love and respect, very
frustrated with this human race.
May those of us who have taken on
the name of Christ, and daily walk
with God, be different than the
world. May we show respect and
love to our parents, grandparents,
the elderly, our children, family,
church family, friends, and even
those who may not deserve our
respect. May we teach respect to
our children and grandchildren.
May we bite our tongues against
backbiting and verbal abuse. The
saying (if you can’t say something
nice, don’t say anything at all)
comes to mind. We are the light
of this world. May our light ever
reflect the God we serve, and show
love and respect to those around us.
Elder Bro. John Lehman
(Sis. Connie, Bern, KS) shared
a Sunday recently. Bro. John
read the memorandum to our
congregation. We are so blessed
for our elder and ministering
watchman, who care so much
for the flock, and continually
share the truths of the Gospel
with us, that we may be warned
to be faithful until the coming
of the Lord.
Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child
in the way he should go: and when
he is old, he will not depart from it.”
This is our prayer for Bro.
Jake and Sis. Tifani Bahr Leman,
Aurora, CO, (Denver Church)
who gave birth to a precious
baby boy, Connor Oak Leman,
January 16, 2016. Bro. Jeff Bahr
(Sis. Janice, Kiowa, KS) and Bro.
Mike Leman (Sis. Deb, Aurora,
CO) are grandparents. Bro. Joe
Frieden (Sis. Mildred, Kiowa, KS),
Sis. Eileen Bahr, Gridley, KS, and
Bro. Tom Leman, Aurora, CO are
great-grandparents. May God bless
Bro. Jake and Sis. Tifani as they
treasure this precious new gift
God has given them.
To all who share in the Kiowa
Manor Services, especially our
children, thank you. Also, may
we never forget to hold each other
up in prayer for sickness, sorrow,
pain, and also joy. We need the
prayers of those we love.
Kansas, Lamont-Gridley
Dorene Metzger
Bro. Lloyd Luthi (Joan,
deceased) died peacefully at his
home on December 20, 2015. His
funeral was held on December
23. Bro. Lloyd was our oldest
brother, passing away one month
shy of his 88th birthday. Although
in failing health for some time,
Bro. Lloyd treasured assembling
with his church family. The Sunday
before he died, he was in church all
day and went to the church supper
following the all-church caroling. After the meal prayer, Bro. Lloyd
reminded us that it was such a
privilege to be able to fellowship
in the Lord. One of his favorite
songs was #164 in the Zion’s Harp,
Image of Christ, which was sung at
the funeral. Following Bro. Lloyd’s
“tradition” a brother-in-faith asked
for verse 9 to be sung, a wonderful
memory of Bro. Lloyd. Our
heartfelt sympathy goes to Elder
Bro. Jay (Sis. Jane) Luthi, Jeanette
Luthi (his main care-giver), Sis. Jill
Luthi, and Jeri (Tom Knobloch)
and their families. Sis. Eileen Bahr was a
surgical patient.
January 3, Bro. Jeff (Sis. Janice
Bahr, Kiowa, KS) was our first
visiting minister for 2016. He
asked the question, “Would you
liked to have been able to see Jesus
with the compassion and care for
the down and out, sinful, and
prideful? I marvel at His caring for
those who wanted and needed to
change their circumstances. But
Jesus also could call to task those
who were judgmental, full of pride
but sadly lacking in compassion.”
January 10, we held our
annual elections. How thankful
we are for those who have served
in various capacities and for those
who are stepping up to serve now.
January 6 was our first evening
to begin listening to the cd’s of
the Morris, MN conference. The
word “Walking” is in each topic
which indicates action. “Walking”
then infers that each of us has
work to do to bring a topic into
being in our own lives. We live
here on earth serving a loving and
caring Heavenly Father. But He
is also righteous and expects each
of us to WALK circumspectly
and in holiness. Pray for grace to
WALK in the Light.
Kansas, Sabetha
Crystal Hartter, Dawn Strahm
We are always thankful to
have visiting ministers share the
Word. Those who spoke the Word
this past month were: Bro. Scott
Aberle (Sis. Dorine, Washington,
IL), Bro. Aaron Luthi (Sis. Maria,
Lamont-Gridley, KS), Bro. John
Baumgartner (Sis. Lori, Bern, KS),
Bro. Seth Hartter (Sis. Brenda,
Burlington, IA) and Bro. Dean
Steffen (Sis. Carol, Belvidere, IL).
Thankful for the safe and
healthy arrival of Calvin Dale on
December 30 are parents Bro.
Jed & Sis. Whitney Hartter.
Grandparents welcoming him are
Bro. David & Sis. Beth Hartter
and Bro. Rod & Sis. Arlene
Grimm. May the Lord be with
and guide them as they begin a
new chapter in life.
We rejoice with the angels
when a lost soul answers the call
to repentance. Kenton Fehr (Bro.
Todd & Sis. Cynthia) has made
a beginning in his walk with the
Lord. May the Lord grant him
much grace and mercy as he works
out his soul’s salvation.
May the Lord’s Healing hand
be upon Bro. Harvey Wenger
as he was a hospital patient this
past month.
We are prayerful for the elders
as they gather for the mid-winter
conference. May the Holy Spirit
be among them in all that they do.
Kansas, Wichita
Max and Judy Reimschisel
We’re thankful the Lord has
given us another new year to share
His word and love with others.
“Trust in the LORD with all
thine heart; and lean not unto thine
own understanding. In all thy ways
acknowledge him, and he shall
direct thy paths.” Prov. 3:5-6
We were privileged to have
Yuri and Camilla and their
three children from Uzbekistan
tell their story of coming to
the United States. They were
Muslim descendants and now
are Christian. They told of their
life of persecution by Muslims
in Uzbekistan. The fact that
the church is underground and
Christians are not permitted to
worship openly is a great concern.
May we appreciate the freedom we
have to worship freely today.
Our visiting minister, Bro. Ed
Fritz and his wife, Sis. Barbara,
brought many good teachings and
encouragement to keep the faith
amidst the many trials of life. As
we sang “God is our Refuge” from
the hymn book, it brought many
good encouraging thoughts.
“God is our refuge and our strength,
A very present help indeed;
He in the time of trouble sends
February 2016
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37
His Grace to meet every need.”
Hymns of Zion #4 verse 1
We are glad that Bro. Ed had
a desire to again meet the young
people he met when he was doing
our parking lot project a couple
of years ago. It is wonderful that
relationships can be established
and maintained through the years.
We all have many fond memories
of Bro. Ed. We’re glad that he
could worship with us again and
to meet his new wife, Sis. Barbara.
Our sympathy and love goes
to Paula and John Read in the loss
of Paula’s mother Sis. Ethel Smith
of Fort Scott, KS. Bro. Harvey and
Sis. Ethel lived in Wichita with
their family for many years before
returning to Ft. Scott in 1971.
January we’ve had the special
blessing of having Bro. Marshall
and Sis. Jan Heinold (Washington,
IL) back for a short visit. It’s
comforting to know they continue
to love and support the church
here in spite of living so far away.
We are also glad to have Sis.
Berta Gonzalez back in Ixtlán
after an extended visit with her
children in the US.
There are several older
brothers and sisters who would
be thankful to be lifted up in
prayer as they struggle with poor
health, namely: Sis. Rosa Segura,
Sis. Maria Pimentel, Sis. Carmen
Cervantes, Sis. Luz Avina, and
Bro. Francisco Rodriguez.
Mexico, Ixtlán
Renee Steffen, Heidi Kaeb
Ruth Gerber
“But whoso looketh into
the perfect law of liberty, and
continueth therein, he being not a
forgetful hearer, but a doer of the
work, this man shall be blessed in
his deed.” James 1:25
If you were to look at the
monthly calendar of activities for
the Ixtlán church, you might be
surprised to see that there is some
type of Bible study or home visit
scheduled every day of the week.
The brothers and sisters here have
many opportunities to look into the
law of liberty together and to help
share it with the seekers. Our prayer
is that we would all be doers of the
work in every area of our lives.
We always appreciate visitors
that come to encourage our faith
and to be an example to us. This
38
Michigan, Alto
This last month here in Alto
has been filled with so much
emotion that it is difficult to
know where to start or how to
express the extreme highs and
lows. Our hearts have been taken
on the journey of the very joyous
occasion of rebirth, the tender
feelings of loving and welcoming a
new baby, and the mixed emotions
of saying farewell to our oldest
beloved brother in Alto.
I received a message early this
past month announcing that Bro.
Matt and Shelli Oesch became
parents to their fourth child.
Along with this message were
two photos that touched me to
tears. Three older siblings: Judah,
Kirsi, and Fritz, who are known
for their exuberant energy, were
so tenderly loving on their new
baby brother, Truman Ford. This
brought to mind how gently and
tenderly our Heavenly Father
loves us. May this child-like love
be an example to us of how we
ought to love one another.
“What a day that will be,
when my Jesus I shall see,
and I look upon His face, the
One who saved me by His grace;
When He takes me by the hand,
and leads me to the promise land,
what a day, glorious day, that will
be.” Gospel Hymns #831
At 100 years old, our beloved
Bro. Lloyd Blough (Sis. Ella) was
released from this earthly life to
go home to meet his Lord and
Savior. Bro. Lloyd with his quiet
and gentle, but strong faith, will
certainly be missed by all who
knew and loved him. But we
also rejoice with him as he enters
eternity where joy never ends.
“He said his last prayer.
He walked his last mile.
He felt his last pain.
He had his last trial.
Now he is singing.
He’s finally won the race!
No more tears, strife or sorrow.
He sees Jesus face to face!” ibG.res
Oh did the angels rejoice this
past weekend, along with all of
Alto church and many visitors,
as we listened to the testimony
and observed the baptism of
our new Bro. Spencer Plattner
(Bro. Howard and Sis. Kristen).
The humble, honest, and open
testimony of Bro. Spencer
brought intense emotions to all
who listened. Tears of joy, reality
of grace, expressions of meek
humility, and exhortation of the
heart, brought a special bond of
love to all who were blessed to
listen through the child-like faith
of a new-born babe in Christ. We
were also blessed to have Elder
Bro. John Lehman (Sis. Connie,
Bern, KS) here this weekend to
share the Word of Truth and
help in this joyous occasion of
welcoming a new soul into the
body of Christ.
Our prayers have been with
many this past month. Those
who were hospitalized, Sis. Jane
Grawburg and Bro. Casey Banks’
mother (Sis. Nancy Banks,
Columbus, OH), and others
struggling with sadness, sorrow,
trials, and tests of life.
Our prayers go with Bro.
Curt and Sis. Luanne Kaeb
as they plan to spend the next
three months in Texas and other
southern states helping to build,
rebuild, repair, and encourage
those who’ve experienced disasters
in recent years. Our prayers also
go with Bro. Ed and Sis. Julie
Sanders as they plan to spend
the next four months in Haiti
helping with construction teams.
It is always with mixed emotions
that we say farewell. We pray God
will go with them, protect and
guide them, but also be near their
families back home.
the time to visit me and for the
cards, especially fellow believers.
May the Lord bless all of you.
I’m convinced that the healing
hand of our merciful Father that
because of your prayers that I am
able to walk again.
I am humbled and happy
and grateful beyond my ability to
express my feelings. May the love
of God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy
Spirit continue to dwell in you.
Thank you, Bro. Wes and Sis. Sue
Michigan, Bay City
Sarah Knochel
“There’s a land that is fairer than
day, And by faith we can see it
afar; For the Father waits over
the way To prepare us a dwelling
place there.”
Our prayers are with the
family of Sis. Leanore Knochel as
she received her heavenly reward
on December 20. We want to
remember her children: Sis. Eileen,
Wayne, Bro. Jim (Sis. Kay), Jerry
(Michelle), Patsy (Mike) Brock
and Nettie. Sis. Leanore is also
remembered by her grandchildren
and great-grandchildren.
We want to remember those
who have spent time in the
hospital during the last month.
Our thoughts and prayers are with
Norm Andrzejewski (Sis. Linda)
and Sis. Laura Wieland.
Note of Thanks:
We are thankful Bro. Jeff
I would like to express my
Waibel (Sis. Margo, Leo, IN)
heartfelt gratitude to the church
traveled to Bay City to spend time
and friends for the prayers said for with his family for Christmas and
me and my wife during my recent ministered the word on our behalf.
sojourn of six weeks in the hospital
Our annual Business Meeting
and rehab. Thank you for taking
was held on January 6. We are
always thankful for brothers and
sisters who are willing to help take
care of the needs of the church.
Those elected to new positions
include Sis. Yvonne Arnold
(Kitchen Committee) replacing Sis.
Sue Steffen, Bro. Mike Ruegsegger
(Trustee) replacing Bro. Gene
Meylan and Bro. Brian Wieland
(Sunday School Superintendent)
replacing Bro. Jim Knochel.
February is Bay City’s collection
month for Silver Lining dues. Please
place dues in the general fund and
contact the correspondent with any
address changes.
Michigan, Detroit
Manuela Denes
After several balmy January
days, we finally find ourselves
experiencing the normally
cold winter temperatures. No
matter how cold it is, I always
try to get out for a walk. I find
the brisk, fresh quality of the
air invigorating! Today’s walk
somehow felt warmer because the
sun was shining brightly up high
with a blue sky. Listening to the
weather man later in the day, I
found it interesting to hear him
say “don’t let that sun fool you,
it is cold outside!” Why does it
always feel warmer when the sun
is out? It made me think how it’s
the same when we have Jesus, the
Light of the World in our hearts.
Don’t we feel the same kind of
warmth from His love as we do
from the sun? He will keep us
warm and lighten our path:
“Then spake Jesus again unto
them, saying, I am the light of the
February 2016
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world: he that followeth me shall not
walk in darkness, but shall have the
light of life.” John 8:12
Several members of our church
family recently experienced the
loss of a loved one. We share in the
sadness and offer our sympathy and
love to Chuck Leman (Sis. Dot) on
the passing of his sister, Sis. Mary
Ringger (Bro. Fred) of Gridley, IL.
Sis. Laura Plattner’s (Bro. Brett)
grandfather, Bro. Lloyd Blough (Sis.
Ella) was laid to rest in Alto, MI.
Here in Detroit, we said farewell
to Virginia Smiley, mother to Barb
Maibach (Ben). May the Lord
comfort these families during this
time of loss, but keep the memories
warm within their hearts!
We extend a warm welcome
to Doug Wagenbach from
Tremont, IL (parents are Bro.
Ron and Sis. Liz). We’re so happy
to have him worship with us as
he will be doing an internship in
Rochester Hills, MI.
Prayers for healing are
extended to those who are in
hospital or awaiting medical
procedures. Bro. Hartzell Kaisner
(Sis. Mary) has been readmitted to
the hospital. Sis. Tiffany Wieland
(Bro. Steve) will be having surgery
later this week. May God keep you
in His loving care and bring you
back to us healthy and recovered!
“And this is the confidence that
we have in him, that, if we ask
any thing according to his will, he
heareth us: And if we know that
he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we
know that we have the petitions that
we desired of him.” 1 John 5:14-15
40
Minnesota, Morris
Minnesota, Morris North
Amy Ekren, Heidi Pfaffmann
Lois Schmidgall, Wanda Gramm
Our congregation was blessed
at the annual Christmas program
with the telling of Christ’s birth by
the Sunday school children.
“Out of the mouth of babes
and sucklings hast thou ordained
strength because of thine enemies,
that thou mightest still the enemy
and the avenger.” Ps. 8:2
We pray for healing for
our Sis. Joyce Moser (Bro. Bill)
and Sis. Barb Schmidgall (Bro.
Gilbert) as they recently spent
time in the hospital.
A blessed baby boy, Griffin
Travis, was born to Bro. Travis
and Sis. Rita Moser. Grandparents
Bro. Lowell and Sis. Karen Moser,
and Bro. Jerry and Sis. Linda Wulf
are thankful for his safe arrival.
May God be near to Leah
Steiner as she was announced for
peace and awaits baptism.
“I could not go on without Him
I know, The world would o’er
whelm my soul; For I could not
see the right way to go, When
temptations o’er me roll. He
whispers sweet peace to me…”
He Whispers Sweet Peace To Me,
Gospel Hymns #780
In 2015, our congregation
had eight births, two funerals,
two weddings, four converts and
two baptisms. Praise God for
all of the blessings this past year
and for His love and continued
guidance into 2016.
Greetings from Morris North!
Welcome 2016!
“O love the Lord,all ye his saints:
for the Lord preserveth the faithful,
and plentifully rewardeth the proud
doer. Be of good courage, and he
shall strengthen your heart, all ye
that hope in the Lord.”
Psalms 31:23-24
Our little church rejoiced with
Kelsey Knobloch (Sis. Brenda),
as she gave her testimony and
was baptized the first weekend in
January. We could feel the angels
rejoicing and the Spirit of God
moving, as we welcomed Sis.
Kelsey as our Sister in Christ.
Our church family is growing,
as we welcome the two babies
born. Lincoln Chase Knobloch,
was welcomed into Bro. Damon
and Sis. Stephanie Knobloch’s
home. His excited siblings are:
Sawyer, Lily, Maggie and Owen.
Little Hezeki Tristan is a first
born to Tristan and Jordan
Feuchtenberger. May God bless
these families.
We were blessed to have our
Elder Brother Earl (Sis. Dixie)
Ringger, Gridley, IL, spend
the weekend with us. The same
weekend, we enjoyed having
Bro. Glen (Sis. Rachel) Steiner,
Winthrop, MN, and Bro. Mitch
(Sis. Abby) Fehr, Morris Country
Church. Thank you brothers for
giving of your selves to further
The Word.
Many enjoyed an evening
of making fleece blankets, as a
HarvestCall project. Pray the
blankets will warm the receiver
and that they will feel God’s love
wrapped around them.
We extend a warm welcome
to visit our church, if you are
in our area. It may be cold in
Minnesota…..but you will feel the
warmth of The Spirit as you enter
our church doors.
Let’s move forward with Faith
and Trust in God, this New Year.
God is faithful!
Minnesota, Winthrop
Lindsay Schmidt, Becky Braulick
“For unto us a child is born,
unto us a son is given: and the
government shall be upon his
shoulder: and his name shall be
called Wonderful, Counsellor, The
mighty God, The everlasting Father,
The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6
On December 19, our church
enjoyed listening to our Sunday
School children tell the miracle of
the Christmas story of Jesus’ birth.
May we remember to thank God
for His wonderful Gift to us and
that we’d be willing to accept it.
“In my Father’s house are
many mansions: if it were not so, I
would have told you. I go to prepare
a place for you.” John 14:2
Our heartfelt sympathy and
prayers go out to Bro. Dean and
Sis. Wanda Messner and LeAnn
and David Rufener (Rittman,
OH) in the passing of their
mother, Sis. Melva Messner.
Condolences go out also to their
children and also to Sis. Melva’s
siblings: Bros. Phil (Sis. Donna)
Mogler, Howard (Sis. Lillian)
Mogler, Sis. Leona Moser and Sis.
Florence Knoblock and brother-inlaw, Bro. Frank Moser.
“Be of good courage, and he
shall strengthen your heart, all ye
that hope in the Lord.” Psalm 31:24
It was so good to hear that
Kent Rubendall (Vanese Isaacson)
is doing so well that he has been
released from the hospital and also
that Bro. Roy Howk is healing
and should be able to return
home soon. Thank thee Lord for
thy healing powers. We continue
to pray for God’s comfort and
presence with those battling cancer
and any other health concerns.
Notes of Thanks:
I would like to thank everyone
for all their prayers, gifts, visits
and deeds of kindness shared
with me over the last several
months since my accident. I am
improving daily, but still have lots
of challenges. I still have lots to be
thankful for.
In Christian love,
Sis. Georgia Messner
The family of Sis. Melva
Messner wishes to thank everyone
for the love shown to them
through cards, loving thoughts,
visits, gifts and most of all prayers
during our time of loss. May God
bless each of you.
Missouri, Kansas City
Julie Webel
Another year is behind us and
we look forward with anticipation
to see what the future will bring.
As many think about diet and
fitness goals, let us remember to
evaluate our spiritual condition,
which is most important to a
healthy lifestyle. God first, always.
We are grateful to the visiting
ministers who served us from
the pulpit this last month. Many
thanks to Bro. Brad Strahm (Sis.
Michelle, Bern, KS), Bro. Roger
Aberle (Sis. LaVonne, Sebetha).
May God grant healing to
those who have lost loved ones
and have suffered illness in the
past year.
Missouri, Lamar
Venetta Banwart
As we start a year, may we look
to God for His help in guiding our
steps and paths. Remember to pray
for the leaders of our nation and
also our church elders.
We were blessed to have
visiting brothers come and minister
and feed us from God’s holy word
this month. They were: Bro. Scott
Wegman (Sis. Dawn, Taylor, MO),
Bro. Bob Dotterer (Sis. Laura,
Sardis, OH), Bro. Ron Isch (Sis
Jane, Lamont-Gridley, KS), Bro.
Chuck Kellenberger (Sis. Debbie,
Elgin, IL), Bro. Dave Marquart
(Sis. Lori, Taylor, MO). May God
bless each one as they serve.
Our hospital patient this
month was Sis. Edith Hohulin.
May God continue to grant her
healing strength.
We would like to extend our
deepest sympathy to Bro. Dale
(Sis. Corrine) Marti in the passing
of his brother, Joe Marti (Evelyn).
May God be near each family
member in this difficult time.
February 2016
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41
Missouri, St. Louis
Kary Mangers
This month we had the
opportunity to think about how
God has gifted us to further
the Gospel as we listened to the
presentation of Spiritual Gifts –
Understanding and Developing
Spiritual Gifts. As believers, it is
never the question of if we have a
spiritual gift, but determining what
it is and how best to use it. Thank
you Bro. Chad Leman (Sis. Kim,
Fairbury, IL) with the Church
Assistance Committee for sharing
this topic with us. As a church with
many young children, we were
blessed by the help of Bro. Chad
and Sis. Lisa Massner and Sis.
Jan Heimer (Taylor, MO) as they
watched our children so we could
have our focus on the presentation
rather than maintaining the “joyful
noise” I mentioned last month. It
was truly a gift to parents.
Thank you to our visiting
ministers Elder Bro. Marvin
Dotterer (Sis. Nancy, Forrest, IL)
and Elder Bro. Kent Heimer (Sis.
Jan, Taylor, MO) for sharing the
gift God has given you as you
shared His Word. We would again
like to express our thanks to our
visitors this past month.
Missouri, Taylor
Kathy Eberhardt
Read Psalm 19. Look at God.
Do you see Him? Elder Bro. Kent
Heimer reminded us to remember
God for every sunrise and sunset.
Everyone gets to see the light - in
every country and language. God
has a plan for everyone!
42
Bro. Matt Kaufmann
(Bloomington-Normal, IL) spoke
to us on a Wednesday evening
about sharing the gospel. Did you
share the gospel today? First share
the gospel with yourself. Think
about what God is telling you
as you read from God’s Word.
Share with your spouse, children,
family. Share with the brethren
at church. The gospel protects
us and is the greatest message of
encouragement.
Bro. Garrett & Sis. Courtney
Yackley and Lyla were blessed
with an addition to their family.
Norah Grace Yackley was born on
Sunday morning, January 9, 2016.
Bro. Joe & Sis. Jerilyn Yackley are
the local grandparents.
When a Christian dies,
precious is the Prize! Even though
we are made sorry at the passing
of Sis. Ethel Smith of Fort Scott,
KS, on January 14, we are happy
for the assurance of a better home
awaiting. Two of Sis. Ethel’s sisters
married Taylor brothers. We wish
God’s comfort for Sis. Emma
Hoerr and Sis. Ruth Hoerr and
their families.
New York, Croghan/
Naumburg
Hope Graves
We were thankful to have
several families with young
children with us for our New
Year’s Eve potluck and singing.
What a blessed way to start 2016!
Our Elder Bro. Duane Farney
brought in the New Year by
joining a work team to Haiti. We
were thankful to hear about his
journey and the work that was
accomplished. We are always
thankful for their safe return!
We are keeping Lois Cardinal
in our prayers as she is undergoing
medical treatments.
Ohio, Akron
Carla Miller
Kierra Susan Gherian joined
the family of Bro. Micah, Sis.
Marcy, Zachary, Jenneka, Abel,
Dayne, and Kyler on December
19. Her grandparents are Sis.
Sharon Gherian (Bro. Paul, dec.)
and Pete and Susan Van Wyhe
(Lester, IA).
Bro. Justin Miller (Bro. Roger
and Sis. Dorina, Mansfield, OH)
and Sis. Katie Palitto (Bro. Bryon
and Sis. Lisa) were united in
marriage on January 10. We are
thankful for the ones who served
in the ministry for their special
weekend: Elder Bro. Mark Masters
(Sis. Jeannine, Mansfield, OH),
Bro. Curt Walter (Sis. Elizabeth,
Mansfield, OH), and Bro. Bob
Riggenbach (Sis. Lorie, Rittman).
We are thankful for God’s
provision for those who have been
hospitalized recently: Bro. Eugene
Pamer (Sis. Eleanor) and Bro.
Andy Demrovsky (Sis. Vera).
Ohio, Columbus
Julie Grimm
“Many, O Lord my God are thy
wonderful works which thou hast
done…” Psalm 40:5.
We have witnessed God’s
wonderful works in the form of
provision of His Word, healing,
and new life.
We welcome and appreciate
those that come to assist our local
minister by serving us in the
minister rotation. This past month
Bro. Gary Maibach (Sis. Mary
Ann, Smithville, OH) and Bro.
Ron Kipfer (Sis. Linda, Bluffton,
IN) willingly served our church.
May God bless their labors to
provide His Word.
We have seen God’s healing
hand on Sis. Nancy Banks who
was hospitalized. We are thankful
to the Lord for His safety,
protection, and healing through
time of illness.
The wonder of new life was
experienced in the family of Bro.
Todd, Sis. Esther, Clayton, and
Moriah Saurer. Preston Roger
joined their family on December
31. We wish them godly wisdom
to teach their children in the
ways of the Lord. Thankful
grandparents are Sis. Sue Saurer
(Smithville) and Bro. Craig and
Sis. Ruth Stoller (Latty).
As we reflect on God’s
wonderful works we can conclude:
“ if I would declare and speak of
them, they are more than can be
numbered.” Psalm 40:5
word gives thee peace everlasting.
He’ ll shield and defend His child
to the end; No suff’ring or death
shall appall thee. Keep Him for
your gain, earth’s pleasures are
vain; sweet rest is found only in
heaven. In patience then bear all
trial and care; above streams of
bliss will refresh thee.” The Best
Refuge, Zions Harp #46
This month has been filled
with sorrow as two families have
said good-bye to loved ones. Our
prayers are extended to Sis. Sandra
Manz (Bro. Paul) and her family
as her father, Bro. Bob Ramsier
(Sis. Inez, Smithville, OH) passed
into eternity on December 17.
We also pray for Sis. Cindy (Bro.
Warren) Schlatter, Sis. Sandy
(Bro. Neil) Stoller and Sis. Shelby
(Bro. Sam) Manz as they lost
their father, Bro. Walt Sinn (Sis.
Renee, Latty, OH) on January
16. We are so thankful that death
has no victory over those who
are redeemed through Christ’s
shed blood and that we have hope
beyond this life!
Bro. John and Trish Rose are
thankful for a great-grandson,
Jaice Oliver Oswalt, born to their
grand-daughter, Chelsea Rose, on
Ohio, Junction
December 12. Jaice’s great-great
Elizabeth Manz
grandpa is Bro. Alvin Manz.
“In sorrow and pain Thy trust
We are sad to hear that Chuck
do retain in Jesus the merciful
and Sis. Linda Lord are leaving this
Saviour. When burdened with
area and moving to Columbus,
care, when thou wouldst despair,
OH. Although we will miss them,
then call on thy loving Redeemer.
we are thankful that they can live
He’ ll lighten the load, and level
closer to their children.
the road and bear thee on hands of
We held our annual business
compassion. He’s gentle and kind, meeting on January 6. Bro. Roger
rich blessings thou’ lt find; His
Gasser has been selected to serve as
our Gateway Woods Representative
for the coming term. We thank
Bro. Sam Manz for his years of
service in that capacity.
The past month has brought
several visiting ministers to our
congregation: Bros. Matt Manz
(Sis. Deanna, Toledo, OH), Adam
Uhler (Sis. Ann, Smithville, OH)
and Ryan Schock (Sis. Melanie,
Bloomfield, IA). May God bless
them for their willing service in
the ministry.
Ohio, Latty
Carmen Stoller, Mindy Stoller
Greetings of love to all in this
New Year!
We have been reminded
many times lately of the need to
examine ourselves to be ready for
whatever this year brings! In the
last year, our congregation had 11
souls turn to Christ, 7 announced
that they have found peace with
God and man, 2 were baptized,
5 babies were born, we had 2
weddings, and 3 loved ones died.
God has been faithful through it
all and we are thankful!
We’ve already experienced
many blessings since last month.
We were thankful that our Bro.
Colin Klopfenstein (Bro. Leon
and Sis. Deb) was announced
for peace recently and was able
to be baptized along with his
siblings, Sis. Ann and Bro. Travis
Stackhouse, and Sis. Natalie Sinn
(Bro. Gary and Sis. Paulette).
Our congregation was blessed to
hear their testimonies and witness
their baptism into the blood of
Christ. We pray each one will
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continue to find grace in their
walk with the Lord.
Our church voted in some
new officers at our business
meeting. New Sunday school
teachers include: Bro. Ross Stoller
(Sis. Joy), Sis. Jennifer Keysor
(Bro. Chad), and Sis. Kim Miller
(Derek). Our new church trustee
is Bro. Lee Nuest (Sis. Paula). The
kitchen committee welcomed Sis.
LeAnn Schlatter (Bro. Gus) and
Sis. Brenda McClure (Bro. Bill).
Bro. Jordan Miller plans to start
taking over our local HarvestCall
coordination. We are thankful for
each one that currently holds an
office and those whose terms are
ending. May God bless each one
for their efforts for the house of
the Lord!
We continue to be thankful
for visiting ministers each month!
We appreciated the gifts each one
brought, including Elder Bro. Ted
Witzig, Sr. (Sis. Cindy, Morton,
IL), Bro. Steve Stieglitz (Sis. Jane,
Leo, IN), Bro. Greg Stieglitz (Sis.
Lisa, Indianapolis, IN), Bro. Randy
Gasser (Sis. Sue, Detroit, MI),
Bro. Justin Koch (Sis. Marcia,
Washington, IL), Bro. Dan Stoller
(Sis. Deb, Remington, IN), Bro.
Don Manz (Sis. Connie, Junction,
OH), and Bro. Doug Harmon
(Sis. Lanna, Toledo, OH). We also
enjoyed the visit of retired Elder Bro.
Ed Schwartz (Sis. Jeni, Bluffton,
IN). Many prayers go forth for our
messengers of truth who are called
on to speak week after week!
We said goodbye to our dear
Sis. Marguerite Stoller (Bro. Delmar,
dec.) on January 14. Our hearts go
44
out to the children: Bro. Ray (Sis.
Carol) Stoller, Bro. Rod (Sis. LeAnn)
Stoller, Sis. Mardel Dotterer (Bro.
Robert, Rittman, OH), and Sis.
Carol Eisenmann (Bro. William); as
well as the many grandchildren and
great-grandchildren.
We also lift up the family of
Bro. Walt Sinn (Sis. Renee) who
passed away January 16. His
children are Bro. Todd (Sis. Janet),
Bro. Bob, Sis. Kathy, Bro. Tim
(Sis. Marlene), and three daughters
from Junction: Sis. Cindy Schlatter
(Bro. Warren), Sis. Sandy Stoller
(Bro. Neil), and Sis. Shelby Manz
(Bro. Sam). May the grandchildren
and great-grandchildren also feel
our prayers, and feel the blessing
of a wonderful Christian heritage.
What a blessing to have a hope of
meeting again someday where there
is no sickness or sadness!
Also in our prayers are Bro.
Ray Sinn (Sis. Ann) and his family,
as he has been placed in hospice.
Psalm 23:4 “Yea, though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of
death, I will fear no evil: for thou
art with me; thy rod and thy staff
they comfort me.”
Gottschling, Jr. (Frieda). We also
remember Bro. Nathaniel and Sis.
April Ramsey in the loss of April’s
grandmother, Sis. Marguerite
Stoller from Latty, OH. May each
one feel the peace and comfort of
God’s Spirit as they bid farewell to
their loved ones.
Ohio, Rittman
Julie Steiner, Maria Beery
“Make me to go in the path of thy
commandments; for therein do I
delight.” Psalm 119:35
We often hear the phrase
among our brethren that someone
has “made a beginning”. This
verse from Psalms takes another
look at this phrase, “to make a
beginning”. The Psalmist describes
it from the first person view, the
eyes of the person who is actually
“making a beginning”. If we
continue in God’s path, we will be
blessed, “ for therein do I delight.”
Bro. Jordan & Sis. Joy
Stoller are thankful for their new
daughter, Isabella Laniece. She is
a precious gift from God, born
not under their heart, but in it. As
she adjusts to this new home, she
is welcomed by big sister, Atiyah.
Ohio, Mansfield
Grandparents are Bro. Eric & Sis.
Elizabeth Walter
Melanie Stoller, and Bro. John &
We were glad for two visiting
Sis. Janice Rufener (Smithville).
ministers this month. May God
Two souls this month have
bless Bro. Sam Schlatter (Sis.
made a beginning in repentance.
Linda, Junction, OH) and Bro.
Many prayers over the past 70+
Marvin Zollinger (Sis. Pam,
years were answered, when our
Smithville, OH) for bringing the
dear Betty Marquart (Walter)
Word of Life to us.
made her beginning. We rejoice
Our sympathy goes out to Bro. with Tyler Atanasov (Bro. Novko
Pete and Sis. Linda Webel in the
& Sis. Julie), as he makes his
loss of their brother-in-law, Martin beginning in repentance.
Often, we view baptism
as a goal, a pinnacle to reach.
Recently, we were reminded that
baptism is not a pinnacle in life,
but rather a trailhead. It’s the
beginning of the journey. The
old brothers still say, “They made
a good beginning, and we wish
them a good end!” Six souls took
this step of baptism this month.
They are Bro. Jeriah Riggenbach
(Bro. Bob & Sis. Lorie), Bro.
Joel and Bro. Jesse Stoller (Bro.
Eric & Sis. Melanie), Bro. Kenny
Ramsier (Bro. Joe & Sis. Kendra),
Bro. Connor Gasser (Bro. Mark
& Sis. Jill), and Sis. Anne Beery
(Bro. Aaron & Sis. Lynne).
This past month, several of
our loved ones spent time in the
hospital. We pray for a healthy
recovery to Sis. Velma Rufener
(Bro. Elton), Bro. Ed Riggenbach
(Sis. Anita), Bro. Mike Katanic
(Sis. Heather), Bro. Connor Gasser
(Bro. Mark & Sis. Jill), and Sis.
Delores Bauman (Marion) who is
spending the winter in Florida.
We thank those ministering
brothers who went forward to
make a beginning, to offer a
prayer, or to confirm the Word
spoken from the pulpit. Thank
you Elder Bro. John Jackson
(Bay City, MI), Elder Bro.
Steve Ringger (Bluffton North,
IN), Elder Bro. Vic Bauman
(Smithville, OH), Bro. Adam
Uhler (Smithville, OH), Bro.
Matt Feucht (Roanoke, IL), Bro.
Todd Stoller (Latty, OH), Bro. Bill
Brake (Sardis, OH), Bro. Nathan
Rassi (St. Louis, MO), Bro. Randy
Gasser (Detroit, MI), Bro. Doug
Harmon (Toledo, OH),.
Finally, we come to the end
of life. The “beginnings” have
ended. Yet, this final change is
also the beginning of a new stage
in life for their loved ones who
remain. We extend our sympathy
to Sis. Mardel Dotterer (Bro.
Bob) in the passing of her mother,
Sis. Marguerite Stoller (Latty,
OH), and to Sis. Marie Bauman,
Richard Bauman (Gladys), Marion
Bauman (Sis. Delores), Kenny
Bauman (Shirley), and Harold
Bauman (Sharon) in the passing
of their brother-in-law, Bro. Jim
Beres (Sis. Lois, Phoenix, AZ).
Ohio, Sardis
Faith Beard, Joy Indermuhle
The fall months brought much
activity for our congregation, and
following Christmas, we have
enjoyed a slower pace. It is good
to use this time for a refreshing of
the mind and body.
Our church family gathered
for a soup supper, evening of
activities, and singing on New
Year’s Eve. We thank those who
hosted our evening.
January is the month for our
annual business meeting. We
thank our outgoing brethren for
their service to our church: Bro.
Jeb Joos, Bro. Anthony Amos, and
Sis. Cyndi Figel. Those filling their
positions are: Bro. Matt Brake,
Bro. Andy Figel, and Sis. Kristy
Joos. We give them our prayerful
support as they take up the work
they’ve been called to do.
As part of our meeting this
year, we discussed our hope to
begin building our new fellowship
hall as the Lord wills. New
property for this building was
purchased several years ago and
in 2015 we were able to have
the grading done to prepare for
building. We trust God will
continue to direct us as we look
forward to this project.
“Another year is dawning,
Dear Master, let it be,
In working or in waiting,
Another year with Thee.
Another year of service,
Of witness for Thy love;
Another year of training
For holier work above.”
Another Year is Dawning,
Hymns of Zion, #150, vs. 1,4
Ohio, Smithville
Kara Stoller, Millie Stoller
Congratulations to Bro. Dan
and Sis. Olivia Zollinger on the
birth of their first child. A son, Alex
Camden was born on December
31. Thankful grandparents are
Bro. John and Sis. Marge Zollinger,
and Bro. Ed and Sis. Laura Ramsey
(Mansfield, OH). We also share
in the joy with Sis. Sue Saurer
(late Bro. Roger) on the birth of
a grandson, Preston Roger. This
precious gift arrived on December
31 to Bro. Todd and Sis. Esther
(Columbus, OH) and to siblings,
Clayton and Moriah.
We are thankful to share the
good news that Toby, Clark and
Rosemary Stoller (Bro. Scott and
Sis. Charlene) have each made the
most important decision of life.
They have turned their hearts to
the Lord, repented, and accepted
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the gift of salvation through Jesus.
We rejoice with this family.
Our hearts hurt for those
that lost a dear husband, father
and brother in recent days. Bro.
Bob Ramsier (Sis. Inez) finished
his race on December 17. We
extend sympathy to his children:
Sis. Sandra Manz (Bro. Paul,
Junction, OH), Sis. Connie
Maletich (Bro. Dave), Ronda
Ramsier (Jack McGroder), Bro.
Mark Ramsier (Sis. Alice, Sardis,
OH), Bro. Tim Ramsier (Sis.
Joni, Rittman, OH) and Sharon
Floyd (Russell), as well as his two
surviving brothers, Bro. Wallace
Ramsier (Mansfield, OH) and
Bro. Jim Ramsier (Sis. Dorothy).
Many from our congregation
have experienced recent hospital
stays. We are so thankful at times
like these for the gift of prayer
- for access, through Jesus, to
an almighty, all-capable God.
Our thoughts have been toward
Bethany Marty (Bro. Ed and Sis.
Elaine), Bro. Herb Bauman, Bro.
Myron Weber (Sis. Darlene), Sis.
Delphine Nieman, Bro. George
Schuster (Sis. Carol), Bro. Steve
Bauman (Sis. Connie) and Sis.
Jane Hartzler (Bro. Ken.)
Thank you to visiting
ministers Bro. Dana Nieman (Sis.
Lea, Remington, IN) and Bro.
Lucas Frank (Sis. Crystal, Detroit,
MI). We hope all our visitors feel
welcome to come back often.
Ohio, Toledo
Deanna Manz, Jenny Manz
There was much excitement
and thankfulness in the household
46
of Bro. Brad and Sis. Holli Shields
as they welcomed Hannah Claire
into their family on January
16. Delighted siblings are Isaac,
Haven, Micah, Joseph, Titus,
Lewis and Malachi. May the Lord
bless each one as they adjust to the
changes a new baby brings!
We lift up our Sis. Clara Beard
in prayer as she has spent time in
the hospital. May God grant her
healing according to His will.
Ontario, Kitchener
Johanna Fortenbacher
“Pure religion and undefiled
before God and the Father is this,
To visit the fatherless and widows in
their affliction, and to keep himself
spotted from the world.” James 1:27
Some of us may not think
twice about this verse until it hits
home. Our widow, Sis. Margaret
Fortenbacher, had a fall due to a
heart condition and was in the
hospital for a few days. Thank
God she is well enough to be
at home again, but is looking
forward to getting better and
especially coming to church
again. We pray that God will heal
her enough and we are looking
forward to seeing her back.
We had our Christmas supper
and program and thank all the
visitors who came.
We appreciated the ministers
that came here this month. They
are: Bros. Warren Schlatter (Sis.
Cindy, Junction, OH), Bro. Randy
Gasser (Sis. Sue, Detroit, MI), Ned
Stoller (Sis. Heidi, Alto, MI), Bro.
Tim Ramsier (Sis. Joni, Rittman,
OH). God bless you all for coming.
Oregon, Portland
Louisa Gallup
On December 25, David
Rumbold, 64, passed away just
ten days after his wife had passed
from this life as well. Like Debbie,
David also had suffered from
a chronic health condition for
years. They had been married for
37 years. David was a Vietnam
veteran and served in the army
for a year. Our hearts and prayers
go out to their children, Nicole
(Dan) Hanke and Bryce, who
have a heavy load of sorrow to
bear within such a short time
span. David was preceded in
death by his parents, Bro. Paul
and Sis. Ann. Beside his children,
he is survived by his siblings:
Sis. Judie (Bro. Ed) Knecht,
Eureka, IL and Jerry (Sharon)
Rumbold, Sherwood, OR; and
also by his two granddaughters,
Alera and Hailey (not just one
granddaughter as I erroneously
stated in the January article). May
The Lord give them comfort and
strength in the days ahead.
Bro. Rollin Nussbaum became
a grandparent for the first time,
as his daughter, Addie, and her
husband, Wes Kostellic from
Naperville, IL, had their first baby,
Lola Jane. We wish them much
joy and health as they raise their
little girl. And safe travels and a
blessed time for Bro. Rollin as he
plans to visit there.
We offer our thanks to the
visiting song leaders and ministers
from Silverton, OR this past
month. The ministers from there
were: Bro. Don Sinn (Sis. Linda),
Bro. Chris Kuenzi (Sis. Mary) and
Bro. Harvey Kuenzi (Sis. Jennifer).
You are all very much appreciated.
Oregon, Silverton
Kelsey Walder, Ann Kuenzi
Bro. Kenton and Sis.
Alicen Sinn have a new son
named, William Thomas, born
December 18. Big sister Olivia
is quite excited, as well as her
grandparents, Bro. Tom and Sis.
Edith Sinn and Bro. Colin and
Sis. Barb Wagenbach (OakvilleMediapolis, IA).
We are encouraged to know
that Jake Johnson (Damon and
Alex) expresses he is at peace with
God and man. We are so thankful
for each soul that feels this
beautiful gift from God.
Bro. Lynn Kuenzi (Sis.
Marilyn) has been in the hospital,
but is thankfully now doing well.
Our sympathy goes out to
Jason and Carol Schurter and their
family, as Carol has recently lost
her mother. Prayers are desired for
this dear couple.
On an incredibly beautiful
day, Sunday January 10, we
witnessed the marriage of Bro.
Jesse Te Slaa and Sis. Kari Kuenzi.
May God bless them with joy and
hearts that grow closer in His love.
We are rejoicing that Ben Folia
(Bro. Peter and Sis. Elizabeth) has
decided to walk with the Lord.
What a blessing when each one
turns their heart over to Jesus.
Pennsylvania,
Philadelphia
Laura Isch
We rejoice with Bro. Tyler and
Sis. Mallory Lanz as they welcome
Cameron John into their home.
He was born on December 21.
Thankful grandparents are Bro.
John and Sis. Kay Lanz.
On January 17, we held our
annual church business meeting.
It is a blessing to see how each one
can be used by God for His glory
and to further His kingdom! We
know that the Lord has work for all
who are willing. May God bless us
all and remind us to do our best in
whatever duties He has called us!
Tennessee, Nashville
Buck & Taunia Henry
I was humbly reminded of
“Love thy neighbor as thyself”
as I counted the fifth time that a
perfect stranger paid for my lunch
in the last few months...4 times at
drive thru’s and once at a sit-down
restaurant! What an amazing feeling
to get up to the register and hear the
cashier say, “Your bill has already
been paid!” In this world with so
much unrest, hatred, and pain, it is
so encouraging to feel the love of a
good neighbor — love from even a
perfect stranger! It reflects the way
that Christ died for us while we
were yet sinners — before we even
knew Him, He paid our debt. There
is still hope in this dark world and
we can smile when we see people
shining their light to help bless
someone else’s day.... We feel Christ’s
love. Let us so shine that men may
see our good works and glorify our
Father which is in Heaven.
We are so thankful for the
visiting ministers who traveled to
serve us this month: Bro. Ed Fritz
(Sis. Barb, Washington, IL), Bro.
Dan Beer (Sis. Deb, Milford, IN),
Bro. Samuel Schlatter (Sis. Linda,
Junction, OH), Bro. Ned Bahler
(Sis. Anna, Fairbury, IL). We were
also blessed with visitors from
Junction, Forrest, Fairbury, and
Cissna Park.
As a small church, we are
privileged to be awakened to the
importance of our brotherhood as
a whole as we depend on the rest
of the body for ministry, support,
and growth. We would earnestly
ask for your prayers as we seek
to bear fruit in our communities
and help spread the Good News
of the Gospel of Christ. We
welcome any who feel called to
labor in a new area to consider
Nashville. In the heart of the
country, we have seen God’s heart
and hand here as He opens doors
and calls to all who will hear.
May His name be glorified!
If you are traveling to or
through the Nashville area, please
plan to worship with us. Often
we gather on Saturday evenings
for fellowship, and all are heartily
welcome. Please contact us to
confirm the schedule. Also, we
typically meet on Wednesday
evenings at 7:15 p.m. for call-in
services and would welcome any
midweek visitors. Contacts: Bro.
Buck Henry 615-920-9584 buck@
forhisglorypublishing.com or Bro.
Don Sauder 615-351-7734 don.
[email protected].
February 2016
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The Nashville Guesthouse is
available for free accommodations
to all those traveling through. Please
contact Bro. Buck for reservations.
Texas, Austin
Candy Meiss
Sending our Love and
Greetings from Austin!
It is another beautiful day in
Austin! It was a little chilly this
morning at 39 degrees, but the sun
is shining and it is warming up.
Recently we have been blessed
from the Word by the following
visiting ministers: Bro. Mark
Streitmatter (Bloomington-Normal,
IL), Bro. Matthew Steffen (Sis.
Deanna and children, Princeville,
IL), Bro. Darren Plattner (Sis. Sue,
Champaign, IL), and Bro. Marshall
Heinold (Sis. Janice, Washington,
IL). We are looking forward to
visiting ministers in the following
weeks from Minneapolis and
Lamont-Gridley.
We are thankful that the
Austin congregation has been
selected to work with the Church
Establishment Committee
(CEC), under HarvestCall. This
committee has been developed
to come alongside smaller
churches like Austin to help
facilitate becoming healthy, viable
churches in areas such as: critical
mass attendance, spiritual and
relational vibrancy, and financial
independence.
Another exciting development
for our Austin church is that
HarvestCall has selected an area not
far from our church for the winter
work teams. We look forward to
48
opportunities provided by having
volunteers come to Texas.
We are thankful for families
that are planning to move to
Austin this year and ask for your
prayers as they look for homes and
jobs in the area.
We love the children from
Stony Point as they continue to
come to church and learn about
Jesus through songs, stories and
crafts. They love the fellowship
and food and it’s exciting to have
them as part of our church family
here in Austin.
We are so thankful for our
visitors and encourage everyone
passing through to stop and
worship with us! Please refer
to our minister’s directory for
directions and contacts.
Texas, Dallas-Ft. Worth
Services are generally being
held the second Sunday of
each month at the Holiday Inn
Express, 4450 W. John Carpenter
Freeway, Irving, TX. There are
several singles and couples who
gather and enjoy visitors. Please
call ahead to verify. Bros. Wayne
Banwart (217-493-2383), Leland
Plattner (956-265-0351), or
Dennis Rassi (512-321-2345).
Texas, McAllen
Kristi Plattner
Serving us this past month were
the following ministers: Bro. Dan
Stoller (Sis. Debra, Remington, IN),
and Bro. Barry Dietz (Sis. Rachel,
Bradford, IL). We also appreciated
retired minister Bro. Kenneth
Dietz (Sis. Mardell, Bradford, IL)
in assisting with the services. We
enjoyed all those that came down to
be with us.
We bid farewell to Sis. Anni
Davidovics as her travel assignment
has now come to an end. We
thoroughly enjoyed her fellowship.
We welcome anyone coming
to South Texas. If interested in
housing on South Padre Island
or in McAllen while visiting the
McAllen area, please contact us
for further details.
Occasionally there is a schedule
change, so if you plan to be with
us on Sunday, please verify the
date by calling the Plattner’s at
956-607-8329 or you may access
www.harvestcall.org and view the
updated minister rotation schedule.
Sunday services are held at
10:30 and 12:30 at the Smart iStay
Hotel, 1921 South 10th St. Please
note that the name of the hotel is
no longer Holiday Inn Express.
Take the 10th Street Exit off
I-83 and go 1½ blocks south.
Please see the ministers’ directory
for local contact information.
Texas, Zapata
Mary Plattner
We offer many thanks to the
brothers have who traveled to
South Texas to share the Word.
Bro. Barry Dietz (Sis. Rachel,
Bradford IL) and Retired Minister
Bro. Kenny Dietz (Sis. Mardell,
Bradford, IL) spent a weekend with
us. Bro. Wayne Fehr (Sis. Kathy,
West Bend IA) retired elder, has
arrived for the winter. Bro. Wayne
has been serving on the pulpit
when we have no visiting minister.
Our thoughts and prayers go
to Bro. Tom Schrenk (Sis. Joann,
Alto, MI) who usually spends the
winters with us where Bro. Tom
serves on the pulpit. He has not
been able to travel this year due to
medical reasons.
If anyone is coming to South
Texas, please call and make plans
to spend some time with us.
Vermont, Clarendon
Nathan and Miriam Reutter
Writer’s block is a serious
problem when a deadline is
looming. The mental hesitation is
paralyzing. The same can be said
for the hesitation of the will and
spirit. When there is a blockage of
sin in a life, the spirit shrinks and
the will recedes and a godliness
block emerges. Then the deadline
begins to appear: judgment day is
coming. Oh what fear! But, then
what refreshing when the wall of
fear creating the blockage can be
broken and spirit is once again
free. The will becomes activated.
Interest in God returns, and peace
as a river flows through the soul.
We have no visiting ministers
to report this month, but the
Word of God was preached and
we were refreshed. We are grateful
for those who have come at other
times. But, we are especially
thankful for Bro. Mark Hoffman,
our home minister. Time and
again he faithfully preaches the
Word of God.
Seven Laws of Dying to Self
1. When you are forgotten, or neglected, or purposely
despise, and you don’t sting and hurt with the insult
or the oversight but your heart is happy being counted
worthy to suffer for Christ.
That is dying to self.
2. When your good is evil spoken of, when your wishes
are crossed, your advice disregarded, your opinions
ridiculed, and you refuse to let anger rise in your heart or
even defend yourself, but take it all in loving silence.
3. When you lovingly and patiently bear any disorder,
any irregularity, any unpunctuality, or any annoyance;
when you stand face to face with waste, folly,
extravagance, spiritual insensibility… and endure it all as
Jesus endured it.
4. When you are content with any food, any offering, any
raiment, any climate, any society, any solitude, and any
interruption by the will of God.
5. When you never care to refer to yourself in conversation,
or to record your own good works, or itch after
commendation, when you can truly love to be unknown.
6. When you can see your brother prosper and have his
needs met, and can honestly rejoice with him in spirit and
feel no envy nor question God, while your own needs are
far greater and in desperate circumstances.
7. When you can receive correction and reproof from
someone of less stature than yourself, and can humbly
submit inwardly as well as outwardly, finding no rebellion
or resentment rising up within your heart.
Psalm 116:15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the
death of his saints.
February 2016
SILVER LINING
49
The News & Notices section of The Silver Lining provides a way for qualifying non-profit entities to make the brotherhood aware of church-related events,
opportunities, needs, and services that would be of special interest to Apostolic Christian Church of America members and regular attendees. Email us at
[email protected] for a copy of our advertising policy, which specifies who may advertise, sizes, file formats and deadlines.
Congregation
Updates
News
& Notices
LISTEN TO SERMONS
from over 30 Apostolic Christian congregations (and counting)
on your smartphone, tablet or computer
on the new
sermon system
CENTRAL
also includes current and past issues of The Silver Lining
On your mobile device
• Download AC Central app from
Google Play or Apple’s App store
On your computer
• Go to accentral.apostolicchristian.org or
visit a specific congregation’s website
If your church is considering making its sermons available online through AC Central,
visit apostolicchristian.org/sermons to learn more or sign up.
I Have Chosen You
“Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his
lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of
my Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have
chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and
that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in
my name, he may give it you. These things I command you, that ye love one
another.” John 15:15-17
50
50
Alternate Houseparent Couple Needed - Gateway Woods
Houseparenting at Gateway Woods offers an
opportunity for a couple, directed of the Lord, to
come to work in a full-time on going ministry at
Gateway Woods. Due to a change in staff, we have
a need for an Alternate Houseparent couple. This
position offers competitive wages and generous
benefits and a close relationship with brothers and
sisters whose hearts and lives are dedicated to a
common mission with an eternal reward. If you
feel the call to explore this possibility, please call
one of the brothers listed below.
“…there is absolutely a richness in serving as a
family. We have been amazed in seeing how God’s
Word holds true in any situation.”
-Jon & Beth Ringger
Clint Plattner
Residential Program Manager
PO Box 125,
Leo, IN 46765
888.443.4283
[email protected]
Lynn Stieglitz
Counseling Elder
15417 Doty Rd.
New Haven, IN 46774
260.466.6712
[email protected]
Summer Internships Available – Home for the Handicapped
The Home for the Handicapped is once again offering a summer internship program for college age
students interested in pursuing a number of various careers. Possible areas of interest include social
work, accounting, nursing, activities, maintenance management, and human resources. This would be a
tremendous opportunity to learn more about the vision and mission of ACHH, be used in God’s service,
and gain unique experience to aid in your future career. The program is flexible, so whether you are
interested in investing two weeks, two months, or anything in between, we would love to hear from you.
Accommodations and lodging may be available. If you have an interest, please contact:
Jeremiah Psinas
Human Resource Manager
2125 Veterans Rd.
Morton, IL 61550
309-266-9781
[email protected]
February 2016
SILVER LINING
51
Education Intern Needed - Gateway Woods
Gateway Woods is in need of a Education Intern for the summer. The Education Intern position
offers the opportunity to grow deep relationships with Gateway Woods Staff, as well as the chance
to grow as a teacher and spend a significant amount of one-on-one time with residents. If you feel
the call to explore the possibilities and to have a positive impact in the lives of residents this summer,
please call one of the brothers listed below:
Adam McAfeeLynn Stieglitz
Director of Education
Counseling Elder
PO Box 125,
15417 Doty Rd.
Leo, IN 46765New Haven, IN 46774
888.443.4283260.466.6712
[email protected]
[email protected]
Summer Volunteer Coordinator Needed - Gateway Woods
Gateway Woods is currently searching for a Summer Volunteer Coordinator. The Summer Volunteer
Coordinator position offers the opportunity to grow deep relationships with fellow volunteers as well
as Gateway Woods Staff and residents. If you feel the call to explore the possibilities, please call one
of the brothers listed below:
Clint PlattnerLynn Stieglitz
Residential Program Manager
Counseling Elder
PO Box 125,
15417 Doty Rd.
888.443.4283260.466.6712
[email protected] [email protected]
Used Bible, Bible Story Book, and Song Book Distribution
Used Bibles, Bible Story Books, Hymns of Zion, Zion’s Harp, Gospel Hymns, and Tabernacle
Hymns are needed. AC Publications is now the collection center for your donated books.
651 E. Peoria St, Goodfield, IL 61742
52
February 2016
SILVER LINING
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Top Quality Coordinator Needed - Gateway Woods
Gateway Woods is in need of a Top Quality Coordinator for the summer. The Top Quality
Coordinator position offers the opportunity to grow deep relationships with Gateway Woods Staff
and summer volunteers, as well as the chance to spend a significant amount of one-on-one time with
residents. If you feel the call to explore the possibilities and to have play a role in a group of residents
lives this summer, please call one of the brothers listed below:
Adam McAfeeLynn Stieglitz
Director of Education
Counseling Elder
PO Box 125,
15417 Doty Rd.
888.443.4283260.466.6712
[email protected]@gmail.com
Renters still needed for St. Louis Home near Church
Within the St. Louis congregation, they are still praying that God will lead a family, couple or single(s)
to relocate to the area and become part of their church family. A newly renovated, 3-bedroom home,
that is located across the parking lot from the church, is available to rent immediately.
Expressing Interest
Anyone who is interested is encouraged to contact Ministering Bro. Loren Schrenk at 314.994.1944
or [email protected].
Interested parties should have a:
1. servant heart - willingness to serve and support a smaller Apostolic Christian Church,
2. integrity - demonstrate high spiritual standards and be a committed Christ-follower,
3. willingness to support local church efforts (understand the current outreach efforts within the
church and work with established brethren),
4. receive support from your local elder. If you e-mail, please include your name, contact
information and a brief description of why you are interested (and feel that God is calling
you to the area).
Light from the Word
Now available by downloadable PDF from the Apostolic Christian Publication website: www.acpublications.org
After entering the website, click on the item located at the left hand frame entitled, “Light from the Word
Reprints”. The entire set of editorials are available in a complete download (June 1987 to current).
February 2016
SILVER LINING
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Support the A.C. Home for the Handicapped
An evening where you can sit back
and enjoy the Musical Talent of the
*Schrenk Sisters*
*Heritage Gospel Quartet*
*Illinois High School Choir*
Saturday, April 30, 2016 @ Five Points, Washington, IL
6:00pm - 8:30pm
Can’t Attend? Join us Live Streaming on the Internet @ www.midwestgospelsing.org
*Free will offering - No ticket needed*
worship / testimony / congregational singing / fellowship
54
Tennessee Fellowship Weekend Planned May 28-29, 2016
The Athens, Alabama church invites all to come and join them for the 2016 Tennessee Fellowship
Weekend on May 28-29. Throughout the weekend, the theme will be centered on relationships — our
personal relationship with Jesus and our relationships within our families, with brothers and sisters in
our churches, our workplaces and communities. Ultimately, we want our relationships to reflect the
love of Jesus and share His gospel message so that all may come to know him personally.
New this year – On Saturday morning, we will be coordinating a work project locally for anyone
who is interested and would like to come early. More details will be forthcoming.
Beginning at 2 p.m., an auction will again be held at the Tennessee Fellowship Area followed by
time to fellowship and eat supper. For the auction, donated items will be greatly appreciated. In the
evening, enjoy congregational and special group singing and a speaker.
On Sunday, worship with the Athens church beginning at 10 a.m. Afternoon activities resume at
the Fellowship area at 3:30 p.m. and include singing, fellowship and a second speaker.
We hope you will plan to attend this uplifting weekend filled with spiritual insights, fellowship and
singing to glorify God. Reservations for overnight accommodations can be made at the hotels listed
below. Additionally, there are electric and water hookups for campers at the Fellowship area. Contact
Sis. Lisa Aschliman as listed below for more information.
Choirs, Quartets and Ensembles – If any of you are interested in attending the 2016 weekend,
please contact Bro. Phil Witzig as listed below.
For questions, please contact any of the coordinators below. Also, please RSVP to any of the
following names before Friday, May 6:
Bro. Bruce or Sis. Lisa Aschliman – (260)824-5160 or [email protected]
Bro. Phil or Cindy Witzig - 309.263.0152 or [email protected]
Bro. Mark or Sis. Rebekah Klaus - 256.777.7777 or [email protected]
Bro. Daron or Sis. Monica Price – 256.445.2853 or [email protected]
Bro. Matthew or Sis. Kristy Moore - [email protected]
Sis. Gwen Leuthold - 615.969.0958 or [email protected]
Bro. Tom or Sis. Sue Waldbeser - 770.463.4788 or [email protected]
Tennessee Fellowship Area Hotels: Motel 6 (931)363-4501
Athens, Alabama Area Hotels
Best Western (256)233-4030 Travel Inn (256)232-2704
Fairfield Inn (256)233-4530
Days Inn (800)329-7466 or (256)233-7500 Quality Inn (800)424-6423 or (256)232-0030 Hampton Inn (256)232-2377
Sleep Inn (256)232-4700 Super 8 (256)233-1446
Holiday Inn Express (800)465-4329 or (256)232-7931
February 2016
SILVER LINING
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Communications Coordinator Needed - Gateway Woods
Gateway Woods is seeking a brother or sister desiring to serve as the Communications Coordinator. This
position is open to full-time applicants and offers the opportunity to use one’s creativity, organization
and communications skills to further the ministry. If you are organized and able to meet deadlines, have
strong communication skills, and are a motivated self-starter, please contact one of the brothers listed
below for more information and a job description.
Chad Kaeb
Development Director
PO Box 151, Leo, IN 46765
888.443.4283
[email protected]
Lynn Stieglitz
Counseling Elder
15417 Doty Rd., New Haven, IN 46774
Cell: 260.466.6712
[email protected]
Assistant Houseparent Needed - Gateway Woods
Gateway Woods currently has an opening for a single sister to work in a full-time ministry with troubled
children. The Assistant Houseparent position offers competitive wages and generous benefits and a close
relationship with brothers and sisters whose hearts and lives are dedicated to a mission with an eternal
reward. If you feel the call to explore the possibilities, please call one of the brothers listed below:
Ed GrafLynn Stieglitz
Executive DirectorCounseling Elder
PO Box 151
15417 Doty Rd.
Leo, IN 46765
New Haven, IN 46774
888.443.4283Cell: 260.466.6712
[email protected]@gmail.com
515 E. Highland Street, Morton, IL 61550 Tel: (309) 263-5536 Fax: (309) 263-6841 www.accounseling.org
ACCFS has numerous resources to assist someone who is going through a wide range of hurts and
emotions, from the pain of loss to worry, loneliness, anger, stress, and others. Each resource, either created
by or reviewed by ACCFS staff, is meant to assist in identifying the challenges of these powerful emotions
and in bringing our actions into obedience to God’s Word. For these resources, please visit our website at
www.accounseling.org/hurtsandemotions.
56
House Parenting Opportunity at CVE in Mexico
CVE endeavors to provide Life and Hope to emotionally wounded Mexican
children within the context of a Christ-centered family campus environment.
The ministry presently is seeking married couples or
singles who are willing to answer the call and share their
God-given spiritual gifts in the harvest as houseparents.
Houseparents have the
opportunity to live with the
children, share the gospel through
daily nurturing, and endeavor to
help break cycles of abuse or neglect
from which many have come.
As one houseparent was quoted
“To see the miracle that the Lord
has done and is doing in the lives
of hurting children has been one of
the greatest blessings of our lives.
It’s the fulfillment of our purpose
here on earth, to be the hands
and feet of Jesus to those that
desperately need Him.”
The CVE campus is located on
the edge of Magdalena, MX and offers
a secured 50-acre ranch inclusive of
seven homes, a school, a church, and
an active agricultural operation.
Historically, many of the
houseparents have been younger, but more experienced
couples are also encouraged to seek direction to join
the CVE ministry. Experienced parents often bring
stability and a seasoned perspective.
While knowing the Spanish
language would be very valuable, it
is not essential. The most important
is having a desire to learn, both the
language and the culture of the
people we serve. Language training
is provided.
Please pray for CVE, their
ministry to the children, and the
community of Magdalena. Pray
that God will raise up brothers and
sisters to serve.
If you have questions or interest
please contact: Bill Schick at:
[email protected]
or Kirk Plattner at:
[email protected]
Bible Distribution: Sharing His Word in Love
Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people. Psalm 96:3
Together we can provide Bibles for seeking people. This may be someone you attend school with,
someone you work with, or someone God has shown you at a gas station. Bibles and approved Bible
story Books are available. Carrying a New Testament to distribute can help you remember what our
real task is. To order, contact: Apostolic Christian Church Bible Distribution
651 E. Peoria Street, Goodfield, IL 61742
Phone: 309-965-2141 [email protected]
February 2016
SILVER LINING
57
Mexico Work Teams
Location
Magdalena
Construction
Year 2015
Nov 21 - 28
Location
Location
Magdalena
Magdalena
Construction
Construction
Year 2015
Year21
2016
Nov
- 28
Jan 9 - 16
Location
Magdalena
Magdalena
Construction
Construction
Year 2016
13
20
Feb9 6
- -13
Jan
- 16
Magdalena
Magdalena
Construction
Construction
Feb
- -13
Mar65
Feb
13
-12
20
Magdalena
Magdalena
Construction
Magdalena
Construction
Feb
Mar13
5 -- 20
12
Mar 19 - 26
Magdalena
Construction
Magdalena
Reynosa
Construction
Construction
Mar 5 - 12
Magdalena
Construction
Reynosa
Magdalena
Construction
Construction
Mar 19 - 26
Reynosa
Construction
Magdalena
Magdalena
Construction
Construction
Mar 19 - 26
Magdalena
Construction
Magdalena
Reynosa
Construction
Construction
Magdalena
Construction
Reynosa
Magdalena
Construction
Construction
Reynosa
Construction
Mar 26 - Apr 2
Magdalena
Magdalena
Construction
Construction
Magdalena
Construction
Magdalena
Scheduling Questions?
Construction
Magdalena
Construction
Coordinator
Coordinator
Rod
Schmidt
Bruce
Frank
303-718-1432
217-375-4346
[email protected]
[email protected]
Coordinator
Coordinator
Rod
Schmidt
Troy
BruceLanz
Frank
303-718-1432
217-202-5959
217-375-4346
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Coordinator
JonFrank
Baner
Troy
Lanz
Bruce
309-532-9435
217-202-5959
217-375-4346
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Mexico Work Teams
Year 2015
Year
Nov
212016
- 28
Feb
13
Jan 96 -- 16
Magdalena
Magdalena
Construction
Construction
Magdalena
Construction
Coordinator
Rod Schmidt
Updated 10/07/15
303-718-1432
Mexico Work Teams
[email protected]
Location
Location
Magdalena
Magdalena
Construction
Construction
Construction
Updated 10/07/15
Mar 19 - 26
Mar 19 - 26
Mar 19 - 26
Mar 26 - Apr 2
Mar 26 - Apr 2
Apr 2 - 9
Apr 2 - 9
June 4 - 11
Apr 2 - 9
June 4 - 11
Jun 11 - 18
June 4 - 11
Jun 11 - 18
Jul 2 - 9
Jun 11 - 18
Jul 2 - 9
Jul 9 - 16
Jul 2 - 9
Jul 9 - 16
Jul 9 - 16
Troy
Lanz
Gabe
Meiss
Jon
Baner
217-202-5959
ISU
309-532-9435
[email protected]
309-222-7819
[email protected]
[email protected]
JonGabe
Baner
Meiss
309-532-9435
Dean Sinn
ISU
[email protected]
Silverton
Bible Class
309-222-7819
503-873-4622
[email protected]
Gabe
Meiss
[email protected]
ISUDean Sinn
309-222-7819
Linc Rinkenberger
Silverton
Bible Class
[email protected]
Bluffton/BN Senior Class
503-873-4622
[email protected]
[email protected]
Dean Sinn
260-273-3566
Silverton Bible Class
Linc Rinkenberger
503-873-4622
Greg Moser Senior Class
Bluffton/BN
[email protected]
Roanoke Jr/Sr Sunday School
[email protected]
309-923-5791
260-273-3566
Linc
Rinkenberger
[email protected]
Bluffton/BN
Senior Class
Greg Moser
[email protected]
Joe Beer Jr/Sr Sunday School
Roanoke
260-273-3566
Leo Bible Class
309-923-5791
[email protected]
[email protected]
Greg
Moser
260-466-5461
Roanoke
Jr/Sr Sunday School
Joe Beer
309-923-5791
ChadBible
Massner
Leo
Class
[email protected]
Taylor Bible Class
[email protected]
[email protected]
Joe260-466-5461
Beer
Leo217-440-9427
Bible Class
[email protected]
Chad Massner
260-466-5461
Jeff Stoller
Taylor
Bible Class
Morton Bible Class
[email protected]
Chad
Massner
309-202-6468
217-440-9427
Taylor
Bible Class
[email protected]
[email protected]
Jeff Stoller
217-440-9427
Jim Rieker
Morton
Bible Class
Peoria Bible Class
309-202-6468
[email protected]
Stoller
309-231-7400
Morton
Bible Class
[email protected]
309-202-6468
Jim Rieker
[email protected]
Benj Knapp
Peoria
Bible Class
Washington
Bible Class
309-231-7400
Jim Rieker
[email protected]
[email protected]
Peoria Bible Class
309-208-7450
309-231-7400
Benj Knapp
[email protected]
Contact MikeBible
Fiechter
Washington
Class
[email protected]
[email protected]
Benj
Knapp
260-597-7330
309-208-7450
Washington Bible Class
[email protected]
Contact Mike Fiechter
309-208-7450
[email protected]
260-597-7330
Contact
Mike Fiechter
[email protected]
260-597-7330
Haiti Medical Work Teams
Project
Year 2016
Coordinator
Capacity
Bonne Finn, Haiti
Jan 9 - 16
Lydia Bertschi
8
Hospital Lumiere
Inventory Team
309-253-0402
Haiti Medical Work Teams
[email protected]
Project
Year 2016
Coordinator
Capacity
Bonne Finn, Haiti
Jan
Feb 9
13- -16
20
Lydia Bertschi
8
Hospital Lumiere
309-253-0402
Inventory
Team
General Medical
[email protected]
Bonne Finn, Haiti
Feb
Mar 13
12 -- 20
19
Lydia Bertschi
Hospital Lumiere
309-253-0402
General
Medical
Eye Specialty
[email protected]
Bonne Finn, Haiti
Mar
Apr 912- -1619
Lydia Bertschi
Hospital Lumiere
309-253-0402
Eye
Specialty
Dental
Team
[email protected]
Bonne Finn, Haiti
Apr
May 97 -- 16
14
Lydia Bertschi
Hospital Lumiere
309-253-0402
Dental
Cancer Team
Screening
[email protected]
Bonne Finn, Haiti
May
7 --14
Jun 11
18
Lydia Bertschi
Hospital Lumiere
309-253-0402
Cancer
Screening
Inventory
Team
[email protected]
Bonne Finn, Haiti
Jun
- 18
Jul 911
- 16
Lydia Bertschi
Hospital Lumiere
309-253-0402
Inventory
Team
General Medical
[email protected]
Bonne Finn, Haiti
Jul
- 16
Aug913
- 20
Lydia Bertschi
Hospital Lumiere
309-253-0402
General
Medical
Well Child
Visits
[email protected]
Bonne Finn, Haiti
Aug
13 - 17
20
Sep 10
Lydia Bertschi
Hospital Lumiere
309-253-0402
Well
Child
Visits
Cancer
Screening
[email protected]
Bonne Finn, Haiti
Sep
- 17
Oct 810- 15
Lydia Bertschi
Hospital Lumiere
309-253-0402
Cancer
Screening
Dental Team
[email protected]
Bonne Finn, Haiti
Oct
- 15
Nov 812
- 19
Lydia Bertschi
Hospital Lumiere
309-253-0402
Dental
NursingTeam
Proficiencies
[email protected]
Bonne Finn, Haiti
Nov
12 - 17
19
Dec 10
Lydia Bertschi
Hospital Lumiere
309-253-0402
Nursing
Proficiencies
Inventory
Team
[email protected]
Bonne Finn, Haiti
Dec 10 - 17
Lydia Bertschi
Hospital Lumiere
309-253-0402
Inventory Team
[email protected]
HarvestCall Work Team
Information
We encourage anyone considering participating on a
work team project to visit the HarvestCall website.
Here you can review much content concerning
upcoming projects, schedules, guidelines, waiver
forms, travel and insurance information. For more
information visit www.harvestcall.org/work-teams
58
8
8
8
8
8
Agricultural
Les Cayes
MEBSH/Ohio
Les Cayes
Construction
MEBSH
Haiti Support
Les Cayes
AWA
Les Cayes
Water Aid
MEBSH/Bluffton
Construction
Les Cayes
MEBSH/Silverton
Construction
Project
Project
Jan 2‐9
Nov 18 ‐ 23
Jan 8 ‐ 15
Dec 4 ‐ 11
Jan 29‐Feb 5
[email protected]
Ron Palitto
12
330‐336‐5373
Jon Zeller
ACWR‐CC
[email protected]
309‐266‐9009
[email protected]
Maurice Schaefer
4
309‐253‐9003
Lane Gerber
12
[email protected]
260‐241‐4099
[email protected]
Richard Kraft
12
503‐364‐3103
[email protected]
Coordinator
Capacity
Coordinator
Capacity
Haiti Work Teams ‐ Les Cayes
Les Cayes
Les Cayes
SEED
MEBSH/Ohio
AWA
Agricultural
Construction
Water Aid
Year 2016
Year 2015
Feb 12‐19
Jan 2‐9
Nov 13 ‐ 20
Larry Kaufmann
Ron Palitto
Maurice Schaefer
815‐716‐6018
330‐336‐5373
309‐253‐9003
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
124
Feb 26 ‐ Mar 4
Les Cayes
Jan 8 ‐ 15
Les Cayes
Nov 13 ‐ 20
MEBSH/Roanoke
AWA
Haiti Trade Schools
Construction
Water Aid
Vocational School
Rich Bertschi
Maurice Schaefer
Andy Getz
309‐467‐2351
309‐253‐9003
574-870-5046
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
12
44
March 4 ‐ 11
Les Cayes
Jan 29‐Feb 5
Les Cayes
Nov 13 ‐ 21
Haiti Trade Schools
MEBSH/Silverton
SEED
Vocational School
Construction
Agricultural
Andy
Getz
Richard Kraft
Art Mueller
574-870-5046
503‐364‐3103
608‐676‐4365
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
48
12
Les Cayes
Les Cayes
AWA
SEED
MEBSH
Water Aid
Agricultural
Haiti Support
March 4 ‐ 11
Feb 12‐19
Nov 18 ‐ 23
Maurice Schaefer
Larry Kaufmann
Jon Zeller
309‐253‐9003
815‐716‐6018
309‐266‐9009
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Les Cayes
Les Cayes
MEBSH/Peoria
MEBSH/Roanoke
MEBSH/Bluffton
Construction
Construction
April 1 ‐ 8
Steve Leuthold
Feb 26 ‐ Mar 4
Rich Bertschi
Dec 4 ‐ 11
Lane Gerber
309‐645‐2208
309‐467‐2351
260‐241‐4099
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Apr 13 ‐ 18
Les Cayes
March 4 ‐ 11
Project
Year 2016
MEBSH
Haiti Trade Schools
Haiti Support
Vocational School
Les Cayes
Jan 2‐9
MEBSH/Ohio
April 19 ‐ 26
Les Cayes
March 4 ‐ 11
Construction
MEBSH
AWA
Maintenance
Water Aid
Les Cayes
Jan 8 ‐ 15
AWA
Les Cayes
Water Aid
MEBSH/Peoria
Project
JDV
Construction
Les Cayes
Jon Zeller
Andy
Getz
Coordinator
309‐266‐9009
574-870-5046
[email protected]
[email protected]
Ron Palitto
330‐336‐5373
Jon Zeller
Maurice Schaefer
[email protected]
309‐266‐9009
309‐253‐9003
[email protected]
[email protected]
Maurice Schaefer
309‐253‐9003
April 1 ‐ 8
JamaicaSteve Leuthold
Work Teams
[email protected]
309‐645‐2208
Year 2016
Coordinator
Jun 10-18
Mark Lindberg
Jan 29‐Feb 5 [email protected]
Richard Kraft
Year 2016 815-641-9065
Coordinator
MEBSH/Silverton
503‐364‐3103
Dumay
Jan 12-19 [email protected]
Neil Bahler
Les Cayes
Apr 13 ‐ 18
Jon Zeller
Construction
[email protected]
Lifeline
1-815-848-3861
MEBSH
309‐266‐9009
Kingston
Jun 18-25
Rick
Plummer
Construction/Concrete
[email protected]
CCCD
Haiti Support
419-399-4226
[email protected]
Les Cayes
Feb 12‐19
Larry Kaufmann
Dumay
Jan 19-26 [email protected]
Darren Fehr
SEED
815‐716‐6018
Lifeline
1-815-674-9363
Les Cayes
April 19 ‐ 26 Jon Zeller
IfAgricultural
you are interested in sponsoring a [email protected]
work team to Jamaica
[email protected]
MEBSH
309‐266‐9009
contact
Loren Dettwyler at [email protected]
Maintenance
Les Cayes
Feb 26 ‐ Mar 4
Rich Bertschi
Dumay
Jan26-Feb [email protected]
Paul Zimmerman
Haiti Lifeline
Work Teams
1-815-848-2173
309‐467‐2351
Lifeline
MEBSH/Roanoke
Construction
Project
Year 2016
Feb 12-19
2-9
Dumay
Jan
Les Cayes
March 4 ‐ 11
Lifeline
Haiti Trade Schools
Construction
Vocational School
Feb 19-26
9-16
Dumay
Jan
Lifeline
Les Cayes
March 4 ‐ 11
Construction
AWA
Water Aid
Dumay
MEBSH/Peoria
Dumay
Construction
[email protected]
[email protected]
Coordinator
Reuben
Stork
Neil
Bahler
Andy Getz
1-217-898-3436
1-815-848-3861
574-870-5046
[email protected]
[email protected]
12
12
4
4
12
Capacity
40
12
Capacity
12
ACWR‐CC
Latty
Mansfield
12
SS 12
12
1212
Capacity
12
4
Medical Teams: Physicians, surgeons,
anesthesiologists, pharmacists, laboratory techs,
radiology techs, ultrasound techs, occupational and
physical therapists, nurses and other specialists who are
willing to assist with general medical and surgical care
are invited to participate on weeklong medical teams.
See the current schedule (including dates for 2016).
Construction Teams: Electricians, cabinet
makers, plumbers and carpenters are needed to
continue the renovations. The work is great. This
is an excellent opportunity to help in the work and
become more familiar with the culture and Hospital
Lumiere campus. See the current schedule.
Church Ministers: The work at Hospital Lumiere
is more than material and the needs are more than
physical. The Hospital staff and the team workers
understand the true objective is that all may come
to know and glorify God through a born again
life, a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and
living in obedience to the Bible. Apostolic Christian
Church ministers are needed to assist in this role as
they accompany medical and construction teams to
Hospital Lumiere. Team ministers coordinate daily
devotions and provide spiritual support for the team
members, hospital staff, patients and their families.
For more information contact
Rich Bertschi at 309-467-2351 or
[email protected]
[email protected]
Matt Kinsinger
Darren
Fehr
1-847-774-4015
1-815-674-9363
Maurice Schaefer
[email protected]
[email protected]
309‐253‐9003
[email protected]
Jan26-Feb 2 Paul Zimmerman
Lifeline
Les Cayes
April 1 ‐ 8
12
12
ACWR‐CC
4
Capacity
Haiti Lifeline Work Teams
CCCD
Project
4
12
ACWR‐CC
Haiti Volunteers Are Needed
12
4
12
Haiti Awareness Tours
1-815-848-2173
Steve Leuthold
[email protected]
12
309‐645‐2208
Reuben Stork
[email protected]
Feb 2-9
12
If you’d like to see
the ministry of Hospital Lumière
and other Haiti projects in person, but do not have
Lifeline
1-217-898-3436
Construction
[email protected]
the
time or desire
to participate
in a week-longACWR‐CC
work team, please consider our new Awareness Tours.
Les Cayes
Apr 13 ‐ 18
Jon Zeller
MEBSH
309‐266‐9009
These
giveKinsinger
interested parties12 the opportunity to meet our missionary families, learn
Dumay are quick trips
Feb 9-16that Matt
Haiti Support
[email protected]
Lifeline
1-847-774-4015
more
about
the
hospital,
see
the
completed renovations and work in process, and visit some of the other
Construction
[email protected]
Les Cayes
April 19 ‐ 26
Jon Zeller
12 are scheduled, as needed, based upon demand, currently
HarvestCall
projects in southern
Haiti. These trips
MEBSH
309‐266‐9009
the
next two are scheduled
for Mar. 4-9, and Sept. 24-28, 2016.
Maintenance
[email protected]
To learn more, contact: Rich Bertschi at 309.467.2351 or [email protected]
or Rick Wuethrich at 219.863.4163 or [email protected]
February 2016
SILVER LINING
59
Christian Guesthouse and Worship Services in Rochester, MN
Accommodations for Mayo Clinic outpatients and families:
Three bedrooms with private baths, laundry, kitchen and family room area.
Sunday Service:
Mid-week Service:
(by request only)
10:00 AM and 12:30 PM
For information and reservations, contact caretakers:
Bro. Mark and Sis. Sandy Stork
4733 Birdie Lane NW, Rochester, MN 55901
(507) 288-0072
(held on 3rd Wednesday in Rochester area)
For information, contact:
Bro. Jim and Sis. Deb Tilbury
(507) 281-2875
For church services schedule please visit
www.acmission.org/minister-rotation
Mature Mentors Needed – The New Beginnings of Southwest Florida
Mentoring at The New Beginnings is a way for those who feel called to share God’s unconditional love
with hurting single mothers and their children. The New Beginnings is looking for mentor couples who
are outreach-minded and called by God to come join us in building relationships with these mothers.
We currently are looking for a couple who are in their 50’s or 60’s to serve with us in Florida. We see a
massive benefit to having mentors of all ages support the moms in our program, especially those who can
fill a “Grandma and Grandpa” roll to these women who’ve never had grandparents.
Please prayerfully consider this mission and helping single mothers.
Contact us for more information concerning this opportunity.
The New Beginnings
4810 Marine Dr., Cape Coral FL, 33904
Phone: 239.541.4312 | Email: [email protected]
Interested in receiving a printed sermon?
To order, contact: Printed Sermons
P.O. Box 154, Forrest, IL 61741
(815) 848-5113 • [email protected]
60
Bible Studies offered by the Apostolic Christian Church
Jesus the True Vine
[1501] This Bible Study
focuses on John 15:1-8
and is intended for a
general audience.
Price: $4.50
Communication in
Marriage [1502]
This is a Bible Study that
is designed specifically for
use by engaged or married
couples. Price: $4.50
Who Is Jesus [1503]
This Bible Study is for
general use and is designed
to encourage self-study by
each participant as well as
discussion within a group.
Price: $4.50
The Second Greatest
Commandment [1504]
This Bible study seeks to
illuminate our understanding
of Bible teachings about
interpersonal relationships.
Price: $4.50
The Hand of God in
the Life of Joseph [1505]
We see the hand of God in the life
of Joseph, which demonstrates
how God’s goodness is active in
the lives of his people.
Price: $4.50
Salvation Bible Study
[1510] This Bible study on
Salvation is interactive with
the Word of God. You will
be looking up the answers in
His Word to see what He says.
Price: $4.50
NEW
BIBLE STUDY
AVAILABLE
Church Establishment
[1507] This Bible study explores the
purpose and mission of establishing churches
within the biblical mandates of the Great
Commission as given by Christ. Price: $4.50
For additional information and ordering visit www.acpublications.org
Apostolic Christian Publications - 651 East Peoria St., Goodﬁeld, IL 61742
Patient Care Manager Needed at Hospital Lumiere
ospital Lumiere is seeking
a qualified person to be
assigned as Patient Care Manager
of the hospital in Bonne Fin, Haiti.
This is full-time position.
H
management capability, be able
to learn the Creole language, be a
member of the Apostolic Christian
Church and be willing to relocate
to Haiti for a term of up to 5 years.
Description
The duties of Patient Care Manager
include planning, supervising
& training employees and
coordinating & implementing
programs of nursing care for all
hospital patients.
For more information contact:
Robert Beebe
Executive Director
[email protected]
574-276-6748
Requirements
Applicants should hold an RN
degree and have at least 3 years
of nursing experience, some
www.harvestcall.org
February 2016
SILVER LINING
61
Medical Director Needed at Hospital Lumiere
If you are a licensed physician
with a God-inspired desire
to provide medical care and
leadership in an under-served
part of Haiti, this may be the
opportunity of a lifetime.
The Need
A licensed physician is needed to
replace our Medical Director, Dr.
Lee Klopfenstein, when his term is
completed in 2016.
To fill this full-time position, one
must have a U.S. medical license,
be Board-Certified in some aspect
of medicine or surgery, be a Believer
in Jesus Christ, have experience
a team of excellent Haitian physicians and surgeons, and oversight of
the nursing, laboratory, radiology
and pharmacy departments of this
120-bed full-service hospital and
out-patient facility.
Robert Beebe
Executive Director
[email protected]
574-276-6748
in leadership and management,
be capable of learning the Creole
language, and be willing to reside
with your family on the Hospital
Lumiere campus for up to five
years. The position involves leading
www.harvestcall.org
Surgeon and Medical Physician Needed at Hospital Lumiere
Hospital Lumiere in Bonne
Fin, Haiti, a medical ministry
operated by HarvestCall, is
seeking the following:
Surgeon
A surgeon is needed immediately to
provide professional and Christian
oversight and management of the
Surgery Department of Hospital
Lumiere, and actively be involved
in surgical cases in their specialty.
The surgeon can be boarded in
general, urologic, orthopedic or
other surgical field.
Medical Physician
A medical physician with family
practice, pediatrics, emergency,
or other medical subspecialty
experience is needed immediately
62
Both of these positions are fulltime, but can be adapted to
accommodate a physician who is
willing to reside on the campus
part-time or for several weeks at
a time.
Please prayerfully consider whether
God is calling you to serve in Haiti.
to enhance the diagnostic and
treatment capability of our Medical
Department, provide education
and mentoring of our Haitian
medical providers, encourage
patient-focused care and maintain
our mission of quality care with
Christian love.
Robert Beebe
Executive Director
[email protected]
574-276-6748
www.harvestcall.org
Openings at Cite Lumiere, Les Cayes, Haiti
Mechanic, Construction Department Assistant
The HarvestCall Caribbean Committee is seeking to fill several missionary positions based at the Cite Lumiere
compound in Les Cayes, Haiti. The specific job description may vary depending on the applicant’s interests and
skills. Help is specifically needed in the following areas:
Equipment mechanic
An equipment mechanic is needed
in the Construction Department
in Haiti to maintain the vehicles,
generators, and construction equipment at Cite Lumiere and Bonne
Finn, Haiti and order, purchase,
and maintain inventory of parts to
support the HarvestCall programs in
southern Haiti. This position would also involve training and mentoring
a Haitian assistant to provide future mechanical maintenance. The equipment mechanic would reside in the Cite Lumiere compound in Les Cayes
and report to the Construction Operations Facilitator. The applicant
should be experienced in mechanical maintenance.
Construction Dept. Assistant
An assistant is needed in the Construction Department at Cite Lumiere as the work has expanded for the
program and related ministries. This
applicant could be a single brother
or couple. Skills that would be valuable in the ministry include:
• Carpentry
• Mechanical experience
• Basic computer knowledge
• Ability to work with all types of people and personalities
All applicants must be a member
in good standing of the Apostolic
Christian Church, willing to learn
Creole and relocate to Haiti for a
minimum of 3 years, and have a
heart to serve the Haitian people.
If you feel led to serve or
have questions, contact:
Bro. Jon Zeller
309-208-0639
[email protected]
www.harvestcall.org
Morning Prayer
Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning;
for in thee do I trust:
cause me to know the way wherein I should walk;
for I lift up my soul unto thee.
Psalm 143:8
February 2016
SILVER LINING
63
SPONSORSHIP: Giving Children Hope for the Future
Those in the child sponsorship program have several things in common.
They are very poor, they desire to learn, and they have an undying soul.
The goal of this program is to provide an education so these children can
learn life skills to enable them to become more productive adults. In addition,
its purpose is to present a spiritual opportunity to be exposed to the gospel
message and eventually be called to serve our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of
thy children.
Isaiah 54:13
To Sponsor a Child or School
Fill out this form and send to the office. You'll be assigned a student or school and sent further information.
Learn more about child sponsorship, including costs, at: harvestcall.org/child-sponsorship
Name _________________________
q Mr. q Mrs. q Miss
Spouse ________________________
Address _______________________
City ____________St ___ Zip _____
Home Ph ______________________
Cell Ph ________________________
Email _________________________
64
Please check preference:
q Haiti Student q Jamaica
q Haiti School q Guatemala
q Mexico
q Zambia
q Wherever needed
If possible, I prefer:
q Boy – Age
q Girl – Age
q No Preference
Send to:
HarvestCall Child Sponsorship
PO Box 36
Morton, IL 61550
Phone: 309-266-6080
Fax: 309-266-5281
Email: [email protected]
www.harvestcall.org
Continued Articles
Walking in a
Living Faith
— Continued from pg. 3
forty years before they arrived at
her hometown of Jericho. Though
she was once a prostitute (harlot)
in that pagan city, she became
a believer in God. She had the
faith to tell the Israelite spies,
“ for the LORD your God, he is
God in heaven above, and in earth
beneath…And that ye will save
alive my father, and my mother,
and my brethren, and my sisters,
and all that they have, and deliver
our lives from death.”13 Rahab and
her family agreed to stay in the
house—located on the city wall—
and remained there even when
the walls came crashing down all
around them. Because of her faith
and obedience, she and her family
were spared from the destruction of
the city.14 She subsequently married
into the lineage of Joseph, Jesus’
earthly father,15 evidence of her
living and sustained faith in God.
From these and other
examples in the Bible, we see that
a living faith brings a strong belief
that what God has promised will
certainly come to pass. Faith is a
present day confidence of a future
reality. Living faith, demonstrated
by works, is empowered by God’s
grace, which ultimately brings
glory to His name.
At times, we might find
ourselves using the term “our
faith” when we are actually
referring specifically to our
Apostolic Christian Church
brotherhood. No doubt, this
occurs because of the closely
linked experiences in the church
as we live out our life of faith
here on earth. However, the
expressions “the faith” or “our
faith” in the scriptures never refer
to a denomination or to a specific
group of believers.
Consider the following
scriptures where confusion
between “church” and “faith”
could take place: 2 Cor. 13:5;
Eph. 4:5-6; Eph. 4:13; Col. 2:7;
1Tim. 4:1; 2Pet. 1:1; Jude 3. The
term “faith” in these scriptures
always refers to a firm persuasion
of the truthfulness of God, and
especially reliance upon Christ for
salvation. The intent is certainly
not to diminish the importance
of the church, which is the body
of Christ,16 nor do we wish to
reduce our love and appreciation
for our beloved brotherhood.
Rather, we desire to increase our
understanding in order to avoid
confusion and to encourage a
scripturally accurate use of the
word “faith.”
May God grant grace that we
may grow in our faith and trust
in Him.
(Footnotes)
Heb. 10:38
2
Rom. 5:1-2
3
Rom. 3:22, 25
4
Isa. 64:6
5 Rom. 4:2-3
6 James 2:26
7 Rom. 4:1-8, Eph. 2:8-10,
Gal. 3:6-18, James 2:17-26
8 Rom. 1:17
9
Gen. 22:7
10
Gen. 22:17-18
11
Heb. 11:17-19
12
Heb. 11:31
13
Josh. 2:11, 13
14
Josh. 6:23
15
Mat. 1:5
16
Col. 1:24
1
Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts;
Consider your ways.
Haggai 1:5
65
Monthly Sermon, continued
in perspective just like Jesus did.
They came with this real need to
meet the needs of the widows.
The twelve Apostles said it’s most
important that we continue to
preach the Word, but at the same
time, it’s important that these
other needs are met (v.1-2).
We can think how Jesus did
much the same thing. A number
of times those that came to
Him obviously had a need. They
couldn’t walk. They couldn’t
see, and Jesus would start the
conversation by saying, “Son, Thy
sins be forgiven thee.” (St. Matthew
9:2, St. Luke 5:20) There were
those around that it bothered.
Some because they said why
does this man think that He can
forgive sins, but others would say
they came with an earthly need.
But Jesus pointed out in those
situations that the need of our soul
to find forgiveness for sins is the
most important thing. We can see
that the disciples who were with
Jesus got that message also.
That’s important for us to
remember as well. God wants us
to be used in His service — each
one of us. He has something for
us to do. That something will be
different. For some it will be to
preach the Word, perhaps in a way
like the twelve Apostles did where
they went to the temple or they
went to a synagogue or wherever
66
that was called to be done. For
others it might be like others we
read of in the book of Acts like
Ananias where we’re called to go
one at a time, where God lays
something, a need on our heart
(Acts 9). For some it might be like
we could read a few chapters about
a woman named Dorcas who had
gifts, and she individually went
and helped those that had need of
clothing or food or whatever the
other things were that she served
in a physical way (Acts 9).
We know there were many,
many others just like we could
read those lists of names in
the Old Testament that aren’t
recorded in the Word, but they
happened. They touched the lives
of other people. But, in all those
things it’s most important that
first we’re at peace with God, that
we’ve allowed Him to work in our
hearts first to reconcile us to Him
so that we can be prepared to be
used in His service.
He’s able to do that. We can
see that here. He has those that are
ready. Sometimes that call comes
individually like some of those
examples in the book of Acts, but
sometimes that call comes through
the church. So we read in this
chapter that the church gathered
together, and it doesn’t tell us here
how they did it exactly. Perhaps
in our time we have a vote, or
perhaps we’re asked by someone
in a leadership position if we’ll
fill a need. That isn’t something
new. We read about it here in this
chapter. We read this list of names
of those that the multitude chose,
however that happened, to serve.
I don’t know how it was for
them. The Bible doesn’t really tell us
here, but we can think, can’t we, of
our own personalities. Sometimes
we’re human. We think it would be
easier to do this job, but that wasn’t
what I was asked to do. Sometimes
we look out and see another brother
and say they certainly have a better
talent in that area than I do. Why
was I asked? Maybe you don’t
struggle with those things, but I
do. We know as we think about
the Word that that’s probably not
unique. All the things that come
to us in life, we have an enemy
of the soul that wants us to say
you’re probably the only one. Yet
the Word says the temptations that
we face are common to man (1
Corinthians 10:13). So those were
probably real things for them also,
but we don’t read about that do we.
What we read about was is that
they were willing.
They set them “before the
apostles: and when they had prayed,
they laid their hands on them.”
(v.6) They committed this work
to God because it was really His
work in the beginning, His work in
preparing these individuals to serve,
His work to have the service done,
His work to have the needs met
in the church and the community
where God had placed them.
Again we can think about
all the things that went on in
those individual lives. They aren’t
recorded here in the Word, but
they were real. Perhaps brothers
had to get down on their knees
every morning and say, ‘I don’t
know how I’m going to do this, but
I know I’ve been asked to. I feel it’s
the work of God’s Spirit through
the church, and I trust that God
will provide.’ We can think about
all those things because they’re real.
They’re things we experience in our
lives, aren’t they?
But, the encouraging thing to
me as we think about those things,
some of the behind-the-scenes
details we might say that aren’t
recorded in the Word but are very
real, as they were done what do
we read in summary? We read
that “…the word of God increased;
and the number of the disciples
multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and
a great company of the priests were
obedient to the faith.” (v.7)
Again, we don’t read the why.
We just get to read the summary
there. I often wonder as we read
passages like this in the Word,
what touched the hearts of those
that came in faith? We don’t
know the answer to that question,
and yet we can look around in
our time and see, can’t we, that
this amazing God we serve uses
a lot of different ways to spread
this message of love that He has
for all mankind. Just as we all
have different gifts and different
responsibilities and different
things that we’re asked to do, we
can see that we’re impacted by
different things and so are the
people around us.
I just wonder how many
of this multitude of disciples
that were multiplied greatly in
Jerusalem were from the Apostles
that spoke, were from those that
observed as these seven brethren
went about their responsibility
to serve in a physical way, to go
see what the needs were of the
widows, to go search out in the
church and in the community
where there were those that
needed help and served and loved
like Jesus did. There were those
that one at a time as God placed a
burden on their heart of someone
that had a need, went and served.
We don’t know, but what
we do know is that as there were
those in the early church where
God’s Spirit worked, it brought
mankind to the knowledge that
there was a Savior, that there was
forgiveness for sin, that there was
hope of eternal life — the same
opportunities that we have today
to spread from the Word of God
and in many of the same ways.
Then the last half of the
chapter we read specifically about
one of these men. Again as we
think about the Word of God, no
doubt there were similar situations,
there were similar opportunities,
there were similar tests. We could
go on and on with all the things
that we experience in life for these
other brethren that were called
to this service. But, here we read
about one of them — Stephen.
As he went about this
responsibility that was given to
him by the church, he ran into
opposition. We shouldn’t be
surprised as we consider the things
that we read in the Word of God,
if it will be that way in our lives
as well because we have an enemy
of our soul individually and an
enemy of God’s work in general
that’s out there. As we think about
who God is, how He wants all
mankind to be reconciled to Him,
we also know we have an enemy
of our soul that doesn’t want any
one of us, individually or God’s
work in general, to be prospered.
So there were those that
opposed Stephen. We read here
there were those that came and
when “they were not able to resist
the wisdom and the spirit by which
he spake”, they lied about it,
accused Him of things that He
didn’t do, twisted the words that
He spoke to make them as if they
were something bad or evil or
67
Monthly Sermon, continued
wrong. They didn’t understand
the Spirit that He was working
under and for.
That’s the way the enemy of
our soul works, doesn’t he? We
find different names for him in
the Word — the accuser of the
brethren (Revelation 12:10). So
in our own lives as we experience
those things, we have the
opportunity to look at them and
think about some of the behindthe-scenes details that we get to
see here in Stephen’s life.
Sometimes when that
resistance comes, it’s easy for us
to say, ‘Where is God? This is His
work. I’m trying to be faithful.
Why are these things happening
to me?’ But I find a lot of courage
as we think about Stephen’s
situation. Did God know what
was going on in Stephen’s life? We
have the blessing here to see the
rest of the story, don’t we. We can
turn to the next chapter and see
the words that God gave Stephen
to speak. We can see those words
that were no doubt inspired by
the Spirit. It didn’t change his
circumstance. In fact, they picked
up stones and took Stephen’s life.
We also get to see that in
that hour, in that trial, and not
until that hour and trial, Stephen
got to see the face of God. He
got to see Jesus standing there to
welcome him home. He got to
68
see the work that he was doing
that the Spirit gave him to do
was important and God was in it
and had a purpose in his life and
in his death and that God was
pleased with his faithfulness.
It just encourages me as we
read through the book of Acts. We
have many opportunities to see
the work that those early believers
did and how God provided for
their needs. We also get to see
the human side of so many of
them. They faced struggles. They
had doubts like we do. Their lives
didn’t always go easy, and yet in
all those things we can see God’s
faithfulness, His provision.
We can see that the work was
His, and we can see how He was
using those who were willing,
one day at a time, to take the
responsibilities that God gave
them, to take God’s grace at the
same time, and step forward in
faith. Again, whether that was
preaching the Word or whether
that was meeting the needs that
were there in their community
and time, just like they are in our
community and time.
We would get the impression
from this chapter that perhaps
Stephen, as he met the needs in
the community, also had a gift
to speak the Word. Perhaps there
were others of those brethren of
whose names we don’t read again
that maybe felt like they didn’t.
It really doesn’t matter. What
mattered is that they were willing
to serve, that they were willing to
do what God asked them to do,
that they were willing to take faith
in the responsibilities that they
had and be faithful.
Again, here we get to read
about Stephen and the words that
he spoke, some of the things that
God inspired him. If we would
read into the next chapter, he
speaks as he was accused, and we
see his love in the pattern of our
Lord and Savior for those that
were accusing him. He was also
able to say don’t lay this sin to
their charge (Acts 7:60). We can
see that as so many of these things
that Jesus taught were lived out,
the power of God’s Spirit was
there to give them words, to help
them in what He called them to
do, and to bless.
Perhaps it’s good for us.
Sometimes we would like to see
the results of our efforts right
away, but perhaps sometimes we’re
going to have to just trust like we
read here because it’s really God’s
work, because it’s His Spirit that’s
sustaining us and inspiring us and
leading us. That’s where we want
the credit to go. Perhaps we’re
only going to know the summary
sometimes. We’re not going to
see the blessing of the results of
our individual actions. Perhaps
we’re only going to get to see the
summary that the Word of God
increased and the number of the
disciples multiplied, maybe that’s
in our children and neighbors
listening to what we have to say
and responding.
As we think about that,
perhaps that’s good for us. We
have this problem of pride that
often wants to come in our lives,
and we want to take the credit.
But, we’re reminded here as we
get to see this account of the lives
of those in the early church that
God was working. We can see that
— “…Stephen, full of faith and
power…” (v.8) That’s where the
strength to do these things came
from, isn’t it?
We have this blessing as we read
through the book of Acts to see the
power of God’s work in the lives of
believers, whether that’s Peter, a man
that of his own strength couldn’t
acknowledge who Jesus was and
then after he was converted could
stand before counsel and thousands
and preach, or a man like Paul that
God had to turn around. Yet we can
see how God was able to use him
powerfully. Here we read of Stephen
and the names of these others that
were called to work in the church
and the blessing that came as they
were obedient and the power that
God gave in their lives to be faithful,
to serve Him.
We can be reminded as we
think in our time, what’s God
asking you to do? What’s He
asking me to do? First of all, have
we yielded our lives to Him so
that He can use us? Then are we
willing where He’s asked us to
serve? We can see that where there
were those that were willing, in
whatever the call was, that His
Gospel was advanced, the needs of
mankind were met. God’s hands
on earth were evident, and God
knew it. God was there to sustain
and to strengthen. As we think
again of the end of Stephen’s life,
the end of the very brief account
of Stephen in the Word, God had
a home ready and was there to
welcome a faithful servant home.
That’s what He wants for each
one of us. So in the work that He’s
given us to do, let’s be willing to
do it that we can have a good end
like Stephen. Then we can also be,
in whatever way He’s asking us to,
helpful that others also could find
that blessing in their life.
Remembering
known as New Baptist, a literal
translation of “Neutaufer.” In the
Swiss vernacular, they were known
for many years as “Noy Doyfer.”
Results of God’s Calling
It is worthy to note the calling
of God that the early members
at Rittman, Ohio, heard when
hearing the preaching of
Elder Isaac Gehring – that is,
the call to repentance, and a
changed life. Although steeped
in their Mennonite faith, they
had the grace, under difficult
circumstances, to follow the
Spirit’s leading. Their courage,
and their devotion, led to more
and more souls embracing the
truth to the extent that more than
100 years later a large assembly
of believers exist in our Rittman
and Smithville congregations. The
conversion of even one soul can
subsequently magnify into a host
as the years unfold.
-By Perry Klopfenstein
God be merciful unto us, and bless us;
and cause his face to shine upon us;
Psalm 67:1
69
Learning from our history
Remembering Our Spiritual Heritage
In last month’s issue attention was focused on aspects
of early evangelism of our church in northern portions of
Ohio which resulted in the formation of a congregation
near Rittman, Ohio. Extracts were taken from a history
book entitled Crosswinds: From Switzerland to Crown
Hill by author James O. Lehman of Harrisonburg,
Pennsylvania in 1975. Instances were cited regarding
the early members who gravitated from the Mennonite
church into our newly-formed congregation. In this
issue, attention will be focused, in part, on the reaction
of Mennonite leaders to this development.
Other Early Members
On page 29 of Crosswinds reference is made of
Catherine Beery joining the Apostolic Christian
Church. Tradition says that other Mennonite
ministers as far away as Canada came and tried to
dissuade her from the stand she took.
A lady named Naomi Beery married Frank
Caillet, a Roman Catholic, who came from
France. He worked for Mennonites and eventually
joined them. Later, he transferred membership to
the Apostolic Christian Church.
Lehman writes, “Other Chippewa People who
joined the Apostolic Church in the early days were
Joshua Steiner and his parents, Peter and Mary Hilty
Steiner. Peter was another brother of Chippewa’s
bishop, John Steiner. Peter’s son, Dave, became an
early minister in the Rittman Apostolic Christian
Church. Two other early adherents to the new church
were the brothers David Hilty (1854-1925) and Peter
Hilty (1845-1014). From the Pleasant Hill Mennonite
Church came Moses Blough and his wife who was
a sister of Mrs. Daniel M. Steiner. Several from
Medina County also joined the new group, among
them was Mrs. John Kaufman and a number of her
children. Very early the nucleus of early members at
the Apostolic Church came from Chippewa. Rather
unusual is the fact that so many were closely related
70
to Chippewa’s bishop, John Steiner. However, some
joined after John passed away in 1871.
Mennonite Reaction
Certainly, those who came into the church from
the Mennonite church created a joy, and from our
perspective (today) it is of enormous interest, and also
is inspiring to note that our spiritual values found
reception from Mennonites, who felt they were lacking
in their Christian walk. Yet, there was a reaction from
Mennonite adherents. Lehman quotes Ben Douglas,
the Wayne County historian of 1878, who commented
on how the Chippewa members reacted to those
coming into the Apostolic Christian Church.
Douglas writes: “Another group, named the New
Baptist Mennonites (he is referring to the Apostolic
Christian Church) has been established. Of this
neophyte organization, Rev. Christian Steiner thus said
to the writer: “About twenty years ago some eighteen
members dropped from the original church and joined
with the New Baptists (our AC Church) and about two
years ago built a church. They have a membership of
40 or 50. Daniel and David Steiner are the preachers.
These people think they are the only people who are
converted, and nobody is saved but them. They run the
Christian machine themselves, own the engine, etc.,
and claim it is impossible to sin after conversion.”
Lehman writes, “His dates are not very exact.
Probably he means that within the last eighteen years
‘some eighteen members’ left Chippewa. Feelings must
have run deeply to bring out these sharp statements.
It should be noted that Apostolic people today do
not hold the views stated in the last several lines,
particularly the one about sinning after baptism.”
Early Reference to the Church at Rittman
Lehman makes comments concerning the name of the
new church: “The Apostolic Church was sometimes
The Light of Hope
What Not to Do
In Acts 16:30, the jailer asked Paul and Silas,
“What must I do to be saved?” They answered, “Believe
on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved..”
In Acts 3:19, Peter said, “Repent ye therefore, and
be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.”
In John 14:15, the Lord Jesus Christ said, “If
ye love me, keep my commandments.” We also have
the commandments to love the Lord our God with
all our heart, soul, and mind, as well as to love our
neighbor as ourselves. All these things we should do.
The thought has come to me that maybe we
should pay more attention to what we should not
do, although what we should do is of extreme
importance. It seems dangerous to me to think that it
is all right to do anything our bodies feel like doing.
In 1 John 2:15, the Apostle John writes, “Love not
the world, neither the things that are in the world.” We
believe he is writing about the things in the world
that harm us spiritually or harm our testimony for
the Lord. It happens. I know from experience. We
must be careful if we hope to be a good testimony for
our wonderful Lord and Savior, the very Son of the
Living God, who loved us and gave Himself for us.
Can you imagine Him doing that for us? Yet He did.
It is true, and He proved it by His resurrection, that
He is divine, the Son of God.
The Ten Commandments are in the Old
Testament, but they pretty well apply today. In the
Ten Commandments there are eight don’ts and only
two dos. I don’t mean to judge whether people will
be saved or not saved. I’m glad that’s up to God. Just
how does God want us Christians to spend our time
here on earth?
The first Commandment is, “Thou shalt have no
other gods before me.” I believe that this infers that we
should always try to take the path that brings Christ,
or God, the most glory. Let’s be careful that we don’t
put other things ahead of serving God, and being the
best possible example of what it means to be a child
of God. The Apostle Paul wrote, “Wherefore, if meat
make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while
the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.”
1 Cor. 8:13. He thought it to be of the utmost
importance that he not do anything that might cause
someone else to stumble, or to claim that they are
just as good as those church people, that they had
seen them eat meat offered to idols, even though it
was perfectly all right to do so.
There are many things we shouldn’t do,
according to the Bible. Nevertheless, the emphasis
is sometimes put on God’s unconditional love. That
word, unconditional, is not written in the Bible,
although Christ did say that He came to save the
sinners, not the righteous. However, in John chapter
eight, He told the woman to go and sin no more.
We are called unto holiness, although sometimes we
fall short.
In Romans 12:3, Paul writes, “not to think of
ourselves more highly than we ought to think; but to
think soberly.” Somehow or other, the devil gets us
to think that we are better than somebody else.
Nowhere is this taught in the Bible. Each of us is less
than nothing without Christ. Never, but never, put
yourself above others. That’s what the Pharisees did
and Christ did not commend them.
Don’t lust, don’t be vain, don’t neglect doing
good, are all on my list to write about, but the end is
here so I simply say, let’s be careful about what not to
do. I love you.
-by Willis Ehnle
71
THE SILVER LINING
...and the firmament
sheweth his handywork.
Psalm 19:1

- Apostolic Christian Church of America

Transcription

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