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Clayton's Connection
Not Home Yet
A week of camp with senior high students brings moments of craziness mixed with intense emotion as students experience a break from their routine and a return to the heart of God. While participating in relays wearing special glasses that simulate drunkenness is certainly fun, I savor the time with teenagers right after a call to repentance and brokenness, when students' shells crumble and we get a glimpse into what God is doing in their lives. That makes an entire week of sweaty, mosquito-ridden, gloriously-tiring camp worth it all. But by Friday, the time comes when you're just ready to go home.
After cramming our fifteen passenger van full of equipment and kids, we hit the road before 1:00 on Friday afternoon. Not twenty minutes later, while trucking down the interstate, our rear driver's side tire blows. After much frustration, the spare tire is securely bolted on and we continue down the road... until we get almost to four-mile corner. The spare tire we had put on, blew out, too! How many Christians does it take to change a tire? I learned that I didn't want to find out! As it turned out, we crammed a three-hour drive into just over five hours. And boy, did it feel great to be home.
Our harrowing experience Friday afternoon reminds me that we are not home yet. Steven Curtis Chapman writes: "To all the travelers, pilgrims longing for a home–from one who walks with you on the journey called life's road... We are not home yet!" Or as the apostle Paul writes: "We live by faith, not by sight. We... would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord" (2 Corinthians 5:7-8). Don't give up in this struggle called life, even though it may be filled with strife. But know that we are not home yet, and God has not yet put everything back in its place. Until He does, hang in there!
Happy July Birthday
1. Marsha Barr
2. Amy Wachsnicht, Dawn Lautenschlager,
(anni) Ron/Vickie Spitsnogle
3. Amber Woutzke
4. Ben Fitzwater
5. Leila Jenkins
7. Jennifer Volk
8. Nick Dvorak, Sherri Peters
9. Stan Keefover
10. Roma Baker, Sierra Marting
11. LeAnne Gillott
12. Carol Scott, (anni) Randy/Mary Barber
13. Michal Chaplin, Wendy Williams
14. Marcia Moss, Chloe Craig
15. Travis Vasquez
16. Bruce Ebeling, (anni) Russell/Barb Smith, (anni) DeOliver/Joyce Wilson
17. (anni) Norm/DeeAnn Frerichs
18. Jerrod Novotny
20. Earl Spitsnogle, Cora Woutzke, Allee Meyer
21. Mary Louise Black, Kelsey Borgman
23. Elmo Lloyd
24. (anni) Chet/Leila Jenkins
25. Cindy Cole
26. Shirley Martin, Mildred Colgrove,
(anni) Virg/Marilyn Marshall
29. Randy Barber, Juanita Leseberg
30. Falisatey Novotny
31. Brandon Leach, Chet Jenkins
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July Book of the Month
* Psalms 91 - 120 *
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Congratulations!
Congratulations to Tom and Dana Sorteberg of Des Moines, who became parents of twins on June 17th. Ciera Monet weighed 6 pounds 9 ounces and Audrey Aurora weighed 5 pounds 5 ounces. Grandparents include grandmother, Janet Walker, and great grandparents, George and Dorothy Gallisath. The twins are also welcomed by big sister, Juliet. Best wishes to all the family!
Special Birthday
Many of you remember Loren Swedburg who served Nebraska Christian College for 31 years, most of that time as Academic Dean. Mr. Swedburg still sends monthly financial gifts and notes of encouragement to NCC. On August 9, his children will host an open house in Mason, Ohio, to celebrate his 90th birthday. Cards may be sent to him at 356 Village Drive, Mason, Ohio 45040. In lieu of personal gifts, his family asks that you give any contributions to the Loren and Melva Swedburg Library at NCC.
Prayer Requests
Ongoing needs for prayer: Marilyn Marshall (hospitalized Sunday, June 29), Ruthelma Williams, Juni James, Linda Woolsey, Marlene Kruse, Merle Breunsbach, Fred Adams, Mykena Henrichs (now 3 months old; may be able to come home in 2 or 3 weeks), JoAnn Boston, military and civilians stationed overseas
New Requests: 4-year-old Sadee Ullman (will have ear surgery July 8); Bob Ossowski (back problems); Lita Madison's granddaughter, Cadence Lynn, born June 16 (pneumonia); Pat Beber (Heather Beber's mother - cancer; having tests to see if the chemo has helped); Dave Harrison (cancer); Lorraine Wrightsman (Jan Adams' mother)
Our sympathy and prayers for comfort are extended to the family of Melissa Weers, 29-year-old mother of 3 children, who passed away unexpectedly in Diller.
Thank You!
Dear Church members,
Thank you for thinking of me during the time of graduation with the gift of the cross. I appreciate your thoughtfulness and support. Thanks again!
Danae Disney
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Thanks to DeeAnn and Norm Frerichs' son-in-law, Brian Bauer of Benton, Kansas, for his special vocal solo, "Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone)," Sunday, June 29th.
Coming Up....
SUNDAY
..... 8 a.m.: Early worship service
..... 9:15 a.m.: Sunday School classes for all ages
..... 10:30 a.m.: Worship service
TUESDAY, 9 to 11 a.m.: Ladies' Bible study
JULY WEDNESDAYS, 9 to 11 a.m.: Bible Time Adventures continue for kindergarten through 5th grade
THURSDAY, July 4: Regularly scheduled prayer meeting at Van Boenings' home for military and civilians stationed overseas is canceled for this week.
July 10-12: "Discovery Camp" for grades 3 and 4
July 13-18: "Summer Jam" Camp for grades 5 and 6
WEDNESDAY, July 16, 5 to 7 p.m.: The Wymore Good Samaritan Center will have their annual Ice Cream Social. Proceeds from the freewill offering will benefit the Bladder Scanner fund-raiser. Donations of pies would be appreciated. If you have any questions, you may call 645-3355.
THURSDAY, July 17, 1:30 p.m.: Dorcas Circle
July 20-25: "Summer Blast" Camp for grades 7 through 9
New Address
The new address for Gerald and Jennifer Volk and family will be 650 Dugdale Ave.,
Worthington, MN 56187
Serving Sunday
July 6, 2008
ELDERS: Scott Fitzwater, John Keedy
COMMUNION MEDITATION: Scott Fitzwater
DEACONS: Ron Spitsnogle, Jeff Van Winkle, Melvin Thomas, Rod Warford, Jason Zvolanek, Chuck Zimmerman, Bob Widick
SHUT-INS: John Keedy, Jim Barr
GREETERS: M/M Bob Ossowski
USHER: Norm Frerichs
SLIDES AND SOUND SYSTEM:
Gloria Portenier and Ross Barr
JUNIOR WORSHIP: Janene Fitzwater, Tonya Minor, Robbie Fitzwater
WEE WORSHIP: Barb Smith, Tim and Johnna Neumann, K.J. Zvolanek
NURSERY: Vickie Spitsnogle, Lorie Van Winkle
The Secret
One day, one friend asked another, "How is it that you are always so happy? You have so much energy, and you never seem to get down."
With her eyes smiling, she said, "I know the Secret!...I have learned there is little I can do in my life that will make me truly happy. I must depend on God to make me happy and to meet my needs....I have to trust God to supply according to His riches. I have learned most of the time I don't need half of what I think I do. He has never let me down. Since I learned that 'Secret,' I am happy."
The questioner's first thought was, "That's too simple!" But upon reflecting over her own life she recalled how she thought a bigger house would make her happy, but it didn't! She thought a better paying job would make her happy, but it hadn't. When did she realize her greatest happiness? Sitting with her grandchildren, playing games... reading a story....
Now you know the Secret too! We can't depend on people to make us happy. Only God in His infinite wisdom can do that. Trust Him!... But it's not really a secret. We just have to believe it and do it. (Author unknown)
Philippians 4:11b says, "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances."
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COUNTING THE CONCERNED
Sunday School............................136
Sunday Worship......................... 227
Regular Offering.........................$2,601.29
Weekly Budget............................$3,569.23
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"...Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve....as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:15).
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