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Feeding the hungry, physically and spiritually
PLOWSHARES
Judges 6:37-37
Gideon said to God, “If you will save
Israel by my hand as you have promised—
look, I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew
only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you said.”
We
all feel like Gideon, sometimes. We think that we hear God calling on us, directing or behavior in some way and we do
not want to go that way. That’s when we want to test God. We say something like, “God, if it’s
really you telling me to do this thing, then I will; but I really need for you to prove to me that you are the one calling.
If it’s really you, then do (whatever) so that I can be sure.”
The process described above is called ‘discerning
God’s will.’ That’s what Gideon was doing that day about 3,000 years ago. God called Gideon
to do a difficult, in fact, an impossible looking thing: go to war with the Mideonites. If Gideon took his people to
war against the Mideonites and it was not God’s will, he was certain that he would lose, not only the battle, but his
life. If he did not lead his people in war against the Mideonites and it was God’s will, he was certain that he
would lose his life and the lives of many of his people. Gideon really needed to know if the voice he was hearing was
the voice of the Lord.
On February 14 the New Beginnings Team invited the rest of the congregation to enter the discernment
process with them to determine the future of Second Christian Church. The information that they presented was shocking
and disturbing and distressing. Worst of all, it was true and accurate. Our time together at 904 West Market St.
is nearing an end. Shall we go on together elsewhere? Shall we set a date to cease ministry together? Those
are the options that we have. If we choose the former, we have a chance of a continuing ministry. If we choose
the latter, we do not.
One of these choices must be God’s will for us, but which one? We surely need to
be certain that we are hearing God’s voice when we gather to decide on February 28th. I suggest that we pray and
when we pray, that we take our example from another great figure from the Old Testament: Solomon, who in a dream at Gibeon
asked God to “give your servant a discerning heart . . .”
Let us pray together, in faith and in hope, that
God will grant us God’s wisdom as we make this monumental decision.
Go with God
Pastor Gene
CONGREGATINAL MEETING
We will have a Congregational Meeting on Sunday, February 28, 2010 during morning worship service.
SYMPATHY
Sincere Christian Sympathy is extended to:
Family and friends of James McAdoo, who passed away in January, 2010.
Family and friends of Kathy
Lough, who passed away on January 24, 2010
Family and friends of Dora Wyndham, who passed away on January
28, 2010.
FELLOWSHIP DINNER
We will have a Fellowship Dinner following morning
worship on Sunday, February 28, 2010. Bring a dish or two to share and your own table service. Please mark your
calendars and plan to be here.
CWF
The
Ruth Circle of Champion Christian Church invites you to join them for their Annual Salad Luncheon on Saturday, February 27
at 11:30am. The theme is “Elegance Remembered”. Reservations are due by February 24 (330-847-0785).
$5.00 donation accepted at the door.
THANK YOU
I want to thank everyone for the sympathy extended to me on the passing
of my brother, James McAdoo, also, for the birthday cards I received, and for the get well prayers for my son and daughter.
Thank you all so very much!
Eveyln MacKenzie
Dick and I want to thank everyone for their
prayers for my sister, Kathy Lough, in her hours of need. A special thanks to Pastor Gene and Bonnie Hammond for their
calls and for all the cards and words of condolences from our church family. Thank you all.
Sincerely,
Faye and Dick Laukhart
Many thanks to Pastor Gene and the ladies of CWF for the wonderful
service and dinner, and to my church family for all the kind words, prayers and cards received at the passing of Dora.
Joe Wyndham and Family
WEEK OF COMPASSION
Week of Compassion
flyers and
envelopes are enclosed.
ANNIVERSARY
Congratulations to
Robert and Judie Antonell, who celebrated their
50th Wedding
Anniversary on January 30, 2010.
ANNUAL LENTEN DINNER
Our combined Lenten Dinner will be held here at Second Christian Church, on Sunday, March 21, 2010 at
5pm. Happy moments, praise God.
Difficult moments, seek God.
Quiet moments, worship God.
Painful moments, trust God.
Every
moment, thank God.
HELP US STAY IN TOUCH
Please send us your e-mail address to receive the Friendly Visitor by electronic mail.
Our address is: main@2ndcc.net
LET US CONTINUE TO PRAY
FOR:
Members:
Knoxie Bell, Jim & Donna Bock, Tom & Fran Bohyer, Amanda Davis and
Mason,
Charlotte Douglas, Dolores Eddy, Clare Ewing, Glenn & Barb Eicher, Doris Fenstermaker, Laverne Gairy,
Barbara Herenick, Byron Hutchison,
Shirley Jones, Bob & Betty Kale, Herb Laukhart, Evelyn MacKenzie,
Ellen
McCreary, Harry Newman, Michael Nuzzi, Ben Rodin, Marian Sample,
Joanne Sekerak, Diana Summerill, Bud Tarleton, Paul &
Barb Ulam,
Judi Wright, Marge Yobe
Friends:
Rebecca
Bain, Jean Bradley, John Bradley, Sharon Brant,
Dale Brocious, Jocelyn Broun, Courtney Callow, Lucille Condelmo, Sharon
Conzetta,
Brian DeBeaulieu, Richard Hall, Richard F. Harvey, Laramie Henderson,
Paul Holko, Mike Hubbard, Carrol Jacque,
Bill Johnson, Kelley Johnson, Beverly Jones,
Jaramiah Karser, Jack Kover, Wendi Leturgey, Mike Lester,
Patrick
McKenna, Steve Meeks, Ronald Rood, Tina Schritchfield, Linda Serioths, Tina Taylor,
Tom Wilson, Paul Wright, Shaun
Wright, Paul Wrythe,
Our Veterans, Country & Troops
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