In my home I am always giving. When Mary Ann bakes cookies, I sacrifice my taste buds to just check to make sure the first cookies are baked well enough to give to guests. When we are at a restaurant and she cannot finish her steak, I volunteer to stuff myself instead of wasting a good piece of steak. When Lent comes along and I need to sacrifice something, I give up broccoli. I will finish ice cream, take a nap to get out of Mary Ann’s way, eat the remaining Halloween candy, help harvest our backyard tomatoes, watch TV so I can call Mary Ann when her show comes on. In other words, I give and I give. (Image my lowered head and a beating of my chest – for extra effect; I’m shaking my head in a suffering way).
You say this is not giving? You say it’s not called giving unless it costs me something? My time, my attention, my financial resources, my strength, my gifts, my strength? Maybe you even say it’s not giving until it hurts a bit, a bit of sacrifice.
If a member of your nuclear family was gravely ill, what would you give to have them whole and healthy again? Would you wait and hope all would be well? Would you pray to God to do something and then go on vacation? Would you ask someone else to care for them and not see them again until someone told you they were well? If you were at home with a car, would you ask your neighbor to drive them to the hospital?
I am guessing your answers would be “no” to each of the above questions. So how about the church? If she was sick, what might you give to have her whole and healthy again?
These next few months will determine the future of Suburban Christian Church and her ministries. Each of us has a gift given to us by God for the building up of the church. If your mother was hungry, would you feed her? If your father was thirsty, would you give him a drink? If you had a gift that was given to you to benefit your family, would you use it or return it?
I have heard from many of you that this church is “family” to you. So to what lengths would you go for a sick, hurt, hungry, lonely family member?
And how has God called you to help build her up, and not allow her to be broken? Let’s get ready to answer these questions together, as a family of faith.
Pastor Ed
Thursdays: 10:15am Bible Study: Reflections on Sunday’s Scripture
Spiritual Direction: Walking the spiritual path with a friend. Individual or family Pastoral Counseling available by appointment. Please call the church office for any of the above.
Upcoming Events:
October 5—Ad Hoc Meeting @ 3:00pm
October 6—Dream Workshop … 10 sessions @ $5 per session 7:00-8:30pm call 851-4996
October 7—Bible Study—Isaiah chapters 7-9 @
10:15am
October 7—Book Study @ 3:30pm Chapter 8
I Can’t See God…..
October 7 - 9—Marriage Enrichment Cost: $50
Call 851-4996
October 10—Church Council @ 12:30pm
October 10– Body Prayer With Yoga $20
4:00-6:00pm call 851-4996
October 12 —Lydia Circle @ 10:30am
Bring a sandwich. Dottye Stone—Hostess
October 12—Hatha Yoga Classes 11:00am—Noon
Call 851-4996
October 12– Parent/Grandparent Support Group @ 7:00pm; Love Offering call 851-4996
October 16-17 — CWF Retreat to Barren River State Resort Park and on the 23rd-24th @ Jenny Wiley State Resort Park
October 17—Joanna Circle @ 12:30pm
Bring your lunch. Mary Faye Carr— Study
October 22– Looking for Lilith presents “Crossing Mountains @ 7:00pm here at the church. Sponsored by Ignis Spiritus, LLC Cost: Adults-$15; Senior Adults- $10 Call 851- 4996 for reservations.
October 27—Christian Church Community Aux. Meeting @ 10:00am
October 28—Elder’s Meeting @ 3:00pm
Farmers’ Market Open May - October
The third season of the Suburban Christian Church Farmers’ Market began Thursday, May 20th.The 2010 market hours are from 3PM-6PM. We have many of our past vendors returning as well as several new ones.Please get involved with the Market and Suburban’s neighborhood residents this year, and many thanks to those of you who have assisted in the past two seasons.
Christian Men's Fellowship Thursday Breakfasts
The Thursday morning breakfasts continue each week at 8:30AM with the following change.The first Thursday of each month, our breakfast becomes the monthly CMF meeting. If you can’t join us any other Thursday, please make a point of attending the monthly CMF meeting where we will enjoy breakfast, fellowship, and discuss upcoming activities involving the men of the church. If you prefer to car pool, you may meet at the church no later than 8:30. Location of the breakfasts will be announced each week during church announcements.
Our beautiful fall season has begun. Apples are everywhere both for eating and using for many special projects. Pumpkin patches are making our hallways festive. The children have now settled into a routine, and they know they are loved here.
Reading is a huge part of our program. This is the time when children learn to love books and especially love being read to. Being able to read is fundamental to building confidences and good self-esteem as children grow educationally. It is the foundation of all learning. It is an awesome responsibility to begin laying that groundwork with these children entrusted to us.
October is Fire Prevention and Safety Month. Our local Lyndon firemen will be here on Thursday morning October 21st at 10:00 for a special program. Our “harvest” party is Thursday, October 28th. You are always invited here to be a part of what we’re doing.
If you are saving “Box Tops” for us, please note we will be sending in a collection around the 15th of this month.
Bible time has focused on so many of the Old Testament stories always focusing on service, trust and obedience. This is also the time to lay a solid foundation of faith and we strive to do this every single day.
Please join with me everyday in praying not only for the children in our program but for children everywhere that they might see God at work in each of us.
In His Service,
Linda
Things to save for Kindergarten and Preschool projects:
Small pillows, old greeting cards, shoe boxes, Pringle cans w/lids, egg cartons, used CD’s, buttons & socks (for puppets)
Collecting Labels
The Preschool currently collects "Boxtops for Education" to earn money for supplies. If you would like to help us in this endeavor, please bring your "boxtops" to the office anytime throughout the year. Thank you so much for your help with this project.
Miscellaneous News
ESL classes meet on Mondays at 11:00a.m.
Al-Anon meets every Tuesday at 1:00 p.m.
Choir Practice
The Choir practices on Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. If you would like to join , please feel free to do so.
Healing Service ~ Last Sunday monthly, 7:00 p.m.