SUNDAY, JANUARY 22, 2012
HAPPY 90TH BIRTHDAY, LORRAINE EBERHARDT! Today is her birthday and she plans to – what else? – go swimming! You go, sister! We thank God for your amazing example of an active body, mind and spirit, and for your faithful prayer ministry.
AT THE QUARTERLY BUSINESS Meeting on Jan. 19, members discussed the possibility of opening a K-5 Christian school in the church. The idea of changing the church’s name was also brought up. The elders are seeking input from members to determine if these possibilities are worth exploring. If you are interested in learning more or have suggestions or opinions, speak to Doug Wood, Chuck House, Stan Lewis, Ray Christy, Paul Golden or Pastor Steve. A special meeting will be called in a few weeks to discuss these options further.
ATTENTION, BOARD & COMMITTEE chairmen: The next Leadership Council meeting will be this Wednesday, Jan. 25, after the prayer meeting, to coordinate and plan for the next four to six months. Please come with your calendars and with notes on your board or committee’s planned activities. (Note: this meeting is for looking ahead, not for reports on past months unless there are suggestions for improvement.)
A WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY is proposed by Jamie (Reed) Smith who’d like to know if there is interest in a six-week study using Lysa TerKeurst’s book Made to Crave starting in early February. Contact Jamie at 228-3325 (this is a correction in phone #, there was an error in last week’s Buzz).
THE PRAYER CHAIN LIST HAS BEEN REVISED. Copies are being provided to those who have volunteered to be on the chain; if you have not received one, please see Robin. Anyone with an urgent prayer need should always call Pastor Steve first before initiating the prayer chain.
BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION: If you collect these coupons on food and paper products and want to support Coastal Christian School, bring them in and give to either Mary Ann Nash, Cindy Lewis or Brenda Golden.
VOLUNTEER SCHEDULES HAVE BEEN REVISED. To all who serve on Sundays in the various ministries, please take a new schedule from the back table. If you cannot serve on the date(s) assigned, you are asked to make switches with other volunteers and let Robin Beck know the changes so they will be reflected correctly in the bulletin. Thank you all for serving!
MISSIONARY-of-the-Month collections in Sunday School during Jan-uary are for the Food Pantry in Boothbay Harbor. We are also collecting food items which may be left either in the Sunday School rooms or out in the front foyer by the Food Pantry basket. (Next month collections will be for CareNet, the local crisis pregnancy center headed by Sue & Joel Morley.)
MISSIONARY NEWS:
From Judy Bowen, Togo, West Africa:
Happy New Year to all of you! … 2012 holds special significance for me… On February 29, 1992, twenty years ago this year, I left the USA to move to Togo as a full-time missionary. I had never visited Togo prior to moving here, so it was a big step into the unknown, with the Lord’s presence evident all the way–both in my life and in the lives of my family and friends that I left in America.
When I arrived in Togo, I knew for sure that the Lord had led me here. He had proved Himself faithful over and over, as He kept me safe over 22,000 miles of pre-field ministry driving, and He raised my support quickly. He provided for every need, saw me through language study, and brought me safely here. I was not sure exactly what He wanted me to do for the long haul, but I knew at that time that He wanted me involved in the camp ministry, and I knew that He had a lot in store for me to learn.
Halfway through my first term, the Lord led my friend and colleague, Vicki Ivester, to ask about the possibility of establishing a literature ministry here, not only for Togo, but for West Africa. The first year of my second term, in December of 1996, we opened the doors to our current ministry center. The Lord has blessed over and over, and much literature has been distributed in this region. My third and fourth terms were spent helping develop the various aspects of the literature ministry.
In 2012, our prayer is for the expansion of the CRC’s ministry, especially in the area of audio-visual materials. There is so much that could be accomplished through this medium. The Lord is at work, and I ask you to pray for wisdom as we move ahead. I want to thank you for your faithful prayers over all of these years.
The Lord has used you to get me here and to keep me here. May we all keep on together, for HIS glory!
†
Life without God is like an unsharpened pencil…
It has no point!