June 2, 2013 WELCOME! WE'RE GLAD YOU'RE HERE We are a group of believers who simply try to follow the Bible as a guide for all we do. Everything done in our worship service is something for which we have a Bible basis. You are welcome to participate as much or as little as you wish. We will sing hymns together and we will observe the Lord's Supper or Communion together. We will also have an opportunity to give to the work of God in this area. This collection is for the members here, and if you are visiting you should not feel and pressure to give. Our lesson time will be divided into two groups. The young children will go to our classroom area in the basement where they will be taught the Bible at a level they can understand. The adults will stay in the auditorium for a lesson at an adult level. We do try to serve the community, and if you have some needs that we can help you with, mention it to one of the members. Thank you for worshipping with us.

FAMILY NEWS

POTLUCK TODAY: We always enjoy having a chance to eat good food and be with our church family on the first Sunday of each month. Today we have our usual surplus of food, and we would love to have you stay and eat with us. We hate to waste food, so help us eat it and do not feel that if you did not bring something that you are excluded. We have the food — we just need you to enjoy it with us. Stay — we will eat right after services.

PRAYER SHEET: Until Karl and Julie return at the end of June, John Clayton will maintain the prayer sheet. Call him when you have information to be added — 269-687-9426.

CASS COUNTY FAIR BOOTH FINALIZED: We have contracted for banners for our booth, and the preparation of materials and the exhibit is underway. Please keep July 29 – Aug 3 open to work in the booth.

“NEW PREACHER FUND” OPERATIVE: In our congregational meeting we voted to set $500 a month in a fund to build up resources to hire a full time preacher. That is now being done.

TODAY'S LESSON

THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD

THE BACK PAGE

YOUR PURPOSE IN LIFE

We were all a little stunned last Sunday when Debbie and Bill Salmons shared with us some of the challenges that their family has been facing. Most of us who know Debbie well know that her number one concern for the past several years has been for her grandchildren. At one point in our discussions about the current problem Debbie said something like “I guess my one purpose in life is to help these grandchildren find stability and direction in their lives.” I heartily “amened” that statement.

What is important about that statement and how it applies to all of us is that all of us need a clear “purpose in life.” People who drift through life mindlessly seeking pleasure in a physical way are doomed to a life of hopelessness, isolation, loneliness, and frustration. I remember my mother being brought nearly to tears every time we heard the old Peggy Lee classic “ls That All There Is.” In the song which was a big hit in the 1940s, the composer talks about going to the circus and when they leave the circus saying “Is that all there is?” Then they go to a parade, and as they leave the parade they say “Is that all there is?” As more and more things are entered the composer comes to the end of life and says “is that all there is to life?” My atheistic mother had to say “yes, that is all there is.”

For the atheist and the occasional church attendee the answer is “yes, that is all there is for you.” Whatever is fun is fun for a short time. Once you have done it, it is less fun. Our class on Sunday morning is studying Ecclesiastes, a book that radically demonstrates the futility of the epicurean life style where only food, drink, sex, and possessions are available as goals. What greater joy can there be in life than seeing children and/or adults find love, joy, and fulfillment in a life intertwined with God and his love. Our purpose may be focused on our families, our community, or our nation, but ultimately it is finding what God has called us as individuals to do. What is your purpose in life?

— John Clayton