February 17, 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

CLASS ON REVELATION UNDERWAY — the denominational world struggles with the book of Revelation. We hear “end of the earth” scenarios, attacks on Catholicism, attacks on politicians, and even claims of alien visitation, all attributed to the book of Revelation. In reality this book is easy to understand. We will resume our study this coming Wednesday evening, so come and learn with us each Wednesday at 7:15.

DON'T MISS SUNDAY NIGHT — Dick Hoyt continues to teach a provocative and informative class at 6:00 each Sunday evening on reconstructing the history of Jesus' teachings as recorded in the Gospels. Dick brings new and interesting concepts to us every week, and the past several Sundays we have been looking at Matthew's version and Luke's version of the Sermon on the Mount, why they are different, and how we should understand the differences. The Jewish and Greek versions of that wonderful lesson are important to understand.

REMEMBER OUR BIBLE CLASS ON ACTS — with Karl Marcussen leading us at 10:00 a.m. on Sundays. There is always a good discussion in this class, so come and be a part of it.

WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T LOOKING

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my painting on the frig, and I wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my favorite cake for me, and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you praying, and I knew there is a God I could always talk to, and I learned to trust Him.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing, and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don't.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good, and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come to your eyes and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it is all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you cared, and I wanted to be everything I could be.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you and wanted to say, “Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking.”

Each of us — parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, teacher, friend, or neighbor — all influence the life of a child.

This was on the Web without the author being identified, but it makes a strong point that all of us need to be aware, that our influence goes on without us even being aware of how what we do affects others.

THE BACK PAGE

WE NEED YOUR IDEAS

One problem that a small congregation like ours has is the need for active leadership. We do not have elders, and there is no paid person to produce the projects or follow up on things that we need to be doing. Several men have brought suggestions to the congregation and tried to facilitate some of the ideas, but none of us wants to be viewed as dictating what the church does, and that means that getting things started can be slow and sometimes late in starting. We need people to do some research and come up with suggestions of things that we can and should be doing together. Here are some of the things that have been suggested for 2013. VOLUNTEER!

1. Provide an area wide singing as we have done in the past.

2. Set up the mechanics for a day care on our property.

3. Come up with a new booth idea for the Cass County Fair.

4. Have a ladies' class for the community with child care provided.

5. Investigate having a program on gambling addiction.

6. Expand the advertising of our food pantry.

7. Have a regular radio program.

— John Clayton