FriedensNotes
Week of January 30, 2005
Why Am I Here?
Are you going to heaven? Are you "saved"? If so, why did Jesus leave you here once you made the decision to trust in Christ's death and resurrection for your salvation? Why didn't you immediately zip on up to heaven to be with him? It's because God, "who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth" (I Timothy 2:4), has work for us to do and that's to serve others and make a difference in their lives. "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be held on to, but made himself nothing….And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death" (Philippians 2:5-8). Make a choice today to deny yourself and "die" for others, just as Christ died for you.
VBS is Coming
It may be cold outside, but the thought of children connecting with God is warming the hearts of those planning this summer's Vacation Bible School. If you want to help children and are gifted in art, drama or music, please plan on attending a VBS informational meeting at 7:00 p.m. on Feb. 24 in Fellowship Hall. Call the church at 284-2471 for more information.
This Week's Bible Reading Plan
Join with other Friedens family members in reading through the Bible in 2005. Here's this week's reading plan:
- Jan. 30 - Exodus 23-24 ; Matthew 20:1-16
- Jan. 31 - Exodus 25-26 ; Matthew 20:17-34
- Feb. 1 - Exodus 27-28 ; Matthew 21:1-22
- Feb. 2 - Exodus 29-30 ; Matthew 21:23-46
- Feb. 3 - Exodus 31-33 ; Matthew 22:1-22
- Feb. 4 - Exodus 34-35 ; Matthew 22:23-29
- Feb. 5 - Exodus 36-38 ; Matthew 23-1-22
You also can find each day's readings, along with Bible study tools and other helps online. Also look in the FriedensBote each month for a monthly reading plan and for bookmarks in the west foyer.
Go Beyond Belief, to Conviction
Parents, mark 7 to 10 p.m., Feb. 17, on your calendar and plan on attending the "Why Belief Matters" seminar at Elmbrook Church, featuring Josh McDowell. Learn how to raise up a generation of transformed followers of Christ who know why they believe what they believe. Talk to Pastor Kato for more information.
Are You on a Mission from God?
All Christians have a mission to shine God's love into the lives of the lost and needy. Some Friedens family members are going an extra step this summer by joining a short-term mission trip to Poland to teach English to Polish college students from the Bible from June 28 to July 12 (dates subject to change). Teenagers from Friedens are headed to Muskegon, Mich., July 31-Aug. 6 to rehab houses. Call the church for more information.
Pray for Iraq
With elections occurring Sunday, pray for Iraq, especially the Christians there who are caught in the crossfire. More
When Your Child Rejects Christ
Has you child rejected church, maybe even Christ? Perhaps your children are too young to have made that decision. But how would you react if he or she did? Would you be angry, surprised, saddened, or disheartened? Michael Spencer has written an essay that offers some insight analysis of childhood rejection of religion, and lays out four suggestions for parents who are trying to react to it constructively. The "Confessing Evangelical" web log has some additional comments on Spencer's article. All are worth reading, especially if a you are questioning your parenting skills or Christian witness. Go online to here and here.
Root Questions
Have you ever wondered, Why is there evil in the world? Why am I here? How do I beat loneliness? Is there that special person for me? Why is life so hard? Go to the one who has the answers to the root questions of life -- Try God.
Build a Marriage for a Lifetime
Learn about basic concepts of marriage such as fidelity, emotional needs, conflict and preparation for marriage here.
Christian Authors in the Kitchen
Jan Karon, author of the Mitford series, invites homemakers to enjoy Recipes from the Mitford Kitchen relating to beloved characters in her books. Find "Father Tim's Baked Ham," "Puny's Potato Salad" and "Esther's Orange Marmalade Cake."
Next, surf over to visit Beverly Lewis, Christian fiction and children's/youth author of the famed Amish series. Enjoy sample Amish recipes from the Beverly Lewis Amish Heritage Cookbook such as "Old-Time Lemonade," "Green Tomato Bread," "Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie," "Hickory Hollow Salad," and "Sadie's Beef Stew." Go to Beverly's site (link above) and click on "Amish Recipes."
Bible Quiz
Some places in the Bible were named after important events. Test your Bible knowledge online.
Mark Your Calendars
- Sunday: Annual Congregational Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
- Tuesday: "Basic Bible Doctrines" 11:30 a.m. at church, Pastor Don; High School Discipleship night, 7-9 p.m., at Ferrells', 375-1009; Christian Recovery Group, 8 p.m. in church library, (414) 745-6430.
- Wednesday: AWANA for children age 4 through 6th grade 6:30-8 p.m. at church, Geralynn Esselman, 284-9598; "Basic Bible Doctrines" at church, Pastor Don, 6:30 p.m. at church; 6th-8th grade guys Bible study, 6:30-8 p.m. at Schuettes', 284-1072.
- Thursday: Prayer group, 6:30 a.m. in Pastor Mark's office; Choir practice, 6:30 p.m.
- Sunday: Worship at 8 and 10:30 a.m.; Growth Groups at 9:15 a.m.; Blaze, 6th-12th grades, 6-8 p.m.
Helps and Hollers
- Volunteers are needed to help in the library during AWANA on Wednesday nights and on Sunday during worship and the Sunday School hour. Call Dawn Uselding at (262) 573-6309.
- Volunteers are needed for Early Childhood Ministry to man the nursery during worship and during Sunday morning growth groups. If you're not attending an adult growth group, this is a great opportunity for service, even if it's only one Sunday every other month or so. Call Kathy Kato at 268-6999.
- Pray for Friedens family members enduring cancer and other health issues, including Dawn Uselding, Peg Bannon, Warren Grady, Marci Ferrell, Jeff Starr, Brandon Novack and Nancy Mueller.
- Pray for Friedens family members who are out of work or underemployed, including Bridget Huston, Dan Dufner and John Newton. Do you know anyone in similar straits. Send the church an e-mail.
- For other prayer requests, call the church HEARTS Line, 284-7007. If you'd like a request added to the HEARTS Line, call the church office, 284-2471.
- Food Pantry needs this week include cereal, soup, low-salt vegetables, diet soup, peanut butter, salt, dish soap and cash. Donations may be placed in the shopping cart in the west foyer. If you or someone you know needs help, please contact the church at 284-2471.
FriedensNote is the weekly e-mail newsletter of Friedens Evangelical Church, 454 N. Milwaukee St., Port Washington, WI 53074. For more information on the church, call (262) 284-2471 or visit our website, www.friedenschurch.org. If you'd like to subscribe, unsubscribe, or have questions, e-mail us at friedens@sbcglobal.net, with "FriedensNote" in the subject field.
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454 N. Milwaukee Street, Port Washington, WI 53074
(262) 284-2471