FriedensNotes
Week of April 10, 2005
A Genuine Confession
"Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, Thou God of my salvation; and my tongue shall sing aloud of Thy righteousness." (Psalm 51:14) David plainly names his sin. He does not call it manslaughter, nor speak of it as an imprudence by which an unfortunate accident occurred to a worthy man, but he calls it by its true name, bloodguiltiness. He did not actually kill the husband of Bathsheba; but still it was planned in David's heart that Uriah should be slain, and he was before the Lord his murderer. Learn in confession to be honest with God. Do not give fair names to foul sins; call them what you will, they will smell no sweeter. What God sees them to be, that do you labour to feel them to be; and with all openness of heart acknowledge their real character. Observe that David was evidently oppressed with the heinousness of his sin. It is easy to use words, but it is difficult to feel their meaning. The fifty-first Psalm is the photograph of a contrite spirit. Let us seek after the like brokenness of heart; for however excellent our words may be, if our heart is not conscious of the hell-deservingness of sin, we cannot expect to find forgiveness. Our text has in it an earnest prayer -- it is addressed to the God of salvation. It is His prerogative to forgive; it is His very name and office to save those who seek His face. Better still, the text calls Him the God of my salvation. Yes, blessed be His name, while I am yet going to Him through Jesus' blood, I can rejoice in the God of my salvation.
-- C.H. Spurgeon, http://www.backtothebible.org/devotions/classics/morning/97/2/8/2
Packer Bryce Paup to Visit Friedens
Plan on attending a at 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 16, at church when Bryce Paup, a former linebacker with the Green Bay Packers and Buffalo Bills, will speak at a special Friedens Men's Ministry chili supper. The event is free but a free will offering will be taken. Bring your friends, co-workers and neighbors. Register by calling the church, 284-2471.
Women's Bible Study and Fellowship
A group of women will resume their weekly study of the letter of James, "Developing a Faith that Works," at 7 p.m. April 14 at Rose Morgan's house, 1127 Noridge Trail, Port Washington. Practical topics covered by the study include controlling our speech, avoiding arguments and facing the future. There is a $5 cost for materials. Call Rose at 284-3886 for more information.
Do "Right" and "Wrong" Exist?
Do you believe in "right" and "wrong"? Is morality entirely relative to each individual and society? An article at the Quodlibet Journal of Christian Theology and Philosophy argues that moral standards do exist[1], and that there are solid, logical reasons for believing so. If you've ever wondered how Christians can state with conviction that some things are morally right or wrong, this article offers some good food for thought.
Spiritual Support for Cancer Patients and Families
Cancer Treatment Centers of America sponsors Our Journey of Hope, which offers spiritual encouragement and hope for cancer patients and families. CTCA says it is "simply a way to extend to people a rope of love, support and hope as they navigate through the waters of a cancer diagnosis." Free services are also available to pastors, lay ministers, cancer patients and their families. More information.
Virtual Tours of the Vatican and Rome
As the world grieves the loss of Pope John Paul II, multiple thousands have made their way to Rome. Take a grand tour of a 500-year-old art collection at the Vatican Museums online. Find additional resources at the official Vatican site. Tour Rome at Virtual Tourist and discover beautiful images at Rome, Italy, in Virtual Reality.
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:
- April 10 -- 1 Samuel 15-16; Luke 10:25-42
- April 11 -- 1 Samuel 17-18; Luke 11:1-28
- April 12 -- 1 Samuel 19-21; Luke 11:29-54
- April 13 -- 1 Samuel 22-24; Luke 12:1-31
- April 14 -- 1 Samuel 25-26; Luke 12:32-59
- April 15 -- 1 Samuel 27-29; Luke 13:1-22
- April 16 -- 1 Samuel 30-31; Luke 13:23-35
You also can find each day's readings, along with Bible study tools and other helps online. While there online, you also can share with others what God is teaching you in your reading. Also look for the reading list each month in the FriedensBote and on bookmarks in the west foyer.
Mark Your Calendars
- Sunday: 8 and 10:30 a.m. worship; 9:15 a.m. Growth Groups; 3 p.m. Parenting group, Doug and Amy Lawrence, 284-1689; 6-8 p.m. Blaze.
- Monday: 6:30 p.m., Parenting group, Dan and Vicki Benson, 268-0755; 7 p.m. Missions Committee, at church.
- Tuesday: "Basic Bible Doctrines" 11:30 a.m. at church, Pastor Don; High School Discipleship night, 7-9 p.m., at Doug and Marci Ferrell, 375-1009; Christian Recovery Group, 8 p.m. in church library, (414) 745-6430.
- Wednesday: AWANA, 6:30 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., John and Vicki Schuette, 284-1072.
- Thursday: Prayer group, 6:30 a.m. at church; Choir practice, 6:30 p.m.
- Saturday: Men's Chili Supper, featuring Bryce Paup. 5:30 p.m.
- Sunday: Worship services at 8 and 10:30 a.m.; 9:15 a.m. Growth Groups; 6-8 p.m., Blaze.
Helps and Hollers
- A Friedens representative is needed to serve on the Food Pantry board of directors. Call the church office, 284-2471, for more information.
- Volunteers are needed to help with Vacation Bible School. Sign up in Fellowship Hall or call Pam Landon, 284-5916.
- Give blood at church on from 2 to 7 p.m. on April 18. Sign up in Fellowship Hall or call the church office 284-2471.
- Volunteers are needed to help in the sound and video ministry. Call Mike Bendt, 284-5499, for more information.
- 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.
- Food Pantry needs this week include cereal, diet soup, rice, jelly and jam, canned meat, hand 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.
Pray All About It
- Pray for Friedens family members enduring cancer and other health issues, including Dawn Uselding, Peg Bannon, Warren Grady, Jeff Starr and Brandon Novack.
- Pray for Friedens family members who are out of work or underemployed, including Bridget Huston, Paul Kopp, John Newton, Charles Nitzke, Dan Dufner and Paul Olivent. Do you know anyone in similar straits? Send the church an e-mail or call.
- Pray for the new Strategic Planning Committee as its members pray and seek the Lord's guidance in plotting out the church's future.
- Pray for Pastors Mark Voll, Don Zahurance and Mark Kato and their wives and families. Pray they would be encouraged and strengthened.
- Pray for the lay leaders and many volunteers that help lead various church ministries and keep Friedens running smoothly. Pray they too would be encouraged and continually growing in their love for the Lord.
- Pray for yourself, that God would lead you in becoming a better more passionate servant to others, more thirsty for his Word and more deeply in love with your Savior.
- 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.
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