FriedensNotes
Week of April 17, 2005
Invisible Blessings
Being very much of the earth--earthy--we always want tangible, visible things--proofs, demonstrations, something to latch onto. If we always had them, of course, faith would be "struck blind." When Jesus hung on a cross, the challenge was flung at Him: Come down! He stayed nailed, not so that spectators would be satisfied (that miracle, his coming down, would have been a great crowd-pleaser), but that the world might be saved. Many of our prayers are directed toward the quick and easy solution. Long-suffering is sometimes the only means by which the greater glory of God will be served, and this is, for the moment, invisible. We must persist in faith. God has a splendid purpose. Believe in order to see it. As Paul wrote: "Our troubles are slight and short-lived, and their outcome an eternal glory which outweighs them far. Meanwhile our eyes are fixed, not on the things that are seen, but on the things that are unseen" (2 Corinthians 4:17-18, NEB).
-- Elizabeth Elliott, http://www.backtothebible.org/devotions/authors_attic/elliot/105
Fellowship Dinner
Plan on attending Friedens' annual Spring Fellowship Dinner, which will be held next Sunday, April, 24, following the 10:30 a.m. service. The dinner is free but an offering will be taken. Volunteers are needed to help set-up, tear down and serve during the dinner. If you are available, please contact Mike and Deb Bendt at 284-5499
Improve Your Marriage
A new series for couples has gotten underway but you can still join in. "Improving Communication in Your Marriage" is being hosted by Cliff and Pam Landon. The discussion group meets at 7 p.m. on Fridays at the Landons' house in Port Washington. Cost for materials is $20 and childcare is provided. For more information, call the Landons at 284-5916.
The End is Near
Pastors Mark Voll and Don Zahurance will begin a series in May on the Book of Revelation and "end times" prophecy. In addition, Pastor Don will lead a group on the same topic between worship services at 9:15 a.m. each Sunday in May. It's a topic of great interest to many people so plan on inviting your friends.
Time for Softball
A team from Friedens is entering the Belgium Fire Department Softball League this summer. A few roster spots are still open. If interested, call Nick Benson, (414) 745-6430. Games are Friday evenings. Cost to join is $15.
Save Your Receipts
Save your receipts from the Port Washington Sentry store. Bring them to church and place them in the designated box in Fellowship Hall. At the end of the month, Sentry will rebate 1% of the total sales to Friedens Church. Also, don't forget to designate Friedens as the beneficiary on your Pick N Save store card to earn the church a similar rebate.
For Every Student
Check out EveryStudent.com - "a safe place to explore issues about college, life, and what it might be like to know God." Topics include, "Why Pick the God of the Bible?" "What Will Heaven Be Like" and a "Video Room" in which college students talk about their own spiritual journeys.
A Guide to Christian Internet Apologetics
Peninsula Bible Church of Palo Alto, Calif., invites readers to check out Christian Internet Apologetics, a guide for Christians on the "do's and don'ts" of effectively communicating their faith over the Internet--email, chat, and online discussion boards.
How Religious Are Young People?
Two recent surveys set out to find out how and to what extent young people in the U.S. seek out and practice religion and came across some interesting answers. While many young people describe themselves as religious, they tend to engage their religious beliefs through non-traditional means--music, personal conversations and private reading. Read more online
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 17 -- 2 Samuel 1-2; Luke 14:1-24
- April 18 -- 2 Samuel 3-5; Luke 14:25-35
- April 19 -- 2 Samuel 6-8; Luke 15:1-10
- April 20 -- 2 Samuel 9-11; Luke 15:11-32
- April 21 -- 2 Samuel 12-13; Luke 16
- April 22 -- 2 Samuel 14-15; Luke 17:1-19
- April 23 -- 2 Samuel 16-18 ; Luke 17:20-37
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; 2 p.m., Young Adults group, Nichole Scheftgen, 510 W. Oakland Ave., 262-389-7320; 3 p.m. Parenting group, Doug and Amy Lawrence, 284-1689; 6-8 p.m. Blaze.
- Monday: 2-7 p.m. blood drive at church; 6:30 p.m., Parenting group, Dan and Vicki Benson, 268-0755; 6:30 p.m. Church Council meeting.
- Tuesday: "Basic Bible Doctrines" 11:30 a.m. at church, Pastor Don; 6:30 p.m., Strategic Planning Committee; High School Discipleship night, 7-9 p.m., 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: 9 a.m., All-Church Fellowship Dinner set-up; 9:30 a.m. Sabbatical Planning Committee.
- Sunday: Worship services at 8 and 10:30 a.m.; 9:15 a.m. Growth Groups; All-Church Fellowship Dinner following 10:30 a.m. service; 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.
- Volunteers are needed for Early Childhood Ministry to man the nursery during worship and during Sunday morning growth groups. Call Kathy Kato at 268-6999.
- Food Pantry needs this week include cereal, soup, canned green beans, pancake mix, syrup, toothpaste and cash. Donations may be placed in the shopping cart in the west foyer. If you or someone you know needs help, 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 for the teenagers and other youth in the church and the adults that lead Friedens youth ministries.
- Pray for yourself and others in the Friedens family for a deeper commitment to God's Word and greater passion to serve others.
- 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
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