July 22, 2014 ~ Volume 68 ~ Issue 29

Volume 68 ~ Christian Visitor ~ Issue 1 January 6, 2015

Church Telephone: 785-448-3452 Fax: 785-448-2568 Website: www.fccgarnett.org OFFICE HOURS: Monday thru Thursday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Office is closed on Friday

Pastor’s Desk… Here we stand, at the beginning of 2015. If you are like me you experienced good things and some not so good things but all the things we had to face, God gave us the strength and grace to not only endure but to learn and grow. At least that is what I hoped happened for you and for me. With the beginning of each New Year brings the opportunity for change. While this is true for each day of the year, hanging up a new calendar brings with it a stronger awareness of the possibility of change in our lives. If you have been here over the last couple of weeks you might have noticed the physical change that has occurred in my life and no, I am not talking about the ten pounds I gained between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I will work reversing this change. The change that occurred a few weeks ago with me was a change in how I wear my hair. For 30+ years I have parted my hair from the left to the right and during all that time I have battled a “cow lick” as my mother would say. It is a bunch of hair at the back of my scalp that wants to go left instead of right. For years I have plastered this down with a combination of hair spray and goop to get it to conform to the way I think it should go. When I was getting my hair cut the last time I commented to the person cutting my hair. She made comment that instead of fighting the natural wave why not go with it? And guess what? She was right! Now by doing such a simple thing as parting my hair from the right to the left the wave I had fought for 30 years was relaxed and laying good. Amazing. The challenge for me now is to get used to doing something different. Old habits die hard. It’s a different movement to blow dry my hair now and when I want to smooth my hair down throughout the day the tendency is to run my hand through my hair from left to right which actually messes up my hair instead of straightening it out. I am sure you would agree that all changes we desire to make are challenging in one way or another. I am excited about where I see God taking me and taking First Christian Church. The teaching on love coming up is going to be challenging but yet so needed in this day and age. God who is love (1 John 4:8) gave us His Holy Spirit and what do we read is the Holy Spirit’s first trait? Love. (Galatians 5:22) What is it that Jesus said would identify His people more than anything else? Love. (John 13:35) And what is one of the hardest things for us to constantly, unconditionally exhibit to our family, friends and church family? Love. In our study of this first attribute of God and the Holy Spirit I believe we must get a clear picture of the love God has for us. 1 John 4:8 says, “The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” (NASB) This Sunday’s sermon will finish up our look at John 16:7-11 which we started before the holidays. Specifically we will be looking at John 16:11 which speaks of judgment. But in His love for us God made a way that we would not experience judgment although Jesus brought judgment upon the one who has been creating havoc on earth for several thousand years, Satan. Like my hair, which I was dealing with improperly for years, to be perfected in God’s love might require that some changes might need to occur in our hearts and in our behavior. Some of these changes might be uncomfortable for a while but the benefits will be outstanding. I look forward to seeing how God will work through these changes, through a higher level working in me and in the church. 2015 is going to be a pretty cool year. Let’s call it the year of love. Sounds kind of 60ish don’t you think? In much love, Pastor Darrel

January 11, 2015 Reminders Elder for Offertory: Steve Spring Elder for Communion: Roger Adams Deacon Usher: Craig Cole Communion to the Shut Ins: Elder: Burke Rogers Deacon: Bill Ratliff Deacons Group C: Dan Roberts, Lynn Wilson, Mike Zentner & Dan Kasprzak Audio / Visual: 8:00 a.m.: Carol Long ~ Joyce Benton 10:30 a.m.: Mackenzie Peterson ~ Becky Allen Pianist / Organist 8:00 a.m.: Nancy Horn & Vicki Hulett Pianist 10:30 a.m.: Doris Wilson Song Leader for 10:30: Worship Team Greeters: Mary Martin & Charlotte Cox Communion Prep for January: Leroy & Sandra Hamilton

First Christian Church “Family Life Center” Growth Chart

Building Addition ~ $1,500,000

Total of Pledges and Cash ~ $789,903

Total Pledges to be received ~ $251,239

Total Cash In Building Fund $538,664

I wanted to share just a note about your giving over the last couple of months. Our treasurer, Burke Rogers, does a wonderful job of not only keeping up with the books but he goes over and above the call of duty in his reports. One such report he does on a quarterly basis shows what the average Sunday giving is each quarter. He shared his report for 2014 with me last week and then we talked about it in General Board Sunday night. In the last quarter of 2014 which is the months of October, November and December, the average giving per Sunday was $4,583. In Burke’s report he shows this in comparison to the last three years, 2011, 2012 and 2013. The average amount of $4,583 is the highest quarter FCC has had in 4 years. While this is great it should also be noted that our average attendance was down and the amount of extra giving into the Building Fund was $182,561. So…not only has your giving been up but you have been digging deep to also support the new addition. What all this tells us is we are a giving church. We are giving back to God a portion of what God has blessed us with and more!! We are being blessed as a church and I know God’s blessings will be upon each one of you for it is God’s promise. Remember the familiar giving scripture in Malachi 3:10? “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” Test me God says and see if I will not bless you. We are being blessed. You gotta love it and you gotta love God. – Pastor Darrel

JANUARY 2015 FCC GENERAL FUND Weekly Average Need ~ $4460

January Monthly Need ~ $17840 January 4, 2015 General Tithe~ $3555

January Monthly Giving to Date ~ $3555

PRAYERS FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY: Phyllis Adams, Twyla Duryea, Marlys Hayden, Clarence Hermann, Jim Jordan, Loretta Lankard, Jack & Jo Lowe, Joe Lytle, Wilma McIntosh, Whitney Peine, Dorothy Schuster & Howard & Donna Williams PRAYERS FOR OUR EXTENDED FAMILY & FRIENDS: Bill Barndt (brother-in-law of Bob Meliza); Ray De Rosia (requested by Earl & Ruth Peine); Shannon Garber, Eugene Grimes (son of Ronnie & Oneda & nephew of Judy Tisor); C.B. Harris, Cindy Herde (sister in law of Darrel Herde); Brenda Kempnich (requested by Darwin & Mary Hamilton); the family of Dawanna Nichols; Steve Richardson (son of Reed & Carol Richardson); Duane & Becky Roush (requested by Carol Hermreck & Carolyn Schuster); Angie Schael (sister of Tammy Clark); Marix Sharpe (Opal Meyers 1 year old great-grandson in Ok); Karen Terrill (daughter of Lois Crist); Marilyn Walsh (sister of Doug Linder); Lorie Webster (niece of Ruth Allen) the family of Lee West (step father of Connie Meyers) & Bryon Wright (nephew of Earl Peine). PRAYERS FOR OUR MILITARY: Military: Serving in Kuwait: SPC Jonathan Potter, grandson of Nelda Potter Serving in Japan: Shawn Parks, husband of Richele Serving overseas: Franklin Cockrell, son of Debbie Cockrell PRAYERS FOR OUR LOVED ONES IN CARE CENTERS: Guest Home Estates: Robert Young, Seatta Van Donge and Vernon & Goldie Hunt Long Term Care: Ruth Gorrell & Bill Young Golden Heights: Vi Davin, Lois Miller, Birdie Zentner, Jean Brown, Olive Kline & Max Ratliff Ottawa Retirement Village: Ralph Hamilton (father of Leroy)

Jack Lowe has been transferred to Windsor

Place in Iola where he will be doing some

rehab to get his strength back. Jo is expecting

him to be there for at least 2 weeks or so. If

you would like to send Jack your “well wishes”

he would love to hear from you! Jack’s

address is: Windsor Place ~ 600 E. Garfield,

Room 107 ~ Iola, KS 66749

Calvin Martin Altiera Born Wednesday, December 10, 2014.

9 pounds 2 ounces Proud Parents~ Martin & Katrena Altiera

Great Grandmother ~ Beverly Long

** **

Senior Pastor: Darrel Herde ~ Phone: 316-841-3090 ~ Email: pastor_darrel@fccgarnett.org Youth & Children Pastor: Chris Goetz ~ Phone: 503-474-7965 ~ Email: chris@fccgarnett.org

Marsha Dulin ~ Email: marsha@fccgarnett.org

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH ELDERS FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH DEACONS *Roger Adams: 448-6147 Mike Burns Craig Cole Ron Jenkins: 448-3843 Dan Dulin *Greg Gwin Kevin Lewis: 204-2257 Leroy Hamilton Dan Kasprzak Burke Rogers: 448-5987 Doug Meyer Jason Miller Steve Spring: 448-2491 Bill Ratliff Danny Roberts Les Thomas: 448-6708 Jason Sjorlund Lynn Wilson Gene Watson: 408-205-3635 Mike Zentner

SUNDAYS AT FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH 8:00 am ~ Early Worship Services

10:30am ~ Worship Services & Children’s Church

Sunday Worship Attendance December 21, 2014 8:00 a.m. Worship ~ 69 10:30 a.m. Worship ~ 145

Total ~ 231 Sunday Worship Attendance December 28, 2014

8:00 a.m. Worship ~ 70 10:30 a.m. Worship ~ 128 Total ~ 198

Christmas Eve Services Wednesday, December 24 4:00 p.m. ~ 176 6:00 p.m. ~ 90

Sunday Worship Attendance January 4, 2015 8:00 a.m. Worship ~ 39 10:30 a.m. Worship ~ 94

Total ~ 133

9:15 A.M. SUNDAY SCHOOL INFORMATION December 21 ~ Total: 100 December 28 ~ Total: 70

January 4, 2015 ~ Total: 43 0 ~ Nursery: Age 0 thru 4 years 0 ~ Beginners: 4 year olds thru Kindergarten 3 ~ Primary: 1st thru 3rd Grade 2 ~ Juniors: 4th thru 6th Grade 4 ~ Jr High: 6th thru 8th Grade 6 ~ Sr High: 9th thru 12th Grade 0 ~ Opportunity Class: Seniors primarily 75+ 11 ~ SOS Class: ages 60+ 6 ~ Great Expectations: ages 50+ Mid of road 3 ~Overcomers: Mainly the young adults 8 ~ Pastor’s Class: Not an age specific class

CHILDREN’S GROUPS ATTENDANCE ROOTS

Wednesday, December 17 ~ 39 Wednesday, December 24 & 31 ~ 0

CHILDREN’S CHURCH Sunday, December 21 ~ 45 Sunday, December 28 ~ 18

Sunday, January 4 ~ 19 LEGACY YOUTH

Sunday, December 21 ~ 0 Sunday, December 28 ~0

Sunday, January 4 ~10

First Christian Church “Family Life Center” Growth Chart

The SOS Class: The class had 9 present today and 2 visitors Marilyn Artherton & Shirley Logue of Orlando, FL sister of Darlene Jenkins. The class had 9 with Bibles and 2 daily readers. Prayer requests and concerns for: Gary & Linda (traveling); Bob & Marlys Hayden, Roger & Phyllis Adams, Jack (in rehab) & Jo Lowe; Bill Barndt (brother in law of Bob Meliza) & Bob & Franque Meliza. Ron Jenkins opened the class with prayer and presented the lesson from their study guide “Fruit of the Spirit” on “FAITHFULNESS.” The class closed with The Lord’s Prayer.

First Christian Church “Family Life Center” Growth Chart

THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US! December 28, 2014: Larry Riley, Gary & Karen Briggs of Kincaid; Jim & Nadine Maloy of Kincaid,; Megan & Jacob Coltrane of Sapulpa, OK grandchildren of Max & Deb Worthington; Kirk & Lisa Gebert and David & Karla Ristow and Jonny all family of Lois Gebert; John & Sharon Pruett of Springfield, MO family of George & Jeanine Zentner

January 4, 2015: Ed & Lisa Sears and Cheyenne, Laura & Charli of Garnett; Shirley Logue of Orlando, FL sister of Ron & Darlene Jenkins and Nick Trollope friend of Rachel

Legacy New Years Alternative Follow-up: Legacy left Wednesday December 31st with Becky Allen, Autumn Romig, LeBlanc’s, Mundy’s, Natasha and myself to Hidden Haven Christian Camp to take a time away to give students an alternative to many less healthy things commonly done on New Year’s Eve! 29 students from Garnett, 4 from Thayer and 18 from Burlington, and 15 from Galesburg met for an event that will be remembered well through the year!!! We were privileged to enjoy this safe and really fun event! We bowled until just before midnight, played night games and watched movies for tons of fun! We also spent time worshiping with Natasha and enjoyed a message about taking our faith seriously in 2015. I want to offer special thanks to all the drivers and those who let us borrow their vehicles for this event! God blessed this trip richly this New Year. Thanks so much for all who were involved in making this possible. God Bless and Thanks, Chris

Roots: Though the nice break was good for all those working in Roots… it is on again! This Wednesday we are in lesson Winter: Lesson WK4 “Faithful people thank God for Jesus”. Dinner is at 5:20pm this Wednesday and the program begins at 6pm! We hope you will brave the cold and come spend some healthy time in worship, fellowship and enjoying some of the blessings the Good Lord has provided us with!

Roots Quarterly Mission: We will be collecting canned food which will be donated to ECKAN (local food bank.) We are going to call this our Soup-Er-bowl Canned Food Drive which was coined by Jon Thomas 4 year ago! We will collect through March 1st! The 6th Grade Roots students will have a chance to deliver these goods to ECKAN. Blessings, Roots Staff Legacy Youth Church: This year Legacy Youth Church is kicking off a new series called Surrender! Topics all relate to surrendering ourselves to Jesus… “the author and protector of our faith.” I want to thank our church for furnishing snacks for our youth and let you know how valuable of a ministry it is to have snacks. Some of our students work and show up to Legacy having not had dinner yet… this proves to make learning the valuable lessons very difficult. There are other students who really need some healthy food as they don’t get it in their own homes. There are still 6 spots available if you would like to supply snacks for the younger generation of leaders in our church! Thanks and God Bless, Chris

CHASE: CHASING AFTER THE HEART OF GOD BIBLE STUDY BY JENNIE ALLEN A Ladies Bible Study meets every Saturday morning at 9:30 am in the Church Annex. They are currently studying “Chase” by Jennie Allen and you are more than welcome to come and join them. If you have any questions, please contact Becky Allen at 785-448-4435.

WORSHIP AND REJOICE

Monthly Hymn Selection Committee will meet Thursday, January 15, at 6:30 p.m. in the FCC Fellowship Hall to select the February Hymns.

THE “MITTEN TREE” 2014 Who Cares? FCC Does….that’s who!

Hats off to all who donated this year to ECKAN. We collected 183 Hats – Gloves – Scarves –

Throws – Socks – Etc for those in need Thank you all for your heartfelt generosity & donations for this much needed and worthwhile project. Those who received these were so grateful and truly blessed by your gifts. ~ Remember:

Warm hearts helped to warm many hands, heads and feet this very cold winter. ~

WHETHER THEREFORE YE EAT, OR DRINK, OR WHATSOEVER YE DO, DO ALL TO THE GLORY OF GOD. 1 CORINTHIANS 10:31

EVERY OTHER TUESDAY NIGHT MEALS! Cathy Hoke still is saying “Bundle up…put on your coats, hats and mittens and “Come on down and get in line” and enjoy the tasty meals and enjoy the fellowship at the every other Tuesday Evening meals. The next scheduled meal will be Tuesday, January 20 in the Fellowship Hall. They will serve the meals from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm. YUM! YUM!

Foundations – The Teachings of Jesus Beginning Sunday, January 18th the Pastor’s Adult Sunday School Class will be starting a new study based upon the teachings of Jesus as found in the Gospels. If you have ever struggled to understand the parables of Jesus and some of His teachings make plans to attend this class. Understanding the Gospels is the key to understanding the Bible as a whole and how we fit into the picture of God’s plan for mankind. If you are not attending Sunday School and are looking for a class to join this one might be for you. It is not an age specific class and meets at 9:15 in the annex south of the church.

EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOOD DISTRIBUTION WILL BE HELD

WHEN: THURSDAY – JANUARY 22ND WHERE: NORTH LAKE QUONSET HUT TIME FOR DISTRIBUTION: 4:00 P.M.

THIS IS FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED AND IS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

Excerpt from Fireproof: Relationships are wonderful gifts

given to us by God. As we read in the Bible, the most-

intimate relationship is marriage between a husband and a

wife. Unfortunately, relationships today are under more

cultural and interpersonal pressure and stress than ever

before in our history. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Together, we can make a long-term difference for healthy

relationships and marriages Ö starting with yours! What can

you do to make a difference?

WOMEN’S RETREAT “Spotted as His” “Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right.” ~ Proverbs 20:11 Woman’s World is an annual retreat sponsored by Manhattan Christian College and held in the KSU Student Union in Manhattan, KS. This year’s event, February 27-28, “Spotted as His,” will encourage all of us to consider what makes us different and whether or not people can tell we are Christians by just watching us. It will be a fun and inspirational break from the winter months. Sandra Glahn, a popular Bible study author and Aspire2 blogger will be the keynote speaker. Eighteen practical seminars will be offered throughout the weekend and everyone will have the opportunity to attend four. More information is posted on a bulletin board in Fellowship Hall or contact Michal Herde @ 316 841-3070. Register online! www.mccks.edu

FIREPROOF YOUR MARRIAGE: NEVER LEAVE YOUR PARTNER BEHIND…Is Your

Marriage Fireproof? So many things can come up in marriages that create sparks

and if not properly dealt with they can turn into a raging inferno. The marriage class

led by Gene & Gail Watson is based upon the popular movie Fireproof and will run

for 6 weeks on Sunday nights beginning February 15th.

This study is designed to help build strong, God-centered marriages that will help

“Fireproof” your marriage. It is for all ages and baby-sitting will be provided.

Please sign-up on the bulletin flap or call the church office so we know how many

to plan for.