Posts Tagged ‘Vicki Clark’

November 27,2011

November 28th, 2011

New Requests: Harry Hester Family, Marie Dummitt Family, Vicki Clark, Carolyn

Compton, Mary Swearingen Family

Continuing Requests: Jerry Love, Jason Cox, Scott Sullivan, Ellen Moore, Marie

Drexel

Cancer Patients: Lanny Cooper, Earl Cooper, Joe Hewlett, William Jordan, Paul

Roberts, Stacy Pingleton, Andrew Grigson, Angie Bussell, Tara McCann

Kathy Sower, Alex Mason, John O’Cull, Ruth Hurst, Star John, Edith Westfall

Elderly and Shut Ins and their Families: Maxine Soards, Carrie Edington, Helen

Dixon, Ina Hurst, Sammy Ginn, Gardena Ginn, Flora Wells, Charles Riley, Donald

Lykins, Sr., Lance O’Cull, Joe Hardy, Emma Jordan, Wilson Moore, Malcolm Roe,

Mitch Hickle, Carol Wills, E. V. Holder, Paul Collier

Our Web Prayer Requests, Our Troops, Unspoken Needs, Missionaries, the

“Lost”, the Emotionally, Physically and Spiritually Troubled

 

Sunday Night Bible Study—Bible Prophecy

 

 

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Birthdays and Anniversaries

 

 

November 27 Michelle Himes

 

November 28 Stephen Cordle

 

December 2 Daneyl Carrington

 

December 3 George/Daneyl Carrington

 

December 3 Carol Cunningham

 

December 3 Mark Vergne

 

 

Will the Christ Child Come?


One Christmas we had an interesting experience that I would like to share. Halfway through December we were doing the regular evening things when there was a knock at the door. We opened it to find a small package with a beautiful ceramic lamb inside. We looked at the calendar and realized that the 12 days of Christmas were beginning! We waited excitedly for the next night’s surprise and only then, with the gift of a matching shepherd, did we realize that the lamb was part of a nativity set.
Each night we grew more excited to see what piece we would receive. Each was exquisitely beautiful. The kids kept trying to catch the givers as we slowly built the scene at the manger and began to focus on Christ’s birth.
On Christmas Eve, all the pieces were in place, all but the Baby Jesus. My 12-year-old son really wanted to catch our benefactors and began to devise all kinds of ways to trap them. He ate dinner in the minivan, watching and waiting, but no one came. Finally, we called him in to go through our family’s Christmas Eve traditions. But before the kids went to bed, we checked the front step – - no Baby Jesus! We began to worry that my son had scared them off. My husband suggested that maybe they dropped the Jesus and there wouldn’t be anything coming. Somehow, something was missing that Christmas Eve.
There was a feeling that things weren’t complete. The kids went to bed and before I went to bed, I again checked to see if the Jesus had come – - no, the doorstep was empty. In our family, the kids can open their stockings when they want to, but they have to wait to open any presents until Dad wakes up. So one by one they woke up very early and I also woke up to watch them. Even before they opened their stockings, each child checked to see if perhaps during the night the Baby Jesus had come.
Missing that piece of the set seemed to have an odd effect. At least it changed my focus. I knew there were presents under the tree for me and I was excited to watch the children open their gifts, but first on my mind was the feeling of waiting for the ceramic Christ Child. We had opened just about all of the presents when one of the children found one more for me buried deep beneath the limbs of the tree.
He handed me a small package from my former visiting teaching companion. This sister was somewhat less-active in the church. I had been her visiting teacher for a couple of years and then, when she was asked to be a visiting teacher, she requested to go with me. I had learned over time they didn’t have much for Christmas, so that their focus was on the children. It sounded like she didn’t get many gifts to open, so I had always given her a small package — new dish towels, the next year’s Relief Society lesson manual — not much, but something for her to open.
I was touched when at church on the day before Christmas, she had given me this small package, saying it was just a token of her love and appreciation. As I took off the bow, I remembered my friendship with her and was filled with gratitude for knowing her and for her kindness and sacrifice in this giving me a gift. But as the paper fell away, I began to tremble and cry. There in the small brown box was the Baby Jesus! He had come!
I realized on that Christmas Day, that Christ will come into our lives in ways that we don’t expect. The spirit of Christ comes into our hearts as we serve one another. We had waited and watched for Him to come, expecting the dramatic “knock at the door and scurrying of feet” but He came in a small, simple package that represented service, friendship, gratitude and love.
This experience taught me that the beginning of the true spirit of Christmas comes as we open our hearts and actively focus on the Savior. But we will most likely find Him in the small and simple acts of love, friendship and service that we give to each other. This Christmas I want to feel again the joy of knowing that Christ is in our home. I want to focus on loving and serving. More than that, I want to open my heart to Him all year that I may see Him again.
“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”   (Matthew 1:21 NIV)

Don’t Worry, Let God


Why do we tend to worry about the things we cannot change?
We only need to remember that God has our lives arranged.
He knew us when we were being formed within our mother’s womb.
He planned our life ahead of time from our birth until the tomb.
He knows our problems and our fears we have to face each day.
Just trust He’ll walk beside us and know He’ll be with us all the way.
When we think we can’t get through the day and let despair set in,
Just look above and ask for the help that He’s always ready to send.
Rather than placing our trust in God, we often think we can do it alone.
This is just part of our human nature; the sin of pride as it is known.
God loves us dearly and wants to help us; He’s just a prayer away.
Let’s call upon His wonderful name; He’ll get us through our day.
I have had many days I thought I would never get through.
But when I stopped and talked to God, He said, “I’m here for you.”
When I heard His tender voice, it gave me the strength I needed.
My friends I’m here to tell you, with God you can’t be defeated.
There is no worry or problem that’s too big for our Lord to handle.
Remember that on our darkest days, His love is like a candle.
His love for us will light our way with a beam so very bright.
No matter what we have to face, God will help us win the fight.

 

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“September 11,2011 Bulletin”

September 12th, 2011

“New Requests: Greg Moore Family, Doug Caseman Family

 Continuing Requests: Jason Cox,  John McLaughlin, Barbara Perry, Sherry Bentley Caudill, Kyle McCane, Jenny Jones.

 Cancer Patients:  Lanny Cooper,  Earl Cooper, Maurice Kennedy, Joe Hewlett, William Jordan,  Paul Roberts,  Stacy Pingleton.

 Elderly and Shut Ins: Maxine Soards, Carrie Edington, Helen Dixon, Ina Hurst, Sammy Ginn, Gardena Ginn,  Flora Wells, Charles Riley,  Donald Lykins,Sr.,  Lance O’Cull,  Joe Hardy,  Emma Jordan, Wilson Moore, Malcolm Roe, Mary Swearingen. Our Troops, Unspoken Needs, Missionaries, the “Lost”, the Emotionally, Physically and Spiritually Troubled”.

Birthday’s : September 15 —John Cordle, —Brandon Walker.

Reminders- Sunday night Bible Study—-Acts 11

GRANDPARENTS
Grandparents are special people
with wisdom and pride.
They are always offering love and kindness
and are always there to guide.
They often make you feel
so confident and strong.
Their arms are always open
no matter what you did wrong.
They try to help out
in every way they can.
They love all their grandchildren
the same whether you’re a child, woman or man.
They are always there to listen and to lend a helping hand.
They show you respect and they try to understand.
They give their love, devotion and so much more,
that’s easy to see.
Grandparents, what perfect examples
of the kind of person that we should be.
~Stacy Smith~

Meet Me In The Stairwell

‘MEET ME IN THE STAIRWELL’ – Tribute to 911

You say you will never forget where you were when you heard the news On September 11, 2001. Neither will I.

I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room with a man who called his wife to say ‘Good-Bye.’ I held his fingers steady as he dialed. I gave him the peace to say, ‘Honey, I am not going to make it, but it is OK..I am ready to go.’

I was with his wife when he called as she fed breakfast to their children. I held her up as she tried to understand his words and as she realized he wasn’t coming home that night.

I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a woman cried out to Me for help. ‘I have been knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!’ I said. ‘Of course I will show you the way home – only believe in Me now.’

I was at the base of the building with the Priest ministering to the injured and devastated souls. I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven. He heard my voice and answered.

I was on all four of those planes, in every seat, with every prayer. I was with the crew as they were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the believers there, comforting and assuring them that their faith has saved them.

I was in Texas , Virginia , California , Michigan , Afghanistan . I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news. Did you sense Me?

I want you to know that I saw every face. I knew every name – though not all know Me. Some met Me for the first time on the 86th floor.

Some sought Me with their last breath. Some couldn’t hear Me calling to them through the smoke and flames; ‘Come to Me… this way… take my hand.’ Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me. But, I was there.

I did not place you in the Tower that day. You may not know why, but I do. However, if you were there in that explosive moment in time, would you have reached for Me?

Sept. 11, 2001, was not the end of the journey for you. But someday your journey will end. And I will be there for you as well. Seek Me now while I may be found. Then, at any moment, you know you are ‘ready to go.’

I will be in the stairwell of your final moments.

<< God>>

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September 4,2011 Bulletin

September 9th, 2011

Prayer Requests

New Requests:Ruth Porter, Dorothy Stafford, Mary Swearingen. Continuing Requests: Jason Cox,  John McLaughlin, Ed Applegate. Cancer Patients:  Lanny Cooper,  Earl Cooper, Maurice Kennedy, Joe Hewlett, William Jordan,  Paul Roberts,  Stacy Pingleton, Vicki Clark.  Elderly and Shut Ins: Maxine Soards, Carrie Edington, Helen Dixon, Ina Hurst, Sammy Ginn, Gardena Ginn,  Flora Wells, Charles Riley,  Donald Lykins,Sr.,  Lance O’Cull,  Joe Hardy,  Emma Jordan, Wilson Moore, Malcolm Roe. Our Troops, Unspoken Needs, Missionaries, the “Lost”, the Emotionally, Physically and Spiritually Troubled”.

Birthday’s : September 9    Betty Wills

Reminders- Sunday night Bible Study—-Acts 9

 

 

 

Working with God

by Paul Berchtold, August, 2011

Lord without your help I will lose,
So give me the wisdom to choose,
The work you have for me to do,
Using the gifts that are from you.

Lord thank you, for you know how best,
To crown my work with eternal rest,
I praise you for preparing me,
Showing me my true destiny.

Lord, you know I don’t deserve,
The privilege that now I can serve,
My family, friends and neighbors,
By my gifts and by my labors.

Lord your blessings I humbly ask,
To finish well each special task.
I know you have the best for me,
Leading to true prosperity.

Sacred Labor

 Col. 1:29 says, ”And for this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.” For what do you labor?  Is it to get a better car, more money, a wonderful family?  These things are fine and there is nothing wrong with them.  But, Jesus should be the center of your life, your prayer life, your work, your school, your family, etc, and out of this focus should your labor be directed as you seek to labor for the glory of God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Labor is a godly blessing.  It is a reality in this fallen world just as it was a reality in the Garden of Eden before the fall; God told Adam to take care of the Garden giving Adam a purpose in his labor.  Therefore, labor is a God-ordained blessing.  We are all familiar with having to labor to feed ourselves and our families.  This is good and it glorifies God to be a productive member of society.  But, our labor is not only in the secular.  As Christians, it is in the sacred as well.  Our sacred labor is vitally important, more important, than the secular labor because in the sacred the battle for souls is fought.

Sacred labor involves prayer, petition, intercession, ministering, compassion, tithing, giving offerings, sacrifice, and so much more.  Let’s quickly review these.  Sacred labor is prayerful in that it labors before the Lord in petition and intercession in asking the Lord for direction, deliverance, and salvation for those that the Lord would put upon your heart to pray for.  Sacred labor is ministering in that it is other-centered.  There are so many who need to be loved, helped, and uplifted.  Do you know of anyone in need?  Do what you can for those you can help — even if it means you must sacrifice something.  Sacred labor is full of compassion.  It sees the needs of others and feels for them, senses their hurt and need, but it doesn’t stop there.  For true compassion should motivate us to do something, otherwise, it is simply empty feeling.  Sacred labor involves tithing because the reality of this world is that money is needed.  God has ordained the order and blessing of money which makes so many things possible.  God gives it to us to use for His glory.  If you can tithe, then tithe and support your local church.  GIVE!  Sacred labor is also the giving of offerings.  These are above and beyond the tithe.  The tithe is for your local church.  The offerings are for other people, other ministries, other needs that you see.  If it makes you cringe to give even more than a tithe, then quickly look around your house and see if you have enough possessions to be satisfied.  Then look outward to the world and see where people are dying, where the gospel needs to go forth, where needs exist.  Look further into eternity and see what treasures you want stored there.  Then, look back at your possessions.  For what are you laboring?

Finally in this small list of items, sacrifice is also a sacred labor before the Lord because it is in the trust of sacrifice that you approach the heart of God.  I say “trust of sacrifice” because to sacrifice something means that you are trusting God to provide where your sacrifice has deprived you.  As Jesus trusted the Father to resurrect Him in His sacrifice, so too must you trust the Lord to bring to you your needs as you sacrifice for others.  This is the nature of true love because true love is other centered: “For God so loved the world, He GAVE His only begotten Son…” (John 3:16).

Do not be caught up in the comfort and security of this world so that you constantly seek to provide yourself with one more little toy, one more little pleasure while the opportunities of sacred labor go unfulfilled around you.  Stand on the word of God, by faith, and reach out to others.  Do what you can to further God’s kingdom.  Pray, petition, intercede, minister, show compassion, tithe, give offerings, make sacrifices, and do whatever else the Lord would call you to do in the service of the Kingdom of God.

Eternity is where our treasures should be stored and our eyes, and goals, and hopes should be focused.  On that distant day when we bow before the Lord, we will all want to hear His words pronounced upon us, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things, enter into the joy of your master,” (Matt. 25:21).

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August 28,2011 Bulletin

September 2nd, 2011

Prayer Request

“New Requests: John McLaughlin, Arthur Ginn Family,John Gifford Family.  Continuing Requests: Jason Cox, Richard Vergne.  Cancer Patients:  Lanny Cooper,  Earl Cooper, Maurice Kennedy, Joe Hewlett, William Jordan,  Paul Roberts,  Stacy Pingleton, Vicki Clark.  Elderly and Shut Ins: Maxine Soards, Carrie Edington, Helen Dixon, Ina Hurst, Sammy Ginn, Gardena Ginn,  Flora Wells, Charles Riley,  Donald Lykins,Sr.,  Lance O’Cull,  Joe Hardy,  Emma Jordan, Wilson Moore, Malcolm Roe. Our Troops, Unspoken Needs, Missionaries, the “Lost”, the Emotionally, Physically and Spiritually Troubled”.

Reminders- Sunday night Bible Study—-Acts 8.

 

 

When I Meet My Savior

If this is the day that I should meet my Savior face to face

I hope that He can say to me, “My child, you ran the good race.

You told those who didn’t know Me how they could be My child

You helped those sick and suffering; you went that extra mile.

You shared with others what you had; you were always kind

You were always witnessing; you wanted no one left behind.

You comforted those in sorrow; you prayed for those still lost

You tried to be a friend to all, no matter what the cost.

You let My light shine through you so others around could see

That you had something special, and you told them it was free.

You shared the gift of salvation and they were quick to agree

They wanted the joy and peace you had so they too could be free.

You told them of the blood I shed to wash their sins away

You told them of eternal life I planned for them some day.

You told them to repent of their sins and ask Me into their heart

So I could change them from within into a new work of art.

My child, when you stand before Me on that final Judgement Day

I’ll not forget these things you’ve done; your crown I’ve laid away”.

What Is Life All About?

I’ve only one life; it soon will be gone.
What will remain of the things that I’ve done?
Will I be remembered as someone who cared?
Someone who sympathized? Someone who shared?

Will the things that I did while on earth be worthwhile?
Have I lightened a load? Gone the second mile?
Did I put off my ambitions? Put them on hold?
To help someone else in reaching their goal?

If I can say YES to these things, and more,
Then I’ll not be ashamed when I reach Heaven’s shore.
I will hold my head high, when I’m called by my Lord
To stand before God to receive my reward.

 

I Know You By Heart

I recently heard someone say, “What you do for others you do also for yourself.”

I was confused at first, because it almost made me feel selfish. I mean, I love doing things for other people, but my wife told me recently that I always put others first. She was saying that was one of my faults. I needed a little more “me” in my efforts to change the world.

I visit people in nursing homes, retirement and senior centers. I love to spend time with older folks. It’s like mining for gold. They have been down the road ahead of me and I want to know what they have learned so that I make the right choices.

A speaker at a conference I attended many years ago asked, “Where do you think the most value real estate is in the world.

Hands went up and offered big city names, resorts in development and exotic locations around the world.

“Nice try,” he said. “The most valuable real estate are the cemeteries. Buried there are dreams that might have changed the world, perhaps cures for major diseases that were never developed and people who could have made a difference in your life but never took the chance. What happened? No one listened.”

I listen, I encourage, but I don’t realize the value of what I do or understand the impact.

It was during a recent visit to a new facility that I realized that my efforts made a difference in the lives of those I met.

“How are you today?” I heard someone ask.

I turned around and scanned the room to see who was speaking.

“I heard the voice of an angel!” I said smiling. “Where are you?”

Then I heard a faint laugh in the corner.

“Oh, there you are. I am so lucky to find you today,” I said.

She was seated on an old Victorian looking couch. It reminded me of the furniture in my mother’s living room. We could only sit on it when company came. So, I jumped at the opportunity to sit next to this wonderful woman.

Her hair was white and neatly brushed with an occasional wave gently reflecting the light from the nearby window.

Her hands crossed on her lap resting on top of a knitted pink blanket that covered her legs. Two practical looking walking shoes peeked out at the bottom and a wooden cane was placed within her reach nearby.

“It’s good to see you,” she said. “I love when you come to visit.”

I was a bit surprised to hear her say that. I had never been here before. Maybe she was transferred her from another place and she remembered me.

“It’s good to see you, too,” I said.

“You always brighten my day,” she added.

I sat quietly for a moment trying desperately to remember if we had met before. I really love to remember names. It makes people feel good when you remember.

Then I asked, “When was the last time I saw you?”

She turned her head away for a moment and then looking back at me, she said, “Oh, we’ve never met, you and I. But I know you by heart.”

How curious. We never met, but she knows me by heart.

It must have been the look on my face that caused her to explain further.

“There is something about people like you. You are the ones who carry the world on your back. When you walk in a room you make us smile. When you touch my hand I can feel the warmth in your heart. People like you bring flowers, music and sunshine. Even when you bring nothing at all, you leave so much behind.”

I was humbled and at a loss for words.

“My, I thank you for saying that,” I said. “When you said, “I know you by heart,” I naturally felt like I must have met you before.”

“I know you by heart, because I always did the same thing. I always put others first,” she said.

There it was again. “Putting others first.”

Then I shared, “I heard someone say, “What you do for others you do also for yourself.”

“I am living proof of that,” she said. “You see, after all that time, after all that caring it all came back to me. People like you now visit me and I know you by heart.”

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August 21, 2011 Bulletin

August 22nd, 2011

Prayer Request

New Requests:  Melvin Wills,  Clarence Claxon Family,  Margaret Stafford Family,  Jeannette Ash Family,  Kyle McCane

Continuing Requests: Jason Cox, Denise Jamison,  Richard Vergne
Cancer Patients:  Lanny Cooper,  Earl Cooper, Maurice Kennedy, Joe Hewlett, William Jordan,  Paul Roberts,  Stacy Pingleton, Vicki Clark
Elderly and Shut Ins: Maxine Soards, Carrie Edington, Helen Dixon, Ina Hurst, Sammy Ginn, Gardena Ginn,  Flora Wells, Charles Riley,  Donald Lykins,Sr.,  Lance O’Cull,  Joe Hardy,  Emma Jordan, Wilson Moore
Our Troops, Unspoken Needs, Missionaries, the “Lost”, the Emotionally, Physically and Spiritually Troubled”

 

Reminders

Sunday Night Bible Study

Reaching Out

There is an old saying
That proves over time
Reach out to the needy
It’s a hill we all need to climb
~*~
No matter how young we are
Or all who have grown older
Caring what happens to others
Keeps our own soul from growing older
~*~
When we look around us
And see all the sickness and pain
Jesus has the answers
And He made it very plain
~*~
Reaching out to the lonely
Help feed the hungry too
Give a cold drink of water
Is that to much to do?
~*~
When we share our blessings
They will come back to you
Cook a meal for a needy family
Shows Jesus word is true
~*~
What we give to others
Brings blessings we don’t expect
God is up there with His angels
As we bow before Him in deep respect
~*~
Reach out – give what you can
Never be afraid to share
Praise God for His promises
And His gracious, loving care

~ Eva May Young ~

Sharing The Bounty

“I’d like a half dozen,” I told the man.

“Excellent!” he said and then proceeded to count them as he placed them in the bag.

“One, two, three, four, five, six, six and I never really liked this one.,” he said as he filled the bag with corn.

I smiled, as he handed them to me and said, “That’ll be $2.50.”

I gave him three and said, “Keep the change.” A very small gesture on my part.

He said, “You don’t have to do that.”

I replied, “Neither do you, my friend.”

I wasn’t surprised. You see he’s been doing it for years.

I was at the farmers market on public square. It covers the entire square every Thursday until they run out of produce late in the fall.

I love going there or anywhere the local farmers sell their goods. I always believe that in order for my local community to be stronger, I must make every effort to buy locally. That means I go to the small hardware store just down the road or the small food store owned by local people.

Many of the large grocery store chains sell produce that not only comes from other states, but other countries. Not that I haven’t purchased it, but when in season I try to buy locally.

That man is one of the reasons.

Now a few of the skeptics or should I say critics would suggest that I go to that man because he gives me extra. The idea of him sharing his bounty is diminished a bit because people take advantage of his generosity.

That may be true in some cases.

One might also say he isn’t doing it out of the kindness of his heart, because he’s “market savvy” and gets more business that way.

Those who see it either way also love to pop the balloons of dreamers and tell kids there isn’t a Santa Claus.

I always tend to see the good in any act of kindness.

I love to watch others who, for the first time, discover his questionable mathematics abilities.

They are so happy and pleasantly surprised by his kindness. They smile and thank him for what he has done. They walk away feeling like there is hope for humanity. Perhaps they in turn, do something kind for someone else that day.

This farmer shares his harvest and I in turn share my bounty with a neighbor.

You see, Marianne and I really only need two ears of corn, I buy six, he gives me eight and I in turn give six away to family or my neighbors.

It’s what we are called to do. Leviticus 19:9-10 9 “‘When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. 10 Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the LORD your God.”

There are many farmers there but no one else does this. It does not make them wrong or ungodly. I don’t know in what other ways they share their bounty. They could tithe a portion of their income or they might give to area food banks. Judging them without full knowledge of how they give back, would be wrong.

But don’t we do that everyday? Don’t we get caught up in judging others without knowing the full story? Luke 6:37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”

Both of these principles appear in every major religion and yet, many of us ignore the truth.

Today I am asking you to look at all you have and find a way to share that bounty with someone.

If you have extra food give a portion to those who do not.

If you have a talent, a craft, a gift of bringing joy to others, do so today.

“But I have so little!” you might say.

In the little we have is a bounty so big in the eyes of those who have nothing at all.

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