First Christian Circular
Volume 2, Issue 5
May 2011
The Pastor’s Heart
An African told how God worked Easter Sunday at the Ibuga Church of Western Tanzania. The Ibuga Christians had to meet outdoors because the buildings could not accommodate the 800 who attended. While they sang and worshipped, they had no idea of the calamity that was striking their neighborhood.
About the time they started their service, a huge lioness came from the forest wild and mad. Normally a lion would kill and eat, but she was only bent on killing. She dashed from house to house attacking everything in her path. She killed three goats, a cow, and then a woman and her child! As the cry of anguish arose, the lioness ran off in the direction of the Ibuga Church meeting. The villagers said that now the “Mungu Mwena” (“God is good”) people will get it, for that lioness is headed directly for them.
The congregation suddenly saw the creature only a few yards away. She stopped and growled furiously. The people quivered with shock! The preacher shouted, “Folks, don’t be afraid, the God who saved Daniel from the lions is here. The Risen Christ of Easter is here.” Then with a God-given faith and authority he turned to the lioness and said, “You lion, I curse you in the Name of Jesus Christ!”
Then the most amazing thing happened. From the scattered clouds, though there had been no rain—nor was there any later—a bolt of lightning struck the lioness and she dropped dead in her tracks. The preacher ran and jumped up and down on the carcass and then used it as a platform to preach!
Seventeen people were instantly saved. The community was stirred and agreed with the local policeman who muttered as they carried the carcass to the police station, “The God of these “Mungu Mwena” people surely is a God of miracles!”
We have had an amazing Holy Week—five fantastic services, from Palm Sunday’s cantata to our Maundy Thursday communion service to our community Good Friday service to our two wonderful services on Easter Sunday. We’ve experienced the power of the risen Christ in our midst. But now that our exceptional Holy Week is over, may we not go back to “church as normal.” Let us remember that the same Christ that is powerfully alive on Easter Sunday is powerfully alive on every other day too!
Congratulations to Lizzy Gumns and Eleanor Moore for getting last month's Bible trivia question right!
The question was: How did they deal with the problem of black mold, or “defiling mold,” in the time of Moses? If you’re curious what the answer is, read Leviticus 13:47-59.
This month's Bible trivia question:
What were the names of Moses’ parents?
If you know the answer, please send it to me and with the verse where you found the answer. I'll make a note of all who answered correctly in next month's newsletter! Pastor Jon (269) 845-0416 jondenhouter@gmail.com.
Membership Committee
Barb Wegner
Women's Ministries/CWF will host the annual May luncheon at the church on Friday May 6th at noon. Ladies - come and bring a friend for an enjoyable program and good food.
Outreach Committee
Mary-Alice Wirick
It is almost here.... National Day of Prayer is May 5th and we will be having 24 hours of prayer once again at church. Please call the church office if you have not signed up.
First Christian church once again will be having a softball team. Come join us for a wonderful time of fun and fellowship. Games are Mondays. If you are interested in playing on the team, please contact Mary-Alice Wirick at 269-462-1062 to be added to the team roster. And most important is the fans so remember so even if you are not able to play please make every effort to come out and cheer on our team and enjoy the fun & fellowship.
Dowagiac Family Reach out is Saturday June 18th and once again First Christian Church will take care of the food venue. Mark your calendars to volunteer for this great event. More details will follow. What a blessing we receive as we share God's love with our community in a day of fun and fellowship!! We hope to see you all there and bring a friend or two!!! T-shirts and yard signs are once again available for the event. Please see or call Mary-Alice for the order forms.
Christian Education Committee
Mellissa Phillips
The Christian Education Committee has been busy getting ready to launch the new Children's Church program, God's Anointed Kids, GAK for short. We will be introducing the professor and his friends in the Children’s' Moment on May 8th. The kids who participate in the Children's Church program have a Bible Memory verse paper that they will be bringing home each week.
We continue to need volunteers to help in nursery and during the Sunday School hour. If you are interested in coming to play with the babies one Sunday a month or help out by teaching a Sunday School lesson, please get in touch with me or Kellie Beck.
Our Youth Group is continuing to grow and the kids are being blessed by their participation in it. The older kids are getting ready to go to Acquire the Fire on April 29 and 30 at the Breslin Center in Lansing. It will be an awesome experience and we ask for prayers that God will come meet our kids in East Lansing and turn their hearts toward Him.
Thanks very much for keeping our Education ministries in your prayers!
Property Committee
Jim Dodd
The committee talked about our Spring Work/Clean up day on Saturday May 7 starting at 8:00am. That Saturday there’s also a church breakfast for workers & everyone at 9:00am, with guest speaker Rosalie Karunus, our regional elder.
Next Property Committee will be May 4, 2011 at 7:00pm
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