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From the Desk of Pastor Johnny: What you believe determines how you behave! How you behave determines what you become! What we believe about God, the Bible, even ourselves will set patterns for our life here and hereafter. My mom didn't believe an "automatic" clothes washer worked as well as the "ringer" type. My dad got her a brand new "automatic" washer and dryer because she was constantly getting her fingers caught in the ringer. She didn't believe those new "automatic" contraptions worked as well so my dad's purchases became shelves on which to keep laundry detergent boxes. Her belief determined her behavior. As a congregation, we believe we are called "to know Christ and make Him known." Therefore, we're designing ministries, events, activities, and opportunities to help us do that! We need to address our beliefs about what the Bible says about Who God is and what a relationship with Him looks like. We need to know what we believe about how we should relate to the world, our families, and our brothers and sisters in Christ. We need to scrutinize our beliefs about the future because what we believe about Jesus' coming will determine how we will live today. Beginning in August, we'll begin examining our beliefs as a congregation. To facilitate our study in God's Word, we'll be using the book, "The Church of God as Revealed in Scripture" by Dr. Arlo Newell. A free copy of this book will be available for each person. The sermon plan for August will be: August 1 Getting to Know Your Father As we go through this study, please feel free to email me (johnnycreasong@yahoo.com) with questions you have or comments so that we can help as we grow together in the study of God's Word! What we believe WILL determine what we become! By the way, keep your hand out of the ringers! There really is a better way! Love, Pastor Johnny  Hello church family, I hope you're all enjoying your summer. We've made it to the dog days of summer and with the hot, humid weather we've seen, I'm starting to think that old hound dog had a pretty good plan as he stretched out under the shade tree. I've also been thinking for the last couple of days about a question posed to me in a devotional. What will be written on our epitaphs--how will people remember us? It's a question with an endless amount of possible responses. I just got back from spending time with the McAllister family, and as I sat and talked with them, we talked about Larry and his life. He was one of 14 children; he was a brother, a husband, a father, and a grandfather. He was an uncle, and according to some of his nephews, he was their favorite. He provided for his family, and I'm just scratching the surface of how Larry will be remembered by those he loved and whose lives he touched. And someday when our epitaphs are written, they'll be just as varied. How will people remember us? As a Christian today, I look at life and lives a lot different than I did fifteen-plus years ago. Back then if I'd known Larry, I would have probably agreed with others that Larry was a nice guy. But as a Christian, I now see a deeper aspect to Larry and others God has placed in my life. Our character traits are merely the by-products of who and what we are. And Church, it takes more than being a nice guy to get to heaven. The sad fact is, there are going to be a lot of nice people in hell. If we've asked for Jesus' forgiveness and for Him to come into our lives, we're much more than words and platitudes. We're children of the Most High God, whom words can't even begin to describe. And then when we ask for His Spirit to fill us, people will see the fruit of His Spirit produced in our lives. Galatians 5: 22-23 (NIV) says, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Church, may the by-product of God's Spirit flow from our lives, but even more important--when our days are done--may we be known first and foremost as a Child of the King. For when our end comes, the only thing that will really matter is, are we saved? Enjoy the dog days, winter will be here before we know it, and don't forget to spend a little time under the shade tree. Your Brother in Christ, Read Acts 2: 25-28... It's time to start Angel Tree canvas up at Stateville on the 7th and Dwight on the 17th. Carol, Bobby, Russ and I will go up to help inmates fill out applications. Many people will miss multiple Christmas' but others just a short time away from loved ones. No matter how long they're away though, the devastating effect of poverty creeps in. We anticipate 80 children through our church and Central COG in Peoria. Peggy Barlow, Mary Hetrick and more will be involved in the different aspects of this program. We have some money to get started, but if you'd like to help out, please call 353-2125. It may seem early to be talking about Christmas, but with so much preparation it'll be here before you know it! Please be in prayer for those less fortunate at Christmas. Along with all the Bible studies and reunions and cell-to-cell visits, we're very blessed to walk with God in the prisons. People want to pull your chain, just to see how serious you are about Jesus, but the word of God never comes back void. It will affect their life somewhere down the road. We sow many seeds not knowing how it will come out for other people, but God will get the increase. As we all get older, we're constantly looking for younger people to go along with us. Russ Eggers needed a way to fit in, he asked me about the ministry and it didn't take long for me to get the ball rolling so he could join us in this wonderful way of serving Jesus. God richly blesses us every step of the way! Every step we take with Jesus is blessed beyond our imagination. Walk in faith, step out of the boat, don't look down, just keep your eye on Him. He will never let you sink. He loves you too much to allow harm. God is standing at the door, don't you hear Him knocking? Open the door and let Him in...I think I've heard the Beatles use that line from Revelation 3: 20. God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good. Bro. Bill Buselmeier Our next regular meeting will be at 6:00pm Thursday, September 2nd. Enjoy what's left of the summer! I got the opportunity to spend time with Dwayne & Kara Goldman while at IYC a few weeks ago. They're doing great and are glad to be stateside again, but are looking forward to being reassigned to central Europe next year. They said to thank you all for your prayers and financial support. Here's another missionary update, this time from Dave & Kathy Simpson, missionaries in Bulgaria. I was blessed to be able to hang out with them for a short time at IYC. They went on the Russia trip with me and the Goldman's three years ago. They share this: We've marveled at the ease of travel in America. Of course, we've encountered our share of potholes and the perennial patches of summer roadwork. But in comparison to highways in Bulgaria, the interstate system here is magnificent. We appreciate more than smooth surfaces; there are road signs in our own language, highway numbers posted at regular intervals, an atlas that actually shows necessary information. And let's not forget Google maps with street view. Dave can entertain himself for hours with that innovation. That's not often the case in Bulgaria. The road conditions can be downright horrible. The signs, in Cyrillic letters, don't give directions in a manner that's easily understood by Westerners. Miles and miles pass without a hint of the road number. Maps aren't particularly helpful. And we can't ever expect to get directions with street names from a Bulgarian. It's our style to study maps and learn street names. Because we're familiar with the American way of marking highways, it's easy to find our way around. If we're lost, we're not afraid to ask for help. This isn't so different from our spiritual lives. The Bible functions as a guide for our journey. Familiarity with the ways of the Lord makes it easier to keep on the right path. Christian friends and mentors provide helpful counsel in difficult times. Without a doubt, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105 NASB) But we still need a little help and a lot of patience to drive in Bulgaria! Dave and Kathy Simpson As always, I thank you for your prayer and financial support of CWC. Missionary work is vital to seeing the gospel taken and lived out in all parts of the world--not just at home! Grace & Peace, Hello Church Family, Can you believe that July is over? I'm thankful for another birthday to celebrate the great love of Jesus! I'm thankful also that I worship with a congregation that has a heart for God and His work. We are to do as Proverbs 3: 9 tells us to, "Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of your increase." I pray that we are experiencing the blessings of God because of our continued obedience to God. Thank you for being a giving congregation. We help many people because of your faithfulness. We reach out into the community and beyond with our tithes and offerings. When you review the financial statement, posted on the bulletin board, please notice all the different places our tithe, as a congregation, goes to and all the things we accomplish locally because you love and obey God. We've been blessed by Betty Rathbun leaving our congregation an estate gift. That gift was for $48,282.50. Part of that gift will go to provide us with a much needed new parking lot. We continue to praise the Lord for His faithful provision and His faithful people. As a congregation, we have so many visions that need to be carried out. As we continue to support God's work, we'll continue to grow in spirituality and substance. We are beginning to search for a Worship/Youth leader. These are exciting times. We need to stand back, watch the mighty hand of God move and do what He directs us to do to fulfill His Great Commission. I'm thankful to serve such a wonderful congregation! Barbara Gum 8:00am Nursery 8/1 Jessica Harris, Tina Wagle 8/1 Rita Potter August schedule is posted on the bulletin board next to the Nursery. 8/1 Debbie & Ruth Alfeldt 8/1 & 8/8 Jo Godbey, Paul & Veronica Lawson 8/5 Ruth Alfeldt, Jan Franklin, Lois Cooper 8/1 Alice Terry, Debbie Ratliff 8/1 Crystal Colclasure (8:00am) & Colette Myers (10:30am) Birthdays 3 Josh Nixon Anniversaries 1 Bob & Mary Hetrick Income: $32,585.44
Savings: $58,332.86 Please pray for our church family daily! 1 Jan Hangartner | Return Home | Latest Sermon | Events Schedule | Our Ministries | Youth Ministry | Great Links | On-line Newsletter | Contact Us | Our Downloads | |
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