People in our churches are feeling the stress of our uncertain times. Jobs lost or in jeopardy, financial plans upended, no clear solutions to oil spills, border security, wars, debt, and costs of education and healthcare. When people feel they are on the edge, cracks begin to appear in relationships, decisions, and lifestyles. They look for solutions that will hold their dreams and perspectives together. They look for someone or something to provide security in their doubt. We can push for political change or complain about proposed changes, but that does little to ease the anxiety that creeps into the hearts and minds of the people we serve. God has a plain, foundational truth that should draw our attention and hope like a lighthouse beacon in a sea of tumult:
So do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?” For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. - Matthew 6:31-33
In the midst of crazy and treacherous circumstances, simple, purposeful, and dogged obedience to the truth and purposes of God hold the promise of provision and protection. Don’t let go of faith. Don’t lose your grip on integrity. Don’t lose sight of the goodness and greatness of God.
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Special Request for Prayer – Seth Wirt
Please pray for Seth Wirt, the 7-year-old son of Andy and Trish Wirt (ClearView Church). If you are not aware of Seth’s accident and treatment, follow this link http://www.fgbcworld.blogspot.com/ to see the story in Andy’s words.
2010-11 NCO Schedule
2010
- July 16-20 – Celebrate 2010 @ Crowne Plaza, Cincinnati, OH. For more info visit www.fgbc.org/celebrate
- July 22 – NCO Small Group Leaders meeting @ Grace Church of Powell
- September 15 – NCO Exams @ GBC of Columbus, 9:30-12:00
- September 17 – Annual NCO Family Picnic @ Highbanks Metro Park, 6:00-9:00
- September 22 – NCO Coordinating Team
- October 11-13 – Central Focus Retreat @ Mohican Conference Center
- October 21 – NCO Fall Ministerium and District Missions @ TBA
- November 18 – NCO Youth Pastor Gathering
2011
- January 19 – NCO Coordinating Team
- February 4-6 – Kalahari for Middle and High School
- February 17 – NCO Winter Ministerium and District Missions @ TBA
- April 6 – NCO Exams
- April 6 – NCO Youth Worship Night
- April 13 – NCO Coordinating Team
- April 14 – Youth Pastor Gathering
- May 12 – NCO Spring Ministerium and District Missions @ TBA
Hope for Haiti, August 14, Grace Church of Powell
Did you know that $40 can feed 285 people in Haiti? Grace Church of Powell will be hosting a food packing session on August 14 with a goal to fill a 40-foot container with over 280,000 meals for the people of Haiti. We will be joining resources with a Westerville based mission called Lifeline (http://www.lifeline.org/). Lifeline has developed an assembly line like process to package a nutritious rice based meal for the people of Haiti. Lifeline has the ability to ship the food to Haiti where it will be distributed to the people through over 20 different missions. The total cost is about 14 cents per meal.
DETAILS:
• Participants will spend a 2-hour shift measuring, bagging, weighing, sealing, boxing, and loading boxes onto pallets and into the 40-foot container to be shipped to Haiti.
• Groups should plan on 2 1/2 hours total at Grace Church for registration, prayer, instructions, and light refreshments before/after the 2 hours of bagging. The first shift will begin at 8am, and the last shift will begin at 4pm.
• We ask for a tax-deductible donation of $40 per person for each 2 hours of bagging. The donation supports the food, supplies, and shipping. Each donation will pay for approximately 285 meals.
• All ages are welcome to bag…a great project for families, individuals, youth groups, churches, scouts, senior citizen groups, etc.
If you want to be more involved or feel the Spirit leading you in a direction of leadership for this event please contact Sean Kaiser: 614-570-5794 or skaiser@worthington.k12.oh.us
Association of Grace Brethren Ministers Dues
AGBM dues for all licensed and ordained ministers in the FGBC are $100 per year. Checks should be made payable to AGBM and sent to AGBM, PO Box 694, Winona Lake, IN 46590, with the name or names of the ministers clearly indicated on the memo line.
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Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
In Christ,
Todd Scoles
NCO District Coordinator
