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Alabama Adventure By Kelvin Snider
On Sunday, October 29, a group of persons from LCF will be headed south to Bayou La Batre, Alabama. They will be working with Mennonite Disaster Service in renovating homes damaged by hurricane Katrina. Just what are we getting ourselves into? For sure, we are taking a week off work, leaving friends and family and the comforts of home behind, riding in a van for 14+ hours (each way), working hard, getting dirty and sleeping in less than ideal conditions. Hopefully we will make new friends, be compassionate to those we work for, having a better understanding of this disaster, work well as a team, be flexible, be a blessing , and have fun. Ideally we will learn what God wants to teach us through this experience. |
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The team members from LCF are Jeff & Karen Helmuth, Dale & Sharon Headings, Kelvin Snider, Merv Schlabach, Kevin Duncan, and Audrey Maust. Also joining us from Pennsylvania is Fred Newswanger. We invite you to join us in this ministry by praying for us. Please pray for: · Our safety while traveling and on the jobsites · A trip free of mechanical problems · Good weather · Wisdom for the MDS directors & staff at Bayou La Batre as they decide what projects to have us work on · Sensitivity to each other and to the people we work for · The ability to make the most of this opportunity and be good ambassadors for Christ |
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By Vicki Sairs
Children are a big deal at LCF, not only because we love them, but also because there are so many of them! Demographically, our church is like a developing country, with a large percentage of our “population” under the age of 13 (just count heads before and after the children are dismissed for Sunday School each week, and you’ll see what I mean).
Having so many children in our church family is a blessing, an opportunity, and a responsibility. On October 5, our pastor, Rob Swartz, met with a group of people interested in children’s ministries. He asked us (Phil Elfrink, Becky Hostetler, Shannon Scheffel, Molly Rosati, Ryan and Kris Freed, and myself) to discuss what we thought our church’s goals should be for children’s ministries.
Ryan hoped we could prepare young people to be Christians in the real world; others agreed, adding that they’d like our children to receive a sound biblical foundation. Molly said she has seen a significant desire among LCF families to raise children with a faith-based worldview, and wants to see children’s ministries elevated and its leaders affirmed. Rob would like LCF to be a place where children can discover God, grow, and develop their gifts.
Discussion then focused on what the church is doing for and with our children now, with agreement that: · LCF is “good at making things fun,” with God’s Creative Kids, children’s church, Family Sundays, and other family-friendly activities. · Most parents see themselves, not the church, as their children’s spiritual guide, but the church can be a place of refuge for families, offering resources to fight against pervasive cultural influences. · LCF offers children and youth opportunities to serve at church (helping with nursery and Sunday School, taking responsibility for teaching at youth group, etc.), and that should continue.
Kris and Ryan said their focus as youth leaders is on “equipping the kids we have so they can reach out to friends.” Becky described her vision for the new junior youth group this way: to build relationships with the kids, to help them grow spiritually, and to have fun.
Molly suggested the need for a vision statement for children’s ministries, and we compiled a list of things that might appear in such a statement: LCF is a place where children can discover God, grow spiritually, develop their gifts, prepare to face life as Christians, be equipped for outreach, receive relevant, hands-on teaching, learn how to serve, and have fun.
Time ran out before we could cover questions of curriculum, although we did touch on Sunday School format and children’s church. We’ll be meeting again November second to continue exploring where God is leading us, and we’d appreciate input! |
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Junior Youth By Becky Hostetler
The junior youth group (for kids in grades 5-7) has officially begun! Our first meeting was held on Sunday, October 15 with 10 “high energy” students attending. We plan to meet two times per month (usually on Sunday evenings) at the church for Bible study, games, and snacks. We look forward to the exciting things God has in store for our group! |
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I’m Believin’ God! By Molly Rosati
Last spring, while waiting for the youth group to end, I confessed to Doris, “I need fellowship.” Surprisingly (or not?) she had been dreaming of having an in-depth bible study for women, specifically, a study by author, teacher, speaker, Beth Moore. “Let’s talk after summer,” we agreed. By chance (or not?) Bettyjo called several LCF moms to celebrate the start of the school year by having breakfast at the Dixie. I happened (?) to mention the women’s study to Doris and the idea grew into reality.
Fifteen women meet every other week (one group meets on Tuesday mornings and another group meets on Wednesday evenings) to watch Beth Moore’s “Believing God” DVD and discuss our journey through the accompanying workbook. During the Tuesday morning session, a different person each session runs herd on the 10 preschoolers while the rest of us go back to school. At least it feels that way to me! Beth Moore is an exciting speaker. I enjoy her insight into scripture and the needed mental exercise to examine the scriptures.
As one of the study leaders, I’ve been asked to pray for the women, “Open my eyes and our group’s eyes to know the hope of Your calling, the riches of Your glory of Your inheritance in the saints, and Your surpassing great power to us who believe.” |
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Year-to-Date Stats
Average attendance: 94
Average offering: $2,249.60 |
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Trustees’ Meeting By Keith Scheffel, Chairman of the Trustees
The Trustees met on Sunday, October 15, to receive an update from the Expansion Task Force and to finalize a proposal for the structure of the pastoral team.
The proposal being presented to the congregation includes Rob Swartz serving at 60% Full Time Equivalency (FTE) as Lead Pastor, Ryan Freed serving at 20% FTE as Youth Pastor, and Reuben Sairs serving at 15% FTE as Teaching Pastor. The congregation will be given a chance to respond to this proposal via ballot on November 5. An approval of the proposal would mean that Reuben Sairs would need to be replaced on the Elder team by another lay Elder. An approval would also translate into an ordination/installation service being scheduled for the new team early in 2007. |
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ETF Update By Richard Troyer, Chairman of the ETF
The expansion task force has been working on determining what the best way would be to expand our facilities. At this point, we are leaning towards building all new. We have been meeting with architects and builders to get their opinions and possible costs. Depending on how things go, we could begin building within 1 year and could possibly be in a building in 2 years. There will be a lot of decisions to make and opportunities for you to contribute as we proceed.
Be thinking of the areas you would like input on or have abilities that could be used in a building project as we will be coming to the congregation for specific commitments.
If you have questions, input or just want to know a bit more about what is going on with the expansion process, just ask anyone on the ETF (Phyllis Swartz, Levi Miller, Jeff Helmuth or myself).
Thanks, Richard for ETF |
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How’s Your Connection? By Rob Swartz
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YOU |
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Small Group led by Steve & Phyllis Swartz |
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Small Group led by Bob & Bettyjo Zachrich; Sunday p.m. |
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Men’s Prayer Group at 6 a.m. every Wednesday; Contact Keith Scheffel |
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Moms In Touch 9-10 a.m. every other Tuesday; Contact Doris Swartz |
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Ladies Bible Study every other Tuesday a.m. or Wednesday p.m.; Contact Molly or Doris |
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Playgroup for Preschoolers (and their moms); contact Kris Freed |
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Community Bible Discussion led by Rob & Doris Swartz |
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Are you connecting with other believers at London Christian Fellowship?
Sunday morning is a great time to do so, but I encourage you to find additional ways to share with and care for others.
It may be as simple as inviting someone over for lunch, meeting for breakfast at a local restaurant or participating in one of the groups/activities listed on the right.
Take time to connect and be a part of the body of Christ here at LCF!
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October 29—Fall Harvest Party at Keith & Shannon Scheffel’s, 4 p.m.
November 27—London’s Old Fashioned Christmas
December 3—LCF Christmas program, 10:00 a.m.
December 24—LCF’s Family Christmas, 10:00 a.m.
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A four-year-old girl was learning to say the Lord's Prayer. She was reciting it all by herself without help from her mother. She said, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us some e-mail. Amen.” |
