People Paul Wants To Thank...
(Some of these folks you may need to thank too. Unfortunately, I know that I will leave someone out that I meant to include before I got to the computer. If you think that you might be one--you probably are.)
Pam and Nicole...you two certainly go above and beyond the call of duty. Thanks for all the effort you put into making The Wheatland Mission children's ministry a success. As a church we are privileged to have two people of your caliber running things. As a leader I appreciate your hard work, commitment to the kids and commitment to the Lord. Thanks!
Also, all you other "kid" folk: Leigh, Michel, Kris, Chanell and Michelle (thanks for helping with the pre-kids activities!),..and I know I'm forgetting someone so thank you too!
Michele G....your tireless work beyond the scenes keeps our community afloat both financially and otherwise. You contribute so much to the life of our church though so few realize it.
Tom R...thanks for fixing my water heater, cutting my weeds, fixing the pool and being available for virtually any kind of help needed. Your a good friend. And thanks Reich family (Rox, Tom, Liz and Logan) for brewing the coffee!
I want to thank the Thursday night guys: Jim, Seth and Jason. Thanks for praying for me and buying me midnight breakfast at Jimmie's.
Brad M...thanks for being an anchor of sanity in 04-05. You and Michel have blessed our family immensely over the years and the servanthood that the two of you exemplify each week is a model for us all to follow.
(by the way, this is the point in the speech when the music comes on and the Academy Award Winner is dragged from the stage)
Sound guys! John L and Matt B, you both deserve a round of applause (and so much more) not just because you do a perfect job of running the sound board but also because doing so requires commitment and sacrifice. I appreciate you both very much.
Ty...thanks for the behind the scenes work with music and the good work of encouragement each week. Thanks for playing bass too.
Thanks to all of you singers, guitar players, and percussionistas. You make worship extra special and you are a big part of leading people into a better worship of God.
Thanks Friday guys (Kyle, Steve, and Paul) for getting together for lunch these many years. The insight, encouragement and competition mean a lot. Through friendship and conversation you have long helped me cut through the interference of life. More, perhaps than you know.
Thanks Joe for leading worship and we will miss you. Thank's also for helping me get my "yoke" straight. Thanks Mallary for teaching my daughter how to notice and for the art lessons too.
Thanks Jim M for being incapable of expressing discouraging words and for filling my sails with air at just the right time.
Thank you Calana, for starters, leading worship, praying for our church and me and thanks for too many things to mention in the past, present and future.
Ross, thanks for buying breakfast even when I called. Thanks to you and Leigh for all that you have done for The Wheatland Mission. You were in on the "ground floor" and I am sad you won't be here as the "little flock" grows up. We will miss you.
Thanks Rich for lunch for the last 15 years. It has always been good. Thanks for signing the papers, along with Michelle, that made The Wheatland Mission something legal. Thanks for being there at some of the most difficult times in my life, including K-State's loss to the Hawks. You remember the really tough ones.
If it weren't almost 12:30 I would keep going. But I really should stop. It is a magnificent honor and a real pleasure to be a part of a church like this. I want to thank all of you who are part of The Wheatland Mission. I look forward to our future together. Most importantly, it should not go without saying, I am extraordinarily grateful to God. He has given me good work, great friends, a wonderful wife and incredible kids. Thanks be to God!
"Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. I always pray for you, and I make my requests with a heart full of joy because you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. And I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again." - Philippians 1:3-6
Gratitude is a "missional practice". Again, thanks be to God!
Family Worship On February 4th
Next Saturday we will be gathering for a family worship time. We will provide partial care for preschoolers but elementary aged kids will be in the service with us. I think this worship experience will be good for all of us.
We are continuing our series on missional practices called "Who We Are, What We Do...". This week we will discuss the missional practice of Engaging The Bible. Next week, during our family worship gathering, we will discuss Reading The Bible (and we will do a lot of it too). The week after that our discussion will focus on Interpreting The Bible.
Important Message From Our Kid Ministry Team
Calling all possible helpers to the Wheatland Mission’s kids’ area
Greetings! Thanks to all of you who have already volunteered to help in our kids’ area.
Things are off to a great start in the children’s department, especially in the infant through pre-school area. Our room is growing!! We now have the possibility of at least 20 youngsters in our class each week. God has truly blessed us with children! As a result of our growing numbers, the need has arisen for more adult help. In order for our kids to be safe, comfortable, and learn the most, we need a few more grown-ups to join the fun!
So…..We are hoping for some extra help from any adult to take a turn as a Preschool Assistant, Pre-School Teacher or an elementary Small Group Facilitator. What will this involve? In the pre-school area, a Pre-School Assistant will come in one Saturday a month to be an extra pair of hands. No preparation necessary, just playing and having fun learning about God! A Pre-school teacher will hopefully commit to a one month time period. Teachers will have an already prepared lesson and activities. An elementary Small Group Facilitator comes once a month from 6:00-6:30 to help lead a K-5 small group. No preparation is needed and you will be e-mailed the lesson in advance.
The last opportunity we have in the Children’s area is for help to clean up the baby-5 room after the children have dismissed. This can also be a once a month commitment.
We don’t expect anyone to work in all areas so just pick the one that fits you best. A volunteer can be any adult who likes to work with children. As the saying goes “it takes a village” and we really believe it. We would be happy to e-mail you a schedule or lesson so that you know what to expect. This is a great opportunity to see what is going on with our children and the children will love it!
If you can help us, please let us know the following 2 things.
1. The area in which you want to help (pre-school assistant or teacher, elementary facilitator, clean-up).
2. The Saturday of each month(1st-4th) /or entire month that works best for you.
You can e-mail either Pam Flesher(elementary coordinator) at pbflesher@cox.net or Nicole Niessen (pre-school coordinator) at nicoleniessen@yahoo.com to confirm your commitment. You are also welcome to call Pam at 651-5502 or Nicole at 744-6637.
May God Bless you,
Pam Flesher
Nicole Niessen
MLK...for us too?
After watching the MLK Day celebrations yesterday I was struck by three important things. First, this celebration has little impact upon our congregation because we are mostly white. Can and should we do something about this? At the very least we should scour our own hearts to see if there remains any kind of latent prejudice toward those who are different than us.
Second, the end of government endorsed segregation and racial reconiliation are God glorifying and Kingdom advancing events. The efforts of MLK and others during the civil rights movement need to be seen in this broader perspective as a part of God's Kingdom being expressed. Most of us have never experienced the negative impact of racial or ethnic prejudice and observing MLK day is one way to remind ourselves that the "good old days weren't always good". It is also a way to celebrate God's Kingdom.
Secondly, there is too much separation in the church between social justice and evangelism. This started about 100 years ago when the famous liberal/fundamentalist controversey exploded. At that time conservative Christians focused more upon conversions and evangelism proper while stressing the need to be involved in social change less. Meanwhile, the more mainline and liberal Christians deemphasized personal conversion but threw themselves headlong into serving the poor, promoting justice and equality, and highlighting social righteousness.
Maybe MLK day can serve as a reminder to all Christians that evangelism and social action are both part of God's agenda. They should never be separated and teach one enhances the beauty and effectiveness of the other.
What do you think?
20 + C + M + B + 06
Curious? See www.boundless.org/2005/articles/a0001191.cfm
Happy Epiphany!
Worship With Us Tonight
Worship Tonight -- 5:30 at the Foundry
Along with worship we will be talking about prayer as a missional practice. We will also have a special farewell prayer time for the Townsends as they prepare for their journey to the Great White North.
Paul's Monday Letter
This past Saturday was another great gathering of the Wheatland Mission. The worship team did a great job and it was wonderful to see so many new faces worshipping with us. It is easy for me to forget that everyone doesn't know everyone else. So, please take the extra step of introducing yourself to your friends and fellow travellers in the Wheatland Mission.
This Saturday marks the beginning of our complete children's ministry. Please pray for this to be a great experience for all of our young people and pray too for the volunteers who are making it happen. Also, if you are interested in assisting in either area (kids 5 years to 5th grade or children 0 years to 4) let us know. You can contact Pam Flesher for the older group and Nicole Niessen for the younger.
We will be talking again about "Who We Are & What We Do" this coming Saturday. We will explore the importance of prayer as a missional practice and discover some new things about how we can participate in it.
Working Groups - Are Coming!
If you have already expressed an interest in one of our working groups you will be contacted soon. I had hoped to have our groups running by this weekend but it will have to be the following weekend, Jan 21-22, before we actually meet.
There is still room for those of you who are interested but haven't contacted me. I would love to have your participation. This is important stuff and your contributions are extremely valuable. Just e-mail me or give me a call.
