Serving Our Savior

I'm working up to, "Did you get one of these?" by perfecting the "leave behind" technique of giving out tracts. In the drive through at the bank, after completing the transaction, I put one in the tube waiting for the next person to come through.
JMB

Sow the Seed

While on vacation in St. Louis I "dropped" a folded million dollar bill tract in the corner of both the elevators. It just so happened I rode one on the way down to breakfast and a different one on the way back to our room. When we returned to the hotel at the end of the day they were gone.
JMB

Blessed Be the Lord!

Reminders:

*** We will continue to meet in the Lower Fireside room while renovations are taking place in the school.

***The trail ministry is underway! Last week six people met at the NEW SPOT ON THE TRAIL and it went very well.
Thanks to everyone that came and passed out bible tracts and water! Hope to see you next week on the trail from 8:30-11:00!
Thank you so much to Sam for his faithfulness in organizing this trail ministry! We are able to get the Word of God in people's hands!!

TRAIL MINISTRY LOCATION:
North of Jeffrey Allens at Vernon and Towanda.
Park at Jeffrey Allens and meet at the trail
8:30am Saturday
(You are welcome to come and join us for as long or as little as you can! We would love for you to join in on this tremendous blessing!)

Praises:
-Congratulations to Gio who took part in Believer's Baptism last Sunday!!!
-Gio and Christine will be moving into their new home this Saturday!
-Glennie's sister, Rebecca, is closing on her home and she is recovering from surgery.
-Gail is feeling good and looks wonderful after her horrific fall.
-Mr. & Mrs. Good's health and faithfulness in praying for and teaching us through their beautiful example!
-Those who go out and do the Lord's work . . . there are SO MANY people that need the Lord!
-Thank you to Rich for his willingness to share his love for the Lord and His Word with us!

Prayer Requests:
-Gail's cousin, Cindy, in Florida found out that she has breast cancer.
-Tim's brother, Cory, will be having back surgery on Monday, June 29th.
-Please pray for Amy's brother's good friend, Dale and his family, whose 12 year daughter just died last week from the swine flu in WI.
Dale, his wife, and other daughter all tested positive for the swine flu and were quarantined, but are all okay now.

Set a goal to find a quiet time to sit down with your Bible and listen to what the Lord has to tell you to help you with this life!
Have a blessed week and go out and tell others about the BEST NEWS OF ALL!!!!

A Life of Service

"We are many, but in Christ we are all one body. Each one is a part of that body." Romans 12:5

(Thanks to Janean for the wonderful notes once again! :)

Reminders:

*** We will continue to meet in the Lower Fireside room while renovations are taking place in the school.
THIS Tuesday night June 16 at 6:30 Ralph could use some help ripping out carpet in the Elementary wing.
if you have a flat scraper like an ice scraper bring it. Doing the work ourselves will save $1,000.00

***Thank you to Dianne C., Orns, & to Christine and Gio for bringing delicious food last week!

***The trail ministry is underway! We met at the annex the past two weeks, BUT THERE IS A NEW SPOT ON THE TRAIL WHERE WE WILL BE on this SATURDAY, JUNE 20th!
The hope is that this is where we will be able to meet up with some more leisurely walkers on this section of the trail!!
Thanks to everyone that came and passed out bible tracts and water! Hope to see you next week on the trail from 8:30-11:00!
Thank you so much to Sam for his faithfulness in organizing this trail ministry! We are able to get the Word of God in people's hands!!

NEW LOCATION:
North of Jeffrey Allens at Vernon and Towanda.
Park at Jeffrey Allens and meet at the trail
8:30am Saturday
(You are welcome to come and join us for as long or as little as you can! We would love for you to join in on this tremendous blessing!)


Guest teacher Rich:

King James is at a 5th grade reading level even wiht the Thee's and Thou's
New King James is at a 6th grade reading level and some word changes were more obscure and harder to define

Here are some books that were suggested by Rich that talks about the different bible versions

books by Otis Fuller:
Which Bible
True & False
and also some by Gail Riplinger:
New Age Bible Versions
Which Bible is God's Word

Have a blessed week!

Go and SOW the seeds of salvation!

Class Notes June 7th

Happy Summer!!
I trust that you are having a wonderful start to the week.
(Thanks to Janean for the wonderful notes. :)

Reminders:

***The trail ministry is underway! Thanks to everyone that came and passed out bible tracts and water! Hope to see you next week on the trail from 8:30-11:00!
Meet us at the annex (on Linden) by Linden and Vernon.
(I will be sending out some other dates & times to meet at Walmart, Miller Park, and some other parks to pass out tracts! Pray that you will be willing to share the best news of all in our very own mission field in Bloomington/Normal!


Prayer Requests:

Pray for Barbara, she can't make it to church anymore due to physical limitations after 34 years as a member.

Also, for Rebecca a prayer request. She's having surgery to remove scar tissue on June 11. It's been a set back emotionally and she won't be able to help with the move.

Gail's doctor at the pain center didn't like how her leg was healing. She may be developing RSD - a bad chronic condition. The Dr. has some ideas for treatment. Th nerves may be firing wrong.

Ken's dad, also named Ken will be getting a new pacemaker. If it doesn't work he'll be put on the transplant list.

Brian - pray for his friend in Afghanistan.

Janean shared that she'd given notice at work after 11+ years. Her last day will be Friday June 19. That the number of hours and stress was hurting her family and it was time to make a change - even though she doesn't know what's next.

Please pray for everyone in our class, for their courage to witness, any unspokens, health needs, and their families and friends!

-Keep everyone safe in their summer travels!

-Pray for Mr. & Mrs. Good and for all that they do to encourage us to be sowers!

You are NOT too young, too old, too busy to do the Lord's work . . . we don't want to be too late! The Lord is coming!


Praises:
-Glennie's sister Rebecca - a praise is that they are moving into their own house 2 1/2 years after losing theirs in a tornado. They've been able to save money while living with his parents. The previous owners flipped the house so everything is brand new.

-Sheldon's surgery went well. It was more invasive than they'd anticipated but he's doing well.

-Ralph's friend with the 6 way bypass is doing great and walking 3 miles a day. Karen said that those are the patients they worry about who do too much too soon and push their recovery.

Thank you to Rich who taught the lesson this Sunday. It was the first time he was teaching someone older than a 3rd grade boy and that 3rd grade boys are scarier to face.

Apologetics was the topic and he went into some of the sub topics they've covered in 3rd grade. He asked us as parents if we knew what our children knew - about the world and about the Bible. Have we really taught them to BELIEVE what they BELIEVE?

He touched on so many things as he spoke. He shared the similarities between himself and Mr. Good.

He shared that he's a King James guy when it comes to Bible translations. That Mary was a virgin, not a young girl.

He quoted Patrick Henry, "For evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing."

Sowers Class News May 24th

1. In Today's Pantagraph:
Chicago city buses carry atheist 'Man Created God' ads
By Associated Press
Advertisement

CHICAGO — For the past week, 25 buses from the Chicago Transit Authority have been bearing an unusual advertising slogan.

The large ads read “In the Beginning, Man Created God,’’ and they’re scheduled to remain on the sides of the buses through June. They’re part of an effort by the Indiana Atheist Bus Campaign, with the help of the American Humanist Association.

The board that runs South Bend’s city bus system recently agreed to allow ads on that city’s buses reading: “You can be good without God.’’

The group had hoped to have the ads installed on 20 South Bend buses before President Barack Obama’s appearance at the University of Notre Dame last Sunday, but that move was delayed.

Bloomington, Indiana’s city bus service recently rejected similar ads, prompting a lawsuit.

Information from Chicago Tribune

2. Sowers Class NEWS:

a. You are invited to a HAWAIIAN Luau on Saturday, May 30th at Jill's House, off of Shelbourne.
The festivities begin at 5:00 and kids are welcome to join in the party. Please plan to bring a dish to pass while doing the hula! :) Bring lawn chairs and plenty of sunshine and laughter too! A volleyball net will be set up and a prize will be given for the best Hawaiian outfit.
You can text or call Jill to RSVP by Tuesday, May 26th! :)

b. SOWERS CLASS vs. Legacy Class Golf Challenge: Friday, June5th beginning at 5:00
This is a 9 Hole Golf Outing against the Legacy class.
The excitement will take place at Highland Golf Course and will cost $22.00.
Please let Ralph know if you are planning on participating.


3. Prayer Requests:
- Dirk Norman's brother-in-law, David, had a heart attack.
-Jill's mom, Vickie, is really having a bad time with her legs.
-Gail's mom is facing surgery
-Continue to pray for strength for Gail as she is feeling well after three months of being in her house recuperating from her terrible fall.
-Theresa's sister-in-law, Sara, is pregnant and has placenta primavera and may need to be on bedrest.
-Theresa's nephew, James, has aspergers and ADHD and has been struggling with some outbursts lately. Help him understand
the plan and need of salvation.
-Brent has a serious unspoken


4. Praises:
-Gail is feeling very well and is walking without a cane!

-Brian's mom, Alice, is doing well after her hip replacement.

-Jeremy & Jeanine's son befriended some boys in the neighborhood.
Joshua has been praying and witnessing to this seven year old.
The little boy was over at their house asking Janine questions and she was able to lead him to the Lord.
His parents are not thrilled with this and we pray that Jeremy and Jeanine are given an opportunity to have the door open to
witness to the entire family and for that family to see the need for salvation.

-Mike and Marcia's son, Luke, who is 15 months was not walking very well and were concerned. They went to the mall and bought him some sandals and he was
so excited about his new shoes and took off running. :)
-Mike and Marcia have been able to witness to and give some tracts to some Mormons. This family is interested in coming to our church.

5. Class Notes:

The church is a team, unified for a single purpose. TO TELL OTHERS ABOUT OUR AMAZING LORD AND SAVIOR!
We need to become more skilled in the ways of the Lord and that is through practice. Make yourself available!

You are born again in God - are you thankful EVERYDAY that the penalty of sin is gone and that sadness you once had is replaced with joy?
Do others see something different about you and do they want to know to talk with you about it?

Are you thankful and joyous?
*Recognition: The Lord has done great things for us - others should be able to see there is a difference in us.
*Request: God is in control of your life
*Responsibility:
-First, sow the Word of God in your own heart. Get into the book, feed on it, read it, digest, it, memorize it, and use it!
-Second, sow the word of God in the hearts of others - in believers.
-Third, sow the word of God in the hearts of others - unbelievers.
*Rejoicing: Do you have a joyful heart?
SOW IN TEARS and WE'LL REAP IN JOY!
Go sow, weep, and reap!


6. VIDEOS to watch:

a. A powerful lesson from ER - Will YOU be the person that gives the truth to someone that is searching for the answers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06HGc_jb6tk&feature=channel

b. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umn3iCn90IY&feature=related - Ray Comfort preaches to a kid on the beach

c. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxUr5AVecKY - people love GIANT money. See what we can do wherever we are?

Watch this video above, gather a few friends, arms yourself with some bible tracts, and head out to the Coliseum or Walmart and PASS THEM OUT
or put them on the windshields of cars! We can all do this! Our job is to SOW!!!

d. Song: I Will Stand as a Witness of Christ: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4BNv-Ca3wA

HAVE A BLESSED WEEK! Go and tell others!

Are YOU Ready for the Lord's return? Are your friends and family?

Sowers Class NEWS:

1. Thanks to everyone that brought treats last Sunday to celebrate Mr. Good's birthday!

2. Friday, June5th beginning at 5:00 will be a 9 Hole Golf Outing against the Legacy class.
The excitement will take place at Highland Golf Course and will cost $22.00.
Please let Ralph know if you are interested in participating.

3. You are invited to a HAWAIIAN Luau on Saturday, May 30th at Jill's House, off of Shelbourne.
The festivities begin at 5:30 and kids are welcome to join in the party. Please plan to bring a
dish to pass while doing the hula! :) Bring lawn chairs and plenty of sunshine and laughter too!



Prayer Requests:
1. Mike, from Pekin, is one of Ralph's Christian customers and fell while he was painting and
broke his foot and ruptured 2 vertebrae in his back.

2. Joan's dad is going through radiation. May his treatment be effective and his spirits be lifted up.

3. Jill's Aunt Joyce is recovering from breast cancer surgery. She had a mastectomy and that went very
well, but she has a very aggressive cancer and she doesn't really know if she wants to do chemo.

4. Baby Jackson, few months old, had heart surgery and is still at home. He is hooked up to tubes and machines.
5. Continue to pray for Gail as she is still recovering from her terrible fall.


Praises:

1. Nick, a friend of Ralph had bypass surgery and is doing really well right now.
2. One woman was saved last week at Ministry and More. Hallelujah!
3. Theresa's father-in-law had back surgery a while back and he has recently had an injection that seems to be helping.
John, her husband, also had the injection in his hip and surgery is not needed at this time.
4. Baby Jackson, few months old, had heart surgery and is still at home. He is hooked up to tubes and machines.
5. We are so extremely thankful that Christine and Gio have been with us for the past two weeks! Welcome!
6. Thank you, Mr. & Mrs. Good for your love and wisdom!



Class Notes:

1. Check out this video about the little white-haired man.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uheP2gXy8g8


Really pray about the Lord's guidance in helping do your will on earth . . . telling others about the BEST NEWS OF ALL!

Don't find excuses . . . TOO YOUNG, TOO BUSY, TOO OLD because it may be TOO LATE!

2. Are you ready? Watch this video and evaluate how you are doing about telling others about our wonderful Lord and Savior.
. . . in a blink of an eye . . .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmLhyPjHVes

Just tonight, I gave the cashier at Walmart a million dollar bible tract and asked if he had ever received one of those or not.
He said, "This is great!" I told him that it was a bible tract. Another man that works at Walmart saw what he had in his hands and
was intrigued by the million dollar tract and asked me where I got it. I took another one out of my purse and handed one to him.
I told him that it was a bible tract and it was extremely important that he took time to read it. "It's better than a real million dollars
because you can't take it with you anyway . . he laughed and agreed with me. As I walked off and turned around . . . .and yes, they were both
reading it! I love that!

The Deed is FAR greater than the fear! Try to be like the little white-haired man and pass out at least 1 tract a day - even more if you are willing to.
Beginning on June 6th and throughout June and July our Sowers class will be going on the trail to pass out Gatorades, water, and bible tracts!
You can go to the annex building, City Hall Annex-611 S. Linden, Normal, IL. We will be on the trail from 8:30-11:00.

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!


Really? Is this what others are hearing when they watch tv? WE NEED TO GO OUT AND TELL OTHERS ABOUT HOW JESUS TRULY IS THE ONLY ONLY ONLY ONLY WAY!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=di9-PebV634&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFDKwvBxv4Q&feature=related

Have a blessed rest of the week!