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Pastoral Team:
Janet Shaver
Rosanna McFadden
Betty Kelsey


We worship at:
60455 CR 113
Elkhart, IN 46517
Phone: 574-875-7800
Fax: 574-875-7885

Sunday Worship
9:30 a.m.
Fellowship Time
10:45 a.m.
Church School
11:00 a.m.
Visitors welcome!
All times are
Eastern Time.

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Ponderings...

Someday

“Someday” is a snake whose tongue has mastered the talk of deception. “Someday,” it hisses, “I’ll take her on that cruise ... we’ll have time to sit and chat ... ”

But you know the truth before I even write it, don’t you? Someday never comes! Wise up! Invest the time. Send the flowers. Write the letter. Make the apology. Take the trip. Purchase the gift. Do it! The seized opportunity brings joy -- the neglected one brings only regret!
-- Max Lucado, And the Angels Were Silent


True Love

After being a team for six years, minimally sighted Graham Waspe and his guide dog Edward suffered the loss of Edward’s vision. Very soon, Graham received a new guide dog, Opal, but he didn’t give away Edward. Instead, Opal now leads them both -- and they all share strong bonds of love.
Does God love us for the ways we serve him? When we can no longer carry out the tasks we’ve long done, will God love or approve of us less? We seem to believe so, judging by how we keep track of our good works and those of others.

But God loves us for who we are -- his children. Our deeds of service show our love for God in return; they don’t earn his love. When we become sick or disabled, God doesn’t count us worthless and dispose of us. He keeps loving us and brings others near to serve not only him but us, as well. Like the retired guide dog, may we rest in that loving care.


How Will They Know?

A well-known 1960s song by Peter Scholtes answers an implied question: How will others know we’re Jesus’ disciples? Not by how we understand family values. Not by our politics or theology. Not by how many Bible verses we’ve memorized, how often we attend church or how much offering we give.

Rather, the song’s title and refrain say it all: “They’ll know we are Christians by our love.” Jesus put it this way: “Everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35, NIV).

Sometimes love involves words -- teaching, proclaiming, bearing witness to God’s presence. But if words aren’t backed by actions, they soon fall flat. We can, as the song says, “spread the news that God is in our land.” But if we don’t live like that, no one will believe it.

When we declare God’s reality but withhold kindness from neighbors, observers rightly question whether we follow the God whose presence we announce. But “if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us” (1 John 4:12).


Acts of God

Unexpected “flash mob” musical performances have sprung up in public places such as airports and malls. Philadelphia’s 600-member Opera Company scattered among Macy’s crowds and broke out in the “Hallelujah Chorus.” A university choir did the same at a Fargo, North Dakota, food court. Groups have also performed impromptu performances of “Silent Night,” “Amazing Grace” and well-known secular songs.

These events have been called random acts of culture, but they might better be called purposeful acts of God. Through music, we can praise God anywhere. Whenever Christ’s disciples move beyond church buildings and Christian gatherings to share the gospel, God is surely at work.


Thanks, Mom

Dad came home to find toys all over the living room, dirty dishes stacked in the sink, clothes piled in the laundry room, beds unmade and kids still in their pajamas. The house was a wreck, like nothing he’d seen before.

Worried, Dad rushed upstairs to find Mom reading a book in bed.

“Are you okay?” he asked. “What happened?”

“You know how you always ask what I do all day?” Mom replied. “Well, today I decided not to do it.”


Achieving Success

When Ralph Waldo Emerson reflected on true success, he didn’t mention fame, fortune or social status. Ponder his thoughts -- and your own definition of success:

“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a redeemed social condition or a job well done; to know even one other life has breathed because you lived -- this is to have succeeded.”


Unanswered Prayer

When prayers go unanswered, we may ask if God hears. Is he listening? Is he even there? If he hears, why is he silent? Does he really love me? Does he care?

We may ask such questions in moments of desperation and discouragement. But let us consider an alternative possibility, a truth supported throughout Scripture: No prayer goes unanswered.

As William Arthur said, “To someone who prays in faith, unanswered prayers are simply the evidence that the answer is much closer.”


Wherever You Go

Graduations bring a commencement, or beginning, of new things.

In 1990, Dr. Seuss published Oh, the Places You’ll Go! This popular graduation gift tells in Seuss’ inimitable style of all life’s possible ups and downs, twists and turns. There will surely be excitement and slumps, fun and loneliness, purpose and confusion. And, yes, fear: “There are some [things], down the road between hither and yon, that can scare you so much you won’t want to go on.”

The sheer determination of the storybook’s life-traveler moves him beyond trouble and fear. But God’s children don’t have to go it alone. Life cannot take us anywhere God hasn’t been first. Furthermore, he walks beside us on every winding path and around every corner.

Graduates -- and all Christians -- can trust in the promise of Joshua 1:9 (NIV): “Be strong and courageous … for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”


Bible Quiz

Which of the following is an accurate mother-child match from Scripture?

A. Lois and Eunice
B. Rebekah and Joseph
C. Eve and Isaac
D. Hannah and Eli

Answer: A (See 2 Timothy 1:5.)


“The Gentle Gardener”

I’d like to sow the barren spots
with all the flowers of earth,
To leave a path where those who come
should find but gentle mirth;
And when at last I’m called upon
to join the heavenly throng
I’d like to feel along my way
I’d left no sign of wrong.
--Edgar A. Guest



    updated December 26, 2012

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