July, 2002 Newsletter Page One

July, 2002

Greetings,

"God has made us for this purpose." 2 Corinthians 5:5 What kind of church member are you?

Former LA Dodger manager Tommy Lasorda once said, "There are three kinds of baseball players: Those who make it happen, those who watch it happen and those who wonder what happened."

As someone who coached recreational baseball teams for twelve years, and who has been a sports fan for many more years, I have witnessed all three kinds of players. I have seen the triumphant look of a player who hit a game winning home run. I have seen the players with looks of admiration and appreciation as they watch their teammate hit that home run. I have seen the blank look of the pitcher who thought he threw the perfect pitch and is now wondering how the batter hit the ball.

Whether it is the sports arena or the arena of life we all at one time or another have participated in all three situations. We make it happen. We watch it happen. Or we wonder how it happened.

As Christians we have times when we might help with the ministry of Christ. We have times when we have watched another Christian share himself or herself in service for Christ and, we can probably all say that there are times we could have done something, but instead we walked away and later wondered why we let that opportunity go by.

While modern day culture basically proclaims that the purpose of life is for everyone to eat, drink and be merry, and to satisfy the desires of the flesh. The Bible proclaims that the purpose of life is to glorify God. To mature in our relationship, in other words our faith, so that we will be the kind of Christian who makes it happen.

What kind of Christian, what kind of church member are you?

One who makes it happen?
One who watches it happen?
One who wonders what happened?

How can you begin to train spiritually so you are prepared to make it happen for Christ.

"For we are God's workmanship, created
in Christ Jesus to do good works, which
God prepared in advance for us to do."
Ephesians 2:10

Prayerfully yours in Christ,

July 7

Scripture - Psalm 119:105-112; Mt. 13:1-23

Sermon - Land Fill or Top Soil

July 14

Scripture - Matthew 11:16-19,25-30; Romans 7:15-25

Sermon - I Do Not Do The Good I Want

July 21

Communion

Preaching
The Rev. Jacqueline Rotteveel

July 28

Scripture - Matthew 13:1-33,44-52; Romans 8:26-39

Sermon - It Is Like A Mustard Seed

Evangelism Connection
November 15 & 16

in Philadelphia

This is an exciting opportunity for us to learn how to be faithful to Jesus' great commission. There will be three keynote addresses and ten workshops.

If you would like to attend, contact Pastor Rich.

Mindset for Ministry

In the church, there are no volunteers
every Christian is a minister.

A volunteer offers him/herself for service.

A minister responds to a call from God.

A volunteer's service is an option at his or her convenience.

A minister's service is not an option, but is a matter of obedience to God.

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Youth Ministry

What is youth ministry?

Is it Sunday School? Is it Jr. Youth Group? Is it Sr. Youth Group? What should it be? These is some of the questions that will be addressed in a meeting set for July 9th at 7:30 p.m. YOUR input is important. If you have youth, if you enjoy working with youth, if you have specific concerns for youth, please call Pastor Rich at 732-828-0020.

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Adopt-A-Teacher

Would you be willing to adopt a teacher for the school year of
2002-2003?

What would you have to do?

Commit to praying for a particular teacher every day.

Send notes of encouragement to the teacher through the school year.

Why?

We entrust our children to these men and women. If we want our children to benefit from them we need to ask God to grant them wisdom and strength.

Who would we be adopting?

The teachers in the Milltown Schools, (Parkview & Joyce Kilmer) and the teachers in our own congregation.

WE NEED 70 people to adopt these teachers.

How can you adopt?

Call the church office or sign up in the narthex. You will be contacted with a teacher's name and school address.

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Women's Guild

Regular meeting was held on Wednesday, June 12 with Donna Young, President, conducting the meeting. There were sixteen present and one visitor, Sue Fisher. Nice to have you Sue. Flag Day being June 14th, Donna had an appropriate reading "As The Flag Goes By". She also had two readings entitled "Smile". Secretary read a thank you note from the Otken Family. Ida Otken was a devoted church member and contributed so much to the Women's Guild. Flo Torok thanked all who helped with the Strawberry Festival and she gave special thanks to Catherine Voorhees for her baked goodies.
End of the year reports for the Martha and Sarah Circles were given. Both groups had been busy with their respective projects. Donna also gave her report for the Guild's activities. As our new President, Donna, we thank you for all your efforts and a job well done. We wish all a safe and happy summer and may God watch over each one until we meet in September with the Men's Group.

Ruth C. Karren
Secretary