Family Ties - October 2008

October Birthdays

2	Randy Shepard
3	Michaela Mooney
4	Chris Berg
5	Rodger Cheadle Theresa Cheadle
9	Phil Lillibridge Jim McClellan
12	Sue Allen Cindy Shepard
13	Roger Luben

18	Ryan Lillibridge Cullen Peters
19	Crystal Taylor
21	Doug Leep
23	Dayna Smith Kevin Smith
25	Ben Meindertsma
28	Eric Spoelman
29	Tanner Peters Tom Kloosterhouse
31	Bruce Pitz

Pastor's Page
REALITY
     Reality TV shows have grown in number and popularity. Some of them have had big success. Survivor, Big Brother, The Bachelor and Bachelorette, The Amazing Race and The Apprentice are a few that have been successful. There are other shows that are not so well known and not so successful. With the popularity of these reality shows, there are more that are slated for production.
     I like to watch Survivor. The interaction of the personalities, the struggles of getting along with people and the environment as well as the challenge games that the teams participate in fascinate me. I also enjoy learning of the culture of the different places where Survivor is filmed.
     Although I don't usually like The Apprentice, I did watch some last year when it was a celebrity show. In the celebrity shows, the contestants are playing for a specified charity. The two finalists were Piers Morgan, one of the judges for America's Got Talent and British TV tabloid reporter, and country singer Trace Adkins. Trace was competing for Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network, a charity he became involved in because one of his daughters suffers from food allergies. Piers played for Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, a fund for the families of soldiers lost in the performance of duty.
     As I observed, Piers was ruthless and very aggressive in the way he played. He didn't much care for the rules Donald Trump has set up and he didn't get along well with many of the other contestants. Trace was almost the opposite. He did have his opinions, but he never spoke badly of another individual. He competed within the guidelines set out and was a true gentleman.
     As each had to make a case for why he should win, the only argument Piers could put forth is that he raised the most money. He said he played the game ruthlessly to make the most money because that is how he judged Donald Trump would have played. For him, how he treated others never mattered; all that mattered was that he raised the most money. Trace didn't make as much money. Yet Trace played with integrity, concerned not only for how he presented himself, but also how it reflected on his family, friends and country. When asked—even badgered—to say something bad about Piers, he wouldn't. Piers on the other hand, continually interrupted the Donald when he was speaking and continually put Trace down. It was a contrast in opposites.
     When all was said and done, it was Piers whom Donald chose as the winner. While I am pleased to see the money go for such a worthy cause, I had to stop for a moment and reflect on one key thing. It occurred to me that there was great irony in Piers winning money for the Intrepid Fund and the way he played the game. It seems to me that our greed and our desire to win and posses at any cost is the reason there needs to be such a fund in the first place.
     Jesus came as the Messiah to usher in a new kingdom. Many thought the Messiah would be one who rallied a great army to his side and overthrow the existing political power. Yet when the Messiah came, he came teaching through word and action a kingdom where one loves neighbors as oneself. He came teaching a kingdom of peace, not of force. Let us continue to be the hands and feet of Christ.
     The reality is that we may be the only Christ some people see.

~~ Elder's Corner ~~
by Molly Thiss

DO YOU NOT REMEMBER?

Do you travel the same route often -- to work, to church, shopping? Later do you not remember passing a certain landmark? Or not remember turning a particular corner?

Do you not remember the birthday of someone special?

Rather than not remembering, do you sometimes just take things for granted?

I do not remember things. Maybe it's because sometimes my calendar is too full or I have too many responsibilities. I rewrite my "to do" lists, organize my desk, and review my calendar – with a plan and a hope that everything will be covered.

Then there are some things in my life that I don't actually forget, I just take them for granted. I need to remind myself; I need to review. One is my responsibility to God and to His church, and to Church of the Saviour.

When I joined church, the pastor asked me to accept several principles:

Accept the Gospel of God's grace in Jesus Christ
Confess my faith in Christ
Acknowledge I am a sinner that by the grace of God alone have been forgiven
Willing to live a Christian life
Pray for myself and for others
Seek God's guidance
Seek to grow in knowledge and understanding of the faith
Active participation in the life of the Church
Faithful attendance to worship and service
Offer prayers and gifts
Obey doctrines and teachings of the Church
Walk in the spirit of Christian love with the congregation
Seek things that make for unity, purity and peace

I acknowledged that I would do these things. This was and continues to be a big commitment. I pray, and will continue to pray, for commitment to these principles – for myself and for you.

God bless you as you consider your commitment to these principles you accepted when you joined the church and the family of Church of the Saviour.

~~ Deacon's Corner ~~
by Doug Leep

WARNING: SENSITIVE SUBJECT MATTER

For the last few months the Deacons have been looking more diligently at the giving patterns and expenses at Church of the Saviour. Our income continues to be stagnant or falling and the cost of maintenance, utilities, etc. continue to rise. While no one likes to be bombarded with pleas for money or sermons on giving, something needs to be done.

The Deacons have chosen to utilize a "Consecration Program". The program will involve correspondence from the Deacons and a presentation/sermon on giving. The focus of the program is to have each member look at their personal blessings and then decide how they should be giving back to God. We are not simply asking you to give more or are you giving as much as you can. One of the things emphasized in this program is that whatever we do, it should be done joyfully.

The program will be presented in various ways during October and we have chosen November 9 as Consecration Sunday. I hope that each of you will participate in and benefit from this program and that as a congregation we will blessed and can continue God's work here at Church of the Saviour.

L.I.F.T. Living In Faith Together
We will be doing a service project during the October L.I.F.T. program. Join us October 19 following worship for a meal and then we'll head out for roadside cleanup on 68th Avenue.

Fall is here and Christmas is on its way! Think about ordering SCRIP now to use for your holiday shopping. It's easy and can be a great benefit to COS! See the order form in this month's newsletter, or stop by the info table in the narthex.

Please include Pastor Dave and the other travelers in your prayers as they leave for their RCA Global Mission Experiential Journey to Kenya:
October 1 – departures late afternoon/evening – U.S. to Amsterdam.
October 2 – Depart Amsterdam 10:15AM, arrive in Nairobi 7:40PM. Overnight at Sandavy guesthouse.
October 3 - ACROSS Offices, overnight at guesthouse.
October 4 – Travel to Maasai Water Project, night in bush.
October 5 – Worship with Maasai congregation, dedication of wells, night in bush.
October 6 – Travel to Maasai Mara, stay at lodge.
October 7 – Safari, night in lodge.
October 8 – Travel back to Limuru, evening rest/debrief at St. Pauls.
October 9 – St. Pauls (AIDS clinic, Kibera slums).
October 10 – Travel back to Nairobi.
October 11 – Spend day in Nairobi, debriefing, shopping or touring.
October 12 – Worship in morning, depart 9:50PM to Amsterdam. (Leave 8AM to G.R. from Amsterdam.)
October 13 – Arrive back in U.S. early afternoon.

Scrapbooking/Craft Night for October will be on Friday the 17th at 6:00PM.

Coopersville Cares is experiencing a severe shortage of supplies in the Food Pantry right now. Until the giving season starts around Thanksgiving they will be running low on the following:
Paper products Canned fruit Ramen noodles Jello/pudding Pie filling	Diapers (sizes 3 & 4) Hamburger Helper Sugar and flour Dish and laundry soap Soup (everything except tomato)	Rice Fruit juice Snacks Cake Mix

From the Thursday morning Bible Study:
Time With Daddy
     Kevin and I walked Krista to kindergarten today. Her school is up and over a large hill and through a woods, so we noticed each flower and green leaf that told us spring was near and listened to the birds that had returned after a long, cold winter.
     After the goodbye kisses Kevin and I began our walk back up and over the big hill. He was fascinated by the selection of rocks and sticks and immediately began gathering a collection. Our progress was slow because we had to stop every few steps to retrieve dropped treasures. The capacity of his two hands just wasn’t enough to accommodate the desires of his curious little mind! He had no more time for noticing birds and flowers. With grim determination, he tended to the safe passage of his wonderful new collection.
     I couldn’t understand why each stone was so special, nor why he needed so many sticks, but he guarded them with great care and knew instantly if he had dropped one.
     Upon reaching our front door, Kevin and I were both exhausted!
     He struggled up the front steps through the front door. But suddenly he let go of his precious treasures, and they fell to the front hall floor. His determined scowl melted into a wide grin. He ran off as if the things he had struggled to bring home had lost their value. Kevin had seen something far more important, and immediately his focus had changed to a new center of attention ---Daddy!
     I long to keep in mind that picture of my little boy dropping his burdensome treasures to run to his father. I too get burdened down by my treasures. My house, my belongings, my responsibilities, and all the things I’ve spent so much time and energy acquiring seem to take me over sometimes. I find myself attending to their care with an overwhelming single-mindedness. Sometimes I need to see God and do more than just acknowledge his presence. I need to drop everything else and run to him. I need to forsake the housework, the shopping, and the thousand other things that occupy my time, and go to him for a time of togetherness.
          From the Women’s Devotional Bible
          Verse for the day: Psalm 103:3
          Passage for the day: Psalm 103:1-22

CROP Walk
Sunday, October 12, at COS
Registration and lunch begin at 12PM, the walk begins at 1PM. Please contact Joy Flanders to register or to pledge. Proceeds will stay in the community with Coopersville Cares and MARS in Ravenna. Come out to support this event to HELP STOP HUNGER!

New Items in Library

Adult Miscellaneous
The Sound of Music by Rodgers & Hammerstein
Joy to the World by Gaither Gospel Series
Holy Hour Fourth Day by WMEC
Songs of Inspiration Alabama by RCA
A Journey Down Route 66 by Michael Wallis

Biography
Eisenhower, Man and Soldier by Frances Miller

Child Miscellaneous
Buzz Lightyear by Disney
A Kid in King Arthur’s Court by Disney
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory by Warner Bros
Holes by Disney
Freaky Friday by Disney
Flipper by MCA Universal Studios
Space Jam by Warner Bros
Lilo and Stitch by Disney
Small Soldiers by DreamWorks
Shrek by DreamWorks

Christian Living
The Case for Faith by Lee Strobel
Don't Let Jerks Get the Best of You by Paul Meier, M.D.

Family
As for Me and My House by Walter Wangerin Jr

Fiction
The Twilight of Courage by Bodie & Brock Thoene
Zion Legacy #1, Jerusalem Vigil by Bodie & Brock Thoene
Zion Legacy #2, Thunder from Jerusalem by Bodie & Brock Thoene
Zion Legacy #3, Jerusalem’s Heart by Bodie & Brock Thoene
Zion Legacy #4, The Jerusalem Scrolls by Bodie & Brock Thoene
Zion Legacy #5, Stones of Jerusalem by Bodie & Brock Thoene
Zion Legacy #6, Jerusalem’s Hope by Bodie & Brock Thoene
Between Sundays by Karen Kingsbury
Broadmoor Legacy #1, A Daughter's Inheritance by Tracie Peterson, Judith Miller
The Atonement Child by Francine Rivers

Fiction Paperback
Dry Creek #12, A Dry Creek Courtship by Janet Tronstad
A Soldier’s Promise by Cheryl Wyatt

Health
The Atkins Essentials by Robert Atkins M.D.
Women's Wisdom of Health and Lifestyle by Prevention Mag for Women

Magazines
We have a shelf of magazines. Please take what you would like to read. If you have magazines to share, they can be put on the shelf.

Non Fiction
Richer by India by Myra Scovel

Reference
Living on Less by Mother Earth News
The Natural Formula Book for Home & Yard by Dan Wallace
Evers’ Standard Cut Glass by Jo Evers
Elegant Glassware of the Depression Era by Gene Florence
Kitchen Glassware of the Depression Years by Gene Florence
Off the Beaten Path by Reader’s Digest
Complete Do-it-yourself Manual by Reader’s Digest
Train Stations by Alexander Mitchell IV

Young Adults
Danger After Dark by Ellie McDonald

October 5 ~ Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost
Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20 or Isaiah 5:1-7
Psalm 19 or Psalm 80:7-15
Philippians 3:4b-14
Matthew 21:33-46

October 12 – Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost
Exodus 32:1-4 or Isaiah 25:1-9
Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23 or Psalm 23
Philippians 4:1-9
Matthew 22:1-14

October 19 – Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost
Exodus 33:12-23 or Isaiah 45:1-7
Psalm 99 or Psalm 96:1-9, (10-13)
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
Matthew 22:15-22

October 26 – Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Deuteronomy 34:1-2 or Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-18
Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17 or Psalm 1
1 Thessalonians 2:1-8
Matthew 22:34-46

Serving Community
East Greeters:	October 5 October 12 October 19 October 26 November 2 November 9 November 16 November 23 November 30	David & Ariana Rosel Dennis & Lee Ann Rosel Doug & Sue Smith Tim & Deb Smith Troy & Tracy Snyder Eric & Kelly Spoelman Dick & Cheryl Taylor Art & Molly Thiss Ray & Natalie Tibbe
Coffee:	October 5 October 12 October 19 October 26 November 2 November 9 November 16 November 23 November 30	Dennis & Pat Grossenbacher Dean & Eileen Heath Dave & Sharon Hekhuis Robert & Theresa Kary Bud & Nancy Kloosterhouse Doug Leep & JoEllen Meerman Jaime & Wendy Maxwell Dave & Cindy Lillibridge Mike & Cheryl Lillibridge
Nursery:	October 5 October 12 October 19 October 26 November 2 November 9 November 16 November 23 November 30	Kary family Grossenbacher family Kloosterhouse family & Dayna Smith Leep & Meerman families Lempke family D Lillibridge family & Valerie L M Lillibridge family & Carey T R Lillibridge family & Stacey L J McClellan family
Sound System:	October 5 October 12 October 19 October 26 November 2 November 9 November 16 November 23 November 30	Ray Tibbe Bob Veeneman David Rosel Will Rosel Kyle McClellan Ray Tibbe Bob Veeneman David Rosel Will Rosel
Sunday School:	October 5 October 12 October 19 October 26 November 2 November 9 November 16 November 23 November 30	Tracy Snyder & Natalie Tibbe Tracy Snyder & Natalie Tibbe Tracy Snyder & Natalie Tibbe Tracy Snyder & Natalie Tibbe Laura McClellan & Beka Wiersma Laura McClellan & Beka Wiersma Laura McClellan & Beka Wiersma Laura McClellan & Beka Wiersma Laura McClellan & Beka Wiersma
Communion Set Up:	October 5 November 2	Denise Wiersma David Rosel

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