Pilgrim Call Newsletter

April 5, 2016 Issue 668

Newsletter of First

Congregational Church

As we have now begun together our study of the practice of action on our Beliefs and our Thinking until the beginning of June our weekly teaching will be on the fruit of the spirit. I chal-lenge us all to read Galatians 16-26 every day for the next 8 weeks. I've always been amazed at what new things I find when I read the same "living word passage" repeatedly and regular-ly. This week we study JOY. We all want real joy but it is often misunderstood. On Resurrec-tion Sunday I read from one of my favorite daily devotionals, My Utmost for His Highest, Os-wald Chambers, these thoughts on joy so I want to share them with you in their full de-tail. Pastor Jon "What was the joy that Jesus had? Joy should not be confused with happiness. In fact, it is an insult to Jesus Christ to use the word happiness in connection with Him. The joy of Jesus was His absolute self-surrender and self-sacrifice to His Father— the joy of doing that which the Father sent Him to do— “…who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross…” (Hebrews 12:2). “I delight to do Your will, O my God…” (Psalm 40:8). Jesus prayed that our joy might continue fulfilling itself until it becomes the same joy as His. Have I allowed Jesus Christ to introduce His joy to me? Living a full and overflowing life does not rest in bodily health, in circumstances, nor even in seeing God’s work succeed, but in the perfect understanding of God, and in the same fel-lowship and oneness with Him that Jesus Himself enjoyed. But the first thing that will hinder this joy is the subtle irritability caused by giving too much thought to our circumstances. Jesus said, “…the cares of this world,…choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful” (Mark 4:19). And before we even realize what has happened, we are caught up in our cares. All that God has done for us is merely the threshold— He wants us to come to the place where we will be His witnesses and proclaim who Jesus is. Have the right relationship with God, finding your joy there, and out of you “will flow rivers of living water” (John 7:38). Be a fountain through which Jesus can pour His “living water.” Stop being hypocritical and proud, aware only of yourself, and live “your life…hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3). A person who has the right relationship with God lives a life as natural as breathing wherever he goes. The lives that have been the greatest blessing to you are the lives of those people who themselves were unaware of having been a blessing."

Note from Pastor Jon Tice

Sunday, April 10 Praise Service/Sunday School at 9:00 Classic Service/Sunday School at 10:15

Thank you to Suzanne Carey for sharing this wisdom from "Noah's Ark" Everything I need to know, I learned from Noah's Ark: One: Don't miss the boat. Two: Remember that we are all in the same boat. Three: Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark. Four: Stay fit. When you're 60 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big. Five: Don't listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done. Six: Build your future on high ground. Seven: For safety's sake, travel in pairs. Eight: Speed isn't always an advantage. Nine: When you're stressed, float awhile. Ten: Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals. Eleven: No matter the storm, when you are with God, there's always a rainbow waiting

Prayer Concerns April 5—Barbara Gentry, please pray for discernment for the family and doctors. Mrs. Gentry at 88 years young, and with Alzheimer's, has a mass behind her spleen and is in a lot of pain. April 5—Barb Linzey, prayers for comfor t due to a severe case of the shingles, and for healing after cataract surgery. April 3—David Bohall, Ron Phillips’ brother, please pray for health challenges. He is in the hospital. March 29—Norma Knack, prayers for successful r esults with upcoming eye surgery. March 27—Chuck Simon, fr iend of Dawn Wisler , prayers for health challenges. He has gone to Cleve-land Clinic to determine a possible diagnosis. March 27—Mark Downs, fr iend of Dawn Wisler , please pray for health challenges and having stints put in his right leg. March 23—Ernie Cottingham, please pray for healing and good results following surgery. He is at home and doing well. March 22—Mary Lou Rickets, would appreciate prayers for health challenges that she faces in Florida.

Continue with Prayers March 20—Officer Carl Koontz, please pray for family and fr iends of this officer who was shot & killed while on duty serving a warrant in Russiaville. March 13—Joe Stewart’s aunt, prayers for the family upon her passing. March 8—Family of Penny Pyke, Nate Gibson’s aunt, please pray for them upon her passing after a coura-geous battle with cancer. March 6—Greg, fr iend of Kyle Hughes, was paralyzed in a car accident. Prayers for healing.

Continued prayers for: Janice Wilson (Stephanie Reeve’s mom), Marty Visser, Brandon Arnold (friend of Jon Tice), Dorothy Unger (Buffey Hedrick's mom), Dean Madigan (Marilee Neer’s brother), Betty Gaffney, Mary Myers (Near ly New volunteer ), Margaret Orr (Joe Orr ’s mother), Mrs. Gentry (Rick Gentry’s mom), Carol Record (Buffey’s friend), Peggy (friend of Angie Love), Sonie Durbin.

Continued prayers for cancer challenges: Penelope Puskedra, fr iend of Neer ’s, Barbara Broomfield (Jesse’s mother), Lowell Bohall (Dale Bohall’s brother), Angie Love, Becky Hamilton (Nancy Phillips sis-ter), Jaycob Solomon has returned to school, Carol Peterson (family friend of Kim & Mark Herr), Brad (friend of Nate & Krista Steward), Steve Cassidy (friend of Bailey’s), Linda Trent, Helen Willoughby, Lin-da (Mandy Behler ’s friend). Please continue to pray for these members and friends of people in our con-gregation who are facing cancer treatments, those who have finished treatments, and those in remission.

Attendance for Sunday, April 3rd, 2016 Praise Service: Adults—40, Children—1 Classic Service: Adults—47, Children—5

Total—93

Leaders for Sunday, April 10th, 2016 Regular Services at 9:00 and 10:15

Junior Church: Meghan Walters, Gayle Ryberg

Military Soldiers of our Church David Carey Aaron Knight Riley Johnson Andrew Reed Richard Young Adam King

Bible Studies for Men and Women The Men’s and Ladies’ Monday Evening Bible Studies will meet on April 18th at 6:30 while the Wednesday Morning Ladies Bible Study will be at Kitty’s

on April 20th at 10:00.

Spring Egg Hunt/Party Friday April 15, 5:30-7:30

Our spring party for ages 4 to grade 5 will include our annual Egg Hunt, food, games, and crafts. Please sign up in the lobby so that there is a special place set for your child/children!

An Invitation to ALL There will be a dedication of our newly remodeled youth room at 5:30, Sunday, April 24. Please plan to join in this special time as we pray for God's blessing on this space to share life with one another. A special thank you to Kara Gingerich and Maura Williamson for leading this remodeling project and using your spe-cial gifts to make a space so amazing for our youth. Thanks also to Bill Heck for all of the painting.

LITERACY COALITION BOOK SALE April 15, 16, 17 at Markland Mall

Hardbacks and Paperbacks

Donations of books are being ac-cepted at 107 W. Mulberry or at the

mall during the sale.

SAVE THE DATE!

YOUTH SUNDAY

June 5th at Oakbrook Valley

Congratulations to Greg & Lark

Fridholm upon the arrival of their pre-cious little grand-

daughter.

“For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” 2 Corinthians 5: 14-15

First Congregational Christian Church

505 W. Mulberry Kokomo, IN 46901

Come Worship With Us On Sunday Mornings!

9:00 Praise Service 10:15 Classic Service

Contact Information: Phone: (765)452-8285 Nearly New: 459-8121

E-Mail: first.congo@aol.com first.congo22@gmail.com

Web Site: kokomofirstcongo.org Facebook:FirstCongo-Kokomo, IN.

Non Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid

Permit No. 83 Kokomo, Indiana

Thank You to all Who Donated Easter Lilies for the 2016 Easter Service Don Button Family, in memory of Ann Button.

Richard and Elaine Calloway, in memory of Daniel and Miriam Mohn, Troy and Bernice Calloway.

Karen Caylor, in memory of Jerry.

Ernie and Susan Cottingham, in memory of Ernie and Betty Cottingham, Jerry Caylor, and Kay Hintz.

John and Amy Duranto, in memory of Joan Duranto.

Joan Kellum, in memory of John Bowman and Chris Kellum.

Bob and Barbara Linzey, in memory of our parents, Mr. & Mrs. Garold Bitner, Mr. & Mrs. James C.

Linzey.

The Jim Meck Family, in memory of Howie Meck.

Mary Lou Ricketts, in memory of Dr. Jim Ricketts.

Jeff and Lisa Smeltzer, in honor of Kitty Bell and in memory of Jim Jacobs.

Rex Smeltzer and Family, in memory of Sue Smeltzer.

Stacey Tice, in honor of Miss Kitty.