CURRENT CHURCH NEWS

Friday, December 23rd-- Kelly Schwartz's grandmother passed away.  Did not receive as much snow as predicted, but temperatures were frigid.  Wednesday's FCS teacher Christmas party was a lot of fun....great food and great fellowship...many of our number were under the weather, but the rest had a great time.  Linda Sexton was honored for her over 30 years of service to FCS.  

Monday, August 2nd--Spoke with a potential 5-6th grade teacher...please pray for God's person and wisdom...Continue to keep the Sexton family in your prayers!

Wednesday, June 2nd--Acquired a new student for the school  (2nd grader); learned that our church roof is in need of repair;  Please keep our Covid patients in your prayers...Richard Rupp; Jan and Paul Grandlinard; Jack and Nancy Cole

Tuesday, May 11th--Rocky Marsh is on his way home from Cleveland...definite answer to prayer!   Keep Gary Hakes in your prayers...blood infection.

Monday, April 26th-- Want to thank all the folks that helped with the funeral dinner for the Risner family...Thanks to everyone that prayed and attended the services....Please keep this family in your prayers....Rocky Marsh is improving...but Mary Marsh is very sick...she has not left her hotel room since Rocky's surgery.  

Sunday, April 25th--Difficult day...but a great opportunity...pray that someone would trust Christ as Saviour...wasn't the new projector amazing....yeah!

Tuesday, April 20th-- I was asked to lead the Memorial service for Landen...huge privilege and a huge responsibility...please pray for wisdom, clarity and comfort...Pray for open hearts to the message of salvation...

Monday, April 19th--Visited with Marge Mowry...she continues to to mentally sharp and perceptive...we talked about many things including how awesome being with the Lord will be...please keep her in your prayers....We shared with Landen's classmates at school...it was a difficult day, but a spiritual growing day...for many of the young people this was the first time someone they know closely had passed away.  

Thursday, April 15th--Prayer for Marge Mowry and her family...she is struggling and unable to get rid of excess fluid...she has declined the past few days...pray for the family...Barry, Dave and Dean.

Sunday, March 7th--Paul Richmond and David McKeith wonderful rendition of "The Lord's Prayer"...message on Conflict and Forgiveness...Discipline with the goal of reconciliation;  Psalm 13-14 on Sunday night.  Next week is extremely important for Pat Williams....pray for limited side effects.  

Friday, February 18th--Continue to pray for Marge Mowry...also pray for Maxine Hawkins

Sunday, February 14th--Church services were well attended...When we are discouraged and full of doubts...we need to squeeze out that last pitiful morsel of faith...with God all things are possible...Lord, I believe, Help my unbelief!  Youth group ministered at "ROOTED" in Centreville.  Psalm 9 was studied Sunday night...man needs to remember that he is frail, puny and dust.  Sunday night testimonies included...dates of first and second births...very interesting and encouraging.  

Sunday, February 7th--Church services went well...Paul and David did a great job with special music.  The message dealt with giving up your life, so that you might be able to accomplish all that God has planned for you.  Nothing in this world can be compared to the value of a soul...Sunday night --Mike VanBruggen shared.

Saturday, February 6th--Funeral for Dave Denney...all went well.  Family and friends sharing was very special.  It provided a great opportunity to share what Dave meant to everyone present, plus be able to share the plan of salvation with so many.  Thanks for coming and supporting the family.  

Wednesday, February 3rd--Dave Denney passed away peacefully a little after 3 PM today.  Dave loved our church.  He was an avid supporter of our Christian School and Camp Elvin.  Everyone who knew Dave, knew about his love for the Lord... He will be greatly missed by Darlene, his family  and his friends (who are countless).

Tuesday, February 2nd--Chris Nightingales had two stents put in his LAD (artery).  Everything went well...he should be released to come home tomorrow.  ..Chuck Lindman broke his right ankle in three places...he is having surgery at Holland Hospital tomorrow...He will not be able to put any weight on the ankle for 8 weeks.   

Sunday, January 31st--Jonny Hawkins shared a song that had great meaning for him.  Randall's message clearly pointed out that when trying to reprove, encourage or comfort it is important to have already established a relationship with that person.  Yearly congregational meeting was well attended and without controversy...we voted to begin improvements to the sound and video systems.   

Saturday, December 24th--Proverbs 17:14  "The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water..."  To release a little water from a dammed up reservoir, is extremely difficult.  Usually more is let out than intended, and it is hard to hold the rest back.  So is it with strife, a little is shared, and then too much and contention arises.  Stop the flow as quickly as possible, before it is more than you can take back or keep under control.  Strife also has a way of affecting many people.  The more water that is poured out, the more people that get wet.  

Friday, December 23rd--Proverbs 17:12-13   "How dangerous is it for a person to get wrapped up or involved with another man's foolish behavior?"  This proverb tells us that it would be better to meet a momma bear robbed of her cubs, than to get involved with a fool and his folly.   I'm afraid you're going to be torn to shreds either way.  If you reward evil for good, evil will not depart from your house.  We are told in other scripture to not reward evil for evil, so it seems more than obvious that we are not supposed to reward good with evil.  Solomon's dad, David, did exactly that when he rewarded Uriah's faithfulness by taking his wife and having him put to death.  David's household was plagued by war and evil all the days of his life.  

Saturday, December 4th--Proverbs 17:11  "An evil man seeketh only rebellion:"   An evil man has no interest in submitting to God, or anyone else for that matter.  He is the one in charge of his own life.  Many of these evil men are atheists, because if there is no God, then there is no one in authority over them.  This man's heart is set on rebellion against God's authority over his life.  The act of rebellion is the ultimate of selfishness....I will do what I think is best for me.  The bad news is...that when all is said and done...and we take stock of how his life and decisions turned out, he will be met by a cruel messenger that is not the bearer of good news.  

Thursday, June 3rd--Proverbs 17:10  "Reproof entereth more into a wise man than a hundred stripes into a fool".  No one likes correction or reproof.  However, after the initial hurt...a wise man will consider the information and the source, and make the changes necessary to be a better testimony and witness.  He may even ultimately thank the source for profitable counsel and concern.  The fool is someone who knows what's right, but choses what he/she feels would be more advantageous or pleasureful at the time.  Despite reproof, correction and discipline. the fool, given the same set of circumstances, will again choose foolishly.  No lessons are learned; no advancement is made.  

Monday, April 26th--Proverbs 17:9  "He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends."  This passage is NOT talking about ignoring or covering up sin.   Sin needs to be addressed and dealt with as soon as possible.   Every person who has witnessed the sin, or has been affected by the sin needs to learn of the sinners' remorse and desire for forgiveness and restoration.  Private sin needs to be handled privately, public sin, publicly...it's kind of on a "need to know" basis.  Heralding the crime for the whole world to know, serves no healing purpose...Whispering, gossiping or slander is designed to discredit the other person and make yourself look good or at least informed.  Love says, "the world doesn't need to know"...   

Thursday,  April 15th--Proverbs 17:7   "Excellent speech becometh not a fool:  much less do lying lips a prince."   Your words will reveal your character.  When you meet someone for the first time...after talking with them for about five minutes...you have a pretty good idea what kind of person they are.  Our words betray our hearts.  What the heart is full of the mouth will speak of.  The man whose words honor God and seek to give the right opinion of God is NOT a fool.  A fool reveals himself though the subject matter he/she seeks to talk about or the "limited", crude vocabulary that they possess.  Lies and deception also reveal that the man is not a prince.  The verse also speaks to expectation and character.  If the man is a prince and someone worthy and desiring to be looked up to by others, he cannot be deceitful, conceited or self-serving.    

Wednesday, April 14th--Proverbs 17:6  "Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers".  At age 50, I became a grandfather...two very traumatic events.  Upon hearing of my grandfatherhood, I responded by saying, "now I am officially old"...to which one of my "dear" friends replied...you're old whether you have grandchildren or not.  Understanding that statement to be true...I am thankful and proud to be a grandfather.  The most rewarding thing in my life is knowing that my children are raising their children to love the Lord...when each little one trusts Christ as Savior...the joy is unspeakable.  My children are bringing their children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord...that's a tribute to the way they were brought up by their mom and dad.  Doing what's right and living to please God will effect countless generations in the future.   

Wednesday, March 24th--Proverbs 17:5    "Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker:  and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished".  "Mocking" includes quite a wide range of abuses to the poor.  Lying or attempting to deceive; making fun of; looking down upon, or just plain trying to take advantage of the poor...will certainly get you in trouble with the "maker" of the poor.  Every person regardless of their race, nationality, sex or financial wellbeing has been made and created by God.  The idea that one of God's creations would look down on another of God's creations is repulsive to God.  Add to that someone who gets enjoyment out of the calamities of others.  We are to build up; help out; assist and love one another.  The opposite is trying to take advantage of those less fortunate, and even gaining some pleasure in another's' loss.   

Thursday, March 18th–Proverbs 17:4 “A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue. ” This passage speaks of people who have wicked intent towards someone else or to some activity that benefits themselves. A person who is bent on hurting someone else or getting their own way, does not care where the information comes from, or who is the source…they just want to use it for their own purposes. A person with wicked intent will listen to a liar…the liar is a person who will listen to any one who is seeking to harm another. Backbiting; slander; gossip; sowing discord; and such like…is welcome in the ears of those who have evil intent. The warning for us is to not automatically believe everything we hear…we need to cautiously investigate to see if their is any merit to the information. We should also attempt to judge whether the information from the source is intended to harm or is self-serving. 

Tuesday, March 9th–Proverbs 17:3 “The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the Lord trieth the hearts. ” I grew up in Western Pennsylvania. My father worked for Bethlehem Steel Company…US Steel also had plants or mills in our area. The furnaces were going all the time…men who worked at the steel mills were subject to intense heat. Iron ore was being processed into steel, much purification had to take place. To purify metals like gold and silver, takes time and intense heat, it definitely is a process. Purifying the hearts of men is also a process that often takes a lifetime. God is trying to conform us the the image of His Son. Since Jesus is perfect…that will take awhile. Sometimes the process involves difficult times and heated/pressure situations. The goal is to burn off the dross and slag and produce something purer and of greater value. What God allows in our life, that we make think is troublesome, God uses it for our benefit. 

Monday, February 22nd--Proverbs 17:2  

"A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame..."   The story that immediately comes to mind is the story of Eli, Hopni, Phineas and Samuel.  Samuel was dedicated by his mother to the Lord's service.  He grew up under the leadership of Eli, the priest.  Hopni and Phineas, Eli's sons also grew up under the leadership of Eli.  Hopni and Phineas were wicked.  They abused the priesthood and held position only for their own personal gain.  God eliminated Hopni and Phineas through death in warfare...Eli passed away as well and Samuel rose to the position of high priest due to his desire to please God and promote God's wishes to the people.  Even though the sons were in the position to be the successor to their father, God chose the wise servant instead.  Even the people recognized the wickedness of the sons and the godliness of Samuel. 

Tuesday, February 16th--Proverbs 17:1      

"Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife,"  The contrast is what is being emphasized here...if you have just a "morsel"...you don't have very much...Definition:  a small piece or amount of food; a mouthful.  What's worse than having just a morsel?...Having a dry morsel!  Would you rather have a pitiful, dry morsel or a house full of animals that would provide much meat.  The choice, contrast and comparison is obvious.  However one other element is added.  Would you rather have quietness, contentment and peace or conflict, confusion and strife...in your house?  The value of quietness and contentment is so great that its worth giving up a life of luxury and plenty.  If you have to sacrifice peace, contentment and quietness to have wealth and prosperity...you have made a bad bargain.  If you turn your back on God to gain all the riches, pleasure and wealth of this world...you have made a bad bargain.  Peace in ones soul, is far more valuable than meat in ones belly.  

Wednesday, February 10th--Proverbs 16:32

"He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city."  What is "true" strength?  The greatest example of strength that I can think of involves Jesus holding back all His sovereign power and submitting to human torture, abuse and death.  Allowing puny mankind to spit on him, mock him, scourge him and crucify him, without retaliation, is probably the greatest feat of inner strength ever accomplished.  True strength is in self-control.  Self-control is somewhat of a misnomer, because according to Galatians 5, "self-control" is an evidence of a man controlled by the Holy Spirit.  James tells us to be swift to hear, slow to speak, and SLOW TO WRATH.  Controlling your anger, and your spirit when wronged or tempted, is a demonstration and feat of amazing strength.

Thursday, February 4th--Proverbs 16:31

 "The hoary head  is a crown of glory IF it be found in the way of righteousness".  "Hoary" = an aged, white or grey headed man; elderly.  As a young pastor in my twenties...I looked forward to a time when my advise would have greater weight based on time, age and experience.  Interesting enough, was that a few grey hairs around the side...seemed to do the trick.  The assumption however, that all elderly or aged people possess great amounts of wisdom is a foolish presupposition.   If a man or a woman has lived their life in opposition or indifference to the guidelines of God's Word, you will find that no matter how old they are...they still have no wisdom to offer...oh they might have some earthly, worldly wisdom, but no godly wisdom.  In contrast, a man or woman who has spent a lifetime of following God's path, will find themselves far down the road to spiritual maturity.  Must wisdom can be learned from faithful people who have followed God's path...they have acquired knowledge, understanding and wisdom.  A wise younger person...can learn from their valuable experiences.  The man or woman with the "hoary head" who have lived righteously will give you the right opinion of God (glory).    

Wednesday, February 3rd--Proverbs 16:29-30

 "A violent man enticeth his neighbor, and leadeth him into a way that is not good".  Who is my neighbor?  That was a question asked of Jesus, which He answered with the story of the Good Samaritan.  Anyone within your eyesight or knowledge that needs your help and assistance.  The violent man in this proverb is intentionally aggravating or pushing his neighbor in order to justify violent acts against them.  He thinks and contemplates ways to get an advantage over others...his words are chosen to produce evil results.  How do we know he's plotting evil?  (HE IS MOVING HIS LIPS).  We are to assist and build up others.  Our goal with people should be an amiable partnership where both parties benefit from an exchange of Godly wisdom.  The goal of the "violent/evil" man in these verses is simply to drag others down to his level of selfishness.    

Saturday, January 30th--Proverbs 16:27-28

 "An ungodly man diggeth up evil...A froward man soweth strife..."  Some men and women enjoy finding dirt and wrongdoing, and then use their lips to broadcast gossip, slander, back-biting, condemnation and  discord to all who will listen.  In Christian circles, sometimes it sneaks in as "spiritual concern or prayer requests".  The basic message doesn't change..."I want to inform you of the terrible deeds of others...it is shocking....and as you know...I would never do anything like that."  Let's tear others down to make ourselves look good.  It is in their very heart and nature to quickly spread the news as a fire.  If they can't find anything, they will plants seeds of strife.  Destroying other people's lives gives them great satisfaction.  God describes them as "ungodly"; "froward" and "whisperers". 

JANUARY

2nd--Anita Upston

4th--Scott Kaniewski

8th--Karen Manson; John Cornett; Dan and Lynette Reeves  (A)

11th--Nelda Mikolajczyk; Theodore Gingerich

12th--Phyllis Burke; Kelly Schwartz; Oliver Walkinghood; Ron and Linda Sexton (A)

13th--Pete Griffin

14th--Mitchell Belson; Cody Williamson

18th--Verna Hall; Leslie Bennett

19th--Dolly Loker

20th--Dianne Denney

21st--Carolyn Collins; Kara Hawkins; Jim Schwartz

24th--Marge Mowry-Rice; Jon Walkinghood

26th--Steve Homan; Jim and Anne Swain (A)

28th--Carl Kennett

29th--Anne Swain

30th--Brooke Sexton; Rob and Laurie Belson (A)

DECEMBER

1st--Rocky Marsh

4th--Bill Avery

6th--Adelyn Davenport

7th--Cindy Gentz; Pastor Goebert

9th--Mary Jo Smith

10th--Garth Kincaid

12th--Jeanne Hanson

14th--Bonita Aurand; Ben Richmond; Denny Cross

15th--Sharon Jones; Pat Simington

17th--Linda Sexton; Laura Kennett; Chamberlain Nightingale

19th--Arlene Collins

22nd--Judy Wallman

23rd--Tammy Fredenburg;  Kirby and Alice Hostetler  (A)

25th--Lisa Gingerich

26th--Angie Davenport; Sam Collins; Todd Kaniewski

27th--Rocky and Mary Marsh  (A)

28th--Silas Sexton; Phil Gingerich

NOVEMBER

2nd--Val Cook

4th--Carol Doster

7th--Mike VanBruggen

8th--Sara Moore; Rob Riggs; Toby Tefft

10th--Daniel Belson

11th--Ruth Barrett

14th--Laurie Smith

15th--Emma Moore

16th--Peyton Mowry

17th--Deb Homan

19th--Phyllis Pifer

23rd--Francis Cross

24th--Ann Henckel

25th--Ron Smith

26th--Carol Lilly

27th--Elmer Wolf

28th--Herb Doster

29th--Mary Mowry

OCTOBER

1st--Darlene Denney; Dallas Bingaman

2nd--Matt Barrett

3rd--Robert Riggs Jr.; Bob and Julie Bruce  (A)

4th--Mark Sexton; Jim Burke

5th--Cienna Nightingale; Richard Mikolajczyk

6th--Caleb Kennett; Alvin and Pat Disbrow  (A)

7th--Dina Swain; Bill and Janet Avery  (A)

9th--Lori Richmond

10th--Anna Sexton

11th--Maxine Hawkins; Mark and Elizabeth Sexton  (A)

14th--Lynette Reeves

20th--Dave and Jan McKeith  (A)

25th--Bill Homan

27th--David Kaniewski

28th--Tracy Riggs; Jeremy Bingaman; Alvin Disbrow; Ron Denney

29th--Wellington Mowry

30th--Kirby Hostetler

SEPTEMBER

1st--Andrew Hodges

2nd--Bret VanBruggen; Joe and Maribeth Kleinhans (A)

6th--Richard Rupp

9th--Frank Simington; Shawn Lambert

10th--Lorraine Stuart; Ron and Diane Denney  (A)

11th--Jody Fredenburg

12th--Shawn and Kim Lambert  (A)

14th--Gryphon Barrett; Joel Schwartz

16th--Jerry and Dawn Dodgson  (A)

17th--Pat Disbrow; Bob Bruce

18th--Fran VanBruggen; Cody Burdick

21st--Eric Davenport

22nd--Randall Moore

24th--Janet Avery

27th--Jody and Tammy Fredenburg  (A)

28th--Paul Richmond

29th--Barry Mowry; Dan Applegate; Dick and Diane Denney  (A); 

Jim and Sharon Jones  (A)

AUGUST

1st--Pastor and Brenda Goebert (A)

2nd--Leonard Schwartz

3rd--Ray Gentz; Ted Adams

9th--Tom Burke; Zach Hawkins

11th--Matt and Ruth Barrett (A); Chris and Renee Nightingale (A)

13th--Kaleigh Hochstetler; Paul and Lori Richmond (A)

15th--Laurie Belson

16th--Kim Lambert

17th--Rita Johnson; Denny and Alice Cross  (A)

18th--Scott Yoder

19th--Larry Wallman

20th--Jim and Kelly Schwartz  (A)

21st--Claire Hodges; Christia VanBruggen

22nd--Alice Cross

25th--Natalie Belson; Joe Hughes

27th--Rebekah Mowry; John Bennett

28th--Vallory Yoder; Matt and Mary Yoder  (A)

29th--Toby and Eryn Tefft  (A)

30th--Dave Denney

31st--Cierra Nightingale 

JULY

1st--Jerry Dodgson

3rd--Steve and Deb Homan  (A)

4th--Mary Marsh; Nate Hawkins

7th--Rosetta Copas; Jan Grandlinard

8th--Joanna Smith; Connie Adams; Rob and Tracy Riggs (A)

9th--Randall and Sara Moore  (A)

11th--Ross and Anita Upston  (A)

12th--Ron and Laurie Smith  (A)

13th--Terry and Kevin Henckel  (A)

15th--Katelyn Yoder

16th--Maribeth Kleinhans

18th--David and Rebekah Mowry  (A)

19th--Ryker Barrett

20th--Terry Henckel

21st--Lyle Barrett; David Hall

26th--Caleb Applegate

30th--Geraldine Wolf; Lloyd Miller

31st--Alexis Hurst; Amilia Mowry

JUNE

2nd-- Maeve Bennett

3rd-- Diane Denney; Kyle Croy

5th-- Connie Jackson

6th-- Dave McKeith

7th-- Jonny and Carissa Hawkins (A)

8th-- Dan Reeves

12th-- Rob Belson

13th-- Sue Miller

14th-- Pamela Mowry

15th-- Jeremy and Melanie Bingaman  (A)

16th-- Lidiane Mowry; Yance Sexton; Dan and Jean Inman  (A)

18th-- Cecil Aurand

19th-- Jeffrey Applegate; Ray and Cindy Gentz  (A)

20th-- Paul and Jan Grandlinard  (A)

21st-- Jean Inman; Carissa Hawkins

22nd-- Kim Bennett

25th-- Gary and Ann Henckel  (A)

26th-- Herb and Carol Doster  (A); Frank and Patsy Simington  (A)

MAY

1st-- Gary Iobe; Elmer and Gerry Wolf (A)

3rd-- Donna Hoffman

4th-- Helen Harvey; Melanie Bingaman 

6th-- David Mowry; David and Pat Kaniewski  (A)

9th-- Maxine Irving; Eric and Angie Davenport  (A)

10th-- Elizabeth Sexton

12th-- Jim Swain

14th-- Dorothy Saxmon

15th-- Lloyd and Sue Miller  (A)

19th-- Barry and Mary Mowry  (A)

20th-- Jim Jones

22nd-- Veronica Reeves; Bea Loker

23rd-- Richard and Nelda Mikolajczyk  (A)

24th-- Dale Marie Brubaker

25th-- Ian Smith; Gary and Deanna Hakes  (A)

27th-- Gabe Mowry

28th-- Eryn Tefft; Dawn Dodgson; Christine Dietz; Cecil and Bonita Aurand  (A);                                 Mark and Kaleigh Hochstetler  (A)

APRIL

1st--Eli Gingerich

2nd-- Jessica Denney and Chuck Nightingale

4th-- April Sexton and Deanna Hakes

5th-- Pat Kaniewski

6th--Nancy Griffin; Ted and Connie Adams (A); Carl and Laura Kennett (A)

11th-- Rose Hughes and Gary Hakes

12th-- Drake Williams, Denny Foster and Chris Nightingale

13th-- Sandy Nelson

17th-- Ray Copas

18th-- Jonny Hawkins

19th-- David and Verna Hall  (A)

20th--Dick Smith

23rd-- Alice Hostetler

28th-- Porter Sexton

29th-- Lorraine Kincaid       

MARCH

2nd--Sue Smink; Kyler Hochstetler

4th--Gavin Davenport

5th--Evelyn Copas; Art Smith

10th--Jan McKeith

13th--Kevin Henckel

14th--Ross Upston

16th--Mark Hochstetler

17th--John and Kim Bennett  (A)

18th--Brenda Goebert

20th--Jill Denney; Pete and Nancy Griffin  (A)

28th--Joe Kleinhans

31st--Julie Bruce

FEBRUARY

1st--Garth and Lorraine Kincaid (A)

2nd--Renee Nightingale

3rd--Larry and Judy Wallman  (A)

4th--Olivia Tefft; Dick Hunter

5th--Tammie Smith; Dick Denney

6th--Gideon Hodges; Art and Mary Jo Smith  (A)

10th--Gary Henckel

13th--Ron Sexton

15th--Heather Smith; Dan Inman; Pail Grandlinard

16th--Jackson Bruce; Oaklynn VanBruggen

22nd--Ilene Milbourne

25th--Julie Cornett

26th--Nicole Charleston

28th--Jagger Bruce