October 2009 Newsletter

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

You and I follow Jesus because God used someone to share the Good News. We have continued and grown as followers of Jesus because God has used others to celebrate with us in victory, encourage us in defeat and call us forward in faith.

You can help to make the same things happen in the lives of people half a world away! That’s why I am writing to ask you both to pray for and to give to the 2009 World Mission Offering.

Our congregation uses the World Mission Offering to support our American Baptist International Mission work around the world. Our giving to the World Mission Offering helps people
· Come to Christ
· Grow in Christ
· Change their world with Christ.
This year International Ministries invites us to look at global mission in these terms:
Be Surprised by Walking in Different Shoes.

“In your lives you must think and act like Christ Jesus…he gave up his place with God and made himself nothing. He was born as a man and became like a servant.” (Philippians 2:5, 7 NCV.)

This year our World Mission Offering will be used in two ways. First, one-half of the offering will go directly to the ministry of David and Betsy Perkins, as we support them in their ministry in India. David and Betsy have worshiped with us here at WCBC on a couple of occasions, and have shared their stories and their ministry with us. Secondly, one-half of the offering will support our American Baptist International Missions ministry around the globe, as we strive to make Christ known to a world who desperately needs him. Our goal is $300 for the Perkins, and $300 for International Ministries.

We have received from the Lord. Let us also give and let Him empower our gifts to transform the world.

Sincerely,
Pastor Jim

Sunday Nights in October

In addition to our Sunday Night Live, we have church activities for each of the Sunday evenings in October.
Join us on October 11 for a Sandwich Buffet and a night of visitation. Bring some sandwiches to share as we eat together and then visit some of our church family. This activity begins at 5:00 pm.
On October 18 we’ll meet at 4:00 pm to rake leaves for some who need to have this done for them, and then we’ll enjoy a Chili and bread meal together.
October 25 will feature a Pizza and Game Night here at the church, beginning at 5:00 pm.

Common Sense Flu Precautions

All flu, including pandemic flu, is caused by viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs. It is generally spread from person to person when an infected person coughs or sneezes. An effective vaccination against the pandemic flu – when it is available – will be the best way to prevent the disease.

To fight the annual flu, members of high-risk groups should get a flu shot. Even those who are not in the high-risk categories should get a flu shot.

The following simple, common-sense precautions recommended by the CDC, can also help.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick. If you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick, too.
Stay home when you’re sick or have flu symptoms. Get plenty of rest and check with your doctor.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your sleeve, not your hands. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
Clean your hands. Washing your hands often will help protect you and others against germs. When soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based disposable hand rubs or gel sanitizers.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread to your system when you touch something that is contaminated with germs and then touch your eyes, nose or mouth.
Practice other good health habits. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious foods. Avoid smoking, which may increase the risk of serious consequences if you do contact the flu.
(Small containers of Hand Sanitizer are available for your use while at church.)

Church Humor

One Sunday, a pastor told his congregation that the church needed some extra money and asked the people to prayerfully consider giving a little extra in the offering plate. He said that whoever gave the most would be able to pick out three hymns.

After the offering plates were passed, the pastor glanced down and noticed that someone had placed a $1,000 bill in the offering. He was so excited that he immediately shared his joy with his congregation and said he’d like to personally thank the person who placed the money in the plate.

And there sat Rosie all the way in the back shyly raising her hand. The pastor asked her to come to the front. Slowly she made her way to the pastor. He told her how wonderful it was that she gave so much and in thanksgiving asked her to pick out three hymns. Her eyes brightened as she looked over the congregation, pointed to the three most handsome men in the building and said, “I’ll take him and him and him.” (Falls Community Church.)

October Wedding Anniversaries

2 Greg & Kathleen Harrington
3 August & Esther Bratz
3 LeRoy & Diana DeBroux
5 Dan & Michelle Franz
7 George & Cathy Strohmeyer
9 Tom & Roxanne Schwandt
9 Nick & Tina Voigt
11 Tom & Alicia Romnek
18 Moo Khu Htoo & Hsar Say Paw
20 Richard & Kim Rose
22 Mike & Roxane Kesselhon
29 Art & Ellen Schwandner
29 Perry & Veronica Smith

October Birthdays

6 Sue Schroder
7 Tori Luebker
8 Ken Burrows
10 David Hill
16 Dan Franz
17 Steven Searles
18 Fritz Bowers
20 Richard Rose
21 Roxanne Schwandt
22 Carl Stilp
25 Alice Dorton
30 Charles Pfister
31 Julie Delikowski
31 Michelle Franz

Quick Facts about International Ministries

International Ministries is supported solely through the generosity of churches and individuals. The primary fundraising vehicle is the World Mission Offering.

International Ministries is a Christian mission organization connecting U.S. churches and individuals to holistic missions around the world. Organized in 1814, American Baptist International Ministries was the first Baptist mission agency formed in North America. International Ministries has more than 1,800 short-term and long-term missionaries, bringing U.S. and Puerto Rico churches together with partners in over 70 countries in cutting-edge ministries that tell the Good News of Jesus Christ while meeting human needs.

The Mission Statement of the American Baptist International Ministries is: Our mission is to glorify God in all the earth by crossing cultural boundaries to help people come to Christ, grow in Christ and change their worlds with Christ.

Our contribution to the 2009 World Mission Offering will bring good news of the love of Jesus to people all over the world while helping to meet human needs in the following areas: leading people to faith and starting new churches; training future church leaders; abolishing human trafficking; promoting health in an HIV/AIDS world; creating economic opportunity and building futures; opening the mind and empowering the heart; seeking peace and offering refuge.