The Art of Apology

The art of an apology can be learned. There are five fundamental aspects of an apology, which Gary Chapman calls the five languages of apology. Each of them is important. But for a particular individual, one or two of the languages may communicate more effectively than the others. The key to good relationships is learning the apology language of the other person and being willing to speak it. When you speak their primary language, you make it easier for them to genuinely forgive you.

The Five Languages of Apology are:
· Expressing Regret: “I am sorry” - Apology is birthed in the womb of regret. Regret focuses on what you did or failed to do and how it affected the other person.
· Accepting Responsibility: “I was wrong” – At the heart of accepting responsibility for one’s behavior is the willingness to admit, “I was wrong.”
· Making Restitution: “What can I do to make it right?” – A willingness to do something to try to make up for the pain I have caused is evidence of a true apology.
· Genuinely Repenting: “I’ll try not to do that again” – The word “repentance” means “to turn around” or “to change one’s mind.” The person regrets the pain he or she is causing the other person and chooses to change his behavior.
· Requesting Forgiveness: “Will you forgive me?” – Requesting forgiveness indicates that you want to see the relationship fully restored. It shows that you realize you have done something wrong. It shows that you are willing to put the future of the relationship in the hands of the offended person.
(Excerpt from “The Five Languages of Apology” by Gary Chapman and Jennifer Thomas. Submitted by The Samaritan Counseling Center of the Fox Valley.)

Church Finances

Through the month of March, we are $2,276 behind on our forecasted church financial goals in the General fund, and $570 behind on our Mission goals. However, we have received $1718 in special missions. As far as our overall budget picture of money spent to money received, we are $174 ahead as of the end of March.

Sunday School

We are so very grateful for our Sunday School teachers, who week after week serve their students by teaching God’s Word. The last day of Sunday School is Sunday, May 23rd. We will honor our Sunday School teachers during that time. Sunday, May 23rd, is the last day of Sunday School until Fall.

Help for the Homeless Results

WEMI – Christian Family Radio, recently held their “Help for the Homeless” campaign, to which many of you contributed. Christian Family Radio was pleased to announce that more than $200,000 worth of personal hygiene items and cleaning products were collected and donated to 43 local crisis and homeless agencies throughout the area. More than 460 area businesses, schools and churches in the Fox Cities, Green Bay, Oshkosh, Fond du Lac and Manitowoc worked together with area homeless coalition agencies to stock their shelves for the coming year.
Thanks for your participation! You make a big difference in our community.

Rummage Sales Results

Special thanks to Donna Mentink, who coordinated our church’s rummage sale in April, and to all who helped in one way or another. We raised $500, of which $300 was designated for the General Fund, $100 for the Deacons Fund, and $100 for the Parking Lot.

Birthdays

2 Cathy Strohmeyer
4 Marion Burrows
4 Art Schwandner
6 Jonathon Delikowski
7 Becky Zoglman
10 Michael Smith
12 May Paw
13 Mikayla Weyers
18 Dorothy Hoks
23 Duane Langdon
30 Bruce Brazee

Wedding Anniversaries

9 Dave & Mary Hill
13 Bob & Barb Bell
17 Charles & Judy Pfister
18 Henry & Kim Rose
29 Tom & Kathy Schroder