Women of Faith Brandi Seys

THE FAITH CONNECTION Pastor’s Pen: Evidence One of the most difficult things about having faith is that we often want to have overwhelming clear evidence to prove what we believe. Which if you think about it really isn't faith. For we know “faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1) Perhaps that is why one of the greatest joys of faith, is hearing others share the work of God in their lives. So, what have you heard lately? Sorry, if you are expecting a story now of how I've been seeing and feeling God move in the congregation and the community over the summer. But the truth is I'm not the only one who has seen and felt God's hand doing and beginning great things. So, I'm gonna challenge each of you to tell your own stories, of how you've experienced God this summer, with each other. After all, as our vision says, we want to build relationships with people to bring them to a relationship with Jesus Christ. And that includes growing deeper relationships with each other who are September 2009 Volume 1, Issue 7 Pastor Leighton already Christians; as well as helping each other, to grow in our walk with God. If you would like to share some of your stories with the whole congregation I have a few ideas of how you can do so: Write down your story. Include all the details and feelings you experienced. Send it to Jackie and we can put copies in everyone‟s mail box. You know when we have our time for Praises and Prayers, well, stand up and share your story of how you have seen and felt the awesome power of God. We would all love to praise God with you. If you have pictures or video of the event, you could plan a gathering time at the church or your home and share your story though both word and media. Whatever you do, or however seems best to you to do, please don't think your story is insignificant and does not matter, because to someone your story may matter more than you will ever know. Inside this issue: 1 Pastor‟s Pen 1 Women of Faith 2 Mission of the Month 3 Treasurer‟s Report 3 Kids‟ Night Out 3 Web Savvy 4 Church Herald 5 Calendar 6 September Happenings 7 Dakota Classis Prayers 8 Praying for Brookings 9 Church Directory 9 Max Lucado Women of Faith: Brandi Seys This past weekend Leighton and I had the opportunity to go to an amazing couples retreat. It was a time of renewal and just feeling God's amazing love. I would like to thank all of you who were praying for us and thinking of us. It was just what I needed to recharge my batteries in preparation for the fall and all of the busyness that will soon be coming my way. If any of you are ever invited to a Cursillo weekend, I would strongly encourage you to go, when you are invited, consider it an invitation directly from God to speak into your life. We can all come up with a million reasons and excuses not to go, but at the end of the day, God usually has us right where He wants us anyway. Just look at Jonah. He was told to go, ran, and somehow, God got him where he was supposed to go in the first place. God has wonderful and amazing lessons to teach us all, we just have to be willing and open to listen to them. I challenge you to take some time today, fifteen or twenty minutes to just be still, quiet and listen to God and what He is speaking into your life. You may be amazed to hear all that He has to tell you when you are just quiet enough to listen. The Spiritual Retreat Committee is hard at work preparing a fall retreat. Cont on page 2. Well, it seems fall is officially on its way. The kids have started school and the weather man is predicting cooler temperatures. Where has the summer gone? It has been such a crazy and busy summer for our family, and I can certainly say, I am thrilled the kids are going back to school and re-engaging their brains. 2 Mission of the Month: Multiplication Growth Fund Matthew 28: 16-20 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." This instruction spoken by the resurrected Jesus to his disciples has become known as the Great Commission and a major aspect of Christian theology emphasizing mission, proclaiming the Word of Christ to others and baptizing them in the name of Jesus. Growth in the Christian church came as the disciples lived in community, meeting in each other‟s home or secretly in caves to avoid persecution, sharing in a meal together and worshipping in community. As churches were established, they moved from town to town, building relationships, sharing their faith, leading people to Jesus and planting churches. Paul wrote, “rejoice in the Lord always, again, I say rejoice.” The very fact that he wrote these words also implies that he felt it was important to communicate the importance of this truth. Church reproduction is a cause to rejoice! In 1 Timothy 3:9 Paul rejoices over the joy he has over the church he helped plant in Thessalonica and shares his joy with the church. Today, as Christians we continue to live in community and share our stories, our belief in the Son of God with others. We are fortunate to live in a country where we do not need to fear death for sharing the promise of Christ, but the urgency remains. 25 % of South Dakota residents do not claim membership to any Christian denomination. Of the 75% of South Dakota residents (our numbers are higher than other states) that do claim membership with a Christian denomination, anywhere from 20% - 50% attend church on a regular basis, depending upon which county a person lives in. East River counties have a slightly higher church attendance around 30 % versus West River counties that are closer to 21%. Brookings County has about 66 % of its population claiming a Christian church with about 40% attending church regularly. The Dakota classis continues to spread the Word in a variety of ways, one such way is planting new churches, based upon the biblical method of evangelism. Cont. on page 4. Women of Faith cont from page 1 I would highly encourage you all to attend this retreat to recharge your batteries. Retreat times are such a great opportunity to go and meet God in a different setting, were you are more relaxed and open to His presence and the presence of the Holy Spirit. This retreat will be held at the Oakwood Campground, on Saturday, September 26, at 9:30 a.m., and will focus on the book “The Shack”. If you have not had a chance to read this book, it is one that definitely sparks a lot of spiritually focused thoughts and questions. It is also one that lends itself well to deep spiritual conversations. More details will follow, so keep a watch on the bulletin. Additionally, we will hold our Women of Faith Quarterly meeting at the same time to allow for more attendance. Looking ahead to the fall, The Mission Marketplace of Faith is fast approaching, so please mark your th calendars for October 10 . We will need lots of help to set-up, take down, and lots of items or crafts to sell. If you can help in any way, we would love it, as all proceeds go to support missions. As a person who has been supported in missions through the proceeds, I can tell you what a difference it makes to go where God directs, knowing that the church is supporting the effort. When we went to Africa a few years ago, it was an amazing experience and I cannot wait to go out in the mission field, on faith again, as God does such miraculous things. God is up to something all the time, all you have to do is listen and watch for His hand in your life. He is always there, always waiting for you and all you have to do is respond. How are you going to respond today? This week? This month? This year? God is calling each one of us into deeper relationship with Him, how are you going to respond? Vision We sense God calling us to: Build relationships with people that Bring them to a relationship with Jesus Christ 3 Treasurer’s Report: Keith Bruinsma Building offering: $536.00 Inspiration Hills Mission of Month: $933.26 Checking Account Balance 07/31/09 Certificate of Deposit 07/31/09 Savings Account Balance 07/31/09 GENERAL FUND We have completed 58% of the budget year. Budget that has been expended to date General Fund Offerings to date Monthly income needed General Fund July Offerings Total General Fund Budget BALANCES IN OTHER FUNDS Sunday School Fund Mission Fund Curb Appeal Fund Building Structure Fund receipts Calvin Grant Sign Fund Salvation Army Project Joy Mission Scholarship Kids Night Out Mexico Mission Trip RCA (Seys Grant) ALPHA Mission of the Month offering (Habitat for Humanity): Thoughts for the Month If you think you can, you can. If you think you can‟t, you can‟t. Either way – You are right! Do or do not, there is no try. Yoda People are as happy as they make up their mind to be. Abe Lincoln July, 2009 4,270.91 37,236.36 38,705.93 80,213.20 $79,875.63 $72,420.10 $12,070.33 $9,486.31 $144,844.00 $335.51 $3,191.57 $753.94 $3,447.10 $396.02 $10,548.75 $75.53 $972.31 $0.00 $946.00 $1,000.00 (198.89) $1,188.74 55.1% 50.0% Web Savvy To make communication easier for care groups and the entire church the following emails will be able to help you to do that. Each care group: Caregroup1@experiencefaith.org Caregroup2@experiencefaith.org Caregroup3@experiencefaith.org Caregroup4@experiencefaith.org Caregroup5@experiencefaith.org Caregroup6@experiencefaith.org Church wide $625.00 prayer@experiencefaith.org Building Fund Offering: Kids’ Night Out: Begins Again September 11, 2009 October 16, 2009 November 06, 2009 December 04, 2009 January 08, 2010 February 05, 2010 March 05, 2010 April 09, 2010 May 07, 2010 6:30pm – 9:30pm 6:30pm – 9:30pm 6:30pm – 9:30pm 6:30pm – 9:30pm 6:30pm – 9:30pm 6:30pm – 9:30pm 6:30pm – 9:30pm 6:30pm – 9:30pm 6:30pm – 9:30pm Church Office contactus@experiencefaith.org Consistory consistory@experiencefaith.org elders@experiencefaith.org deacons@experiencefaith.org leighton@experiencefaith.org How to register: A parent will register by emailing at KNO@ExperienceFaith.org or calling 692-9049. Registration will be from Wednesday the week prior to KNO until the Wednesday of Kids‟ Night Out or when we reach 60 kids. We will take registration in the order we receive them and send a confirmation e-mail or phone call with 24-28 hours. 4 Mission of the Month cont. from page 2 According to research authored by Christian Schwartz, smaller churches being 1600 times more “effective” than larger ones in reaching “lost” people than other churches. The Dakota classis has a number of church plants; the Crossing in Sioux Falls – now almost 8 years old, The Connection in Harrisburg– now 4 years old and the latest plant – a church birthed from the crossing – Patmos in Sioux Falls – just 8 months old. The Multiplication Growth Fund is a fund of Dakota Classis which goes to support new church plants, providing financial resources over a period of time, allowing them to discern & follow their calling to spread the Good News of Christ. Patmos is the most recent church plant and is the recipient of the Multiplication Growth Fund. Patmos is currently a collection of house churches with one church home established with hopes to soon start a second. Their growth is intentionally slow, hoping to build relationships and deep discipleship. “Supporting a new church is to some extent one of the greatest “kingdom minded” things an established church can do” according to Ken Eberline, pastor at Patmos. Besides in sharing our financial resources with the Multiplication Growth Fund, there are many ways we can contribute to the success of a new church plant. We can pray for the pastoral leadership, church members, and for those individuals who have yet to hear of Christ. We can celebrate new birth in the life of the church or observe special anniversaries and their birthdays. “Just as the angels of heaven rejoice over a sinner born again, the church should celebrate the birth of a new church, its first birthday, major milepost achieved and the additional of souls into God‟s Kingdom,” suggests Christian Schwartz, in Natural Church Development. Faith will be collecting an offering the last weekend in September for the Multiplication Fund to provide our support to growing new churches and assisting others in proclaiming the promise of Christ to others. Church Herald Announcement Dear Friends at Faith Reformed Church: As the Church Herald ends its publication ministry, we want to thank you for supporting us through your every household plan. It is clear that as a congregation you have valued print communication and the connections that it builds within the RCA family. Thank you for your support; it has been deeply appreciated. Although you have paid for a full year of subscriptions for your members, our final issue – a double issue that counts as both September and October – is in production. Because we cannot provide you with a full year‟s subscriptions, we are substituting copies of „The Church We Are”, a resource that churches find helpful in educating members, especially new members, on the history, theology, and ministry of the Reformed Church. We‟ve enclosed two copies for each paid subscription as a means of fulfilling your congregation‟s subscription plan. Because this is a resource developed by the Church Herald, it will no longer be available when the magazine closes up shop. We hope that you will find it useful as you continue your work in God‟s kingdom. Sincerely, Christine Van Eyl Editor At the time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child and has him stand among them. And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and becomes like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. Matthew 18: 1-5 5 September 2009 Sunday Monday 1 New Fall Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday & Friday 9:00 am through 2:00 pm 5:00 pm WW 11:45 am Weight Watchers Tuesday 2 Wednesday 3 6: 00 pm ALPHA Invitation Thursday 4 Friday 5 Saturday 6 Refreshments: Grp 1 7 Labor Day 8 11:45 am WW 9 10 11 6:30 pm Kids’ Night Out 12 2:00 pm Eric Buehre & Melanie Wineburner wedding 13 Refreshments: Grp 2 7:00 pm Youth Group WOF Harvest Table 14 5:00 pm WW 15 11:45 am WW 5:00 pm WW 16 Newsletter Info Due 17 18 19 8:00 am Men of Faith 10:00 am – 4:30 pm Life-Touch Pictures 3:00 – 8:00 pm Life-Touch Pictures 20 Refreshments: Grp 3 Worship/2nd Offering. for Building Fund 7:00 pm Youth Group 21 22 11:45 am WW 5:00 pm WW 23 24 25 26 9:30 am WOF Spiritual Retreat . 27 Refreshments: Grp 4 Worship/2 Offering for nd 28 29 11:45 am WW 5:00 pm WW 30 May your footsteps set you upon a lifetime journey of love. May you wake each day with His blessings and sleep each night in His keeping. And may you always walk in His tender care. 2:30 pm Priscilla Circle 7:00 pm Youth Group 7:30 pm Esther Circle Faith Reformed Church 6 CHURCH DIRECTORY SAVE THE DATES Dates for pictures at the church have been set for Friday, September 18, 2009 – 3 pm to 8 pm and Saturday, September 19, 2009 – 10 am to 4:30 pm. Registration is available now online at our church website. Be the first, second, third ….. to sign up! WOMEN OF FAITH SAVE THE DATES September 14 September 26 Harvest Table Spiritual Retreat September Happenings Women of Faith Events Flowers: Boukje Landman Sunshine: Boukje Landman Priscilla Circle Hostess: Henrietta TeKrony Esther Circle Guide: Esther Circle Hostess: Missy Sagmoe WOF Quarterly Meeting Hostess: Diane Odens September 09/06/09 09/13/09 09/20/09 09/27/09 Nursery Workers Marisol Seys Alicia Love Diane Odens Natalie Krueger Refreshments Care Group # 1 Care Group # 2 Care Group # 3 Care Group # 4 Greeters Greeters Needed Greeters Needed Virg & Carrie Hagberg Virg & Carrie Hagberg September Anniversaries September Birthday’s 07 – Ron & Wilma Bjerke 09 – Sheldon & Carolyn Cotton 10 – Dale & Esther Buskohl 11 – Leighton & Brandi Seys 08 – Avis Beninga 13 – Reuben Krueger 18 – Keith Bruinsma 22 – Samuel Krueger 23 – Mary Ann Baker 24 - Chuck Canaan 28 - Brandi Seys 29 – Randy DeBoer Dakota Classis Prayer Concerns Prayer Schedule for Dakota Classis 09/06/09 09/13/09 09/20/09 09/27/09 Grace Reformed Church Bethel Reformed Church The Reformed Church First Reformed Church Rev. Jerry Buwalda Corsica, SD Vacant Davis, SD Rev. Frank Boerema Dell Rapids, SD Rev. Peter DeJong Harrison, SD 7 Dakota Classis Prayer Concerns We lift up the Dell Rapids Congregation, The Reformed Church, as well as their Pastor Frank Boerema, as they grieve the death of Audrey Boerema. We ask for your mercy to shelter them and may you lead them through their valley of the shadow of death. Fill them with you peace and strengthen them in the days ahead. Monthly Devotion Every morning I tell you what I need, and I wait for your answer. Psalm 5: 3, ncv Brookings Prayer Concerns We lift up Peace Lutheran and Pastor Tim, as they educate the little ones that come to pre-school to learn and play. We lift up First Lutheran as they continue to discern your will in deciding whom to call as a Senior Pastor. We lift up Pastor Bob Chill (the University Lutheran Church) & Pastor Matt Richards (Agape House) as college students begin their studies at SDSU and find a place to worship. May Christ be proclaimed to those who know him and those who have yet to hear him. Before you face the day, face the Father. Before you step out of bed, step into his presence. I have a friend who makes it a habit to roll of his bed onto his knee and begin his day in prayer. Personally, I don‟t get that far. With my head still on the pillow and my eyes still closed, I offer God the first few seconds of my day. The prayer is not lengthy and far from formal. Depending upon how much sleep I got, it may not even be intelligible. Often it‟s nothing more than “Thank you for a night‟s rest. I belong to you today.” Taken from Mocha with Max by Max Lucado, pg 175 Praying for Brookings Neighborhoods Rosewood Trailer Park Westview Mobile Homes Pheasant‟s Run Addition McClemans Addition Homestead Do-It center Pheasant Restaurant & Lounge Oly's Neighborhood Pub & Grill Businesses Snap Fitness Schools Camelot 4th Grade Teachers Camelot 5th Grade Teachers Camelot Special Education Teachers Camelot Music & Art Teachers Brookings Area Pastors Pastor Tim Rynearson Peace Lutheran Church Pastor Dave Schoeld First Lutheran Church Pastor Bob Chell ULC Pastor Matt Richards Agape House 09/06/09 09/13/09 09/20/09 09/27/09 Faith Reformed Church Experience Faith 1330 Main Ave. S Brookings, SD, 57006 605-692-9049 contactus@experiencefaith.org www.experiencefaith.org Sunday Morning‟s 8:45 Sunday School 10:00 Worship 11:00 Fellowship Mission: Faith Reformed Church is a congregation called by God, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, to be the very presence of Jesus Christ in the world. Our shared task is to equip members to follow Christ in mission, in a lost and broken world, so loved by God. Vision: We sense God calling us to: build relationships with people that bring them to a relationship with Jesus Christ. Church Directory Picture Time Do you ever see people and wonder what their names are? Have you ever heard an announcement regarding a member and wished you could put a face with a name? Are you a new member and wish you had something to help you put names with faces? Help is on the way! We are producing a pictorial family album! There is no cost to have your photographs taken, and you will receive a complimentary 8 X 10 portrait and directory for participating. You will be able to view your images electronically immediately after photography. At that time, you will have the opportunity to purchase additional portraits to share with family and friends. This is an important historical and evangelistic document for our church and you and your family are important to us. Your participation is critical and will help our church obtain that best directory possible. The directory not only helps to give faces to names but also helps to record history and can serve as a tool to show others new to Faith Reformed what we are all about. Registration is now open and will be done online by going to the church website and following the church directory link to register. The link is http://www.experiencefaith.org/di rectory.cfm. If you do not have access to the internet, you may call the church office and register while on the phone. Or in the near future we will have sign-up sheets available on Sunday, for you to sign up while at church. Please allow one hour for your photography session but Have Fun! Bring props and wear coordinated clothing. Generational photography is available to you through Lifetouch. Pets will not be allowed for the church directory. Wanted: Pictures of what happens at Faith, youth group, small groups, fellowship hour, Sunday school, celebrations, etc. If you have church pictures, please submit them electronically to contactus@experiencefaith.org so that we may consider them for the directory. If you have any questions of suggestions, please contact Justin Bonnema or call the church office.