I was thinking about prayer this week and found some of these funny little stories and thought I’d share them with some thoughts and scripture:

A grandfather overheard his granddaughter repeating the alphabet in reverent, hushed tones.

“What are you doing?” he asked. “I’m praying, Grandpa,” she said. “I can’t think of the right words, so I just say all the letters. God will put them together for me, ‘cause he knows what I’m thinking.”

 

Romans 8:26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.

 

Isn’t it wonderful that we have a God that understands us so well that He knows the groans of our heart even if we can’t put our finger on what we are feeling?

One night Mike’s parents overheard this prayer: “Now I lay me down to rest, and hope to pass tomorrow’s test, if I should die before I wake, that’s one less test I have to take.”

 

Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.

 

I am so thankful that when sometimes I pray for selfish things or maybe just not looking at the bigger picture, God doesn’t answer me the way I always think He should.  Because, well, in the end God’s plans are better than mine!

A little boy’s prayer: “Dear God, please take care of my daddy and my mommy and my sister and my brother and my doggy and me. Oh, please take care of yourself, God. If anything happens to you, we’re gonna be in a big mess.”

A five-year-old said grace at family dinner one night. “Dear God, thank you for these pancakes ...” When he concluded, his parents asked him why he thanked God for pancakes when they were having chicken. He smiled and said, “I thought I’d see if He was paying attention tonight.”

 

Malachi 3:6  “I the LORD do not change.”

Isaiah 46:10 I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times,

what is still to come.

 

If there is one thing I can count on being consistent in life, it is God.  We can know that He will always be there and will always be loving and compassionate.  We don’t have to worry about if He knows what He is doing because He is All Knowing and Wise beyond comprehension.

As you have read these little prayers, may you turn once again to your God and connect with Him.  May you always be connected with Him as the Scripture tells us:  Pay without ceasing!  1 Thessalonians 5:17

                                                                                                                                                ~ Pastor Jon

 

 K-L Adventist School

I want to wish you all a Happy New Year, but January 1 seems like forever ago.  If you blink, life passes you by.  Plus, there never is a dull moment working with kids. 

 

Before we left for Christmas vacation, Amanda Pink, children’s director at the Women’s Shelter, came and collected the overflowing table’s worth of gifts.  I know they were put to good use, and our students gained such a blessing.  This has been one of the best projects we’ve been involved with.  For January and February, we’re collecting personal items such soap, shampoo, lotion, etc.  A big thanks to Bob Humbert, for getting us excited about this. 

 

The end of second quarter is January 21 and that means we are half way done.  Like I said earlier, blink and it’s gone.  The kids are excited about a Tribes event coming up on that day, and then to wait for report cards.  The classrooms are all busier than ever and we’re going to try to update our bulletin board at church with upcoming events, so keep an eye out. 

 

Our next big event coming up is a Talent Show.  The kids are inviting one special person to come and eat lunch with them and then for our entertainment, a KLAS Talent Show.  We all know it’s going to be great and are looking forward to it.   Can’t wait to share with you how it goes.  Until next time...God Bless.

 

                                                            ~Tracy Lang

 

Circle of Friends

SWAP ‘TIL YOU DROP

Spring is just around the corner, so get a jump on your Spring Cleaning! A great chance to go through cupboards, closets and garages and clear out those unused and unneeded items.

 

Bring your gently used, swappable items to this women’s event on Sunday @4:00pm. Everyone can go home with a treasure. Items left over will be donated to Community Services, Hospice and Goodwill.

 

 

Community Service Center teams up with the Youth!

He was homeless. His attitude reflected those in life who feel beaten down, worthless. “I’m sure you can’t do anything for me,” he told Betty Coleman, director of the Community Service Center, because nobody else can.”

 

Betty assured him we could be of help and when he received a warm waterproof coat, his attitude changed from despondency to joy.

 

This was just one of the eighty-nine coats the Youth recently gathered in their coat and blanket drive. A number of these were new, which reflects the generosity of the church members. Many people came to the Center without coats, even in the very cold weather; they bundled up and were warm in the coats they were given.

 

The Youth also made cookies and Christmas cards and distributed these along with poinsettias to the shut-ins.

 

Besides the coats, the Youth collected eight blankets, seven pairs of new gloves, and five sleeping bags. The sleeping bags are reserved for the homeless.

 

We have a tremendous demand for blankets along with coats and gloves. Most of the coats collected by the Youth have been distributed and many months of winter remain. Any help you can give in the way of coats, blankets, sleeping bags, or gloves will be appreciated.

 

Non perishable food items are urgently needed. We are having a much greater demand for food than last year.

To the Youth, a special thank-you for all your work in collecting the coats, blankets, sleeping bags, and gloves.

 

The many people who received the various items also expressed their appreciation. The shut-ins received a ray of sunshine from the goodies and the flowers.

                                    ~Margaret Jackson

 

 

Church Board

 

TREASURER’S REPORT:

Jim Nesbit (treasurer) reported that our income is meeting our budget. We had a very generous month of contributions in the month of December. Thank you church family!

 

KLAS: Tracy Lang (principal) reported that the debt to the conference has now been paid in full. Regarding the recent robbery at the school, the insurance settlement for KLAS has come in. This will cover needed technical needs at the school. Finally, because of a very generous donation, the heating/cooling system of the school is now repaired and paid in full. The enrollment is at 43 students. Tracy had nothing to say but positive remarks about the school spirit and the commitment of teachers, parents, and students.

 

CHURCH STAFF UPDATE: We have three baptisms scheduled for the end of January.

 

CHURCH RENTAL: The Bridge has agreed to the rental agreement proposed by the Church Board. They will now be meeting each week in the Worship Center in addition to the areas of our facility they are currently using.

 

JOURNEY TOGETHER GROUPS: Marcia reported on several groups that are going strong. They will continue now through March.

 

PLAN A: Pastor Mike reported that Plan A is still in motion. Locally, we continue to support the women’s shelter, both as a church and as a school. Also, globally, we have three possible areas to focus on.

 

COMMUNITY SERVICE: Our church hosted a community-wide service to honor civil rights on the Sunday of Martin Luther King weekend.  This was planned and hosted by several churches in Kelso-Longview.

 

EVANGELISM AHEAD:

Winter Evangelism is scheduled for February 26-March 6. Because of evangelism funding cuts from the conference, the church will depend on member invitations along with limited mailings to promote the series.

                                                ~Linda Wilson

 

 

Revelation of Hope!

Every day seems to bring a new story of economic, political or military crisis -- fluctuating gas prices, falling stocks, scandals, wars, natural disasters.

 

It’s enough to make anyone ask, “What’s going on?” What if you could be certain about the future and how the news will effect you?

 

No one is more excited than the Evangelism Team about the upcoming Revelation Series. Last month, Pastor Mike, Pastor Jon, Pastor Marcia, Tom Symmonds, Duane Wilson, and Linda Wilson met to divy up the chapters of this fascinating book. Since then, there’s been a lot of studying, note taking, and power pointing!

 

The series is scheduled to begin Friday night, February 26 @ 7:00pm and continues Saturday morning/evening, Monday, Tuesday, and Friday evenings. We’ll end the series on Saturday, March 6, concluding Saturday night with a celebration banquet (looking ahead to the banquet Jesus will prepare for us in heaven.)

 

You have an important part to play in this series. People are more likely to come through our door if they come with a friend. We are excited about exploring Revelation with you and with those you’ll invite.  Please be praying for the right opportunity to invite someone you know.

 

 

 

Pathfinders

The Pathfinders had a very busy end of November and start of December. We earned the “Glass Etching” honor; which involves using chemicals to etch a pattern into glass.  This required the participants to use strong chemicals and developed their ability to follow instructions.  They could make their own designs, so much creativity was evident.  If you have any questions about etching glass, ask a Pathfinder, they’re well versed in the art.

 

We also went caroling with the Youth Sabbath Schoolers.  It was an awesome night.  It occurs to me that Christmas caroling is a bit of a dying art, but if our trip was any indication, it will be missed sorely if we give it up.  In every house we went to the people were VERY excited to see us; they ran into the house to bring everyone out to see.  We were amazed at the emotions we evoked in those we sang to.  God blessed us that night and everyone we met.  We gotta get back to this as a church and as people.

 

Many of our Pathfinders were involved with Journey to Bethlehem and had their socks blessed off.  We also had a Tea Party/ornament exchange.  The kids met at our house and had a great afternoon/evening.  We exchanged

ornaments, drank tea, and generally had a great time.

 

We also just returned from the annual Pathfinder Snow Trip at Big Lake Youth Camp.  Pathfinder clubs from all over Oregon and southwest Washington converged on the camp for a weekend of snow fun and comuning with God.  Those in charge had a fantastic program for the kids with just enough time in between meetings to play in the snow.  I have a deep fear that some of our Pathfinders will require surgery to remove their “perma”grins. ;)

 

 Hey, big shout out to Annette Koelsch for inviting the Pathfinder club to help out on a regular basis at the Community House; our kids cherish their opportunity to serve there.  Thanks for the blessing Annette!!

 

Well, better get back to work, we have “Indian Lore,” “Cacti,” and “Rocketry” to get ready for.  Busy, busy, busy...  ~ Kay and Dean Adams