- Apostolic Christian Church of America

Transcription

Vol. 68, #12
Dec. 2013
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a
candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
- Matt. 5:14-15
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
The Faithful Church:
Biblical Unity page 3
Monthly Sermon page 4
Child Sponsorship
in Haiti page 6
The Birth of a Church page 7
Discernment in Using
Technology, Pt. 5 page 8
Washington Tornado
Response page 58
Remembering Our
Spiritual Heritage page 58
The Prince of Peace page 59
To Our Readers
Correspondence
For January Issue
(news from Nov 16-Dec 15)
Due: Dec. 20, 2013
“The blessed story of the Christ, the babe of Bethlehem, is worthy of
our song and praise, and stirs the hearts of men.” Hymns of Zion #36
As we reflect upon the birth of Jesus, our minds so quickly go
to the manger in Bethlehem. But we know that our hearts must
also journey with our Lord as He grew and became the Man of
Galilee who spoke the Gospel of Salvation - a message of life,
hope, peace, and of service to God and our fellow man. And we
must walk with Him those last lonely miles to Calvary to behold
the Lamb of God as He gave the ultimate gift, His own life, that
we could have life eternally.
As we reflect this Christmas season on the gift of God’s son,
may our faith grow, may our hearts be stirred and opened wide,
and may we praise Him both in our hearts and with our voices.
He came that we might have peace and that through His sacrifice
our spirits might be set free. Christ is the perfect gift for all of
mankind. May you and those you love be blessed this Christmas
with the good and perfect gifts that come from above, which
Christ alone has to offer.
In Christ,
The Silver Lining
1523 County Road 400N
Congerville, IL 61729
USPS 496780
Published Monthly by the Apostolic
Christian Church of America
Counselors:
Tom Stock, Rick Plattner
Official Apostolic Christian Church
Website:
www.apostolicchristian.org
Send correspondence to:
producer@acsilverlining.org
(email is preferred)
The Silver Lining
Bro. Tom Stock, a Silver Lining Counseling Elder (together
with Bro. Rick Plattner)
Ph: 309-657-4455
Fax: 866-389-9835
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Cover photos courtesy of anonymous.
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SILVER LINING December 2013
Suggested donation:
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donation. Remember to send changes
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The Silver Lining
Writings based on God’s Word
Light from the Word
The Faithful Church:
Biblical Unity
“That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me,
and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that
the world may believe that thou hast sent me.”
(John 17:21).
How important is unity? There are two areas
where Christ emphasized the impact that the
relationships between His followers will have
on a lost and sin-sick world. In John 13:34&35,
sometimes referred to as the Great Commandment,
He said that we would be known by our love for each
other. In very similar fashion, in His “High Priestly
Prayer,” Jesus said that the world will know the love
of God and that He was sent by God by the oneness
(unity) shown by His disciples (John 17:21-23).
We can understand the meaning of unity in
the Scriptures which call us to it. In 2 Cor. 13:11
we are enjoined to “be of one mind.” In Phil. 1:27,
Paul exhorts, “stand fast in one spirit, with one mind
striving together for the faith of the gospel.” In the
next chapter, he calls us to be “in one accord” (Phil.
2:2). And Peter writes, “Finally, be ye all of one mind,
having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be
pitiful, be courteous…” (1 Pet. 3:8).
Of course we know that we must clarify that
it is biblical unity for which we must strive. The
world has many areas where unity is sought around
various things including political issues, business
approaches, clubs, trade associations, etc. We are not
called to seek unity around such earthly things but
rather to follow the model of Christ who was one
with the Father. “Let this mind be in you, which was
also in Christ Jesus:” (Phil. 2:5). Biblical unity will be
directly related to our relationship (oneness) with the
Lord Jesus. Thus the Word exhorts us to learn of His
meekness and humility; to walk in the Spirit, in His
love, in truth, and in sanctification (Matt. 11:28-30;
Gal. 5:16; Eph. 5:1-2; 2 John 3-4; John 17:17).
The world is able to achieve unity by gathering
people who are already of the same mind – in essence
dividing into groups based on backgrounds, biases,
perspectives, likes and dislikes. This is not the unity
and oneness which Christ prayed would be our lot
as God’s children. Rather He desired that those who
were first united by becoming one with Him—in
finding salvation through faith in His shed Blood—
would grow together in spite of various differences
which might otherwise serve to divide. Each of us
has preferences, biases, opinions, and even personal
convictions which can be strong and self-affirming.
When we are placed “in the Body” (1 Cor.
12:18), we lose our independence and self-possession.
We gain an appreciation for Christ’s view of His
church and learn to value all members of the Lord’s
Body. We discover the benefit of the “foot, hand,
ear and eye” that make up the Body; its “comely
and uncomely” parts; those which seem more or less
“honorable.” We realize our own lack of the fullness
of what is needed in the Body and begin to abhor
the thought that our flesh might say, “I have no need
of you” to any of those for whom Christ died (1 Cor.
12:21).
God’s Word is clear that unity of the brethren
is pleasing to Him; “Behold, how good and how
pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”
(Ps. 133:1). Unity is not optional nor is it automatic.
Indeed we will need to work at it. Paul uses the word
endeavor which evokes more than a mere “trying”
but a diligent and ongoing striving and exertion to
accomplish this biblical imperative. “I therefore, the
prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of
the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness
and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one
another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the
— Please turn to pg. 55
December 2013 SILVER LINING
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Monthly Sermon
Sermon by
Bro. Gary Anliker, Elgin, IL
St. Luke 2:1-52
We do rejoice in the privilege we have to gather
together in the Lord’s house any day, but today we
remember, in a special way, the Lord’s coming to
the earth. Not that it was a beginning for Him;
He’d been from forever and will continue until
forever. But, it was that point in time in which He
was obedient to the Father’s will, came in the flesh,
fulfilled His mission, shed His pure and innocent
blood on the cross of Calvary, and returned and is
at the Father’s right hand today interceding for us.
But above all of these things, we look forward to that
promise that He is coming again.
Let’s turn our attention this morning to the story
of His birth, a very familiar story. Let’s just turn
together to Luke’s gospel and remind ourselves of
that beautiful account and think on these things and
ponder on these things. Even as the angel Gabriel
came unto Mary, it says she pondered these things
(v.19), and it’s good for us to think on these things
- not just as the world does to think of maybe an
image of a babe in a manger, but to think of Christ,
God in the flesh, God among us, Immanuel.
It’s kind of interesting when we look here. Maybe
your Bibles in the pews don’t have red letters, but I
believe we have here the first red letters here in the
Bible, the first words of Jesus at age twelve. It just
kind of struck me when we thought of that account.
We read of His birth, and so often in the Bible there
might be a fair amount of time from one verse to
another, sometimes hundreds of years and in this
case twelve. Then I see a lot of mothers here with
little children. Some of us have past that stage. We
go back, and we see the first born. We have all of
this account, all of these records, pictures, notes,
memorabilia, all these things before they were ever
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age twelve. Now here is One, the greatest of all, and
we read in just a few moments of His birth and really
nothing until age twelve.
Often times I’m humbled when we go to the
Word, and we’re just reminded that we get a lot of
things backwards. We put a lot of emphasis on places
that really don’t deserve them. Since we - not like
Christ - are limited, we’re human, and can only do a
certain amount, anytime we’re putting effort in one
place, it’s lacking some place else. Sometimes we look
at it and think this wasn’t any great thing, certainly
no harm, and then I have to remind myself how
could that time and effort have been used differently?
Sometimes we realize it and it’s obvious to us, and yet
we don’t do it.
I don’t want to go off on a personal story very
long, but it kind of emphasizes that same point. In
the work place, there were those that knew I was
different, and they knew the things that I did not
do. They got together a little bit and had courage one
day. A few of them approached me and said, ‘Gary,
we know that you don’t do this and you don’t do
that. Well, what is it that you do?’ I turned around
and related to some of the things that I thought
occupied their life. They agreed with me and went on
and on. I got to the point and said, ‘Well, I do all the
things that you don’t have time to do.’
But, I need to remind myself of that again
and again. Have we drifted to just idly occupying
our time as the world does, in various forms of
entertainment, whatever it might be, and there is
no time left? I ask myself, could I give that same
report today as I did many years ago that I’m doing
the things that they didn’t have time to do? Or are
we just killing time? When we think about it, there
is probably a lot of meaning in the phrase ‘killing
time’? Time is precious. It’s, in effect, what our life is.
If we kill it, it’s gone. It doesn’t come back.
Let’s consider this beautiful Christmas story.
These parts of it you’ve considered it many times. We
all have. We’ll maybe touch on some parts and not
others. It doesn’t mean that the parts we don’t touch
on are not important but simply that it’s good for
us to ponder these things on our own. A lot of what
is recorded here reminds us that Joseph and Mary
were subject to the authorities. Now they had had an
angel visit them. A lot of special things had already
happened, but Joseph overcame his initial response of
being ashamed, misunderstanding, and his thoughts
to put Mary away. The angel had revealed to him it
was not of man, but the Holy Ghost had come upon
her.
So maybe there were some in the community
that I would imagine Joseph had shared that with,
and there was an understanding. But now they were
traveling, and I’m sure all in their company didn’t
understand that. As we would say today, he was out
of his comfort zone, but he was obedient. They were
going to fulfill their duty to pay taxes when it was
an inconvenient time, obviously, for Mary to travel.
It was an inconvenient time emotionally for Joseph
as well, but they didn’t expect to be exempt or to be
special in some way.
It just seems that we’re so plagued with that in
our society today. Oh, everyone knows the rules and
often times does not challenge them but somehow
accepts the rule as being applicable to everyone but
themselves because, for whatever reason seems valid
at the moment, we should be special. Here is a very,
very special family that was willing to be submissive
and not look for some way out or some way around or
some other way but traveled to go pay their taxes.
We know this story of the manger scene, and we
sometimes think of things as we see it on art work
or pictures or all the Christmas cards we may have
received. We sometimes have a misinterpretation of
these beautiful white angels that are just so friendly
and smiley. We don’t really comprehend what it really
was because there are many accounts we can read
where angels appeared to mankind, and there was an
immediate response of fear. Almost every time the
angel would have to say, ‘Fear not’, as the angels did
here as they brought the message of good tidings,
but it’s our nature to fear. The question is what kind
of fear do we have when God sends His messenger?
Some fear can be a motivator. Some fear can cripple
us.
We sometimes get a misconception of shepherds
because we have this little scene in our mind. The
shepherds were looked down upon. They were lonely
people, poorly paid, at risk. Maybe we would say
that their wages were not commensurate with their
responsibility. They were held accountable and not
highly rewarded, but God chose them to be an
example to you and me. The shepherds were abiding
the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night
(v.8).
You could all recite that phrase, but do we stop
and think of some of the significance that’s in there?
They hadn’t left the flocks out in the field, and they
hadn’t come into the town to see what was going on,
to enjoy themselves, or to seek comfort. They were
with their flock, and they were in the field. They
were keeping watch over their flock, and it was night.
They had it worked out. They didn’t just sleep and
wait until they knew there was already the wolf or
whatever in the flock and there was already damage
and destruction. They were keeping watch over their
flock even in the middle of the night.
That all created the setting that brings about the
beautiful story that the angel of the Lord appeared
unto them and the glory of the Lord shone round
about them (v.9). You know a light doesn’t make any
noise. If we were sound asleep and a light was turned
on, I doubt if we would have any recognition of it,
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As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them
who are of the household of faith. – Galatians 6:10
Child Sponsorship Adds Role in Haiti
Over the past few years, the Lord has abundantly
blessed the World Relief Child Sponsorship program.
The number of sponsored students has increased
from around 1,000 to over 1,500 and the number
of sponsors has increased from approximately 1,400
a few years ago to nearly 2,100. Annually, sponsors
provide nearly $750,000 to support Christ-centered
education to sponsored students in Haiti, Mexico,
Guatemala, Jamaica and Zambia.
Young girls waiting for class to begin
A need for stewardship
Even though Child Sponsorship supports needy
students in five countries, approximately 75% of the
annual funding is directed to over 1,000 students in
Haiti, as well as over 100 sponsored schools. With
this concentration of resources in one country, the
Child Sponsorship Committee has been seeking
administrative support for a couple of years to help
steward the program in Haiti.
Recently, with oversight support from the
World Relief Caribbean Committee and financial
and spiritual resource support from the Apostolic
Christian Church Servant Fund, the Child
Sponsorship Committee has been able to offer an
administrative leadership position to a couple from
Smithville, Ohio.
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Bro. Mike and Sis. Susie Walder have responded
to God’s call by accepting the role of Haiti Child
Sponsorship Administrator. Bro. Mike and Sis.
Susie, along with three of their four children (Grant
– 17; Trinity – 14 and Grace – 7), will relocate to
Cayes, Haiti in December 2013, and will begin their
responsibilities in early 2014. Their oldest son, Evan –
20, is in college and will not move to Haiti.
Responsibilities
The primary role of the Haiti Child Sponsorship
Administrator will be to work in partnership with
Child Sponsorship’s two Haitian Christian education
partner organizations to ensure that a Christ-centered
education is provided to all students in the program
and that agreed-upon educational standards are met
by all sponsored schools. The Haiti CS Administrator
will also provide leadership in the overall operation
of the programs and serve as a liaison to the ACWR
Child Sponsorship Committee.
Specifically, the Walders will be responsible for
oversight and assignment of appropriate resources
for the following primary activities of the Child
Sponsorship program:
• Ensure that quality Christ-centered education
standards are in place and operational
• Execute specific projects like Bible story book
distribution and the school lunch program
• Reconcile accounts and ensure strong financial
stewardship
• Coordinate school visits to track attendance and
reinforce spiritual participation
• Improve the quality and frequency of
correspondence from students to sponsors
• Assist with development and direction of
local management staff and talent with Child
Sponsorship’s two partner organizations
...The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the
harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. – Matthew 9:37-38
The Birth of a Church
Barra Vieja, Mexico
In 1999, two sisters,
Fernanda (wife
of Bro. Rogelio
Cervantes) and Paula
(now married to Bro.
Todd Schambach),
then recently baptized
in Ixtlan, Mexico,
had a burden for
their family in their
hometown of Barra Vieja, which is near Acapulco,
Mexico.
They decided to hold Vacation Bible School in
Barra Vieja. The VBS sessions they taught were so
eagerly attended, that adult family members were
drawn to listen as well.
Typically VBS is designed to teach children, but
it reached into the hearts of the adults. Long after
VBS was over, the adults were still asking questions
of faith and truth. In time, a family member was
diagnosed with cancer, which resulted in more
earnest reading of the scriptures. Eventually in
2005, the family requested Bro. Marshall’s teaching
assistance. Gladly he came to instruct; gladly they
listened. Conviction of the Holy Spirit settled upon
them, and they received the Word with joy.
Feeding the flock
The journey of faith and repentance had begun. The
family members included Fernanda and Paula’s sister,
Kike and her husband Bartolo, and later two sisterin-laws, Cruz (Pablo) and Paz (Miguel), and more
recently their niece, Miriam.
Around 2006 our brotherhood took up the
responsibility to feed this small flock. Brothers from
both our American and Mexican churches began
visiting this small group roughly 8-10 times each
year. US brethren are encouraged to assist with this
ministry of encouragement, teaching, fellowship
and translation. Unlike many American brethren,
these believers do not have a multi-generational
spiritual heritage where they have been under Biblical
teaching for decades, and life is rugged. Nonetheless,
they are people of faith. They ask good questions,
think deeply and are hungry to learn.
Opportunity to serve
Two basic roles are needed:
• Teaching - Mature brothers/sisters willing to
teach topical or passage-centered lessons with the
adults and VBS lessons for neighboring children.
• Translation - Brothers and sisters fluent in
Spanish to aid in translation.
This is a work of faith and a labor of love. It is
not without hardship or vulnerability. One should
consider this opportunity prayerfully and under the
protection of spiritual authority. Daily Bible lessons
form the centerpiece of these visits. Some brothers
have prepared topical lessons such as:
• Luke 19 – Zacchaeus -Jesus Comes to Our
House
• Acts 8 – The Ethiopian - God Sends & Brings
• John 4 – Woman at the Well - How to Witness
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Discernment in Using Technology
Part 5 in a series
of 5 articles
When considering technology use, Christ’s teaching
in Matthew 10:16 is profound: “Behold, I send you
forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise
as serpents, and harmless as doves.” We encourage each
one to use careful discernment regarding the need
for and use of the Internet or other communication
technologies. While the Internet can be both useful
and helpful, totally inappropriate material can be
accessed as well. If good judgment and restraint are
not exercised, temptations to access evil materials
could lead to spiritual shipwreck. Ephesians 5:813 provides us with excellent guidance on the
discernment of these matters:
“For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye
light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the
fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness
and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of
darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame
even to speak of those things which are done of them
in secret. But all things that are reproved are made
manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest
is light.”
Where sound reasoning exists for the use of
the Internet or other technology, this use should
always be treated with prayerful discretion and
moderation. All of the information that is available
on the Internet is not created equally. Some of it is
very accurate and helpful, while other materials range
from being merely inaccurate to utterly deceptive.
We are naïve to believe that because something is
available online, it is true and accurate. Frankly,
anybody can publish anything they want on the
Internet; true or false, good or evil.
Proper discernment needs to be applied to using
Internet filtering software. If the filtering parameters
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are set too tightly, nothing will be allowed through,
even websites that are clearly harmless. However,
if the filtering parameters are set too broadly,
everything, including what is impure, will be
allowed to appear. Using biblical principles and
spiritual discernment will help you filter and sort out
information that is good from that which is harmful
and needs to be rejected.
Below, and in the remaining articles in this series,
are some principles to consider when evaluating
information on the Internet. Obviously, some sites
carry very low risk (such as checking your local
weather forecast at www.weather.com); however, we
must not become lax or careless when “surfing” the
web. One can go from harmless and helpful sites to
sinful and deceptive sites in a matter of just a few
mouse clicks.
Discernment Principle #11: All of our
communications, whether in person, online, or
using any type of technology, should be honoring
to Christ and edifying to others.
Biblical Foundation:
Ephesians 4:29: “Let no corrupt communication
proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to
the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the
hearers.”
Psalm 34:13: “Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy
lips from speaking guile.”
Colossians 4:6: “Let your speech be alway with
grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye
ought to answer every man.”
The application of this principle might include the
following questions:
• Am I free of any use of “corrupt communication”
in my online posting or emailing (e.g.,
demeaning comments, controversial statements,
profanity, etc.)?
• Are all of my communications free of gossip?
This principle ties in well with principle #8 (ensure
that our use of technology represents Christ well) and
helps us to remember that speaking the truth is of
utmost importance. Even when we know the truth
about someone, it is often very hurtful to share that
information with others. Thus, there is a higher level
of discernment that should be used in determining
what kind of information we choose to pass on or
share. It shouldn’t be corrupt, of course, but it also
shouldn’t wound another person.
Discernment Principle #12: As new
technologies, applications, and devices become
available, be intentional in determining whether
or not the benefits outweigh the potential risks
and if they will contribute to a godly walk of life.
Biblical Foundation:
1 Thessalonians 5:21-22: “Prove all things; hold fast
that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil.”
2 Corinthians 6:17: “…touch not the unclean
thing…”
Luke 14:28: “For which of you, intending to build
a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost,
whether he have sufficient to finish it?”
• What benefit (other than social status) does this
new tool have toward my spiritual life and my
family life?
• What are the blatant as well as subtle temptations
connected with this product?
• Which area of life will I borrow time from to use
this product?
• Will the tool connect or isolate me from other
believers or family?
• Does the purchase of this new product
adequately fit within my budget?
• Will the new tool enhance or starve my personal
worship of and relationship with God?
Examination of our motives seems to be the key to
this principle. After answering these questions, we
may find that purchasing new technology really isn’t
the best thing for us and/or our loved ones.
Discernment Principle #13: Use appropriate
technology at the appropriate time, with the
appropriate people, in appropriate places.
Biblical Foundation
Ecclesiastes 3:1: “To every thing there is a season,
and a time to every purpose under the heaven:”
Colossians 3:17: “And whatsoever ye do in word or
deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, …”
• Who am I communicating with through
the technologies that I use and are those
communications and relationships consistent
with biblical principles?
• Strangers
• Opposite sex
• Young people, etc.
• When do I use technology and are those times
appropriate?
• Morning
• Afternoon
• Evening
• Night
• During meals
• During church, etc.
• What technologies am I using and does my use
of them honor Christ?
• Phone call
• Texting
• Music
• Internet
• Games, etc.
• Where do I use technology and why do I choose
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Congregation Updates
Apostolic Christian Home
for the Handicapped
www.achh.org
As is the way of life, we at
ACHH are in a continual flux.
We have been blessed with some
opportunities to serve some
individuals in better ways. An
opening in one duplex has caused
a whole cascade of moves to take
place by year-end. Included in
those moves in early December,
will be the opening of the
newly-remodeled ladies wing
at Oakwood Estate. Oakwood
Estate is being transformed from
a 16-bed facility to a 12-bed
facility for occupants who use
wheelchairs full-time. The rooms
in the completed wing have been
fitted with overhead lifts and other
specialized equipment for our
fortunate residents. The hope is
the second wing will be open for
occupancy in late spring 2014.
Other moves have been and
will be from our larger group
homes named Linden Estate
and Oakwood Estate to smaller
group homes called Community
Integrated Living Arrangement
(CILA) facilities. The beds in our
CILA group homes will be close to
capacity by the year’s end.
Meanwhile, Timber Ridge,
the original large building where
the administrative office is housed,
has been fortunate to receive
several new residents in the past
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six months. It has been a joy to
learn to know and love each one.
As with those who are moving
within the agency or moving from
their parents’ home or another
facility, these individuals have
a lot of anxiety, combined with
excitement. We would ask you to
pray for a peace and a calm to be
over our agency while we make
these transitions.
Gateway Woods Apostolic
Christian Children’s Home
Nate Bristol – Foster Parent
Yesterday’s Trials Become
Today’s Joys!
The past week has been a
tough one! Some days I look down
and think, “How am I going to
make it through?” Luckily today
when I looked down, I saw a past
journal entry. I scanned though
my struggles from several months
ago when we received our first
placement of three kids. The
prayer request ran long, and the
struggles went on for pages! I didn’t want to look at the
list! I knew that many months had
gone by, and I would be depressed
because I knew that the list would
just get longer today. However, I
gained courage and gave it a look.
What I found amazed me! God had answered so many of
our requests! He brought healing
in areas that I had completely
forgotten about. Yes, many of
those things still need to stay on
the list and many of them that I
could check off the list would be
replaced with new ones. But GOD
IS AT WORK! It is so awesome to
look back at yesterday’s struggles
and realize that God has been
faithful and is in the process of
bringing his work to completion!
JJ used to throw 45 minute
temper tantrums 2-3 times a day.
Char used to scream at night
that she wanted to go home.
Shay used to pull her hair and
cry for hours before sleeping. We prayed every night and
day for these kids. Today, we
don’t struggle with any of those
things, and the kids are happy and
healthy, and, most importantly
they love Jesus! In the process,
their family is coming to our
church, and we are able to show
them the love of Christ every
week. Even though today’s struggles
may overwhelm you, know that
God is faithful to complete the
work he has begun in you!
News:
We are thankful to announce
that Bro. Clint Plattner has
been promoted to the position
of Gateway Woods Residential
Program Manager. Bro. Clint has
served at Gateway Woods for over
13 years as both a houseparent
and most recently as a HomeBased Worker. Please be prayerful
for Clint and his family as he
transitions into his new role.
We are thankful that God
has filled one of our Assistant
Houseparent needs. Sis. Kristi
Baran (Toledo) will be joining the
Gateway Woods team later this
year. We always look forward to
the energy, excitement and talent
that new staff brings.
Sis. Amanda Winn, currently
an Assistant Houseparent, will
be transitioning into a new role
as one of our Foster Care Case
Managers. Please be prayerful for
Sis. Amanda as she moves into
this new position and experiences
another side of Gateway Woods.
It has been a busy time
here on the Gateway Woods
campus! We have welcomed four
new residents this past month.
Please be prayerful for these new
residents, their houseparents, and
school staff.
We are grateful to God for
providing us with wonderful
staff. We have four career
positions available currently:
one opening for a Development
Director, one opening for a
Development Coordinator,
one opening for a Home-Based
worker, and one opening for
an Assistant Houseparent. For
more information, please see the
notices in the back of this edition
or visit the Career Opportunities
page on our website at www.
gatewaywoods.org/supporters/
career-opportunities. We trust
that God will continue to provide
qualified, mature brothers and
sisters who will serve Him in a
ministry that is ‘Turning Lives
Around’. Perhaps this includes
you!
You are an important advocate
to help us spread the word about
God’s work at Gateway Woods.
Please continue to lift us up in
prayer, check our website www.
gatewaywoods.org and our
Facebook page at facebook.com/
gatewaywoods often for updates,
and make sure that you are on
our mailing list. If you would
like be added to our mailing list,
please contact us at 888.443.4283
or send an email to info@
gatewaywoods.org. Finally, if you
would like to receive a monthly
email detailing how the work
at Gateway Woods is bringing
help and healing to those in
need, please consider joining our
Restoring Hope email list. You can
do so at our website or by emailing
ross.feller@gatewaywoods.org.
Apostolic Christian
Preschool Athens, AL
November’s themes were the
color brown, nutrition/health, and
Thanksgiving. We also studied
the letters J and K and all about
Thanksgiving. Ms. Louise’s class
made these really cute turkeys out
of apples, peanuts, and walnuts.
Ms. Susan’s class has been
learning about the jungle and the
animals that live there. They are
also learning about taking care
of themselves like washing their
hands well, blowing their nose,
and brushing their teeth. Ms.
Kalla’s class has been learning how
the body digests food and what
types of foods are good to eat. She
used the website choosemyplate.
org quite a bit this month. While
talking about the intestines, one
of her students asked what would
happen if you couldn’t get rid of
the waste? She quickly told him it
would build up in your intestines
and burst. And of course her
boys replied, “EWW!” We had
our Thanksgiving party on the
27 so the students were able to
enjoy eating popcorn, apples, and
muffins for their morning snack,
because that’s what the pilgrims
ate at the first Thanksgiving.
Volunteer Opportunities:
We have several dates where
preschool staff members are taking
vacations. We need substitutes
at those times. To sub at the
preschool, you must be at least 19
years old. Other than that, anyone
can sub. Here are the dates:
• April 21-25, 2014: 2 yearold classroom
• June 2-6, 2014: 3 year-old
classroom
• June 27 – July 9, 2014: 4
11
year-old classroom
• Aug 27-29, 2014: 4 yearold classroom
Please contact Susan
Koch at acpreschool@att.
net or 309.202.4897 for more
information.
Alabama, Athens
Roger and Becky Roberts
We are thankful for our
visiting ministers this past month.
Bro. Jeff (Sis. Janel) Wiegand
(Goodfield, IL) and Bro. Dan (Sis.
Sherry) Pfister (Bluffton North,
IN) gave of themselves this past
month and shared God’s word.
How blessed we were the last
weekend of October when we
hosted our annual Gospel Singing!
Our church was nearly full and
the singing was heavenly. We
send a special thanks to all who
made the extra effort to spend a
beautiful weekend in the south.
Our prayers are with Bro.
David Art who recently spent time
in the hospital.
A guest apartment is available
in the Fellowship Hall across from
the church. Reservations can be
made by contacting Sis. Susan
Koch (309) 202-4897 or Sis. Kalla
Knobloch (309) 231-1755.
When traveling to the
Fellowship area using a GPS,
use Frankewing as the final
destination. Once you turn off
Hwy 64 the Fellowship area is the
first drive on the left.
12
Arizona, Phoenix
Visiting and sharing the
gospel this month were Bro.
Ron Jones (Portland), Bro. Ted
Hirstein (Morton), Elder Bro. Ron
Messner (Washington), Bro. Stan
Schambach (Prescott), Bro. Ted
Witzig Jr. (Morton), and Bro. Ted
Schock (Belvidere).
We remember those who are
suffering from physical ailments
and have requested prayers: Sis.
Sharon Lawson (Bro. Ken), Sis.
Eleanor Hill, Julie Meiss (Ron),
Sis. Louann Klopfenstein (Bro.
Dave), and Bro. Tom Ebert (Sis.
Diane).
Bro. Ted Witzig and Bro.
Bill Schmidgall, from Apostolic
Christian Counseling and
Family Services, held a two-day
seminar for the Phoenix, Prescott
and Tucson congregations. The
topics included Keys of Effective
Family Relationships and Helping
One Another Through Major
Transitions. We thank them for
their encouragement and desire
to help us grow closer to God and
each other.
Kokanovich (Sis. Nancy, Phoenix).
Many from our congregation
traveled to Phoenix to join in the
weekend that Bros. Ted Witzig, Jr.
and Bill Schmidgall with ACCFS
came and did some topical
presentations on Keys to Effective
Family Relationships, Helping
One Another Through Major Life
Transitions, Purity and Spiritual
Growth. Bro. Ted talked about
being in a transition period. We
often struggle because we can’t see
the bigger picture. The question
we should be continually asking
ourselves is, “How do I think and
live like Christ, right here, right
now in these circumstances?” As
humans, we are heavily invested
in feeling certain about our
circumstances. God, however, is
not invested in us feeling certain
about our circumstances. He is
invested in us walking by faith;
fully certain of Who it is in whom
we believe.
“...for I know whom I have
believed, and am persuaded that
he is able to keep that which I have
committed unto him against that
day.” 2 Timothy 1:12
Arizona, Prescott
Arizona, Tucson
Denise Steidinger
Lisa Knapp
In October, our congregation
enjoyed hosting an Invite-AFamily weekend filled with food,
fellowship and singing. We want
to thank the visiting ministers
that came this past month: Bros.
Bill Schick (Sis. Joan, Magdalena),
Ted Hirstein (Sis. Joyce, Morton),
Keith Hinrichsen (Sis. Tammy,
Phoenix) and Elder Bro. Jon
As we approach Thanksgiving
next week, we are so very thankful
for cooler weather. We are
enjoying crisp, cool mornings and
beautiful sunshine and moderate
temperatures during the day.
Speaking of Thanksgiving, Elder
Bro. Ben Wiegand (Philadelphia,
PA) blessed us with another visit.
We can’t thank him enough for
Heather Hinrichsen
his tireless efforts toward our
little church. We ask God to
bountifully bless his family for
their sacrifice on our behalf. We
are thankful for such a caring,
willing leader.
We also give thanks for a visit
from Bro. Keith and Sis. Tammy
Hinrichsen (Phoenix) who were
with us for a Sunday in October.
Bro. Keith was a willing servant
on the pulpit and we know God
will bless him for his time and
effort.
Some of us were privileged
to attend a series of seminars by
the Apostolic Christian Church
Family Services held in Phoenix.
We can’t thank both ACCFS and
the Phoenix Church enough for
their many labors of love. We
were so blessed to be a part of the
weekend.
With so many blessings,
how fortunate we are to have a
government that sets aside a day
for us to gather in worship and
thanksgiving to our Heavenly
Father.
California, Altadena
“For with the heart man
believeth unto righteousness; and
with the mouth confession is made
unto salvation.” Romans 10:10
We rejoice with the angels
over the conversion and
baptism of Sis. Marian (Dick)
Hecker in November. What
an encouragement to our
congregation!
We appreciated Bro. Dale
Moore (Sis. Cheryl, Elgin, IA)
sharing the Word this month.
Our church family also enjoyed
fellowship with brothers and
sisters from San Diego as we
met for an afternoon picnic and
singing.
We have had a number of
members who have suffered from
illnesses and hospitalizations this
month that we are keeping in
prayer. These include: Sis. Marian
(Dick) Hecker, Bro. David Art
and Sis. Maria Cser.
California, San Diego
Janelle Brewer
On November 3, Sis. Brittney
Wagenbach (Bro. Doug and Sis.
Lillian) was engaged to Bro. Chris
Aranda from Bloomington, IL
(Sis. Cristela and Tony Cardenas,
Chicago, IL). We entreat God’s
blessings on this couple as they
plan for their life together.
Bro. Dale Moore (Sis. Cheryl,
Elgin, IA) was our visiting
minister this month. We are
thankful he was willing to be used
to bring forth the Living Word.
We remember our Sis. Linde
Zimmer who recently had surgery.
We pray that she will have a
speedy recovery and can assemble
with us again soon.
Also, our hearts and prayers
go out to those of our brotherhood
who were impacted by the recent
tornados.
“Rejoice evermore. Pray
without ceasing. In everything give
thanks: for this is the will of God
in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1
Thessalonians 5:16-18
May we always be thankful
for what good things God has
bestowed on us. As the Christmas
season approaches, we should take
time among the busyness to reflect
on the true reason for the season
and the great Gift that was given
many years ago.
If anyone is vacationing in
the Palm Springs/Palm Desert
area this winter, please feel free
to contact Bro. Doug and Sis.
Janelle Brewer at djbrewer2003@
gmail.com or 309-256-9606. We
plan to have services on Thursday
evening starting mid- January
until the end of March. Also, if
you know of anyone with church
connections living in the area we
would also like to know about
them so we can reach out to them.
Canada, Kitchener,
Ontario
Johanna Fortenbacher
“I am crucified with Christ:
nevertheless I live; yet not I,
but Christ liveth in me: and the life
which I now live in the flesh I live
by the faith of the Son of God, who
loved me., and gave himself for me.”
(Galatians 2 vs. 20) The song in
The Gospel Hymns # 471 “Christ
Liveth in Me” fits this verse so
nicely!
We were blessed with a
minister coming on all the
Sundays of this month. They were
Bro. John & Sis. Peggy Jackson
from Bay City, Bro. Brad & Sis.
Teresa Gudeman from Bradford,
Bro.Marvin & Sis. Pam Zollinger,
Bro. Warren & Sis. Cindy Sinn
from Junction, and Bro. Mark
& Sis. Luella Hoffman from
Claredon, VT.
December 2013
SILVER LINING
13
It was wonderful to see
our church filled with visitors
on our world relief night. Our
church is working through MCC
(Mennonite Central Committee)
at this time, because of difficulties
in bringing any projects across
the international border.
American visitors have done a
great job in helping us bring relief
boxes through the border for
many years. Thank you for doing
this. Colorado, Denver
Naomi Weigand
Tess Leman
Greetings!
“This is the day which the
LORD hath made; we will rejoice
and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24
This verse was mentioned
in the Brotherhood Conference
recordings we have been listening
to on Wednesday nights. It’s
convicting to remember that the
verse says today. Here. Now. No
matter the circumstance, we are to
rejoice and give God praise. Also,
how humbling and wonderful to
know that no matter our situation,
we have a God who promises to
bear our burdens, provide a way
to escape temptation, and to give
good gifts to His children!
Bro. Doug and Sis. Sharolyn
Hohulin are pleased to announce
the engagement of their daughter,
Kaylynne Hohulin, to Trent
Pruett (Bobby and Gail Pruett
of Boulder, CO). A wedding
celebration is planned for May 25.
We rejoice that another Christian
family is being established!
14
May each of us remember to
rejoice over the Gift that God
gave us as we enter the Christmas
season!
Connecticut, Rockville
Lauren Gottier
Sheila Gerber
This month Bro. Nathan
Steffen (Sis. Susan, Alto, MI)
ministered to us. We are thankful
for the labors he put forth on our
behalf.
We rejoice with three couples
who have been united in marriage
during this month.
Lauren Skinner (Bro. Everett
and Sis. Sherry) was married
to Wade Mattesen (Louis and
Laurie). Martin Hoffman (Bro.
Mike and Luanne) was united in
marriage to Jessica Warner (Laura
Warner). Lynn Linden and Hank
Duval also exchanged marriage
vows.
Ben and Christie Carlson
welcomed a new baby, Colten
Jeffrey, into their home. Joyful
grandparents are Bro. Wally and
Sis. Judy Carlson and Sis. Jodi
Spielman. Bro. Keith and Sis.
Linda Luginbuhl are grandparents
again. Luke and April Luginbuhl
rejoice in the birth of a baby girl,
Morgan Lee.
“Blessed are they that mourn: for
they shall be comforted.” Matthew
5:4
We extend our sympathy to a
number of families whose loved
ones have recently passed away.
Sis. Jane Bahler (Bro. Lloyd)
mourned the loss of her mother,
Marion Cook. Bro. Matt Couzens’
(Sis. Cathryn) grandfather, James
Couzens, passed away. Sis. Joyce
Schneider (Bro. Roy) and Bro.
Dale Wagenbach (Sis. Mary) laid
to rest two of their brothers, Bro.
Bob Wagenbach (Sis. Barb) and
Steve Wagenbach (Tremont, IL).
Jay Lemire’s grandmother, Jean
Putala, also passed away. May the
Lord provide comfort and bless
those that mourn.
District of Columbia,
Washington
Henrietta Meyer
Our caretakers for September
were Bro. Gene & Sis. Evie
Hangartner (Roanoke, IL). We
are currently taking reservations
for caretakers for 2014, several
months are still available. If you
feel led to support one of our
small churches, this would be a
wonderful way to do so. If you are
interested and are free to spend
3-4 weeks in the DC area, please
contact Sis. Doreen Steffen at
dkgsteffen@gmail.com or 302540-6574.
Our minsters this month
were Bro. Chuck Kellenberger
(Sis. Debbie, Elgin, IL), Bro. Tom
Leman (Denver, CO), Bro. Ken
Hoerr (Sis. Darlene, Peoria, IL),
Bro. Doug Harmon (Sis. Lanna,
Toledo, OH) and Bro. Dan Stoller
(Sis, Debra, Remington, IN).
Other visitors this month were
from Rittman, OH and Rockville,
CT.
A group of young people
came down to visit the area. They
served lunch and lead singing for
us. With so few of us locals, we
appreciated all they did for us that
day.
This month we said good-by
to Brue Hoffman. He had been
working and studying in the area
for about a year and has returned
to Rockville. We enjoyed having
him with us and hope he comes
back to visit.
Our thoughts and prayers
go out to the Washington, IL
congregation as they cope with the
aftermath of the tornado. We are
grateful for social media, including
the AC list, keeping us informed.
If you are planning to visit
Washington, D.C. area for vacation
or business, please contact Bro. Joe
and Sis. Holly Bohart at jbohart@
gmail.com or Sis. Henrietta Meyer
at (703) 904-8301 for assistance
and to let us know how many to
expect for Sunday services.
blink of an eye.
We are happy to welcome back
some of our winter residents and
are looking forward to more
joining us to worship this winter.
us to give thanks for everything.
Not just the blessings, but also
the sufferings. We give God
thanks and He gives us joy. It
seems irrational to give thanks
for adversity and impossible to
Florida, North Ft. Myers
do with sincerity. Nonetheless,
Victor Beer
we find if we obey this scriptural
The New Beginnings
directive, we are blessed even
This month’s theme is
when the difficulty remains. It is a
thankfulness. What am I thankful mystery as to how it works, but it
for?
seems to open the mind to God’s
I am thankful for:
perspective and take the sting
• Jesus dying on the cross to
away. Let us go through each day
provide us the hope of heaven. looking for God’s little treasures
• God’s word which is the sword of pleasure and then at the end of
of the Spirit and all the other each day offer our thankfulness to
articles of defense to ward off Him for each one.
the enemy’s attacks.
• A nice church to worship in
Illinois, Belvidere
while our new one is being
Doreen Moser
built.
Shayla Steffen
• God sending us wonderful
God is with us…in our
godly mentors to help.
sorrow.
Florida, Ft. Lauderdale
• Growth and stability seen
Our love and prayers are with
Renee Mangold
in our mothers and their
Bro. Sam and Sis. Betty, Bethany
We were grateful to have
children.
and Sara on the passing of Sara’s
visiting ministers Bro. Dan Koch
• A pleasant and clean place to
father. Though we may face
(Sis. Julie, Tremont, IL),
call home.
sadness and pain, God is still in
Bro. Jeff Neihouser (Sis. Sue,
• Family style meals where we
control, and he is always with us.
Morton, IL), Bro. Jeff Gerber (Sis.
can eat, pray and fellowship
“The Lord is nigh unto them that
Carol, Rockville, CT) and Elder
together.
are of a broken heart; and saveth
Bro. Duane Farney (Sis. Karen,
• Parenting classes that are
such as be of a contrite spirit.”
Croghan-Naumburg, NY) this
producing fruit in the children Psalm 34:18
past month. We pray that God’s
being respectful, obedient and
God is with us…in our pain.
blessings would be with them.
honoring to their mothers and
We have had some from our
Our thoughts and prayers go out
others.
little congregation that were
to those impacted by the recent
• Healthy bodies that are
patients at hospitals. Calvin
tsunami and tornadoes. The
wonderfully made.
McCoy, son of Dave McCoy
speed and ferocity with which
• I’m sure there are many other and Sis. Sheila has recently been
these disasters struck left no time
areas that I have not thought suffering from seizures. He was
for preparation. It’s a physical
of.
spending some time at the hospital
reminder to all of us to be ready to
Thankfulness takes the sting
for testing to find the reason for
meet our Heavenly Father in the
out of adversity. God instructs
these seizures. Bro. Jordan and Sis.
December 2013
SILVER LINING
15
Shayla Steffen’s little Adler, spent
the day at the hospital for surgery
and also caught his hand in a door
and required stitches. Jeff Waibel
(Sis. Mielissa) spent some time in
the hospital. The Bible reassures
us that God’s presence is with us
to help us, even when we don’t
realize it.
“God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.”
Psalm 46:1
God is with us…as our
companion.
Because of the deep love God
has for us, we will always have
at least one unfailing friend! We
thank Bro. Tom and his wife, Sis.
Connie Schambach (Elgin, IL) for
fellowshipping with us. We also
thank Bro. Tom for reminding
us of His companionship and
unfailing love.
“…for he hath said, I will
never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
Hebrews 13:5
God is with us… in our
deeds of kindness.
spent an afternoon and evening
making quilts for the homeless.
We know that where two or three
are gathered He is in the midst of
us. We pray that our labors were
labors of love and that the quilts
can be a comfort to those who
receive them.
“Be kindly affectioned one to
another with brotherly love; in
honour preferring one another.”
Romans 12:10
16
Illinois, BloomingtonNormal
Gina Hodel
Terri Huber
Psalm 19:7 “The law of the
Lord is perfect, converting the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
making wise the simple.”
On October 26 and 27, we
had the opportunity to hear
testimonies and witness the
baptism of Bro. Sam and Sis. Teri
Wenger and Sis. Olivia Robinson.
We pray the Holy Spirit will
continue to guide their lives as
they serve Him.
We extend our love and
sympathy to several families of
those who have lost loved ones.
Verna Pueschel passed away on
October 19. She was a sister to
Sis. Eloise Diggelman, and an
aunt to Bro. Mike Meece (Sis.
Barb). Bro. Warren Hartman, the
father of Sis. Ann Kauchelmuss,
died November 1. He was
also a grandpa to Bro. Aaron
Kauchelmuss and Sis. Lori
Stickling (Bro. Delayne).
The church had opportunities
to grow and learn as a mentoring
workshop and Bible study on
Witnessing was presented. These
activities will help each of us
individually and as a church to
know, live and share the Gospel.
We appreciate the visiting
ministers and their willingness to
share the Word. We thank Elder
Bro. Steve Gutwein (Sis. Linda,
Francesville, IN), Bro. Jedd Rocke
(Sis. Marsha, Goodfield, IL), and
Bro. Tim Wiegand (Sis. Christa,
Leo, IN).
We rejoice with Bro. Chris
Aranda and Sis. Brittany
Wagenbach as they announced
their engagement. Brittany’s
parents are Bro. Doug and Sis.
Lillian Wagenbach from San
Diego. Chris’s parents are Tony
and Sis. Crestela Cardenas from
Chicago. We wish them God’s
nearness and richest Blessings.
Illinois, Bradford
Roseann Stahl
Sandi Joos
“God is faithful, by whom ye
were called unto the fellowship of his
Son Jesus Christ our Lord.”
1 Corinthians 1:9
We enjoyed fellowship
together this month as many
brethren from Roanoke joined
us for an all-church singing.
We also benefited from many of
them joining us for the day along
with three visiting ministers.
Bringing the Word to us were
Bro. Matt Feucht (Sis. Jennifer,
Roanoke, IL), Bro. Matthew Rassi
(Sis. Bridget, Chicago, IL), and
Bro. Glen Steiner (Sis. Rachel,
Winthrop, MN).
“…and exhorted them all, that
with purpose of heart they would
cleave unto the Lord.” Acts 11:23
Elder Bro. Curt Frank (Sis.
Lyla, LaCrosse, IN) along with
our Elder Bro. Bruce read the
memorandum. May we receive
the exhortations, along with the
encouragement, and apply it to
our hearts.
“Peace I leave with you, my
peace I give unto you: not as the
world giveth, give I unto you. Let
not your heart be troubled, neither
let it be afraid.” John 14:27
We were thankful that
Matthew and Sarah Endress (Elder
Bro. Bruce and Sis. Elizabeth) have
peace with God and are awaiting
baptism.
We look forward to the
Christmas season and the
remembrance of Christ’s birth.
Illinois, Champaign
Sarah Eisenmann
Greetings from ChampaignUrbana!
Congratulations to Bro. Joe
and Sis. Abbie Tabor on the birth
of their baby boy, Elliott Reid, on
October 27. Grandparents are Bro.
Daryl and Sis. Lucy Blunier from
Goodfield, IL, Lyle Tabor from
Carlock, IL, and Cathy Tabor
from Eureka, IL. We are excited to
have this precious new addition to
our church family.
On November 10, we
filled shoeboxes for Operation:
Christmas Child to herald in
the holiday season. We were
encouraged to pack each box
with prayer as we thought of the
children across the world who
would be receiving these presents
in Jesus’ name.
Our hearts go out to Bro.
Chad Kupferschmid, Bro. Corbin
Kupferschmid, Sis. Shelly Kaeb,
and their families as they grieve the
loss of their dear grandmother, Sis.
Nettie Kyburz of Forrest, IL. May
God bring them comfort in this
time of loss.
Elder Bro. John and Sis.
Jane Wiegand (Silverton, OR)
were with us the weekend of
November 3 for the reading of the
memorandum. Additional visiting
ministers this month included
Elder Bro. Brad Eisenmann (Sis.
Cindy; Chicago, IL), Bro. Brad
Metz (Sis. Karen; Bloomington,
IL), Bro. Fred Witzig (Sis. Nancy;
Washington, IL), Bro. Marshall
Heinold (Sis. Jan; Ixtlán, MX),
and Bro. Bruce Frank (Sis. Bonita;
Cissna Park, IL). Thank you for all
you do!
Illinois, Chicago
Diana Eisenmann
Christmas greetings from
Chicago!
We were blessed to have
ministering Bro. Tim Hohulin
(Sis. Cathy, Roanoke, IL) visit our
congregation this fall for Sunday
worship. Bro. Paul Kilgus (Sis.
Carmen, Fairbury, IL) also joined
us on a Wednesday evening to
present a topical Bible Study on
“Sowing & Reaping.”
The annual Sunday School
Wiener Roast, hosted by Bro. Jim
and Sis. Kathy Schlatter, was held
in late October. We enjoyed an
evening of fellowship and singing
around the fire; a rare treat for
some of us in the city! Bro. Blake
and Sis. Christine Stahl have
accepted a position on the VBS
Committee. We are thankful for
their willingness to serve in this
important role.
We request prayers for Bro. Jay
and Sis. Mallory Nicholas, as their
condominium sustained severe
smoke and water damage due to a
fire in a nearby unit. Thankfully,
many of their belongings were
spared, but they will be displaced
for an extended period of time
during repairs. Bro. Greg Rassi
(Sis. Carla) was hospitalized for a
short time this past month, but we
are thankful that he is home and
recovering well. We pray for the
Lord’s continued healing.
Bro. Greg and Sis. Carla Rassi
were recently blessed with an
additional grandson. Their son,
Bro. Andrew and his wife, Sis.
Sandy from Morton, IL, adopted
ten-year-old Ka Hei from Hong
Kong. We rejoice with them for
this new member of their family!
We wish you all the peace
and blessings of our Lord in this
holiday season!
Illinois, Cissna Park
Janie Waldbeser
Tina Walder
We rejoice with grandparents,
Bro. Eric and Sis. LouAnn Kaeb.
Colton Trent arrived safely to
thankful parents, Trent and Brandi
Kaeb.
Our congregation enjoyed
having visitors for our fall invite-aguest potluck. It is always such an
encouragement to visit with new
and old acquaintances of like mind
and faith.
We continually need to pray for
those who have been hospitalized
or have had medical issues this past
month. When we are blessed with
good health ourselves, it is easy to
take it for granted. Bro. Marvin
Hari went through surgery and
is presently residing at Heritage
Village in Kankakee, IL. Sis.
December 2013
SILVER LINING
17
Loretta Baumgartner and Sis.
Marilyn Knapp also need our
prayers.
“Jesus loves me this I know, for
the Bible tells me so. Little ones to
Him belong, they are weak, but
He is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me,
Yes, Jesus loves me, Yes, Jesus loves
me, the Bible tells me so.”
Hymns of Zion #176.
Such a simple hymn, but how
comforting and uplifting to know
our loving Savior cares for us.
Illinois, Congerville
Erica Steffen
We have been very thankful
for the ministers who have
come and shared the Word on
Wednesday evenings and Sundays.
These brothers and their wives
include: Bro. Curt Rassi (Sis.
Kathy, Tremont), Bro. John
Cottrell (Sis. Gloria, Eureka),
Bro. Fred Witzig (Sis. Nancy,
Washington, IL), Bro. Tony Manz
(Sis. Denise, Junction, OH),
Bro. Ted Witzig, Jr (Sis. Donna,
Morton), Bro. Mark Zimmerman
(Sis. Cheryl, Eureka), Bro. Brent
Kellenberger (Sis. Beth, Kansas
City, MO), Elder Bro. Jeff Grimm
(Sis. Ruth, Goodfield), Bro. John
Rowell (Sis. Nelda, Burlington,
IA), and Bro. John Hartman (Sis.
Rosemary, Fairbury).
“Lord, Who shall abide in the
tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy
holy hill? He that walketh uprightly,
and worketh righteousness, and
speaketh the truth in his heart.”
Psalm 15:1-2
Illinois, Elgin
Amy Gasser
We thank Bro. Dennis (Sis.
Bonnie) Kaufmann (Bloomington,
IL), who conducted an allchurch topical presentation on
Wednesday, November 6. The
topic was “1 John 4:10.” Elder
Bro. Steve Sauder (Tremont, IL)
assisted Bro. Dave in reading
the Memorandum on November
16. We were thankful that Bro.
Steve and his wife, Sis. Mary,
remained with us through Sunday.
We appreciate brothers who are
willing to travel and assist when
needed.
Our sympathy is extended to
the family of Sis. Jeannette Moser,
who passed away on October
27. Surviving are her children:
Ruth Ann (Ray Elseth) Moser of
Palatine, IL; James (Dee Stifanos)
of Urbana, IL; Bro. Tom (Sis.
Dawn) Moser of Garden Grove,
IA; Paul Moser of Marengo,
IL; grandchildren and greatgrandchildren.
We were saddened by the
sudden passing of Larry Hintz
on November 4. We will miss his
faithful attendance in our worship
services. May God comfort his
dear wife, Sis. Jeanne, during this
difficult time.
We pray for healing for Sis.
Ginny (Bro. Norm) Schock and
Sis. Evie (Bro. Bill) Gudeman,
who were recently hospitalized.
Illinois, Eureka
Debra Blunier
Linda Rocke
Ring the bells of Heaven!
18
We rejoice for those who recently
started repenting, including Kate
Blunier (Bro. Kurt and Sis. Livy),
Jodi Blunier (Bro. Sam and Sis.
Luann), Sam Cottrell (Bro. John
and Sis. Gloria), Amelia Meiss
(Bro. Trent and Sis. Lucy), and
Sawyer Cottrell (Bro. Brent and
Sis. Darla). Despite our joy for the
converts, we continue to pray for
more, as surely it is God’s will that
every soul would find his or her
salvation.
We were blest to have
Elder Bro. Jim Plattner (Sis.
Marlene, Princeville) share the
Memorandum, supporting our
Elder Bro. Ervin. Other visiting
ministers this month included Bro.
Willis Ehnle (Sis. Lois, Peoria) and
Bro. Duane Metzger (Sis. Ruth,
West Bend). It is a special blessing
to have ministers who return to
serve us, sharing fellowship and
friendships that have grown over
many years.
Sis. Sonia Banwart (Bro. Joel)
was recently hospitalized, but is
now recovering at home and has
been able to come to church once
again.
“Therefore,my beloved brethren,
be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always
abounding in the work of the Lord,
as ye know that your labour is not in
vain in the Lord.” 1 Cor. 15:58
Although we are reluctant to
see our faithful Elder Bro. Ervin
Knecht (Sis. Sandy) retire, he
feels it is time. Seeking the Lord’s
direction, we have been heartened
to be clearly-directed that Bro.
Trent Meiss (Sis. Lucy) should
serve as our next elder, pending
the approval of the other elders
at the Midwinter Conference.
We were very thankful for the
assistance and support of Elder
Bros. Jim Plattner (Sis. Marlene,
Princeville), Rick Plattner (Sis.
Mary Ann, Fairbury), and Steve
Sauder (Sis. Mary, Tremont),
as well as for the unity of our
congregation.
(Silverton, OR), and Bro. Al
Schambach (Remington, IN). We
thank each of these brothers for
sharing God’s Word and pray that
He will richly bless them.
“My lifetime doth pass away;
Hourly to the grave I hasten, and I
know each fleeting day my allotted
span will lessen. Think, man,
death comes soon or late. Tarry
not, it will not wait!” Zion’s Harp
#253, vs. 1
Bro. Warren Hartman passed
away on November 1. We extend
our deepest sympathy to his wife,
Sis. Louise, and to his children:
Sis. Linda Schmidgall (Bro. Neil,
Morris, MN), Ronald (Caroline,
Forrest, IL), Sis. Ann Kachelmuss
(Bloomington, IL), and Nora
Langan (Mike, Lakewood, IL)
as they mourn the loss of their
husband and father.
Many in our congregation have
recently spent time in the hospital.
Our prayers have been with each
one as they recuperate, including
Sis. Barb Mashburn (Bro. Billy),
Maurice Steidinger (Ruth), Bro.
Ralph Bahler (Sis. Jeannette), and
Bro. Don Bazzell (Sis. Carol).
Dawn). Ashton Lanz (Bro. Troy
and Sis. Kathleen) and Waylon
Knapp (Bro. Harlan and Sis. Jean)
were married on November 2.
Visiting ministers this month
were Bros. Jeff Bahler (Wolcott,
IN), Ned Bahler (Fairbury,
IL), Tim Gerber (Mansfield,
OH), John Grimm (Columbus,
OH), Michael Wagenbach
(Wolcott, IN), and Brian Waibel
Illinois, Fairbury
(Champaign, IL).
Angela Herr
Ellie Anne joined the family
of Bro. Troy, Sis. Leann and
Janelle Stoller
“Lo, children are an heritage of
Carter Brown. Ellie’s grandparents
the Lord…” Psalm 127:3
are Bro. Martin and Sis. Trish
Bro. Blake and Sis. Kristin
Steidinger (Fairbury, IL) and Bro.
Zehr welcomed their first-born,
Gary and Sis. Jane Brown.
Garrett Delane, on October
After a long life of 102
25. Bro. Bill and Sis. Anna
years, Sis. Nettie Kupferschmid
Schmidgall and Bro. Quinn
Kyburz passed away. She is
and Sis. Joan Zehr are Garrett’s
survived by many relatives,
grandparents.
including her children: Bro.
Darin Jeffrey was born on
Orville Kupferschmid (Sis.
October 28 to Bro. Jeff and Sis.
Marlene); Sis. Marilyn Ruegsegger
Janelle Stoller. Heidi and Natalie
(Bro. Fred) of Bay City, MI;
are his big sisters. Thankful
Sis. Velda Hish (Bro. Don) of
grandparents are Bro. John and
Bloomington, IL; Sis. Betty Ifft;
Sis. Rosemary Hartman and Bro.
Bill Kupferschmid (Celeste);
Dale and Sis. Sandra Stoller.
Bro. Dean Kupferschmid (Sis.
On October 27, our Bible
Robin); Richard Kupferschmid
Class hosted Bible Classes from
(Maribeth) of Eureka, IL; Bro.
the Eureka, Chicago, Belvidere,
Illinois, Forrest Alfred Kupferschmid (Sis. Wanda);
and Elgin churches. We were
Lisa Aberle
stepchildren: Sis. Marge Friedman
thankful to have Bro. Willis
(Henry) and Marilyn Scott
Molly Zimmerman
Ehnle (Peoria, IL) and Bro.
We rejoice to report that
(Harold) of Maine; and sisters, Sis.
Darren Fehr (West Bend, IA) in
Teresa Bachtold (Ted) has started
Laura Kupferschmid (Eureka, IL)
our midst and then with our Bible repenting. Our prayers are with her and Sis. Janita Koehl (Smithville,
Class for this occasion.
and her family as she begins life
OH).
Other visiting ministers
anew in Christ Jesus.
Bro. Alan Gerber (Sis. Marcia)
serving our congregation this
November 3 was the wedding and Bro. Earl Gerber (Sis. Esther)
month were Bro. Dennis Rassi
day for Bro. Thadd Zimmerman
spent time in the hospital this
(Austin, TX), Bro. Todd Sinn
(Bro. Jeff and Sis. Steph) and Sis.
month. We thank God for His
(Latty, OH), Bro. Don Sinn
Tamra Stork (Bro. Paul and Sis.
healing power.
December 2013
SILVER LINING
19
Illinois, Goodfield
Melissa Rokey
Laura Wiegand
“But when he saw the wind
boisterous, he was afraid; and
beginning to sink, he cried, saying,
Lord, save me. And immediately
Jesus stretched forth his hand, and
caught him, and said unto him, O
thou of little faith, wherefore didst
thou doubt?” Matthew 14:30-31
How often do we doubt or
worry about things in our lives?
I love how this verse says Jesus
IMMEDIATELY stretched forth
his hand, and caught him. He did
not wait for Peter to sink first, but
was there for him right away. Jesus
is here with His hand stretched
out to us. We just need to reach
out and grab hold of Him. (I want
to follow-up and say this verse was
written the day before the horrific
tornado in our neighboring
town of Washington, IL. I know
there are many families who lost
everything in a “boisterous wind”
and covet our prayers. I pray they
have peace in our Savior during
this difficult time, not doubting
why things happen, but instead
trusting in God to provide.)
Goodfield church was blessed
with many visiting ministers this
past month. Bro. Daren Metz
(Sis. Rita) visited from Gridley,
Bro. Doug Schock (Sis. Clara)
came from Bloomfield, Bro. Paul
Zimmerman (Sis. Loretta) from
Forrest, and Bro. Craig Stickling
(Sis. Jackie) from Peoria. We
appreciate all their words and
willingness to serve God in this
way.
20
Sis. Helen (Bro. Les) Bauman’s
oldest brother, Bro. Robert
Wagenbach passed away this past
month. Her other brother, Steve
Wagenbach, was battling cancer
and passed away also. Please be
prayerful for Sis. Helen and Bro.
Les thru this difficult time.
Sis. Jane DesCarpentrie’s
mother, June Frank, passed
away. Please remember Sis. Jane
(Bro. Russ) & her family in your
prayers.
Sis. Carol Martin’s surgery
went well. She is resting at home.
Our dear Sis. Pat Knapp (Bro.
John) covets our prayers as she was
recently diagnosed with Stage IV
melanoma. She has had a number
of tests that have all had good
results, but they are continuing to
diagnose and develop treatment
for her cancer…so please continue
to pray for Sis. Pat. Your prayers
have helped them to feel at peace
and nestled in the arms of Jesus.
Notes of Thanks:
Thank you for the prayers,
cards, meals, gifts and other acts
of service done for us after my fall.
May God bless each one for the
love and kindness shown to us.
We appreciate our church family.
Bro. Herman and Sis. Sara Glueck
Bro. Gary and Sis. Judy
thank each one for the prayers
offered for their grandson
Connor Musselman. His follow
up MRI showed the blood clot
has dissolved!! They are VERY
GRATEFUL and thankful to
God for His mercies...and the
prayers of our amazing church
family!
Illinois, Gridley
Perry Klopfenstein
A wedding was held in Gridley
on Sunday, November 17. Sis.
Katrina Stoller was married to
Bro. Kyle Reinhard (Taylor, MO).
She is the daughter of Ministering
Bro. Clark and Sis. Cindy Stoller
of Gridley. He is the son of Bro.
Roger and Sis. Maureen Reinhard
of Bluffton North, IN.
It is surely worth mentioning
that the circumstances
surrounding the wedding will
be long-remembered. Central
Illinois was the site of very stormy
weather just before the wedding
began. A tornado had touched
down at Washington, IL, about
30 miles west of Gridley. Weather
in Gridley was windy and very
threatening. During the noon
lunch, the lights went off in the
entire church. At one point it
was uncertain what direction the
tornado, or tornados, would take
(coming from the west).
A floodlight was placed in the
front of the sanctuary to the side
of the sanctuary and a portable
“mike” was placed near the main
pulpit. Seats began filling up,
and the wedding was able to be
conducted, although with reduced
lighting. It was a blessing. And
we are thankful to God that the
tornado from the west headed in
a northeast direction, and avoided
Gridley. Surely we offer our
best wishes to Bro. Kyle and Sis.
Katrina.
Visiting ministers used on the
pulpit on Sunday morning prior to
the wedding were Elder Bro. Kent
Heimer (Taylor, MO), and Bros.
Doyle Frauhiger and Jeff Leman
(Bluffton North, IN). Other
ministers here for the day were
Bros. Gary Maibach (Smithville,
OH) and Scott Wegman, David
Marquart, and Tim Lehman (all of
Taylor, MO).
Sis. Nicole Wiegand is engaged
to Bro. Todd Drayer of Bluffton,
IN. She is the daughter of Bro.
Roger and Sis. Kathy Wiegand of
Gridley. His parents are Bro. Herm
and Sis. Julie Drayer of Bluffton.
They are planning a February 2
wedding in Gridley.
Jackie Hodel is engaged to
Henry Clayton of Clarksville, TN.
Her parents are Bro. Dennis and
Sis. Brenda Hodel. He is the son of
Lee and Trish Clayton.
Bro. John Schlipf suffered
a ruptured appendix and spent
several days in the hospital. He
is now home and is recovering
from this serious illness. Bro. Joe
Stoller had a heart procedure,
and is benefiting greatly from it.
James Funk is being tested for
Neuropathy. Iantha Stoller, wife
of Don Stoller, recently underwent
testing.
Bro. Harvey Kaeb was chosen
as a new minister at Gridley. His
wife is Sis. Judy (Gramm). May
God be with Bro. Harvey as he
begins his work, and may God
grant Sis. Judy the grace to support
him in the years that unfold, as
God tarries.
Illinois, Morton
counsel from God’s Word in our
Annette Tanner
daily behaviors.
Our congregation is
Julie Bahr
“We are Thankful and
also thankful to Bro. Dean Steffen
Blessed!” was the comment
(Sis. Carol, Belvidere) for coming
made by one of the couples who
to share God’s Word.
lost everything they possessed
On the evenings of November
here on this earth, in one short
9 and 10 our 13th Morton Bible
moment time! The third Sunday
Class Benefit Dinner and Musical
in November, our afternoon
Program was held. Generous
church service was canceled due
donations are to be used in
to severe tornado weather passing charitable supports. The theme this
through Central IL. Morton’s
year was “Blessed Redeemer”.
neighboring city of Washington
“Because thy loving-kindness is
was severely destroyed in some
better than life, my lips shall Praise
areas. The tornado took some
thee. Thus I will bless thee while I
entire homes, and badly damaged live. I will lift up my hands in thy
other homes of a few of our
name.” Psalm 63:3
Washington brothers and sisters.
Congratulations to Bro.
Many of us who live in close
Gary and Sis. Debbie Rassi as
proximity, while our homes were
they thankfully welcome a new
spared, only experiencedgrandson, Keegan Robert Rassi.
no electric power- for quite some
On September 29, baby Keegan
time. We soon found how very
entered the home of Aaron and
dependent our lives have become
Bree, with siblings, Kaylee and
on conveniences.
Kiptyn Rassi.
BE PREPARED! As Christ
Our love and best wishes are
tells us, as He will come quickly
extended to Sis. Joanni Endress in
as a thief in the night! How this
welcoming her new granddaughter,
scripture takes on a “Sobering
Lacy Lynn. Baby Lacy was born
Reality” to us in moments like
on November 12 to Bro. Matt
these. As these families are brought and Sis. Emily Koehl of Sarasota,
to your mind, lift them up to the
FL. She has two big brothers,
Father in prayer.
Levi and Luke. Thankful paternal
We were blessed with the
grandparents are Bro. Ron and Sis.
message brought to us by Bro Ted Carol Koehl of Sarasota,FL.
Witzig, Jr. on the evening of our
Family Worship. The topic entitled Illinois, Princeville
“Peer Pressure” brought conviction Gloria White
as we were reminded how peer
Renee Herrmann
pressure can become evident in
“So, amid the conflict, whether
our lives as adults! Lord help us
great or small,
to be mindful and prayerful,
Do not be discouraged, God is over
while remembering to seek
all;
December 2013
SILVER LINING
21
Count your many blessings , angels
will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your
journey’s end.”
Hymns of Zion #116
We are very thankful Elder
Bro. Bruce Endress (Bradford, IL)
came to assist our home elder, Bro.
Jim Plattner, in the reading of the
memorandum. We were reminded
that as a church family, we need
to work together to stay together.
I pray we can remember and heed
the warnings and good advice that
was expounded to us.
Visiting ministers encouraging
us this month have included
Elder Bro. Mark Streitmatter
(Bloomington, IL), Bro. Fred
Witzig (Washington, IL), Bro.
Tim Roecker (Peoria, IL) and Bro.
Mark Schmidgall (Mediapolis,
IA). May God bless them.
Sis. Joyce Blunier is thankful
to be a grandmother again.
Delaney RayAnn was born to
Dustin and Julie Blunier. Bro.
Kurt and Sis. Connie Christ are
grandparents again to Kenton Ray,
born to Bro. Loren and Sis. Lena
Stoller (Bradford, IL).
Our prayers are with
retired Elder Bro. Joe and Sis.
Emily Stoller as they are both
experiencing health problems at
this time.
Illinois, Roanoke
Judy Sauder
Barb Schwind
Matthew 1:21 ”And she shall
bring forth a son and thou shalt call
his name Jesus; for he shall save his
people from their sins.”
22
How thankful we are that
God loved us enough to send Jesus
to save us!
We thank Bro. Matt Kaufman
(Bloomington) for presenting
a topical Bible Study on “The
Resurrection (1 Cor. 15) on
October 30 and Bro. Bruce Frank
(Cissna Park) for presenting a
topical Bible Study on Christian
relationships (1 Peter 1-3, 1 Cor.
13) on November 20. Many from
our church are participating in a
Bible Study on Fruit of the Spirit.
On October 30, Sis. Dorothy
Pfister passed away. Her survivors
include a brother, Bro. Marv (Sis.
Ila) Pfister, three sisters: Sis. Lois,
Sis. Pearl Miller (Portland) & Sis.
Mabelle (Bro. Grant) Rauhaus
(Peoria) and many nieces and
nephews. Sis. Dorothy was a
prayer warrior, and we were so
thankful for the many prayers she
regularly offered for the salvation
of our children.
On October 31, our young
group hosted a Harvest Party
for our youth. The children look
forward to this special event.
We thank Bradford church for
inviting our church to a singing on
November 3. We had a wonderful
evening of praise and worship.
On November 16, our Junior
and Senior Bible Class and
their parents hosted a delicious
dinner at the Fellowship Hall as
a fundraiser for their upcoming
work trip to Jamaica in the
spring. We enjoyed their beautiful
singing.
We continue to pray for Sally
Achterberg and Sis. Shirley (Bro.
Rick) Gerber who are dealing with
health issues. We also pray for Bro.
Scott & Sis. Mandy Yordy and
their daughters who are serving in
Haiti with MEBSH.
On November 17, devastating
tornadoes tore through our area
leaving hundreds in central
Illinois homeless. Bro. Jason and
Sis. Ellie Rassi and their sons,
Jack and Boone, lost their home
in Roanoke. Bro. Bob and Sis.
Marilyn Ott’s son, Steve and
wife, Brittany lost their home
in Washington. Our prayers are
with these families and many
others, who suffered loss from the
tornadoes. Although one man
from the Washington area lost
his life, we were thankful that
there were not more fatalities
considering the destruction that
occurred.
Psalm 27:1 “The Lord is my
light and my salvation; whom shall
I fear? The Lord is the strength of my
life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
heard Diet Eman speak at Eureka
College on November 1. Diet
shared a dramatic account of
Christian resistance in Holland
during World War II. Diet, who
worked in the same movement as
Corrie Ten Boom, was imprisoned
in a concentration camp for
rescuing Jewish people. Diet
shared a powerful testimony
that God is faithful and with us
always. God will never give you
more than you can bear. God has
a plan for your life. Be faithful to
Him. Do the right thing.
Illinois, Tremont
Teresa Rowell
Janice Sauder
We were blessed to have one
visiting minister, Bro. John (Sis.
Carol) Steiner, from Mediapolis/
Oakville, IA. Their visits over the
years are always welcome.
May God richly bless Levi
and Dani Hancock, as they were
married on October 19. Thankful
parents are Bro. Marty and Sis.
Karla Rollins and Steve and
Rhonda Hancock, all of Tremont.
Psalm 39:4 “LORD, make me to
know mine end, and the measure of
my days, what it is; that I may know
how frail I am.”
We extend our sympathy Bro.
Robert Wagenbach’s family at his
passing. He was preceded in death
by his first wife, Sis. Dorothy, in
2006. Surviving are Bro. Bob’s
wife, Sis. Barbara, children: Elaine
(Myron) Blunier, Eureka; Bro.
Marvin (Sis. Paula) Wagenbach,
Sis. Karen (Bro. Dean) Beutel, and
Patricia Davis, Tremont; and Diane
(Steve) Kauzlarich, Bloomington;
step-children: Linda (Ken) Pyles,
Goodfield; Bro. Dewayne (Sis.
LaRae) Dill, Mendota, MN; and
Sis. Lois (Bro. Steve) Leuthold,
Dunlap; their grandchildren and
great-grandchildren; and his many
siblings.
With sorrow, this family
gathered again the next day for the
funeral of Stephen Wagenbach,
one of Bro. Bob’s younger brothers.
Surviving brothers and sisters from
Tremont are: Bro. Si (Sis. Lavonne)
Wagenbach, Bro. Jim Wagenbach,
Bro. Dave Wagenbach, Bro.
Ron (Sis. Liz) Wagenbach, Sis.
Jeannette (Bro. Fred) Beutel, and
Sis. Kathy Rocke; sister-in-law, Sis.
Barb Wagenbach; along with many
nieces and nephews.
We also extend sympathy to
Sis. Phyllis Lang upon the death of
her sister, Doris (Jim) Wenninger,
of Morton. Bro. Dean and Sis.
Mary Jane Leuthold lost their
brother-in-law, Paul (Eula) Arnett,
of Morton. May God comfort their
hearts.
There are dear ones who have
had surgery or are suffering illness.
Remembered in prayer are Sis.
Carol Aberle, Bro. Si (Sis. Lavonne)
Wagenbach, Bro. Pete (Sis. Debbie)
Aberle, and Sis. Marcella (Bro. Joe)
Steiner. May God’s healing and
comforting hand touch each one.
We are so happy to report
three new babies. Bro. Jerry and
Sis. Marcia Kaiser have a new
granddaughter, Jocelyn Paige. She
is the first child of Brett and Tessa
Kaiser of Tremont. Wyatt Philip
is Bro. Rollyn and Sis. Suzanne
Aberle’s new son. His big sister,
Ava, and grandparents, Bro. Pete
and Sis. Debbie Aberle, welcome
him home. Also welcoming a new
son, Rudy James, are Bro. Chad
and Sis. Laurie Keever. Siblings:
Joel, Todd, Seth, Hope and Troy;
and grandparents, Bro. Bruce and
Sis. Lauretta Schafer, are helping
take care of him. God richly
bless these dear parents and their
children!
We are praying for the many
people in central Illinois affected
by the tornado on November
17. We all are reminded of the
importance of Psalm 39:4.
Illinois, Washington
Marlene Prather
Jodi Fehr
“Even so hath the Lord ordained
that they which preach the gospel
should live of the gospel.”
1 Corinthians 9:14
On October 27, we as a
church, came together for our
Minister Appreciation Dinner. We
appreciate all that our dear Elder
Ron and all of our ministers do for
us. The dinner and evening were a
true blessing and enjoyed by all.
Bro. Layne and Sis. Heather
Steffen welcomed a new son, Gabe
Wilhelm, on October 15. We
rejoice with this dear couple, as do
grandparents, Bro. Scott and Sis.
Marvella Steffen and Bro. Leroy
and Sis. Carolyn Wulf (Burlington,
IA). May God bless them, as they
raise him in a godly home.
On the weekend of November
2 and 3, we enjoyed the
testimonies and baptisms of Sis.
Sami Feucht (Bro. Curt and Sis.
Beth) and Sis. Rosie Schumacher
(Bro. Dave and Sis. Julie). We pray
for these dear souls, that they will
continue to walk in Christ. Sharing
this weekend was Bro. Tim Funk
(Sis. Debbie, Peoria, IL). We also
want to thank Bro. Dewayne Dill
(Sis. LaRae, Minneapolis, MN)
for sharing our monthly Bible
Study with us. We appreciate these
brothers for their service.
We were saddened to hear of
the passing of Sis. Esther Banwart’s
son-in-law and Sis. Barb Banwart’s
brother-in-law, Larry Hintz (Elgin,
December 2013
SILVER LINING
23
IL). May we continue to keep
them in our prayers.
Our church continues to lift
those up in prayer that continue
to battle health issues: Sis. Esther
Banwart, and Bro. Doug and Sis.
Peg Hoerr.
As most are aware, we had
an EF4 tornado cut through our
city on Sunday, November 17.
We had a full church as it was
a baptism Sunday. Even though
the National Weather Service
was predicting severe weather
for several days previous, the
storm cells and funnels formed
quickly. The warning was
dispatched, which gave us time
to activate our evacuation plan.
We could hear the tornado as
it passed approximately 1300
feet to the west of us. There
was a calmness in God›s
people throughout these quick few
minutes. The Spirit was strongly
felt. We are so grateful for our
Father›s protecting mercies. The
damage is massive. Over 1100
homes were either destroyed or
sustained heavy damage, this
includes some of our own brothers’
and sisters’ homes. God spared the
churches in town. The tornado
literally came between several
churches. Help came immediately.
When we arrived Monday
morning at church, a group of our
brethren were already at work in
our church yard piling up debris.
The willingness to help our broken
city has been overwhelming. Our
prayer is that God will richly
bless each of you for your service
and kind deeds. Please continue
24
to hold up the Washington
congregation in prayer, as well
as our city. The ongoing needs
will be made known through our
Apostolic Christian World Relief.
May God›s name be glorified
through His work.
Nahum 1:3 “…the LORD hath
his way in the whirlwind and in the
storm, and the clouds are the dust of
his feet.”
Psalm 107:28-30 “Then they
cry unto the LORD in their trouble,
and he bringeth them out of their
distresses. He maketh the storm a
calm…”
Indiana, Bluffton
Suzie Fiechter
Kim Meyer
“Now the Spirit speaketh
expressly, that in the latter times
some shall depart from the faith,
giving heed to seducing spirits,, and
doctrines of devils…If thou put the
brethren in remembrance of these
things, thou shalt be a good minister
of Jesus Christ…” 1 Timothy 4:1,6
Praise God for our “good
ministers of Jesus Christ:” who
continually encourage and
challenge us! As Bro. Vince Pfister
recently opened to this passage,
he reminded us that men’s hearts
have not changed over time. Sin
will always be sin. We live in a
sinful culture. The main concern
is - Will the church be holy? Will
Christians be Christian? Are we
more concerned with being liked
than with being the “salt of the
earth”? Are we more concerned
with being non-offensive than
we are for lost souls? The church
is the mouthpiece for truth – we
must speak and live truth! Do
we love truth more than we like
to be liked? Thank you, dear
ministering brothers, for speaking
truth even when it is not easy or
popular!
Our thankfulness extends
to visiting ministers: Bro. Jerry
(Sis. Linda) Isch of Philadelphia
and Bro. John (Sis. Ruth – dec.)
Lehman of Wolcott.
Bro. Leon and Sis. Pat Gerber
are rejoicing with the birth of
a new granddaughter, Hannah
Grace Gerber, who was born to
Trent and Betsy. Trevin Wayne
joined the family of Bro. Justin,
Sis. Kelsey, and Cole Grube.
Grandparents are Bro. Jay and
Sis. Ronda Grube and Bro. Gary
and Sis. Jean Compton. We’re so
thankful little Trevin is home after
spending his first days at Riley
Hospital in Indianapolis. Bro.
Jason and Sis. Ashley, Braxton
and Jarrett Gerber welcomed Jayla
Ann into their home. Bro. Gene
and Sis. Becky Gerber and Bro.
Brian and Sis. Deb Fiechter are
the thankful grandparents.
Several of our brothers and
sisters have dealt with health issues
recently. It’s wonderful to again
worship with Bro. Phil (Sis. Jean)
Moser, Bro. Charles Zorio, Sis.
Shari (Bro. Mike) Fiechter, and
Sis. Jan (Bro. Bob) Herring. Our
prayers continue for Sis. Mary
(Bro. Bruce) Raber, Bro. Steve (Sis.
Renee) Reinhard, and Bro. Jack
(Sis. Diane) Schwartz.
Bro. Bruce and Sis. Nancy
Bedwell mourn the passing of
their mother, Norma Bedwell. We
extend our loving sympathy to
them as well as to Bro. Don and
Sis. Mary Gerber, as two of her
brothers, Bro. Bob Wagenbach and
Steve Wagenbach, have finished
their earthly lives.
Our young people have
been busily blessing the lives of
others. They hosted a “Minister
Appreciation Dinner” and singing,
as well as a “Love One Another”
dinner and singing for our dear
widows, widowers, and singles.
“For therefore we both labour
and suffer reproach, because we trust
in the living God, who is the Saviour
of all men, specially of those that
believe.” 1 Timothy 4:10
For what do we “labor and
suffer”? Christ alone is worthy!
encouragement.
Sis. Terry Murray has
requested our prayers. Her cancer
has returned in the chest, back, hip
and liver. Please pray the doctors
will find a treatment. She loves all
of you prayer warriors and is so
thankful to be a part of a loving,
caring, and praying church.
The annual Sunday School
pancake and sausage breakfast
was held at Kingdom Academy
on Saturday, November 9. This
breakfast will help support many of
our Sunday School functions that
take place throughout the year.
November 3 was National
Orphan Sunday. As we think of
the 153,000,000 orphans around
the world, we were encouraged
to pray for these most vulnerable
children worldwide who are
Indiana, Bluffton North
without hope. And in light of
Amy Moser
November 10 being International
Day of Prayer for the Persecuted,
Jessie Longenberger
“For my thoughts are not your
we had a special message covering
thoughts, neither your ways my ways, both of these events for the
saith the Lord. For as the heavens
afternoon service.
are higher than the earth, so are my
JaNon Isch, daughter of Sis.
ways higher than your ways, and my Brittany Isch has made a beginning
thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah in repentance. Let’s hold her up in
55:8, 9
prayer.
Sis. Diane Mason was blessed
with a grandson, Pierceton Everett. Indiana, Francesville
He was born on October 18 to
Jacki Huber
Aaron and Anna Mason. Pierceton Mildred Clauss
joins Joselyn and Quinnton at
Psalm 62:8 “Trust in him at all
home.
times, ye people, pour out your heart
The “Love One Another”
before him: God is a refuge for us.
supper and singing was held at the Selah.”
Fellowship Hall on October 27. All
At Thanksgiving time, it is
widows, widowers and singles of all wonderful to remember all that the
ages were encouraged to attend this Lord has done for us, including
blessed evening of fellowship and
being worthy of our trust, being
there to hear when we pour out
our heart before him, and being a
refuge for us in times of distress.
Our Annual Thanksgiving
program was held the Wednesday
evening before Thanksgiving
week. Many encouraging thoughts
were shared. We thank all who
took part and used their talents to
glorify God.
We are also thankful to have
had many young people here to
share a weekend of fellowship
together recently. On that Sunday,
about 60 young people were
expected, but 130 or so actually
shared the day. What a blessing
to hear so many voices singing
together! Bro. Ryan Bertsch (Sis.
Jessica, Bluffton, IN) shared that
weekend in Francesville. We are
thankful for the inspiration of
God’s Spirit working through him.
On another weekend, Bro.
Kenny Rinkenberger (Sis. Devon,
Morton, IL) shared a presentation
at the Fellowship Center on “A
Biblical Perspective of the Mideast
Conflict.” It was an inspiring
evening. We thank him for all of
the time and effort he put into
it. Bro. Jeff Neihouser (Sis. Sue,
Morton, IL) was able to travel out
with Bro. Kenny, and shared the
Word on Sunday. Our thanks to
all of them!
Bro. Ken Wuethrich (Sis. Lyn,
Indianapolis, IN) also shared
God’s Word one Sunday this
month. We are always thankful to
our visiting ministers for their time
and for being willing to be a vessel
to bring us the message from God’s
Word.
December 2013
SILVER LINING
25
Several of our loved ones have
had health concerns this past
month. Our prayers have been
with Bro. Dale Ward (Sis. Anne),
Sis. Joan Gutwein (the late Bro.
Harvey), Sis. Barb Huber (Bro.
Gene), and Sis. Diane Clevenger
(Jon).
We extend our sincere
sympathy to our dear Sister Carol
Bucher in the death of two of her
brothers, Glen and Max Erb, in
the past months.
We rejoice with Mark
Gutwein, (Bro. Jan and Sis.
Val, Haiti) as he was recently
announced for having peace
with God. We look forward to
his testimony and baptism in the
future! Bro. Jan and Sis. Val and
their younger children recently
returned to Haiti where they are
serving the Lord. Mark plans to
join them soon. We enjoy having
families “home”, and pray for
safety and God’s presence and
peace to all who are away.
Indiana, Indianapolis
Katy Frantz
Gail Bradford
As became powerfully clear
recently to those of us who live
in the Midwest, the only truth
we possess is the love of God.
Nothing else is really secure,
except our salvation - not our
health, not our wealth, not our
physical bodies, not even our
homes and possessions. All we
have, and it is sufficient, is our
hope of eternal life. Brotherly love
is being demonstrated as relief
teams arrive to help in the tornado
26
aftermath. We pray for a speedy
recovery.
We rejoice with Paige
Sauder who made her desire for
repentance known to the church.
Her parents, Bro. John & Sis.
Peg Sauder and sister, Sis. Tiffany
Sauder (Bro. J.R., Indianapolis,
IN) rejoice also.
We also praise God that
Katherine Whitler has peace in
her heart with God and looks
forward to baptism.
Other happy news is the
arrival of baby Elias Dean
Frantz on October 29 to Bro.
Eric and Sis. Katy Frantz. Proud
grandparents are Joe and Sis.
Cheryl Frantz (Remington, IN)
and Bro. Eric (deceased) and Sis.
Ginny Zeller (Indianapolis, IN).
We appreciate the visiting
ministers this period: Bro. Bob
Beebe (Sis. Sue, South Bend, IN)
and Bro. Bill Masters (Sis. Mary,
North Ft. Myers, FL). We marvel
at the constancy of God’s Word
brought faithfully forward by our
ministering brothers.
Assisting us in the planning
of and presentation of Vision Day
were Bro. John Reinhard (Sis.
Pam, Bluffton, IN) and Bro. Ed
Bahler (Sis. Annette, W. Lafayette,
IN). After prayer and hymn
singing, the first session embarked
us on a revealing journey through
the Lord’s Prayer. We have been
encouraged to say it for at least
the next 40 days, recalling the
implications of each uplifting
phrase.
After lunch and sharing
among the various groups, we
reassembled to reflect on the
mission Jesus would have us
follow: recognizing Jesus as our
Lord, joining in His work to help
others and encouraging others to
seek him. In other words, showing
our children especially, and those
we meet, a life that they will want
to have.
“Let your light so shine before
men, that they may see your good
works, and glorify your Father
which is in heaven.” Matt 5:16
Indiana, Leo
Kirby Reutter
“For he that loveth not his
brother whom he hath seen, how can
he love God whom he hath not seen?”
1 John 4:20
Welcome to Antwerp, OH (exit
3 off of Route 24). If you made it
to Hicksville, you are too far north.
Like most other towns in our area,
we have one bank, one post office,
and two stoplights. However,
unbeknownst to many, Antwerp
lies at the epicenter of three beloved
Apostolic congregations: Leo,
Junction, and Latty. In fact, we live
closer to Leo than some people who
attend Leo; closer to Junction than
some people who attend Junction;
and closer to Latty than some
people who attend Latty. From this
strategic vantage point, we have the
blessing of interfacing with fellow
Apostolic Christians from all angles
of the compass on a daily and
weekly basis. (You may have heard
of the Bermuda Triangle; well, this
is the Apostolic Triangle).
Thus, I was thrilled when
elder Bro. Lynn Stieglitz recently
announced from the Leo pulpit
that the next World Relief
Convention was going to be held
right in the neighborhood—at
the Latty Fellowship Hall! Since I
knew almost nothing about World
Relief, I decided this would be a
good opportunity for me to learn
something. The first thing I learned
was that World Relief has active
outreaches in Mexico, Guatemala,
Haiti, Jamaica, Croatia, Slovakia,
Serbia, Japan, Romania, Zambia,
India, and the Ukraine—not to
mention less direct involvement in
47 other countries! By the end of the
day, I felt quite insignificant to be
a lowly counselor at Gateway—but
all the more thankful to be a part of
the Body.
However, there was something
else I learned that day. It was an
encouragement to my feeble faith to
witness firsthand precious believers
from Leo, Junction, and Latty
(not to mention the rest of the
country) who were more focused
on working together to serve their
God and their neighbor—than
on enumerating the endless faults
of “this or that other church over
there.” Would not the Master be
pleased if the rest us followed this
example?
Back at the ranch in Leo,
it was business as usual: three
testimonies, three baptisms,
another engagement, another baby,
Holy Communion, two visiting
elders (Bro. Steven Gutwein and
Bro. Bruce Endress), two visiting
ministers (Bro. Brian Huber and
Bro. Matt Kauffman), and another
exhortation from Sis. Danielle
Sauder.
In brief, Leo welcomed the
following babes in Christ: Bro.
Cooper Beer, Sis. Hannah Beer, and
Sis. Charity Fischer. In addition,
Bro. Jon & Sis. Beth Ringger
(Hickory House Parents) welcomed
a babe of their own, precious Jude
London born on 10/27/13. In
addition, Sis. Brittney Wagenbach
(a fellow nomad who is originally
from San Diego, but currently
attends Bluffton and Leo) is now
betrothed to Bro. Chris Aranda
from Bloomington. This is the
second Assistant House Parent that
we have lost to marriage proposals
in two consecutive months. If this
trend keeps up, Gateway may have
to rent extra space in the Silver
Lining for job postings!
Finally, I would like to take
this opportunity to introduce Sis.
Danielle Sauder, who serves as
the Administrative Assistant for
Gateway Woods. Sis. Danielle
frequently distributes spirituallyminded email encouragements
which keep us on our toes—and
knees. Here is a recent example:
“Confession is part of the
Christian walk—not only of being
a sinner but most importantly that
Jesus is the Christ, the rightful
king of all heaven and earth, and in
particular, each of us. Part of that
confession is acknowledging the
power He has over your life and the
work He does in it. My challenge
(exhortation) is that you will make
these confessions in your prayers
(out loud just like Christ patterned
for us in scripture) AND that you
will make these confessions to
someone else in the next few days—
perhaps another Christian who can
also encourage you or maybe to
someone who is in need of hearing
in order that he/she might have
faith. So go, brothers and sisters,
and perform the most profitable
kind of exercise there is. With love
in the one and only Christ, Sis.
Danielle”
In light of Holy Communion,
Thanksgiving, and the upcoming
Advent Season, Danielle’s words
gave me pause for reflection. In
particular, Danielle encouraged
us to pattern our confessions after
scripture. Therefore, I marveled at
how the Bible does not encourage
us to “confess everyone else’s faults
to everyone else” (I know perfectly
unconverted, unredeemed, and
unregenerate non-believers who
can do that just fine)—but rather
to confess our OWN faults one to
another. What a paradigm shift!
How can we effectively confess the
name of Christ when His earthly
Body experiences spiritual epilepsy?
Perhaps you also live in the
middle of an Apostolic Triangle in
your own part of the country. Just
like Antwerp, OH, there are simply
too many lost navigators in each
respective Triangle for us NOT
to have our lighthouses up and
burning! Instead of choking each
other with the lifeline, shouldn’t we
be trying to rescue the lost within
our communities?
“By this shall all men know that
ye are my disciples, if ye have love one
to another.” John 13:35
December 2013
SILVER LINING
27
Indiana, Milford
Indiana, Remington
Janie Price
Jodi Beer
Jenni Honegger
Marcella Tyler
Bro. Randy and Sis. Deb Beer’s
family welcomed baby Adler Ray
into their family on October 31.
Grandparents Bro. Nelson & Sis.
Minnie Beer, along with Bro. Bob
& Sis. Charlene Schumacher and
siblings rejoice with the arrival of
the little boy.
Cooper Graham was born to
Bro. Regg and Sis. Bev Beer on
November 18. Cooper’s brother,
Tucker, along with grandparents:
Bro. Fred, Sis. Pat Beer and Bro.
Bill, Sis. Emily Schlatter, are
thankful for the little child God
has given their family.
Our church family gathered on
a Friday evening to package health
and school kits for World Relief.
It is such a joy to see the children’s
enthusiasm as they work to give to
those in need.
Bro. Warren Schlatter (Sis
Cindy, Junction, OH) spent
a Sunday visiting family. We
benefitted by the word he brought
to us through our Savior’s love.
Our elder Bro. Bill Schlatter (Sis.
Emily, Junction, OH) spent a
weekend in Milford sharing with
us the exhortation from the elder
conference. We are thankful and
continue to praise God for the
dedication our elders and ministers
put forth in sharing the wisdom
God has given them.
Adrian McDaniel continues
to battle with cancer. Please pray
for God’s strength for her and her
family to give her a peaceful heart
that can only come from Jesus.
We have much to be joyful
about here in Remington this
month! Sis. Erika Schneider (Bro.
Greg and Sis. Heidi) and Sis.
Kayla Bahler (Bro. Tim and Sis.
Lynette) were baptized on October
27. We are so very thankful for
the sincere testimony they each
brought before the church about
the amazing work that God has
done in their lives. We pray that
He will continue the good work
that He began in them and that
they will continue to grow more
like Christ under His love and His
guidance.
We are also very joyful and
thankful that we have three
new young converts this month!
Justin Waibel (Bro. Dean and Sis.
Tammy), Brendan Weerts (Bro.
Dan and Sis. Denise) and Troy
Honegger (Bro. Loren and Sis.
Jenni) have all seen their need
for a Savior and sought Him in
repentance. We pray that these
young men will dig deep to firmly
plant the foundation of their faith
on the Solid Rock of Jesus. We
ask for you to please pray for them
too.
We are very thankful to have
Bro. Ralph Waibel (Sis. Helen)
and Sis. Marge Pitman in church
with us again after they have each
experienced some health issues
that kept them at home recently.
We would like to thank a
very full list of visiting ministers
for sharing their time with us
this past month. Some were here
28
visiting family, some came for the
baptisms, one came to read the
Memorandum, and one came to
share the Word on a Wednesday
night. All were very much
appreciated: Bro. Ed Fritz (Sis.
Sally) Washington, IL; Bro. Todd
Stoller (Sis. Pam) Latty, OH; Elder
Bro. Bill Schlatter (Sis. Emily)
Junction, OH; Bro. Marshall
Heinold (Sis. Janice) Ixtlan, MX;
Bro. Darren Plattner (Sis. Sue)
Champaign, IL; Bro. Calvin
Schneider (Sis. Jeannie) LaCrosse,
IN; Bro. Virgil Metzger (Sis.
Mary) Chicago, IL; Bro. Todd
Graf (Sis. Lydia) Akron, OH;
Bro. Ryan Schock (Sis. Melanie)
Bloomfield, IA; Elder Bro. Paul
Messner (Sis. Jan) Winthrop, MN;
and Bro. Mark Wettstein (Sis.
Karen) LaCrosse, IN. Thanks to
each one for his efforts of love!
Indiana, South Bend
Joshua Martinez
“Let all those that seek thee
rejoice and be glad in thee: and
let such as love thy salvation say
continually, Let God be magnified.”
Psalm 70:4
May the Lord bless Bro. Todd
Stoller (Sis. Pamela, Latty, OH)
for sharing the Good News from
the pulpit this month.
We continue to pray for Sis.
Sharon Flis, who continues to
recover from a foot injury.
We are happy to have Bro.
Rich and Sis. Samantha Gramm
safely back from a recent mission
trip to Romania.
We are awed and thankful for
the many blessings bestowed upon
us and praise God “from whom all
blessings flow.”
“And let the peace of God rule
in your hearts, to the which also ye
are called in one body; and be ye
thankful.” Colossians 3:15
Indiana, West Lafayette
and Sis. Darlene on the wedding
of their son. Bro. Clayton Walder,
to Sis. Abbey Schieler. We wish
them many blessings in their life
together as one.
God bless you in this season
that revolves around praising Him!
Karen, Lacrosse, IN) came one
Wednesday evening and presented
a topical Bible study of the Lessons
from the Life of Joseph.
Iowa, Bloomfield
Teresa Schock
We were at a funeral recently
and I remember the minister
Michelle Earney
saying that you can know a lot
With the crisp feel of winter
about a person by two things: their
Beckie Lehman
on our faces and the Christmas
We are blessed to announce
calendar and their checkbook.
season fast approaching, it is with two births in October. Julia
Visiting us this past month
much joy and thankfulness that we Rose was born to Bro. Mike and
and ministering to us was Bro.
gather together to praise God.
Sis. Sherice Reinhard. She was
Tom (Sis. Mary) Lanz on October
Well, when I wrote
welcomed home by big siblings:
27. Bro. Tom’s parents, Bro. Ed
congratulations to three couples
Erica, Caleb and Bennett.
and Sis. Joann, also came along.
last month, it was in complete
Grandparents are Bro. Lowell and We enjoyed seeing them again, as
ignorance to what God would soon Sis. Karla Bahler (Wolcott, IN)
they spent many hours with our
do in my life. I am blessed to be
and Bro. Dan and Sis. Delores
congregation in years past. Bro.Ed
engaged to Bro. Matthew Gerber, Reinhard (Remington, IN). Bro.
was our elder for several years.
son of Bro. Gene and Sis. Becky
Derek and Sis. Theresa Blume
Then on November 3, Bro.
from Bluffton. God truly works
also welcomed home a little girl,
Mark (Sis. Sally) Schmidgall spent
through every detail in life and
Jacqueline Sue. Her happy siblings the day with us, and labored in the
does exceedingly abundantly more are Emma, Levi, Marie, Orrin and Word. Both of these dear couples
that anything I could ever ask or
Elsa. Jacqueline’s grandparents are are our neighbors from the east,
imagine.
Bro. Tim and Sis. Rachel Schwab Oakville/Mediapolis.
On the same Sunday that I was (Wolcott, IN) and Bro. Larry and
On November 10, Bro. Ron
announced, my roommate, Sis.
Sis. Lynell Blume (Wolcott, IN).
(Sis. Christy) Joos announced his
Hannah Feller, daughter of Bro.
We are happy to announce that retirement from the ministry to
Joe and Sis. Jackie of Valpo, was
Benjy Lehman (Bro. Rob and Sis. our congregation. Every Sunday,
announced to Bro. Caleb Jones.
Beckie) is engaged to Brittany May in season and out of season, our
Caleb is the son of Bro. Steve
of Kokomo, IN.
ministers stand to preach the
and Sis. Susie of Washington. We
Elder Bro. Paul Messner
gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost
absolutely rejoice with her!
(Sis. Jan, Winthrop, MN) came
world, and encourage the believer
A big thank you to the Detroit and helped our Elder Bro. Dan
to faithfulness, found in the
choir, who blessed our church by
Kilgus (Sis. Jenna, Remington,
grace of our merciful God. We
coming and singing on November IN) with our memorandum in
appreciate Bro. Ron’s many years
2 and 3. It is such a blessing to
early November. We were very
of service for us, and know that the
share in this fellowship where we
blessed by his presence. We
Lord is faithful in all things, great
can meet believers for the first
also had Bro. Fred Witzig (Sis.
and small.
time and feel an instant family
Nancy, Washington, IL) and our
At a recent singing, Bro. Dave
connection.
Elder Bro. Dan Kilgus visit for a
Wiegand requested #201 from
Congratulations to Bro. Russ
Sunday. Bro. Mark Wettstein (Sis. our Hymns of Zion, “ I Need the
Katie Widmer
Matthew Gerber
Indiana, Wolcott
December 2013
SILVER LINING
29
Prayers of Those I Love”. Then
someone requested # 31 “ I am
Praying for You”. We trusted
Sis. Mary (Bro. Dave) could feel
our prayers as she underwent
surgery in the days following.
Not surprisingly, thanks be to our
gracious God, she is recovering
wonderfully.
If we want J.O.Y. at Christmas
(and really all year long) remember
to put JESUS first, OTHERS
second, and then YOURSELF.
Iowa, Burlington
Marilyn Anderson
Monica Eisenmann
Bro. Matt Schulz and Sis.
Stephanie Massner became one
in the Lord on October 20.Their
parents are Bro. Gary and Sis.
Melody Schulz (Burlington) and
Bro. Chuck and Sis. Lois Massner
(Mediapolis).We welcome Sis.
Stephanie to our congregation and
hope she feels our love.
November 2 was the birthday
of Julia Mae, born to Bro.
Dallas and Sis. Christy Massner.
Welcoming her home were happy
siblings: Caleb, Sophie, Lillian and
Naomi. Thankful grandparents are
Bro. Dennis and Sis. Gail Massner
(West Bend) and Bro. Curt and
Sis. Kathy Frank (Oakville).
We were blessed to have many
visitors the past month. We always
appreciate visiting ministers for
sharing the Word. Recently, they
were: Elder Bro. Ron Messner
(Washington, IL); and Bros. Tom
Lanz, Jerry Wagenbach, Dale
Frank, and John Steiner (all of
Oakville). May they be blessed for
30
their efforts.
We have several loved ones
with health issues at this time.
May our Lord be near them.
Note of Thanks:
Our sincere thanks for the
many cards, prayers and other acts
of kindness shown to us during
the illness and passing of our dear
husband, father and grandfather,
Bro. Paul Eisenmann. Also many
thanks for the cards sent to me
for my 70th birthday shortly
thereafter. Everything was greatly
appreciated!
May God bless you all. Sis.
Elaine Eisenmann and family.
It’s been a blessing to have a
few visiting ministers this month
to assist Bro. Kent Getz, as Bro.
Dale & Sis. Cheryl Moore are
currently traveling. Bro. Kevin
Banwart (Sis. Sandy, West Bend,
IA) and Bro. Kevin Fehr (Sis.
Lonnie, West Bend, IA) came the
weekend of November 10. Bro.
Ned Bahler (Sis. Anna, Fairbury,
IL) was with us November 17.
May God bless them!
Bro. Jim and Sis. Marcy
Knobloch welcomed their first
grandson into their family circle
on October 28. Reuben James
joins his parents, Caleb &
Maranda Knobloch, and sisters,
Lydia and Miriam.
Sutter (Taylor, MO) and Bro. Joe
Gerst (Iowa City, IA). We were
reminded to continually keep
our hearts and minds focused on
Jesus. When we look away, our
thoughts can be consumed by
the rough seas and waves around
us and we start to sink like Peter.
Continue to keep our eyes fixed
on Jesus and He will keep us
afloat. Elder Bro. Doug Schock
visited us on a Wednesday evening
enlightening us about the history
of the Puritans and the Pilgrims
and establishing the early churches
in America.
The Bible Class travelled to
Bloomfield, IA and spent the
weekend with the Tremont Bible
Class also. Lasting bonds of
friendship were made.
Our prayers are with Bro. Tom
and Sis. Dawn Moser and family
as Bro. Tom’s mother, Sis. Jeanette
Moser (Elgin, IL) passed away. Sis.
Jeanette had some health issues
the past couple of years, but her
passing came rather suddenly. We
are thankful for her victory in
Jesus.
“So now again Thou hast To us a
blessing given.
Our hand-i-work is blest By Thy
good Word from heaven.
Thou blessest food and drink Our
needs to satisfy.
Therefore, we give Thee thanks;
Our song shall rise on high.” Zion’s Harp #13 vs. 2
Iowa, Garden Grove
Iowa, Lester
Laura Funk
Audrey Metzger
Joyce Moser
Iowa, Elgin
Maria Rocke
Our visiting ministers this
past month include Bro. Kim
A bountiful harvest is near
completion in Iowa at the time of
this writing. It makes us reflect
on the many ways God blesses
us, even just in an agricultural
lifestyle...rain, heat and sunshine
when needed, injuries avoided, and
an abundant crop, despite earlier
concerns of drought. He truly
provides for His children.
Our convert, Amy Knobloch
(Bro. Myron and Sis. Beth), has
expressed that she feels the peace of
God in her heart. We are thankful
each time we hear this professed,
and we look forward to hearing
her testimony next month, Lord
willing.
Sis. Helen Knobloch (Bro.
Wilbert) and Bro. George Meyer
were hospitalized during the past
month. Both are home recovering,
and we pray for God’s healing
touch.
Bro. Kjert and Sis. Michelle
Gramstad were blessed by the
arrival of Kelyn Kjert on October
17. He is lovingly welcomed home
by his siblings: Korbyn, Jalyn,
Mallory and Kyndra.
Our congregation was blessed
by many visitors on the weekend
of November 3-4, when many
families hosted others for Invitea-Guest. Our visitors included
the following ministers: Elder
Bro. Gerry Hertzel (Sabetha, KS),
Bro. Doug Moser (Morris North,
MN), Bro. Kevin Banwart (West
Bend, IA) and Bro. Dean Messner
(Winthrop, MN). We thank each
of them for sharing the inspired
Word of God in its truth.
On November 10, two
betrothals were announced to our
Lester church. Sis. Kyla Knobloch
(Bro. Stan & Sis. Dawn) is
engaged to marry Bro. Preston
Klopfenstein (Bro. Perry & Sis.
Carol, Gridley, IL). They are
planning their wedding on January
12. Sis. Rebecca Jones (Bro. Ron
& Sis. Elizabeth, Portland , OR)
became engaged to Bro. Calvin
Sinn from Latty, OH (Bro. Todd
& Sis. Janet, Latty, OH), with a
February wedding being planned.
Both Bro. Preston and Sis. Rebecca
have been residing in Lester for
some time now, for employment
and schooling. We rejoice for the
way God has worked in the hearts
of each of these couples, and wish
them God’s guidance as they plan
their lives together.
We also congratulate Bro.
Terry & Sis. Elaine Knoblock on
the engagement of their daughter,
Joanna, to Mark Schaefer from
Morris, MN. They are also
planning a January wedding. We
wish them God’ s rich blessings.
Our heartfelt sympathy goes
out to Sis. Lois Metzger (Bro. Jim)
and to Sis. Charlotte Metzger
(Bro. William), and their families,
as they lost two brothers within
just a few days. These couples
were attending the funeral of their
brother, Bro. Robert Wagenbach
(Sis. Barbara), in Tremont, IL, and
were blessed to be able to spend
time visiting another brother, Steve
Wagenbach (also from Tremont).
Steve died the following morning.
May God provide comfort as this
family circle is broken.
Iowa, Oakville
Sharla Wiegand
“Thus united and in concord, let
us walk the path of life.”
Zion’s Harp #237
On October 20, we witnessed
the wedding of Sis. Stephanie
Massner (Bro. Chuck and Sis.
Lois) and Bro. Matthew Schulz
(Bro. Gary and Sis. Melody) of
Burlington, IA. We wish the Lord’s
blessings on this new couple.
We welcomed many visitors for
the wedding, including ministering
Bro. Myron Knobloch (Lester, IA),
Bro. Phil Schulz (Burlington, IA)
and Bro. Matt Steffen (Princeville,
IL).
Emma Kate was welcomed
into the family of Bro. Ben and
Sis. Kasha, Tate and Ella Lanz on
October 27. Emma’s grandparents
are Bro. Keith and Sis. Tonya Lanz
and Bro. Doug and Sis. Judy Kraft
(Lamont-Gridley, KS).
On November 8, Kale Bryan
joined the family of Bro. Mitch
and Sis. Renee, Treyton and Larae
Schulz. Kale’s grandparents are
Bro. Roger and Sis. June Schulz
(Burlington, IA) and Bro. Keith
and Sis. Tonya Lanz.
Iowa, West Bend
Yvonne Bruellman
Becky Virkler
Bro. Jordan and Sis. Heidi
Knapp have been blessed with
their first baby girl, Larissa Ann.
She is welcomed into the family by
brothers: Mason, Kadin and Trace.
Grandparents are Bro. Brian and
Sis. Lorna Knapp of Oakville, IA
and Jim and Sharon Fehr. May
December 2013
SILVER LINING
31
God bless this family circle.
The engagement of Bro.
Jordan Knobloch to Sis. Erica Fehr
has been made known. Parents are
Bro. Jim and Sis. Sandy Knobloch
and Bro. Mark and Sis. Janet Fehr.
May God’s blessings and grace be
with them as they prepare for their
wedding.
Bro. Ken Banwart (Sis.
Marlene) and Bro. Larry
Wickman (Sis. Marvella) are
both recovering from recent knee
surgeries. We ask God to rest His
hand of healing over them and
help them day by day.
Japan, Tokyo
Marie Inoue
With thankful hearts, we
approach this Thanksgiving
season. Wherever we are and
whatever season we are in, may it
always be a time of thanksgiving
to our Lord. We have so many
blessings, even in trials He
provides for us.
We especially think of our
dear brethren and the community
of Washington, IL with the
devastating tornado that recently
passed through their area. We
have surely realized that no matter
where we live, northern Japan,
Philippines, or the midwest, we
are not exempt from the forces of
nature. Our love and continued
prayers go out to many, as we try
to assist them in any way we can.
May this draw us all to a closer
walk with our Lord.
This month Bro. Yoshio
Yamazaki was moved to a re-hab
hospital in Kiyose, about 2 hours
32
from our area. This is a Salvation
Army facility. We pray he can
receive care to help his body
become more mobile.
Visitors this month were Sis.
Javon Steffen (Bluffton North,
IN) and Hisato and convert,
Rika Inoue (Bloomington, IL).
Sis. Javon came to visit with
the church folks about their
conversion to Chrisitianity, and
also to see friends of former visits
- even inviting them to church.
Rika Inoue was born in Okayama,
Japan and has felt the call of
a loving Savior in her life. We
enjoyed their visits very much and
invite them to return again. May
God bless and keep them.
We so appreciate the close
ties and prayers of our U.S.
brethren. One of our sisters
recently mentioned that she has 3
grandparents in their 90’s in the
U. S., and they often remember
and pray for us. Praise and thanks
to God for such a legacy.
Kansas, Bern
Jill Meyer
Rita Menold
“What glorious state, to be a
lamb of Jesus, to feel the faithful
Shepherd’s loving grace.
In all the earth there is no higher
standing than this—to follow in
the Savior’s ways.
What all the world could never
give, a lamb of Jesus from its
Shepherd will receive!”
Zion’s Harp #16
Our congregation welcomed
three new lambs to the fold on
the weekend of November 9-10.
We continue to pray for Sis. Kara
Goodman (Mike and Sis. Luci),
Sis. Haylie Meyer (Bro. Richard
and Sis. Joni) and Sis. Malerie
Strahm (Bro. Mike and Sis.
Diane) as they further walk with
the Lord. There truly is no higher
standing! We are grateful to Bro.
Kent Heimer (Sis. Jan, Taylor) and
Bro. Roger Aberle (Sis. LaVonne,
Sabetha) for ministering that
weekend.
Bro. Curt Rassi (Sis. Kathy,
Tremont) also shared the Word
this month. We appreciate those
willing to sound the Gospel!
As this is written, devastating
tornadoes have just swept
through central Illinois, leaving
catastrophic results. Our hearts
and prayers are with all those who
have been affected by this in any
way, especially our brethren and
friends in the Washington area.
Times like this remind us of our
insignificance before a Great and
Almighty God. May He comfort
and provide for each one!
“There’s not a plant or flower
below but makes Thy glories
known;
And clouds arise and tempests
blow by order from Thy throne.
While all that borrows life from
Thee is ever in Thy care,
And everywhere that man can be,
Thou, God, art present there.”
We Sing the Greatness of Our
God, vs. 3
Kansas, Kiowa
testimonies and were baptized
Janice Bahr
the weekend of November 16
& 17. We rejoice with them and
Jenny Stewart
Our visiting minister this
their parents, Bro. Todd and Sis.
month was Bro. Ted Witzig (Sis.
Cynthia Fehr.
Cindy, Morton, IL). We would like
“A Baby cried his newborn cry
to thank them for their efforts to
Wrapped in swaddling clothes so
come and share God’s Word and
torn
fellowship with us.
On that Holy Night so long ago
The season is upon us to
When Jesus Christ was born
celebrate the birth of our Saviour,
Three Wisemen saw the shining
Jesus Christ. We are truly blessed
star
to have God love us so much He
And followed to where it led
would allow the birth and death of
They found the Baby Jesus
His only begotten Son to cover our
Lying in a manger bed
sins. May we continue to seek His
He was born our Lord and Savior
wisdom and guidance in all that
He is with us everyday
we do, and rejoice in this blessed
He listens to our every need
season.
And so to Him we pray.”
“The blessed story of the Christ,
the babe of Bethlehem, is worthy
Mexico, Ixtlán
of our song and praise and stirs the Matt Gerber
hearts of men. The fullness of God’s
“I have planted, Apollos watered;
love divine surrounds the Christ so but God gave the increase. So then
mild, alas how many only know
neither is he that planteth any thing,
the Savior as a child.”
neither he that watereth; but God
Hymns of Zion #36
that giveth the increase.”
1 Cor. 3:6-7
Kansas, Sabetha
As we reflect back over 2013,
Dawn Strahm
we find many reasons to thank our
great God:
Sally Strahm
Bro. Duane Metzger (Sis.
• For those who are growing
Ruth, West Bend, IA), Elder Bro.
spiritually and staying faithful
Wayne Grimm (Sis. Rose, West
to Christ in the midst of trials
Bend, IA), Bro. Barry Dietz (Sis.
and temptations.
Rachel, Bradford, IL), Bro. Dale
• For souls who God is drawing
Wulf (Sis. Becky, Lester, IA) and
to repentance and conversion.
Bro. James Fehr (Sis. Brenda,
• For two believing families that
Tremont, IL) were our visiting
relocated to Ixtlan and add
ministers this past month. May
a valuable dimension to the
God bless them for their labors of
church.
love.
• For two new families that have
Bro. Logan and Sis. Leanna
attended regularly and the
Fehr brought forth their
fathers are seeking the Lord.
• For increased fellowship with
like-minded Mexican believers
from Tecate and San Jose.
• For a new convert in Barra
Vieja.
• For new babies.
• For opportunities for ministry
to middle-school aged youth.
• For renewed interest in
promoting fellowship and
meeting the distinct spiritual
needs of men and women,
singles and married couples.
• For more students to minister
to in the school.
We also want to thank those
of you who pray, visit, and support
the work in Ixtlan. You share an
important part as “ laborers together
with God” (1 Cor. 3:9). Michigan, Bay City
Sarah Knochel
Janelle Ramseyer
In September, two new Sunday
School teachers were elected to
teach our youth. Bro. Bob Grew
(Sis. Kayleen) and Sis. Laura
Knochel were chosen to serve
Sunday School terms. We pray
God will be with them as they
serve in this position.
We rejoice with Bro. Rod
and Sis. Evelyn Wieland as they
welcome another granddaughter,
Kara. Kara’s parents are Lorne &
Bev Dyar.
Bro. Fred Munsel (Sis. Delores)
and Sis. Helen Ramseyer both
spent time in the hospital recently.
We pray for their continued
healing and restoration.
Our prayers are with Don
Grew in the recent passing of his
December 2013
SILVER LINING
33
wife, Lynn. We pray that God will
continue to provide comfort to
Don and his family.
On November 23-24, we
were blessed to have many visitors
from Princeville, Bradford,
Elgin, Belvidere, Tremont,
Latty, Junction, Toledo, and
Detroit Single Groups. It was so
encouraging to hear all the young
voices blended together in praise
to God.
As we enter the Christmas
season, we pray we could
remember the true reason why
we celebrate the birth of our Lord
and Savior Jesus Christ. May we
all strive to continue to serve him
with all our heart.
Michigan, Detroit
Krista Wieland
So, growing up on a dairy
farm in Ohio, there was a never
a lack of flies at my home. My
family became quite adept at using
the fly swatter to kill them (except
my dad just used his hand). I
didn’t think about the fact that
we don’t see flies here until my
daughter saw a fly at Grandma’s
in Ohio and was scared of
the “creature”. Recently, I was
surprised to see a fly in our own
home. It was trapped between
the window and the screen of
our laundry room and I wanted
to help it to get back outside. I
guess over the years I have become
more empathetic to the plight of
a fly. (Absence makes the heart
grow fonder, or something like
that, right?) I opened our window
and screen as far as I could and
34
my expectation was that it would
immediately feel the air and fly
outside. It didn’t. I waited some
more, wondering what my family
would think if they could see
me staring at this fly. The thing
just kept walking back and forth!
It would be so close to freedom
outside and then it would start in
the other direction - over and over!
Finally, I put my finger inside
and the fly climbed up my finger.
I dropped the fly outside and
watched it until it flew away. It
made me happy. (Now, I do feel
the need to clarify that I can still
drive a tractor and walk barefoot
over stones lest you think I have
lost all farm girl in me.) Moving
on to the spiritual application
of this fly story, the experience
reminded me of human behavior.
At some point, we have all been
trapped in sin and walk back and
forth, back and forth alone - when
Spiritual freedom is so close. Yet,
we don’t see it or we are scared of
it. I think of our Savior watching
us and stretching out his finger
lovingly to free us. Or, a brother or
sister in Christ could be the owner
of the helpful finger pointing to
the cross of Christ. Brother, sister,
or friend, if we are alone and need
help, we have to choose to accept
it. The fly needed help, and for
whatever reason, it trusted my
finger. Do we trust other believers
who care about us and want to
help? Do we trust the finger of
Jesus when we don’t know where
to go? Ideally, Jesus desires His
children to trust and follow
Him before we get in a trapped
situation, but if/when we do find
ourselves there, a helpful finger of
love can make all the difference if
we accept it.
“Wherefore as the Holy Ghost
saith, today if ye will hear his voice,
harden not your hearts…”
Heb.3:7-8
The choir travelled to West
Lafayette, IN on Saturday,
November 2 and Sunday
November 3. Many wonderful
friendships were started and
renewed. Our Livonia church
offers our heartfelt thanks to the
West Lafayette church for their
kindness, warmth and love during
this uplifting visit.
Sis. Linda Reardon’s husband,
John, passed away at home
unexpectedly on November 12.
Our sympathy and prayers go out
to Sis. Linda and her sons, John
and Scott (Erin) Reardon.
Kim Smith wanted to extend
her appreciation to the church
for the meals, prayers, and all
of the other support that has
been provided to them. She is
recovering well from her recent
surgery.
Carson Frank, son of Bro.
Lucas and Sis. Crystal, had
surgery this past month. The
family reported that he is doing
great and God did “exceedingly
abundantly above all that we
asked or thought” for the surgery
and the recovery.
We thank Alto’s Elder Bro.
Ted (Sis. Sandi) Steffen. They were
at Woodhaven this month as our
guest minister.
Our congregation bids a fond
farewell and God’s blessings to
Minnesota, Morris
Bro. Al and Sis. Mary Ann
Amy Ekren
Weigele as they are moving back to Heidi Pfaffmann
Rittman, OH.
We are so appreciative for the
visiting ministers this month: Elder
Minnesota, Minneapolis
Bros. Jon Schmidgall (Sis. Julie,
Brenda Messner
Oakville, IA) and Rod Bajema
(Sis. Sue, Lester, IA) along with
Betty Rassi Lindwall
As I look out and see the beauty ministering Bros. Jeff Lehman (Sis.
of our first snowfall, I am in awe of Val, Bluffton North, IN), John
God’s Majesty, His Glory, and His Rassi (Sis. Heather, Tremont, IL)
Power. The snow caps the yellow
and John Bradle (Sis. Jill, Roanoke,
and red leaves this year and shows
IL).
the beautiful artistry and beauty
Jer 3:15 “And I will give you
that He provides.
pastors according to mine heart,
Craig and Sis. Sandy Bentz
which shall feed you with knowledge
are blessed with the arrival of their and understanding.”
first grandchild, Olivia Grace,
We are so thankful and
born to their daughter, Jenni.
rejoice at God’s recent work in
With the birth of each new baby,
our ministry. Bros. Lowell Moser
we recognize our responsibility to
(Sis. Karen) and Mitch Fehr (Sis.
support each new family.
Abbie) were placed as ministers of
We pray for God’s healing
our flock. Let us remember to lift
for Sis. Ethel Bednarski who
them and all of our ministers up in
underwent open heart surgery and prayer. May God grant them grace
for Sis. Vera Schmidt who is having and bless them and their families
some ongoing health issues. May
as they labor for the Lord.
God meet each need, while using us
Our converts, Eric Wulf (Bro.
to be His hands and feet.
Stan and Sis. Pam) and Mason
Bro. Dewayne (Sis. Larae) Dill’s Metzger (Bro. Dick and Sis.
stepfather, Bro. Bob (Sis. Barb)
Gail), have been announced for
Wagenbach, passed away and we
Peace. We are so very thankful
extend our love and sympathy to
and are looking forward to their
their family.
testimonies and baptisms.
We were so thankful to have
Our sympathies go to Bro. Neil
Elder Bro. Brad (Sis. Cindy)
& Sis. Linda Schmidgall on the
Eisenmann from Chicago for our
passing of her father, Bro. Warren
Memorandum weekend. We were
Hartman from Fairbury, IL. We
also blessed to have Bro. Dale
are praying for God’s comfort and
(Sis. Rachel) Zeltwanger to share
healing for Warren’s loved ones.
the Word. One verse from the
A baby boy, Quinn Lloyd,
Memorandum comes to mind:
was born to Bro. Kurt and Sis.
“When the righteous are in authority, Savannah Wulf. Welcoming him
the people rejoice.” Prov. 29:2
home are brothers: Emmit, Lane,
Reid, Nolan, Todd, and Chad.
Grandparents are Bro. Tim and
Sis. Gwen Gramm and Bro.
Dennis and Sis. Judy Wulf. May
God bless and guide them as they
raise their boys!
Minnesota, Morris North
Sis. Wanda Gramm
Sis. Lois Schmidgall
“Praise the Lord for His
Goodness, Oh that men would
praise the Lord for His goodness,
and for his wonderful works to
the children of men! And let them
sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving
and declare his works with rejoicing.”
Psalm 107:21-22
The theme of our annual
Harvest Supper was “Praise the
Lord for His Goodness”. What a
wonderful evening of song, praise
and fellowship. Our church works
hard together to make this evening
happen, and it is such a blessing to
see that the works of our hands are
being blessed by God. We have so
much to be thankful for.
Those that came and
ministered to us this past month
were: Bro. Glen (Sis. Rachel)
Steiner, Winthrop, MN, Bro. Nate
(Sis. Yvonne) Leman, Denver, CO,
Bro. Earl (Sis. Suzanne) Beery,
Rittman, OH. We are so thankful
that you could spend the weekend
in the Word with us. We appreciate
every visitor, and are so thankful
for our home brothers that labor
Sunday after Sunday. God’s richest
blessings to you.
Sunday, November 10 our little
church gathered at our building
site to ask God in prayer, song and
December 2013
SILVER LINING
35
in His Word, that He would bless
our efforts. We were so thankful
that Bro. Nate Leman could be
with us for this service. “Except the
Lord build the house, they labor in
vain that build it.” Psalm 127:1 We
ask our brothers and sisters nationwide to remember us in prayer as
our building moves forward.
Many gathered together on
Wednesday evening to pack boxes
for Operation Christmas Child.
We packed 120 boxes for needy
children. Once again, we have
so much to be thankful for. May
God bless each child that receives
one of these little boxes, and may
He lead them to Him.
We are so saddened to hear
of the tornadoes that have hit our
Washington Church area. We are
keeping you in our prayers. May
God give you strength to see past
the storm and know that He is
with you.
Minnesota, Winthrop
Lindsay Schmidt
Julie Schmidt
“O give thanks unto the Lord;
for he is good; because his mercy
endureth for ever.” Psalms 118:1
We rejoice with Bro. Dean
& Sis. Wanda Messner for the
births of two new grandsons in
early October. Brett & Rebecca
Messner (Gaylord, MN) had
a baby boy, Nathan. 12 hours
later, Bro. Brendon & Sis. Sharla
(LaCrosse, IN) welcomed their
second son, Griffin. We wish them
the Lord’s blessings.
“Seeds of goodness we are sowing
in the hearts of man today
36
Bless it Lord, that it may prosper,
and bear fruit for harvest day
Hasten gladly to the labor.
Consecrate to God your heart.
Say this day unto your Saviour,
‘Lord, I’ ll gladly do my part.’”
Hymns of Zion #46
Harvest time brings about
several annual church events.
These are wonderful opportunities
for the generations to get to know
one another. The whole church
enjoys our Fall Festival which is
held on October 31. Everyone
enjoys the evening of fellowship,
bonfire, hayride and games. Our
Sunday school students enjoy their
annual preparing and hosting of
the meal for the 55-and-Over. It
really is a blessing when we can
strengthen our relationships.
“And whatsoever ye do in word
or deed, do all in the name of the
Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God
and the Father by him.” Col. 3:17
We are thankful for all of the
visitors we have had. We would
also like to thank Elder Bro.
Wayne Grimm and his wife, Sis.
Rose (West Bend, IA), for coming
to Winthrop. We are grateful Bro.
Wayne was willing to bring forth
the Word, may the Lord be his
rich rewarder for his labors.
“And let the peace of God rule
in your hearts, to the which also ye
are called in one body; and be ye
thankful.” Colossians 3:15
We are thankful for those who
have given their time and talents
to serve in positions within the
church. Support was given for
newly-elected trustee Bro. David
(Sis. Bethany) Messer, treasurer
Bro. Verl (Sis. Jamie) Schmidt,
and usher/recorder Bro. Tim (Liz)
Schmidt. We thank Bro. Nick (Sis.
Julie) Schmidt, and Bro. Glen (Sis.
Rachel) Steiner for their previous
terms.
“He shall cover thee with his
feathers, and under his wings shalt
thou trust: his truth shall be thy
shield and buckler.” Psalms 91:4
Prayers have been offered for
those who have met with physical
afflictions. Sis. Hazel (Bro. Doc)
Schmidt has been in the hospital.
Sis. Jan (Elder Bro. Paul) and Sis.
Ann (Dan) Lind have both faced
surgery again this month. We
pray for God’s healing hand upon
them.
Missouri, Lamar
Venetta Banwart
We thank our visiting
ministers this month for coming
and feeding us from God’s
living and Holy Word. They
were: Bro. Kent Mogler (Sis.
Mary, Minneapolis, MN), Bro.
Dale Zeltwanger (Sis. Rachel,
Morris North, MN), Bro.
Jaye Rinkenberger (Sis. Peggy,
Goodfield, IL), Bro. Virgil
Metzger (Sis. Mary, Chicago, IL),
Bro. Jeff Bahr (Sis. Janice, Kiowa,
KS) and Bro. Dale Frank (Sis.
Christine, Oakville, IA). May
God richly bless them for their
efforts.
Here in Lamar, our church
and fellowship center sit among
corn fields and pastures. It is about
10 miles from the town of Lamar,
which is where many of us live.
Lamar is located on Interstate 49
and is big enough to support a
school system, our own hospital,
as well as the many types of
businesses that one would need to
find most types of merchandise for
home and work.
The larger city of Joplin is
about 30 miles to the south and
many people from here and the
surrounding area find employment
in all types of fields that are typical
of cities of notable size. Agriculture
and ag-related businesses are a large
part of Barton County.
We point these items out, as we are
a congregation that is now small
in number, yet our heart’s desire is
that we can once again become a
viable and self-sustaining assembly
of believers, closely knit together
with the brotherhood the Apostolic
Christian Church. We understand
that our Heavenly Father is aware
of our needs, and without question,
He has provided for us when we
thought we were as Elijah, all alone
and without hope. We are moved
with gratefulness each Sunday as
brothers, sisters and friends come
to worship with us. We do regret
though, that many of the friendly
faces and warm hearts we get
acquainted with may not be back
for a long time.
It’s with that perspective that we
would invite those that have been
here, as well as those who haven’t,
and perhaps are looking to start
a career or pursue interests in
another setting, might consider our
area. With each issue of the Silver
Lining, we will try to add a little
more about our area.
Missouri, St. Louis
Missouri, Taylor
Kary Mangers
Marcia Sutter
Our congregation would like
to thank Bro. Greg and Sis. Carla
Rassi (Chicago), Bro. Mark and Sis.
Sally Schmidgall (Oakville), Bro.
Mark and Sis. Cheryl Zimmerman
(Eureka), Bro. Craig and Sis.
Jackie Stickling (Peoria), Bro.
Matthew and Sis. Deanna Steffen
(Princeville), and Bro. Jaye and Sis.
Peggy Rinkenberger (Goodfield) for
being willing servants of the Lord.
Their fellowship and assistance in
bringing the gospel message to our
congregation during the past two
months is sincerely appreciated.
A June 1 tornado caused
extensive damage to the homes
surrounding our church, including
the home owned by the church that
sits adjacent to our church building.
Just as the repairs to the church
house are nearing completion
nearly six months later, we note
the devastation in Washington and
other central Illinois towns and
realize that many of our brethren
have been impacted to a far greater
extent than we were in June. We
were so thankful for the support
we received in June and have been
encouraged to see the needs in the
Washington community met by
our greater church family during
this challenging time. Knowing
that many have lost irreplaceable
items from their homes and have
more than six months of repairs
and rebuilding ahead of them, we
pray for each affected family and
are confident that the Lord will
provide.
“Who at my door is standing,
Patiently drawing near,
Entrance without demanding?
Whose is the voice I hear?”
Hymns of Zion # 81
Jesus is the Good Shepherd
and His sheep know His voice. It
is by reading the Bible, praying
and communing with Him that
we know His voice. When He
knocks at our hearts door, we need
to recognize His voice and open
the door of Salvation. Bro. Tom
(Sis. LuAnn) Troxel from Lacrosse,
IN came on November 6, 2013
to present a Bible study on “The
Door”. We were truly blessed.
Thankfully another person has
“opened the door” to Jesus. Kyle
Grimm (son of Bro. Don and Sis.
Tricia Grimm) is repenting. We
wish him much grace and many
blessings.
On November 17, 2013, Bro.
Kyle Reinhart (Bro. Roger and Sis.
Maureen from Bluffton North, IN)
was married to Sis. Katrina Stoller
(Bro. Clark and Sis. Cindy from
Gridley, IL). They will be living
in the Taylor area. We wish them
both God’s richest blessings.
Sis. Ruthie (Bro. Louis) Hoerr
has been convalescing in her
home since her cancer surgery and
treatments. We were so glad to see
her at church this past Sunday.
Bro. Kenny (Sis. Phyllis) Knapp
was diagnosed with cancer and
is also receiving chemotherapy.
Both families covet our prayers for
healing and comfort.
Sis. Marion (late Bro. Lyle)
December 2013
SILVER LINING
37
Pflum has completed a stroke
treatment program in the
Chicago area. She has had some
improvement for which we are
thankful and are glad to see her
back in church.
The Taylor congregation was
saddened for all who lost their
homes and were injured in the
tornado on November 17, 2013 in
Washington, IL and surrounding
areas. Thankfully, God turned the
tornado so it did not hit the full
Washington church.
Despite interruptions and
battles in our life, we are cared
for by a compassionate God. He
provides a way for us to live with
Him in eternity and consoles us
in our troubles here on earth. We
have many reasons to thank Him
this Thanksgiving season.
New York, CroghamNaumburg
Hope Graves
We enjoyed the opportunity to
gather after church on November
3 to sing to the residents on the
4th floor of the Lewis County
Extended Care. We are always
happy to see Sis. Louise Purvines,
Sis. Anna Mellnitz and Donald
Petzoldt, as well as the many
others that gather to listen.
Our thanks go out to the
many Rockville, CT brethren
that came to serve us lunch on
November 17. We enjoyed sharing
a potluck together Saturday
evening, followed by a singing. We
appreciate ministering Bro. Dan
Goric’s willingness to share God’s
Word. May the Lord bless each
38
one for their deeds of kindness to
our congregation.
Our prayers have extended
out to Wanda Bellinger who has
been very ill and hospitalized in
Syracuse. May the Lord strengthen
her and her family.
Gerber who spent time in the
hospital.
Among our visitors were Bros.
Matt Manz (Sis. Deanna, Toledo),
Fred Domka (Sis. Connie,
Mansfield), and Dale Stoller (Sis.
Sandra, Fairbury).
Ohio, Akron
Ohio, Latty
Erika Gal
Carmen Stoller
Mindy Stoller
We are rejoicing as we gladly
welcome back Bro. Al and Sis.
Mary Ann Weigele. We are glad
to have them back in church and
thankful to hear Bro. Al leading us
in song again. We pray that God
will provide for them as they adjust
to new living quarters.
Our thoughts and prayers are
with our dear Alex Zarkovacki
(Bro. Tim and Sis. Angie) who
has been hospitalized this month.
We pray that God will restore his
health and strength!
We’ve been blessed with
visiting ministers. We wish to
heartily thank Bro. Tim Ramsier
(Rittman), Elder Bro. Andy Stoller
(Smithville), Bro. Vic Bauman
(Smithville), Elder Bro. Duane
Farney (Croghan-Naumburg),
Bro. Fred Domka (Mansfield),
Bro. Jerry Bauman (Rittman),
Bro. Gary Maibach (Smithville),
and Bro. Bill Brake (Sardis). We
especially want to thank Elder Bro.
Ken Indermuhle for being with us
and helping our Bro. Dave read the
Memorandum. May God’s grace
and blessing be with each one.
Ohio, Junction
Vicki Boroff
Prayers are lifted for Eleanor
Greetings of love to all!
Our church was blessed to
be able to host/attend the annual
Country Inn Benefit this month
and also an all-day informational
meeting on World Relief activities.
It was good to be reminded of our
responsibility to be good stewards
of that which the Lord has blessed
us.
November 17 was the wedding
day of Sis. Rachel Rosswurm (Bro.
Bruce and Sis. Amy) and Bro.
Darren Sinn (Bro. Don and Sis.
Linda, Silverton, OR). We will
miss Rachel’s presence in Latty, but
know she will be a blessing to those
in Silverton! We wish them much
peace and joy as they start a home
together.
We were thankful to hear of
the engagement of Bro. Calvin
Sinn (Bro. Todd and Sis. Janet) to
Sis. Bekah Jones (Bro. Ron and Sis.
Liz, Portland, OR) who currently
lives in Lester, IA. May they feel
God’s blessing as they prepare for
marriage.
Bro. Caleb and Sis. Mindy
Stoller were grateful for the
safe arrival of Wade William
on October 29. Older sister,
Mailey, welcomes him at home.
Grandparents include Bro. Roger
and Sis. Sue Gasser (Junction, OH)
and Bro. Bill and Sis. Barb Stoller.
We have been blessed with
many visiting ministers this month.
They include Bro. Vic Bauman
(Sis. Brenda, Smithville, OH), Bro.
Nelson Beer (Sis. Minnie, Milford,
IN), Bro. Warren Schlatter (Sis.
Cindy, Junction, OH), Bro. Duane
Reutter (Sis. Kay, Rockville, CT),
Bro. Les Kaeb (Sis. Christine,
Francesville, IN), Bro. Don Sinn
(Sis. Linda, Silverton, OR), and Bro.
Walt Rager (Sis. Sharon, Toledo,
OH). What a privilege to hear the
Truth from these willing brothers!
May they be blessed.
Our thoughts and prayers have
been with Bro. John Laukhuf (Sis.
Marcia) and Sis. Vi Schlatter as they
have met with accident in the past
month.
Superintendent. We extend our
support and prayers to Bro. Jared
Keever (Sis. Abigail) and Bro.
Roger Miller (Sis. Dorina), as they
accept their new responsibilities
as Superintendent and Assistant
Superintendent.
May God bless our visiting
ministers this month: Bro.
Walter Rager (Sis. Sharon) from
Toledo,OH and Bro. Dana
Indermuhle (Sis. Joy) from Sardis,
OH. It is always refreshing to have
visitors from near and far!
We are thankful that Zackory
Walter is doing better after a short
hospital stay.
born on October 27. Bro. Jon and
Sis. Beth Ringger (Bluffton North,
IN) are the parents and Josiah is
the older brother. Bro. Jason and
Sis. Crystal Pelfrey are thankful for
little Griffin Jay, born on October
28. Grandparents are Bro. Dale and
Sis. Beth Pelfrey and Bro. Ray and
Sis. Carol Stoller (Latty, OH). Rysa
Ann was born to Bro. Ethan and
Sis. Trudie Hartzler on October
30. Older siblings are Haylin, Ayla,
and Naylee. Grandparents are Bro.
Rowen and Sis. Judy Schar and
Bro. Tom and Sis. Diane Hartzler.
Greg and Sis. Peggy Tieche became
grandparents with the birth of
Wyatt on November 3. Parents
Ohio, Rittman
are Caleb and Rachel Middleton.
Anna Bauman
Wyatt has been in the hospital
due to heart surgery, so we want
Julia Gasser
There have been many new
to extend our prayers and support.
babies this month in Rittman. Dan Roxanne Elizabeth was born on
and Sis. Anita Pope were thankful November 11 to Bro. Rod and
Ohio, Mansfield
for the safe arrival of granddaughter, Sis. Jill Steiner. Her older siblings
Elizabeth Walter
Rosemary Ann, on October 5.
are Bro. Jeremy (Sis. Lois), Sis.
We express heartfelt thanks
Jeremy and Danelle Vanni are the
Jessica, Riley, Reed, Justin, and Jed.
to Elder Bro. Andy Stoller (Sis.
parents and Elliot and George are
Grandparents are Bro. Ron and Sis.
Roberta, Smithville, OH) for
the older brothers. Drew and Jayna Ruth Steiner and Bro. John and Sis.
sharing a special evening of reading Rupp were blessed with Austin
Joyce Shambach (Akron, OH). May
the Memorandum. We also
Isaiah on October 19. Thankful
God bless all of these families!
appreciated Bro. Andy’s services
grandparents are Bro. Dean and
We are very thankful that Joe
during worship on Sunday.
Sis. Jan Hartzler and Bill and
(Sis. Karen) Riggenbach has begun
The annual Sunday School Fall Sandy Rupp. Bro. Bob and Sis. Lori his repentance. May God bless him
Outing was a blessing for all. The Riggenbach are thankful for a new and be with him as he follows His
children enjoyed an afternoon of
grandchild. Camri Barbara was
leading.
activities together, followed by a
born October 24 to Bro. Tim and
On November 3, Rittman
potluck and singing for everyone. Sis. Crystal Zollinger (Smithville,
church welcomed Andrea Gasser
Thank you to all those who worked OH). Older siblings are Ashlie,
(Bro. Mark and Sis. Jill), Bailee
to make the afternoon a pleasant
Sawyer, and Stuart. Bro. Ken and
Indermuhle (Bro. Brian and Sis.
time of fellowship.
Sis Becky Zollinger of Smithville
Bev), and Lora Rufener (Bro. Steve
We thank our Bro. Bruce
are also grandparents. Bro. Bob
and Sis. Jeneé) as new sisters in
Sauder (Sis. Denise) for his
and Sis. Mardel are thankful for
Christ. May God bless them as they
service as our Sunday School
grandchild Jude London, who was continue to follow God’s ways.
December 2013
SILVER LINING
39
We appreciate our visiting
ministers this month. They
included Elder Bro. Andy Stoller
(Smithville, OH); and Bros.
Todd Graf (Akron, OH), Fred
Domka (Mansfield, OH), and
Mike Walder (Smithville, OH).
May God bless these brothers for
bringing forth the Word.
Our prayers are with those who
have been hospitalized this month.
They include Bro. Art (Sis. Janet)
Maibach, Sis. Bev (Randy) Moore,
Sis. Martha Walder, Walt Baltic,
Bro. Darin (Sis. Laurie) Winkler,
Sis. Clara Jenkins, Sis. Vi (Bro.
Mitch) Baltic, and Cameron Stoller
(Bro. Jordan and Sis. Joy). May
God be with them as they recover.
Our prayers are with Kathy
(Rick) Garrison in the passing of
her father, Leon Craddock. May
God grant comfort during this
difficult time. and awe-inspiring.
We were so thankful to see the
smiling face of Stephanie (Mark)
Bissett as she was recovering
from neural surgery. Stephanie
is the daughter of Bro. Allen and
Sis. Janet Indermuhle. We don’t
choose what age we’re born into,
yet we are grateful that God
has allowed such advances in
technology that in many ways can
be such a blessing to us.
Note of Thanks:
Bro. Ed and Sis. Dee Beard
wish to thank all for the prayers,
cards, gifts, and the many
expressions of sympathy and
remembrances shown to them at
the time of Dee’s mother’s passing.
May God bless all for their love
shown and time given.
Ohio, Sardis
Congratulations to Bro. Jim
and Sis. Karen Widmer on the
birth of a new grandson, Trace
James. Trace was born on October
14 to Bro. Jarin and Sis. Julie
Tucker (Bluffton, IN) and joins
brother, Rhett. Bro. Tim and
Sis. Crystal Zollinger welcomed
a precious daughter on October
24. Kamri Barbara joins siblings
Ashlie, Sawyer and Stuart.
Thankful grandparents are Bro.
Ken and Sis. Becky Zollinger and
Bro. Bob and Sis. Lorie Riggenbach
(Rittman, OH). We were happy
to hear Bro. Bruce and Sis. Lois
Maibach gained a new grandson,
born to first-time parents, Bro.
Anthony and Sis. Jill Amos (Sardis,
Faith Beard
“... thou hast possessed my reins:
thou hast covered me in my mother’s
womb. I will praise thee; for I am
fearfully and wonderfully made:
marvelous are thy works; and that
my soul knoweth right well.”
Psalm 139:13-14
Bro. Anthony and Sis. Jill
Amos became first-time parents
on October 28 with the birth of
Brayden Corbin. Grandparents are
Randy and Tawnya Amos of New
Matamoras, OH and Bro. Bruce
and Sis. Lois Maibach (Smithville,
OH). Of all the responsibilities
given by God, raising a child must
surely be among the most sobering
40
Ohio, Smithville
Sara Crist
Kara Stoller
OH). Brayden Corbin arrived
safely on October 27.
We had reason to rejoice
when Grant Walder (Bro. Mike
and Sis. Susie) professed faith in
Jesus Christ and made known his
repentance.
“For I am not ashamed of the
gospel of Christ: for it is the power of
God unto salvation to every one that
believeith…” Romans 1:16
Our dear Elder Bro. Andy
Stoller has made a decision to step
down from his leadership position
after 25 years of service. Bro. Vic
Bauman (Sis. Brenda) has been
named the elder candidate. After
approval from the elder body, he
will be ordained February 23,
2014. We are confident that God
will be near both brothers in the
coming months as they move
toward this change.
Thank you to our recent
visitors, Elder Bro. Ken Indermuhle
(Sis. Linda, Sardis OH) and Elder
Bro. Art Ingold (Sis. Bonnie,
Rittman OH).
Ohio, Toledo
Deanna Manz
Jenny Manz
Our Sis. Clara Beard has been
facing ongoing battles with her
health. We continue to pray for her
recovery and trust God will grant
her the grace to face each trial.
“…My grace is sufficient for thee:
for my strength is made perfect in
weakness.” 2 Cor. 12:9
As a congregation, we have
been prayerful for those who
have been affected by the recent
tornado in Washington, IL,
especially for our church families
who experienced great loss. What a
sobering reminder of how quickly
tragedy can strike.
Oregon, Portland
Liz Jones
Communion with our brothers
and sisters in Christ. Elder Bro.
Lynn and Sis. Ronda Fiechter from
Bluffton, IN were here to help in
this special time.
Feeling God’s leading in
choosing a new minister, on the
weekend of November 10, Bro. Jim
Zollinger was chosen for this work.
We wish to support Bro. Jim and
Sis. Tresa, and their family, Sis.
Brianna, Carson, Collin, Niles and
Ariana. Elder Bro. Mark Masters
and Sis. Jeannine (Mansfield, OH)
were here to help Elder Bro. John in
this work.
We will miss Bro. Zach, Sis.
Rachel, Courtney and Tiffany
Kuenzi as they relocate to San
Diego, CA. We wish them well, and
pray that God will go with them.
November 17, Bro. Darren Sinn
(Bro. Don & Sis. Linda) and Sis.
Rachael Rosswurm (Bro. Bruce and
Sis. Amy) from Latty, OH were
united in marriage. We rejoice with
them, and want to welcome Sis.
Rachael to our church.
We had a blessed weekend in
Portland October 26-27 with the
testimony and baptism of Maris
Leman. We welcome her as our new
sister in faith. We also shared in
communion on Saturday evening.
Special thanks to Elder Bros. David
Steffen (Sis. Linda, Elgin, IL) and
John Wiegand (Sis. Jane, Silverton,
OR) for being willing to serve us in
this capacity. It was truly a blessing.
Thank you also to Bro. Chris
Kuenzi (Sis. Mary, Silverton) for
sharing the pulpit on October 20.
Congratulations and God’s
blessings are extended to Tristan
Jones (Bro. Ron and Sis. Liz)
and Shaelene McLaws as they
exchanged wedding vows in
Phoenix.
We also rejoice with Sis.
Rebekah Jones (Bro. Ron and Sis.
Liz) who was engaged Bro. Calvin Pennsylvania,
Philadelphia
Sinn (Bro. Todd and Sis. Janet) of
Latty on November 10.
Laura Isch
“We sing our heartfelt thanks,
Oregon, Silverton
Thy truth and love adoring.
Kelsey Walder
For guidance and for light
Thy Spirit we’re imploring.
Ann Kuenzi
Recently visiting our pulpit
Our hearts we offer Thee.
were Bro. Mike (Sis. Lisa) Leman,
For life and every day,
Bro. Ron Jones (Sis. Liz), both from
That with Thy grace we tread
Portland, OR; and Bro. Troy Leyse
The straight and narrow way.”
(Sis. Kelly) from Bluffton, IN. We
We are thankful for our
always appreciate visiting ministers. visiting ministers this month.
The weekend of October 19 was They included Bro. Frank Sauder
spent enjoying the blessings of Holy (Roanoke, IL), Jerry Bauman
(Rittman, OH), Elder Bro. Kevin
Ryan (Rockville, CT), and Elder
Bro. Rod Bajema (Lester, IA). We
appreciate that these brothers made
the effort to be with us.
On November 16, Elder Bro.
Rod Bajema and his wife, Sis. Sue,
joined us for the reading of the
Memorandum. This was a special
time for our church and we really
appreciated them being here.
Tennessee, Nashville
Mike and Monica Fritz
We have appreciated
the spiritual encouragement
received from our recent visiting
ministers: Bros. Mark Wettstein
(Sis. Karen, LaCrosse), Gary Sinn
(Latty), Don Steidl (Sis. Nan,
Akron), Byron Stoller (Sis. Carol;
Gridley, IL), and Tim Ramsier (Sis.
Joni, Rittman). We have also been
strengthened by the fellowship
of visitors from Francesville, IN;
Tremont, IL; and Akron, Latty,
and Rittman, OH.
If you are traveling to or
through the Nashville area, please
plan to worship with us. The
following churches are scheduled
for services in the near future:
Indianapolis (1/5), Milford (1/12),
Francesville (1/19), and Junction
(1/26). We do not have a visiting
minister scheduled for 12/22 or
12/29, but if the local brethren
are not all out of town, we will
still plan to meet at church for
call-in services. If you plan to
worship with us, please call ahead
to confirm our schedule. Often
we gather on Saturday evenings
for fellowship, and all are heartily
December 2013
SILVER LINING
41
welcome. Also, we typically
meet on Wednesday evenings at
7:15 p.m. for call-in services and
would welcome any midweek
visitors. Contact Bro. Mike &
Sis. Monica Fritz, (615) 8665543, fritzmb.family@gmail.com.
hook-ups are available behind the
church for those who would like to
use them.
Please refer to minister’s
directory for directions and
contacts.
Texas, Austin
“Then shalt thou delight thyself
in the Lord, and I will cause thee
to ride upon the high places of
the earth, and feed thee with the
heritage of Jacob thy father; for the
mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.”
Isaiah 58:14
Services are generally being
held the second Sunday of each
month at the Holiday Inn Express,
4450 W John Carpenter Freeway,
Irving TX. Please call ahead to
verify. Leland and Mary Plattner
956-265-0351 or Dennis & Diane
Rassi 512-321-2345.
Serenity and Jasmine Ringger
“And let us consider one another
to provoke unto love & good works.”
Heb. 10:24
A thank you to the willing
servants who came and expounded
God’s Word to us. Bros. Duane
Rocke (Sis. Bonnie, Minneapolis,
MN), Dan Koch (Sis. Julie,
Tremont, IL), and Ron Kipfer (Sis.
Linda, Bluffton, IN).
Lord willing, we look forward
to ministers coming to serve in
January from Milford, IN (1/12),
Altadena, CA (1/19), Lester, IA
(1/26).
We pray God blesses the
efforts of our Elder Bro. Wayne
Banwart and Bro. Leland Plattner
(Ord. deacon) as they shared the
memorandum of the August 2013
Elder Brother Conference.
“We thank God upon every
remembrance of you, always, in every
prayer of mine for you all making
request with joy, for your fellowship
in the gospel from the first day until
now; being confident in the very
thing, that He which hath begun
a good work in you will perform it
until the day of the Lord.” Phil 1:3-6
We’ve appreciated visitors
from Francesville, South Bend,
and Rockville, CT and extend a
warm welcome to each that may be
considering a winter visit. Full RV
42
Texas, Dallas-Fort Worth
Texas, McAllen
Gloria Walder
We have been so blessed
again through the ministry of
the Word by Bro. Merlin Meyer
(Sis. Marilyn, Lester, IA), Bro.
Michael Wagenbach (Wolcott,
IN), and Bro. Tom Bolliger
(Sis. Jane, Tremont, IL). May
the Lord continue to strengthen
them in His work and bless them
abundantly.
We also enjoyed other
visitors from Morris, Wolcott,
and Tremont. We encourage
our visiting ministers to feel free
to bring others along. Since we
do not know which minister
is coming from the scheduled
congregation, we depend upon
you informing us, rather than
we contacting you. We heartily
welcome each one and wish
to make plans for meals and
fellowship as soon as possible each
week.
Services are scheduled for
January 12, Remington, IN;
Jan. 19, Roanoke, IL; Jan. 26,
Winthrop, MN.
We also meet on Wednesday
evenings at the home of Bro. Lloyd
and Sis. Joyce Nohl. Occasionally
there is a schedule change. If you
plan to be with us on Sunday or
mid-week, please verify the date
by calling the Nohl’s.
Andy and Kristi Plattner have
a 2-bedroom apartment available
one block from the Gulf at South
Padre Island for visitors who wish
to spend time there. You may call
them at 956-433-9844 for more
information.
Sunday services are held at
10:30 and 12:30 at the Holiday
Inn Express, 1921 South 10th St.
Take the 10th Street exit off I-83
and go 1½ blocks south. Please see
the ministers’ directory for local
contact information.
News & Notices
Development Director Needed - Gateway Woods
Gateway Woods has a key opening for a Brother to lead our development and communications
team. This leadership position focuses on building donor relations, seeking financial support for Gateway
Woods and maintaining regular communication with our Apostolic Christian congregations and other
supporters. The Development Director position requires strong leadership and management skills, and
excellent interpersonal, presentation and relationship building skills. A significant amount of travel is
required of this position.
This is a professional full-time position that offers the opportunity for key responsibility, creativity,
management and unique challenges. If you have a passion for helping troubled children and families
through the work at Gateway Woods, please prayerfully consider applying. A complete job description is
available upon request.
If you are interested in applying for this position, please contact one of the brothers below for further
information.
Ed GrafLynn Stieglitz
Residential Program Manager
Counseling Elder
PO Box 12515417 Doty Rd.
Leo, IN 46765
New Haven, IN 46774
888.443.4283Cell:260.466.6712
ed.graf@gatewaywoods.orglynnstieg@gmail.com
Development Coordinator Needed – Gateway Woods
Gateway Woods is seeking a brother or sister desiring to tell our story of helping broken children and
reuniting families to supporters. The Development Coordinator position is open to full-time or part-time
applicants, and offers responsibility, creativity and unique challenges. This position also offers unique
flexibility as applicants can live and work from either Leo, IN or the IL area. If you have a passion for
helping troubled children and families, versatile interpersonal relationship building abilities and strong
communication skills, and are a motivated self-starter, please contact one of the brothers listed below for
more information and a job description.
Counseling Elder
Leo, IN 46765
New Haven, IN 46774
888.443.4283Cell:260.466.6712
ed.graf@gatewaywoods.org
lynnstieg@gmail.com
43
Home-Based Worker Needed – Gateway Woods
Gateway Woods has a need for a full-time Home-Based Worker. This position provides the
opportunity to work with hurting children and families directly in their homes. Requires a Bachelors
Degree in Social Work or a related field, experience working with children and families preferred.
Please prayerfully consider this opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of children. Contact
one of the brothers below for more information concerning this position.
Jeff WaibelLynn Stieglitz
Director of Clinical Services
Counseling Elder
Leo, IN 46765
New Haven, IN 46774
888.443.4283Cell:260.466.6712
jeff.waibel@gatewaywoods.orglynnstieg@gmail.com
Interested in receiving a printed
sermon?
To order, contact:
Printed Sermons
P.O. Box 154
Forrest, IL 61741
(815) 848-5113
printedsermons@gmail.com
Light from the Word
Now available by downloadable PDF from the
Apostolic Christian Publication website:
www.acpublications.org
After entering the website, click on the item
located at the left hand frame entitled, “Light
from the Word Reprints”. The entire set of
editorials are available in a complete download
(June 1987 to current).
John 8:12
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of
the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness,
but shall have the light of life.
44
Apostolic Christian Publications Bookstore
The Apostolic Christian Publications Bookstore has moved from its former location in Eureka, IL
to Goodfield, IL. The new facility is adjacent to the Goodfield World Relief Distribution Center.
The new facility is larger and includes a warehouse that will be shared with Apostolic Christian
Bible Distribution.
Please stop by and visit us if you are in the area! Information regarding an Open House will be communicated in the future.
Shipping address: 651 East Peoria Street, Goodfield, IL 61742 Mailing address remains: P.O. Box 52, Eureka, IL 61530
New Phone/Fax number: 309-965-2611
Same store hours: M-F 8:30am - 11:30am (CST)
Email: office@acpublications.org
Website: www.acpublications.org
Used Bible, Bible Story Book,
and Song Book Distribution
Used Bibles, Bible Story Books, Hymns of Zion,
Zion’s Harp, Gospel Hymns, and Tabernacle
Hymns are needed.
The cost of sending books airmail to foreign
countries is greater than what new books could
be purchased. Therefore, we are working with
organizations (such as Christian Aid Ministries)
that send materials to foreign countries by sea
container, which is more reasonably priced. Some
of the books are also used by U.S. churches and
missions.
AC Publications is now the collection center
for your donated books. See address and
hours above.
Bible Distribution
Sharing the Word in Love
“Where there is no vision, the people perish: but
he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” Prov 29:18
Bibles in English and other languages, plus Bible
Story Books approved by the Apostolic Christian
Mission Committee, are available for those who
wish to distribute them in the name of Jesus
Christ. The inventory is computerized. These
materials can be drop-shipped to nearly any
address.
To order, contact:
Apostolic Christian Church Bible Distribution
P.O. Box 30, Bluffton, IN 46714
Ph/Fax: 260-824-5587
bibledist@adamswells.com
December 2013
SILVER LINING
45
Assistant Houseparent Needed - Gateway Woods
Gateway Woods currently has an opening for a single sister to work in a full-time ministry with troubled
children. The Assistant Houseparent position offers competitive wages and generous benefits and a close
relationship with brothers and sisters whose hearts and lives are dedicated to a mission with an eternal
reward. If you feel the call to explore the possibilities, please call one of the brothers listed below:
Counseling Elder
Leo, IN 46765
New Haven, IN 46774
888.443.4283Cell:260.466.6712
ed.graf@gatewaywoods.orglynnstieg@gmail.com
Christian Guesthouse
and Worship Services
in Rochester, MN
Accommodations for Mayo Clinic outpatients
and families: Three bedrooms with private baths,
laundry, kitchen and family room area.
Sunday Service: (held monthly at guesthouse residence) 10:00 AM and 12:30 PM
For schedule, see: www.acmission.org/
minister-rotation
For information and reservations, contact
caretakers:
Bro. Mark and Sis. Sandy Stork
4733 Birdie Lane NW
Rochester, MN 55901
(507) 288-0072
Mid-week Service: (held on 3rd Wednesday in
Rochester area)
For information, contact:
Bro. Jim and Sis. Deb Tilbury
(507) 281-2875
46
Important Notice to Americans
Crossing the Canadian Border
by Land
All adults will need just ONE of the
following documents:
•
•
•
•
Regular U.S. passport
U.S. passport card
Enhanced driver’s license
Any Trusted Traveler Program (for example,
Nexus card)
U.S. citizens under the age of 16 (or under
the age of 19 if traveling with a school, religious,
or other youth group) may present a birth
certificate, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or
a naturalization certificate. Birth certificates can
be original, photocopy, or certified copy.
H
Director of Operations at Hospital Lumiere
ospital Lumiere is a 120-bed
primary care medical-surgical
hospital located in the village of
Bonne Fin, high in the mountains
of southern Haiti. World Relief
assumed management of daily
operations at the hospital in 2011.
By God’s grace and mercy Hospital
Lumiere will seek to transform the
lives of the people living in the
Bonne Fin area to the highest degree
possible by delivering excellent
medical care and sharing the love
of Jesus Christ. Hospital Lumiere is
seeking someone to fill the position
of Director of Operations.
on many other matters. A relevant
bachelor’s degree in business, personnel management, communications, education, or other related
field, or equivalent experience, is
required.
Position description
This position involves organizing
employee policies and records,
implementing procurement processes, supervising Information
Technology, and working closely
with the Hospital Administrator
For more information contact:
Robert Beebe
Executive Director
Governance Board
robert.beebe1@gmail.com
574-276-6748
www.acworldrelief.org
Winter Work Project 2014
An Opportunity to Serve
Register Online
All volunteers must register online
at www.acworldrelief.org.
In the Oklahoma City area
Beginning January 6, 2014 and
continuing through March 2014,
there are opportunities to serve in
Oklahoma City. The project involves
building new homes and repairing
damaged homes for victims of the
May 2013 tornadoes. Displaced
families need help rebuilding their
shattered dreams.
A job for everyone
50 volunteers are needed each week.
All skill levels are needed; even the
unskilled. There will be a job for
every willing heart. Participants
must be at least 14 years old to serve
on a work team.
More information
Volunteers will be housed at
the Heartland Retreat Center in
Oklahoma City. Meals will be
provided Sunday evening through
Friday noon. Mid-week services
will be held at the Center.
Skills needed
Carpenters, electricians, plumbers,
drywall hangers and finishers,
painters, housecleaners and kitchen
helpers.
More project information is
available on the website. Before
registering, check the work team
schedule to be sure the dates you
have chosen are available.
Volunteers are encouraged to
worship at Kiowa or Wichita,
Kansas at the beginning of their
work week. These churches are both
about three hours driving time from
Oklahoma City.
December 2013
SILVER LINING
47
Haiti Construction Work Teams
Project
Year 2013 Coordinator
Capacity
Bonne Finn, Haiti
Hospital Lumiere
Construction
Oct 19-26
Daryl Luginbuhl
484-433-1205 darylluginbuhl@gmail.com
12
Bonne Finn, Haiti
Hospital Lumiere
Construction
Nov 2-9
Daryl Luginbuhl
12
Nov 8 - 15
Maurice Schaefer
309-253-9003 schaefs2@gmail.com
4
Haiti
Construction
Les
Cayes
AWA
Work Teams
Water Aid
Project
Les
Cayes
MEBSH
Haiti Support
Year
2013
Nov
15-20
Coordinator
Jon
Zeller
309-266-9009 jczeller1972@gmail.com
Capacity
ACWR-CC
Bonne
Finn, Haiti
Les Cayes
Hospital
Lumiere
MEBSH/Bluffton
Construction
Oct
Dec19-26
6-13
Daryl
Luginbuhl
Lane Gerber
484-433-1205
lane.gerber@gmail.com
12
Bonne
Finn, Haiti
Les Cayes
Hospital
Lumiere
Construction
Nov 2-9
Haiti
Trade
Schools Vocational
School Dec
12-19
DarylWuethrich
Luginbuhl
Rick
484-433-1205 rick@wuethrichfarms.com
darylluginbuhl@gmail.com
219-863-4163
12
4
Project
Les
Cayes
AWA
Water Aid
Year
Nov
8 -2014
15
Coordinator
Maurice
Schaefer
Capacity
4
Les Cayes
MEBSH
MEBSH/Ohio
Haiti
Support
Construction
Nov
15-20
Jan 3-10
Jon
RonZeller
Palitto
309-266-9009
Ronp@palittoconsulting.com
ACWR-CC
12
Les Cayes
MEBSH/Bluffton
AWA
Construction
Water Aid
Dec
6-13
Jan 10-17
Lane
Gerber
Maurice
Schaefer
260-241-4099
309-253-9003 lane.gerber@gmail.com
schaefs2@gmail.com
12
4
Dumay
Les
Cayes
Lifeline
Constr./Concrete
Jan 21-28
Haiti
Trade Schools Vocational
School Dec
12-19
Ted Steidinger
Rick
Wuethrich
tsteid@frontier.com
219-863-4163
12
4
Coordinator
Rick
Wuethrich
Capacity
12
ProjectOrphanage Francesville
Simone
Construction
Year
2014
Jan
24-30
Les
Cayes
Bonne
Finn, Haiti
MEBSH/Ohio
Hospital Lumiere
Construction
Jan 3-10
25-Feb 1 Ron
DarylPalitto
Luginbuhl
330-336-5373
484-433-1205 Ronp@palittoconsulting.com
12
Les
Cayes
Dumay
Lifeline
AWA
Constr./Concrete
Water Aid
Jan 28-Feb
10-17 4 Darren
MauriceFehr
Schaefer
dkfehr@maxwire.net
309-253-9003
12
4
Dumay
Les Cayes
Lifeline
MEBSH/Silverton
Constr./Concrete
Construction
Jan 21-28
Steidinger
31-Feb 7 Ted
Richard
Kraft
815-848-5495 richard@kraftmasonryinc.com
tsteid@frontier.com
503-364-3103
12
Construction
Feb
4-11
Jan 24-30
Paul
Rick Zimmerman
Wuethrich
pallan2@frontier.com
219-863-4163
12
Neil
DarylBahler
Luginbuhl
Daryl Luginbuhl
Darren
Fehr
Neil Bahler
815-848-3861
484-433-1205
484-433-1205
815-674-9363
815-848-3861
nbahler@gmail.com
12
12
12
309-645-2208
503-364-3103
484-433-1205
309-253-9003
815-848-2173
484-433-1205
sleuth@speerbank.com
12
richard@kraftmasonryinc.com
12
schaefs2@gmail.com
4
pallan2@frontier.com
12
12
rick@wuethrichfarms.com
4
nbahler@gmail.com
12
sleuth@speerbank.com
12
lemangm@mtco.com
12
nbahler@gmail.com
12
schaefs2@gmail.com
4
jczeller1972@gmail.com
4
12
rick@wuethrichfarms.com
4
12
lemangm@mtco.com
12
ACWR-CC
4
ACWR-CC
12
12
Simone
Francesville
Dumay Orphanage Lifeline
Bonne
DumayFinn, Haiti
Bonne Finn, Haiti
Dumay
Lifeline
Hospital Lumiere
Hospital Lumiere
Lifeline
Construction
Feb
11-18 1
Jan 25-Feb
Construction
Mar 8-15
Constr./Concrete
Jan
Construction
Feb 28-Feb
18-25 4
Les Cayes
Les
Cayes
Bonne
Finn, Haiti
Les Cayes
Dumay
Bonne Finn, Haiti
Les Cayes
Dumay
Les Cayes
Les Cayes
Dumay
Les Cayes
Les Cayes
Bonne
Finn, Haiti
Les Cayes
Bonne Finn, Haiti
Les Cayes
Les Cayes
Les Cayes
Bonne Finn, Haiti
Bonne Finn, Haiti
MEBSH/Peoria
Construction
MEBSH/Silverton
Hospital Lumiere Construction
AWA
Water Aid
Lifeline
Construction
Haiti Trade Schools Vocational School
Lifeline
Construction
MEBSH/Peoria
Construction
MEBSH/Roanoke Construction
Lifeline
Construction
AWA
Water Aid
MEBSH
Maintenance
Hospital
Lumiere
Construction
Haiti
Trade
Schools Vocational
School
MEBSH/Roanoke Construction
MEBSH
Haiti Support
MEBSH
Maintenance
Les Cayes
MEBSH
Haiti Medical Work Teams
Project
Haiti Support
Mar 14-21
Jan
Feb 31-Feb
22-Mar 7
1
Mar 21-28
Feb
4-11
Mar 8-15
dkfehr@maxwire.net
nbahler@gmail.com
Steve Leuthold
Richard
Kraft
Daryl Luginbuhl
Maurice Schaefer
Paul
DarylZimmerman
Luginbuhl
Mar 21-28
Rick Wuethrich
Feb
11-18
Neil
Bahler
Mar 14-21
Steve
Leuthold
Mar 28 - Apr 4 Rich Bertschi
Feb
18-25
Neil
Bahler
Mar 21-28
Maurice Schaefer
Apr 15-22
Jon Zeller
Feb 21-28
22-Mar 1 Rick
DarylWuethrich
Luginbuhl
Mar
Apr 15-22
Daryl Luginbuhl
Mar 28 - Apr 4 Rich Bertschi
Apr 24-28
Jon Zeller
Apr 15-22
Jon Zeller
May 17-24
Daryl Luginbuhl
Apr 15-22
Daryl Luginbuhl
219-863-4163
815-848-3861
309-645-2208
309-467-2351
815-848-3861
309-253-9003
309-266-9009
484-433-1205
219-863-4163
484-433-1205
309-467-2351
309-266-9009
309-266-9009
484-433-1205
484-433-1205
Apr 24-28
21-28
Apr
Jon Zeller
12
ACWR-CC
Capacity
Bonne Finn, Haiti
Hospital Lumiere
Construction
May 17-24
Daryl Luginbuhl
Bonne Finn, Haiti
Hospital Lumiere
Medical
Sept 14-21
Alice Widmer
330-939-0083 alice.widmer@jmsmucker.com 8
Bonne Finn, Haiti
Hospital Lumiere
Medical
Oct 5-12
Alice Widmer
Bonne Finn, Haiti
Bonne Finn, Haiti
Bonne Finn, Haiti
Bonne Finn, Haiti
Hospital Lumiere
Hospital Lumiere
Hospital Lumiere
Hospital Lumiere
Medical
Medical
Medical
Medical
Sept 14-21
Jan 11-18
Oct 5-12
Feb 8-15
Alice Widmer
Alice Widmer
Alice Widmer
Alice Widmer
330-939-0083
330-939-0083
330-939-0083
330-939-0083
alice.widmer@jmsmucker.com
8
8
8
8
Bonne Finn, Haiti
Bonne Finn, Haiti
Bonne Finn, Haiti
Bonne Finn, Haiti
Hospital Lumiere
Hospital Lumiere
Hospital Lumiere
Hospital Lumiere
Medical
Medical
Medical
Medical
Mar 22-29
Jan 11-18
May 3-10
Feb 8-15
Alice Widmer
Alice Widmer
Alice Widmer
Alice Widmer
330-939-0083
330-939-0083
330-939-0083
330-939-0083
8
8
8
8
Bonne Finn, Haiti
Hospital Lumiere
Medical
Mar 22-29
Alice Widmer
Bonne Finn, Haiti
Hospital Lumiere
Medical
May 3-10
Alice Widmer
Haiti Medical Work Teams
Project
Project
Project
48
12
Capacity
Capacity
Capacity
Mexico Work Teams
Project
Magdalena
Magdalena
Mexico
Construction
Nov 2-9
Construction
Nov 23-30
Work
Teams
Project
Project
Capacity
Vance Snook
503-580-3419
vanceliz56@gmail.com
Rod Schmidt
303-774-7913
rschmidt@acosta.com
Year
Year 2014
2013 Coordinator
Coordinator
Capacity
Capacity
Magdalena
Magdalena
Construction
Construction
Jan
Nov 4-11
2-9
Karl
Edelman
Vance
Snook
815-657-7385
503-580-3419
karledelman@cawi.org
vanceliz56@gmail.com
Magdalena
Magdalena
Construction
Construction
Jan
Nov 11-18
23-30
Steve
Kaeb
Rod Schmidt
217-781-4709
303-774-7913
kaebsb@myfrontiermail.com
rschmidt@acosta.com
Magdalena
Project
Construction
Feb 8-15
Mogler
Year 2014 Brian
Coordinator
712-479-0043
bmogler@alliancecom.net
Magdalena
Magdalena
Construction
Construction
Feb 15-22
Jan 4-11
Jon Baner
Karl Edelman
309-532-9435
815-657-7385
jon.baner@watershedfoods.com
karledelman@cawi.org
Magdalena
Magdalena
Construction
Construction
Mar 8-15
Jan 11-18
Caleb Hoerr
Steve Kaeb
309-370-3153
217-781-4709
calebhoerr@me.com
kaebsb@myfrontiermail.com
Magdalena
Magdalena
Construction
Construction
Mar 22-29
Feb 8-15
Mike Fiechter
260-597-7330
Brian Mogler
712-479-0043
Bluffton/BN Senior Class
mfiechter@onlyinternet.net
bmogler@alliancecom.net
Magdalena
Magdalena
Construction
Construction
Feb 15-22
Jun 7-14
309-532-9435
309-243-9281
jon.baner@watershedfoods.com
schickfam@juno.com
Magdalena
Construction
Mar 8-15
Jon Baner
Stan Schick
Princeville Bible Class
Caleb Hoerr
309-370-3153
calebhoerr@me.com
Magdalena
Magdalena
Construction
Construction
Jun 14-21
Mar 22-29
Shon Haerr
217-242-1326
Mike Fiechter
260-597-7330
Taylor Bible Class
Bluffton/BN Senior Class
s.p.haerr@centurytel.net
Magdalena
Magdalena
Construction
Construction
Jul 19-26
Jun 7-14
847-942-1174
309-243-9281
rick@kaisner.org
schickfam@juno.com
Questions?
Contact Mike Fiechter
Construction
Magdalena
260-597-7330
Rick Kaisner
Stan Schick
Princeville Bible Class
Jun 14-21
Shon Haerr
Taylor Bible Class
217-242-1326
s.p.haerr@centurytel.net
Magdalena
Jul 19-26
Rick Kaisner
847-942-1174
rick@kaisner.org
Construction
Capacity
Questions?
Contact Mike Fiechter
Jamaica Work Teams
260-597-7330
Project
Year 2014
Coordinator
Group
Kingston School
CCCD
Mar 22-29
Greg & Shar Moser
309-923-5791
gsmoser@frontier.com
Roanoke
SS
Knockpatrick
CCCD
Mar 22-29
Greg & Shar Moser
309-923-5791
gsmoser@frontier.com
Roanoke
SS
Montego Bay
CCCD
Jun 28-05
Rick Plummer
419-399-4226
REPLUM@windstream.net
LattyMansfield
December 2013
SILVER LINING
49
Give a Child Hope
Child Sponsorships
T
To sponsor a child
hose in the child sponsorship program have several things in common. They are very poor, desire to learn
and they have an undying soul.
To sponsor a student fill out this form
and send to the office. A student will
be assigned to you and you will be sent
further information.
The goal of this
program is to
provide an education to help
these children
learn life skills to improve their standard of living, and also to provide
spiritual training to address the true
need...the need for a knowledge of
and a personal relationship with God
through Jesus Christ.
Name _________________________
And all thy children shall be taught of
the Lord; and great shall be the peace
of thy children. IsaIah 54:13
Mr.
Mrs.
Miss
Spouse ________________________
Address _______________________
City ____________St ___ Zip _____
Home Ph ______________________
Cell Ph ________________________
Email _________________________
Please check preference:
Haiti
Guatemala
Jamaica
Mexico
Zambia
Wherever needed
If possible I would prefer:
Boy – Age
Girl – Age
No Preference
Cost: $30.00/month
For details: www.acworldrelief.org
Send to:
ACWR Child Sponsorship
PO Box 36
Morton, IL 61550
Phone: 309-266-6080
Fax: 309-266-5281
E-mail: childsponsorship@acwr.org
World Relief Informational Meetings
Opportunities to
Serve One Another
presentations scheduled by the
church holding the conference.
For more information, go to
the World Relief web site (www.
acworldrelief.org) and check under
Informational Meetings.
T
he mission of World Relief is to
provide humanitarian aid and
volunteer labor to alleviate human
misery and suffering throughout the
world, first to the household of faith,
and then to others as much as we
are able, in a way that is a Christian
witness and brings glory to God.
We thank God for the various
opportunities to help the needy
of the world made available to
our congregations through World
Relief, not only with funds, but with
volunteer labor by our brethren.
One way to hear about these
opportunities is to attend one of
three presentations held throughout the year.
50
Next meetings
Schedule
The Western Meeting is held the
second Saturday of March and
is rotated between the Apostolic
Christian Churches west of the line
between Indiana and Illinois.
The Eastern Meeting is held on the
second Saturday of November and
is rotated between the churches in
Indiana and all churches eastward.
Also, Thursday before the
conference in August, there are
Eastern Meeting:
Rittman, OH
November 8, 2014
8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Western Meeting:
Winthrop, MN
March 8, 2014
8:00 am - 4:00 pm
W
World Relief Response to the Washington, IL Tornado
e are likely all aware that a
powerful tornado carved a
path of destruction through the city
of Washington, Illinois. The storm
came through around noon on Sunday, November 17th.
More than one thousand homes
were destroyed or severely damaged
in this storm that passed less than a
quarter of a mile from our Apostolic
Christian Church. Several homes of
the church family were among those
lost in the storm. One life was lost
in the city of Washington.
World Relief response
Through recent years, the USA
Committee of World Relief has recognized that we are not well suited
as first responders and have focused
on the rehabilitation phase of disaster response. However, when a
disaster strikes in one of our church
communities, that changes things.
On Monday following the tornado,
World relief brought equipment
from the storage facility in Fairbury to Washington to be used in
the cleanup effort. Local brothers
took the lead in organizing and dispatching volunteers to assist those
in need. Initially, the needs of the
church family were the focus. Soon,
the community at large was offered
assistance with volunteer labor and
equipment to expedite the recovery.
• Through your local WR representative
• Mail your donation to the address
below
• Donate Online: www.acworldrelief.org/donate-online (Select:
Disaster General Fund)
Checks should be made payable
to “AC World Relief – Illinois Tornado Disaster Fund.” If we receive
more funds than are needed for this
disaster, we will use the extra funds
for future disasters.
Volunteer opportunities
In such situations, the project is
considered a “local project” in
which the efforts are organized and
directed by the local church. World
Relief is there in a supporting role
to assist by providing equipment,
funding and help with communicating the needs and opportunities to
the national brotherhood.
Depending on the duration of
the project, outside help may be
brought in to relieve the local
church of this leadership responsibility. This transition is taking
place as this article is being written,
two weeks after the disaster. The
outpouring of love and support for
this devastated community has been
overwhelming. With more than one
thousand homes affected, there is
much work to be done.
For more informationon how you
can help, please contact:
Bro. Les Schambach
usa@acwr.org
630-247-5271
Mail your donation to:
Apostolic Christian World Relief
Illinois Tornado Disaster Fund
711 Elm Drive
Bluffton, IN 46714
We believe your donations are
made with heartfelt concern for the
suffering families in Illinois. We appreciate your prayers and support as
we make plans to meet these needs
and determine how we can best help
rebuild their lives.May God bless
every servant heart!
Disaster collection
If you have a heart to help these
families through this difficult time,
your gifts of love will be directed to
benefit those most in need.
There are three ways to contribute to the Illinois Tornado Disaster
Fund:
December 2013
SILVER LINING
51
Monthly Sermon, continued
— Continued from pg. 5
would we? They were awake. They
were alert. They were watching,
and the angel of the Lord came
upon them and the glory of the
Lord shone round about them.
Again, as so often, they were sore
afraid.
We have things in life
that come about that we don’t
understand. It seems that God has
created us that, no matter what
the ending is going to be, even if
it’s a matter of the angel bringing
us good tidings, when the first
situation appears, whatever it is,
isn’t it our human reaction when
we don’t understand something
to immediately go to the fear side
of it? If we go to the doctor, they
take a test, and we haven’t heard
the results yet, already our mind
is planning for all the things if the
test reports come back bad, doesn’t
it? That’s the way we’re made.
“For unto you is born this day
in the city of David a Saviour,
which is Christ the Lord.” (v.11)
They brought that message to the
shepherds. He said, we bring you
good tidings of great joy, but it’s
to all people. To all people! That
means we can’t horde Jesus, lock
Him up, contain Him for just us.
We can’t say the Lord isn’t for this
people or that people. We say the
Word is God’s Word, and It’s true.
He says that He is for all people.
Let’s remind ourselves of that. It’s
52
pretty easy for us to make a little
circle and enclose those that think
as we do and feel very comfortable
there. When we do that, because
of our limitations on anyone that’s
outside of that circle, we start
looking at them a little differently
and that’s where the danger might
be - not that we don’t love those
who are in the circle with us, but
that we start thinking of ourselves
more highly than we ought too.
For unto you is born this day
in the city of David a Saviour,
which is Christ the Lord. The
shepherds probably thought that
they had very little ever done for
them, and now they had angels
telling them for unto you is born
this day and it shall be a sign
unto you. Think of how the Lord
implies some of these things. It’s
hard for us because we know the
story, but to stop and think - we
painted the scene: shepherds
accountable for their flocks,
out with their flocks by night,
guarding their flocks, now angels
appeared unto them and said,
“Ye shall find the babe wrapped
in swaddling clothes, lying in a
manger.” (v.12) The angel didn’t
say, leave your sheep, leave your
flocks, desert them. and go find
this one. They said, for unto you a
Saviour is born which is Christ the
Lord, and ye shall find the babe
wrapped in swaddling clothes,
lying in a manger. They were able
to connect the dots, weren’t they?
Faithful shepherds that were out
guarding their flocks, just now got
some different priorities. How is it
for us?
I sometimes call to our
attention that we should take each
verse of the Bible as the one that
says to be not slothful in business
(Romans 12:11). Some people take
that and run with it and justify
all sorts of activity as if they are
doing the Lord’s will. Perhaps they
are, but there are a lot of other
verses that we don’t enforce so
much and to realize here they were
shepherds, they were out guarding
their flock, that was their job, but
when the angel appeared unto
them and the Lord called them,
they left their flocks. We don’t
have an account, do we, how that
all worked out? God has it under
control. We want to know how it’s
all going to end. We sometimes
won’t step into the water. We
won’t step out in faith because
we don’t know what’s going to be
after, or do we?
We can go to the end of this
Book, and it tells us how it’s going
to end. It tells us who is going to
win. It tells what’s going to happen
to those that are not His followers,
those who have taken the mark of
the beast, those that are the chaff
and not the wheat, those as the
straw. It tells us how it’s going to
end. We have those today that say,
oh no. They quote the verses about
God being of love and creating
us in His image and say, oh God
wouldn’t do that. There are those
that would even call themselves
Christians that would doubt that
there is even a place called hell,
and if there is, there is not anybody
else there but Satan. Let’s remind
ourselves of the Scripture that
unless the days be shortened even
the very elect would be deceived
(St. Matthew 24:22). Let’s remind
ourselves to come back to God’s
Word and not listen to those that
would appear as an angel of light
but are really the wolves in sheep’s
clothing and that we would believe
in all of the Word.
The shepherds said, “…Let us
now go even unto Bethlehem, and
see this thing which is come to pass,
which the Lord hath made known
unto us. And they came with haste,
and found Mary, and Joseph, and
the babe lying in a manger.” (v.1516) They didn’t keep it as their
little secret, did they? They made
known abroad the saying which
was told them, and there were
those that wondered as we do.
Even though we’ve heard the story
many, many, many times, there is
still an element of wonder. “Mary
kept all these things, and pondered
them in her heart.” (v.19)
Then we go to the scene of the
temple. I think it’s always good for
us to think just a little about these
two individuals and the lessons
we might be able to learn from
them that were there at the temple.
Even though Mary and Joseph
knew their boy child was the son
of God, they were still obedient
to the law and the custom. They
took him to the temple on the
eight day to fulfill the law and to
offer a sacrifice. Again, they did
not exempt themselves - oh this is a
special child and explain - but they
came to fulfill.
There was Simeon, a man who
was just and devout. It doesn’t give
us a whole list of his credentials,
but it summed it up - he was
just and devout. We sometimes
are more focused, aren’t we, on
credentials. They really just say
these are all the reasons one should
be, but it doesn’t necessarily mean
they are. We’ve met those that have
all the credentials but just can’t do
it. We’ve maybe met some other
ones that are fulfilling, and we
wonder where they learned that.
How did they know that?
It’s the same way as it was here
with Simeon. It had been revealed
unto him by the Holy Ghost that
he should not see death before he
had seen the Lord’s Christ (v.26).
Do you suppose maybe that’s why
he was in the temple? If you’re
expecting to see the Lord’s Christ,
wouldn’t that be a good place? So
today, this is a good place for us to
meet the Lord and to interact with
Him.
Even though Simeon was
just and devout, this promise had
been made to him. When it was
fulfilled, he accepted it, and he
was ready to go at that point. He
didn’t say, oh now that I’ve seen
this child, I want another twenty
years so I can go tell the rest of the
world about Him. He accepted
that was his mission. So we see
the shepherds, Simeon, Anna who
we haven’t spoken of yet, had
a mission. The Lord has a little
different mission for each one of
us. At some point, we will fulfill
that, and may it be that we can
say, I am ready; let me go in peace;
mine eyes have seen Thy salvation.
“A light to lighten the Gentiles,
and the glory of thy people Israel.”
(v.32) Already the proclamation
was made that He was not just for
the Israelites. Even though they
were fulfilling the obligations of
the law and customs of that land,
but already Simeon foretold a
light to lighten the Gentiles. Years
later, they still did not accept
that. When Paul used that word
‘Gentile’, they had to carry him
into the castle just to protect his
life. People would not accept
that their Christ could be for the
Gentiles. Gentiles were not worthy.
Let’s be careful and not go there.
Joseph and His mother
marveled. They had come to fulfill
the law, and they received more
53
Monthly Sermon, continued
than that. Let it be our motive
when we come to church that
we come to worship God to give
glory and honor unto Him. As we
meet and greet one another and
have encounters, we’re going to
receive blessings as well, but let
our motive be that we have come
to worship and to give glory and
honor unto God.
Let’s just do a little simple
math before we close here. Anna,
a prophetess, was a great age and
lived with a husband seven years
from her virginity (v.32). Not
sure exactly at what point that it
Light Obeyed
Light obeyed increases light,
Light resisted bringeth night;
Who shall give me will to choose,
If the love of light I lose?
Gospel Hymns #402
54
would be, but it would put her
somewhere in her twenties. She
was a widow of eighty four years passed a hundred for sure. She “…
departed not from the temple, but
served God with fastings and prayers
night and day.” (v.37) Instantly she
gave thanks “…and spake of him to
all them that looked for redemption
in Jerusalem.” (v.38)
How many boy children
do you suppose Anna had seen
carried into the temple? Maybe
some of us aren’t that excited
about seeing little baby pictures
because they all look the same.
Anna saw all these little eightday old boys being carried in.
Immediately she recognized
and gave thanks. She didn’t ask
anything of Joseph and Mary.
She knew! Simeon knew! It had
been revealed unto him. Let’s
accept that today some things are
going to be delivered to us, not by
preaching, but by revelation. May
we accept them, believe them, and
take action upon them that the
Lord could say of each one of us:
he is just, and he is devout.
Then spake Jesus again unto
them, saying, I am the light of the
world: he that followeth (obeys)
me shall not walk in darkness,
but shall have the light of life
(increased light). John 8:12
Light…
While ye have light, believe
in the light, that ye may be the
children of light. These things
spake Jesus, and departed, and did
hide himself from them.
John 12:36
Unto the upright there
ariseth light in the darkness: he is
gracious, and full of compassion,
and righteous. Psalms 112:4
And I will bring the blind by a
way that they knew not; I will lead
them in paths that they have not
known: I will make darkness light
before them, and crooked things
straight. These things will I do
unto them, and not forsake them.
Isaiah 42:16
Then shall thy light break
forth as the morning, and thine
health shall spring forth speedily:
and thy righteousness shall go
before thee; the glory of the LORD
shall be thy rereward. Isaiah 58:8
And if thou draw out thy
soul to the hungry, and satisfy the
afflicted soul; then shall thy light
rise in obscurity, and thy darkness
be as the noon day: Isaiah 58:10
Continued Articles
Biblical Unity
Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph.
4:1-3).
Unity and love are closely
enjoined. Just as love is not simply
an emotion but rather a conscious
choice and action, our efforts to
become of one mind and one
accord require deliberate and
ongoing attention and discipline.
Unity requires mutual submission.
It realizes that one’s own
perspectives are limited and that
we benefit by yielding our will to
God and one another (Eph. 5:21;
1 Pet. 5:5). It is interwoven with
commitment, humility, mutual
submission, and self-sacrificing
love.
Again, we understand
through the teaching of Scripture
that unity is not the same as
uniformity. Paul recognizes
differences in the church when
he explains, “Now there are
diversities of gifts, but the same
Spirit. And there are differences
of administration, but the same
Lord. And there are diversities of
operations, but it is the same God
which worketh all in all” (1 Cor.
12:4-6). God did not create any
two people exactly alike, nor can
we become someone else. But we
can yield our willfulness, dying to
self and submitting to each other
in love and for the furtherance of
the gospel and the well-being of
the brotherhood.
This will involve each of
us realizing that the definition
of unity is not ours to decide
in isolation or as a particular
group. There is a strong human
tendency to divide into subgroups around particular points
of view, perhaps cooperating to
influence others or even resisting
God-ordained authority – whether
in government, the workplace,
families, or the church. Previous
editorials have dealt with
faithfulness in Commitment,
Submission, and Love; all of
which are needed to be faithful in
biblical unity.
For a number of years, the
Elder Body has been working
to increase biblical unity in our
brotherhood. Satan has not been
sleeping and much turmoil and
strife has arisen to frustrate those
efforts. All too often resistance
has come in the form of brethren
taking too much upon themselves
to determine the definition of
biblical unity. The Word calls us
to Christ-like love which reveals
humility, and an avoidance of
strife and division. It motivates
and empowers us to a sustained,
committed effort to grow in our
understanding of each other and
work for greater unity (1 Cor.
13:4-7; 3:1-4; 12:25).
“Hereby perceive we the love
of God, because he laid down his
life for us: and we ought to lay
down our lives for the brethren” (1
John 3:16). Surely laying down
our life would include honoring,
preferring, and submitting to one
another in love.
Paul recognized this ongoing
and sustained work in the church
in holding out the vision and
standard of persevering in it until
“we all come in the unity of the
faith, and of the knowledge of the
Son of God, unto a perfect man,
unto the measure of the stature of
the fulness of Christ” (Eph. 4:13).
John 9:4-5
I must work the works of him
that sent me, while it is day:
the night cometh, when no
man can work. As long as I
am in the world, I am the
light of the world.
55
Continued Articles
Child Sponsorship
A heart to serve
Over the past few years, Bro.
Mike and Sis. Susie have served
in the ministry in the Smithville,
Ohio church. In this role, they
not only ministered to the needs
Sis. Susie shared that they are
interested in serving in Haiti
wherever needed to be the arms
and feet of Jesus. They desire to
be about the Father’s business
and help children experience a
brighter world through education,
truly loving and caring for them
by providing nutritious meals,
clothing, medical assistance,
spending time with them and
teaching them. In addition, by
making that love tangible to them,
they hope that they will be more
receptive to the love of the Savior.
Prayer request
Birth of a Church
• Colossians 3 – Dead & Alive
- Put on & Put off
• Romans 8 – All Things Work
Together for Good
Bible lessons are typically held
in the late afternoon (4:00pm)
and late evening (9:00pm) so
there is a good amount of time to
arrive early or linger afterwards to
share the blessings and questions
of life. It is necessary to have
someone fluent in Spanish who
can translate conversations.
Learning the English alphabet.
of the Smithville congregation,
but also demonstrated a heart
and willingness for community
outreach to share the Gospel
message with the lost. Over time,
the call to serve intensified and the
Walders felt a desire to move out
of their comfort zone, and work
for the Lord in a more challenging
environment where souls are in
desperate need of hearing the
Gospel message.
In their own words, they
expressed a desire to “share the
Gospel with the world in word,
deed and lifestyle. We cannot
simply wait for people to ask us
about our faith. We need to point
them to the Savior.”
In addition, Bro. Mike and
56
American visitors
Students relaxing between classes
As the Walders begin this new
service for the Lord, the Child
Sponsorship Committee and all of
the sponsored students and schools
in Haiti, please be prayerful for
them and their family, that they
can easily make the transition and
begin to build strong personal
relationships that will allow them
to perform their new role and
draw even more precious souls to
Christ.
Visitors with a valid passport can
fly into Acapulco, Mexico. Often,
Bro. Bartolo meets visitors at the
airport, but otherwise a 30-minute
taxi service is affordable, and able
to deliver visitors with the correct
address clearly written on paper.
Upon arrival, visitors will stay in
the former home of Bro. Bartolo
and Sis. Kike, who now live
behind their shop just down the
street.
The climate of this ocean-side
community is tropical. During
the daytime, there are basic chores
such as filling the solar water
tanks or helping out with simple
maintenance needs.Wireless
Internet is available for those
who wish to stay current on their
business communication remotely.
Sis. Kike willingly prepares
delicious meals over a wood stove
and enjoys times of informal
fellowship.
If you are interested in serving
in this capacity, please contact
your local elder and then Bro.
Kirk Plattner, kirk@acmission.
org, to find more details on
schedules and travel information.
The brothers in Mexico will work
together to assist in logistics and
scheduling.
...Technology
those locations?
• In secret to hide
• In public to show off or boast
• In the library for anonymity,
etc.
Perhaps one of the most
annoying detriments in the
use of technology is to have
someone in our presence
carry on a conversation with
someone else through some
form of technology whether it
is emailing, texting, messaging,
phone conversation, etc. Young
people seem to be tempted most
in this area, but older adults
aren’t exempt either! For some
reason, a message coming through
the smartphone tends to take
precedence over anything else
including a personal conversation.
Meaningful interpersonal dialogue
is compromised when suffering
such a technological intrusion.
Additionally, any of the non-verbal
pieces of communication that
are so vital to effective dialogue
are largely absent in electronic
communication.
Parents need to set boundaries
of where and when texting or
emailing is appropriate. Maybe
all phones need to be turned off
at the table or other times when
interruptions aren’t welcome.
Church and Sunday School
are examples of places where
boundaries are very necessary.
Being secretive about our
computer use or trying to find
unfiltered Internet access are
indicators that our behaviors and
activities are not Christ-honoring
and that we need to reassess our
motives. On the other hand,
we shouldn’t flaunt our use of
technology particularly in the
presence of others who may not
understand or who may not have
the latest gadget or app. Being
moderate in our technology use
and intentional in our purpose
to glorify God can demonstrate
biblical discernment.
Application of these thirteen
principles that we have discussed
over the last five months is not an
easy task. However, it is our hope
that these articles have increased
an awareness of some of the
traps present in the continually
changing world of technology.
Please visit our website at
www.accounseling.org/technology
for the document “Guidance on
Using Technology” and additional
information.
57
Learning from our history
Remembering Our Spiritual Heritage
The Free Course
of the Gospel
On a recent Sunday, we had a large wedding in our
Gridley, Illinois congregation. In the morning there
were two visiting ministers who preached. One
delivered the main sermon, and the other presented
his follow-up comments. Both speakers were Spiritfilled, and spoke with conviction, volume, and
power. As I sat in attendance I could not help but
think the Spirit of God had free course among us.
And the attendees were blessed, and uplifted. It is
indeed a wonderful blessing that God’s messages
can come to us, freely, and are not hindered from
forces “without,” that is, from state authorities that
guarantee our right of assembly and speech. Such is
one of our greatest blessings.
Sermon Excerpts
Following are comments from a sermon delivered by
Elder Rudolph Witzig, Gridley, Illinois, who spoke at
Peoria, Illinois on September 6, 1908. He was Elder
at Gridley, and passed away in 1912. His text was
Colossians, Chapter 4.
The Colossians are no longer living, but we are,
so it was the Apostle Paul’s innermost wish that
the word of God would continue to go forth and
be praised. Therefore he admonishes them to hold
fast to prayer. We have an example of how our Lord
Jesus Christ prayed to God. And when we pray (saith
the Lord) we should not use many words like the
heathen. Rather, we are to be earnest and pray from
our hearts.
Even though our prayers are not immediately
answered, we should not become discouraged. We
have a good example in the account of the poor
widow and the unrighteous judge. Brethren, we
must do likewise, and patiently wait on God. We
can also see from David how, through his trials, he
58
learned to be patient. God will help the righteous.
He will not let them come to shame in the time of
need -- remembering that all things work together for
the good to the righteous. But the unrighteous have
not this promise. Nevertheless, God wishes to help
everyone.
When a believer falls from the straight path,
he should not think that it is God’s fault. Oh no,
it’s our fault and no one else is to blame. Therefore,
we should watch and pray. We also find in the Old
Testament that the patriarchs were tested in their
faith. We find the account of Elisha and how he
earnestly prayed that it would not rain for three
years, and it happened. Through prayer, God can
feed us in the same manner as Elisha who through
that strength walked forty days and nights. I believe
that if today someone should pray that no rain would
fall for three years his life would truly be in danger.
The Apostle further writes, “Pray for us” that
the Word would come forth and be praised -- that
it may be revealed to me how God’s word should be
revealed. We should not only think of ourselves, but
pray for others also that no danger would befall any.
As an example, in a family where there are children
and one errors and then pleads for forgiveness (and
all the children pray for his forgiveness), why would
the Father not hear their plea?
In like manner, we should love the brethren and
pray for them that they may also hold fast to the
Word of God -- and fear God. Where the fear of
God is absent from the heart, there is also no love
toward God. For it is written, “The fear of God is the
beginning of wisdom.” Therefore, we should watch
over our hearts and not let everything go in and out.
As an example, in a city where there are no gates,
everyone can go in and out. Therefore, we should be
in fear and pray earnestly.
– By Perry Klopfenstein
The Light of Hope
The Prince of Peace
The birth of the Lord Jesus Christ is foretold in
Isaiah 9:6 which begins with the words, “For unto us
a child is born.” In this verse, five names are given to
the Christ child, the last of which is The Prince of
Peace. Let’s consider why Christ is called The Prince
of Peace.
One definition of the word “Prince” is “One
of the highest rank of any class.” Hence, Christ is
of the highest rank when it comes to peace. It is
through Him that we can have peace with God,
and ultimately, it is through Him that we are taught
to have peace with other human beings and with
ourselves.
Romans 5:1 reads, “Therefore being justified by
faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus
Christ.” Having peace with God indicates that we
feel and believe that we are ready to meet God at any
time, because of what Christ has done for us and
on the basis of our faith in Him. May each of us be
blessed with that peace.
In regard to being at peace with others, the
Lord Jesus said, “Agree with thine adversary quickly.”
Matthew 5:25. I take this to mean that we shouldn’t
argue. If someone wants to argue with us, I think it
is good to say, “I love you so much that I refuse to
argue.” If our adversary or the other person, is right
according to the Bible, we should listen. There is a
Scripture which informs us, “For the prophecy came
not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God
spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Peter
1:21
There is also the matter of being at peace with
ourselves. The Holy Spirit may convict us if we have
done something wrong, and that is good, so we can
repent and improve. But the problem is, the devil
may step in and accuse us more and more. The devil
is called, “The accuser of our brethren,” in Revelation
12:10, and this should alert us that it may be the
devil who is trying to destroy us, make us depressed,
and who is telling us that we are no good and
without hope. Look out for the devil. He will surely
rob us of our peace if he can. Regardless of what has
happened in the past, we should claim the promise
found in 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is
faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us
from all unrighteousness.” Henceforth, let’s live a holy
life for the Lord, with joy.
In Matthew 5:9 in the beatitudes, Christ said,
“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the
children of God.”
Our hearts cry out for
peace even where there is division. “Let each esteem
others better than themselves.” Philippians 2:3. It is
important that we each take a very humble position
as we try to stand up for what the Bible teaches.
As we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ as
a human being and we gather together with our
families, may there be real peace among us, and not
just pretended peace. Christ is the Prince of Peace
and we need to praise Him for it. We need to love
each other more and sing hymns more.
Philippians 4:4 teaches us, “Rejoice in the Lord
alway: and again I say, Rejoice.” Rejoicing and having
peace seem to go together, so it is good for us to
put forth effort to rejoice, by singing hymns and by
giving our loved ones a hug.
In John 14:27 we read, “Peace I leave with you,
my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give
I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let
it be afraid.” Jesus is The Prince of Peace. May His
peace flood our souls this Christmas and always.
– by Willis Ehnle
59
THE SILVER LINING
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and
the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name
shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God,
The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6

- Apostolic Christian Church of America

Transcription

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