Ladies…be sure to mark you calendars for our next Coffee and Conversation on Thursday, February 21 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at the home of Carol Stanik (556 Whisperlake Road, Holland).  We are planning an evening “All About Chocolate” featuring a chocolate fountain and homemade hot chocolate.  Everyone should bring a mug and something to dip in the fountain (fruit, pretzels, cookies, marshmallows, etc.)  Any other treats to share would also be welcome.  For those who aren’t “choco-holics”, there will be coffee, tea, cheese and crackers, and a veggie tray.  Watch for the balloons on the mailbox and door so you can find Carol’s house easily.  Please leave the driveway open for our beloved seniors.  Plan to come and enjoy the good fellowship.

Western Avenue has scheduled a Mosaic Service for this Sunday, February 17 at 5:00 pm.  It is called Mosaic because we hope to have different classes of people, of different colors, and different tastes come together to create something new and beautiful.  There will be dynamic worship music, heart-felt group and individual prayers and a short, focused and inspirational teaching.  This is a great way to wrap up a weekend and prepare for the busy week ahead.  Western Avenue Ministries is located at 1411 Broadway, Toledo.

The Pioneer Club will be hosting a Bake Sale this Sunday, February 10 after the service in the Fellowship Hall.  Please be sure save room for some goodies after church.  All of the proceeds from the Bake Sale will go to the Pioneer Club Headquarters.

Give Them Grace

By Elyse Fitzpatrick & Jessica Thompson

What makes Christian parenting distinctly Christian?  More pointedly, what would make your parenting different from that of a Mormon or moral atheist?  When we witness to adults about our faith we’re careful to tell them that they can’t work their way into heaven, but is that the message we give our children?  Do they know what the gospel is, or do they think Christianity is about being “nice” and making Jesus smile?  Have they heard the message of the glorious gospel?  It’s new in our library this week.  Check it out!

(to check out a book from the tables downstairs, simply remove the bookmark, write your name on it and leave it on the table.  Kindly return the book in 4 weeks to the library).

 

 

Erasing Hell

by Francis Chan and Preston Sprinkle

The subject of hell has been out of favor as a topic of conversation or even preaching for years now, and Francis Chan and Preston Sprinkle are hoping to change that.  Knowing that the unsaved are unlikely to turn to Christ unless they first understand their need of a savior, this book attempts to address the fact that hell didn’t go away just because the subject has been taboo.  This is a diplomatic yet honest look at what scripture has to say on the subject.  Check it out!

 

 

Christless Christianity

By Michael Horton

In his book, “Christless Christianity”, Michael Horton explores the phenomenon that American Christians often get confused between Americanism and Christianity.  He fears the American church has been willingly taken captive to the cultural influences of individualism, positive thinking, prosperity, nationalism and self-sufficiency, and strives to make us aware of the urgency of this basic rejection of the Gospel.  It’s new in the library … Check it out!

 

 

The Ladies will start a new Beth Moore series on Sunday, January 27 at 11:20am in the Auditorium.  The series is entitled The Law of Love:  Lessons from the Book of Deuteronomy.  This 12-week study is a video study only and doesn’t include weekly homework.  Here is an excerpt from the promotional material…”Why Deuteronomy?   A fair question.  There are probably many who wonder, ‘of all the books of Bible, of all the possible themes or character studies that you could do…why Deuteronomy?’  Let me tell you, if you’ve ever been tempted to skip over Deuteronomy (and Leviticus) in your one year Bible reading plan…you’ll never do it again.  There are some serious aha moments here, and you don’t want to miss one of them!”.  We will be ordering the listening guides ($10 each) and they will be available at the first class.  See Becky Borck if you have any questions.

 

Ladies…are you ready for a break?….a Coffee and Conversation break?

Bring your most favorite, most special, most interesting mug on Thursday, January 24 at 6:30 pm to Panera’s on Airport Highway.

Come and be refreshed as you enjoy lively conversation, perhaps over a mug of hot chocolate, coffee, or tea.

Judy promises a prize for the mug voted the most favorite, most special, most interesting.  See you there!

Slave:  The Hidden Truth About Your Identity in Christ
by John MacArthur

Did you know that every time you utter the word “Lord,” you make a subtle yet profound declaration that God is your Master and you belong to him?  Best-selling author MacArthur explores what it means to follow Christ without hesitation–and why we as believers should consider ourselves slaves who were bought at a price.  This audio book brings the doctrine of our slavery to Christ into its proper place in our thinking.  Check it out!  It will change how you see your relationship to our dear Savior.  To see a promotional audio, go to http://www.gty.org/products/books/451170.

 

A service for the Dedication of Children will be held on Sunday morning, January 20, 2013. The Elders invite you to take part.  Please contact Daniel Kain, Tom Borck or any of the other elders if you are interested in having your child dedicated.

We place a very high priority on the Christian family–godly parents bringing up their children in the “nurture and admonition of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4).  An important part of the parents’ obligation to their children is to pray earnestly for them, dedicating them to God for His salvation and their spiritual growth.  Many parents want to make a public declaration of their desire to dedicate themselves to this task, and in so doing ask the body of believers to join them in prayer for their children.

This is not a baptism of infants as practiced in some churches, but simply a witness to the whole church of the parents’ desire to raise their children for God.  In no way does a public dedication of this kind guarantee the child’s salvation nor does it gain any special merit with God.  But this does indicate the parents’ resolve and gives us all an opportunity to join our hearts with them.  We believe God will honor such an act and we commend those parents who wish to do so.

 

Systematic Theology
by Wayne Grudem

The Christian church has a long tradition of systematic theology, that is, studying theology and doctrine organized around fairly standard categories such as the Word of God, redemption, and Jesus Christ. This introduction to systematic theology has several distinctive features: – A strong emphasis on the scriptural basis for each doctrine and teaching – Clear writing, with technical terms kept to a minimum – A contemporary approach, treating subjects of special interest to the church today – A friendly tone, appealing to the emotions and the spirit as well as the intellect – Frequent application to life – Resources for worship with each chapter – Bibliographies with each chapter that cross-reference subjects to a wide range of other systematic theologies.  Excellent for the new theologian.  Check it out!