E-Prompter - September 29, 2008

Pastor's Perspective -
"Let's get bloggin"

Thanks to some persistent prodding from Diane Laffoon, the creative genius behind the E-Prompter and our church web page, this week I'm making my first blog entry. I realize that for many of you this 'blogging' business is old hat. You'll have to forgive me; I'm running a bit behind the technology curve. (I'm still looking for somebody to program the VCR.)

Anyway, the plan is as follows: Each week I will make an entry on the blog, usually at the beginning of the week, and you will have an opportunity to respond. As I say on this week's blog, sometimes the entries will be serious, sometimes fun, sometimes they will be church related, often they will not. As a general rule, I will not use the blog to promote coming events. Think of it as a place where we can meet together and talk about a variety of subjects - some serious and some silly.

Simply visit the church web page and click "Pastor's blog."
Pastor Steve

Faith Promise Missions Outreach to Honduras

The missions ministry team invites you to begin thinking about an incredible opportunity our congregation has to join our lives to God's love for the world. We plan to help Pastor Donnie Allen raise money to build an apartment complex in Honduras that will provide ongoing financial support for a school that is educating poor Honduran children at no cost to them or their families.

We will be using the faith promise approach to raising funds for this vital project. Here's how it works: We invite you to begin praying about an amount of money God would have you pledge in the coming year to this project. But here's the clincher: this is money that God will provide to you in surprising or unexpected ways. Say that you pray about your faith promise and you feel that God lays a certain amount on your mind. Then, throughout the year, you make note of financial resources that come your way that you were not expecting. Perhaps you receive a rebate you didn't expect. Perhaps you are given a surprising bonus comes your way. In each case, you give as it is given to you. It's as simple as that.

For more information on how faith promise works, as well as some faith promise testimonies, go to this link. This is an exciting way to trust God to provide as we join our lives to his love for the children of Honduras.

Missions

	This Sunday, October 5th we will have a Special Missions Speaker, Ed Hyatt. You won't want to miss this Special Sunday, which is also World Communion Sunday!
On Sunday, October 19th the Missions Team is hosting a Special Missions Banquet after the second worship service. This is a free meal for the entire Church Body in Celebration of Missions here and around the world!

Fifth Quarter

We will be opening up the Filling Station for 5th Quarter activities on October 10th and October 17th. We want to invite all students from 7th-12th grade to come hang out, play games, and make new friends. Plan on asking your ride home to pick you up at 10:30. Thank you!

Alma College Students

We would like to invite you to have brunch here at the church. We realize that many of you attend our 11:00 service and therefore miss out on a meal provided by the college. Brunch will be served from 9:55 - 10:55 am in the church basement (please stop in anytime during the brunch hour). We will continue to do this each Sunday. Be sure to invite your friends.

Honduras Mission Trip Fundraising Events

Mark your calendar for these upcoming fund-raising events:

• Sunday, October 12 -
  Baked Potato Lunch after the second service at His Place.
• Friday/Saturday, October 17 & 18 -
  Garage Sale at the home of Shirley Wallace. Donations are welcomed. Call Shirley at 681-2539.
• Saturday, November 1st -
  Holiday Craft Show at His Place.
• Friday, December 12th -
  Home for the Holidays Baked Potato Dinner at His Place.

Thank you for helping us to join our lives to God's Love for the World!

Writers Desired

As a part of our preparation for the Christmas season, we want to create a daily devotional for the 25 days of advent. Writers who would like to contribute are invited to pick up an informational sheet at the Welcome Center or contact the church office.

Hearing, Seeing and Following Jesus

On Sunday, October 12th beginning at 5:30 pm our youth group would like to meet with members in our church who would be willing to share their testimony on how you came to know and follow Jesus and the difference He has made in your life. If you are willing to share your testimony with the youth, please contact Ben Kreider, Youth Pastor or phone 463-8903.

Teamagers

Teamagers will be meeting on October 5, 2008 following the 2nd Worship service. We will meet in the conference room at His Place. Bring a dish to pass and own table service. All are WELCOME.

CROP Walk

Gratiot County CROP walk will be held October 5th at Alma College. Crop Walk is a fund-raising event that supports local and international hunger programs. You can help by participating in the wal or supporting a walker through your contributions. Information is available at the welcome center. You may also speak to Heidi Faust for information, 463-5550.

Celebrate Your Marriage

Your marriage started with a party, KEEP THAT PARTY GOING! Sign up for one of Celebrate! Your Marriage October conferences on beautiful Mackinac Island. More info is located at the Welcome Center or log onto celebratenet.com.

Church of God Campground

The St. Louis Campgrounds are currently facing some financial difficulties. The campgrounds are in need of electrical, water and sewer improvements. Please pray for the campgrounds that all these needs will be met. If you would like to contribute a monetary gift, it can be given through the church. Make sure you indicate that it is for the St. Louis Campgrounds on your giving envelope. If you would like to volunteer for or organize a work day, please contact John Contois or phone 681-2581.

Walk for Orphans

On Saturday, October 11th beginning at 12 noon the organization FCEE (Forgotten Children of Eastern Europe) from Alma College, will be conducting a WALK FOR ORPHANS. FCEE is an organization that sponsors The Way Home, a shelter for homeless children in Odessa, Ukraine. This shelter provides food and medical care for children living on the streets.

Family News

• Read a letter to First Church of God from Susan Vandewalle Bray.

• Claudia Schmidt is cancer FREE! Thank you for all your prayers and visits, your love and care have meant so much to us.
Dennis and Claudia

• A Quote from Alma College Chaplain Carol Gregg: "I heard about the brunch for college students on Sundays. One of the students offered it as a prayer of thanksgiving during our prayer time. She particularly enjoyed home cooked food!"

• Fern Fuhrman will be 90 years old on October 8th. Contact the church office for her address to join our card shower.

Do you have any family news you would like to share with the church? Whether it is a birth announcement, a milestone birthday or anniversary or the loss of a loved one, anything you would like to share with your church family, we want to hear from you. Please contact the church office or phone 463-3730, or login to our website.

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a: 200 W. Superior Street, Alma, MI 48801 | t: 989-463-3730 e: firstcog@gmail.com

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