Life's Classroom

Today is Mother's Day and as is a custom here the men produced a marvelous breakfast spread for the Mothers and the church family. Wonderful breakfast flavors wafted through the lobby and lingered in the sanctuary to bring a satisfying lift to our spirits. Special thanks to Duayne Anderson for helping organize this noteworthy feastlike celebration.

Pastor Terry welcomed us with enthusiasm. In addition to announcements and a Happy Mother's Day welcome he noted that today is Confirmation Sunday.

Announcements
--We have two small groups meeting and you are invited to join. The Terry White group meets on the 1st and 3rd Sundays. The second group meets at the Cressmans. Contact Walt and Gwen for details.
--VBS is coming, a sure sign that summer is near. Volunteers always welcome..
The Rummage Sale raised over $600 which will be used to send kids to Camp.
Duayne stood and thanked all the men who helped make the breakfast and reminded us that this was especially for the Moms.

Pastor White read from Deut. 6:4-9 and then we entered into a time of worship.

Cheryl Borndal called the ushers forward to take the offering and then led us i a time of prayer before inviting the youth were confirmed today. There were many needs on our hearts which we lifted to God.

Terry began with a humorous story and then reminded us that tradition for tradition's sake doesn't mean it's useful. Nevertheless, there are reasons confirmation makes sense at this age. He explained that in 6th, 7th and 8th grade our frontal lobe is growing faster than ever, and the brain is being rewired for adulthood. For this reason, Junior High aged young people are the age we have training in the faith and for life.

Joanne Winship, who has been teaching confirmation for a number of years, came forward to share and then introduced McKenzie Lysher, Nolan Mehle, and Spencer Smith. Confirmation, she said, is a time in which young people learn to be sure about God and themselves, and their place in the world and the church. The program is two years of study, beginning with how none of us are in the same place as regard faith and experience. Next there is Bible study. And then the youth came forward and shared their faith journeys.

Each of the confirmed was given a Life Application Resource Study Bible, which was followed by a brief message from Terry.

Life's Classroom

What does it look like to be good parents and good parishioners? Deuteronomy 6:4-9 addresses this. Our children watch us and learn from our example. This is why it is essential for us to model our faith by living it, not just give lip-service.

If we would live out just the first line from this passage it would change us. "Hear Oh Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength."

Terry shared insights about how pride leads to fancier philacteries and braids and symbols of faith so we can show off how holy we are. The Pharisees were perfect examples of Adventures in Missing the Point.

One of the points Terry made was that being a good listener as a parent is important. If we listen to our children, our children will listen more to us.

The Bible is something to live out, and our kids will learn about God and our faith by the manner in which we treat one another. How we respond to hardship, disappointment and neighbors will teach them much.

What God does for His people: 10 When the Lord your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you—a land with large, flourishing cities you did not build, 11 houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant—then when you eat and are satisfied, 12 be careful that you do not forget the Lord, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

God's desire is to bless us. In the same way that we watch out for our kids' safety while they are clueless of your watchfulness, so also God is watching out for us, watching over us, keeping us from falling into pits and other traps. God is faithful, and we closed the service singing about His faithfulness.

"What's God Up To In Your Life?"

Pastor Terry White: "Good morning! It's a good day to be in God's house."

Announcements
Ladies Bible Study & Pot Luck, May 2, 10:00 a.m. till Noon.
Wed. May 3, Youth Group: Who Are You In Christ, at the River Church
May 7: Last Sunday School till Fall
May 9: New Life Gospel Singers, Edgewood Vista
May 14: Confirmation Sunday and Mother's Day Breakfast. Men: there will be preparations Saturday evening at 7:00 if you would like to help honor the mom's in your life.
May 12-13: Church Rummage Sale at Grand Lake/Twig Town Hall
Vacation Bible School is on the horizon, June 12-15. Volunteers welcome. We'll be happy to fin a place to plug you in.

* * * *
Today's service is designed to be a time of sharing what God is doing in our lives lately. The operative word being "lately."

One Day At A Time
I'm only human, I'm just a woman
Help me to believe in what I could be and all that I am
Show me the stairway that I have to climb
Lord for my sake teach me to take one day at a time
One day at a time, sweet Jesus, that's all I'm asking from you
Give me the strength to do everyday what I have to do
Yesterday's gone, sweet Jesus, and tomorrow may never be mine
So for my sake teach me to take one day at a time

* * * *

Terry shared a few words from John 9 which is the story about the man born blind, a powerful story made moreso by the honest testimony of the young man.

We then sang Holy, Holy, Holy together and prepared our hearts to share and hear from one another.

Gail Carlson began with her story of how she came here and how she was not the kind of person who sings in front of people, but she sensed God nudging her, and has pushed her out of her comfort zone. God said it's not for her glory, but for His glory.

Ephesians 3:20-21 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Jeff Larson shared his gratefulness for God's peace at this time in his life, despite many things going on.

Roseanne shared how when her husband Bud passed and she met Pearl the Lord showed her that going to church every Sunday isn't what it's about. Rather, it's more than that, and God showed her what it means to live it more.

Terry told us about A Severe Mercy and the story it contains in which a young man's heart is broken and correspondence with C.S. Lewis leads him to a deeper understanding of the love of Christ.

Janet shared how she was raised in a home with a God-fearing mother, but did not know what it means to have a relationship with the Lord. She shared the challenges she faced when her husband was killed in a motorcycle accident when she was in her early 40s. None of us is perfect, but God is ever at work removing things from our hearts that shouldn't be there. She closed by encouraging us to read John 15.

Terry said it's not always easy to have honest conversations about our faith so we have to practice this.

We closed by singing Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus. Sometimes the simplest things are the most profound things.

* * * *
After the service we stayed for our Annual Meeting to address church business, which included election of new council members. Today we elected the following:
Christian Education: Dawn Walsh
Fellowship: Paula Saxin
Missions: Kelly Smith
Treasurer: Melissa Ringger

Church Updates were provided by Harry Eliason (Missions), Paula Saxin (Fellowship), Susan Jessico (Christian Ed.), Pam Johnson on behalf of Cheryl Borndal (Worship), Jeff Larsen (Facilities), and Chuck, who gave an update on additional facilities initiatives and financial matters on behalf of LeeAnn Vanderscheuren.

Thank you to everyone who has served in whatever capacity you have been able to share your time and gifts.