THE LORD'S DAY, July 20, 2008

Welcome to God’s house! Today we celebrate through song, Scripture, sermon, and sacrament the salvation that we receive through Christ’s death and resurrection. Welcome to this worshipful celebration of God’s saving love.

THE MORNING MESSAGE: “Hephzibah and Beulah”
Scripture: Isaiah 62

THE EVENING MESSAGE: “Life is God’s Gift, A Sacred Trust”
Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16; I Corinthians 6:19-20

Offering today: Leota Christian School 
Offering Next Week: Calvin Seminary
Communion offering: The Luke Society

OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH AND SERVICE:

Wed 7:30 p.m. Pre-profession of faith class in parsonage basement

PRAYERS AND PRAISES

Praise the Lord for the beautiful rain showers this week that refreshed the dry crops, lawns, and gardens! The Lord has been good to us, graciously answering our prayers once again.

Liz Van’t Hof returned home on Tuesday following surgery at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls to remove a portion of her colon in which there were several polyps. We praise the Lord for good reports and a good start to the healing process.

Be sure to keep Josephine Gunnink in prayer. She is on a scheduled break from her chemo treatments. Pray for the Lord to help her overcome the extreme tiredness she is experiencing.

Pray for Brian Van Hill and Greg Arp as they prepare to leave for three months of military service in Iraq on August 27.

Continue to uphold Rebecca Schelhaas in prayer as she serves the Lord in China.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Ministry in Music: We express our thanks to Milo and Nancy Van Dyke for singing “The Faithful One” during our service this morning.

This morning we have the joy of celebrating Holy Communion. We invite those visiting with us to join us at the Lord’s Supper table on the basis of the following affirmations:

If this is true for you, we rejoice to have you unite with us in this time of spiritual fellowship with the Lord Jesus.

The pre-profession of faith class will meet for its third session on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.

Remember to submit all items for the August/September Newsletter into the Newsletter mailbox TODAY.

Wednesday, July 23 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.: Leota Park Fundraiser – Pork Loin Supper. Please come out and support our one and only fundraiser of the year. (We do not receive any funds from the 4th of July celebration.) We hope to see your there!!

Monday, July 28, 2008 - at 6:00 p.m. the Annual Donation Auction for New Life Treatment Center will be held at New Life in Woodstock, Minnesota. Donations of crafts, baked goods, new or good used items, clothing, household items, farm supplies, etc. would be appreciated. Everyone is welcome to come and join in on the bidding. The proceeds are designated for the Need for Life Fund. Barbecues, coffee, and kool-aid will be served.

Scrapbook Bible Study will meet Monday, July 28 at 7:00 p.m. at Bethel Reformed. Bring your crafts and join the fun.

Anyone who is planning to seek ordination in the CRC and has completed two years or more of college is encouraged to apply for financial aid through the Classical Ministerial Leadership Team. We need the application by early August.

Need help with your Will? Don Long from Barnabas Foundation will be in the area August 11-15, 2008. Barnabas Foundation's Christ-centered, confidential estate planning service is available to you at no charge - thanks to their 200 Christian member organizations. For more information or to arrange an appointment to meet with Don, please contact Barnabas Foundation at 1-888-448-3040 or www.barnabasfoundation.com 

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