1.

LOOK TO GOD! Christian theology teaches the doctrine of prevenient grace which means that before a man can seek God, God must have first sought the man. God begins this work many times without even the knowledge of man. Because of our sinful state before we can think right of God we must be enlightened. We pursue God because he first put an urge within us to do so. This is supported scripturally in John 6:44 where Jesus says, "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day." By virtue of this statement man can take no credit for the act of coming to God.

This brings us to a question that has always bothered me. Why do some persons pursue God with such vigor and others seem to have very little hunger or thirst for God, or as A. W. Tozer ask, Why do some persons find God in a way others do not? Tozer suggests the one vital quality required is "spiritual receptivity", which he defined as a spiritual awareness which they had and they went on to cultivate until it became the biggest thing in their life. In other words they responded to God's urgings. This means they put God first in their life. God has no favorites. The will of God is the same for all. By accepting the urgings of God we walk along the high road of spiritual living. This is the road that Moses, David and Paul the apostle took and the road that those people who work tirelessly for God today take. They have chosen to exercise the gift God has given them.

Paul at the end of his life gives us a glimpse of a life lived for God. In 2nd Timothy 4:8 Paul says, "Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge will award to me on that day-and not only me but also to all who have longed for his appearing."

Now there is another road we will call the common way. It is well traveled by those who have little hunger or thirst for God and can't seem to fit the will of God into their lives. Instead of God being first he is ignored or shoe horned into a busy schedule that looks like every other persons. The mistake we make is instead of looking toward God we look away. In Deuteronomy 4:29, God issues a warning to the Hebrew people of what will happen if they fall into idol worship and then he says, "But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul. That is the way off the common way onto the high road of spiritual living. Look to God.

David Bilderback: A Ministry on the Holiness of God.

Christian Visitor Weekly Newsletter Volume 70 ~ Issue 33 August 22, 2017 Office Hours: Monday ~ Thursday ~ Closed Friday 8:00 a.m. ~ 12:00 p.m. / 12:30 p.m. ~ 4:30 p.m.

Office Phone: 785-448-3452 Website: www.fccgarnett.org

Attendance & Financial Update for Sunday, August 20, 2017 8:00 a.m. Worship Services – 56 10:30 a.m. Worship Services – 136

9:15 a.m. Sunday School Total – 63 General Fund ~ $3845 To Date ~ $11784 New Building ~ $345 To Date ~ $1210

FCC Welcomes You! We are grateful that you have come to be with us on Sunday morning.

We pray that you felt the love of Christ and His presence during our worship. Many blessings… Kristina Sommer of Parker, KS; Dillon Tatro guest of Valerie Todd; Linda Lattimer; Don Church guest of Pat Hiner and Joel Johnston guest of Stephany Petersilie

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL REPORT OPPORTUNITY CLASS: There were 6 present Sunday,3 with Bible and 4 daily readers. Continued prayers requested for Ken Bennett for healing (brother of Mary Hamilton); Nelda Potter, Linda Miller, Mary Hamilton, Jim McAllister, all those fighting cancer and for our leaders and our military. Prayers for Dollie Thompson for the death of one of her daughters. Mary Hamilton opened the class with prayer and led the lesson on “Called to Preach” – Acts 9:10-20. Mary closed the class in prayer.

SOS CLASS: There were 20 present Sunday with two guests, Miranda Thummell and Faye Leitch. They had 16 members who brought Bibles and 7 were daily readers. Prayers were requested for Charlotte Cox, Betty Teter, Linda Benjamin, Linda Miller, Jayde Figgins, Jim McAllister & Orville & LaVerne Cole. Larry Varvel opened the class with prayer. Burke Rogers presented the lesson on “The Importance of Obeying God’s Law.” The class closed with prayer.

First Christian Church’s Fall camp-out

• Friday, September 15 thru Sunday, September 17.

• Contact Marsha Dulin in the office to reserve a camping spot. Cost is $24.00 which needs to be paid prior to September 15.

• Tent campers are encouraged come out at no fee

• Games and activities planned for Saturday afternoon

• Saturday evening potluck picnic begins around 5:30 p.m.

• FCC will provide hamburgers / hotdogs / cups, plates, napkins, silverware and drinks.

• Last name A-M if you would bring a dessert and last name N-Z a side dish.

• In the event of rain Saturday evening the potluck meal will be held at the church.

• Outdoor church services on Sunday morning at 10:30.

Hear our prayer, O Lord, hear our prayer, O Lord, incline your ear to us, and grant us your peace. Amen

Prayer Concerns for Our Church Families Long Term Linda Benjamin, Mike Crist, Lois Gebert, CB Harris, Clarence Hermann, Jim Jordan, Jim McAllister, Wilma McIntosh, Linda Miller, Earl Peine, Whitney Peine, Nelda Potter, Lenett Thomas, Steve Watkins

Prayer Concerns for our Extended Family & Friends Long Term All her family (request by Wilma McIntosh), Judy Meyer (Nancy Horn); Steve Richardson (son of Reed & Carol), Ray & Nancy Foltz (request by Nancy Horn), Bill & Lola Thornton, Sandy (Potter) Peine (sister of Marsha Dulin), Becky Roush (request by Carol Hermreck & sister Carolyn Schuster), Jack & Arlene (Mersman) Udelhofen (Nancy Horn); Keifer Haukins & family (Doug & Bev Farren)

Prayer Concerns for Our Loved Ones in Care Centers 1) Guest Home Estate - Ruth Gorrell, Robert Young, Betty Penn, Gladys Zwiener 2) Parkview Heights - Jean Brown, Olive Kline, Max Ratliff, Marcene Jasper 3) Residential Living Center - Bill Young, Vera Wills (aunt of Phyllis Adams) 4) Comfort Care Home - Ottawa, KS - Birdie Zentner

Pray for our Veterans and Military - Those at home – and those overseas Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Merchant Marines, Coast Guard Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us.

Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. Amen

Italy: Matthew Schryer - Grandson of Frieda Hurt & nephew of Marcia Spring Air Force: Nicholas L Wales, grandson of Orville & LaVerne Cole Air Force: Jesse Hale, nephew of Rosemary Turner

Prayer Concerns for our Church Families / Friends August 20 – Week 1: Juanita Thompson and Tommy Thompson mother and brother of Robin Williams (Donna Williams) PRAISES: 1) Jim McAllister is home! Jason & Paula Sjorlund 2)Thank God for all who are able to be here today – Sara Blow August 6 & 13 – Week 2: Gwin Holman (Doug & Allyssa Adams); Ardis Comfort, Nancy Lake & Greg Kropf (Gayla Corley); Rob Negrich (Karen Petersilie); Andrea Huza (daughter of Charlie & Becky Allen) and a safe school year (Krista Hedrick) July 30 – Week 3: The family of June Mowat; Rusty Coons and Joe Ray (Paula Sjorlund)

If you wish continued prayers: After 3 weeks, your prayer request will be removed unless you write it on the Sunday flap or email Marsha Dulin at marsha@fccgarnett.org.

What a great day it was…it really was! CONGRATULATIONS Mary Sue Cox & Jeff & Khristine Barnes!

Prayers and Praises on your decisions on being baptized and become members of First Christian Church. Mary Sue, Jeff & Khristine were baptized Thursday, August 17, 2017!

If you would like to send your congratulations their address is: Mary Sue Cox: PO Box 266 ~ Richmond, KS 66080-0266 Jeff & Khristine Barnes: 116 North Orange St ~ Garnett, KS 66032

What a great Sunday it was…it really was! CONGRATULATIONS Aubrey Barnes and Christian Kneibler

Prayers and Praises on your decisions on being baptized and become members of First Christian Church. Aubrey & Christian were baptized Sunday, August 20, 2017.

If you would like to send your congratulations their address is Aubrey Barnes (daughter of Jeff & Khristine): 116 North Orange St ~ Garnett, KS 66032

Christian Kneibler: 7 North ~ Paola, KS 66071

Heavenly Father, we thank you that in your great love you have called us to know you and to trust you. Increase this knowledge and strengthen our faith. Give your Holy Spirit to this person that he may be born again, cleansed from all sin, and inherit your eternal Kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

First Christian Church is so blessed to have such talented ladies who prepared and served the luncheon Saturday for the family of June Mowat following her graveside services. Thank you all…It was great!

Howard and Doris Wilson For those of you ladies interested in attending the “Thursday Evening Ladies Bible Study,” please come to a meeting Thursday, August 24 at 7:00 p.m. in the Annex. We will take time to select a book for the next session. If you have any questions, please contact me at 785-433-1338. Thank you, Becky Allen.

Hey everybody I just have a couple of announcements for you this week!

o We have our Legacy fall kickoff this upcoming Sunday, August 27th.

Legacy will begin at 5:00 p.m. and go until 7:00 p.m. Please note that the following week – Sunday, September 3 is Labor Day Weekend and Legacy WILL NOT MEET. We will resume on Sunday, September 10. o Our Roots fall kickoff will be Wednesday, September 13th. The program

will start at the same time as last year 5:30 p.m. and run through to 7:00 p.m. o We will be having a Roots leader meeting Sunday, August 27th immediately following the

10:30 a.m. Worship Service. PLEASE try your best to be there. There were changes made to the programming this year that all staff need to be aware of!

o A list of Events for the 2017-2018 School Year is available for both the Roots and Legacy aged students. You can find them on their respective bulletin boards in the Fellowship Hall.

o We still have plenty of ham filled burritos left. If you want to buy some to support our youth group talk to either Brett, Cathy Hoke or Bev Farren! They are $3.00 apiece.

Thank you for doing all that you do for us, we love you guys and appreciate you so much!

brett

September Birthday’s Sept. 1 Cami Burns Sept. 2 Nancy Horn

Kelcee Finn Brittney Hurt Doug Linder

Sept. 3 Larry Varvel Sept. 4 Dan Benjamin

Ireland McLeod Sept. 5 Gary Stapp

Twyla Duryea Nathan Wiehl

Sept. 8 Tarry Miller Sept. 10 Roger Adams

Jessiah Honeycutt Sept. 11 Maggie Reinert

September Anniversary’s September 3 ~

Dr Lynn & Jenny Wilson September 28 ~

John & Carol Hermreck September 29 ~

Earl & Ruth Peine September 30 ~

Michael & Sandra Howery

September Birthday’s Sept. 12 Curtis Hughes Sept. 14 Kimmie Damron Sept. 15 Rosemary Turner Sept. 16 Mike Zentner

Maya Corley Sept. 17 Lois Crist Sept. 21 Butch Rocker Sept. 22 Jonathan Adams Sept. 26 Spencer Clark

Ben King Brenna Gruver

Sept. 27 Jordan Miller Sept. 28 Kay Wilson Sept. 30 April Powls

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH ELDERS Roger Adams: 785-448-8172 *Kevin Lewis: 785-204-2257 Doug Meyer: 913-909-7680 Jason Sjorlund: 785-448-7660 Steve Spring: 785-215-8290 Larry Varvel: 785-448-5794

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH DEACONS Ron Anderegg: 785-448-6366 Jonathan Born: 620-340-7784 Dane Byerley: 785-304-2831 *Cody Clark: 785- 448-8093 Craig Cole: 785-448-4504 Gaylon Corley: 785-448-8373 James Dodd: 785-418-5479 Jeff Finn: 620-431-8486 Greg Gwin: 785-229-5105 Leroy Hamilton: 785-204-2162 Aaron Hedrick 785-304-1236 Jason Miller: 785-448-7110 Earl Peine: 785-448-6186 Nathan Wiehl: 785-204-2178 Lynn Wilson 785-448-3451 Mike Zentner: 785-204-1105

PASTORS AND SECRETARY Chris Goetz, Senior Pastor Phone: 503-474-7965 Email: chris@fccgarnett.org Brett Hartman, Children & Youth Phone: 620-215-1524 Email: brett@fccgarnett.org Marsha Dulin, Secretary Phone: 785-448-4367 Email: marsha@fccgarnett.org