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Medora Messenger

Volume XXIII Issue 1 August 2021

The Bible describes a period of time that will come in the future as The Last Days. Ever since I can remember, men have warned that this time is right around the corner. As a matter of fact, I remember as a teenager being told by a former youth pastor that he believed we (the boys in his class) would never reach the age of twenty. Now truth of the matter is, he might have been telling us that if we didn’t shape up we would never see twenty, but I am pretty sure he was talking about the soon return of Christ. In his second letter to the church, Peter reminds the church of a time when men mocked God’s warnings, and he also reminds them of the outcome. “This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being over-flowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, re-served unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.”2Peter 3:1-7 Here Peter reminds the church of another time when men failed to heed the warning of God. At that time, God sent a man named Noah to preach the need of turning to God, and the Bible tells us that the judgement of God waited, but in the end God saved only eight people alive. “Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.” 1Peter 3:20 The passage goes on to say… “But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godli-ness,”2Peter 3:8-11 The same God that sent out the warning in the day of Noah, is today sending out the same warning. Jesus Himself took time to make sure that we knew, He even told His disciples what those days would look like. “And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.” Luke 17:26-29 The importance of the matter is born out to us in the one main issue that we see in 2Peter 3:11. Seeing these things, knowing that God is true to His Word, knowing that the warning has gone out and we see the signs of the times sur-rounding us, what manner of persons ought ye to be? The people went about their way as if nothing were happening, as if there was no accountability for their actions. Then, like a thief in the night, their accountability came due. As we see this day approaching, let us be careful to be working for opportunities to share this glorious gift that God has endowed to everyone of His children. Because the biggest question that faces us as believers is; what manner of persons ought ye to be? Because God is good--all the time, Pastor Ron Mandeville

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I went through a Bible study of the life of Jesus Christ about a year ago and the topic of faith has been pondering in my heart ever since. I always like to start with defining the topic to make sure we are all on the same page. What does the word faith mean? Webster de-fines it as a firm belief and complete trust in loyalty to a duty or person. Some synonyms of faith would be allegiance, trust, belief, or loyalty.

Matthew 7:24-27, Jesus is telling a parable of two builders. It gives us a visual of two houses that these men built. One was built on rock and the other was built on sand. The rain came

down, floods came, wind blew, and it all beat on the houses. In our world today, we are being told it doesn’t matter what we place our faith in as long as we put it in any religion, any god, or even just ourselves. This is the sand, and these things hold no hope or peace. Our world is lost and to make it personal we are lost. Lost in our sin (Romans 3:23). The Creator of the world who created us gave us hope! God gave a way of escape, and His name is Jesus (Romans 5:8). This is the rock. I encourage you if you have never put your faith in Jesus the Bible tells us all you have to do is to pray and ask (Romans 10:9-10). It is important to note Jesus is not denying hard times will come, He is telling us hard times will come. This is the storms. Hard times come and go in our lives, but it is important our foundation is built on Jesus Christ and nothing else. The parable goes on to tell us the house that was built on the sand crumbled, but the house that was built on the rock stood firm.

I had a lightbulb go off in my head considering my faith in Jesus during our revival services with John Goetsch this past spring. I used to think “Man, I hope I have enough faith to get me through this hard time.” He mentioned in one of his sermons that faith can’t be quantified and it’s not an amount. Paul refers to the Christian walk as a race. (2 Timothy 4:7) Not a sprint but a marathon. It’s not that if I have enough faith, it’s an endurance of faith. My faith in Jesus endures me through the good times and bad. I have put my faith in the author of our faith and that’s it. Now I must run the race with endurance.

A year ago, a storm came to my family, and it felt like a hurricane. The death of my sister-in-law devasted us. I was literally knocked down to my knees. I was hurt, angry, and confused… but God! It was God’s perfect timing that He led me to start the Bible study on the life of Christ two weeks before we found out she went missing. It was God who provided a little thing like arranging haircuts for my nephews when they stayed with us. It was God who orchestrated my uncle into finding her. A few months later the death of my uncle hit us like a ton of bricks. I was packing for his funeral, and I just lost it. It was God who gave me the strength to keep on going even when I didn’t want to. It was hard, it was difficult, and even after a year I still feel aftershocks where all the emotions come back to me, and I struggle. It was dur-ing this horrible time my faith in Jesus, my faith in the one true God was strengthened. I felt my heavenly Father’s loving arms wrap around me, and Jesus carrying me through that time of grief. This is where I saw the firm foundation.

“The life of faith is lived one day at a time, and it has to be lived-not always looked forward to as though the ‘real’ living were around the next corner. It is today for which we are responsible. God still owns tomorrow.”

-Elizabeth Elliot.

Day by Day Written by Lina Sandell

Day by day, and with each passing moment, Strength I find to meet my trials here;

Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment, I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.

He, whose heart is kind beyond all measure, Gives unto each day what He deems best,

Lovingly its part of pain and pleasure, Mingling toil with peace and rest.

“For we walk by faith and not by sight.”

2 Corinthians 5:7

Because HE is worthy, Leah Mandeville

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What a wonderful time VBS was! Vacation Bible School had record attendance, with 4 children professing salvation! Below are pictures of the incredible week.

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The JR Camp was July 5—10, at Amazing Grace Baptist Camp near Ottawa. There were 4 youth that went. The Teen Camp was also at Amazing Grace Baptist Camp, they were there July 12—17. The had 3 teens that went. Pray for these youth and teens, for strength and faith in the Lord they know and learn of. Below are pictures from the camps.

Jr Camp 2021 at AGBC Campers are ready to go. Canoeing is always fun.

Pastor Wessberg bringing a challenging and soul

searching lessons.

Cabin mates/buddies.

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Teen Camp 2021 at AGBC

Ready, set, go! Always time for fun

The teens had two (2) speakers this year. They were Scott Pauly and Johnny Pope. One spoke for the first

half of the week and the other one spoke the second half of the week.

Is this a new mean-

ing for climbing the

walls? Definitely

not because of

boredom.

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Kid’s Konnection

Big Christian Word

Regeneration: [rəˌjenəˈrāSH(ə)n]

The replacing or repair of something that is worn out, run-down or broken. Man kind is broken with sin. The work of God that gives new life to the one who believes. (Titus 3:5) (Ezekiel 36:26) (Psalms 51:10)

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Work Day of Summer, 2021 It was a Day of hard, intense work as 20 + people came together at the Activity Center to work. They worked on the sound softening boards for the gym, replacing the ceiling and getting ready to install new lights.

There will be more workdays, so keep your eyes and ears open for announcements of coming the workdays. The goal is to have it all done by the November Missions/Thanksgiving conference.

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Board Members: Pastor Ron Mandeville (Elder);

Pastor Ethan Mandeville (Elder); Mike Julian (Elder);

Dave Hawthorn (Elder); Mike Orpin (Deacon); Shaun Julian (Deacon); Jeff Newboles (Deacon); Gerald Ratzlaff (Deacon).

August 3 L.E.T. 6 pm. 8 Fellowship Groups 6 pm. 22 65th Anniversary Sunday 29 Fellowship Groups

September

7 L.E.T. 6 pm. 10-19 Kansas State Fair Booth 12 News articles are due Fellowship Groups 6 pm. 26 Communion Fellowship Groups 6pm.

Nursery Schedule

August September

1 Jennifer / Jeanie 5 Jennifer / Judy

8 Leslie / Erin 12 Jeanie / Leslie

15 Margaret / Dalene 19 Erin / Margaret

22 Sabrina / Leah 26 Dalene / Sabrina

29 Zada / Moriah

Medora’s Munchies

https://www.seasonedsprinkles.com/strawberry-caprese-salad/ Strawberry Caprese Salad

Ingredients:

1 Cup of sliced strawberries 1 Cup of mozzarella, either mini ball or bigger ball, diced

4 Cups of arugula or other leafy greens 1/2 Cup fresh basil Salt and pepper to taste (optional)

Dressing/glaze:

1/2 Cup of balsamic vinegar 1 Tablespoon of honey

Instructions:

Be sure your strawberries are washed. Cut or tear the basil into small pieces. Toss the greens, strawberries, mozzarella, and basil together. Season with salt and pepper if desired.

To make the dressing/glaze; whisk the honey and balsamic together in a small sauce pan. Cook over medium heat, while stirring the entire time, until the glaze thickens and reduces down a third. (about 5 minutes) When the glaze is done drizzle over salad and enjoy.

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August 2021

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 Jeff & Laren Newboles

Anniversary

2

3 L.E.T. 6 pm.

4

5

6

7 Nora Hodgson

Birthday

8 Fellowship Groups

6 pm.

Leslie Mandeville & Erwin Dannels

Birthdays

Don & Priscilla Nies Anniversary

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10

11 Zada Harris

Birthday

12 Travis Knapp & Bruce

Wilson Birthdays

Doug & Debbie

Schriever Anniversary

13 Michael Chinn

Birthday

14 Butch & Janet

Athavichitchanyaraks Anniversary

15 Arlana Snow

Birthday

16 Erwin & Carol Dannels

Anniversary

17 Gary Schroeder

Birthday

18 Susan Penner

Birthday

19 Lola Mandeville

Birthday

20 Dan Penner

Birthday

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22 Anniversary Sunday

23 Michael Stohr

Birthday

24

25

26 Noah Mandeville, Becky Stewart & Amber Boisse

Birthdays

27

28 Taylor Newboles

Birthday

29 Fellowship Groups

6 pm.

Derek Hodgson, Ken Snow & Miles

Wallis Birthdays

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31

September 2021

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

2

3 Wayne Johnson

Birthday

4

5

6

7 L.E.T. 6 pm.

Ryan Ratzlaff

Birthday

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9 Dave Hawthorn

Birthday

10

11

12 News articles Due

Fellowship Groups

6 pm.

13

14

15

16

17 Tony & Sally Wonsetler

Anniversary

18

19 Andrew Henderson &

Corey Goering Birthdays

20 Ric Ratzlaff

Birthday

21

22 Kydon Schoeder &

Ethan Wallis Birthdays

23

24 Macey Gay & Lance

Martens Birthdays

25

26 Communion

Fellowship Groups

6 pm.

27 Jerry Ingrim

Birthday

28

29

30 Doug Peterson

Birthday

Kansas State Fair Booth

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Kansas State Fair Booth