367 Walnut Street Howard, PA 16841

Worship Service 9:00 a.m. Sunday School 10:15 a.m. Scott Brand, Minister Charles Salmon, Minister to Senior Adults

Phone: (814) 625-2764

www.howardchristianchurch.org

October 2011

scott@howardchristianchurch.org

chuck@howardchristianchurch.org

Recently I jokingly commented to a sister in our congregation, that “Howard Christian Church got jipped (short changed)

when it brought the Brands here to minister.” After all, when we moved here my father was terminally ill, my parents had

moved here with us, and just a few months after our arrival, my dad lost his battle with cancer. Looking back, it seems we

hardly had time to grieve his passing before Scott was diagnosed with recurrent cancer in March. Now, as I write this, we

find ourselves in Indiana University Hospital, 10 hours from home, separated from our children, in limbo between

stable- critical-stable condition, with no real “plan” in place of what they will do next, or how long we will be here. From

my stand point it seemed “Howard Christian Church got jipped.” The response I received from that dear sister, however,

was that Howard was blessed to have us…that you all love us…that we will get through this together… and that she never

wanted to hear such nonsense from me again. I laughed and said “Yes ma’am” (because I’m a good Southern girl that

way).

I love the verse from Jeremiah 29:11 where the Lord himself declares that HE is in control and wants only what is best for

HIS people. “For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to

give you hope and a future.” I thought back on the events that brought us to Howard Christian Church, and how we felt

God’s hand in every aspect of the transition. The part WE had wrong, however, was that we looked at it as God was

sending us to Howard Christian Church to minister, when in hindsight, God was sending us to Howard Christian Church to

be ministered to.

You, our beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, have ministered to us since day one when we were met at the door of our

home out at Ethel’s place with crock pots of food, strong backs, and the excitement of welcoming us into the flock. You

again were there during my dad’s illness, and his passing, with hugs, cards, love, but most of all with the “time” I needed to

mourn. I never felt pressure to be anything other than what I was, or to put on a happy face when I wasn’t happy. You

loved me in my worst time of need, without expectation. Having been in the ministry for many years, that is more

important than you will ever know. And now, once again, you have not disappointed, as you‘ve rallied around us during

Scott’s illness with meals, cards, gifts, rides, etc. Even now, as we are separated from our kids, you are taking them out to

dinner, bringing them meals, calling to be sure they are okay, hugging them in the hallways at school, and much more…You

are ministering to us, and we will forever be grateful for how God is using the willing hands and feet of our brothers and

sisters at Howard Christian Church in His plan of prosperity, hope, and a future for our family.

Let me say dear family, that Scott and I, and our four daughters are so thankful that God chose to send us to Howard, and

we look forward to the day that we will be able to charge those front lines with you, as we search and seek to save the lost

in our area and beyond. We love you!

Gratefully His~

Nicole

October Birthdays

1 Art Workman 3 Shirley DeArment 3 Liam Halterman 5 Hunter Bowser 6 Carolyn Hollar 8 Gloria Horner 9 Betsy Gettig 9 Mark Smith 11 Joseph Gates 16 Kathy Rockey 17 Jason Neidig 18 Virginia Lucas 19 Amber Henry 19 Phil Ponish 20 Jadan Wertz 23 Carla Daughenbaugh 23 Justin Giedroc 24 Angela Bryan 24 Darla McCauley 24 Zoey Tressler 25 Joshua Young 26 Barb (Tom) Snyder 27 Bonna Frazier 29 Nicole Brand 31 Shelley Henry

October Anniversaries

8 Tom & June Gatten 9 Steve & Carrie Thompson 11 Keith & Kathy Rogers 12 Jason & Jodi Neidig 15 Jeff & Sandra Hunt 21 Jerry & Pat Stover 22 Rich & Barby Singer

Please call the church office with any additions or corrections.

ATTENDANCE & OFFERING

Worship S.S. Offering Sept. 4 143 72 $4,571.00 Sept. 11 - Sunday in the Park Sept. 18 148 67 $4,878.00 Sept. 25 151 86 $3,294.00

2011 Avg. 148 82 N/A (Weekly Need $4,481.00)

Welcome to the Family!

Brittany (Brownson) Smith - Baptized Sept. 18

Steve Thompson - Baptized Sept. 18

Healthy Hearts Weight Loss Support Group will

resume Tuesday, October 4 at 7:00 p.m. Anyone

desiring to lose weight is welcome to attend. Please

contact Phyllis or Heather Heiss for more information.

at

Sylvan Hills Christian Service Camp

October 8, 15 & 29

Beginning at 8:00 a.m.

Please call 814-355-5652 or email Chris at

millerchris86@gmail.com if you plan on coming to help.

Lunch is provided!!

Prayer List

Immediate Requests Larry Broadbent- heart issues Charlene Cella- kidney removal, cancer Judy Davidson- intestinal problems Family of Austin Stitzer A friend- alcoholism/addiction Betty Gustafson- back surgery Ralph Hilliard- lung cancer Patti Jo Horner- surgery recovery Kelsey Lyons- surgery recovery Jen Nadolsky- family struggles Denise Noel- family issues Jeff Rockey- recovery from surgery Benjamin Richner- cancer Maxine Richner- back surgery 10/7 Christen Rogers- health Alyssa Sabo- liver transplant recovery Linda Swisher- cancer Willard Truckenmiller- stroke Tom Wiser- open heart surgery Dwayne Woods- pneumonia

Ongoing Requests Karen Aber- cancer Emma Andrews- health/pain issues Tommy Bechdel- chemo/lung cancer Scott Brand- cancer/surg. recovery Melissa Comly- cancer/surg. recovery Scott Corman- surgery recovery Ida Dyke- cancer Clair Falls- failing health Walt Giedroc- health concerns Mildred Greninger- health Harold Heverly- health Ian Ingram- chemo treatments Dick McKeague- cancer Sarah Sloan- Crohn’s disease Todd Ramsey- health concerns Timothy Stauffer- MS Bob Thompson- health Jamie VanOrden- breast cancer Alexis Womer- health concerns Alissa Womer- health concerns

Praise God For Jesus- Our Savior Brittany Smith- baptism Steve Thompson- baptism Our Church Family Our Teachers & Missionaries Please direct Prayer Chain calls to Barb Snyder at 625-2907. To add someone to the Prayer List contact Sue at the church at 625-2764.

Serving in the Military Clay Ammerman Ty Ammerman James Bienvenu Jeff Bird Brandon Brooks Gary Clark George Cline Caleb Clouse David Corle-Iraq Jason Etters John Daughenbaugh Amanda Fishburn Tyler Fishburn Andy Frantz Jake Gates-Afghan. Angie Gilbert Adam Homan-Afghan. Stacy Jones Jake Kerschner-Qatar Nathan Kistner Matthew Leher Brandon Maynard Mike McGuiness Michael Metz Joe Miller Duke Muthler James Perry Andy Phoenix-Korea Kyle Robison-Afghan. Chris Showers Kevin Smith-Iraq Jeremy Stover-Afghan. Michael Stover-Kuwait Logan Thompson Shane Waite Mac Walker

BLACKIE’S CALL

When our children were growing up we often had pets at our house. They

helped the children learn responsibility as they cared for the pets. They

provided something on which the children could focus some of their

affection, frustration, and joy. They were playmates always available and

willing. Unfortunately, they occasionally provided an opportunity to learn

about suffering, death, and loss.

Most of our pets were dogs and I remember a particular scruffy mongrel the

boys named "Blackie" because he was as black as an eight ball. Blackie had

an attitude. He simply didn’t see any virtue in obedience. If you told him to

lie down, he was sure to stand. A command to "fetch" meant "grab and run"

to Blackie. If you called him to come he would invariably go. It was this

last habit that brought about an untimely demise.

I called him to come and he went. I yelled, "Here, Blackie." He opted

otherwise. Looking back at me, he ran into the road and was killed by a

gravel truck. My children were heartbroken, of course. However, I took

advantage of the opportunity to point out that if Blackie had learned to

obey, he would still be alive. You wouldn’t expect me to pass up a chance

like that, would you?

Are you aware God has called you out of the world and into His service?

Romans 1:6 says, "And you also are among those who are called to belong

to Jesus Christ." (New International Version.) God has called all of us. He

calls through His Word, though His Church, and through the urging of His

Spirit in your heart. God wants you to come to Him and surrender your life

in His service.

God’s call is a call to life and blessedness. He wants to grant us forgiveness

for our sins, strength for life’s trials, and fellowship with His people. Most

of all, He is calling us to victory over death and an eternal home in glory.

He calls to a life of loyalty. We do not have the luxury of choosing to serve

Him for a while then serve self. Haven’t you ever noticed the Christians

who are happiest with the Lord are those who have been faithful a long

time? That’s because Christian contentment comes with growth and growth

is a process that takes time. You can’t fully know the blessedness of God’s

service until you stick in there through thick and thin.

God’s call is a call to obedience. To disregard God’s call will lead

eventually to disaster. Obedience to God’s call leads to blessedness.

May God bless you richly!

Bro. Chuck

Nonprofit Org.

U.S. Postage

PAID Howard PA

Permit No. 13

Howard Christian Church P.O. Box 465

Howard, PA 16841

Return Service

Requested

October 12 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. GAMES

BOUNCE HOUSE COTTON CANDY

PRIZES FUN! FUN!! FUN!!!

Parents please accompany all children under 8 years of age

Everything is Free!!

Come Join the Fun!!