For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of
our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
(Hebrews 4:15)
Almost Persuaded
It is a classic country western song title about infidelity, but could also be the title for Acts 26:28 NKJ. “Then (King) Agrippa said to Paul, ‘You almost persuade me to become a Christian.’”
Let’s face it, if Paul can’t persuade you I don’t believe there is a human who can. It is that pesky self-will that so often gets in the way of people deciding to follow Jesus. Thankfully we also have the Holy Spirit to guide and direct us.
So how did Paul answer? “And Paul said, ‘I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains.’”
What exactly would it be like to be almost and altogether like Paul? To encounter Jesus not once but twice on such a personal level (Acts 9 & 23:11). To preach through the night and bring back to life the young man who fell from the window. To stand before great assemblies and speak of Jesus. To be beaten and placed in jail for your profession of faith. To be ship wrecked and nearly stoned.
I say, “I would to God that not only you, but all who read this, might become both almost and altogether like Jesus.”
Pastor Jann
The search for the purpose of life has puzzled people for thousands of years. That’s because we typically begin at the wrong starting point – ourselves. We ask selfcentered questions like, What do I want to be?…But focusing on ourselves will never reveal our life’s purpose.
July Birthdays
Chris Allen – July 5
Josh Larson – July 11
Amanda Allen – July 15
Austin Beach – July 21
Upcoming Events
Movie Night for Youth – July 3
Camp Crossfire (Elementary)- July 30
Camp Crossfire (Youth) – Aug. 6
Thank You Note
The following is a thank you note from the rock group “shine like stars” who so graciously performed for us at Westfield. We had a great turnout for their performance.
Dear Kenton:
I will not lie to you. Grinnell was our favorite stop on our entire tour. It all started with the 3 awesome hotel rooms. Jacuzzi tubs and an indoor pool? Amazing. I had warned the guys this could be a very very small gig. When we arrived, all the guys agreed it would be tiny. How 55 people showed up is a small miracle. We also had a great meal with your Church. When we got to lead you all it was a pleasure for us. I specifically remember your church’s exuberance on “Blessed Be Your Name” and it never waned after that. Sitting on the swings and talking to some kids while my wife spun around the merry go round screaming at the top of her lungs, I saw the sun disappear under the trees. This is what touring as a worship band is supposed to feel like. We have led worship in 10 states and this is still one of my favorite gigs of all time. Thanks again for all you do. I will continue to pray for your church and would appreciate your continued prayers for shine like stars.
Thanks again,
Dale Huntington
shine like stars
Women’s Leadership – A Wesleyan Core Term
Paul concludes the epistle to the Romans by greeting key individuals who worked with him. Chapter 16 provides the strongest evidence we have of his conviction that the Holy Spirit gifts both women and men for all areas of ministry. Paul’s actual ministry showed openness to women. He recognized a woman deacon, women coworkers, and a woman who was “prominent among the apostles” (v. 7). Paul was straightforward in his positive acknowledgments. He did not place women in lower positions than men. Paul’s practice of inclusion, as recorded in Rom. 16, documents that Gal 3:28 – “there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus” – referred to more than spiritual equality. John Wesley also recognized women’s gifts, and women were able to exercise leadership in the early Methodist movement. In their affirmations of women in ministry, Wesleyans incorporated as precedents the ten women Paul mentions in ch. 16.
Youth Group
Youth group may be on summer break, but there are still opportunities for fellowship! Don’t miss Movie night at Westfield. We’ll have a movie and pizza at Westfield beginning at 6:30 P.M. Camp Crossfire is right over the horizon beginning with the elementary group (K-5th) on July 30th through August 1st, and concluding with the middle-high school group (6th – 12th) on August 6th through 8th. Our regular Wednesday youth group begins September 1st. Have a super summer!
Camp Crossfire
There’s still time to sign up for camp. Cost is $15.00, $20.00 if you want a ball cap. Ask Mom and Dad. We hope to see you there! We had wonderful results from our car wash at Theisen’s. Donations totaled $364 – that will go a long way toward camp expense. Congratulations to the kids who worked so hard on the cars – you really showed you could work together as a team. Does this mean Kenton and Mike will be hairless for camp? Hmmm….. we’ll see.
Roof
A wonderful blessing came from our insurance company recently. They determined our spring hail storm this year had damaged the roof. While the insurance check will go a long way to install the new steel roof, we are still shy of the estimated $11,000 needed. We have received donations for which we give thanks. We thank God for all the help that we receive. Any donations are tax deductible.
Church News
We finally have electricity at the Ewart Mission! We are scheduling preparations for the mission Sunday afternoons at 4:30 beginning July 11th. Unfortunately, the progress we had made toward mildew removal was lost because we didn’t have a dehumidifier working during the wet weather. That is an issue that needs to be dealt with.
Dan Stiles dropped by Iowa the weekend of the 27th and met with several members at the Dairy Barn for ice cream. He stopped by the Ewart Mission on his way to Oskaloosa and was quite taken with it. We had an impromptu session singing praises while Peggy tried out the electric piano. It was a very pleasant afternoon – one we’d like to repeat. If you would like a key to the mission, please let us know. Once the building is ready, we’d like your input on its use.
Bible Trivia
Who was the woman who served as a judge in pre-monarchy Israel?
Bible Trivia answer: Deborah, a prophet. (Judges 4:4-5)