July/August                        

   PROVIDENCE CHURCH CHAT

JULY/AUGUST Newsletter-2008

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A Camping Event for the  Whole Family

Come enjoy the beauty of the outdoors and the fun of camping without ever leaving the church property! You are invited to come to Providence on Friday, July 18 and Saturday, July 19, 2008  for a camping event for the whole congregation. We’ll begin the event at 6:00 PM Friday evening with a cookout meal, followed by games and activities for all ages, and an evening campfire (you can come to set up your tent or RV as early as 4:00 PM). On Saturday, we’ll begin the day with breakfast, followed by more games and activities to go throughout the morning. We’ll end the camping event with a 12:00 noon lunch and the striking of the camp (you can expect to be home by mid-afternoon).

We’ll provide plenty of opportunity to join in activities and games, but if sitting by the fire is more your idea of camping, that’s fine too. Come expecting to have time for fun and fellowship with other members of the Providence family. Come ready to enjoy good food provided by Providence. Come for the time for devotions and worship in the out-of-doors. Come to get away from it all (without using a full tank of gas)! Come for any number for the great reasons that I haven’t even mentioned here—just come!

                                                       Mike Hughes

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       St. Paul’s Community Dinner   Sun., Aug. 3^rd

 Every Year Providence provides and serves a meal for the homeless at St. Paul’s community Center. 

You can be a part of this rewarding experience by either:

ü  donating food (donations needed by Wed. July 31^st),

ü  preparing the food (on Sat. am on August 2^nd) or

ü  serving the food (Sunday from about 12:30-2:00 pm).

There will be a sign-up sheet in the narthex soon. Please sign-up where you would like to volunteer. You may also call the church office, 419-865-4548.

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 A NIGHT AT

THE MUD HENS

When:      Friday, August 8^th

Time:       7:00 pm

Tickets:   $9.00 each

(advanced payment is appreciated)

The Toledo Mud Hens will take on the Norfolk Tides.

Providence reserved 40 seats.

Last day to sign-up is July 28^th.

Fantastic fireworks following the game.

Bring the entire family

and some friends too

Call John Malpert with questions at 419-878-2897.

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Stewardship Corner:

The grace of giving of your time, talent and possessions

In Thanks to God

When I was a little girl many, many years ago…. My mom gave me 15 cents every Sunday morning. The nickel went into the Sunday School offering plate and the dime was for the church plate. One Sunday I asked her for 3 nickels instead of the usual nickel and dime. She wanted to know why. I explained that I wanted one nickel for Sunday School, and one for church and one for me. (Back in the 50’s candy bars only cost 5 cents.)

Mom didn’t say no; she didn’t scold, she just handed me the 3 nickels and said, “you know, the money we give to church isn’t just money we’re giving… it’s what were giving BACK to God for all He’s given us. I guess you must feel that God hasn’t been good to you this week.”

Regretfully, I still took that nickel. But mom’s lesson on stewardship did take root. It just took a few years to flower!

So when we put our offering in Providence’s church plate to financially support this church home and it’s work; when we donate our time to pull weeds or fix a funeral dish, when we use our talents to teach Sunday School or sing in the choir, we are thanking God for all that He has done for us.

As my mom said so long ago… we’re not just giving… we are giving back. That’s true Stewardship.

Sandy Rosene

Stewardship Chairperson

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A BERRY BIG THANK YOU to all those involved in this year’s STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL!!! It’s always fun when we can work together to represent our church and help spread the word of God. It’s our mission, ya know. Even if we touched only one person, our time was well spent.

So a big Strawberry thanks to those who staffed the table:

John & Marilyn Bonam

Ev & Lana Harris

Harv & Nan Schroeder

Helen Wakefield

Lee Griesinger

Jan Evearett

Velda & Britteny Rolfes

Judy Bashforth

Melinda Stambaugh

Wayne Walbolt

Linda Palicki

           Also, thanks to Willie Geiser for donating the Hummer for the parade, to Rollie Denker for driving the Hummer and to Becky Helle for designing our Providence banners. Also, thanks to Sonja Whitehead, Lori Geer and the Anniversary Committee for letting us use the beautiful 50^th anniversary poster.

Now, if you missed out on the opportunities this year, have no fear, we will be back next year!

                       Gaylene Austin

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“Suitably Attired”

needs YOUR help

As most of you know, we support Love Inc, a non-profit organization that helps people in the area for their  different needs. One of their ministries is to support Suitably Attired, a professional clothing closet that provides interview and work attire to low income women seeking employment. Providence provides a location as a drop off place. We accept Suit Jackets, Coats, Pants, Panty Hose, Jewelry, Purses, Sweaters, Shells, Blouses, Shopping Bags, Shampoos, Deodorant, Toothpaste, Breath Mints, Floss, Lotions.  These donations are a tax write-off, so be sure to ask for a letter before you leave. Call the church office, 419-865-4548 with further questions.

WHAT HAPPENS

WHEN PEOPLE PRAY?

From Providence Prayer Ministry by Marilyn Krichbaum

     Have  you had answers to your prayers?  Has it happened right away or has it taken some time.  Often God has answered our Prayers in a way we didn't expect so we don't count it as answered  prayer but God always answers one way or another.

     Saturday evening a friend of mine called to ask how I was doing since my stroke.  Her son is married to my youngest step-daughter.  Soon we were talking about our "kids and grandkids and great grandkids". We are both concerned about our newest great granddaughter, Alaina, who was born with many birth defects 3 weeks ago and will need brain surgery in the next month or so. (Please pray for God's will for her).  The defects were from her Mama taking birth control shots.  We talked about our prayers for her and lack of rain in Texas.  She said her garden didn't look good.  Her pea leaves are turning yellow and there aren’t many pea pods.  She asked God to please send rain on the crops especially her garden.  As she was shucking the few peas she had picked,  it thundered and the rain began.  She said she just sat there and thanked God.  We don't always get our prayers answered so soon but God always answers in His time, not ours.

PRAYER CHAINS:    The number of Prayer Requests has increased recently.  We are now at 87 this year .  If prayer means a lot to you, why not call me at 419-865-5058 or Stacie at 429-865-4548.  The e-mail chain is our largest chain.  All you have to do  is pray when you get the e-mail.  Stacie gets the requests, hits a key and it goes out to 16-17 men and women.  What could be an easier way to help others?

PRAYER SHAWLS:  We go in spurts when we get Requests for Prayer Shawls.  We'll have weeks when I get 4-5 ready then go for weeks with no requests.  My stash of Shawls got pretty low and then the "Prayer Shawl Ladies" brought me more, Thank You Ladies.  We get many Thank Yous.  Here are 3 of our latest "Thank You's".  "Thank you so much for all the prayers you have said for me.  This has been a long struggle.  I still have a way to go, but with God's help and through your prayers, I will make it."  "Thank you all for the wonderful Outreach Ministry you do.  God's Blessings to each of you".  "How can I ever thank you for the beautiful Prayer Shawls for me and my husband.  We do feel the love, prayers and support that we are receiving from all around the world.  This has helped us through the shock of our son's sudden death.  God Bless all of you for your lovely gift.

WARRIORS:  Our Warriors will meet on July 1, 2008 either at Carolyn Goforth's home if she is up to it or in the Church Library/Prayer Room at 12:30 p.m.  Our group has become smaller due to health problems of our Warriors , please pray for them.  We have people out of town who are also still Warriors and that helps to keep us going. We welcome anyone interested in being a part of this program.

THERE ARE NO FORECLOSURES IN HEAVEN,

GOD PAID THE BILL FOR ALL OF US.

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       PSALM THOUGHTS

                       By Wayne Walbolt

SING A SONG OF PRAISE

“Be joyful and sing as you come in to worship the Lord!                                                                                 Psalm 100:2 CEV

“Tell everyone on this earth to sing happy songs in praise of the Lord.”                                                      Psalm 98:4 CEV

The Psalms were written to be sung as the people of God went merrily along their journey through life, praising God.

“Let the WORD of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord!”                             Colossians 3:16, KJV

Paul and Silas were beaten and chained in the dark prison cell, yet they were able to sing hymns of praise to God Almighty. An earthquake shook the prison. They were released from their chains and the doors were opened. The prison guard supposing they had escaped, was about to kill himself; Paul spoke out, “Do not harm yourself, we are all here!”

What must I do to be saved?”   “Believe and be baptized!”

The guard and his family were baptized.

“Where two or three are gathered in My name,

there I am also.”

Whenever we meet together, we are to sing Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs as we praise the Lord with all our hearts. Then our minds will be at peace and our souls will be secure in His loving, embracing arms.

Glory be, Alleluia, Amen!!

PRAYER: As we lift our voices in songs of praise with our brothers and sisters in the family of God we pray not only peace here in our midst, but for peace throughout the world. We have seen what the prayers of both Paul and Silas accomplished. Perhaps our prayers will release those that are bound by the chains of sin. Amen.

*If we have accidentally missed your birthday

or anniversary please call the church office so we

can make the update!

We’ve Got Mail….

Dear Pastor King,

We saw your flier concerning your church and information regarding the different activities.

You sure cover a lot of areas. It is so nice to see all of the different areas of ministry.

We liked your mission statement also. We do attend church regularly and know Jesus as our personal Savior. I enjoy talking about the Lord and like to tell people it is a blessing to know Him. He has been so faithful to us over the years and we thank and praise Him for that. Blessings to you. Keep telling people about Jesus.

                                    Neighbors in Christ

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Dear Pastor King and the congregation,

Thanks for the most welcome gratuity and expense check.

You are most gracious to send me a generous gratuity – I was only expecting expenses.

It really was a wonderful experience – one filled with all kinds of amenities and memories to be with you folks.

God bless you in faithful and good service to the parish and the community.

My name on the Marquee was terrific too!!

Pastor Kobs

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To my PLC Friends,

Thank you so much for all the prayers for my great-granddaughter Alaina Wood who was operated on and is only 3 months old. She is now home doing fine.

                                                Leona Adams and family

MY  BEAUTIFUL  AMERICA

We have been to New England in the fall, to Alaska, down in the Deep South, and out in the lands that Lewis and Clark explored for President Thomas Jefferson. Each of these regions has their own unique areas of great beauty to admire.

In New England, the states: New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine, are spectacular when the leaves reveal their vivid fall foliage. The rolling hills, mountains, lakes, ponds, and streams add to the illustrious beauty that unfolds before your eyes as you travel and visit historical and worthwhile venues.

Alaska is mountainous, with huge fir trees pointing to the heavens, large ice glaciers that are centuries old add to the scene, and the coastal towns are quaint with remnants of the “gold rush days” late in the 19^th Century. The pristine scenery and the variety of wildlife can overwhelm you, especially when you see hundreds of Bald Eagles, our nation’s symbol.

“The Deep South”: Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia, are great southern states with lots of historical sites, beautiful southern plantations with colossal mansions, and landscapes that can only be found throughout the south. The rivers were the early highways and cities sprung up to support the commerce along their banks: St. Louis, New Orleans and Memphis along the Mississippi River have remarkable histories of years gone by.

Then we have the vast western United States. This region of America has its plains, mountains, valleys, streams, and abundant wildlife that are almost the closest thing that a person might call heavenly. The Beauty of this region has to be seen to sincerely appreciate it. I’m sure the reports sent back to President Jefferson from Lewis and Clark could not fully explain everything they observed or experienced. Now we know why these songs and their lyrics, “America the Beautiful,” “God Bless America,” and “Home on the Range,” best describe what we have experienced.

Yes, I am very proud to report I love my beautiful country, its dedicated patriotic citizens, the many national historical sites preserved, the mountains, hills, valleys, streams, lakes, trees, wild flowers, wildlife roaming free, and changes  of the seasons. God has truly blessed my country with beautiful things and it is up to Americans to protect what He has wrought.

By: Nelson “Bump” Bell