Softball Practice Cancelled

Tonight's Softball Practice is cancelled. Next week practice will be held on Monday and Tuesday on the far field at Wolf Creek YMCA at 6:30 pm until 8 pm. Our first game is scheduled two weeks from Monday.

Announcements from May 11 Bulletin

CTW Membership Class
A new membership class is set to begin in June. The class will meet during the Sunday school hour on three consecutive mornings, June 1, 8, 15. If you are interested in becoming a member please fill out the connections card as such or contact Andrew Dionne.

May 25: Morning Service with Exchange of Marriage Vows
On May 25 our morning service will include the wedding ceremony of Craig Twining and Martha Harmon. Craig and Martha would like to invite everyone in attendance to a reception in the fellowship hall immediately following the service. In order to accommodate additional guests and family members for the wedding ceremony members of Christ the Word who are able and willing are encouraged to park at the Fretti Funeral Home parking lot. Also, there will be no children’s church that morning.

Pinewood Derby Car Payments
If you were unable to pay for you pinewood car on the day of the race, please give your payment to Andrew Dionne. The cost per car was $3.25.

LWY Creation Museum Trip
The Living Word Youth are going back in time this Saturday, May 17th. Those who are attending need to meet at the Clark residence (5430 Waterville-Monclova Road) at 5:30 am for a prompt 6:00 am departure. Remember to bring your packed lunches labeled with your name. We should arrive back at the Clark’s home around 9:30 p.m. for pick up.

Women’s TULIP Study
Women, if you are interested in attending the TULIP (Divine Sovereignty in Salvation) study this summer, please sign up on the sheet in the foyer. For more information, see the Summer of Calvin insert in the bulletin, or speak with Sarah Dionne.

Iron 2 Iron Reading Group
This Sunday and next Sunday, May 11 and May 18th, will be your opportunity to order your books if you are considering joining the women’s reading circle this summer. Please see Wendy Foulke at the table in the narthex for more information and to sign up.

Upcoming LWY Parent Meeting
All parents of current or 2008 incoming youth are encouraged to attend the LWY parent meeting on Thursday, May 29 at 7:00pm at the Foulke Home, 14060 Eckel Junction Rd, Perrysburg, OH 43551. We will be discussing the current transition within the youth group, introducing new leaders, and upcoming events.

Backyard Bible Club Supplies Needed
There is a need for 30 empty egg cartons to be collected for one of the craft projects this year. If you could kindly bring any empty egg cartons and place them in a provided box in the narthex over the next couple of weeks this would be a great help. If you have questions please contact Erica Scharer.

Personal Ministry Training Opportunity
The Biblical Counseling Ministry invites you to attend either a breakfast or luncheon session to receive training and resources which will help you to care for people by using the Bible to address issues of the heart. This is for pastors, Christian workers, youth workers, elders, small group leaders, students—all who desire to care for people biblically. Date: Tuesday, May 20, 2008. Time: (You may choose one of two times) 1. 7:30 – 9:00 a.m. or 2. Noon – 1:30 p.m. Cost: $10 (includes continental breakfast or box lunch, and training notes). You may register by calling the number or emailing the address given above no later than Thursday, May 15. paulwalberg@biblicalcounselingministry.org, 419.537.8001.

Prophets, Priests, and Kings: Reformed Theology from the Old Testament
Ever wonder where the Apostle Paul learned his theology? Or, what in the world is Leviticus about anyway? And how could that book possibly speak to my life? If you’ve ever asked yourself these questions, then beginning May 18 join Tom Wesenberg and Tim Varner as they teach through a Sunday School course designed to explore questions such as these. Each week Tom and Tim will lead discussion on a Bible passage from the Old Testament which shows that the theology of the New Testament is nothing new. Please make plans to join them.

Save the Date: Annual Father/Son Canoe Trip
We will be camping at the rustic Hartwick Pines State Park & canoeing along the AuSable River. August 8-10, 2008. More Info coming soon. Questions? Talk with Tyson Turner (419-490-6864).

CTW Family Camp Outing: June 26-29
Our 2nd Annual family camping trip is scheduled Thursday, June 26th – Sunday, June 29th. We will be camping at East Harbor State Park (same location as last year). The cost per family is $20 a night and covers the campsite cost only. Families should bring their own food and supplies. Families can choose to stay as many as three nights or as few as one, or if you are unable to stay the night please feel free to come up and spend a day in fellowship. CTW will hold worship services at both the state park and at our normal location in Toledo. You can begin SIGNING-UP NOW on the CTW Website Events page by clicking the “Sign Up For Events” link near the top of the page. You will likely have to add your name and create a password, but this will enable you to sign-up for future events using this same information.

Summer Children’s Church Volunteers Needed
Volunteers are needed to help with children’s church this summer. Please see Lynnette Killy. 419.868.9889 or lynnettek@sbcglobal.net. Thank you.

Deacon of the Day
This Sunday’s “Deacon of the Day” is Matt French. Next week: Kevin Simpson.

Summer of Calvin Announcement

May 11 Worship Service

Missionary Update: Wegeners in Zambia

Vine and Branches
Volume 8, Issue 2
April 2008
“I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

SINCE WE LAST WROTE

David (Theological College of Central Africa) …

• learned to adjust to continuing power cuts. Improvement may come in early 2009.
• completed his first term as TCCA’s academic dean (see below).
• watched with sadness and prayers as Zimbabwe, our neighbor to the south, descended into even greater chaos.
• pulled some near all-nighters as he typed up notes for his class on Old Testament Wisdom Literature.
• got malaria for the first time and memorized verses from the book of Revelation.

Terri (Wife, mother, homemaker) …
• hosted several missionary gatherings at our home, including monthly meetings of the Ndola Missionary group.
• continued to walk or bike nearly every morning with a friend named Sue.
• began praying every Thursday morning with Luella, an older friend from South Africa.
• prepared to celebrate her 25th wedding anniversary on 7 May.

Lizzie (Senior, Bloomington South High School) …
• brought back a hammock from her spring break trip to Mexico with the Bayly family.
• started tutoring two girls (a 7th and a 9th grader), mainly in math.
• anticipated her HS graduation in May.
• spoke briefly at a Missions Conference in Medina, Ohio at Harvest Presbyterian Church.

Mary (Sophomore, Simba International School) …
• was saddened when her good friend moved from down the street to the other side of town.
• played in a country-wide volleyball tournament in Lusaka with her school team. They lost in the semis.
• struggled with math and science classes.

John (Grade 8, Simba International School) …
• said good-bye to the rainy season in Ndola. We received nearly a record-breaking amount of rain. Cause: La Nina? With April begins our Fall. Blue skies, puffy white clouds, “cooler” temperatures.
• still comes home and gives dad a report about the goals he scored that day during break.
• watched as a huge swarm of thousands of bees settled into one of our neighbor’s trees.
• has started shooting baskets outside after school. It’s about time the Hoosier comes out in him.

Sarah (Grade 6, Simba International School) …
• was awarded the part of Helen of Troy in her class play to take place in May. Sarah is very excited.
• pretended (with Mary) she was eating Chinese take-out up on our roof. Our dogs looked at them very strangely.
• had to deal with boils breaking out on her legs, one right after the other. Unsure of the cause. It’s not diabetes.

Please PRAY for the Wegeners, serving in Zambia with Mission to the World:

1. For David's father. His health has deteriorated quite a bit lately and has been in and out of hospital and a nursing home.
2. For our children's spiritual development, especially in the context of the (non-Christian) school they attend.
3. For endurance and joy as we encounter obstacles and afflictions and our own sin.

Patriarchy, Discernment and Jail

One of the joys we get to experience here in Zambia is hosting short-term missionaries in our home. We’ve had a number live with us, and deep and lasting friend-ships have been formed.

Sometimes the encounters are more brief. The pastor of our church in Zambia, Kabwe Kabwe, recently started a small school to train ministers here in our area (the Copperbelt Ministerial College). Pastors from the States come for a week and teach the men short, intensive courses, on topics like Introduction to Preaching, Ephesians, the Theology of the Reformation, and Pastoral Theology.

Two men came this past week; we’ll call them Paul and Simon, from Kentucky and Michigan. We had them over to our home for dinner at the beginning of their teaching time and just before they left to return to America. Let me relate a few things we discussed.

Paul mentioned that he was teaching on the book of Ephesians and asked for any tips to help with that. We talked a bit about marriage in Zambia (see chapter five of Ephesians). I mentioned how Zambia was a patriarchal society but that it was not a patriarchy under the discipline of Scripture. Lots of problems come up as a result. Believers and Christian leaders are trying to address the situation but it is not easy.

Then Simon made an interesting observation. He asked if incest was a problem here. We said, yes, it was a real problem and asked why he thought that. He said he was watching the young girls walk home from school down the road past our church property. And he was pretty sure by looking at some of their faces what they had experienced; the light was gone from their eyes and he had seen the same “look” in his pastoral ministry in America as he counseled women and girls who had gone through the same thing.

Please pray for TCCA, that we could train pastors who would convey the healing that only Christ can give. Pray especially for the Rev. Joe Simfukwe, our principal, who teaches the Counseling and Pastoral Theology courses.

Simon also had a different story to tell. He was out for an early morning walk and happened by the large home where the president of Zambia stays when he is in our area. He took a few pictures of the house and was promptly arrested and taken to the local jail. It took the better part of the morning to get sorted out but it showed the kindness of so many Zambian believers, their affection for those who come to teach the gospel and the importance of relationships.

So … What Exactly Does The TCCA Academic Dean Do?

He figures out which courses need to be taught … Lines up lecturers to teach those classes, either from our staff or visiting lecturers from Zambia, the U.S., or Australia, etc. … And if they’re from overseas or out of town, where will they stay? And how will they get around? And what will they eat? … Puts together the class schedule so that students and lecturers aren’t required to be in two places at the same time. Kinda tricky, that … Helps students figure out which classes they need to take … Makes sure that students are on track to graduate when they’re supposed to … Gives and approves independent studies classes to help students fulfill their graduation requirements … Oversees the evaluations that students give of our lecturers and courses … Makes sure we offer some evening courses for community residents to take … Deals with cases of plagiarism or cheating … Disciplines … Extends grace … Gives advice and Dutch uncle talks … Shepherds the students through tough times … And about six other things I forgot.

Announcements from May 4 Bulletin

Sunday Night: Altman Commissioning Service
This summer, Steve Altman will begin working as “stated supply” (he’ll be preaching on a regular basis) at Peace Reformed Church in Napoleon. In anticipation of this, we are sending the Altmans to Napoleon with a commissioning service. Please join us in the SDA fellowship hall tonight at 6:30 for the service.

CTW Membership Class
A new membership class is set to begin in June. The class will meet during the Sunday school hour on three consecutive mornings, June 1, 8, 15. If you are interested in becoming a member please fill out the connections card as such or contact Andrew Dionne.

May 25: Morning Service with Exchange of Marriage Vows
On May 25 our morning service will include the wedding ceremony of Craig Twining and Martha Harmon. Craig and Martha would like to invite everyone in attendance to a reception in the fellowship hall immediately following the service. In order to accommodate additional guests and family members for the wedding ceremony members of Christ the Word who are able and willing are encouraged to park at the Fretti Funeral Home parking lot.

CTW Family Camp Outing: June 26-29
Our 2nd Annual family camping trip is scheduled Thursday, June 26th – Sunday, June 29th. We will be camping at East Harbor State Park (same location as last year). The cost per family is $20 a night and covers the campsite cost only. Families should bring their own food and supplies. Families can choose to stay as many as three nights or as few as one, or if you are unable to stay the night please feel free to come up and spend a day in fellowship. CTW will hold worship services at both the state park and at our normal location in Toledo. You can begin SIGNING-UP NOW on the CTW Website Events page by clicking the “Sign Up For Events” link near the top of the page. You will likely have to add your name and create a password, but this will enable you to sign-up for future events using this same information.

Save the Date: Annual Father/Son Canoe Trip
We will be camping at the rustic Hartwick Pines State Park & canoeing along the AuSable River. August 8-10, 2008. More Info coming soon. Questions? Talk with Tyson Turner (419-490-6864).

Backyard Bible Club Supplies Needed
There is a need for 30 empty egg cartons to be collected for one of the craft projects this year. If you could kindly bring any empty egg cartons and place them in a provided box in the narthex over the next couple of weeks this would be a great help. If you have questions please contact Erica Scharer.

Wanted: Twinkies!
If you are able to purchase some of the snack ingredients for this summer’s Back Yard Bible Clubs, please find Sarah Dionne today, who again hopes to be stationed in the lobby with her clipboard. Her list is a lot smaller than last week (thanks to all who volunteered!), but she still needs people who are willing to purchase the remaining items. So if you are able to buy some Twinkies, or any of the other ingredients, please see her after church.

Summer Children’s Church Volunteers Needed
Volunteers are needed to help with children’s church this summer. Please see Lynnette Killy. 419.868.9889 or lynnettek@sbcglobal.net. Thank you.

Deacon of the Day
This Sunday’s “Deacon of the Day” is Steve Altman. Next week: Marc Brunner.

Missionary Update: Taperas in Zimbabwe

Missionary Update: Thorntons in Ukraine

April%202008%20Newsletter.pdf

April 27 Worship Service

04_27_08morning.pdf

Announcements from April 27 Bulletin

Summer Children’s Church Volunteers Needed
Volunteers are needed to help with children’s church this summer. Please see Lynnette Killy. 419.868.9889 or lynnettek@sbcglobal.net. Thank you.

Next Sunday Evening: Altman Commissioning Service
This summer, Steve Altman will begin working as “stated supply” (he’ll be preaching on a regular basis) at Peace Reformed Church in Napoleon. In anticipation of this, we are sending the Altmans to Napoleon with a commissioning service. Please lift up the Altmans in prayer during this time.

May 25: Morning Service with Exchange of Marriage Vows
On May 25 our morning service will include the wedding ceremony of Craig Twining and Martha Harmon. Craig and Martha would like to invite everyone in attendance to a reception in the fellowship hall immediately following the service.

CTW Family Camp Outing: June 26-29
Our 2nd Annual family camping trip is scheduled Thursday, June 26th – Sunday, June 29th. We will be camping at East Harbor State Park (same location as last year). The cost per family is $20 a night and covers the campsite cost only. Families should bring their own food and supplies. Families can choose to stay as many as three nights or as few as one, or if you are unable to stay the night please feel free to come up and spend a day in fellowship. CTW will hold worship services at both the state park and at our normal location in Toledo. You can begin SIGNING-UP NOW on the CTW Website Events page by clicking the “Sign Up For Events” link near the top of the page. You will likely have to add your name and create a password, but this will enable you to sign-up for future events using this same information.

May 3: Bridal Shower For Martha Harmon
The ladies of Christ the Word are invited to a Bridal Shower honoring Martha Harmon who will wed Craig Twining May 25. The Shower will be held May 3 at 10am at the Forney residence (8825 W. Bancroft Street). Martha and Craig are registered at Target and JCPenney. Any questions or to RSVP (not necessary but helpful) should be directed to Lisa Twining or Michelle Holder.

Save the Date: Annual Father/Son Canoe Trip
We will be camping at the rustic Hartwick Pines State Park & canoeing along the AuSable River. August 8-10, 2008. More Info coming soon. Questions? Talk with Tyson Turner (419-490-6864).

Wanted: Shoppers!
If you are able to purchase some of the snack ingredients for this summer’s Back Yard Bible Clubs, please find Sarah Dionne today, who hopes to be stationed in the lobby with her clipboard. She will have a list of specific food items that need to be collected soon. Thank you!

CTW Coed Softball Team Sign-up
Spring is here and that means it’s time for CTW to put together the 2008 Coed softball team. The team will compete in the WPOS softball league with games played at WPOS Christian Center located on Angola Rd in Holland OH. Consider using your softball skills to compete this season and sign-up in the narthex immediately following worship. All but two of the players must be at least 18 years old. If you have any questions or you are not 18 and would like to play please see Coach Mario Dominguez.

Reminder: No Food or Drinks Outside of the Fellowship Hall
In an effort to maintain a clean building the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) has a policy that all food and drinks must be consumed inside the fellowship hall. Please help us ensure everyone is in compliance with this expectation by refraining from eating/drinking anything outside of the fellowship hall and by reminding visitors or others that may not be aware they are doing something against our rental agreement with the SDA. Thank you.

Missionary Need
John & Deb Siegel are planning their furlough and are in need of a reliable car. They expect to be in northwest Ohio by mid-June. Their furlough extends through mid-July, 2009. If anyone knows of an automobile that may be available please contact either Jack McHenney or Scott Killy.

Deacon of the Day
This Sunday’s “Deacon of the Day” is Paul Drees. Next week: Steve Altman.

Missionary Update: Cummings in Mexico

Dear Friends and Family,

Once again we find ourselves sending out a one and a half month newsletter. Sorry! God has been very good to us in providing us with a new home to sufficiently house our growing family, homeschooling and provide for hospitality and ministry needs as well. We are truly enjoying have more space, although we are lacking in furniture! But that will all come in time! The last two weeks have been spent moving into our new home and out of the old one. As a result, we have also had our internet connection down during this time as well.

Tessa and Hannah are adjusting very well to living with us. We have seen great changes in them over the last three weeks, especially in their physical appearance. There were difficult concerns that came up at the doctor’s office as we found out that Tessa had been abused. We also started a treatment on Hannah for parasites, and about a week later started seeing 8 inch long worms coming out in her diaper. To date there have been thirteen that we have seen, which explains why she is so underweight and small for her age.

PLEASE PRAY!!!!!!!! We have had quite a few problems with the mother of the girls recently. Yesterday she arrived at our church during the service with some of her family and the police. She was accusing us of stealing her children and caused quite a scene. She was very aggressive towards the people that confronted her, but God was so good in providing for Susanna to be escorted away to Larry’s office before she could get to her. She was able to remain inside as the police did not have a warrant for her, so they did not enter the building. (Jon was at home with the kids and Susanna was at church playing for the Spanish service.) Our church family responded so lovingly in having some stay with Susanna, some talking to the police and others coming to get me and the paperwork. The policemen were very kind and professional through all of the proceedings, and once we produced the paperwork from the lawyer, they were satisfied of the legality of things. They began to get quite annoyed with the mother as she continued to make accusations of us and was rude to them. It was very difficult for us to hear all of her lies and accusations. Please pray for wisdom in dealing with this situation! Jon is going to meet with the lawyer today and also get a report from the doctor in regards to his medical examination and opinion of the girls. We will not be returning to Santa Ana for a little while to try to take some time to figure this out. It is a dangerous place to begin with, and we cannot chance being there as she is talking/lying to so many about the situation. They have been searching for us everywhere. Please pray for the safety of the girls through all of this! The policemen indicated to the mother that the children could stay with us or go with the government, but based on what has happened, they would never be going back to her.

There is a simple song that our family loves, and it has been on our hearts and we’ve been singing it a lot lately and wanted to share it with you!

GOD IS A GOOD GOD!

HE’S A GREAT GOD!

HE CAN DO ANYTHING BUT FAIL!

HE CAN MOVE SO MANY MOUNTAINS OUT OF OUR WAY!

OH GOD IS A WONDERFUL GOD!

Mexico is wonderful in that there is a two week break from school around Easter. We truly enjoyed having the children home from school, and spending a lot of time together as a new family of seven! Lily and Ian have greatly enjoyed having this time off and it was a good time for them to get used to having new siblings. Each time Ian prays, he thanks God for his new sisters. One of the highlights of the weeks off was going to see Chuy and Amy in the home they are serving in five days of the week on the other side of Lake Chapala. They were able to ride horses, climb rocks, play with dirt, sticks and leaves (Ian’s favorite!). Lily is becoming more and more the artist of the family. She draws about twenty or more pictures a day for various friends and teachers. This past month also saw Elijah taking his first steps, and now he is always roaming the house! He has almost grown into the large Cummings head of his, which has definitely helped with his balance!! And we’re very excited to finally see some hair…which is curly…and red! He is also talking up a storm…although all in Spanish, which is definitely his preferred language.

Susanna has been very busy adjusting to life with five children and packing and unpacking! She has many plans for the new house and is looking forward to having the space to set up for homeschooling. She has also started playing piano again on the worship team and is glad to use her talents again in this way. She was able to lead the women’s English Bible study this past week and share about joy, and also was able to participate in a bi-monthly women’s breakfast last Saturday. We are so thankful for these times of encouragement and sharing to build us up and encourage us in our Savior!

Jon has been busy supervising the construction progress on the second classroom, which you can check out at http://www.eirenemexico.org/blog. We are hoping to have this finished by the beginning of May. There has also been a lot of work this month in trying to finalize groups and interns for this summer and figure out exactly what their projects are going to be. Also, because Kristin will be heading back in the fall and will no longer be directing the school, we have been doing a lot of work to prepare for her departure and figure out how the ministry will continue this coming year and in the future. We have been working with a couple more families in regards to caring for their children. There are eight children with two sisters as their parents. The mothers are 18 and 21. The children have severe problems with malnutrition, but thankfully, there doesn’t appear to be any abuse. We are working with Chuy, Amy and the parents to have the children live with them for a while and work to help the parents provide an adequate living situation for the kids and themselves. We are begging for your prayers and support for the many hurting children in Mexico!

ANSWERS TO PRAYER/THANKSGIVING:

1. For Tessa and Hannah being added to our family!
2. For God’s protection of our family and moving the hearts of the policemen who came to the church.
3. For God’s provision of a good, caring lawyer to help us with the legal process.
4. For God’s provision of a new home for us.
5. For the progress in the construction on the second classroom.
6. For a well-done Easter program at the school and a clear presentation of the gospel.

PRAYER REQUESTS:

1. For the adoption process and the mother of Hannah and Tessa. Please pray for wisdom in dealing with this situation and for the peace of God to rule in our hearts. Please pray that we would be able to get the paperwork done quickly and that the girls would be able to stay with us and not have to go to the government. Above all, please pray that through this God would bring salvation to this family that has lived in darkness and hatred for so long!
2. For a quick settling in period into our new home and for strength for Susanna as all five children will now be home due to Ian and Lily no longer being able to go to the school in Santa Ana.
3. For the planning of the future of the school and the interviews we will be having this month to look for new teachers and a new director.
4. For the families of Santa Ana that God would work in them and they would understand the importance of caring for their children.
5. For Susanna as she participates in the worship team. Please pray that God would use this ministry to assist the congregation in glorifying Him through music.
6. For Jon as he is taking part in the deacon training being given to the three men elected this past fall. Please pray for wisdom as we seek to work together, through the deacons and Eirene, to minister to the physical needs of many and that we would be able to encourage many in the church to be involved in reaching out and ministering in this way.
7. For the preparations that are being made for this coming summer. For the teams that will be coming to serve as they meet and prepare and for us as we develop projects for construction and locations for VBS.
8. That God would provide the funds necessary for us to complete the remodeling of the existing structure we have for the school by the beginning of the next school year.
9. For Jon as he tries to develop internal policies and procedures for Eirene so that we can be good stewards of the human and financial resources that God has blessed us with.
10. Please pray that God would begin to work in the hearts of teachers who would be willing to come and serve in our school and someone to direct an ESL school
11. Please pray for continued healing within Jon’s family that only God can provide and that He would refine and use us for His glory.
12. That God would raise up the men of the church to be leaders, both in their homes and in the church.

Thank you so much for serving with us and being part of our ministry. It means a lot to know that you’re praying for us, and that we’re laboring together for the Lord. Thank you for your faithfulness to Him and to us!

Again, we’re praying for you, and may God bless you as you serve Him and proclaim His name – no matter where you are!

In Christ,

Jon, Susanna and our 5 little missionaries:

Tessa, Lily, Ian, Hannah & Elijah

Missionary Update: Adams in Bolivia

April 20 Worship Service

04_20_08morning.pdf