From the Pastor's Heart - Fulton Alliance Church
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
FULTON ALLIANCE CHURCH
September 2019
Vol. 48 No. 7
From the Pastor’s Heart
The supreme quality for leadership is unquestionably integrity.
Without it, no real success is possible, no matter whether it is
on a section gang, a football field, in an army, or in an office.
Dwight D. Eisenhower
I can’t believe it is September. I have thoroughly enjoyed the summer. The weather is beautiful here in Fulton in the summer (if
not a bit short). When the weather begins to change, we begin to think about what is ahead. There is wood to stock up for the winter,
lawnmowers to put away, outdoor furniture to store, and soon the snowblower will have to be readied for that first snow. The key word is,
“preparing.”
As we think ahead, I have asked you to prayerfully consider being a part of the Freed to Lead class that will be starting on Sept.
16 at 6:30 PM. Knowing how we want something to end affects the way we approach it from the beginning. If you want to lose 15
pounds in three months means changing the way you eat and adding some exercise to your routine. To complete a project at work
requires you to coordinate with your colleagues at work so that it will be done by the due date. Raising children who love Jesus means
teaching them about Him and living your life in such a way today that it impacts them tomorrow. The end is terribly important because it
forces us to change what we do today. What direction do you want to see your life go? What direction do you want to see the church
go? Godly influence will help us reach those objectives.
As your pastor, my desire for all of us is to know how to influence effectively today in a way that will impact our families, our
workplaces, and our church for tomorrow. This is best accomplished by understanding how to influence from my identity in Christ, as
opposed to how I feel or how confident I am, or even the skills I use. Learning to be Christ-centered in my influence is the objective of
this class. I believe participating in this class will help us all to see more clearly how to be the church and how to function together. I
think we can all benefit from this class, and just being together and learning together, laughing together, praying together will bear fruit
that we can only imagine.
My hope is that you will consider putting some things aside and clearing your schedule for 10 weeks to participate in this class. I
want Fulton Alliance to be as strong as it possibly can be. This will only come as we grow and mature in our faith and walk and
leadership.
So, starting Monday, Sept. 16, and every Monday for 10 weeks, we will be holding the class at 6:30 PM. If you are able to
attend, please let Ginni know in the office (315-593-6842) so that we will be able to order enough participants guides for everyone.
Alliance
Childcare will be offered. If you don’t feel you want to participate, Women
but would be willing to help with childcare, please let us know.
Thanks. I hope you are seriously considering this class. Let’s get prepared!
Sincerely from me, Pastor Steve
AW Connecting Women for Kingdom Impact
New Theme for 2019-2020: SET FREE
“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36
Alliance Women’s vision is to experience the deeper life and be on mission together by connecting women for Kingdom impact
locally and globally. We will serve together to proclaim the message of Jesus and promote worldwide missions while encouraging
the ladies of FAC and our community to go deeper in their relationship with Jesus.
Blankets to Provide Comfort
Several ladies gathered on August 8th to make blankets for
the Linus Project which gives handmade blankets to children
in the hospital and other crisis situations. Karen Monnet
Lathrop, Linus Project Coordinator, was our guest speaker
and explained its history, mission, and goals. It was quite
interesting. Six of the twelve blankets have been completed,
so we will continue to work on them during our AW Project
Day on Monday, Sept. 16, 10:00 AM-2:00 PM. Bring a bag
lunch if you would like.
BBQ at Amy Nehlsen’s
Our next ‘on mission’ for Kingdom impact event will be on September 9. Each woman is invited to meet at Amy Nehlsen’s home
for our Coffee with the Ladies BBQ. Bring a dish to pass and, if able, an article or two of children’s clothing for local schools.
Size 5-7/8 leggings/sweatpants, underwear, and socks will be given to Nurses’ Offices to hand out as needed. The pants can be
gently used or new.
Come to Hear Sam
Early bird registration deadline for the Fall Refocus is 9/11. For only $60 you can stay in the lodge and enjoy a delicious
breakfast and lunch. Samantha Whelsky will be a breakout session speaker which is reason enough to go; however, women will
also gather to engage the Word, participate in worship music, enjoy fellowship, and interact with IW speakers. See Alice Lamb or
Nellie Eggleton to register.
What a Blessing!
Robby Zogg is our Third Culture Kid, and his family was blessed with Robby’s
recent visit. Here is a thank you from the Zoggs: “We have a huge praise for the
folks at Fulton Alliance Church who secretly made provision for Robert to fly up
from Georgia and surprise us at the hospital after Ed’s surgery! It was looking
like we weren’t going to be able to see him before he shipped out. (He’s in the
Navy). What a surprise and blessing!”
"The Gathering...for Women" will launch a new year on
Saturday, October 5, at 10:00 AM.
All ladies are welcome to this time of fun, fellowship,
sharing in the Word of God, and prayer.
Join us in the Welcome Center from 10 to 11:30. Keep the first Saturday of each month
in mind for this special time of gathering with old friends and making new ones.
Kidz Ministry News VBS Our hearts are completely full of joy as we reflect on all that God has done in our lives in the past few months leading up to our Vacation Bible School week which took place Aug. 19 to 23. ROAR was our safari theme and each day we learned more about Africa but also more about God's truths and how they apply to real life. Sometimes life is unfair, scary, changing and sad but in every situation...God is Good! We laughed, sang, danced and played. We made lots of new friends and spent time praying and learning about God's Word. The 62 volunteers were there daily to welcome so many boys and girls. 128 total registrations with lots of moms and dads and grandparents helping to make it all possible. We are so very grateful for the support of Fulton Alliance family and everyone who gave sacrificially of their time and energy. The morning staff huddles at 8:15 sharing coffee and "crazy hair" are memories we will long remember. We are thankful for the generous giving to our mission project, Dorcas House in Burkina Faso. The children and their families gave $1500.00 to help these at-risk ladies in West Africa have productive, God-filled lives. God really is GOOD and we love Him, because He first loved us! We thank the churches who donated some of their VBS decorations to us: Oswego Alliance, Mexico United Methodist, First United Methodist of Fulton. VBS will be heading this way again next summer, Lord willing. Look for Rocky Railway in the Summer of 2020, July 13 to 17! Fall Sunday School Kick off Sunday Morning, September 15 at 9:15 will be our opening of the fall Sunday School in the Fellowship Hall. We are so very excited for a new curriculum by David C Cook and Gospel Light Publishing. Our classes will be: Toddler 2-3 Pre K/ Kindergarten ages 4-5 Grades 1-2 Grades 3-5 During the morning service Kid Zone and Kid Zone Jr will be full speed ahead with meaningful and fun, interactive activities for each child. Boys and girls are very important to us at Fulton Alliance and we are so looking forward to this new school year and all that God has for us in Kids Ministry! Our teachers take this responsibility very seriously. Let's all do our best to make sure that the kids in our lives have every opportunity to hear and obey the Living Word of God. Thank you for your support, Miss Amy Children's Ministry Director Also New ….. Middle School Sunday School Class Feeling our teens will be better served by dividing into age groups, starting Sept. 15 we are changing the teen class which is currently grades 7 - 12 and separating to two: - Middle School, 6th-8th grades taught by Bill and Wendy Hamm - Room 18 (there are 19 pre-teens/teens in this age group) - High School, 9th-12th grades taught by Matt Decker and Trish Eggleton. – Youth Room
Senior Servants…. GLOBAL IMPACT WEEK
Learn about Brain Health November 3 – 9
The Alzheimer’s Association will present a timely
program at the September meeting of Senior with Keith E from Bamako, Mali, a Creative Access country
Servants. Hear firsthand how God is working to reach and renew the
They write: hearts and lives of those in this spiritually impoverished
For centuries, we’ve known that the health of the corner of the world. A full week of activities is being
brain and the body are connected. But now, planned.
science is able to provide insights into how to
make lifestyle choices that may help you keep
your brain and body healthy as you age. Join us to
learn about research in the areas of diet and
nutrition, exercise, cognitive activity and social Recycle—Repurpose
engagement, and use hands-on tools to help you
incorporate these recommendations into a plan for The church continues to save several things that you may
healthy aging. be discarding.
Deposit bottles-money goes to youth budget—leave in
church kitchen
They will meet on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 11:30 AM,
for a covered dish lunch—bring something to share, if Cancelled postage stamps leave at least ¼ inch of
you can. The public is welcome to attend, so please paper around them—put in Dick Eggleton’s church mailbox
pass the word to friends and neighbors.
Box Tops for Education—go to home school group,
At their picnic in August the Seniors collected $200, Algarin mailbox
most of which will go to the Zogg family, missionaries
to the Dominican Republic, to help with the cost of Wax paper cereal bags/liners, empty toothpaste tubes,
Robbie’s ticket home. (see AW article). They also toothpaste boxes, used toothbrushes to be upcycled. Give
enjoyed guests Cody Whelsky and 3 teens who went to Dick Eggleton
to Life ‘19 youth conference in Orlando, Florida as well
as being on Operation Serve here in Fulton. It was
interesting to hear about the various areas of service
they performed. Special Invite
Special plans are in the works for the October Senior … The Zogg family is able to visit FAC on
Servants meeting. Thursday, September 19.
They will meet at Annette Hurlbut’s home from
Senior Retreat 10:00-11:30 AM. They will have some time
in the afternoon if anyone wants to
A senior retreat, Fall Delta Joy, is at Delta Lake Camp meet with them.
in Rome, on Sept. 29-Oct. 2. Fun, games, worship, At 6:30 there will be a dessert fellowship
and a field trip with Dave and Renee Richter, speaker in the Welcome Center where they will share
about their ministry in the Dominican Republic.
and music leader. All inclusive cost for 3 days is $150
per person / $250 per couple. To register, go to: The Alliance Women will present them with a
Deltalake.org/delta-events/delta-joy suitcase full of items they've collected and made
for their ministry in the DR which they will take
back with them upon their return.
Everyone is invited to these events.
Adult Sunday School Classes
This adult class resumes September 15. Charlie Murphy Jr., facilitator, has been doing an in-depth study of many
scientific questions, such as how old is the earth, did man and dinosaur roam the earth together, and why does this all
matter. The class watches a video - Answers in Genesis - and reviews the material. It is an excellent class that makes
for great questions and gets a lot of people thinking.
The men’s class also continues to meet to study God’s Word and share.
In mid-October, Fred Allen will be teaching an adult class:
When we make a very expensive purchase we make sure we know as much about the item as we can. We want to
make sure we are getting what we want and will pay dearly for…. we want no surprises!
However when it comes to our salvation, which is the most important and precious relationship imaginable, most of
us don’t really recognize how costly a gift it is and may have misconceptions how we enter into God’s kingdom.
We will explore in depth John 3 and discover new depths of the “new birth” God provides to His people. In
addition, we will look at how we can have full assurance that we are in God’s family … dealing with the problem
of doubt.
Another adult class which will start then is So the Next Generation Will Know taught by Cody & Samanatha Whelsky.: This fully-
researched, eight-session guide takes participants through a variety of engaging
materials that will enable youth leaders, Christian teachers, and parents to
strategically teach truth to the next generation. These authors are both parents and
have been youth leaders (and Sean has been a Christian school teacher), so they
know how to equip youth influencers to discover fresh ways to reach students and
help them be effective defenders of God’s truth.
Written to work seamlessly with their all-new book and video series, this accessible
guide includes questions for reflection, notes for discussion, and plenty of real-life
ministry examples to aid readers as they seek to apply the most effective tools to
their own youth ministries and classrooms. Participants will grow confident that
they’re utilizing the best practices available as they send their youth out into a
challenging culture.( description from Christian book club)
If you plan to attend this class, please let us know by September 22nd so we have
enough study guides available.
Children’s Ministry Conference
Syracuse Alliance Church
Saturday, September 14
Aimed specifically for Good News Club workers, but anyone interested in teaching is welcome to attend this training
conference. Each participant will choose six of the twelve seminars presented. The program is from 8:45-4:30 and the cost
is $30 per person including all teaching materials and lunch. Please contact Ruth Weaver, 315-402-4022. if you plan to
attend. Registration is due by the 10th. Forms with further information are available at the Welcome desk at church. We will
carpool leaving the church at 7:45. If you are not a Good News worker, but have any interest in it, please come, get trained,
and see where God might use you in the future.
JUST
the FACts
Congratulations…
Benjamin Carter Lamb was born to Joshua and Morgan on August 27. He weighed 6 lbs. 2.8 oz., and was 19.5” long. A
baby shower will be held for them September 22. Excited grandparents are David and Alice Lamb.
HS grad…
Jesse and Liz Zimmerman are pleased to announce the high school graduation of their daughter Rachel Elizabeth on June
30, 2019. More than 30 family and friends attended the graduation ceremony and party in Rachel’s honor (in the African
country where they live). Rachel plans to become an intern in her family’s sustainable agriculture project for the next two
years. During that time, she will help home school her younger siblings and, Lord willing, she will study “medicinal herbs”
through an online course offered by a Christian school. Rachel’s greatest desire is to become a godly wife and mother. (see
her poems elsewhere in this publication.)
Bereaved…
We sadly announce the death of Harry Isbell, father of Kim Julian and former active member here at FAC. He was returning
from a prayer meeting and apparently suffered a heart attack or stroke, hit a tree and was killed. His memorial service was
attended by numerous family and close friends, many of whom shared the godly influence Harry had been in their lives. We
offer our condolences to his wife, Bev, and children Jeff, Shannon, and Kim and all of the extended family.
New name…
The Oswego County Pregnancy Care Center (PCC) is now called Family Resource Center of Oswego County. This name
better denotes the many services they offer. Presently they are located on the west end of Phillips Street but are looking a
place on the east side to be closer to more of their clients. They are very grateful for the $962 received from FAC in the
Baby Bottle Campaign fundraiser in May-June. Praise God.
Adventure…
Sisters Edna Case and Barb Smart are embarking on a 2-week tour of Europe on September 14. They start in London,
circle the continent visiting 8 countries, and end in Paris. The trip will include a cruise, trains and a bus. Twice they will eat
with local families. Have fun! Edna has ‘officially’ retired from her office job. She ‘kind of’ retired in 2016, but has worked
part time since. Now she is ‘done’ done.
Got something to share?
The Fulton Public Library has a Memoir Project headed by Jim Farfaglia, local author. They are just beginning work on a
book about the history and stories from the churches of Fulton. Ginni Standford and Nellie Eggleton will be at work collecting
stories of Fulton Alliance history and ways it has impacted the city and individuals in it. If you have something you’d like to
contribute, see either of these ladies about the possibility of it being included. The plan is to publish in 2020, so items should
be given by around January.
It’s OCC time again
Yes, time to be collecting items to put in shoe boxes for the Operation Christmas Child collection coming in November. Now
is when school supplies are at all-time low prices. With the new Dollar Tree soon opening in Fulton, that will be another
great source of small toys, toothbrushes, washcloths, etc. Soccer balls with pumps are also much appreciated around the
world. More information will be published soon.
Quest Kidz Fall 2019 Come one, Come all! Fall Quest Kidz starts Wed., October 16 at 6;00 PM. Preschool kiddos, ages 4 and 5, will have a fun time with Tales and Treats. They will look at storybooks they may know and look for the principles that God teaches us, then they will open the Bible and see the Totally True Stories God has given us. Treats are always fun. Kids will be helping to make the treats too! Girls! This 6-week session of Quest Kidz is called “Pandemonium" - fun games, new friends, basic cooking skills and tasty recipes. The Biblical lesson will focus on friendship. What is a true friend? Jesus is our greatest and perfect friend. Boys! "Built to Last" It is creative building and working together. Bring your hammer and nails and get ready to make something you can be proud of. Our Biblical lesson will focus on how God is building each boy to be a man of God in a crazy world. Learn how to stand as a warrior for what is right and good, even when others don't. Quest Kidz is a 6-week Wednesday night program to engage children actively with each other and in discovery while pointing them to Jesus. The cost is $5.00 per child up to $20 per family. Register today by calling Fulton Alliance, 315-593-6842.
Poems from a recent high school graduate…
Great Commission
By Rachel Z.
What did Jesus say
Upon the closing of His earthly stay?
What words of parting did He give?
A challenge for how His children ought to live.
Instructions weren’t they?
Often ignored to His dismay?
Might I find a reason
For which to disobey the God of Creation?
Does not my life belong to Him?
How can I withhold it upon a lifelong whim?
What whim might this be?
The one that says to live just for me.
Goodbyes
By Rachel Z.
Goodbyes I find hard to say
To friends and family left behind.
Many tears I cry today.
Oh, how I long to stay
In this land that has my heart entwined.
Goodbyes I find hard to say.
I do not wish to stray
So far from people to me so kind.
Many tears I cry today.
Walk through the plane’s doorway
And find the seat I’ve been assigned.
Goodbyes I find are hard to say.
The home I love soon far away
Beneath the clouds God has aligned
Many tears I cry today.
Oh, God I pray
Please comfort my heart and mind.
Goodbyes I find hard to say
Many tears I cry today.You can also read
