Valentine Banquet ~ Feb. 13, 2010

“A Night in Paris…”

Valentine Banquet

February 13th, 2010

at Rosario’s from 6:00- 9:00pm

Cost is $12.50 per person, or $25 per couple

Reservations & money must be in by February 7th

This is a “dressy” event.

The Menu will be a Buffet, serving:
Herb Baked Chicken or Chicken Marsala
Pasta, Meatballs, Green Bean Salad,
Bread, & Dessert
Water, Tea, & Coffee

Following the dinner, there will be love songs playing & slow dancing, as well as the crowning of the 2010 King & Queen!

There is a table in the foyer to RSVP/pay and to vote for the 2010 King & Queen!
Call the church or see Kayla Miller, if you have any questions!

February Tanner's Trail

Christians and Politics
by Pastor John Tanner

One of the noticeable changes in church life over the past 25 years has been the increasing involvement of Christians in politics. When I began to serve churches in the mid-60’s there was a distinct hesitance to “mix politics and religion.” I do recall two instances in which Presidents Jimmy Carter and Lyndon Johnson were asked to speak to Baptist gatherings, however part of that hesitation was the realization that many people feel emotionally bound to a particular party or candidate. To identify Jesus with an opposing viewpoint would automatically eliminate them from considering Jesus as their Savior.

Another danger of politicizing church life lies in the danger of abandoning the church’s main eternal task for a task which is transient and temporal.

The Scriptures reveal several Christian leaders who appear concerned but reluctant to be involved in secular government. Paul was frequently imprisoned but rarely spoke ill of the penal system or the emperor. He saw the government as God’s delegate of authority to keep order but little more. (Ro. 13:1-7). Peter commended Christians to “submit to governors” (1 Peter 2:13-14) and “honor the king” (17).

John the Baptist became politically involved when he criticized Herod’s adulterous taking of his brother Philip’s wife. Though his rebuke of the king’s immortality cost him his life, John never wavered in his calling to preach Jesus– not politics.

Jesus, our prime example, best set guidelines for us when he was questioned about supporting government by paying taxes. When asked by the Pharisees (Matt 22:15-22) whether he paid taxes, Jesus responded, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." Obviously Jesus believed that the kingdoms of man should be supported. Good government is preferable to bad. But the Christian’s lifetime citizenship is in a Heavenly Kingdom. Our duty, at most, is to encourage righteousness among rulers as in every other sector of society.

History demonstrates that churches have everything to lose and nothing to gain when they become a tool of government. Parties and candidates, on the other hand, have everything to gain and nothing to lose when they politicize churches. Christians are best served when they are 100% committed to Christ’s kingdom but reserve neutrality , independence, and righteous support for the Kingdoms and candidates of this world!

Something to think about…

See you Sunday, JT

February Sweet on our Military Campaign

John P. Arellano is our 'Sweet On Our Military' recipient for the month of Feb. John is the son of Frank and Laura Arellano. He likes to read science magazines and play computer games. He is currently in Iraq working for L-3 Communication as an Intelligence Specialist.

Please take the time to pick up a card from our "Sweet On Our Military' table in the foyer. Write some encouraging words and return the card to the basket on the table. These cards will be collected the last Sunday of each month and sent along with a box of supplies and home made goodies!

February Women’s Ministry

The Women's Breakfast will be on Saturday, February 6th, at the church, at 9:00 am. It will be a continental breakfast served by Juleen Edwards. All ladies are welcome and encouraged to bring a friend. For more information please contact the church.


“CRAFTY LADIES” will begin meeting in February on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month at 1:30 in the Educational Building. Bring whatever kind of needlework you are doing and share with the group. Devotion and refreshments will be served. For more info. contact the church.

February Church Library

A Book Review of Encyclopedia of Christian Martyrs by Chuck Schultz

How can an individual's death be beneficial for Christianity? The long list of Martyrs, starting with the disciples themselves, places a weighty support on the validity of the scriptures and the resurrection of Christ. If the disciples had stolen Christ’s body, they certainly would not have been willing to be tortured and killed for the “so called” deception. There are arguments that the Bible exists because Christians won the battle for the Canon of Scripture. How can this argument be true when, for 300 years, Christians were tortured and killed for placing their faith in Christ?

For the right to talk, walk, and touch Jesus, followers were martyred in these ways:

• Among the beheaded were Paul the Apostle, Matthias the Apostle, and John the Baptist
• Peter the Apostle was hung on a cross
• John the Apostle was boiled in oil

The persecution of Christians is more widespread in the present century than it was in the time of the Roman Empire. More than an estimated 160,000 believers were martyred in 1996 alone.

February Preschool Church

Spiritual Growth by Carol Waldenmeyer

It’s never too early to start your child’s spiritual growth. Think about a beautiful garden. You can’t just expect it to start growing when the spring gets here. You have to prepare your garden. Dig out the dead weeds and trim the bushes. Put some fertilizer on it and start the watering. Then in a few weeks you can see the garden start to develop and then the beauty happens for you to enjoy.

Children are the same. You can’t just expect them to be Godly adults all of a sudden. They have to be prepared. You might have to dig out some sins and bad habits in your own life that could hinder your child’s blossoming and living a spiritual life.

All children need loved, acceptance, trust, security, independence, guidance and freedom. But each child has his own learning style. Each child is a unique individual created and loved by God.
The Bible is our source for the beliefs and values we want our children to develop. Prov. 22:6 says, “train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it.” And Prov. 16:3 says, “Commit to the Lord all you do and your plans will succeed.” The best way to help your child grow spiritually is to develop a sense of trust. As you lovingly meet his needs, tell him how much you love him and that God loves him too. Let your child see you modeling spiritual truths by praying and showing kindness to others. In addition to reading the Bible together, give your child opportunities to practice Bible truths. Then watch your little miracle grow.

February Sunday School Scoop

By Esther Nagel

Starting February 21 the Pre K through 5th grade Sunday School classes will start rehearsal practice at 9:45 AM in the Sanctuary for 15 minutes each Sunday to perform a couple songs for the 11:00 AM Worship Service on Palm Sunday March 28th. SS teachers, please bring your class to the Sanctuary for practice, for those Sundays. Thanks!

Our “Feature of the Month” is Sherri Moore. Sherri has 3 adult children and works in CO Springs. She enjoys contemporary music and concerts. Her favorite Christian teachers are Chip Ingram and Beth Moore. Sherri enjoys technology (teaches a computer class at the church) and likes crafts and oil painting. Sherri began attending this church during the summer of 1980. The truth from God’s Word she learned, and the witness of her then boyfriend Scott Moore and his mother Dorene, were instrumental in leading her to the Lord. She accepted the Lord in her
bedroom and following went forward, in the church. Asked, “Why I like Sunday School?” Sherri’s response was, “I have enjoyed learning under both Johnny and Florence for many years and now enjoy Pastor’s class. SS is a place where we can dig deeper and participate in the learning and sharing experience. SS has also been a great value in the teaching of my children as they grew up.”

“Don’t be 18” from heaven.....that’s how far it is from your head to your heart.”