On July 18, 2021 Karen Jousma presided over the service. The theme for the service was “Listen to the Prophetic Voice” Doug Gregory shared a message on the challenges of being a prophetic people.
Also he brought us to 1 Corinthians, Chapter 12 on how all of us who choose to be disciples are the body of Christ and how we need to listen to each other and care about all people not just people who look like us.
On July 25, 2021 Kathy Onan presided over the service. The theme for the service was “Let the Children Come Unto Me” Natalie and Geoffrey brought their little boy Giles Martin McNeil forward to be blessed. Joyce Johnecheck from the Northview congregation shared a story with the children that had gathered around and of course she had gifts for everyone! Joyce also brought us a very warm and heartfelt message on the Sacrament of Blessing of Children.
On August 1, 2021 Kathy Onan presided over the Communion service. The theme was “Repent and Turn Toward God”. Don Harvey from Union Avenue Congregation brought the message. Don shared some very encouraging and hopeful thoughts reminding us that no matter how hard the struggle is, God is always with us. Love overcomes differences. He encouraged us to consider where God is calling us as a new congregation. To let go of what was and to be open to create what might be.
On August 8, 2021 Ken Colburn presided over the service. The theme was “Come Now, You Hungry” The message was shared in a reader’s theatre format. I hesitate to start naming names as there were many people involved. It was awesome to see the preparation made. There was wonderful music of piano, flute and drum. The center point was a well up front. The scripture used was the woman at the well. John 4:7-15 The vision one gathered was about people from all walks of life, all circumstances, whether you were an outcast, a lifelong disciple, a new seeker, all coming together and realizing the worth of themselves through the love of God and not being able to contain this feeling of joy to themselves but having the desire to go out into the community and share with all people, maybe especially those who were feeling the most rejected and unloved. Then came living water from the well to be shared with the world.
On August 15, 2021 Bonnie Colburn presided over the service. The theme was “Choose Wisdom” The message was shared by Connie Steenwyk. She shared a great story from 1Kings 2:10-12. 3:3-14. The scripture story was of a dream that King Solomon had where God said “Ask what I should give you” King Solomon asked for an understanding mind and the ability to discern what is right. God was pleased by this request. Connie shared how seeking wisdom is always a good thing. Wisdom will bring you to a life with God. We have a great opportunity to live out one of our enduring principles – Make Responsible Choices. Let’s ask God what He wants.
On August 22, 2021 Kathy Onan presided over the service. The theme was “A Place of Prayer for All People” Cody and Bailey Clarke brought their little boy Donovan Andrew forward to be blessed. Tim Ross shared the message. He talked about the Sacrament of the Blessing of Children and also shared a story for Donovan about all the places he will go and Tim also shared more in depth about prayer and how important a good prayer life is for each one.
On August 29th Karen Jousma presided over the service. The theme was “The Inward and Outward Journey”. The message was shared over Zoom by Seventy Elray Henricksen of Brussels, Belgium. Elray found an interesting way to interpret the theme – through his thoughts on all the symbolism in the Book of Mormon.
On September 5th Dick Jousma presided over the service. The theme was “Called Outside Our Boundaries” Evangelist Loretha Smith shared the Communion Message. Our scripture story was from Mark 7:24-37. Loretha focused on the faith of the Syrophoenician woman who pushed back when it seemed Jesus might have wanted to dismiss her. She was greatly rewarded for her faith.
On September 12th Bonnie Colburn presided over the service. The theme was “Who Do You Say that I Am”. This was a Praise and Thanksgiving Song Service. We enjoyed several scriptures by different readers shared amidst some precious hymns. Two group hymns – How Great Thou Art and I Saw The Light were sung by Dick and Karen, Sandy, Bonnie C. and Bonnie R. Very Special Service!
On September 19th Connie Steenwyk presided over the service. The theme was “like a child”. Kevin White did a great job of bringing this scripture to life! Ramona did the welcome. The youth enjoyed Connie’s story about being bucket fillers! Great job, Everyone!
On September 26th Tim Ross presided over the service. The theme was “When We Lose Our Way”. Don Jousma shared the message on this theme and shared several examples of God’s amazing grace of once being lost and now being found of being blind at times and then being blessed with insight.
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