When You are Holding on for Dear Life One day in the late Spring they came to his cell in the Mamertine Prison in Rome and opened the door. His executioners led him out of the city on the Ostian Road. As they were walking out, other travelers would have been walking into Rome. They would have paid him little attention. No one would have recognized his face. No one would have known his crime. He was just another prisoner, just another “dead man walking.” After traveling a few miles out, the executioners would have stopped. A block would be laid down. His head would be placed upon it. A sword would be raised. And in an instant the head of the most influential writer of all times would roll upon the ground. Paul had known his share of suffering, but he did not shrink back from his calling. If we could look closer, we would see how scars spread across his back like a windshield crack and how wounds stiffened his joints. His own account of his hardships included floggings, lashings, beatings with rods, pelting with stones, shipwrecks, dangers from rivers and bandits and Jews and Gentiles, danger in the city and in the country, danger at sea and from false believers. He knew hard labor, lack of sleep, hunger, thirst, cold and nakedness (2 Cor. 11:23-29). It’s a wonder that he could move at all, but move he did. From Corinth to Ephesus, from Thessalonica to Colossae, he left his footprints all over the known world of his day. His visits to these cities were not for sightseeing. He worked. Long days of preaching and establishing churches. When he wasn’t walking he was writing. He wrote letters to the church in Rome and Corinth and Galatia and Ephesus. He wrote to Titus and he wrote to Timothy. Letters that continue to bless. God’s grace turned his world upside down and his life was spent telling others about it. Until that day on the Ostian Road, when he drew his last breath. When you face struggles because of your faith, remember Paul. He anchored himself to a purpose that was higher and greater than his life. There are many fights you can fight, but Paul trained himself for the “good fight” (2 Timothy 4:6-8). His fight did not end at death. His writings have encouraged, exhorted, and educated followers of Christ till today and for all the tomorrows to come. He gave himself totally to eternal things. So can you. Fight the good fight. And like Paul, finish the race well.

Christian Visitor Weekly Newsletter Volume 70 ~ Issue 19 May 9, 2017

Office Hours: Monday ~ Thursday ~ Closed Friday 8:00 a.m. ~ 12:00 p.m. / 12:30 p.m. ~ 4:30 p.m.

Office Phone: 785-448-3452 Website: www.fccgarnett.org

Take Note: We will not have ADULT OR CHILDRENS SUNDAY SCHOOL on May 14. Please come and enjoy a time of Fellowship and Congratulations to all our graduates at a “brunch social” beginning at 9:15 a.m. in the Family Life Center. Sermon schedule:

The last Chapter of The Story ~ “The End of Time” will be May 21.

Chris will be picking up on John:10 beginning on Sunday, May 28

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL REPORT OPPORTUNITY CLASS opened with prayer led by Mary Hamilton. The class had 5 present, 2 with Bible and 2 daily readers. The class asked for continued prayers for Chris and family, and Pastor Brett, Nelda Potter, all those fighting cancer and our country’s leaders! Mary presented the lesson, “Sustaining Love” from Jonah 1. Mary closed the class in prayer. SOS CLASS had 21 present today with 1 guest, Darlene Olson, 14 members with Bibles and 9 daily readers. Prayer requests for Alisha (friend of Juanita); Lee & Helen Miller; family of Lawrence Smerchek, Ronnie Grimes, Cheryl Varvel, Nelda Potter, Roger Adams and Luke Rockers and the families (Craig & Jody Cole, Omer Rocker). PRAISE: Jody Cole’s surgery went well! Gary Benjamin opened the class with prayer and presented the lesson on “Paul’s Final Days.” The class closed with prayer.

Reminder: No Sunday School next week due to special brunch.

GUESTS ON SUNDAY MAY 7: We WELCOME YOU… With Open Doors, Open Hearts and Open Arms

Anita Vernon, Jerry Denney, Pat Beller guest of Mike & Kathy Croucher, Pat Tate guest of Sandra Erhart, Bob & Margaret Hadsall, Max & Emma Sims grandchildren of Jim & Betty Jasper and Darlene Olson

WORSHIP SERVICES / SUNDAY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE & FINANCIAL UPDATE May 7 ~ Worship Services: 8:00 a.m. ~ 61 10:30 a.m. ~ 161 Sunday School: 86 General Fund ~ $5360 To Date ~ $5360 New Building ~ $829 To Date ~ $829

“Family Life Center” Growth Chart New Building Addition ~ $975,569

Paid to Contractor ~ $879,093 Yet to be paid on Contract ~ $96,476 Current Cash in NBF ~ $132,890

Pledges yet to be received ~ $33,317 (Scheduled in over the next six quarters) Projected balance after contract paid off (not including pledges) $36,414 (this needed to finish Nursery, sound boards, concrete work, etc. and hopefully reduce a portion of the loan balance)

"Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever." Psalm 136:1

Prayer Concerns for Our Church Families Long Term:

Linda Benjamin, Mike Crist, Lois Gebert, C B Harris, Cheryl Harris, Clarence Hermann, Jim Jordan, Wilma McIntosh, Linda Miller, Nelda Potter, Lenett Thomas, Steve Watkins

Extended Family & Friends Long Term: All her family (request by Wilma McIntosh), Parker Monhollon (request by Sandra Hamilton), Steve Richardson (son of Reed & Carol), Luke Rockers (son of Jody Cole), Ray & Nancy Foltz (request by Nancy Horn), Bill & Lola Thornton, Sandy (Potter) Peine (sister of Marsha Dulin), the leaders of our country, our veterans and troops, Becky Roush (request by Carol Hermreck & sister Carolyn Schuster), John Hermreck (husband of Carol Hermreck), Robert Zinszer (father of Kim Stapp), Jack & Arlene (Mersman) Udelhofen (Nancy Horn)

Our Loved Ones in Care Centers Dear Lord, send your blessings on those living in long-term

healthcare facilities and nursing homes. Amen

1) Guest Home Estate - 806 West 4th Ave: Vernon Hunt, Ruth Gorrell, Robert Young, Betty Penn

2) Parkview Heights - 101 North Pine: Jean Brown, Olive Kline, Max Ratliff, Marcene Jasper, Jerry Gettler, Sr 3) Residential Living Center - PO Box 407:

Bill Young, Vera Wills (aunt of Phyllis Adams) 4) Comfort Care Home - 27 E Rockwood Dr - Ottawa, KS 66067: Birdie Zentner

Our Military, Veterans & Troops Dear Lord, we give thanks to you for our brave men and

Women in uniform and we pray for your love to lead them and

your wisdom to guide them each day. Amen

South Korea: Matthew Schryer - Grandson of Frieda Hurt & nephew of Marcia Spring Air Force: Nicholas L Wales, grandson of Orville & LaVerne Cole

Prayer Concerns for our Church Families / Friends May 7 ~ Week 1: The family of Ralph Hamilton (dad of Leroy) & the family of Wilma Dunbar (mom of Lisa Jarett), Nancy Lake & Greg Kropf (Gayla Corley) and Margaret Mumma (Rosemary Turner) If you wish continued prayers: After 3 weeks, your prayer request will be removed unless you write it on the Sunday flap or email Marsha Dulin at marsha@fccgarnett.org.

BRETT’S BOTTOM LINE… Hey everybody! Hope you had a good weekend. I’ve just got a couple of announcements to throw your way!!!

Students going to CIY this year must sign up for the Square Fair Fundraiser. Talk with Brett to get signed up for a 2-hour time slot. We are needing baked goods for our Square Fair Fundraiser. If you are willing to partner with us, bring a delicious baked good to the church on Thursday May 11th! Please be sure to sign up your student(s) for Hidden Haven this summer. The theme this year is “100” and is sure to impact your students. All registrations are done online this year. If you need help with registration, contact Brett. VBS is rapidly approaching. All staff please be aware that we will be having an all staff meeting May 28th immediately following the 10:30 a.m. Worship Service. Lunch

will be provided. Brett

Sunday, May 14 ~ Graduation and Mother’s Day at FCC! For those of you who are not aware Mother’s Day and Graduation Sunday are on the same day this year. FCC wishes to honor both very special events so the Pastoring Committee and Church Board have decided to modify our usual gathering. Thank you for your continued support for choosing to celebrate these special days with your FCC family. FCC Mother Day/Graduation Services as follows:

8:00 a.m. Mother’s Day Worship Service 9:15 a.m. 50 Year, High School, 8th Grade Graduation Fellowship Brunch in the Family Life Center ~ No Sunday School

10:30 a.m. Mother’s Day & Graduation Worship Service

~Please inform the FCC office ASAP if you have any graduates you would like us to honor. ~

Please visit our new website at www.fccgarnett.org

Our Condolences to the following families on the loss of their loved ones

Ralph M. Hamilton, 88, formerly of Pomona, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, May 2, 2017, at Anderson County Hospital Residential Living Center in Garnett. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 9, 2017, at Dengel & Son Mortuary in Ottawa, KS. Ralph was the dad of Leroy Hamilton.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

Wilma Dunbar passed away Wednesday, May 3, 2017. Celebration of Life services were held Monday, May 8, 2017 at the United Methodist Church in Burwell, Nebraska. Wilma was the mom of Lisa Jarett.

What’s Happening at FCC: Monday, May 8, 15, 22, 29

Christian Woodworkers ~ 8:30 a.m. ~ At Darwin Hamilton’s

Tuesday, May 9, 16, 23, 30

Prayer Group ~ 6:30 p.m. ~ Annex

Thursday, May 11, 18, 25

Christian Crafters ~ 10:00 a.m. ~ Annex

Saturday, May 13, 20, 27

Men’s Breakfast & Devotions ~ 7:00 a.m. ~ Annex

Sunday, May 14

1) Honoring Mother’s Day and Graduates

2) 9:15 a.m. ~ 50 Year, High School, 8th Grade Graduation

Fellowship Brunch in the Family Life Center

3) No Sunday School today for Adults or Children

Thursday, May 18

Care Team ~ 7:00 p.m. ~ Fellowship Hall

Sunday, May 21

Education Committee Meet following 10:30 a.m. Worship

Services

Legacy ~ Fellowship Hall ~ 5:00 p.m. ~ 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, May 28 Worship Committee Meet following 10:30 a.m. Worship

Services

Legacy ~ Fellowship Hall ~ 5:00 p.m. ~ 7:00 p.m.

Monday, May 29

In Honor of Memorial Day, the Church Office will be closed.

(Note: Christian Visitor will a date late)

Sunday, May 14

Sunday May 14

Monday, May 29

In honor of MEMORIAL DAY

The church office

will be closed

Monday, May 29

Christian WoodcraftersMonday’s ~ 8:30 a.m.

At Darwin Hamilton’s Workshop

Prayer Group Tuesdays ~ 6:30 p.m.

At the Annex

Christian Crafters Thursdays 10:00 a.m.

At the Annex

Join us for great food, fellowship,

devotion and prayer time.

Saturday mornings - 7:00 a.m.

Church Annex

Any questions please call

Doug Meyer ~ 913-909-7680

Thursday

May 18

7:00 pm

CARE TEAM MEETS

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH ELDERS Roger Adams: 448-8172 *Kevin Lewis: 204-2257 Doug Meyer: 913-909-7680 Jason Sjorlund: 448-7660 Steve Spring: 448-2491 Larry Varvel: 448-5794

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH DEACONS Ron Anderegg: 448-6366 Jonathan Born: 620-340-7784 Dane Byerley: 785-304-2831 *Cody Clark: 448-8093 Craig Cole: 448-4504 Gaylon Corley: 448-8373 James Dodd: 785-418-5479 Jeff Finn: 620-431-8486 Greg Gwin: 229-5105 Leroy Hamilton: 204-2162 Aaron Hedrick 304-1236 Jason Miller: 448-7110 Earl Peine: 448-6186 Nathan Wiehl: 204-2178 Lynn Wilson 448-3451

Mike Zentner: 204-1105

PASTORS AND SECRETARY Chris Goetz Senior Pastor Phone: 503-474-7965 Email: chris@fccgarnett.org Brett Hartman Children & Youth Phone: 620-215-1524 Email: brett@fccgarnett.org Marsha Dulin Secretary Phone: 785-448-4367 Email: marsha@fccgarnett.org