August 2018

A Monthly Newsletter from Hope Wesleyan Church

505 4th Ave NE Independence, Iowa 50644 (319) 334-7148 www.hopewesleyan.org

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A few days ago I was visiting with a local farmer who told me about an experiment conducted by a seed company. The company wanted to see how much a cornstalk could grow overnight so they covered the plant

with white paint. When they checked the corn the next morning the leaves had grown nearly 2

inches! Amazing! I’ve heard jokes about watching the corn grow, but it turns out in Iowa you really can do that! His story got me to thinking about spiritual growth. Just like the farmer expects his crops to grow, God expects our lives to grow and produce spiritual fruit. It should be said that, in order for spiritual growth to occur, you first need to make sure you know the Lord Jesus as your Savior. The Bible says, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old is gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17). Your first step in spiritual growth is to begin a relationship with God. You will never grow corn without putting seed in the ground. And you’ll never grow spiritually without first inviting Christ into your life. Having taken that step, here are some great ways to cultivate spiritual growth. Gather Together with Other Believers. I’m convinced we cannot grow in our walk with God if we fail to meet together regularly with other believers. We need each other for encouragement, accountability, and mutual strength. Remember to Pray. When we bow our heads and hearts to God in prayer we acknowledge our need for His

help. Prayer is talking and listening to God. The enemy knows full well the power of prayer. That’s why he fights so hard to keep us from spending time with the Lord in prayer. Open the Bible and Read it. Mark Twain once said, “It ain’t those parts of the Bible that I can’t understand that bother me, it’s the parts that I do understand.” Let God teach you as you read His word. Don’t get frustrated if you there is something you don’t understand. Keep reading and God will teach you what you need to know. Walk In Obedience. Some people are spiritually obese. We are spiritually well-fed but lacking in spiritual exercise. Growth doesn’t happen when we know what God wants us to do. Growth happens when we do what God wants us to do. What step of obedience is God asking you to take right now? Trust God, Especially in the Trials. God is working through the trials of life to help us develop a Christ-like character. While no one enjoys the hard times, we can experience joy in the midst of difficultly when we know that God has a purpose in the pain. As you face trials in your life, trust God not only to get you through them but to use them for your good. Help Others to Grow. It’s surprising how much we grow when we take the focus off of ourselves in order to help other people. Share with others what God is teaching you. Lend a hand to someone in need. Perform random acts of kindness. So, how’s it growing? If it’s been some time since you’ve noticed any spiritual growth I suspect some of the steps mentioned here are missing. I pray you will “Grow on the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 3:18).

Sunday, August 5th

Contact Pastor Bob if

interested.

If you are interested in

baptism, please

contact church office.

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Steaks & Shotguns

Sunday, August 5th 6:00 pm

Carl Dodge’s Home 2418 Buchanan-Delaware Ave.

Masonville

*Bring a friend, lawn chair,

shotgun, side dish &

$5.00 for ammo.

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Women’s Connection Thursday, August 16th

9:30 am

Senior Center

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Thursday, August 23rd

Remember to pray for

our students & teachers!

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Sunday, August 26th

Last day of

Summer Sunday School

How’s It Growing?

church church Changing Lives by

Leading People Into a Growing

Relationship with Jesus

Hope! Hope!

SUNDAY SCHOOL KICKOFF

Sunday, September 2nd

9:15 a.m.

Sanctuary

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pens, pencils &

sharpeners

crayons & markers

notebooks & paper

coloring and picture

books

solar calculators

NO glue or rulers

Please see other items on

Church Bulletin Board Contact:

Julie Reeder 319-429-3219

James 1:17 “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”

"Have you ever struggled with depression or the thought that God's plan wasn't good enough? That's where the story behind our song Counting Every Blessing comes from. This song came from out of a season of depression, because we needed to be reminded of the goodness and faithfulness of God.

'Counting every blessing' isn't a glib Christian phrase for us, but a battle cry, an attitude to carry us through the darkest of

nights. We hope whatever season you find yourself in today that this song would be an encouragement for you too," the band shared. Here’s a glimpse at the lyrics of this powerful song.

I was blind, now I'm seeing in color I was dead, now I'm living forever

I had failed, but you were my redeemer

I've been blessed beyond all measure

I was lost, now I'm found by the father

I've been changed from a ruin to treasure

I've been given a hope and a future I've been blessed beyond all measure

I am counting every blessing,

counting every blessing Letting go and trusting when I cannot

see I am counting every blessing,

counting every blessing Surely every season you are good to

me

You were there in the valley of shadows

You were there in the depth of my sorrows

You're my strength, my hope for tomorrow

I've been blessed beyond all measure

I am counting every blessing, counting every blessing

Letting go and trusting when I cannot see

I am counting every blessing,

counting every blessing Surely every season you are good to

me

Surely your goodness pursues me Surely your heart is still for me

I will remember your mercies all my days

Through every storm and gale

with Pastor Elissa

Church Directory

Update

Saturday, August 4th

Saturday, August 18th

*Please sign up

for a picture time

that works for you*

Sign- up Sheets on

Foyer Cabinet.

Hope Wesleyan Church

505 4th Ave. NE

Independence, IA 50644

319-334-7148

Birthdays

Joelle Stefffens 4

Bonnie Clark 6

Lyle Eschweiler 10

Verlen Fulton 13

James Stimson 15

Carl Dodge 16

Michael Beebe 17

Teresa Ryherd 17

Carly Broughton 19

Alex Coberly 20

Rick Thompson 24

Jeremy Wiltsey 27

Barb Klatt 29

Suzanne Johnson 31

Anniversaries

Tim & Ruth Nelson 10

Bob & Amy Solon 17

Keith & Linda Smith 19

Rick & Karla Thompson 30