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I read this the other day and thought others might find it as interesting as I did.

Growing in Christ, while serving Christ,

Pastor Thom

Do I Have Enough? by Guy Hatcher

“This question is asked by just about every client with whom I have a conversation. By doing some calculations with conservative assumptions, we can arrive at a number for every individual or family unit regarding the amount of money they need to have in their retirement account to ensure financial security for the rest of their life. What is interesting to me is even after there is a plan in place, along with a fully funded retirement account, there still seems to be lingering doubt in most people’s minds about having enough money. Why does this kind of self-doubt bubble from within? I believe it comes down to perspective and faith. If you are truly a person of faith, it is easy to believe God is in control. It takes a separate act of faith to live that out through the daily circumstances of life. “Now it is required that those who have been given a trust, must prove faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2) NIV Living our faith in finances becomes our responsibility as God has entrusted us HIS assets that can be used for his glory. This is in contrast to a world system that says there is never enough as the bar of measurement is always changing. The clouds were dark and hung low as I awoke to the sound of rain hitting the roof of my house. I knew instantly when I looked out my kitchen window it was going to be a cold, wet winter day in Texas. I put on my grey sweats, combed my hair, got the paper, woke up the girls, fed the dogs, and arrived at my kitchen bar to spend a few minutes catching up on the day’s events. But this day started out a little differently than the others. As soon as I woke up and hung my legs over the side of the bed, a question popped into my head. “If I have nothing else in life, is God enough?” This thought interrupted the usual start of my day. I went on to mull this question over in my mind throughout the course of the next few days. I kept thinking about the story of Job, a faithful servant of God who lost everything, yet never cursed God. I have pondered this question for months in regards to my finances, faith, and my future. The result of this process has created a new question that we all need to ask ourselves - “Is God Enough?” I know the truth that he is, but now I must have faith and live the truth even when the world tells me differently.”

CENTRAL RAYS

JULY 2017

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Pray Without Ceasing

By Sheila Dailie

When you hear someone pray out loud, not only are you led into the presence of God, but

you also enter the school of prayer. Like so many other skills in life, prayer is learned by doing, and

by watching how others “do it”—meaning how they pray.

This month I am sharing with you a prayer of one of my prayer mentors, Wendy Rotty Blight.

As one of the writers for First5, a devotional app for the phone, she closed with this prayer.

Father, thank You for the truths we learned today. Jesus is the exact image of You. When we

see Him, we see You. When we experience Jesus through the pages of Scripture, we experience

You. We are created in Your image. Help us to believe and walk confidently in that truth. Help us to

live in the fullness of that image. Help us be the hands and feet of Jesus to make Him known for Your

glory! In Jesus’ name, amen.

Weekly “Prayer Guides” are available in the Prayer Box just behind the sanctuary.

Thank you to my Church family for the birthday well wishes. A special thank you for the

many cards, calls, & goodies. I am blessed to have so many thoughtful, loving, helpful people that I

can call friends. You are all a blessing to me.

God bless you all!

Deloris Richards

Downtown Tuesdays

It has been a lot of fun for various

groups to do activities on Main Street for

Downtown Tuesdays. The Children’s

Ministries team provided games and

prizes, as well as invites to VBS! The

Evangelism team served 157 root beer

floats! It has been an amazing opportunity

to reach out to the people of our

community! Come check us out!

Church to Go Bags

Don’t forget that we have

Church “To Go” bags by the Welcome

Center. The bags are filled with

activities, songs, a message, and a

community service project. They are

designed to be able to worship when

you are unable to attend a worship

service here at Central Church. Check

them out and take one home today!

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“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.

Don’t be discouraged for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you.

I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”

Can you guess which book of the Bible this verse calls home? The prophet Isaiah

wrote many gems that we will read in the month of July. We also revisit the Proverbs and

Psalms.

These readings are great ways to begin or end your summer day, helping to redirect

your thoughts and mind to the things God created you to do.

Oh, by the way, find this verse in your favorite translation in Isaiah 41:10.

No longer will you need to remember to bring your checkbook or that seemingly nonexistent thing called “CASH” to church. ACH (automatic debit) giving is available at Central as an alternative to writing a check to the church each week or month. You can elect to have a withdrawal done on the 1st or the 15th of each month. The sign-up forms can be found in the Church Office and periodically in the bulletins. For more information, please contact Adam Koplin or Jason Kettwig.

Choir Thank you to the Gospel Choir for your special addition to the 8:30 am service this

past year. It is fun to pick up an old song and sing it again as part of the worship service.

Thank you to our accompanist, Sherry DeBoer, who makes our simple hymns sound like

something special.

We are now on summer break, but will begin the 2017-18 choir season on Sunday,

September 17.

Anyone who enjoys singing is welcome to join us once, or whenever it works for

you. Rehearsals begin at 8:00 am in the chapel.

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Our People in Overseas Mission: Staff at Gess (Kissy) Eye Clinic Agape School for Boys, Kenya Solar Oven Partners, Dr. Emmanuel Mefor, Mutambara, Zimbabwe Mission

Our People in the Military: Tanner Kettwig

Our People in Care Facilities: Park Place:

Dorothy Bracht Deloris Richards Lois Jean Miller Francis VanSambeek

St. William’s: Marie Buri Wava Butler Del Cardwell Shirley Hansen Kathy Trapp Ruth Wibbens Verla Miller

Milbank Care & Rehabilitation Center: Caroline Gommer Nadeane Buri Dorothy Bishop

Long Term Prayer Requests: Cheryl Pauli Jesse Bergerud Ione Brehmer (mother of Renae Fox) Matthew Smith Mary Warrey (If you have any updates or know of a name that should be removed, please call the church office.)

Committee of the Month: Memorial Gifts Committee

Church of the Month: Valley Baptist Church

Total Budget Offering $38,733 Total Expenses $32,816

Back Pack $2,040.00

UMCOR $100.00

Chore Corps $25.00

Peace w/Justice $15.00

Zimbabwe $2,610.00

Solar Ovens $1,890.00

Gess Eye Clinic $125.00

New Roof $4,100.00

Mosquito Nets $2,455.00

Articles for the August issue of Central

Rays are due Tuesday, July 18.

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Dakotas Holy Land Lenten Tour 2018

If going to the Holy Land has been a dream of yours, you are invited to join other Dakotas

United Methodists and friends on a 10 Day tour of the land of the Bible. Rev. Roger and Joan

Spahr are hosting their 3rd tour to the Holy Land February 12-22, 2018. Walking in the footsteps

of Jesus, the prophets, and kings will forever change the way you understand your Christian

faith. The cost from New York is $3,498.00. For more information please contact Roger Spahr at

roger.spahr@dakotasumc.org or Gail Marchand at gail@marchandtravel.com or call 605-868-

4245.

VBS is FOR YOU!

The theme for VBS this year is FOR YOU! Living Word is hosting VBS this year, so all the

activities will take place there. Each day the kids will be learning how they are chosen, there is a

place for them, Jesus came into the world for them and God has a will for them! Both ages will

enjoy music, crafts, games, and lesson times.

o Preschool (ages 3- completed K) will take place from 9 am-12 pm.

o Day Camp (ages completed 1st- 5th grades) will run from 9 am – 3 pm.

o Both groups are asked to bring a sack lunch.

The week will kick off on Sunday evening July 16 at 5:30 pm with a meal and chance to

learn about the week. On Wednesday, July 19, there will be a meal at 5:30 pm and program at

6:30 pm. Thank you for signing up to help or provide cookies, salads, and desserts! Kristy Liebe

will contact you with further information as the week gets closer.

If you have any questions or would still like to get signed up, please feel free to contact

Kristy at the church (432-4766).

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We are continuously trying to update our lists. Please notify the Central Church Office with any additions

or corrections 432-4766 or office@milbankcentral.org.

July 1 Elli Grabow

July 2 Parker Grabow

Landon Brown

July 3 Caden Schmieg

July 5 Nancy Copeland

July 6 Tom Graham

July 10 Marie Buri

Scott Niedert

July 11 Amy Thue

Chandler Peery

July 12 Jane Roehr

Charlie Peery

July 13 Noah DeBoer

Jerry Stengel

July 14 Gracie Jo Korstjens

July 15 Max Gonzenbach

Kendra Grong

July 16 Mary Dahl

July 17 Jason Kettwig

Makenna Young

July 18 Del Cross

July 19 Dell Stengel

Darcy Hupke

July 21 Renae Wollschlager

July 22 Courtney Trapp

Jim Remund

Evan Hausauer

July 24 Mary Hoff

Doug Aden

Cheyenne Stengel

Bree Townsend

July 1 Duane & Jerelynn Steege

July 2 Paul & Sherry DeBoer

July 5 Ryan & Jennifer Wollschlager

July 9 Brian & Debbie Folk

Dave & Denise Page

July 11 Jim & Nancy Anderson

July 16 Dick & Mary Skoog

July 18 Mark & Linda Comstock

Davis, Cory & Amy Aden, Doug & Jennifer Bohn, Harlan & Mary Brekke, Maye Olivia Copeland, Mike & Nancy DeWald, Jim & Tammie

Dunnihoo, Gregg & Rita Knaus, Darwin & Christine Koplin, Adam & Jennifer Loeschke, Janet *Miller, Lois Jean

Ninneman, Brian & Jody

Sayler, Paul & Kelly Schweer, Sara Thronson, Mike & Amanda Trapp, Brian & Abbey Wellnitz, Tammy

July 26 Andrew Falk

Christine Knaus

July 27 Scott Stengel

Ruth Wibbens

July 28 Duane Winquist

July 30 Jim Wendland

July 31 Tom Tillman

Amy Davis

Mindy Giesen

Brenna Fredrichsen

July 20 Neal & Jaimee Bender

July 22 Tyler & Melissa Gall

July 23 Tyler & Hilary Grabow

Doug & Dell Stengel

July 15 Erek & Alysha Holmquist

July 28 Doug & Linda Buri

July 29 Darwin & Christine Knaus

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Central Book Club

The Central Book Club is meeting this

month to watch a Christian based movie at

6:30 pm on Tuesday, July 18, in the

Fellowship Hall.

Anyone can join us to receive the

August book, “Wide Open Spaces” by Cadee

Brystal.

Central Church will provide the books

and all that is asked is a free will donation. If

you are interested in joining, please call Jen

in the Church Office at 432-4766 so that we

can be sure to have a book for you.

Where Can You Find Us?

Television: Radio: ITC Cable Channel 95 KMSD 1510

Mondays at 10:00 am & 7:00 pm Sundays at 11:00 am

Midcontinent Cable Channel 3

Sundays at 5:30 pm www.milbankcentral.org

Mondays at 11:30 am #graceiscentral Tuesdays at 2:30 pm

2017 Gearly Beloved Bike Tour

The committee is busy making plans to make the 2017 Gearly Beloved Bike Tour another

amazing event. Start training now to be ready to join in the fun.

-The twenty-mile tour will be held on Saturday, August 26 beginning at 9:00 am at Farley Park.

-Sign up will begin on Sunday, July 30.

-We will be making tour t-shirts again this year. The t-shirts will be pink this year in support of Laura

Mueller and others going through cancer treatment. Please sign up to participate by Sunday, August

13 to ensure that you will get a t-shirt to wear on the ride.

-There will be a modest fee to participate this year. $5 per participant or $20 max per family.

-Support staff is also needed, please see the sign-up sheets to volunteer or provide snacks for the riders.

-For additional fun and training we are adding a Ride Your Bike to Church Sunday on July 30. There

will be “Bike Parking Only” on the south side of the Fellowship Hall. So let’s see how many “bikers”

we can get to church on the 30th!

-For further information, please contact: Mary Dahl, Angie Grong, or LeAnn Kuper.

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