Good Morning Everyone,

It's great to greet you on Monday morning. I was thinking today that I have been sending out Monday Morning Newsletters for over 8 years now. That sure is a long time! I guess as long as God keeps inspiring me and giving me things to share, I will keep doing this. We had some really good services yesterday. I preached in the morning on, "10 Habits of Successful Christian Families." Sunday night we had a good group of people out and our two new elective classes started. I'm sure I counted close to 25 people in those two new classes. My message Sunday night was, "Complaining in the Wilderness." It was all about trusting God and not grumbling and complaining when things don't work out the way we want. At the end of the service I was thrilled to have a man come to my office and recommit his life to the Lord. Praise be to God!

For a thought this morning I read in Romans 12:21, "Be not overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." I believe the first part of this verse is talking about how we cannot allow evil to conqueror us. We can't hate, envy, or wish evil on anyone. If we do, we have been conquered and evil has gotten the upper-hand in us. What we need to do is go out and over-come and over-power evil with good. I read a story not long ago that will prove to you that we have overcoming power.

Al Masters lived in the eastern part of Pennsylvania. He was married and had a wonderful wife, a little boy, and a small business. He considered himself very blessed. And then, just before Christmas, a couple years ago, his little boy was killed by a 15 year old driving without a license. Al Masters was filled with a deep desire for revenge. Even though that youngster could not be brought before the full power of the law because he was a minor, Al wanted the book thrown at him. Then, on Christmas Eve, his wife got him to go to church. He listened to the story of the word that came to the shepherds. He learned about the Savior. He recognized that he was a sinner who needed God’s grace. He needed forgiveness; he needed a Savior. He began to weep.

When he left church he set out to find out more about the boy who killed his son. He discovered that he came from a broken home. His mother was a hopeless alcoholic. Al Masters went and met the boy. Then an incredible and unbelievable thing occurred. Al gave the boy a job in his own shop. Later, he took him into his own home to live! He gave the boy what he didn’t deserve. That’s how the grace of God works and that is how we overcome evil with good.

This week, let's take the high road and go out of our way to prove that God gives enabling grace. Let's be givers of God's grace and overcome whatever evil we may encounter with the goodness of the Lord. Hope you have an incredible week in ministry.

See you Sunday, Pastor Don

P.S. Please plan to stay for the all-church potluck after the morning worship service this coming Sunday.
Also, please keep praying for Diane Barkman. I talked to Dan's sister this morning and there has been very little change over the weekend. Diane is still in a comatose state and on the ventilator.

P.S.S. CHURCH ELECTION RESULTS

SUNDAY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT: DAVE BRISTLE

N.M.I. PRESIDENT: NAOMI CARD

CHURCH BOARD: LES BEALS, CAROL BLAKEMORE, GARY BURTON, ALLEN CARD, VIOLA RHOADS, JOYCE STONE, ANNETTE WARREN

SUNDAY SCHOOL BOARD: LISA COLEMAN, SUSAN FREY, CATHY HILLIARD, DAWNETTE SMITH, CAROLYN WOLF

N.M.I. CONVENTION DELEGATES: JACK BLAKEMORE, JACQUIE BLAKEMORE, VERA BURNETT, ALLEN CARD, NAOMI CARD, GEORGE LASON, MAXINE LASON

DISTRICT ASSEMBLY DELEGATES: GARY BURTON, ED STONE, JOYCE STONE

I want to thank all that let their names run. God has spoken through His people and I look forward to working with the new board and committees this new church year.
 

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