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Holland, IA January - February 2018

HEARTL INE T h e C o l f a x C e n t e r

Pastor Robby

Thank you for your kindness and generosity to our family. We are encouraged with the love and support shown to us. Happy New Year! Pastor Robby, Susie & Family

God’s Will for Your Life in 2018 Deuteronomy 29:29, “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.”

What will 2018 bring? Will you get sick? Will you marry? Will you remarry? Will you move

away? What will happen to your finances, children, dog—what is God’s will for your life? In the passage above, Moses reminds us that there are two categories to the will of God. First, he mentions the “secret things that belong to the Lord our God.” What are these “secret things” of the Lord? Well,

they are all of the things we just mentioned—what will I be doing in 5 years? 10 years? Who will I marry? Will I move away? Will I get sick? The secret things are known only to the Lord. We do not live in that stratosphere; we are not privy to those ordained, providential details that the Lord has planned. So when it comes to these “secret

things,” we really don’t know what the Lord has planned for us in 2018. Yet, we can say with great confidence that the Lord’s will in the year ahead is crystal clear. For in this same verse,

Moses states, “But the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.”

There is the secret will of God and the revealed will of God. What is the revealed will of God? The revealed will of God are those truths that He has clearly stated throughout His Word. For instance, in the year ahead—God’s will for you is really not that hard to discern. In 2018, the Lord’s will is: To not murder anyone (even in the heart), to worship on the Lord’s Day regularly, to do good to your neighbor, to honor your parents, to not be jealous of your friends good-looks or wealth or athletic abilities, to leave your addictions behind (alcohol, pornography, gambling,

over-eating, etc.), to put down your phone and instead invest in relationships, to tithe and honor the Lord with your spending, to exercise, to stop using profanity, to pursue Jesus in the Word and prayer, to shepherd your children

and grandchildren, to stop grumbling, complaining and talking negatively about people, to work on your marriage…etc., etc.

These are just a few of the truths highlighted in the “revealed Word.” Now oftentimes, we become enamored and fixated with trying to figure out the “secret things” of God instead of focusing on what God has already revealed. With that in mind, I would like to suggest just two rather enormous

truths that are GOD’S WILL FOR YOUR LIFE IN 2018. 1—The Lord desires you to grow in holiness. 1 Thessalonians 4:3 states, “For this is the will of God, your sanctification…” God is holy, so therefore His sons and daughters should also be holy. When someone becomes a Christian, they are

reborn—they are new creations. Yet, this is not the stopping place in the Christian life. We are to grow in the holiness of Christ. This year, God’s will for you is to abide in Jesus. To turn to Him—to put to death sin by the

power of the Holy Spirit—to walk with God. 2—The Lord wants you to find your joy in Him. In the midst of great struggle, turmoil, conflict, Nehemiah was able to

say, “Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” This year, God’s will for you is To turn to Jesus and find your joy in Him.

The “secret things” will providentially play out in our lives, but the key to living is to find our contentment and daily joy in Jesus.

This is God’s will for you, will you embrace it in 2018?

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“Angel’s On Assignment” Colfax Center Children’s

Christmas Program

December 17, 2017

Thank you to everyone and anyone

who helped with our Children’s Christmas program,

“Angels on Assignment”.

Thanks to Karen Boomgarden & Amy Launstein for coordinating and leading this effort.

Our Children were great!

See pictures on pages 2 & 3.

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January-February Coffee Fellowships

January 7: Scott & Jill Borchardt January 14: Chad & Kathy Pruisner January 21: Boomgarden/Launstein January 28: Tom & Sandy Simms February 4: Bill & Janet Aswegan February 11: Donn & Pam Anderson February 18: Larry & Carolyn Stahl February 25: Chuck & Ruth Thoren March 4: Jake & Wava Hemmen

January -February Flower Schedule

January 3: Still Available January 10: Still Available January 17: Still Available January 24: Still Available January 31: Still Available February 7: Still Available February 14: Still Available February 21: Still Available February 28: Still Available

January-February 2018 Nursery Attendants

Date Worship Sunday School Jan 7 Susie & Mollie Grames Kristie Salo Jan 14 Amy & Jordan Launstein Kristle Davis Jan 21 Nick & Kristle Davis Sandy Wiers Jan 28 Lori & Kylie Willis Susie Grames Feb 4 Karen & Macy Boomgarden Amy Launstein Feb 11 Sheila S/Sheryl Johnson Nick Davis Feb 18 Doug & Sandy Wiers Lori Willis Feb 25 Amanda Everts/Micah Grames Karen Boomgarden Mar 4 Kathy & Mary Pruisner Kristle Davis

Camera PowerPoint

7-Jan Micah Grames Will Grames

14-Jan Wes Willis Jordan Launstein

21-Jan Elaine Sents Ally Boomgarden

28-Jan Trey Morris Donny Pruisner

4-Feb Mike Dieken Micah Grames

11-Feb Will Grames Wes Willis

18-Feb Elaine Sents Trey Morris

25-Feb Donny Pruisner Wes Willis

4-Mar Will Grames Kylie Willis

Elevator Schedule Jan 7 Doug Wiers Jan 14 Jesse Willis Jan 21 Ken Harken Jan 28 Mike Dieken Jan 29 Red Werkman Feb 4 Chad Pruisner Feb 11 Brian Boomgarden

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Missionaries of the Month

January - Shannon and Nelia Ries

February - Ben & Julie Jensen

If you would like to receive updates from our missionaries, please let Karen Dieken know and she will add you to the distribution list so you can pray.

Colfax Center’s 2017 Annual Report

Please call the church after February 8th if you would like a copy of the

2017Annual Report mailed to you.

OR

You may pick up a copy in the Church Narthex .

Colfax Center’s Annual Congregation Meeting

will be held on Sunday, February 11,

following morning worship.

There will be no Sunday School or Coffee Fellowship.

Nursery Attendants will be available.

We extend our sympathy to the

family and friends of Duane Toomsen,

Loretta Arends and Harlan Rust.

If you need a ride to church, doctor appoint-ments or any other transportation needs,

please call: In January/February:

Chuck Thoren 319-824-6521 (home) 319-239-1354 (cell)

Or Tom Simms 319-824-6879 or

319-404-5272 (cell)

Need A Ride?

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February Birthdays:

1 - Eli Harberts; Sandy Wiers 3 - Verlyn Henze, Steve Kruger 5 - Christine Lamfers, Ashton Wolters 6 - Michael Sents 7 - Don Ennenga 12 - Carolyn Stahl 13 - Robyn Hunt 14 - Cathy Janssen 15 - Marlene Aalfs 16 - Michael Simms 17 - Amanda Nederhoff, Brodee Wolters 18 - Marge Diamond, Barrett Larson, Kaeley Nisius, David Sents 19 - Al Harberts 20 - Phyllis DeNeui 22 - Tim England 24 - Tim Kolder 25 - Grace Ennenga, Beth Werkman 26 - Janet Aswegan 27 - Mitchell Ralston, Lorraine Sents

January Birthdays

1 - Wendell Voss 2 - Toni Arends, 3 - Amanda Harken, Brett Morris, Sarah Steinmeyer 4 - Allen Seehusen, Ryan Stahl 5 - Angie Bech, Joyce Stahl 8 - Kathy Anderson, Emily Crosley, George Schmidt 10 - Linda Maske, Kim Venenga 11 - Mike Albers, Kylie Willis 12 - Karen Dieken 13 - JoAnn Junker 14 - Bonnie Rust 15 - Danielle Krull 16 - Kathy Pruisner, Julie Tjepkes 17 - Coty Albers, Shawn Albers, Brian

Bidleman, Nathan Stahl 18 - Daniel Mennen, Makenna Steinmeyer 19 - Tyson Albright 23 - Sarah Ringena 27 - Dean Harrenstein 28 - Sue Kruger 30 - Aiden Hook, Christian Hunt 31 - Matt Morris

Early March Birthdays

1 - Sheila Steinmeyer, Ruth Thoren, 2 - Westin Steinmeyer 3 - Jim Heeren 4 - Kalianne Venenga

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Our precious Colfax children listening to Mr. Bill’s Children’s sermon on December 10, 2017.

Discovering the Westminster The Godhead

Q. 6 How many persons are there in the Godhead? A. There are three persons in the Godhead; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory.

Have a Jehovah witness knock on your door lately? They visit Dike a few times a year. They believe that Jesus was the first creation of Jehovah. Read the Catechism again, “These three are one God, the same in substance”! If you sometimes get confused with the Trinity and it’s easy to do so, remember, “One God same substance.” God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit.” One God.” We thank you – “To the great One in Three”

Amen. David Pruin

GRUNDY CENTER CABLE CHANNEL

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2018

Bethany Presbyterian Jan. 9 & 14 Colfax Center Jan. 16 & 21 First Baptist Jan. 23 & 28 St. Gabriel Catholic Jan. 30 & Feb. 4 First Presbyterian Feb. 6 & 11 Ivester Church Feb. 20 & 25 American Lutheran Feb. 27 & Mar. 4

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Thank You,

Fran Harms for sharing mums in memory of Bernerd on

November 6.

Karen Kruger for sharing flowers in memory of K.C. Kruger on

November 13.

Pat Neessen and family for sharing flowers on December 4th in memory of LuRay.

All the families who shared poinsettias in

memory of their loved ones.

Thank you to everyone who reached out to Scott dur-ing his accident and now during recovery. Thank you so much for your cards, letters and continued prayers. The power of prayer is truly amazing.

Scott & Jill Borchardt

Thank you to the Care Team, Pastor Robby, the Elders and all who visited, prayed or sent me cards while I was recovering from my hospital stay.

God Bless You All!

Don Ennenga

Thank you so very much for all the wonderful Christmas greetings and visits during the holiday season. It meant so much to me.

Holiday Blessings to everyone!

Carolyn Harberts

Dear Colfax Presbyterian Church, Thank you so much for inviting us to share and for blessing us with your gifts. It was great to spend time with you. Together we are making a difference for God.

Take Care,

Shannon & Nelia Ries

I would like to thank everyone who remembered me with cards, calls, visits and prayers while in the hospital and since returning home. All this was greatly appreciated.

Larry Stahl

Thanks to everyone who helped with the 2017 Meal Ministry by providing meals.

Pastor Robby & Becky Randall

Dear Pastor and Congregation, Thanks for the card! I truly miss being there with you all. I especially miss being up in the corner of the balcony and ringing the bell. Also, thanks for keeping me in your prayers. Hopefully I’ll be home soon. I love you all!

Darwin Harms Matthew 6:34 - Therefore do not worry about tomor-row, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Thank you to everyone who provided Angel Tree gifts for the Eldora Training School.

Colfax Center Care Team

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Ten Reasons to Trust God With Your Future

10. He planned it before you got here. 9. He offers 24 hour support - good for a lifetime. 8. His training manual is the best selling book of all time. 7. He has a great reputation for working miracles. 6. He forgives all your mistakes - no questions asked. 5. He controls the entire universe and everything in it. 4. He has an inside track on your bosses - He created them. 3. His rewards are character driven - not performance based. 2. He has an “all you need” guarantee so you never have to worry about things like food and clothing. 1. He used one element to design it - His unconditional love for you.

“May You Trust Him Completely and Enjoy His Best.”

2017 Annual Reports are due in the Church Office

by Monday, January 15, 2018.

Thank you!

Funds Receiving Your Weekly Tithes & Offerings

1st, 2nd & 3rd Sundays: General Fund

4th Sunday: Mission Fund

5th Sunday: Building/Maintenance Fund

The Deacon Fund (used for Mercy

Ministries - those in need) does not have a Sunday assigned, so please designate as you

feel led.

You may designate any fund on any given Sunday.

RYM Colorado - June 11-16, 2018 The deadline is coming soon for registration. We will

need to know who is going by February 1st.

Please see Pastor Robby if interested or for questions.

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