TOP 10

Countdown

I get enough exercise just pushing my luck.

Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.

Time is what keeps everything from happening at once.

No Radio—already stolen!

Don’t be God’s weakest link!

Where there is a will I want to be in it!

3 Kinds of people—those who count & those who can’t

The gene pool could use a little chlorine.

Forget about world peace—visualize using your turn signal.

A u g u s t 2 0 1 6 ”Sharing God’s Story to Change Our Story”

EVENTS

15th Father’s Day 22nd -26th VBS 28th Men’s Fishing Day

-------------

S U N D A Y W O R S H I P 1 0 A M

F A L L B i s h o p V i s i t O c t 8 - 9 Our new bishop, Rt. Rev. Ron Jackson, will be sharing the weekend with us in

October. Watch for special times to get to know him and more about our diocese’s

ministry and mission. Anyone interested in baptism, confirmation, or membership

reception during our bishop’s visit, please contact Fr. Joe.

Bumber Stricker Lessons

Number #1 ----- “Don’t’ follow ME— I’m lost!”

Now that one is not too hard to believe, even in this

day of Garmins and GPS apps on phones. What I like

about this one is its spiritual implications.

Like Little Bo-Peep’s sheep so many people have “lost

their way” and tragically don’t know it. They are

following something or someone else who appears to

have found a way to personal inner satisfaction.

Many have tried hard to be “religious” or live by the

“golden rule,” good people, neighbors next door,

sincere, helping, honest, and hard working, yet lost.

As Chuck Swindoll writes, “They are attempting to fill

the inner vacuum with everything but the only thing.”

Jesus Christ spoke clearly to the disciples—“I am the

way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). When Jesus

used the common word for way “hodos,” the first

century mind would think of two meanings: path or

journey. The path would be walk-able, clearly

defined, and leading in the right direction

*Continued on page 2

“Make a joyful noise to the Lord of all the earth… Come into His presence with singing.” Psalm 100 Please be in prayer for God’s person for our music ministry.

*continued from page 1

Journey would speak of time and distance. Jesus personified this word with one of the great Old Testament

power packed phrases “I AM.” In this way Jesus clearly teaches He is not just a model but the mode.

Christianity is more than just following a system, a philosophy, or a code of moral ethics—it is the impartation

of divine LIFE through Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul writes that “in Christ” we have forgiveness, new life,

eternal life, peace, joy, and grace.

Just prior to this directional statement, Jesus was asked, “How can we know the way?” The disciples had the

right “bumper sticker-ology”. They were lost and knew it. Jesus’ response: I’m not lost and neither are you

when I AM in you. You see, Jesus says, get rid of the bumper sticker that sounds right but is wrong:

“GOD is my co-pilot.” If He is—you are in the wrong seat. Jesus is the WAY only when His life is in us and

reigning within. And when that happens we know the truth and are ready to experience LIFE both and now

and for eternity.

On the Highway to Heaven, fr joe+

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.” ~ Philemon 25

A year ago we were blessed to have Shahbaz and Carrie (with Isaac) arrive in Michigan and come to our

church to begin the process of seeking ordination. Throughout this past year, they have worshiped with us, as

Shahbaz interned with Fr. Joe, as he prepared for his future ministry. Last Spring, he was ordained a deacon

by the Great Lakes Diocese. Since that time he has continued to pursue God’s will and place of service in

preparation for the priesthood and pastoral ministry.

As their year ends and no ministry opportunity has presented itself, an opportunity for Carrie to resume

teaching English as a second language has been offered. She is currently working with a Christian School in

China to join their staff, as they continue to seek God’s will. Visas and other paperwork are being processed.

A tentative start date is early September.

Please be in prayer for Shahbaz and Carrie as they live by faith in God’s purposes for their lives. Also watch

for more information regarding a farewell gathering for them as we pray for them and bless them.

2

SUMMER BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP

What’s wrong with ordinary?

“Like every other area of our lives, we have

come to believe that growth in Christ—as

individuals and churches—can and should be

programmed to generate predictable outcomes

that are unrealistic and are not even biblical…

We’ve forgotten that God showers his

extraordinary gifts through ordinary means of

grace, loves us through ordinary fellow image

bearers, and sends us out into the world to love

and serve others in ordinary callings.”

~ Quote from page 14

PICK UP YOUR COPY NOW

FROM THE INFO TABLE.

Cost: $10 each

Or order a Kindle electronic version online.

DISCUSSION Date: Thursday, September 8th Time 7PM Schuler’s Bookstore- Meridian Mall

August CtK Happenings

SUMMER SOCIAL CIRCLES, Thurs. . Aug. 25th

Join us at 6 PM @ P.F. Changs 2 East Town Centre.

Come casual and invite a friend. Sign up at church.

4th SUNDAY POTLUCK. Aug. 28th Join us after worship for BBQ pulled pork sandwiches. Please sign up for side dishes and desserts.

Any Golfers interested in some Thursday links outings?

Looking to share the fairways and greens with some

links partners. See Fr. Joe

Summer Bible Studies August Dates:

Guys Monday Morning Breakfast & Bible

8:30 AM @ Cracker Barrel Restaurant

W. Saginaw & I-69

Dates: 8/08 & 8/22

We are in the book of James. Ladies Study… “Gripped by the Greatness of

God.” Monday Evenings 6:30 PM Dates: 8/01 & 8/22.

Meeting @ Sue Mlaker’s home in DeWitt.

NEXT MASON PRAYER WALK….

Wednesday, 8/24 @ 6:30 PM

Meeting in front of the Courthouse downtown.

3

GROWN-UP MINISTRY

A quick snapshot of our congregation, and society in general, reveal an obvious fact, there are more people

who pre-date the smart phones, laptops, microwaves, space travel, and even theme parks like the grand-daddy

of them all, Disneyland. Census reports confirm that almost 15% of the population is 65 years or older in the

US. Worldwide, this age group is now tied with those under the age of 5, as the two groups are on opposite

trajectories. The 50+ age group is growing exponentially too!

What is true in the world, is not always true in the Church. Studies reveal that the graying church has begun

to decline as those approaching the “empty nest phase” are dropping out. The mid-life church crisis is

growing yearly as 50+ year olds become less involved, attend less often, and even drop out altogether.

A common cliché is that the Church is always 10 years behind the culture. This seems to be true in regards to

reaching and helping this seasoned generation live God centered and invested lives. I found this article

printed in 1988 by Frank Hutchison in the Christian Century Magazine (02/22/1988), in which he challenges us

to rethink our stereotyping.

Perhaps the first thing a local church can do is tackle the issue of how aging is viewed. Far

too many limiting and condescending stereotypes about aging still exist. Women and men

of advanced years are not the grannies or funny old men depicted in the comic strips or on

TV. They are not even what parents and grandparents were a generation ago; they are a

new creation, something unique in history. They have a vital present and a hopeful future.

They have much to give both to their families and to the larger society.

I like the phases, “unique, vital, hopeful, and new creation!” Words like “Senior Ministry” “retirees”,

“oldsters” or the slang “geezers” just don’t cut it anymore. In fact, AARP, the magazine for 50+ year

olds, has chosen to intentionally use the label “Grown-ups” as a more descriptive and positive label of

this group. Why? Health, abilities, longevity, and personal drive has changed the future landscape as

we age. (No! They are not referring to the movies that reflect immaturity and adolescent re-living.) The

term is positive and reflects those who are seasoned veterans of life, but with new challenges and

opportunities.

The real ministry challenge before us is “how do we do God’s kingdom work with and to ‘Grown-

ups?’” The time for creativity and Holy Spirit wisdom, courage, and power is needed as we mobilize

again to shape the future before us. Help us pray and catch the vision and desire to impact our

generation and the ones yet to come for Christ-like living, Kingdom passion, and a hope-filled future.

Check out an interesting article from Christianity Today on the web at:

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2014/september/midlife-church-crisis.htm

CtK Bullet Points 2016

4

GREAT QUOTES from last month’s

Summer Book Discussion… Fearless, by Max Lucado

And Jesus said, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” - Matthew 8:26

Fear has taken a hundred year lease on the building next door and set up shop.

Oversize and rude, fear is unwilling to share the heart with happiness.

Happiness complies and leaves. Do you ever see the two together? Can one be

happy and afraid at the same time? Clear thinking and afraid?

Confident and afraid? Merciful and afraid? No. Fear is the big bully in the high school

hallway: brash, loud, and unproductive.

For all the noise fear makes and room it takes, fear does little good. (pg. 5)

Fear never wrote a symphony or poem, negotiated a peace treaty, or cured a disease. Fear never pulled a

family out of poverty or a country out of bigotry. Fear never saved a marriage or a business. Courage did

that. Faith did that. … Fear herds us into a prison and slams the doors. (pg. 5)

Jesus doesn’t condemn legitimate concern for responsibilities but rather the continuous mind-set that

dismisses God’s presence. Destructive anxiety subtracts God from the future, faces uncertainties with no faith,

tallies up the challenges of the day without entering God into the equation. Worry is the darkroom where

negatives become glossy prints. (pg. 46)

A healthy church is where our fears go to die. We pierce them through with Scripture, psalms of celebration

and lament. We melt them in the sunlight of confession. We extinguish them with the waterfall of worship,

choosing to gaze at God, not our dreads. (pg. 87)

Life comes caffeinated with surprises. (pg. 126)

If we assume this world exists just for pre-grave happiness, these atrocities disqualify it from doing so. But

what if this earth is the womb? Might these challenges, severe as they may be, serve to prepare us, equip us for

the world to come? As Paul wrote, “These little troubles are getting us ready for an eternal glory that will make

all our troubles seem like nothing” (2 Cor. 4: 17 CEV). (pg. 134)

Fear That God is Not Real > Questions can make hermits out of us, driving us into hiding. Yet the cave has no

answers. Christ distributes courage through community; he dissipates doubts through fellowship. He never

deposits all knowledge in one person but distributes pieces of the jigsaw puzzle to many.

When you interlock your understanding with mine, and we share our discoveries . . .

When we mix, mingle, confess, and pray, Christ speaks. (pg. 144)

Don’t we need to know the transfigured Christ? One who spits holy fires? Who convenes and commands

historical figures? Who occupies the loftiest perch and wears the only true crown of the universe, God’s

beloved Son? One who takes friends to Mount Hermon’s peak so they can peek into heaven? Ascend it.

Stare long and longingly. (pg. 170)

Courage does not panic; it prays. Courage does not bemoan; it believes. Courage does not languish; it listens. It

listens to the voice of God calling through Scripture, “Fear not!” It hears Christ’s voice comforting through the

hospital corridors, graveyards, and war zones. (pg. 178)

5

Published by Thomas Nelson, © 2009

Zechariah 4:10 (The Message) Does anyone dare despise this day of small beginnings?

They’ll change their tune when they see Zerubbabel setting

the last stone in place!” Going back to the vision, the

Messenger-Angel said, “The seven lamps are the eyes of GOD

probing the dark corners of the world like searchlights.”

Rector: Rev. Dr. Joseph F. Mlaker 517-881-5725 revjmlaker@gmail.com

Deacon Shahbaz Nawab 517-944-2757 shahbaz.nawab@yahoo.com Rev. Samuel Makuach: 517-200-8370 smakuach@gmail.com

CTK Church Office : 1161 East Clark Rd, DeWitt, MI 48820 517-455-7094

Web page: www.CTKAchurch.org email: myctkachurch@gmail.com

The Back Page NEWS

Coming In Sept.

CtK Church Picnic

Vestry Members

Tim Shireman (Sr. Warden) Dan Ingraham Steve Shuptar Helen Taylor

Bob Wells

Sunday Ministries

Vol. 5 Number 8

Published by Christ the King Church

What has God called you to do? Are you in the day of small

beginnings even now? The Lord is rejoicing to see the work begin

and He will help you every step of the way. Don’t take my word for

it. Look at the Bible … King David had a small beginning in a field

tending sheep and experienced more intense warfare than you or I

will probably ever witness. Nehemiah rebuilt the wall of Jerusalem

with a remnant despite the opposition and the odds. The Bible is full

of examples of God uses the foolish things of the world to confound

the wise.

If you are in the day of small beginnings, take heart. Again, the Lord

is rejoicing to see the work begin and He who called you to the work

is faithful to strengthen your hands to do it, faithful to send workers

into the field he called you to, faithful to help you overcome even the

devil’s best shot, faithful to encourage you by His Spirit and with His

Word, faithful to provide all of your needs according to His riches in

glory by Christ Jesus, and faithful to lead you into victory if you keep

pressing toward the prize. He who calls you is faithful, who also will

do it (1 Thess. 5:23). Amen. ~ Jennifer LeClaire http://www.charismamag.com/blogs/the-plumb-line/15027-dont-despise-the-day-of-small-beginnings

ANGLICAN CHURCH IN NORTH AMERICA (ACNA)