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 [email protected]
Deacon Shahbaz Nawab 517-944-2757 [email protected] Rev. Samuel Makuach: 517-200-8370 [email protected]
CTK Church Office : 1161 East Clark Rd, DeWitt, MI 48820 517-455-7094
Web page: www.CTKAchurch.org email: [email protected]
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)
Top Related