May 2008

Theme for 2008 – Listen to the Word

If you are reading through the New Testament this year, you will begin the Gospel of John this week. John is the fourth gospel, but unlike the first three gospels (that are similar to each other), John includes many unique events and conversations. Think about how differently two or three different people might see the same event today. Each person picks out certain things that are important to him or her and those things become the basis for reporting on “what really happened.”

John was very close to Jesus and he sees things from a personal and relational perspective. Jesus’ words are mostly intimate conversations with the disciples rather than the speeches to large crowds that we read in the other gospels. John writes at length about the conversation and teaching that Jesus shared on the night that he was betrayed by another disciple and friend. As you read this gospel, imagine yourself walking along side Jesus or sitting at the dinner table with him. Listen to his words as if he were talking to you. I say “listen” instead of “read” because it might be more meaningful if you read those words out loud to yourself or to someone else in your house so that you could actually hear them, rather than just reading them on a page. These were casual, informal, oral conversations.

Let the words sink into your life experiences and pray for the wisdom to apply them to your daily life. If you have not been reading along with the rest of us, perhaps you would like to join us this month as we read John and discuss it with others. If you have fallen behind in your reading, jump ahead to John and join in this part of our faith experiment – listening and applying these intimate words of Jesus.

David Brock

Sermon Topics for May

“Living like Jesus” is our motto, but many times we fail to live as we know he would want us to, and many other times we are not sure what Jesus would do in our situation. This month we look at some practical everyday living advice from Jesus’ teachings. Cathy Harris will be preaching on May 18, and David Brock will be preaching on May 4, 11, and 25.

May 4
Sermon – “On Heaven as on Earth”
Scripture – Matthew 10:24-42

May 11
Sermon – “Recognizing Authentic Faith”
Scripture – Matthew 11:1-19

May 18
Sermon – “Jesus Prays for Us!”
Scripture – Matthew 11:20-30

May 25
Sermon – “The Longest Day”
Scripture – Matthew 12:1-21

Seeking Friends Sunday School Class Begins New Study

The Seeking Friends adult Sunday School Class is starting a new study of Max Lucado’s book, He Chose the Nails. The class is taught by Bob Rust and meets downstairs in our Fellowship Center. Books are available in class or see Bob Rust. Consider joining this or one of our other adult classes for interesting discussions and an opportunity to fellowship together.

Quaker Haven Camp Dates

Camping season will be here before we know it. Mark your calendar!

Jr. High (7th-8th grades) – June 15-20

Beginners Camp (K-2nd grades) – June 27-29
     (This camp requires one family member of same gender to attend with child.)

Sr. High I (9th grade–2008 H.S. grads) – June 22-27

Sr. High II – July 13-18

Kids Camp (2nd-4th grades) – July 20-23

Jr. Camp (5th-6th grades) – July 27-August 1

Senior High Camp Registration

For youth (entering 9th grade-graduates) interested in attending summer camp, there are two sessions. One session is June 22-27, the other is July 13-18. If you want to go, the deadline for your deposit ($50) and registration to be in to me (Wes) is Sunday, May 25 (after this date there is a $50 late fee). The cost of camp is $225 ($175 after the deposit), and the church will pay half of the total cost if you would like to go, but we will not pay the late fee if you choose to go after the May 25 deadline. If you don’t have a registration form, you can look for one in the Welcome Center at the church, or get one online by going to www.iym.org and clicking on the Youth Ministries tab. Make sure you get your deposit and registration to me by MAY 25!

P.S.: The MAY 25 deadline is the deadline for ALL CAMPS at Quaker Haven. I will be sending in all Sr. High registrations together. Registration for other camps can be sent directly to Quaker Haven Camp to the address on the registration form.

Wes Dicken

Youth Group Dates/Activities

May 4 – Youth Group – 5:00-7:00 P.M.
May 11 – No Youth Group
May 18 – Youth going to see Prince Caspian movie, time TBA
May 21 – Meeting for youth attending Ichthus and their parents – 6:00 P.M.
May 25 – Youth Group – 5:00-7:00 P.M.

Ichthus Music Festival

YOUTH: Tickets for the Ichthus Music Festival have been ordered and are on their way to us! If you are going, there will be a meeting for you and your parents at 6:00 P.M. on Wednesday, May 21, at the church, to discuss what you’ll need to pack, rules, and other details. It will only be a half-hour long - I PROMISE. (Caylie will make sure that I don’t go over the time limit.) If you have ordered a ticket, you need to make sure that you are at this meeting.

ADULTS: While we’re on this topic, we are in need of tents for the Ichthus Festival. We have 12 people going from our church, and we need somewhere to sleep! If you have a tent that you would be willing to let us borrow, let Wes know, please. We would be VERY grateful. There will be other opportunities coming up to help with the trip, so keep your eyes and ears open.

Wes Dicken

New Church Directory is in the Planning

It has been several years since the church has published a pictorial directory of members and attenders. With a lot of new faces here at Spiceland Friends, a directory is perhaps long overdue. Recommended by Ministry and Oversight and approved by the Monthly Business Meeting, the plan is to begin work on a directory this summer. Rather than hiring an outside company to do the work, the directory will be put together “in house” with the committee in charge of the project using a computer program especially designed for a church directory.

By doing the work within the church and not hiring an outside company, there will be no pressure to purchase pictures that you really do not want. The plan is a simple one: Before and after church for several weeks in June, casual pictures will be taken of our members and attenders. You need not get all “gussied up” for these family and group photos as we will be taking “come as you are” shots. In order to photograph everyone, a few night sessions may be scheduled.

We are certain the church will have the capability by using the purchased program to print the digital photos in book form and thus avoid the expense of an outside publisher.

Charlene Williams, Beth Carr, & Linda Ratcliff

Please Remember in Prayer

Church Family
Joyce Weber
Monica Cook
Lena Carr
Lowell & Marguerite Painter
Juanita Reece (eyesight)
Joy Bussberg (Ruth Knotts’ daughter)
Building Fund Giving

Extended Family and Friends
Danielle Richardson (Vickie Richardson’s daughter-in-law)
Linda Justice (Jean Halcomb’s boss)
Joyce Myers (hit by a car)
Candy Crim (Elaine Wilson’s daughter-in-law)
Johnny & Mary Reece Brown (Reece family)
Ian Ray (Joanne Anderson’s son)
Our country and servicemen and women
Knightstown community, teens, and drug problems (Judy Stevens)

Building Fund Good News!

At the end of the first quarter of this year, we were able to pay an additional $4,000 toward the principal of our loan. This additional payment was made possible by the continued faithful giving of everyone in our congregation. Some give weekly, some give yearly, but all of us are giving generously and faithfully to pay for our wonderful new addition. We have seen so many instances where the new building has enhanced our ministry and provided space for new ministries that we could not have done before.

Beginning this week, most people will receive an Economic Stimulus Payment from the U.S. Government. Some have said that they are planning to give all or a portion of that check to the Building Fund since it is money that they were not expecting. As always, there are many demands on our money, but pray each day for God’s guidance in your finances and for his help as you consider your giving pattern to the church’s General Fund and Building Fund.

Upcoming Summer Activities/Dates

Vacation Bible School – July 21-25

Indiana Yearly Meeting Sessions – July 24-27

Friends United Meeting Triennial at High Point, NC – July 9-13

In Sympathy

Our heartfelt sympathy is extended to Rosemary & Max Jessup and family upon the passing of Rosemary’s mother, Roselyn Miller, on April 5.

We also extend our sympathy to Julie Halcomb upon the passing of her grandfather, Gene Leisure, on April 17.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Jim & Janet Putnam and family following the death of Jim’s father, Calvin Putnam, on April 24.

Reflections from 1935

Cordelia Wright sent in the following article which she felt would be of interest to some of our readers:

On May 9, 1935, the 26 members of the class of 1935 held their commencement in Spiceland Friends Church. L. S. Pittenger, Ball State President, gave the address. He told us –
“In these troubled times there are still opportunities if work, thrift and other things which have made America are to be believed.” (Sounds like 2008) In 1935 we were in the midst of the Great Depression – we were all poor so we rented caps and gowns for 25¢. Our class was the first to do so.

The boys later went to War, and Charles Byrket was killed in action. There are only two members of the 1935 class still living.

USFW Publications Available for All Women

Would you like to be informed of women’s ministries and activities in Indiana Yearly Meeting and across the U.S.? Two informative publications are available. Indiana Yearly Meeting has a free newsletter called The Quakeress, which outlines current activities of the USFW throughout Indiana Yearly Meeting. To subscribe you can e-mail Cathy Harris at quakerclh@sbcglobal.net or let Cathy know. The Advocate, a publication outlining women’s ministries and activities across the U.S. is also available. The cost is $10 for one year. Subscription forms are available on the table in the Welcome Center at the church.

Notes of Thanks

“Thanks to my Church Family for your prayers, cards, flowers and food after my Mother’s death. Also, a big thanks to David & Linda Brock and Cathy Harris for their visits at the hospital. Everything was greatly appreciated.”

Rosemary & Max Jessup

“Thank you for your participation in our Baby Bottle Boomerang fundraiser for the Henry County Pregnancy Care Center and to date your total is $572.94.” 3/27/08

“Thank you for your recent donation of diapers for the Henry County Pregnancy Care Center. Your continued support is greatly appreciated. The diapers go out as fast as we get them in, so they are always needed.” 4/17/08

Janet Modjeski

We would like to thank all those who sent contributions to the church in memory of Sue Adams. Your generosity is very much appreciated.

Our thanks to Sonja Coffman for her donation of an audio visual cart for our church.

Directory Changes/Additions

(Omitted from online newsletter for privacy.)

Don’t let your worries
get the best of you:
remember, Moses started out
as a basket case.

E-mail Addresses Needed

Occasionally we will be sending an e-mail reminder of upcoming events, and, if needed, weather-related updates on church activities. A sign-up sheet is available in the Welcome Center, or send Cathy Harris an e-mail at quakerclh@sbcglobal.net to be added to the list. If you add Cathy’s e-mail address to your contact list, you’ll be sure to receive the mail and not have it go to your spam file. To protect your privacy, your e-mail address will be hidden and will not appear on the address line.

Visit Us Online - www.spicelandfriends.org

You are reminded to regularly visit our website as new articles and features are added. Be sure to check out the Easter 2008 pictures and the updated missions page. As always, you can listen to the sermon or entire worship service each week.