The Encourager "Encourager one another, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by Sin's deceitfulness."  Hebrews 3:13 NIV     Summer 2010                                                                                   Volume 5, Number 6 Church of Christ 27343 490th St., Staples, Minnesota  56479/218-894-2609 stapleschurchofchrist@q.com    Website: stapleschurchofchrist.org    Our VBS - June 6-10th    From 6 - 8:45 pm each evening, the church building will again be buzzing with intergenerational wonder & learning.  We so thank Sandy and Sarah P.  for being our VBS coordinators this year.  A also goes out to the many people who have said "YES" to the various  welcomed responsibilities that are needed to make a VBS go well!     Our theme is ""!  It will help all ages to learn about how God uses some unlikely people in marvelous ways in the Bible.  This will also translate in how He wants any person who will serve and love Him, regardless of what the world may think we have to offer.          There will be an adult class again this year.  We have several types of sign up sheets on the corner of the hallway bulletin board, so please check those out.     Sunday Night Church Softball  Beginning June 13th through August 8th, we will have another summer of Sunday evening church softball      Whether you want to play or can come with your lawn chair to cheer our team on, we hope you can take in as many of these Sunday evening opportunities as possible.  Remember Pine Haven in Your Summer Plans Pine Haven Christian Assembly is only 45 miles north of us and oh how we enjoy and benefit from that unique ministry of God's through the Minnesota Christian Churches / Churches of Christ.  We have forms and schedules available.  if you need one, ask for one.  If we can help you in any way with questions or in registering, let us know.  We never want finances to get in the way of going, so we have quiet & confidential ways to help if you let us know that too! There is something for every age and gender from 4th graders to golden seniors!  one and all for your support of Pine Haven through prayer, participation & finances!  Please keep the whole staff, campers, faculty & families in prayer.   Dedication of Maria Katherine In July In our July sermon messages, we are planning to have a theme "Raising Children for GOD in an anti-GOD & broken world". We are going to enjoy including the dedication of little Maria Katherine in one of our July Sunday morning worship services.  Jesus continues to say, "Let the little children come unto Me". What are Your Summer Sunday Plans? We all know that summer has a unique flavor of weather and opportunities among  the twelve months of the year.  This often includes additional events and travels.  We encourage you to make sure that you are gathering with Jesus' followers to worship Him wherever you are on Sundays! Another Fall Opportunity is Coming  We are pleased to announce that Rick and Cheryl Kubitza are already preparing a Wednesday night opportunity on the theme of "Being God's Stewards in all of Life".  They will be referencing a book by Randy Alcorn:  Money, Possessions & Eternity!                  Plan now.   You won't want to miss it.   OUR SUMMER MISSIONS UPDATE (June-Crossroads College/interviews from former students) JOYCE MADISON REIGLE(Presently Retired)  "I received two degrees from Minnesota Bible College(Crossroads College).  I received my Bachelor of Sacred Literature and a certificate for church secretary.  I have used both areas of education as I taught in the Mountain Mission School @ Grundy, VA & taught in elementary school as well as pre-school & Sunday school along with other children's programs.  I was a church secretary as well.  I know that the education I received was of great value and influnced my ability to serve God in all the career paths He led me to enter." Nigel Pyle(Presently a Missionary) "I attended Minnesota Bible College as an older student.  I was preparing myself for the mission field.  I thought I would be serving in America Semolina, but God had other plans for me and I served as a teacher in the Philippines.  With my wife & many of her family members, we now operate a Bible College as well as preach and teach to many of the people in the Philippines.  I owe much of the desire I have to serve God as a missionalry to the training I received from this school." Dr. Kendi Howells Douglas (Presently a Professor of Missions @Great Lakes, MI.)  The preparation I received at Minnesota Bible College was invaluable in preparing me for further education and a career as a faculty in a Bible College.  The Minnesota Bible College faculty modeled the balance between academic scholarship, mentorship and being involved in student's lives and ministry.  It is a model that has served me well in the ten years I have been teaching.  I am thankful for their dedication and willingness to pour their lives into others who are preparing for ministry." Lee Paskewitz (Farmer/Businessman) My time at Minnesota Bible College was invaluable to me as a Christian and as a person.  In my dairy business I deal with employees and the issues that arise on a daily basis.  The foundation of working through disagreements and problems was established in my years of living in the units at MBC with eight other young men.  I spent my junior and senior years as a unit counselor.    Many times, there were serious differences of opinions and conflict.  Through my time there, I learned the skills of dealing with many complex times and sometimes, heated interpersonal issues.  I learned the importance of always trying to see people and situations in a perspective that is consistent with my faith.  It is not always easy, but as always, it is always the best.  God's wisdom is always confirmed when we follow his principle for dealing with others.  That truth, respect and love go a long way to solving contentious issues.  I have learned that one of our many witnesses is how we treat and deal with others who have wronged us.  MBC gave me life long friendships, a grounded faith and great skills for much of what life throws at us.  Joan Howells, Our Mission Ministry Chairperson, closes this report in this way:  "We thank God for all the work Crossroads College has done and continues to do to send well prepared people out into the many varied fields of labor top fulfill the Great Commission to lead the world to Christ. JULY-Kingdom Builders (David & Virginia Savage) & (Nigel Pyle) "Our gifts and offerings for the month of July go to the Kingdome Builders Christian Mission. The Philippines & the Dominican Republic are two areas of mission work under this heading.  As you know, we had the privilege of having the missionary, Nigel Pyle and his family with us recently to talk about the work in the Philippines.  So, I will cover some of the recent work in the Dominican Republic.   As we are all aware, the great earthquakes that hit Haiti, also affected the Dominican Republic due to the close location of the two countries.  Speaking to a recent mission volunteer, I learned that although the earthquake itself did not damage property in the Dominican Republic, their lives are still very much affected by this disaster.  So, many  people from Haiti relocated to the Dominican Republic in search of shelter, food and medical assistance.  That influx of people caused an already depressed area to become so over-crowded that hundreds took to the streets to find food and places out in the open to live, without cover.  We also support I.D.E.S. which is an organization that serves countries in times of disaster.  So, although they were assisting in Haiti, they were not as apt to be of much assistance to the Dominican Republic at this time.  We pray that our gifts and those of other benevolent people will help in this situation.  May GOD bless the people of the Dominican Republic and those who serve there."   Joan Howels, Mission Ministry chairperson.       Please See Weekly Church Bulletin for these   Please Check The Ministries Page on the Website for Summer Servers  Getting to Know Bonnie Thompson      "I am 90 & live at Lakewood Pines.  We operated a resale store.  I was called the Cookie Grandma."       I grew up in Iowa, but mostly Staples.       I came to know the LORD in this way:  We were having a revival meeting at the Southside Church.  I was about 12.  I had gone to the church since I was four years old.       I used to crochet, embroider & needlepoint.   I have made quilts and have done lots of crafts.  Concerning my passion in life, I want to live as the LORD would have me do.       My favorite quote is. "Be still and know that I am GOD", from Psalms 46:10.       I am inspired by beautiful sunsets & the beauties of nataure and being in the LORD's house.       I have two girls, Becky & Maureen.  My two grandchildren are Kerry & Scott & Kim, but Kim is deceased.   I have six great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren!  My seven sisters and two brothers are gone.  My parents were Jesse & Nettie Ruch Coleman.       In our church, I appreciate the closeness, friendliness and adhering to the Bible.  "Where the Bible speaks, we speak....otherwise, we are to remain silent."  This is a place where we care and renew our spirits."