Risingsun First Church of God
7968 U.S. 23, Risingsun, OH 43457
Website: www.risingsunfcog.org
Church email: [email protected]
Phone: 419-457-3971
Pastor Paul J Rutledge
Fe br uary
2 0 15
Pastor’s Meditation February 2015.
Inside this issue:
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Pastor’s Meditation
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Emmaus Walk
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Kroger rewards
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Walkers
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UNcommon study
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Children’s Sunday
school
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Reminder
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Pancake breakfast
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4D Love Women’s
retreat
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Ash Wednesday service
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Chili Cook-Off
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Volunteers for Easter
Egg Hunt
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February Calendar
The Devil & Daniel Webster is a short story by Stephen Vincent Benet. It was
published in 1937. The story centers on a New Hampshire farmer named Jabez
Stone. Farmer Stone, who is from the small town of Cross Corners, is plagued with
unending bad luck, causing him to finally swear that "it's enough to make a man
want to sell his soul to the devil!" Stone is visited the next day by a stranger, who
later identifies himself as "Mr. Scratch" Mr. Scratch makes Farmer Stone an offer
for his soul, in exchange for seven years of prosperity, to which Stone agrees.
After the seven years, Stone manages to bargain for an additional three years from
Mr. Scratch. However, after the additional three years passes, Mr. Scratch refuses to
grant Stone any further extension of time. Wanting out of the deal, Stone convinces
famous lawyer and orator Daniel Webster to accept his case. Through a skillful set of
arguments, Webster wins the case against the devil, and Jabez Stone is saved from
perdition.
The Devil & Daniel Webster has won awards, been adapted into an opera, and was
made into a film in 1941. One reason the story has done so well in so many formats
is because The Devil & Daniel Webster is more than just a simple fairy tale. It addresses themes and issues like slavery, patriotism, treatment of American Indians,
and how the world views the reality of the devil and hell.
The Devil & Daniel Webster is fiction, but the Bible records a story in which Satan
accuses a follower of God before the Divine Judge. In Zechariah 3, Joshua, a high
priest, stands before God. As a picture of his personal sin and guilt, the priest is
dressed in filthy clothing. Satan accuses Joshua of sin and separation from God.
Satan throws his accusations out there, but the Angel of the Lord rebukes him and
says to Joshua in Zechariah 3:4, “See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I
will clothe you with rich robes.”
Only God can make a sinner acceptable to him. Only God can atone for our sin.
1 John 2:1 tells us how the atonement happens, “If anyone sins, we have an
If you have an item to put in the Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”
newsletter, please submit it to
Susie Hoffman by the
3rd. Sunday of the month.
Susie’s email address is
[email protected]
Do you feel unworthy to enter the presence of God? Remember, as followers of
Jesus, our Savior’s blood has cleansed us, and Jesus himself represents us.
Justification means our guilt is gone, and Jesus’ righteousness is given to us.
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The Walk to Emmaus is an experience of Christian spiritual renewal and formation
that begins with a three-day short course in Christianity. It is an opportunity to meet
Jesus Christ in a new way as God’s grace and love is revealed to you through other
believers. Here is the Emmaus Walk Schedule:
Women's Walk February 5-8, 2015 , Men's Walk March 12-15, 2015 ,
Women's Walk June 18-21, 2015 , Women's Walk October 8-11, 2015 ,
Men's Walk November 5-8, 2015 , Youth Chrysalis: Girls: Jan 22-25, July 9-12
Boys: Feb 19-22, July 23-26
If anyone has questions please contact Buster, Jane Ann, Bobbie, Randy, TJ or Cindy.
Praise the LORD! In 2014 we received a total of $251.99 in
Kroger rewards money, this money went into the mission fund and
has helped those in need along with buying food for Kids for Christ.
How does the Kroger community rewards work?...... All you have to
do is create an account at www.krogercommunityrewards.com and enter our number 80046 as the
organization of your choice. Every time you shop at Kroger and use your Kroger rewards card First
Church of God will receive a small percentage of your purchase. It does NOT cost you anything to sign
up! If you have any questions or need help getting signed up please contact Susie Hoffman or Sandy
Stephenson.
When the walkers started we had three, we are now up to about a dozen. We walk from 8am to
10:30am, Monday, Wednesday & Friday. You are welcome to come any time during that time, it
is a growing fellowship and all are welcome. (We do not walk if Lakota school closes due to bad
weather)
Starting Sunday, February 1st. 9:30ish the YAC’S Sunday
school class will begin UNcommon: Finding Your Path to
Significance An Uncommon Event will feature pre-recorded
coaching sessions from Coach Dungy, plus interactive experiences, and plenty of inspiration to help participants assess where God has placed them—then develop
their internal compass, invest in others, and grow the legacy they’ll leave behind. Of his book, UNcommon,
Dungy said, “It’s really something that I would want to say to my son. If I had a six-hour ride with him and
he was trapped with me, what are the things that I would pass on about life and being successful and
significant?” Discover these important core truths Coach Dungy wants everyone to understand, live by,
and pass on to others at An Uncommon Event. This Class is OPEN to ALL Adults who would like to
attend. Tim James is leading the class so, if you have questions please contact him.
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Praise the Lord! We now have two children's Sunday School classes: Krissy & Steve
Endicott are teaching the 3rd.-6th. grade and Derek & Shannon Bingle are teaching the
Pre-K through 2nd. Grade. What a blessing! If you have any questions regarding one of
the Sunday school classes please contact Brenda Weller or Sandy Stephenson.
Just a reminder that the double doors leading into the Christian Community Ministry Center need to be
closed when we are not using that area. We also need to make sure the Sunday School
room doors are closed when they aren’t in use. Lights need to be turned off when
rooms are not being used. Thank you :)
All you can eat pancake & sausage breakfast $5.00!
Girton First Church of God, 2112 South County Road 32,
is hosting a monthly all you can eat breakfast. All proceeds will go the the
Risingsun park district for new playground equipment. The breakfast will be
served from 7-11am on the following dates: Feb. 14th., Mar. 14th., April
11th., May 9th., June 13th., July 11th., Aug. 8th., Sept. 12th., Oct. 10th. and November 14th.
February 18th. 7pm Scott Trinity
United Methodist Church, 6076
County Road 11 is hosting a
Community Ash Wednesday service.
St. James Lutheran church, Bradner also has an Ash
Wednesday worship service with the Imposition of
Ashes and Holy Communion on February 18th. at
7:30pm. All are welcome to attend!
Easter is right around the corner! For the past
few years we have had an Easter Egg hunt here
at the church. We are looking for 2 or 3 people
to organize this years Easter Egg Hunt. If you are
interested please contact Susie Hoffman.
Registration for those entering their Chili into the
competition will begin at 4:30pm the event and
Judging will begin at 5:30pm.
The cost is $5 dollars to enter a Chili in the contest.
Peoples Choice prizes will be awarded for
1st, 2nd, and 3rd place
with celebrity judges awarding an
overall Grand Champion.
For those just wanting to come and
enjoy community
fellowship and a great chili dinner the cost is:
Adults... $8-includes all you can eat chili,
a piece of cornbread (if desired), a dessert and drink.
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