March 2011 SAVE THE DATES: May 15 Faith News A PUBLICATION OF FAITH FELLOWSHIP CHURCH FFC VARIETY SHOW The Ides of March 5:00 PM CARRY-IN POT LUCK DINNER 6:00 PM VARIETY SHOW By now you have heard of the movie filming here in Cincinnati titled, The Ides of March. How many know what the Ides of March is? see the back page for more details…. Ladies 2011 Fall Retreat October 28-29, 2011 Place: Wooded Glen Retreat & Conference Center Henryville, IN www.woodedglen.com Price: $75 (envelopes available for monthly payments) Coordinator: Lisa Baab [email protected] COMMUNITY WIDE EASTER EGG HUNT Kuliga Park April 23, 2011 10:00 AM Sponsored by FFC Growing up I had heard the term but really wasn’t familiar with it. The only thing I knew was that on that day, Julius Caesar was stabbed to death. Several months though have Ides: March, May, July and October all celebrated Ides which included parades to honor the god Mars. Each of the other months celebrated Mars on the 13th. Usually military processions and parades were held. Poor Caesar. On his way to the theatre in Pompey, he stopped to visit a seer who warned him that he would be harmed before the Ides of March. Caesar responded by saying the Ides of March has come, and the seer responded by telling him: “yes but they are not gone”. Later that day he would be betrayed by his friend and stabbed 23 times. Today we celebrate the day if we know someone who is born on that day. Still it is a day that the Lord made. In it He promises that His mercies are renewed every morning. While the day did not end well for Caesar, God has a plan for each day that you are here. Are you in the center of His will? Will you accomplish what He has planned for you today? EASTER SCHEDULE! 7:30 AM Sunrise Service at Kuliga Park 8:15 AM Potluck Breakfast 9:30 AM Sunday School 10:45 AM Worship Service Hi FFC family! This summer, June 23-August 10, I will be going on a Mission Trip with Teen Missions International to Peru. As part of our ministry to be all things to all people so that through all means, some might be saved, we will be living as the people we are serving live—bathing in rivers, sleeping in tents, etc. Our mission is to build a dormitory in a Children’s Home. In Puerto Maldonado, many children area abandoned and left to fend against prostitution and exploitation. We pray that this Home will be a safe reflection of their Heavenly Home. As part of our building project, we will use music and drama to reach out and witness to children. As the Body of Christ, we can impact lives. Please join me in praying for the lives of these children and the message of the salvation—that it be unhindered by language barriers (as my Spanish isn’t very good). If you feel called to support me financially, please contact me and I will give you details. Thanks for all your faithful support, Abby Maas Faith Fellowship Church Senior Pastor John Wodetzki [email protected] Ext: 111 Pastor of Music Kurt Wells [email protected] Ext: 112 Youth Pastor Jonathan Bush [email protected] Ext: 113 Office Administrator Karen Green [email protected] Ext: 114 6734 Bridgetown Road Phone: 513-598-6734 Website: Cincinnati, OH 45248 Fax: 513-598-1088 www.goffc.org Boot Camp continues: Tuesday’s 7:00 pm Friday’s 4:30 pm Free to FFC members/$5 week non-members NO W SE TWO S A W SIO EE NS K! W NO O S NEW Zumba session - March 10th TW ION ! S K Thursday’s at 7:00 pm S E SE WE Saturday Mornings at 10:00 am A $5/class or $20 for the 6 classes (see below for changes) Visit www.zumba.com for more details & information We'll be doing things a little differently this time and it should work out better for you. Instead of $20 for 6 weeks at each separate church , it'll be $20 for a 6-class punch card - so you can use it at any church. When you run out of classes, just get a new card. These cards WILL expire at the end of the latest church session, so make sure you get all of your classes in by the expiration date. They have started again at Whitewater Crossing on St. Rt. 128, Monday’s at 7:30, you can use your punch card there as well. (their session started February 21st) ZUMBATHON FOR MWANGAZA! IT Administrator Tom Foozer [email protected] Ext: 115 Business Administrator Frank Fullam [email protected] Ext: 116 Come and zumba to help raise funds for Mwangaza, Thursday March 3 at 7:00 PM FFC VARIETY SHOW, May 15 5:00 PM CARRY-IN POT LUCK DINNER 6:00 PM VARIETY SHOW All ages welcome. There will be skits, singing, and dancing. Please speak with Marilyn Bunger to become part of the show. [email protected] SPREAD THE WORD to your family, friends, neighbors, co-workers. ADMISSION: Canned goods for the City Gospel Mission City Gospel Mission Food Items needed: Brownie Mix Corn Bread Mix Muffin Mix Cake Mix Chocolate Chips Frosting (white or chocolate) Aluminum Pans with lids (9x13) Canned Corn Canned Green Beans French Fried Onions Cream of Mushroom Soup Jello (blue or red) Rice Krispies Cereal Marshmallows Cupcake Paper Holders Clear Plastic Parfait Cups Any other Non-Perishable Items Annual Rummage Sale It’s time to start saving your donations for the FFC Annual Rummage Sale! As you reorganize, get rid of, and de-clutter — save your items for the sale! The Rummage Sale is a great outreach for our community and also serves as a fundraiser for the Youth Missions and Ladies’ Retreat! The dates this year are as follows: Thursday, May 5 from 6-8 is Church Preview Night Friday & Saturday, May 6-7, from 9 am - 1 pm Open to community! Items can be stored at the church starting in mid-April — look for more info to come! Contact: Cali Herzog - [email protected] The Ladies Retreat Committee Proudly Invites You To A Dinner Theater, Date: April 9, 2011 "A Day With A Perfect Stranger", By David Gregory Adapted to Script by Shari Wagner. A DAY WITH A PERFECT STRANGER, a superb follow up to Dinner with a Perfect Stranger, uses a low key approach to make a case for deeper spiritual religious connections with the Lord without condemning other religions, as the prequel did. Below is a summary of the book: What if a fascinating stranger knew you better than you know yourself? When her husband comes home with a farfetched story about eating dinner with someone he believes to be Jesus, Mattie Cominsky thinks this may signal the end of her shaky marriage. Convinced that Nick is, at best, turning into a religious nut, the self-described agnostic hopes that a quick business trip will give her time to think things through. On board the plane, Mattie strikes up a conversation with a fellow passenger. When she discovers their shared scorn for religion, she confides her frustration over her husband’s recent conversion. The stranger suggests that perhaps her husband isn’t seeking religion but true spiritual connection, an idea that prompts her to reflect on her own search for fulfillment. As their conversation turns to issues of spiritual longing and deeper questions about the nature of God, Mattie finds herself increasingly drawn to this insightful stranger. But when the discussion unexpectedly turns personal, touching on things she’s never told anyone, Mattie is startled and disturbed. Who is this man who seems to peer straight into her soul? THIS WILL BENEFIT THE 2011 FALL LADIES RETREAT Contact is Lisa Baab, [email protected] KIDS CORNER Join the kids as we continue learning about our FRIENDS and HEROES! Faith Odyssey Children’s Sunday School program (9:30-10:30 am) for grades K-5) This month, we're continuing to learn about Baptism. The tie-dye activity has been a great opportunity to teach the children about how Baptism is a symbol of how we were once "tied up in sins" but after we are saved we take on the new look of Jesus in our lives. We thought you might enjoy a few pictures of the fun! Our last week of the rotation will include an interview with our Deacon, Steve Smith, along with a behind-the-scenes tour of the baptistery with our friend, Pat Nolan! We'll try to post a video of this event on YouTube for you to enjoy. Watch the bulletin for more information as it is available. On March 20, we'll begin our Easter Rotation, this time focusing on the story from the perspective of the Passover Lamb. More about these activities in our April Newsletter! March Birthdays: Emma Herzog—March 7 Daniel Herzog—March 8 Gabriela Esslinger—March 9 Claire Carter—March 21 Lily Frey—March 26 HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! Wednesday night Kids Clubs continues to follow the Friends and Heroes adventures of Macky, Portia, and their friends and family. Macky's family is leaving Alexandria to escape Christian persecution, but Macky and Portia are headed to Jerusalem, where Macky hopes to rescue a Christian being held by Roman soldiers. In every video story, the characters tell about an event from the Bible to encourage or guide them. Coming up, we will learn about David, Paul's mission work, and Jacob. We have some fun crafts for March and April, including making clay pots. And don't forget games and music, where we get to worship the Lord with our singing, jumping, clapping, running, and laughter! Kids Clubs are Wednesdays, 7 to 8:30 p.m., for preschool to 5th grade. Contact Cheryl Ferguson with questions at [email protected] INDOOR PARK Each Tuesday 10:00 am-1:30 pm A recent tie-dying experience taught us that baptism is a symbol of how we were once “tied up in sins” Don’t miss this….A PLAN FOR SUCCESS A successful businessman was growing old and knew it was time to choose a successor to take over the business. Instead of choosing one of his Directors or his children, he decided to do something different. He called all the young executives in his company together. He said, "It is time for me to step down and choose the next CEO. I have decided to choose one of you." The young executives were Shocked, but the boss continued. "I am going to give each one of you a SEED today - one very special SEED. I want you to plant the seed, water it, and come back here one year from today with what you have grown from the seed I have given you. I will then judge the plants that you bring, and the one I choose will be the next CEO." One man, named Jim, was there that day and he, like the others, received a seed. He went home and excitedly, told his wife the story. She helped him get a pot, soil and compost and he planted the seed. Every day, he would water it and watch to see if it had grown. After about three weeks, some of the other executives began to talk about their seeds and the plants that were beginning to grow. Jim kept checking his seed, but nothing ever grew. Three weeks, four weeks, five weeks went by, still nothing. By now, others were talking about their plants, but Jim didn't have a plant and he felt like a failure. Six months went by - still nothing in Jim's pot. He just knew he had killed his seed. Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but he had nothing. Jim didn't say anything to his colleagues, however, he just kept watering and fertilizing the soil - He so wanted the seed to grow. A year finally went by and all the young executives of the company brought their plants to the CEO for inspection. Jim told his wife that he wasn’t going to take an empty pot. But she asked him to be honest about what happened. Jim felt sick to his stomach, it was going to be the most embarrassing moment of his life, but he knew his wife was right. He took his empty pot to the board room. When Jim arrived, he was amazed at the variety of plants grown by the other executives. They were beautiful -- in all shapes and sizes. Jim put his empty pot on the floor and many of his colleagues laughed, a few felt sorry for him! When the CEO arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted his young executives. Jim just tried to hide in the back. "My, what great plants, trees and flowers you have grown," said the CEO. "Today one of you will be appointed the next CEO!" All of a sudden, the CEO spotted Jim at the back of the room with his empty pot. He ordered the Financial Director to bring him to the front. Jim was terrified. He thought, "The CEO knows I'm a failure! Maybe he will have me fired!" When Jim got to the front, the CEO asked him what had happened to his seed - Jim told him the story. The CEO asked everyone to sit down except Jim. He looked at Jim, and then announced to the young executives, "Behold your next Chief Executive Officer! His name is Jim!" Jim couldn't believe it. Jim couldn't even grow his seed. "How could he be the new CEO?" the others said. Then the CEO said, "One year ago today, I gave everyone in this room a seed. I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it, and bring it back to me today. But I gave you all boiled seeds; they were dead - it was not possible for them to grow. All of you, except Jim, have brought me trees and plants and flowers. When you found that the seed would not grow, you substituted another seed for the one I gave you. Jim was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it. Therefore, he is the one who will be the new Chief Executive Officer!" * If you plant honesty, you will reap trust * If you plant goodness, you will reap friends * If you plant humility, you will reap greatness * If you plant perseverance, you will reap contentment * If you plant consideration, you will reap perspective * If you plant hard work, you will reap success * If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation So, be careful what you plant now; it will determine what you will reap later. Think about this for a minute.... If I happened to show up on your door step crying, would you care? If I called you and asked you to pick me up because something happened, would you come? If I had one day left to live my life, would you be part of that last day? If I needed a shoulder to cry on, would you give me yours? This is a test to see who you’re real friends are or if you are just someone to talk to you when they are bored Do you know what the relationship is between your two eyes? They blink together, they move together, they cry together, they see things together, and they sleep together, but they never see each other; ....that's what friendship is.. Your aspiration is your motivation, your motivation is your belief, your belief is your peace, your peace is your target, your target is heaven, and life is like hard core torture without it! -author unknown Mark your calendar for VBS 2011, June 13 to 17, for a beach vacation at FFC! The theme this year is Son Surf Beach Bash, where we meet up with Jesus, look up to Him, join up with Him, open up to Him, and get fired up—for Jesus! This year, we expect more than 100 kids at VBS, many of whom never attend regular programs at Faith Fellowship Church! WILL YOU HELP? We need faithful servants who are willing to spend 2-3 hours a day for 5 days to help with music, shepherd children, teach preschoolers (teach the same 20-minute lesson 3 times each day), help with skits, help with games, and assist with snacks and registration. Be looking for the sign-up table in March. Also, this year we want to go all out on decorating. We would like to borrow the following: Beach chairs and umbrellas, plastic swimming pools, string fishing nets, fake palm trees, and any large seascape shower curtains, bed sheets, or other beach decor you would like to have back at the end of the event. If you are out at a dollar store and see a cheap stuff sea animal or big blowup dolphin and think—hey! VBS could use that, we will take any donations like that! We will give those away to the kids at the end of VBS unless you indicate that you want something back (in which case, please put your name on it!). Since we are going all out with decorating, we need to go all out with decorators. Please put Saturday morning, June 4, on your calendar to help decorate the children's areas, halls, and auditorium for VBS. In putting many of the decorations up the week before VBS, we can advertise the event to everyone who uses the church and create more excitement about VBS! Finally, please pray for the children and their parents, as well as the workers. VBS shares the Gospel with children. It tells them that God loves them and wants to be their friend and redeemer. Not everyone is called to the mission field in developing countries, but VBS is a mission field ripe for harvest right here in Bridgetown, and you can even drink the water. Pray for how you can be part of this great mission, and then meet up, look up, join up, open up, and get fired up for what God can do on the West side when the Body works together in the Spirit! Coordinator for our 2011 VBS is Diane Winkler. You can contact her at [email protected] Returning to Cincinnati for a second time. MWANGAZA, An African Children’s Choir Mwangaza (pronounced m-wahn-GAH-zah) Mwangaza is the Swahili word for “shining light.” Children’s Choir is dedicated to sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ through song, dance and testimony. To help bridge cultural and language barriers, the majority of each Mwangaza concert is performed in English. Mwangaza Children’s Choir is an inspiring group of hopeful and talented children, ages 8-12, who admirably represent the orphaned and poverty-stricken youth of Uganda www.mwanagazachoir.org Concert Information: March 5, 2:00 PM BLOC Mission Center 933 McPherson Ave. East Price Hill 45205 March 6, 6:00 PM Faith Fellowship Church, 6734 Bridgetown Road Cincinnati, OH 45248 513-598-6734 www,goffc.org For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light. – Ephesians 5:8 Bearing Precious Seed Trip March 10 and March 26! The Missions Committee of FFC has organized March volunteer opportunities at BPS for the morning of Thursday, March 10 and we are also going to join the youth trip on Saturday March 26th. If you can sit at a table and insert Bible portions inside of each other or operate an electric stapler, YOU ARE NEEDED! Those interested in the Thursday event should meet at the FFC upper front parking lot by 9:00 AM on Thursday, March 10, to carpool to Bearing Precious Seed Ministries located at 1369 Woodville Pike, Milford, OH 45150. The group plans to work from 10:00 AM until 1:00 PM. There is a sign-up sheet located at the Missions Table near the Commons. For the Saturday event, March 26th, we will meet at church at the same time as the youth, 8:45 AM - More information to come! This is a fun, low activity level way to make a difference. A majority of the scriptures are distributed throughout the 10/40 window. You can sit with your friends or sit by some new friends and catch up on the news. Please, no children under the age of 13 allowed, as there is a large printing press in operation in the building. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask one of the committee members – Carl Wilkey, Jo Miller, Marie Hager, Rob Muirheid, Abby Maas or Beth Sullivan. March 11-12 30-HOUR FAMINE This will be a middle and high school event Every day, hunger kills nearly 8,000 kids. You can do something about it. Band together to fight hunger, save lives—and write a different story for the planet. Students around the world loving God and fighting hunger. It’s that simple. Every year, thousands of students unite to do the 30-Hour Famine. They learn about hunger - and then they do something about it. They raise funds. They experience hunger for themselves. Best of all? They help save lives. Visit www.30hourfamine.org to learn all about this ministry. Plan to attend Bearing Precious Seed on Saturday March 26th. All Youth and adults are invited to attend! Meet at the church at 8:45 am to return by 1:00 PM We will be car-pooling. Plan to meet at FFC to leave at 4:30 pm. This is a FIRST COME FIRST SERVE situation. ALL WELCOME! MARCH 25 - COST: $10 at the door! VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE continues with great competition. Tournaments coming soon. Join us each Sunday afternoon for the games. FFC has two teams. Team A coached by Erik Fullam, Team B coached by Andy Green. Team A—ERIK March 6 - 2:00 March 13 - 1:15 Team B—ANDY March 6 - 3:30 March 13 - 2:45 March 19 - Tournament Starts Noon - 4:00 PM March 20 - Finals/Awards 1:00 - 3:00 PM Awards to follow Concession stand is open for lunch, proceeds are for the Youth! Heralds for Her March 2011 Publication of Faith Fellowship Women’s Ministries Patti Thielen - Director of Religious Ministries Cali Herzog - Director of Service Ministries Betsy Rengering - Director of Fellowship Ministries Annette Esslinger & Karen Green - Co-Directors of Administration & Media Tish Wodetzki - Director of Special Events EMERGENCY NUMBERS - submitted by Imojean Grapes Author Unknown Emergency numbers may be dialed direct. No operator assistance is necessary. When is sorrow, call John 14 When men fail you, call Psalm 27 If you want to be fruitful, call John 15 When you have sinned, call Psalm 51 When you worry, call Matthew 6:19-24 When you are in danger, call Psalm 91 When God seems far away, call Psalm 139 When your faith needs stirring, call Hebrews 11 When you are lonely and fearful, call Psalm 23 When you grow bitter & critical, call I Corinthians 13 For Paul’s secret to happiness, call Colossians 3:12-17 For understanding of Christianity, call II Corinthians 5:15-19 When you feel down and out, call Romans 8:31 When you want peace and rest, call Matthew 11:25-30 When the world seems bigger than God, call Psalm 90 When you leave home for labor or travel, call Psalm 121 When you want Christian assurance, call Romans 8:1-30 When your prayers grow narrow or selfish, call Psalm 67 For a great invention/opportunity, call Isaiah 55 When you want courage for a task, call Joshua 1 For how to get along with fellow men, call Romans 12 When you think of investments and returns, call Mark 10 If you are depressed, call Psalm 27 If your pocketbook is empty, call Psalm 37 If you are losing confidence in people, call I Corinthians 13 If people seem unkind, call John 15 If discouraged about your work, call Psalm 126 If you find the world growing small and yourself great, call Psalm 19 Alternate Numbers: For dealing with fear, call Psalm 34:7 For security, call Psalm 121:3 For assurance, call Mark 8:35 For reassurance, call Psalm 145:18 All lines to Heaven are open 24 hours a day! Feed your faith, and doubt will starve to death! The Love of Your Life "Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love." Revelation 2:4 NKJV Crazy in love. You remember it don’t you? The “I can’t get you out of my mind—out of my life love.” Times when you couldn’t seem to get enough of each other. And then something happens. The pressures and demands of the world begin to take hold. Staying close to one another gets more difficult. And as it does, your enthusiasm begins to wear off. Your attempts at closeness and intimacy become mechanical and cold. Our relationship with Christ may be similar. As a new believer, our love for God is full of passion. We want to walk closely with Him through the day… we think about Him all the time… we long to know more intimately the One who has forgiven us. And we can’t help but tell those around us about the love of our life. But gradually, the zeal and passion for God can wear off as the demands and pressures of the world weigh in. That’s the time for renewal—for making the relationship top priority. Spend time with your First Love. Make it an everyday priority. As you do, you will find that the fire in your heart for the One who rescued you will be rekindled, and the romance you first knew with Him will be everlasting and ever-fulfilling. Prayer: Dear Lord. Rekindle in me that passion for You I once had. Draw me near so I can find joy in your presence. Bible Readings for the Week Ahead: Monday: Deuteronomy 10:12; Tuesday: Matthew 22:37-40; Wednesday: John 14: 21-24 Thursday: 1 John 4:19; Friday: 1 John 4:11; Saturday: John 15:1-10; Sunday: Mark 12:30 Scatter Platter Menu for March 2, 2011 Tacos Refried Beans Spanish Rice Chocolate Éclair Cake Menu for March 16, 2011 Salisbury Steak Mashed Potato Casserole Green Beans Cake From Scratch Sloppy Joes -submitted by Anita Coleman Ingredients: “Lean Ground Beef, onion, green pepper, and ketchup are seasoned with garlic powder and sweetened with brown sugar to make this hearty meat filling. Serve on hamburger buns.” 1 pound lean ground beef 3/4 cup ketchup 1/4 cup chopped onion 3 teaspoons brown sugar 1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper, salt to taste 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder ground black pepper to taste 1 teaspoon prepared yellow mustard In a medium skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef, onion, and green pepper, drain off liquids. Our Friend Polenta Polenta is made from ground white or yellow corn. In ancient times it was made from chestnuts. It is ground course or fine. Through history it was, called mush, porridge or gruel. It was a common dish in Rome when Jesus walked the earth. Before I moved to Ohio we ate grits boiled with salt a very southern dish. We would even scramble or over easy our eggs and mix it in with cheese. In the last few years I have rediscovered polenta due to my potato allergy. We eat polenta like most people eat potato. I cook them firm like mashed potato and serve them with onion and mushroom gravy, or with a pot roast. The next day I add egg and salt and fry them in low oil making ho-cakes as my grandmother did. You can cook them firm and roll them into sticks adding spices (hot peppers) and fry them then dip them into whatever sauce you wish. Italian’s eat polenta like noodles with a ragu sauce and cheese. Any dish you would put rice in can be replaced by polenta. I have found that no matter the food, from fish, to beef polenta in any form is a great whole grain side. Stir in the garlic powder, mustard, ketchup, and brown sugar, mix thoroughly. Reduce heat, and simmer for 30 minutes. Season with salt & pepper. 3 cups water 1 cup polenta Salt Teaspoon Butter Spring is when you feel like whistling even with a shoe full of slush. ~Doug Larson Bring water to a boil add salt and butter stir in polenta and turn down to a simmer put lid on pot stirring often to avoid clumping. If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome. ~Anne Bradstreet Polenta can be found in the health food section or cereal isle at any grocery store! Serve polenta with cheese and eggs, Pot roast and broccoli with a gravy, black beans and bacon, fish and green beans or by its self with ragu and chunks of cheese - submitted by Karen Doffing March Activities March 18 7:00 PM Craft Club Cost: TBD Sign up now at the ladies table to reserve your spot! March 21 - 6:00 PM SOUL SISTER DINNER Fellowship Hall Contact Sharon Engleman for details [email protected] March 23, 6:30 - 8:30 PM MOPS Meeting March 25 - 6:00 PM Wildflowers Blanket Night Potluck dinner in the Fellowship Hall. We will be making no-sew fleece blankets for the sonshine basket ministry. COME AND JOIN US! April 9th Dinner Theatre “A Day With A Perfect Stranger” Cost: $10 Proceeds to 2011 Ladies Retreat October 8, 2011 will be our 1st Annual Craft Fair at FFC Crafters NEEDED Start crafting and talk to Marilyn Bunger to reserve your spot! [email protected] Craft Show: 9:00 AM-3:30 PM $25/space; $30 table provided October 28-29 2011 Ladies Retreat Cost: $75 Place: Wooded Glen Resort www.woodedglen.com Relax. Refresh. Connect. Grow
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