Vol. 69, #12
Dec. 2014
For unto you is born this day in
the city of David a Savior, which is
Christ the Lord.
Glory to God in the highest, and on
earth peace, good will toward men.
Luke 2:11,14
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Knowing That We Are
Christ’s Disciples page 3
Monthly Sermon page 4
Birth of a School Lunch
page 6
Principled Education in
Ixtlan page 7
Forgiveness page 8
Remembering Our
Spiritual Heritage page 62
Good Will Toward Men
page 63
To Our Readers
Correspondence
For January Issue
(news from Nov 16-Dec 15)
Due: December 20, 2014
No Room
“And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished
that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and
wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger; because
there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:6-7
As we marvel at God’s wonderful gift to the world, may we also
consider the phrase, “no room.” Why wasn’t there room? In God’s
miraculous plan to place Jesus in Bethlehem, He could have made
appropriate accommodations. Why was this even recorded? What
does God desire for us to learn from this? Two things come to mind:
1. An example. What humility! The King of the world was laid
in a manager. Sometimes we experience things we don’t like,
yet the Creator of the universe was placed in a feed trough.
2. A lesson. Could we in like manner be guilty of not making
room for Jesus? We need to make room in our heart, our
work, our relationships, our family, our activities, our
thoughts, our church.
This Christmas, may we follow His humble pattern and may
we be diligent to ensure that there is plenty of room for Jesus in
everything!
Because of Him,
The Silver Lining
1523 County Road 400N
Congerville, IL 61729
USPS 496780
Published Monthly by the Apostolic
Christian Church of America
Counselors:
Tom Stock, Rick Plattner
Official Apostolic Christian Church
Website:
www.apostolicchristian.org
Send correspondence to:
[email protected]
(email is preferred)
The Silver Lining
1523 County Road 400N
Congerville, IL 61729
Ph: 309-657-4455
Bro. Rick Plattner, a Silver Lining Counseling Elder
(together with Bro. Tom Stock)
Periodical non-profit postage paid
at Roanoke, IL 61561 and additional
The Silver Lining subscriptions are due from the
following churches:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Akron
Bradford
Latty
West Bend
SILVER LINING December 2014
a donation. Send zip number with
address. Remember to send changes
Suggested donation:
$18/subscription.
of address. Send both old and new
Send all payments to:
Apostolic Christian Publications
P.O. Box 52
Eureka, IL 61530
Postmaster send address changes to:
Photos courtesy of: Front cover: Bro. Keith Leman, Elgin, IL
Back cover: Sis. Amy Ekren, Morris, MN
2
post offices. The subscription rate is
addresses (with both zips).
The Silver Lining
1523 County Road 400N
Congerville, IL 61729
Writings based on God’s Word
Light from the Word
Knowing That We Are
Christ’s Disciples
How can one know if he is a disciple of Jesus
Christ? What are the marks of a true disciple? While
we recognize that this is ultimately a deep matter
of the heart, and the result of our trust in the shed
blood of Christ for our salvation, we also know that
the heart is revealed in our lives. “A good man out
of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that
which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure
of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the
abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.” (Luke
6:45).
In its most basic definition, a disciple is one
who follows the master. He mimics him and learns
from him. He accepts instruction and grows to
be more like him. Just as an apprentice is taught
by the journeyman, the disciple is becoming fully
conformed to the example and image of the one
under whom he is in subjection.
The Christian’s master is Jesus Christ. And He
has left us with both instruction and example from
His life upon this earth.
Perhaps foremost among the things Jesus said
would mark us as His is our love for the brethren.
The familiar words of the “new commandment” to
love one another contain the convicting reminder
that, “By this shall all men know that ye are my
disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (John 13:35).
Further, God has given us the indwelling
presence of His Holy Spirit as a Comforter, Guide,
and “earnest” (down payment) of our salvation – a
token of His acceptance of us as His own. Jesus
assured the disciples that the Holy Spirit would come
and that “at that day ye shall know that I am in my
Father, and ye in me, and I in you.” (John 14:20).
Again, at the most basic, the disciple is known
by his obedience to the lord and master. Jesus taught,
“He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he
it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved
of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest
myself to him.” (John 14:21). To love Jesus is to follow
Him. To follow Him is to keep His commandments.
To keep His commandments is to gain victory over
the world through faith, including the carnal mind
and other fiery darts of the wicked (1 John 5:1-5;
1 Cor 3:1-4; Eph 6:16 ). Two examples revealing
evidence of obedience to Jesus’ commandments are
to humbly acknowledge our errors (Ps 139:23-24;
1 John 1:9) and to forgive as Christ forgave us (Col
3:13).
The true disciple is not one who makes an
expression of allegiance and lives in obedience for a
while. Jesus taught the perseverance of continuing
in His Word, even making it a mark of an authentic
believer. “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my
disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the
truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32).
Finally, the observable mark of the disciple is
his bearing of much fruit to the glory of God. True
fruit, born of a life surrendered to Christ and yielded
to the guiding of the Holy Spirit, is seen of others
and brings glory to God, not self. In the Sermon on
the Mount, we are directed to “let your light so shine
before men, that they may see your good works, and
glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matt. 5:16).
And later John records, “Herein is my Father glorified,
that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.”
(John 15:8).
It is evident from the “new commandment” to
love one another that discipleship is not merely an
individual or personal matter. Indeed we find that
the vineyard in which we work is filled with other
workers with whom we are blessed to relate. The
Lord places us “in the body” (1 Cor. 12:18) as it
pleases Him and for His purposes. Those purposes
— Please turn to pg. 60
December 2014 SILVER LINING
3
Monthly Sermon
Sermon by Bro. Tim
Lehman, Taylor, MO
Genesis 3:6-19 & St. Matthew 1:18-25 & St. Luke 2:8-20
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:
and the government shall be upon his shoulder…” Then
just think about this: His name shall be Wonderful.
As we go through these, think have you experienced
this? Do you know Jesus in this way? “…his name
shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God,
The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah
9:6) That’s Who we come to celebrate today as it was
foretold many years ago.
We want to welcome each and every one here
today especially the visitors. As we worship today, my
prayer has been that today the worship of Jesus is a
very important part for you of Christmas and that
you don’t take it for granted, that it’s all about Jesus
Christ. If it wasn’t for Christ, we really wouldn’t have
this day.
To start with, I wanted to start with reading
from the very foundation of the Christmas story, if
everyone could pull out their Bibles. Probably the
most foundational text of all about the Christmas
story - I guess if you look down as you open, where
did you open to? Did you open to the Gospels? let’s flip to Genesis 3. That’s the foundation; that’s
where this Christmas story all began. If it wasn’t
for Genesis, if it wasn’t for what happened there in
the garden, there would be no need for today. So
we have to make sure we understand why we even
need Jesus, why is Jesus important to be able to get
to the message of why we would need to receive this
wonderful gift that God has given - the Child is
born, the Son is given. Let’s read from Genesis 3 to
make sure we understand why, why is Christmas?
Why are we even here today?
I just want to read a few verses from chapter
2, verses 16 and 17. When God established His
4
SILVER LINING December 2014
commandments and it says: “And the LORD God
commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden
thou mayest freely eat:” He gives great liberty and
great freedom in who God is. “But of the tree of the
knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for
in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”
So why Jesus? Why was God’s salvation plan
needed? Because it starts with our God, our perfect
God, our Father in heaven. Jesus was with God
here in the garden at this moment in time. Jesus has
always been. But, it was because of disobedience
which is sin. It was because of sin that there was a
separation. This communion that Adam and Eve had
- you can see it immediately that once they conceived
sin, once they realized they had disobeyed God,
they felt the condemnation and the separation from
God. That communion that they had with God,
that closeness to walk in the garden and to be with
Him was so intimate that when they disobeyed, they
immediately knew it.
When did they have their eyes opened? As soon
as they ate, they had their eyes opened. What did
they immediately realize? They were naked and
they wanted to cover themselves and to hide. (v.7)
God hadn’t even spoken anything to them. They
just knew it. They felt that separation. That’s the
separation that is always and continues to be there
between man and God. So God is a just God and as
a promise keeper had to punish that sin, didn’t He?
Because God said and we read it, if you eat, you will
die.
So God had to give punishment and say ‘Adam
and Eve, you will die, but I’m going to make a way.’
I have a plan that I’m going to start in motion right
now. In executing and giving my punishment, I’m
also going to start laying out the plan of restoration
and reconciliation of how you, Adam, and you, Eve,
as well as all the world, are going to be reconciled to
Me. It’s going to be through a Man. It’s going to be
through Somebody who’s going to bruise Satan’s head
and ultimately crush him. Is Satan still going to have
a time of activity? Absolutely, because he’s going to
bruise the heel, but God said it’s time for Me to start
that in motion.
You continue to read through the Patriarchs
further in Genesis and Exodus. You go into all the
prophets and you see the fingerprints of God and the
foretelling and the prophesy of His Son. This plan
that He has all throughout in such intimate detail
that when you pull them all together, you recognize
that there is no way one single man, no human man
could ever fulfill all of that at the given point of time
God orchestrates except God Himself.
God had to give His Son, and that’s the prophesy
I want to think about just a little bit yet this morning.
From the Isaiah passage, “For unto us a child is born,
unto us a son is given” is how it starts out. That is
just the fact that a child is born. It’s Jesus as a man
and His human nature was born of Mary, but it was
begotten and conceived by the Holy Ghost so He was
both. As a child, He was born, but yet He was still
God. It’s hard for us to comprehend, but the fact,
I think, is completely undisputed that Jesus Christ
whom we’re celebrating today was born. Jesus was
born - unto us a child is born.
The second part of it is where the conflict starts
in humans’ minds. This is where the salvation plan
comes unto us - unto us a Son is given. Jesus as God
had to be given. God gave His Son for us and in
giving to us that requires something in return. God
can give and give and give, but for us to understand,
to us a Son is given, we have to receive Him and to
say He is my Son. So when we think about that, the
Gift, just think about that because we open gifts.
That was a prayer I had with our kids this morning
before we were opening gifts that they would
understand that.
The Son is given to you today. Each one of you
has this opportunity. The Son is before you today.
He’s been given. That prophesy has been fulfilled over
2,000 years ago, but how are you going to respond
to that? Let’s take it from the affirmative to say you
received that gift. What does that translate to in our
lives to receive the Son, the gift that God has given to
us? If we’ve received that gift, where does that put our
position? Where does that put our standing? Where
do we stand with God as Jesus His Son? It also gives
us the opportunity to be His son as well. In John
1:12 - for as many as received Him, Jesus, to them
gave He power - or the right - to become the sons of
God. By receiving that gift, do we understand that by
receiving Jesus as the Son of God that we ourselves
were positioned to be a child of God as well? So what
a standing that we can have with the God and the
Creator, the Maker of the universe. What else does
it give us? So it positions us to put us in the right
position. It allows us to be reconciled back to God as
His child verses being alienated and separated, but
it also gives us a confidence and a hope for today - a
confidence and a hope to live, of where we’re going, of
how to live.
Two contrasts that you can look at it from in
the Old Testament is that faith that Job had in God
when he didn’t fully understand Jesus and God’s Son,
but he knew of eternity. We also know Paul and his
perspective. But when we read from Job, when he said
in chapter 19, “I know that my redeemer liveth.” (v. 25)
Remember Job and his friends trying to convince him
that God had completely separated or he had sinned
against God? Job was very down but yet where did
Job grab his hope? At the bottom! When everything
was going up against him, he says, “I know that my
redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day
upon the earth:”
There’s one thing that is going to last forever and
is going to stand forever and that is God. God’s going
— Please turn to pg. 56
December 2014 SILVER LINING
5
As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto
them who are of the household of faith. – Galatians 6:10
Birth of a School Lunch Program
There is a Silver Lining
in Every Cloud
January 12, 2010 was a devastating day for much of
Haiti – close to 5:00 p.m. local time, a catastrophic
magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck just west of Portau-Prince, Haiti’s capital. By January 24th, over
50 aftershocks measuring 4.5 or greater had been
recorded. An estimated three million people were
affected, with death toll estimates over 300,000.
Over 250,000 residences and 30,000 buildings
were destroyed or severely damaged. The Minister
of Education stated that the education system had
“totally collapsed,” with about half of the nation’s
schools affected.
One such school was Bricourt, located near
Cayes where Child Sponsorship supports some of its
students. When a few Child Sponsorship Committee
members visited Bricourt in the Spring of 2011,
the school was not able to use several classrooms.
Despite the school’s severe earthquake damage, the
administrator revealed another concern that was even
more significant and challenging.
Bricourt is situated between Cayes and Bonne
Fin, home of Hospital Lumiere. The region is very
mountainous and many Bricourt students walk up to
two hours each way out of the mountains to attend
school. And sadly, many of them don’t eat breakfast
before coming to school . . . and may not have
dinner available when they get home. The school
administration shared that learning was difficult in
this environment, where the students’ energy and
attention were diminished by extreme hunger.
An idea was born. Rather than just providing
funding for books, uniforms and tuition, should
the committee consider providing a school lunch
program so the children have a better opportunity
for physical development and learning enhancement?
How many meals would be required? What would
6
SILVER LINING December 2014
such a program cost? Who would administer it?
Who would pay for it? Would it be sustainable?
Pilot Program
A sub-committee was formed and tasked with
designing a pilot program to develop a school lunch
opportunity for the Bricourt school. An arrangement
was made to provide Tender Mercies™ packets as the
nutritional foundation for the program. In addition,
partnerships were formed with local farmers and
markets to provide rice, garlic, hot peppers and
cooking oil to complete the mixture.
After considerable effort to coordinate the
logistics of all of the ingredients, including securing
a warehouse to store and protect this valuable
commodity and recruiting a local World Relief
volunteer to manage the
process, a pilot school lunch
program was initiated in
the Fall of 2011 for a couple
of hundred students at
Bricourt.
The pilot program was
so well-received that it has
now been expanded to
cover four schools (Bricourt,
Preparing school lunch
Massey, Simon and Torbeck),
serving 600 students. For the 2014-2015 school year,
108,000 meals will be required to serve 600 students
over 180 school days. Since each packet of Tender
Mercies includes four servings, 27,000 packets were
assembled in Morton, IL and shipped to Bluffton, IN
where they were packaged for export to Haiti. The
cost of the program: $0.35 per meal or $63.00 to
serve one student for one year.
Grateful Recipients
After three years of success at Bricourt, here are some
— Please turn to pg. 61
...The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the
harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. – Matthew 9:37-38
Principled Education in Ixtlan
A Bumpy Start
Just before 8 o’clock on a weekday morning, a
backpack-laden sixth-grader walks down the street
toward Colegio
de las Americas,
the private
church school
administered by
our church in
Ixtlan, Mexico. At
first glance, he is
a typical student,
but Roberto
carries some very
unique challenges
Choosing paths at a tender age
to school with
him in addition to his books. Until age 10, he had
attended public school. That year, he explains, “I left
school to go be with my friends. I smoked, I drank,
and I robbed. My life was ugly and boring.” Roberto
had turned to the streets as life at home became
tumultuous in the years following his grandfather’s
death.
A Beacon of Light
In many regards, Roberto’s story is not unusual.
With no stable father figure present, his mother
works several days each week to support her children
and aging mother, Rosa. In their home, the few
walls and ceilings are in
disrepair, but on a bed
covered with blankets
that are stained and worn,
Grandma Rosa sings
hymns and teaches Bible
songs to her grandchildren.
Her faith in the Lord
invites His presence into
Grandma’s gentle light
a home that is otherwise
spiritually dark. In this unlikely place, God is laying
a foundation for what one day could become a legacy
of faith.
Sis. Rosa and her late husband Bro. Roberto Sr.
began attending church after Bro. Loren Schrenk
performed cataract surgery for her. They repented
and were baptized. Later, however, Bro. Roberto
Sr.’s death from cancer shook the family, especially
young Roberto. Losing his grandfather, to whom he
had often looked for security and wisdom, caused
Roberto to rebel, eventually leading to his drop-out
from school.
A Structure of Accountability
In March 2013, Roberto was
enrolled in Colegio de las
Americas through a private
sponsor in an effort to keep
him off the streets. Today,
the influence from school has
exceeded that intial intent.
While Roberto still faces his
share of uncertainties, he has
an educational opportunity
that will hopefully enable him
to find meaningful work as an
adult. Even more importantly,
he has found a support system Accountability within
and accountability. He admits
the classroom
that, “a lot of times, I don’t
want to go [to school] because they give me a lot
of homework.” But he also says, “Since I began
attending the Colegio a year and a half ago, my [new]
friends have told me that I should not smoke or drink
or rob. Thanks to them, I’ve stopped doing those
things. Today… I have lots of friends at school.”
This boy who once talked about ending his life now
makes jokes and plays soccer with his buddies. And,
— Please turn to pg. 61
December 2014 SILVER LINING
7
Forgiveness
What it is, What it isn’t, &
How to do it
Forget” sometimes leads people to believe that
forgiveness means that one will truly forget the
memory. In fact, trying to deny that some act
While forgiveness is a central concept in Christianity,
of mistreatment or betrayal may have hurt you
many people find it to be a confusing process that
can actually intensify the memory of what you
does not always come easily. The emotional impact
are trying to forget. Instead of trying to literally
that comes with dealing with being transgressed
forget a memory, the goal is to be released from
against is one factor that contributes to the difficulty
the unhealthy emotional tie it has to you.
of forgiveness. In addition, misunderstandings about 2. Pardoning: Pardoning is a legal term that means
forgiveness can make it harder than it needs to be.
to release from punishment, or to not punish,
Defining forgiveness as it is described in Scripture is
for some crime or offense. When someone is
a good first step towards understanding this concept.
forgiven, they are not necessarily pardoned. The
God, through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, offers
pardoning does not relieve the consequences for
forgiveness to all who come to Him by faith. Because
their actions.
He has forgiven us, we are called upon to extend
3. Reconciling: A distinct difference exists between
forgiveness to others even when we do not desire to
forgiveness and reconciliation although many
do so.
people see them as the same thing. Forgiveness
Ephesians 4:32 “And be ye kind one to another,
is what one person extends to another.
tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for
Reconciliation is the process whereby two
Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
people take steps to rebuild a relationship that
Withholding forgiveness, bearing grudges,
has been hurt. The purpose of reconciliation is
harboring bitterness, and allowing hatred can all
restoration and reconnection. Forgiveness together
lead to serious consequences. Forgiveness keeps these
with reconciliation is a high calling and worthy
negativities from developing and from causing more
goal. However, we cannot control and are not
damage to a relationship and to each person involved.
responsible for the reaction of the other party in
Hebrews 12:14-15, “Follow peace with all men, and
our attempts at forgiveness and reconciliation.
holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
Rather, we are responsible for our own efforts and
Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God;
willingness to lovingly engage in this process. In
lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and
some circumstances reconciliation is not always
thereby many be defiled.”
possible and, in these cases, forgiveness can still
Being forgiving is part of God’s character and
occur without reconciliation.
nature. While God does not overlook sin, He is
4. Avoidance or denial: Sometimes people are so
patient, gracious, merciful, and willing to forgive.
hurt by something that they quickly say, “I’ve
Ephesians 2:4-5, “But God, who is rich in mercy, for
already forgiven it,” in order to try to avoid
his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were
having to feel the pain of the injury. Forgiveness
dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ,
is not simply a way of avoiding dealing with
(by grace ye are saved).”
someone to get around pain or conflict. It is also
What forgiveness IS NOT.
not the same as denying we were truly hurt by
1. Forgetting: The often cited phrase “Forgive and
someone’s words or actions.
8
SILVER LINING December 2014
5. Excusing the offense: Forgiveness does not give
the offender the right to offend again. Healthy
boundaries are important so that we do not
simply allow another person’s hurtful or sinful
actions to continue.
6. Easy or cheap: True forgiveness is not simply a
few pleasant sounding words. It is hard work that
involves a true and lasting change of behavior.
7. Trusting: Trust in relationships is built
and maintained over time. The person who
committed the offense must accept the fact that
regaining trust will occur as a process over time.
8. A feeling: We can’t wait to forgive until we feel
like forgiving someone or are no longer feeling
the effects of the offense. Rather, forgiveness is an
act of obedience through which God can guide
us.
What forgiveness IS.
1. Extended with grace: Those that need to
be forgiven don’t necessarily “deserve” or
acknowledge the need for forgiveness. We
certainly didn’t “deserve” forgiveness from God.
We extend grace to others because we receive
grace from the Lord. The fallen nature that led
to the offense against us is the same fallen nature
we deal with in our hearts. Forgiveness extended
with grace both acknowledges the seriousness of
the wrongdoing and releases our perceived “right”
for vengeance or holding it against someone.
2. An intentional decision and a process:
Forgiveness doesn’t happen by accident. Rather,
you must make a choice to commit to the process
that is empowered by the Holy Spirit and takes
time.
3. A releasing of a debt: People often find it difficult
to forgive because they want some type of
vengeance or want the offender to feel how badly
they hurt. In forgiving, we choose to release the
debtor from his debt. This choice also releases us
from holding onto something that could hinder
our walk with the Lord (Hebrews 12:1-2).
Some steps toward forgiveness using the acronym
R.E.A.C.H. (from Forgiving and Reconciling by
Everett Worthington)
1. Recall the hurt: Acknowledge that hurt occurred.
2. Empathize: Try to understand what the other
person may have been thinking, feeling and so on.
Also, remember that forgiveness is extended with
grace, and that we didn’t deserve forgiveness from
God.
3. Altruistic gift of forgiveness: Because we have
received the gift of forgiveness from both God
and other people, we humbly offer forgiveness to
others.
4. Commit to forgive: Make a firm commitment
to forgive and consider sharing your decision
with another person so that they can hold you
accountable for keeping that commitment.
5. Holding onto forgiveness: If you occasionally
remember things from the past incidents that you
have worked at forgiving, don’t get discouraged.
Recommit to forgive, commit the event and the
person to God, and go on.
Don’t stay stuck with the pain, anger, and hurt of
unforgiveness. Seek God’s help through the Word and
prayer, and don’t hesitate to seek counsel from a friend,
mentor, minister, or Christian counselor if you need
help working through forgiveness. Working through
these issues will lead to healing and provide you with
an opportunity to learn more about Christ-like love
and how it is lived out on a day-to-day basis.
For more information concerning ACCFS and
to browse our numerous resources, please visit our
website at www.accounseling.org.
Published in the Silver Lining 12-2014 by Apostolic Christian
Counseling and Family Services (www.accounseling.org). Can be freely
copied and redistributed. Not to be sold.
December 2014 SILVER LINING
9
Congregation Updates
Apostolic Christian Home
for the Handicapped
www.achh.org
We usually are amazed
each year in November at how
suddenly the holiday seasons
seem to be approaching. This is a
time of anticipation, celebration
and festivities. It also involves
significant planning and
preparation.
Recently, a gentleman at
Timber Ridge held his Bible Study
for the small group of residents
that get together monthly. He
always arrives in his wheelchair
to the Bible Study, with specific
scripture to share. He usually asks
for a time of prayer, and wonders
what the participants prayer needs
might be. After sharing a time of
prayer, he asked for Ecclesiastes
Chapter 3 be read at the recent
Bible Study. Usually he asks the
staff to do this, and requests
that the staff stand to read the
scripture. He requests the staff
stand in order to respect that Bible
Words are being read.
On this occasion after
scripture was read, there was
a discussion about the “right
times to do things”, given that
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 indicates: “To
everything there is a season, a time
to be born and a time to die, a time
to plant and a time to pluck up….
etc.” He concluded the Bible Study
by reviewing verses 11-13, “He
10
SILVER LINING December 2014
hath made everything beautiful in
his time: also he hath set the world
in their heart, so that no man can
find out the work that God maketh
from the beginning to the end. I
know that there is no good in them,
but for a man to rejoice, and to do
good in his life. And also that every
man should eat and drink, and
enjoy the good of all his labour, it is
the gift of God.”
The holiday preparation
and planning takes on a
new perspective in light of
this scripture. Planning and
preparation are part of the holiday
events. But God wants us to
enjoy the reasons for the season
and celebrate Him, enjoy the
festivities, and give Him the glory
in the process!
Gateway Woods Apostolic
Christian Children’s Home
Ryan Donaghy
Answering the Call
I previously have worked
at Gateway Woods in both the
Residential Program as well as the
on-grounds school since 2004.
During this time, I developed
a passion for helping hurting
children and their families. A
few years back, I obtained my
master’s degree in educational
leadership while continuing my
work at Gateway Woods School.
In the spring of 2013, I decided to
consider other career opportunities
and began searching for public
school principal positions. To
make a long story short, I made
it through the final round of
interviews for a principal position
at a local middle school the
following summer. Needless to say
I did not get the job.
One evening, a few weeks
after the final interview, I was
grilling outside for dinner. I found
myself in prayer, seeking what I
should learn from my pursuit of a
new job. “Why did I get so close,
only to have the door shut at the
last minute?” I had been reading
in Exodus for my personal study.
While I continued to watch my
chicken cook, I was reminded
of a sacrifice on an altar. I began
to sing in my head “Is your all
on the altar of sacrifice laid…”
and abruptly stopped. I felt the
Spirit asking me just that… is
my all on the altar? From here, I
can only explain the interaction
with the Spirit to be that of a
real-time conversation without an
audible voice. I asked God what
he wanted from me… What was
I keeping back? He replied, “Your
career.” The Spirit brought to
mind how much time I had spent
pursuing my career over the past
months and how little time spent
in communion with Him. Only
by His grace I said, “Take my
career…what do you want me to
do?” He replied, “Houseparent.”
I was perplexed. Nonetheless, I
prayed that He would also reveal
this to my wife. I took the chicken
inside for dinner, all the while
keeping to myself what had just
transpired.
Later that same evening
after the kids had been put to
bed, I noticed my wife, Bethany,
wanting to say something, but was
holding back her words. After a bit
of prompting, she said something
that would increase my faith and
confirm the path God set for our
family. “I think…. I think we
are supposed to be houseparents
again,” she stated timidly, fully
expecting me to call her crazy. I
quickly told her how God revealed
to me the same thing only four
hours previously and prayed He
would reveal it to her as well. We
decided then and there that we
would answer His call.
Today, nearly a year has
passed since returning to
Gateway Woods as houseparents.
Our family continues to grow
through amazing experiences
and opportunities. My wife and
I often discuss the things we are
called to do in a given day and
consider what we would have
thought 10 years previously, if
we knew what the future would
hold. Would we answer the call?
Would we be able to sacrifice our
desires for the cause of Christ? I
thank God that He is bigger than
our desires and our will. I am
thankful He continues to take us
on an incredible, faith-building
journey that is only made possible
by His unrelenting mercy and
abundant grace. We have been
far more blessed by being on the
giving end, instead of being on
the receiving end. We continue
to grow as a family serving in His
vineyard. PRAISE BE TO HIS
NAME!
News:
We have begun the process
of launching a new program! The
Linking to Attain Responsibility
& Community, or LARC
initiative seeks to build organic
relationship between former
Gateway Woods clients and
community partners. These
relationships will lead to
employment opportunities,
mentorship, spiritual growth
and more. More information
about this program is available at
gatewaywoods.org/LARC. We are
currently in the process of hiring a
LARC coordinator. See the ad in
this issue for more information.
There are four different career
positions available currently at
Gateway Woods, including:
several openings for Alternate
Houseparents, one opening for
a counselor, one opening for a
Home-Based & Adoption Case
Worker, and one opening for a
LARC Coordinator. For more
information please see the notices
in this issue or visit the Career
Opportunities page on our
website at www.gatewaywoods.
org/careers. We trust that God
will continue to provide qualified,
mature brothers and sisters who
will serve Him in a ministry that
is ‘Turning Lives Around’. Perhaps
this includes you!
We are thankful to announce
the hiring of Bro. Matt & Sis.
Rachel Ringger (Indianapolis)
as alternate houseparents! The
Ringgers will be joining the
Gateway Woods team before the
end of 2014.
Gateway Woods Illinois
Adoption Program is open for
business and seeking to serve
our brothers and sisters in
Illinois. Visit GatewayWoodsIL.
org or contact Sis. Luci Koch at
309.266.0767 or Luci.Koch@
gatewaywoodsil.org.
You are an important advocate
to help us spread the word about
God’s work at Gateway Woods.
Please continue to lift us up in
prayer, check our website www.
gatewaywoods.org and our
Facebook page at facebook.com/
gatewaywoods often for updates,
and make sure that you are on
our mailing list. If you would
like be added to our mailing list,
please contact us at 888.443.4283
or send an email to ross.feller@
gatewaywoods.org. Finally, if you
December 2014 SILVER LINING
11
would like to receive a monthly
email detailing how the work
at Gateway Woods is bringing
help and healing to those in
need, please consider joining our
Restoring Hope email list. You can
do so at our website or by emailing
[email protected].
Apostolic Christian
Preschool Athens, AL
Susan Koch
The themes for November
were fall, space, and the color
black. We studied the letters I and
J and talked about Thanksgiving
for the last week and a-half. The
students have been practicing
the principle of giving with a
good attitude by bringing in
nonperishable food to donate to
a local food pantry. Although the
students may not fully understand
how giving some cans to a food
bank can help feed hungry
children in Athens, they are
experiencing the blessing of giving
that is described in Acts 20:35, “I
have shewed you all things, how that
so labouring ye ought to support the
weak, and to remember the words
of the Lord Jesus, how he said,
It is more blessed to give than to
receive.” It has been so neat to see
them willingly put their cans and
boxes in our “Help Feed our Very
Hungry Caterpillar” box.
We have been teaching the
students about being thankful by
referencing various Bible stories
that reflect people thanking God
for His blessings. Some examples
of stories we’ve read are Noah,
Jacob’s ladder, The Ten Lepers,
12
SILVER LINING December 2014
and the Prodigal Son.
Then, we had our
Thanksgiving Program and
Feast on the Wednesday before
Thanksgiving. The children sang
songs about giving thanks to God
for our blessings, what we can be
thankful for, and some silly turkey
songs. Their favorite song goes
like this: “I have a turkey big and
fat. When he spreads his tail he
walks like that. His daily corn he
would not miss and when he talks
he sounds like this… GOBBLE
GOBBLE GOBBLE GOBBLE!”
Volunteer Information:
Contact me at 309.202.4897
or [email protected]. Visit
our website at www.acpreschool.
org. The About Us tab will offer
information on volunteering at the
preschool. Talk to other volunteers
to see what their experience was
like. They are always listed in the
Silver Lining.
Alabama, Athens
Roger and Becky Roberts
We were grateful to have
Elder Bro. Ted Steffen (Sis.
Sandy, Alto, MI), Elder Bro. Tom
Waldbeser (Sis. Sue, Atlanta,
GA), Bro. Duane Reutter,
(Sis. Kay, Rockville, CT), Bro.
Mark Wettstein, (Sis. Karen,
Lacrosse, IN) and Elder Bro.
Mark Streitmatter (Sis. Sara,
Bloomington, IL) minister to us
this month.
We give Bro. Daron Price our
support as he will be serving in
the ministry here in Athens. Our
prayers are with Bro. Daron and
Sis. Monica.
Wedding bells rang this
month for Mark Ray (Bro. Milton
and Sis. Joyce) and Becca Mallory.
The last Saturday in October,
many visitors came to our annual
fall Gospel singing. Precious
memories and blessings linger on.
Arizona, Phoenix
Heather Hinrichsen
We thank Bro. Steve Ringger
(Bluffton North), Bro. Earl
Ringger (Gridley) and Bro. Willis
Enhle (Peoria) for visiting and
bringing us the Word of God.
Sis. Anne Anliker (Bro. Rod)
and Sis. Nancy Baumgartner (Bro.
Leon) had surgery and are asking
for prayers for continued healing.
Bro. Jim Laukhuf moved to
Rittman, OH to be closer to his
family. We pray God’s blessings
and guidance in his new home.
On November 2, we had our
annual Sunday School picnic.
We thank all the teachers for
their dedication to teaching the
children about Christ and His
Gospel.
We thank Bro. Ken
Rinkenberger for his presentations
on the World Relief Child
Sponsorship program and on
Israel.
Arizona, Prescott
Richard Manz
Greetings from Prescott!
As winter closes in we will be
losing our summer residents, Bro
Clerance and Sis. Donna Beyer.
We will miss them as they attend
Phoenix over the winter, but trust
they will be a blessing there.
Over Veteran’s Day weekend,
we were blessed with many young
visitors as the entire church
helped host Prescott’s first Young
Group invite. There were over 60
visitors and representation from
17 different churches. It was a
wonderful weekend of fellowship
and praising God. Thanks to
all who made the effort to come
support our small congregation.
Visiting ministers from the
past couple months included:
Bro. Ed (Sis. Bonnie) Stoller
from Denver CO, Bro. Don (Sis.
Connie) Manz from Junction OH,
Bro. Jon (Sis. Nancy) Kokanovich
from Phoenix AZ, Bro. Keith
(Sis. Tammy) Hinrichsen from
Phoenix, Bro. Herbert (Sis. Lorie)
Knochel from Phoenix, and Bro.
Jay (Sis. Jane) Luthi from Lamont
KS. We are thankful for all that
came to serve us this past month.
Arizona, Tucson
Dean and Jackie Knobloch
We will soon be leaving 2014
and entering a new year. Our
prayer is that God has blessed you,
cared for your every need and that
He will be your focus in each and
every day ahead.
We rejoice with Bro. Jay and
Sis. Lisa Knapp as they celebrate
the wedding of their son, Ryan,
who married Grace Jordon on
October 19. We wish them God’s
blessings.
Bro. Bob Haas has been
hospitalized recently and is
awaiting surgery. Our prayers are
with him and Sis. Carol. We also
continue to pray for Rob Wilson
(son-in-law of Bro. Don and
Sis. Glo Bauer) as he continues
his treatments. Max Salee also
needs our prayers for his health
concerns.
We are enjoying the return of
some of our winter visitors. We are
grateful for our sunny, blue sky
days and moderate temperatures.
God is so Good.
California, San Diego
Janelle Brewer
This past month we received
a tremendous blessing by having
our Elder Bro. John Wiegand (Sis.
Jane, Silverton, OR) along with
Elder Bro. Tom Klotzle (Sis. Jody,
Altadena, CA) spend a weekend
with us. We were very encouraged
after such an uplifting weekend
and pray that God will richly bless
these brothers for their time and
sacrifice.
Sis. Julianna Topolchanyi
recently passed away. She had
resided in a nursing home for
several years. We pray that God
will comfort her family at this
time of loss.
As we look ahead to the
Christmas season may we reflect
on the true meaning of the season.
Jesus Christ was both a gift and
the Giver.
“O come, let us adore Him” and
thank God for His “unspeakable
gift”. 2 Cor 9:15
If anyone is vacationing in
the Palm Springs/Palm Desert
area this winter, please feel free
to contact Bro. Doug and Sis.
Janelle Brewer at djbrewer2003@
gmail.com or 309-256-9606. We
plan to have services on Thursday
evening starting in January until
the end of March. Also, if you
know of anyone with church
connections living in the area, we
would also like to know about
them so we can reach out to them.
Connecticut, Rockville
Lauren Gottier, Sheila Gerber
“Door of my heart, I hasten! Thee
will I open wide, Tho’ He rebuke
and chasten, He shall with me
abide.” Hymns of Zion #81
We were thankful to hear that
Robert Bahler (Bro. Tom and Sis.
LaNae) has opened his heart to
the Lord in repentance. We wish
him much grace and pray that
God will continue to call souls to
this way of Truth.
We rejoice with Jen (Bro. Dan
and Sis. Mary Lou Goric) and
Steve Surette (Tina and Steven,
dec.) who were united in marriage
this month.
Bro. Leo and Sis. Sherri
LaPlante welcomed a new
grandson. Nolan Leo was born
to Suzy and Jeffery Chu. We are
thankful for the safe arrival of this
little one.
We appreciated the preaching
of visiting minister Bro. Mitch
Fehr (Sis. Abbie, Morris, MN) and
were reminded that we need to
look up and over the cares of this
world to our goal of heaven.
We express our sympathy and
prayers to the family of Laura
Kupferschmid at the time of her
passing, this includes her husband,
Cory, her young children, Isabella
and Jackson as well as her in-laws,
December 2014
SILVER LINING
13
Wayne and Marcia Kupferschmid.
We also extend our
condolences to Dan Crohan
(Sis. Carole) as his father, Daniel
Crohan, Sr. of Springfield MA,
recently passed away.
Bro. Rudy Virkler (Sis. Susan)
spent time in the hospital this
month. Our thoughts and prayers
are with him and his family and
we are thankful that his recovery
is going well.
District of Columbia,
Washington
Henrietta Meyer
Our caretakers for October
were Bro. Ron and Sis. Nancy
Schambach from Elgin, IL. If you
feel led to support one of our small
churches, being caretakers here
would be a wonderful way to do
so. If you are interested and are
free to spend 3-4 weeks in the DC
area, please contact Sis. Doreen
Steffen at [email protected]
or 302-540-6574.
Ken Belsley has moved to
the Eureka (IL) Home. We pray
he will enjoy the fellowship with
those in central Illinois.
Our ministers this month
were Bro. Mark Zimmerman (Sis.
Cheryl, Eureka, IL), Bro. Nate
Lehman (Sis. Yvonne, Denver,
CO), Bro. Vic Bauman (Sis.
Brenda, Smithville, OH) and Bro.
Doug Wagenbach (Sis. Lillian,
San Diego, CA). Our other visitors
this month were from Eureka, IL;
Junction, and Smithville, OH. We
thank all who have included us in
your vacation plans.
If you are planning to visit
14
SILVER LINING December 2014
Washington, D.C. area for
vacation or business, please
contact Bro. Joe and Sis. Holly
Bohart at [email protected] or
Sis. Henrietta Meyer at 703 9048301 for assistance and to let us
know how many to expect for
Sunday services.
Florida, Ft. Lauderdale
Renee Mangold
We were thankful to have
visiting ministers this past month.
Visiting our Ft. Lauderdale
congregation were Bro. Dennis
Kaufmann (Sis. Bonnie),
Bloomington, IL; Elder Bro. Earl
Ringger (Sis. Dixie), Gridley,
IL; and Bro. Tim Hohulin (Sis.
Cathy), Roanoke, IL. We pray that
the Lord will bless them for their
continuing service.
Our ministering Brother
Roger Sauder (Sis. Judy) has
announced he will be retiring
from the ministry this coming
January. We are all so grateful
for all his years of faithful service
and all the efforts that Bro. Roger
and Sis. Judy put into our small
congregation. We support them in
their decision.
Our prayers continue to
surround Sis. Vi Gerber as she
continues to strengthen and
stabilize her health. Florida, Ft. Myers
Victor Beer
What great tourist. weather
we’re having right on the edge
of snow rain and sleet just north
of us, Of course this is giving
us hope that our new church
could be filling up like we are
anticipating. We are delighted and
grateful for the special efforts some
are making to bring the exciting
young children in. New folks
like Bro. Dustin and Sis. Mandy
Hodel, here from Gateway Woods
are truly being used with their
talents. We appreciate their four
beautiful children too.
Our prayers for healing and/
or recuperation are for these dear
ones: Sis. Delores Bauman, Bro.
Mel Baum, and Bro. Ed Gerber,
whom we enjoy their fellowship
very much. ‘
The New Beginnings
“We then that are strong ought to
bear the infirmities of the weak, and
not to please ourselves. Let every one
of us please his neighbor for his good
to edification.” Romans 15:1, 2
Recently at The New
Beginnings, we celebrated
three birthdays for three of the
children residing here. Two of
these birthdays were for young
boys and the theme for their
parties were the boys’ favorite
superheroes. Being a man myself,
these superhero parties resonated
with me and while the young,
boys were off pretending to be
Spiderman and Ninja Turtles,
I thought of how my definition
of “hero” has changed. Growing
up I loved comic books. I loved
the idea of a Superman being
impervious to almost everything.
I was fascinated by the idea of
having “super powers” such
as flying. I would spend time
imagining myself fighting off
imaginary bad guys and saving the
world. My family still hasn’t let me
live that down.
However, as I sat and
pondered how my vision of heroes
has changed, I thought of my
current heroes. People like my
grandparents, my dad and mom,
the laborers at TNB, houseparents
at Gateway Woods and the list
goes on.
I thought of my current
heroes’ super powers. This is a
partial list: unfailing willingness,
impervious integrity, super
diligence, all powerful patience,
genuine humility, and, most of all,
unconditional sacrifice.
As I looked at the people I
esteem, I saw enormous amounts
of sacrifice in each of them.
My parents sacrificed their own
wants (and sometimes their own
sanity) to teach me and raise me.
Houseparents at Gateway sacrifice
an insane amount of energy and
time to help those in need. The
laborers at The New Beginnings
sacrifice many different parts of
their life to help single mothers in
need.
In the end though, if you tell
these heroes how wonderful and
good they are, they’ll tell you that
the glory goes to the Almighty
Father (every time, without fail).
These heroes (of mine) have lived
out the above verses from Romans
and invested in the only truly good
thing worth investing in, people.
While it may not have been their
initial intention, they’re saving one
life, one sacrifice at a time.
Would you like to be a hero?
Do you feel called to minister and
sacrifice for those who have lost
their way and need help getting
back on track to finding a saving
God? The New Beginnings is
looking for mentors, both married
couples and single sisters, to
minister to single mothers. If you
are interested, please call Dustin or
Mandy at 239-541-4312 or email
us at thenewbeginningsofswfl@
yahoo.com.
Georgia/Peachtree City,
Atlanta
Elise Waldbeser
The most exciting news we
have to share this month is that
our church has officially moved to
a new and larger church building!
It has been bittersweet to pack
up our little church in Fairburn
and see the rooms which hold
many church family memories
so empty, but church growth is
truly an exciting reason to relocate
to a larger building! We are so
thankful for the new facility that
God has provided for us. While
many renovations and remodeling
in the new church building will be
starting in 2015, this Thanksgiving
and Christmas we have so much to
be thankful for.
Our church is now located
in Peachtree City, GA. Our new
address is: 202 Robinson Road,
Peachtree City, Georgia, 30269.
Come visit us, however, please
call ahead! (770.463.4788 or
678.416.6586 or 678.364.0507)
With cold November air on
our backs and a warm fire on our
faces, we gathered at our annual
“Brewer’s Bonfire”, hosted by Bro.
John Sr. and Sis. Mary Brewer,
Bro. John Brewer Jr., and Sis.
Michelle Brewer. It is a fondly
anticipated time of fellowship!
We want to thank Elder Bro.
Tim and Sis. Deb Funk from
Peoria, IL, for coming to spend
the weekend before Thanksgiving
with us! Elder Bro. Tim joined
Elder Bro. Tom in sharing the
conference letter with us. What a
blessing to have them among us
and experience their contagious
love for Christ! We felt so loved by
you. Thank you!
Illinois, Belvidere
Doreen Moser, Shayla Steffen
It‘s a pretty typical question
on a daily basis ...Did you have a
good day? What does a good day
mean? Does your good day mean
that GOD was in your day? What
did you do for God today and did
you share Him and His great love
with others? Was God glorified in
your day?
Seeking to Glorify God …
Sis. Charity Steffen shared her
testimony and her desire to live for
the Lord so others may see Jesus
in her daily walk. Sis. Charity is
the daughter of Bro. Dean and Sis.
Carol Steffen.
Seeking to Share God’s
Word…
Elder Bros. Ted Witzig, Sr.
(Morton, IL), John Lehman (Bern,
KS), Duane Rocke (Minneapolis,
MN) and Bro. Dan Moser (Elgin,
IL) along with their families were
part of our worship service. How
blest we are to have elders and
ministers that love us and share
December 2014
SILVER LINING
15
God’s Word and work in His
vineyard Sunday after Sunday.
Our elders shared the
Memorandum with our
congregation along with our Elgin
brethren.
Seeking to share what we have
been blessed with …
Our annual Quilt-a-thon was
this month. Many quilts were
made to share with those who
are in need to warm the body
physically and warm the heart
with the love of Jesus.
Seeking the Lord’s healing and
praying for the Lord’s guidance….
Bro. Brian Anliker, Bro. Dean
Steffen and Jeff Waibel have been
lifted up in prayer as they are all
dealing with health issues.
May this verse always remind us
when are days are good or bad ….
“It is of the Lord’s mercies that
we are not consumed because his
compassions fail not …They are
new every morning…Great is thy
Faithfulness.” Lam. 3:22-23
Illinois, BloomingtonNormal
Sarah Maurer, Terri Huber
With the cold weather
blowing into Central Illinois,
we find ourselves indoors much
more often. However, we are still
connecting with the community
through Thanksgiving food
baskets during the end of the
fall season and Adopt-A-Family
projects with the start of the
winter season. Both outreaches
have been an opportunity to share
the love of Christ and bless those
around us with the blessings we
16
SILVER LINING December 2014
have been given.
The Bloomington Church is
happy to announce the wedding of
Bro. Dustin Rabe of Bloomington
to Sis. Elizabeth Martinez of
Magdalena, MX on November
9. The reception for this new
family will be held at the Gridley
Fellowship Hall on November
22. November has also brought
the happy engagement of Melissa
Kieser, daughter of Bro. Paul
and Sis. Karen Kieser, to Zach
Langford of Hutchinson, KS.
They plan to be wed on April 25,
2015.
Our dear Sis. Madalyn Terrini
passed away on November 12. We
know she is now in a better place
and her physical struggles are over.
Our hearts go out to those who
feel the emptiness with their loved
one gone, especially her husband
and children: Bro. Joe, Ashley, and
Joe Jr. We pray for God to comfort
them and that they will look
forward to meeting her in heaven.
We were once again blessed
with the bonds of fellowship as
visiting ministers taught us this
past month. We give a special
thanks to Bro. Mark Bahr (Sis.
Bev) from Detroit, Bro. Clark
Stoller (Sis. Cindy) and Bro.
Daren Metz (Sis. Rita) from
Gridley. Thank you for your
commitment to teaching the word
of truth.
“That ye may be blameless and
harmless, the sons of God, without
rebuke, in the midst of a crooked
and perverse nation, among whom
ye shine as lights in the world;
Holding forth the word of life; that
I may rejoice in the day of Christ,
that I have not run in vain, neither
labored in vain.”
Philippians 12:15-16.
We were glad to host the
benefit dinner for the Illinois State
University Young Group for their
mission trip to Magdalena, MX
this coming spring.
Illinois, Bradford
Roseann Stahl, Sandi Joos
“O come, let us sing unto the
Lord: let us make a joyful noise to
the Rock of our salvation.”
Psalm 95:1
“But if we walk in the light, as he
is in the light, we have fellowship
one with another, and the blood
of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us
from all sin.” 1 John 1:7
This past month our
congregation was blessed to have
the Goodfield congregation join
us for an evening of singing praise
to our Lord and enjoying sweet
fellowship with one another.
“… and exhorted them all, that
with purpose of heart they would
cleave unto the Lord.” Acts 11:23
We were thankful to have
Elder Bro. Wayne Grimm (Sis.
Rose, West Bend, IA) assist our
Elder Bro. Bruce in the reading
of the memorandum as well
as bringing forth the Word on
Sunday.
Our prayers this past month
have been with Sis. Delores
Duckworth (Bro. Don) as she was
in the hospital. We are thankful
she is home and doing well.
Illinois, Champaign
Illinois, Chicago
Sarah Eisenmann
Diana Eisenmann
Greetings from ChampaignUrbana!
On October 24 the young
group hosted a harvest party for
the Sunday school kids. It is always
encouraging to see friendships
form across age groups. We
greatly appreciate that the young
group takes the time and effort to
organize these activities.
Our Bible Class hosted the
Bible Class from Junction, OH on
the weekend of November 1-2. We
are thankful for safe travels for our
visitors and a blessed weekend of
fellowship for the students.
On November 9 we had the
opportunity to pack shoeboxes
for Operation Christmas Child.
We pray that the recipients of the
shoeboxes may be encouraged by
the gifts and, more importantly,
reminded of the Gift that God
gave us all on the very first
Christmas.
Elder Bro. Duane Rocke
(Minneapolis, MN) was here on
November 2 to help present the
Memorandum. We are thankful
that he and his wife, Sis. Bonnie,
were willing to travel the long
distance to assist us.
We have been blessed with
several additional visiting ministers
this month, including Bro. John
Bradle (Sis. Jill; Roanoke, IL), Bro.
Dave Zehr (Sis. Vicki; Gridley, IL),
and Bro. Justin Koch (Sis. Marcia;
Washington, IL). Thank you all
for everything you do.
Greetings from Chicago! We
were blessed to have ministering
Bro. Jeff Leman (Sis. Val, Bluffton
North, IN) visit us in October.
Also in October we enjoyed the
annual Sunday School Wiener
Roast, hosted by Bro. Jim and Sis.
Kathy Schlatter.
We extend a warm welcome
to Bro. Fred Sollberger (Morton,
IL) and Caleb Stieglitz (Leo, IN)
who have recently moved to the
Chicago area. Bro. Fred is working
in Des Plaines, and Caleb is
attending school in Chicago.
We bid farewell to Sis. Amanda
Knochel who has moved to Ft.
Wayne, IN for work. We enjoyed
her time in Chicago and wish her
the best in her new job!
Bro. Levi and Sis. Kyann
Wuethrich have accepted a position
on the Vacation Bible School
Committee. We thank them for
their willingness to serve!
Please remember Sis. Lois
Metzger in your prayers, as she has
started additional chemotherapy
treatments.
Sis. Marjorie Plattner
(Roanoke, IL) passed away in
November. We offer prayers and
condolences to Bro. Dan and Sis.
Deanne Plattner and their family
for the loss of his mother.
Illinois, Cissna Park
Sandy Rudin, Janie Waldbeser
We were thankful to have a
full assembly at our Invite-a-Guest
this month. Among us was Bro.
Les Kaeb (Francesville, IN) to feed
us from God’s precious Word. It
is truly a blessing to share the day
with those from far and near who
share the same Goal and Spiritual
desires. May we not take this for
granted, but appreciate it!
Also visiting this month
was Bro. Dennis Kaufmann
(Bloomington). We thank him for
his kind words of encouragement.
Another blessing I so appreciate in
our beloved church is the Spiritled sermons that God directs our
brothers to bring forth. We pray
this will never be taken away and
replaced with prepared sermons.
God knows each of our needs and
through His Divine Spirit, we can
all be fed in a special way.
We pray for those who have
lost loved ones. Bro. Gib Stock
(Sis. Kathy) laid his sister, Marie
Fairchild to rest. Also, Sis. Grace
Bauer’s sister-in-law, Sis. Marge
(Bro. Russ) Plattner (Roanoke)
went to her eternal reward. May
they feel God’s nearness as they
reflect on precious memories of
days gone by.
There is always cause for
thankfulness to our Lord and
Savior. We are thankful to report
that the remodel project on our
church is pretty much complete.
We plan to have our first service on
Thanksgiving morning. May God
continue to bless us as we worship
Him, and give Him all thanks
and glory for providing safety
throughout the project.
“The blessed story of the Christ,
The babe of Bethlehem,
Is worthy of our song and praise,
And stirs the hearts of men.
December 2014
SILVER LINING
17
The fullness of God’s love divine,
surrounds the Christ so mild.
Alas how many only know The
Saviour as a child.
Our saving hope is all in vain, If
here our love should cease,
For in the man of Galilee, We
find the gift of peace.
‘Tis not the babe, but Christ, the
man Who walked in Galilee;
‘Tis not the manger, but the cross,
That sets the spirit free”.
Hymns of Zion #36
As we make plans for the
upcoming Christmas season,
we pray that we can all keep
CHRIST in Christmas and be
thankful for the little Babe that
God gave the world so long ago,
Who grew up to be our Savior and
die for our sins on that rugged
Cross at Calvary. It is truly not the
manger, but the cross that sets our
Spirit free!
We wish you all a blessed
Christmas Season, and many
blessings in the year ahead!
Illinois, Congerville
Palitto (Sis. Lynell, Akron, OH),
John Hartman (Sis. Rosemary,
Fairbury), Brian Weibel (Sis.
Wendy, Champaign), Dale Stoller
(Sis. Sandra, Fairbury) all were a
source of encouragement as they
labored in the Word. Thank you!
Another baby boy has blessed
the home and hearts of Bro.
Harold and Sis. Ashley Schieber.
Elias Mark was born October 6,
with happy siblings, Mila and Job,
helping to welcome him home!
Joyful grandparents are Bro.
Mike and Sis. Mary Schieber of
Congerville and Mark and Lisa
Schmidgall of the Roanoke area.
The Thanksgiving season is
upon us, but may we always be a
thankful people and ask for the
Lord to bless our way.
“We gather together to ask the
Lord’s blessing;
He chastens and hastens his will to
make known;
The wicked oppressing now cease
from distressing,
Sing praises to his name: He
forgets not his own.
Erica Steffen
We are thankful once again
for the many visiting ministers
who have been willing to be
used to bring forth God’s Holy
Word to our church this month:
Bros. Clark Stoller (Sis. Cindy,
Gridley, IL), Ryan Hoerr (Sis.
Joy, Princeville), Jon Zeller (Sis.
Christine, Morton), Barry Dietz
(Sis. Rachel, Bradford), Byron
Stoller (Sis. Carol, Gridley, IL),
Nathan Walder (Sis. Denise,
Cissna Park), Brad Metz (Sis.
Karen, Bloomington), Ron
18
SILVER LINING December 2014
Beside us to guide us, our God
with us joining,
Ordaining, maintaining his
kingdom divine;
So from the beginning the fight we
were winning;
Thou, Lord, wast at our side, All
glory be thine!
We all do extol thee, thou leader
triumphant,
And pray that thou still our
defender wilt be.
Let thy congregation escape
tribulation;
Thy name be ever praised!
O Lord, make us free!
Amen”
Gospel Hymns #473
Illinois, Elgin
Amy Gasser
We were blessed with many
visitors for the wedding of Sis.
Carol Schambach and Bro.
Richard Sauder (Tremont) on
October 26. May God bless them
in their new life together. Those
who ministered in the services
included our Elder Bro. Brad
Eisenmann, Elder Bro. Steve
Sauder (Tremont, IL), retired
Elder Bro. Ron Schambach, Bro.
Dennis Rassi (Bastrop-Austin,
TX), Bro. James Fehr (Tremont,
IL), and Bro. Stan Schambach
(Prescott, AZ). Other visiting
ministers present were Bro. Dale
Frank (Oakville-Mediapolis, IA),
Bro. Mark Hoffman (Clarendon,
VT), Bros. Dan Koch and Curt
Rassi (Tremont, IL), Bro. Greg
Rassi (Chicago, IL), Bro. Alan
Schambach (Remington, IN), and
Bro. Mark Zimmerman (Eureka,
IL). We thank all of our visitors
for spending the day with us.
On November 2, we were
again blessed with visitors for
“Invite-a-Guest Day.” We thank
ministering Bro. Kevin Fehr (West
Bend, IA) and Bro. Greg Lehman
(Wolcott, IN) for coming and
sharing in the services. Bro. Rick
Kaisner (Chicago, IL) also visited
us on a separate Sunday afternoon,
after ministering during the
morning service at our nursing
home, Highland Oaks. Elder Bro.
Doug Schock (Bloomfield, IA)
visited us on a recent Wednesday
evening.
On November 5, our Elder
Bro. Brad Eisenmann conducted
an all-church topical presentation
on Romans 14.
“Lo, children are an heritage of the
Lord…” Psalm 127:3.
A new baby boy, Noah
Benjamin, was born to Bro. Kirk
and Sis. Amanda Schambach
on November 4. Judah is his big
brother. His happy grandparents
are Jeff and Julie Kellenberger
and Bro. Les and Sis. Alison
Schambach.
Lori (Dave) Lodge recently had
surgery and is now recovering at
home.
We extend sympathy to the
family of Ernie Schambach, who
passed away on October 30.
Surviving are his wife, Annette; his
daughters, Audrey (Ron) Schulze
and Denise (Chris) Eppel; his
grandchildren; and other family
members.
The engagement of Mary
Braun (Bro. Gene and Sis. Sue)
to Kevin Koga was recently made
known. We wish them God’s
blessings as they prepare for their
January wedding.
On November 15, we
gathered for the reading of the
Memorandum. Elder Bros. Jeff
Grimm (Goodfield, IL) and Duane
Rocke (Minneapolis, MN) assisted
our Elder Bro. Brad Eisenmann.
We thank Bro. Brad and his
wife, Sis. Cindy, for also spending
Sunday with us.
Illinois, Eureka
Illinois, Fairbury
Debra Blunier, Linda Rocke
Angela Herr, Janelle Stoller
Ring the bells of Heaven! We
rejoice with those who recently
started repenting, including
Harrison Frank (Bro. Scott and
Sis. Elaine), Noah Zimmerman
(Bro. Matt and Sis. Sara), and
Brandon Getz (Bro. Gary and Sis.
Gail). With great thanksgiving, we
continue to pray for more, as surely
it is God’s will that every soul
would find his or her salvation.
We were blest to have Elder
Bro. John Jackson (Sis. Peggy, Bay
City) share the Memorandum
with us, supporting our Elder Bro.
Trent. Other visiting ministers
this month included Bro. Doyle
Frauhiger (Sis. Jane, Bluffton
North), Bro. Byron Stoller (Sis.
Carol, Gridley, IL), Bro. Craig
Stickling, (Sis. Jackie, Peoria),
Bro. Scott Wegman (Sis. Dawn,
Taylor) and Bro. Darin Massner
(Sis. Twila, West Bend). It is a
special blessing to have ministering
brothers who return to serve us,
sharing fellowship and friendships
that have grown over many years.
Every baby is a special blessing.
Natalie Elise was born to Bro.
Toby and Sis. Holly Fehr, and
welcomed home by Amelie and
Reed. Grandparents are Bro. Ken
and Sis. Sandy Fehr, and Owen
(Kim) Virkler, and Sue Ellen
(Tom) Machuga, N.Y.
Our special sympathy goes to
Bro. Ron and Sis. Janet Hartter
and their family on the death of
his sister, Sis. Madalyn (Joseph)
Hartter Terrini of the Bloomington
congregation.
On October 26, our Bible
Class hosted Bible Classes from the
Oakville-Mediapolis, Cissna Park,
Wolcott, and Remington. We were
thankful to have Bro. Ron Isch
(Lamont-Gridley, KS) and Bro.
Tony Manz (Junction, OH) in
our midst and then with our Bible
Class for this occasion.
“Now it is accomplished! I’m no
longer mine; Lord, I will forever
and always be Thine, for Thou
hast created and purchased me too,
baptized with Thy Spirit, Thou
makest me new.” Now It Is Done,
Zion’s Harp #209, verse 1
We welcomed Bro. Kaleb
Steidinger (Bro. Keith and Sis.
Kristine) into the fold when
he gave his testimony and was
baptized on November 1 and
2. Elder Bro. Marvin Dotterer
(Forrest, IL) was here on Saturday
evening to assist Elder Bro. Rick
with the testimony. Bro. Kaleb
works in the St. Louis area and
worships with the brethren there.
We were blessed to have many
from the St. Louis congregation
with us for the weekend, including
ministering Bro. Loren Schrenk.
Other visiting ministers serving
our congregation this month were
Bro. Ryan Schock (Bloomfield,
IA), Bro. Barry Dietz (Bradford,
IL), Bro. Jeff Bahler (Wolcott, IN),
and Bro. John Bradle (Roanoke,
IL). We thank each of these
brothers for sharing God’s Word
with us and pray that He will
richly bless them.
We extend our sympathy to
December 2014
SILVER LINING
19
Bro. Dick and Sis. Betty Wiegand
in the loss of their sister-in-law,
Sis. Marjorie Plattner (Bro. Russ,
Roanoke, IL), who passed away on
November 12.
Our prayers have been with
Sis. Barb Mashburn (Bro. Billy)
and Thadd Waldbeser (Jim and
Sis. Renae) who have recently
spent time in the hospital. May
God’s healing hand be upon them
according to His will.
Bro. Kevin and Sis. Kara
Moser have adopted a 12-yearold boy, Jordan, from China.
Sis. Damaris, Silas, Leighton,
Gideon, Reena, Elsa, Josiah,
Louisa, Stella, Peter, and Florence
lovingly welcome Jordan as their
new brother. Our prayers are with
Jordan and this dear family as he
adjusts to a new life in America.
We hope he soon feels at home
here.
Illinois, Forrest Karla Zimmerman, Molly
Zimmerman
“The grass withereth, the flower
fadeth: but the word of our God
shall stand forever.” Isaiah 40:8
As Fall turns to Winter, we are
reminded how temporary things
are in life. All things must die in
their proper time. What a joy to
know that one thing remains the
same forever--the Word of our
great God and Father!
We appreciate visiting Bros.
Rick Kaisner (Chicago, IL) and
James Fehr (Tremont, IL) being
willing to preach the Gospel to
our Forrest congregation.
We rejoice that Bro. Alan (Sis.
20
SILVER LINING December 2014
Marcia) Gerber has been able
to come home as he continues
to recover from his recent heart
transplant. It is amazing what
God has given to help preserve
lives for His purposes. We praise
God that Bro. Alan is doing well.
We are thankful for the surgeons
God has gifted to perform this
surgery and for the blessing of Life
that has been given to our Bro.
Alan.
We are prayerful for our Bro.
Josh (Sis. Molly) Zimmerman as
he has been selected for a threeyear term as superintendent of
the Sunday School. We wish him
God’s grace as he fills this role.
Illinois, Goodfield
Kayla Wiegand, Melissa Rokey
“God calling yet! Shall I not hear?
“Gospel Hymns #375
We are very thankful to
announce that Caleb Rocke
(Bro. Luke and Sis. Jill), Kate
Hinrichsen (Bro. Rod and Sis.
Lynda) and Haley Rokey (Bro.
Ben and Sis. Shelley) are at peace
with God and man and are ready
for baptism. We are so thankful
that God is still patient and
calling souls to repentance and
conversion.
A daughter, Quincy Jo,
was born to Bro. Tyler and Sis.
Abbie Getz on November 6. She
is welcomed home by her older
brother, Tanner. Her grandparents
are Tim and Sis. Kim Getz, and
Mark and Connie Rocke.
The Bradford Congregation
graciously invited us to their
family hymn sing on Sunday,
November 2. We enjoyed the
opportunity to sing and fellowship
with their congregation.
Goodfield hosted an invitea-guest weekend November 9. It
was a pleasure to meet those who
came from other congregations to
worship with us.
We have had many
opportunities to be informed of
acts of service and current ways
to aid organizations within our
church body. There was an auction
for Loving Shepherd Ministries on
October 17, the auction to support
Hospital Lumiere took place on
November 14, and a representative
from Gateway Woods gave a
presentation on November 15.
Our love and prayers go
with Bro. Kurt and Sis. Joan
Plattner and their family as their
move to Haiti took place. We
were able to say our goodbyes at a
sending service held November 2.
“From the end of the earth will
I cry unto thee, when my heart
is overwhelmed: lead me to the
rock that is higher than I.”
Psalm 61:2
We express our sympathy to
Sis. Inge Zimmerman (Bro. John)
and her family at the passing of
her brother, Rudy Wacker, on
October 17. He was the uncle of
Sis. Jill (Bro. Luke) Rocke and
Jason (Sis. Kim) Zimmerman.
Our hearts are also filled
with compassion for Sis. Jane
DesCarpentrie (Bro. Russ) upon
the passing of her brother, Robert
Frank. He was the uncle to Sis.
Lindsay (Bro. Kevin) Wiegand.
Bro. Roger (Sis. Trish) Gerber
has undergone back surgery,
and Bro. Duane (Sis. Vermeda)
Freidinger had an appendectomy.
We always want to remember each
of our loved ones as they deal with
health issues and continue to keep
them in our prayers as they recover.
We recently enjoyed the
presence and ministry of Bros.
Matt Kaufman (Sis. Rebekah,
Bloomington, IL), Doyle
Frauhiger, (Sis. Jane, Bluffton
North, IN), Paul Zimmerman
(Sis. Loretta, Forrest, IL) and John
Steiner (Sis. Carol, Oakville, IA)
and thank them for visiting our
congregation.
Note of Thanks:
To all my brothers and sisters
in Christ,
Thank you for all the love and
prayers and all the acts of kindness
that you have bestowed upon me
in the past year. I thank our Good
Lord every day for all of you. Your
love and prayers mean so much to
me. May all the blessings of the
coming holiday season be yours. In
Christian Love, Sis. Sarah Melton
Illinois, Gridley
Perry Klopfenstein
A song came to mind the other
morning, “Brighten The Corner
Where You Are.” Surely it is a
moving hymn. In one of the verses
it mentions the soul who is far
from harbor, and needs someone to
rescue and bring him back into the
harbor. It’s a very good lesson. Our
hymns surely serve as an ongoing
inspiration to us.
The harvest bore a record crop
in many instances. And surely we
are thankful for God’s plentiful
provision in producing food.
Sis. Vi Ringger continues her
rehab program at the Meadows
Home. She had broken her hip
earlier.
Sis. Anna Marie Reutter, who
has resided in Sunrise Manor for
many years, is moving into the
Home at Roanoke.
Work has commenced on our
remodeling project for our church
building.
Bro. Ron Bollier, Indianapolis,
IN was a visiting minister, and we
surely thank him for his labors.
Sis. Marjorie L. Meiss, 78,
passed away on October 21 at the
Meadows Mennonite Home in
rural Chenoa. She was the wife
of Bro. Floyd Meiss, who died
on July 19, 2002. She is survived
by Sis. Linda Zimmerman (Bro.
Keith), Bro. David Meiss (Sis.
Debbie), and Peggy Poppen
(Dave), all of Gridley; two sisters,
Sis. Dorothy Ringger, Gridley,
and Sis. Doris Meiss (Bro. Bob),
Peoria; one brother, Bro. Herbert
Stoller (Sis. Nancy), Peoria; and
ten grandchildren, and ten greatgrandchildren. Sis. Marge was
a person of quiet charm, and
friendliness.
Bro. Herbert Gramm, 86,
passed away on November 3,
at the Eureka Home where he
resided. He is survived by his wife
of almost 65 years, Sis. Jane. Also
surviving are children, Bro. Mike
Gramm (Sis. Rosemary), Gridley;
Jim Gramm (Kathy), Lafayette,
IN; Sis. Kathy Rassi (Bro. Curt),
Tremont; Sis. Karen Steffen (Bro.
Donn), Paulding, OH; Jeanne
Schnabel (Troy), Kalamazoo,
MI; and Connie Sanders (Chip),
Naples, FL; two brothers, Bro.
Harold Gramm (Sis. Ila), Morris,
MN; and Bro. Don Gramm (Sis.
Rosie), Gridley; one sister, Sis.
Marjorie Witzig (Bro. Elmer),
Gridley. Also surviving him are
24 grandchildren, and 51 greatgrandchildren. Bro. Herb worked
hard in his milking operation and
was a kind brother in our church.
We offer our sympathies to Sis.
Gloria Wettstein over the passing
of her brother, Daniel Kaeb,
Bloomington.
A son, Huntley Maurice,
was born on October 8 to Andy
and Sarah (Ringger) Hermes.
Grandparents are Bro. Steve and
Sis. Donna Ringger, Gridley; and
Pete and Susie Hermes, El Paso.
Twins were born to Bro. Reed
and Sis. Bethany Yackley on
October 27. They were named Azro
Gray and Etta Bea. Grandparents
are Bro. Curt and Sis. Norma
Witzig, Gridley; and Bro. Elwood
and Sis. Trudie Yackley, Taylor,
MO.
Sis. Rosie (Mike) Gramm
underwent knee replacement
surgery, and we wish her well in
her recovery.
Illinois, Morton
Annette Tanner, Julie Bahr
As Christmas approaches Behold Your King! The Greatest
Gift ever given to Earth! Help us
Father to always be mindful of this
Most Precious Treasure.
With heartfelt thanks we want
December 2014
SILVER LINING
21
to extend our appreciation to our
visiting ministers: Bro. Nathan
Wiegand (Sis. Laura, Goodfield)
and Bro. Tim Roecker (Sis. Diane,
Peoria). Our thanks also goes to
Bro. Jeremiah Psinas for giving
our Family Worship topic “Living
With Thankfulness” from our
series of “Walking The Halls”.
Our church had the
opportunity to join in the 100th
Birthday celebration with our dear
Sis. Helen Schmidgall (late Bro.
Clarence). What a very precious
privilege to still be able to tell the
story of Jesus for this many years!
God be praised for the breath of
life she has had to serve Him!
We give all praise to God that
we never lose our worth or value
to Him as Our Heavenly Father!
We found ourselves reaffirmed of
God’s precious forgiveness as the
testimonies of 3 dear souls were
shared with us. They were Bro.
Scott Kieser (Bro. Jeff and Sis.
Jane), Bro. T.J. Leman (Bro. Tim
and Sis. Beth) and Sis. Charity
Steffen (Bro. Dean and Sis. Carol,
Belvidere). Sis. Charity shared her
testimony in her home church
of Belvidere, but resides here in
Morton with her grandmother,
Sis. Kay Steffen, while working
and attending nursing school. Congratulations to Bro. Jim
and Sis. Kathy Ritthaler who
are thankful for a new baby
granddaughter, Scarlett Grace,
who entered the home of Justin,
Katie and Crosby Herman.
We also ask for God’s
rich blessings upon the home
of Bro. Brad, Sis. Crissy
22
SILVER LINING December 2014
and Madison Stephens as
they welcome a new baby
boy, Dylan Alan. Grateful
grandparents are Bro. Mark and
Sis. Esther Stephens and Tim
Hucal (Washington).
Our sympathy is extended
to the family of our Bro. Kenny
Clauss who passed away. Surviving
is a brother, Stanley, and a sister,
Connie Moreno from Ft Wayne.
We also share our love
and sympathy with our dear Sis.
Inge Zimmerman (Bro. John) in
the loss of her dear brother, Rudy
Wacker of East Peoria. We can
be comforted to know that Jesus
knows our sorrows and also wipes
away our tears! Illinois, Peoria
Pam Fritzenmeier
We are delighted to report
the birth of a new baby girl! Bro.
Dustin and Sis. Erin Funk, Oli,
Gia, and Dom, welcomed Dezirae
Zion October 19. Grandparents
are Sis. Jeanne Metzger of
Champaign, and Elder Bro. Tim
and Sis. Debi Funk.
Cody Waibel, son of Bro. Matt
and Sis. Lisa Waibel, has begun
his walk with the Lord.
“That if thou shalt confess with
thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt
believe in thine heart that God hath
raised him from the dead, thou shalt
be saved.” Romans 10:9
The Peoria Sunday School
Bible Class was privileged to host
ACYF September 21. Student
guests were in attendance from
Belvidere, Chicago, Cissna Park,
Elgin, Eureka, and Taylor.
“And all thy children shall be
taught of the Lord; and great shall
be the peace of thy children.”
Isaiah 54:13
Bro. Doug Brewer (Sis.
Janelle, San Diego) on October
19; Elder Bro. Jeff Grimm (Sis.
Ruth, Goodfield) on October 26;
and Bro. Jeff Neihouser (Sis. Sue,
Morton) on November 5, were our
visiting ministers. May God bless
their faithfulness and willingness
to preach the Truth.
Happy 90th birthday,
November 2, to Anneliese Sinn!
Our monthly hymn sing was
November 15. We were blessed
to have the 3yr, pre-K, K, and 1st
grade Sunday school classes and
the Covenant Chamber Choir sing
for us.
Please keep these dear
ones in your prayers. They are
experiencing life’s difficulties,
health or otherwise: Bro. Mike
Wiegand, Bro. Ken (Sis. Darlene)
Hoerr, Marilynn Hermann, Sis.
Karen Dunbar, Bro. Mike (Sis.
Carol) Rieker, Sis. Mazie Thomas,
Bro. Joe Martin, Sis. Nanette
David, Sis. Megan Kieser, Bro.
Dan and Sis. Susan Meister, Bro.
Harry (Sis. Loretta) Eisenmann,
Mary Funk, Rosalie (Bruce)
Johnson, Sis. Dee Metzger, Sis.
Linda Miller, Mary See, Andrea
(Aaron) Staley, Allison Stickling
(Chris And Sis. Marsha), and Bro.
Jeff (Sis. Melissa) Waibel.
The families serving in
Magdalena also desire our prayers,
especially as they realize the loss of
six-year- old Keyla on November
10: Bro. Jonathan and Sis. Bere
Aupperle, Bro. Zach and Sis.
Daniela Knobloch, and Bro. Jason
Grassi. Sis. Daniela’s brother, Fede,
continues to need our prayers too.
Illinois, Princeville
Gloria White, Renee Herrmann
It was our privilege to hear
the Memorandum read and
expounded to us by our Elder
Bro. Jim Plattner and Elder Bro.
Paul Messner (Winthrop, MN) on
November l. We must continue
to pray for our elders that the
Word may be spoken in truth and
boldness.
We are very thankful for our
visiting ministers that brought us
the Word of life this month. May
God richly bless Bro. John Steiner
(Oakville-Mediapolis, IA), Bro.
Fred Witzig (Washington, IL) and
Bro. Roger Aberle (Sabetha, KS).
Bro. Robert and Sis. Mary
Herrmann are happy parents of a
baby girl, Imri Kate, born October
31. She was welcomed home by big
brothers: Robert, Gabriel, Shiloh
and Asher. The grandparents
are Bro. Howard and Sis. Mary
Ann Herrmann and Dennis and
Sis. Karen Leman of Roanoke,
IL. Bro. Andy and Sis. Michelle
Martin are first-time parents to a
precious baby girl, Lela Kathryn,
born November 4. Thankful
grandparents are Bro. Sam and Sis.
Mary Martin and Walt and Peggy
Mueller of Mansfield, OH.
Bro. Rod and Sis. Cathy Stahl
are enjoying their first grandchild,
Piper Sloane, daughter of Matt and
Kelsie Zarko.
Our prayers are with our loved
ones who are struggling with
bodily afflictions. Such is Andrew
(Bernice) Streitmatter who has
been homebound for a while. May
God provide daily for their needs.
Life has times of joy and times
of sorrow. We extend our prayers
and sympathy to Carol (Don) Baer
in the passing of her father, John
Ratcliff, of Bradford, IL.
Illinois, Roanoke
Barb Schwind, Judy Sauder
Luke 2:14 “Glory to God in the
highest, and on earth peace, good
will toward men.”
We rejoice in the birth of our
Savior and wish you all Christmas
greetings from the prairie!
Jake Fischer (Bro. Kevin and
Sis. Annette) and Selina Sun of
China were recently married. A
reception was held October 25. We
want to welcome Jake back home
and Selina to the United States and
wish them many blessings in their
life together.
We rejoice with Jason Bradle
(Bro. John and Sis. Jill) and
Emma Springer (Scott and Trish)
from Benson on their recent
engagement.
On November 2, Bro. Jeremiah
Psinas (Morton), Bro. Ted Hirstein
(Morton), and Bro. Matt Oesch
(Alto) ministered to us. Bro. Jedd
Rocke (Goodfield) on November
6 and Bro. Regg Beer (Milford)
on November 16 also served our
congregation. On October 29, Bro.
James Fehr (Tremont) presented a
Bible study on “God is Wisdom.”
Bro. Matt Feucht spoke on “God
is Perfectly Holy” on November 5.
“God is Worthy of our Worship”
was the Bro. Harvey Kaeb’s topic
on November 12. On November
19, Bro. Jeremiah Psinas (Morton)
spoke on “God is Love.” Many
are also participating in a Bible
study on Integrity. What a blessing
it is to be able to study God’s
Word! We thank all these visiting
ministers, as well as our Roanoke
ministers for their service to our
church.
We thank our young group for
sponsoring a Harvest Party for the
children on October 31, and our
Active Boys for raking leaves for
our church family on November
15.
Bro. Bob and Sis. Mary Bradle
recently celebrated 50 years of
marriage. We appreciate their
godly example.
We rejoice with Denny and
Sis. Karen Leman on the birth of
their granddaughter Imri Kate,
born to Bro. Robert and Sis. Mary
Herrmann (Princeville). Imri’s
older brothers are Robert Michael,
Gabriel, Shiloh, and Asher.
Grandparents are Bro. Howard
and Sis. Mary Ann Herrmann
(Princeville).
Nick Fehr, 21 year-old son of
Bro. Nate and Sis. Chris, passed
away November 3. May the Lord
wrap His everlasting arms around
them and Nick’s brothers, Josh
and Sam; grandparents, Sandy
Hoffman and Roger (Linda)
Herbst; and many uncles, aunts,
and cousins. Nick enjoyed golfing,
fishing, and campfires. We will
miss his friendly smile and wave
both at the mill and when he drove
December 2014
SILVER LINING
23
by in his truck.
Sally Achterberg of East
Peoria died on November 3. Sally
is survived by her sons, Jake and
Heathe; daughter, Ledy Carm, all
of East Peoria; her parents, Bro.
Jim and Sis. Helen Martin; and
brothers, Jim of Longmont, CO,
Bro. Tim (Sis. Linda), Tom of
Highland Park, IL, Bro. Dennis
(Sis. Lori) of Portland, and David
(Bonnie) of Newman, GA. Sally
loved horses and had a deep love
and concern for her children.
Sis. Marge Plattner passed
away on November 12. Sis. Marge
will be missed by Bro. Russ, he
husband, and children Sis. Pat
(Bro. Fred) Beer (Milford), Bro.
Russ (Sis. Sally, Washington), Sis.
Jane (Bro. Stan) DesCarpentrie
(Washington), Bro. Dan (Sis.
Deann, Chicago), and Jennifer
(Sean) Murray (Germantown
Hills), sixteen grandchildren and
twenty great grandchildren and
sister-in law, Sis. Ida Mae Barth.
Sis. Marge was a pillar in our
church. She loved Bible Study,
and was an encouragement to her
church family.
The Hope for Haiti Christmas
Open House was held at our
fellowship hall November 21 and
22.
We rejoice with Ben Mangold
(Bro. Matt and Sis. Jennifer) and
Alexa Fischer (Bro. Kevin and Sis.
Annette), who have surrendered
their hearts to the Lord.
We pray for those in our
congregation, who are dealing
with illness: Bro. Denny (Sis. Rita)
Schwind, Sis. Clara Fischer, Sis.
24
SILVER LINING December 2014
Karel (Bro. Nate) Hoffman, Bro.
Stan (Sis. Verna) Hodel. Sis. Jane
Schumacher, and Sis. Virginia
Blunier.
Illinois, Tremont
Teresa Rowell, Janice Sauder
We have had many visiting
ministers recently and were greatly
blessed by their visits: Elder Bro.
Steve Gutwein (Francesville, IN);
and Bros. Ryan Hoerr (Princeville,
IL), Matt Steffen (Princeville,
IL), Tim Wiegand (Leo, IN),
Nate Wiegand (Goodfield, IL),
Jeff Neihouser (Morton, IL),
Dale Moore (Elgin, IA) and Glen
Steiner (Winthrop, MN). May
God be their rich rewarder.
“My Lord, an off’ring do I bring;
My heart I give to Thee. I gladly
give this heart of mine, which
Thou dost ask of me.”
The Covenant of Grace,
Zion’s Harp #163
We were so thankful to hear
the testimonies and witness the
baptisms of seven dear ones.
We welcome Bro. Jeff Rose (Sis.
Marla), Bro. Brandon Rose (Bro.
Jeff and Sis. Marla), Sis. Charity
Koch (Bro. Nate and Sis. Sandi),
Bro. Levi and Sis. Danielle
(Rollins) Hancock, Bro. Stoner
Sinn (Bro. Jeff and Sis. Gail), and
Bro. Jim Bolliger (Bro. Tom and
Sis. Jane) into our fellowship. May
God daily provide each one of us
with grace to live faithful lives that
are a glory to Him.
We celebrated with three
couples who recently were united
in marriage: Caleb and Savannah
(Diekhoff) Oswald were married
in Tremont, IL on Saturday,
October 25. Parents of Caleb
are Bro. Mike and Sis. Michelle
Oswald, Savannah’s parents are
Tom and Marcie Byers and Brett
and Tiffany Diekhoff . The next
day, Bro. Rich and Sis. Carol
(Schambach) Sauder were married
in Elgin, IL. We welcome Sis.
Carol to our congregation and
hope she will feel ‘at home’ soon!
On Sunday, November 16, many
of us in Tremont were able to
attend the singing shower in honor
of Bro. Timm and Sis. Sandra
(Gal) Kaeb—recently wed in
Sarasota, FL. Bro. Timm grew
up in Tremont, and we will enjoy
seeing them when they visit his
childhood home.
Different ones have lost loved
ones: Our sympathy to Bro. Dave
(Sis. Eunice) Beutel, Bro. Alvin
(Sis. Carol) Beutel, Bro. Fred (Sis.
Jeannette) Beutel, and Sis. Ruth
(Bro. Vernon) Koch at the death
of their brother-in-law, Ernest
(Annette) Schambach of Marengo,
IL. We want to remember Bro.
Curt and Sis. Kathy Rassi and
family, at the passing of her father,
Bro. Herb (Sis. Jane) Gramm of
Gridley, IL. We also extend our
sympathy to Sis. Phyllis Lang at
the death of her brother-in-law,
George Schmidgall of Mackinaw,
IL. May God send comfort to
each one.
Bro. Leslie and Sis. Wilma
Pulfer rejoice at the birth of their
first great-grandson, Edward
Yung Mitchell. His parents are Ed
and Melissa Mitchell of Mission,
KS. Grandma is Kathy Pulfer,
of Kansas City, KS, and he has
three big sisters. Bro. Dean and
Sis. Karen Beutel welcome a little
granddaughter, Gwendolyn Rose.
Parents are Tim and Melissa
Beutel, and big brother is Lincoln.
Bro. Todd and Sis. Valerie Steiner
welcome a little daughter, Leah
Ruth. She is welcomed home
by Sis. Tory, Bro. Trent, Bro.
Corbin, Bro. Philip, Thad, Faith,
Joshua, Lydia, Emma, Timothy,
and Micah. Bro. Joe and Sis.
Marcella are her happy Tremont
grandparents.
We have dear ones that are
suffering illness or had to be in the
hospital. We pray for Sis. Carolyn
Bolliger, Sis. Phyllis Lang, Sis.
Marilyn (Bro. Bill) Huette and Sis.
Lori (Bro. Simon III) Wagenbach.
May God give His grace for the
day, and healing where it is in His
good plans.
Illinois, Washington
Marlene Prather, Jodi Fehr
We extend a heartfelt welcome
to Sis. Katherine Pucovsky of
Windsor, Canada Apostolic
Christian Church, as she and Bro.
Brad Ricketts were married on
October 26. Their happy parents
are, Michael and Ana Pucovsky
(Windsor, Canada), and Bro. Jon
and Sis. Cheryl Ricketts. We
rejoice with them.
We are excited to report
another engagement. Mark
Messner was engaged to Laura
Olson, Morton, IL. Parents are
Bro. Ron and Sis. Pam Messner,
and Ron and Kathy Olson
(Morton, IL). Their wedding day
has been set for August 15, 2015.
Our prayer is that God will bless
this dear couple as they make their
wedding plans.
Our church was saddened to
hear of the passing of Sis. Marge
Plattner (Roanoke, IL). She will
be greatly missed by her children,
Bro. Russ Plattner (Sis. Sally) and
Sis. Jane DesCarpentrie (Bro.
Stan). We were also sorry to hear
of the passing of John Wooten
(Bloomington, IL). He is the
father of Sis. Kathy Stoller (Bro.
Richard). May they all feel God’s
nearness and our prayers.
Our congregation witnessed
the testimonies and baptisms of
Sis. Alison Rocke (Bro. Kevin
and Sis. Janine) and Bro. Evan
Knapp (Bro. Benj and Sis. Karen)
on October 18 and 19. May
God keep these two young souls
close and bless them. We want
to extend a thank you, to Elder
Bro. Tom Hoffman (Sis. Kathy),
Roanoke, IL, for sharing a blessed
weekend with us.
On November 16, we gathered
together as a church family, to
thank our dear ministers for
all that they do for us. May
God richly bless them and their
wives for the many noticed and
unnoticed tasks that they do for
each of us.
We continue to hold up
in prayer, Bro. Carl Wyss (Sis.
Lydiann) and Sis. Betty Klaus, as
they battle health issues.
Indiana, Bluffton
Suzie Fiechter, Kim Meyer
“O God, thou art my God; early
will I seek thee; my soul thirsteth for
thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a
dry and thirsty land, where no water
is,” Psalm 63:1
Elder Bro. Curt (Sis. Lyla)
Frank of Lacrosse reminded us that
God alone can satisfy our souls
in this “dry and thirsty land”. We
appreciate him, as well as our other
visiting ministers, for serving us so
faithfully! Thank you, Bro. Scott
and Sis. Gigi Schafer (South Bend)
and Bro. Jeff and Sis. Val Leman
(Bluffton North).
These brothers were with us
for the baptisms of four dear souls
who are seeking God early in their
lives. Our new brothers and sisters
in Christ are Conner Gilliom (Bro.
Kent and Sis. Mary), Samantha
Brickley, Maria Ramirez, and Joel
Brooks (Bro. Matt and Sis. Bekah).
We also welcome our new brother,
Jeremy Valentine, into the family
of God.
Anna Gerber (Bro. Al and Sis.
Joli) and Deena Reinhard (Bro.
Kent and Sis. Jodi) have answered
the Lord’s call to repentance. We
pray for the grace for them to
surrender all to their Savior.
We rejoice that our Bro.
Charles Zorio could win his
earthly battle with cancer and
meet our Lord. We extend our
sympathy to his family and to Bro.
Keith and Sis. Kay Gerber, who
were instrumental in his coming to
know Christ.
We are thankful to again
worship with Sis. Cindy Gerber
after her hospitalization. Our
prayers continue for Bro. Doug
(Sis. Susan) Dailey as he undergoes
December 2014
SILVER LINING
25
treatment for pancreatic cancer.
May God be the constant
guest and guide in two new
homes which were established
this month. Bro. Randy Gerber
(Bro. Gene and Sis. Becky) and
Sis. Jenae Steffen (Bro. Tom and
Sis. Lyn) were united in marriage.
Also, Bro. Shane Fiechter (Bro.
Doug and Sis. Jill) and Sis.
Kaitlyn Tonner (Bro. Brent and
Sis. Rachelle) became one in
Christ.
Bro. Brad, Sis. Sonya, Ashlyn,
Baylee and Khloe Bertsch welcome
Brooklyn Joy into their family.
Her grandparents are Bro. Mike
and Sis. Carmon Bertsch and Bro.
Bob and Sis. Barb Beer of Milford.
Bro. Mike and Sis. Shari Fiechter
rejoice with the birth of Ava Grace
Hoerr, born to their daughter
and son-in-law, Bro. Nick and
Sis. Kristen of Indianapolis. Little
Wyatt Graham has been gifted to
Bro. Alex, Sis. Shauna, Adler and
Case Neuenschwander. Bro. Terry
and Sis. Jean Neuenschwander
and Bro. Don and Sis. Suzie
Fiechter are Wyatt’s grandparents.
May God direct these dear parents
in the training of their precious
children!
“Because thou hast been my help,
therefore in the shadow of thy wings
will I rejoice. My soul followeth
hard after thee; thy right hand
upholdeth me.” Psalm 63:7-8
Indiana, Bluffton North
Corinne Stettner, Amy Moser
The deadliest sins don’t leap
upon us, they creep upon us. The
lost sheep leaves the fold one blade
26
SILVER LINING December 2014
of grass at a time.
We were saddened by the
passing of Sis. Phyllis Dotterer
(Paul, dec.) on October 16. We are
keeping Kathy (Gordon) Gerber,
Susan (Doug) Dailey, Sally, and
Jeff (Lynn) in our prayers.
We mourn with Bro. Jay
Kipfer at the sudden passing of his
dear wife, Sis. Dorothy Kipfer. We
will also remember her children in
our prayers: two daughters, Gloria
(Franchon) Smithson and Sheryl
Mayne, and one son, Kurt (Ingrid)
Kipfer.
Indiana, Francesville
Jacki Huber, Mildred Clauss
“O Give thanks unto the Lord;
for he is good: because his mercy
endureth for ever.” Psalm 118:1
The annual Thanksgiving
program was held on Wednesday
evening, the week before
Thanksgiving, and thankfulness
was encouraged, with
thankfulness for our salvation
through Jesus’ blood being
number one! Thanks to all who
inspired us through words and
songs. It was a beautiful evening.
We are thankful for visiting
ministers, and this past month,
Brothers Dewayne Dill (Sister
LaRae, Minneapolis, IN) and
Neal Widmer (Sister Kris, West
Lafayette, IN) blessed us with
their presence and inspiration
through God’s Spirit.
Bro. Jan and Sis. Val Gutwein
and their two youngest children
returned to Haiti. Our prayers
are always with them. We are
thankful for our awesome God
who answers prayers and is
present no matter how many miles
separate us.
Amy Pelsy (Bro. Dale and
Sis. Terri) and Trent Brouillette
(Greg and Joyce Brouillette and
Sara Brouillette) were united in
marriage on Saturday, November
15. We rejoice with them. May
the Lord bless them always, and
especially as they establish their
home!
Bro. Irvin Yaggie and Sister
Annabelle Messer (Bro. Carroll)
said goodbye on earth to their
sister, Viola Struss. We extend
sympathy to them.
Hospital patients have been
little Rhylan Nuest (Bro. Chris
and Sis. Jennifer), Phyllis Knapp,
Sisters Diane Clevenger (Jon) and
Lois Neihouser (Bro. Andre), and
Brothers Jim Denton and Chris
Welker. Our prayers are for total
healing for each one, according to
God’s perfect will. We pray that
each one is held close to God’s
heart, in perfect peace and trust.
Indiana, Indianapolis
Gail Bradford, Sandy Lichtle
At the beginning of
November, we met at a local hotel
for our church Vision Day. We
were blessed to have Bro. Kevin
Knapp (Sis. Dixie, Bloomington,
IL) and Bro. Fred Witzig (Sis.
Nancy, Washington, IL) give
exhortations from Rom. 12, 1
Cor. 12-14, and Eph. 4 on using
our spiritual gifts to glorify God
and edify the body of Christ. We
also want to extend our thanks to
Bro. Kevin and Bro. Fred for their
service in the Lord from the pulpit
on Sunday as well.
On November 12, our Sunday
School Superintendent Bro. Kevin
Gutwein (Sis. Laura) shared
with us some initial information
regarding the Sunday School
Mission Trip being planned to
Magdalena, Mexico in June 2015,
Lord willing.
Our Ordained Deacon Bro.
Ken Wuethrich (Sis. Lyn) read
the annual memorandum on
November 15. We were reminded
that we are many members but
one body in Christ. We each need
to consider our personal role so
we can together fulfill the mission
of our church in a way that will
glorify our Father and esteem
others.
Over the last few months, we
have sought the Lord in prayer
for His wisdom and direction
in seeking help in the ministry.
On November 16, our Elder Bro.
Wayne Banwart (Sis. Charlen,
Champaign, IL) assisted Bro.
Ken Wuethrich in a service of
encouragement to Bro. Eric and
Sis. Jodi Strassheim as they begin
their labors of love in the ministry.
Our thoughts and prayers are with
this dear family.
Additional visiting ministers
we want to express our heartfelt
appreciation to this month are
Bro. John Lehman (Sis. Tamara,
Wolcott, IN) and Elder Bro. Steve
Ringger (Sis. Myra, Bluffton
North, IN).
Indiana, Lacrosse
Meagan Frank, Julie Rocke
Our beautiful fall weather
came to an abrupt halt this
month, several weeks ahead of
when it usually does! It is good to
remember that God has promised
His unfailing presence in the midst
of an ever-changing world.
We were blessed with many
visiting ministers this month. We
wish to thank each of the following
brothers for giving of themselves in
the service of the Lord: Elder Bro.
Kevin Ryan (Sis Cheryl, Rockville,
CT); Bros. Mike Thomas (Sis.
Claudia, Valparaiso, IN), Jon Pratt
(Sis. Sharon, Valparaiso, IN), Joe
Gerst (Sis. Connie, Iowa City, IA),
and Chris Wuethrich (Sis. Carla,
Chicago, IL). Whether it was for
a Wednesday evening or Sunday
services, we appreciate each and
every one!
Our congregation has enjoyed
the addition of another new
baby this month. Bro. Joel and
Sis. Amy Troxel, along with big
brother, Titus, welcome little
Rhoda Christine to their home.
She is also lovingly welcomed by
her grandparents, Bro. Ed and Sis.
Carol Troxel and Bro. Joe and Sis.
Connie Gerst (Iowa City, IA).
Bro. Tom and Sis. Luann
Troxel were blessed with a new
grandson this month as well.
Declan Carl Troxel was welcomed
home into the loving arms of
Josh and Chelsie Troxel. We look
forward to meeting little Declan
when they come to visit!
Our thoughts and prayers go
out to so many in our families,
community and congregation who
are facing trying times. Sis. Sis
(Heinold) Zimmerman has spent
more time in the hospital and
has returned home, but in failing
health. Makayla Martin (Jason
& Karla) recently had extensive
surgery done on one foot, and will
need an operation on the other foot
shortly before Christmas. We pray
that God will provide the strength
and grace for each one of His
precious children in need.
As the cold winds of the
season whip around us, may each
be blessed with the warmth of
the Father’s love and unchanging
promises.
Indiana, Leo
Kirby Reutter
Two more baptisms. Another
Gateway board meeting. Holy
Communion. Another baby.
Medical issues within the flock.
A new Baby Room Coordinator.
New House Parents coming.
Deeply-appreciated House Parents
leaving. Still down a counselor.
Can’t keep up. More referrals
coming in every week.
Must get to Philly Church for
Gateway presentation. Too much
going on. Christmas around the
corner. Winter came too soon.
Don’t have time this month for
Silver Lining article. No one will
even notice if I miss it. Plus, the
extra space will be appreciated…
This month my thoughts
seemed even more disorganized
than usual. Then, the Still
Small Voice spoke through the
maelstrom of my chaotic mind:
December 2014
SILVER LINING
27
“Kirby—stop!” (That first part
was actually more of a shout than
a whisper.) But once the Voice had
my attention, He proceeded to
both exhort and explain: “Relax.
Breath. The theme is Christ. The
theme is always Christ. What’s so
difficult about that?”
And that’s when the month
finally came into focus:
First, I thought of the angelic
heralding of the Christ Child
when I saw the following birth
announcement: “Congratulations
to Bro. Eric and Sis. Marissa
Bahler on the birth of their son,
Finn Solomon!” (Eric and Marissa
have three children of their
own and preside over the Maple
House, which currently has seven
residents; unless my arithmetic
is off, this makes a household of
twelve.)
Then I thought of the little
Manger when I saw the following
posting: “Sis. Abby Stieglitz is
the new Nursery Coordinator. If
you have any questions about the
Nursery, talk to Abby. Thank you
to Sis. Areli Reutter who has just
finished this responsibility and to
Abby for taking over!”
Then I thought of the arrival
of the Wise Men (who were
probably married to even Wiser
Women) when I saw the following
memo: “Dear Gateway Family: I
am excited to announce the hiring
of Bro. Matt and Sis. Rachel
Ringger to our House Parent
team. They currently live in Indy
and hope to move up sometime
during the Christmas season.
Praising God for workers!”
28
SILVER LINING December 2014
Then I thought of Christ’s
suffering for the Body when I saw
the following updates: “Please add
Bro. Bill Blunier to your prayer
list. He is currently in the hospital
with an infection (unrelated to
his recent knee surgery) and will
likely be in the hospital over the
weekend. / Please continue to
pray for Bill Blunier. Bill will be
having surgery on Monday to
remove part of his colon. / Please
pray for Sis. Janice Pfister. The
doctors found two golf-ball sized
cancerous tumors in her lower
abdomen. Please pray for healing
and wisdom to know what to do
as they go forward. / Bill Blunier
is home from the hospital and
recovering slowly. Thanks for all
the prayers, support, visits and
food. Mere words cannot begin to
express our appreciation!”
And then I realized why it
all had to happen when I heard
the following news: “Save the
Date: Baptisms / testimonies are
planned for James Drayer and
Kami Schafer!”
During this exhausting time
of year, I sincerely hope that you
are doing a far better job than
I have of keeping the proper
focus—Jesus Christ and Him
Crucified! What else in your life
dares to compete with that?
P.S. I recently took two of my
sons to Bluffton Country (which
my oldest son affectionately
refers to as the Castle Church) to
witness four baptisms. After the
first few baptisms, my 8 year-old
started to notice a pattern. He
leaned over and whispered loudly,
“Papi, is the answer always yes?”
At first I didn’t know what to say.
Then I thought of the verse that
says: “For all the promises of God
in Christ are yea and amen!” Then
I thought of another verse that
speaks of “simplicity in Christ.” So
I leaned back and explained (more
to myself than to him), “Yes,
the answer is always yes. That’s
because Jesus wants us to keep it
simple!”
Indiana, Milford
Jodi Beer, Minnie Beer
Surgery and hospital patients
this month were Bro. Troy
Wuthrich (Sis. Briana) and Lorene
Stookey (Martin). We pray they
will feel God’s healing touch.
We were blessed to have
Bro. Daron Price (Sis. Monica
and family, Athens, AL) for a
visit along with Elder Bro. Lynn
Stieglitz (Sis. Leonda, Leo, IN).
Our Elder Bro. Bill Schlatter (Sis.
Emily, Junction, OH) was here on
a Tuesday evening for Bible study.
We thank these brothers for their
instructions. We ask for a willing
heart to be doers and not only
hearers.
We were saddened to hear of
the passing of precious little Keyle
from CVE who was being cared
for by our Sis. Jodi Beer. A few
days later we heard of the passing
of Sis. Marjorie Plattner (Bro.
Russell, Roanoke, IL) mother of
our Sis. Pat Beer (Bro. Fred). We
pray their loved ones will feel our
prayerful support as they pass
through this time of sorrow.
Juan, Maria, Nayeli, and
Diego Nunez welcome a little boy,
Angel, into their home. May God
continue to give strength and grace
to raise their children.
As we approach the Christmas
Season, let’s remember the reason
for the season. May you enjoy this
time with family and friends.
Indiana, Remington
Jenni Honegger, Marcella Tyler
We were once again blessed
to hear the letter of love written
by our elders at the reading of
the Memorandum. Each year I
am grateful that we have church
leaders to guide us who are
humble and willing to listen to
what the Spirit has to say to our
church. Whether their words are
encouraging or convicting or both
at the same time, I always walk
away comforted by their collective
wisdom and their dependence on
the Word to guide them in their
conversations and decisions.
Elder Bro. Mike Leman
(Sis. Deb) from Denver came
to assist with the reading of the
Memorandum. Other visiting
ministers this month were Elder
Bro. Curt Frank (Sis. Lyla) from
LaCrosse, Bro. Calvin Schneider
(Sis. Jeannie) from LaCrosse, and
Bro. Randy Beer (Sis. Deb) from
Milford. We thank each one for his
presence, fellowship, and efforts.
We rejoice with Bro. Andy and
Sis. Gina Getz at the birth of their
precious son, Simon Zaine! Simon
was born on October 18 and was
welcomed home by big brother, Eli,
and big sister, Vivienne. Grateful
grandparents are Kent and Janell
Kloter from Washington, IL and
our Bro. Eldon and Sis. Charlene
Getz. We wish Bro. Andy and Sis.
Gina God’s blessings as they seek
to raise their little ones to know
Him.
We also rejoice with the angels
with the news that Wesley Corbin
(Chris and Heather) has decided
to repent and turn his life over to
Jesus! We pray that Wes will feel
the love and support of the church
as he makes this change in his life,
and that the Lord will guide and
direct him along his new path.
We have been prayerful for
little Harper Forney (Kylie and
Todd), the granddaughter of Bro.
Rex and Sis. Tammy Clauss.
Harper has recently had surgery
and we pray for her speedy
recovery and healing.
Indiana, South Bend
Joshua Martinez
“Every good gift and every perfect
gift is from above, and cometh down
from the Father of lights, with whom
is no variableness, neither shadow of
turning.” James 1:17
In this season of Thanksgiving
and celebration, we stand in awe
at our Heavenly Father’s bountiful
blessings and provision.
We thank the God of All
Grace for returning Sis. Jocelyn
Payton home after spending time
in the hospital.
The Holy and Righteous One
blessed Bro. Josh and Sis. Janelle
Steffen with sweet little Ember
Julia. Also lauding God’s gift are
grandparents Bro. Derrell and
Sis. Sue Steffen (Bay City, MI)
and Bro. Steve and Sis. Connie
Bauman (Smithville, OH).
We thank God our Fortress
and Protector for having brought
Bro. Bob and Sis. Sue Beebe safely
back from a recent mission trip to
Haiti.
We thank the Most High God
for having allowed a large group
of our South Bend church family
to witness the baptism of Sis.
Maria Ramirez at the Bluffton, IN
church.
We are also grateful for the
words of Truth and Life shared by
Bro. Todd Sinn (Sis. Janet, Latty,
OH) and Bro. Joe Klotzle (Sis. Sue
Altadena, CA).
“The LORD bless thee, and keep
thee: The LORD make his face shine
upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
The LORD lift up His countenance
upon thee, and give thee peace.”
Numbers 6:24-26
Indiana, Valparaiso
Marguerite Hoerr, Sherry Meiss
Well, the cold is back and
another season is upon us, but this
is the season we celebrate our Lord
Christ Jesus was born!
God is the creator of all things
and blesses us with many gifts
from the air we breathe to the gift
of life.
Our Bro. Tim and Sis. Julie
Bucher are grandparents again!
Their son, Ben, and Tracy Bucher
had a second child born on June
28. Her name is Lucy Jean Bucher.
Jude is a big brother now. Her
other proud grandparents are Bro.
Joe and Sis. Barb Zimmerman
and great grandmother, Sis. Millie
December 2014
SILVER LINING
29
Zimmerman from Morton, IL.
We have another gift. Sis. Sharon
and Bro. Jon Pratt are expecting
their first child in May. Oh how
our church will bound with joy to
have a new child in it! Jesus is the
reason!
We thank Bro. Doyle
Frauhiger (Sis. Jane) from
Bluffton North, IN for coming
to Valparaiso to minister to us
in October. Your service was
empowering. We do need to take
notice of our everyday, keeping
our eyes above, so we may be
prepared for the coming of God.
Also, special thanks goes out to
all of our visitors that have blessed
us in coming to worship and
fellowship with us as well.
Be not divided from God,
especially when you are in trials
or tribulations, for this is when
He is fulfilling His plans. It is
not always about us. It just might
be for someone else! Be thankful
He is using you for the greater
God. Accept it and know He is in
control of all things. Here is where
you must have faith and trust
Him. Praise God. Glorify Him all
day every day.
Please be prayerful for the
following: Dave Kotzer after the
loss of his wife, Judy; Sis. Gwen
Bucher’s son, Dale, is doing so
much better, but still has a long
road ahead of him; our Bro. Lyle
and Sis. Marilyn Zeltwanger, Bro.
Bob and Sis. Marguerite Hoerr
and their daughter, Becky Pelath;
Sis. Leona Bucher and our snow
birds in their travels south for the
winter. Plus, don’t forget to pray
30
SILVER LINING December 2014
for each other as well, for God
knows all our needs.
All are welcome in Valparaiso,
IN. We are just south of US Hwy
30 on IN State Road 49.
Indiana, West Lafayette
Kris Widmer, Libby Wahl
The wintry season has greeted
us, ready or not! In season and
out, our thoughts and attitudes
still need to reflect Thanksgiving
for the many ways we have been
blessed! Our Purdue Young Group
hosted Parent Appreciation
Night on October 23. They were
also busily preparing for the
many aspects of hosting College
Weekend. It was brought to
fruition November 15/16. We
especially thank the special
speakers: Elder Bro. Willis
Enhle (Sis. Lois, Peoria, IL) and
ministering Bro. Nick Waibel (Sis.
Sandra, Francesville, IN). We are thankful for the
willingness of Elder Bro. Dan
Kilgus (Sis. Jenna, Remington,
IN) and Bro. Greg Lehman (Sis.
MaryBeth, Wolcott, IN) for
sharing inspirational mid-week
messages!
We already miss Bro. Fred
Sollberger as he completed his
studies and accepted employment
in the Chicago area. Our loss will
be Chicago’s blessing! In the hustle and bustle of
the Holiday Season, may we find
contentment and peace reflecting
on our Savior’s lowly birth, our
greatest gift!
Indiana, Wolcott
Michelle Earney, Beckie Lehman
We are blessed to announce
two births we had in October.
Julia Rose was born to Bro.
Mike and Sis. Sherice Reinhard.
She was welcomed home by big
siblings: Erica, Caleb and Bennett.
Grandparents are Bro. Lowell and
Sis. Karla Bahler (Wolcott, IN)
and Bro. Dan and Sis. Delores
Reinhard (Remington, IN). Bro.
Derek and Sis. Theresa Blume
also welcomed home a little girl,
Jacqueline Sue. Her happy siblings
are Emma, Levi, Marie, Orrin and
Elsa. Jacqueline’s grandparents are
Bro. Tim and Sis. Rachel Schwab
(Wolcott, IN) and Bro. Larry and
Sis. Lynell Blume (Wolcott, IN).
We are happy to announce
that Benjy Lehman (Bro. Rob and
Sis. Beckie) is engaged to Brittany
May of Kokomo, IN.
Elder Bro. Paul Messner
(Sis. Jan, Winthrop, MN) came
and helped our Elder Bro. Dan
Kilgus (Sis. Jenna, Remington,
IN) with our memorandum in
early November. We were very
blessed by his presence. We
also had Bro. Fred Witzig (Sis.
Nancy, Washington, IL) and our
Elder Bro. Dan Kilgus visit for a
Sunday. Bro. Mark Wettstein (Sis.
Karen, Lacrosse, IN) came one
Wednesday evening and presented
a topical Bible study of the
“Lessons from the Life of Joseph”.
Iowa, Bloomfield
Teresa Schock
Lending themselves to bring
forth God’s Word were Bro. Larry
Bahr (Sis. Julie, Ft. Scott) and
Bro. Clint Schmidt, Winthrop.
May God bless all our Elders’ and
ministers’ lives and also their wives.
Bro. Dennis and Sis. Gerty
Esslinger are pleased to announce
the safe arrival of granddaughter,
Kensley Rhys. She was born
October 19 to Phil and Ariana
Sceggel of East Peoria. She has
two sisters, Braelyn and Taegan.
Paternal grandparents are Bro.
Mark and Sis. Judy Sceggel of
Peoria, IL.
“Glory to God in the Highest,
Peace on Earth, Good Will to
Men. Heavenly angels announced
His arrival in the little town of
Bethlehem. Hallelujah to the Lord,
sing Glory. He was born to save the
world from sin. Glory to God in
the Highest. Glory, Hallelujah to
the Lord, Amen”.
-Prairie Choristers with Testify
Mary was that mother mild,
Jesus Christ her little Child.
Not in that poor lowly stable,
With the oxen standing by,
We shall see Him: but in Heaven.
Set at God’s right hand on high:
When like stars His children
crowned,
All in white shall wait around.”
Once in Royal David’s City,
Hymns of Christmas #25
color or marks? A sobering thought
while looking out the window!
Happy Thanksgiving to all.
Let’s remember our blessings all
year, not just one day. To God, one
day is as a thousand years.
Iowa, Iowa City
Diana Butikofer
Bro. Joe and Sis. Connie
Gerst are rejoicing in the birth
of another grandchild. Rhoda
Iowa, Garden Grove
Christine joined the family of Bro.
Laura Funk
Joel and Sis. Amy and Titus Troxel
We were privileged to host the (LaCrosse, IN) on October 17.
Washington Choir November 1 & May the Lord bless this family as
2, They sang at a nursing home in they strive to raise their children to
the afternoon. The residents and
know Him.
staff were very thankful for the
We appreciate Bro. Mark
“acapella singing” and commented Schmidgall’s (Sis. Sally, Oakvillehow beautiful the music was.
Mediapolis, IA) Bible study on
Ministering Bro. Justin Koch was discipleship. We trust the Lord will
with the choir and ministered
bless his efforts for us.
on Sunday. The Garden Grove
“And so it was, that, while
congregation was given a taste of
they were there, the days were
Iowa, Elgin
Heaven. Thank you to all who gave accomplished that she should be
Maria Rocke
of their time and singing talents!
delivered. And she brought forth her
Visiting ministers this month
Bro. Brad Gudeman (Bradford, firstborn son, and wrapped him in
were Bro. Tom Lanz (Sis. Mary,
IL) brought a “special message”
swaddling clothes, and laid him in a
Oakville-Mediapolis, IA) and
from God. Have you ever thought, manger; because there was no room
Bro. Virgil Metzger (Sis. Mary,
once a sermon is preached, that
for them in the inn.” Luke 2:6-7
Chicago, IL). May God bless these exact same message will not be
As a mother with the
brothers for their efforts in serving heard again. The same chapter
advantages of modern medicine
us.
can be preached on, but the
and conveniences, it is hard for me
The 2014 Christmas season has same message will not be heard.
to picture the physical conditions
arrived. Amidst the busyness of our (Unless it is recorded.) Several
of Mary’s delivery. It is even harder
gatherings and travels, let us take
accompanied Bro. Brad and Sis.
to imagine my son being God’s
the time to ponder Jesus’ humble
Teresa.
Son, sent to earth through me
entrance into this world. May God
We are experiencing winter
for a much higher purpose than
be with each of you!
weather. Very cold temperatures,
I could ever fully grasp. I like
“Once in royal David’s city
cold wind chills and a beautiful
the Scriptures that tell us Mary
Stood a lowly cattle shed,
blanket of white snow. I thought,
pondered these events in her heart.
Where a mother laid her Baby,
am I washed whiter than snow?
Let’s strive to also ponder how
In a manger for His bed:
Very clean and pure, without any
He desires to use us and what He
December 2014
SILVER LINING
31
wishes to tell us for our edification
and His glory.
Iowa, Lester
Audrey Metzger, Joyce Moser
“Glory to God in the Highest!
In remoteness and near by us
Ruleth He with might and grace.
Let us bring our thanks and
praise!
Let us bring our thanks and
praise! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!”
Zion’s Harp #9
By the time this issue is
printed, Thanksgiving will be past,
and our thoughts turn toward
the birth of our Savior. We are so
blessed in so many ways. Let us
remember Him with thanks and
praise!
Our congregation enjoyed
fellowship with several couples
from across the land on the
weekend of November 1-2, during
our Invite-A-Guest-weekend.
Among those visitors were
ministering Bro. Jason Dotterer
(Forrest, IL) and Bro. Dale
Zeltwanger (Morris North, MN).
On November 9, Bro. Clint Beyer
(Sabetha, KS) shared our pulpit.
We were blessed by the efforts of
each of these dear brothers, and
their families, in bringing the
inspired Living Word to us.
Our prayers for recovery and
healing remain with many in our
church, and particularly those who
were hospitalized this past month:
Sis. Beth (Bro. Myron) Knobloch,
Sis. Lois (Bro. Jim) Metzger, Bro.
Willie (Sis. Helen) Knobloch, and
Bro. Tony (Sis. Pam) Bosch.
A graveside service was held on
32
SILVER LINING December 2014
November 4 for Kelton, the little
son of Bro. Ross and Sis. Abby
Mogler , who died before taking
his first breath. Our thoughts
and prayers remain with this dear
couple and their little son, Khye,
who is there to help fill their arms
and their hours with his innocent
smiles.
We extend sincere sympathy to
Sis. Helen (Bro. Willie) Knobloch,
and family in the loss of her
brother, Ernie Schambach (Elgin,
IL), and to Jim Moser, and his
family, in the loss of his brother,
Verle Moser, (Tolar, TX).
Bro. Jeff and Sis. Amber
Leuthold were blessed with a
new daughter, Addie Sue, on
November 4. Her siblings, Landon
and Kendra; and grandparents,
Bro. Harvey & Sis. Mary Metzger;
and Bro. Chuck and Sis. Vick
Leuthold also welcome little Addie
into their hearts! That same day,
grandparents, Bro. Bruce & Sis.
Harriet Metzger helped Chris,
Sarah and little Hazel Metzger
welcome baby Ezra into their lives.
This family lives in Bellevue, NE,
and we are always glad to see them
when they come home to Lester to
visit.
Iowa, Oakville-Mediapolis
Sharla Wiegand
Come, Ye Thankful People
“Come, ye thankful people, come,
raise the song of harvest home;
All is safely gathered in, ere the
winter storms begin.
God our Maker doth provide for
our wants to be supplied;
Come to God’s own temple, come,
raise the song of harvest home.
All the world is God’s own field,
fruit unto His praise to yield;
Wheat and tares together sown
unto joy or sorrow grown.
First the blade and then the ear,
then the full corn shall appear;
Lord of harvest, grant that we
wholesome grain and pure may
be.
For the Lord our God shall come,
and shall take His harvest home;
From His field shall in that day
all offenses purge away,
Giving angels charge at last in the
fire the tares to cast;
But the fruitful ears to store in
His garner evermore.
Even so, Lord, quickly come, bring
Thy final harvest home;
Gather Thou Thy people in, free
from sorrow, free from sin,
There, forever purified, in Thy
garner to abide;
Come, with all Thine angels come,
raise the glorious harvest home.”
Iowa, West Bend
Yvonne Bruellman, Becky Virkler
God has blessed the home
of Bro. Darin and Sis. Amanda
Banwart with baby Kyler Allan.
This precious bundle is welcomed
home by brother Jarrett, as well as
grandparents Bro. Cameron and
Sis. Tammy Knobloch and Bro.
Kent and Sis. Beth Banwart.
It is a joy to welcome
Bro. Bruce Banwart to our
congregation. May the Lord
continue to direct his path and
shower upon him His love, peace
and grace.
We are thankful for God’s
healing Hand. Each of our hospital
patients are again assembling with
us: Sis. Phyllis Banwart, Bro. Larry
Wickman (Sis. Marvella), and
convert Andrea Knobloch (Bro.
Jim and Sis. Sandy).
“Therefore, my beloved brethren,
be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always
abounding in the work of the Lord,
forasmuch as ye know that your
labour is not in vain in the Lord.”
1 Corinthians 15:58.
It was uplifting to have the
following ministers with our
congregation: Bro. Kent Getz
(Sis. Betty, Elgin, IA), Bro. Jim
Butikofer (Sis. Diana, Iowa City,
IA), Bro. Dallas Massner (Sis.
Christy, Burlington, IA), Bro.
Clint Schmidt (Sis. Magdalena,
Winthrop, MN) and Bro. Bill
Wettstein (Sis. Heidi, Eureka, IL).
was here to carry out the solemn
ordination on November 2. Bro.
Akihiro Ito, and Retired Elders
Willis Ehnle (in absentia) and
Akito Inoue gave their full support.
Along with many wonderful
teachings we heard throughout
the day, we as a church were
also given several exhortations
on how we can be helpful.
1. PRAY. 2. ENCOURAGE
(Eph. 6:18-19, Matt. 3:17. 3. BE
AMBASSADORS for Christ.
(Matt. 9:36-38, John 17:23). 4. BE
PEACEMAKERS (Matt. 5:9). As
I typed this I was thinking that
these helpful ways can also apply
to all ministering brothers who
labor Sunday after Sunday on our
pulpits. We appreciate their efforts.
We thank Elder Bro. Mark
and Sis. Bev for their visits. They
are very sensitive to our needs
Tokyo, Japan
here. They leave a dear family and
Marie Inoue
churches under their care, put
In a few days here in Japan,
up with jet lag, and still do their
we will be celebrating “Thanks
best for the Lord’s sake in this
for Laborers” day. We are indeed
needy land. May God be their rich
thankful for all those who labor to rewarder. make our lives run smoothly. As
believers in Christ, we carry this a Kansas, Bern
step further and thank the Lord for Jill Meyer, Rita Menold
laborers, and many other blessings
Congratulations are extended
of faith that He provides for us
to another couple who was united
daily.
in marriage! On November 1, Ted
Last spring we were asked to
Grimm (Doug and Jeryl, Sabetha)
pray for the need of help in our
and Miranda Baumgartner (Bro.
pulpit ministry. Trusting the Lord Jeff and Sis. Kim) exchanged their
has guided us, it was revealed the
wedding vows. Our prayers are
end of October that two Brothers, with them as they begin this new
Kan Umemura and Makoto Inoue chapter in their lives.
(Sis. Anna) received good support
“Glory be to God in heaven, Praise
for this added responsibility. Our
to Christ, our Saviour great!
Elder Bro. Mark Bahr (Sis. Bev)
By the power of Thy Spirit, a new
man Thou didst create.
Angels see in joyous rapture God’s
own Word in deed fulfilled;
And amid our glad embraces is this
child of God revealed.”
Zion’s Harp, #34
We are thankful to have
welcomed Bro. Travis Rokey
(Bro. Todd and Sis. Sheila) and
Bro. Benton Rokey (Bro. Dwight
and Sis. Anita) to the fold on the
weekend of November 15-16. Our
appreciation is given to Elder Bro.
Marvin Dotterer (Sis. Nancy,
Forrest), who was here to assist in
this work. May we continue to
pray for them!
Also serving us in the ministry
this month were Bros. Jeff Bahler
(Sis. Heidi, Wolcott) and Roger
Aberle (Sis. LaVonne, Sabetha). We
appreciate their labors of love.
Kansas, Ft. Scott
Karen Kellenberger
The brethren from the Lamar,
MO congregation joined us for an
early Thanksgiving potluck supper
November 16. We concluded the
evening singing hymns of praise.
Bro. Rick and Sis. Karen
Kellenberger are doubly blessed
with two dear grandchildren.
Cooper James was born to Ryan
and Amber Lewis and welcomed
by Micah, Owen, and Hannah.
Bro. Kent and Sis. Kelsey
Kellenberger welcome their first
child, Ellieana Grace. We pray for
God’s wisdom and grace in raising
these little ones to His glory and
honor.
Our church is temporarily
undergoing repairs, so Bro. Bob
December 2014
SILVER LINING
33
and Sis. Betty Lemons generously
opened their home for a midweek
hymn singing.
“Fear not: for, behold, I bring
you good tidings of great joy, which
shall be to all people. For unto you
is born this day in the city of David
a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you;
Ye shall find the babe wrapped
in swaddling clothes, lying in a
manger.” Luke 2: 10-12.
May each of us have great joy
in the Savior – Christ the Lord,
as we contemplate the miracle of
Christmas.
Kansas, Lamont-Gridley
Dorene Metzger
Jim Kraft & his wife, Kathy,
both had major surgery this
month, but we are thankful that
they both had good reports and
are doing well.
Sis. Liseten (Bro. Loren,
deceased) Strahm has moved
from assisted living into a nursing
home. Lord willing, she will
be 96 in January 2015. She has
been a believer for over 75 years
and raised a large family as well
as supporting her husband as
he ministered the Word in the
Gridley, KS church. She would
appreciate notes of encouragement
as she adjusts to this big change in
her life. Her address is:
Liseten Strahm
Holiday Resort Rm. 102
2700 W. 30th Ave.
Emporia, KS 66801
Bro. Jeff Bahr from the Kiowa
church spent a Sunday with us.
He mentioned that as he drove
34
SILVER LINING December 2014
here, he admired the beauty of
the fall season in the color of the
leaves. The varied colors have
always been in the leaves, but the
chlorophyll which was enhanced
by the sun only showed the green
color of Spring and Summer. As
the sunlight hours decrease, the
chlorophyll lessens and the more
colorful colors appear. As we grow
in our relationship with God and
His Son, surely our lives should
show forth varied colors of gifts
as we serve God and others. The
question was asked, “What are
your true colors? Do they serve
and glorify God?”
On Saturday, November 15,
Bro. Gerry (Sis. Ellen) Hertzel
of Sabetha, KS, Bro. Randy (Sis.
Karen) Kellenberger of Kansas
City, MO, and Bro. Cory (Sis.
Jodi) Metzger of Wichita, KS
joined us for the reading of the
memorandum. On Sunday, we
enjoyed a day of encouragement to
live lives of greater commitment to
God as these brothers ministered
the Word.
Kansas, Sabetha
Crystal Hartter, Dawn Strahm
We enjoyed a weekend of
blessed fellowship and singing
with guests from near and far
as we had our Invite-a-Guest
weekend October 25 & 26.
Visiting ministers that taught us
from the Word that weekend were:
Bro. Kevin Fehr (Sis. Lonnie) and
Bro. Darin Massner (Sis. Twila)
both from West Bend, IA.
Ted Grimm (Doug & Jeryl)
and Miranda Baumgartner (Bro.
Jeff and Sis. Kim, Bern, KS) were
united in marriage on November
1. We wish this young couple the
blessings of God.
Our prayers are with Bro. Brad
and Sis. Teresa Kellenberger for
the loss of their grandson, Kelton
Mogler (Bro. Ross and Sis. Abby)
of Lester, IA.
As we have finished listening
to the conference recordings, we
now switch from Sunday evening
singings to our weekly Wednesday
night church services.
We enjoyed a Thanksgiving
meal together as a church family
at our Fellowship Center. May we
give thanks to our Father above
for the many blessings we do have.
We are thankful that Emily
Meeks (Bro. Jerry and Sis.
Christy) has felt the need to repent
of her sins and become converted.
May the Lord grant her grace and
mercy to yield to His will.
As the Christmas season
approaches, may we all remember
the real reason for this holiday
season. “And the angel said unto
them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring
you good tidings of great joy, which
shall be to all people. For unto you is
born this day in the city of David a
Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”
St. Luke 2:10-11
Kansas, Wichita
Max and Judy Reimschisel
“Make a joyful noise unto the
Lord, all you lands. Serve the Lord
with gladness: come before his
presence with singing. Know ye that
the Lord he is God: it is he that hath
made us, and not we ourselves; we
are his people, and the sheep of his
pasture. Enter into his gates with
thanksgiving, and into his courts
with praise: be thankful unto him,
and bless his name. For the Lord is
good; and his mercy is everlasting;
and his truth endureth to all
generations.” Psalms 100
How encouraging it is when
we have that privilege of going to
church, without being threatened
or persecuted.
Our Sunday morning began
with one of the songs, “Before
the Meeting”, number one in the
Hymns of Zion. “With your Zion’s
harps now chiming Praise the Lord,
let’s do our best, Soon Will come on
the time of partying, We’ ll be laid
in earth to rest, Exercise yourself in
praising The true God, and laud
His fame, Tho’ our faith at times
be waning, We find courage in His
name.”
We still have five dear sisters in
their 80s, and one who drives
almost an hour from Hutchison.
It does our heart good to hear the
excitement in their greeting on
Sunday morning. What a blessing
it is!
One Sunday morning we were
to have a visiting minister, and so
disappointed when he could not
come. Special prayer was made
for our minsters, Bro. Cory and
Bro. Glen, who once each Sunday
and sometimes twice minister the
Word. We need to continually pray
for our ministers that with the help
of the Holy Spirit they will do their
best.
Our prayers and sympathy
are for Bro. Jerry and Sis. Pauline
Carnahan. Their son Nathan’s
mother-in-law, Pam Hillhouse,
passed away at 63.
Our prayers and sympathy go
to Sis. Ann Warner. Her grandson,
Steven Miller, passed away at 53.
He lived in Escondido, CA with
his mother & father, Gwen and
Tommy Miller.
We are grateful for our visiting
minister, Bro. Nate Lehman and
his wife, Sis. Yvonne of Denver
CO. We were very encouraged and
up-lifted by the Word of God that
was spoken to us.
Mexico, Ixtlán
Ruth Gerber
“For who hath despised the day of
small things?” Zechariah 4:10
This is a verse that came to us
as we looked through pictures of
the early years of the Ixtlán church.
Children sitting on the ground
outside Bro. Marshall and Sis.
Jan’s house looking up to a young
believer sharing newly-learned
truth. A few young people sitting
in a circle on folding chairs playing
a simple game. Several women
riding in the back of a pickup on
their way to hear God’s Word.
But, there is more: a middle-aged
woman stands in water at the dam,
her white clothes contrast sharply
with the green mountains in the
background and family and friends
watch the first adult baptism in the
town. Construction teams come
to help provide a building for the
church which can no longer be
contained in the Heinolds’ living
room. The children and young
people in previous pictures are
now the Sunday school teachers.
God has done wonderful things
here! We praise Him for His Word
which converts the hearts, for the
faithful laborers that have planted
and watered, and the many that
have prayed for God’s work to be
furthered!
This past week we took part
in a ladies’ cena. (That’s a light
supper for those who might be
interested in visiting and will
likely be confused by the “strange”
meal schedule.) There were more
than 20 of us in the group, ages
ranging from adolescents to late
70s. Young and old enjoyed the
PowerPoint presentation of old
pictures. We had laughter, tears,
and remembrances of where
God has brought each one from.
After the meal a few of the older
sisters shared experiences of God’s
faithfulness. We thank God for the
evening!
Another “small” but significant
thing that we’ve been taking part
in is our bi-weekly car wash. Few
of the believers here own a vehicle,
and Bro. Lalo and Sis. Silvia
Ugalde came up with a way to
give everyone an opportunity to
help keep up the church vehicles
that we all have the privilege of
using (whether it’s getting a ride
to church or borrowing a vehicle
for a trip out of town.) It’s been an
enjoyable time to work together,
an exercise in forbearance when
someone dumps a bucket of water
on more than their side of the van,
and a witness to those that pass by
as they see the believers working
together.
December 2014
SILVER LINING
35
Michigan, Alto
Renee Steffen, Shelli Oesch
As the busyness of
Thanksgiving and Christmas
approach, I’m reminded that in
ALL things are we to give thanks,
and because of HIM only, do
we have the promise of HOPE.
Rushing around and hurrying to
get everything in place, I wonder
if we often let go of or lose sight
of important privileges we have
such as prayer, studying God’s
Holy Word, being still enough to
hear His voice, singing joyfully,
forgiving, noticing those who
are hurting, smiling at strangers,
being kind to our family, or
‘sharing grace.’ I say sharing grace
because this past week during the
Sunday school ‘Object Lesson,’ a
child was asked what grace meant
and their answer was, “grace is
when someone punches you in
the face and you don’t punch
them back, and then you invite
them out for lunch.” Grace is that
undeserved but precious gift that
we can show and share with those
about us.
We are thankful that the
following loved ones came
through surgery this past month:
Bro. Tom Schrenk (Sis. Joan),
Trisha Blough (Gordy) and
Rhonda Colter (Dave.) May they
continue to feel the healing touch
of our Savior.
Our prayers are with Bro.
Wally and Donna Gerst as they
travel to Ethiopia to see their
children and granddaughters.
May they know God’s traveling
mercies.
36
SILVER LINING December 2014
Our continued prayers are
with Sis. Laura Kaeb (Bro. Aaron)
and her family as her mother’s
health is so precarious.
We would like to express our
thanks to Bro. Chris and Sis.
Sharon Huber from Francesville
for their willingness to share in
ministering God’s Word. Bro.
Chris told us that in the pulpit
Bible, there are little crosses next
to any passage that refers to
the cross of Christ. May we be
mindful each day of the sacrifice
made on that CROSS for us. Also,
Bro. Dick and Sis. Sharon Meister
from West Lafayette were here to
give his last talk on the history of
Christianity. We want to express
our deepest appreciation for all
the time, energy, traveling and
love it took to put this together
and share with us. Truly we are
blessed.
Three baby blessing bundles
arrived this month. Grandparents
Ken and Denise Oesch, parents
Eric and Kendra Moyer and big
sister Addalyn welcomed twin
boys, Kannon and Kailum into
their family. Big sisters Isabella
and Alivia, along with parents
Eric and Kayla Blough, and
grandparents Gordy and Trisha
Blough, excitedly welcome little
Emma into their family.
“Give faithful servants ever
Who have but one endeavor,
Thy Gospel to proclaim;
Who heed Thy Spirit holy
And strive and labor solely,
O, Lord, to glorify Thy name.”
Zion’s Harp #207, verse 8
“To our shepherds who
Humbly live
And try to do what’s right,
Not seeking praise but
Kneel in prayer, and
Strive on toward the Light.
Great spiritual duty
Is placed on each, they
Vow to lead the flock,
In all they do to
Nurture with Truth
Grounded on the Solid Rock.” -RS
Michigan, Bay City
Sarah Knochel
We rejoice with Bro. Derrell
& Sis. Sue Steffen as they recently
welcomed another granddaughter,
Ember Julia Steffen. Ember’s
parents are Bro. Josh & Sis. Janelle
Steffen (South Bend, IN).
November 16 was the ground
breaking ceremony for the new
Woodhaven at Bay City. We are
thankful Bro. Randy Gasser (Sis.
Sue, Detroit, MI) traveled to
Bay City to minister the Word
and to participate in the ground
breaking.
Our prayers are with Nettie
Knochel as she spent time in
the hospital recently. We pray
God will provide healing and
restoration according to His will.
“For unto us a child is born,
unto us a son is given: and the
government shall be upon his
shoulder: and his name shall be
called Wonderful, Counsellor, The
mighty God, The everlasting Father,
The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6
May the grace and goodness of
our Heavenly Father be with each
one during this Christmas season
and may you continue to feel the
Lord’s blessings in the coming new and Nathan Steffen of Alto, MI.
year.
Bro. Nathan gave the service at our
Woodhaven retirement home.
Michigan, Detroit
The Woodhaven Retirement
Manuela Denes
Community Board of Directors
As we near the end of
recently voted to approve a
November, the signs of the
construction contract to develop
coming holiday season are present a two-level satellite retirement
everywhere. The shopping malls
community in Bay City. It will be
are decked out with the decorations referred to as Woodhaven at Bay
of the season. Christmas music
City. The ground-breaking took
plays in the background and
place this month after church.
twinkling, colorful lights start to
Prayers are asked for God to bless
be turned on in neighborhoods
this building endeavour.
everywhere. The rush is on and the
The church’s annual
hectic shopping begins for many
Thanksgiving service for
to find the perfect gift. I came
the Woodhaven Retirement
across a little piece of writing from Community residents was held
an unknown source with the title one week prior to Thanksgiving.
“Some Special Gifts”. If you or
A group of choir members from
someone you know is stuck for that our Detroit church sang to and
“perfect gift” here are some ideas: with the residents and staff—
• A firm handshake to a shaky
both a Capella and with piano
soul
accompaniment. Ministering
• A kind word to a lonely person Bro. Lucas Frank centred the
• A feeling of compassion for the message on 1 Thessalonians 5:18:
neglected
“In everything give thanks: for this
• A comforting thought for the
is the will of God in Christ Jesus
bereaved
concerning you” and its surrounding
• A word of witness to help a
verses. Everyone went “home”
seeking soul
feeling grateful for God and His
• And the most important gift
love.
of all? Sharing the story of our
It was such a blessing to hear
dear Lord and Savior! May this that our dear friend of many years,
upcoming Christmas season
Dorothy (Chuck) Leman, has
give us the opportunity to
made the decision to give her life
share a special gift with those
to Christ. We rejoice with her and
we meet and with those that
her family in this very special and
we hold dear in our hearts.
beautiful time.
We are grateful as always for
A sweet baby girl named
visiting ministers. This month we Naomi Grace came into the
welcomed Bros. Ron Messner and world early this November week.
Justin Koch both of Washington, Grateful parents are Bro. Ben and
IL; Tom Troxel of Lacrosse, IN;
Sis. Sarah Harmon. Grandparents
are Bro. Doug and Sis. Lanna
Harmon (Toledo, OH) and Bro.
Abraham and Sis. Sarah Nolan of
our Detroit church. We’re sure that
her big brothers Elijah and Jonah
are especially excited to have a little
sister to play with!
Our prayers and thoughts
continue to be with Kim Smith
and her family as she has been
hospitalized again with surgery.
May she and Ray and their
children feel our love and may the
Lord give her strength for healing.
Minnesota, Minneapolis
Brenda Messner, Betty Rassi
Lindwall
Our college students are such a
welcome part of our congregation.
We gathered for a potluck and
fellowship for our college student
weekend at the end of October.
Bringing us God’s Word was
Bro. Paul (Sis. Jan) Messner from
Winthrop, as we came together on
a Saturday evening in November to
review the Memorandum. We are
so thankful for our dear brothers
who serve us so faithfully.
We said goodbye to Fede
Figueroa Martinez as he completes
this phase of his rehabilitation and
moves to Morris to begin another
phase. Our prayers are with Fede.
We are thankful for the blessing he
has been to our congregation and
encourage him as he starts this new
part of his life. We sang together
the beautiful hymn, Christian
Friendship:
“There’s a tie of noble kinship in a
soul who loves the Lord. There’s a
friendship warm and lasting if he
December 2014
SILVER LINING
37
heeds the Master’s Word. There
is mutual understanding and
a sympathy so kind in the tie of
Christian friendship, as on earth
we oft-times find.”
Hymns of Zion #91 vs 2
Minnesota, Morris
Amy Ekren, Heidi Pfaffmann
We were visited by Elder Bros.
Rod Bajema (Sis. Sue, Lester,
IA) and Jon Schmidgall (Sis.
Julie, Oakville, IA) who read and
exhorted on the memorandum.
Other visiting ministers were Bros.
Todd Stoller (Sis. Pamela, Latty,
OH) and Dale Zeltwanger (Sis.
Rachel, Morris North, MN). We
are so very thankful for all of the
minsters across the land for their
willingness to serve and open their
hearts to the workings of the Holy
Spirit.
“Now we have received, not the
spirit of the world, but the spirit
which is of God; that we might
know the things that are freely given
to us of God. Which things also
we speak, not in the words which
man’s wisdom teacheth, but which
the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing
spiritual things with spiritual.”
1 Cor. 2:12-13
We are excited and thankful
for the safe arrival of two
newborns to our congregation.
Tia Louise was born to Bro.
Taylor and Sis. Tanya Gramm.
Grandparents are Bro. Tim & Sis.
Gwen Gramm and Bro. Arnie
and Sis. Myra Wulf (Lester, IA.).
Xavi Alexander was born to Olivia
Koehl and Michells Algarate.
Grandparents are Bro. Chris &
38
SILVER LINING December 2014
Sis. Shelly Koehl. God’s blessings
to these families as they raise their
new little ones.
Minnesota, Morris North
Lois Schmidgall, Wanda Gramm
“Be careful for nothing; but
in every thing by prayer and
supplication with thanksgiving let
your requests be made known unto
God.” Philippians 4:6
Let’s remember,
Thanksgiving isn’t just for one
day a year…it’s for every day.
We were blessed on November
1, as our church had our annual
Harvest Supper. This year, we
did a Mexican meal, enjoyed
fellowship, and the talent of music
by several of our church body. We
have so much to be THANKFUL
for.
The weekend of November
8 & 9, we gathered together to
hear the testimonies of Alan and
Danielle Schmidgall. They were
the first to be baptized in our new
church building. We welcome
them as a new brother and sister
in Christ. Another reason to be
THANKFUL.
We are THANKFUL for our
ministers Bro. Dale Zeltwanger,
and Bro. Doug Moser, who labor
every week for us, and we are also
THANKFUL for those brothers
who visit us. Our Elder Bros.
Andy (Sis. Roberta) Stoller, Bill
(Sis. Emily) Schlatter; and Bro.
Steve (Sis. Donnalou) Baner,
Gridley, IL, and Bro. Mitch (Sis.
Abbey) Fehr, Morris Country
church. We really appreciate you
giving of yourselves to further
God’s Word. May God richly bless
you.
Elder Bros. Bill and Andy also
read the memorandum to us while
they were with us. THANKFUL
Many were able to gather
together and fill shoe boxes for
Operation Christmas Child.
Our prayer is that when these
little children receive one of these
boxes, they will be able to see Jesus
and feel our love in it. It is such a
blessing to see our young children
packing those boxes. Lord, we
have so much to be thankful for.
Sis. Josie Esterling was in the
hospital at the time of this writing.
Our prayers are for a speedy
recovery. May she feel God at her
side.
We enjoyed a Thanksgiving
meal for our noon meal on
Sunday. What a special time for
our church. Certainly we have
been blessed above all measures...
Lord we are thankful!
As we approach a very busy
holiday season, let’s keep our
eyes fixed on Jesus. He is the real
reason for the season.
Minnesota, Winthrop
Lindsay Schmidt, Julie Schmidt
“Seeds of goodness we are sowing
in the hearts of man today
Bless it Lord, that it may prosper,
and bear fruit for harvest day
Hasten gladly to the labor.
Consecrate to God your heart.
Say this day unto your Saviour,
‘Lord, I’ ll gladly do my part.’”
Hymns of Zion #46
Harvest time brings about
several annual church events.
These are wonderful opportunities
for the generations to get to
know one another. The whole
church enjoys our Fall Festival
which is held on October 31.
Everyone enjoys the evening of
fellowshipping, potluck, hayride
and games. Our Sunday school
students also enjoy their annual
preparing and hosting of the meal
for the 55 and Over Supper which
was November 2. It really is a
blessing when we can strengthen
our relationships.
“And whatsoever ye do, do it
heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto
men;” Colossians 3:23
Our annual business meeting
was held in November. We support
and encourage those who will be
serving in newly-elected positions:
Bro. Dick Schmidt (Sis. Mary Lou)
as trustee, Bro. Michael Messner
(Sis. Rachel) as Usher/Recorder,
Bro. Ed Stoll (Sis. Ginny) as
Usher/Recorder, Sis. Becky
Braulick (Marlyn) as Silver Lining
Correspondent and Sis. Ann Lind
(Dan) as a Kitchen Coordinator.
We thank those who have served
and pray God will bless the labors
of: Bro. John Elder (Sis. Joleen) as
trustee, Sis. Rachel Messner (Bro.
Michael) as Kitchen Coordinator
and Sis. Julie Schmidt (Bro. Nick)
as Silver Lining Correspondent.
“Yea, though I walk through the
valley of the shadow of death, I will
fear no evil: for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff they comfort
me.” Psalms 23:4
We are thankful Bro. Melvin
Messner’s (Vernita) earthly struggle
has ended. We pray for God’s
comfort and love to surround
Vernita, their daughter Vanna,
and grandchildren. Also mourning
his loss are Winthrop siblings:
Bro. Mike Messner (Sis. Joyce),
Bro. Gerry Messner (Millie), Bro.
Marvin Messner, Shirley Demm,
Idabell Witt (Donald) and Sis.
Hazel Schmidt (Bro. Elmer).
Missouri, Kansas City
Brittany Fehr
Bro. Brent and Sis. Beth
Kellenberger, along with Amor,
Kambria, Moriah, and Ayla,
recently welcomed baby, Andrew
Brent to their family. Elder Bro.
Randy and Sis. Karen Kellenberger
and Bro. Clarence and Sis. LuAnn
Zobrist (Congerville, IL) are
Andrew’s grandparents. We keep
little Andrew and his dear family
in our prayers, as he was born at
24.5 weeks. We are thankful for
Sis. Beth’s improving health and
pray for God’s strength and grace
for the family during Andrew’s
long journey in the Neonatal ICU.
Our congregation recently
assembled Christmas gift boxes
for distribution to the poor. We
are taught in Gal. 2:10 that “we
should remember the poor,” and
may those remembrances be in
all of our hearts in this Christmas
season.
We also request God’s blessings
on our visiting ministers, including
Bro. Duane Metzger (Sis. Ruth,
West Bend, IA) and Bro. Roger
Aberle (Sis. LaVonne, Sabetha,
KS), who were present for our
invited guest weekend this month.
We are thankful for each one who
made the effort to be here!
Missouri, Lamar
Venetta Banwart
Our visiting ministers this
month were: Bro. Arlen Leman,
Forrest, IL (Sis. Denise), Bro.
Jedd Rocke, Goodfield, IL
(Sis. Marsha), Bro. Greg Rassi,
Chicago, IL (Sis. Carla), Bro.
John Baumgartner, Bern, KS (Sis.
Lori). We would like to thank
each our visiting ministers for
feeding us from God’s Word and
the company that have visited and
worshiped with us this past month.
We have a received a rich blessing
from each one.
We continue to be blessed by
the relationships that have been
established many years ago when
soldier boys would find their
way to Lamar for the weekend.
We would enjoy hearing of a
few memories from any of you
that would feel moved to write a
paragraph or two. Here is one from
a couple from Bloomfield that
married while he was in the Army
at Ft. Chaffee.
We got married in Feb. 1963.
Dave had about 11 months left
in the Army. Every weekend
when we were free, we would go
to Lamar for church. We always
felt welcome and have many fond
memories. We almost always
stopped at Ben and Clara Braker’s
first. They lived down a fairly long
lane with crops on both sides. It
was a big farm house and they
had a big family-5 or 6 boys and
3 girls. They milked cows. Clara
told me that she washed a load of
December 2014
SILVER LINING
39
bath towels every day. Ben liked
chicken. So we went to Chicken
Annie’s several times. Charles and
Alice Marti were usually next.
Alice was a Braker, a sister to Ben,
Raymond and Leonard. They had
a young family, two boys and
two girls. Their boys went fishing
one afternoon and one of them
got the fishhook stuck in his ear.
His Mom had to cut the hook
and pull it out backward through
the ear. Dale and Corriene was
another couple we enjoyed.
They had a growing family and
in later years when we went to
Lamar, our boys liked to go there
because they had an in-ground
swimming pool. We also went
to Joe and Evelyn Marti’s. They
had one little boy and he passed
away at a very young age. Joe
and Dale are brothers. Fred and
Anna Marti were special people.
Their Saturday night supper was
pancakes. Dave teased them about
that and said that we ate pancakes
for breakfast. Joe and Dale were
their sons. They had another
son, Ervin, who passed away at
a fairly young age. His widow,
Teresa, was a Wagenbach and goes
to Mediapolis church in Iowa.
Raymond and LuEtta Braker lived
a little farther away so we didn’t
get to their place as often. Leonard
and Bonnie were younger so we
didn’t get acquainted with them
until later. They moved into Ben
and Clara’s big farmhouse when
Ben and Clara moved to Indiana.
About two weeks before Dave was
discharged, President Kennedy
was shot. We spent Thanksgiving
40
SILVER LINING December 2014
that year at Ben and Clara’s.
In the mid 1960’s, Marie Marti
thought it would be nice to have
a reunion of soldiers, young and
old, whoever went to Lamar. They
came from Camp Crowder, Fort
Leonard Wood, and Fort Chaffee.
It was to be at Lamar every five
years. It was well-attended for
several times, then people started
wanting to have it other places.
The last reunion was in Florida.
Submitted by Bro. Dave and Sis.
Mary Wiegand
Missouri, St. Louis
Kary Mangers
We rejoice with Bro. Kaleb
Steidinger as many of us had
the blessing of listening to him
give his testimony of how he
surrendered his life to our Lord
and Savior and then witness his
baptism. What a precious gift of
Jesus’s shed blood for you and for
me! We pray God’s blessing on
Kaleb for a fruitful and faithful
life as he runs the race set before
him.
This month we were blessed
to have Bro. Dale and Sis. Sandra
Stoller (Fairbury) come and
support us in our worship service.
We thank them for their time and
effort to join us.
As we enter the seasons of
remembrance for all the blessings
we have and the greatest gift
this world could ever know, may
we all be drawn closer to Him
who is called WONDERFUL,
COUSELOR, MIGHTY GOD,
EVERLASTING FATHER,
PRINCE OF PEACE and live a
life that the whole world may see
Him in us.
Missouri, Taylor
Marcia Sutter
October 18 was the wedding
day for Austin Yackley, son of
Bro. Joe and Sis. Jerilyn Yackley
of Taylor, and Joanna Wellwood,
daughter of Jim and Jackie
Wellwood of Gridley, IL. We wish
for them God’s richest blessings.
Bro. Tom (Sis. Mary) Lanz
from Mediapolis/Oakville, IA
(Austin’s uncle) came for the
wedding and stayed to preach
on Sunday. The Taylor church
appreciates his willingness to
preach God’s Word.
Welcome to Bro. Garrett and
Sis. Courtney Yackley and their
precious baby girl, Lyla as they
relocate to the Taylor area.
On 11/5/14, Bro. Matthew
(Sis. Deanna) Steffen from
Princeville, IL came to do our
monthly Wednesday night Bible
Study which was entitled “Tailor
Made for Taylor”. He likened a
dress shirt with its many parts
to be like our church family;
each one with different parts to
play and different talents, but all
working toward one common
goal…Heaven. We need to
read the instructions (the Word
of God) in order to measure
ourselves against God’s plan for
us. The Word tells us what to put
off and what to put on. It tells us
to put on the whole armor of God,
humbleness, grace, forgiveness,
to name a few. Special thanks
from the Taylor Church for his
willingness to come and serve us.
On November 8, three of our
converts gave their testimonies
and were baptized on November
9. They are Courtney Massner,
daughter of Bro. Chad and Sis.
Lisa Massner; Travis Haerr, son of
Bro. Shon and Sis. Peggy Haerr;
and Phillip Wegman, son of Bro.
Scott and Sis. Dawn Wegman.
Elder Bro. John (Sis. Marcia)
Laukhuf from Latty, OH came
to assist Elder Bro. Kent Heimer
with the testimonies and baptisms
and also had the Sunday afternoon
service. Other ministers who came
for weekend included Bro. Craig
(Sis. Jacqueline) Stickling from the
Peoria IL, who had the Sunday
morning service and Bro Les (Sis.
Christine) Kaeb from Francisville,
IN. May God richly bless the
visiting ministers and their dear
families.
Adeline and Callen welcome
their new baby brother, Mark
Oliver Knochel, who was born
on 11/13/14 to Bro. Joe and Sis.
Lindsey Knochel. Grandparents are
Bro. Eric and Sis. Penny Knochel
and Bro. Elwood and Sis. Trudie
Yackley.
“But thanks be to God, which
giveth us the victory through our
Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians
15:57.
Then, as the chapter finishes,
“Therefore, my beloved brethren,
be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always
abounding in the work of the Lord,
forasmuch as ye know that your
labour is not in vain in the Lord.”
May we keep this in our hearts and
minds each day of the year!
foolish, but can be much worse.
Why then would we allow
anything that is of the world of
men and not of God into our
church/lives? There must be
watchmen in the tower always
keeping watch that the enemy does
not enter in.
We are grateful for the work of
our visiting ministers. Those who
came to serve freely were Bros.
Matt Manz (Deanna, Toledo,
OH), Joseph Gerst, (Connie,
Ohio, Akron
Iowa City, IA), Wayne Grimm,
Carla Miller
(Rose, West Bend, IA), Mark
We appreciated elder Bro.
Masters, (Jeanine, Mansfield,
Duane Farney (Sis. Karen,
OH), Timothy Gerber, (Wendy,
Croghan-Naumburg, NY) assisting Mansfield, OH), and Marvin
our elder Bro. Dave Graf in the
Zollinger, (Pamela, Smithville,
reading of the Memorandum.
OH).
We were also thankful for Bro.
What a joy to witness
Duane’s willingness to serve in the the testimony and baptism of
ministry the following day.
Josiah Grimm. The weekend of
We extend our sympathy and
November 15/16 our little building
prayers to the Graf family in the
was filled to capacity during this
passing of Bro. Bob Graf, a brother blessed time. The testimony of
to Bro. Leon and Bro. Carl.
God’s work by others always brings
After a short hospital stay, we
reflection on what He did for me
are thankful that Mia Henico
and others. Remembering what
(Bro. Gregory and Sis. Darla) has we truly deserve were it not for the
recovered from her illness.
grace God has bestowed upon us
in having His Son take our place
Ohio, Columbus
in front of the executioner. Pray
New York, CroghanTim McMillan
that Josiah’s siblings and all those
Naumburg
We began this period reading he meets in life see the Lord’s glory
Hope Graves
from 1 Cor. Ch. 1. Verse 20 ends
and repent as well. May the flock
Our prayers extend to Sis.
with the question “ hath not God
watch over him as he matures in
Anna Mellnitz who was recently
made foolish the wisdom of this
Christ!
hospitalized. We are thankful she world?” If God took what is the
“Oh who would now be sleeping?
is doing better and is now back in best the world has to offer and
The wise will keep awake. God’s
the extended care.
made it foolish, what then of
wrath will soon be sweeping, and
As the Thanksgiving season is that which is less than wisdom?
vengeance He will take on all who
upon us, may we be most thankful Nothing in this world or of this
are not watchful, and homage did
for the gift of salvation.
world can ever be better than
award unto the beast and idol
December 2014
SILVER LINING
41
instead of thee O Lord.”
Zion’s Harp #50 vs. 5
Ohio, Junction
Elizabeth Manz
Greetings! As I write this
article, the temperatures outside
are frigid and the skies overhead
look gloomy and bleak. It makes
me thankful for the blessing of
a warm house! It also makes me
think of the bleak and gloomy
outlook we would have without
the warmth of God’s Love in
our hearts. His Love enables
us to experience joy, peace and
contentment…even in the midst
of life’s trials and heartaches. May
each of us catch the vision of how
much God loves us and then share
that love with those in our lives
who are in desperate need of Him.
As a church family, we would
like to welcome Catrina Wright
and her boys: Julian, Zander,
Marcelino and Antonio to our
congregation. We are also very
thankful that Catrina has started
her repentance! We pray that God
will supply her with grace as she
seeks to follow Him. We are also
thankful to hear that our convert
Mitch Manz (Bro. Les and Sis.
Karen) has found peace. We look
forward to his testimony and
baptism in the near future.
Bro. Les and Sis. Karen Manz
are thankful for the safe arrival of
another grandson, Jakob Eli, born
to Kevin and Heather Manz on
November 6. Jakob’s big brothers
are Jackson, Carson and Bentley.
We pray for God’s direction and
blessing for this family.
42
SILVER LINING December 2014
Our hearts go out to Bro.
Michael and Sis. Jodi Schneider
as they lost their infant daughter,
Lydia Grace on November 12.
Lydia will also be missed by her
siblings: Joel, Lynelle, Lathan and
Thad along with her grandparents,
Bro. Jim and Sis. Sandra Schneider
(Forrest, IL) and Bro. Larry and
Sis. Shirley Ifft (Forrest, IL). Even
though her life was brief, we are
thankful to know that she is safe
in the arms of Jesus.
Our Sis. Cathy Manz (Bro.
Mark) spent some time in the
hospital this month. We pray for a
speedy recovery.
We were blessed with many
visitors this month, among them
were ministering Bros. Doyle
Frauhiger (Sis. Jane, Bluffton
North, IN) and Fred Domka (Sis.
Connie, Mansfield, OH). We
thank them for ministering the
Word of Truth.
Ohio, Latty
Carmen Stoller, Mindy Stoller
Our annual Country Inn
Benefit was on October 25. A
delicious meal was served followed
by uplifting songs by our choir.
We believe God was glorified and
honored through it all!
Two in our congregation
lost fathers this past month. We
continue to lift Bro. Bob and
Sis. Joan Graf up in prayer as
his father, Bro. Robert Graf, of
Akron, OH passed away October
26. Likewise, we remember Bro.
Donn and Sis. Karen Steffen as
her father, Bro. Herb (Sis. Jane)
Gramm, of Gridley, IL passed
away November 3. May God send
peace and comfort to these dear
families.
Our hearts rejoiced to hear
that Gina Sinn (Bro. Todd and
Sis. Janet) turned to God in
repentance. May God bless her
new journey in faith!
The weekend of November 15
we witnessed the testimonies and
baptisms of Sis. Autumn and Bro.
Adam Nuest (Bro. Lee and Sis.
Paula). What a good reminder of
the powerful work the Lord can
do in a sinner’s heart!
November 15 was the wedding
of Kristi Wenninger (Bro.
Kevin and Sis. Della) and Adam
Warnecke. We pray they feel
God’s blessing and guidance as
they begin their marriage!
Many thanks to the ministers
who visited us this month! We
enjoyed having Bro. Randy Gasser
(Sis. Sue, Detroit, MI), Bro. Dan
Stoller (Sis. Deb, Remington,
IN), Elder Bro. Steve Ringger
(Sis. Myra, Buffton North, IN)
and Bro. Calvin Schneider (Sis.
Jeannie, LaCrosse, IN).
Ohio, Mansfield
Elizabeth Walter
We were privileged to have
Elder Bro. Rick Plattner (Sis.
Mary Ann, Fairbury, IL) with us
to share the Memorandum letter.
It was an encouraging evening.
We thank Bro. Rick for his efforts
on Saturday, as well as for Sunday
worship services. May you be
blessed!
Our annual Sunday School
Fall Outing was a blessing for all.
The children enjoyed activities with
their classes, followed by a potluck
and singing. Thank you to each
one who made the special occasion
possible!
May God’s healing power be
with our Bro. Ken Sauder (Sis.
Sue), Sis. Pat Beer, and Sis. Miriam
Bird, as they struggle to recover
from sickness and surgery.
We express our sympathy to
Sis. Linda Webel (Bro. Pete) as her
sister, Alice Ebinger, was laid to
rest. We also remember Sis. Lillian
Miller (Bro. John) who is a sisterin-law to Alice. May God provide
for each loved one whom she has
left behind.
We are thankful for the
opportunities to fellowship and
travel between our churches,
and are grateful for a visit from
Bro. Jerry Bauman (Sis. Martha,
Rittman, OH) to help on the
pulpit. May God be your rich
rewarder!
Ohio, Rittman
Anna Bauman, Julie Steiner
“And the things that thou hast
heard of me among many witnesses,
the same commit thou to faithful
men, who shall be able to teach
others also.” 2 Tim. 2:2
Our hearts go out to Bro.
Marvin and Sis. Sue Hartzler, and
Bro. Brett and Sis. Renee Lanz,
as through the unction of the
Holy Spirit, through much prayer
and pleading, these two brothers
are added to the ministry in our
Rittman church. We pray for
wisdom to be given, to these two
brothers, their wives, and their
children.
Two hearts betrothed were
joined in marriage, our Bro. Jacob
Blough and Sis. Bailee Indermuhle.
Bro. Jacob’s parents are Rick and
Joyce Blough and Sis. Bailee’s
parents are Bro. Brian and Sis. Bev.
Indermuhle. We pray the Lord will
bless this young couple with faith
and love, as they become one.
The hours seem to fly by, and
life is often full of stresses. Yet, for
some, we breathe our final breath
on this earth. Bro. Jim Rupp
passed away this month, leaving
behind his dear wife, Sis. Sharon,
and children: Sis. Anna Jentes
(Brian), Sis. Esther Raifsnider (Bro.
Andrew), Sis. Rachel Snyder (Jeff),
and Sis. Naomi Miller (Bro. Jeff),
as well as grandchildren, siblings,
and other loved ones. The hymn
sung at his funeral shared our
feelings – “Does Jesus care, when
I’ve said goodbye, to the dearest on
earth to me?...Oh yes, He cares! I
know He cares. His heart is touched
with my grief.”
Gospel Hymns, #751
Spending hours in the hospital
and recovery this month, were Bro.
Eric Stoller (Sis. Melanie), and Sis.
Velma Rufener (Bro. Elton). We
pray they can feel God’s nearness,
during this time of healing.
Also spending time in the
hospital, but with anticipation,
is baby Ellie Sidonia Hill, born
to Bro. Tom & Sis. Elaine Hill.
Ellie is welcomed by her siblings:
Brianna, Cody, Tyler, Abigail,
and Zoey. Her grandparents are
Bro. Dan and Sis. Betty Baltic,
and Bro. Chip and Sis. Siedo Hill
(Mansfield).
Jodi Klotzle (Bro. Wayne &
Sis. Jane) was blessed with grace
to turn to God in repentance! We
realize, as often as a soul turns to
God, how important this step is.
This is not the end, but as Christ
reminded us, as we seek His
Kingdom first, all other things will
be added.
As often as we come to church,
we say, as the hymn writer, “Come
my Friend, and take me sunder,
from all tumult make me free.
Let me sit like Mary yonder, in
true solitude with Thee.” (Zion’s
Harp #239). Elder Bros. Duane
Farney (Croghan-Namburg, NY),
Vic Bauman (Smithville), Ken
Indermuhle (Sardis), and John
Lehman (Bern, KS), as well as
ministering Bros. Randy Gasser
(Detroit), and Gary Maibach
(Smithville) shared the Word this
month. We pray our purpose
of serving the Lord would be
strengthened and furthered,
through hearing the Word.
Note of Thanks:
We wish to thank all who have
shown their love and support to
us in the loss of our dear loved
one, Bro. Jack. We appreciate
the prayers, cards, food, gifts of
love, visits, many many other
deeds of kindness. May God
richly bless each of you for your
thoughtfulness.
The Jack Maibach family
Ohio, Sardis
Faith Beard
“Even the Spirit of truth; whom
the world cannot receive, because it
December 2014
SILVER LINING
43
seeth him not, neither knoweth him:
but ye know him; for he dwelleth
with you, and shall be in you… He
that hath my commandments, and
keepeth them, he it is that loveth me:
and he that loveth me shall be loved
of my Father, and I will love him,
and will manifest myself to him.”
St. John 14:17,21
This is a portion of the reading
chosen by Bro. Phil Maletich and
Sis. Mariah Indermuhle, to be
read the afternoon of November 9
when they, before God, made their
sacred, lifelong vow to each other.
We pray for God’s blessings and
presence upon this dear couple
as they start their married life
together. We thank our visiting
ministers who were with us for the
wedding day: Bro. Tim Ramsier
(Sis. Jonell) and Bro. Wayne
Hartzler (Sis. Camille), both of
Rittman, OH.
We came together on a Friday
evening to listen to the reading
of the Memorandum. We wish to
extend our appreciation to Bro.
Wayne Grimm (Sis. Rose, West
Bend, IA) who joined us to help
with this work.
Pearl Frei, a friend of our
church who lived in the area of
the New Martinsville Church
building, passed away at age 92.
She kept us dear in her heart as
evidenced by her love when we
visited her. She always requested
a subscription to the Silver Lining
and enjoyed to read it faithfully.
Sympathy is extended to her
cousin, Doretta Hafely Kaufman,
of the Rittman congregation.
As we quickly approach the
44
SILVER LINING December 2014
Christmas season, we above
all want to be thankful to the
Heavenly Father for sending us
His Son, the Greatest Gift, free
to all who wish to receive Him.
We also wish to remember in
prayer those who do not publicly
celebrate the true Reason for the
Season in the manner we are
accustomed - either because they
live in a land which does not
tolerate this, or because their heart
has not received the truth or been
exposed to such.
Ohio, Smithville
Sara Crist, Kara Stoller
Congratulations to Bro. Steve
and Sis. Connie Bauman on the
birth of a granddaughter. Ember
Julia was born November 6 to
first-time parents, Bro. Josh and
Sis. Janelle Steffen (South Bend,
IN).
On October 19, we joyfully
witnessed the wedding of Bro. Joel
Landis (Bro. Harvey & Stephanie)
and Sis. Leah Gasser (Bro. Ken
& Sis. SueEllen Maibach, and the
late Bro. Greg Gasser).
Isaac Riggenbach (Bro. Josh
and Sis. Megan) was recently
hospitalized. We are thankful for
his release and his return to good
health.
A Memorandum service was
held on November 15. Thank you
to Elder Bro. Trent Meiss (Sis.
Lucy, Eureka, IL) for helping with
that and ministering on Sunday
also. We appreciated his tender
encouragement to see all people
as souls. “The Lord is…not willing
that any should perish, but that
all should come to repentance.” 2
Peter 3:9. We also thank Bro.
Don Manz (Sis. Connie, Junction,
OH) for their visit and Bro. Don’s
service from our pulpit.
Ohio, Toledo
Deanna Manz, Jenny Manz
We have reason to rejoice
as we witness the working
of the Holy Spirit in our
congregation. The engagement
of Bro. Aaron Masters (Elder
Bro. Mark and Sis. Jeannine,
Mansfield, OH) to Sis. Whitney
Metzger (Bro. Blair and Sis.
Julie, Lester, IA) was made
known recently. We wish them
God’s nearness as they make plans
for their wedding day, and more
importantly their life together! We are grateful to all who
visited us this month, and extend
a special thanks to Bro. Adam
Uhler (Sis. Ann, Smithville, OH)
for serving us in the ministry. May
the Lord bless him and his family!
Our sympathy and prayers
are with Dave and Sis. Connie
Sancraint in the loss of Dave’s
father Merrill Sancraint. We pray
they will feel the Lord’s peace and
nearness during this time.
Ontario, Kitchener
Johanna Fortenbacher
With the help of God
and with our locals and visitors,
we finished building a new porch
for the house belonging to our
church. We also appreciate all the
ministers and their wives that
came this month: Bro. Todd Graf
from Akron, Brian and Jackie
Huber from Francesville, Neil and
Sharon Ramseyer from Bay City,
and Warren and Cindy Schlatter
from Junction. God bless you all. “Yea rather, blessed are they that
hear the word, and keep it.” Luke 11:28 (Sis. Carolyn) brother. It is with
sadness that we learned also that
Rudolph Dettwyler, brother to
Sis. Marie Jensen (Bro. Paul, dec.)
and Bernie (Margaret) Dettwyler,
has passed away. Also suffering a
loss is Howard Hari, as his wife,
Sheree, has passed away. She is the
sister-in-law to Sis. Jan Gudeman
Oregon, Portland
(Bro. Dick) and Bro. Harold Hari
Louisa Gallup
(Sis. Linda). Our love and prayers
This past month, we have had are with all of these families.
the following ministers bringing
October 22, Bro. Myron
us The Word: Elder Bro. John (Sis. Kuenzi (Sis. Diane) had hip
Jane) Wiegand; Bros. Chris (Sis.
replacement surgery. Still needing
Mary) Kuenzi, Ron (Sis. Liz) Jones our prayers as well, is Sis. Becky
and Harvey (Sis. Jennifer) Kuenzi. Von Flue (Bro. Dan), as her
They are all from Silverton, OR.
recovery is going very slow.
We truly appreciate their support,
Bro. Lyle, Sis. Andrea, Henry,
as well as the Song Leader help,
Adeline, Emerson and Victoria
from their congregation.
Kuenzi are excited to welcome
Our Sunday School students
home a new baby. Easton Lyle was
have started practicing songs for
born October 24. Grandparents
the upcoming Christmas Program. of this little one are Bro. Jim and
Their teachers, as well as others
Sis. Barb Kuenzi and Bohm and
who hear them, appreciate their
Ramona Townsend.
enthusiasm and willing hearts.
We are rejoicing with Kiersten
Stadeli (Bro. Nick and Sis. Lori)
Oregon, Silverton
and Paul Tribbett (Bro. Mark
Kelsey Walder, Ann Kuenzi
and Sis. Anne-Marie) as they
We appreciate Bro. Matt
have expressed that they are at
Steffen (Sis. Deanna) from
peace with God and man. We
Princeville, IL coming and sharing will look forward to hearing their
the Word with us October 19, as
testimonies in the near future.
well as spending Sunday evening
On November 15, we enjoyed
sharing about the Home for the
a Thanksgiving singing and
Handicapped. This same weekend, dessert, that was hosted by our
the Single Group entertained and
single group. It was a wonderful
enjoyed other single brethren from time to sing praises to our God,
our other west coast churches.
and a special time to fellowship.
Our sympathy is extended to
We have had several that
Oscar Bolliger, and his family,
have had surgeries or were in an
as his wife, Tina, has passed
accident, for which we praise
away. Oscar is Bro. Ben Bolliger’s God that his healing mercies have
extended to them. Bro. Aden
Kuenzi (Sis. Becky) was in a car
accident, Bob Glass (Cynthia)
had surgery on his arm, and Bro.
Bob Kuenzi (Sis. Linda) had eye
surgery.
Pennsylvania,
Philadelphia
Laura Isch
“Now thank we all our God
With heart and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things has done,
In whom the world rejoices,
Who from our mother’s arms
Has blest us on our way
With countless gifts of love,
And still is ours today.”
All Come and Thank the Lord,
Zion’s Harp # 236
Thanksgiving is such a blessed
reminder to thank the Lord for
what He has done for us! One
of His “countless gifts of love”
is a fellowship with like-minded
believers. We appreciated Elder
Bro. Gerry Hertzel and his wife,
Sis. Ellen (Sabetha, Kansas),
joining us for the reading of the
memorandum. May God bless
Bro. Gerry for his willingness to
be used and may He bless the
words we heard into our hearts
and lives.
Tennessee, Nashville
Mike and Monica Fritz
We have been richly blessed
and instructed from God’s Living
Word by our recent visiting
ministers: Bros. Paul Kilgus (Sis.
Carmen, Fairbury), Gary Maibach
(Sis. Mary Ann, Smithville), Byron
Stoller (Sis. Carol, Gridley, IL),
December 2014
SILVER LINING
45
and Barry Dietz (Sis. Rachel,
Bradford). We have also been
strengthened by the fellowship of
visitors from Belvidere, Bradford,
Fairbury, Forrest, Gridley, and
Tremont, IL; Morris, MN; and
Latty, OH, as well as some local
visitors.
If you are traveling to or
through the Nashville area,
please plan to worship with
us. Please contact us ahead of
time to confirm our schedule.
Contact Bro. Mike & Sis. Monica
Fritz, 615-866-5543, fritzmb.
[email protected]; or Bro. Buck
& Sis. Taunia Henry, 615-9209584.
Texas, Dallas-Fort Worth
Services are generally being
held the second Sunday of each
month at the Holiday Inn Express,
4450 W John Carpenter Freeway,
Irving TX. Please call ahead to
verify. Leland and Mary Plattner
956-265-0351 or Dennis & Diane
Rassi 512-321-2345.
Zapata, Texas
Mary Plattner
Each Sunday we have been
able to welcome new ones that
have come to Zapata for the
winter months. Thanksgiving day
we will be having Thanksgiving
Services followed by a dinner
which has been our tradition for
many years.
Bro. Lloyd Nohl remains in
the hospital in McAllen and we
request prayers on his behalf as
well as for Sister Joyce and Erica.
Anyone coming to Texas
46
SILVER LINING December 2014
this winter is most welcome to
assemble with us in Zapata.
Vermont, Clarendon
Nathan and Miriam Reutter
Greetings. Visiting ministers
this month included Bro. Ron
(Sis. Linda) Kipfer, Bluffton, IN;
Bro. Brent (Sis. Naomi) Walder,
Rockville, CT; and Bro. Tom (Sis.
LaNae) Bahler, Rockville, CT. We
appreciated each one’s message.
Bro. Ron mentioned that he felt
the same just before he went up
the pulpit to preach as he does in
Bluffton, IN. We were encouraged
by this simple evidence of God’s
Spirit being with him in Vermont.
It gave us a sense of being
connected to a larger body, which
is easy to lose sight of when you
are a few hours distant from the
nearest church.
Our connection was
strengthened when the eighth
grade Sunday school class and
their teachers from Rockville,
CT came to support the children
in our Sunday school. They also
served us lunch. Our Sunday
school gets to interact with the
children of our closest neighbor
church. The friendships developed,
we trust, will germinate into lifelong Christian ones in the future.
Thanksgiving is just around
the corner, so our hearts are full
of the blessings in our lives. We
have the Word of God, and we
can read it. We have a church
through which we can worship
and fellowship. We have brethren
to whom we can turn when we
need support. We have hymns to
sing that warm the heart and lift
the spirit.
You are welcome to worship
and fellowship with us anytime.
Contact Bro. Nathan and Sis.
Miriam Reutter at 802-447-2426
or [email protected] to let
us know when you are planning
to be in our area so we can
accommodate you.
Service times are as follows:
• Mid-week services
(Contact local brethren)
• Sunday Morning Service:
10:10 AM
• Sunday Afternoon Service:
12:15 PM
• Sunday school held during
the morning service.
For unto us a child is born,
unto us a son is given: and the
government shall be upon his
shoulder: and his name shall be
called Wonderful, Counsellor,
The mighty God, The everlasting
Father, The Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6
Food for Thought
How Do I Walk in Victory in the Light of Christ?
1. Keep your house filled with the
Word of God and praise and worship.
Strengthen your relationship with the
Godhead.
That he might sanctify and cleanse it
with the washing of water by the word.
Ephesians 5:26
2. Fellowship with other Christians.
You may have to reevaluate some of your
old relationships. Establish fellowship
with positive, likeminded people in your
area.
And they continued steadfastly in the
apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in
breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Acts 2:42
3. Hold every thought captive. Discern
good from evil. Separate lies (even from a
loved one) from God’s truth. Replace the
lies of the enemy with the Word of God.
The battle starts in your mind.
For though we walk in the flesh, we do
not war after the flesh: (For the weapons
of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty
through God to the pulling down of strong
holds;) Casting down imaginations, and
every high thing that exalteth itself against
the knowledge of God, and bringing into
captivity every thought to the obedience
of Christ; And having in a readiness
to revenge all disobedience, when your
obedience is fulfilled. 2 Cor. 10:4-6
4. Dwell on godly thoughts and
promises. Reflect on things with virtue
and praise and thanksgiving. Think
about positive things.
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things
are true, whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just, whatsoever
things are pure, whatsoever things are
lovely, whatsoever things are of good report;
if there be any virtue, and if there be any
praise, think on these things. Phil. 4:8
5. Quit thinking about the past. Let go
of past failures and traumas. Self-pity is
the superglue of hell that ties you to the
past. Keep your mind on God.
...this one thing I do, forgetting those
things which are behind, and reaching
forth unto those things which are before.
Phil. 3:13
6. Guard your heart. Guard against
doubt, unbelief, discouragement and
despair. Have patience. God’s timing
and ways are perfect.
Keep your heart with all diligence; for
out of it are the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23
7. Have faith in God. Without faith it is
impossible to please Him. Believe God’s
Word, no matter what we see in natural
circumstances.
For we walk by faith, not by sight.
2 Corinthians 5:7
8. Watch your mouth! Your words
today will create your life tomorrow. If
it is not godly, don’t say it. The tongue
determines life or death.
And the tongue is a fire, a world of
iniquity: so is the tongue among our
members , that it defileth the whole body,
and setteth on fire the course of nature; and
it is set on fire of hell....But the tongue can
no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of
deadly poison. James 3:6,8
9. Guard your eyes and ears. Your
eyes are the windows to your soul. Be
careful of what you see and hear. Be
very discerning about the media you
consume.
He that walketh righteously and
speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the
gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands
from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his
ears from hearing of blood and shutteth his
eyes from seeing evil; he shall dwell on high.
Isaiah 33:15-16
10. Separate people from their sin.
Observe their actions without judging
them.
Judge not, that ye be not judged.
Matthew 7:1
11. Indecision leads to ungodliness.
Choose God in everything. Decide to be
in peace.
A double-minded man is unstable in all
his ways. James 1:8
12. Be willing to go into the fire (see
Daniel 3). The battle is in the fire. Stop
making an idol of illness or programmed
behavior. Face your fears and stressors in
order to overcome them.
Stand fast therefore in the liberty
wherewith Christ hath made us free, and
be not entangled again with the yoke of
bondage. Galatians 5:1
13. Remember, all good things come
from God.
Every good gift and every perfect gift
is from above, and cometh down from
the Father of lights, with whom is no
variableness, neither shadow of turning.
James 1:17
December 2014
SILVER LINING
47
News & Notices
515 E. Highland Street, Morton, IL 61550 • Tel: (309) 263-5536 Fax: (309) 263-6841 •
www.accounseling.org
ACCFS is thankful to announce the addition of a new staff member,
Bro. Roger Gasser.
Roger Gasser recently joined ACCFS as a staff counselor. Roger’s clinical specialties are in the area of
addictions, working with both those struggling with addictions themselves and also family members,
churches, and other support people. His addition is a blessing to this area of our ministry as we strive to
help individuals experience the joy of living an overcoming life.
48
SILVER LINING December 2014
Alternate Houseparent Needed - Gateway Woods
Houseparenting at Gateway Woods offers an opportunity for a couple, directed of the Lord, to come
to work in a full-time on going ministry at Gateway Woods. Due to a change in staff, we have a need for
an Alternate Houseparent couple. This position offers competitive wages and generous benefits and a close
relationship with brothers and sisters whose hearts and lives are dedicated to a common mission with an
eternal reward. If you feel the call to explore this possibility, please call one of the brothers listed below.
Clint PlattnerLynn Stieglitz
Residential Program Manager
Counseling Elder
PO Box 12515417 Doty Rd.
Leo, IN 46765
New Haven, IN 46774
888.443.4283Cell: 260.466.6712
[email protected]@gmail.com
Christian Guesthouse and Worship Services in Rochester, MN
Accommodations for Mayo Clinic outpatients and families:
Three bedrooms with private baths, laundry, kitchen and family room area.
Sunday Service: (held monthly at guesthouse residence) 10:00 AM and 12:30 PM
For schedule, see: www.acmission.org/minister-rotation
For information and reservations, contact caretakers:
Bro. Mark and Sis. Sandy Stork
4733 Birdie Lane NW
Rochester, MN 55901
(507) 288-0072
Mid-week Service: (held on 3rd Wednesday in Rochester area)
For information, contact:
Bro. Jim and Sis. Deb Tilbury
(507) 281-2875
Interested in receiving a printed
sermon?
Used Bible, Bible Story Book,
and Song Book Distribution
To order, contact:
Printed Sermons
P.O. Box 154, Forrest, IL 61741
(815) 848-5113 • [email protected]
Used Bibles, Bible Story Books, Hymns of Zion,
Zion’s Harp, Gospel Hymns, and Tabernacle
Hymns are needed. AC Publications is now the
collection center for your donated books.
651 E. Peoria St, Goodfield, IL 61742
December 2014
SILVER LINING
49
Home-Based & Adoption Case Worker Needed – Gateway Woods
Gateway Woods has a need for a full-time Home-Based & Adoption Case Worker. This position
provides the opportunity to work partially with adoptive families and partially with hurting children
and families in our Home-Based Program. Requires a Bachelors Degree in Social Work or a related field,
experience working with children and families preferred.
Please prayerfully consider this opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of children and
families. Contact one of the brothers below for more information concerning this position.
Jeff WaibelLynn Stieglitz
Director of Clinical Services
Counseling Elder
PO Box 12515417 Doty Rd.
Leo, IN 46765
New Haven, IN 46774
888.443.4283Cell:260.466.6712
[email protected]@gmail.com
Counselor Needed - Gateway Woods
Gateway Woods has a need for a full-time Counselor. This position provides the opportunity to work
directly with struggling children and families in need of help and guidance. Requires a Master’s Degree
in social work, psychology, or counseling from an accredited college or university.
Please prayerfully consider this opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of children. Contact one
of the brothers below for more information concerning this position.
Jeff WaibelLynn Stieglitz
Director of Clinical Services
Counseling Elder
PO Box 12515417 Doty Rd.
Leo, IN 46765
New Haven, IN 46774
888.443.4283Cell:260.466.6712
[email protected]@gmail.com
Light from the Word
Now available by downloadable PDF from the Apostolic Christian Publication website:
www.acpublications.org
After entering the website, click on the item located at the left hand frame entitled, “Light from the Word
Reprints”. The entire set of editorials are available in a complete download (June 1987 to current).
50
SILVER LINING December 2014
LARC Services Coordinator Needed - Gateway Woods
Gateway Woods has an opening for a brother or sister to manage our LARC (Linking to Attain
Responsibility and Community) Services Program. We are seeking someone who desires to serve in a
ministry that serves troubled and broken children and families. The LARC Services Coordinator is a key
full-time position that offers the opportunity to create and manage connections between youth transition
to independence and partners in the community. If you have strong organizational, interpersonal and
relationship building skills, please contact one of the brothers listed below for more information and a job
description.
Ed GrafLynn Stieglitz
Executive DirectorCounseling Elder
PO Box 12515417 Doty Rd.
Leo, IN 46765New Haven, IN 46774
888.443.4283Cell:260.466.6712
[email protected]@gmail.com
COMING SPRING 2015...
CENTRAL
Apostolic Christian Central
a new church-operated system
for accessing sermons
The system includes:
• Mobile apps
• Online database of sermons
• Embedded players for your congregation’s
website
Through an agreement with Route24 Computers,
AC Central will eventually replace
AC Sermon Streamer.
AC Central is currently being tested by small
number of congregations. More information
will be shared when we get closer to full rollout in April 2015.
Learn more by visiting
apostolicchristian.org/sermons
December 2014
SILVER LINING
51
Bible Distribution: Sharing His Word in Love
Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people. Psalm 96:3
Together we can provide Bibles for seeking people. This may be someone you attend school with,
someone you work with, or someone God has shown you at a gas station. Bibles and approved Bible story
Books are available. Carrying a New Testament to distribute can help you remember what our real task
is. To order, contact: Apostolic Christian Church Bible Distribution
651 E. Peoria Street
Goodfield, IL 61742
Phone: 309-965-2141 [email protected]
Volunteer Caretaker Opportunity – Washington, D.C.
The Washington, DC church caretaker program is entering its eighth year. It has been such
a blessing for our visiting caretakers, as well as our local members and friends. We are taking
reservations for 2015. Our church home is located in Silver Spring, MD, and meets both church and
residential needs.
The fellowship that caretakers provide is vital to our small congregation and visiting ministers.
Caretakers can be couples, singles or families who would enjoy spending time near the Nation’s
Capitol and other points of interest on the East Coast. Caretakers would perform routine household
and yard maintenance chores, and should plan to stay at least three Sundays.
Families with children are urged to give this opportunity prayerful consideration. We have three
children (pre-teen and teen), who would welcome other children in their Sunday School class.
For more information, please contact Barry and Doreen Steffen at 302-540-6574 or
[email protected] .
52
SILVER LINING December 2014
Patient Care Manager Needed at Hospital Lumiere
H
ospital Lumiere is seeking
a qualified person to be
assigned as Patient Care Manager
of the hospital in Bonne Fin, Haiti.
This is full-time position.
to learn the Creole language, be a
member of the Apostolic Christian
Church and be willing to relocate
to Haiti for a term of up to 5 years.
For more information contact:
Robert Beebe
Executive Director
[email protected]
574-276-6748
Description
The duties of Patient Care Manager
include planning, supervising
& training employees and
coordinating & implementing
programs of nursing care for all
hospital patients.
Requirements
Applicants should hold an RN
degree and have at least 3 years
of nursing experience, some
management capability, be able
www.acworldrelief.org
Give a Child Hope
Child Sponsorships
T
To sponsor a child
hose in the child sponsorship program have several things in common. They are very poor, desire to learn
and they have an undying soul.
To sponsor a student fill out this form
and send to the office. A student will
be assigned to you and you will be sent
further information.
The goal of this
program is to
provide an education to help
these children
learn life skills to improve their standard of living, and also to provide
spiritual training to address the true
need...the need for a knowledge of
and a personal relationship with God
through Jesus Christ.
Name _________________________
And all thy children shall be taught of
the Lord; and great shall be the peace
of thy children. IsaIah 54:13
Mr.
Mrs.
Miss
Spouse ________________________
Address _______________________
City ____________St ___ Zip _____
Home Ph ______________________
Cell Ph ________________________
Email _________________________
Please check preference:
Haiti
Guatemala
Jamaica
Mexico
Zambia
Wherever needed
If possible I would prefer:
Boy – Age
Girl – Age
No Preference
Cost: $30.00/month
For details: www.acworldrelief.org
Send to:
ACWR Child Sponsorship
PO Box 36
Morton, IL 61550
Phone: 309-266-6080
Fax: 309-266-5281
E-mail: [email protected]
www.acworldrelief.org
December 2014
SILVER LINING
53
Bonne Finn, Haiti
Oct 11-18
Lydia Bertschi
Hospital Lumiere
309-467-6110
Dental Team
[email protected]
Bonne Finn, Haiti
Nov 8-15
Lydia Bertschi
8
Haiti Medical Work Teams
Hospital Lumiere
[email protected]
Nursing Proficiencies
Project
Year 2014 Coordinator
Aug 9-16
Dec 13-20
Bonne Finn, Haiti
Project
Hospital Lumiere
Bonne Finn, Haiti
Cancer Screening
Hospital Lumiere
Sept 13-20 Lydia Bertschi
Year 2015 Coordinator
309-467-6110
Jan 10-17 Lydia Bertschi
[email protected]
309-467-6110
Inventory Team
Bonne Finn, Haiti
Oct 11-18
[email protected]
Lydia Bertschi
8
Hospital Lumiere
Bonne Finn, Haiti
Dental Team
Hospital Lumiere
Feb 7-14
309-467-6110
Lydia Bertschi
[email protected]
309-467-6110
8
Eye Speciality
Bonne Finn, Haiti
Nov 8-15
[email protected]
Lydia Bertschi
8
Hospital Lumiere
Bonne Finn, Haiti
Mar 7-14
Nursing Proficiencies
Hospital Lumiere
309-467-6110
Lydia Bertschi
[email protected]
309-467-6110
8
Cancer Screening
Bonne Finn, Haiti
Dec 13-20
[email protected]
Lydia Bertschi
8
Hospital Lumiere
Bonne Finn, Haiti
General Medical
Hospital Lumiere
Apr 11-18
309-467-6110
Lydia Bertschi
[email protected]
309-467-6110
8
Inventory Team
Project
[email protected]
Year 2015 Coordinator
Bonne Finn, Haiti
Bonne Finn, Haiti
Hospital Lumiere
Hospital Lumiere
Inventory Team
Dental Team
Jan 10-17
May 9-16
Bonne Finn, Haiti
Bonne Finn, Haiti
Hospital Lumiere
Hospital Lumiere
Eye Speciality
Cancer Screening
Feb 7-14
Jun 13-20
Mar 7-14
Lydia Bertschi
Lydia Bertschi
309-467-6110
309-467-6110
[email protected]
[email protected]
Capacity
Bonne Finn, Haiti
Bonne Finn, Haiti
Hospital Lumiere
Hospital Lumiere
Inventory Team
General Medical
Bonne Finn, Haiti
Haiti Medical Work Teams
8
309-467-6110
8
8
8
Capacity
8
Project
Year 2015 Coordinator
Bonne Finn, Haiti
Jul 11-18
Hospital Lumiere
309-467-6110
Medical Team
[email protected]
Bonne Finn, Haiti
309-467-6110
Inventory Team
[email protected]
309-467-6110
Cancer Screening
[email protected]
Bonne Finn, Haiti
309-467-6110
[email protected]
Bonne Finn, Haiti
309-467-6110
[email protected]
8
8
309-467-6110
Cancer Screening
[email protected]
Apr 11-18
Lydia Bertschi
Hospital Lumiere
309-467-6110
Inventory Team
[email protected]
Bonne Finn, Haiti
May 9-16
Lydia Bertschi
Hospital Lumiere
309-467-6110
Dental Team
[email protected]
Bonne Finn, Haiti
Jun 13-20
Lydia Bertschi
Hospital Lumiere
309-467-6110
Cancer Screening
[email protected]
54
SILVER LINING December 2014
8
8
8
Dec 12-19
8
Lydia Bertschi
8
Hospital Lumiere Awareness
309-467-6110 Tours
Project
General Medical Year 2014
Bonne Finn, Haiti Sept 21-24
Coordinator
[email protected]
Hospital Lumiere
309-467-2351
Quick Tour
[email protected]
Capacity
Rich Bertschi
12
Hospital Lumiere Awareness Tours
Project
Year2014
2015
Project
Year
BonneFinn,
Finn,Haiti
Haiti Sept
Mar 21-24
21-25
Bonne
HospitalLumiere
Lumiere
Hospital
QuickTour
Tour
Quick
Project
Year 2015
Bonne Finn, Haiti
Mar 21-25
Project
Bonne Finn, Haiti
8
Lydia Bertschi
Nursing Proficiencies
Lydia Bertschi
Lydia Bertschi
309-467-6110
309-467-6110
[email protected]
[email protected]
Hospital Lumiere
Nov 7-14
Hospital Lumiere
Hospital Lumiere
8
Lydia Bertschi
Dental Team
Bonne Finn, Haiti
8
Oct 10-17
Hospital Lumiere
8
8
8
Sept 12-19 Lydia Bertschi
Hospital Lumiere
Capacity
8
Lydia Bertschi
Hospital Lumiere
Lydia Bertschi
Lydia Bertschi
309-467-6110
309-467-6110
[email protected]
[email protected]
Lydia Bertschi
Aug 8-15
Bonne Finn, Haiti
Capacity
Lydia Bertschi
Coordinator
Coordinator
RichBertschi
Bertschi
Rich
309-467-2351
309-467-2351
Capacity
Capacity
12
12
[email protected]
[email protected]
Coordinator
Haiti Lifeline
Work Teams
Rich Bertschi
Capacity
12
Hospital Lumiere
Dumay
Quick
LifelineTour
Construction/Concrete
Year 2015
309-467-2351
Jan 20-27
Darren Fehr
[email protected]
1-815-674-9363
[email protected]
Coordinator
Capacity
Dumay
Lifeline
Construction/Concrete
Jan 27- Feb 3
Ted Steidinger
1-815-848-5495
[email protected]
12
Dumay
Lifeline
Construction
Feb 3-10
Matt Kinsinger
1-847-774-4015
[email protected]
12
Dumay
Lifeline
Construction
Feb 10-16
Paul Zimmerman
1-815-848-2173
[email protected]
12
Dumay
Lifeline
Construction
Feb 24-Mar 3
Paul Zimmerman
1-815-848-2173
[email protected]
12
Dumay
Lifeline
Construction
Mar 3-10
Neil Bahler
1-815-848-3861
[email protected]
12
12
Les Cayes
AWA
Water Aid
Nov 14-­‐ 21
Maurice Schaefer
309-­‐253-­‐9003
[email protected]
Les Cayes
MEBSH
Haiti Support
Nov 19-­‐24
Jon Zeller
309-­‐266-­‐9009
[email protected]
Les Cayes
Nov 8 -­‐C
Dayes
ec 5 Andy Getz
Haiti Work Teams -­‐ L2es Haiti Trade Schools
574-870-5046
Vocational School
[email protected]
Project
Les Cayes
Bonne Finn, Haiti
MEBSH/Bluffton
Hospital Lumiere
Construction
Construction
Les Cayes
Les Cayes
SEED
MEBSH/Ohio
Agricultural
Construction
Les Cayes
Les Cayes
AWA
AWA
Water Aid
Water Aid
Les Cayes
Les Cayes
MEBSH
MEBSH/Silverton
Haiti Support
Construction
Les Cayes
Les Cayes
Haiti Trade Schools
Haiti Trade Schools
Vocational School
Vocational School
Les Cayes
Les Cayes
MEBSH/Bluffton
SEED
Construction
Agricultural
Year 2015
MEBSH/Roanoke
Les Cayes
Construction
AWA
Water Aid
Les Cayes
MEBSH
Les Cayes
Haiti Support
MEBSH/Silverton
Construction
Les Cayes
MEBSH
Les Cayes
Maintenance
Haiti Trade Schools
Vocational School
Les Cayes
SEED
Rick Wuethrich
12
Daryl Luginbuhl
Rockville
219-­‐863-­‐4163
[email protected]
[email protected]
Coordinator
Capacity
Art Mueller
8
Ron Palitto
12
608-­‐676-­‐4365
330-­‐336-­‐5373
[email protected]
[email protected]
Nov 14-­‐ 21
Maurice Schaefer
4
Jan 9-­‐16
Maurice Schaefer
4
309-­‐253-­‐9003
309-­‐253-­‐9003
[email protected]
[email protected]
Nov 19-­‐24
Jon Zeller
ACWR-­‐CC
Jan 30-­‐Feb 6 Richard Kraft
12
309-­‐266-­‐9009
503-­‐364-­‐3103
[email protected]
[email protected]
Nov 28 -­‐ Dec 5 Andy Getz
4
Feb 6-­‐13
Andy Getz
4
574-870-5046
574-870-5046
[email protected]
[email protected]
Dec 5 -­‐12
Lane Gerber
Feb 26-­‐Mar 6 Larry Kaufmann
260-­‐241-­‐4099
815-­‐716-­‐6018
[email protected]
[email protected]
Simone Orphanage Feb Dec 227 6 -­‐-­‐ M
Jan Les Cayes
ar 26
Francesville-­‐Father/Son
MEBSH/Peoria
Construction
Construction
Les Cayes
Project AWA
Les Cayes
Water Aid
MEBSH/Ohio
Construction
Les Cayes
4
[email protected]
Nov 13-­‐21
Jan 2-­‐9
Rick W
uethrich
Steve Leuthold
219-­‐863-­‐4163
309-­‐645-­‐2208
[email protected]
[email protected]
12
12
1212
Mar 6-­‐132015 Maurice Coordinator
Schaefer
4
Year Capacity
309-­‐253-­‐9003
Jan 2-­‐9
Ron Palitto
12
[email protected]
330-­‐336-­‐5373
[email protected]
Mar 27 -­‐ Apr 3 Rich Bertschi
12
Jan 9-­‐16
309-­‐467-­‐2351
Maurice Schaefer
[email protected]
309-­‐253-­‐9003
[email protected]
Jon Zeller
309-­‐266-­‐9009
Jan 30-­‐Feb 6 Richard Kraft
[email protected]
503-­‐364-­‐3103
Apr 15-­‐20
Apr 20-­‐27
Feb 6-­‐13
Updated 10/17/14
ACWR-­‐CC
Year 2014
Coordinator
Capacity
Dec 12
Sept 52 -­‐7-­‐Oct 4 Lane Daryl GLerber
uginbuhl
12
260-­‐241-­‐4099
[email protected]
Simone Orphanage Dec 26 -­‐ Jan 2
Bonne Finn, Haiti Oct 18-­‐25
Francesville-­‐Father/Son
Hospital Lumiere
Construction
Construction
Project 4
4
Mexico Work Teams
Location
Magdalena
Construction
Year 2014
Dec 27 - Jan 3, 2015
Coordinator
Rich Schlipf
Milford Bible Class
574-518-4694
[email protected]
Location
Reynosa
Construction
Year 2015
Jan 3 - 10
Coordinator
Ryan Eisenmann
University of Illinois
815-953-1443
[email protected]
Construction
217-781-4709
[email protected]
Magdalena
Construction
Jan 17-24
Troy Lanz
217-202-5959
[email protected]
Magdalena
Construction
Feb 11-21
Jon Baner
309-532-9435
[email protected]
Magdalena
Construction
Mar 7-14
Caleb Hoerr
ISU
309-370-3153
[email protected]
Magdalena
Construction
Mar 21-28
Linc Rinkenberger
Bluffton/BN Senior Class
260-273-3566
[email protected]
Magdalena
Construction
Mar 28 - Apr 4
Mike Zobrist
Congerville
309-660-7004
[email protected]
Reynosa
Construction
Mar 28 - Apr 4
Chuck Koch
Tremont Bible Class
309-925-3905
[email protected]
Magdalena
Construction
Mar 30 - Jun 6
Mike Rokey
Bern Bible Class
785-284-3855
[email protected]
Magdalena
Construction
Jun 13 - 20
Jon Baner
309-532-9435
[email protected]
Magdalena
Construction
Jun 20 - 27
Kevin Gutwein
Indianapolis Bible Class
765-427-0697
[email protected]
Scheduling Questions?
Contact Mike Fiechter
[email protected]
ACWR-­‐CC
12
[email protected]
Jon Zeller
12
309-­‐266-­‐9009
Andy Getz
4
[email protected]
574-870-5046
[email protected]
Feb 26-­‐Mar 6 Larry Kaufmann
815-­‐716-­‐6018
12
Jamaica Work Teams
Project
Year 2015
Coordinator
Capacity
JDV
CCCD
May 22-30
Mark Lindberg
40
815-641-9065
[email protected]
If you are interested in sponsoring a work team to Jamaica
contact Loren Dettwyler at [email protected]
December 2014
SILVER LINING
55
Monthly Sermon, continued
— Continued from pg. 5
to stand at the last day. He says
“And though after my skin worms
destroy this body, yet in my flesh
shall I see God:” (Job 19:26) So
not only did Job know that God
was going to stand, but Job knew
that he would stand before God
someday to give an answer. It
says, “Whom I shall see for myself,
and mine eyes shall behold, and
not another; though my reins be
consumed within me.” (Job 19:27)
That’s the confidence that Job
had. I know whom I’ve believed. I
know my redeemer lives, and He’s
going to help me. He’s going to
sustain me. He’s going to uphold
me with his righteous, omnipotent
right hand.
Then Paul, when he says, “…I
am not ashamed: for I know whom
I have believed, and am persuaded
that he is able to keep that which I
have committed unto him against
that day.” (2 Timothy 1:12) So
Paul had that same confidence.
With Jesus there is a surety. There
is assurance that he knew what
he believed. He could believe it
until God came back, until Jesus
returned because Paul knew
about Jesus. He knew that he had
committed his life and put his
faith and his trust and received
that gift to say that Jesus is the
only way. Jesus is the begotten
Son of God. He had access to be a
child of God.
56
SILVER LINING December 2014
When you think, should I
open that gift? Should I receive
that gift of Jesus the Son of God?
When we think about it from
that standpoint - why not? The
power that you have, the avenues
you have opened up to you, that
reconciliation that you have
available so you can get back to
that relationship when Adam and
Eve were in that garden before sin,
that relationship, that personal
relationship with God and Jesus
Christ to be able to walk with
them and ultimately when He
comes back.
But then, what if you don’t
receive the gift? We have to talk
about the other part of it. What if
Jesus was just born but Jesus the
Son was not given. If you haven’t
received that gift, then today is
a day off. It’s a holiday. There’s
nothing really special about it.
People give gifts or exchange gifts,
but it’s just a holiday. It really
has no meaning. It’s a completely
pointless day. So that’s what the
day looks like, but how does your
life look? Your life is miserable.
Your life is wretched. Your life is
empty. You might want to say,
‘Oh no, no, no, no! That’s not how
I would describe it.’ But that’s
what the Word of God would say
because you are separated from
God. You have the same curse as
Satan has upon him. The curse is
upon you.
So you’re a miserable wretch
because you’re without God, and
you’re without Christ. But most
of all, you’re without hope. You
have no hope beyond this life.
You’re like, ‘Oh no! My life is
great. I am enjoying life. I really
have no need of a God. I’m doing
just fine.’ How about when you
stand before God? Do you have
that same confidence that Job had
- that he knows that his Redeemer
lives, and he was ready to stand
before Him? Do you have the
same confidence that Paul has to know that there’s Somebody I
can commit everything to so on
that day when I stand before God
and Christ Jesus that I can say I
am a child of the king? Or with
your hopeless, miserable, wretched
state, will you acknowledge and
say, you know what, I rejected
that gift that I should have never
rejected. So I lay that to you as
you think about that gift, as we
think about the prophesy today,
of why today, of why Christmas?
The whole reason and the whole
necessity was because of sin,
but God in His love and His
compassion and His grace has
offered the greatest gift.
If you remember that song 249
(Hymns of Zion), Know Ye the
Son, it kind of asked the question:
know ye the Son? It asks do you
know Him as the sacred Son of
God? You go to the last line. It
doesn’t matter how you know
Him. Here is the fact: He is the
most exalted Son of God. He is
our Prince of Peace. So it doesn’t
matter what you think of Him, it
doesn’t change who He is. That’s
how God defines Himself.
Let’s sing #440 (I Love to
Tell the Story, Hymns of Zion &
Tabernacle Hymns). It’s from the
perspective of if you’ve received
the gift, if you’ve received Jesus
Christ. Who is He to you?
Can you say I love to tell the
story? I can remember, it’s been
probably over ten years ago, I was
driving back to Kansas. I don’t
understand the circumstances;
I just know there was a lot that
was lying before me. I was feeling
overwhelmed. As I was driving, I
was all by myself. This song came
to me and gave me hope of I love
to tell the story because I know
it’s true. It helped me to change
my perspective to say that with
Jesus, I can have confidence. I
can have assurance. I can have a
hope. No matter what tomorrow
entails for me, I know that Jesus,
my Redeemer, is with me and He’s
going to help me through that.
Because of that, I love to tell the
story because it means so much to
me.
As I was reading this week
from the Gospel of Matthew, it
just struck me. I’d like to turn
there to Matthew, chapter 1. As
we read here the Babe in a manger
is given three different names. As
we read this, see if you can pick
those up and see if He’s that name
to you.
Did you pick up the three?
The first one was some of the first
words we read: Jesus Christ. The
second part is very important
because it is Christ; it is Jesus,
the Christ. Christ, the Messiah.
The anointed one is what Christ
means. Do you view Jesus, this
babe, as the Messiah, the promised
One, the anointed One that God
had been foretelling? There are a
lot of Jesus’ today. There was even
back at Jesus’ time. Probably one
of the most infamous was Jesus
Barabbas, but none of that matters
unless it’s Jesus, the Christ, the
Messiah and that you view Jesus
as The Messiah! The babe is the
Messiah. So to do that you have
to acknowledge that Jesus is God.
Do you believe that? The Christ.
Is He the Christ?
The next two are a lot more
pointed. In verse 21, his name
is Jesus. What does Jesus mean?
It’s the Savior. Why is Jesus the
Savior? Because He will save us
from our sins. The plan! Who’s
going to bruise Satan’s head?
It’s Jesus, the Savior. He’s going
to save you from your sins that
condemn you to die. As it says in
Romans - “…For the wages of sin
is death…” (Romans 6:23) The
sentence is still the same today.
The wages of sin, the payment of
sin, is death. That is what’s going
to be required of us.
“…but the gift of God…”
What’s the gift? “…the gift of God
is eternal life…” Isn’t it through
Jesus Christ? So is He your Savior?
Can you resonate to say that Jesus
is my Savior? I have accepted that
gift because I wanted to be saved
from my sin. I will acknowledge
that I am a sinner. If you can’t say
I need a savior, then you’re saying
you’re not a sinner. If you’re saying
you’re not a sinner, you’re just
deceiving yourself. You’re lying to
yourself. So therefore you’re a liar
and a sinner, and you just proved
the point you’re trying not to
prove. So is He your Savior?
The wonderful thing that I
love about Jesus and God and His
plan is it wasn’t just about saving
us from sin. It wasn’t just keeping
us from death, but it’s always been
about relationship. God’s always
desired to be with us and for us
to be with Him. That’s why He
created man in His own image.
He desired that, but because sin
separated us, He said Jesus will
be the Savior that will save people
from their sin.
Emmanuel. Jesus is going to
be more than just a Savior; He’s
going to be Emmanuel, God
with us. Today Jesus isn’t walking
around where we can touch Him,
December 2014 SILVER LINING
57
Monthly Sermon, continued
but God is with us. He is with
us! That promise is with us in
the Holy Spirit. If we’ve accepted
Jesus as the Messiah, as God, if
we’ve accepted Him as our Savior,
we have the Holy Spirit. We have
Jesus within us, Emmanuel.
So is that who Jesus is for you?
As you contemplate today, just as
you think about the birth of Jesus,
of who He is, is He the centrality
of what Christmas is all about?
I really challenge you with what
wage are you choosing - the wage
of sin or receipt of the gift, the free
gift that is eternal life with God in
heaven?
So how do we respond? Where
do we go from today? Each one of
us that has been here today that
has heard the message of salvation,
has heard the message of Jesus,
and has heard the message of the
story. How do we respond? Where
do we go today? Let’s flip to Luke
2 for our guide in that and look
at the shepherds. They’re going to
give us some points of application
for us to think about. Maybe
when you are sitting there trying
to think what was I supposed to
apply from the message today or
what is a point I can take away,
you can say, the shepherds. If I
can’t remember what was said I
can go read the account of the
shepherds and allow the Spirit to
bring back to remembrance what I
should read.
58
SILVER LINING December 2014
Here’s the good news. The
angels have come to present the
good news. The shepherds are
completely taken back. We have
the good news too. The good news
of Jesus. So here the shepherds,
just like us, are being presented
with the good news that is going
to bring great joy. That’s going to
be for all people. (St. Luke 2:8-10)
Jesus, the Savior - we talked
about that - which is Christ
the Lord, which is the Messiah.
Everything in your tradition
and that you’ve been looking
forward to of this Messiah that’s
coming - He’s here! God has now
given Him. Your Savior and your
Messiah is here, and He’ll be
Emmanuel to you because He is
here.
Now is the point of
application. The message has been
the same of what the shepherds
received and what each one of
us has received. We’ve received
the message of salvation. We’ve
received the good news, the
gospel of Jesus Christ and who
He is. We’ve all heard it. I should
say we’ve all heard the message
just like the shepherds. All the
shepherds, there’s no doubt, heard,
but now it becomes personal.
Because unto you is born this day,
unto you is given this day, a Savior,
the Messiah.
Here’s the first point of
application from verses 15 & 16.
“And it came to pass, as the angels
were gone away from them into
heaven…” Each one of you is
going to have a decision when you
leave this place. You’re probably
going to be alone or with a small
group, so it’s going to be your
choice of how you respond. “…the
shepherds said one to another, Let
us now go even unto Bethlehem,
and see this thing which is come
to pass, which the Lord hath made
known unto us. And they came
with haste, and found Mary, and
Joseph, and the babe lying in a
manger.”
So what’s the first point of
application? Are you going to do
anything about it? You’ve heard
the good news. Are you going to
respond, or are you going to make
a decision to do something about
it? To say, well, that was a great
message. I’m glad I heard that.
That’s good to know. I’ll file that
away. I may need that sometime.
The shepherds could have said
that’s a good one! We just had
an out-of-body experience, but
the reality of that is no way!
This whole God thing, I don’t
need God. We can do just fine;
forget what we just saw. No, the
shepherds made a choice to say
I’m going to believe! I’m going to
believe! Amongst themselves they
started to confess to say I believe
what that angel said. I want to go
do something. Let’s go!
So first it started with the
belief and admittance. Then it
became the action to say I want
to go find Jesus! I’m going to seek
Jesus. We’re going to seek Him
until we find Him. We’re going
to seek our Savior, our Messiah,
our Emmanuel. So that’s the
first point of application. If you
haven’t sought Jesus, if you haven’t
received the gift, are you going
to take action and say today I’m
going to make a decision for Jesus?
I’m going to accept that gift. I’m
going to admit that I am a sinner.
I’m going to admit that Jesus
is the Savior. He’s my only way
to heaven. He’s my only way to
eternal life with God above. I’m
going to be born again into Jesus
Christ.
In verses 17 and 18 is the
second way we can respond now.
Now the shepherds have accepted;
they’ve received the gift. So for
many of us that are seated here
today, this is our position. How do
we receive having been given the
gift of God, His Son, and having
received that, what should we do?
You know the song we sang is a
good encouragement there as well.
“And when they had seen it, they
made known abroad the saying
which was told them concerning
this child. And all they that heard
it wondered at those things which
were told them by the shepherds.”
So are you free to share who
Jesus is? Or are you apologetic?
The company I work for now,
our owners are Jewish, so it’s not
necessarily a widely recognized
holiday. As far as greetings that
go out, it’s not always Merry
Christmas, or if it is, it’s Merry
Christmas, Happy Hanukah,
Happy Holidays; it takes a whole
minute to get all the greetings out.
I still try to make it a purpose that
they know it’s Christmas for me.
That can be a small way. There can
be other ways.
Are you making the story of
Jesus known? Are you being a
Paul? We gave one example where
Paul says, I am not ashamed
because I know who I have
believed. You have his resolve
even where in another part he
says, in Romans, “For I am not
ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for
it is the power of God unto salvation
to everyone that believeth; to the
Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
(Romans 1:16) Are you ashamed
of the gospel? Are you ashamed of
the good news? Are you ashamed
of Jesus? Are you willing to share?
Another verse I love because
it’s God Himself speaking is
actually in Isaiah where He
spoke this when He was giving
the promise. He was telling
them about the promise of the
redemption that He had in store
for them and just how the new
Israel would be. He started in the
verses leading up to it. He was
explaining it’s going to be even
for the Greeks. It’s going to be for
all mankind. He was just talking
about this is who He was. He was
going to give them all the blessings
of what He was going to do for
them and the restoration. This was
the promise then that He gave to
them. This is what He said and
how He ended the whole chapter.
It says, “…and thou shalt know
that I am the LORD…” So first
you’ll know that I am. It doesn’t
change. “…thou shalt know that I
am the LORD…” and here is the
promise that hit me - “…for they
shall not be ashamed that wait for
me.” (Isaiah 49:23) So God has
said you will not be ashamed if
you’re willing to proclaim and tell
others. God has promised He’s not
going to shame you in any way. So
that’s application number two.
Then verse 19 & 20. “But
Mary kept all these things, and
pondered them in her heart. And
the shepherds returned, glorifying
and praising God for all the things
that they had heard and seen, as it
was told unto them.” Are you going
to praise and glorify God? Even as
Jesus said, “Let your light so shine
before men, that they may see your
good works, and glorify your Father
which is in heaven.” (St. Matthew
5:16) Is that how you want to
respond with the message, with
the good news that we have in
December 2014 SILVER LINING
59
Continued Articles
Sermon continued
— Continued from pg. 59
Jesus Christ - the Child coming
to earth that ultimately through
His death and His resurrection.
Is that what you want? So the gift
of Jesus, how do you view Him
today? What are you going to do?
Is it transforming and changing
your life to be that witness? He is
the Messiah. He is the Savior and
He is with us today.
...Christ’s Disciples
— Continued from pg. 3
are accomplished when we unite
in true brotherhood; loving out
of a pure heart fervently, yielding
ourselves in submission one to the
other, staying accountable, and
bearing one another’s burdens (1
Peter. 1:22, Eph. 5:21, Gal. 6:2).
Repentance is an essential
aspect of discipleship. As we seek
to continue in His word, we will
find areas where we need to repent
(to turn and change). Genuine
repentance includes genuine
self-denial, the absence of any
rationalization, true sorrow for sin,
open and full confession, complete
restitution where possible, and
restoration of joy and peace (2
Cor. 7:11). The one to whom God
will look—recognize as His child
through adoption and sonship of
60
SILVER LINING December 2014
Christ’s sacrifice—is the one who
is broken, contrite, and trembles at
(has respect for) His word (Isaiah
66:2).
As we have already considered,
the disciple seeks to be like his
master. As such, God has called
us to holiness, commanding us to,
“Sanctify yourselves therefore, and
be ye holy: for I am the LORD your
God” (Lev. 20:7). Further, Paul
writes, “According as he hath chosen
us in him before the foundation of
the world, that we should be holy
and without blame before him
in love” (Eph.1:4). This holiness
must grow and expand to every
aspect of our life, as Peter teaches,
“but as he which hath called you is
holy, so be ye holy in all manner of
conversation;” (1 Peter 1:15).
True disciples are living in
this world but are not “of it.” They
understand their citizenship is in
Heaven and walk as “pilgrims and
strangers” in a foreign land (Heb.
11:10, 13). Sanctification—being
separated and set apart for a holy
purpose—will necessarily involve
a clear distinction from the world.
“Wherefore come out from among
them, and be ye separate, saith the
Lord, and touch not the unclean
thing; and I will receive you,” (2
Cor. 6:17). The separated disciple
dies daily to the desires of the
world, rather seeking fulfilment in
the labor of the master. He is busy
doing “the Father’s business” (Luke
2:49) and knows both the duty
and the protection of Jesus’ prayer,
“I pray not that thou shouldest take
them out of the world, but that thou
shouldest keep them from the evil”
(John 17:15).
The becoming like Jesus
will happen as we benefit from
the example of the “cloud of
witnesses” who have gone before
us by faith and help each other in
always looking to Jesus, the only
source of righteousness. “Wherefore
seeing we also are compassed about
with so great a cloud of witnesses, let
us lay aside every weight, and the
sin which doth so easily beset us, and
let us run with patience the race that
is set before us, Looking unto Jesus
the author and finisher of our faith;
who for the joy that was set before
him endured the cross, despising the
shame, and is set down at the right
hand of the throne of God.” (Heb.
12:1-2).
For I am not ashamed of
the gospel of Christ: for it is the
power of God unto salvation to
everyone that believeth; to the
Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Romans 1:16
School Lunch...
— Continued from pg. 6
comments from representatives of
the school:
“Without food, our body cannot
work . . . if our body can’t work,
our mind can’t keep anything
either. We are encouraged to go to
school, because we know we will
find food to eat.”
Prayer Request
Enjoying the finished product
Administrator: “This work
has a great value before God. We
feel that the school lunch program
is a good way to help the children
learn better. Food plays a big role
in learning.”
Teacher: “We noticed once
it was 10:00 a.m., the children
could not hear anything. They
used to sleep on the bench and
were distracted when they did
not eat before coming to school.
Now they follow in class with eyes
open and are more interested in
learning.”
Parent: “Your school lunch
helps me because I don’t have any
food to give my children before
school. I have four children in the
school and they really like and
always eat the food. It helps them
to learn well.”
Third Grade Student:
Potential expansion of the school
lunch program to the other 125
schools we serve in Haiti is a
daunting challenge. Please pray
that the sub-committee will
have wisdom to determine how
to proceed and our brotherhood
will be moved to help so students
we serve can optimize their
educational opportunity and
experience the love of the Lord in
their daily lives.
Principled
Education in Ixtlan
— Continued from pg. 7
some of the time, he even does his
math homework.
Back at school, the 8 o’clock
bell rings and the students line up
in preparation for their opening
routine. Like Roberto, many of
these eighty-nine children carry
personal loads and challenges.
However, not many of them have
a grandmother like Roberto’s, who
is serving the Lord and acting as
a ray of hope in a home where
hardships abound. It is evident
that although her health is failing,
God is still using her to teach
Roberto and his two siblings,
Erik (5) and Alondra (2) about
Himself. Her work here is not yet
finished.
Roberto’s story is rich with
manifestations of the fruit of
God’s work. Eye surgeries done
in the past introduced Roberto’s
grandparents to the Gospel
message, which led to their
salvation and their influence in
Roberto’s life. A private elementary
school in Ixtlan, built with and
partially funded by donations, is
being used as a means to intervene
in the downward path that
Roberto was traveling. However,
Roberto’s story is still being
written, with only God knowing
the ending. Your continued prayer
support and donations are needed
for His work to carry on in Ixtlan.
Also, please pray specifically for
Roberto. Behavior issues and
completing schoolwork are still
daily struggles for him. Pray
that Roberto could see his need
for Christ, and in Him find the
answers to the challenges he faces.
December 2014 SILVER LINING
61
Learning from our history
Remembering Our Spiritual Heritage
This article deals with the preaching work of Louis
Hencsey in HungaryungaryHungary, especially as it
relates to a minor nobleman, Joseph Kovacs, and his
eventual conversion. Hencsey had met Kovac’s wife
and later gave expression of his newly-found faith to
this couple. From the book, The Nazarenes the author
describes how Louis Hencsey was called to task by a
Catholic priest for Bible reading, and for embracing a
new, unathorized faith. He suffered both verbal and
physical mistreatment at the hands of the priest. Excerpts
from this account follow.
Mistreatment of Hencsey
The priest flew into a rage and told him sternly and
in a harsh voice of the fate that awaits him if he
continues preaching. He threatened to take his books
and manuscripts. Hencsey was forced to quietly listen
to all this, and not only take a verbal abuse, but a
physical one as well. When he reacted to the priest’s
remarks with a slow shake of his head, the priest
suddenly slapped him in the face so badly that his
eyes flashed. He stepped backward and propped his
walking cane against the hinge of the door (so as not
to be tempted to use it on the priest); and then he
again stepped forward and stood with empty hands
before the priest. He was silent and did not retort,
but humbly suffered the priest’s abuse and ugliness.
Confiscating Hencsey’s Documents
Immediately after he (Hencsey) had left his home,
the priest suddenly appeared with the curate (the
chief clergyman) in Szent Peter Ur. He began
ransacking old Hencsey’s house (his father).
Hencsey’s father thought he had a right to do so, but
Mrs. Hencsey was upset and begged the priest not to
the take the things belonging to her son because he
was so fond of those things. Her words added fuel
to the fire and made the priest rage all the more. He
forced open the box containing the writings and took
62
SILVER LINING December 2014
them with him.
Hencsey never recovered his documents. He
asked for them and Joseph Kovacs, who was on good
terms with the priest, also intervened. (Editor’s note:
but to no avail.)
Hencsey Visits Joseph Kovacs
Hencsey, after his conflict with the priest, went to
visit the Kovacs and related the terrible incident. The
story made Joseph Kovac’s blood boil, particularly
when he heard how Hencsey, as a lamb, tolerated the
priest’s offences.
“Did you not have a cane in your hand, young
man,” Kovac’s asked him.
“Yes,” Hencsey replied, “I had it in my hand,
but to avoid using it on the priest I leaned it against
the hinge of the door. The priest’s brother laughed at
me.”
“Well, dear lad, there’s no use talking anymore. I
cannot accept your new faith, and don’t try to change
my mind.”
The young Hencsey answered him in a quiet,
gentle voice. “Don’t be foolish. A purified soul knows
no hatred or revenge. It is our God who performs
justice. The priest and his brother will be judged very
soon. You will see it, dear friends, very soon.”
(Editor’s note: This is not the end of the story. A miracle
took place. In the next issue we will cover the change
that took place in the hearts of Joseph Kovacs and his
wife. Hencsey’s devotion to nonresistence, and resisting
the temptation to retaliate against the priest’s violence,
bore miraculous spiritual results.)
-By Perry Klopfenstein
Next Issue: The conversion of the Kovacs couple.
The Light of Hope
Good Will Toward Men
On the night that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was
born in a stable in Bethlehem, an angel appeared to
the shepherds who were keeping watch over their
flocks. This angel spoke to the shepherds and was
suddenly joined by a multitude of angels who said,
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good
will toward men.”
Let us consider what is meant by “Good will
toward men.” My first thought is that it means that
God is going to be merciful to the human race and
make a way for us to be reinstated into the family of
God. That is good will indeed. Everyone should be
overjoyed at the opportunity to repent and live a life
which has eternal meaning for the glory of God and
our Savior, Jesus Christ.
The Bible instructs us to be like Jesus. 1 John
2:6 reads, “He that saith he abideth in him ought
himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” Therefore
we must consider how we can show good will toward
men, or all human beings. First though, we need
to define good will so we are all thinking about
the same thing. Words or phrases mean different
things to different people and this sometimes causes
disagreements.
In business, if a company over the years, develops
a very favorable image of itself, because of honest and
fair dealings with its customers, this is called “Good
will,” which has a dollar value. If a company has a
bad reputation, it is not worth as much. In order for
us to have good will toward men, we should love
them, treat them fairly, be honest with them, be
concerned for their eternal welfare.
Let us look to the Bible for examples of good
will toward men. I think of the story of the Good
Samaritan, who had good will toward the man who
was beaten and robbed and left lying by the side
of the road. Speaking of how the Good Samaritan
helped him, took him to an inn, and paid for his
care, Jesus said, “Go, and do thou likewise.” Luke
10:37.
We can show good will by following the Golden
Rule, “And as ye would that men should do to you,
do ye also to them likewise.” Luke 6:31. If someone
is driving slowly while looking for a certain house
number, or a certain road on which to turn, don’t
blast your horn at him as if to say, “Get out of my
way, stupid.” If you were in his shoes, you would
appreciate it if other drivers would have a little
patience.
Being friendly is a part of having good will
toward men. The Lord Jesus was friendly, even to the
Samaritan woman. Also, the Lord Jesus said, “And
if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than
others? Do not even the publicans so?” Matt. 5:47.
The Lord Jesus is telling us that we should salute
or greet, not only our brethren in the Lord, but
strangers. People like to be greeted and given some
recognition.
Good will toward men includes a concern for
the salvation of people everywhere. We long to take
everyone with us to heaven. We can support the
distribution of God’s Word and do what we can to
help start churches in new areas and to reach new
people in areas where churches already exist. It is
important that we are always ready to testify of our
faith in Jesus Christ in order to encourage others
to also repent and to become followers of our Lord,
whom to know is life eternal. Jesus said, “Ye shall be
witnesses unto me.” Acts 1:8.
As we celebrate Christmas, the birth of Christ,
let’s keep in mind that the multitude of angels said,
“Good will toward men.” May God give us the grace
to be kind, loving, and helpful to all people so that
they might glorify our Father in Heaven. Matthew
5:16.
-By Willis Ehnle
December 2014 SILVER LINING
63
THE SILVER LINING
1523 County Road 400N
Congerville, IL 61729
All is calm, all is bright