Marie and I will be out of town this weekend attending grandson Joshua Hoffman’s high school graduation festivities in Rolling Meadows, IL. Mark Simmons will be preaching his first sermon this Sunday. I know he will appreciate your support and encouragement. We will be leaving on Friday and returning on Tuesday, 6/25. Wednesday Bible studies will continue as usual with our study of the sermon on the Mount. This week we will be looking at what Jesus says about adultery and divorce.

A reminder that Marie is doing the Courier this week. Send her any family or church news for the Courier.

Looking ahead. We are going to try another summer movie night on Thursday evening, July 18. We will have a sandwich supper at 5:30. Sandwiches provided. Brings salads, deserts, DEVILED EGGS! or whatever you think will go with sandwiches. The movie will be shown around 6 PM and it is one we all need to see. The title is “Tortured for Christ.” It is the true story of Richard Wurmbrand, a Romanian pastor imprisoned and tortured by the communist for 14 years. When he was finally released he started the ministry, “Voice of the Martyrs.” While Pastor Wurmbrand is no longer alive, this ministry continues to reach out to Christians suffering persecution all over the world. I encourage everyone to see this film.

Pastor Bowman

The sermon for Father’s Day is entitled, “Fix it, Daddy.”  The text is Luke 12:13-15 where we learn that God does not always jump to our aid when we ask Him inappropriately. The following Sunday Marie and I will be in Illinois for grandson Joshua Hoffman’s high school graduation party. Our own Mark Simmons will be preaching his first sermon. I know you will support and encourage him. 

Bible study on Wednesday at 3:30 will continue with the Sermon on the Mount. It is a time to study the Bible together with opportunity for discussion and questions. All are welcome of course. 

The church board met Sunday following the annual church picnic so there will be no board meeting on Tuesday. The board does not meet in July so the next meeting will be on August 14. 

We are thinking about having a summer movie night on a Thursday evening. Watch for further announcements. 

Pastor Bowman

June 9th is Pentecost Sunday. It is the day we celebrate the gift of the Holt Spirit to the church. The sermon will focus on the authentic marks of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit makes changes in our lives and we will be focusing on those basic changes. 

Following morning services we will head to the Bowman’s for our annual church picnic.  Dress casually for church and then all our invited to our house. Should the weather be bad we will have the picnic at the church in fellowship hall.  

If you were absent last Sunday you did not see the new, comfortable chairs we have obtained for fellowship hall. Thanks to one of our favorite members, A. Nonymous,  these chairs were provided at no cost to the church. Adult Sunday School has been moved into fellowship hall. 

Choir is off until September but Bible Study continues at 3:30 on Wednesday. In our study of the Sermon on the Mount we will be looking at Jesus relationship to the Old Testament. What did He mean when He said he came to fulfill the Law? I think it will be a very interesting lesson and discussion and of course, all are welcome. 

Marie and I will be in Branson Monday thru Friday attending the Ozark Christian College Seniors Conference. On Sunday I will continue the series from 1 Peter on the topic, “Be Holy.” What does it mean to be holy, and what doesn’t it mean? How important is it to be holy in terms of our relationship with God?

Bible study on Wednesday at 3:30 will continue the study of the Sermon on the Mount with Jack Salyer leading the study.Choir is on hiatus until September. Thank you Marion and choir members for your dedicated service.

1st Peter will also be on hiatus for a few weeks as we observe Pentecost (June 9), Father’s Day (June 16), Mark Simmons will be preaching  June 23 while we are in Chicago celebrating the high school graduation of our grandson, Joshua Hoffman. Then Independence Sunday will be observed on June 30. Then, in July, back to First Peter. 
Also on June 9th we will enjoy our annual church picnic at the Bowman’s. If the weather is bad we will move the picnic to the church fellowship hall. 

I am looking forward to seeing everyone on Sunday. Pastor Bowman

Thanks to Pastor Bill Siebert for his sermon Sunday while Marie and I were in Peoria, IL for the 63rd National German Song Festival. It is quite an experience singing in a choir with around 800 members! My mistakes were drowned out by those who knew the music better. 
This Sunday I begin a sermon series from 1 Peter. In Chapter 1:1-12 Peter describes our salvation, using words which should encourage everyone who has placed their trust in Jesus.   
Wednesday Bible study continues at 3:30. We will continue our study of the Sermon on the Mount focusing on the Beatitudes. Choir will not meet Wednesday but will be singing on Sunday. After Sunday the choir will be resting their voices until next September. Marion Keith will be on vacation this Sunday and we welcome Dorothy Merrill back to the organ. We do special music during the summer months so if you want to sing see Marion. 
The annual academic excellence awards banquet will be held this Thursday at 6:30 at the high school gym. We are very proud of Kamryn Yach who will be honored as this years Valedictorian. Good job Kamryn! Two of our retired teachers, Jackie Barb and Elaine Simmons, will also be honored. Our little congregation is well represented in our school system! 
Thanks to an anonymous donation we will be purchasing new upholstered chairs for the fellowship hall. If you want 1 to 4 of the old metal chairs there is a sign up sheet in the fellowship hall.  
Looking ahead, our annual picnic will be on June 9th following our worship service. It will be held at the Bowman’s if the weather is nice. If we have rainy weather we will picnic in the fellowship hall.