WMB October 2010

The thought for the October WMB Service had to do with being a vessel of use to the Master.  We all have plenty of useless gadgets around the house and some good ole' faithful utensils or vessels that we always reach for when we really want to get the job done.  The word VESSEL was taken and spelled out and scriptures were used to remind us of our need to fullfil the different characteristics that we should possess to be a vessel of honor before the Lord.  We must know him, not be satisfied with the ordinary, we must be empty and clean of this world, we must be good examples and we must not hold back but DO the work.  If we do not possess these characteristics then we are one of the gadgets that fill the cabinets and are never used because they take too much effort to produce the desired results. 

We discussed the age old question, "Is the cup half full or half empty?"  What ever happend to just being FULL!  Why is it that we continue to sit in the valley of decision and debate if we are half full or half empty, judging one another by our responses, when all along we should simply be FULL and over flowing!  If we were FULL then there would be no need to debat the question.  We would know that the vessel was ready to be used instead of trying to figure out if there would be enough or if it should be saved for a later time.  We are satisfied with just a little to say that our vessel is being used. 

We used several scriptures from Phillippians chapter 4. 

We are not here to simply take up space or to decide if we are top shelf vessels or not.  We are here to simply be used of the Lord as he sees fit.  If we are not prepared (FULL) and ready to be used - what good are we?  We simply bring on the confussion and questions of the previous thought. 1/2 ful or 1/2 empty.

We discussed Acts chapter 3.  Peter said - "such as I have".  We cannot give what we do not have.  If the river of life isn't flowing through us then others will not feel its power nor be refreshed by it.  We must act out of "selfless" reasons.  let us not take our eye off of Christ reguardless how much our flesh cries for attention.  Peter wasn't at the temple to heal a man.  Even even rebuked those around for thinking such.  Signs were simply following Peter.  But Peter had his eyes open and when he saw that the attention of those around was arroused, he recognized that God had opened a door to speak to souls concerning their salvation.  Continue to read chapter 3 and you will see how Peter lead this crowd to repentance.  Do we waste or make full use of opportunities that God provides?  God does NOTHING without considering the soul of man.  We are here to reach souls not to make people feel better in body or mind.  However, we may find that healing is used to get their attention.  Do we simply stop at that and say - Praise the Lord for healing?  God help us SEE the open doors before us that we might minister to souls.  Help us be willing, as Job, to suffer and bear whatever cross God has laid before us so that opportunity to minister to a soul is available to us.  Let us be FULL and ready vessels but let us minister to the FULL need and not stop with touch for the body but continue and reach the soul for Christ.

John 15:11 is a beautiful scripture to me.

These things have I spoken untio you, that my (Jesus is speaking) joy might remain (we do not want to be cracked and leaking) in you, and that your joy might be FULL! (A vessel of honor and useful to the Master)

Before service everyone was given a tiny box.  They were told not to tell anyone or show anyone what was in their box.  Toward the conclusion of service each one was asked to open their box and to raise their hand if they found something in their box.  All but one had something in their box.  We talked about how that made her feel.  One of the other ladies came and shared with her what filled her box.  Silver and Gold have I none but such as I have, give I thee.  The woman received a piece of paper and read it.  It was hopeful and a scripture to go with it.  Each one then shared what filled their boxes.  We had several "ful's" that were shared from hopeful, thankful, truthful, worshipful, cheerful, helpful, etc.  There are many good things of which we may be filled. 

We are adults - we want a full glass - fill it to the brim, that is what it is for.

Let us be FULL Vessels!

October is World Mission Month.  Each one needs to find a vessel and make it FULL. 

Sister Debbie will be available to take family or individual pictures to help raise funds for Missions and for the Local Church Building Payment.  Call for an appointment.

Report and Announcements

Picking Up The Stitches Blog site began in November 2009 for the purpose of sharing projects with the Dorcas Ladies of our local church.  This blog is no longer just for our Dorcas Projects but also serves as the Blog for the entire local church.  Since the blog began we have had over 400 views (the counter was not installed initially).  Although we had activity prior to this spring we were not set to receive stats from our viewers.  Since the spring we have had visits from 3 continents, 6 sub-continents, 8 countries, 27 cities and 129 specific visitors.  Thank you to our visitors and to those who have contributed. 

We are glad to know that The Church of God in Bald Knob, Arkansas is alive and ministering to others.  We look forward to another year of serving you.  If you have items you would like to share on our blog or comments please send them to wantulok@sbcglobal.net or pickingupthestitches@gmail.com.  Thanks for viewing.

The WMB Service this month focused on allowing the Lord to pick us up.  Sometimes we get low in spirit  and need to be lifted up.  He lifted me up from the miry clay and planted my feet on solid ground.  Sometimes storms come our way and we need to be lifted up above the storm clouds that surround us.  We looked at the examples of others who were lifted up by the Lord such as Job, David and Naomi.  We can go on, grow and fulfill the purpose that God has for our lives even if we face low times in our life.  David did.  2 Samuel 5:10  And David went on, and grew great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him.  We used a bloom from a mum (we called it a Daisy most of the time) to help us remember to keep our roots in the ground and our petals lifting up glorifying the Lord. (I guess you can say "mum's" the word.)  

Let us GO ON and GROW!  The Lord God is with us! Praise the LORD!

Did we see you at the General Assembly?

We took well over 1000 pictures so take time to stop by sometime and view the slide show.

Thanks to Jerry and Linda Long

Thanks Sister Linda and Brother Jerry for helping us prepare for Children's Assembly by making Aprons and Bonnets this year.  We really appreciate all your hard work. 

I have a picture but I was unable to transfer it to the computer - we will post it at a later time if we are successful with our download.

Children's Assembly

We had Children's Assembly services on 4 afternoons with wonderful ministering teams and GREAT altar responses. 
Heavenly Acres ( We were down on the farm with a barn, silo, orchard, vineyard, garden, pond and pig pen )
Theme:  Holy Living Is The Life For Me
Scripture:  Is the Seed Yet in the Barn?  Haggai 2:19a
Final count of experiences reported was 7 saved and 3 sanctified.  Praise the Lord!
Here are some pictures from the week and the program.

NOTES and Announcements

Great Plains Region:  Brother David Bock has copies of all the pictures that I took at camp.

Central Region:  Sister Laurie Cleaver has CD's of all the pictures that I took in Iowa and at the camp.

Children's Assembly pictures have ALL been sent to Headquarters on DVD's.  It is my understanding that NOT ALL pictures will be placed on the DVD's but selected from the submissions.  We will be posting pictures of Children's Assembly and the Children's Program on the blog next week. 

Let us pause for a VERY IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!

HAPPY 53RD BIRTHDAY TO Brother Willard Wantulok!  WE LOVE YOU!

This is a picture of Brother Wantulok at the General Assembly 2010 in Asheville, NC.

Feel free to share.

Debbie

Next we were headed for IOWA and the Central Regions Family Camp

After leaving Souix Falls, South Dakota, we continued to Iowa and met more storm clouds but we needed the rain to wash away the dirt from all of the road construction.  The sky was beautiful.  I don't know how many pictures I took but I know I missed a great opportunity to take pictures of lightening.

We arrived late at the home of Frank and Laurie Cleaver (yep - they are related to Sister Goodnight and know the Whittington's and the Bell's.)  They went to a great deal of trouble for us by remodeling an upstairs bathroom and taking us to the Botantical Gardens, feeding us and having the family all come by.  It was wonderful!  We had a great time before and after camp.  I loved the Botantical Gardens there were a dozen pictures for every step or turn.  Here are a few of my favorites.

The Church of God, Des Moines, Iowa. 

Inside view of the Des Moines church.

Frank Sr. and Ruby Cleaver, members of the Church.

Frank, JR and Laurie Cleaver our host.  Thanks for taking us to the Gardens!

Are we there yet? Talk about excitement to begin camp!

Learning the signs.

A Class full of Jonah's and Boats

Central Regional Overseer, Roger Ammons

We love family - WE LOVE FAMILY CAMP!

The joys of being married to the camp director.  That was some good cooking!

Camp Director, Laurie Cleaver

Gone Fishing!

Yes, Luke caught a fish too.

Catch of the day!

Boys fishing crew.  This was one fishing trip where everyone caught one and some more than one.  I have pictures of all of them.  But the guys still won the catch of the day.  They had the big catfish.

Girls fishing crew.  They each one caught at least one too.

 My first fish.

I want to keep it.

Me ...And. My. .Fishy!

Girl, don't you know you have to kiss your first fish?

SMACK!

Bye-bye fishy.

A school of GREAT FISHES.

Jammin in worship.

Glorious prayer time.

There were two saved and two sanctified reported during camp.  This region is about ready to exploid.  There are many family members who are on the edge of making decisions of eternal significance.  We asked some that did not attend family camp this year and they resonded as though they are planning on being there next year.  Pray for the souls in this area who are looking for a deeper experience with Christ.

What a great camp.  "Go Fish" was the theme and Sister Laurie did a great job and had a wonderful crew of helpers.  This camp had more visitors than any I have ever heard.  Folks were stopping in all the time to visit and see what was happening.  It was great.  I expect to see an increase in next year's attendance. 

This region expierenced an overseer change this year at the General Assembly.  Brother Ammons will no longer be serving as the Regional Overseer and the region and been split up.  Kansas will now be with Arkansas, Missouri and Oklahoma while the rest of the Central Region will be joined with Kentucky, Indiana, all of Illinois, Wisconsin, Ohio and Michigan ( I hope I got them all in there.)  New members joined in this region during the General Assembly.  They have started on GO, they have let down their nets, time to pull in the harvest!  Have a GREAT year!