The Latest on Alena

The Wagners report this regarding their granddaughter:

Keep praying for our grand daughter Alena, She is finally on some medicine for the inflamation of the joints, but the fever is still constant. They are still waiting for the DNA results. Pete and I are going to Texas on Monday October 2nd and coming back Friday Oober 13th.
Thanks

Please keep praying for Alena!

David, Three Warriors, and a Well

Those are the main characters in first story considered in the series, My Favorite Bible Stories. Go here.

Jerry Rogers' Surgery Went Well

Continue to pray for his recovery.

'My Favorite Bible Stories'...

starting here.

To See the Latest News from Friendship's Youth...

go here.

Please Pray for Jerry Rogers

Jerry will be undergoing surgery to relieve a pinched nerve in his back. The surgery happens tomorrow and he will be staying overnight.

Ask God to give him complete healing and to help Roberta, who will be caring for Jerry's needs immediately following surgery.

Thank you for being a praying congregation!

This Weekend's Message...

can be found here.

CASA Duffel Bag Baby Shower

CASA for Clermont Kids, among other things, provides duffel bags for children who need to go into foster care. As you know, Friendship has gotten involved in this important expression of Christian love. That's why we're going to have a CASA DUFFEL BAG BABY SHOWER!

You're Invited!

When: Saturday October 14, 2006, 2:00-4:00 P.M.
Where: the building of Friendship Lutheran Church, 1300 White Oak Road, Pierce Township

RSVP ~ 553-1190

Help a young foster child cope with the fear and uncertainty that happens when he or she must leave their family to be placed with a foster family. We'll shower CASA for Clermont Kids with diaper bags, teddy bears, and basic supplies for infants and toddlers to bring with them to their new homes.

Items needed
For infants:
Diaper bags
Onesies or rompers
Sleepers
Socks
Washcloths and hooded towels
Bottles, bibs and burp cloths
Baby shampoo, lotion, and wipes
Cotton swabs, cotton balls

For toddlers:
Small rolling suitcases
Sippy cups, bibs, and silverware
Large Onesies (24 month and over) or pajamas
Baby shampoo, lotion, and wipes
Toothbrush (ages 2-4) and paste
Age appropriate toy (18-36 months)

Sponsored by the Servanthood Team of Friendship Church

Interesting Item...

...on a thirty day prayer emphasis in which Christians pray that the wills of Muslims will be open to faith in Jesus Christ. Click here.

The Fourth and Final Pass at This Weekend's Bible Lesson...

is here.

Please Pray...

for Bill Jenny, a guy I got to know during my 2004 political campaign. He's fighting cancer. Pray that God will give him healing.

Background on 'It is Well with My Soul'

As you know, our Sunday worship celebrations at Friendship feature a blend of contemporary and traditional music, which is part of what we call thematic worship. One of the songs we'll be singing together this Sunday is an old hymn from the nineteenth century, It is Well with My Soul.

From this web site (where you can see the lyrics) comes the story of the two composers of this classic, Horatio G. Spafford and Philip P. Bliss:

The words to this hymn was written after two major traumas in Spafford's life. The first was the Great Chicago Fire of October 1871, which ruined him financially. Shortly after, while crossing the Atlantic, all four of Spafford's daughters died in a collision with another ship. Spafford's wife Anna survived and sent him the now famous telegram: "SAVED ALONE." Several weeks later, as Spafford's own ship passed near the spot where his daughters died, he was inspired to write these words.

Bliss originally named the tune "Ville de Havre" after the ship on which Spafford's four girls perished, the SS Ville de Havre. Ironically, Bliss himself died in a tragic train wreck shortly after writing this music.

If you go here, you can hear the verse and chorus.

The Third Pass at This Weekend's Bible Lesson...

is here.

How to Talk with Complete Strangers

This short article can lead you to opportunities of sharing your faith or inviting people to worship with us, especially on Friend Day!

Lutheran Oktoberfest

When: Saturday, September 30, 2006 from 11:00am--10:00pm
Where: Concordia Lutheran Church, 1133 Clifton Hills Avenue and Central Parkway, Cincinnati, OH
Featuring: German food, beer, snacks, beverages, live music, a silent auction, a bouncing castle, face painting, a dunking booth and cornhole!

Questions? Contact Linda Davis by calling 861-9552 or email her at linda.davis@saraleecorp.com

Proceeds from the event will go to the Thrivent Builds Homes being built in Cincinnati with Habitat for Humanity and to Concordia Lutheran Church.

Youth Aiming for 'Week of Hope'

Plan on being in worship on Sunday, October 1 (if you're not going to be at the Go-Deep Saturday worship celebration). On that day, our youth will be kicking off their prayer/fundraising efforts aimed at going to one of Group's Week of Hope camps in June, 2007.

During the Week of Hope, our youth might:

• Tutor little kids
• Serve elderly people
• Work at a food bank
• Assist at a day camp
• Spruce up a social service agency office
• Help needy people with their house or yard work
• Do VBS outreaches

Built into the experience will be some time for our young people to get to know people from other youth groups, to explore the community in which they're spending the week, and to grow in their faith.

We ask for your prayers and your support for this important experience for our youth.

Watch for the announcement of two bake sales the youth will be having in November in order to support this fantastic Christian experience!

The First Pass at This Weekend's Bible Lesson...

is here.

Christian Faith: The Basics...

...Part 34 is here.

This Weekend's Message...

can be found by clicking here.

Inexpensive Prostate Screening at Clermont Mercy

Our own Dianne Miller advises that Clermont Mercy Hospital is offering a prostate screening on Monday, Sept. 18, from 2pm to 5pm. Dianne says that the cost is only $10.00.

The men will have blood drawn for the lab test and the prostate check by a urologist. This is a great and cheap opportunity for the men in our community. The results go to the men and their family doctors (if they have one). To schedule, they need to call 981-6400 tomorrow between 8am and 12 noon.

Shop at Biggs!

You probably already know that if you register with the folks at Meijer's, your purchases (after a certain amount) can turn into contributions to Friendship's general fund.

But now, Biggs will donate $10 to your designated not-for-profit organization for every $150.00 you spend there. (That suits me just fine since I like going to Biggs!) You can pick up envelopes in which you stuff your receipts after worship tomorrow!

Rummage Sale Results

Thanks to all who helped with today's Rummage Sale. We raised $740.00!

Christian Faith: The Basics is...

a series of blog articles I've been writing. Here's the latest post, which explains something about the Holy Spirit.

Keep Praying for Pete and Dara's Granddaughter

Alena underwent tests yesterday and they proved inconclusive. More tests are needed. Please pray both that the doctors will get to the bottom of things and that Alena will get relief from her pain. Pete and Dara advise that presently, Alena is experiencing a great deal of pain in her right shoulder and arm.

The Third and Final Pass at This Weekend's Bible Lesson...

is found when you click here.

Friend Day is a Chance for God to Make an Eternal Difference in Our Friends' Lives

Begin praying now about who, among your non-churchgoing friends you'll be inviting to be with us for FRIEND DAY, 2006.

Friend Day is another way we can express our love of God and neighbor, a day when we invite our friends to know the best friend any of us has: Jesus Christ. The Bible says that it's only through Christ that we meet God, experience forgiveness of sins, and have the power of God for living today. The Bible says that the Church is God's family in the world, the fellowship within which we experience the power to live life God's way. Every Christian should want to share Christ and the fellowship of the Church with the world!

Friend Day happens this year on Sunday, October 28.

Here's how you can get ready for a great Friend Day, 2006:

• List all those among your classmates, co-workers, family members, and others who need Jesus Christ and an ongoing connection with Christ's body, the Church.
• Then, pray that God will open the wills of those you've listed.
• Pray too, that God will give you the love and the faith to invite them to be with us on Friend Day.
• Pray also that God will work in the lives of your friends as they experience worship with us on that morning.
• Make sure that you're present for Friend Day, too!

In the power of God, it's going to be a great day!

Rerun Announcement: PIZZA MEETING FOR YOUTH HAPPENS THIS SUNDAY EVENING

There will be a meeting for all of our middle and high school youth this coming Sunday evening at 6:00 PM at the church building.

On the agenda:

• A brief devotion
• Pizza
• Your Thoughts
• Mark's Thoughts
• Prayer

We should be done before 7:30. I'm looking forward to a fun year, capped by mission trip where we can put the love of Christ to practical use, helping people less fortunate than we are.

Friendship Men Meet This Saturday Morning

The next men's group get-together will be this coming Saturday morning 9/16 at 8AM. We will meet at the Helicopter Park shelter house. Donuts, coffee, and juice will be provided.

Please, if you haven't made the effort to attend a meeting, why not give it a shot this Saturday? We have a great time. After a time of fellowship, we study a few bible verses. Topics vary meeting to meeting. This Saturday's topic will be "The Rich Young Man". We will conclude by 9:15.

There's a New Column...

here. It's called, What Path Will You Choose?

The Second Pass at This Weekend's Bible Lesson...

is here.

It's Tuesday...

which means that our Tuesday night Bible study happens this evening, from 7:00 to 8:30 PM at the church building.

Right now, we're going through Acts 22.

It's going to be a rainy night and the Reds, who are still in the wildcard race, may not be able to play because of the weather. So, you may as well plan on being with us tonight as we explore this book that tells the story of the early church, from Jesus' ascension until about thirty years later. You'll find a lot of practical help for living out your faith in Christ in Acts!

What is GoDeep?

It’s a worship celebration that consists of a brief time of prayer and an indepth look at a passage of Scripture. It takes place at 5:30 P.M. each Saturday in our sanctuary. Make sure that you invite friends who might not be able to make it on Sundays or who want to go a little deeper in their faith.

This coming Saturday, we'll have Holy Communion.

A Reminder

Friendship’s Sunday School starts back up for the 2006-07 school year on September 17! Sunday School happens during the Sunday worship celebration, right after the Children's Message.

If you'd like to help with Sunday School, contact Charlene Hauke.

Want to Know More About Christian Healing?

One of the great aspects of life at Friendship Church is the active prayer lives of its members. But of course, the call to follow Jesus is also a call to constantly grow in our faith. So, you might be interested in a group that will soon begin meeting once a month, one that will challenge all of us to go deeper in our prayers for healing for others.

The group, built around a book that we'll be reading is called How to Pray for Healing (and what to do when nothing happens). Mark Dahle is pastor of La Jolla Lutheran Church, an ELCA congregation in La Jolla, California.

He's written a readable book based on his experiences with healing ministries. I don't agree with every jot and tittle of Mark's take on this subject. But I nonetheless think his book is an exciting and interesting reminder that while eventually every person for whom we pray dies, the God we know in Jesus wants to bring all sorts of healing into our lives.

This group will meet monthly on Mondays, from 7:00 to 8:30 PM, starting on September 18. To get your copy of Mark Dahle’s book, a chapter of which you’ll be asked to read each month before the group gathers, contact me at MarkLuth@aol.com.

Pizza Meeting with Youth is This Sunday Evening

There will be a meeting for all of our middle and high school youth this coming Sunday evening at 6:00 PM at the church building.

On the agenda:

• A brief devotion
• Pizza
• Your Thoughts
• Mark's Thoughts
• Prayer

We should be done before 7:30. I'm looking forward to a fun year, capped by mission trip where we can put the love of Christ to practical use, helping people less fortunate than we are.

Our Amelia Football Team Outreach

I've received this from Rochelle Feine:

Mark,
I was very excited about the amount of people who donated to the meal after the first Sunday... [Here are details for others who may want to participate either by donating food or money for the food being prepared by Rochelle and Betsy DeVore.]

Meal Date: 9/28/06 (Thursday)

We feed approx. 100 (freshman to Seniors and coaching staff)

Sign up sheet will be at church Sunday. Items or money collected on September 24th

Rochelle shared with us on Sunday that already during Amelia football games it's being announced that our congregation is providing these dinners. It's a great thing to do for the community and a great way of letting people know about Friendship!

The First Pass at This Weekend's Bible Lesson...

can be found here.

Newest Prayer Updates

There are three exciting prayer updates you need to know about...

First, from Ronnie Petru, for whose sister, Franny Bishop, we've been praying:

Mark,

Just wanted to update you on my little sister, Franny. She is doing much better and is taking one day at a time. Franny had a lung biopsy and was diagnosed with 3 disorders that can be treated but not cured. She has lupus anticoagulant, antiphospholipid syndrome, and interstacial lung disease. She is responding well to treatment. We were very thankful that cancer was ruled out. Everyone's prayers have meant a lot to our family.

Thank you for everything,

Ronnie

Then, this from Nancy Ball, regarding her aunt, Mary Cann, for whom we've also been praying:
Dear Mark,

My Aunt Mary (Mary Cann) underwent surgery today to have the mass on her lung removed. It is NOT CANCER! It is apparently a fungal infection, which is treatable. They removed it surgically and will know in a few days if anything further will be needed.

Thanks to everyone for the prayers! Please continue to pray for her complete healing.

God is good!!!!

Nancy

Nancy also reports on some of the results of our prayers regarding a big need at the Boys and Girls Clubs at both New Richmond and Amelia. Last week, we began to pray that either an in-kind source or some large donors who can provide the funding for the purchase of daily snacks for the children of our Clermont County Boys and Girls Clubs can be found.

Nancy writes:

Dear Mark,

I think I told you Sunday that Jan Witkowski got a case of bananas donated by Meijer. A case turns out to have about 100 bananas, so it is enough for snack at New Richmond today, and we're also taking 50 of them to West Clermont (where they will be cut in half, but don't tell anyone.) Also, out of the blue, we got a call from someone in New Richmond who had a BUNCH of loaves of bread and bagels from Panera Bread to donate. These were made over the weekend and are good for today. So the kids in both Clubs will eat well this afternoon!

Other snack news in the works:

• A friend asked me today, "How much does it cost per day for snacks at NR?" I figured it to be $16.67 - so she wrote me a check for $20.
• Batavia Rotary is working on a donation to help us buy snacks
• My mother is contacting a Little Debbie distributor that she knows
• Carol Barrett is talking to a co-worker whose church may be interested in collecting snacks for us
• Walmart is giving us a $100 gift certificate
• Jan is working with Meijer to get something on an ongoing basis.

It's trickling in and as the word of need continues to spread my hope is that we will eventually meet the need. There are a LOT of people out there who really do care!

Nancy

The prayers of believers in Jesus are powerful, not because of the believers or even of the size of their faith. Jesus says that prayer that faith the size of a mustard seed moves heaven and earth. No, the power of Christian prayer resides in the size, power, and love of the God we meet in Jesus Christ.

Let's praise God for His faithfulness...and let's keep praying and living our our faith in Jesus Christ!

Latest Rummage Sale News

Friendship's annual Rummage Sale, used to support ministries of the congregation and as a way of reaching out to the community, happens this coming Saturday.

If you have items to be sold, bring them, priced, either on Thursday evening or any time between 10 AM and 3 PM this Friday. The sale happens on Saturday, from 8 AM to 3 PM.

Volunteers to help are needed on both Friday and Saturday. To volunteer, contact Judy Jordan, Carol Barrett, or Ann Daniels.

At the end of the day, we'll load all unsold items onto a Salvation Army truck. Help will be needed also in setting the sanctuary up for the Saturday worship celebration, which will happen at 5:30, as usual.