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Face Your Battles with Strength and Courage When someone keeps telling you to “be strong and courageous,” you might suspect you are up against something big. And the Israelites were. About to enter the land that had been promised them 600 years before, they had a giant-sized task awaiting them. Literally. Forty years earlier ten spies had come back and told the Israelites that the inhabitants of the land were so big they felt like they were the size of a grasshopper in comparison. Fear took them captive without a battle and sent them off as a group to wander around in a wilderness where they took their chances against wild animals rather than face their giants. They wandered so long that those who had grasshopper-sized faith died out. Forty years later their children were ready to take the land. They were physically no taller than their parents had been. The enemies in the land were no smaller than before. But the Israelites’ faith muscles had grown. There were two spies who had reported the land was theirs for the taking. One of them, Joshua, is now the Israelites’ leader. He was courageous. And God wanted to keep him that way. So God tells him three times in the first nine verses of the first chapter of Joshua: “Be strong and courageous.” He also reminds him “the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” My guess is you have a few giants in your life too. Some uphill battles that appear impossible. A task demanding more than you think you have to give. One too many things on your “to do” list than you have the time or energy to do. Unemployment is staring you down. Depression has a grip on you. Bills have raided your bank account and left it empty. An illness hovers in your life like a threatening storm. You’d rather just run and wander. Instead, be strong and courageous. You have a Joshua that will lead the way. The New Testament equivalent of the name “Joshua” is “Jesus.” And he has promised to be with you always (Matthew 28:20). Jesus knows how to lead you through battles. He had a few of his own while he was on this earth. Enemies attacking him with accusations (Mark 3:22). No home and no bed (Luke 9:58). Crowds and expectations pressing in on him (Luke 8:45). The religious establishment eventually insuring he was sentenced to a brutal death. (Mark 15:14). Yet he took on the most barbaric giant there is, death, and lived to tell about it. He can help you do the same. You need only be strong and courageous in your faith. Blessings, Chris

Office Hours: Mon.-Thurs.

8:00 a.m. ~ 12:00 p.m. 12:30 p.m. ~ 4:30 p.m.

Closed Fri.

Sunday, November 27 ~ Chapter 8 ~ A Few Good Men … and Women Israel won the battle for the promised land, but that was the easy part. Staying faithful to God is way more difficult. The people won’t stop worshiping idols. Every once in a while, God hands them over to their enemies, hoping to get their attention. When Israel cries out for help, God sends a deliverer. Then everything’s fine for a while, until Israel forgets God – again. The question is, will God’s people ever learn? … (from “The Story” Teen Edition)

Christian Visitor Volume 69 ~ Issue 47 November 22, 2016

Church phone: 785-448-3452 Website: www.fccgarnett.org

Our Church Families Long Term: *Lois Gebert, *Clarence Hermann, *Jim Jordan, *Wilma McIntosh, *Nelda Potter, * Carol Richardson, *Walt Wilcox, *Ken McMillan November 20: No new requests November 13: Larry & Waunita Porter (requested by Bob & Franque Meliza) November 6: Earl Peine & Whitney Peine Our Loved Ones in Care Centers Guest Home Estate - 806 West 4th Ave: Walt Wilcox, Vernon & Goldie Hunt, Ruth Gorrell, Robert Young Parkview Heights - 101 North Pine: Jean Brown, Olive Kline, Max Ratliff, Marcene Jasper, Jerry Gettler, Sr Residential Living Center - PO Box 407: Bill Young, Vera Wills (aunt of Phyllis Adams) ORV Manor – 1100 West 15th St - Ottawa, 66067: Ralph Hamilton (father of Leroy) Comfort Care Home - 27 E Rockwood Dr - Ottawa, KS 66067: Birdie Zentner Cimarron Nursing - 905 Beall Road - Kingfisher, OK 73750: Lois Miller Vintage Park – 2250 South Elm - Ottawa, KS 66067: CB & Cheryl Harris Our Military, Veterans & Troops South Korea: Matthew Schryer - Grandson of Frieda Hurt - & nephew of Marcia Spring PRAISE B J IS HOME: B J Moody - Grandson of Janice Tush Air Force: Tim Greening, grandson of Twyla Duryea Our Extended Family & Friend *Long Term: *New Building Construction, * Shannon Garber, *All her family, (request by Wilma McIntosh), *Parker Monhollon (requested by Sandra Hamilton), *Steve Richardson (son of Reed & Carol), *Luke Rockers (son of Jody Cole), * Clarann Kempnich (request by Mary Hamilton), *Wayne Axtell (request by Nancy Horn); *the leaders of our country & *our veterans and troops and God Bless America! November 20 -Week 1: Doug Walsh (brother in law of Doug Linder); November 13 – Week 2: Chris Benjamin (son of Dan Benjamin), Tawanda Horvatic (Doug & Dawn Adams) Jerry Marshall (Sondra’s father) and Mark, Jeremy and Jimmy (sons) (request by Mark & Sondra Grieshaber) November 6 – Week 3: Wilma Dunbar (mother of Lisa Jarett); Nancy Lake and friend Mike (request by Gayla Corley); Mary Fagg (sister of Wilma McIntosh); Guidance for our Nation. Pray for our Police & Military and their families and Kathy Lindsay Nelson (request by Rosemary Turner)

Note: If you wish continued prayers please note that after weeks 3 your prayer request will be removed unless you write it on Sunday flap or by email. Thank you!

Our Prayer for You: We pray for health and healing for you. May God heal any sickness you have, physical, mental, or spiritual. And may He give you good health, energy, and joy today! AMEN!

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH CALENDAR EVENTS Tuesday, November 22: Prayer Group: 6:30 p.m. ~ Annex ~

Contact Charlotte Cox ~ 785-448-3018

Wednesday, November 23: NO ROOTS

Thursday, November 24:

1) Thanksgiving Day – Office Closed Thanksgiving Table Blessing

Thank You, God For the food we are about to eat, For those who are here to share these blessings,

For the generosity of our hosts that make this possible. Bless those who are here and those who are in our hearts, And all those who are not as fortunate on this day. Amen.

--Patricia Gore

2) NO Christian Crafters 3) NO Ladies Bible Study until January ~ Contact Becky

Allen ~ 785-433-1338 Saturday, November 26: Men’s Breakfast: 7:00 a.m. ~

Fellowship Hall ~ Contact Burke Rogers ~ 448-5987

Sunday, November 27: 1) Worship Committee Meet following 10:30 a.m.

Worship Services

2) NO Legacy Youth Group

Monday, November 28: Christian Woodworkers: 8:30 a.m. ~

Darwin’s workshop ~ Contact Darwin Hamilton ~ 785-448-

6526

Tuesday, November 29: Prayer Group: 6:30 p.m. ~ Annex ~

Contact Charlotte Cox ~ 785-448-3018

Wednesday, November 30: NO ROOTS

Thursday, December 1

1) Christian Crafters: 10:00 a.m. ~ Annex ~ Contact Connie Meyer ~ 913-919-7164

2) NO Ladies Bible Study until January ~ Contact Becky Allen ~ 785-433-1338

Saturday, December 3: Men’s Breakfast: 7:00 a.m. ~

Fellowship Hall ~ Contact Burke Rogers ~ 448-5987

Sunday, December 4: 1) Finance Committee meet following 10:30 a.m.

Worship Services

2) Elders meet 5:00 p.m. ~ Board meets 6:00 p.m. ~

Church Annex

3) Legacy Youth Group – meet 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Reminders for Serving November 27, 2016

November Deacons: Craig Cole, Cody Clark, Aaron Hedrick, Gaylon Corley, James Dodd Communion Preparation Doug & Connie Meyer Communion Elder: Roger Adams Offertory Elder: Doug Meyer Deacon Usher: Nate Wiehl Communion to Shut Ins Elder: Jim Jasper Deacon: Earl Peine

8am Worship Audio/Visual unknown ~ Twyla Duryea Pianist Carmen Powls

10:30 am Worship Audio/Visual Virgil Wight ~ Morgan Menefee Pianist: Doris Wilson Instrumentals / Song Leaders The Worship Team Greeters (West) Burke & Charlene Rogers (East) Lynn & Jenny Wilson family

May the BLESSINGS of this

THANKSGIVING fill your

HEART and HOME! From FCC Staff and families

Chris & Natasha Goetz

Hope ~ MaKenna ~ Malakai

Brett Hartman

Marsha & Dan Dulin

November 2016 Attendance Records Sunday 8:00a.m. 10:30 a.m. School Worship Worship

November 20 97 53 148

OPPORTUNITY Class: There were five members present Sunday. They had three daily readers and two with their Bibles. Continued prayers requested for Clarann Kempnich, Nelda Potter, Luke Rockers, Betty Penn, Marie Donaldson & Darwin Hamilton. Mary Hamilton opened the class with prayer and led the lesson “Living Waters” referenced Revelations 22. Mary closed with prayer. SOS Class: There were twenty-one members present Sunday. They had eight daily readers and sixteen with Bibles. The class had two guests Sunday: Marilyn Stevenson and Miranda Thummell. Prayers requested for Marie Donaldson, Nelda Potter, the president elect & our country and the families of Bob Kingsolver, Norma Johnson and Jim Mullins. Gary Benjamin opened with prayer and led the lesson on Chapter 7 – “The Battle Begins.” The class closed with prayer.

WELCOME TO FCC

COME AS GUESTS…

AND LEAVE AS FRIENDS…

Our Prayer for You… May you have a beautiful day! May you share love & laughter,

with family and friends and May the Lord be present to

keep you safe. Amen

Dagon & Maliah Velvick grandchildren of Jay & Barbi Velvick

Branden & Jesse grandchildren of Tim & Tammy Clark

Jase Uttinger guest of Charity Roelker and Allison

Hannah Page & Levi Renyolds guests of Roger & Phyllis Adams family

General Fund Offering November 20 ~ $2958 To Date ~ $14364 New Building Fund Offering November 20 ~ $1710 To Date ~ $10845 FCC “Family Life Center” Growth Chart New Building Addition ~ $977,269 Paid to Contractor ~ $211,423 Yet to be paid on Contract ~ $765,846 Current Cash in NBF ~ $553,541 Pledges yet to be received ~ $67,383 Prospective shortfall $144,922 (This does not include expense to remodel existing Fellowship Hall.) ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL REPORT

WEEK (14) OF CONSTRUCTION

Dec. 2 - Marcia Spring Dec. 4 - Ruth Allen, Jacob Finn Dec. 5 - Jason Miller Dec. 7 - June Cooper, Ruth Peine Dec. 8 - Tanner Wilson Dec. 11 - Darren Simpson Dec. 14 - Ruby Schuster, Marsha Dulin Dec. 16 - Jody Cole Dec. 18 - Greg Gwin, Janice Tush,

Mary Graham Dec. 19 - Cheryl Varvel, Donna Williams Dec. 20 - Joan Simpson Dec. 24 - Clarence Hermann Dec. 25 - Connie Meyer Dec. 26 - Joseph (Pete) Sumner Dec. 27 - Lois Gebert, Charles Allen

December 22 Burke & Charlene Rogers

December 22 Curtis & Mary Ann Umbarger

December 24, 1954 Jim & Rosie Jordan December 26, 1953

Orville & LaVerne Cole

FCC’ S ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PROGRAM AND TASTERS PARTY HAS BEEN SET

FOR SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11. Please come and join us for our Annual Christmas Program and Tasters Party at FCC. It will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 11. The Christmas Program will be held in the Sanctuary and the YUMMY Tasters Party will be held in the Fellowship Hall directly following the program. Please bring a favorite finger food (cookies, candy, cheese and crackers etc.) to share with us in the joy of the Christmas Season. It will be an enjoyable evening to share with family and friends.

You are in our hearts, thoughts and prayers… Say a special prayer for our Youth and Children Pastor Brett Hartman in the upcoming days and weeks as his grandpa Ronald Billiard, age 76 from Fort Scott, KS passed away Monday, November 14, 2016, at Mercy Hospital Emergency Room. Ron’s services were held on Thursday, November 17th at the Community Christian Church in Fort Scott. If you would like to send a card of condolences to Brett his address is: 701 South Hayes ~ Garnett, KS 6602. Please keep Jim Johnson in your prayers in the upcoming days and weeks as his wife Norma Johnson, age 73, passed away on Tuesday, November 15, 2016 at Saint Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri. On Saturday, December 10, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at the First Christian Church there will be a “Celebration of Life,” service.

DO YOU NEED SOME HAND CRAFTED GIFTS FOR CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR?

The Christian Crafters will be having their annual Christmas Craft sale at Parkside Place 2 on December 3rd from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. We will also have a table at the Holiday Boutique on Sunday, December 4th at the Kirk House from noon to 4 pm. We have hand embroidered towels and quilts, crocheted and hand sewn items to choose from. Please come support the Crafters. Money earned from these sales will be donated back to the church or other charitable causes. The ladies who put in many hours working on the items are: Alice Valentine, Alice Chase, Shirley Modlin, Loydene West, Jayne Miller, Joyce Buckley, Evelyn Fisher, Gail Watson, Mickie Palacios and Connie Meyer. If you are interested in joining us, we meet on Thursday mornings from 10-12 at the Annex. Please contact Connie Meyer with any questions about the sale or joining the Crafters (913-909-7164).

Hey everybody!

Hope you have a fantastic Thanksgiving break this upcoming week.

I know our Youth Thanksgiving dinner was amazing! Thank you to all of you that came and participated,

and cooked for us.

I have a couple of different announcements for this week:

there WILL NOT be Roots this week, stay home

and spend time with your families!

Secondly, we WILL NOT have legacy this

upcoming Sunday either.

Thank you everybody for doing all that you do!!

Brett

Youth and Children’s Pastor

New Year’s EVE EVE- Wanted to let you guys know that this year we are going to be having a New Year’s celebration Friday & Saturday, December 30th—31st. The reason that we will not be celebrating on the actual eve of New Years is because other churches from Hidden Haven will be celebrating with us, and many of the Youth Pastors have to preach the Sunday of New Year’s Day. So for everybody to be able to participate we will be doing it the day before. Eric, the camp manager, will be gone on vacation this week and camp policy states that if the camp manager isn’t present, no event can take place on HHCC premises. So that is why we are going to have the New Year’s EVE EVE party at the Thayer Christian Church. Meet here at FCC at 5:30pm, Friday, December 30th and we will leave shortly for Thayer Christian Church. Schedule for the New Year’s EVE EVE Party:

When: 5:30pm – Friday, December 30th - 8:30am December 31st (event is from 7pm-7am at Thayer) ~ (Note: 5:30pm -8:30am includes driving time)

Where: Thayer Christian Church

Who: Junior High and High School students

What for: celebrating the new year!!!

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH ELDERS Roger Adams: 448-8172 *Kevin Lewis: 204-2257 Doug Meyer: 913-909-7680 Jason Sjorlund: 448-7660 Steve Spring: 448-2491 Larry Varvel: 448-5794 Gene Watson: 408-205-3635

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH DEACONS Ron Anderegg: 448-6366 Jonathan Born: 620-340-7784 Dane Byerley: 785-304-2831 *Cody Clark: 448-8093 Craig Cole: 448-4504 Gaylon Corley: 448-8373 James Dodd: 785-418-5479 Jeff Finn: 620-431-8486 Greg Gwin: 229-5105 Leroy Hamilton: 204-2162 Aaron Hedrick 304-1236 Jason Miller: 448-7110 Earl Peine: 448-6186 Nathan Wiehl: 204-2178 Lynn Wilson 448-3451 Mike Zentner: 204-1105

PASTORS AND SECRETARY Chris Goetz Senior Pastor: Phone: 503-474-7965 ~ Email: chris@fccgarnett.org

Brett Hartman Children & Youth: Phone: 620-215-1524 ~ Email: brett@fccgarnett.org Secretary: Marsha Dulin ~ Phone: 785-448-4367 ~ Email: marsha@fccgarnett.org