WE THANK THE LORD!!!

Thanksgiving 2010 for the Friendship Club was celebrated this last Tuesday, November 23rd. 

We had a wonderful Turkey and Ham dinner with all the trimmings.  Thanks to all the Mentors who planned this wonderful event. A special thank you to Susan Castillo for your leadership!   It was a full house once again!  We had special guests come to visit and serve.  Jeff Hull, one of our Elders, came to serve and the American Heritage Girls group came and did a great job of taking each Friends order.  They also helped announce our raffle winners, as well. 

We also had one new friend who wants to join our motley crew.  Welcome to Chris…  Chris said he really enjoyed our spirited worship time before the dinner.  We did all the usual things in obedience to Acts 2:42, studying God’s Word, fellowship with one another, prayer, and eating together.  There were lots of smiles, some crying, joy, and good times.  God is really so goooooood!!!! 

Our theme was to remember how much God loves us and the ways we can show our love for Him.  Heather Hewer announced that our Operation Christmas Child Project was a great success.  Friendship Club made 24 boxes this year.  Heather also announced that the Church had broken its record doing a whopping 511 boxes this year!  Susan and I just want to extend a wonderful Thanksgiving greeting to you all. 

God bless you….

Moses Visits Friendship Club

Thats right, the Moses from Exodus has visited our Friendship Club for the last two meetings.  He plans to attend the next two, as well!  We were all surprised at what he looked like.  He even spoke English.  Moses told us the story of the delieverance of the early Jews from Egypt and just how mean the Pharoh was.  He also shared how awesome and great is our God!!!  Moses went on and on about how God cares for us.  “We must be fools not to believe it!” 

If God can part the Red Sea for the Jews, just think about what he’ll do for you!!! 

See you there and God bless you!

Mentors take advantage of Through the Roof Workshop

Saturday, October 2nd, seven of our mentors from In His Image attended a workshop sponsored by Joni and Friends at their International Disability Center in Agoura Hills.  The topic of the workshop was Autism.  We were treated to a great talk by Jenipher Swanson, an Autism expert.  She discussed how we can meet the needs of children affected by autism in our churches.  Ken Chambers, Head of Church Relations, introduced the topic to the group and stated that Autism is presenting quite a challenge to churches these days.  We need to be prepared to deal with it! 

Ken’s staff also provided a wonderful brunch and a great book, “Finding Your Child’s Way on the Autism Spectrum” by Dr.  Laura Hendrikson.  Jenipher Swanson works as a Behavorist for Tri-Counties Regional Center.  She goes into homes to help families deal with their autistic spectrum children.  She discribed the current therapies that are being currently used and gave wonderful examples and suggestions.  All of her content was saved electronically and is being sent to our In His Image ministry.  Hopefully soon, we will have it posted for you to download. 

We are grateful for Joni and Friends for making this workshop possible.  As usual, they just do an outstanding job!!!

Back from a summer off Friendship Club gets off to Yahoo start!

We met last Tuesday night and just had a wonderful time of fellowship.  The night began with an awesome Worship time!  Mrs. Hewer highlighted all the upcoming events and what we will studying in this Unit.  It’s called “God Helps His People”.  It’s a study on the life of the prophet Moses and how God takes care of His people.  When we understand how much God loves us, we respond by loving Him back through praise and worship.  We also had six new members join the Club with six new mentors joining us, as well!  We like to follow Acts 2:42-43a and are dedicated to that model–”The believers studied what the apostles taught.  They shared life together.  They broke bread and ate together.  And they prayed.  Everyone felt that God was near.” (NIrV) 

God bless you and so do we………………………….  

Scott and Susan H.