May 2024

The May Good News Letter

Check out our website at www.westindependencechurch.org

FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK

Don’t you just love presidential election years?

Actually, I know of literally no one who would answer ‘yes’ to the above question or agree with anything remotely positive about the topic. However, it is here and so are we, and it’s vitally important to keep a few things in mind.

First, we need to remember the importance of unity. Ephesians 4:3 says to be, "eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." In John 17 Jesus prayed that His people would be one. Satan will work through the election season to sow disunity and discord. Don’t take the bait!

Striving for unity doesn’t necessarily mean staying quiet in order to "keep the peace," although it very well could mean that. Conversations veering toward controversial topics are a call to listen to the Lord's still, small voice in how to respond. If God is nudging you to speak out, let it be in truth and love. Also, staying silent isn't necessarily caving to a sense of fear but could very well be Godly wisdom in the moment. We can rest assured that in seeking God's guidance we made the right choice, no matter the outcome after.

We are surrounded by messages from self-proclaimed experts and pundits. The world doesn’t need any more of these messages, but the truth of God spoken in love by the church. The gospel message stands out like a light in the world's darkness, supernatural truth accompanied by otherworldly grace. The counsel of God speaks into politics because it touches on every area of life. When God leads to share this counsel, make it personal in a loving way. Our sharing should never be at the expense of the other person.

Lastly, we need to remember to "pray for those in authority" (1 Timothy 2:2), even, and especially, when we do not understand God's plan. We need to be counter-cultural in not degrading and maligning just because they hold the position. We are commanded to lift them up in prayer.

Let's take full advantage of the opportunity this election year offers, not to demonize "the other" but to show God’s love through voice and action.

In Christ’s Peace, Pastor Ben

Please pray for this year’s Allegheny West Annual Conference, May 22-25 at Mt. Vernon Nazarene University. Pastor Ben and Sam Moyer are the delegates for our church.

Children’s Ministry

Sunday School (Kindergarten-5th Grade) in the Kids Life Center

SERIES DESCRIPTION: Training Camp - Plan. Practice. Grow. Commitment - Making A Plan and Putting It Into Practice.

MEMORY VERSE: “Training the body has some value. But being godly has value in every way. It promises help for the life you are now living and the life to come.” I Timothy 4:8, NlrV

WEEK ONE: Light My Way (God’s Word Is A Light) Psalm 119:105 (Jane Kirian & Kathy Babb)

WEEK TWO: You Say (The Lord’s Prayer) Matthew 6:9-13 (Rhonda Palmer & TBD)

WEEK THREE: Speak Now (Peter Says That Jesus Is The Messiah) Matthew 16:13-20 (Janet Damschroder & Courtney Dysert)

WEEK FOUR: All I Have To Give (The Widow’s Offering) Mark 12:41-44 (Michele Clark & Linda Bishop)

Monthly Family Bags are available with devotions, activities and a themed gift. They are on the table by the Sanctuary entrance for Preschool and Elementary students.

Nursery/Preschool Class (Birth-Preschool)

WEEK ONE: God Is Always With Me. Genesis 28:10-22 (Elaine Nye & Jenny Kirian)

WEEK TWO: God Cares For Me. I Kings 17:8-16 (Mary Ann Morris & Elaine Nye)

WEEK THREE: God Can Do It! Exodus 14:5-31 (Heather Cramer & Monica Metzger)

WEEK FOUR: Rules To Live By. Exodus 19:1-3 (Mary Ann Morris & Elaine Nye)

VBS 2024 Is Almost Here!

If you wish for your child to sign up online, please contact the office, Michael Authenreith, or fill out a physical form found at the Welcome Center! We will be having a ton of music, games, snacks, and so much more - all while learning how to have a party and celebrate what Jesus has done! VBS will run June 3-7, and we will be having a special service that following Sunday, June 9, to celebrate all we learned that week! Following the service will be a carry-in lunch and some water games outside (weather permitting) for the kids to enjoy!

Greetings, WIC Families!

Summer is on the horizon!

On May 19, we will be having our annual NERF War event! This year’s theme is Neon City and we will have a ton of black lights and neon stuff for the event! This will run from 6-9pm at the church and will replace normal youth group that evening.

On May 26, we will be having our last youth group for the school year! We will celebrate with a small bonfire and some hot dogs for the youth to enjoy!

Reminder! Our July mission trip is coming up! We will be going to the Rainelle, WV area to help with some disaster relief. If your student wishes to sign up for the trip, I need them to sign up BEFORE June 1! This is to help everyone involved with the planning process to have some accurate information for our group size. The trip will be July 13-19, and the cost is $300 per student. But we will be having some opportunities to get that cost down for everyone.

Have a need you would like some help on? Please contact me and I’ll see if we can get some students together to come and serve!

For any questions or more info involving the youth ministry at WIC, please feel free to contact me via the office at the church: 419-894-6454 OR my personal number: 330-205-5123 OR my email: authenreithministry@gmail.com.

Blessings and peace for you and your family, ~ Michael Authenreith, Director of NextGen Ministry

God Heard … AND Answered!....

Adam* has just accepted Christ! We reported last month that his roommate, Mark*, had just become a believer and was witnessing to Adam - cautiously, because both are from the same Middle East country where it is illegal to change your religion. Both of these young men are students at Kansas State University where our missionaries Kendall and Lois Borthwick minister to international students. God has answered prayer for these two new believers; now let's ask God for the salvation of other international students. Twenty-four of these students went with the Borthwicks to church on Easter Sunday morning. Only four of them were Christians, and for many of the others, it was their first time in a Christian church. During the Easter week, Borthwicks hosted a variety of events where they shared the story of Jesus with some 70 different international students. (*Names changed)

Child Evangelism Fellowship is another of our mission partners, working here in northwest Ohio. God is answering prayer here too, for the hundreds of children CEF reaches through weekly Bible classes in schools throughout our area. As of the end of February, 60 children had made decisions to follow Christ! Did you ever wonder, though, about those childhood decisions? Do they really last?

Angela Guthrie is just one answer to that question. From an unchurched home, Angela attended Religious Education classes throughout her school years in Arlington. When she was "only" in the third grade, Angela gave her life to Christ. Today she is not only a substitute teacher for the Arlington Religious Education classes, she also serves as the Director for Children and Family Ministries in a large Findlay church. Hancock County Religious Education Assn., an on-going ministry we as a church partner with, sponsored those classes which impacted Angela's life for Christ.

Yes, God does hear and answer our prayers!

~ Submitted by Marilyn Shaferly

Women Of Worth

For the April 4 meeting of Women of Worth, we met at Honey Joe’s in Arcadia. There were 23 members and two guests present.

Marilyn told a story from the Farmer’s Almanac. A grandpa reported that he eats everything that’s fit to eat. Cottage cheese is not fit to eat.

Easter begins the 50-day period considered the Great Lord’s Day which ends on Pentecost Sunday.

Two prayer concerns:

 Dwight Grismore’s father passed away recently. Letty had been scheduled to take a trip back to her home country but cancelled or postponed it due to this death.

 Debbi Weatherman will be having surgery on April 8.

Due to a donation to a member of our group, we are able to send an additional $100 to CRU for the Bibles that they need.

Judy Rader read portions of a newsletter from LeRoy and Sandy Anderson.

The Ayenas continue to minister to their Muslim friend, praying for his salvation.

The Jews for Jesus in Israel report that the request for Bibles has doubled since the start of the war with Hamas.

Ilene Fruth had our Five-minute Feature. She gave some of her history – growing up in Vanlue. She was saved at the age of 16 in the Methodist Church in Vanlue. She and her husband, David, initially sold homemade maple syrup. Ilene created and sold dried flower arrangements. At one point in her life, she had cancer and was given eight months to live. But she beat it! She was proclaimed a miracle by one of her doctors. In 1992 they put up a greenhouse to grow their own flowers. Sugar House Greenhouse has become a successful business for growing and selling flower and vegetable plants as well as furnishing floral arrangements for special occasions.

Marilyn received a letter from Kate Michel of Radio 4VEH. Despite the chaos in Haiti, there is hope due to the death and resurrection of Christ.

Our next meeting will be at Marilyn’s home on May 2.

~ Mary Ann Morris, Secretary

Integrity Men With Vision

Fourteen men gathered for breakfast at the monthly meeting of the Integrity Men With Vision Chapter on Saturday, April 6. Bob Hill offered the blessing before we dined on another great breakfast at Honey Joe’s.

Gary Knox supplied devotions from II Timothy. President Knox then noted several issues of importance, such as:

 Ramps project continue

 Discussed the upcoming Backyard Mission Trip

 Joe Diebley recovering from back surgery

 Prayers for the Ray Marvin family

Our guest speaker for the day was Carl Paynter, field rep for Men For Missions, a men’s program with One Mission Society (OMS). Carl noted that he went on a mission trip in 2009 to Haiti, and became hooked on mission work. In May of 2020 he and his wife, Teresa, moved to Haiti for full-time mission work. Carl spoke on Men For Missions that began with OMS in 1954.

With WGM backing off on the Men With Vision program, Mike Leonard moved that we disaffiliate with WGM and join up with OMS and Men For Missions. Bob Garner seconded the motion, and the motion carried.

Pastor Ben closed the meeting with prayer. The next meeting will be on Saturday, May 4 at 7:30am at Honey Joe’s Café (formerly Kathy’s Restaurant).

~ John Fetters, Secretary

Garage of Hope

“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ “

Acts 20:35 NIV

Paul reminded the leaders at the church in Ephesus, that his life has not been about himself, but about helping others. Paul says that everything he has done has been about helping those who are weak and in need. Paul didn't say these things to boast about himself; he said them to point back to Jesus as the true example of love. Jesus said that when we use our life to help others, we end up even more blessed.

I have found this to be true serving the last couple of years at the Garage of Hope. The love our church family and community has shown to others in need has been amazing! We are Jesus’ hands and feet when we open our garage door at the Garage of Hope!

The calls still come in almost every day for beds, furniture and household items. We are in the process of ordering new mattresses from CMC (Chicago Mattress Co.). We have a waiting list of many in need of a bed!! Thank you for your past contributions to this fund!

As always, you are welcome to stop in any Friday during the hours of 10am - 2pm to say “Hi” or give a hand.

Thank you again for your many donations and prayers. And please, don’t forget the Hope Pantry!

~ Submitted by Melissa Houck

2024 Graduates

High school and college graduates: please be sure to fill out a form on the Welcome Center for our Graduate Recognition Sunday, May 19, and the Good News Letter; and return it to the office no later than May 10

Children’s Classes

Trustees Meeting Highlights

Present: Rhonda Palmer, Kathy Babb, Janice Bennington, Judy Cole, Seth Kirian, Toby Knox, Brandon Metzger & Pastor Ben

Old Business: Spring Cleanup Day is 4/27/2024; backup day is 5/4/2024.

New Business: Appoint a Memorial Committee rep before May meeting.

Look into fixing patio and adjacent electric at parsonage. Next meeting planned for May 6, 2024.

~ submitted by Seth Kirian

Sunday School Class Update

Birth - Preschool Nursery Bible Stories and Songs

Kindergarten - 5th Grade KLC

Youth

Jr. High Loft

Peace - Waiting Until Later For What You Want To Now

Topical Bible Study

Sr. High Loft Topical Bible Study

Adult Revolve

Faith Builders

Video Bible Study Class

Faithful Followers

Room # 9 “Take Back Your Life” by Levi Lusko

Room #10 “Life Lessons in Romans” by Max Lucado

Room #12 “The Chosen” (when available online)

Sanctuary Union Gospel Press Quarterly Bible Study

Mark Your Calendars

The Sunday morning worship services will continue to be live streaming on YouTube/Facebook, as well as in person service. Please attend as you are comfortable and feel you can safely do so. Be sure to watch the bulletin, newsletter articles, and facebook for event announcements.

Worship Attendance (and YouTube Views)

4/7: 127 (45); 4/14: 94 (38); 4/21: 105 (41); 4/28: 109 (16)

Sunday School Attendance: 4/7: 84; 4/14: 70; 4/21: 76; 4/28: 80

Bring flowers! bring flowers! bring roses red, To deck the gallant soldier’s bed; In freedom’s cause his blood was shed.

Bring flowers! bring flowers! bring lilies white, Honor the men who fell in fight, Contending bravely for the right.

Bring flowers! bring flowers! bring violets blue, And o’er their sacred ashes strew; They stood unflinching, firm and true.

Bring flowers in honor of the brave, And let the starry banner wave Over each gallant soldier’s grave.

Bring flowers! the fairest that appear, To dress their tombs to us so dearOur noble dead! Reposing here.

~ Rev. J. R. Creswell

WIC Prayer Group

2nd & 4th Week at 7:00pm

The Prayer Group will meet on Monday, May 13, and Wednesday, May 29, in Room #8.

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16 - 18

We are thankful for this group of prayer warriors who undergird our ministry, and we invite you to come and join us. Whether you are a member of the Prayer Group officially or not, please be praying for our nation during this difficult time.

A Tribute to Mothers

“When all is said, it is the mother, and the mother only, who is a better citizen than the soldier who fights for his country. The successful mother, the mother who does her part in rearing and training aright the boys and girls who are to be the men and women of the next generation, is of greater use to the community, and occupies, if she only would realize it, a more honorable as well as a more important position than any man in it. The mother is the one supreme asset of national life; she is more important by far than the successful statesman, or businessman, or artist, or scientist.”

~ Author Unknown

You’re (WIC) Invited

Blake & Nancy Neff’s 50th Anniversary Saturday, June 22, 2024

2:00 to 4:00 pm

Circleville First Church 431 East Ohio Street

Circleville, OH 43113

Please RSVP rjradkins@yahoo.com

Ecclesiastes 4:9 “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.”

A Special Note of Thanks … Straight From My Heart Church Family:

I want to thank everyone for the prayers, cards, text messages, phone calls and well wishes that I received during my recent surgery and recuperation.

~ Al DeVooght

Thank you for the encouraging cards and prayers during and after my lower back surgery. I am slowly improving. His anchor holds!

~ Janet Garner

Dear Church Ladies:

Thank you so much for the lunch that was prepared for Rodney Bowers’ funeral. It was very well planned and the food was delicious. God bless you!

~ Aunt Joyce & Uncle Ron Roeder

Noisy Offering will be on May 19 and it will benefit

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5/19

5/19

5pm

The Good News Letter is the

SeniorPastor: BenWallick

Email: office@westindependencechurch.org

Our Mission

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I will be with you always, to the very end of the age.” ~ Matthew 28:18-20 NIV