November ONE

A PUBLICATION OF THE ELLIS COUNTY MINISTERIAL ALLIANCE

NOVEMBER

2011

GIVING THANKS

volunteers give up their own holiday to make one for others 6

FESTIVAL REFLECTS

festival of faith celebrates 20 years of faithfulness 8

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NOVEMBER 2011

ONE is the official publication of the Ellis County Ministerial Alliance, which guides its mission, content and theme.

It is printed by The Hays Daily News.

Dear ONE Reader

an you believe it is already November?!

Where did this year go?

It seems like just yesterday my son still was in preschool, we were watching the Super Bowl and we were making summer vacation plans.

Now my son is in kindergarten (!), football season is half over, and vacation seems like a distant memory.

I think since Thanksgiving is right around the corner, we should take a minute to catch our breath and be thankful for everything that has happened in 2011. ecma president If we can press pause for a Kevin moment and simply reflect on Daniels 2011, we can truly find many reasons to be thankful.

I know in my own life, many things — some bad, some good — have happened this year. Looking back, I certainly would not choose to live through the bad things again, but in the end we have grown closer as a family and I have grown closer to God. Paul tells us all things work together for the good of those who love God, and I believe that to be true — though when in the thick of things, it’s hard to see.

Through life’s trials, we gain appreciation for the good times and we grow spiritually.

This month, I hope to take more time to stop and be thankful, and I encourage you to do the same.

If we never pause to reflect on where we’ve been and what we’ve done, we are destined to repeat ourselves and become stagnant. We need to take opportunities, such as Thanksgiving, to really examine who we have become and what we’ve come through this year.

I am thankful for so many things, but the thing I am thankful for the most is the gift God has given to me in the person and work of Jesus. If not for Jesus’ birth, life, sacrificial death and resurrection, my life would be void and futile.

Take time to be thankful this November — for Jesus — for family and friends — and for life.

Entries from last month’s cover contest will be on display at the Hays Public Library.

Volume 4, Issue 11

ONE advisory board Pastor KEVIN DANIELS Hays Christian Church rev.kevin.daniels@gmail.com Pastor KEN EDIGER North Oak Community Church kediger@northoak.net Pastor KYLE ERMOIAN Celebration Community Church kyle@celebratejesus.org STEVE JOHNSON United Methodist Campus Center umcmfhs@yahoo.com

The columns in ONE represent the views of the author.

Pastor Lesley Radius Trinty Lutheran Church www.trinityhays.org Father MIKE SCULLY St. Fidelis Catholic Church frmikescully@yahoo.com Pastor JERRY SPROCK First Baptist Church fbcpastor@ruraltel.net

ONE and the Ellis County Ministerial Alliance encourage submission from ECMA congregations.

Photographs, stories, testimonies and other submissions should be directed toward your church leaders or sent via email to one@dailynews.net.

The ECMA advisory board will choose appropriate and timely submissions for publication.

The Ellis County Ministerial Alliance board will meet at 10 a.m. Nov. 9 at First Presbyterian Church.

Inside

Page 4.................................................................................................................. MESSAGE at the TOP

By Father Mike Scully Page 6.................................................................................... ‘FEAST CREATES ONE BIG FAMILY’

By Klint Spiller Page 7............................................................................................................I AM THANKFUL FOR...

By Community Children Page 10.......................................................................................................ENCOURAGING WORDS

By Pastor Kyle Ermoian Page 10............................................................................................................BIBLE READING PLAN

By Pastor Steve Dinkel ON THE COVER: The faces of Ellis County Ministerial Alliance’s annual Thanksgiving Day Feast.

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FAITH-FILLED DAILY LIVING: For what I am thankful

od can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so you’re ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done. As one psalmist puts it: “He throws caution to the winds, giving to the needy in reckless abandon. His rightliving, right-giving ways never run out, never wear out. This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you can then give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in

every way, producing with us great praise Lutheran World Relief works to fight to God.” 2 Corinthians 9:8-11 poverty and promote a more just and For what am I peaceful world by helping thankful? I have so people help themselves. many things for which Just a few weeks ago, an to be thankful I am not empty semi was dropped pastor sure there is enough off in the Trinity parking newsprint to cover all lot. Later that evening, the items. One, I am volunteers Ken and Muriel most thankful for this Greene, who have been dotime of the year, when many volunteers ing this volunteer work for 27 years parked gather at Trinity Lutheran Church once a their RV in Trinity’s parking lot, waiting year to fill a truck full of essential supfor the sun to rise. plies and quilts that will be distributed by At about 7 a.m., churches from all Lutheran World Relief. across the region, including Colorado and Oklahoma began arriving with boxes of soap, quilts, school kits, personal health kits and layette kits. More than 11,700 pounds of supplies were loaded into the truck. Five hundred eighty boxes were strategically placed in the semi for its trip

Lesley Radius

to Minnesota where it then will be loaded onto freighters and shipped all across the world.

I am thankful for the many volunteers who collect the health care items of soap, washcloths, toothbrushes and combs. I am thankful for the many volunteers who lovingly sew quilts to be shared with God’s people all across the world.

Muriel Greene told a story of a woman in India who received a quilt. She was very sick. The volunteers followed up on her a little later and they found that even in her weakness she had made sure her quilt was divided so that her kids could have a blanket on which to sleep also. I am thankful in some small way, through our sharing our resources, we get a chance to be the hands and heart of God.

The Rev. Lesley Radius, www.trinityhays.org, is pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church.

8th Annual

Community MISSION

Auction

ABOVE: Jim Stramel, left, helps load supplies onto a semi for Lutheran World Relief. RIGHT: Members of Trinity Lutheran Church helped load a semi of essential supplies and quilts for Lutheran World Relief.

December 10th, 2011

Celebration Community Church Doors Open for Silent Auction at 4:00 p.m.

LIVE Auction at 6:30 p.m.

(C3 is located just north of I-70 at exit 157, Hays KS 67601)

COURTESY PHOTOS

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St. Joseph’s FOOD PANTRY

van in ad ts $10 e do or e k c i h T tt $15 a

Come join us for a night of wonderful food, live entertainment and a great cause!

100% of proceeds go to missions!

OPEN: 9 a.m. to noon the first and third Saturdays of each month at St. Joseph’s Parish Service Center, 210 W. 13th Upcoming dates: Nov. 5 & 19; Dec. 3 & 17; Jan. 7 & 21

If you would like to donate items or have any questions please call 785-625-5483.

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NOVEMBER 2011

MESSAGE AT THE TOP: Nothing but the best

J

esus never spoke about past love 11:25). Jesus’ statement includes people we relationships. He never had the occahad a relationship with at one time. sion to give a high school or college In the song “Someone Like You,” Adele course on discovering romantic love and is speaking the mind of a person who has what it means in light of his teachings. experienced a breakup, closing with a Consequently, he did thought of what she has not speak about one to do. “I heard that you’re of the most common settled down,” she sings, situations young people “that you found a girl and father must experience as they you’re married now. I heard grow, namely a romantic that your dreams came breakup. true. Guess she gave you It is generally known things I didn’t give to you. people will not marry the first person they I hate to turn up out of the blue uninvited, love. Granted, there are a few exceptions, but I couldn’t stay away, I couldn’t fight it. I but for the most part, the fact means people had hoped you’d see my face and that you’d will have a “falling out” with people they be reminded that for me it isn’t over.” once liked, even loved. This is the definition That is to say, she is feeling revengeful, of a breakup. Many times, the breakup is showing up uninvited, and wanting him to hostile and angry, and burdens people for a feel a little guilty. But, after some thought, long time. she seems to get over her anger and sings: Jesus might not have said anything about “Never mind, I’ll find someone like you. breakups, but he had much to say about I wish nothing but the best for you too. forgiveness. In Mark’s Gospel, he even alSometimes it lasts in love, but sometimes it ludes to the fact one cannot pray properly hurts instead.” The lady learned the lesson if such a person cannot first forgive. Jesus of forgiveness. says: “When you stand to pray, forgive Her song is a statement of what usually anyone against whom you have a grievhappens at a breakup. The lady who has ance, so that your heavenly Father may in experienced the breakup is angry, upset, turn forgive you your transgressions” (Mark and even shows up “uninvited” just to

Mike Scully

Prairie Land Food Prairie Pak: $26 (includes meats, fruits and veggies) Meat only: $14 (includes the meat in the regular Prairie Pak) Fruit & Veggie: $12 (includes the fruit and vegetables in the regular Prairie Pak) Specials: Four different specials are offered each month.

Meat, Fruit & Veggie and Specials Paks can be purchased with or without the Prairie Pak, giving you more flexibility when ordering; there is no limit.

Order date: Nov. 7. Order locally and pay with check, cash or EBT food stamps. Or you can order online at www.prairielandfood.com and pay with your debit card or check.

Pick-up: 11 a.m. to noon, Nov. 19, Liberty Fellowship, 120 W. Ninth, Hays, and 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at St. Mary’s Gym, Ellis.

For more information, call Liberty Fellowship at (785) 625-6245 or Linda Hagan (800) 2981989.

We do not require a specific amount of time to volunteer. All we ask is that the volunteer portion of the receipt is completed with something you have done to help someone else. We are not eliminating the act of volunteering, just the need to count the number of hours.

Father Mike’s gospels in the top 5 As of Oct. 16 1. “Tonight, Tonight,” Hot Chelle Rae — Luke 5:29-32 2. “Someone Like You,” Adele — Mark 11:25 3. “Moves Like Jagger,” Maroon 5 and Christina Aguilera — Luke 10:38-42 4. “Pumped Up Kicks,” Foster the People — Luke 22:35-38 5. “Last Friday Night (TGIF),” Katy Perry — Luke 8:11-15 make her once-upon-a-time boyfriend feel badly, it seems. But then she sees the error of her ways, and says she wishes him well.

In doing so, she is following the directive

of Jesus, namely that no matter what the situation, we must work with a spirit of forgiveness. In a sense, the song is asking forgiveness for the lady’s jealous behavior, eventually wishing her friend “the best.”

Jesus’ words that direct us to forgive others are never easy because his words cover every situation of our lives, even when others have hurt us in some way. Young people especially must be aware of his words when they are recovering from breakups. Every Christian must be aware of them throughout their lives.

Good and gracious God, it is not easy to follow your Son’s law of forgiving others.

Too often we are hurt, and want to get back at someone. Help us recognize our need to forgive everyone, no matter what the circumstances. Be with us, we pray.

Father Mike Scully is from St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hays.

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Upcoming event brings community together for children worldwide

Submitted

St. Fidelis Food Bank The St. Fidelis Church Food Bank, 601 10th St., Victoria, is an ongoing effort to feed the hungry as Jesus requested. It supplies nonperishable as well as perishable foods. Supplies are limited to what we can receive from the state of Kansas and donations.

If you or anyone you know — friends, family or neighbors — would benefit from the Food Bank, contact the parish office at (785) 7352777. If any parishioner or organization would like to contribute to the food bank, bring donations to the parish office during office hours or call to schedule a convenient time.

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• PACK — Fill shoe boxes with school supplies, toys, necessity items and a letter of encouragement. Stepby-step shoe box packing instructions are available at www.samaritanspurse. org/occ.

• PROCESS — Sign up to join Operation Christmas Child volunteers at collection sites in Hays as part of the effort to prepare millions of shoe box gifts for delivery to underprivileged kids on six continents.

IEW FREE PREV TODAY! NOON - 6 PM

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, yN,oNvoevmem b y a d s ru rsda 12 Noon ebre2r6264 u National Guard Armory 200 Main Street Hays, Kansas

ALL ARE WELCOME Ellis Ellis County County and Abstract Ellis and Abstract Title Co., Inc. Title County Co., Inc. Abstract and Title Co., Inc.

Send your tax-deductible donations to ECMA P.O. Box 173 Hays, Kansas 67601

Volunteer your time, call First Call for Help 623-2800 Ellis County Commission Ellis County Commission

Assisted Living Center

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It’s time again for the eighth annual Community Mission Auction with all of the proceeds going to need-meeting ministries in Hays and throughout the world.

At 6:30 p.m. Dec. 10, Celebration Community Church will auction items and give away the money raised to organizations such as last year’s recipients: First Call for Help, ECMA’s Second Mile Fund, Community Assistance Center, [alt]fest, Unite, Perspectives on the World Christian Movement, Christian Challenge, Young Life, Gideons, Campus Crusade for Christ, Hays Helps Haiti, Mary Elizabeth Maternity Home, Birthright, Rachel’s Vineyard, Habitat for Humanity, Prison Fellowship, Samaritan’s Purse, World Vision, Voice of the Martyrs, local radio stations KPRD and Hays Family Radio, and several others.

The Community Mission Auction provides local businesses and individuals the opportunity to partner by donating products, services and gift certificates while others can bid on these items. For example, each year, Celebration Pastor Kyle Ermoian and wife, Debbie, auction a Chicago-style hot dog party for 20-plus guests.

Last year, more than $20,000 was raised in one night.

More than 200 items from local retailers and Celebration church members will be auctioned this year with all of the proceeds to be given to help fund more than 30 need-meeting organizations, ministries and mission groups in Hays and throughout the world.

Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door which includes catered food, beverages and entertainment.

“Whatever you did for the least of these … you did for me.” Matthew 25:40 For more information, call (785) 6255483 or email kyle@celebratejesus.org.

these gifts of hope, including sea containers, trucks, trains, airplanes, boats, camels and dog sleds. Tracking technology also allows donors to “follow” their box to the destination country where it will be handdelivered to a child in need. To register shoe box gifts and find out the destination country, use the Follow Your Box donation form found at www.samaritanspurse.org/ occ.

For more information on how to participate in Operation Christmas Child, call volunteer coordinator Rachel Albin at (785) 639-1325 or visit www.samaritanspurse.org/occ. National Collection Week for gift-filled shoe boxes is Nov. 14 to 21; however, shoe box gifts are collected all year at the Samaritan’s Purse headquarters in Boone, N.C.

ThTh

Community Mission Auction to raise funds for organizations

Submitted

While many families are busy with fall activities, there still is a focus on filling empty shoe boxes with school supplies, toys, hygiene items and notes of encouragement for needy children overseas.

Hays is participating in the world’s largest Christmas project of its kind — Operation Christmas Child — an effort that has hand-delivered 86 million gifts to kids worldwide since 1993.

This year-round project of Samaritan’s Purse is coming to its peak, as individuals, families, businesses, churches and schools prepare to collect gift-filled shoe boxes during National Collection Week from Nov. 14 to 21. In Hays, shoe box gifts can be dropped off at Messiah Lutheran Church, 2000 Main, during the following times: • 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Nov. 14.

• 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 15.

• 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Nov. 16.

• 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 17.

• 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Nov. 18.

• Noon to 2 p.m. Nov. 19.

• Noon to 2 p.m. Nov. 20.

• Noon to 3 p.m. Nov. 21.

Operation Christmas Child, a project of international Christian relief and evangelism organization Samaritan’s Purse, uses whatever means necessary to reach suffering children around the world with

Pies donated by the Churches Ellis County Pies of donated by the Churches of Ellis County

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NOVEMBER 2011

“Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:20 ESV

Feast creates one big family W

By KLINT SPILLER one@dailynews.net

hile others are giving thanks, about 100 volunteers will be giving Hays residents a reason to be thankful.

The Ellis County Ministerial Alliance will host its annual Thanksgiving Day Feast at noon Nov. 24 at the National Guard Armory, 200 Main, in Hays.

The feast is meant to provide a meal for those who can’t afford a nice dinner, don’t have a place to go or simply are looking for a community event to attend.

The Rev. Lesley Radius, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church and one of the coordinators of the feast, said the event feeds approximately 400 people, so in order to pull it off, plenty of helping hands are needed.

“It is for the community, served by the community,” Radius said.

Many people find time out of their own holiday to spend the day volunteering.

Tom Griffith, who has been helping with the event for many years, entertains the audience with his street organ. He said he wishes there were more community events like it.

“Hays doesn’t have enough community events, but this is a nice one,” Griffith said.

“I really like this one. ... If I can support it, I will.”

Bob Budke and his wife have helped in the serving lines and by carrying trays for the past several years.

Often having no major plans for the holiday with his kids grown up, it has been an easy decision to make, Budke said.

“There are probably others who can’t get away so it is more important for me to be there.”

Even those who cannot attend on Thanksgiving Day can find other ways to help.

Radius said they also need volunteers Nov. 19 and 23 to purchase and collect food at Dillons and Walmart and package the food, which will be given to those who need it at the dinner.

STEVEN HAUSLER • one@dailynews.net Amanda Gittinger, left, and Linda StahlBarney Boos, Hays, right, and Jesse Irwin, Hays, second from right, start off the line man dish up pumpkin pie during the as volunteers fill plates with food during the 2010 Thanksgiving Day Feast at the Na- Thanksgiving Day Feast. tional Guard Armory in Hays.

Bob Budke, left, and Kolby Haselhorst get ready to hand out a bag of groceries to those who attended the feast.

Natalie McCall will be out of town on Thanksgiving with her family, but McCall still intends to brave the cold and help the night before carrying groceries into the armory. “(The feast) gives people a sense of normalcy,” McCall said. “Thanksgiving for me is a big family event, so helping people

come together as a giant family and help them celebrate is something I enjoy.”

Radius said she is thankful for all those who are involved.

“It couldn’t be done without the volunteers,” Radius said. “The food wouldn’t be served. The groceries wouldn’t be packed.

The people who give food also support

Ways you can help Nov. 20 — 48 volunteers are needed to collect food at Walmart and both Dillons locations in Hays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Nov. 23 — 35 volunteers are needed to bag groceries at 5:30 p.m.

Nov. 23 — 15 volunteers are needed to set up and decorate tables at 6 p.m.

Nov. 24 — 75 volunteers are needed to greet, serve and deliver meals and clean up on Thanksgiving Day at the National Guard Armory.

To sign up, call First Call for Help at (785) 623-2800.

the event by buying extra groceries and giving it to us to give to the guests of the Thanksgiving dinner. It really is a community event.”

People interested in volunteering for the Thanksgiving Day Feast can do so by contacting First Call for Help in Hays at (785) 623-2800.

Hayden Bracken, 7, Hays Christian Church

Logan Daniels, 5, Hays Christian Church

Kamryn Daniels, 3, Hays Christian Church

— From Ruth Ann Fry’s Third Grade Class at Holy Family Elementary —

Jeffrey Heimann

Aidan Normandin

Cody Walters

Cheyenne Albrecht

Emma Clouse

Leah Mages

Jacob Pfeifer

Allison Applequist

Lucas Lang

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NOVEMBER 2011

20 festival years

By GAYLE WEBER one@dailynews.net

Ellis County pastors with the festival. “It’s a joy to be back in Hays, Kansas, in It’s amazing how little things change in Hays, America,� said the Rev. Dave Wil20 years. liams, a former pastor at New Life Center At the first Festival of Faith in 1992, Assembly of God in Hays. He now ministhe congregation prayed for education, ters in the Denver area. leadership and economic development to “I can tell you we don’t have gatherings enhance the quality of life in Ellis County. like this. I sense the Spirit and his power “Have you ever considered one of those here right now.� to be the spiritual life of this community?�

Father Don Zimmerman, a former North Oak Community Church Pastor member of ECMA and now serving at St. Ken Ediger asked during the 1993 Festival Thomas More Catholic Church in Manof Faith. hattan, sent his well wishes in the form of a He took the stage again this year, point- letter read by Pastor Kyle Ermoian. ing out the community prays for similar “I am confident that God has been gloissues today. rified in all ways, and most certainly in the “Don’t minimize the fact that this com- moments when Ellis County people came munity came together for the first time in together and worshipped God,� Ermoian 1992 and made Jesus central,� Ediger said. read.

RAYMOND HILLEGAS • one@dailynews.net “We exalted him together. Don’t minimize The festival once again brought hunBrenda Markley, Hays, sings and prays along with the community worship band durJesus when you realize there are many ing the 20th annual Festival of Faith on Oct. 2 at Fort Hays State University’s Beach/ dreds of Ellis County residents to Beach/ Schmidt Performing Arts Center in Hays. blessings in this community that are the Schmidt Performing Arts Center. hand of God.â€? “The spirit of unity,â€? said Brenda MarThe 20th annual Festival of Faith on kley, a parishioner at Westview Chuch in Oct. 2 celebrated one of those blessings Hays, of the reason she tries to attend the — the ability for the Christian community festival each year. “I don’t feel the division in Ellis County to come together under of religions.â€? one roof, united in spirit.

And that’s exactly what the festival set FM

The Festival of Faith is sponsored by the out to do.

Ellis County Ministerial Alliance and Hays “We thank him (God) for these wonArea Chamber of Commerce. derful 20 years of so many blessings,� said

The festival highlighted some of the dis- Festival of Faith committee member Jean

tinct, memorable moments from the first Ross. “And we ask, ‘Could you please give 19 festivals. It also reunited some former us 20 more?’ �

I am thankful for ...

The material things My wife and family, for my God has given us, job and good health. I am but mostly for our also thankful for the adoration good health and the health of our children chapel, our priests and sisters, our Catholic schools and for and grandchildren.

We are also thankful my faith and trust in God. for the freedom to worship where and how we want.

The freedom to exhibit and enjoy my faith.

88.5

My faith, family, friends that I live in the United States and am able to live my faith and how I want to live my life. I’m also thankful for all the good things that have happened in my life.

My family, friends and my job.

My faith to bring me through the good times and the bad with raising both my children on my own and battling breast cancer this year along with helping my fiance with his home hemo dialysis.

... From St. Joseph Catholic Church parishioners

  

  

St. Joseph Catholic Church and the Hays V.F.W. Post 9075 are sponsoring an

“ALL YOU CAN EAT BREAKFAST” 22nd & Vine SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13 7:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Proceeds to benefit the St. Joseph Parish Center Elevator Fund Project

Menu includes:

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Pancakes, Sausage, Bacon, Scrambled Eggs, Hash Browns, Biscuits & Gravy, Toast, Coffee & Orange Juice Tickets May Be Purchased At The St. Joseph Parish Service Center 210 West 13th Hays, Ks

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St. Joseph Thanksgiving Dinner Buffet Sunday, November 20 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Kennedy Middle School Cafeteria Dinner Tickets Adults - $9.00 & children $6.00 (ages 5-12) Children 4 and under eat free Menu includes: Roast beef, turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, corn, bread and desserts!

Tickets may be purchased at the Parish Service Center until November 14

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St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church 2901 E. 13th, Hays, Kansas, Parish Offices: (785) 628-1446 Fax: (785) 623-4207, website: www.heartlandparishes.org Rev. Daryl Olmstead Rectory: 656-0336 Mass Schedule: Saturday at 5 PM Sunday at 9:30 AM and 11:00 AM Daily Mass - Wednesday, and Friday at 7:30 AM Reconciliation: Saturday at 4:00 PM

A better way to start your day!

6—8 a.m. Monday through Friday

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NOVEMBER 2011

ENCOURAGING WORDS: ‘Giving thanks in all circumstances’ “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 s we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving, we are reminded of the words of the Apostle Paul to “give thanks in all circumstances.” Is that even possible, or is it just plain ridiculous to think of thanking God while we are hungry or in other great bodily need?

Giving thanks is easy when we see the noon table filled with turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and all the trimmings.

A

Giving thanks is easy when you have to You know there are people who have not move some of the serving bowls onto had family gathered around them for the kitchen counter many years. Some families because they won’t all have soldiers off to war. fit on the table even Some face poverty, sickwith the extra leaf ness, turmoil and sorrow. pastor inserted.

Some families are dealIt is indeed proper ing firsthand with recent to thank our God for death. What about you? the blessings of the Could you maintain an earth which sustain our bodies from day attitude of thanksgiving even if all these to day. were gone: goods, fame, child and wife?

As we all know, there are people in Could you say, “Thank you, Lord, for the world who suffer from a lack of food. your loving kindness!” if He chose in His

Kyle Ermoian

SCRIPTURE: Bible reading plan

D

ear Reading Plan reader, It’s November. It has been a great year. I always am amazed how God uses the passages I am reading that day to encourage me. This past month, the books of Timothy and Titus were exceptionally relevant. I believe the same will be true of this month’s readings. We will finish the books pastor of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes this month. Both of these books have mountains of truth to consider. We have only one book left in both Old and New Testaments for next month. Then you will have completed the books of Poetry and Wisdom in the OT, and the entire New Testament — the finish line is in sight!

The New Testament will be exceptional again this month. We will finish Hebrews, James, the writings of St. Peter, and John’s three letters. The passion, the commitment, and the core message of the Gospel (love) all will be expounded upon this month. Take ample time to consider all of these passages the Holy Spirit has inspired. Let’s finish strong. Read on.

Kyle Ermoian is the founding and senior pastor of Celebration Community Church.

Have news from your church or faith-based organization?

Send it to one@dailynews.net.

PRESENTS

THE CHRISTMAS COMMUNITY FOOD DRIVE

Steve Dinkel

Steve Dinkel is pastor of Liberty Fellowship, libertyis.com, or libertyis@ruraltel.net.

perfect wisdom to take away rather than give?

It would be impossible to thank God in all circumstances if we did not see Jesus Christ risen from the dead, seated at the right hand of God. It would be impossible to thank God in every situation if we did not see the nailprints of Christ’s suffering as the proof that whatever He should give us — whether pleasant or not — it is what is best for us. With that in mind, we can always give thanks.

NOVEMBER Nov. Nov. Nov. Nov. Nov. Nov. Nov. Nov. Nov. Nov. Nov. Nov. Nov. Nov. Nov. Nov. Nov. Nov. Nov. Nov. Nov. Nov.

OLD NEW 1...........Prov. 22............. Heb. 12 2...........Prov. 23............. Heb. 13 3...........Prov. 24............. James 1 4...........Prov. 25............. James 2 7...........Prov. 26............. James 3 8...........Prov. 27............. James 4 9...........Prov. 28............. James 5 10..........Prov. 29........... 1 Peter 1 11..........Prov. 30........... 1 Peter 2 14.......... Prov. 31........... 1 Peter 3 15........... Eccl. 1............. 1 Peter 4 16........... Eccl. 2............. 1 Peter 5 17........... Eccl. 3............. 2 Peter 1 18........... Eccl. 4............. 2 Peter 2 21........... Eccl. 5............. 2 Peter 3 22.......... Eccl. 6............. 1 John 1 23.......... Eccl. 7............. 1 John 2 24.......... Eccl. 8............. 1 John 3 25.......... Eccl. 9............. 1 John 4 28......... Eccl. 10............ 1 John 5 29......... Eccl. 11............ 2 John 30......... Eccl. 12............ 3 John

TY NI E U C MM TAN O C SIS ER T AS CEN

BENEFITTING

Dec. 23

7:00 pm

ST .J OS FO EPH ’S PA OD NT RY

Celebration Community Church

FEATURING

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Profile of Faith is compiled each month by Pastor Jerry Sprock of First Baptist Church.

BOB GIRARD

PROFILE OF FAITH

Hometown:

How does faith affect the Ellis County community?

Family:

I have three grown children: son, Matthew; daughter, Rebekah, and husband, Andrew, and their two sons, Benjamin and Liam; and son, Joseph.

Occupation:

Church:

I have been a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church since moving to Hays to attend college.

Church activities:

Through my years in the parish, I have taught religion and served and lectured at Mass. I am a team leader for the parish food pantry. I have been a longtime member of the Third and Fourth Degrees of Knights of Columbus.

Favorite Bible passage:

There is so much inspiration and guidance for humankind in Scripture from the Bible that to pick a favorite passage would be very difficult. But in light of the speed of living in today’s global society, I try to remain grounded in my faith and live a simple lifestyle with all of its blessings and faults. A passage that inspires that basic need for me to live my faith daily

I am thankful for ...

My family, my friends Having God, and the land we have. family, friends, Zachary Meis food and my dog, Jack.

Sarah Braun God, family, faith, friends, food.

Shannon Ruder

Jerry Sprock

ing they would because of, first, their love of the Lord, and second, sharing what they had with their neighbors. They were very wealthy in faith, and they passed that on to us to be passed on to others and become our own legacy.

I grew up on a farm in rural Clay County and later moved into the small community of Clyde. After graduating from high school there in 1971, I moved to Hays and graduated from Fort Hays State University in 1977, remaining here since that time.

I have worked in the accounting field since graduation, in the fields of insurance and real estate, office administration and, for the past seven years, as an inventory specialist at Sizewise Rentals LLC, the parent company of Wheelchairs of Kansas and Sunflower Medical.

pastor

comes from Jesus Christ’s own teaching.

Matthew 22:36-40: “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on those two commandments.”

How has faith affected your life?

My faith was inspired at a very early age by the example of my parents who lived the traits set out in the above passage. They experienced some difficult times and never attained great material wealth in terms of today’s standards, but because of their love of God and for each other, were able to endure life as it was handed to them. They did it always with a smile and a laugh, not knowing so much how they would make it through hard times, but know-

My family, friends, water, food, good teachers and God, the maker of all things good.

Emilee Augustine

Ellis County has been blessed in so many ways by having a thriving business community in light of harsh economic times, supported by a working city and county government, fine schools at all levels, including an affordable university, a state of the art medical facility, just to mention a few of the amenities. It is ranked as one of the least-stressed counties in the United States. All of this would not be possible without the hard work ethic of the people and the benevolence of those people giving of their time and treasure back to the community. You can see pride from the beautiful architecture of the aged churches of all denominations throughout the community to the simplest of meeting places. This is a true example of church, the people more than the buildings. People working together for the good of all.

I thank God that ...

... he has blessed me with good health, accented with a perpetual smile and laughter, as well as providing me all the skills and knowledge to be a part of this world and this community and to share those traits with everyone around me all the days of my life. I am especially happy he allows me to be his face and hands in doing my part to feed the hungry because even in all of the prosperity of a successful community, there will always be the needy. Treat your neighbor as yourself because He has given us all the tools through our love for him to do so.

Family, faith, angels, love, guardian, God. Annie Wasinger My mom and my dad. and for all they do for me and my brother.

Having a family Sasha Wasinger who trusts in God. Daniela Terrazas

... More from Ruth Ann Fry’s Third Grade Class

Sponsoring Churches of ONE

TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH

(ELCA) Lesley M. Radius, Pastor 2703 Fort St. 785-625-2044 Sunday 10:15 a.m.

(Holy Communion is Celebrated Every Sunday) Fellowship Following Worship www.trinityhays.org