October 2019 Writings Based on God’S Word

Vol. 74, #10 Oct 2019

Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: Daniel 2:20-21

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

The Faith of Moses page 3 Monthly Sermon page 4 Counting the Cost page 6 "Because you came, I met Jesus..." page 6

ACCFS: The Church and Singleness page 8

Are You Ready and Available? page 10

Adorning Ourselves with the Ornament of a Meek and Quiet Spirit page 46 Remembering Our Spiritual Heritage page 62 The Light of Hope page 63 Correspondence For November issue (news from Sept 16-Oct 15) To Our Readers Due: October 20, 2019

Our Future The Silver Lining “And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book 1523 County Road 400N written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. And I saw Congerville, IL 61729 a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in USPS 496780 earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open Published Monthly by the Apostolic and to read the book, neither to look thereon.”Rev. 5:1-4 Christian Church of America As we read in Revelation, we get a window into the future. What Counselors: if this story ended at Revelation 5:4 above? What would our future Rick Plattner, Jeff Grimm look like? Words can’t really describe the hopelessness that would ensue. Thanks be to God it wasn’t the end, in that “the Lion of the Official Apostolic Christian Church tribe of Juda, the Root of David, (Jesus Christ) hath prevailed to open the Website: book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.” Rev. 5:5 www.apostolicchristian.org Because of this, we can now sing and praise Him. “Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, Send correspondence only and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.” Rev 5:13 (no payments) to: Let us come before His throne and worship Him in every aspect [email protected] of our lives. We are truly blessed. (email is preferred) Jeff Grimm, along with Rick Plattner, counseling elders The Silver Lining 1523 County Road 400N Congerville, IL 61729 The Silver Lining subscriptions are due from the Ph: 309-657-4455 following churches: Periodical non-profit postage paid Alto SEND PAYMENTS to: at Roanoke, IL 61561 and additional Athens Apostolic Christian Publications post offices. The subscription rate is Iowa City P.O. Box 52 a donation. Send zip number with Ft. Myers Eureka, IL 61530 address. Remember to send changes Washington Notice: Once your name is on our of address. Send both old and new subscription list, it stays there until you addresses (with both zips). Suggested donation: notify us to remove it. Online reading $18/subscription. costs nothing. Individual payments are acceptable, but we prefer to get one Postmaster send address changes to: payment from your church treasurer. The Silver Lining 1523 County Road 400N Congerville, IL 61729

Front Cover: Grandview Drive, Peoria, IL Back Cover: Fall berries, central IL. Both photos - Sis. Denise Romersberger, Washington, IL

2 SILVER LINING October 2019 Writings based on God’s Word

Light from the Word

The Faith of By faith, Moses chose to us. Moses was taken into his new Moses declare his loyalty, defending an family by the priest of Midian, Israelite who was being attacked Reuel, whose name means, “Friend “By faith Moses, when he was by an Egyptian, thereby aligning of God”. In a similar manner, we are come to years, refused to be called himself with the people of God. taken into fellowship by the church. the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;” While the Word is clear that we By faith, though exiled from the Hebrews 11:24 cannot condone the sinful act of world, we find safety, friendship, As I began thinking about murder, Moses’s loyalty to God’s and accountability, in the church writing this article, I was mowing people was clearly demonstrated. family. The church is a friend of the front yard and I marveled at Although he hoped it would not God and will shelter us, though how different life is today than become known, it became common we live as pilgrims and strangers it was in the days of Moses. The knowledge and Moses fled to the in a foreign land. Moses could neighborhood was peaceful, the wilderness. Is this all that different have chosen to move on and find grass green, and supper was in the from our own experience? Even something better than to live as a making. I wondered how I could those who are raised by believing nomadic shepherd in the wilderness. possibly write about Moses’ faith parents are “adopted” by the But, by faith, he chose to associate from the perspective of a suburban world. The devil is like Pharaoh’s with the “Friend(s) of God”. home in 21st century America. My daughter, taking us in and treating By faith, Moses chose to obey mind went to the desert of Sinai us royally – as long as we do not God. He had eyes to see and ears and the burning bush. An adopted align ourselves with the people of to hear when a voice spoke to Egyptian noble exiled to the desert God. Like Moses, if by faith we him out of a burning bush. After tending sheep. A bush that was demonstrate loyalty to the people forty years of preparation in the burning but not consumed. The of God, we will find ourselves no desert, the Lord called him to voice of God. The faith to lead an longer accepted by society and go back to Egypt and demand entire nation out of slavery to the we will become separated– in a freedom for his people. Moses had promised land. How can these social wilderness rather than a a choice. Continue in his now- things be relevant to us? geographical wilderness. Choosing comfortable life in an established They are extremely relevant. to reject the world and align with household or risk everything to go If we can see them through the people of God requires faith. back to Egypt. He felt incapable spiritual eyes, we will see that the By faith, Moses chose to and raised all kinds of questions decisions that Moses faced are associate with the friends of God. and objections to God. The Lord decisions that we all face, and we We can see that God provided answered all of Moses’ concerns. can understand that his experiences for Moses as he escaped to the Moses had a choice to make. By are not that different than ours. We wilderness by connecting him faith, he obeyed God. In our will also comprehend that faith is a with a family that respected and time, the Word of God is like that critical element in decision-making, honored the one true God. We burning bush. It is full of a fire only becoming active when we are can be assured that even though that burns but does not consume. faced with a choice. Let’s consider we may be isolated in a social If we are willing to take notice Moses’ choices. wilderness, He will provide for — Please turn to pg. 58

October 2019 SILVER LINING 3 Monthly Sermon

Sermon by Bro. Trent Meiss, Jesus came, and time just keeps going on.” We think, Eureka, IL, August 11, 2019 “Will the Lord ever return? Will he ever come back and take his children home?” There are things that we Daniel 8 & James 2:14-26 look at and say, “It seems like it’s close. It seems like it’s Greetings and love. Thankful to be able to be in close.” There are people that can study these things, God’s house together and worship and honor him. pointing to different parts of it, and say, “Here this The Bible is open into Daniel 8. happened and here this happened. This is the next Just a little bit on the Old Testament reading… thing that happens,” but when it comes down to it, we open to these scriptures sometimes with a lot what’s the important thing? The important thing of different prophecies, and I wish I understood is that we’re ready, isn’t it? the important thing is better some of the things that Daniel was talking that we understand that there is a heaven and a about here, some of the history and maybe how hell and that we understand there is going to be a some of how this ties in. Daniel was there in the day of great judgment. Babylonian empire; he was taken out of Judah to a When we opened the Bible this morning at foreign country. We can read a lot about Daniel – the the table, it opened in Revelation and some of the faith that he had, along with Shadrach, Meshach, judgments to come. Sometimes when we read though and Abednego, the wisdom that God gave them those things they seem far off, distant, it’s just a ways throughout their time there – and we also realize that out there, and we think. “Well, it might happen Daniel was given much insight into things to come. sometime, but probably not tomorrow.” And yet we I’m sure there are those out here that understand this really don’t know, do we? We really don’t have any a lot better than I do, but I think it’s important for us understanding of when those times will come. God to recognize that Daniel has this dream and he was could come tomorrow. He could come this afternoon. looking at those things, many of which came to pass. He could come right now. The roof could be lifted He talked about the different kingdoms: the goat and off the church, and we’d look up into the sky and see the ram, the different horns, and if we would study it, Jesus coming. We’d all have a reaction to it, wouldn’t we’d find there are different parts in that, including we? Some of our reactions might be our heart lifted the Persians and the Medes, how they rose up, how up in joy as we see our Savior coming. Some of our the Greeks rose up, and how the Romans rose up. We reactions might be one of great fear. We’d want to hide can assign meaning to the different things in that. under the benches because we know we’re not ready. The important thing that I get out of this is the But the day’s coming, and we need to ask ourself the understanding that God sees all things. Daniel, at that questions, “Am I ready? Am I ready for the return of time, had no idea the things that were to pass, and if the Lord? Am I ready for the time that would come you or I were to ask Daniel, he might have said, “In when time would be no more?” the next 50-100 years all this would have come to pass: That’s something hard for us to understand or the end of the world, and we might face judgment.” fathom – no more time. Probably most of us have our Many times, people have thought that throughout the life driven by time: we get up on Sunday morning ages, and, at times, it can get us to be a little hardened knowing we have to be at church at a certain time. against the fact that that judgment day is coming. We spend time in the assembly, and sometimes we Maybe we think, “Well, it’s been 2000+ year since sit there (us ministers understand it) and look at our

4 SILVER LINING October 2019 watch, saying, “Is it time yet for him to be done?” want to be in a place where there’s no hope.” So we We have fellowship, and we come back together. We ask ourselves the question, “How can I get to heaven? go to work. We have time. We have days. We have How can I have that hope today that tomorrow hours. We have weeks. We have months. We have I’ll be in heaven?” I think probably all of us here years. We reckon our time by the clock, but the day understand the great gift that was given there many will come when there’ll be no more time. We can’t years ago as Jesus went and died on the cross and fathom that. We can’t understand that. We can’t shed his blood for us. We have that in our minds. I quite grasp our mind about that, but for some of us think everyone of us here – at least I hope every one that time will be forever in eternity where it really of us here, and if not, we’ll talk about that – knows won’t matter about the time because we’ll just be Jesus came as a baby in the manger, lived a perfect in bliss and in glory, singing and praising God. We life, and then went to the cross, died, and shed his don’t know all what he has in store for us. We don’t blood for mankind’s sin. Why did Jesus have to do know, as it says, “But as it is written, Eye hath not that? Because we are all sinners. There’s not one of us seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart that was righteous. There’s not one of us that could of man, the things which God hath prepared for them claim that we could earn our way into heaven. Not that love him.” 1 Cor. 2:9. one of us that can say we’re perfect before God, and Some of us will be in eternity in hell, and we so that blood had to be shed, because it says without don’t have time to look to for hope. Sometimes we the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin. get sick. Sometimes we have an illness come upon We have to have that blood shed so our sins can be us; we may get the flu, and we say, “it’s the 24-hour forgiven and wiped out. We can be made whiter than flu. So we feel miserable, we feel horrible, and we snow, the Bible says, by the blood of Jesus Christ. think, “24 hours: just got to endure a little bit more.” We read in Ephesians, “For by grace are ye saved Sometimes the sickness lasts longer, maybe even through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift fatal. Maybe it’s cancer that there’s just no healing of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” for, and yet, still with that there can be a hope. Yes, Eph. 2:8-9. I may have cancer; it may be fatal and take my life, It’s a gift from God. The salvation is a gift from but there’s eternity beyond, and I can have a hope in God, and Paul is very clear about it as he teaches that. I can have a faith in that. But in hell, there’ll and he preaches that God wants to give us the gift be no more hope. There will be no more hope, and if of salvation. He gave his son to do that for us so he you really stop and think about that, about how it’s could be our savior, that we could turn to him, and over – there’s no getting better, there’s no passing to repent for our sins. Repent. What’s that mean? It something else, there’s no hope. Think about that. means to be sorry for our sins and to want to turn No hope. What would that be like to have this hope away from our sins. It means not to want to stay in pulled away? Separated from God and no hope? them, not to want to just say, “I’m sorry,” and just to For our New Testament reading, the Bible opened go back and do them again, but to turn away from here into James 2, and let’s begin reading at verse 14… them and find our salvation through Jesus Christ. It’s let’s stop at verse 26, at least for the moment. not of our works – not because we do such a great We talked about heaven and hell. We say, “I don’t job of repenting or such a great job of confession or want to be in hell. I don’t want to be there. I don’t — Please turn to pg. 59

October 2019 SILVER LINING 5 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus... – Colossians 3:17

Ministry Program Updates

Counting the Cost However, to the Muslim who is touched and even their life. Stories of Muslims forsaking Islam and Christ. We should equip ourselves with knowledge Kairos Committee called, giving themselves wholly to Christ in faith is a being banished from their families, never to be heard of and patience, and much love and understanding “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, fearful and even dangerous step to take. Questioning again, seem impossible to grasp, even when occurring in when we are involved with a Muslim in the “valley and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, the Qur’an or Islam is forbidden and one of the a foreign nation. To think of this happening in the U.S. of decision” or who has already passed through and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my is beyond our comprehension, yet accounts abound of that valley into a new life in Christ. The decision to disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and those that have suffered such fate. follow Christ is a costly one, and they will need all come after me, cannot be my disciple. For which of you, Some Muslims may sanction violence for the the support they can get from their new family, the intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and sake of restoring Islamic honor. The father, for family of God, their Brothers and Sisters in Christ. counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish example, whose child has “dishonored” them and “And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, it?” Luke 14:26-28 Islam by converting to Christianity, may view it There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or necessary to punish the child in order to restore sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or God is calling countless souls that embrace Islam to honor. As the father has been dishonored in the eyes lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, But he shall receive himself through Jesus Christ, his Son. He is using dreams of those attending his mosque, extreme pressure an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and visions, prayer and people but most importantly is put on him to restore honor in his family and and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with his word, the Holy Bible, to express himself to them. mosque. Accounts of severe discipline and even persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.” Previously, some had only prayed in Arabic, not “honor killings” are not unheard of in these cases. Mark 10:29-30 understanding the prayer, only reciting it from memory, “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but As we find more and more Muslims in our ten to fifteen minutes, five times a day. There isn’t whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, communities, schools and workplaces, articles are anything personal about it. After hearing a Christian most shameful things a Muslim can do. In a right/ the same shall save it.” Mark 8:35 collected to help us understand the Islamic faith pray, actually talking to God and believing that he wrong culture, it’s hard for us to understand fully the As Christ beckons a Muslim to trust him and and lifestyle so that we are better equipped to reach hears and answers their prayers, and actually cares for consequences and persecution that occurs when a surrender their life to him, we should understand out to them. You can find helpful articles at www. them, they feel a longing to know the God with whom Muslim embraces Christianity. We don’t fully realize the strong hold and fear they are experiencing in harvestcall.org/kairos. they can have such an intimate personal relationship. that leaving Islam can cost a person everything, perhaps order to gain the freedom that only comes from – by Tim Hohulin

“Because you came, I met Jesus…” Caribbean Committee life to Christ and become a member of his kingdom. Roselaine now enjoys redemption by Jesus’ shed blood, A Haitian pastor recently shared this story with Bro. wait patiently and pray that God would provide a way and freedom from Satan’s bondage. Isaac Steiner after one of our HarvestCall teams to complete the building. Our ministry may be constructing schools and visited a Haitian village: Sometime later, a team from HarvestCall arrived at churches in Haiti, but as stated in HarvestCall Guiding Roselaine Cardet was a troubled woman living in Bonpas and brought materials and began work on the Principle #8, “We will proclaim and demonstrate Bonpas, Sud, Haiti. She had experienced a dream of church roof. Roselaine observed the team working with Christ’s love such that the gospel is never secondary.” being imprisoned by a Haitian Voodoo priest and the the local Haitian congregation, and witnessed the joy This visiting work team came to construct a roof on a only way out was to call on the name of Jesus. Roselaine and expressions of Christian love as the team worked, church, but the most important result of the trip was was not a believer. However, Roselaine had neighbors sang, and worshipped with the local congregation and that a soul came to know Jesus. in Bonpas that were Christians. She observed the finished the roof before departing. May God give us these opportunities in our lives Christians gather for worship on Sunday, observed their After the team left, this woman visited the Haitian to demonstrate God’s love and proclaim the gospel lives, and saw them praying for a new church building. pastor and told him that she was deeply moved by what message of salvation to a broken and enslaved world. She saw them work together to put the walls up, then she had observed, that she wanted to surrender her – by Rod Wieland

6 SILVER LINING October 2019 November 2016 SILVER LINING 3 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus... – Colossians 3:17

Ministry Program Updates

November October 20192016 SILVER LINING 73 The Church and Singleness

“But as many as received him, to them gave he power inaccurate views can be propagated. Included in these of church all can benefit from capable single questioning and needing affirmation. They to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on inaccuracies could be: involvement. We should strive to see the value and also have a need for support, just like married his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the 1. Singleness is something to be feared. potential in our singles. individuals. And often singles can feel alone will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” 2. Singles have less value than their married during these times without the benefit of a spouse (John 1:12-13) counterparts. 4. Do I relegate certain responsibilities only to or close confidant to truly share their heart with. 3. There is something wrong with the individual singles? Babysitting, running errands, visiting One example is our church’s proposal by faith The Sanctity of Singleness that doesn’t receive a marriage proposal. elderly, and service projects can frequently process. While this has been a blessing to many, For a long time, the Church has diligently taught 4. Singleness is a phase of life and should be delegated as responsibilities to be fulfilled the proposals usually discussed are those that and held high the “sanctity of marriage” – the unity be temporary. by singles. Assuming singles have more time have led to engagement. Confidentiality around of a man and woman reflecting the Oneness of God. and fewer responsibilities can often be a false this process is critical, but it can also create an This instruction is worthy of weight and attention. This article will endeavor to encourage us by generalization. Without the support of a spouse, environment where individuals who have given Marriage speaks to the union of Christ and His asking eight self-reflecting questions regarding how we single individuals often lead very busy lives as they or received a “no” can feel shame or confusion if church and creates an environment where loving, view the singles in our lives. balance work, family obligations and household they try to reconcile these disappointments on believing parents can disciple and encourage their responsibilities on their own. their own. There is the hope this would draw an children toward faith in God. However, we see in John 1. Does my attempt to encourage singles have the individual closer to the Lord, but unfortunately, 1:12-13 the teaching of the new covenant of a spiritual opposite effect? The comment “You’ll be next” 5. Do I overthink my invitations to singles when I this is not always the case. The individual may feel family, the increase of the kingdom of God through when directed to a single at a wedding reception host gatherings? Will they feel comfortable? Do I like they are the only one to have this experience spiritual regeneration and not just growth through may have the opposite effect, leaving the individual invite only an even number? Do I invite people for and could develop bitterness toward God for not childbearing. This is a critical shift to consider. It calls feeling hurt or discouraged. The single may be: the sole reason they will inevitably bring blessing following through on the dream or expectation us to ponder the value we place on marriage and the a. content in his/her current state of life. to the gathering, regardless of marital status? of having a spouse. Being able to openly share lesser value sometimes placed on singleness. In the b. currently in the marriage proposal Invitations to singles can be a great encouragement emotions with elders, parents, mentors or close spiritual sense of God’s new covenant, singleness and process and thus feel undo pressure. to all those involved. friends while trusting that confidentiality will be marriage have equal standing in His sight. His focus c. desiring marriage but feeling little maintained can be very helpful. Be willing to help is on His spiritual family (Mark 3:31-35). In this control over their marital status. 6. Do I view all singles as the same? Singles hold create this environment of friendship and sharing context then, it is good to consider for a moment not many different titles and exist in many different as God gives opportunity. just the “sanctity of marriage” but also the “sanctity 2. Have I kept up with my single friends? In a life stages. Some are doctors, mothers, executives, of singleness.” Similar to marriage, the sanctity of new couple’s excitement of engagement and college students, et al. Singles vary in maturity, 8. Does the term “single” mean anything more to singleness can celebrate oneness, fidelity and covenant beginning a different phase of life, single friends responsibilities, and life callings just as widely as me than marital status? The word single occurs – not with man, but with God. Singleness therefore can sometimes feel left behind. Oftentimes, everyone else. They are no more a homogeneous twice in the Bible (Matt. 6:22, Luke 11:34) and has great value in God’s eyes. single friends are excited for the new couple group than married couples. We should remember is derived from the Greek word haplous, which Scripture abounds with examples of believers but can feel disappointed as their relationships singles in our church family are not one and the means “clear, sound and whole.” Both 1 Cor. who were single. Paul, Mary, Martha, Lazarus, Anna, change. While a degree of change is inevitable, same, realizing the life of a 40 year old working 7:32-35 and Matt. 6:22 speak to having a spiritual Jeremiah, Elijah and Daniel are a few individuals who it is important to maintain communication as single may vary dramatically from a 20 year old vision that is fully fixed on God, not divided by were likely single. Jesus Himself chose to live a single much as possible with single friends, taking a single college student or a 55 year old widow. We other cares or concerns. It is good for all of us, life, building a family of brothers and sisters in the continuing interest in their lives. should be careful to not have the most defining married or single, to consider how focused our Lord versus building an earthly family. Living life label in one’s life be “single.” lives are on God and His purpose in our lives. Similar to marriage, Satan has attacked God’s 3. Do I overlook mature, gifted singles for design for singleness. Without careful Biblical church responsibilities? Church offices, Sunday 7. Am I sensitive to the general support singles If we do not take time to reflect, the sanctity and attention being paid to the sanctity of singleness, some school, committee membership, and other aspects need? Singles go through periods of loss, blessings of singleness can Continued on page 61

8 SILVER LINING October 2019 The Church and Singleness

October 2019 SILVER LINING 9 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus... – Colossians 3:17 Are You Ready and Available?

e Church Establishment Committee (CEC) has in Christ now, moving to nd a ministry isn’t the who refreshed him often, and diligently served him. We can look at this list of truths and say, “I am not reached out for many years asking singles, couples answer. Instead, ask yourself, how can I be more 4. Engage in Discipleship – Timothy was to take there; I have not arrived!” However, the question is, and families to consider “relocating” to smaller e ective in my current location. what he had been taught and teach others with "What is our trajectory?" We will never fully arrive, churches and church plants. However, instead of • “If I had a purpose, then I would be motivated the passion of a soldier, athlete and farmer. but A o focusing on “moving”, maybe we should shift our to study the scriptures.” e truth is, we are 5. Be Gospel Motivated – Jesus rose from the dead! Many times the CEC or other organizations thinking to “Are we ready and available?” commanded to study the scriptures (Joshua 1:8; What a radical statement! Because it is true, Paul have asked, “Would you prayerfully consider e natural tendency in life is to discuss “big Psalm 1). A di erent purpose without a change in instructed Timothy to endure whatever necessary moving to meet a given need?” While these are events” as opposed to what led to those events. our love toward God, isn’t likely to increase our so that others might be saved! still valid requests, perhaps the larger question ink of someone you know that has relocated. study of the Word. 6. Focus on Biblical Truth – Paul coached to consider is, ”Would you ask God to continue Typically, they will get many questions about, “How • “I am just not sure I know enough yet.” e truth Timothy to stay away from “side issues” that growing your readiness and availability?” e did you decide where to move?” or “Tell me your is, we will never know enough. Even Paul stated would turn others from truth. He said to handle opportunities are endless in your neighborhood, story.” Rarely, however, will they be asked, “What that he was not already perfect (Phil. 3:12). We the truth appropriately so that ungodliness from community, small churches, church plants, foreign happened in the 15 years prior to your relocation?” will always be growing and changing. “side issues” will not spread like a canker. missions, etc. What happens when one person daily “What were you doing, and what was God doing to 7. Walk Purposefully – Timothy was reminded devotes his/her life to being ready and available make you ready and available for this moment?” Tele Tths of eainess that he was a set aside vessel for God’s purposes. for God’s use? What about 10? Maybe 100? e e word ready has a couple of di erent meanings Let’s consider 12 truths from II Timothy on what He needed to deny his own lusts and pursue relevant question is, “What about you?” May in the New Testament. One is to be “ t or prepared.” readiness looks like. e Book of Timothy was God. In con icts, he needed to turn from God receive the glory that He is worthy of! As an example, in 1 Peter 3:15 we are told to “… be written by Paul shortly before his death. He wanted resisting God to honoring Him. If you have any speci c questions regarding always to give an answer to every man that Timothy to be ready for pastoral ministry and be 8. Discern False Teaching – False teaching was church planting or small church bolstering, talk asketh you…” Another meaning is “willingness or able to continue without him on this earth. ese going to happen in Timothy’s time, and men with your elder, consider joining the Learn and eagerness” as Paul discussed in Romans 1:15 — “So, truths can be broadened to all ministry. would profess Christ in word, but not in reality. Discern Prayer group or send an e-mail to CEC as much as is in me is, I am to preach the gospel Timothy was charged to discern falsehood and at [email protected]. to you that are at Rome also.” Readiness, de ned as 1. Cultivate Biblical Culture – Culture is a respond appropriately. being “prepared and eager”, re ects the unquenched way of life of a group of people that includes 9. Expect Di culty – Paul reminded Timothy that Holy Spirit within us. Consider the consequences of their behaviors, beliefs, values, etc. Culture is ministry is not glamourous. He should expect only being half ready — to be prepared and not eager developed by how we as individuals interact resistance if he lives for Christ! is wasted talent as we read in Matthew 25:14-30 of the with those in our families, our churches and 10. Cling to Scriptures – In di culty Paul told man who hid his talent in the ground. To be eager, community. e rst time Paul came through Timothy that the scriptures were su cient both but not prepared is ine ective and distracting as we Timothy’s town, he was stoned and kicked out of to save and sanctify him. He was fully equipped see in the seven sons of Sceva in Acts 19:14-17. the city. e second time through, he wanted to for his ministry with the scriptures. We also have to be cautious with our motives take young Timothy with him. We do not read 11. Preach the Truth – Timothy was charged and “self talk” when thinking about being ready and that his Mother Lois or Grandmother Eunice to preach the Word at all times, resisting the available. Consider if the following statements are resisted him going. e culture around missions temptation to please men that desired teaching true, or justi cation not to be involved? had been cultivated enabling Timothy to go. a rming their sinful state. 2. Live Boldly for Christ – Timothy was 12. ink on Eternity – Paul ends his letter • “Once I nd my ministry or calling, then my challenged to not live timidly but in boldness. by telling Timothy that he is going to die, life will thrive.” e truth is, Jesus says that He 3. Persevere in Faithfulness – Paul gives examples but reminds him that there is a crown has come that we can have life and have it more of Phygellus and Herogenes of men that “quit” in of righteousness laid up for all of those abundantly. (John 10:10) If you aren’t “thriving” di culty, but he also talked about Onesiphorus, that love the appearing of Christ.

10 SILVER LINING October 2019 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus... – Colossians 3:17 Are You Ready and Available?

October 2019 SILVER LINING 11 Congregation Updates

Apostolic Christian be able to help people. His life has graduation as an impossible LifePoints been impacted by the kindness of goal, one that only others can www.aclifepoints.org others, and he is eager to return achieve. Some students want to Ashlyn Gramm-Mission the good he has been given. It’s an earn credits, but when it comes Communication Coordinator encouragement for all of us to be down to doing the work, they “As we have therefore looking out for ways we can help aren’t willing to put forth the opportunity, let us do good unto all and do good as we are called to effort to review and understand men, especially unto them who are in Galatians 6. We are certainly the material. Still other students of the household of faith.” Gal. 6:10 given many opportunities to persevere through the difficult If you follow us on Facebook serve, and how often do we breeze material, completing all the or Instagram (@aclifepoints), you by them because we are solely assigned work. They have the end may have seen some recent news concerned with our own lives? goal of graduation in mind. articles about one of our residents We also want to remember Like the parable of the sower becoming an honorary member and give thanks to all those and the seed, students come to of the Morton Auxiliary Police that support and encourage this Gateway Woods School as fallow Department. We are so excited ministry here at LifePoints. In ground in need of bearing fruit, for this young man and the whichever way you are involved in but they cannot become fruitful opportunities he now has to serve our residents’ lives – whether that on their own. Some of them do his community! is by working here, taking time on not yet see a need for God. Others Growing up, this resident’s a Friday night to come to a hymn have fully accepted the world’s father was a police officer, and he singing, supporting us financially, teaching, believing that they can’t has watched both of his brothers writing letters, praying for our find God. Some of the students join the police force as well. It’s residents, and more – know that know that the seed is good, but in his blood to want to serve LifePoints would not be the same the thorns and thistles of past others, and we are grateful that without you. Thank you for doing desires or addictions choke out the Morton Auxiliary Police good unto all men. the truth we try to plant. Each Department has given him this weed must be carefully rooted out. chance to do so in big ways! He’s Gateway Woods Apostolic Christ calls us to sow the seed in already helped with crowd control Christian Children’s Home their lives whether the soil is yet and leading the parade floats at Laura Steffen — Science Teacher ready to receive it or not. the Morton Pumpkin Festival this Students who attend Gateway As a teacher, I can sometimes year. We love seeing him thriving Woods School are often behind become discouraged. Have I sowed in this position! in credits for graduation. Their in vain? Will my work ever produce As we read the news articles attitudes toward this situation fruit? All seeds require a time of and watched the interviews, can vary. Some students are not germination, and sometimes, the our hearts were stirred by this bothered. They find little value seed flourishes with the care and resident’s heart for others. You can in education because believe attention it receives. Students hear the emotion in his voice as they know what they need for blossom and produce wonderful he talks about how excited he is to the future. Other students see growth here. This brings joy to my

12 SILVER LINING October 2019 heart as a teacher. Yet I know that God’s work at Gateway Woods. islands, instructing everyone to I only plant the seed; God causes Please continue to lift us up seek shelter. We talked for a while, it to flourish. How much greater in prayer, check our website and then said goodbye. I pulled must His pleasure be when we, gatewaywoods.org and our the car over to say a prayer, had a His children, apply ourselves Facebook page at facebook.com/ moment, then went on to meet my to growing and flourishing in gatewaywoods often for updates, friend. I apologized for being late our understanding of Him? We and make sure that you are on and explained what was going on. must allow Him to teach us of our mailing list. If you would She said, “You Christians respond Himself. His patience with us like be added to our mailing list, so strangely to situations like this!” when we are slow to learn is so please contact us at 888.443.4283 It was unexpected and somewhat much greater than what we as or send an email to info@ off-putting, as I expected people can ever manage! gatewaywoods.org. Finally, if you something more sympathetic News: would like to receive a monthly or caring. Her response is the Our Annual Hog & Jog 5k email detailing how the work thing I most remember about Run/Walk was held on October at Gateway Woods is bringing that day – likely because the alert 19. This was a great day for the help and healing to those in turned out to be false. Later, I community to connect with need, please consider joining our thought about her reaction and Gateway Woods while promoting Restoring Hope email list. You realized she was right. It was not a a healthy lifestyle. can do so at gatewaywoods.org/ “normal” response. Many people WillowBridge is officially newsletter or by emailing jon. on the islands were terrified, open. WillowBridge transitional [email protected]. shocked, angry (especially after housing is a new branch of the it was retracted) and the local LARC initiative that can provide Arizona, Phoenix reaction was reportedly chaos and up to 9 young people housing and Marge Lindenbaum confusion, as there was really no ongoing community support to “He shall not be afraid of evil shelter available. help them prepare for independent tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in Followers of Jesus recognize living. Please visit our website for the LORD.” Ps. 112:7 two Truths that facilitate a more information: gatewaywoods. On January 13, 2018, the peaceful acceptance of such news. org/willowbridge. people of Hawaii received a First, God is in control and we We currently have these ballistic missile alert (which are not (no matter how much we openings at Gateway Woods: turned out to be false). At the deceive ourselves into thinking Assistant Houseparent, and time, two of my children were in we are). Secondly, all things Houseparent Couples. For more Hawaii – my son lives there, and work together for the good of us information, please see our my daughter was visiting him. I Christians. The more times we ad in this edition or visit the was on my way to have lunch with have trusted God and seen how Careers page on our website at a friend when my phone rang. It He works all things for good, the gatewaywoods.org/careers. was my son, informing me of an easier it is to trust Him, and not You are an important advocate alert that was sent out, due to a fear evil tidings. We understand to help us spread the word about missile being launched toward the the brief nature of our mortal

October 2019 SILVER LINING 13 lives, and how what happens here It is good to hear that Bro. Don We wish to thank Elder Bro. only matters in the way it affects Bauer (Sis. Glo) is recovering from Marvin Dotterer (Sis. Nancy, our eternal destiny. knee surgery. Forrest, IL) and Bro. Matt Wulf “Thou wilt keep him in perfect Please consider visiting (Sis. Tara, Morris, MN) for peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: us here in Tucson. You are opening God’s Word this past because he trusteth in thee.” Is. 26:3 always welcome. If you need month. What joy to be able to We are happy to have our Elder accommodations, please call Bro. worship the Lord in the beauty of Bro. Herb Knochel and Sis. Laurie Dean Knobloch at 309-231-8428. holiness! He is worthy! back from their travels in connection “Give unto the LORD the glory with our India ministry. California, Los Angeles/ due unto his name: bring an Our ACTIVE program is up Altadena offering, and come before him: and running. This month, the Kali Sauder worship the LORD in the beauty of students made greeting cards for The transition to school has holiness.” 1 Chronicles 16:29 veterans that are in a local home. come and gone, along with the We were informed the cards start of the Sunday school year. Connecticut, Rockville touched many of the veterans We celebrated this new beginning Julie Bauman, Heidi Beutel staying there. with our kids at our annual We want to extend a warm We are looking forward to our beach picnic enjoying fellowship, welcome to Lucas Reutter (Bro. winter visitors returning soon. It the warm weather, and God’s Nathan & Sis. Miriam) who moved appears the heat of summer has awesome creation. here from the Clarendon, VT abated, although it is a little early There is another new congregation to work in the area. to be fully confident of that. We beginning as Garrett Moser (Bro. Our thoughts and prayers are enjoying beautiful weather for Justin and Sis. Robin) began his have been with Bro. Ben Moser at least the near future. Come and walk with Christ! We rejoice with as he has been hospitalized this enjoy it with us. him and his family, echoing our past month, and is now home current study of Galatians: recovering after spending some Arizona, Tucson “Grace be to you and peace from time in rehab. Dean and Jackie Knobloch God the Father, and from our Lord We were thankful to have We have been blessed with Jesus Christ, who gave himself for Bro. Mike Hohulin (Sis. Faye, visiting ministers this past month. our sins, that he might deliver us Fort Lauderdale, FL) and Bro. Bro. Brian Katich (Sis. Debbie, from this present evil world...to Neil Ramseyer (Sis. Sharon, Bay Phoenix), Bro. Mitch Fehr (Sis. whom be glory for ever and ever. City, MI) this past month to Abbie, Morris) and Bro. Jay Amen.” Galatians 1:1-5 preach the word. Steffen (Sis. Melinda, Congerville) We rejoiced with Bro. Jesse have graciously served our Colorado, Denver Schneider (Bro. Doug & Sis. congregation. Many thanks go out Tess Leman Jane) and Sis. Erica Clarke for the efforts to preach the Word This month our men and (Gary Clarke and Christy of God. older boys spent a couple of nights Clarke) as they announced their Our Sunday School students are in the mountains camping for engagement. Our prayers are with enjoying a new year of instruction the annual Men’s Retreat. They them as they prepare for marriage focusing on His teachings. enjoyed fishing, hiking and daily and their wedding. We are keeping Bro. Bob and devotional time. It was a blessing We also rejoice with Bro. Sis. Carole Haas in our prayers as to bond together and encourage Matthew Moser (Bro. Steve & they struggle with health issues. one another. Sis. Jan) and Laura Schneider

14 SILVER LINING October 2019 (Bro. Doug & Sis. Jane) as they contact Sis. Henrietta Meyer at including the visiting ministers announced their engagement. May 703 904-8301 or hmeyer2831@ from the last two months. God bless and guide them always! gmail.com for assistance and to let We were blessed to have Bro. We are thankful for Paul and us know how many to expect for Curt Rassi (Sis. Kathy, Tremont, Kelsey Hills, Rob Hany (Bethany) Sunday services. IL) Bro. Jim Butikofer (Sis. and Brian Garrow (Bro. Ed & Sis. Diana, Iowa City, IO) and our Cindy) as they were announced Florida, Fort Lauderdale Elder Bro. Jeff Streitmatter (Sis. for baptism. We look forward Renee Mangold Lynn, Sarasota, FL) as our visiting to hearing their testimonies and We were thankful for the ministers. We thank each one for witnessing their baptisms the ministers and their families that giving their time and talents. weekend of September 28 & 29. visited this past month. Visiting We have finished our were Bro. John Zeller (Sis. Galatians study and will resume District of Columbia, Christie, Morton, IL), Bro. Virgil regular afternoon church. We Washington Kaeb (Sis. Suellen, Sarasota, FL), were immensely blessed with a Henrietta Meyer and Bro. Randy Gasser (Sis. Sue, close look at Paul’s writings. It This month we welcomed Detroit, MI). We pray they will be helped us examine our own lives back Bro. Ron and Sis. Nancy blessed for their efforts. as to whether we are putting more Schambach from Elgin, IL as We were thankful for God’s emphasis on man-made rules than caretakers. There are still a few protection over our church our worship of God. The living months this year with no caretaker. family during hurricane Dorian. Word flushes out our hidden sin. If you feel led to support one of our Our prayers go out to those in The New Beginnings small churches, being caretakers the Bahamas that were impacted We have two new residents here would be a wonderful way to so heavily. since our last writing. Juliana do so. If you are interested and are We are enjoying afternoon has a one-year old son, Tristan. free to spend 3-4 weeks in the DC Bible studies in place of second Janice has 18-month-old, Zariah, area, please contact Sis. Doreen service, occasionally when are and 4-month-old, Alani. We Steffen at [email protected] or numbers are down to only a welcome them to our TNB family. 302-540-6574. handful that are here in town. Our residents are busy in school Our ministers this month Our prayers are with Zachary working for a degree to afford were Bro. Curt Rassi (Sis. Kathy, Mangold (Bro. Mike and Sis. them independence and taking Tremont, IL), Bro. Nathan Rassi Renee Mangold’s grandson) as he care of their little ones. These (Sis. Michelle, St. Louis, MO), embarks on his military career and single mothers face a myriad of Bro. Jeremiah Psinas (Morton, that the Lord will keep him ever challenges. Our mission at TNB IL), Bro. Ned Bahler (Sis. Anna, close, guided and protected. is to give them a hand to help Fairbury, IL) and Elder Bro. them succeed toward their goals. Mark Streitmatter (Bloomington, Florida, Fort Myers Our number one goal for them is IL). Other visitors were from Mary Masters to introduce them to Christ and Francesville, IN, Forrest & We are thankful to have teach them that only the Holy Fairbury, IL. We are thankful for escaped the fury of hurricane Irma, Spirit can give them power to visitors and for them letting us but saddened for all the folks living overcome worldly tendencies and know they are coming. in the Bahamas. In Fort Myers, past failures. Relationships seem to If you are planning to visit we did not feel many of the effects be the only way to succeed in this Washington, D.C. area for of this strong hurricane. I missed area. Earning trust is a delicate vacation or business, please reporting last month so will be and time-consuming commodity.

October 2019 SILVER LINING 15 We must put aside our own IL as they make their home in We were thankful to receive impatience and expectations and Sarasota, FL. What a joy it is to a visit from brothers serving as fully lean on the direction of the see our church grow in number. board members and committee Holy Spirit. We have found that to Pray that they may feel our love as members in HarvestCall, as well hear and discern God’s directives we worship together. as Bro. Jon Zeller (Morton) and we must spend time in His word We thank Bro. Arlan (Sis. Bro. Marvin and Sis. Nancy and in prayer daily. What we may Katie Miller, Gridley IL) who Dotterer during the past month. have experienced growing up might came on the weekend of August We gathered together with the be completely different than what 16. They presented “Bridge the brethren in southern Haiti to hold our residents have experienced. We Gap -Mentoring” learning how worship services. are learning to try to climb behind to build and deepen relationships Again, we would share that the eyes of these beloved moms and within our church family. Loved the economic and political see things the way they may see ones joined us from Fort Myers situation in Haiti continues to them. One of the very rewarding and Fort Lauderdale for these be very challenging. Nationwide happenings here at TNB is when activities which consisted of a shortages of fuel products restrict we see the little children start Friday night potluck, Saturday transportation and put pressure to settle in and thrive in a safe, morning presentation, and a picnic on all people living in Haiti in the protected environment. at Siesta beach in the evening. purchase of needed supplies. We We welcome Terri Young We also thank Elder Bro. Vic continue to be prayerful that God to our campus. Terri is our Bauman (Sis. Brenda, Smithville, will rest His hand of peace upon ministering Bro. Marvin Steffen’s OH) as he shared God’s word. this nation and that His name can sister. She has come from Colorado Now with two of their daughters be lifted up and glorified. to help us as a mentor. In the short in Sarasota, we look forward to see “What shall we then say to these time she has been with us, the them more often. things? If God be for us, who can be moms have responded to her kind This month our prayers were against us?” Romans 8:31 gentleness and helping hand. We for Sis. Aldine Martin and Sis. thank God for her saying yes to the Sandee Price as they both spent Haiti, Les Cayes Holy Spirit’s prompting. time in the hospital. Prayers also Mike & Susie Walder A verse that comes to my were for Sis. Maryann and Bro. Greetings! Recently, the mind is, “The fear of the Lord Lyman Feldman in the passing of rioting and violence over gas is the beginning of wisdom, and Sis. Martha Zollinger of Rittman shortages and rising prices have knowledge of the Holy One is who was Maryann’s sister. been affecting daily life. While understanding.” Prov. 9:10. Only dismay and frustration over when we stand in reverential awe Haiti, Bonne Fin - not having gas is completely and put God before ourselves can Hospital Lumiere understandable (for example, we experience victory over this Rick and Komari Aberle if you drive a taxi for a living), world and Satan. Please pray for Greetings of Christian love choosing rage is not the response all of us to cling to Jesus and let from southern Haiti. In August, God’s Word instructs us to take. go of past sin. we were blessed to welcome back We have been thankful to the Nussbaum family from a receive a few visitors here and Florida, Sarasota summer furlough. With their there between the periods of Sandra Kaeb return, our missionary school unrest. Elder Bro. Marvin & We welcome Bro. Don and was complete with seven students Sis. Nancy Dotterer (Forrest, IL) Sis. Peggy Heiniger from Elgin, attending daily. and Bro. Jon Zeller (Morton,

16 SILVER LINING October 2019 IL) were here to visit with in the past and have been gladly We praise and thank God for each couple and each single supported by their home churches. the 50 years He has given to us as missionary to provide comfort or a Bloomington Church. We pray encouragement as needed. These Illinois, Bloomington- that He continues to bless and brothers also shared the Word Normal direct our paths. with us one Sunday, which was so Wendy Zimmerman, Sara Anliker God’s grace and peace to you! appreciated. May God bless you “Let thy mercies come also unto for your care and kindness. me, O Lord, even thy salvation, Illinois, Bradford Bro. Les and Sis. Christine according to thy word. So shall I Becky Endress, Lana Wiegand Kaeb are thrilled to welcome have wherewith to answer him that We are thankful to another granddaughter! Mari reproacheth me for I trust in thy announce two new converts Jean is the first child born to Bro. word.” Psalm 119:41-42 this month! Praise God for His Graham and Sis. Leah League What a wonderful request tender call to Marissa Endress, (Bradford, IL). Sis. Christine was and statement. When we offer daughter of Bro. Ben and Sis. thankful to be with them back our hearts and true desires to the Katie Endress, and Jenna Ehnle, in the States. Congratulations, Lord, He will always hear us. To daughter of Bro. Steve and Sis. Graham and Leah! know God is to know life. To Karen Ehnle. Our missionary school started know God is to know truth. Thanks to our visiting ministers: here the first week of September, We were richly blessed this Bros. Joe Gerst (Sis. Connie, to line up with the start of Haitian month to have many visitors with Iowa City), Jay Steffen (Sis. schools. We are thankful for this us. Our thanks go to Bro. Kole Melinda, Congerville), and local Christian school where Grace Meyer (Sis. Amy, Bluffton, IN) Matthew Rassi (Sis. Bridget, Walder, and Koriana and Kenton and Bro. Clark Stoller (Sis. Cindy, Chicago) for sharing the Word Steiner attend. Two teachers Gridley, IL), as well as Bro. Daren on our invite-a-guest weekend. and the principal are teaching Metz (Sis. Rita, Gridley, IL) for Several new babies were 23 students this year; a mix of bringing God’s Word to us in recently born in our community. missionary and Haitian children, such powerful messages. We also Memphis James joined Jimmy all from families involved in local had the great privilege to have the and Alex Colwell on August mission agencies (all are English Covenant Chamber Choir lead us 24. His grandparents are Jenny speaking). Many parents rotate on in worship. Moody of Bradford, Donnalee the school board and some will We enjoyed a blessed weekend Colwell of Sparland, and Doug substitute teach when necessary. hearing the testimonies and Colwell of Chillicothe. Bro. These missionary school witnessing the baptism of Bro. Graham and Sis. Leah League teachers are not paid, but are Rick Huette and Sis. Hope Metz welcomed their daughter, Mari supported by their friends, (Bro. Brad & Sis. Karen Metz). Jean, on September 11. Her families and churches. Each What a privilege to hear of the grandparents are Bro. Les and Sis. has felt uniquely called to serve. Spirit’s work in their lives. Christine Kaeb of Francesville, Some come for 1-3 years, and our We thank our Lord and Savior IN, and Richard and Vanessa children have loved each one. If that two more have given their League of Arizona. Bro. Ralph you would like more information hearts to Him and come together and Sis. Jenny Joos have a new about teaching at our school in the to encourage and pray for Ethne grandson, Colt Patrick. Little future, or you would like to visit, Heiniger (Bro. Brett & Sis. Jen Colt was born to Bro. Quinn and you may contact any one of us. Heiniger) and Ethan Leman (Bro. Sis. Sandi Steffen of Princeville Several of our sisters have taught Darin & Sis. Jessica Leman). on August 5.

October 2019 SILVER LINING 17 One special event we enjoyed cycle, but a season that ages for a Bro. Chris Lee Wuethrich this month was an all-church time, but will then conclude at a (Sis. Ruth, Francesville, IN) supper and singing at the home of time appointed. passed away in September. He Bro. Tyler and Sis. Tonya Joos. It was the grandfather of Bro. Levi was such a blessing to watch the Illinois, Chicago Wuethrich (Sis. Kyann), Sis. children play and to fellowship as Diana Eisenmann Marissa Wuethrich, and Sis. Carrie a church family. We cannot thank Thanks go out to our Ramseyer. We extend prayers and God enough for the gift of unity recent visiting ministers: Elder condolences during this time of and peace within our brotherhood! Bro. Frank Sauder (Sis. Kathy, sorrow while also rejoicing for the Roanoke, IL), Bro. Matthew promise of victory in Jesus. Illinois, Champaign Kaisner (Sis. Jodi, Fairbury, IL), Brent Young and Bro. Loren Schrenk (Sis. Illinois, Cissna Park We sincerely appreciate the Betsy, St. Louis, MO). In August Joan Rudin, Amber Stuckel willing service of Bros. Fred Witzig we began a new Sunday School New life is such a miracle! and Jason Dotterer, who visited to year and enjoyed a Wednesday Little Ty Jackson, son of Ashley share the Word this month. evening Fellowship Night. Walder, was born in August. He We mark the seasons by We rejoice with the Rassi is welcomed by his grandparents, semesters here in Champaign and family to welcome Maylove (nine Bro. Doug & Sis. Julie Walder, and fall is now upon us. Fall brings years) and Djessica (eight years) many other close family members! many anticipated events, including into our church family. Bro. Our Sunday School Students the Student Welcome Picnic, the Matthew and Sis. Bridget brought and our Senior Citizens enjoyed first of our monthly Bible study their new daughters home from our annual dinner together. We series, and the beginning of our Haiti in September. enjoyed the program that evening monthly Youth Night program. Keith Bradley was born to and spending time together. We trust that all these events are a Bro. Michael and Sis. Julie Luthi Our Bible Class hosted ACYF worthy investment of preparation, (Lamont, KS) on September 6. day this month. We were blessed study, fellowship, and worship. Grandparents are Elder Bro. Brad by having the students and The approach of fall is also and Sis. Cindy Eisenmann (Chicago, teachers join us for worship. felt in the turning of the corn and IL) and Elder Bro. Jay and Sis. Jane Greg Rudin, son of Gary soybeans as we progress toward Luthi (Lamont, KS). We praise God Rudin and the late Liz Rudin, has harvest. While our appreciation for His abundant blessings! sustained serious injuries. Please for the beauty of a cornfield We mourn with our pray for him and his family. sometimes wanes, it reminds me brothers and sisters who have Our Sis. Lucille Knapp is now of the song that says simply ‘I feel said goodbye to loved ones living at Fairview Haven. We trust the thunder in the sky, I see the in recent days. Sis. Edith God will bless her in her new home. sky about to rain, and I hear the Zimmerman of Morton, IL Todd Farney, the son of Grace prairies calling out Your name.’ passed away in August. She was and the late Ben Farney, passed For me, it took a year of living the grandmother of Bro. Fred away. We extend our sympathy to in the desert to fully appreciate Sollberger and Sis. Leah Graf his family. that the prairies do indeed call out (Bro. Ryan). Bro. Joe Ramseyer His name, and never more than (Sis. Dorethy, Detroit, MI) Illinois, Congerville in the harvest. There is a familiar passed away in August as well. Mary Knapp, Erica Steffen cadence to the harvest that teaches He was the grandfather of Sis. “It may be I must carry us yet again that history is not a Carrie Ramseyer. the blessed word of life

18 SILVER LINING October 2019 Across the burning desserts Leman (Sis. Denise, Forrest) were Illinois, Eureka to those in sinful strife; inspired in their teaching through Debra Blunier, Linda Rocke And tho’ it be my lot to the Spirit to the benefit of all. We “I was glad when they said unto bear my colors there, pray that as these young people me, Let us go into the house of the If Jesus goes with me, continue to listen to God’s Word Lord” Psalm 122:1. I’ll go anywhere.” and the beautiful hymns they The Eureka congregation If Jesus Goes With Me, sang, that they would be moved truly felt a deep gladness and Tabernacle Hymns #36, verse 2 toward surrendering their lives to thankfulness to God, as we On August 21, we held a their Savior, Jesus. returned to our refreshed church sending service for our Bro. Andy We are thankful that Bro. building on August 18, after and Sis. Erin Ott as they prepared Mark Zimmerman (Sis. Cheryl, five Sundays away. We are very to leave to enter the foreign Eureka) labored on our behalf this thankful as well for all of the mission field. They, along with month. May he and his dear wife churches near and far that made their four children: Sierra, Malaya, feel the blessings of the Spirit for us so welcome during those weeks. Clayton and Aria, will start their their willingness to serve. We were thankful for the journey in Costa Rica, where they visiting ministers who served will attend language school. After Illinois, Elgin us this month. They included that is completed, Lord willing, Amy Gasser Bro. Arlen Lehman (Sis. Denise, they will serve at Casa de Vida y We thank Bro. Earl Beery (Sis. Forrest, IL), Bro. Brad Funk (Sis. Esperanza in Magdalena, Mexico. Suzy, Rittman, OH), Bro. Brian Laura, Garden Grove, IA), Bro. Elder Bro. Frank Sauder (Sis. Huber (Sis. Jacki, Francesville, Don Manz (Sis. Connie, Junction, Kathy, Roanoke) joined us that IN), Bro. Rick Kaisner (Sis. OH), Bro. Dana Nieman (Sis. Lea, evening to exhort both this dear Michelle, Chicago); and Bros. Remington, IN), and Bro. Ryan family, as well as our congregation Art Mueller (Sis. Marlene) and Hoerr (Sis. Joy, Princeville, IL). in our role as a sending church. Ted Schock (Sis. Heidi) (both of September 15 was a special While their presence among us Belvidere) for ministering to us Sunday as the Bible class hosted will surely be missed, we have this month. Bible classes from Peoria, Taylor, faith to believe that they are Bro. Keith and Sis. Libby Washington, and Morton. pursuing God’s will for their Leman are happy to have a new We are sorrowing along with family and will be a blessing to grandson, Henry Daniel, born Sis. Kathy (Bro. Jerry) Leman, at those they encounter along their on August 29 to Bro. Drew and the loss of her father, Bro. Earl journey to Mexico and serving Sis. Ashley Pelc (Peachtree City, (Sis. Esther) Gerber of Forrest, IL. there as missionaries. GA). Henry’s excited siblings are We also extend sympathy to Sis. “And, behold, I am with thee, and Audrey and Noah. His paternal Judie (Bro. Ernie) Knecht, whose will keep thee in all places whither grandparents are Dan and Anne brother, Preston Tomblinson of thou goest.” Genesis 28:15 Pelc of Oelwein, IA. LaRose, IL, passed away recently. The High School students in The annual Sunday School Bro. Leland (Sis. Barb) Bible Class attended ACYF Day Pancake Breakfast was held on Zimmerman was hospitalized, in Tremont on September 15. It Saturday, September 7, at the but is now recuperating and was a blessed day of singing and Fellowship Center. It was hosted appreciates your prayers. exhortation for both these young by our Bible Class students to raise We are very joyful that Brett people and the teachers and wives money for their ACYF bus trips Leman has peace with God and who attended. Bro. Jeremiah and other Sunday School activities. desires baptism. He is the son of Psinas (Morton) and Bro. Arlen We thank them for their efforts. Bro. Scott and Sis. Phyllis.

October 2019 SILVER LINING 19 Illinois, Fairbury Our congregation was hospital stays and surgeries: Sis. Trish Steidinger, Kati Meiss blessed to listen to the Gloria (Bro. Wayne) Drayer, Keith We are so thankful Stella Moser Brotherhood Conference CD’s. (Jackie) Walter and Barb (Dale) (Bro. Kevin and Sis. Kara) has We are always thankful for the Knapp. We also continue to keep answered the call to repentance. We faithful encouragement of our our Bro. Brad (Sis. Shannon) wish Stella much grace as she begins elder brothers. Brown in our prayers as he to build a firm foundation on the A double blessing was continues his battle with cancer. Lord, Jesus Christ. received by Bro. Ross and Sis. Thanking God for the “Now it is accomplished! I’m no Julie Steidinger on September safe arrival of Brecken Joseph longer mine; Lord, I will forever 3 when their twins were born. are first-time parents, Bro. Joe and always be Thine” Now It Is Lacey Ann and Lane Daniel were and Sis. Damaris Kaeb. Joyful Done, Zion’s Harp #209 also welcomed by grandparents, grandparents are Bro. Kevin and It was a blessed weekend Bro. John and Sis. Janice Rufener Sis. Kara Moser (Fairbury, IL), August 24 and 25 when we (Smithville, OH) and Bro. Martin joined in loving memory of the received three new brothers and and Sis. Trish Steidinger. late Bro. Eldon and the late Sis. a new sister into our fellowship. On September 15, our Bible Stephanie Kaeb. We welcome Sis. Lydia and Bro. Class traveled to Tremont for Reminding us of God’s Luke Kaisner (Bro. Matthew ACYF Day. We are thankful goodness this month were visiting and Sis. Jodi), Bro. Marvin our youth has this opportunity ministers, Bro. Brad Gudeman Edelman (Matthew and Helen of to travel and share fellowship (Sis. Teresa, Bradford, IL) and Bro. Kansas) and Bro. Bryce Teubel and song with other Apostolic Matt Zimmerman (Sis. Kim, St. (Bro. Nathan and Sis. Jennifer). Christian youth. We pray they Louis, MO). May God bless their We wish many blessings on have lasting memories. willingness to serve His people. our new brothers and sister and Hospital or surgical patients Joining us for ACYF Day were their families. We thank Elder this month have been Bro. Bro. Paul Kilgus (Sis. Carmen, Bro. Craig Martin (Sis. Terri, Harvey Schieler (Sis. Janice) and Fairbury, IL) and Bro. Philip Princeville) for helping Elder Bro. Clayton Meiss (Bro. Kevin and Schulz (Sis. Kelli, Burlington, IA), Rick in this sacred work. Other Sis. Kati). Our prayers are with along with young people from visiting ministers that joined us them as they recover. Goodfield, Gridley and Roanoke. for the special day were Bro. Josh As the young voices raised in Walder (Sis. Tina, Congerville, IL), Illinois, Forrest song uplifted our hearts, may the Bro. Dan Walder (Sis. Pam, Cissna Carissa Knapp, Marsha Lanz messages and memories of the day Park, IL) and Bro. James Fehr We rejoice with the angels lift their hearts toward our Savior. (Sis. Brenda, Tremont, IL). We are in heaven as Loren Kaeb (the grateful for their faithful service. late Bro. Eldon and the late Illinois, Goodfield Our Sis. Arlene Walter (the Sis. Stephanie Kaeb) begins his Judy Knapp, Amy Hinrichsen late Willard) has been relieved of repentance. May he feel the Summer is over. Fall is in the her suffering here on earth. We prayers of his church family and air! We pray for the children as extend our deepest sympathy to take comfort in knowing the they head off to school each day. her daughter, Carol Glotfelty of prayers of those who have gone on May loving angels watch over them Powder Springs, GA, and her son, before continue to ascend to our always. Sunday School has started Dale Walter of Fort Wayne, IN. Heavenly Father. as well for our church family. We May they feel the Lord’s comfort We extend loving prayers pray that hearts are soft and pliable in their loss. for those who have had recent and seeds can be planted to bring

20 SILVER LINING October 2019 forth much fruit in the years to Illinois, Gridley brothers, Tim (Marilyn) Heck come. We also think of the teachers Perry Klopfenstein of Germantown Hills, and Tom that so lovingly give of their time Bro. Matt Kaisner from Heck of Thailand. Sis. Vicki will be to teach the youth. May God grant Fairbury was here on Wednesday remembered for her gentle and kind them much grace and wisdom in evening, September 11, to speak personality. May God grant much this endeavor. on the topic, “The Apostle Paul.” grace to Bro. Dale and his children Bro. Quentin Snyder from Also Elder Frank Sauder was and grandchildren. Taylor, MO was traveling through a visiting minister who helped A child was born to Bro. our area on business and spent with converts being taken into Christopher and Sis. Kelsey Wednesday evening, September 11, the church on the weekend of Stoller. She was named Reagan with us. He presented a Bible study September 14-15. We are happy Lynn. Grandparents are Bro. on Trust, a very timely topic on to receive five new members into Roger and Sis. Mary Stoller and the anniversary of 9-11. Thank you our fellowship: Bro. Will Yergler, Ministering Bro. Dave and Sis. Bro. Quentin. Please visit us again. Bro. Terry and Sis. Brenda Waber, Vicki Zehr. Emery Jo was born to Our dear Sis. Loretta Hess spent and Bro. Josh and Sis. Kourtney Bro. Jason and Sis. Dana Kaeb. some time in the hospital, then a Kaeb. May the work of salvation Grandparents are Bro. Wendell nursing home for a few weeks, and continue on, in these times. and Sis. Karen Schmidt of West is happy to finally be back in her Bro. Mike Stoller suffered a Bend, IA, and William and Sis. own home. We are thankful that mishap. In a grain bin, he lost Juanita Kaeb of rural Arrowsmith. she is back home and hope to see her his big toe in an augur. He was Leo Warren was born to Bro. in church again soon. rushed into surgery, but they were Brandon and Sis. Shanna Kaeb. Our hearts were heavy to learn unable to save his toe. We wish Grandparents are Dennis and of the sudden passing of Lydia much grace and healing as time Lorene Slagel of Fairbury, and Baer, who is our Sis. Sara (Bro. unfolds. Sis. Deanna Peden was Elder Bro. Harvey and Sis. Judy Herman) Glueck’s sister. This dear recently hospitalized. Kaeb. These are precious gifts family also has a niece, Loralei A loss to our Gridley from God. May the parents find Glueck, that was diagnosed with congregation was the passing on grace as they train them up in the thyroid cancer. Loralei’s siblings, September 10 of Sis. Vicki Schlipf, nurture and direction of God. Sis. Sabrina, Doug, and Brad all 73. She was born on March 22, attend our Goodfield church. We 1946, in Peoria to Leland and Mary Illinois, Morton lift them all up in prayer as they Tjaden Heck. She is survived by Annette Tanner, Julie Bahr take this journey with their loved her husband, Bro. Dale, whom We were blessed this month to one. Thankfully the surgery was she married on November 12, have many visiting brothers who successful and she seems to be 1966. They were blessed to have shared the pulpit and brought us doing well. nearly 53 years of marriage. She is teachings from God’s Word. We On a very happy note, we also survived by two sons, Ryan thank them for their labors of love rejoice with Pam Knapp, wife of (Sherri) Schlipf of El Paso, and Jared on our behalf. They were Bro. Ken and daughter-in-law to our Sis. (Jenny) Schlipf of Brimfield; and Keith Hinrichsen (Sis. Tammy, Wilma Knapp, as she has found a four daughters, Sis. Haley (Bro. Phoenix, AZ); Bro. Matt Koehl need to turn her life over to Jesus. Brian) Stoller of Gridley; Heidi (Sis. Emily, Sarasota, FL); Bro. We pray for grace and peace in the (Hadley) Welsch, Heather (Chris) Craig Stickling (Sis. Jacki, Peoria, journey for this dear soul. Gentes, and Holly (Chad) Hitchens IL); Bro. Joe Gerber (Sis. Heidi, May God be with you till we all of El Paso. She is survived by Champaign, IL) and Bro. Greg meet again! 19 grandchildren; and also by two Rassi (Sis. Carla, Chicago, IL).

October 2019 SILVER LINING 21 Bro. Nathan Hodel (Sis. Sis. Sara Rapp (late Bro. Philip) We pray for God’s blessings and Jamie, Roanoke, IL) spoke at our of Morton; and two daughters, direction in these lives. September Family Worship Night Barbara (Jim) Rapp Cardwell We rejoiced at the wedding on “Gideon: The Assignment”. of Chevy Chase, MD, and Sally of Sis. Tiffany Waibel & Bro. When God gave Gideon only (David) Zwanzig of Morton. Trent Wyss of Washington, IL. three hundred men to fight the Our congratulations go to We will miss Sis. Tiffany as they Midianites, he thought that was three families who have been make Washington their church impossible. But he needed to trust blessed with new babies to love. and hope they visit often. Visiting God and be willing to be used by First-time parents, Bro. Nathaniel ministers that day were Bro. God. In our lives no matter what and Sis. Tressa Leman, welcomed Doug Wagenbach (Sis. Lillian, happens, what God calls us to Mathis Jay on August 27. His San Diego, CA) and Bro. Randy experience, we can let go of our grandparents are Bro. Tim and Kellenberger (Sis. Karen, Kansas fears that even when life seems Sis. Beth Leman of Morton, City, MO). lopsided and unfair, God has our and Bro. Mark and Sis. Elsie A breakfast was held to issues in total control, even if the Sinn of Silverton, OR. Bro. Fred meet Bro. Jonathon & Sis. Bere result is different than we think it and Sis. Diane Funk have two Aupperle while they were home should be. God is faithful. new grandchildren. August 18, for a short while from their “Not that I speak in respect Otto Christian joined the family service in Magdalena, MX. We of want: for I have learned, in of Bro. Aaron, Sis. Kendra, continue to pray they can serve whatsoever state I am, therewith William and Adelaide Funk of the children in Magdalena with to be content.” Philippians 4:11 Washington, IL. Bro. Herb and the Lord’s guidance. We extend our deepest Sis. Lori Leman of Washington, Berean Prison Ministry held sympathy to three dear families IL are his maternal grandparents. their annual banquet, featuring who have said farewell to their August 29, Bro. Caleb, Sis. Holly the moving testimonies of a loved ones. August 17, Sis. and Hattie Moser of Lester, IA converted ex-prisoner and a Edith Zimmerman entered her welcomed Jaycee Diane. Her other woman whose husband was killed Heavenly Home. She is survived grandparents are Bro. Wes and Sis. while they were being held hostage by two sons, Bro. Doug (Sis. Esther Moser of Lester, IA. in the Philippines. Janie) Zimmerman, Bro. Tom As this is being read, the The 4th annual Gospel Sing Zimmerman; and two daughters, farmers will be laboring in their was held at the home of Bro. Bob Susan (Mike) Wehrmann and Sis. fields to bring in the harvest. Let & Sis. Myrna Hoerr, featuring Elaine Sollberger all of Morton. us all be laborers for the Lord. the singing of Fourth Watch, Sis. Pam Baer met her Lord “Then saith he unto his disciples, Magnify, and Kindred Spirit. It and Savior on August 21 after a the harvest truly is plenteous; but the was a lovely evening of praising long and courageous battle with labourers are few; Pray ye therefore our Lord through music. cancer. Surviving are her sister, the Lord of the harvest that he will We have completed our Sis. Christine (Bro. Greg) Kaiser; send labourers into his harvest.” study of the book of Mark and and brothers, Steven (Marcia) Baer Matthew 9:37-38 look forward to beginning a new and Bro. Doug (Sis. Dawn) Baer. all-church Bible study in the September 15, Sis. Bernice Rapp Illinois, Peoria near future. (late Bro. Henry) went to sleep in Crystal Wettstein, Bonnie Bach the Lord. She leaves her children: We are so happy for new Illinois, Princeville one son, Stephen (Jeanne) Rapp of converts, Macy Hartter (Bro. Ben Cherie White, Melinda Christ Tega Cay, SC; one daughter-in-law, & Sis. Heidi) and Patrick Lazoen. “Baptized into Thy name most

22 SILVER LINING October 2019 holy, O Father, Son and Holy the daughter of Bro. Brian and This passage talks about King Ghost, I claim a place, though Sis. Renee Wieland. We pray for Uzziah who was successful, but weak and lowly Among Thy seed, the Lord’s leading and guidance as “…when he was strong, his heart Thy chosen host. Immersed with they plan for their wedding. was lifted up to his destruction:” 2 Christ, I’m dead to sin; Thy Spirit We lift up our loved ones who Chron. 26:16. Bro. Joe warned now shall live within.” are suffering afflictions, have been us not to depend on our own The Baptismal Covenant, hospitalized or had surgery in the strength, but to depend wholly Zion’s Harp #41 past weeks. May God be with Joan on the Lord’s. Bro. Joe had We rejoice with our two new Rumbold (Raymond), Bro. Herb recently been in Ixtlan, Mexico to brothers in faith that have turned Rumbold (Sis. Diana), Sis. Mary witness the dedication of the new their backs on Satan and now Martin (Bro. Sam), Sis. Arlys secondary school. While there, walk in newness of life in Jesus Martin, Sis. Frances Knobloch, one of our minister’s father (a new Christ: Bro. Daniel Feucht (Mark Bro. Rolland Joos (Sis. Linda) and follower of Christ) went to be with and Sis. Paula) and Bro. Joseph Sis. Mary Martin. Let us look the Lord. Many of the deceased’s Stahl (Bro. Doug and Sis. Ann). unto Him who comforts us in all family were not believers, but what Assisting Elder Bro. Craig Martin our cares. a comfort that the peace of God (Sis. Terri) was Elder Bro. Bruce was evident at the service and to Endress (Sis. Elizabeth, Bradford, Illinois, Roanoke all in attendance. IL). Other visiting ministers that Barb Schwind, Judy Sauder Also visiting that evening day were Bros. Kevin Banwart Our annual nursing home were Bro. Jeremy & Sis. Elena (Sis. Sandy) and Darren Fehr benefit “Homecoming Days” was Balzer from our sister church in (Sis. Nora) both from West Bend, held August 23-24. It’s always Balingen, Germany. Bro. Jeremy IA; Bro. Dan Koch (Sis. Julie, a wonderful weekend of food, spoke after services about his Tremont, IL); and Bro. Barry children’s activities, an auction, experience at the Latty, OH Men’s Dietz (Sis. Rachel, Bradford, IL). entertainment, and other activities Hymn Sing. The theme for the On other weekends we also were to raise needed funds for our Sing was Psalm 103. blessed to have Bro. Isaac Wofford nursing home. We thank all the “Bless the Lord, O my soul: and (Sis. Rachel, Washington, IL), countless individuals and groups all that is within me bless his holy Bro. Ned Stoller (Sis. Heidi, Alto, who helped to make it a blessed name.” Psalm 103:1. MI), Bro. Kirk Plattner (Sis. Keri, and productive weekend. Bro. Frank Sauder (Sis. Kathy) West Lafayette, IN) and Bro. Tyler Bro. Ron Isch (Sis. Jane, also shared that evening that he Joos (Sis. Tonya, Bradford, IL). Lamont, KS), Bro. Justin Isch had recently been at the Ignite May God bless each one in their (Sis. Liz, Lamont, KS), and Bro. weekend. He thanked all those ministry of the Word of Life. David Hartter (Sis. Beth, Sabetha, from our church and others who What a privilege it was to KS) were our visiting ministers support this event by helping listen to the recordings of the on August 25. Bro. Daniel Leman in the kitchen, being discussion Brotherhood Conference. By (Sis. Tess, Denver, CO) served us leaders, and performing other acts God’s grace as we apply the on the pulpit on September 15. of service to further the Kingdom. teachings of the beatitudes, we can We thank these brothers for their May our Lord bless all who receive the promises made to those faithful service. faithfully serve. that are faithful. On August 28, Bro. Joe Our seventh and eighth grade The engagement of Mikaela Klotzle (Sis. Sue, Altadena, CA) students, their teachers, and Wieland to Trevor Maloney was was our guest minister. His Old families sang with the residents made known unto us. Mikaela is Testament text was 2 Chron. 26. at Timber Ridge in Morton, IL

October 2019 SILVER LINING 23 on September 6. A pizza party Sis. Karen Leman, Sis. Shar We thank our visiting ministers followed. We thank our young Moser, Sis. Abby Moser, and and appreciate their efforts. Bro. people for their kindness to others. Joanna Moser spent a week in Akihiro Ito (Sis. Carrie, Shioda, “For where your treasure is, there Mexico as part of a medical team. Japan) and Bro. Regg Beer (Sis. will your heart be also.” Matt. 6:21. May God bless these dear ones for Bev, Milford, IN) were with us On September 11, Bro. their ministry to others. recently. On September 15, Bro. Jonathan & Sis. Megan Hodel Bro. Tim & Sis. Linda Martin Arlen Leman (Sis. Denise, Forrest, presented a financial topical Bible welcomed a new grandson, Cru IL) and Bro. Jeremiah Psinas study at our fellowship hall. Ezra, on August 15. His parents (Morton, IL) took part in ACYF Bro. Jon and Sis. Megan were are Chris & Emily Miller of Day as we were privileged to host very open about the challenges Eureka, IL. Thomas Arthur was the Bradford, Congerville and of reconciling different opinions born to Brock & Jen Baurer of Fairbury Bible classes. We were regarding money, particularly Vernon Hills, IL on September 18. blessed by the beautiful singing and in marriage. They encouraged Bro. Brad & Sis. Cheryl Baurer are a full church! us to be good stewards of the thankful for their new grandson. “He that hath an ear, let him Lord’s resources. May God bless Bro. Harold & Sis. Judy Sauder hear what the Spirit saith unto the the Hodels for their efforts to also have a new grandchild, churches.” Rev. 3:6 enlighten us on managing our Scarlett Kathryn, born to Jimmy The book of Revelation money for His glory. & Kim Houck of Peoria, IL on opened in both services on Our fall Ladies’ Day August 22. We ask for God’s September 15. We were reminded “Daughters of the King” was held blessings on these families as they that an end is coming. What a joy on September 14 at our Fellowship raise their children in the ways of it brings to know that there is a Hall. It was a blessed day of cross- the Lord. glorious home prepared for those generational sharing, fellowship, We want to lift up Bro. Dave that love the Lord and there will and encouragement through talks (Sis. Barb) Schwind and Bro. be no curse of sin there! and discussions as we focused on Bob Zimmerman for our Lord’s We extend a warm welcome our identity in Christ. Again we healing and strength as they deal to Bro. Josh, Sis. Nicole, Ariana thank all those who helped make with health issues. & Isabelle Bolliger as they have it a beautiful day. moved back from Akron, OH. Glenn (Patricia) Essig of Illinois, Tremont We also welcome Bro. Clayton Washington, IL passed away on Debbie Aberle, Anita Koch & Sis. Whitney Steidinger from September 13. He was a brother “Jesus loves the little children... Taylor, MO. We know they will of our Sis. Doris Farney. Bro. Dan They are precious in His sight...” be missed from their respective (Sis. Kim) Maher’s brother-in-law, Jesus Loves the Little Children, congregations and are thankful to Jack Braten from Maquon, IL, Gospel Hymns #166 have them in Tremont! died on September 7. May our Bro. John & Sis. Heather Rassi Lord comfort these dear families welcomed a new baby girl to their Illinois, Washington in their loss. family. Selah Harmony is loved Lily Pfaffmann, Michelle Braker Our Bible Class travelled to by her older siblings: Bro. Jacob, Newborns are such a reminder Forrest, IL to participate in ACYF Sis. Grace, Sis. Elisabeth, Silas, of God’s awesome power, and Day on September 15. We thank Hannah, Seth, Jared and Simon. attention to details as He forms the Forrest church for hosting Her grandparents are Bro. Curt & each little body in the mother’s our youth and providing a day of Sis. Kathy Rassi and Bro. Todd & womb! Otto Edward was born to instruction and activities for them. Sis. Beth Stuber. Bro. Aaron and Sis. Kendra Funk.

24 SILVER LINING October 2019 William and Adelaide are his big is always an evening of blessed fun service. Our prayers are also with brother and sister. Bro. Isaac and and fellowship among all ages. the family of Sis. Ida Aschliman Sis. Rachel have also been blessed Just as the seasons are during her passing. Her children as Andrew Stephen was welcomed changing, two couples have are Sis. Becky Isch (Bro. Perry), home by his big brothers: Sam, entered a life season of marriage. Sis. Vicki Bucher (Bro. Steve) of Caleb, and Silas and big sisters: Bro. Lance Grube (Bro. Lonnie Washington, IL, Gayle Bucher ( Grace and Anna! & Sis. Vicki) was united as one Clint) of Carmel, IN, Bro. Keith Two visiting ministers shared with Sis. Breann Frauhiger (Bro. (Sis. Connie), Bro. Kevin (Sis. our pulpit this month: Bro. Mike Jeremy & Sis. Sally) at Bluffton Beth), and Bro. Kelly (Sis. Lisa) Kaisner (Sis. Mindy) of Peoria, IL North. We also rejoice with Bro. Aschliman. She also had many and Bro. John Wiegand (Sis. Jane) Caleb Schwalbach (Jim & the late grandchildren, great-grandchildren of Silverton, OR. May God bless Dawn) and Sis. Whitney Kaehr and great-great-grandchildren. them for sharing God’s Word! (Bro. Brent & Sis. Allison) on We extend our thanks to Two souls, Bro. Trent their September 1 wedding. Bro. Joe Sprunger (Sis. Tara, Wyss (Bro. Fred and Diane), Bro. Kole Meyer presented the Indianapolis) and Bro. Leland Washington, IL, and Tiffany topic of stress. We appreciate his Plattner (Sis. Mary, Zapata, TX) Waibel (Bro. Mike and Sis. willingness to share and teach us for serving our church this month. Rosie), Peoria, IL, were united in more about this topic. “And He changeth the times and holy matrimony on August 18. Bro. Jon & Sis. Amy Gerst the seasons: He removeth kings, and May the Lord’s love and peace gave us an update on their setteth up kings: He giveth wisdom shine upon them! ministry in Ethiopia. It was a unto the wise, and knowledge to Sis. Vicki Bucher (Bro. Steve)’s blessing to hear how we can them that know understanding:” mother, Ida Aschliman, 95, of support and pray for them. Daniel 2:21 Bluffton, IN, went to be with the Several couples in church are Lord September 15. Our empathy experiencing the season of a new Indiana, Bluffton North and comfort are extended to them! baby. Bro. Spencer, Sis. Breanna Tiffani Schladenhauffen, Abram Sauder (Bro. Jeff and Madden Pfister excitedly Rhonda Maller and Sis. Chelby) is recovering welcome Burke Lee. Grandparents “Behold, how good and how from open heart surgery which are Bro. Courtney & Sis. Jodi pleasant it is for brethren to dwell took place September 17. Our Pfister and Bro. Larry & Sis. together in unity” Ps. 133:21 prayers are with him and his Sharon Stoller. Little Renna Leigh We were blessed with a family as he recooperates! was born into the family of Bro. beautiful evening of fellowship Darin, Sis. Madison and Brinley at our annual church picnic. The Indiana, Bluffton Fiechter. Her grandparents are weather was uncertain so it had Suzie Fiechter, Olivia Steffen, Elder Bro. Lynn & Sis. Ronda to be moved inside, but the sun Liana Reinhard Fiechter and Bro. Brent & Sis. came out and we were able to The season is beginning to Rachelle Tonner. enjoy the blessings of the unity of change from summer to fall. Sis. Rosie Heyerly passed into our church with food, games and Children are back in school, the her final season of eternal rest. fellowship. Earlier our K – 4th evenings are cooler, and we look She will forever experience the joy grade Sunday School children had forward to the changing leaves. We of Jesus. We are thankful to the a picnic to wrap up summer. had our annual church picnic this single brothers and sisters in church We rejoiced with Bro. Lance month. It felt like a good way to end who remain steadfast in their faith Grube and Sis. Breann Frauhiger the summer and kick off autumn. It and bless us with their love and as they were united as one in

October 2019 SILVER LINING 25 Christ. We pray for much joy Indiana, Francesville Our Bro. Chris Lee Wuethrich in their new life together. The Jacki Huber is also at rest, and will be dearly parents of this joyful couple are “Two are better than one; because missed by many, including his Bro. Lonnie and Sis. Vicki Grube they have a good reward for their precious wife, Sis. Ruth; his (Bluffton Country) and Bro. labour.” Eccl.4:9 children: Bro. Ken (Sis. Lyn), Jeremy and Sis. Sally Frauhiger. We rejoice with our Sis. Kitty (Dennis) Gutwein, Bro. Bro. Byron and Brittany Chloe Huber (Bro. Bob and Sis. Kevin (Sis. Connie), Bro. Chris Gerber welcomed a new little boy Joy), as she was married to Bro. (Sis. Carla), Sis. Kelly (Bro. Mark) into their family, Callen Anthony. Jared Schmidgall (Bro. Aaron Ramseyer, and Kirby (April); Callen joins his excited siblings: and Sis. Luann, Mediapolis, IA). along with one brother, Bro. Bob Rhett, Heath, and Elsa. Many visitors showed loving (Sis. Phyllis) Wuethrich. Bro. We are prayerful for Bro. support, and we were blessed to Chris Lee cared for Sis. Ruth Damon and Sis. Kylie Gerber as have numerous visiting ministers. tenderly, and will be missed for they move to Memphis, TN to Those who were on the pulpit his kindness and love to all. Bro. pursue a ministry opportunity that morning, were Bro. Mark Randy Gasser (Sis. Sue, Detroit there. Pray that their transition Schmidgall (Sis. Sally), Bro. MI) shared the funeral service. We into their new role and new Dave Lanz (Sis. Tami), and Bro. are thankful for his willingness! community will go smoothly, and Dale Frank (Sis. Christine), all After the week when we they will feel the Lord’s leading of Mediapolis, IA. Conducting laid our two loved ones to rest, every step of the way. the wedding service in the we were blessed to have the Sis. Becky Isch (Bro. Perry) afternoon were Elder Bros. Rod Princeville Choir with us for a and Bro. Kelly Aschliman (Sis. Bajema (Sis. Sue, Lester, IA) Saturday evening and Sunday. Lisa) lost their mother. Bro. Al and Jon Schmidgall (Sis. Julie, Our spirits were comforted and Ringger (Sis. Colleen) lost his Mediapolis, IA). May the Lord refreshed by the beautiful singing. sister in the passing of Sis. Ida continue to guide and bless Bro. The Lord “restores our souls”, Aschliman (Bluffton Country). Jared and Sis. Chloe as they serve and He used the choir to do that The death of one of His saints is the Lord together! for us. We were thankful to have always bittersweet, so we pray for Two dear soldiers of the Lord many visitors from Princeville of these dear families. have laid down their earthly armor all ages. It was a huge blessing and Bro. Brett Shorb (Sis. Cindy) and are “safe in Jesus’ arms”. We we thank them. Two Princeville is in need of our prayers as his extend loving sympathy to the ministers blessed us by sharing body battles an infection in his family of Sis. Doris Getz (the God’s Word that Sunday. Special shoulder after shoulder surgery. late Bro. Keith). Missing Sis. thanks go to Bros. Erik Givens We are thankful that he is now Doris, along with many extended (Sis. Debbie) and Matt Steffen recovering at home and pray his relatives and friends, are her (Sis. Deanna). shoulder can continue to heal. children: Jill Kozeluh, Sis. Jenna On a recent Wednesday We are also prayerful for Sis. (Bro. Dan) Kilgus, Sis. Jody (Bro. evening, our Elementary Sunday Bethany Maller as she faces some Bruce) Waibel and Jason (Maggie) School classes and teachers hosted outpatient surgery and recovery at Getz; and also two brothers, a chili supper before church. home. May they both feel peaceful Donald (Mary) and Theodore About eighty years ago, three as they rest and their bodies heal. (Wendy) Prettyman. Sis. Doris sisters of our church felt led to spent many years tirelessly serving support the American Leprosy the Lord and we will miss her Mission, which has continued. cheerful presence. One Sunday of each month, the

26 SILVER LINING October 2019 children bring coins to feed “Pete Barb Wuethrich of Francesville, Christine Locher. Her local the Pig” (a large glass/plastic pig). went to be with the Lord. Also, grandparents are Sis. Wendy & At the end of the school year, they our Elder Bro. Ken Wuethrich and Bro. Jason Williamson. We pray empty Pete, and all the monies Sis. Lyn said goodbye to their dear God’s grace and continued favor collected are sent to support the father, Bro. Chris Lee Wuethrich of on this new family. treatment and cure of leprosy. Francesville. We’re thankful we can Currently, we are specifically This year, their goal is to provide look forward to our home in heaven. praying for our Sis. Judy Gehring medicine that will cure three We enjoyed the visit of Bro. who is dealing with some health people! It’s a real blessing to watch Makoto and Sis. Anna Inoue and issues. She is out of the hospital, our children eagerly save their their three children of Tokyo, but faces a time of rest and money to provide care “all around Japan. They were here to visit recovery at home. A dear young the world” for lepers. family. We appreciated Bro. man from our congregation, We were blessed to have Makoto sharing the Word. Kyler Donaghy, son of Bro. Ryan ministering Bro. Dan Leman “As cold water to a thirsty soul, and Sis. Bethany, has joined the (Sis. Tess, Denver, CO) here on so is good news from a far country.” Marines. He left for training in a Wednesday evening. He read Proverbs 25:25 San Diego and took our love and 1 Cor. Chapter 12. We were Bro. John and Sis. Sandy prayers with him. encouraged to make use of the Lichtle welcomed a new grandson, We were recently informed of many gifts God has given to His Levi Zion. His parents are Justin a new Sister in Christ. On August Body here on earth! Thanks Bro. and Olivia Lichtle. He has a “big” 10, our Ordained Deacon Bro. Dan and Sis Tess. We always brother Adrian. Jeff Waibel received a call late at appreciate visits! Our church is enjoying going night from a nearby hospital. An Our prayers have been with through the book of Luke. elderly woman who grew up in the following loved ones who have the Apostolic Christian Church had surgeries or health concerns Indiana, Leo was a patient and could be dying. recently: Virgil Von Tobel (Sharon), Jan Beer She had never repented or been Wayne Bogart and Phyllis Knapp. Visiting ministers since baptized, and she wanted to do May the Lord bless and strengthen our last report were Bro. Dan these things as soon as possible. as only He can! Pfister (Sis. Sherry, Bluffton Since our elder was out of town, North, IN) and Bro. Jerry Meeks her family called Jeff. He went to Indiana, Indianapolis (Sis. Christine, Sabetha, KS). see her immediately. Her name Kaylin Bollier, Edie Bollier As always, we appreciate their is Betty Schulz. She is the older Our annual Sunday School willingness to explain the Holy sister of Jeff’s former Bay City, MI picnic was held at the Pfeifer’s barn Scriptures to us. elder, Andy Virkler. She had lived on August 4. It was a beautiful We might be seeing Bro. Jerry in Ft. Wayne for a long time and summer day and many attended. It and Sis. Christine in Leo a little many years ago attended the Ft. is always a great way to start off the more often now that they have a Wayne church, then occasionally new year of Sunday School. brand-new grandchild here! Sweet the Bluffton church. She is 91 Our hearts ache with our Bro. little Bristol Christine Williamson years old and had never professed Bill and Sis. Connie Witzig who was born August 29 to Sis. Lydia faith in Jesus Christ. Her mind lost their sister, Sis. Joyce Ferneau, & Bro. Brock Williamson. She was perfectly clear, and she made during a liver transplant. We also not only shares her middle name a confession of faith and asked grieve with Bro. Tim and Sis. Mim with her Grandma Meeks, but for baptism yet that night. Jeff Gudeman as their mother, Sis. also with her local great-grandma, baptized her by sprinkling in the

October 2019 SILVER LINING 27 presence of her daughter and son- Washington, IL), Bro. Darren blessing to hear how God has in-law, then prayed with her. Since Plattner (Sis. Sue, Champaign, worked once again in a dear loved that night, she has recovered to the IL), Bro. Jeff Bahler (Sis. Heidi, one’s soul, heart and mind! It truly point that she was transferred to Wolcott, IN), and Bro. John is something we never get tired of The Cedars nursing home in Leo. Lehman (Sis. Tamara, Wolcott, hearing. May God continue to bless After a few days at The Cedars, IN). We appreciate each one’s time Sis. Lea as she goes forward in her she went back to her daughter’s and energy to minister from the walk with Him as her guide. home in rural Leo, where she had Word of God! Our prayers go out to the been living. Her health continued Many prayers go out to Bro. family of Sis. Doris Getz (Bro. to improve enough that she was Neil Knobloch (Sis. June) for his Keith, deceased, Francesville, able to attend one service with us recent knee surgery. May God IN) after her passing from this in Leo. She cannot see very well, comfort and heal him as only life into the next. Sis. Doris was but her mind is very sharp and she He can! the dear mother of our Sis. Jenna is a delight to talk to. Bro. Jeff Braden and Ashely Clark Kilgus (Elder Bro. Dan) and Sis. highly encouraged us to go visit welcome a new little boy to their Jody Waibel (Bro. Bruce) as well her and encourage her in her new family. We are thankful we can as Jill Kozeluh and Jason Getz walk of faith. Even though she count them all as part of our (Maggie). She also left behind is older than just about everyone church family! Ethan Briggs 10 grandchildren and 9 great- in our congregation, she is still a arrived safely and is welcomed by grandchildren. May God bless the baby in Christ. Oh, the mercy and his parents Braden and Ashley, his family with His comfort and love patience of our great God who big brothers Callan and Deacon, as they adjust to life without her. would have all men to be saved! and his grandparents Bro. Ron Note of Thanks: and Sis. Brenda Clark, Tim and The family of Bro. Earl Kilgus Indiana, Milford Allison Turner of Kokomo, IN, would like to express appreciation Heidi Beer, Carol Haab and Ken and Lori Davison of and thanks for all your prayers, Our sympathies go out this Toledo, OH. May Braden and cards, and phone calls during this month as a lifelong friend of our Ashley feel God’s nearness as they time of dad’s passing. A special church congregation, Martin raise their precious sons! thank you for all the visits at Stookey, passed away. Our prayers We are thankful to have Parkview Haven and your love and sympathies are with his family. witnessed the wedding vows of shown to our dad over the years. We remember Bro. Jesus and Bro. Kenny Graf (Bro. Todd and It has been a real comfort to feel Sis. Normal Terrazas in our prayers Sis. Lydia, Akron, OH) and Sis. the arms of the church and friends as Norma’s mother, Imelda, battles Sophie Getz (Bro. Jason and Sis. wrapped around us. May the Lord serious illness. May God use the Sara) this past month! It truly is bless each one. hard times to draw us nearer to a miracle when God brings two Elder Bro. Dan and Sis. Jenna Him and bring glory to His name. individuals together and makes Kilgus, Bro. Ron and Sis. Brenda them one in His Son! We hope Clark, Kathy Jefferson and families Indiana, Remington Bro. Kenny and Sis. Sophie feel Jenni Honegger, Marcella Tyler the love of the church as they Indiana, South Bend Many thanks go to our begin their married life together. Joshua Martinez visiting ministers this month: Sis. Lea Bahler (Bro. Tim and “Fear thou not; for I am with Elder Bro. Greg Lehman (Sis. Sis. Lynnette) gave her testimony thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy Mary Beth, Wolcott, IN), Bro. of faith to the church and was God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I Marshall Heinold (Sis. Janice, baptized this month. What a will help thee; yea, I will uphold

28 SILVER LINING October 2019 thee with the right hand of my Indiana, Valparaiso us for a while. righteousness.” Isaiah 41:10 Sherry Meiss All has been going well with With the full support of The verse for the month is: 2 the healing of Sis. Lois Bucher’s our church family, Bro. Scott Timothy 2:15 “Study to shew thyself hand surgery. She will be doing Schafer (Sis. Gigi) has accepted approved unto God, a workman physical therapy, but the cast is off. the call to serve as our elder. that needeth not to be ashamed, Please keep Diane McClanahan in September 1 was the day of Bro. rightly dividing the word of truth.” your prayers, she is the sister of our Scott’s ordination. Elder Bro. Ken Our love and sorrow go out Sis. Dawn Ailes. Diane had knee Wuethrich (Sis. Lyn, Indianapolis, to Sis. Jenna Kilgus and family replacement surgery in February IN) shared wonderful words for the passing of her mother, Sis. and there have been complications of Truth and Life during the Doris Getz of Francesville, IN since then. They have found an morning service. We thank Elder on August 29. She was a devoted infection in the bone and once Bros. Curt Frank (Sis. Lyla, member of the Francesville that is healed, she will undergo LaCrosse, IN), Bill Schlatter (Sis. Church and was happiest when knee surgery again. Sis. Rachel Emily, Junction, OH), Randy serving others. Please keep this Feller is very happy to be back Beer (Sis. Deb, Milford, IN), and family in your prayers. working again. Be prayerful that Lynn Stieglitz (Sis. Leonda, Leo, We thank Elder Bro. Dan and God will continue to lift her and IN) for blessing our church family Sis. Jenna Kilgus of Remington, her family up to Him. with the Special Elder Ordination IN for sharing in service and Always keep each other in Service. With many prayers and fellowship with our congregation. prayer with the love of Christ. God’s Grace, we will journey We had the memorandum together toward our eternal home followed by a members’ meeting. Indiana, West Lafayette in Heaven! Your love and understanding is Libby Wahl On September 7-8, we enjoyed greatly appreciated. The following are our sweet a Young Group Invite Weekend A new Bible study has been and bittersweet highlights, each with greetings from 12 different started on Sharing the Gospel. touching hearts in different ways. churches. Our entire church The ladies sewing is going New converts are: Autumn family cheerfully helped to make strong with many blankets and Ross, daughter of Bro. Rodney a blessed time for all. May the pillows being made to be sent out & Sis. Jennifer (Gudeman) Ross Lord bless Bro. John Lehman (Sis. to those in need. of our local congregation; and Tamara, Wolcott, IN) for sharing One of our friends from The Larissa Eberhardt, Francesville, IN a Topical Bible Study based on the Avalon Nursing Home passed (originally Iowa), a college freshman. weekend’s theme of Hebrews 12:1. away. His name is Frank Land. He Bro. Brandon Putt is engaged On September 18, Chip and was a regular attendee to our song to Sis. Hailey Luzadder, college Kasha Iacob welcomed Rose services and who loved singing juniors, both of Francesville, IN. Eleanor into their home and praises to the Lord. He will be Visiting ministers were: Bro. hearts. Also celebrating baby missed in more than one way. Dan Pfister (Sis. Sherry; Bluffton Rose’s arrival are siblings Josiah It was so wonderful to see our North, IN). and Elizabeth. dear Sis. Marguerite and Bro. Bob Special Events: Bro. Jon & Sis. “Glory to God in the highest, and Hoerr one afternoon at church. Amy Gerst, Ethiopia, shared their on earth peace, good will toward One of our members drove up to mission work; Saturday Ladies’ men.” Luke 2:14 get them and brought them down Retreat theme Ps. 51:10 ‘Create to us. They got to receive Holy in me a clean heart, O God; and Communion and fellowship with renew a right spirit within me’;

October 2019 SILVER LINING 29 Ignite Weekend Retreat uniting sharing the word of God. It was the month including Bro. Nate our youth; fall Purdue Singing such a blessed weekend! Hodel (Sis. Jamie, Roanoke, IL), weekend hosted by PYG. We are so thankful that Ron Bro. Greg Fehr (Sis. Denise, West Deaths: Bro. Robert Hoerr, and Donna Kyburz have shared Bend, IA), and Bro. Roger Aberle Taylor, MO. Grandfather of their testimony of peace. We (Sis. LaVonne, Sabetha, KS). Bro. Aaron Adrian. Sis. Gladys look forward to their baptism Our single group hosted Widmer, Wolcott, IN. Loving weekend that will be planned in Iowa/Sunday School churches mother, grandmother and great- the near future. the weekend of September 21/22. grandmother of our minister Bro. One of our dear sisters was It was a blessing to have a full Neal (Sis. Kris), their children called home. Sis. Gladys Widmer church and to fellowship with our and families. (Bro. Ed) passed away peacefully brethren of like faith. We will continue this school on September 13. Ed and Gladys Isiah Ronald was born August year alternating Thursday evening were married for 68 years. Our 27 to Bro. Jacob and Sis. Sara worship services with ministries sympathy goes to Bro. Ed; their Joos. Welcoming him also is big within our local church. daughter, Sis. Laurel; their brother Benjamin. Grandparents With thanksgiving, we rejoice son, Bro. Neal (Sis. Kris, West are (the late Ronald Joos) and with those who rejoice and we Lafayette); the grandchildren and Sis. Christy Joos and Bro. Paul weep with those who weep. May great grandchildren and other and Sis. Charlotte Teubel. Great the Lord bless and keep you all! extended family members. Gladys grandmothers are Sis. Lorraine was such a kindhearted, caring Joos, Shirley Slinkard, Sis. Wilma Indiana, Wolcott person and will be deeply missed. Teubel, and Marvel Christy. Luann Gerber, Teresa Earney A warm welcome goes to Sis. “It is of the Lord’s merices that Leanne Kuenzi in her move to our Iowa Burlington we are not consumed, because area for new employment. She is Marilyn Anderson, his compassions fail not. They are from the Silverton, OR church. Elaine Eisenmann new every morning: great is they We are so happy to have her as We were blessed to have two faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23 part of our Wolcott church. visiting ministers this past month: The Sunday School hosted a Bro. Brad Funk (Sis. Laura, church outing at Prophets Town Iowa, Bloomfield Garden Grove, IA) and Elder Bro. State Park. Getting together as a Kendra Schlatter Wayne Banwart (Champaign, church family is such a blessing The weekend of August 24/25 IL). May these brothers feel our and very enjoyable. we heard the testimony and heartfelt thanks for sharing the September 7 and 8 was our witnessed the baptism of Jackie Word with us. invite-a-guest weekend. Anyone Wettstein (Bro. Mark and Sis. We have two babies to report! who wanted to could invite a Karen Wettstein, Lamar, MO). First-time parents Bro. Jacob guest of their choice. Our church Elder Bro. Ted Steffen (Sis. Sandy, and Sis. Rachel Wyss welcomed was full on Sunday. We had four Alto, MI) was here to assist. Liezel Fae on September 1. Happy visiting ministers. A big thank Other visiting ministers here that first-time area grandparents are you goes to Bros. Earl Beery (Sis. weekend were Bro. Brad Funk (Sis. Bro. David and Sis. Charlene Suzanne, Rittman, OH), Dan Laura, Garden Grove, IA), Bro. Wagenbach (Mediapolis). Bro. Walder (Sis. Pam, Cissna Park, John Lehman (Wolcott, IN), and John Wagenbach (Mediapolis) is IL), Ron Isch (Sis. Jane, Lamont, Bro. Craig Stickling (Sis. Jacki, Liezel’s great grandfather. KS) and Fred Witzig (Sis. Nancy, Peoria, IL). We also appreciated Bro. Blake and Sis. Josie Washington, IL) for coming and other visiting ministers throughout Wulf, along with Kate, Elsie, and

30 SILVER LINING October 2019 Cash, welcomed Cliff Daniel on reunion in August. Among our phrases in Sunday School September 12. Local grandparents visitors was ministering Bro. yesterday. A beautiful timeline of a are Bro. Leroy and Sis. Carolyn Leland Plattner (Sis. Mary, true Christian’s life! Wulf. Local great grandparents are Zapata, TX). We appreciate his Bro. Lloyd and Sis. Mary Massner. labors from the pulpit. Iowa, Iowa City We rejoice with Bro. Michael We’ve enjoyed having Sis. Diana Butikofer and Sis. Ivy Steiner as their son, Char Dietz worshiping with us Our College Student Welcome Courage, has turned his heart to these past few months as she’s Picnic this past Sunday was a the Lord in repentance. May he been volunteering in Rochester. blessed day. We enjoyed the feel the support of our church in She will be missed when she students and their families who this very important step in his life. returns back home to Bradford. were able to join us for church and We enjoyed the food, the picnic. May the Lord watch fellowship and singing on Iowa, Garden Grove over and bless these young people September 8 when our church, Laura Funk throughout this school year. along with the Mediapolis and Greetings from south central We were blessed by the Taylor, MO churches, and hosted Iowa. We are enjoying the ministry and visits of Bro. Neil by Bloomfield church, gathered at blessings of rain. I just had a Stoller (Sis. Luann, Princeville, Keosauqua and Bentonsport, IA. thought! God’s creation needs a IL) and Bro. Joel Troxel (Sis. Amy, It was a memorable time. drink when water is sent! LaCrosse, IN) and their families Sis. Marilyn Anderson’s Visiting ministers this month this past month. brother, Bob Frank, passed away include Bro. Kirk Plattner (Sis. on September 10. He was the son Keri, West Lafayette, IN), Bro. Joe Iowa, Lester of Bro. Lewis and Sis. Mathilda Gerst (Sis. Connie, Iowa City, IA ) Audrey Metzger, Kristi Knobloch Wagler Frank. We extend our and Bro. Tim Lehman (Sis. Amber, Our congregation has been sympathy to Sis. Marilyn. Taylor, MO). We appreciate and are blessed with many times to We are happy to report that thankful for all visitors. rejoice together this past month. Ashley Anderson has found peace Can your conscience be Our tiniest blessings are three with God and man. We wish her wrong? Are you always right? Is it new babies! A daughter, Mara God’s nearness as she continues on OK to go against your conscience? Lee was born to Jed and Deann this wonderful way of life and look Could your conscience not tell Matthiesen and big sister Nora forward to hearing her testimony. you it’s sin? We were privileged on August 22. One week later, We lift those up in prayer who to hear an exhortation where she welcomed a new cousin, are having health issues. these questions were asked and Jax Hunter, on August 30! Jax Sending God’s blessings... statements made. Are we allowing was born to Melinda Popkes Note of Thanks: God’s Holy Spirit to guide us and Greg Hoogendoorn. Both Bro. Dean Massner, who through our conscience? of these precious little ones join resides in the Morning Sun Care Thank you Lamont, KS Bro. Greg and Sis. Lori Popkes’ Center, wishes to express his for hosting the Sunday School growing family. Little Jaycee thanks to all who remembered gathering. It was reported they Diane was welcomed with open him on his 60th birthday. had a great experience! arms by big sister, Hattie, and Years I spent in vanity and parents, Bro. Caleb and Sis. Holly Iowa, Elgin pride, Holy, holy, holy, What a Moser, on August 29. Her loving Maria Rocke Friend we have in Jesus, How grandparents are Bro. Wes and Sis. Elgin hosted the Zapata Great Thou Art. We sang these Esther Moser and Bro. Fred and

October 2019 SILVER LINING 31 Sis. Diane Funk (Morton, IL). 14, were baptized having their Sis. Margene Peasley (Bro. Another time of rejoicing is names written in the book of Life Dave) spent some time in the when two souls become one. Bro. on Sunday. It’s so easy to forget hospital for surgery and is home Keegan Knobloch and Sis. Callie the seriousness of our conversion recuperating. Carl Leuthold Koehl were united in marriage on throughout our busy daily lives. It also spent time in the hospital August 25 in Morris, MN. Parents is so good to periodically go back recovering from a fall. May God are Bro. Lance and Sis. Kristi and remember where we really grant both of them healing mercies Knobloch and Bro. Eric and Sis. came from and what God’s mercy that they soon regain sufficient Kim Koehl of Morris, MN. Our and grace does for a soul. strength to perform daily duties. prayers of blessings go with them We were blessed with many We have concluded listening as they make their home with the visiting ministers that weekend: to the conference recordings. So Winthrop, MN congregation. Elder Bro. Bruce Endress (Sis. many kind reminders were given Bro. Greg and Sis. Lori Elizabeth, Bradford, IL), Bro. Curt to guide us in our Christian life, Popkes once again added to their Walter (Sis. Elizabeth, Mansfield, putting ourselves behind and family when their daughter, OH), Bro. Dan Stoller (Sis. Debra, Christ front and center. Katie, married Kevin Ranney on Remington, IN), Bro. Adam “This Shepard ne’er forsakes His September 7. We wish this dear Zeltwanger (Sis. Christy, Morris fold In joy nor yet in sorrow, But couple God’s blessings as life North, MN), Bro. Matthew shares to us His love untold Each together begins for them. Kaisner (Sis. Jodi, Fairbury, IL); day and each tomorrow. Then let With the summer drawing and Bro. Kevin Banwart (Sis. us follow to the end and with Him to a close, students have returned Sandy), Bro. Darren Fehr (Sis. enter heaven’s land.” The Faithful to school and college for another Nora), and Bro. Kevin Fehr (Sis. Shepherd, Jesus Christ, year of studies. We welcome Bro. Lonnie) all of West Bend IA. Also Zion’s Harp, #116 Thadd Indermuhle (Bro. Dana serving on the pulpit this month and Sis. Joy) from Sardis, OH to were Bro. Kent Mogler (Sis. Mary, Iowa, Mediapolis our congregation as he begins his Minnepolis, MN) and Bro. Fred Janet Lanz, Tami Lanz school at a local university. We Funk (Sis. Diane, Morton, IL). What a joy it is to be in a hope he soon feels at home as he Bro. Joshua and Sis. Bethany church family where the newness spends his weekends with us. Our Johnson and girls have returned to of life surrounds us. We are always thoughts and prayers also go with Witchita, KS after spending a few thankful to receive the peace other students who will spend the months with us this summer. We announcement of our converts and week away from their respective pray continued blessings on their this month we have two. Denalyn homes. Sunday school has also life and enjoyed having them with Lanz (Bro. Robbie and Sis. Kris) resumed and we pray a blessing us, even if it was for a short time. and Brayden Lanz (Bro. Tom and on each in attendance, teachers Continuing with battling Sis. Mary) have found peace with and students, as they spend time cancer is Bro. Brad Kloostergaard God and man, a solid foundation together each Sunday. (Sis. Linda) and his dear family. As in a world of shifting tides. We With thankful hearts we of now, Bro. Brad is receiving care look forward to testimonies and rejoice with Sis. Shanyna Popkes at a facility that eases the battle a baptisms in the near future. (John and Sis. Karmin) and Sis. bit. His journey has been long and Establishing a new home is Becca Knobloch (Bro. Stan and he has borne it with patience and always an exciting time and that Sis. Dawn) as they recounted for endurance. May God continue to is what Bro. Jared Schmidgall us their lost condition during guide and direct this dear family (Bro. Aaron and Sis. Luann) and their testimonies on September as they face an uncertain future. Sis. Chloe Huber (Bro. Bob and

32 SILVER LINING October 2019 Sis. Joy, Francesville, IN) are the rafters were raised as the Barry Dietz (Sis. Rachel, Bradford, doing. There were many from church and balcony were filled to IL), Bro. Clint Schmidt (Sis. here that traveled to Francesville capacity with praise to God from Magdalena, Winthrop, MN), and to witness the vows of this dear 200 plus of all ages. We sang from Bro. Andy Fetzer (Sis. Elizabeth, couple becoming one in Christ. the Hymns of Zion. All those Smithville, OH). Also coming to We extend to Sis. Chloe a warm old familiar favorites felt right at spend a Wednesday evening were welcome to our church family and home in that simple little church. Elder Bro. Rod Bajema (Sis. Sue, look forward to seeing her parents It was a wonderful evening and we Lester, IA), Elder Bro. Lowell and siblings here often. thank the Bloomfield brethren for Moser (Sis. Karen, Morris, MN) Another miraculous new organizing this event. and Elder Bro. Jon Schmidgall beginning is the birth of a child. While we rejoice with those (Sis. Julie, Mediapolis, MN). Bro. Dave and Sis. Charlene who are going through the new It was a blessed evening and Wagenbach were made first-time and exciting things of life, we also we really appreciate the godly grandparents with the arrival of think of those who are carrying encouragement they gave us. Liezel Fae Wyss. Parents are Bro. burdens and going through the Congratulations and best Jake and Sis. Rachel Wyss of hard and challenging times. The wishes to Noah Fehr (Bro. Cory Burlington, IA. wisdom of the Bible never fails as & Sis. Jennifer) in his engagement Another Sunday School it instructs us to rejoice with those to Emma Thatcher (Mike and term has begun. We pray for the who are rejoicing and weep with Diane). May God bless and guide teachers and the students that those who are weeping. Certainly them as they plan for a June 2020 the seeds of God’s word can be there is a huge range between wedding. planted and watered in the hearts those two emotions as we carry on May God continue to be of those tender little souls, that in life together. For some reason, with Sis. Kathy Fehr (Bro. they will have that desire to be whenever I see a flock of geese Wayne), Kurt Metzger (Lou), men and women of God. May flying in a V pattern, it reminds me Ralph Bormann (Melanie), they see in us the joy of serving of a church family. Each bird flies Cody Schmidt and Sis. Jackie our Lord and each other. slightly above the bird in front of Mogler as they recover following We have finished the conference him to reduce the wind resistance hospitalization. recordings and have been so for those behind. The birds take “For I the Lord thy God will hold blessed by the sincere and humble turns being in the front, falling thy right hand, saying unto thee, expressions of our elder brothers. back when they become weary as Fear not; I will help thee.” While so many events of the times another takes over. Another benefit Isaiah 41:13 we live in are rowdy and loud, our of the V is that they can keep little flocks gather in the quietness track of every bird in the group Japan, Tokyo and closeness of each other as we and easily communicate. In this Anna Inoue, Marie Inoue listen to what God has revealed to pattern, the birds can fly easier and The evenings are getting cooler, those who watch for our souls. longer to reach their goal. Does not and the children have returned to One more new thing came even nature itself teach us of caring school for their second semester our way this year. The churches for one another? which are signs of the fall season. of Bloomfield, IA, Burlington, We are thankful that our summer IA, Taylor, MO and Mediapolis, Iowa, West Bend travelers from both churches have IA met in a central location for a Karen Schmidt, Jenny Banwart all returned home safely after carry-in supper and then singing We were blessed by the receiving wonderful blessings from in an old historic church. Truly ministry of visiting brethren: Bro. ministry and fellowship.

October 2019 SILVER LINING 33 In August, we bid farewell to (Bro. Dwight and Sis. Anita) as people and serve an awesome God. Koa and Kia Kellenberger, son they seek God’s will for their lives. “Wherefore they are no more and daughter of Gary and Yoko. Elder Bro. Ron Messner twain, but one flesh. What therefore Both went to the U.S. to continue (Sis. Pam, Washington, IL) God hath joined together, let not their education. Koa will enter a shared with the Bern and man put asunder.” Matt. 19:6 university and Kia will enter high Sabetha congregations about We extend our love and school. We wish them the blessings LifePoints. It was an interesting prayers to Bro. John and Sis. Carol and protection of our Lord as they presentation. We all enjoyed the (Marti) Lehman, who became settle and study in a new land. potluck supper before it! one in Christ this past month in Sis. Rachel Witzig of our Our Senior Bible Class Lamar, MO. May God bless this Washington, IL church arrived enjoyed a trip to Lamont. Thank union of their hearts and lives in in August. We warmly welcome you for hosting our youth! Him as they from this day forward her as she endeavors to share the serve and walk with Him. gospel through English teaching Kansas, Kiowa Lamont, KS hosted the semi- and fellowshipping with our Millicent Frieden, Janice Bahr annual youth fellowship this churches and those she comes “Then Job answered the LORD, month. We had several attend. in contact with. May the Lord and said, I know that thou canst So many lasting friendships come provide for her every need as she do every thing, and that no thought from this special weekend. We are also settles in a new land away can be withholden from thee. I have so thankful it is still happening for from her family. She seems to be heard of thee by the hearing of the our precious youth as it did for us adjusting very well. We know she ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.” when we were their age. appreciates the prayers of her home Job 42:1,2,5 Our youth had two other church and many loved ones. I love reading about Job, special events this past month. As today was a national and know I would never have One was Bible School, which holiday being Old Folk’s Day, had the strength and patience he we hold for one day with Bible it was church cleaning for our showed in all the trails he faced. lessons, games, art projects, and a church. We were thankful for It fascinates me to read chapters picnic at the river in the evening good helpers as we worked and 38-41, when God speaks to Job and then singing. It’s always a very fellowshipped together. out of the whirlwind and tells enjoyable day for everyone. The him all of the wonders made by Wichita, KS youth sometimes join Kansas, Bern God’s hand. Then Job answers us for the occasion, but couldn’t Sheri Edelman, Tiffany Menold with those verses 42-45 and finally make it this year. They did join We are so excited to share that understands that God knows and us for the second event, a day of Bro. Travis Rokey (Bro. Todd and sees everything and only allows camping and fellowship at Kaw Sis. Sheila) has announced his things to happen to us that He Lake in Oklahoma. The weather engagement to Sis. Leah Metzger controls. We do not know what was beautiful and every one really (Bro. Jared and Sis. Carla, Sabetha, will happen in our lives today or enjoyed being together. KS)! May the Lord continue to in the future, but with our God work in their lives as they prepare keeping Satan in his place and our Kansas, Lamont to become One in the Lord. future in God’s hands, all we need Maria Luthi Two more souls have answered to do is patiently wait for God’s This month we wish to extend the call to repentance. We are love, His protection, His healing our thanks to several visiting thrilled for Luke Rokey (Bro. Todd and most of all His guidance from ministers: Bro. John Baumgartner and Sis. Sheila) and Jenna Rokey day to day. We are a truly blessed (Sis. Lori, Bern, KS), Elder Bro.

34 SILVER LINING October 2019 Brad Eisenmann (Sis. Cindy, Messner (Sis. Pam, Washington, Kansas, Wichita Chicago, IL), and Bro. Scott IL), Bro. Kaleb Beyer (Sis. Angela, Niklaus and Sara Schrader Wegman (Sis. Dawn, Taylor, MO). Washington, IL) and Bro. Brent We appreciate our recent Bro. Ron and Sis. Jane Isch Kellenberger (Sis. Beth, Kansas visiting ministers Bro. Harvey hosted a meal and our monthly City, MO) with us. While visiting, Kuenzi (Sis. Jennifer, Silverton, church singing in their home. It Bro. Ron and Bro. Kaleb held OR) and Bro. Jerry Meeks (Sis. was a blessing to several visitors a marriage seminar. It was a Christine, Sabetha, KS). It is such as well as our local church over blessing for many couples from a blessing to have these visitors Labor Day Weekend. our congregation. The same share the Word of God. We also remain prayerful for weekend we were able to gather as Several people from our our hospital patients this month, a church family for an all-church congregation attended the Bro. Glen and Sis. Lorean Anliker, potluck and hear a presentation on campout at Kaw Lake hosted who continue to recover. LifePoints, also by Bro. Ron. by the Kiowa church. We were We’re thankful to announce We are very thankful for two blessed to have such a great time the safe arrival of little Keith new converts: Tyler Grimm (Bro. of fellowship, fun, and good food. Bradley, born to Bro. Michael Kurt & Sis. Hannah) and Martha Saturday and Sunday and Sis. Julie Luthi. Grandparents Hartter (Bro. James & Sis. Sandy). September 14-15 was the high are Elder Bro. Jay and Sis. Jane May the Lord bless them and school ACYF in Lamont, KS. Luthi and Elder Bro. Brad and Sis. guide them as they begin their Several of our youth attended. Join Cindy Eisenmann. walk with Him. us in praying that young hearts Our church was blessed to Children are certainly a blessing were opened to God’s truth. host the High School Youth from above. We rejoice with Bro. Please be prayerful for Bertie and Fellowship weekend for students Jerry & Sis. Christy Meeks as they Bro. Roger Reimschisel as Bertie has from area churches. The students welcome their first grandchild, been hospitalized recently. met on a Saturday afternoon for Bristol Christine, daughter of Bro. games, activities, a work project, Brock & Sis. Lydia Williamson from Mexico, Ixtlán supper, and a speaker (Bro. Leo, IN. We are also thankful for Ruth Gerber Scott Wegman,) who spoke on the safe arrival of Tyson David who “And in that day shall ye say, right relationships. Bro. Scott was welcomed with love by Bro. Josh Praise the Lord, call upon his name, also ministered to the students & Sis. Leanna Hartter and his big declare his doings among the people, on Sunday with kindness and sister Karissa. Grandparents are Bro. make mention that his name is conviction. It was very encouraging David & Sis. Beth Hartter and Bro. exalted. Sing unto the Lord, for he to see our youth gathered together Todd and Sis. Cynthia Fehr. hath done excellent things: this is and we are thankful for the efforts We rejoice with those who known in all the earth.” of so many to make this special rejoice and weep with those who Isaiah 12:4-5 weekend happen for them. weep. Our love and prayers are September is our patriotic with Sis. Ruth Hertzel as her son- month here in Mexico. Kansas, Sabetha in-law, Brian Schweitzer, passed Independence Day, with all its Brenda Nenadov, Leanna Hartter away. We also want to extend parades, speeches and fireworks Greetings of love to each one sympathy to Bro. Gerry & Sis. occupies center stage for a good in this lovely fall season! Ellen Hertzel and to Bro. Fred & part of the month. We took As always, we appreciate Sis. Charlotte Aberle in this time advantage of the opportunity to our visiting ministers. We were of loss. spend an evening together as a thankful to have Bro. Ron church singing of God’s works

October 2019 SILVER LINING 35 and reflecting on the freedom that Christ and worship Him openly. Bro. Jon and Sis. Amy, Jada, Christ has purchased for us. It was As I’m reading through Adia, Theo and Tessa Gerst from a special evening for fellowship Hebrews in my personal devotion Ethiopia, are currently in the US. and growing friendships of time, I am intrigued by its detailed We were blessed to hear them children and adults alike. explanation of how Jesus provided present and share their experiences As Colegio de las Américas a better way than the law. “For and struggles as they continue to goes into the second month of the law made nothing perfect, but spread the gospel in a foreign land. classes, we are thankful for the the bringing in of a better hope did; It is always a joyful occasion when staff God has provided. We would by the which we draw nigh unto we reunite with our loved ones who ask for prayer support so that all God.” Heb. 7:19. I am so thankful live internationally. Our prayer is the teacher positions could be to live in an era where I can that each one who is called to share filled and that the Lord would have forgiveness of my sins and a the gospel in another place would bless us with staff dedicated to the personal relationship with my God! be blessed with courage, wisdom vision of preparing young people and strength from the Holy Spirit to serve Him… that His doings Michigan, Alto to follow the path He has chosen would be “known in all the earth.” Renee Steffen, Heidi Kaeb for them. We are so thankful that “When times are tough México, Magdalena convert Marilyn Byam has and the way is steep, Laura Aviña expressed her desire to give her Do you stumble along or After a weekend of board testimony and be baptized. We to the Father weep? meetings, brothers from a few look forward to witnessing this When the nights are long churches worshiped with us the in October. May she continue and sleep won’t come, last Sunday of August. We thank to know and feel the love of her Do you go to the Father or our Bro. Mike Leman (Sis. Deb, brothers and sisters in Christ. use something to numb? Denver, CO) for sharing God’s Our thoughts and prayers When hurt and pain Word with us. are continually with Sis. Gretl seem too deep to bear We thank Bro. Wayne Schlatter (Latty, OH); Elaine Do you fall on your knees and Sis. Nancy Zimmerman Wingeier’s (Stan) daughter, Diane; in humble prayer? (Bloomington, IL) for visiting us and Angie Sixberry (Jason) as each When sickness or sorrow in August as a part of the CVE of them are experiencing health weigh you down, grandparent program. May God issues. We pray that our merciful Do you still know joy or bless them for the love they pour Father would grant healing continually frown? into this community! according to His will. When changes come and Sis. Courtney Plattner Our prayers are also with Sis. you do not agree, (Champaign, IL) has arrived to fill MaryAnn Feldman (Bro. Lyman) Do you take captive each thought a yearlong position at CVE. We as her sister Sis. Martha Zollinger or let your mind run free? are excited to welcome her into our (Rittman, OH) went home to be When you’re weary and worn, church family. May she feel God’s with her Savior. and want to give up, presence and strength as she adjusts We are thankful for visiting Do you choose to go dry or to her new job and community! minister Bro. Matthew Steffen drink from His cup? We celebrated Mexican (Sis. Deanna, Princeville, IL) The choice is all ours, we Independence Day on September 16 in his willingness to share the are free in our own will, and are thankful for the freedoms message of truth along with our But the question remains, we have to speak freely of Jesus home ministers this past month. will you turn away or in

36 SILVER LINING October 2019 Him BE STILL?" -ibG.res have been able to get many rides Our Sunday school students Notes of Thanks: to work and am so thankful. As began a new year on September Thanks for your prayers, meals, my husband so truthfully stated, 15. Brothers Matt Saurer, Ben Dill cards and flowers. They are very “this is a church that cares and and Adrian Rocke are teaching the much appreciated and uplifting as shows the love of Jesus with their upper grades; while Sisters Claire well. Angie Sixberry actions”. Lyft transportation also Dill, Marti Saurer and Renee Hello Dear Alto Church has been a great service that I did Messner teach the younger classes. Family, not have access to in the past and Special thanks go to Bro. Kent Our family would like to I have met many different people. Mogler and Sis. Connie Bergstrom thank all of those who were able They have all been kind to me on for their past years helping shape to come to our presentation at the half hour drive to work and and share the love of Jesus with the Fellowship Hall on Sunday it is easy to get a driver. The last our precious children. evening! You are such an driver told me that some people encouragement to us and we feel just sit back on their phones and Minnesota, Morris very loved by you all. Thanks don’t talk and she liked it that I Ashley Knobloch, Brianna Wulf again to each of you for your did talk. Of course, I have been Two became one as Sis. Callie various forms of support over the told I could talk to a tree, but I do Koehl (Bro. Eric and Sis. Kim) last six years of our time serving in like hearing people’s stories and and Bro. Keegan Knobloch (Bro. Ethiopia. one never knows where a chance Lance and Sis. Christy (Lester, IA) By Prayer, Jon, Amy & Kiddos will come to share about Jesus. I’m were united in marriage. We pray praying for a chance to witness or for God’s richest blessings as they Michigan, Detroit make a difference in one of their make their home in Winthrop, Krista Wieland lives spiritually. MN. We had visiting ministers for We are enjoying the beautiful the special weekend: Elder Bro. weather while it lasts! Late Minnesota, Minneapolis Paul Messner (Sis. Jan, Winthrop, summer/fall seems to fly by so I Brenda Messner, Renee Messner MN), Bro. Myron Knobloch am determined to appreciate it! Greetings from the twin cities! (Lester, IA), Bro. Michael I wasn’t going to write about We were excited and thankful Schneider (Sis. Jodi, Junction, this because I really don’t like to have moved our Sunday OH), Bro. Glen Steiner (Sis. talking about myself in general, worship services back upstairs Rachel, Winthrop, MN) and Bro. but our family needs all of your after remodeling. That Sunday, Damon Knobloch (Sis. Stephanie, prayers desperately and I am September 8, our ministers shared Morris North, MN). May God reaching out. After three years a dedication service including bless them for their labors. of driving, and no changes to our Minneapolis church history, “Thus united and in concord Let treatment, I had two seizures past gathering places, when our us walk the path of life; Hand in three weeks apart. Go figure. I current church was built, and hand, O may love bind us For am now not able to drive for a our vision moving forward. As a each other’s welfare strive.” Unity, period of time. This has affected body of believers in Christ Jesus, Zion’s Harp #237 our whole family and I (we) have we are grateful to God for those We were blessed to have our been struggling with this loss of who devoted their time and single group host Labor Day independence and freedom that efforts to updating our building. weekend. What an encouragement comes with driving. It is a warm and inviting place to it is having brothers and sisters of Thanks to my wonderful (did worship our heavenly Father and like mind and faith gather together. I say wonderful?) church family, I share fellowship, all for His glory!

October 2019 SILVER LINING 37 Minnesota, Morris North Hymns of Zion #74 vs. 1 churches can come together! Kay Feuchtenberger, We offer sympathy and Also, our hearts are filled with Natalie Feuchtenberger heartfelt prayers to several of our joy at the repentance of Amor “Behold, a king shall reign in church family for the unexpected Kellenberger. It brings to mind the righteousness, and princes shall rule loss of their loved ones. Bro. Mike promise given through the prophet in judgment. And a man shall be & Sis. Joyce Messner have suddenly Isaiah: “Seek the LORD while he as an hiding place from the wind, lost their granddaughter, Catina may be found, call ye upon him and a covert from the tempest; as Odegaard. Sis. Donnabell Nelson while he is near.” Isaiah 55:6 rivers of water in a dry place, as the has experienced the sudden loss of We are grateful for the visiting shadow of a great rock in a weary her daughter, Candice Pederson. ministers that served us in the past land.” Isaiah 32:1-2. Sunday School began for the few months: Bro. Brett Kellenberger I really appreciate the nuggets year on September 8. We pray (Sis. Rosanna, Sabetha, KS), Bro. of comfort like this that are placed for the Word to be planted in Mike Leman (Sis. Deb, Denver, throughout the word of God. Even young and tender hearts and ask CO), Bro. Greg Rassi (Sis. Carla, on my weakest days, I can read for God’s grace over the teachers Chicago, IL), and Elder Bro. Gerry and re-read these words, finding and students. Hertzel (Sis. Ellen, Sabetha, KS). reasons for praising our King. Note of Thanks: So today I am praising Him for Thank you to all those who Missouri, Lamar flowers alongside otherwise drab have offered prayers and visits to Mindy Wettstein roads, the scent of a rainstorm that me while I’ve been in the hospital. On August 16, we hosted a is slowly fizzling out, the love that Bro. Mike Messner (Sis. Joyce) dinner and singing shower for is passed around from one human Bro. John Lehman and Sis. Carol to the next sharing in the highs Missouri, Kansas City Marti. Thank you for sharing your and lows of life. These are a few Katy Frantz testimony of how the Lord brought examples of my rivers in dry places Summer has ended and all the you together! and shadows in a weary land. kids have returned to school, but A bus of believers from Gridley, There are so many more, if we are we wish the summer interns could Forrest, and Fairbury came to just willing to watch for them. have stayed longer to fellowship with fellowship with us August 17-18! We are thankful for all of the our small church. We appreciated With the support of numbers, we visitors over the summer. Pray for having the addition of Bro. Nelson divided up into several groups to sing our children and Sunday school Knobloch from Remington, to the elderly. Bro. Arlan Miller (Sis. teachers as they head into a new IN, Bro. Winston Leman from Katie, Forrest, IL), Bro. Clark Stoller year of learning. Francesville, IN and Bro. Phillip (Sis. Cindy, Gridley, IL), and Bro. Wegman from Taylor, MO. Trent Banwart (Sis. Kristi, Ft. Scott, Minnesota, Winthrop The beginning of school also KS) brought us the Word of Life on Julie Schmidt, Ginny Stoll brought with it the start to our Sunday. “Jesus knows thy sorrow, new year of Sunday School. It is so August 25, Bro. John Lehman knows thine every care; refreshing to see the new children (Bern, KS) covered ministering Knows thy deep contrition, come into their classes - eyes wide duties, as several were able to travel hears thy feeblest prayers; with excitement and hearts open to Bloomfield, IA to witness the Do not fear to trust Him, to hear about Jesus! In addition, weekend of Sis. Jackie Wettstein’s Tell Him all thy grief; we met with the Fort Scott church testimony and baptism (daughter Cast on Him thy burden, for a Sunday School picnic. We of Bro. Mark and Sis. Karen He will bring relief.” always enjoy the time when our Wettstein).

38 SILVER LINING October 2019 August 30 was the wedding of our visiting ministers: Bro. Doug evening activities, the children Bro. John Lehman and Sis. Carol Schock (Sis. Clara, Bloomfield, gathered around a world map to Marti. We were thankful many of IA), Bro. Bruce Frank (Sis. Bonita, be shown the location of the kids the visitors stayed and worshipped Cissna Park, IL); and also for visiting they were helping. As the children with us on Sunday, following the ministers we enjoyed Bro. John packaged school kits to be sent Saturday wedding! The visiting Lehman (Sis. Carol, Bern KS) and to Jamaica, it was a joy to watch ministers were: Bro. Tim Lehman Bro. Jeff Fischer (Sis. Gloria, Ft. them fill each bag with such a (Sis. Amber, Taylor, MO); Bro. Scott, KS). focus on helping the other kids. Dean Steffen (Sis. Carol, Belvidere, Bryson Frieden (Brock and How easy it is for us to forget IL); Bro. Matthew Schubach (Sis. Elizabeth Frieden) was in the just how blessed we are and what Courtney, Kiowa, KS); and Elder hospital this month, we praise God a good reminder it is to see our Bros.: Brad Strahm (Sis. Michelle, for healing. children helping others with a Bern, KS), Wayne Banwart Several additional couples have simple joy. (Champaign, IL), and Doug Schock joined our serving list, including Bro. (Sis. Clara, Bloomfield, IA). Sis. Monte and Sis. Linda Maus, and Missouri, Taylor Carol, we wish you the Lord’s Bro. Don and Sis. Aleta Banward Lori Marquart blessings as you move to Bern! (both couples of Ft. Scott, KS), and “Yea though I walk through the We are praising God for a new Brock and Elizabeth Frieden. We are valley of the shadow of death, I convert, Ryan Braker. His parents thankful for their consistent support! will fear no evil; for Thou art with are Terry and Rhonda Braker, and me…” Psalm 23:4 his grandma is Sis. Bonnie Braker. Missouri, St. Louis Bro. Robert Hoerr entered his Please join us in praying for him as Victoria Eberhardt eternal rest on August 19. Funeral God works the work of Salvation in We would like to thank our services were August 23 at the his life! visiting ministers this month, Taylor church, with his burial September 8, Bro. Jeff Fischer Elder Bro. Kent Heimer (Sis. Jan, including full military rites. Bro. (Ft. Scott, KS) ministered to us - Taylor, MO) and Bro. Jeff Leman Robert is survived by his wife of thank you! We also enjoyed visitors (Sis. Val, Bluffton North, IN). We 61 years, Sis. Emma “Dee”. They from Lester, IA and Forrest, IL as we are always so thankful for visitors have five children: Bro. Brent (Sis. would have otherwise been a small to our congregation. Charlotte), Scott, Ted, Sis. Amy gathering. The Ft. Scott church Many thanks go to our Taylor Adrian (Bro. Rusty), and Carrie invited us to join them and Kansas brethren for supporting us in so Sherman (Mike). Please pray for City for a picnic. We are blessed by many ways. This month, Bro. Kent this dear family which includes their friendship and fellowship! led our congregation to experience their 11 grandchildren, and 10 We had multiple visitors for the joy of placing Bro. Chris great grandchildren. a CEC (Church Establishment Wuethrich (Sis. Carla) officially A family connection brought Committee) Meeting. Sis. Bonita back into the St. Louis ministry Bro. Dan Cargill (Sis. Stephanie, Frank presented the topics regarding after their move back. Sis. Jan and Prescott) to Taylor. While here Dementia and Alzheimer’s. Thank several from our Taylor family to visit their daughter, Sis. Devan you for your willingness to present! spent the afternoon with all our (Bro. Kyle Grimm). We are grateful Bro. Jay Luthi joined us for Saturday children so that all the St. Louis to Bro. Dan for serving us from evening, however was unable to adults could partake in such a the pulpit on August 25. He worship with us on Sunday. special meeting. What examples of shared this bit of wisdom (author The brethren who assisted with being brothers and sisters in Christ. unknown), “Worry is like a rocking the CEC meetings also comprised Recently during a HarvestCall chair. It gives you something to do,

October 2019 SILVER LINING 39 but it never takes you anywhere.” New York, Croghan/ the message from the Lord. Bro. Clayton & Sis. Whitney Naumburg A few nights this past month Steidinger have moved to Karen Farney we gathered to listen to the Tremont, IL for employment We are thankful for the conference recordings. We thank reasons (which is actually a move announcements of new lives. God for giving the brothers the back “home” for Sis. Whitney). Bradley and Joyce Herzig, JR words to speak, to guide us on This young couple will be greatly welcomed a new granddaughter, our walk with Him, through this missed in Taylor, but when the Haven Yann Herzig, born June journey of life that we might come Lord says to move, it is best that 25. Parents are Jake and Chanda. to that good and blessed end. we heed! Pray that they feel God’s Justin and Caitlin (Schantz) We are also thankful for peace in their new surroundings. Hirschey welcomed a son, Ross David and Deborah Schneider. Gratitude and love is extended Gregory Hirschey, born February They have been assembling with to Bro. Loren Schrenk (Sis. 28. Joseph and Marissa (Hirschey) us since last fall and have made Betsy, St. Louis) who presented a Hartnett welcomed a son, Colin it known that they desire to be a Wednesday evening Bible study on Joseph, born July 5. He was also part of the body of Christ. We all September 4. welcomed by his sister, Isabelle. must come through the same door “…How beautiful are the feet Grandparents of Ross and Colin of repentance and conversation, of them that preach the gospel of are Martin and Linda (Plana) and that door is Christ. David peace, and bring glad tidings of good Hirschey. Bradley and Bryn is from this area, with ties to the things!” Romans 10:15 Virkler welcomed a daughter, church and has been away many Elder Bro. Kent & Sis. Jan Clara Mae, born July 6. She has years, working throughout the Heimer traveled to Dubai in a big sister, Emery Rae. We are land. We are thankful God has early September to meet with thankful for the safe arrival of directed them back home. representatives from RGMMI these precious gifts from our (Rural Gospel Medical Missions Heavenly Father. Ohio, Akron of India). Sis. Jan returned home As new lives come into Joelle Indermuhle while Bro. Kent went on to this world, there are lives that We bid farewell to Bro. Josh India for further meetings before leave this world. Bro. Bradley and Sis. Nicole Bolliger and their returning safely home. God is at Herzig, Sr, 88, passed away on twin girls, Isabelle and Arianna, as work all over His created world. Monday, August 19. He was great they returned home to Tremont, The calendar is marked for the grandfather of little Haven Yann IL. We enjoyed having them weekend of October 19! We are that was listed in the births. Bro. attend Akron for the past two rejoicing at the news that Jonathan Bradley is survived by his wife, Sis. years while Bro. Josh attended and Natalie Wegman (Bro. Jeanie (Virkler) of Castorland; son college and pray they can adjust Scott & Sis. Dawn) and Shalise and daughter-in-law, Bradley, Jr quickly to being home again. Steidinger (Bro. Rick & Sis. Kim) and Joyce (Robbins) of Lowville; Bro. Kenny Graf (Bro. Todd are at peace with God and man daughter, Sis. Gwen McGillvray of and Sis. Lydia) and Sis. Sophie and desire to share their personal Castorland; and his grandchildren Getz were wed in Remington, IN testimony of redemption, and to and great grandchildren. He was on September 1. May God bless be baptized. predeceased by a daughter, Sis. them in their marriage. Prayers are requested for recent Pam Herzig. September 8 was the baptism hospital patient, Brenda Simmons. Ministering Bro. Dan Goric of Sis. Bethany Gal (Bro. George (Sis. Mary Lou, Rockville, CT) were and Sis. Tina) and Sis. LaNae with us August 18 and brought us Schar (Bro. Tim and Sis. Joanne).

40 SILVER LINING October 2019 We appreciated having Bro. Ohio, Junction Savior’s sacrifice and of our calling Ben Wiegand (Sis. Michelle, Elizabeth Manz to serve Him faithfully until He Philadelphia, PA) here for the We are thankful that Daniele comes again. Our heartfelt thanks weekend to assist with testimonies Porter (Josh) has begun her go to Elder Bro. Craig for serving and the baptismal service. Bro. repentance. We pray that she will and ministering to us. Tim Ramsier (Sis. Joni, Rittman) find courage and grace as she grows Also, this month we had our also served us from the pulpit on in her faith. Praise God for His annual Sunday School picnic. Our Sunday. We were reminded what mercy in drawing people to Himself! youth are a blessing. We pray for an encouragement it is to be able to Bro. Paul and Sis. Sandra wisdom for our Sunday School travel and gather with brethren and Manz are thankful for another teachers. May we all walk in the of the precious fellowship we share! granddaughter, Valerie Ruth, born ways of Jesus. to Bro. Matt and Sis. Wendy Miller “But Jesus said, Suffer little Ohio, Columbus (Latty, OH) on September 12. children, and forbid them not, to Nancy Banks Evan Schlatter (Miranda) has come unto me: for of such is the We have been blessed to have repented of his sins and stands at kingdom of heaven.” Matt. 19:14 had several ministers visiting and peace with God. We look forward Our continued prayers are worshipping with us this month. to his testimony and baptism in with Lily Sinn (Bro. Gary and Sis. We appreciate the efforts of Bro. the near future, Lord willing. Paulette) as she has peace and is Gary Maibach (Sis. MaryAnn, Bro. Derek Schlatter will be awaiting baptism. Smithville, OH), Bro. Todd Sinn taking over Bro. Mitch Manz’s (Sis. Janet, Latty, OH), Bro. Jerry ushering responsibilities as Bro. Ohio, Mansfield Bauman (Sis. Martha, Rittman, Mitch prepares to move to Kansas Katie Miller OH) and Bro. Andrew Rassi City, MO after his wedding. We have been prayerful for (Sandy, Morton, IL). Bro. Fred Dietz (Sis. Shaena, Elizabeth Brandt through her initial College Welcome Day was Elgin, IL) and Bro. Chet Manz surgery and recovery. Her parents are held September 8. The picnic (Sis. Jenny, Toledo, OH) were Bro. Greg and Sis. Sharon Sabo. She opens with introductions of among our visitors this month. We and her family are in our thoughts as returning and new students that are thankful for their ministry of she faces an additional surgery in the attend colleges in Columbus and the Word. near future. surrounding areas. We pray for We were blessed by the visit each and every one of our students Ohio, Latty of Bro. Matt Manz (Sis. Deanna, as they begin the new year. Angie Klopfenstein, Toledo, OH) and Bro. Chet Manz Thoughts and prayers are with Carmen Stoller (Sis. Jennifer, Toledo, OH) who our Sis. Cheryl Gehres who has “And when He had given thanks, served us over the pulpit. Let us each been in the hospital after several He brake it, and said, Take, eat: strive to live the inspired Word to falls. She has now been moved this is My body, which is broken for encourage those around us! into a facility for rehabilitation you: this do in remembrance of me.” “O for a thousand tongues to sing My and recovery. We also send get 1 Cor. 11:24 great Redeemer’s praise, The glories of well wishes to Jennifer Curry On the weekend of September my God and King, The triumphs of His (Jonathan) as she recovers from 14-15, Elder Bro. Craig Martin grace. Jesus! the name that charms our surgery. She is currently in rehab to (Sis. Terri, Princeville, IL) assisted fears, That bids our sorrows cease, ‘Tis recover and gain strength for other our Elder Bro. John by sharing music in the sinner’s ears, ‘Tis life, and surgeries in the coming months. communion with our church health, and peace.” family. We were reminded of our Hymns of Zion #291

October 2019 SILVER LINING 41 Ohio, Rittman one in the Lord. George Riggenbach, Bro. Bob Julie Steiner, Maria Beery We rejoice in the safe arrival (Sis. Lorie) Riggenbach, Sis. Linda The Lord has been good to of two babies this month. Oakley Zollinger, and Cydney Emch (Bro. us this month. Are we thankful? Eden Beery was born September Bryan & Sis. Amber). Or, are we like a child who is 10 to Bro. Chad & Sis. Katie We’re thankful for guest temperamental, pleasant if given Beery. Thankful siblings are ministers this past month who everything they ask for…but Cayden, Ava, Larkyn, & Hudson. have willingly preached the Word: grumpy if told “no”? Can God Grandparents are Bro. Walt & Sis. Elder Bro. Tony Manz (Junction, trust us enough, that He can tell Lynda Beery and Bro. Tim & Sis. OH), Bro. Mark Ramsier (Sardis, us “no”, and yet our relationship Joni Ramsier. On September 13, OH), Bro. Leland Plattner with Him will still grow? Then Kevin Baker Leonhard was born (Zapata, TX), Bro. Matt Feucht think of Job. During his trial, to Matthew & Lexi Leonhard. (Roanoke, IL), Bro. Nathaniel he heard silence from God, His thankful grandparents are Ramsey (Mansfield, OH), and unsure how to even consider his Tom & Sis. Holly Leonhard. retired Elder Bro. Ken Indermuhle relationship with God. In all Sis. Martha Zollinger (Carl) (Sardis, OH). May God remember our decisions, in all our daily breathed her last breath, and their efforts, and so many others challenges, may our persistence entered eternity. She leaves behind who diligently care for the needs and trust in God clearly show. her husband; children: Andrew of our church. “Though He slay me, yet will I & Caresse Zollinger, Sis. Anita & trust in Him,” Job 13:15 Dan Pope, and Michael & Helen Ohio, Sardis This month, we welcomed two Zollinger; many grandchildren & Renee Blough, Doris Miller new lambs into the fold, through great-grandchildren; and a host of As students begin a new year baptism. Our Bro. Jacob Hartzler memories. Sis. Anna Rufener (Bro. in school, changes also occur (Bro. Tim & Sis. Sharon) and Sis. Orin) passed away. She will be in the Sunday School rooms in Leah Steiner (Bro. Nate & Sis. missed by her husband; her three Sardis. We give heartfelt thanks to Anita) publicly confessed their sons: Paul & Denise Rufener, Bro. Sis. Cheryl Indermuhle; and Bros. desire to live for God the rest of Leon & Sis. Lori Rufener, and Jeb Joos, Alan Blough, and Andy their life. May God bless these Bro. Dan & Sis. Karen Rufener; Figel as they turn their classes over young souls. many grandchildren & great to new teachers. We are thankful When the Lord calls, may we grandchildren who loved her, for many Christ-centered family be listening. Ashley Steiner (Bro. and felt her love for them. We homes and Sunday School classes. Joel & Sis. Katrina) and Chad extend our sympathy to Sis. Holly “Train up a child in the way he Ramsier (Bro. Tim & Sis. Joni) (Tom) Leonhard in the loss of her should go; and when he is old, he answered God’s call to repent. brother, Terry Haines. God knows will not depoart from it.” Prov. 22:6 Though they aren’t promised an the needs of those left behind. Prayers for wisdom go to easy road, we have confidence they May they find strength for each Sisters Joy Indermuhle, Dee will receive abundant grace as they new day. Beard, Alice Ramsier, Faith Beard; humble their lives before Him. Hard times come in many and Bros. Garth Maibach and Sis. Charity Gasser (Bro. ways, some known to us, but Matt Brake as they begin a new Aaron & Sis. Deb) and Bro. Aaron often silent and born quietly. We round of lessons with the youth Zollinger (Bro. Marvin & Sis. want to remember those who have who will be the future church. Pam, Smithville) have announced spent time in the hospital this Bro. Dale Riggenbach recently their engagement. We wish them past month, including Bro. Orin passed from this life to eternity. grace and peace as they become Rufener, Bro. Mitch Baltic, Bro. He was a special elderly brother

42 SILVER LINING October 2019 who will be remembered for his Aaron and Sis. Deb, Rittman, OH) but we have not. We have to be contentment, his kindness, and his also announced their engagement. exceptional in the ordinary things, support of the church, and will be May God bless these two couples to be holy in mean streets, among greatly missed by his family and our during this special time. mean people, and this is not church family. A special touch at the Bro. Dana Riggenbach and learned in five minutes.” funeral service was added when the Sis. Jollene (Bro. Steven) Hofacre -Oswald Chambers. choir sang, Take Time To Be Holy, spent time in the hospital this This quote really touched my Hymns of Zion #112. It was the last month. We pray for healing and heart. God does not demand what hymn that Bro. Dale had selected God’s nearness as they recover. is impossible from us. He does not a couple weeks prior at the church We extend our sympathy expect us all to accomplish great nursing home singing, where he to Sis. Mary Ann (Bro. Lyman) feats in His name. Instead, he calls was a resident. He was preceded in Feldman at the death of her sister, for faithfulness in the small things death by his wife, Sis. Virginia, and Sis. Martha (Carl) Zollinger and then enables us to fulfill is survived by daughter, Millie; three (Rittman, OH). this calling through His power. sons, Jim, Bill and Don; and many The Christian life is not about of their loved ones. Ohio, Toledo observing the Scriptures on the big The Miller family had many Rebekah Witzig, Brooke Harmon life matters, but a continual, daily visitors from around Ohio who Fall is just around the corner study of and obedience to the gathered for an annual family and school is back in session. Word. The everyday moments that reunion. Among them was Bro. We are blessed to have multiple seem trivial and mundane can all Trent Gasser (Sis. Molly, Akron, college students attending the be carried out for glory of Yahwah. OH). We extend special thanks University of Toledo, which brings “Whether therefore ye eat, or to him for serving on the pulpit. a variety of new faces and families drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to The Hartzler family also spent a to our congregation. As a church the glory of God.” 1 Cor. 10:31. weekend together in Sardis, and as family, we celebrated by hosting a they usually do, invited the church welcome picnic for these students Ontario, Kitchener for a Sunday afternoon potluck. and their families. We were also RoseLynn Metzger These times together are cherished privileged to have Bro. Warren “The name of the Lord is a strong and looked forward to by both Schlatter (Junction, OH) preach tower: the righteous runneth into it, children and adults. the Word during one of our and is safe.” Prov. 18:10 Sunday services. A warm hello from us in Ohio Smithville Our thoughts and prayers Kitchener! As summer comes to Connie Maletich, Millie Stoller have been with Sis. Teresa a close, we see that all things in We are thankful Melody Rywalski as she underwent life are constantly changing. The Stoller (Bro. Scott and Sis. surgery and a subsequent hospital children have gone back to school, Charlene) has yielded her heart to stay due to an infection. the leaves are slowly turning the Lord in humble repentance. We also mourn with Sis. colors and there is a crisp breeze Two engagements were made Connie Sancraint as her husband in the air. Thankfully, there is one known to us this month. Bro. Dave unexpectedly passed away. constant in our lives, and that is Dinold Gabriel is engaged to Sis. We earnestly pray that the comfort God and the love He shows. Karla Detweiler (Bro. Loren and Sis. of the Holy Spirit will be upon On August 18, Bro. Ned Marlene, Silverton OR). Bro. Aaron this dear family. Stoller (Sis. Heidi, Alto, MI) came Zollinger (Bro. Marvin and Sis. “It is inbred in us that we have to serve on the pulpit. The same Pam) and Sis. Charity Gasser (Bro. to do exceptional things for God: weekend, the young group travelled

October 2019 SILVER LINING 43 to Livonia, MI for an Invite-a- our elder brethren as we heard Marlene) to Bro. Dinold Gabriel Friend weekend. On behalf of the the Memorandum, and have from Smithville, OH. We are young group, we would like to started to listen to the Conference thankful for God’s direction in thank all those involved in hosting recordings. May The Lord bless both of their lives and pray for His us, preparing food and organizing them for their willingness to serve. love to grow in their hearts and activities. We really enjoyed the Visiting ministers from draw them close together. time spent together! Silverton, OR were Bro. Chris Ben Meyer is being deployed The following two weekends, Kuenzi (Sis. Mary) and Bro. Ron to Afghanistan and, Lord willing, we did not have a minister and held Jones (Sis. Liz). We are thankful plans to return in March. Please call-in services at church instead. for their continued support. pray for protection and the Lord’s Elder Bro. Mark Bahr (Sis. Bev, nearness during this time. Livonia, MI) came on September 8 Oregon, Silverton Sis. Leanne Kuenzi (Bro. to counsel and minister. Lorraine Kuenzi, Teresa Tribbett Harvey and Sis. Jennifer) has We are happy to announce August 25, we had the pleasure recently moved to Wolcott, IN that convert Emily Mathiesen to witness the wedding of Sis. Jenna to take a teaching position at (Bro. Murray & Sis. Esther Wiegand (Bro. John and Sis. Jane) Cornerstone Private School. We Metzger) has a testimony of to Bro. Ethan Hartter (Bro. Chris will miss having Sis. Leanne in repentance and conversion, being and Sis. Jill) from Washington, Silverton, but trust that God will saved by grace through faith, and IL. We are thankful for God’s bless her work in Indiana. of reconciliation and peace with work in their lives and pray for His Bro. Kevin Dettwyler (Sis. Jill) God, and has expressed her desire continued guidance as they set out recently had surgery to remove a for baptism. We are so excited on this new adventure together! We cancerous tumor. We are thankful for her and look forward to this appreciated the many ministers who for God’s protection and would special event! were able to share the Gospel and ask for your continued prayers for On September 15, Bro. fellowship with us over the weekend a full recovery. Warren Schlatter (Sis. Cindy, including: Elder Bro. Kevin Ryan September 14, we had the honor Junction, OH) were with us on (Sis. Cheryl) from Rockville, CT, of sharing the Lord’s Communion Sunday. We really appreciate Elder Bro. Ron Messner (Sis. Pam) together with Elder Bro. Nick and their dedication to our small from Washington, IL, Elder Bro. Sis. Suzanne Gutwein from West congregation. They have been a Ben Wiegand (Sis. Michelle) from Lafayette, IN. We were encouraged wonderful blessing to us. Thank Philadelphia, PA, Bro. Justin Koch to remember the sacrifice our you to all other visitors who made (Sis. Marcia) from Washington, Savior made and to allow that the effort to come this month. IL, Bro. Joe Klotzle (Sis. Sue) from remembrance to motivate us to May God bless you richly for this! Altadena, CA, and Bro. Doug action. Bro. Clark and Sis. Cindy “The LORD bless thee, and keep Wagenbach (Sis. Lillian) from San Stoller from Gridley, IL also joined thee: The LORD make his face Diego, CA. us for the weekend. We are so very shine upon thee, and be gracious Bro. Mark and Sis. Elsie Sinn thankful for both Bro. Nick and unto thee: The LORD lift up his welcomed a grandson, Mathis Jay, Bro. Clark’s willingness to share the countenance upon thee, and give on August 27. Mathis was born Gospel message with us. We pray thee peace.” Num. 6:24-26 to Bro. Nathaniel and Sis. Tressa for God’s blessing as they continue Leman from Morton, IL. to serve Him. Oregon, Portland We are happy to share the Nick and Brittany Prince Louisa Gallup news of Sis. Karla Dettwyler’s have been attending the Silverton We appreciate the work of engagement (Bro. Loren and Sis. church for quite some time and

44 SILVER LINING October 2019 desire to become a part of our He’ll satisfy. Pick up the broken pieces everyone passing through to stop congregation. We look forward and bring them to the Lord; Pick up the and worship with us! to Lord willing hearing their broken pieces, trust in His holy Word; Please refer to our minister’s testimonies at the end of the year. He will put them back together and directory for directions and contacts. Fall seems to have arrived make your life complete. Just place the overnight in Oregon and as the broken pieces at the Savior’s feet. You Texas, Zapata rains come, we can be reminded may feel that there’s no hope, broken Mary Plattner of how the love of Jesus and His hearts just cannot mend; Tho’ you’re We in Zapata are welcoming sacrifice have washed away all our torn in many pieces, Christ can make the winter season as our winter sins and made us new! you whole again; Storms of doubt blow family will be returning soon. all directions, But don’t you be afraid, We thank the Elgin, IA Pennsylvania, God can make all corrections, He made congregation for hosting our Philadelphia a body out of clay.” Zapata Reunion this summer. It Laura Isch In Japan, broken pottery is was a blessed weekend as some “Remember now thy Creator in often repaired with lacquer dusted who have not been able to travel the days of thy youth, while the evil or mixed with gold, silver or South any longer were able to be days come not, nor the years draw platinum, known as Kintsukuroi. with us there. nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no The flaw is seen as a unique piece of Anyone wishing to come pleasure in them;” Ecclesiastes 12:1 the object’s history, which adds to to Zapata this winter is most The Philadelphia Church its beauty; just as we are when we welcome. We do appreciate our held its Sunday School picnic on bring our broken pieces to the Lord winter visitors. September 8. The Sunday School and Christ makes us whole again. is such an important part of our “The sacrifices of God are a broken Vermont, Clarendon church! We are thankful for spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, Nathan Reutter their enthusiasm and energy! We O God, thou wilt not despise.” Visiting ministers from the continue to pray that their hearts Psalm 51:17 past month encouraged us through will be drawn close to God and We were blessed by guest the Word. We were thankful they that we can do our part to be a minister, Bro. Tony Manz did not deviate from the simple good example to them. (Junction, OH); special thanks messages found therein. They for ministering to us on a include Bro. Don & Sis. Connie Texas, Austin/Bastrop Wednesday night. Manz (Junction, OH), Bro. Wes & Candace Meiss “Pick up the broken pieces and Sis. Esther Moser (Lester, IA), Bro. We send our Love and bring them to the Lord; Pick up Scott & Sis. Gigi Schafer (South Greetings from Austin/Bastrop. the broken pieces, trust in His Bend, IN), Bro. Jeff & Sis. Carole In the stillness of the morning holy Word; He will put them Gerber (Rockville, CT), and as I ask God to direct my day, back together and make your life Bro. Marvin & Sis. Sue Hartzler scripture verses and songs come to complete. Just place the broken (Rittman, OH). From many mind. The song “Broken Pieces” pieces at the Savior’s feet.” ministers came the same message of by Rudy Kitchen and James “And whosoever shall fall on hope through Jesus. Marin, Jr. encourages us to trust this stone shall be broken: but on We also enjoyed the Sunday in His Holy Word as we pick up whomsoever it shall fall, it will school picnic this month and our broken pieces and give them grind him to powder.” Matt. 21:44 enjoyed the sweet fellowship of all to Him. We are so thankful for our small group along with a few “Just bring your cares to Jesus, Your soul our visitors and encourage from the Rockville, CT church.

October 2019 SILVER LINING 45 oning seles ith the demonstrated by silence. Meekness is not being In her actions and words, a woman with a meek passive in the face of wrongdoing. Meekness is not and quiet spirit: naent of a ee an iet Siit being unwilling or unable to lead. • Radiates calm and con dence, by - Sis. Gail Bradford (Indianapolis, IN) When we know what meekness is not, we • Shows love, can more clearly realize its blessings. e Bible • Makes wise decisions, promises blessings for a meek and quiet spirit. • Does not o end easily, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the • Demonstrates resolve and steadfastness, and earth” (Matthew 5:5). “ e fruit of the Spirit • Is slow to anger. is love, joy, peace, longsu ering, gentleness, Are we letting God shape us into being such a goodness, faith, meekness, temperance; against humble woman? such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23). As referenced earlier, the word “humility” A picture emerges of a woman who adorns herself relates closely to meekness. As a virtue that both Humility #186 “Meekness is the noblest virtue, us submitting to them (I Corinthians 11:3, 14:34; with the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit. is the Old and New Testaments repeatedly promote, Zion's Harp Ev’ry Christian’s honor bright; Ephesians 5:22). is apparent contrast could woman exhibits a calm con dence and a tranquil being humble is not thinking less of ourselves, but It adorns the youthful member contribute to uncertainty at work and to con ict stillness in her heart, which is at rest in Christ. thinking of ourselves less. Choosing humility means And the aged with its might. elsewhere. Yet, before we conclude that there are “ ou will keep him (her) in perfect peace; whose placing con dence in the Lord rather than in our ough it does not stand in favor irreconcilable di erences between these two concepts mind is stayed on thee, because he (she) trusteth in own intelligence, cleverness, beauty, or talents. With those of a proud behavior, of being successful, let’s delve deeper into the actual thee” (Isaiah 26:3). She is not arrogant or assuming. “Genuine humility is a re ection of neither weakness Yet ‘tis more than precious gold, de nition of the word “meek.” She knows her worth is not in her self, but in her nor insecurity. Instead, it implies a respectful More than fame and wealth untold.” In the King James Version, “meek” comes from relationship to Christ. “Let nothing be done through appreciation of the strengths of others, a lack of the Greek word praus, which describes a person who strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each personal pretension and a more relaxed sense of hese familiar words from verse one of is warm, friendly, patient, forbearing, kind, and esteem other better than themselves” (Philippians 2:3). con dence that doesn't require external recognition” “Humility,” hymn #186 in our Zion’s Harp, gentle. As translated from Peter’s use of the Greek Rather than avoiding controversy, a godly (Forbes Magazine, October 29, 2015). relate to a challenging scriptural passage. word histuchios, “quiet” describes being peaceful and woman faces necessary challenges under the Holy How can we women be humble, meek, and T“o o let it not be that outward adorning tranquil, and exhibiting a spirit of quietness. Spirit’s in uence. “Brethren, if a (wo)man be quiet in this often bold, brash, thoughtless, and of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of Examples are a good way to de ne meekness more overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore hurtful culture? While the answer is simple, it putting on of apparel, But t t the hidden man clearly. Whose example demonstrates this attribute as such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering may not be easy. We can practice gratitude. Being of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even t our best model in the Bible? You know Him as Jesus! thyself, lest thou also be tempted” (Galatians 6:1). thankful (otherwise known as counting our ot o t t, which is in the “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am Her con dence is in the security of the truths she blessings) can calm even the most troubled soul. sight of God of great price” (I Peter 3:3-4). meek and lowly in heart: …” (Matthew 11:29). Before reads in the Bible, and she is not easily o ended. When we think about what we have rather than In American culture today, being “meek” is Christ, Moses lead the Jewish people out of Egypt. “Great peace have they which love thy law; and what we lack, we realize that our life is indeed full hardly considered a virtue. Instead, people promote He “… was very meek, above all the men which were nothing shall o end them” (Psalm 19:165). of blessings. being insistent, assertive, and forward. Especially in upon the face of the earth” (Numbers 12:3). A woman with a meek and quiet spirit is a When we adorn ourselves with the ornament the work world, many desire to be self-promoting Closer to our own time, an 1828 dictionary strong and steady force among the storms of life, of a humble, meek, and quiet spirit, we often and to take charge. It feels like the way to get ahead. de nes meek as “mild of temper; soft; gentle; not easily which inevitably bu et every person. “Take my di erentiate ourselves as examples of living in As women – regardless of whether or not we are provoked or irritated, yielding; humble; not proud or yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and the world but not of it (John 17:14-17). is employed outside our home, we may perceive these apt to complain.” A more recent dictionary describes lowly in heart; and ye shall nd rest unto your souls” separateness can invite bene cial conversations qualities as equally useful within our social lives. meekness as showing patience or humility; gentleness. (Matthew 11:29). She is consistent and reliable in her about why we are behaving this way. ese Living in our society can seem confusing A modern thesaurus gives “mild,” “peaceful,” and reaction to unexpected circumstances. Indeed, she discussions are opportunities to testify of how Jesus’ for a Christian woman. On one hand, our “deferential” as synonyms for meekness. does not contribute to the chaos that such surprises love and instruction guide our lives in a way that’s promotion or raise may depend on our ability In addition to understanding the Biblical often produce. “(S)he that is slow to anger is better available to everyone. While those we encounter to be a “boss.” However, at home and/or in the and more contemporary de nitions of meekness, than the mighty;” (Proverbs 16:32a). She is at peace and we ourselves have unique personality types, church, the Scriptures reveal that our husbands it is useful to understand what meekness is not. because she trusts God. “Be still, and know that I am each of us can be a woman of a meek and quiet or male leadership are our heads, which involves Meekness is not weakness. Meekness is not always God: …” (Psalms 45:10a). spirit. Jesus shows us the way.

46 SILVER LINING October 2019 oning seles ith the demonstrated by silence. Meekness is not being In her actions and words, a woman with a meek passive in the face of wrongdoing. Meekness is not and quiet spirit: naent of a ee an iet Siit being unwilling or unable to lead. • Radiates calm and con dence, by - Sis. Gail Bradford (Indianapolis, IN) When we know what meekness is not, we • Shows love, can more clearly realize its blessings. e Bible • Makes wise decisions, promises blessings for a meek and quiet spirit. • Does not o end easily, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the • Demonstrates resolve and steadfastness, and earth” (Matthew 5:5). “ e fruit of the Spirit • Is slow to anger. is love, joy, peace, longsu ering, gentleness, Are we letting God shape us into being such a goodness, faith, meekness, temperance; against humble woman? such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23). As referenced earlier, the word “humility” A picture emerges of a woman who adorns herself relates closely to meekness. As a virtue that both Humility #186 “Meekness is the noblest virtue, us submitting to them (I Corinthians 11:3, 14:34; with the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit. is the Old and New Testaments repeatedly promote, Zion's Harp Ev’ry Christian’s honor bright; Ephesians 5:22). is apparent contrast could woman exhibits a calm con dence and a tranquil being humble is not thinking less of ourselves, but It adorns the youthful member contribute to uncertainty at work and to con ict stillness in her heart, which is at rest in Christ. thinking of ourselves less. Choosing humility means And the aged with its might. elsewhere. Yet, before we conclude that there are “ ou will keep him (her) in perfect peace; whose placing con dence in the Lord rather than in our ough it does not stand in favor irreconcilable di erences between these two concepts mind is stayed on thee, because he (she) trusteth in own intelligence, cleverness, beauty, or talents. With those of a proud behavior, of being successful, let’s delve deeper into the actual thee” (Isaiah 26:3). She is not arrogant or assuming. “Genuine humility is a re ection of neither weakness Yet ‘tis more than precious gold, de nition of the word “meek.” She knows her worth is not in her self, but in her nor insecurity. Instead, it implies a respectful More than fame and wealth untold.” In the King James Version, “meek” comes from relationship to Christ. “Let nothing be done through appreciation of the strengths of others, a lack of the Greek word praus, which describes a person who strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each personal pretension and a more relaxed sense of hese familiar words from verse one of is warm, friendly, patient, forbearing, kind, and esteem other better than themselves” (Philippians 2:3). con dence that doesn't require external recognition” “Humility,” hymn #186 in our Zion’s Harp, gentle. As translated from Peter’s use of the Greek Rather than avoiding controversy, a godly (Forbes Magazine, October 29, 2015). relate to a challenging scriptural passage. word histuchios, “quiet” describes being peaceful and woman faces necessary challenges under the Holy How can we women be humble, meek, and T“o o let it not be that outward adorning tranquil, and exhibiting a spirit of quietness. Spirit’s in uence. “Brethren, if a (wo)man be quiet in this often bold, brash, thoughtless, and of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of Examples are a good way to de ne meekness more overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore hurtful culture? While the answer is simple, it putting on of apparel, But t t the hidden man clearly. Whose example demonstrates this attribute as such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering may not be easy. We can practice gratitude. Being of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even t our best model in the Bible? You know Him as Jesus! thyself, lest thou also be tempted” (Galatians 6:1). thankful (otherwise known as counting our ot o t t, which is in the “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am Her con dence is in the security of the truths she blessings) can calm even the most troubled soul. sight of God of great price” (I Peter 3:3-4). meek and lowly in heart: …” (Matthew 11:29). Before reads in the Bible, and she is not easily o ended. When we think about what we have rather than In American culture today, being “meek” is Christ, Moses lead the Jewish people out of Egypt. “Great peace have they which love thy law; and what we lack, we realize that our life is indeed full hardly considered a virtue. Instead, people promote He “… was very meek, above all the men which were nothing shall o end them” (Psalm 19:165). of blessings. being insistent, assertive, and forward. Especially in upon the face of the earth” (Numbers 12:3). A woman with a meek and quiet spirit is a When we adorn ourselves with the ornament the work world, many desire to be self-promoting Closer to our own time, an 1828 dictionary strong and steady force among the storms of life, of a humble, meek, and quiet spirit, we often and to take charge. It feels like the way to get ahead. de nes meek as “mild of temper; soft; gentle; not easily which inevitably bu et every person. “Take my di erentiate ourselves as examples of living in As women – regardless of whether or not we are provoked or irritated, yielding; humble; not proud or yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and the world but not of it (John 17:14-17). is employed outside our home, we may perceive these apt to complain.” A more recent dictionary describes lowly in heart; and ye shall nd rest unto your souls” separateness can invite bene cial conversations qualities as equally useful within our social lives. meekness as showing patience or humility; gentleness. (Matthew 11:29). She is consistent and reliable in her about why we are behaving this way. ese Living in our society can seem confusing A modern thesaurus gives “mild,” “peaceful,” and reaction to unexpected circumstances. Indeed, she discussions are opportunities to testify of how Jesus’ for a Christian woman. On one hand, our “deferential” as synonyms for meekness. does not contribute to the chaos that such surprises love and instruction guide our lives in a way that’s promotion or raise may depend on our ability In addition to understanding the Biblical often produce. “(S)he that is slow to anger is better available to everyone. While those we encounter to be a “boss.” However, at home and/or in the and more contemporary de nitions of meekness, than the mighty;” (Proverbs 16:32a). She is at peace and we ourselves have unique personality types, church, the Scriptures reveal that our husbands it is useful to understand what meekness is not. because she trusts God. “Be still, and know that I am each of us can be a woman of a meek and quiet or male leadership are our heads, which involves Meekness is not weakness. Meekness is not always God: …” (Psalms 45:10a). spirit. Jesus shows us the way.

October 2019 SILVER LINING 47 The News & Notices section ofThe Silver Lining provides a way for qualifying non-profit entities to make the brotherhood aware of church-related events, opportunities, needs, and services that would be of special interest to Apostolic Christian Church of America members and regular attendees. Email us at [email protected] for a copy of our advertising policy, which specifies who June advertise, sizes, file formats and deadlines. News & Notices

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Christian Guesthouse and Worship Services in Rochester, MN Accommodations for Juneo Clinic outpatients and families – two locations: 1. Guesthouse - Three bedrooms with private baths, laundry, kitchen and family room area. 2. Near St. Mary’s Hospital - two bedroom apartment within a 12 unit building.

Guesthouse Accommodations: Mid-week Services: For information and reservations, contact caretakers: (3rd Wednesday in Rochester area) Bro. Randy and Sis. Brittaney Lehman For information, contact: 4733 Birdie Lane NW, Rochester, MN 55901 Bro. Jim and Sis. Deb Tilbury Phone: (507) 288-0072 Phone: (507) 281-2875

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48 SILVER LINING October 2019 Come to the Hospital Lumiere Bene t Auction

Hospital Lumiere Bonne Fin, Haiti BENEFIT

Friday,AUCTION November 8, 2019

LOCAL AUCTION Your bids can provide medical REPRESENTATIVES care to needy Haitians. • Bluffton, IN – Leon & Pat Gerber [email protected] or 260-273-3811 HarvestCall is renovating and managing a mission • Eureka, IL – Colin & Kyla Knapp hospital in Bonne Fin, Haiti. e annual bene t auction [email protected] – 309-712-6323 • Forrest, IL – Ted & Teresa Bachtold is an important part of Hospital Lumiere’s annual [email protected] or 815-848-706 funding. Please consider attending the auction and • Goodﬁ eld, IL – Jill & Greg Wagner enjoy a time of fellowship, food, music and giving. [email protected] • Mediapolis, IA – Joel & Abigail Steiner Available Items [email protected] – 515-441-2797 Toys • Gift Baskets • Electronics • Vacation Packages • Tools • Morton, IL – Michael & Tami Leman • Gift Certi cates • Recreational Equipment • Dinners [email protected] 309-988-6035 • Princeville, IL – Carol Martin Friday, Nov. 8, 2019 [email protected] or 309-337-0031 Five Points Washington • Rittman, OH – Alice Widmer 360 N Wilmor Rd, Washington, IL 61571 [email protected] or 330-464-7402 4:30 – Food Court & Silent Auction • Sabetha, KS – Don Plattner 6:15 – Musical Entertainment [email protected] or 785-532-9206 7:00 – Live Auction • Silverton, OR – Evan & Emily Schmidgall [email protected] or 503-871-4286 TO DONATE: Contact Rich Bertschi or a Local Auction Representative • South Bend, IN – Bob & Sue Beebe Phone: 309/467-2351 Email: [email protected] [email protected] or 574-291-2158 • Washington, IL – Jon & Cheryl Ricketts TO LEARN MORE VISIT: [email protected] or 309-444-9061 harvestcall.org/bene t-auction

October 2019 SILVER LINING 49 TEAM INFORMATION

Haiti Teams - Les Cayes Haiti Medical / Dental Teams YEAR 2019 PROJECT CAPACITY YEAR 2019 PROJECT CAPACITY Nov 8-15 Waiter Aid / Les Cayes 4 Oct 12-19 Continuing Nurse Education FULL Rich Kuntz 815-848-2420 Email: [email protected] Oct 26 - Nov 2 Dental FULL Nov 8-15 Haiti Trade Schools / Les Cayes 4 Nov 30 - Dec 7 SCOA Orthopedic FULL Andy Getz 574-870-5046 Email: [email protected] YEAR 2020 PROJECT CAPACITY Dec 6-13 MEBSH Construction / Les Cayes 12 Jan 18-25 SCOA Orthopedic FULL Lane Gerber 260-241-4099 Email: [email protected] Jan 25 - Feb 1 Cervical Cancer Screening 8 YEAR 2020 PROJECT CAPACITY Feb 15-22 Eye-Vision 8 Jan 3-10 MEBSH Construction / Les Cayes 12 Feb 29 - Mar 7 Dental 8 Ron Palitto 330-336-5373 Email: [email protected] Mar 14-21 SCOA Orthopedic FULL Jan 10-17 Water Aid / Les Cayes 4 Apr 18-25 Continuing Nursing Education 4 Rich Kuntz 815-848-2420 Email: [email protected] Apr 18-25 Urology 2-4 Jan 10-17 Haiti Trade Schools / Les Cayes 4 May 16-23 SCOA Orthopedic FULL Andy Getz 574-870-5046 Email: [email protected] July 11-18 SCOA Orthopedic FULL Jan 17-24 MEBSH Construction / Les Cayes 12 Aug 8-15 Open 8 Nathan Steffen 616-308-6621 Email: [email protected] Sept 12-19 SCOA Orthopedic FULL Jan 31-Feb 7 MEBSH Construction / Les Cayes 12 Oct 3-10 Urology 2-4 Harvey Kuenzi 509-932-3128 Email: [email protected] Oct 3-10 Continuing Nursing Education 4 Feb 14-21 MEBSH Construction / Les Cayes 12 Oct 24-31 Dental FULL Jonathan Hodel 309-361-5031 Email: [email protected] Nov 14-21 SCOA Orthopedic FULL Feb 28-Mar 6 MEBSH Construction / Les Cayes 12 COORDINATOR FOR ALL HAITI MEDICAL TEAMS: Steve Leuthold 309-645-2208 Email: [email protected] Komari Aberle Email: [email protected] | Phone: 785.284.2950 Mar 6-13 Haiti Trade Schools / Les Cayes 4 Andy Getz 574-870-5046 Email: [email protected] Haiti Awareness Tours Mar 6-13 Water Aid / Les Cayes 4 Rich Kuntz 815-848-2420 Email: [email protected] If you’d like to see the ministry of Hospital Mar 25-30 Haiti Support / Les Cayes HC-CC Lumiere and other Haiti projects in person, but Jon Zeller 309-266-9009 Email: [email protected] do not have the time or desire to participate Mar 30-Apr 6 Maintenance / Les Cayes 12 in a week-long work team, please consider our Jon Zeller 309-266-9009 Email: [email protected] Awareness Tours. These are quick trips that give you the opportunity to meet our missionary Jamaica Awareness Tour families, learn more about the hospital, see the completed renovations and work in process, and If you would like to meet the missionaries and see visit some of the other HarvestCall ministries in the ministries of CCCD, Deaf Can! Coffee, and southern Haiti. The remaining Awareness Tour En Gedi House in person, but do not have the for 2019 is scheduled for and Sept. 28-Oct. 2. desire to participate on a short-term team, please consider our new Awareness Tour. To learn more, contact: To learn more, Email or Call: Kent Mogler at Rich Bertschi at 309.467.2351 612-360-4361 or [email protected] or [email protected] Rick Wuethrich at 219.863.4163 or [email protected]

50 SILVER LINING October 2019 Mexico Medical / Dental Teams Hospital Lumiere - Bonne Fin, Haiti YEAR 2020 PROJECT CAPACITY March 7-13 Juarez 30 MISSIONARY SERVICE Todd & Teresa Earney 260-273-9528 Email: [email protected] OPPORTUNITY Mexico Construction Teams The Hospital Lumiere team is presently seeking candidates YEAR 2019 PROJECT CAPACITY for missionary service in a variety of roles that will fit Nov 23-29 Magdalena your calling, interests and experience. Singles, Couples Rod Schmidt Thanksgiving Email: [email protected] and Families of all ages are encouraged to prayerfully consider full time missionary service supporting the QUESTIONS FOR MEXICO TEAMS: ministry and outreach in Bonne Fin, Haiti. Reynosa: Kevin & Sadie Gerber Phone: 260-417-5272 [email protected] Magdalena: Email [email protected] There are many service and ministry opportunities at HL. The most important qualification is that the brother Jamaica Teams and/or sister is called by God to serve at the hospital. The QUESTIONS FOR JAMAICA TEAMS: service opportunity and placement will be developed to Jan 22-29 CCCD - Kingston 25 match the candidate’s interest and experience. Potential Brett & Kristin Fehr 815-848-4833 Email: [email protected] service roles for non-medical candidates: May 22-30 CCCD - JDV 40 • Business office management Mark Lindberg 815-641-9065 Email: [email protected] • Finance and Accounting If you are interested in sponsoring a work team to Jamaica contact Loren • Hospital Administration • Facilities Operations and/or Maintenance Dettwyler at [email protected] • Hospital Operations (non-medical) • Hospital Technical Support • Information Technology Support Haiti, Bonne Fin • Missionary School Teacher or Teacher Aid • Campus and Hospitality Management Construction Teams • Missionary Support

The Hospital Lumiere renovation program Qualifications and Requirements: continues to restore and improve the facility to • Member in good standing within the an environment that honors God and provides an Apostolic Christian Church of America atmosphere that contributes to the wellbeing of the • A servant heart, willingness to serve those in need • Desire to engage as ambassadors of Christ with hospital staff, our patients and their families. the Haitian staff at HL and the surrounding Hospital Lumiere has an ongoing need for Bonne Fin community maintenance and/or construction teams and • Relocate to Hospital Lumiere in Bonne Fin, Haiti • Learn Haitian Creole (French language especially for skilled electricians. Rather than fluency is also beneficial) listing predetermined dates and asking people to fit into them, if a team, or individual, is interested in coming, they should contact the Hospital For additional details for these exciting and Administrator to discuss possible dates and worthy service opportunities contact Tom Hitz. Email: [email protected] or available projects. Phone: 734.635.4112

If you are interested in Medical service, please Hospital Administrator Bro. Rick Aberle review the Medical Professional Advertisement. Phone: 011-509-4222-1004 or Email: [email protected]

October 2019 SILVER LINING 51 CAREGIVER OPENING at Casa Vida Y Esperanza; Magdalena, MX

Seeking caregivers, single or married, growth; continual professional growth as a willing to provide a Christ-centered caregiver; administer discipline in love and family-like home for children who have using biblical principles in accordance with been removed from their biological CVE policies; grow in cultural knowledge families. A caregivers qualifications and sensitivity. include: Member in good-standing; dedication and love for children and Terms of Service young people; good communication, • Live on the CVE campus in the homes teamwork and conflict management of the children being cared for. skills; openness to learn, self-motivation • Language, culture and caregiver training and flexibility; ability to speak or will be provided. willingness to learn Spanish. Candidate selection, preparation, A caregivers responsibilities include: Providing spiritual leadership and training, sending and supporting will be training for the children; provide for the daily physical, social and emotional conducted using HarvestCall’s established needs of the children; continual pursuit of personal emotional and spiritual Outreach Policies and Procedures.

For more information on CVE positions, contact: Keith Beyer. Email: [email protected], or Phone: 260-627-0525

CAREGIVER ASSISTANT OPENING at Casa Vida Y Esperanza; Magdalena, MX

Seeking caregiver assistants, single or married, willing to support continual professional growth as an assistant; a caregiver in our Christ-centered family-like homes for children who administer discipline in love and using biblical have been pulled from their homes due principles in accordance with CVE policies; to circumstances out of their control. A grow in cultural knowledge and sensitivity. caregiver assistant qualifications include: Member in good-standing; dedication and Terms of Service love for children and young people; good • Live on or near the CVE campus, may communication, teamwork and conflict include living in the home of the management skills; openness to learn, self- children being cared for motivation and flexibility; ability to speak • Language, culture and caregiver training or willingness to learn Spanish. will be provided. A caregiver assistant responsibilities include: Candidate selection, preparation, Support or provide spiritual leadership and training for the children; support training, sending and supporting will be the caregiver in providing for the daily physical, social and emotional needs conducted using HarvestCall’s established of the children; continual pursuit of personal emotional and spiritual growth; Outreach Policies and Procedures.

For more information on CVE positions, contact: Keith Beyer. Email: [email protected], or Phone: 260-627-0525

52 SILVER LINING October 2019 SHORT-TERM MISSIONARY OPENING at Casa Vida Y Esperanza; Magdalena, MX

Seeking short-term missionaries willing to live and serve Terms of Service at CVE for one year to support a variety of activities • Housing provided on or • Language and culture around campus. near the CVE campus training provided

Short-Term missionary qualifications include: Member Candidate selection, preparation, training, sending in good-standing; dedication and love for children and supporting will be conducted using HarvestCall’s and young people; good communication, teamwork established Outreach Policies and Procedures and the and conflict management skills; openness to learn, CVE Short Term Missionary Procedures. self-motivation and flexibility; ability to speak or willingness to learn Spanish.

The responsibilities could include: Support the caregiver in providing care for children; accounting support; drive church and/or school routes; prepare meals and support meal prep for work teams; work with livestock; teach work related skills to the children.

For more information on CVE positions, contact: Keith Beyer. Email: [email protected], or Phone: 260-627-0525

Now Available Missionary Support Card Packs A Resource Tool to Stay Connected with our Missionaries The past decade has seen tremendous growth in brethren serving full time in the cross- cultural ministries of Apostolic Christian Church. Supporting those the church sends as missionaries is our responsibility and an example given us by the early church. We can support them in prayer, in fellowship, and financially.*

Ideas for Use • Awareness • Communication via • Prayer Reminder • E-mail & Texting • Personal Connection • Letters • Servant Fund Needs • Care Packages

Contact your Local HarvestCall *[Sending] Luke 10:2, [Early Church] 3 John 1:8, [Prayer] Col 4:2-4, [Fellowship] Acts 14:26-27, Representative for Availability [Financial Support] Philippians 4:15-20

October 2019 SILVER LINING 53 Hospital Lumiere - Bonne Fin, Haiti Missionary School - Bonne Fin, Haiti PROFESSIONALS TEACHER OPPORTUNITY in the Medical Field Full Time / Long Term Opportunities at Hospital Lumiere

Hospital Lumiere, Bonne Fin, Haiti is presently seeking a teacher and teacher aid for missionary children. These positions involve full-time teaching in the multi- Professionals with training, skills and experience level classroom setting of the Bonne Fin Missionary in the medical field who have a desire to serve at School on the Hospital Lumiere compound. The Hospital Lumiere in Haiti are encouraged to contact missionary role is expected to start during the summer us. Current medical positions: of 2019. These are full time missionary positions with a PHYSICIAN: (General Medicine/Family Practice, service term of one school year. There is opportunity to Internists, Orthopedists, Surgeons, OB/GYN) These extend the term of service. positions are intended to serve patients, lead a include being a member department and mentor/train Haitian physicians. Teacher qualifications in good standing of the Apostolic Christian Church, ANESTHESIOLOGY: (Anesthesiologist and CRNA’s) a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree, preferably in the field of Education or Child Development, ability to NURSE PRACTITIONER: Support and mentor communicate effectively with students, parents and positions for medical and patient care within the visitors to the school, a nurturing and caring attitude hospital and clinic. toward children, and a heart and desire to serve NURSE: Support and mentor Haitian nursing staff, others through service to Jesus Christ. engage in patient care Teacher Aid qualifications include being a There are many needs for medical professionals to member in good standing of the Apostolic Christian serve the paitients and Haitian staff including those Church, a minimum of a High School Diploma, a listed above. If you are led to the mission field but Bachelor’s degree preferred, preferably in the field your skill set and qualificiations are not a good match of Education or Child Development, ability to for the positions listed above, please contact us. communicate effectively with the teacher, students, There is flexibility on requirements listed as well as job parents and visitors to the school, a nurturing and descriptions and qualifications. Many times, the role that caring attitude toward children, and a heart and desire is filled can be developed to fit the gifts of each applicant. to serve others through service to Jesus Christ.

For additional details for this exciting For additional details for this exciting and worthy position contact Tom Hitz. and worthy position contact Tom Hitz. Email: [email protected] or Email: [email protected] or Phone: 734.635.4112 Phone: 734.635.4112

54 SILVER LINING October 2019 SPONSORSHIP: Giving Children Hope for the Future

Those in the child sponsorship program have several things in common. They are very poor, they desire to learn, and they have an undying soul. The goal of this program is to provide an education so these children can learn life skills to enable them to become more productive adults. In addition, its purpose is to present a spiritual opportunity to be exposed to the gospel message and eventually be called to serve our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children. Isaiah 54:13

To Sponsor a Child or School Fill out this form and send to the office. You'll be assigned a student or school and sent further information. Learn more about child sponsorship, including costs, at: harvestcall.org/child-sponsorship

Name ______Please check preference: Send to: q Mr. q Mrs. q Miss q Haiti Student q Jamaica HarvestCall Child Sponsorship q q PO Box 36 Spouse ______Haiti School Guatemala Morton, IL 61550 q Mexico q Zambia Address ______Phone: 309-266-6080 q Wherever needed City ______St ___ Zip _____ Fax: 309-266-5281 Email: [email protected] If possible, I prefer: Home Ph ______q Boy – Age Cell Ph ______q Girl – Age q Email ______No Preference www.harvestcall.org

Used Bible, Bible Story Book, and Song Book Distribution Used Bibles, Bible Story Books, Hymns of Zion, Zion’s Harp, Gospel Hymns, and Tabernacle Hymns are needed. AC Publications is now the collection center for your donated books. 651 E. Peoria St, Goodfield, IL 61742

October 2019 SILVER LINING 55 Bible Distribution: Sharing His JOB OPENING Word in Love Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people. Psalm 96:3 Together we can provide Bibles for seeking people. This could be someone you attend school with, someone you work with, or someone God has shown you at a gas station. Bibles and approved Bible story Books are available. Carrying a New Testament to distribute can help you remember what our real task is. To order, contact:

Apostolic Christian Church Bible Distribution 651 E. Peoria Street, Goodfield, IL 61742 Phone: 309-965-2141 Email: [email protected]

Time for a Change? COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR Willing to Share Yourself with another church? Here is an opportunity to use your communications Interested in a loving, nurturing congregation? and organizational skills to help our brotherhood Offering: FULL TIME EMPLOYMENT proclaim Christ and serve others. An additional No special certification, training or education needed! communications professional is needed in the WE WILL TRAIN. All you need is a big heart. HarvestCall office, located in West Lafayette, IN. The Coordinator works regularly with the Work 3-11 p.m. caring for 4-6 older adults. Communications Director, Videographer/Graphic Four weekdays, plus every other weekend Designer, committee Communications Managers, Fully paid hospitalization and 401(k) pension. other volunteer contributors, and miscellaneous Bay City, MI vendors. This person creates and edits content and provides hands-on coordination of a wide variety (30 minutes to Frankenmuth, of projects. He/she is the person who ensures 2-1/2 hours to Mackinac Island) projects stay on track and deadlines are met. Call Sis. Bonnie Schlatter: (989) 225-2880 Position not available until Fall, This is a full-time, paid position. Salary will be commensurate with the experience and skills of so you have plenty of time discern God’s will. the chosen candidate. Benefits are provided. Some https://woodhaven-retirement.com/bay-city/ occasional evening and weekend work is required. Apply now.

Interested in receiving a printed sermon? To order, contact: Printed Sermons For a complete job description and P.O. Box 154, Forrest, IL 61741 to fill out an application, go to (815) 848-5113 • [email protected] https://harvestcall.ninjagig.com/

56 SILVER LINING October 2019 Are you looking for more purpose in your life?

There is an abundance of hurting children and families in need of help. Come ﬁ nd fulﬁ llment walking alongside them as they experience hope WHAT WE DO restored at Gateway Woods. Find joy as you share the Gospel with those in need of a Savior and be humbled as He shapes your life while doing so.

We currently need an Assistant Houseparent and Houseparent Couples. Will you be the beautiful feet that comes and labors to share Christ?

For more information: gatewaywoods.org/careers 888-443-4283

CONNECT : GATEWAY WOODS

October 2019 SILVER LINING 57 Continued Articles

The Faith of Moses of Israel, by faith we can trust God slavery. Their disobedience teaches — Continued from pg. 3 to “part the sea” and “make a way us to obey. Their desire to go back to of escape” for us in every situation. Egypt teaches us to be content with of it, God will use it to call us to By faith, Moses chose to our life of faith, never desiring to go all kinds of actions which we are believe that God would lead back to the ways of the world. Their incapable of doing. But God will them through the wilderness to unbelief kept them from entering answer all of our concerns and the promised land. We choose to the promised land – so that we can provide capabilities beyond our believe that God will enable us learn not to fear death but trust own, just as He did for Moses. to safely “cross the Jordan” into completely in the goodness of God By faith, we can choose to obey eternity. By faith Moses trusted to keep His word to us and wipe all God’s Word – even though we God to provide food for over a tears away. don’t understand it fully or know million people in the desert. We Just as Moses had choices to how to accomplish what the Lord choose to believe that God will make in his day, we have choices to teaches us to do. feed His people in the spirit by make. Will we reject the mindset In many other ways, the faith the manna of the Word. By faith, of the world and be willing to be of Moses is relevant to us today. Moses brought forth water out of separate and stand alone on the He believed that God was able the rock, trusting God to meet promises of God? Will we choose to protect him against Pharaoh’s the most life-giving need in the to associate with God’s friends and wrath. We can believe that God direst of times. Today, we choose be content with such things as we will protect us against the devil’s to believe that the blood and water have? Will we choose to obey God’s wrath as we carry out the work of that flowed from Jesus’s side will commandments to deliver others God. Just as Pharaoh threatened supply us with life. from slavery and stand against Moses, the devil will threaten us. Paul writes that all that the devil? By faith, will we follow Just as Pharaoh pursued Moses happened to Moses and the children the leading of His Spirit toward and the children of Israel, the devil of Israel was for our benefit, that we heaven, learning from the mistakes will attempt to bring us back into could learn from their example. It of those who have gone before? bondage. Just as Moses saw the hardly seems fair. They were slaves Like Moses, by faith, let’s forces of Pharaoh destroyed and no so that we can understand that choose to obey God in all things longer able to pursue the children living in sin and serving the devil, is and believe His promises.

AC Medical Fellowship Committee Biennial Meeting for 2020

Save the date: AC Medical Fellowship meeting is scheduled for Saturday April 18, 2020 in Goodfield, IL at the Fellowship Hall. Registration will begin at 8:00 a.m. and presentations at 8:30 a.m. and will continue until ~7:00 p.m. with a light breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Spouses are welcome. If you are on the HarvestCall Health Care Provider registry, you will receive an email in a few months with a formal invitation and registration form. There will also be a Facebook posting.

58 SILVER LINING October 2019 Monthly Sermon, continued

— Continued from pg. 5 up in heaven who has the power to they’d be right in that. But it’s such a good job of going back in create universes, not just the world not just that we can say, “Oh, I making restitution that earns our but universes, would look down believe” and then go back to sin. way to heaven. It doesn’t, does it? upon me. Why would he want Why? Ephesians says it’s a gift. It We couldn’t do that. to give me eternal life? Why?! He says it’s not about works. Why is I remember reading or hearing could create 500,000,000 more it that we cannot just believe that a story that talked about a great of me. In fact, he could create Jesus Christ is the Savior and then king that had many, many lands. 500,000,000 more of perfect go back to sin to just live how It’s just a story, not an account people that could worship him, we want? Why is it transforming of something in the past, but it that could honor him, that could when we believe in Jesus Christ? illustrates the point. The great glorify him with wonderful voices, Because when we believe and king had many, many lands, but and with marvelous interactions we understand just what I said he had no heir. He had no one that would show forth love. But he that there is a great God in that he could give his kingdom chose me. He chose you to offer heaven, a righteous God, and we to, and so one day he was riding the plan of salvation - not perfect understand that he sent his son along and saw a measly peasant people; not people that could Jesus to die on the cross for the working in the fields, laboring as earn their way, that could impress world – but more specifically for he had for many years. The king him, and could show him such me – it’s transforming. When we said, “Go and pick me an apple, wonderful people. But he chose understand that it was my sin, my and I’ll give you the kingdom.” people that are nothing, that he sin, (we can generalize the world, The peasant went and picked the loves, and desires that we could be but we come back to my sin), and apple and gave it to the king, and with him in heaven. we see him on the cross, see that the king gave him the kingdom. Here we read about faith and suffering, and we recognize that He became the king, so we ask works, and so let’s continue to try because of me, he was there; we ourselves the question, “Did that to understand the complementary recognize the love that he had, peasant earn the kingdom? Did nature of them. He says faith that he was willing to sacrifice he do something so magnificent, without works is dead. “Shew me himself for me, then we shouldn’t so great that he could earn the thy faith without thy works, and want to have anything to do with kingdom?” The answer is no, he I will shew thee my faith by my sin. When we fully believe that picked an apple off the tree. A works." James 2:18. and can visualize that, we should child could pick an apple off the How does that all come not want anything to do with sin. tree, but what did it take for him together? We have the illustration Sin is what put my savior on the to do that? What did it require of the king and the peasant. but cross; that’s what put your savior in his heart? #1, he had to have we realize that some parts in the on the cross. faith. He had to say, “Well I don’t illustration aren’t perfect. Does It was that sin that started out understand it. I maybe don’t get it, it matter what we do in this life? in the garden of Eden with Adam but I’ll have faith to believe it.” There may be some that might and Eve. It was that sin that just It’s the same with us isn’t it. say, “Accept Jesus Christ as your corrupted that beautiful world We don’t understand how a God Savior, and ye shall be saved,” and — Please turn to pg. 60

October 2019 SILVER LINING 59 Monthly Sermon, continued

— Continued from pg. 59 When we really believe in doest well: the devils also believe, that God created. The story of God, it’s transforming. “Be ye and tremble. But wilt thou know, Jesus starts there in the garden, transformed by the renewing of your O vain man, that faith without doesn’t it? It starts there in the mind.” Romans 12:2. It’s hard works is dead?” James 2:18-20. creation as God looked at his for us to envision that, but what Faith without works is head work when he was done and said, God wants is for that belief to go knowledge. I believe faith with “It is good. It’s very good.” And from up here [the head] to down works is heart knowledge, and we can see today that beauty of here [the heart]. Many people, so we think about our lives and which God said was very good even the devils themselves, believe about our love for Jesus. as we look at the beauty of the that Jesus is the son of God, but Now it’s very easy, isn’t it, to mountains or the sun setting that belief needs to transverse fall into Satan’s trap? There are in the clouds and the various from up here where it’s just head two traps, two different extremes, colors. But we can also see what knowledge down to our heart that Satan will use to try to trap happened when sin came in to where it becomes action involved us. First is “it’s all faith.” I can the world – disease, heartache, sin with love. A love for Jesus that we believe and that’s all it takes. I’m that causes all kinds of horrible don’t want to sin. Love for Jesus just good through life. I can do things to happen in this life. We that we want to please him and whatever I want. I can do what I recognize that sin marred the want to do his works. please, Jesus loves me, and he’ll world that God created. “If a brother or sister be naked, take me to heaven someday. That’s We also recognize that and destitute of daily food, And the one trap – faith without works. when we serve God, he doesn’t one of you say unto them, Depart What’s the other trap that Satan demand. God could create us to in peace, be ye warmed and will set? The second trap is works be forced to bow down before filled;” James 2:15-16. See, that without faith or the thought that him. In fact, someday every knee is the head in recognizing they I can work hard enough. I can shall bow. I don’t think it’ll be need something, and so we say, do good enough that I’m going because God is forcing people, “Depart, be filled; God be with to somehow please God by what but I think as we see Jesus, as you!” But then when it comes to I am doing. See, I don’t think we people see Jesus, whether he’s the heart, we feel a compassion, we please God by what we are doing. coming in the clouds that last feel a love for them, and we have I think we please God with why day or whatever, people will just a desire to help them. Because we we do it. Let me say that again. I bow because they will see his have a love for Jesus, we have a don’t think we please God by what greatness, his might, and his love for them. we do; I think we please God with power. But every knee will bow. “Even so faith, if it hath not why we do it. Every soul will repent. Some works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a I’ll just give a quick example. will repent for eternity in hell. man may say, Thou hast faith, and Think of when they were there in Some will repent while they’re I have works: shew me thy faith the temple and the rich men were alive and can enjoy the beauty of without thy works, and I will shew giving huge amounts of money serving God in this life plus then thee my faith by my works. Thou and the poor widow came up and the hope of eternal life. believest that there is one God; thou cast in two mites. What was the

60 SILVER LINING October 2019 ACCFS — The Church difference? The rich men gave The Faith of Moses tons more. Think of all the things and Singleness — Continued from pg. 9 that what the rich men gave could Hebrews 11:24-29 be used for: to feed the poor, to all but be lost. We need to hold By faith Moses, when he help those that are sick, and all on to a healthy view of singleness had grown up, refused to be the other things they could do. which is laid out for us in the New known as the son of Pharaoh's What the widow gave wouldn’t Testament covenant with our Lord daughter. He chose to be do anything, but the widow gave Jesus Christ. We understand like mistreated along with the people it out of a love, out of a desire to none other what and how God’s of God rather than to enjoy the love God, and to trust in him. The family is grown, “But as many as pleasures of sin for a short time. rich men gave of their abundance received him, to them gave he power He regarded disgrace for the so they could be seen, and so the to become the sons of God, even sake of Christ as of greater value works aren’t ‘what have I done’ to them that believe on his name: than the treasures of Egypt, or ‘how can I pat myself on the Which were born, not of blood, nor because he was looking ahead back for being a good Christian,’ of the will of the flesh, nor of the to his reward. By faith he left the works are ‘what’s my motive,’ will of man, but of God.” (John Egypt, not fearing the king's ‘what’s my attitude,’ and ‘what’s 1:12-13). Our spiritual relationship anger; he persevered because he my heart.’ Jesus said, “Thou shalt with Christ as His brothers and saw him who is invisible. By love the Lord thy God with all thy sisters will last into all eternity in faith he kept the Passover and heart, and with all thy soul, and a fashion our earthly relationships the sprinkling of blood, so that with all thy mind… And the second as husband, wife, and single do the destroyer of the firstborn is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy not (Luke 20:34-35). Where would not touch the firstborn neighbour as thyself.” Matthew then is the place which the single of Israel. By faith the people 22:37 & 39. If we had that should be able to truly turn for passed through the Red Sea attitude and that heart, that’s what encouragement, support and value as on dry land; but when the God wants to see, and that’s when in this world? Only the Church. Egyptians tried to do so, they it transitions from a knowledge May we do our part together to were drowned. and belief of Jesus up here to a make this a reality. knowledge and belief of Jesus down here, when we can have that ACCFS continues to develop love, that desire, to please him and resources to help singles in serve him in all that we do. their walk with the Lord. These resources can be found on our website at www.accounseling.org/ category/singleness. If you would like more information or have requests/comments, please contact ACCFS at (309)263-5536 or [email protected].

October 2019 SILVER LINING 61 Learning from our history Remembering Our Spiritual Heritage

Kindness and Devotion Another convert was her sister, Elizabeth. Both women Elder Isaac Gehring, the first elder at the Sardis, OH were daughters of Bishop Daniel Steiner of the Mennonite church, was one who personified kindness and devotion. denomination. Elizabeth was the wife of Ulrich Steiner, As leader of the group who established our second church brother of Bishop John. here in America at Sardis, he is remembered especially for an encounter with an immigrant woman who had come Zeal in Promoting the Truth to his area from Switzerland. It is said that Elder Benedict Weyeneth, the first “Older brethren tell of hearing their parents tell of elder of our denomination here in America “knew the kind and loving nature of Elder Gehring. A woman no bounds” when it came to caring for his church who had known him in Switzerland came to America and (locally at Roanoke, and at other locations), and in settled in a community hear Sardis. When she learned of preaching the gospel of salvation. It has been reported his whereabouts, she decided to visit him. that one time, Elder Weyeneth walked (along Nicholas As she approached his community, she made it Baumgartner) from Elgin, IA to central Illinois known to others of her intentions whereupon they warned (probably to the Morton/Peoria/Roanoke area) in the her of tales they supposedly heard of him. Their feeling dead of winter. When they arrived in Illinois, their was that Elder Gehring would immediately disapprove of leather boots were frozen to their feet and they had to her lifestyle and insist she make a change. Indeed, when open the seams to take them off. One author wrote, they observed the flowers on her hat, they firmly advised “This they did in the service of the Lord.” her not to go as they were convinced he would rebuke her for her vanity and pride. But her heart was set. She would Dedication in Seeking Truth go and see for herself. In 1858, two young Mennonite boys, Matthias Her visit turned out to be one of great blessing. They Strahm and Ulrich Kipfer, were living a Mennonite visited peacefully for hours, and not once did he reproach community near Bluffton, IN. Because of discord and her. Further, when she left, they parted with a handshake, dissension in this group, these two boys were seeking and he pressed a five-dollar gold-piece into her hand. truth. They had heard of the message(s) of Samuel She was so touched by his loving ways that she became Froehlich back in Switzerland, and wanted to learn more crushed and soon sought his advice for her salvation. She of this new doctrine. So they set out to walk to Sardis, later became a member of the church.” OH, nearly 300 miles to the East, to make inquiry of Elder Gehring was not only a man of kindness, but salvation. It only took one evening of discussion with devotion to duty (in preaching and serving) was also Elders Isaac Gehring and Joseph Bella, to become reflective in his spiritual work. In the 1850s, Elder Isaac convinced they had found a “firm foundation”. They Gehring felt that if he went up to Wayne County (in the fully committed their lives to the Lord in repentance, area of Rittman), he might find souls who were interested and embraced the new church. They then walked back in their soul’s salvation. He walked 150 miles from 300 miles to announce this new faith to their Mennonite Monroe County up to Sardis, OH. In an incredible turn community. In time, 18 souls were baptized. This formed of events, the first person to respond to his preaching, and the beginning of the Apostolic Christian Church at embrace a new faith, was Anna Steiner, the wife of John Bluffton, IN. Steiner of the Chippewa Mennonite church in that area. -By Perry Klopfenstein

62 SILVER LINING October 2019 The Light of Hope

Watch A few years ago, there was a little boy who used to were still dependent on Jesus to watch them. They come to my office every day. He had been abandoned were still following Him out of a desire to receive, by his mother when diagnosed with multiple chronic not give. They were still focused on themselves, and health issues. He had become a ward of the hospital their own sorrow over what they were just beginning by default. This little boy often roamed the hospital, to become aware of: That Jesus was going to die. So supervised by the staff who had become his multiple they slept. And then, they forsook Him and fled. ‘parents’. Some days, he would come in, get pen and When Jesus says “watch with me” He intends paper from my desk, and proceed with scribblings, for us to watch with Him in a way that we come to normally including parts of my desk as his palette. know Him more deeply. This means we experience Other days he would simply come in, sit in the chair the “watch” from His viewpoint, seeking His mind. across my desk, and watch me. He was mostly non- We must leave behind our perspective, seeking His verbal and would sit with very little expression on his experience, His sadness, His joy, His suffering. face, fingers idling across papers, stapler, or pens… Often in today’s world, our culture encourages simply watching me. us to accomplish, to gain, to experience for ourselves As his eyes rested on me, I soon would find and our own purposes. We focus on getting the myself drawn to turn around and look back at him. job done, to achieve, to fix. This disrupts our As soon as my eyes would meet his, his gaze would ability to understand things and see things from drop and he would look away. I’d sit there watching any other perspective but our own. We apply that him, smiling at him. Soon, his slightly crooked mouth conditioning of our experience to our spiritual life. would sort of tip up in what passed for a grin. Then, We look at Jesus, and instead of watching with he would silently rise and amble out of the room. Him, we seek for Him to watch with us. Then, Those times when he would simply watch me, when God sends us into ‘the garden’, we resist, or and I would watch him, were the foundation of worse yet, we ask God “Why?” When Jesus prayed the connection of friendship and love we shared. I in the garden, He didn’t ask why. always felt that he was seeking to understand me, to We can be encouraged to emulate this example. know me when he would simply watch me. Thinking As we watch with Jesus, our perspective changes to back on these times, I often also think on what it know Him more deeply. That is directly transferrable can mean to watch, how our Savior had asked His to all our other relationships. When we or those we disciples to “….tarry ye here, and watch with me.” love encounter challenges, we still can ask God for Matthew 26:38. the cup to pass away. But no matter the answer, we We recall the outcome of that request. That was can then experience Christ’s joy when we say “thy a time in the disciples’ spiritual growth, when they will be done”. -by Rick Aberle

October 2019 SILVER LINING 63 THE SILVER LINING 1523 County Road 400N Congerville, IL 61729

Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons , filling our hearts with food and gladness. Acts 14:17