“But God demonstrates his own love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8
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Colin S. Smith writes, “When our sin reached its full horror, God’s love was displayed in all its glory. If you doubt God’s love for you, look at the cross. No other love can match this. Nothing else in our experience can come close. God’s love for us in Christ is greater than we ever dared to dream.”
One thing I will not miss in heaven is doubt. We as humans are prone to doubt. A myriad of reasons or circumstances can bring a flood of doubt at any time. Usually, our doubt involves some interaction with another person that causes us to question ourselves or a relationship. And when doubt appears, we tend to go down our list of all the reasons we are not worthy or unlovable or we have not earned it or why we don’t deserve it or (you fill in your own reason).
The antidote for doubt in this lifetime is the cross. When we begin to doubt, we should always look to the cross and remember the UNFAILING love of God expressed in His only Son, Jesus. Nothing, and I mean nothing, comes close to the love God has shown for you.
“…while we were yet sinners (unlovable, undeserved, unearned, unworthy), Christ died for us!”
Walk in the assurance of His love this week.
Mike W.
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PRAYER REQUESTS:
- From Shawn: I injured my foot a month ago, torn tendon. I would appreciate prayer as I've been non-weight bearing for 2 weeks and am getting around here at home, but finding it very difficult to be out and about. I'm in a boot but in quite a bit of pain. So I guess my main prayer would be that the pain eases up daily.
- PRAISE: Dusty's angiogram was all clear - no aneurysm!
- From Joyce: Praise the Lord! Thank you for your prayers for me to teach GNC Bible Lesson at our three clubs last week. It went great by God's grace!
- Please pray for Jennifer as she works on the March Missions themed lessons and we deliver to our "at home" club kids and she teaches to our "in person" clubs. ~ Joyce
- Please pray for my brother John. ~ Joyce
- Pray for our nation and our people. Spread love and joy.
- Pray for the social unrest in our state and in our nation.
- Pray for our national, state and church leaders as we continue to adjust to Covid-19 restrictions.
- Pray for those in our body who have been affected by the virus, either in their health or financially.
- Pray for folks who reside in care facilities and have been on lockdown for so many months.
- Pray for God's protection on everyone with underlying illnesses that make them more vulnerable.
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Or go to youtube.com and search for "First Christian Church The Dalles" You will also be able to watch any service at any time.
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Great News!
Oregon Health Authority has eased restrictions on in-person church attendance. We are no longer limiting attendance to 70.
~ We still ask everyone to enter through the south-side (alley) door and be signed in.
~ We still require masks to be worn.
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Corann Bigelow went home to be with our Lord on February 18, 2021. If you want to drop Steven a note, his address is:
Steven Bigelow
3457 Spruce St
North Bend, OR 97549
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Prayer Walk Challenge
With a prayer on your lips and a spring in your step, sign up and invite your spouse or a friend to join you for the First Christian Church Spring Prayer Walk Challenge!
What is it?
Grab your prayer partner and start from the church parking lot. Walk and pray through our neighborhood and go as far or as long as you like – whether one block or several miles. Walk a regular route or mix it up. Set a specific day and time to walk and pray each week between March and May, and then just do it!
Why?
Need some motivation? Here are five good reasons:
1. To pray for our church neighbors and for eyes to see their needs.
2. To ask God to show us how to reach them with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
3. To connect with the people whom God brings us into contact with in our neighborhood while we are walking.
4. To grow closer to our chosen walking partner as we fellowship together through prayer.
5. To get outside, breathe, and move after being cooped up through this Covid-19 winter.
How?
Sign up in the Fireside Room after the service or call the church office and tell who you will be walking with and on which day of the week. Strap on some comfy walking shoes, hit the sidewalk, and start talking to the Lord!
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Public Service Announcement:
COVID-19 Vaccines
North Central Public Health District is now providing COVID-19 vaccines to those 65 and older. They want to emphasize that everyone who wants a vaccine will get one, but that it will take many weeks to get to everyone, so they ask for everyone's patience.
To sign up for a vaccine please visit www.ncphd.org or call North Central Public Health Department at 541-506-2600.
Mid-Columbia Senior Center has graciously agreed to partner with the health department in assisting those who don't have email and want to sign up for vaccines. The Senior Center can be reached at 541-296-4788.
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MARCH 14th
Don't forget to turn your clocks AHEAD 1 hour on Saturday night so you won't be late for church!
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All Church Work Day
Saturday March 20th
9am - 12noon
We'll be working both inside and out. Lots of little tasks for all skill levels.
Contact Randy Sparks or Pat Van Eaton for details.
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Our church website is currently under construction.
We hope to have a whole new site ready to launch soon!
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Our Children's Ministries is super excited to announce the re-start of Children's Church and Nursery during our Sunday morning worship service. We return to live in-person classes beginning on Sunday March 21st.
You can fill out this form for each child and turn into the church office or put it in the offering drop box. We are so excited and can't wait to see "our" children again!
We are looking for adults to volunteer as nursery helpers to assist Tia. You must pass a background check before you can help. Contact Tia Anderson or Mike Wilson for more information.
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WHAT IS BIBLE ZONE?
Bible Zone is Children's Church and is designed for children from Kindergarten through 3rd Grade. Beginning on March 21st, children are checked in by parent (or guardian) prior to Sunday Morning Worship Service.
During Bible Zone we will sing, play games and, most importantly, learn some amazing Bible stories.
We are honored that you trust us with caring for your children during Sunday Morning Worship.
Each child will need to have registration completed prior to joining us. You can download registration form here.
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There will be a one day training on Saturday March 13th 9am - 12noon for everyone working with children or youth.
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Welcome our new member
Josh Sendejas!
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It's our turn to prepare and serve Community Meal on Friday March 12th. If you want to be part of the team this month, contact Marlene Long at 541-980-5039. |
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Your Missions Ministry Team started supporting five additional ministries in January, and as we receive their ministry profiles and prayer requests, we will share them with you.
Our additions are:
- FFICM (Firm Foundation in Christ Ministries): David & Denise Moore
- ISI (International Students, Inc.): John & Yoriko Livingston
- CRU (formerly Campus Crusade for Christ): Lee & Julie Davis
- Wycliffe Bible Translators: Paul & Linda Williams
- CSN INT'L (Tower Keepers Christian radio ministry)
These are in addition to:
- Last Days of Jesus, Inc.
- CEF (Child Evangelism Fellowship): Mid-Columbia Chapter
- Salvation Army: The Dalles ministry
- Mid-Columbia Grace House Ministries:
- Grace House
- Mercy House
- Chaplain Clyde & Mary Keizur
- Global Outreach: (Shepherd's Heart Int'l Ministry) Andy & Karina Smith
- Int'l Foundation: Sam Owen
- Iglesia Baptista Manantial de Vida: Ramon & Monica Rios
- WEC Int'l: Ritha Matta
Please continue to pray for our missionaries as they struggle to reach the unreached around the world during Covid-19. Pray for their health (a few of them have had Covid-19); travel mercies; boldness to speak the Word of God and that the Holy Spirit would do amazing things.
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LAST DAYS OF JESUS, Inc.
We are halfway through our practices for our 43rd year. It looks like our venue for Thursday nights scenes, The Last Supper and Garden, are at the Civic Auditorium. The Trial scene may be there as well. Please be in prayer as we continue to go forward using these different venues and figuring out how to set it all up.
We will still have the Crucifixion and Tomb scenes on Friday night at First Christian Church as well as Sunday morning Resurrection scene.
Please pray for: safety, health and well-being of all cast, crew and their families; sound, lights and props; cast holes to be filled and for their devotion to be at every remaining practices; Satan to be bound and not have a foothold in our community and disrupt this year's production; live-streaming the pageant to work out; for the Holy Spirit to go before us and use the pageant to reach people for Christ and for God to be glorified!
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GOOD NEWS CLUBS
We love our kids and being able to meet with them in person now. We still have 5 families that we deliver lessons and activities to their homes but perhaps when they will be going back to "hybrid" school the parents will be comfortable with their coming to in person clubs.
We have 9 kids from 4 families on Tuesday afternoons and 6 kids from 4 families on Friday afternoons at First Christian Church. We have 9 kids from 2 families so far at Gateway on Thursdays with interest from 2 more families with 4 more kids adding to that club.
Joyce finished her practicums last week to receive her TCE 1 teaching certificate from Child Evangelism Fellowship. Thank you to all who were praying for her! She discovered how much work goes into preparing a Bible lesson, game, songs, memory verse and activities each week. Now she will be prepared to take on more to help Jennifer each week. The pictures are of Joyce teaching and of our craft. If you see the little Kindness Rocks around the church, they are the ones the kids wanted to share with you.
Please pray for us as we continue to hold three clubs each week. Pray for Jennifer as she prepares the Bible lessons and activities for in-person and at-home kids. Pray for protection against Covid-19, Satan's attacks, harm and injury of us as well as the kids. Pray for the Holy Spirit to work in the hearts and minds of our kids.
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Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes
We are putting the needs for our Shoebox gifts out there for you all to join in our collecting.
We need 220 more 6 - 8 inch stuffed animals so if you want to help in this collection, please watch for them at sales or if you or your family have them and would like to donate, please let us know. We will store them in the bins at FCC.
We need the following hygiene items: 350 mild bars of Ivory soap, 350 soft toothbrushes and 350 washcloths. If you would like to help shop for these items, we will be keeping a tally as they come in and let you know when we have enough of each item.
We will continue to let you know of future needs to fill the boxes for our packing party. Again, if you want Jennifer, 541-296-3391, to do your shopping, let her know as we continue watching for sales. If you want a list of what goes in the box, let us know so you can start packing boxes now. Thank you for helping FCC bless children around the world through Operation Christmas Child Shoebox gifts.
Thank you for your continued support of First Christian Church's efforts for Operation Christmas Child Shoebox ministry.
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Church Service Attendance Guidelines
1. One service at 10:30am
2. Enter church through south side entrance; exit through north or south entrances.
3. Please stay in your seat for the entire service.
4. Face masks will be mandatory during entire service.
5. If you are sick, sneezing, coughing, have a fever of 100.4º or more, stay home.
6. Social distancing of at least six (6) feet between you and people you do not live with will
be practiced.
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Make someone's day a little brighter today - reach out and make that phone call. |
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First Christian Church, The Dalles |
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Watch for updates on Facebook and our website |
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