This Sunday dedicated to Colin Rives

This Sunday I have decided to dedicate the service to Colin Rives who passed away this past Tuesday morning. Colin was only 14 years old. I want to address his passing in light of our beliefs. I will be addressing this hard topic to try and offer some peace, comfort and understanding. It is times like this where our faith is squeezed. It is a time where real tough questions are asked and need answers. I am praying and seeking Gods wisdom for this service. I hope you will come and join us for this very special service. 

Praise Community Fellowship will be leading worship and I know the Praise team is planning on special music to go with this service. We will also be coming to the table of grace and share in communion. 

I want to tell you that even in life darkest moments, God's light is available and shining brightly. 

Prayers: 

The Daubenspeck and Rives family, peace and God's comforting spirit.

Alexis Tharp, continued healing.

Barb Weiss, strength and blessings for serving with love.  You can offer assistance to barb by going to the care calendar and signing up. The calendar address www.carecalendar.org/248671.  Security code: alexis

Delores Fisher, continued healing from her heart surgery.

Mary Knapp, continued healing.

Announcements:

COLLIN RIVES VISITATION:  Our condolences go to the family of Collin Rives, who passed away on Tuesday morning at the age of 14.  Collin’s grandparents, Bill and Judy Daubenspeck attend our contemporary worship service.  Visitation will be held this Saturday, February 4^th from 12 Noon until 4:00 pm at Pitchford Funeral Home, 2555 Vaughn Road in Wood River.  

The Glen-Ed Food Pantry has an urgent need for dishwashing soap and laundry detergent.  If you are able to bring one of these items to church with you this week on “Sudsy Sunday”, it would be most welcome.  You may place your donations in the Hospitality Room.

SOUPER BOWL OF CARING:  More than 25 years ago, the Souper Bowl of Caring began with a simple prayer from a single youth group:  “Lord, even as we enjoy the Super Bowl football game, help us be mindful of those without a bowl of soup to eat.”  Since that day, more than $125 million has been raised for local charities across the country through Souper Bowl of Caring.  Our youth group will be taking a collection following both services 

If you have prayer requests or other needs, please call the church office at 618-656-4648.

See you Sunday, 8:45am. 800 North main Street Edwardsville.

sincerely, pastor kent and pastor jackie.

Sad News

I am very sad to notify all of you that Colin Rives, grandson of Bill and Judy Daubenspeck, passed away this morning. I'll have more information later.  Please pray for the Daubenspeck family.

Sincerely, Kent

Updates

Alexis is home and has spent her first night at Barb's house. There is going to be a signup on the calendar each day for someone to call Barb to see if there is a need, just to check on them. The signup calendar is www.carecalendar.org/logon/248671. Security code: alexis. The current request is for a wedge shaped pillow because Alexis is not supposed to lye flat yet. Prayers for Barb and Alexis. 

Colon Rives has been admitted to Cardinal Glennon Hospital. Colon and his family need our prayers.

Delores Fisher remains in recovery at Missouri Baptist Hospital. Healing prayers requested.

Tomorrow's service will be one combined service at 10:00am with a catered chicken dinner to immediately follow the service. We are requesting deserts everything else will be provided. 

As a reminder if there are any prayer requests or hospital visit requests please call the church office at 618-656-4648. 

Funny Story On Me

You have heard me say I don't follow sports. Well this past week when I was looking for volunteers to help with the chicken dinner, I only got one response at first.  It was Sally McLaughlin. I texted her back and said, man I think I made a huge mistake on this chicken dinner. I forgot that it is Super Bowl Sunday. Then I find out it is not Super Bowl Sunday! This is true!  And this is also true, as of this minute I have absolutely no idea who is in the Super Bowl. 

See you tomorrow! Let's eat "Chicken!" 

This Sunday!

This Sunday's Service will be at 10:00am!  Then you have to eat! 

Immediately following the service everyone is invited down stairs to the all church chicken dinner sponsored by PCF.  You and your family are invited to join us!  Lets break bread together and talk!

Sometimes meal times can be a wonderful place of fellowship and flow of ideas. I'm sure Jesus sat around the meal table at night with his disciples many times and taught them many things about the Kingdom of God. 

Needs for this Sunday: 

• 4 volunteers needed to help Mark set up the fellowship hall for the lunch.
• Donated deserts
• Deserts need to be cut and plated
• Coffee and drinks need to be made
• After lunch cleanup

If you would like to help please send me a text or email so I know we will have everything covered. 

I appreciate your help! 

Hospital Updates:

Alexis may be released from the hospital tomorrow. If she is, Barb Weiss will need help getting Alexis from the hospital to her home. If you are available and can assist, please call me and let me know. 

Mary Knapp is home from the hospital. She said she is glad to be back home!

Delores Fisher is doing a little better today. Pastor Jackie said they had her up for a bit to stand. She is still at Missouri Baptist. 

Mike Rodgers has had back surgery and is still in the healing process. We pray that this surgery will help alleviate some of his chronic pain. 

See you on Sunday! Love, pastor kent and pastor jackie

Pastor Kent's phone #

Fried Chicken This Sunday!

This Coming Sunday we will be having one combined service at 10:00am. with a fried chicken lunch following the service in the fellowship hall. 

Jackie and I will be looking over this past year and all of the wonderful ministries our two churches have supported. I think you will be amazed of all that we have accomplished. Immediately following the service we will gather in the fellowship hall to a catered "Fried Chicken Dinner from DK's market in Hamel!"   Hey, if there is fried chicken and pie, I'm in!  That's all I'm saying.  Come and join the after church conversation this Sunday. You never know what God might be planning for us this year!  

Jackie and I both continue to work closely together. It is our desire to lead this church wherever the Holy Spirit leads us!  This Sunday Jackie will be kicking off a new sermon series that we will both be participating in, my favorite topic, Love!  

Needed: Deserts for this Sunday's dinner!  

Health Updates:

Alexis Tharp: She is obviously very sore and swollen but doing well. She has been moved out of ICU and has an occupational therapist starting to get her up and walking.  

Delores Fisher: Delores had open heart surgery yesterday and remains at Missouri Baptist Hospital. Pastor jackie reports that she is doing better.

Mary Knapp:  I just found out this morning that Mary has been at Anderson hospital with dizzy spells I do not have any additional information at this time.

I hope you will plan on joining us this Sunday at 10:00am! You are welcome to come join us! 

Love, pastor kent

Important Update

Just to keep everyone posted on a couple of our church family members who really need prayer. I got a report this morning that Alexis is experiencing some pretty severe pain and is also experiencing some swelling on the side of the face that the surgery was on. She is doing well according to the doctor. Alexis is at SLU Hospital in the ICU.

I spoke with Jackie a few minutes ago and Delores Fisher has been transferred to Missouri Baptist and needs immediate open heart surgery. Jackie is on the way to the hospital now to be with the Fisher family. 

Please pray for these two ladies. 

On a happier note, Barb Weiss is back home from Hawaii! Well it may not be as happy for Barb since she was getting used to palm trees and beautiful warm sunsets. 

At this point I want everyone to know that Alexis probably will not be going to Barb's house until Saturday. At that time, Barb will assess the situation and know more about what she will need as far as support. What we do not want!  We do not want people to randomly start showing up at Barbs house to offer help. As good as the intention is, that can be very disruptive. I know many of you are willing and ready to help out which is wonderful, however, let Barb find out exactly what she needs first. Then, I will make sure that the need is put on the sign up calendar. (see below)  This way Barb can plan and know when and who is doing what. It makes for a much less stressful environment for Barb, Alexis and Audrey.

Thank all of you for the great outpouring of love and support. I will also keep you updated on Delores Fisher as I get the news. 

REMINDER:  This Sunday we are having one service at 10:00am with a lunch following catered by DK's.  We are planning on having a traditional Sunday "Fried Chicken Dinner with mashed potato's, Green Beans, Rolls, etc.  We would like to have deserts donated!  Jackie and I would like to see a great turnout this Sunday. It is a Sunday of Fellowship for our two churches who have been worshipping together for over a year now. I promise you, you won't want to miss DK's fried chicken!  It is awesome. 

God is active and working in all of our lives. But it is up to us to recognize Him, acknowledge Him, and tune into Him so that we can understand and have peace about where He wants to guide us! 

*UPDATE: Ok, right before I was going to send out this blog, I got a phone call from Alexis' friend Caraline who is at the hospital with Alexis this morning. Caroline is leaving this afternoon to go back home to Denver, Co. She is wanting to know if there are any of our "Gals" from church who could pop in and check in on Alexis this week until she comes home to Barbs on Saturday?  I will have times put on the Calendar open for visits. That way all you have to do is sign up. That way we will know if visits are covered. Thank you.  The calendar address www.carecalendar.org/248671.  Security code: alexis

Stay tuned.  More to come!  Love, pastor kent

Alexis Update #2

Alexis is in recovery and appears to be doing very well. She was smiling and talking. She told me she had a headache!  Imagine that! She is waiting for a room in the ICU where she will be staying for the next two days. It's amazing to me that someone who just had brain surgery can be awake and talking so soon after surgery. 

We will continue to pray for healing and rapid recovery. 

I also want to note that I spoke with Pastor Jackie today and found out Delores Fisher had a slight heart attack and is at Anderson Hospital.  That is all I know at this point so let's also be lifting Delores and her husband Floyd up in prayer. 

Our Prayer List also includes:

Adam Behrhorst, this young man is 18 and a senior at Metro Luthern High School.  He has cancer and is having his foot amputated this Thursday. 

Colin Rives. We continue to lift up Colin to our healing God. Colin continues to battle cancer. Bill and Judy Daubenspeck are Colin's grandparents. 

Lee and Mary Knapp's grandson Connor and his family need continued prayer for healing and residential solutions for Connor.  

Stan Rutkowski, Gods healing touch and God's peace. Stan is Darlene Hank's brother. 

Mike Rodgers, Healing from back surgery and success to alleviate back pain. 

We praise God for the successful surgery on Alexis!

Love, pastor kent