First Church of God

“Family Time” AKA Youth Group   by Pastor Travis

 This a time of change a time for discovering who we were created to be. However, we as teens too often define ourselves by who the world tells us we are. Without realizing this, we also try to define our relationship with God by how the world tells us it should look like. I’ll tell you the world wants nothing to do with God. Soon our definition of “Christianity” looks more like what we can get from God instead of what we can give to God. Didn’t Jesus say it is better to give than to receive? Is Jesus dying on the cross for our sins not enough for us?

God at Work

     As a teacher in the Niles Community Schools, I see the need first-hand when colder weather starts and so many kindergarten through fifth grade students do not have warm clothing. Teachers and staff try to keep a look-out for any student that repeatedly does not have a coat, boots, or a hat and gloves, and then we privately ask them if they could use any of those items. At Ballard, there is a cupboard in the office where we store donations of these items and other extra clothing, and we can go and search for something appropriate at any time for these students. Thanks to the blessed donations from First Church of God this year, the cupboard is bursting and so many of the over 700 children that attend Ballard School are now wearing warm coats, boots, hats, and gloves or mittens. Please continue to think of area school children as the snow falls this winter, and know that your generosity is warming them in more ways than one!   

This and That                                                                                                                                        We are setting up family photos for a picture directory. There will be a donation requested that will go towards the youth. You will receive a CD with your picture on it. It will be yours to keep and reproduce as many as  you like.  More information to follow as plans are made.                                                                                              

 BIG QUESTION!!!                                                                                                                         During our staff meeting we were discussing the value of the newsletter.  We are always trying to discern whether what we are doing is important and working or is there something else we should be doing and are not. So this is the big question.  Do you read the newsletter? Do you find it informative? Do you look forward to it coming out each month? What do you think about just reading it on the internet? Let’s have some feedback. Call me, email me…JoAnn 

Nutrition Corner

Well, now that January is history, I wonder how many of our New Year’s resolutions have also become history? Good nutrition is always the key to great health. The more fresh fruit and vegetables you include in your diet the better chance of good health. Maintaining good health is so often taken for granted, especially for the healthy young. The old adage that most of us have used; “An apple a day, keeps the doctor away” is true. I have found that eating an apple in the evening, serves as a natural antacid. If something I have eaten is causing indigestion, for me, an apple works to neutralize the indigestion. So if you suffer from indigestion, try eating an apple; because, “An apple a day might keep the doctor away.”

   Birthdays