October is National Pastor Appreciation Month ~ Did You Know...

Pastor Appreciation
Regardless of where you fall on the introvert/extrovert scale, regardless of your role in the church and regardless of how much you think your pastor likes you or doesn’t like you, you can and should appreciate your pastor.

We can easily and far too often take our pastors for granted. It can be easy for us to criticize them on how good of a job they did on their sermon, saying things like:
“I wasn’t a big fan of their sermon today.”
“I didn’t really connect with their sermon.”
“I think they could have done a better job preparing or delivering their message.”

We far too often forget that they are human, and have a life, family and other responsibilities they have throughout the week. We can easily think that a pastor is just there to serve us and deliver a sermon that we want to hear and if either of these doesn’t go the way we want it to, we forget that our pastor also is pastoring an entire congregation. If we are not careful, we can fall victim to the spirit of entitlement where it becomes all about us.

Now, while this isn’t always the case and it may not be this extreme, it is something we all need to keep in consideration and remember that even if one person’s life is changed by the pastor’s message, then isn’t that what it’s all about?

Youth Group Invites You to the Corn Maze

Sunday, October 11, 4-7pm
Autumn means it is time for the Youth Group's traditional visit to the corn maze - and you are invited! Head on out, bring your family, and join the youth for some seasonal fun, all ages welcome. We will meet at the Rolling Acres Corn Maze in Leetonia at 4pm. We'll assemble for a group photo and then families and groups can head into the maze or enjoy the extras, however they choose. A parent or responsible adult must be present for the duration.

Pricing:
Maze - $10.00 ages 3 & under free, includes Maze, Hayride, Mini Golf, Sling Shot
Hayride - $3.00
Kids Barrel Train Ride - $1.00
Mini Golf - $5.00
Sling Shot - $3.00 a bucket

They do offer a special rate for groups of over 20 people, so the above pricing may change depending on participation. Please call/text Jen at 330-881-8692 or call the church at 330-549-9408 so we can get a count. (Rain date - October 18)

Volunteers Needed to Prepare for Giveaway

Do you like to sort/organize/fold clothes and organize items? We hope so, because we have a mountain of clothing and other great items to get ready for October 17! If you have free time, stop by the church any week day between 8:30am and 1:30pm or come in this Saturday at 9:30am. All help is much appreciated! Great big THANKS to everyone who has already come out to help!!! Volunteers also needed on Giveaway day to help everything flow smoothly. Let us know if you'd like to help.

Children's Ministry

Collide Kids Wednesday
In this week's lesson, we learn where to look for wisdom. Many times we can learn from the Godly leaders that God puts in our path. It's important to listen to the right people when we have questions. Those who look to Godly leaders show a lot of wisdom!

"My child, listen when your father corrects you. Don’t neglect your mother’s instruction."
~ Proverbs 1:8

Join Crew Leader Danielle, and spend 25 minutes together singing, dancing, laughing, and learning! We would love for you to also have your child(ren) memorize this week's scripture verse and motions and upload a video of them in the comment section under the video on the CLC Facebook page! Have a great week, Collide Kids!

This week's discussion question: What's the latest you've ever stayed up at night?

Prayer

For whom are you praying today?
How can we pray for you?

Whenever you have a prayer request, please don't hesitate to send it in! We are here to pray with and for you. Please take a minute to send in your prayer needs by early Monday mornings for inclusion in the weekly Joys & Concerns email. We are also glad to send out prayer requests and praise reports anytime throughout the week!

Coat & Clothing & More Giveaway ~ October 17

Keep saving all your clothing and outerwear items for our fall giveaway. Tell your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers that we accept donations all year! Clothes for all ages and sizes needed, along with coats, bags, purses, shoes, housewares, books, stuffed animals, toys...whatever clean and useable items you think might help someone in need. Bags and boxes for people to carry their "new" items home with them are also needed! We could also use any hangers that you no longer need. Thank you for all the donations that have been coming in!!! Drop items off under the front awning by the glass doors facing the road or stop by if there are cars in the parking lot.

Volunteers will be needed on the 17th to help with the Giveaway. Let us know if you would like to help, or just show up that day and we will be glad to put you to work!

Update from Masaka

It has been a busy summer in Masaka! We thank the Lord so much for His faithfulness and provision on the school project. We have seen progress everyday. The builder's dedication, our staff involvement, the participation of the boys and the community, and the donors' giving has helped us to reach this point. Despite plans not always proceeding as intended, the roofing phase is about 70% complete. The next step is putting on the metal sheets. Our need now is to complete all the roof over the two new additions at a cost of $3,452.00. Complicating this is the excessive inflation that has happened due to the pandemic as well as difficulty in obtaining building materials. The following are the items needed to complete the roof: 30 metal sheets ($3000.00), nails, 15 valleys, 85 ridges, rubber washers, and the labor. We ask for your prayers to complete this project and to bring additional donors on board. Earlier this week we sent a donation of $1100.00 for the roof, leaving a need for an additional $2,500.00.

The schools will be opening on October 15 for students in their last year of school. This will affect eight of our Divine kids. We await further word from the Ministry of Education as to how this will proceed. We have been saving a portion of the sponsorship money for future tuition. During the pandemic, we have provided food and medical support and other needs for the children and their families.

Churches are permitted to meet at last and this has been a great joy! Pius continues his street ministry, which has brought souls into God's kingdom. Several of the kids accompany him in this activity. Along with the ministry, bibles continue to be distributed. This is wonderful for the many who can at last read God's word in their language. So many have expressed their thanks for this. We continue to get messages of thanks for the food provided as well. These have been tough economic times for our families and children in Masaka.

If anyone is interested in accompanying David and Marilee on a mission trip to Uganda, please let them know. The hope is to go soon, while airfares are still reasonably priced. You would need a passport, visa, negative COVID test, and a yellow fever shot.

Saying thank you for your financial support does not seem to sufficiently express our appreciation. Divine Ministry and Rock Kidz are growing and God has blessed us abundantly. We pray for the Holy Spirit to continue to direct our missions for His purposes. Truly lives are being changed for God's glory.

Hebrews 13:16 ~ Don't forget to do good and share what you have with those in need,
for such sacrifices are very pleasing to God.

Men's Rally in the Valley

More information on this yearly event HERE.