Nappanee Advance-News, Volume 120, Number 44, Nappanee, Elkhart County, 29 October 1997 — Page 7

‘Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love’

By Merrie Chapman (Note: This is the third in a series of articles dedicated to taking an intimate look at our local churches. This week I am pleased to feature my own home church. Whether you are anew member to the community or lifelong resident, I invite you to join me as I visit each House of God and discover what makes it unique. Perhaps you will find anew place of worship, or gain insight into the other branches of Christ’s family. Whatever you seek, I hope you enjoy the visits. Keep watching—your church may be the next featured!) Welcome to the First First Church of God, the church with a big heart. Walk through the doors here and you will find warm hugs and sincere caring people waiting to greet you.

A place where people become whole and holy to the glory of God'

The open arms of the congregation reflect the heart of the church itself. The direction of the programing is focused on “ministering intentionally to all ages,” says Pastor Brad Kendall. With that in mind the church offers both infant and toddler nurseries, children’s church programs, a strong youth group, young adult and married groups, and a variety of classes for adults and seniors. All are geared toward the strengthening of the family through spiritual uplifting and gaining knowledge of the Bible’s teachings. Wednesday evenings are a wonderful time for fifth and sixth graders as “Club 56” meets. The group concentrates on learning the Bible, the history of the Church of God and the biblical basis for the church’s beliefs. “Club 56” adds special events such as trip to Anderson University for homecoming. ; During that trip kids not only 'enjoyed the fun and fellowship of ■ the event but also took the opportunity to look around the Church of God’s home base for historical ‘ documentation of the church’s hismt- ■ -*. .U ' r . , r . f. Younger children spend Wednesday evenings in Jubilation Station, a fun-filled activity period that combines Bible lessons with hands-on projects. Older students participate in either the junior or senior high youth groups. The senior high recently welcomed Bryan Kratzer as their new leader. He is currently associate pastor of the Petersburg Church of God. Kratzer will direct the youth through their regular Sunday school and Wednesday evening meetings, as well Sunday night and fellowship. He will also help them prepare for the trip to the International Youth Convention to take place next July in Cincinnati, Ohio. Adult worship is also offered in both mid-week fellowship, and Sunday school and morning services. Scott Sheets leads a Young Adults class for those fresh out of the senior high youth or college.

Utilimaster named 'Supplier of the Year'

;; Utilimaster Corporation was ;; named by Federal Express !’ Corporation as its “1997 Supplier |j of the Year” in the vehicles/ground • support equipment (GSE) categojry. Utilimaster. Corporation is the 'exclusive supplier of aluminum i walk-in delivery vans for Federal iExpress Corporation. The award ■ was presented at the Federal ; Express Global Strategic Supplier ! Symposium in Memphis. I The Vehicles/GSE Supplier of i the Year award covers suppliers of j all motorized vehicles and compo- ; nents used in the delivery and airI port operations of Federal | Express’s domestic fleet of more \ than 38,500 worldwide vehicles. Accepting the honor on behalf | of Utilimaster’s 800 employees, ; Douglas Graham, vice-president j; of sales and marketing, stated, j; “This award recognizes the com- [; mitment to superior quality by I; each of our employees.” Dana j: Messina, Utilimaster’s President j! added, “This is truly an honor |l given the world-class manufactur- |! ing and service organizations to |! which our small company was ! compared. |{ Utilimaster Corporation is a | Wakarusa based company provid- ; ing commercial truck products used primarily in the package

Kristel Kendall leads the Life Players class which welcomes young married couples and their single peers. Persons 55 and older are invited to join the Nap-N-Ease group the third Thursday of each month. The group takes anew adventure each month. Past activities have included touring a marshmallow plant and frequent trips to sample the menus of area restaurants. Rev. Robert Fields is on staff and leads the senior adult ministries. He also joins Pastor Brad Kendall in visiting members in the nursing homes, hospitals and shutins. Perhaps the most unique feature of the church is the membership requirement. “We reach our hands in fellowship to every blood-washed one,”

states Pastor Kendall. Which simply means that “salvation makes you a member.” There are no rituals, tithing commitments or other outward ceremonies. “God sets the members in place,” says Pastor Kendall. “If you understand in your heart that you are a Christian, you are a member of our church—if you choose to be.” Christians everywhere, of all denominations, are members of the Church of God, since it believes there is only one congregation—that of Christ the Savior. Members also believe that the relationship between each person and the Lord is private and will cultivate the fruits of the spirit. The church’s mission statement reads, “A place where people become whole and holy to the glory of God.”

If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, He too will cry out and not be answered' Prow. 21:13

The same love that leads Church of God members to reach out to one another and visitors, also calls them to reach out to the tyThe congregation recently donated a 23-passenger bus to the •Va-Nee Release program which buses students between local schools and churches for nondenominational Bible study. “We made the donation because we believe in what the Release program is doing,” says Pastor Kendall. The church also houses the annual Shots for Tots drive sponsored by Elkhart County. The program offers free immunizations for children throughout the Nappanee area. Members of the Women of the Church of God (WCG) recently celebrated their 50th anniversary.

delivery, baking, snack food, cleaning and truck rental industries. It is the market leader in aluminum walk-in delivery vans.

m's mx (**\ -Ok. B fill B \ J mhk' f V -rfr ( Fri & Sat—Oct. • oct.lo-11 ) \ ■■■■ Halloween Week k i Stiaet for 100 vaare In *j orth . -A--+T !i t Fotw Main Stra 51 IG :hrii Roehaeter to Ike’e Mill * H appreciated and proceeds go towards the^ ition of this historic structure lots of ★ friends -*■ ~SON 1^) ) 11 iJllMt. 'JM

That group leads the congregation in supporting the World Service Missions. The Nappanee First Church of God recently hit the 1/2 million dollar mark for donations to overseas missions. That ranked them 56 out of nearly 2,227 peers. “We are hugely successful in supporting foreign missions,” says Pastor Kendall with awe at the recent ranking. Another ministry outreach is the church’s food pantry. Gary and Linda Fuller head the committee which oversees the pantry. “We work on an emergency basis,” says Linda. “We try to take food into homes recommended to us by our congregation members.” The food pantry services families from various walks of life, including those where one or both parents have are between jobs due to medical leaves or recently layoffs; or homes where a terminally ill member is present and medical bills are forcing tight budgets. The pantry also steps in when families fall victim to house fires or various other emergency situations. Committee members for the food pantry try to take into consideration the size of each family and their specific needs. In doing so they add baby related items such as diapers, formula, baby food or milk to those families with infants: or special gifts of clothing to those who have lost their belongings to fires. Still others that are recommended have more specific needs. Whatever their situation, those receiving a helping hand from the pantry are receiving a true package of blessings. For that is what makes the food deliveries possible. The pantry relies on congregational support through prayer and donations of food, health care and other items as well as monetary donations. The money donated to

1 I /’" nr ' * IHL n Ml WP EflM wP f| Kj - -s mm §||||g& . ft - -a *

GIVE GENEROUSLY—'...If it is encouraging, let him encourage. If it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously. If it is leadership, let him govern diligently. If It is showing mercy let him do it cheerfully.' Romans 12:8. That is the scripture upon which Gary and Unda Fuller stand as they oversee the food pantry ministry at the First Church of God. Linda asked the church to begin the pantry well over a year ago after she says the Lord laid the task upon her heart. The Fullers truly live the Romans 12:8 scripture as they dedicate their time and talents to the continual process of stocking, maintaining and distributing the donations made to the pantry. See related article for more information on the food pantry and the church which sponsors it. (AN photo by Merrie Chapman)

▲ iai ja j Jfe * ** miML k jM t r? ' L- - - ----

NEW PLAYGROUND—The children of the First Church of God were happy to accept the new playground equipment dedicated October 19. After several years of planning and prayer the church purchased the playground following a series of special offerings and one very generous anonymous donation. The children wrote letters of thanks that were read at the dedication ceremonies.

the food pantry is used to shop at the Northern Indiana Food Bank as well as area stores. “The Lord has really blessed us,” says Linda Fuller. “We have never had to turn anyone away,” she adds. Even when the pantry shelves are down to a bare minimal “the Lord sends us donations to fit the people’s needs” says Fuller. The food pantry has truly been a ministry of love. Each year the committee adopts families at Christmas time and in doing so not only provides a food delivery (which usually last three to four weeks) but also includes Christmas presents for all members of the family.

E Located Four Miles South of Nappanee on State Road 19 JVappanee j Country Store J 70551 iV S/f IP Nappanee, Indiana 46550 Special Sale Open House & i • 'NOVEMBER 3-8 v Ocean Spray Juices 48 0z.... " si.29_j^— tsai “Private Label” Mushroomststems & pieces)4oz 3/SI.OO r“Private Label” Crisp Rice Cereal 15 oz $1.19 Vlasic Polish Dill Spears 240 z sl.l9—^ “Sunshine” Sweetened Condensed Milk i4oz 690 Our Value tall kitchen bags 30 ct 790 _Sno 80l Toilet Bowl Cleaner 32 oz sl.29—^ . _sqt Big Dipper led Cream $3.69 Country Lane gallons ....$2.99 1 —~ , Sliced or Shaved Ham (per ib).^..“W>“*! , .J“*: $1.49 f-1 _ Turkey Ham (per *“*•. sl*49 —J

Nappanee Advance News Wednesday, October 39,1997

Each told what the new playground meant to them. One inscription simply read. ‘The new playground means that the church loves me." That single statement was perhaps the most profound of any that day for it is written ’out of the mouths of babes...' See related article to learn more about the First Church of God. (AN photo by Merrie Chapman)

Recently a member of the congregation came to the pantry to request assistance for a family member in another sate. The adopted family had only three members: a father with a' terminal illness, a mother unable to work because she was needed at home to care for her husband and a toddler daughter. The church answered the call by throwing the family a “Christmas in September.” Members sent down several toys and a doll that the child had requested. Also given were new clothes for the little girl who was without any winter attire and badly in need of everyday clothing. The congregation received back

? . JBj |L ' 356 South Main St., Nappanee, IN 46650 (219) 773-3532 or (80 1

You Know *wV Your Love is O * v Special ... \ mr* JP • INVITATIONS Exclusive • ANNOUNCEMENTS Wedding Stationery b y : • ACCESSORIES Nappanee Advance-News 158 W. Market St. Nappanee, IN 46550

a heartfelt thank you from the family who will soon be separated as the father’s illness reaches its finally stages. They found comfort in the love of people they’ve never even met. That kind of loving outreach defines the First Church of God. The love members share always comes back tenfold. Perhaps that is why they share it so freely. Come join us and experience the love of Christ in every hug, smile and prayer as we gather together each week. Sunday school begins at 9:30a.m. with regular services following at 10:30a.m.. Sunday evening fellowship is at 6p.m. and Wednesday evening worship is at 7p.m..

Page 7