The Mail-Journal, Volume 29, Number 41, Milford, Kosciusko County, 21 November 1990 — Page 13

Informal survey shows local churches are still growing

I By JULIE MOORE Staff Writer The United Methodist News Service reported that since 1968 giving to churches has decreased from just over 3 percent of members’ incomes. And a Christian research and service organization has predicted offerings will drop to less than two percent of members’ incomes by the year 2002. The report stated, “As U.S. per capita income went up between 1968 and 1985, the portion of members’ incomes donated to their churches went down.’’ In addition, researchers — having updated the survey with data from 1986-88 — believe that the negative giving trend may be decreasing even faster than earlier expected. Yet, according to an unofficial, random survey of Lakeland community churches, that trend — which is based on information from 26 Protestant denominations — may not hold true for the immediate area. An official of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, Milford, said that, while needs are always increasing, giving by church members is not going down. “The total is not going down, but the needs are increasing,” agreed Rev. Richard Urbine of St. Martin De Porres Catholic Church, Syracuse. “People, I think, are as generous as they

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COLLECTION BASKET — Offerings seem to be coming in steadily to Lakeland community churches, even though researchers have identified a national trend of negative giving by church members over the past 20 years. (Photo by Julie Moore)

Lakeland Churches

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can be,” he said, adding that within the diocese the church supports more charity work than previously. Some area churches have even seen an upswing in church offerings. In a recent publication, the Christian Church of Milford, announced that “average giving was above budget for the first time in years for the months of September and October.” At least in part, the jump in receipts can be attributed to an increase in church attendance. “We’ve just come through a campaign and realized, at least in pledges, an appreciable increase over what was pledged a year ago,” reported one church official, who wanted to remain anonymous. The clergyman suggested the community’s relative stability, when it comes to church giving, may partly be due to its demographics. “Retired people don’t have the expenses they once had, or the income,” he explained. “When they say, ‘l’m going to give to the church X dollars,' they’re going to do it.” Recent layoffs in area manufacturing industries likely will effect families in all area churches; however, area church officials agree the effects have yet to be felt. “We haven’t noticed any real change, which probably says more about the complexion of the community than the economy,” said one clergyman. Both white and blue collar workers make up the com-

munity’s working population. But white collar workers are not normally effected as severely as blue collar workers in times of economic hardship. Moreover, the demography of the community is always changing. Significant givers may leave church communities; new members may join congregations. Harlan Steffen of the Wawasee Lakeside Chapel also attributes his church’s steady

Clearview Church holds first service

The Clearview Church held its first service on Sunday, Nov. 4, with 62 people in attendance. A dedication service was held on November 18. The new church is pastored by Rev. Hubert Schmucker. The Clearview Church, located on US 33 next to Fairfield High School, south of Goshen, originated in August of 1987. Several families from a former Multi-media presentation at Nappanee A musical multi-media presentation entitled “The Family; Holding On for Life!” will be given at the Nappanee Missionary Church on Saturday, Dec. 1, at 7 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 2, at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. The church is located two mijes north of Nappanee on SR 19. The musical, presented by Life Action Ministries, includes special lighting, and 12 computerized projection units covering a 36-foot wide screen with over 2,000 visuals synchronized to the music, lyrics and narration. The program will warm hearts as the family is seen in its historical setting. It will cause concern as the family is witnessed being torn apart. Viewers will leave with the realization that commitment is the key to getting families back on their feet again. Dave Engbrecht, the pastor of the church, said, “This is far more than a musical multi-media presentation. This is a most unique experience for the entire family." The event is open to the public, and admission is free.

APOSTOLIC CHRISTIAN MILFORD Jesse Beer, Nelson Beer Will Schieler and Walter Steffen, Ministers Morning Worship 10 am Afternoon Worship 12:15 p m FILADELFIA EVANGELICAL SPANISH ASSEMBLY OF GOD, SYRACUSE Bi Lingual Services Pastor Domingo Melendez Sunday School 9.30a.m. Sunday Worship 11 a m and 6 30 pm Wednesday Bible Study 6 30 p m AWANA Clubs Wednesday 6 30 p m CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH (Armstrong Road) OSWEGO Roderick V Smith, Pastor Sunday School 9 30 a m Morning Worship 10 30 a m Sunday Evening Worship 6pm Wednesday Prayer Meeting 7pm AWANA Clubs Wednesday 6 15 pm Word of Life Club Wednesday 6 15 pm FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF OSWEGO Rev Gary Coby, Pastor Sunday School 9 30 am Worship Service 10 30 a m WAWASEE HEIGHTS BAPTIST CHURCH (Across From High School) Jerry Walden, Pastor Jim Rodgers, Youth Pastor Doug Smith, S S Supt Sunday School 9 30 a m Worship 10 30 a m and 6pm Mid Week Wednesday 7pm AWANA Clubs Wednesday 6 30 pm BETHANYCHURCHOF THE BRETHREN (US6) F Wayne Lawson. Pastor Morning Worship 9 30 a m Sunday School 10 30 a m Wednesday Activity Night 7 30 BETHELCHURCHOF THE BRETHREN MILFORD Verne H Leininger, Pastor Arlle Waggy, Bd Chm Sunday School 9:30a.m Worship 10:30 am _ GRACE BRETHREN CHURCH LEESBURG Jeffery Hoffard, Pastor Dennis Reed, Moderator Sunday School 10 50 a m Morning Worship 9 30 a m Fellowship 10 30a m Sunday Evening Worship 6 p m Bible Study, S M M & Boys Club. Wednesday 7pm NEWSALEMCHURCH OF THE BRETHREN (900 N A2ME) Robert Rice, Jr , Pastor Sunday Bible Study 9 30 a m Worship Service 10 30 a m Evening Worship 7p m Bible Study. 7 p.m. Wednesday

growth of receipts partly to increased church attendance. The pastor reported this year’s church offerings for a special Thanksgiving collection, which goes toward relief, equals that of last year. Likewise, as the treasurer of the SyracuseWawasee Ministerial Association, Steffan said that, so far, there’s not been any “big run” on the organization’s funds. Traditionally, church offerings

United Brethren Church in Elkhart helped form a nucleus to start the new church. After a month of meeting in homes, the church met in the Greencroft Senior Center, Goshen. In June of 1988, they moved to Bethany Christian High School, on the south edge of Goshen, where they met until services began in the new building in November, 1990. In January of 1990, the Zion Chapel United Brethren congregation in Syracuse made a decision to unite with their sister church in Goshen. The united body elected to retain the name of Clearview. Plans were made to build as soon as possible. On June 10, 1990, a groundbreaking service was held on a

Bible stays in state-owned inns

(EDITOR’S NOTE: The following article first appeared in “Beams of Grace,” a weekly publication of the Syracuse Grace Bible Ch urch.) In late October, a headline article in the Indianapolis Star, was “Bible-bashing pamphlets cleared for park inns.” It seems an organization, in response to Gov. Evan Bayh’s ruling that Gideon Bibles would remain in state-owned park inns, published a pamphlet calling the Bible “an insulting bag of nonsense” and other things. The organization, Freedom from Religion Foundation, demanded on the basis of the First Amendment that Bibles in state-owned inns were - un-

CHURCHOF THE BRETHREN NORTHWEBSTER Tim Walts, Pastor Morning Worship 9:30a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a m CHURCHOFTHE BRETHREN SYRACUSE Philip Shankster, Pastor Sunday School 9 30 a m Morning Worship 10 30a.m Sunday Evening Bible Study6o m TURKEY CREEK CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN GRAVELTON Kenneth Swank, Pastor Church School 9 30 a m Worship 10 30 a m SAINT MARTIN DE PORRES CATHOLIC CHURCH SYRACUSE Father Richard Urbine Saturday Mass spm Sunday Mass 7am,9am. 10 30 am Confession — Saturday 4pm Holy Days — Vigil Mass 7 p m . 7 a m and 7pm OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE CATHOLIC CHURCH (4th And Main Streets) MILFORD Father Paul Bueter Bro James Linscott, Administrator Sunday Mass 10 :30 a m FIRSTCHURCHOF CHRIST SCIENTISTS (17SN. Detroit) WARSAW Sunday School 10 a m Sunday Service 10 a m Wednesday 7pm GOSHEN FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST SCIENTIST Service 10 30 a m Sunday School 10 30 a m Wednesday Service 7 45 p m Reading Room open Monday, Thursday and Friday, 11 a m to 3pm BIBLE CHRISTIAN CHURCH NORTH WEBSTER Lonnie Nicholl, Pastor Sunday School 9 30 a m Worship 10 30am & 6pm CHRISTIAN CHURCH MILFORD Chris Mahan, Senior Minister Brian Wilcox, Youth Minister Sunday School 9:45a m. Worship 8.30 a.m. &10 40a m Wednesday Bible Study 7p.m. NORTHERN LAKES CHRISTIAN CHURCH Located 14 cottages east of the Tip pecanoe Country Club, EMS 35. Country Club Lane. Lake Tippecanoe Thorpe and Karen Mitchell. Pastors Worship Services Sunday 10 a m & 6pm Wednesday 7pm

pick up in the fall explained one local clergyman. “At most churches, December is one of the better months as for as receipts,” he noted. In addition to back-to-back holidays — Thanksgiving and Christmas — which generate increased offerings, tax laws of the past provided an impetus to December giving. Nevertheless, one church official agreed with the research team’s findings that some

10.86-acre property between Goshen and Syracuse. A 100x40-foot shell was constructed. With the exception of the mechanical, the congregation, along with help from several denominational volunteers, finished the balance. Two-thirds of the building is currently in use, with the main sanctuary to be finished in 1991. Morning worship services at

Something Wonderful returns

Something Wonderful will come to the North Webster United Methodist Church for the third time on Saturday, Dec. 1. The afternoon of preholiday

constitutional and that their pamphlets also be placed in those inns. They received that permission from the Department of Natural Resources, which controls the inns and parks in Indiana. However, Gov. Bayh, according to the following day’s reports, said that the material would not be allowed in state parks. He said, “Our policy has been that state park inns should be open to bona fide religious organizations. This particular pamphlet on its face says it is not a religious organization. On the contrary, it is a freedom-from-religion organization and, therefore, will not be placed in state park inns. ’ ’ Applause for Gov. Bayh!

CHURCHOF GOD NORTHWEBSTER Stephen W Fouts. Pastor James Davey. Associate Steven Clarke. Associate Men s Prayer Breakfast 6 30 a m Worship Bam Sunday School 9 30 a m Worship Celebration 10 45 a m Evening Service of Praise6p m CHURCHOF GOD SYRACUSE Ron Bruce. Pastor Paul Yeager, S S Supt Sunday School 9 30a m Morning Worship 10 30 a m Junior Worship 10 30a m Evening Worship 6 45 p m ALL SAINTS' EPISCOPALCHURCH SOUTH SHORE LAKE WAWASEE Vicar Rev David L Hyndman Holy Eucharist 9am FIRST BRETHREN CHURCH MILFORD Paul Tinkel. Pastor Church School 9 15a m Morning Worship 10 30 a m BYC Sunday 6 30 pm Mid Week Worship 7pm FREEDOMCHAPEL NON DENOMINATIONAL (Corner Syra/Webster Rd. A 1000 N) SYRACUSE Ray Shanklin. Pastor Sunday Worship 10 a m Wednesday Worship 7pm GRACE BIBLE CHURCH SYRACUSE Dr David R Haifley, Pastor Sunday School 9 45 a m Morning Worship 11am Sunday Evening Service 7pm Wednesday Evening Service 7pm JEHOVAH'S WITNESS KINGDOM HALL (East Papakeechie Lake Drive) Sunday Public Lecture 9 30 a m Watchtower Study 10 30 a m Tuesday Study of Prophecy 7 30 pm Thursday, Ministry School 7pm CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH (111 W. Orange St.) CROMWELL Larame Sundin Pastor Sunday School 9am Worship Service 10 a m GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH (200 E. Main St.) SYRACUSE Richard Dunmng. Pastor Worship 9 15am Sunday School 10 30 a m TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH MISSOURI SYNOD LIGONIER Don Fischer, Pastor Divine Service I A 10:30 AM. Sunday School A Bible Class 9:15 a.m.

members give to their churches as consumers buying a service, instead of as stewards returning a portion of their incomes to God. Those people view the money they give as dues, not as an offering that comes out of a response of the person giving. “Stewardship has to be a sense of yourself in the Gospel,” noted the pastor. “The more our people become invested, then you get the resources.”

Clearview Church begin at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays, with a Sunday schoolat9:3oa.mi m m There is nothing that ‘ so convinces the mind ‘ of the inspiration of the Bible as reading • the Bible itself. I ■ —Author unknown

preparations includes hanging decorations at 2 p.m., auctioning of homemade items and the church’s first cookie walk at 4 p.m., serving soup and sandwich meals at 5 p.m. and a talent show for everyone in the church community. Church officials welcome hands to help hanging decorations and donations for the silent auction. Items auctioned in the past include quilts, afghans, knitted caps, mittens and scarfs, wooden items — shelves, bird feeders, clocks, toys and such — stuffed animals, sweat shirts, Christmas decorations, homecanned fruits and jellies, homemade breads, dolls, paintings and wreaths. Anything, big or small, that’s handmade can be donated to help the church budget. All auction proceeds go to the church. New this year to Something Wonderful will be the cookie walk. Christmas cookies will be sold by the pound, too. Soup and sandwich meals will be served to hungry guests for a free-will donation. Special entertainment will follow the afternoon’s activities.

MILFORD CHAPEL Mennonite (East Catherine Street) Arthur Hershberger. Pastor Amos Ramer, Deacon Sunday School 10 a m Worship Service 11am Sunday Evening Service 7pm Wednesday Service 7pm DEWART LAKE COMMUNITY FRIENDS CHURCH (500E and 900 N) DEWART LAKE Lou Herchenroeder, Pastor Sunday School 9 a m Worship 10am (Quaker Hall Kids in Christ Youth Group Thursday, 7pm. WAWASEE COMMUNITY CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE Ron Blake, Pastor Church School 9 30 a m Worship 10 30 a m Evening Worship 6pm Wednesday Prayer Meeting 7pm ROCK CHURCH INTERDENOMINATIONAL (13 A a 1050 N, E. Lake Wawasee) Rev Sarah M Tuttle, and Or Gary M Tuttle, Pastors Morning Worship 10 a m Evening Worship 7pm Wednesday Bible School 7pm SALEM COMMUNITY CHURCH (IVj Miles Southeast Os Wilmot) Pastor Kurt B Church Sunday School 9 45 a m Morning Worship 10:30 a m Sunday Evening Service 6 p m Prayer Bible Study Wednesday 7 p m BURR OAK UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Lawrence Byrnes, Pastor Sunday School 9 30 a m Worship 10 30a m SYRACUSE CALVARY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH (SR 13 South) Dr James J Babbitt, Pastor Kim Conrad, Church School Supt Sherry Leedy. Youth Worker Church School 9 30a m. Worship Service 8 30 am and 10 40a m CLUNETTE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH John Bell, Pastor Sunday School 9 :30 a m Worship Service 10 30 a. m HASTING ISLAND CHAPEL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Gary Lewis. Pastor Kendall Biller, Supt Sunday School 9 30 a m Worship 10 30 a m Prayer Meeting Wednesday 7 00 p m

Wed., November 21,1990 — THE MAIL-JOURNAL

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LUTHERAN CHURCH CELEBRATES FALL SEASON — The Grace Lutheran Church, 206 E. Main Street, Syracuse, celebrated the fail season with a Harvest Dinner on Wednesday evening, Nov. 14. This year the annual carry-in dinner featured chili cooked in an old cooking kettle outdoors over a woodburning fire. Shown stirring the chili are Janice Edwards, left, and Diane Brumbaugh. Mrs. Brumbaugh said the cooking pot has been in her family for many years. Following a Thanksgiving service, the church was decorated with fall arrangements. (Photo by Judi Vultaggio)

Bible readings for children —

'A good foundation’

By PASTOR MIKE BROWN Prince Os Peace Lutheran Church Warsaw, Indiana Have you heard the sounds? “HMMMM! BRRR-BRRR-BURP! CLATTER A CLANG CLANG!” These are the sounds of construction men at work. Have you seen their cement mixers, trucks and huge cranes at work? Have you heard the pounding, lifting and riveting? Right now, there is a place where you can see and hear the strain and sweat of men at work! There is a new office building going up in downtown Warsaw. It’s next to the fire station and the lower field softball diamonds. A lot of work goes into putting up one of these buildings. Right now the workers are trying to get as much done as possible before the cold winter winds come in. Cement mixers are churning, trucks are moving loads of equipment or dirt and cranes are lifting huge “I” bars to dizzying heights.

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH LEESBURG Pastor Don Shanks Morning Worship 9 30 a m Church School 10 30 a m UNITED METHODIST CHURCH MILFORD Ben Whirledge. Pastor Dan Brown, Lay Leader Church School 9 15a m Worship 10 30 a m UMYF Sunday 5 30p.m Bible Study Wednesday 7pm MORRISCHAPEL UNITED METHODIST R. 1, PIERCETON Rev Christine Newman Jacobs Bob Wine. S S Supt Ron Campbell. Asst SS Supt Sunday School 9 30 a m Worship 10 30 a m UNITED METHODIST CHURCH NORTHWEBSTER Pastor Richard Taylor Worship 8 30a.m. and 10 45 a m Church School 9 30 a m Senior High Youth Group. Sunday, 6pm SAINT ANDREW'S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH SYRACUSE Rev. Kenneth Overmyer, Pastor Church School 9:15 a.m. Worshipß 30A 10:25a m UMYF Sunday6:3op.m. Bible Study Wednesday 6pm SOLOMON'S CREEK UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Harold North. Pastor Worship9a m Sunday School 10 a m SYRACUSE UNITED PENTECOSTAL CHURCH (Corner Harrison A Pearl St.) Ronald Cox, Pastor Sunday School 10a.m Praise and Worship Sunday 6 30 p m Bible Study, Thursday 730 p m WAWASEE LAKESIDE CHAPEL (10419 N. Turkey Creek Rd.) Harlan Steffen, Pastor Worship Service 10a.m. Sunday School 11 a m WAWASEE COMMUNITY BIBLE CHURCH MILFORD Tom Speicher, Pastor Sunday School. All Ages, 9 30 a m Morning Worship 11 a m WORD OF GRACE FELLOWSHIPCHURCH (CR 300 E A Rookstool Rd.) Allen Giant. Pastor Worship Service 10a m. Bible Study. 7 p m Wednesday

A building this size needs special attention to detail: Building permits, purchasing records, logs, of working hours and all kinds of different items that you and I would not even begin to think about. A lot depends on good planning and the preparation of a good foundation. The same is true for us. Each morning our family goes through its regular routine. Getting out of bed, cleaning up our rooms, freshening up and getting dressed. Then we sit down for a hearty breakfast ready to greet the day. The best way we do that is to share table prayers at all our meals. For us, it is not a quick thing we do in order to have some hot cereal, but it is the way we thank God for the new day and for His protection during the last night. It is always good to include God in the plans we have for each day, because He is the foundation and the cornerstone of all that we can do. The Bible reminds us how important this is and how sad we would be without God’s good company! Have a good day! — Luke 14:28-30 and Psalm 127:1-2

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