Food Drive
Pastor Gail Mitchell
It is again time for our annual food drive. Last year you totally surprised me with about 1300 food items for the food bank. Since then, we have signed up to buy surplus food from HACAP in Hiawatha. (Last month we got $1200 worth of groceries for $60.) But we can't get everything we need from them. We have a lot of Cheerios, granola bars, tomato soup, and canned green vegetables. We need non-green beans, chicken noodle soup, tuna, ground beef, etc., etc. (That means too many things to list.)
I want to challenge you to 1000 food items by Easter. Again, as we did last year, we will count $1 as 1 item. When we receive money we can purchase the items which are needed at the time.
We have another need that someone may be able to help with. We need a refrigerator. We now have a very small one, but we need to upsize. That would allow us to keep more perishable items, such as milk, cheese, meat, juice, etc.
Darlene just showed me the monthly report. We served 15 families, last month. I don't know all the circumstances, but some are working but not able to make enough money for supply the family needs and some are disabled. We had the opportunity to feed a few people who were "camping out" at University hospital, waiting on sick family and without the resources to buy food or rent a room.
We have often hear it said that You can't out-give God. I believe that is very true. Then another thought hit me. I wonder if it might be possible to out-give Darlene!
|
 Community Hymn Sing
Come to our monthly Community-Wide Hymn Sing as we gather at The River with others from around the area and praise God with the hymns of our faith! There will be a short devotion as well as coffee served afterward. Check it out.
Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.
Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord. Ephesians 5:19
 Daylight Saving Begins March 14th
Don't forget to set your clocks ahead one hour next Saturday night March 13th before you head to bed. Daylight Saving starts at 2:00 am on Sunday. Sorry about the loss of that precious hour of sleep!
 Family Matters Business Meeting
10:15 am Sunday, March 28th
The fiscal year is ending for The River and the annual meeting is just around the corner (April 25th). So March 28th we will meet to discuss the budget which will be posted for you to look by March 14th. Take a look and come with your questions and comments about our stewardship for the next year and the ministry we have.
|
Pine Lake Camp
The birds are singing again at Pine Lake in Eldora after the devasting storm of August 9th. April 1st will be the official beginning of the new chapter in the life of Pine Lake Camps as we join Trout Lake Camps of Minnesota in ministry. It's exciting! God has a work for us and if we don't stand together, opportunities will be missed. Please join us in prayer and/or help for the upcoming items:
1. Pray for those who will attend camps this year - registrations available at www.pinelakecamps.org
or consider helping those would like to have the "Pine Lake" experience.
2. We need help with knocking off some serious projects still on our list. e-mail me at rogers@pinelakecamps.org and let me know if you can help. Two dates are available - March 29-April 2 and May 2-7 when some friends from MIBC will be here to help also.
3. Camp promotions. I would be happy to make a presentation at your church or youth activity. Call me if you have a group that might benefit from an "appearance". 641-849-5553. Roger.
Chapman Update
Jeff and Barb are in the US on furlough from Japan. They recently met a Japanese woman who is attending Bloomington Baptist Church while visiting there. Please pray for her to come to know Jesus and she lives with a family devoted to him who is hosting her for a few months. They would also like prayer for their children Chris who has some finals before Spring Break and for Rachael to pass her driver's license test.
SEND International
Ministry to Muslims is a vital part of the Send Ministry.
We are in the battle on different fronts and here they are:
Southern Philippines, Kosova, Kazakhstan and in the planning stage to implement Muslim ministry in southern Spain to North Africans invading Spain.
Please take a look at our website: www.send.org for more.
*More information about these updates and others are available in The River office.
We welcome your letters about how you see the love of Christ being shared also, just email us.
|
