Quilting Ministy

The church's faithful quilters come in every Tuesday morning at 9a to stitch and make beautiful quilts for our Seniors in high school and burned out families in our community.  Their love and compassion to bring a cover of love to others is greatly appreciated by the family at Woodsfield.  If you would like to help and volunteer to learn or become a quilter for God, come to the Education Building on Tuesday at 9a and introduce yourself to a great team for God.  Also, thanks to those who piece the quilts.

From The Preacher's Pen

The radio was on the other day as I'm cruising down the highway. It was tuned to a station that takes me back to my teenage days, playing the rock and roll songs of the eighties. I have fond memories of the eighties So, trying to ignore the fact that some of these songs weren't exactly the most spiritually beneficial, I kept listening and reminiscing in my mind.  But after the lead singer used G0d's name vainly for the third time, my conscience just couldn't take it, so I turned it off.

Several minutes later, I thought I'd take a chance and turn the radio back up. This time it was a song about life in a rock n' roll band. Suddenly, the radio cuts out, then a few words, then it cuts out again. What's wrong with this thing? Then I realize what's going on. The song contained a rather uncouth word which today is recognized as a "homophobic slur." The powers that be had edited it out of the song.

How interesting. The vulgar use of God's name is left in, unedited, but the word that will offend the homosexual is deleted. This seemingly slight situation is truly indicative of where we are in this nation right now. Offending God is really no big deal. Offending God's people is less of a deal. Heaven help you though if you offend the gays, the lesbians, the transsexuals, the transgenderers, or anyone else in an "alternative lifestyle". If you are homosexual and a co-worker refers to you, either to your face or behind your back, using a derogatory term, you can actually, by following certain procedures, get him fired. I saw this first hand while working in the secular workforce. Everyday, though, I had to work side by side with men and women who used the name of Jesus Christ in all kinds of ridiculous and offensive ways. No one ever suggested they receive any sensitivity training.

To be clear, this is not being written to offer license for the use of hateful, derisive, demeaning references. That word that was deleted from the song on the radio -- Jesus would have deleted it too. Jesus was honest with people, but never hateful or belittling. This is being written to remind us that if anyone deserves to be respected and free from insult, it is God! He created us, he sustains us, he died for us!! If we as a church, as a world, as a nation, would be more concerned with honoring the name of Jesus and worshipping the Father, we wouldn't have to worry about homophobic or racial slurs.

You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.  Exodus 20:7

Charles Schultheisz - Woodsfield, OH

Building & Grounds

Thanks to the Building & Grounds men for their time and love to serve the family at Woodsfield.  The Education Building has had an extreme makeover and is ready to serve the children and our community.  The concrete steps and railing are ready and the roof of the bus garage and main building has been painted.  God has Blessed us with a great family who loves and serves Him everyday.  Thank you family for your willing hearts to serve God.

Get A Life

As the owner of a Craftsman push lawnmower, I received a notice that the company was being sued.  The letter indicated that I had the option to choose against participating in a class action lawsuit. Normally, I don't waste my time with this kind of foolishness, but something caused me to read a little further. Come to find out, some guy in middle America realized that the motor on his mower was not as fuel efficient as it was advertised to be. The company says you can mow for such and such amount of time on a tank of gas, while in actuality, at least according to the accusation, you get less time out of a tank.  

I don‘t know about you, but I'm thinking that life is way too short, and time way too valuable to be analyzing how much gasoline my little push mower actually uses. Who in the world has the time, the money, and the mental energy to pursue these frivolous fights and litigations? The things that make people angry, the things that people worry themselves over - it just makes you want to shout, "Get a life!"

I think of God wanting to create a giant bullhorn and shouting this to the entire planet.

Brothers and sisters, let's distinguish ourselves from the world. We have a life - a life in Christ Jesus. Let's act like it. If we're going to fight, let's fight over something worth lighting for. Let's fight to keep our marriages together, to keep our children interested in the church, to keep Satan out of our hearts. If we're going to stress, let's stress over something that may actually matter in the end. Maybe you should stress over how much your neighbor knows about God, or how you could be a better Christian example at work, or how you‘re going to approach a lost loved one about his soul.

What must God be thinking when he sees us mad because our name was misspelled on the "Anniversaries and Birthdays" list, or when he hears me constantly complaining that church services aren't starting on time and are running too late? If he spoke aloud these days what would he say to those threatening to quit the church because they didn't get as many cards sent their way as other members have? He'd probably say..."Get a life."

Luke 10:41-42

Children's Bible Class Schedule Beginning August 12

Canada Trip Slide Show

Canada Trip Slide Show

Bible Vs. Cell Phone

Ever wonder what we would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone?

What if we carried it around in our purse or our pockets?
What if we flipped through it several times a day?
What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?
What if we used it to receive messages from the text?
What if we treated it like we couldn’t live without it?
What if we gave it to kids as gifts?
What if we used it when we traveled?
What if we used it in case of emergency?

This is something to make you go...hmm...where is my Bible?

Oh, and unlike our cell phone, we don’t have to worry about our Bible being disconnected, because Jesus already paid the bill.

Make you stop and think, where are my priorities?

P.S. the Bible has no dropped calls!

Real World This Way

As we continue this morning (5/24/15) our tradition of recognizing and honoring our graduating seniors, I am reminded that this is as fine a youth group as I have had the privilege of  ministering to, and with. The commitment and sacrifices of your parents are obvious. They work hard to bring you up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

I suspect it must frustrate you at times when you hear us adults ranting about what life will be like "when you have to grow up and enter the real world." The world you have been living in I'm sure feels very real! You have faced temptations and trials and your share of rough days. Good parenting and a genuine commitment to the Lord have made some of you mature beyond your years. But allow me to remind you...the world will get even more real. The devil is real, and if you don't already know this, it IS his world.  

I want you to know that prayers are being lifted up to the Father on our behalf. May God help you find a career that brings you real joy. May He lead you to a spouse who shares your interest in spiritual matters. May He grant you the strength and courage and fortitude to be leaders and servants in his kingdom. May the world see the beauty of Jesus in you.

I beg of you to remember and keep in your heart that the word of God contains the answers to all of life's questions. If you love it, cherish it, and live it, the devil will be kept at bay. It will you keep you pure (read Psalm 119:9). And remember that wherever you go, whatever you do, God will be with you.   Lean on him, trust in him, give to him your cares and burdens. He wants them. He will save you.

I command you -- be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. " Joshua 1:9

So...you may not see it now. But you will. You will understand what we meant by "the real world." And you will have made it a better world.

~Charles Schultheisz, Woodsfield, OH

JOY Bus Route

We will be running two Joy buses in the Woodsfield area. If you know of any prospects that would want to ride to worship services Sunday morning, contact the office at 740-472-5321.  We appreciate the workers who serve in this Ministry and pray that the Ministry will grow in souls being baptized and saved. Our challenge to the church family is to watch the streets of Woodsfield and look for potential riders. Please call in their names, address and phone # if you can and we will make a visit to see if God's Bible School on wheels can bring them under the sound of the God's Word.  Your love to win souls can make a difference with just one phone call.  Let’s do what we can to fulfill the great commission and go into the world and preach the gospel. 

Proud To Be Adopted

Every once in a great while a well·meaning person will ask my wife and I why we did not pursue adoption more aggressively. The answer is at the same time simple and complex, deeply personal, yet matter-of-fact. Part of the answer is that, quite frankly, we were scared to death to adopt.  We knew adoption was a good thing. We had read of countless positive, uplifting, encouraging adoption stories. But of the dozens and dozens of families we encountered in person, the negative experiences far outnumbered the positive. Three mothers have told us directly, "It's the biggest mistake I've ever made in my life." One mother said, "If I could figure out a way to give him back, I would." Adopted children have told us of their obsession with finding their "real" mom and dad to the point of alienating the parents who actually raised them and provided so much. for them. With all the intimidating stories involving parents who had no business adopting and children who never could come to terms with it — we just couldn't go through with it.

But thankfully God could! You see, actually, I myself am adopted. If you are a baptized believer you are too. Take a look at Ephesians 1:5, Romans 8:15, and Galatians 4:4-7. Fact is, the message of salvation was intended for the descendants of Abraham, God's original children. But they rejected his message, so he offered it to us Gentiles. We are not natural children. We are adopted. Paul says we are "branches from a wild olive tree, having been grafted into the cultivated tree" (Romans 11:17).

Aren't you glad God wasn't afraid to be an adoptive father? A parent reminded us once, "Well, if you do choose to pursue this, remember, the child you get will come with a whole lot of issues." Thank you Lord, for accepting me with all my issues. You knew I would be at times a troublesome son. You knew I could be ungrateful, unfaithful, and at times downright hateful toward you.  But you still chose to take me out of that spiritual orphanage which is the world. You love me and provide for me.

And this can only happen because of the greatest adoptee in the history of adoption. Jesus Christ himself was an adopted child. He did not belong to Joseph. He belonged to no earthly man. But Joseph excepted him as his own, he loved him and provided for him. And in turn, Jesus loved and respected his earthly father (Luke 2:51-52). He was in fact the ultimate perfect child. Never a disrespectful word or thought - sinless. And through that sinlessness, that perfection, and that terribly unfair death on the cross, his father in Heaven was able to accept me into the family.

Won‘t you become a Christian today? Allow God to adopt you. Allow him to be the father you so desperately need.