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God in a Fortune Cookie

February 17, 2010 By

Sometimes God appears to us in the most unexpected places. It may be through a sunset, a card from a friend, the lyrics of a song, or even through a fortune cookie. I was eating lunch at Shong Hey’s in Trenton last Thursday with a couple of pastor buddies and when the waitress brought us our fortune cookies I opened mine, expecting to read something generic about great happiness coming my way. Instead, I found a line that would not have applied to anyone at the table but me:
"You will soon be crossing great ocean waters for an incredibly rewarding experience."

When I read it I laughed, picturing God with a big smile on His face, nudging an angel in heaven and saying “Watch this!” It was just another way that He has shown me that His hand is on the trip we will take next Monday. But it also reminded me that we have a God who is intimately involved in the lives of His children. And if we will open our eyes, we will see His reminders all around us. Even in a fortune cookie.

The members of our Cambodia team from Twin Oaks have had many “God Sightings” over the past several months as we worked toward next week’s journey. His fingerprints are all over our team as He has provided resources, vision, peace, and encouragement in so many ways. We’ve seen how He has assembled a strong team that will do good work in showing His love and bringing healing to hundreds of Cambodian children. Some of the confirmations of God’s blessing and presence have come through you as you donated cans and bottles, bought dolls or sewed dresses for them, or provided medicine for our guide’s children’s ministry. Thank you so much for being part of this mission, and for loving the girls of Rapha House through us. God appears to us in many ways, and He has made His presence clear through you. With your help we are looking forward to “…crossing great ocean waters for an incredibly rewarding experience."

Prayer team and blog – We know that many of you will go with us through your prayers next Monday. So that you may pray for us by name allow me to list the members of our Twin Oaks Cambodian team: Carolyn Atcheson, Sara Barr, Jack Catton, Jessica Chrisekos, Harvey Lucier, Tara McKee, Greg Paddock, Candi Pattison, John Perfetti, Heather Rice, Fred Vanhalla, Chris and Randy Wheeler. If you would be willing to commit to pray for us for the 10 days of our trip, please email me and I will send you a prayer request list and give you the link to our blog so you can hear about the work and get regular updates. Thank you again for all of your support.

DAVE RAMSEY – “Life. Money. Hope” – Beginning THIS SUNDAY we are excited to offer 3 messages from nationally known Christian financial expert Dave Ramsey. This week Dave will speak to us on “The Basics of Biblical Finance”. What a great time to invite a friend who could use a little good financial direction. And don’t let the fact that the messages are on video throw you. The rest of the service will be just like any other Sunday. And the Sunday before last, the most talked about part of my message was the 9 minute video clip that I used. So you’ll hear a great message from God’s Word by a powerful speaker (Just like a normal week at Twin Oaks :)

Ladies Chocolate Extravaganza – THIS FRIDAY – 6:30pm – Ladies, it’s not too late to sign up for one of the biggest women’s events of the year at Twin Oaks. Chocolate, soup, and fellowship galore. If you’d like to come contact Roxanne Thompson at roxanne_thompson01@yahoo.com or 313-292-4289.  

GEMS pancake Breakfast – THIS SATURDAY – 8:00am to 11:30.  Serving pancakes, bacon, eggs, sausage, toast and all the toppings!  We’ve moved the GEMS House of Pancakes into the worship center so there will be plenty of room. Please bring your friends and family to support the GEMS Girls Club in their 3rd annual fundraiser. Donations appreciated.

Discovery 101 Class – THIS SUNDAY – 3-5pm – If you are new to Twin Oaks and want to know more about our beliefs, history, vision, values, and ministries this is the class for you. We’ll also cover how to become a member of God’s family and what it means to be an “official” member of the Twin Oaks family. So this class is also for those who are interested in becoming members of Twin Oaks. Sign up at the Ministry Center Sunday or just email me.

Decisions for Christ – Last Sunday we celebrated as Stephanie Keffer accepted Christ as her Savior and was baptized in the waters of His grace. Check out Stephanie’s photo at http://www.flickr.com/photos/46768627@N07/?saved=1 and keep her in your prayers as she begins her new walk with Christ.

Estate Planning Seminar – “THE LIVING TRUST: Leaving a legacy that makes a difference!”-Tuesday, March 16, 6-8pm. Presenter: Phil Beavers, VP of Institutional Advancement, Great Lakes Christian College. This free seminar will assist participants through the entire estate planning process from “start to signatures. Each estate plan will be done at no out of pocket cost to the individuals. In return for this service, valued in excess of $2,000, Financial Planning Ministry encourages individuals to leave a residual gift (after death) to their local church. To reserve your spot, sign up at the Ministry Center or reply to this email.

MOPS (Mothers of Pre-schoolers) – Begins next Thursday, Feb. 25th from 9-11Am and meets the 2nd and 4th Thursday through May 13th. MOPS is for mothers with children from birth to Kindergarten and exists to encourage, equip, and develop every mother of preschoolers to realize her potential as a woman, mother and leader in the name of Jesus Christ. Invite your friends to attend with you!  Childcare is provided along with light refreshments.  For more information, please contact Rhonda Dolunt at (313)383-4332 or rhdolunt@yahoo.com.

MOPS childcare volunteers needed – We still need a few more people to care for the pre-schoolers on the 2nd and 4th Thursday mornings of each month from 8:45 to 11:15AM while the moms have Bible study and fellowship. Are you retired? Working evenings? Not working right now? Have Thursdays off? Have you been looking for a way to serve God at Twin Oaks but don’t know where you fit? If you like pre-schoolers and have Thursday mornings off this could be your place to serve at Twin Oaks and help make our body stronger. Contact Rhonda Dolunt today to volunteer – (313)383-4332 or at rhdolunt@yahoo.com.

Missing Bible – If anyone found a brand new black and brown NIV Thinline Bible (or took it home by mistake) on January 31st please contact Linda Conner at 313-291-8570 or nana48180@att.net.

Ladies Dining Out – The next ladies dining out will be Wednesday March 3. They are going to La Dolce Vita on Fort Street in Riverview. They will meet there at 6:15. All ladies are invited for a relaxed evening of good food and great conversation. Sign up at the ministry center starting this Sunday. Questions? Contact Carol Horn. 764 675 4829 or chorn9351@hotmail.com .

New Online Directory – We have a new online church directory to make it easier to update and keep up with the growing family at Twin Oaks. This directory is only accessible with a password which I can give you when you request it. In requesting a password you are promising that you will not share the password or the information in the directory with anyone else or use the addresses for business purposes (solicitation, etc) Most of the photos were taken last Mother’s Day. If you are not yet in the directory (and most of you aren’t) and would like to be, or if you would like to change your photo, then email a photo to me along with your address and phone # (If you want those in there) If you want out of the directory please let me know that as well.

Joke of the week – A father noticed that his kids love going to the Web, and they keep track of their passwords by writing them on Post-it notes. He noticed their Disney password was "MickeyMinnieGoofyPluto," and so he asked why it was so long. "Because," his son explained, "they say it has to have at least four characters."

Have a great week and I’ll see you (and your guests) Sunday,

Randy

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Why Jesus?

February 14, 2010 By

Is there one true way to heaven? Are you snacking from the religious buffet or do you know the true path to eternal life? This is the Why question that Randy Wheeler tackles in today’s message. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Messages

Body Image

February 10, 2010 By

After an accident in which she lost her arm, a girl named Jamie refused to go to school or church for an entire year. Finally the young teen thought she could face her peers. In preparation, her mother called her Sunday school teacher and asked that he not call attention to Jamie. The teacher promised, but when he got sick on Sunday and had to call a substitute, he forgot to tell the second teacher.

At the conclusion of the lesson that day, which was about inviting friends to church, the sub led the class in doing the hand motions to the familiar children’s poem:

Here’s the church
Here are the people
Open the door
See all the people.

Jamie’s eyes filled with tears. A 13-year-old boy realized how she must be feeling. He knelt beside her. With one hand apiece, they supported each other, making the church, steeple, and people. Together they illustrated what real church is.

 

The Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 12, compares the Body of Christ (the church) with the human body. “The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ… Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” One of my favorite things about Twin Oaks is the way that you come together, as one body, to meet needs and serve God. To paraphrase a worn-out line from a sappy movie – We complete each other. I’ve seen this in most of the decisions for Christ that have been made in the past month. One person invited them, others greeted, the children’s workers freed them to focus on the service, the band opened their hearts, God’s Word taught them – and they came to know Jesus. Teamwork. One body with many parts, working together. And it works beautifully here and God is accomplishing great things through us. But I wonder what would happen if EVERY person who calls Twin Oaks home found their part in the body and served with passion, whether that meant stacking chairs, teaching a class, or working in the café? How are you doing with that? Let me ask you this: if everyone in the church had your level of commitment, how healthy would the body at Twin Oaks be? Think about that. Dwell on it for awhile. Let me encourage you to find your place. Find fulfillment. Find a ministry.

 

There is a new ministry beginning February 25th that will help us support and reach out to mothers of pre-schoolers. For this ministry to even take off we need 6 more people to care for the pre-schoolers on the 2nd and 4th Thursday mornings of each month from 8:45 to 11:15AM while the moms have Bible study and fellowship. Are you retired? Working evenings? Not working right now? Have Thursdays off? Have you been looking for a way to serve God at Twin Oaks but don’t know where you fit? If you like pre-schoolers and have Thursday mornings off this could be your place to serve at Twin Oaks and help make our body stronger. Contact Rhonda Dolunt today to volunteer – (313)383-4332 or at rhdolunt@yahoo.com.

THIS SUNDAY we will wrap-up our “WHY>” series with the question “Why Jesus?”How do we know Jesus is the only way and what difference does it make? Why should people follow Him? Come Sunday and find out. And bring a friend.

“Queen of our Heart" Dinner – THIS SATURDAY – 7pm – Ladies, if you haven’t already purchased your ticket (or had one purchased for you) contact the church office today and get your reservation as we turn things around and the men serve a delicious dinner to the women. Contact John Perfetti at 734-671-8300 or johnp4tocc@aol.com to reserve your spot.

Dave Ramsey “Life. Money. Hope” Series at Twin Oaks beginning Sunday, February 21st. –Dave Ramsey is perhaps the leading Christian financial expert in America today. Maybe you’ve heard him on WMUZ or Fox News or Fox Business. To help churches help people survive and thrive in the current recession Dave video-taped three 30 minute sermons and made them available to churches to share on Sunday mornings. This will be a great series to invite your friends to as Dave uses humor, scripture, and practical lessons to tell us how to break the bondage of debt and experience financial freedom. So plan to attend and invite a friend.

Decisions for Christ – We rejoiced last Sunday as Dan Bologna and Tim Weinschenker confessed their faith in Jesus and were baptized into Christ (Dan was baptized yesterday) Put the faces with their names at http://www.flickr.com/photos/46768627@N07/sets/72157623127133239 and congratulate them next time you see them and keep them in your prayers.

Video from last Sunday - Speaking of using videos in the service, several of you asked how to get the Louie Giglio video that I used in Sunday’s message. You can either go to our new website at www.twinoakschristian.com and play it on the right side of the home page, or you can find the entire message on youtube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVxdRrWjh0g&feature=related. Or if you missed Sunday’s message and want to watch it online just click on the sermon title on the home page and the video will play.

Prayers for Cambodia team – A week from Monday a team of 13 from Twin Oaks will take the love of Christ to the young girls of Rapha House. We could use your prayers. If you want to be part of our prayer support team for Cambodia email me and I will send you a prayer list. I will also add you to our blog so that you can hear about the trip as it is happening.

From Nathan – “Hey Parents -   Couple things coming up to let you know about.

1. We’re going to a thing called WinterJam in March (the 26th) at EMU. Cost is just $15 for the following bands: Third Day, Newsboys, NewSong, Tenth Avenue North, Fireflight, MIKESCHAIR, Robert Pierre, Revive & Guest Speaker Tony Nolan. So you can’t beat that deal. Sign ups will be on the ministries desk in a couple weeks.www.jamtour.com. This group tours the nation every winter and we’re finally jumping on board. It’s for all middle and high school students.

2. Believe Registration will be on said desk this week. Believe is a middle school only event that rocks! It’s hosted at Hope College in Holland MI (awesome facilities) and we spend the weekend (April 23-24) at a hotel, getting our faces rocked off, and seeing some of the best speakers and acts in the country. Best Part: weekend away from the kids! Ok kidding, the real best part is: New Lower Price this year, just $65 ($25 deposit due by March 7, late fees apply after the 7th). So pick up the registration asap, tell your kids to bring some friends, and enjoy a weekend in peace. This is the last big event for middle schoolers till July so make sure they get in on it.www.ciy.com/believe for more info.

Lastly just want to thank all of you who helped out with our Winter Retreat couple of weeks back. It was awesome, we had a great time, and if the damage totals on the building aren’t higher than expected (kidding, sort of, maybe), we should be able to go back next year and keep this as a fun and cheap weekend trip for our students. So thanks!”

Children’s Ministry stuff from Rhonda – We are excited to announce the first Twin Oaks MOPS (mothers of preschoolers) meeting!  – Thursday, February 25th from 9am to 11am.  MOPS is for mothers with children from birth to Kindergarten and exists to encourage, equip, and develop every mother of preschoolers to realize her potential as a woman, mother and leader in the name of Jesus Christ. Invite your friends to attend with you!  Childcare is provided along with light refreshments.  We also need 10 volunteers to care for children two Thursday mornings a month.  For more information, please contact Rhonda Dolunt at (313)383-4332 orrhdolunt@yahoo.com.

GEMS Pancake breakfast!  Saturday, Feb 20th from 8:00am to 11:30.  Serving pancakes, bacon, eggs, sausage, toast and all the toppings!  We’ve moved the GEMS House of Pancakes into the worship center so please bring your friends and family to support the GEMS in their 3rd annual fundraiser. Donations appreciated.

Joke of the week – Serving as a Marine recruiter in western North Carolina, I found a young man who met all the requirements and was ready to enlist. I explained the importance of being truthful on the application, and he began filling out his paper work. But when he got to the question "Do you own any foreign property or have any foreign financial interests?" he looked up at me with a worried expression. "Well," he confessed, "I do own a Toyota."

We enlisted him the next day. (Contributed to Reader’s Digest, "Humor In Uniform," by MSgt. Patrick L. Jacks)

 

Have a great week and I’ll see you (and your guests) Sunday,

Randy

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Why the Conflict…Science and the Bible?

February 7, 2010 By

Today’s message investigates whether science and the Bible are really incompatible. In fact, you might conclude that the more you explore science the more convinced you are that God not only exists, but must exist for the miracles of science to occur. [Read more...]

 
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App Application

February 3, 2010 By

I got an IPod touch recently. I know some of you are thinking, “I thought Randy was too much of a tightwad to spend money on an IPod touch.” You’re right, but I won it in a drawing. And I have to tell you, now that I have one, if I lost it I’d be tempted to buy another one (or ask for one for Christmas :) My old IPod was fine for listening to music but this one has all these applications I can buy… for 99 cents! … or even free!!! I’ve got an app that is teaching me to speak Khmer (Cambodian) for our upcoming missions trip. There’s another one that can tell me the temperature in Phnom Penh with the touch on a button (it is currently 83 degrees) I can read USA Today without paying for it. My iPod touch will be my flashlight, my alarm clock, and my internet connection to send you blogs. This is a frequent traveler’s dream. Now I understand those commercials that say “Yeah, we’ve got an app for that.”

 

Today I was thinking: Wouldn’t it be great if there was an app that would buzz you when you were about to cross a line morally or spiritually? When you were about to take a step down a road that would lead you farther than you ever meant to go and cost you more than you ever thought you’d pay, wouldn’t it be helpful to have an app that would warn you before you take that first step? Then I realized – We DO have such an early warning system. Every Christian does. We get it when we give our lives to Jesus. He is called the Holy Spirit. He’s that voice in your head that says “Don’t do it.” He is that knot in the pit of your stomach that tells you that you are about to make a big mistake. He is that feeling you are having that you should pick up the phone and ask a Christian friend for help. You’re hearing that app sometimes aren’t you?

 

If this app doesn’t seem to be working in your life maybe you need to check the volume and make sure it’s not on “mute”. Turn it up. How? Stay in God’s Word. Stay away from the places where you know the alarm will go off. Stay connected to other who share the app. Stay sensitive to it by obeying it when it goes off the first time. Don’t ignore it. Because each time you do, it will get easier and easier to tune it out. The Holy Spirit app only works if we listen to it – to Him. So please listen, and do what He says.

 

THIS SUNDAY we will continue our “WHY>” series with the question: “Why the Conflict… Science and the Bible?” Is it possible to be a person of reason and a person of faith at the same time? Come find out Sunday. Last Sunday was our best attendance of the year (and wouldn’t you have hated to miss it? God’s Spirit was really moving) Let’s build on that and have every member here this Sunday – and bring a friend.

Decisions for Christ – Last Sunday we celebrated with heaven as 3 more people gave their lives to Jesus and were baptized in His grace. Check out the photos of Krysten Wrobbel, Rodney Stevens, and John Hamric at http://www.flickr.com/photos/46768627@N07/sets/72157623127133239/ Keep them in your prayers this week and welcome them when you see them Sunday.

Men’s breakfast – THIS SATURDAY – 8 – 9AM – All men are invited for a hot breakfast, good fellowship, and a timely message from Randy.

Detroit Outreach – THIS SATURDAY – 10AM – 4PM – If you can help make sandwiches and pass them out at Cass Park in Detroit please contact Harvey at 734-740-1452 orharveylinda@hotmail.com. We are also hoping to give out lots of boots to the homeless (Especially men’s boots in larger sizes 10 and up) so if you have any please drop them off at the church by Saturday.

New adult class – Sundays at 9AM – “WHY?” – In this 6 week class Scott Puckett will expound on the themes from the current “WHY>” sermon series but keep it basic enough that anyone can follow along. It is meant to provide a deeper understanding of why faith in the Christian belief system is the most philosophically sound, rational, and coherent worldview.

Cans for Cambodia – This is the last Sunday we will be accepting cans and bottles for the Cambodia trip. Please place your cans and bottles in the trailer in the north lot this Sunday. Thank you so much for your generous support.

Dolls for Cambodia – Big thanks to all of you who purchased dolls for the girls of Rapha House. We have

raised enough money to cover all 144 dolls (now we just need to finish sewing all of the clothes). We still have a few paper dolls at the café and are still accepting donations to buy infant medicine for the Phnom Penh ministry.

ChristNet thanks – With the leadership of Cass Simpson, John Perfetti, and Harvey Lucier, and an army of volunteer who registered, cooked, served, did laundry, supervised, cut hair, cleaned, and much more, we were able to welcome 30 homeless souls for a week or pampering at Twin Oaks. Thank you. You all are the greatest!!!

New Online Directory – We have a new online church directory to make it easier to update and keep up with the growing family at Twin Oaks. This directory is only accessible with a password which I can give you when you request it. In requesting a password you are promising that you will not share the password or the information in the directory with anyone else or use the addresses for business purposes (solicitation, etc) Most of the photos were taken last Mother’s Day. If you are not yet in the directory (and most of you aren’t) and would like to be, or if you would like to change your photo, then email a photo to me along with your address and phone # (If you want those in there) If you want out of the directory please let me know that as well.

LADIES’ ANNUAL CHOCOLATE EXTRAVAGANZA – February 19th, 6:30 PM – All ladies are invited to one of the biggest women’s events of the year at Twin Oaks. If you can, join the patriotic theme by wearing red, white, and blue. They’ll also be sending goodwill packages to our military so if please send the names and addresses of any of your family who are in the military to roxanne_thompson01@yahoo.com. We need donations of chocolate, soup, and crackers so please sign-up are at the Ministry Center Sunday. Also, bring your used books for the book sale.

MOPS VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – We are in urgent need of 10 volunteers to care for pre-school children on the 2nd and 4th Thursday mornings of each month for the new MOPS program. By offering your time you’ll provide these mothers who attend MOPS a chance to grow as mothers and in Christ.  For more information, please contact Rhonda Dolunt at (313)383-4332 or rhdolunt@yahoo.com

MI Statewide Teen Convention – March 12-14 – A weekend event for all high school students at Causeway Bay Hotel in Lansing.  Speakers, bands, inflatables, and 63 metric tons of fun (they measure). Cost is $85, and anyone who is in high school is welcome to come. You can pick up registration packets at the Ministry Center. Get them in to Nathan ASAP. For more info contact nathanzimm@hotmail.com or check out www.mistatewide.org.

Joke of the week – Artist Pablo Picasso surprised a burglar at work in his new chateau. The intruder got away, but Picasso told the police he could do a rough sketch of what he looked like. On the basis of his drawing, the police arrested a mother superior, the minister of finance, a washing machine, and the Eiffel tower.

 

Have a great week and I’ll see you (and your guests) Sunday,

Randy

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Why it the World So Messed Up?

February 1, 2010 By

This week Randy Wheeler digs into one of the most perplexing questions about God’s will and our limited human perspective: “Why is the World So Messed Up?” This difficult question is front of mind for many Christians as we continue to see the devastation and pain in Haiti. Wouldn’t you like to know the answer? [Read more...]

 
Filed Under: Messages

“Least of These”

January 27, 2010 By

This is the kind of week Twin Oaks was created for! Last night I was sitting in the fireplace area, watching the UM-MSU game with several of our homeless guests. As they were cheering each basket (or booing – depending on their allegiances) and laughing and sharing their various opinions of the two teams, I took in the scene and warmth filled my heart as I thought “This is why we are here.” Years ago when the elders first envisioned Twin Oaks, housing the homeless through ChristNet was part of the dream. When we designed the building the showers in the restrooms, and to some extent the fireplace section with the HDTV and the café/dining area, were put there with a vision of making the homeless feel like honored guests, not an afterthought.

 

One of the men had asked me to pray that he’d get his act together and be the kind of father he hasn’t been up till now. After we’d talked for awhile I asked him if there was anything I could do for him and he said “You’re doing it.” When I pressed him to be more specific he got tears in his eyes, motioned to the tv, the fireplace, the dining area and the army of volunteers and he said “This. You are so good to us.” And you are. You are extending the love of Christ to these 30 or so people who need a little help and comfort and pampering right now. Monday night a swarm of middle schoolers filled the foyer to serve our guests. Last night there were more volunteers than there were people to serve. I’m sure the other nights will be the same. Each morning more of you show up to do their laundry. Sunday morning some of you will come extra early help get the church ready for worship. But worship is really happening all week – because Jesus said “When you do it for them, you’re doing it for me. “This is the kind of week Twin Oaks was created for!” And once again I am so proud of you.

 

THIS SUNDAY we will continue our “WHY>” series with the question: “Why is the World So Messed Up?” If there is a loving and powerful God watching over us, why did Haiti happen? Why are there starving and abused children? Why do Christians lose their jobs and houses and spouses? Why do they get cancer, if God is real, and loving, and powerful? Tough question. And we’ll tackle it Sunday so be here, and bring a friend who may be asking those same questions.

“Love. Money. Hope: Biblical Advice in Difficult Times” with Dave Ramsey – February 21st, 28th, and March 7th. Many of you know Dave Ramsey from the Financial Peace University courses we’ve offered, or from Fox News, or WMUZ. With the country in a deep recession Dave has produced 3 Biblical messages of hope and offered them free of charge to churches to use. Large churches around the country are using these videos in their Sunday morning services to teach and encourage the congregations how to survive economic challenges. So mark these dates on your calendar and invite your friends to join you for this practical, encouraging series. These services will be just like our normal services, music, communion, etc. except that Dave will bring the message (via video) instead of me.

ChristNet clean-up help needed – We need 15-20 people with servants’ hearts to be here from 6:30-8:30am Sunday to help clean up and move beds after ChristNet week. If you can help please contact Cass Simpson at csimps10@ford.com or John Perfetti atjohnp4tocc@aol.com to volunteer.

Financial update – In an effort to keep you apprised of our finances let me just say that even though we trimmed our budget for 2010 our general fund offerings this month have averaged over $2,000 per week below our needs. I don’t tell you this to make anyone feel guilty over what they can’t do, but rather to challenge each person who calls Twin Oaks to do what they can do to help us continue the work of Christ at Twin Oaks. With each person tithing we will have more than enough to meet our needs. Please include this in your prayers for Twin Oaks.

“Queen of our Heart" Dinner – February 13th, 7pm – The men of Twin Oaks are preparing a special evening for the women of Twin Oaks .This will be a relaxing evening of pampering and fine dining, and best of all the men will do all the work! Guys, invite that special someone – wife, mom, sister, sister in the Lord, grandma (adults only please). Then pick up a registration form from the ministry center and hand it in to the church by February 7th, with the payment (you are treating them). Then, you will be contacted on how you can help serve that night. Ladies, remind the guys to do the steps above then just show up and enjoy your special evening (PS- You don’t have to have a guy “sponsor” in order to come)

Ladies’ Dining Out – Tuesday Feb 2, 6:15 pm – We’ll meet at Little Daddy’s (on Eureka- next to Southland). All ladies are invited to join us for a relaxed evening of good food and good conversation. Please sign up at the Ministry Center. Any questions call Carol Horn 734 6754829 or email chorn9351@hotmail.com.

TOCC MOPS – We are excited to announce the first Twin Oaks MOPS (mothers of preschoolers) meeting!  Thursday, February 25th from 9am to 11am.  MOPS is for mothers with children from birth to Kindergarten and exists to encourage, equip, and develop every mother of preschoolers to realize her potential as a woman, mother and leader in the name of Jesus Christ. Invite your friends to attend with you!  Childcare is provided along with light refreshments.  Rhonda Dolunt(313)383-4332 orrhdolunt@yahoo.com

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
We also need 10 volunteers to care for children on the 2nd and 4th Thursday mornings of each month. By offering your time you’ll provide these mothers who attend MOPS a chance to grow as mothers and in Christ.  For more information, please contact Rhonda Dolunt at (313)383-4332 or rhdolunt@yahoo.com

GEMS PANCAKE BREAKFAST – Can you just imagine the smell of a freshly prepared breakfast of Pancakes, bacon, eggs, sausage, and toast?  Well the GEMS girls would love to serve you breakfast at our 3rd Annual Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser, Saturday Feb. 20th from 8:00 – 11:30.  We’ve moved our "GEMS house of pancakes" into the worship center to offer more seating so bring your family, friends and neighbors!  Donations appreciated.

Discovery 101 Class – Sunday, February 21st,  3-5pm – If you are new to Twin Oaks and want to know more about our beliefs, history, vision, values, and ministries this is the class for you. We’ll also cover how to become a member of God’s family and what it means to be an “official” member of the Twin Oaks family. So this class is also for those who are interested in becoming members of Twin Oaks. Sign up at the Ministry Center Sunday or just email me.

Joke of the week – Before celebrating a baptism, the deacon approached the young father and said solemnly, “Baptism is a serious step. Are you sure you’re prepared for it?”
“I think so,” the man replied. “My wife has made appetizers and we have a caterer coming to provide plenty of cookies and cakes for our guests.”
“I don’t mean that,” the deacon replied. “I mean, are you prepared spiritually?”
“Oh sure,” came the reply. “I’ve got a keg of beer and a case of whiskey.”

 

Have a great week and I’ll see you Sunday,

Randy

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Why Should I Trust the Bible?

January 24, 2010 By

Today’s message takes us through a Biblical argument for trusting the “God breathed Word.” Using a simple acrostic memory device CHRIST, you will be able to tell others why the Bible is trustworthy. [Read more...]

 
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Rags to Riches

January 20, 2010 By

I read this week an interesting report of an incident which happened recently:

“Flat broke and homeless, brothers Geza and Zslot Peladi literally lived in a cave near Budapest for years. They left their dank home only to scrape together whatever money they could through selling scrap metal and candy. Theirs was a hopeless situation.

But then everything changed.

One day, out of the blue, charity workers informed the brothers that they had inherited a substantial portion of their late maternal grandmother’s $6.6 billion fortune. And just like that, two destitute brothers, should they want to, could call a castle their home when all they had ever known was a cave.” Mike Krumboltz, “From Cave to Castle,” www.buzz.yahoo.com.

Do you see yourself in that story? We were all at one time spiritually poor – separated from God by our sins. It would have been a hopeless situation… except for one thing. God loved us, enough to send His Son to die on a cross so that we have the opportunity to be adopted into His family through faith in Christ (Ephesians 1:4-6) and through Him to enjoy a rich inheritance of faith. As Paul wrote: “I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance…” (Ephesians 1:18)

We were poor, and hopeless. Then someone introduced us to Jesus, and everything changed. We continue our “WHY>” series this week with the message “Why Should I Trust the Bible?” Do you know someone who could benefit from this message? Do you know someone who needs to know about the hope that Jesus offers? Invite them this Sunday. It could change everything.

Decisions for Christ – Last week we were happy to welcome David and Sonya Lewis and Sharon Sturgis as official members of the Twin Oaks family. Go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/24147812@N05/sets/72157603995712040/ to put some faces with the names and welcome them to the family the next time you see them.

WOMEN”S MID-WINTER BLAST UPDATE- THIS FRIDAY - Ladies, the hotel has extended reservations ’til Wednesday, January20th! The cost for the room is $18/pp IF there are 4 to a room, and that includes breakfast Saturday morning! The room cost is $72, but you divide the cost with how many are in your room. So ladies, do yourself a favor..Start the new year out having a blast! This is for you! Any questions, contact Carol Larson at epoxyn@aol.com and/or 734-675-5650. Remember, when calling the Best Western, call 1-866-671-3199. Reserve your room under TWIN OAKS CHRISTIAN CHURCH WOMEN’S MINISTRY, USING CODE CGTWIN.

Dolls for Cambodia – Would you like to help us bring comfort and healing to young victims of sex-trafficking? The director of Rapha House told us that just having a doll to hold would be a healing tool in the lives of the girls at Rapha House. Beginning THIS SUNDAY we will give you the opportunity to purchase a doll for a Rapha House girl for only $5 at our Connections Café. We plan to take almost 150 dolls with your help when we go next month (any excess money raised will be used to buy medicine and other ministry items for Rapha House and Kids’ Club in Cambodia).

Infant medicine for Cambodia – While the Twin Oaks team is in Cambodia we will be working with a ministry that does a lot of work with mothers and infants from their community. They are asking us to bring infant Tylenol, infant vitamins, cold and flu medicine,etc. If you work for a doctor’s office or somewhere else that might have infant medicine samples to donate please let us know.

3on3 Basketball - Thursday nights at Southgate Anderson High School. Teams of 3-6 players can sign up at the ministry desk. Cost is $5 per person for the season and starts Feb. 11th. You can sign up with a team of people or solo and you’ll be put on a team. Contact Jim Watkins with questions at jimmer_w@hotmail.com.

New website – This week we are launching our new website at www.twinoakschristian.com. (You will soon be able to access it at either .org or .com) The advantage of the new site, besides looking more modern, is that you can watch videos of the past week’s message and you can also tithe online through PayPal if you missed church the past week. The new site also will feature videos that we use in our Sunday morning messages (so you don’t have to email me for the link when you like one) More advantages to the new site will be evident in the coming months. Huge thanks to Bill Rice for developing this new site for us.

Online giving – As you just read you are now able to give to Twin Oaks online at www.twinoakschristian.com. We’ve had several requests for this from people who do all of their finances online. One person told us the only time they use a checkbook is for their tithe. This also allows you to give if you are snowed in or out of town or working or for some other reason can’t be in church. If you want to tithe online but still want to put something in the offering plate it allows you to print out a receipt and put that in your tithing envelope. This has the same privacy and record keeping as using a check as PayPal will email a notice of your gift to our financial secretary. If you don’t have a PayPal account and need help setting it up just call us.

LADIES’ ANNUAL CHOCOLATE EXTRAVAGANZA – February 19th, 6:30 PM.- We are having a patriotic theme this year are wanting to have a room filled with beautiful ladies all decked out in their red/white and blue….This coming Sunday there will be a sign-up sheet at the Ministry Center for attending (just so we can plan) and some soups and of course, CHOCOLATE! Robin Beck will be performing a musical program with the love songs of our First Ladies. If you have a family member deployed in Iraq, Afghanistan, or elsewhere in the world, would you please e-mail roxanne_thompson01@yahoo.com with their names and addresses? We are wanting to send some boxes from you to our special men and women, let them know we care and are praying for them….Also, bring your used books! We will once again have our book sale.

MI Statewide Teen Convention – March 12-14 - A weekend event for all high school students at Causeway Bay Hotel in Lansing. Speakers, bands, inflatables, and 63 metric tons of fun (they measure). Cost is $85, and anyone who is in high school is welcome to come. You can pick up registration packets at the Ministry Center. Get them in to Nathan ASAP. For more info contact nathanzimm@hotmail.com or check out www.mistatewide.org.

Super Bowl event? – Due to financial constraints we are not having a big blowout Super Bowl party this year. But if any group in the church wants to plan a smaller party that would be open to anyone who wanted to come, just let us know and we will promote it. We can have the big game on February 7th on the Fireplace area TV and give you that and the café area for fun and fellowship.

Free ladies business suits - Diane Petri has several (size 6) ladies’ business suits (skirts/jackets) and pantsuits from her Executive Assistant days at Ford Motor Company that she would love to give to someone who could use them. You can contact Diane at (734) 552-5951 or (734) 675-1681 or at
jpdpp@peoplepc.com.

Joke of the week - This guy was watching TV as his wife was out cutting the grass during the hot summer. He finally worked up the energy to go out and ask his wife what was for supper.

Well, his missus was quite irritated about him sitting in the air-conditioned house all day while she did all the work, so she scolded him. “I can’t believe you’re asking me about supper right now! Imagine I’m out of town. Go inside and figure dinner out yourself.”

So he went back into the house and fixed himself a big steak with potatoes, garlic bread, and a tall glass of iced tea.

The wife finally walked in about the time he was finishing up and asked him, “You fixed something to eat? So where’s mine”

He said, “ I thought you were out of town.”

Have a great week and I’ll see you (and your guests) Sunday,

Randy

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Why Should I Believe in God in the First Place?

January 17, 2010 By

One of the first questions most non-believers ask is, “Why believe in God anyway?” Most people are curious about the meaning of life. So, why wouldn’t they want to know the what a relationship with God would mean for them. To help us answer this question Randy Wheeler takes us to Ecclesiastes 1:1-4. [Read more...]

 
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