Loving by Serving
“Why am I here?” If you were at Twin Oaks last Sunday you discovered that the primary reason God created you was so that He could love you and be loved by you. He created you for a relationship with Him. But how do we show God that we love Him? The answer you find most in the Bible is to follow His Word; to do what He’s told you to do. And one of the foundational things He has told us to do, and this is the #2 commandment after loving God, is to love and serve others. We show our love for God by loving and serving others. We are put here to love – to love God and love others. And to love God by loving others.
In this week’s update you’ll find several practical ways to love God by serving others. We have several needs in the Children’s Ministry (Sunday morning pre-school teachers; MOPS child-care; encouragers for the grade school girls). You can serve the homeless by donating boots and clothes and by helping with ChristNet. Or take an evening to serve our women a special dinner. You could even show you love for God by stacking and unstacking chairs once or twice a week (we can’t worship God on Sundays without the ministry of the chair team). If you don’t already have a ministry at Twin Oaks, why not take advantage of one of these ways to show God that you love Him by loving others in His name? You’ll be glad you did.
Decisions for Christ - The past two weekends we’ve celebrated several decisions for Christ. Andy Marcum, Tammy and Gabby Kuzia, John and Sue Durocher, and Jackson Parshall expressed their faith in Christ by being baptized as believers and Troy and Cassy Richards and David and Kat Oliverson (in addition to the Durochers) became official members of Twin Oaks. Check out their photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/24147812@N05/sets/72157603995712040 so that you can celebrate their decisions with them next time you see them. Please keep these folks in your prayers.
Precept Women’s Bible Study - begins THIS Thursday, January 14 at 7:00 p.m. The study will be Revelation Part 1 and is part of a 2 year series. You are able to jump in anywhere when a new series starts so don’t think you have to take one part and then all of the others as well if you can’t make the 2 year commitment. The one hard and fast rule of Precept is that it is difficult to jump in after the first two weeks of class. Of course to get full benefit you will want to be a part of all 4 sessions. This class will end before Easter and Revelation Part 2 will pick up again in September. The entire series will last 2 years as there are 4 parts. For more information call Gayle Cripps at 734-941-6387 or gacripps@hotmail.com.
Christian Cadets Spaghetti Dinner – THIS SATURDAY – 1-4pm – The second annual Christian Cadets fundraising spaghetti dinner is coming up here at Twin Oaks. Bring a healthy appetite and be prepared for a time of great fellowship. Donations will be accepted to help fund this great ministry to our grade school age boys.
Chair team volunteers needed – Want to serve God but prefer to be “behind the scenes”? Try the chair team. We need more people to stack up all the chairs after the 10:30 service each Sunday and then set them back out between 4-5pm on Saturdays. If you could help with either or both times please contact Cass Simpson at csimps10@ford.com or Mark Stevens at shiloh_kset_78@yahoo.com.
ChristNet Homeless Outreach - January 24-30 – Twin Oaks will be housing 30 homeless people through the ChristNet Ministry for the last week of January. We will feed them dinner and give them a warm bed, hot showers, fellowship, breakfast, and a sack lunch. You can help serve, cook, chaperone overnight, clean, do laundry, or spend time with them by signing up at the ministry center THIS SUNDAY. We will also have our “Brown Bags” listing items we will need to make this all happen, as well as collect used clothing for them on January 24.
Treasured Friends needed - The Gems Girls Club (grades 1-6) is in urgent need of 7 more Treasured Friends. What is a Treasured Friend? You are matched with one of our sweet Gems girls then you would pray for her; send her birthday and holiday cards; send her cute encouraging cards or notes; and in the Spring meet her at the Treasured Friend Brunch. This is such a wonderful program a chance to create a special bond and relationship. Our girls love it!!!!! Please consider being a part of the Treasured Friend Program. Contact Debra Kok Debkok10@aol.com or 734-558-9369.
Pre-school helpers needed - The Children’s ministry is in need of four people to serve our preschoolers during the 10:30 service. This is a fun, energetic group that loves to learn, do simple crafts and play with play-dough! The schedule is two weeks on and six weeks off. Any questions please contact Rhonda Dolunt at (313) 383-4332 or at rhdolunt@yahoo.com
MOPS (mothers of preschoolers) meeting - February 25th – “BETTER MOMS MAKE A BETTER WORLD” – 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. By offering your time you’ll provide these mothers a chance to grow as mothers and in Christ. For more information, please contact Rhonda Dolunt at (313)383-4332 or rhdolunt@yahoo.com
Detroit Outreach – We are hoping to give out lots of boots to the homeless at our February 6th outreach (Especially men’s boots in larger sizes 10 and up). If you have boots to donate just bring them Sunday and put them in the kitchen.
Queen of our Heart” Dinner - February 13th, 7pm – The men of Twin Oaks are preparing a special evening for the women of Twin Oaks to show that you really are the “Queen of our Heart”. This will be a relaxing evening of pampering and fine dining, and best of all the men will do all the work!
1. Guys, you need to invite that special someone – wife, mom, sister, sister in the Lord, grandma (you get the idea – adults only please).2. Then (guys), you need to pick up a registration form from the ministry center at the church and then fill it out.3. Then (guys), you need to hand it in to the church by February 7th, with the payment (you are treating them).4. Then (guys), you will be contacted on how you can help serve that night. Ladies, you may need to remind the guys about steps 1-3 because they may forget, but make them do it anyway.5. Then (ladies), just show up and enjoy your special evening.
Joke of the week - The policeman couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw a woman drive past him on the freeway, busily knitting. Quickly he pulled alongside the vehicle, rolled down his window and shouted, “Pull over!” “No,” the woman yelled back cheerfully, “Socks!”
Have a great week and I’ll see you (and your guests) Sunday,
Randy
