Greetings from the Upper Peninsula (UP) of Michigan! Thank you so much for your continuing support of the TV Ministry. Although several congregations were forced to drop support entirely and several had to reduce their monthly support, the Lord has blessed our efforts! We have several new supporters in Michigan including congregations and individuals. There has been an answer to our call for assistance out of state as well! Praise the Lord! We project a shortfall of $6,000 for the remainder of this year. That could be covered with an additional $600/month in support. I will include an updated Operating Budget in our mailing in April. If you are in a position to partner with us in preaching the Gospel throughout the UP and on the web throughout the world, please contact me at your earliest convenience. The office phone is 906-233-0065.
The responses for January/February were good! Requests include: 9 Bibles, 6 Bible Correspondence Courses, 3 Bible study outlines offered on the web and 4 DVD’s.
ESCANABA (ESC)
Greetings from Escanaba! Here are some of our plans for the outreach ministry: 1) Bible camp (upcoming one-day kid’s event) will be held this summer; 2) Gospel Meeting- speakers will be contacted for September or November date; 3) Newsletter Evangelism- Dave will look into costs for a “House to House” mailing. We’ll try it in the Soo Hill area for 6 months and reevaluate; 4) “Bring a Friend Breakfast” will be in place of our Potluck on the 1st Sunday in April. We may have a sunrise service this year followed by our breakfast and then our worship at 11; 5) SOS on 4th Sunday evening will be a “floating” group looking for opportunities to volunteer at local benefits. Sarah will scout for local benefits; 6) Teen Lock In needs to be planned. It will not be an overnighter this time around. We will do an all day event; 7) Family event like Super Sunday to be planned. This will be for little ones that are left out in the Teen events. If you have a small traveling group that would be able to conduct Bible classes for elementary grade children, please let us know. Our one-day Bible Camp is our first step back into VBS-related activities. We need help with the teaching. You can contact me at 906-233-0065. Submitted by davegrant@att.net
HANCOCK
The weatherman on our local TV station last night used a phrase I don’t remember hearing ever before. He said we are now having a “snow drought!” The paper last Friday said we have had 173.5 inches of snow as opposed to 211 inches the same day last year, for a difference of 37.5 inches. I have been delighted to have a rest from blowing snow most every morning. I sure am thankful to have a good snow blower to use when needed! Praise the Lord, and thank you for providing adequate support for this! It sure is great having the Tech students back in services with us now that their long break is over. Right now the campus is a very popular tourist attraction because of winter carnival with its intricate snow statues. They had no problem having adequate snow for them this year. I remember one year when they had to truck snow in for them!
We so appreciate your continuing prayers and support for our work of preaching the gospel and encouraging one another in our Lord Jesus Christ. We could not do it without your help! Please keep on praying and helping us as together we serve the Lord in this congregation as partners! Submitted by Dan & Lutrica Skaggs dskaggs6404@sbcglobal.net
IRON MOUNTAIN-KINGSFORD (IMK)
Hello to all. Well, another month has come and gone. How quickly this year seems to be passing already. It truly brings to mind how short a time we have on this earth and how short a time to spread the Gospel of Jesus the Anointed.
Richard Wert has started an in depth, verse by verse study of the book of Revelation for our Sunday Bible class. We had wanted to have a study in the book of Revelation for some time, and when we heard that Richard was conducting a study in North Delta we asked him if he would also conduct the study for us, and he agreed. Richard has also started a series of lessons on 1st Timothy 4:12 for our Sunday Worship service. Dave Grant is conducting an archeology study for our Thursday night Bible study. The studies main focus is the time period of Christ birth to the first century church.
We continue to look for a full time preacher. We are a small group, but our prayer is to maintain the light of God’s word in this area and grow. We meet Sundays @ 2:00 P.M. (central) for Bible class, followed by Worship service at 3:00 P.M. Our Thursday Bible class begins at 6:00 P.M. If you are in the area we would love to have you join us. We are located on the corner of Pyle Dr. and N. Balsam in Kingsford. The building is shared with Donna’s dance studio. Submitted by Stuart Ward chili@scsinc1.com
MARQUETTE
Greetings from yet a very wintery U.P. Seems we still have plenty of snow and cold, but the sun is rising ever so slightly in the sky each day and that gives us some hope. The work here is going well and I have been reminded once again of how God's ways of working are so very often, no where near mine. I think the following story exemplifies that.
Over Super Bowl Weekend one of our members, Ethan Moss came home on leave from the military for a visit and brought along a fellow soldier friend. He brought him to church Sunday morning and he brought him to the Super Bowl party we had at our house later in the day. The young man was very engaged in the singing, the bible class, the sermon and later the devotional before the game. Toward the end of the game we got into a discussion and he wanted to know more about baptism. After the game, we studied some more, and before the night was over, Powers Goldwire was baptized into Christ. Praise God!
We have been trying real hard to reach the people of the U.P. with the good news of Jesus for years. Some have accepted Christ, while others have not. And then, out of the blue, a young man arrives for the weekend and before he leaves, he is our new brother in Christ. Since he is not from here, and is in the military, it is quite possible that we will never see him again, at least not this side of heaven. Yet, seeds had been planted and watered previously in his life, God had touched his heart while he was here, and we were blessed with assisting him. When evangelizing, we never really know who the ducks are and who the decoys are. Sometimes it is difficult to tell them apart. What we must know however is that God is indeed working in the hearts and minds of many. We simply must be ready, willing and available to step up and do our part when the time comes, and wherever God leads. Trust in God to take care of the rest, in His time.
“Paul and his companions traveled through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, come over to Macedonia and help us. After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.” (Acts 16:6-10)Love, J.L.
NORTH DELTA
Greetings from the Lord’s Church in N. Delta. Last Sunday we had potluck and then a congregational meeting. It is clear that we want to figure out what we can do to be more visible and active in the community. It seems we always come back to the same old same old. Passing out flyers, VBS, work projects, mission week, being involved with community projects and the list goes on. But the fruit produced from these efforts are hard to find at best. Yes, it is true that we grow as Christians by our involvement in such efforts but that growth seems at times to just add to the frustration. So, we find ourselves asking what should or can we do? If you think you may have some answers we are all ears. We also are interested in a Church helping us with a VBS this year. We are considering the possibility of having a Mission week reunion this summer. If you have any interest please let me know. On behalf of the N. Delta Church, Thank you for your prayers and support. Richard Wert, randswert@gmail.com
Let the Bible Speak (LTBS)
Greetings from the Upper Peninsula (UP) of Michigan! Jim Larsen is currently hosting the program each week through the end of January 2010. He is doing a fine job and responses continue to be good. The responses for December include: 11 Bibles, 10 Bible Correspondence Courses, 6 Saving Souls in the 21st Century.
Our updated financial picture projects we will be short $627/mo in support. The one-time gifts during the past three months coupled with the Memorial Fund for Les Grant enable us to meet our shortfall for the next several months. If you would be interested in partnering with us in sharing the message of the Gospel in the UP and NE Wisconsin, give me a call so we can arrange a time for a presentation of the ministry at your congregation. 906-233-0065
A memorial fund was established for Les Grant. All gifts are being directed to the Upper Peninsula TV Ministry, Let the Bible Speak. Les started the TV Program in March 1976 and continued as host until his retirement in 1992. At this time, we have received gifts in memory of Les Grant totaling $2,965.00. Gifts for the memorial fund may be sent to:
Let the Bible Speak, P.O. Box 751, Escanaba, MI 49829
ESCANABA (ESC) Greetings from the heart of the UP! Our goal is to look forward—pressing on—forgetting what is behind. With that said, I don’t intend to talk about what we’ve done but what we’re planning to do! Our goals for 2010 are to be more involved in the community and making a difference in people’s lives. Our monthly SOS meetings on Sunday night are designed to do something in the community in serving others. Each month at the nursing homes has been a blessing for the residents as well as our own church family.
We are making plans to work with the Livonia Youth group again this summer. Our efforts in this will be service projects in the community. The Saturday Lunch program will continue in 2010. Jesse Huff is coordinating this effort. He has set a date to serve lunch on February 20th. This community effort has given us more exposure. We are beginning a study of archaeology and the Bible on Wednesday nights. Our first session was very interesting and stimulated much discussion. If you will be traveling to the UP this summer, stop by and visit us at Escanaba! We would certainly appreciate the encouragement. Submitted by Dave Grant.
HANCOCK Happy New Year! I’m feeling much better now, having recovered from an upper respiratory infection that spared nothing, involving infection of the sinuses, larynx, and bronchial passages! It took two courses of antibiotics to win the battle.
Michigan Tech ended their fall semester in time for the Christmas break, and its classes will not resume for over a month! Next Sunday our students will be traveling back this way from home. We were grateful to have the visiting family in our Bible class and church services to fill in for those students! I was especially glad to have Misty (Dan & Lutrica’s daughter) present as she has a strong soprano voice, and I was having a struggle trying to lead songs due to the throat infection.
We have had so much snow that Curt told me last Sunday that I must call a contractor to come and haul away some of the snow he has plowed so he will have space to continue to clear our parking area week by week. So I called them, and I saw that they were removing the snow yesterday with a large front-end loader and dump truck. We are very blessed to have the money on hand for this expensive job thanks to your generous and steadfast support! Thank you! So thanks to all your steadfast prayers and support, we are able to keep on keeping preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ and encouraging our students and other members to serve the Lord Jesus Christ with joy and zeal! Praise God for faithful Christians like you that partner with us in this work for the Lord! Lots of Love, Dan & Lutrica Skaggs
MARQUETTE Two weeks ago many of our members were missing for Sunday morning worship, and it made a big difference. The singing was not the same, there were lots of empty seats, and you could generally just feel the absence in the air. Last Sunday, most everyone was back, some who had been missing for a week or two, along with some folks who we have not seen in literally months. One college student in particular, who had been contacted many times but never returned, finally did. Another young man who has been battling some severe physical trials was able to come back. And still another college student, who we had never met before, came to worship with us for the first time.
I can personally tell you that all these people who had been missing and now returned, really brightened my day and my spirit. I know others felt the same way too. Again, you could feel it in the air. There were lots of smiles, hugs and conversation. The auditorium was full of warm bodies, cheerful hearts, and smiling faces. The singing was vibrant as we lifted our voices in praise to God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Ah, it certainly was a Sunday to remember.
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another and all the more as you see the day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:23-25)
As you start to think about and make your plans for summer vacation, maybe you could include a visit to one of the U.P. congregations. None of us are large in size and a visit by you and your family is always greatly appreciated. We truly enjoy fellowshipping with our brothers and sisters in Christ from other parts of the state and or country. Especially those who come to us from congregations that either have or are still supporting the work here. It is good for you to see first hand what is going on, and it is food for us to visit with you and get to know you better. May God richly bless all of you as you enter into 2010 with eyes wide open and hearts of service for the Lord. We love you! Jim and Pam Larsen yooperman@charter.net I look forward to seeing/meeting you some time in the future.
NORTH DELTA Greetings, The Lord's work continues here in N. Delta. Your prayers and support are one of the reasons why. But there is another reason worthy of recognition. The wife of the preacher at least this one is worth more than any thought of value one can describe. Sara lives by the fruit of the Spirit. In no time at all she can see someone’s needs whether physical, emotional, or spiritual and waste no time in trying to make a difference. To say she is truly a helpmate seems to fall well short of what I want to say. But knowing the honor and high calling that our Heavenly Father has given to such a title it is the only words worthy of her character. This April, Sara and I, will celebrate 32 years of marriage. We had no thought of me being a preacher but when I made that decision I could not have known and would not have believed if told that Sara would be the conduit that my heavenly Father would use to keep me in this ministry. If I were to lose all the support that I am blessed with I believe this ministry would go on. If Sara was not my helpmate I don’t think I would be here yesterday, today or tomorrow. If you know of a Sara make sure she knows you appreciate her. Richard Wert 906-235-0928
