A Newsletter of the Churches of Christ in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan
LET THE BIBLE SPEAK TV & Web Ministry
Praise the Lord! We’ve had several large gifts that have put us back in the black! As we projected, we’re running about $400/month short of our financial obligations. These one-time gifts have made it possible to catch up and even get a little ahead for next month!
If you’re interested in watching one of our shows, you can view them by clicking the Bible image on the right or I can send you a DVD copy of our show. The January responses included requests for 8 Bibles, 3 Bible Correspondence Courses, 6 Revelation Study Guides and 7 web page responses.
If your congregation has a storage closet with unused Bible School material, reel-to-reel tape recorders, Jule Miller filmstrips or anything else you’re not using, let us know. The churches up here may be able to use it. Contact us at: Let the Bible Speak, P.O. Box 751, Escanaba, MI 49829; (906) 233-0065 or ltbs@att.net. Submitted by Dave Grant.
ESCANABA
Several visitors have been coming to our Family Night on Wednesdays. We meet at 5:30 for supper and then activities begin at 6:00. We spend the time together as a family rather than breaking into different age classes. We have the older folks mentoring and interacting with the younger folks. Our average attendance for Wednesday evenings has been about 30.
Our Christian Closet is a ministry to distribute used clothing, food and household items. We’re open the 1st Wednesday of each month. This last Wednesday was our largest number of visitors yet! Each month we run out of food items. The donations continue to come in, and we act as a conduit to get it to the folks in our community who need a helping hand.
Two students who have been home for the holidays are expected to return this week. So we will be glad to have them back with us. We are studying John’s Revelation in our Sunday morning class now, and there seems to be good interest and discussion in the class. Our Wednesday evening study that we have here at our house is reading from “The Love Dare” book, to encourage us all to love each other sacrificially. It is really written for married couples, but we are adapting it for our group. We will see how this works into our study of loving one another.
We continue to look for opportunities to share the good news of salvation with those of our community who are willing to give up the traditions of their denominations for the truth of God’s Word, and share in worship that is in spirit and in truth. We appreciate so much your support and prayers that enable us to keep on keeping on with this work for the Lord! Dan & Lutrica Skaggs dskaggs6404@sbcglobal.net
IRON MOUNTAIN
Greetings from Iron Mountain…Yes, we’re still here. We’re meeting at 127 S. Stephenson Ave. We’ve had some setbacks and are struggling to keep the doors open. Thankfully, the good Lord always seems to see us through. We are only 6 in number and are so blessed to have Richard Wert from North Delta as our speaker every Sunday (He drives 85 miles one way).
Bro. Bob Patton is currently residing at Manor Care in Kingsford. Until a year ago we were able to pick him up for services. He is now confined to a wheelchair and we have no way to transport him. We miss him, and he also misses the fellowship with us. Recently we found a business in the area that will transport wheelchair patients for $75.00. We mention this in hopes of getting some help with this expense, it would mean so much to ALL of us.
A big thank you to all those who have been so generous in their support for our work here. God's blessing to all ... remember... "Focusing on Christ puts everything in perspective." Contact Stuart Ward at 906-396-7331. Submitted by J. Martinson
MARQUETTE
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, We are sending a wintery, yet warm greeting to you all, from the church that meets along the shores of Lake Superior. I am currently hosting “Let the Bible Speak” and that is always an uplifting time for me because we get more visitors and contacts. I meet many viewers while I am out and about town, whether that be at the hospital, grocery store, or gas station. People will say: “Hey, I know you, I watch Let the Bible Speak every Sunday morning.” This allows me to talk with them about Jesus and invite them to come and worship with us. Sometimes they do! I do not need the Nielsen Ratings to see that we definitely have a lot of regular viewers, and that is very encouraging.
Here at the Marquette church we are being challenged with a proposed budget shortfall for 2012. Even with nothing being allotted for benevolence, buildings and land, fellowship, events for youth, men’s retreat, education, ladies day, outreach, house repairs, copier expense, and advertising as well as a $300 a month cut in my salary, we are still coming up over $4,300.00 short. I sure hope nothing breaks, leaks or needs repair. We are truly walking by faith U.P here! So, if there is anyone out there who would like to help we would gladly accept your support.
I have been involved in a Bible study with a couple who came to us through the program. The husband had ALS, (Lou Gehrig's Disease) and just passed away in late January. I would go to their home which looked a lot like a hospital, complete with ventilator and a nursing staff. I became very close to him in a very short time and his passing was one of the most difficult death’s I’ve had to deal with. I was honored to minister to this man and his wife. She now plans to come and worship with us.
Otherwise all is well and we continue to try to do the Lord’s will and mostly stay out of His way. May God’s grace be upon all of you as you serve Him from where you live and we ask that you would pray the same for us. We love you all! Jim Larsen yooperman@charter.net
NORTH DELTA
Just a quick note to say hi and let you know that the Lord’s Church in N. Delta is still treading through the muck and mud of this world with our eyes on the prize of the high calling of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We are thankful for the blessing of a mild winter and yet still anxious for an early spring.
Rhonnee continues to recover nicely months ahead of where anyone thought she would be or even could be. We ask that you would keep her in your prayers as she is struggling with some emotional and spiritual issues.
We are excited with the prospect of a new family being part of the congregation and prayerfully the Church. This family visited us almost two years ago and they seemed excited about worshiping with us but for whatever reason that never came about. We have continued in small ways to keep in touch and are hopeful that we will see them soon in our assembly. We met this family through our highway ministry if you will. Most of the men of the congregation have always been in the habit of stopping to offer help to a motorist. We take this time to invite them to our services or a congregation of the Lord’s Church in their area. One morning my son, James, was on his way to work and saw a motorist in need but couldn’t stop to help. James called me and I was able to help and as they say the rest is history but hopefully not the end of story.
Thank you so much for your prayers and support that makes it possible for me to be where I need to be to preach the Gospel in Word and deed.
For the Church in N. Delta, Richard Wert 16056 US Hwy 41 Rapid River, MI 49878 or randswert@gmail.com or 906 235-0928.
