1. family and parenting
2. children

Volume 79
No. 31
August 3 2014
From the Preacher’s Pen… Reader’s Digest says that Laughter is the best Medicine.
Long before they came along, however, God said the same thing (Proverbs 17:22).
There are not many things that can cause us greater joy and laughter than children. (They
may also be the cause of other things, too, but that’s a lesson for another day!)
Many years ago I started a collection of stories and sayings from kids. One part of that
came in the form of some “Dear God” letters. Read, smile, laugh and remember that these
are the same little ones that Jesus once sat on his lap and said, “of such is the Kingdom of
Heaven!” (Matthew 19:14)
Actual “Dear God” Letters to God from Children
Meeting at:
805 East Racine Place
Casa Grande, AZ 85122
Ph: 520-836-6282
www.churchofchrist-cg-az.com
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Opportunities to worship, study & serve:
SUNDAY Bible Study................... 10 am
Worship....................... 11 am
Evening Worship............... 6 pm
WEDNESDAY.............................. 7 pm
THURSDAY Ladies’ Bible Class....... 10 am
Ladies’ Devo 2nd Saturday
each month at 11 am
Congregational Potluck 3rd Sunday
each month after morning worship
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Welcome to all!
We are glad you are here!
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Enter to Worship…
Leave to Serve
Dear God, Did you mean for the giraffe to look like that or was it an accident? Norma
Dear God, Instead of letting people die and having to make new ones, why don’t You just
keep the ones you have now? Jane
Dear God, Who draws the lines around the countries? Nan
Dear God, I went to this wedding and they kissed right in church. Is that okay? Neil
Dear God, Thank you for my baby brother, but what I prayed for was a puppy. Joyce
Dear God, It rained for our whole vacation and is my father mad! He said some things
about you that people are not supposed to say, but I hope you will not hurt him anyway. Your
friend (but I am not going to tell you who I am)
Dear God, Please send me a pony. I never asked for anything before. You can look it up.
Bruce
Dear God, If we come back as something, please don’t let me be Jennifer Horton, because
I hate her. Denise
Dear God, I want to be just like my daddy when I get big, but not with so much hair all
over. Sam
Dear God, I think the stapler is one of your greatest inventions. Ruth
Dear God, I think about you sometimes, even when I’m not praying. Elliott
Dear God, I bet it is very hard for you to love all the people in the world. There are only
four people in our family and I can never do it. Sarah
Dear God, Of all the people who worked for you, I like Noah and David the best. Rob
Dear God, My brother told me about being born, but it doesn’t sound right. Paul
Dear God, If you watch me in church Sunday, I’ll show you my new shoes. Mickey
Dear God, Maybe Cain and Abel would not kill each other so much if they had their own
rooms. It works with my brother. Larry
Dear God, We read Thomas Edison made light. But in Sunday School, we learned that you
did it. So I bet he stole your idea. Sincerely, Donna
Dear God, I do not think anybody could be a better God. Well, I just want you to know
that I am not just saying this because you are God already. Charles
Dear God, I didn’t think orange went with purple until I saw the sunset you made on
Tuesday. That was cool! Eugene
May we, too, be blessed with hearts such as these this week and always!
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— Lester P. Bagley
Welcome to our visitors today! We hope & pray
New:
Carol Wohlers: cancer treatment.
you’ll be blessed by your time with us & will join us again soon!
Visitors Last Week included: Andrea Morgan of Casa Grande.
O
Teresa Acosta: continued infection and complications.
Derwin & the Jackson family: as he’s overseas with his job!
ur Prayer List: Keep the following in prayer this
Relative of John Hoover: with great personal difficulties.
week as you “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17): Bob
Anna Mae Hardin: and her upcoming surgery.
Doughty, Nora McNeil, Matthew Odom, Lois Nowlin, Heather
Ries, Mike Shirley, Hunter Shirley, Rene Turner, Ruth West,
Everrett Martin, Anna Mae Hardin, Ed & Alma Baum, Guy
Turpin, Billie Lewis, Lee Tenney, those traveling, and…
Mike Evans: and his back problems.
Jennette Ivory: as she struggles with her health.
Jerry Odom: as his macular degeneration is treated.
Lee Hubbard: had successful stent surgery last Monday.
Our Missionaries: Jack Farber and Aaron Knotts and families.
William: (son-in-law of Julie Evan’s friend) recovering from a
stroke.
Previously Announced Family & Friends: Robin & Marc
Estabrook (Julie Evan’s sister & nephew), Taylor & Dee
Bennett & their son (cancer), Sophia Manuel (Lynn Shirley’s
granddaughter, heart transplant), Jimmy Davis (Louise Terpstra’s
brother-in-law, cancer), Clint Haney (Cleo’s great nephew,
tests), John Pew (friend of Mike Evans, cancer), David Reffner
(Flora Doster’s grandson with MS), Wilson Parker (Alyshia
Bagley’s grandfather, cancer), Kimberly Roger (cousin of Krystal
Ramirez, cancer), Art Stoneking (friend of Carl Catozzi, cancer),
Tanner Parks (grandson of Julie Evans’ friend recovering from a
stroke), Leslie Hill (John’s mother, cancer), Carolyn Bains (Marie
Bishop’s daughter, cancer), Jeremiah Haller (Flora Doster’s
grandson, back injury & brain tumor), Annette (Cindy Turpin’s
sister), Gary Wise (colon cancer), Wayne & Mabel Johnson
(Christina Flanagan’s brother-in-law & family), Howard
Sullivan (friend of Grubbs family), Sonny Didelotte (stomach
cancer), Donald Dandrow (Jessica Myers’ father), Cole Myers
(grandson of friend of Myers), Sheila Simpson, Lillian Wilhite
& son Paul (relatives of Lynn Shirley), Linda Grover (Jackie
Odom’s sister with cancer), Virginia Lewis (Carol Wohlers
mother with cancer), David (friend of Carl Catozzi, cancer).
Michael Shirley: with good news about his cancer!
Shaylee Ramirez: still in a lot of pain following a ruptured cyst.
Annalisa Ramirez: with Chicken Pox.
Our New Christians: remember them in prayer, encourage them
at services and give them a phone call or visit during the week!
All Those with Spiritual Struggles!
Give thanks for those now well & those who are improving!
No pot-lucks during the hot months.
We will resume with a picnic in September.
In love and unity the minister committee would like
to meet with all members who are interested in the
spiritual wellness of our congregation.
They will be available over the next few weeks here at
the building at 9:30 - 10 am on Sunday mornings
or you may talk with any of them at any time or phone
them at these numbers:
• Alan Farrow at 602-930-6005 •
• Greg Huffman at 520-560-2106 •
• Bill Hall at 520-876-5072 •
Special Requests:
WBS & WEI Bible study students: many with lives in danger.
Judy Hagner, son Preston, daughter Angela & son James
Brandi Schroeder: Flora Doster’s granddaughter with MS.
Brittney Zambonini: her husband, Shaun and their family.
Dallas Purcella’s mother; Paulina’s father (Arnold); Julie’s father;
Laurel’s father; Wally & Gladys Myers (Kim’s parents), Marla
Herderson’s father.
Men’s training class: 5 pm in the fellowship hall
(before Sunday evening services).
All men interested in serving our Lord in
worship services are welcome.
For further information contact
Dave Davis at 602-702-1007
Our Military Personnel: Nate Panka (Cleo Wise’s
grandson); Codi Walker (Mary Walker’s grandson); Javier
Najera; Fernando Najera (Javier’s brother); Frank Torres
(Javier’s cousin); Eric Shirley (Mike’s son); Trevor Farrow
(Allen’s son); Allen Bunn (Louise Terpstra’s grandson-inlaw); Scott Hoover (John’s son); Ariel Gomez; Nathan Bagley.
Upcoming Events…
Members:
The Najera family: & Javier’s mother awaiting a kidney transplant.
Tom Sullivan: following cancer surgery.
Eric Aragon: in his spiritual struggles.
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Men’s Business Meeting: TONIGHT after evening worship.
Ladies Devo: August 9 at 11 am — bring favorite cool food!
Monthly Singing: August 31 at 2:30 in Eloy
5th Wednesday Prayer & Song Meeting: October 29.
Join the celebration to honor the
marriage of Crystal & Randall
Potluck lunch after am services TODAY
Sub sandwiches & cake provided
Bring salads, chips, fruit plate or other side dishes
(You can also help decorate the “money-tree” gift for them)
Items needed
THIS week
From Jo Huddleston who was mugged in Albania:
My many thanks to the donors who helped me pay back $500
to another missionary who replaced money stolen from me,
and paid for a new passport and phone, also stolen from me. I
want to express my great appreciation to you for your generous
blessings. The wicked gypsy hit me hard on my forehead to
knock me down on my back, and so front and back of my head
was injured badly. I also have had pain in the rest of my body,
but I am still very grateful to the Lord for helping me come
to serve Him and try to bring souls to Him! You are sweet,
generous people.
Jo Huddleston
(Now in Hungary for the rest of the summer. After
she got out of Albania into Hungary, word spread
that she is the lady who was mugged, but wouldn’t
stop setting up WEI classes. She suddenly has 50 in
Hungary wanting her to teach them English.
Care Item Bags for those in need
Travel-Size packets of:
• Chap-stick
• Razors
• Shaving cream
• Shampoo
• Mouthwash
ALL our Care packets to carry &
give out are gone!
That’s wonderful but now we need
to restock!
To send our brother Derwin Jackson a note of
encouragement while he is overseas:
drwnjackson@yahoo.com
✓ Checkup ✓
Last Week: 5+ Pew-Packers
How are we doing?
Attendance Last Week:
Sunday Morning Bible Class = 62
Sunday Morning Worship = 100
Sunday Evening Worship = 58
Wednesday Evening = 49
Giving
Be “in the picture” every week!
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2013 Weekly Budget = $2,820
Contribution Last Week = $ $2,737.63
Special Contributions = $266.05
Church of Christ
805 East Racine Place
Casa Grande, AZ 85122
Postage
TO:
Privileged to Serve
Sunday Morning August 3
Adult Bible Class: • Study & Grow ...................Greg Huffman
Announcements: ..........................................................Bill Hall
Song Leader:........................................................... Mike Evans
Prayer: .................................................................Greg Huffman
Serve Communion:....Ryan Ries, Rashad Faine, Jerry Odom,
Tom Haney, Paul Ries
Sermon: • A Fresh Start! ..................................... Lester Bagley
Closing Prayer: .....................................................Allen Farrow
Count Contribution: Curt Odom & Tom Haney
Sunday Evening August 3
Song Leader:............................................................Guy Turpin
Prayer: ...................................................................... Curt Odom
Sermon: • Who Holds Your Future? .................. Lester Bagley
Serve Communion:............................................. John Hoover
Closing Prayer: ........................................................ Kim Myers
Wednesday Evening August 6
Song Leader:...........................................................Mike Evans
Prayer: ...................................................................... Jim Holder
Devo: .......................................................................Jerry Odom
Closing Prayer: .................................................... John Hoover
Anniversaries
August 11: Ray Ochoa & K.C. Deaton-Ochoa
August 12: Bill & Evelyn Frank
August 21: Austin & Jennifer Pascucci
August 29: Pete & Cleo Wise
September 4: Ed & Alma Baum
September 4: Richard & Jenny Reid
Birthdays
August 3: Riley Harrison
August 3: Barry Henderson
August 3: Patricia Hernandez
August 6: Grace Green
August 10: Jacob Green
August 14: Billie Odom – John Hoover
August 15: William Beyer