Newsletter - June 21, 2009

Denver First Church June 21, 2009

keeping in touch...

DFC Ministerial Staff Stephen Abbott Young Adult & Family Pastor

Rich Cantwell Business Administrator

Bud Curry Hospital Chaplain

Tina Hayhurst Student Ministries Pastor

Bob Huffaker Interim Pastor

Scott Nauman Pastor of Worship & Arts

Jerry Nelson Minister of Instrumental Music

Randy Smith Christian Education Pastor

Marvin Suyen West Campus Pastor

DFC Church Board John Bruneau Curtis Clay Glenn Domokos Les Dryer Troy Edwards Vini Giannatala Bryant Jaggers Lyle Johnson Judy Jones Gregg Moran Bud Roe Kathy Tate Jim Webb Ron Williams Bonnie York

Denver First Church 3800 E. Hampden Avenue Englewood, CO 80113 303/761-8370 www.DenverFirstChurch.com

Table of Contents 1. MOPS Sale 2. News update

congregation…

i. important info...

v. how you can help…

ii. kotchadoingood

vi. final word...

iii. news from the board... iv. timely news for the

3. Calendar of Events: June 21-27

News Update Important info... Dear Family and Friends of DFC, No doubt throughout this past week, Huffakerism #68 has been quoted at watercoolers from Thornton to Castle Rock. Did he really say, “Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than going to a donut shop makes you a policeman!”??? There has been, and can only be, ONE of this dear brother! It was a great day Sunday as he helped us focus on the initiative God took in reaching out to us, His broken and lost creation, through His Son Jesus.

Please take a moment to read several announcements listed below that will appear in Sunday’s Insight. If you are viewing these in the eblast, click on each for important details; if you are reading this in the hard copy, please refer to the Insight for important details regarding these upcoming events. DFC Pantry

Singles Social Activities Planning Meeting

Evening Service

Club Climateener

Mission:Denver

Bake:Out

Celebrating America!

Youth Albuquerque: Mission Trip

High School Senior Trip

DFC Ladies Book Club

Baptism

VBS

Today’s publication will cover the following topics: •

“Kotchadoingood!”

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News from the Board

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Timely News for the Congregation

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How You Can Help

News Update kotchadoingood! •

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We are so pleased and grateful that the 2009 Palomas missions trip was not only successful in reaching all its objectives, but also came off without a hitch. No significant problems were encountered at the border, despite all the violence that has been recently documented a mere 90 miles east of the Palomas border crossing. Thanks to all for your support in prayer! Happy birthday and congratulations to two lovely centenarians in our congregation. On July 12, Sarah Mae Rathbun turned 100; she’s attempting to catch up with Jean Schniesing, who will turn 102 on November 1! A Tribute to Jerry Nelson: Many years ago, I stood looking out the Denver parsonage window toward our church. Don was hurrying across the street and in a few seconds came breathlessly into the kitchen. “I’m going to Minneapolis to interview a young man named Jerry Nelson; I’ll be back this evening,” “What does he do?” I asked. “He’s a music man....” And out the door and to the airport he went. I can’t say if he was more excited then or when he returned that evening. But when he returned he said, “I don’t know how we are going to do it, be we HAVE to have Jerry Nelson.” And as they say, “THE REST IS HISTORY!” But what a history!!! When they arrived, everyone fell in love with Jerry and Diane and the boys. It would be impossible to accurately assess the impact they have made on Denver First Church over these years. Don respected Jerry and his ability more than I can put into words. But he said to me (and others) many, many times that Jerry’s spirit exceeded his talent!! Truer words have never been spoken! Jerry, I send you the love and admiration of my family; and I thank you for consistently being the epitome of dedication and Christian holiness! I wish I could be there to give you a great big motherly hug! Instead, I pray this day will be a highlight for you and your family! Pat Wellman

News Update news from the Board... Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Adrian Rogers once said, "You can save a lot of time waiting on God." Waiting on God is paying dividends, friends, as we watch our Father come to the place where our faith and His faithfulness intersect in the process of finding our next Senior Pastor. This stands in stark contrast to the mantra -- "Do something even if it's wrong!" -- frequently heard in the hard-driving, fastpaced frenzy of the world in which we live. The thought prevails that any kind of activity is better than none. While we must never delay once we are convicted in our spirit of the next step to take, neither should we ever run ahead of our Father presuming we know the basic guidelines and that we can get Him to go along with us as long as we stay within them. Please stay encouraged about the plans our God has in our immediate future. With regard to our leadership, He has a plan and is working it out masterfully. There is no need to be restless or anxious. He knows the plans He has for us and He knows how to accomplish them. We must be careful not to lobby Him to accomplish what we want but, rather, make ourselves empty vessels through which He can accomplish what He wants. Am I ready to lay down my selfish ambitions to pick up His perfect ones? Are my prayers focused on asking Him to change my circumstances? Or are my prayers focused on asking Him to change me so I can be used in my current circumstances? Do I drag my selfish will to the cross daily -- or hourly -- and there sacrifice it so my Father can use me in whatever way will glorify Him and lead to His will being done on earth as it is in Heaven? If the world were observing the journey of our church over the past months, it would likely be quick to criticize and tell us to do something even if it's wrong. But our direction comes from the Spirit within us. In Matthew 3:3, John the Baptist quoted Isaiah 40:3 as he admonished the nation of Israel to prepare the way of the Lord and make His paths straight. During this short period of remaining time before God provides our next pastor, let us prepare the way of the Lord in our hearts that we might be pliable in His hands through our next leader. May His paths through us be straight. May those who come behind us find us faithful. Serving Him Alongside of You, Vini Giannatala

News Update timely news for the congregation... •

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We are pleased to honor our fathers on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 21st. Dr. Bob’s message is entitled, “Why We Need Fathers.” Men, please receive the gift we have for you as you exit at the conclusion of Sunday’s service. MOPS is having seller sign up Sunday, June 21st, at the Hot Booth for their August 7th & 8th sale. Sell any of your maternity, baby & children's items (clothing, equipment, furniture, toys, etc.). Children's clothing sizes accepting are NB-size 14. Earn up to 75% of your sales! Bake-Out Sunday is next Sunday, June 28. Please bring your baked goods to the breezeway for distribution. Thank you. Club Climateener- Are you ready for our first 14’er?! Meet in the DFC west parking lot Saturday, June 27th at 6am to ride the van to Mt. Evans (elevation 14,264). Bring $12 for fuel and $$ for breakfast and dinner out. Bring plenty of water, snacks, and sunscreen. Sign up at the Men’s Ministry booth. If you need more information call Randy’s office at 303.806.2625. Friends, from time to time, we tell you about a worship service that is of such importance that you really do not want to miss it. July 5, the Sunday on which DFC will celebrate Independence Day, is just such a service. It will be a morning of honoring our heroes and celebrating the freedom so dearly purchased through their sacrifice. In fact, there is one five-minute segment…well, you’ll just have to be there! Gentlemen, ages 10-100! There is a unique wilderness education survival training (WEST) available to you on consecutive Saturdays in July (11 and 18). Please see attachment entitled “WEST” for details. Mostly men, youth, and whoever else: Would you be interested in being a part of a DFC Car Club? Come to the brainstorming session on July 26, or contact Bob Davis at [email protected]. It’ll be here before you know it: Promise Keeper’s event – “A Time to Honor” - Folsom Field, July 31st - August 1st. Go to the Men’s Booth for flyers and information.

News Update timely news for the congregation... •

Crocodile Dock Can you hear the frogs croaking? Can you see the fireflies flying? Can you sense a crocodile lurking? If so, you are ready to board a flat-bottom boat and drift along a bayou adventure! Kids will definitely want to invite their friends because Crocodile Dock Vacation Bible School at DFC is sure to be a fun filled time for all. Hebrews 11:1 tells us that “…faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” During Crocodile Dock, children age 4 through 4th grade will spot God’s faithfulness through the following truths: God is with us. God is powerful. God does what He says He will do. God gives us life. God cares for us. These truths will all be experienced through Bible stories, crafts, thematic snacks, games and songs. This year there are two registration options. Families can either register online or visit the registration table. The registration table will be located near the Adventure Zone Welcome Center starting this Sunday during the Sunday School hour. We are excited to see what God has in store for our Crocodile Dock kids. Sincerely, Susan Foster

News Update how you can help...

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Sharon Cozart’s parents need help to move from their place at Monaco & Quincy up north. Can you help on Friday - 6/26, Saturday - 6/27 or Tuesday - 6/30? If you can, please contact Sharon at 303-933-8433. A personal testimony: I had the high privilege of working with our children last Sunday—in the Pre-School department. I’m fairly inept, my hair color does not come out of a Clairol box, but I had a great time! The work was well laid out for me and the other helpers to assist the teachers. It was easy, but I was aware that my role was needed. Will YOU offer a Sunday to help? If we all pitch in, we can enhance our children’s worship experience. –R. E. Smith

A FINAL WORD In Dynamics of Discipling (3rd Ed., 1984, p.67) is found the following: God reaches out to you through the good news of Christ’s redemption conveyed by means of the ever-active presence of the Holy Spirit in the world. He does not desire that you should remain separated from Him but, rather, that you should be reconciled to Him in love. Sin separates us from God; salvation (being born again) brings reconciliation. Simple words, expressed straightforwardly, under the section heading, “Divine initiative.” Sometimes through oft-hearing, we no longer hear. And yet, these are words of hope. Without His divine initiative, there is no way the chasm between Him and us could ever be breached. Let us drink fully of His redemption and walk in gratitude this day. On behalf of the Ministerial Staff of DFC, God bless you. Randy Smith

Calendar of Events June 14-June 20 Sunday, June 21:

Friday, June 26:

8:30 am:

Youth Prayer Time

9:00 am:

Sunday School (all ages) Nursery & Preschool open

10:30 am:

Morning Worship Service (Sanctuary)

9:00am:

Mission:Denver Cooking (Main Kitchen)

5:00 pm:

Celebrate Recovery Sponsor Meeting (Cry Room)

6:00 pm:

Celebrate Recovery (Fellowship Hall)

Nursery available 1st - 4th Grade Children’s Church (GLA) 5th & 6th Grade DOGS Worship 12:00 pm:

Singles Social Activities Planning (Community Room)

Monday, June 22: 9:40 am:

Saturday, June 27: 6:00 am:

Club Climateener - Mt. Evans (Off-site)

7:00 am:

Men at Prayer (Community Room) Ladies Prayer Walk (DFC Parking Lot)

Celebrate Recovery Sponsor Meeting (Cry Room) 8:00 am:

Tuesday, June 23: 7:00 am:

Men’s Bible Study (GL Conference Room)

7:00 pm:

Prophesy Bible Study - Bereans (Fellowship Hall)

Wednesday, June 24: 4:30 pm:

Hang Time in the Youth Cafe

5:30 pm:

Rock Worship Band Sound Check

6:30 pm:

Prayer Meeting (Community Room) Celebrate Recovery (Room 200, 202 & Cry Room) Youth Worship Service (Rock Room)

6:45 pm:

Divorce Care (Fellowship Hall/ Community Room)

MASH Men’s Bible Study (Room 201)

Mission:Denver (Off-site)