Load Up the Truck this Sunday

After reading the announcement last week about the Good Samaritan Thrift Mart, Sherri Smith is taking a load of household goods to this resale store. If you have household items, linens, knick knacks or clothing that you would like to donate, bring them with you to church this Sunday, January 18. Sherri's truck will be parked by the entrance. Be sure to bring your donations in a box or bag (nothing too large, please) and Sherri will see that they get to the Thrift Mart this week.

Good Samaritan Thrift Mart is staffed entirely by volunteers and 100% of the profits go directly toward the Christian education and support for the people at Bethesda Lutheran Homes.

Hang On to Dear Life

“This Little Gospel Light of Mine” is more than a cute children’s song! It’s what we are called to be and do! Paul says we are “holding fast to the word of life.” (Philippians 2:16) We are to hold it out and “shine as lights in the world.” The “Word of Life” is the Good News of Jesus Christ who came into this dark world of sin as the light of salvation. It’s Good News FOR Life! “Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!” this Sunday, January 18 at 10:45 a.m. 101 Pecan Drive, in Schertz [map and directions].

Nursery (infant to age 3)

Movers & Shakers (ages 2-4)

Children ages 2-4 are invited to Movers & Shakers during the LifeLesson portion of worship after the children's talk for a fun learning time. Join us in the Mother's room, to the left as you exit the worship area. Interested in helping with Movers & Shakers? Contact Isabella White at 650-3166.

J.A.M. (ages 5-8)

Children ages 5-8 are invited to join us for J.A.M., our age appropriate worship/learning experience for children, just after the Children's message this Sunday! Interested in helping with J.A.M.? Contact David White at 650-3166.

Just for Tweens (ages 9-12)

Kids ages 9—12 are invited to be a part of Tweens, a group specially designed for them. Join them on Sunday during the LifeLesson portion of worship for this fun learning experience. Want to know more? Call David White at 650-3166.

Grace Prayer Team

Know the miraculous power of prayer. Word of Life has a team of prayer warriors ready to pray for you. The team meets on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. [map and directions] to pray for the morning worship and other needs. Also, prayer partners will be available to pray with you or for you after worship. Just come to the right side of the worship area.

If you would like the team to pray for you throughout the week, just let Pastor Ken know (566-2237 or Ken@WordofLife4u.com), and he will share your request with the team. Want to be on this exciting prayer team? Contact Betty Tolsma 659-8107 or bettytolsma@sbcglobal.net.

Hungry for deeper meaning in your life? Want to learn how the Bible applies to your life today? You can grow in your faith through a LifeGroup! LifeGroups feature:

• a friendly atmosphere

• time for questions, discussions & insights

• a built-in support network

• a relaxed & fun setting

For Women—Evening
Did you resolve to grow in your time with God in 2009? If so, here’s the group to help you keep your resolution! Join us on Mondays, 7:00 p.m. for “Lighting the Lamp: Bible Study Tools for 09.” This group will NOT meet this Monday due to the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. Join them on Monday, January 26.
Location: Patti Mitschke’s home 1531 Jasmine Dr, Schertz
Questions? 566-1650

For Students
Students in 7th grade and up are invited to join us on Tuesdays, 7:00 p.m. for a new study of “The Beatitudes.”
Location: Mark Stemmermann's home 1013 Gate Creek Ln, Schertz
Questions? 566-1401

For Women—Daytime
Are you available during the day and searching for a group for a deeper spiritual connection and personal growth? Join us on Wednesdays, 9:00 a.m. for the Beth Moore study, “A Woman’s Heart: God’s Dwelling Place.”
Location: Sherri Smith's home 3309 Dusty Crossing, Schertz
Questions? 659-2585

For Men
Start your workday off right with time in the Word and with other men of God. Join us on Fridays, 6:30 a.m.
Location: IHOP 17220 I-35, Schertz
Questions? 566-2237

Changing Lives in Brazil

This Sunday we’re praying for the children and staff at Holy Trinity Institute, an orphanage in Moreira, Brazil. This orphanage is an oasis of hope for children in Brazil. Here the staff assists children in all aspects of life: material, emotional, spiritual, psychological and social. We sustain the work of Holy Trinity Institute through our support of the Brazil Mission Society (BMS). Ten percent of our regular offerings are donated to BMS.

Summer Mission Trip

We are organizing now for a group to travel to the Texas coast to help with Hurricane Ike Relief. Participants must be 13 years old and above. Dates are June 7—13, 2009. Approximate cost will be $250/person. We’ve already received a generous donation which will help offset about half of this cost. Participants must have current health insurance and an updated tetanus shot. Anyone under 18 years old must have their registration form notarized. Registration forms are available from Sherlyn. We still have room for a few more youth and adults.

Souper Bowl of Caring

This year, on Sunday February 1, 140 million Americans will tune in to the Super Bowl football game. There will be parties with abundant food, friendship and fellowship. At the same time, there will be people worrying about staying warm, finding shelter and a warm meal. Please join young people around the US as they demonstrate God’s love by loving their neighbors through the Souper Bowl of Caring. Here’s how you can help:

• Bring donations of non-perishable food items on Sunday, February 1. All items donated will be given to RACAP.

• Drop $1 (or more) in the soup pot as you leave worship on February 1. All monetary donations will also go to RACAP.

• Travel with us to the San Antonio Food Bank and help assemble food boxes for area families. We’ll work at the Food Bank on Tuesday, February 3 from 7 – 9:00 p.m. Sign up on the RSVP form at worship this Sunday or contact Patti@WordofLife4u.com

Blood Donors Needed

We have been praying for Amanda Conniff, Jayme Edward’s 14 year old niece. Amanda has had a difficult struggle in her battle against cancer and has needed a great deal of blood. You can donate blood to “replace” the units used by Amanda. Go to any blood donation station and let them know you want to give a replacement donation for Amanda Conniff, a patient at Christus Santa Rosa Children’s hospital. Thanks to those who have already given blood in her name!

Online Calendar

You've read through the WordofLife4u. You sense what God wants you to do, but how do you keep track of events to invite your friends and neighbors to, groups where you can grow, and ministries where you can use your gifts to make a real difference? Check out our online calendar at: www.WordofLife4u.com/calendar.

Listen Online to Worship at Word of Life

If you have a broadband internet connection, you can listen to audio streams of recent worship services at Word of Life, or you can download a recording of the service to your computer or mp3 player and listen whenever you'd like. Click here! and you'll be directed to our Worship at Word of Life page. Left-click on "Stream" to listen to a service right away or click on "Download" (some require a right-click) to download a service to your computer and/or connected mp3 player to listen to later. You can view, save or print a copy of the LifeLesson notes too.

"Better Life" Links

Prayer Requests and Thanksgivings

We Thank God…

• for being with us in the midst of this “crooked and twisted generation,” for giving us strength and courage, for shining through us and into the darkness of our world

• for blessing Dave & Roberta Peterson with 40 years of marriage

• for healing Pam Toifl of cancer and healing Joseph Moore and Norma Koester

• for blessing Natasha Puller with the new birth of baptism

• for our recent guests and all who worked to make our services and activities great places to experience Christ

• for the safe return of Stephen Linn from Iraq

• for our nation and our leaders, for standing guard over our troops and their families, and for those who have been wounded or who have sacrificed their lives defending us

• for all the resources He has entrusted to our care, and we ask God to bless the gifts we offer Him today to help build a bigger heaven and better lives.

We Ask God…

• to inspire and empower us to hold out the Word of Life and shine like lights, revealing the power of Christ’s blood and the welcoming arms of His forgiveness, to help us replace abortion, assisted suicide and ways of death with care and respect for human life as the work of God’s hand, to shine like lights so people see our good works and give glory to the Father

• to bless the children and staff at Holy Trinity Institute, an orphanage in Moreira, Brazil

• to direct us to the piece of property which will best help us reach our community with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and for resources to help us buy it

• to comfort the families of victims of persecution, terrorism and disaster

• to bless John Hunter as he goes through Marine boot camp

• to bless Ana Koester & Brad Moser with employment

• to bless recently elected leaders with godly wisdom and guidance as they prepare to take office and serve

• to protect our troops abroad, especially Dustin Osgood, Filip Malka and Nathan Zimmerman in Iraq

• to protect Howard Leasure in Iraq

• to comfort those who mourn, especially the family and friends of Bob Tolsma

• to heal Art Stemmermann, John & Nita Bowden, Lillian Mitschke, Sandra Carlow, Blake Waldrop, Jordan Hernandez, Bea Bernthal and Erwin Michalk; to heal those battling cancer: Manuel Coloura, Cindy, Todd Reineck, Zach Vangundy, Amanda Conniff, Brandon Landsbury, Ruie Pines, Natalie, Pam Smith, Ann Dube, Vonda Boerger, Kurt Bickel, Susan Doering and to give comfort and strength to their families

• to empower us to connect our community to Christ.

Join us in prayer wherever you are! You may leave prayer requests at 566-2237 or Ken@WordofLife4u.com.