Highlights

Read or download the September Highlights

From the Pastor Wes

Remembering God in Our Lives

When So Much Is Pulling Us to Forget

Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand...O Lord, God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Israel, keep this desire in the hearts of your people forever, and keep their hearts loyal to you.� (1 Chronicles 29:14, 18, NIV)

Distractions are a constant in our lives.

As I write this I am sitting in the McDonald�s on State Street in Olean waiting for our vehicle to be serviced. I am trying my best to concentrate on the tasks I have hoped to accomplish, and though I am doing pretty well, I must admit that there are many distractions. People are coming and going at a fairly rapid pace. I can�t begin to count the number of times I�ve heard, �What do you want?� Children are begging to play as their parents cajole them to eat. There are many conversations going on all around me. I�m trying not to eavesdrop, but some of them are pretty interesting! Music is playing in the background that continues to attract my attention. I keep wanting to sing along, which I realize has now created a distraction for all the other customers! And of course, the aroma of hamburgers and French fries is pulling me to close my laptop and walk to the counter to place my order.

It seems to me that my experience here is a microcosm of our lives. Our world is filled with distractions�some good, some not�but distractions nonetheless. We try to focus our attention on what we need to do but so much pulls away. I suspect that we are most susceptible to distractions in our journey with God. We want to grow. We want to become more like Christ. We want to forgive. We want to learn the scriptures. We want to pray. But there is always something pulling us away. Even worse, the distractions not only keep us from doing spiritual things, they cause us to miss so much of what God is telling us. The distractions and mixed messages and confusing ideas of our culture pull us away from the truths that God wants us to know and experience and live.

We are not the first to wrestle with this problem. The people of Israel do as well, particularly those who are living in post-exilic Israel. They are trying to understand who God is and who they are as people of God, but so much has happened, so much has not happened, so much has been diluted and lost that they are having a difficult time remembering God and His truths. It is to this people that 1 and 2 Chronicles are written. The author uses the opportunity to remind the people of what God has done and promised and to help them see God and their lives in the light of the history of their people.

We might be tempted to believe that this material is out-dated and disconnected to our lives. But I believe that our situations are not all that different and this story is as needy and applicable for us today as it was for them then. It�s for this reason that we are going to be exploring 1 Chronicles on Sunday mornings this fall. My prayer is that through the study of this book, our memories of God will be awakened so that we will live even more effectively and victoriously every day.

From Pastor Todd

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. � John 13:34-35 (NIV)

One of the great things about the Body of Christ is the love, support and encouragement we give to and receive from one another as we travel through life on our journey of faith in Christ. The Bible tells us repeatedly that we need each other, and every Christian has something to contribute to the Body of Christ.

Are you involved in the life of the church here at Houghton Wesleyan? In a church this size it�s quite difficult to know and be known by everyone in a personal, intimate way. We all need at least a handful of other believers with whom we can connect on a deeper level. One way to accomplish this is through small groups.

Small groups are a great way to connect with other people. They foster a sense of belonging and provide a warm atmosphere of love and acceptance where members can share openly with one another, pray for one another, and care for each other�s needs.

We would love to have YOU join one of our small groups!

Small groups will begin on Sunday evening, September 19^th. We will have a number of groups in Houghton and the surrounding communities, and sign-up opportunities will be available to you in the next few weeks. I encourage you to consider getting involved in our small group ministry and connecting in a deeper way with other members of the church. Please feel free to contact me about this at 567-2264. I�d love to help you become part of a small group.

YOUTH NEWS HERE

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL OPPORTUNITIES HERE

WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDIES HERE

Senior Citizens Luncheons & Programs

Our First Meeting of the New Year is September 9, 12:15 P.M.

Potluck Dinner: Please bring the dish indicated by the

first letter of your last name:

A-F, salad G-O, dessert P-Z, casserole

Program: 1:00 P.M. Dick Pocock presents �Where Condors Soar in the Grand Canyon." New members age 55+ always welcome. We meet in the Houghton Wesleyan Church Community Room. Call Bill or Jane Roeske (365-2296) if you have any questions or need more information.

CLEW Christian Life Emphasis Week is September 5-8. Dr. Walter Kaiser, former professor of Old Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and former president of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary will be our speaker. Please be in prayer now that God will use him and that these days will lead students and community members into a deeper relationship with Christ. If you are interested in hosting Dr. Kaiser for a meal, please contact the church office.

CLEW SCHEDULE

Sunday, September 5

8:20 am Worship Service (Houghton Church)

9:40 am Worship Service (Houghton Church)

11:00 am Worship Service (Houghton Church)

6:30 pm Evening Service (Wesley Chapel)

Monday, September 6

10:15 am Chapel Service (Wesley Chapel)

6:30 pm Evening Service (Wesley Chapel)

Tuesday, September 7

9:10 am Academy Chapel (Houghton Academy)

11:00 am Chapel Service (Wesley Chapel)

6:30 pm Evening Service (Wesley Chapel)

Wednesday, September 8

10:15 am Chapel Service (Wesley Chapel)

Get Connected in Ministry

We invite you to prayerfully consider involving yourself in one of the many ministries of our church. It is always exciting to be a part of God's work. We have a number of opportunities and the best fit for you and the gifts God has given you. Please contact any of the following Ministry Leaders or Pastor Cindy for more information about our children's ministries.

Volunteers are needed in:

Nursery

Ministry Leader: Jan Schilke

Nursery Volunteers for the 8:20, 9:40, and 11:00 a.m. Sunday morning worship services

Sunday School

Ministry Leader: Robin Pawling

Teachers for The Toddler Class and 4th grade and Assistant Teachers for various Preschool classes.

AWANA Puggles & Cubbies (Children ages 2-4)

Ministry Leaders: Donna Blew and Maegan Stadelmaier

Teachers and Assistant Teachers for various ages from 6:30-7:45 on Wednesday evenings

Girls' AWANA Club (Girls Kindergarten - 6th grade)

Ministry Leaders: Jeri Mahurin and Jessica Romance

Teachers and Assistant Teachers for various grade levels from 6:30-7:45 on Wednesday evenings

Boys' AWANA Club (Boys Kindergarten - 6th grade)

Ministry Leaders: Emily & Brandon Hoffman and Tim Nichols

Teachers and Assistant Teachers for various grade levels from 6:30-7:45 on Wednesday evenings

"Now you are the body of Christ,

and each one of you is a part of it."

1 Corinthians 12:27

Thanks to Our Summer Maintenance Volunteers � The Board of Trustees extends special thanks to those who helped with the conversion of 140 light fixtures to new more energy efficient ballasts and bulbs and those who assisted with painting and other projects around the building during the summer months. Those helping included Ken and Carol Stonemetz, Jean Louis Roederer, Norm Smithley, Dick Pocock, Steve Pocock, Dick Halberg, Diane Emmons, Dick Alderman, Fred Shannon, and Paul Roth. These efforts have saved the church hundreds of dollars and helped use our financial resources effectively.

GREETER MINISTRY

Would you be willing to greet people as they come to church two or three times a semester? Greeters arrive 20 minutes before a service, find their name tag on the board in the cloak room and stand near one of the doors of the church to welcome people as they come in. When most people have arrived, greeters may take a seat themselves. The pastors have asked for a slight change and would now like greeters to keep their tags and stand at the back of the sanctuary at the end of services to help say farewell to people. If you would be willing to serve in this way please contact Donnie Stockin at houghtonacademy.org or leave a message on her home phone: 567-4162. The new schedule will be compiled in late August. Thanks so much for considering this very important ministry of Houghton Church.

INFORMATION ABOUT THE WOMEN�S FALL GATHERING WILL BE COMING SOON.

September 5 is Sunday School Promotion Sunday.

On this Sunday, children will move up to their next Sunday School Class.

VALLEY PRESCHOOL

We are excited to have almost double the applications we had by this time last year. We have nearly enough students to add a second, full-time, separate class which will be comprised of students all four or nearly four years old. If you still have a VPS application, please get it in as soon as possible. We want to include your child and make sure our staffing needs are covered. Valley Preschool is designed for children ages 3 - 5. Children must be three years old by December 1st and toilet trained. If you would like an application or know of someone who would, please contact Casda Danner, director, at 567-4314 or cdanner@hwchurch.org or Patty Stalker at the church at 567-2264 or pstalker@hwchurch.org. VIEW APPLICATION HERE

FOOD PANTRY

Our supplies are getting depleted once again because of increased activity this last month. Items needed: cereal, pancake syrup, pancake mix, jelly, flour, sugar, all kinds of canned fruit, canned vegetables, baked beans, coffee, creamer, mustard, ketchup, mayonnaise, soups of all kinds, instant potatoes, gravy, stuffing mixes, rice, canned meats, helpers, jello mixes, pudding mixes, muffin mixes, frosting, crackers. We also have a refrigerator and freezer in the food pantry so perishable items are welcome. Monetary contributions are always welcome. Thank you for helping us continue this important ministry.

Need some uninterrupted time? BABYSITTING

Two responsible 11-year-old girls would love to watch your children (references are available from their parents). Willing to babysit while you are home, two for the price of one. Available to watch toddlers and up. WE LOVE KIDS! Cassie (567-8548) and Tess (567-4889).

Houghton Volunteer Fire Dept Yard Sale & Chicken BBQ Sept 4

HOUSE FOR SALE: 9825 Seymour Street in Houghton NY. Quiet, dead-end road in a nice neighborhood only seven minute walk from Houghton College campus. First floor and basement are 2350 sq. ft. Six bedrooms, 2 baths, 2 living rooms, dining room, kitchen and utility room. Large wooden deck off the kitchen. Additional 840 sq. ft. apartment in the 2nd floor: 1 bedroom, living room, bathroom, kitchen, hall/study on the 3rd floor. Lots of storage space in attic. Partially furnished, private entrance and deck. Always in demand--brings in $600/month rent. Large, two-car garage with paved driveway. Two acre lawn, flowerbeds, woods. House built about 1950. Recent improvements: new roof and Culligan water system. Gas hot water heater and forced air heating. Asking price: $150,000. James and Yoon Hee Cawley, (585) 567-4759 yoonhee_violinist@yahoo.com and james.cawley11@houghton.edu.

ELDERS INFORMATION
Vice-Chair: Bob Danner
Nominating Committee: Wil Zike
Finance Committee: Troy Martin
Discipleship Committee: Betsy Webb
College Ministries Committee: Terry Paige

Youth Committee: Ryan Cool

Personnel Committee: Karen Daugherty

Worship Committee: Kathy Reitnour

Missions Committee: Skip Lord

CHURCH STAFF
Wes Oden, Senior Pastor, woden@hwchurch.org
Todd Leach, Assistant Pastor, tleach@hwchurch.org
Jon Cole, Youth Pastor, jcole@hwchurch.org
Cindy Oden, Discipleship Pastor, coden@hwchurch.org
Amanda Cox, Worship Director, acox@hwchurch.org
Laurie Smalley, Volunteer Pastor for Outreach, lsmalley@hwchurch.org

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