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 July/August 2021 
            July 2021 Newsletter
       Those of us who enjoy music that has a sense of humor can recall the words of Mac Davis’ song “Oh Lord  it’s hard to be humble”. The song began with the words “Oh Lord, it's hard to be humble. When you're perfect in every way.  I can't wait to look in the mirror. 'Cause I get better lookin' each day. To know me is to love me.” There are other fun lyrics but  I only have so much room allotted in the newsletter. The song poked fun at a person’s high self-esteem. As hu morous as the song was, it conveyed the truth that how we see ourselves contributes to our sense of self-worth. If  we are to be honest, how we see ourselves occupies our thoughts more than we care to admit. We wrestle with  questions such as, “How overweight do I look?”; “How much grey is in my hair?”; “Do these clothes make me look frumpy?” and  a myriad of similar questions. How we answer such questions often impacts how we proceed in the dynamics of  interpersonal relationships. How we see others will also have an impact on how we proceed in communicating  with them.         While Mac Davis may have been poking fun at someone with an above average sense of worth, if pressed,  he could have made a case from Scripture. Now before you think I have gone off the rails, hear me out. We read  in Genesis 1:27 [So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and  female He created them.] (NASB 2020) So, we begin with the fact that we are made in the image of God. We  are God image bearers! We already have much to celebrate about ourselves. Then we consider the words of David  in Psalm 139:14, [I will give thanks to You, because I am awesomely and wonderfully made; Wonderful  are Your works, and my soul knows it very well.](NASB 2020) We are awesomely and wonderfully made!!!  You can’t tell me that don’t put a smile on your lips. I want to share one more and I am going to use The Message  version of Psalms, David writes in Psalm 8:3-4, [I look up at your macro-skies, dark and enormous, your  handmade sky-jewelry, Moon and stars mounted in their setting. Then I look at my micro-self and won der, why do you bother with us? Why take a second look our way?](The Message) We learn in texts like John  3:16 that God does give us more than a second look. He looks upon us and sends His son to pay our ransom from  the grave.  
      Therefore, we see several reasons why when we look in the mirror, what we see is something wonderful,  something marvelous, something the God has made in His image and in His grace provided a means for us to  spend eternity in His presence.  
      Here is the thing, that magnificent Biblical truth applies to everyone else as well. We need to keep that in  mind whenever we are interacting with others. I say this because it is very easy when dealing with someone who  may have values that clash with what the Bible teaches; when they are someone, we feel stands in opposition of  standards we view as Holy and unwavering, that we begin our interaction in a defensive posture or with a negative  view of the other person. When that happens, our interaction has started on the wrong foot.  
      However, when we begin our interaction with them by recognizing that they too are made in the image of  God, that they too are awesome creations of God, and that God is well aware of them and loves them; our ap proach to them changes. May our approach to others, regardless of their political views, social agendas, or life styles be one in which we recognize the beauty that God has bestowed them with. Let our behavior towards others begin on the right foot, recognizing them for what they are, awesome works of our creator, made in His  image. 
       
       Have a blessed month, 
       Vic




     Well Summer is definitely upon us! The sun is shining and it is HOT!! Usually the hot  weather hits after the 4th!! 
     So it’s arrival is a week early. Well, my garden can use it. My Tomato plants love it and my  cucumber plants FINALLY look like they are growing!!! About the only thing out there that doesn’t  like it is my spinach! It started to bolt!! For those new to garden terms….that means it’s starting to  flower to make seeds! Well time to plant some more. 
     So maybe you learned something knew. Knowledge is good! Very useful! And good to  share. Like with this hot weather, we only have one room with air conditioning. So I can tell Lucie ,  our 2 year old granddaughter, to go into that room to cool off! A cool place to take a nap! And even though she is young with a limited vocabulary, she can understand. 
     Then there’s our 8 year old. Who just happens to be a very furry Samoyed Husky!! Try as I may ….. I can not make him understand…..”GO in the back bedroom!! It’s cool back there!!” I’ve even taken him back there and explained about the Air Conditioner! And showed him a place to lay down!!! But nope, he just won’t . He just goes and lays in front of the fan in the front room and  pants!!! 
     I’m sure you know some people like that! Ok not all furry and bark a lot. but you’ve tried to  tell them about Jesus. You’ve shared with them , cared on them, maybe even brought them to  Church. but they just can’t leave their old ways. 
     So what do you do? Give up? Say ‘Well to bad so sad’ ?? Or do you just keep at it. Maybe try  something different, and above all else “PRAY” for them. Maybe , like my garden, you’re just  there to plant the seed or water them a bit, and someone else is to do the reaping. Sometimes we  do it all, but most of the time, it’s a group effort, all coordinated by the Holy Spirit! 
      So take heart the heat will pass and cool rain will come again!! (YES) in the meantime keep at it! 
1 Corinthians 3: 5-9 
5 What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to be lieve—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. 6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but  God has been making it grow. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is any thing, but only God, who makes things grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters have  
one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor.9 For we are co workers in God’s service; 
So now for the Dog …. Maybe I’ll try putting a treat in the room? Or just taking him outside and let  him run through the sprinkler!! Yes he does that! 
      Joe


    OPPORTUNITIES FOR INVOLVEMENT 

  • Erna’s Cards & Care Group, Wednesdays, 2:00 PM. If interested call 253-473-4500
  • Men’s Breakfast, 2nd Saturday of each month, 9:00 AM 
                          
ARE YOU INVOLVED IN A HOME GROUP? 
Click here for more information
Please let us know if you have an email address as the newsletter also goes out over email. 
If you have any updated information or anything to add to the newsletter you can 
make the request to the Church Office. 
Church Potluck
5th Sunday potluck is now scheduled for August 29th. Bring your favorite dish and we will enjoy food and fellowship together!
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Men's Breakfast Saturday
August 14th @ ​9:00 AM
In the Fellowship Hall

  THANK YOU so much to all of you who contribute to the church pantry. People are being blessed by you.

Women's Quilting Group
The Women’s quilting group is starting up again. They will meet on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month from 10:00 to 4:00. You do not have to be a quilter. Just bring your machine and sew what you like. The fellowship is great!
Questions call
Carol Maddox 253-279-4823 or
Cathy Wilson 253-584-0952

CALLING ALL MEN AND WOMEN WHO LOVE TO COOK! 
We know you are out there! Why not submit a recipe or two to share in our newsletter. Just give them to Nanette in the office.
Click the link above to go to the Recipes page.
Puget Sound Christian School is participating in a year-round fundraiser by clipping Box Tops. If you would like to help support our school, bring in your stash of Box Tops, please drop them off at the church office with Nanette or at the school office with Bobby Curts. Every little bit helps!!!