SOUTH LAKESHORE NEWSLETTER
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We are so glad for you to read all the updates concerning our church's ministries, members and activities. We encourage you to ask any questions for clarification to our email address southlakeshore@comcast.net or call the church office at
253-535-3811. Blessings, Vic May/June 2023 Newsletter
A blessed May/June to all. As I pondered a little after hearing the words, “Vic, I need your newsletter contribution”, I thought of how much has happened in our little neck of the woods in the last couple of months. Perhaps it is just me but I feel as though I have been on fast forward for a few weeks. Granted, being under the weather for a bit made regular activity seem like I was being required to move faster than I wanted. Of course, any month that includes Easter weekend, involves extra activity, or at least seems to put a little more pressure on preachers to make sure they produce an Easter sermon that folks won’t think, “Oh, man, I have heard this way too many times”. When lent began, I joined several church members in a 40-day sugar fast in preparation for Easter. I admit that I was pleasantly surprised by the outcome of the experience. When asked, I initially thought, “I have been working on reducing sugar intake for a while, so this should be a cake walk” (No pun intended). To make my efforts square up with fasting (doing without) something I liked for a time and focus on the Lord, I gave up some other stuff. One was social media. The other things are none of your business. The setting several things aside, to be honest, did not provide too much of a challenge. However, the author of the book we used, did provide several challenging insights regarding our walk with the Lord. The input had me reflecting, sometimes uncomfortably, on things that could improve in my personal Christian walk. In one of the daily readings, I came across a quote that made me think of a man I cared for a great deal, whose departure to his celestial home, was a major event in the life of our church family. I am sure you can figure out that I am referring to Steve Jones, whose departure has left a crater sized hole in our church. In his letter to the Philippian church, Paul wrote in Philippians 2:3-4, [Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look our for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.] Where this text blended into the reading, I alluded to, was the following quote: “Self-focused people cannot garner the attention of an others-focused God.” Steve’s life influenced many of us in tremendous ways. He influenced us through his generosity, his thoughtfulness, his caring, and his service. There was no question in Steve’s life that God knew who he was. I realize that I already spoke at his celebration of life but there was much more than I could have said. What I am getting at is that all the things he did that inspired and taught us had to do with being other-focused. It is an attribute that we should emulate. It is a discipline we should strive to develop. It is a lifestyle we should daily endeavor to practice. We often come to the Lord in prayer about our needs, wants, and complaints. What we learn from Paul, and servants like Steve, is that our life as children of God begin with placing the needs of others before our own. Let us, at least, work on this one thing, and I am convinced that our church worship service will again see our sanctuary filled to the brim like it was when we said goodbye to our dear friend. Have a blessed May/June. Vic ARE YOU INVOLVED IN A HOME GROUP?
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Come join us on July 30, 2023, for an outdoor (weather provided) BBQ potluck at SLCC. Burgers, hotdogs, and fixings will be provided. Please bring a side to share as we fellowship together!
Men's Breakfast is on hold for the Summer, but will resume this Fall!
SUPPORT ASPEN COURT!
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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! Startup Date is pending.
Questions call
Carol Maddox 253-279-4823 or
Cathy Wilson 253-584-0952
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 or at the school office with Kelly Hagala. Every little bit helps!!!