Outdoor Baptism & Picnic, August 8, 4 p.m.

When the Body of Christ gathers for baptism, it's always a celebration!

There's something special and inviting about our summer baptism service at the pond. It has the feel of the early church in contemporary times. It's a time when our church family will come together, throw out a blanket (or lawn chairs) on the grassy area surrounding the pond and celebrate this event, symbolic of new life in Christ. This year we will also be having a FREE summer picnic afterwards with hot dogs, salad, chips and refreshments near the Gazebo.

Romans 6:4 says, "We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life." Baptism is a symbolic re-enactment of Jesus' life: as people are lowered into the water, we are reminded of Jesus' resurrection from the dead. We clap. We cheer. Everyone rejoices in recognition of what God has done in the life of the one being baptized, and we can't help but renew our own baptismal vows, publicly aligning ourselves with Jesus' story—now that's worth celebrating!

Baptism is a sacrament, which Jesus ordained, and is open to any follower of Jesus who desires to go public with his or her faith—whether you're just beginning this journey with him or you've been a follower of Jesus for a long time. If you feel God calling you to this public proclamation, we encourage you to respond with heartfelt enthusiasm, and allow us to support you in this monumental step of faith. To sign up to be baptized, register online or call Laura at 395.3705.

The celebration takes place on Sunday, August 8, at 4 p.m. with a worship band providing some lively music. All are invited to participate in this event, both by encouraging and rejoicing with those being baptized, or by being baptized yourself. After the baptisms, don't forget to stay for the free picnic! Come, let's celebrate!

Becky Steiner
Connections Team

Adults

GrandParenting...GrandLoving
As a grandparent, you have an opporunity to form young hearts and direct young minds in ways that will help them for a lifetime. If you would like to connect with others in this great journey of grandparenting, join us for an eight-week DVD study called GrandParenthood Sundays, September 19-November 14 at 8 a.m. To sign up, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

M&Ms Starts October 5
M&Ms will begin meeting again on October 5 and runs through November 16, with a Christmas brunch on December 7. Lisa Wilkinson will be teaching on the book, Ministry of Motherhood, by Sally Clarkson. Childcare will be free! To sign up, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Christmas Desserts
Ladies, it's time to start thinking again about whether you would like to hostess a table at this year's Christmas Desserts celebration, taking place on December 2 and 3. To sign up or for more info, call Becky at 395.3113 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it her.

Kid Central

Jana Alayra Concert, August 5, 7 p.m.
This is a great energetic, totally engaging concert for families with kids age 2–5th grade and the kids are invited to join Jana on stage to sing with her. She has given worldwide concerts for thousands of people. See her at janaalayra.com and then invite your friends and neighbors to come with you!

Students

West Virginia Mission Team
Ten high school students and leaders left this Sunday to go to West Virginia with Impact Missions. The team will have many opportunities to be the hands and feet of Christ serving the community of Richwood. They return August 7. The team members are: Rebekah Domke, Tom Dunkelberger, Jenna Geary, Jacob Hafler, Tyler Immink, Pastor Kujo & Makayla Kujawa, Justina Lee, Andrea Schmidt, Laura Tuinenga and Kalina VanHouten.

UnityFest Day Zero
High school students, on Wednesday, August 11 we're heading to UnityFest in Muskegon to see bands such as Fireflight and Thousand-Foot Krutch! Cost is $5, and please bring extra money so you can buy food at the festival (cash only). You must have a 2010-2011 medical release form on file. Meet at the Block at 4 p.m.

General

Church Forums this Sunday
We'd love to have you attend this Sunday, August 1 at 9:15 a.m., 10:50 a.m. or 6 p.m. We will be looking at the recently updated campus master plan and would value your input. Your attendance at one of these meetings is critical if you're intersted in the future of Central Wesleyan and where we feel God is leading us. A short presentation will be made of the master plan, and there will be an opportunity to ask some questions and time to take a short survey so we can gain your input on the master plan.

The Women's Missionary Fellowship meets this Tuesday from 1-3 p.m. in D201. We also need baby fabric for baby gowns and quilts. Please call Pat Feuerstein at 394.9197 for more info.

Sierra Leone Mission Team
A team is being formed to serve in Sierra Leone, September 30-October 9. This group will be involved in the current ministry there and helping create a bond between our congregation and the people of Bombali Bana for future ministry. For more details about the trip, check out the Global page.

Karis Update
Our missionaries to the Karis people were able to help get 200 song books for worship and 5,000 Scripture portions (great tools for evangelism) printed for our network of house churches in Central Asia.

All-Church Picnic & Baptism Celebration
Join us for this special occasion August 8 at 4 p.m. We'll gather at the pond by the Gazebo and celebrate baptism with many from our fellowship who are taking this important step of faith. Immediately following the baptism service, you are invited to a free picnic for everyone on the church grounds near the Gazebo. Enjoy grilled hot dogs, salad, chips, beverages and dessert! Bring lawn chairs or blankets and your friends and family. Let's celebrate!

Sign Up to Be Baptized
If you have accepted Christ as your Savior and Lord and if you have never been baptized as an adult or a teen, we encourage and invite you to sign up to be baptized. Attend a brief info meeting this Sunday, August 1 or next Sunday, August 8 after either morning service at the front of the Worship Center. You must also register online.

Hands That Heal Seminar
Hands That Heal is a Workshop to train caregivers of trafficking survivors and will be held October 28-30. For more info about the seminar and how to register, check us out online.

M&Ms Consignment Sale
On Saturday, September 25, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., the Moms and Mentors program is hosting its Fall Consignment Sale. If you would like to participate as a seller of gently used kids clothing, toys, games, kids furniture or baby equipment, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Serving Opportunities

Jana Alayra Concert Help Needed!
We need your help for this fun concert on August 5 at 7 p.m.! If you'd like to be a greeter or usher to help welcome our guests to this fantastic family concert, please This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

August 8 Picnic Helpers Needed
An all-church picnic is being planned for the evening of August 8 right after we celebrate baptism at the pond by the Gazebo. If you would like to help at the picnic with set-up, serving and clean-up, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Outback Jamboree, August 19, 6:30-8 p.m.
Can you run a game with enthusiasm, help kids carefully fish or serve snacks with hospitality? Can you help set up or clean up? Sign up this Sunday to help with the Outback Jamboree at the round table in the Main Lobby or online. You can make a difference!

Summer Worship Choir, August 22
If you would like to join the fun on stage and experience first-hand what it's like to be a part of the worship team on Sundays, join the summer Worship Choir on August 22! Interested or need more information? Call Karen at 395.3116.

Ride Needed on Sundays
If you or your family has room in your car for a single lady who lives on East 16th Street, please let us know. We'd just need to get her an occasional ride to church on Sunday mornings. To sign up, call Laura at 395.3705 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Supplies for Holland Public Schools
Start watching the advertisements for sales! Last summer we were humbled to bless each HPS elementary school with school supplies—thanks to your generosity! This year, too, we will be collecting new backpacks, paper, pens, crayons, pencils, glue, erasers, markers, rulers and scissors. You can drop the supplies off (either in a backpack or in your shopping bags) in the collection bins at the Influence kiosk. We will be collecting from August 8-29. Call Chris at 395.3102 with any questions.

Kid Central Tech Help Needed
Do you enjoy working with computers, PowerPoint or AV equipment? Kid Central needs your help! Opportunities include: creating a PowerPoint presentation for children or running equipment on Sunday mornings or Wednesday nights. We'll give training with specific equipment. Call Colleen at 395.3094 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more info.

Middle School Mentors Needed
Jefferson 67 is a new mentoring opportunity for you to be a friend to 6th and 7th grade students. We're looking to build better relationships and help kids have better lives through friendship, academic support and mentoring. Superintendant Brian Davis and Jefferson's Principal, Rick Muniz have both communicated this need to us, and we want to help! Contact Chris at 395.3102 with any questions.

Help at Overflow in Benton Harbor
Overflow Church in Benton Harbor is opening a resale shop that will employ community people and provide affordable merchandise for those in need. They are in need of help the first three weeks of August getting the store ready for opening, including: drywall, painting, hanging shelves, cleaning and organizing. To volunteer or for more info, call Chris at 395.3102.

Family News

Dealing with a serious or long-term illness: Lisa VanderZwaag, Mel Kirklin, Leon Rithamel, Connie Jordan, Margaret Gonder, Sue Wathne, Sandy DeWys, John DeWys, Linda Kars, Nellie Timmer, Laura Stannis, Loie VanDis, Anne Chamberlin, Michelle Bosman, Andrew DeWitt, Lola Weerstra, Jim Oonk, Marie Johnson, Roger Byrd, Abby Miedema, Ruth Bruursema, Don Gebraad, Jim Looman, Mark Ortiz, Janet Weisiger, Diane Grossi, Velma King, Don Shields, Nicholas Fritz and Brandon Fritz.

Recovering: Jodi Lokker, Abby Miedema, Jan Parrott, Dakota Shelley, Bill Hill, Mark Ortiz, Steve Green, Ed Bouws, Janet Weisiger, Lola Weerstra, Jayne Elzinga, Steve Becksvoort and Fred Bleitz.

We extend our sympathy to: Hal (Karen) Cutshall for the loss of his father and to Von Cutshall for the loss of his grandfather, Chester H. Cutshall; Sharon Fuller for the loss of her sister, Roberta.

For The Record

July 25, 2010
Attendance
Morning Worship 2,642
Community Groups 177
Small Groups 570
General Budget
Received Last Week $73,400
Weekly Need $81,200
Received Since 6/10 $589,000
Need Since 6/10 $631,700
Faith Promise for Missions
Received Last Week $10,400
Received Since 6/10 $86,600
Need Since 6/10 $94,000
(RE)NEW Stewardship Challenge
Received Last Week $10,900
Received Since 6/10 $202,800
External Debt
July 2001 Peak Debt $9,462,000
May 2010 Debt $495,000
Current Debt $272,500

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