October 22, 2017

Elk Rapids Bible Church
“Where the UNCHANGING WORD
meets the needs of a CHANGING WORLD”
Pastor Gary Gladfelter 342-8663 or 264-6671
PastorGladfelter@ElkRapidsbc.com
Check us out on Facebook and at elkrapidsbc.com!
October 22, 2017
“To Reach Those Who Are Seen in 2017!”
Opening
“Mighty is Our God”
Worship in Offering
Worship in Scripture Reading – Ephesians 5:18 – 33
Worship in Prayer and Meditation
“Savior Like a Shepherd Lead Us” - #688
Worship in Praise
“The Solid Rock” - #526
“All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name” - #43
“Heart of Worship/Nearer Still Nearer”
“In Christ Alone”
“Revelation Song/Let’s Worship and Adore Him”
Closing – “Spirit of the Living God” - #389
Unsung Servants: Ed, Richard, and Jim for filling in during my vacation! Thank You!

Welcome to our services!
10:00 a.m. – Sunday School
11:00 a.m. – Morning Worship Service
Prayer Ministry: Kathy A and George
Next Sunday: Tom
Nursery: Kathy D and Jessica
Next Sunday: Karen and Wendy
T H I S    W E E K
Monday, October 23rd – 7:00 pm – Women’s Bible Study - “Stepping Up” with Beth Moore.  Meeting every other Monday.
Wednesday, October 25th – 6:30 pm - Bible Study and Prayer Time – “The spirit of prayer is a pressing forth of the soul out of this earthly life, it is a stretching with all its desire after the life of God, it is leaving, as far as it can, all its own spirit, to receive a spirit from above, to be one life, one love, one spirit with Christ in God." ---- William Law  
Thursday, October 26th – Ladies outing to Hobby Lobby and lunch in Gaylord.  Meet at the church at 10:00 am.
We want to thank the church for the VISA gift
cards to use on our vacation in the UP.  Those funds allowed Peg and I to do a couple of things we had not planned on doing.  Thank you for your kindness
and love and generosity! ---- Pastor and Peggy
We need some help in staining and sealing our new windows so that they can be installed before the cold wind blows and the S_ _W begins to fly.  See Pastor after the morning service.Sunday, October 29th – We will have a roast beef dinner in honor of Pastor and Peggy. Pam Hall has a sign-up sheet for items to bring, set up crew and clean-up crew. Please let Pam know how you would like to help. Make plans to join us next Sunday!
Monday, October 30th – Ladies Crafting Night – 6:30 pm.
Friday, November 17th– 7:00–9:00 pm - Game Night.
The total offering last week was $1,479.36: $30.00 was donated to the Building Fund; $207.50 was received as a gift; the remaining $1,241.86 was posted to the General Fund.

“Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.”

Colossians 3:2 – 3
Much of our esteem arises from various aspects of our lives --- gender, heritage, possessions, accomplishments and how others perceive us. Yet, when we entered into a relationship with Christ, we “died to this life” and our “real life” began “hidden with Christ in God.” The phrase “hidden with Christ in God” means our life now rests safely locked away in Christ. He is our life now. We are in Christ and we have all the benefits Christ has as a beloved one of God. This alone opens up a treasure that changes our soul and our outlook in life. It reiterates the most important truth of our lives --- we’re bound to Christ forevermore.
I wish I could honestly say I don’t let the opinions of this world steal my identity in Christ. I struggle with it every day. And I know even then, God hasn’t changed His mind about me. I can still confidently believe what God says about me (and you, too). So what do we have to worry about? What do we have to fear? If God is for us then who can be against us?
Raquel Wroten, Hidden With Christ in God