Highlights

Read or download the August Highlights

From Pastor Wes

BEWARE OF SINK HOLES

The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before,

that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control�

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

(Galatians 5:19-25, NIV)

I returned a few days ago from a ministerial meeting in Buffalo. There are a few different ways to get to Hamburg, but I typically drive through Rushford on my way to Arcade and then on to Springville. I left in the morning and followed my normal route. On my return, however, when I arrived at the intersection of Highways 98 and 243, the road to Rushford was closed, completely blocked off. I had to figure out on my own how to get around. Fortunately, before I got too lost, I spotted a State Trooper sitting by the side of the road, so I stopped to ask his advice. In the course of giving me directions, he told me that the road had been closed earlier that afternoon because a huge sinkhole had made the road impassable.

Since then, I have been pondering the concept of sinkholes. Sinkholes don�t just happen out of nowhere. They develop over a period of time as the ground underneath the surface erodes until eventually it can no longer sustain the weight of the earth (and in this case, road and traffic) above it. I pondered the fear I would have felt if the sinkhole had emerged at the very moment I was driving by earlier that day. Depending on its size, the results of sinkholes can be devastating. According to the US Geological Survey website, sinkholes are dramatic because the land usually stays intact for a while until the underground spaces just get too big. If there is not enough support for the land above the spaces, a sudden collapse of the land surface can occur.

Roadways are not the only places under the threat of sinkholes; so are our lives. As the evil one picks at us, speaks to us, tempts us, prods us, we can allow habits and attitudes and apathy to erode the foundation of our lives in Christ until one day it�s too much and everything crumbles. The point at which to address the problem of a sinkhole is neither after it has collapsed nor when it�s in its final stages, but early on when the problem is starting to develop.

We have an advantage that geologists do not have; by and large they have no idea that a sinkhole exists until they see the hole in the ground. God has provided us, however, with many ways of making us aware that something isn�t right: guilt, shame, worship, the Scriptures, prayer, books and periodicals, other Christians, means of grace that warn us, jar us, confront us, speak to us so that we might be challenged to adjust our behavior or attitude in order to reflect the call of Christ on our lives.

This is at least part of Paul�s intention when he reminds the Galatians of those practices that are directly connected to the sinful nature: �Do not do these things, they will bring great harm to you.� But Paul also uses the positive side of the Spirit as a test of their lives. He tells them that love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control are the result of a life that is rightly connected to Christ. In essence He is saying to us: the best way to prevent a spiritual sinkhole in your life is to think about the fruit that is visible in your life; if you see the repetition of these acts of the sinful nature or if you fail to see these attitudes and actions that are of the Spirit, beware, take heed.

As we move on through the summer and begin making plans for the fall, what kinds of indicators do you see in your life�things of the Spirit for which you should rejoice or things of the sinful nature which ought to cause you to make some changes in the grace of God?

FROM THE ASSISTANT PASTOR

�My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.� Colossians 2:2-3

Every year a large number of Houghton College students come through the doors of our church. What a wonderful privilege and opportunity we have to impact and influence these students for Christ!

College students are at a unique and challenging time in their lives � they�re transitioning from adolescence into adulthood. For many, this is a time of searching, exploring new freedoms, forming an identity, and, all too often, confusion.

Chuck Bomar, in his article, The Best of the Best for College Ministry, says effective college ministry requires volunteers who are willing to invest themselves in the lives of students.These volunteers need to be older, mature believers who are able to show what it means to be deeply committed to the simple truths of Scripture. Adults are needed who are willing to open up their lives to these individuals and give them glimpses into real life experiences such as their marriages, their home life as they rear their children and their viewpoints about using vocation as a mission field. (March 2010, www.youthworker.com)

This fall, HWC College Ministries will be offering opportunities for you to invest in the lives of college students in significant ways, including an �Adopt-a-Student� program. Watch the bulletin, the Highlights, and the church website in the coming weeks for details about these ministry opportunities.

Many Christian adults can point back to someone who significantly impacted them while they were in college. Perhaps you, too, can point back to someone who invested in you in a similar way. I hope you�ll consider partnering with us to impact this generation of Houghton College students for Christ!

FROM THE YOUTH PASTOR

IMATTER FESTIVAL July 31�Eldridge Park, Elmira NY

Leaves the church at 10:30 AM; Cost is FREE and includes transportation and ticket to the concert; does NOT include food for the day. Please bring money for food. Permission slip required for trip (online or outside Pastor Jon�s office)

MIDDLE SCHOOL GIRLS! Lauren Gross will be leading mid-week Bible study August 4, 6:30�8 PM in the Youth Room. August 11 will be a sleepover for our final get-together of the summer.

WELCOME STUDENTS & NEWCOMERS TO OUR COMMUNITY!

The Welcome Potluck will be held in the church community room August 22 at 5:00 p.m. The church family will be hosting students already on campus and newcomers to our community. Please bring your own table service. The church will provide table service for the students and new people. Please bring a large salad or hot dish and a dessert. The college food service, Sodexo, will be providing ham and dinner rolls.

Four Lay shepherd groups hosting this event: Fancher Hts., N/S River Rd., Luckey/Meadow Ln., and Fillmore/ Nunda. Be sure to thank those who are serving. Come and enjoy this time of fellowship and food!

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.

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.

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

Houghton Area Senior Citizens!

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.

CHEEKTOWAGA FAITH RESTART ASSISTANCE: The Wesleyan Church in Cheektowaga has been closed for the past few months with the intention of restarting this fall. Pastors Chris and Tammy Baldwin, along with people from their church in Lancaster, are leading the restart and are looking for some assistance in preparing for this event. If you are able to donate time either to help in repairs of the building or in doing surveys of the neighborhood, contact the Baldwins (716-683-0570 or tbaldwin@vinewc.org ).

Our condolences and prayers are extended to Carol McNiel and her family at the unexpected death of Harold McNiel who died July 15.

September 5 is Sunday School Promotion Sunday.

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

Fall Ministry Opportunities

We invite you to prayerfully consider becoming involved 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 for service in our children's ministries. We look forward to talking with you about these opportunities and the best fit for you and the gifts God has given you. Please contact any of the Ministry Leaders or Pastor Cindy for more information about the following children's ministries:

� Sunday School - Robin Pawling

� Nursery - Jan Schilke

� 8:20 Children's Church - Stephanie Wittenrich and Jill Wade

� 11:00 Children's Church - Bitsy Mayhle and Elaine Tooley

� AWANA Puggles & Cubbies - Donna Blew and Maegan Stadelmaier

� Girls' AWANA Club - Jeri Mahurin and Jessica Romance

� Boys' AWANA Club - Emily & Brandon Hoffman and _______________________

Library Corner

Scoop by Rene Gutteridge is a delightfully funny book for light summer reading. "Channel 7 news team stumbles onto a hot news story. Hugo Talley, the producer, is frantic to exploit it, but a series of crises threaten to destroy his chances. With their odd-ball antics and all-too-real foibles the team offers a hilarious look at the unexpected effects of taking one's faith boldly into the work place." The Library has other books by the author including Boo, Boo Who? and Boo Hiss.

The Broadmoor Legacy is a new series of fiction by Tracie Peterson and Judith Miller. In Book 1, A Daughter's Inheritance, three cousins, Amanda, Sophie, and Fanny receive legacies when their grandfather dies. Book 2 is called An Unexpected Love and deals mainly with Sophie's life. Book 3, A Surrendered Heart, completes the series.

The Library has been given a number of children's books recently: Quilt Country by Lisa Cline-Ransome is a beautifully illustrated counting book using the theme of quilting. Big Racing Car and Big Tractor by Kay Barnes are over sized, well illustrated and should be a joy for little boys.

Tea for Ruby by Sara Ferguson, the Duchess of York, is a small but elegant children's book about a little girl, Ruby, who is invited to have tea with the Queen. Ruby has very little dexterity and is usually tipping over things, spilling things or otherwise involved in making an unintentional mess. There is a happy ending and Ruby has a wonderful tea with her grandmother, the Queen.

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

W.K.F.M. KIDS (grades 1-5)

Special Summer Gathering

Boys and Girls in grades 1-5 will meet at 11 am on Sunday, August 22 in the Primary Assembly Room. We will view again "Nathaniel's Journey" - and review our songs and the past year's journey. Do join us.

(Our new year will begin September 19th at the regular SS time.)

WKFM Staff

FOOD PANTRY

Our supplies are getting depleted once again because of increased activity this last month. Items needed: 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.

Women's Wednesday AM Bible Study

All Women are welcome to the Wednesday morning Women�s Bible Study that begins September 15.

We meet 9:30 to 10:45 at the church.

We would love to have you join us as we study the book of Acts.

For more information call Pastor Laurie Smalley or the church office at 567-2264.

FRIDAY AM WOMEN�S BIBLE STUDY

Friday Morning Women�s Bible Study 2010 - 2011

Make plans now to join us for Bible study, prayer, and fellowship this fall. We begin on September 17th and meet from 9 am to 10:45 am at the church. Childcare is provided for children 5 and under.

If you have questions, call Kelley Hijleh at 567-4707 or email Kelley.Hijleh@houghton.edu.

VOLUNTEER NEEDED: If you normally attend the 8:20 AM Sunday service and would be available and interested in staying with an elderly gentleman at his home so his wife can attend the 11:00 service, please contact Pastor Todd at the church office. Ideally, four volunteers could serve in a once-a-month rotation. Your help would be much appreciated!

PLAYGROUP

Stay-at-home Moms, Dads, and your kids are invited to join us for PLAYGROUP on Thursdays beginning September 2. We meet in the church Community Room from 9:30 to 11:30 AM. �Emily Hoffman (567-8138)

Congratulations Drew and Heather Hannan!

Pyper Elise was born July 13, and she weighed 7 lb. 9 oz.

and was 20 1/2 inches long.

Kristin Marie Buteyn

and

Brent Michael Musick

were united in marriage

on Saturday, July 10th, 2010

at Crosswinds Wesleyan Church.

The couple resides in Victor, NY.

Congratulations to the couple and

to Dave and Jane Buteyn,

parents of the bride.

Card Shower to celebrate Lindol and Ruth Hutton�s 60^th Wedding Anniversary on August 5. Please send cards to 9763 Fancher Drive, Houghton NY 14744

HELP WANTED:

The Inn at Houghton Creek is currently accepting applications for part-time housekeepers. Duties include cleaning and maintaining guestrooms as well as other cleaning and maintenance tasks; some front desk duties include answering the phone, taking reservations, checking guests into their rooms and providing hospitality to guests. If interested, please stop in to fill out an application.

Caregiver needed three nights per week from 11 PM to 7 AM. Please call 567-2156 for more information.

Community Action Angels Announces: Everybody�s Baby Shower

�Helping Those Too Little To Ask�

Angel Action programs around the state are collecting baby items throughout the summer- with a goal of 100 thousand items July 1, 2010 - September 30, 2010.

ACCORDs Angels are accepting all sorts of new baby items, including bottles, crib sheets, safety items, infant clothing, diapers, wipes, formula, new and gently used furniture, AND CASH- which will be used to fund the Cribs for Kids Campaign and educate parents on safe sleep environments. What a great world we'd have if we all work together to grow strong, happy and healthy babies. All donations are tax deductable and will directly benefit Allegany County families in need. Donations can be dropped at any ACCESS Center or at the Allentown warehouse (appointment necessary). Call Belinda Clark at (585) 268-7605 ext 1340 to find out how you can help with this project, how to make a donation, or how to refer a family in need.

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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