Bill’s Bestowals:
“Let’s Wise Up, Folks!”
“Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar?
Where is the philosopher of this age?
Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? …
For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom,
and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.”
(I Corinthians 1:20, 25)
Think of this as a continuum:
WISE ____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|____ FOOL.
Where do YOU fall on this scale?
I warn you to be careful how you answer! “Why?” you may ask. Easy! Fools tend to think they are wise. “The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.” (Proverbs 12:15)
So, again … just where do you fall on this scale, hmmmm?!
Regardless of your answer, take my advice: more is always needed. I truly believe the world needs a lot more wisdom. And – as you can see from the I Corinthians text above – God is the One who can supply it!
Therefore, I’m excited to share news of a new sermon series that begins this upcoming Sunday (May 28, 2023)! It will focus on the Old Testament Book of Proverbs; oft referred to as the “Wisdom Book” of the Bible. God has SO much to teach us through the Proverbs! I’m labeling this series: “God’s School of Wisdom.”
If you have read through the Proverbs before, you have probably been frustrated to some degree because the content tends to be so random. I hope to remove that frustration by taking a topical (rather than linear) approach. Unless God convinces me He has other plans, here is the intended layout for the summer. You’ll find a great deal about each of these topics in Proverbs. It’s a little intimidating to think that God has so much wisdom concerning some of these topics!
May 28: “Introduction to God’s School of Wisdom” (Part 1)
June 4: “Introduction to God’s School of Wisdom” (Part 2)
June 11: “Fear Factor” (“The ‘fear’ of God is the beginning of wisdom.”)
June 18: “Parenting 101”
June 25: Pastor Bill out of town. Wes Stiefer preaches “Carus Cares! Do You?!”
July 2: “Anger Management”
July 9: “The Power of Money”
July 16: “The Power of Sex”
July 23: “The 4-H Club of Friendship”
July 30: Helping Hands Sunday
Aug. 6: Pastor Bill out of town.
Aug. 13: “Fighting with Sluggo” (Refers to what Proverbs calls “the sluggard.”)
Aug. 20: “The Right to Remain Silent” (Reconsidering the language we use.)
The first two messages will lay the foundation for the topical messages that follow them. In case you have to miss a Sunday, don’t forget that all messages are / will be on our website (www.firstchurchmena.org); just hit this link and go to the “sermons” tab.
Looking back to the I Corinthians passage: “Where is the wise man (or woman)?” We’ll soon be able to say that they all hang out at FPC Mena!
Shalom! Pastor Bill
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June 2023 Calendar:
Sunday: Fellowship Hour at 9:30 a.m.
Sunday School at 9:45 a.m.
Worship at 11 a.m.
Tuesday: Lunches of Love, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in Janssen Park.
Thursday: Grief Share at 10 a.m. in Fellowship Hall.
June 4: PW Salad Sunday
June 6: Christian Ed. Committee Meeting 10:30 a.m.
June 6: Worship Committee Meeting 1 p.m.
June 6: Mission Committee Meeting 5 p.m.
June 7: Fellowship Committee Meeting 10 a.m.
June 13: Building & Grounds Meeting 10 a.m.
June 13: Membership & Evangelism 6 p.m.
June 16-17: Youth Crystal Mining Trip in Hot Spring Village/Camping on Ouachita Island
June 18: Father’s Day Meal following Worship in the Fellowship Hall
June 19: Stewardship & Finance Meeting 1 p.m.
June 27: Session Meeting 5:30 p.m.
June 28-29: “The Book of Esther” trip in Branson, Missouri
BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES:
2 – Bailey Sullivant 14 – Ken McRee
3 – George Rains 16 – Aaron Burt
4 –Donna Wilson 16 – Tricia Stiefer
5 – Nicole & William Edwards 22 – Dora Venable
6 – Sharon & Pete Chambers 22 – Susan & Bill Seitz
9 – Bill Seitz 24 – Marilynn & Chuck Schroyer
10 – Harold Coogan 29 – Miranda Burt
12 – Judy & TJ Thompson 29 – Sheila Prestenback
30 – Harper Edwards
SERVING THIS MONTH:
Ushers: Chuck Schroyer & Caleb Seitz
Communion Preparers: Susan Seitz
Communion Servers: Leon Myers, Garrett Lundberg, Wes Stiefer & Gini Burt
SPECIAL COLLECTION SUNDAYS:
June 4: Personal Care Collection
June 25: Goodland Academy
