Morning Star News

Issue #16 May - July 2005

Morning Star Community Church - Kerry Gibson, Pastor

23628 Red Feather Lakes Road - Phone 881-2640

Straight from the study...

Here in the high country of northern Colorado, Spring is just starting to make itself felt. All around me, I can feel the mountain starting to stir from its long winter sleep. A few days ago the black Abert's squirrels that live ourtside my office were chasing each other all around the Ponderosa pine trees across the church parking lot. The lakes are thawing out and fish are rising in the quiet waters. There is a faint carpet of green beginning to show under last year's dead grass. Jessica found a Pasque flower in her yard on Easter Morning. This moning when Janet and I returned from our morning walk, there was a marmot on the rocks behind our house. He sure didn't look like he had missed out on any groceries last winter! Janet and I are starting to plan the flowers and rock garden that we want to put around the cabin this spring.

With all the new beauty emerging everywher earound us, you would think that all those irritating things that annoy us all winter would just fade away for a few weeks. Tain't so, McGee. There is still too much traffic on College Avenue. Doors still squeak, the dishes still get dirty, the neighbor's dog still jumps up on your new jeans with muddy paws, the checkbook still doesn't balance, and oh yeah, April 15th is just around the corner. So how many of those just make you want to pul lyour hair? It is easy to feel likeyou are always plaing catch-up, no matter what you do. I saw a cute little plaque in someone's kitchen a couple of weeks ago. It said: "I am planning a nervous break-down. I have earned it, I deserve it, I have worked hard for it, and nobody's going to keep me from having it." I am a person who constantly struggles with patience. The other day as I raced around Loveland at six in the moning looking for the correct surgery center, I actually thought how easy it would be to be a patient person if things just went right all the time. As I skidded into the parking lot of the third, final, and (Thank you, Lord) correct surgery center, it occurred to me that this was just life on Planet Earth and it wasn't going to get any better until I was in Heaven. Upon discovering such a profound conclusion (really, that's not bad for 6am), it further occurred to me that I would be wise to consider an alternative to losing my cool. I needed to find a way to adjust.

One of the things that helps me adjust is to remember who is really in charge. God is in charge of my day. I believe that God is pleased with good planning and effective use of time, but He is mainly concerned with how my inner character is developing. Our struggle toward maturity is measured and cultivated through irritation. That is how those wonderful Christ-like qualities that we so admire are developed. Remember, a pearl is the beautiful result of irritation. Unless a grain of sand gets into the oyster and produces an irritatio, there is no reason for the oyster to make a pearl. Maybe that's why Heaven has pearly gates. In order to pass through them you must first be wounded, bruised, and respond to a string of irritations.

J.B.Phillips translates James 1:2-4 in the following way: "When all kinds of trials crowd into your lives, my brothers, don't resent them as intruders, but welcome them as friends! Realize that they have come to test your endurance. But let the process go on until that endurance is fully developed. and you will find that you have become men (and women) of mature character."

Like that's not enough, I believe that God would have more from us. I believe that if we would move on to full maturity, if we would have our church grow, if we would have the kingdon of God increase, we must learn to encourage those who are themselves struggling, perhaps even stumbling, maybe even failing, as they encounter the irritations and sorrows of life. We must be encouragers.

The writer of Hebrews gives us a wonderful pattern for encouragement in Hebrews 10:24, 25, 33 "Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another and all the more as you see the Day approaching...Sometimes youwere publicly exposed to insult and persecution: at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated." There are three principles of encouragement: 1. Spur one another on. In other words, be postive. Be the kind of person who gets those around you excited about what is going on. Be a spiritual cheerleader. Learn to see the needs of those with shom you come in contact. Someone came to me once to complain about a lady who sure wsn't friendly in church today. I asked if they knew she had been in a wreck on her way to church adn came on anyway because she needed the encouragement. Learn to see needs and not faults. 2. Stay the course. You are an encouragement to others in your church family when you just show up. Your kids are an encouragement to those whose kids are far away. Teenagers, you are a great encouragement to the oder folks of the church (So be nice!). 3. Stand side by side with those who are hurting. I have never figured out why people think that another's pain is contagious. I promise, if you associate with someone in pain it does not mean that bad things will happen to you. But it does mean that a really good thing will happen to them at a time when they really need it. They may be praying for God to help them. In answer to that prayer He sends you. Pretty awesome, eh?

So folks, here is today's lesson: Deal with your own irritations in a postive manner and keep your eyes open for people that have it worse than you. Believe me, they are out there.

In the family, Pastor Kerry

Piece Makers

This quilting group meets on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month from 1:30 to 3:30 in the basement of Morning Star Church to make quilts for various mission projects. We are learning many quilting techniques and having a great time of fellowship in the Lord as we do so. Even if you have never taken a stitch in your life, you can come and learn--many of us are beginners also. If you are a "master quilter", we need you too, as we would for you to share your expertise with us. If you have questions, please call MaryAnn at 416-7347 or Anabeth at 881-2524. We hope to see you at our next gathering!

MISSIONS AT MORNING STAR

The Moxness family, our missionaries in Papua (formerly Irian Jaya), Indonesia, work under Wycliffe Bible Translators. They have been trained in linguistics which helps them in learning other languages and also in translating from one language to another. But much of their work also involves community development, literac, and health matters. Since the people whose languages they hop eto traslate live deep in the mountains and jungles of Papua, the family lives in a town on the coast and spends occasional time in the outcountry.

We are grateful for people like the Moxnesses, who have given their lives to live in this isolated place in order to help an isolated people and to give them God's word in their own language. In fulfilling what is sometimes called the Great Commission of Jesus -- to go and make desciples of all the nations -- we believe an important task is to give people in other languages and cultures the written Word of God in words they can understand. Only thus can they do what Jesus said, "Observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you." Jesus made a wonderful promise immediately after He told us, "Go!" He said,"Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Or to the ends of the earth!)

MORNING STAR COMMUNITY CHURCH

SUMMER VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL PROGRAM

SERENGETI TREK

Where Kids are Wild About God's Love

This year our church will be crawling with excitement as we go on a Serengeti Trek. Our Serengeti Trek program will provide fun and memorable Bible-learning activities. Each day children will sing catchy songs, play teamwork-building game, nibble watering-hole snacks, take on a daily challenge to let God's love grow into their homes, experience electrifying Bible adventures, collect Bible memory buddies to remind them of God's Word, and create Bible point crafts they'll take home and play with all summer long.

Serengeti Trek is an exciting way for children to learn more about God's love. We'll be studying stories about Bible characters who were wild about God. Plus, children will take part in a hands-on mission project. We hope Seregeti Trek will spread God's love in our community.

Serengeti Trek begins Monday, July 25th and continues through Friday, July 29th. We will meet at Morning Star Community Church each day from 9am until 11:45am. Serengeti Trek is for children who are entering kindergarten through those entering 6th grade in the fall of 2005. Younger children may be able to atten dif their parent is part of the crew. Older students (those who will entering 7th grade or above) may be allowed to be crewmembers. Adults are also needed for crew members. For information, call the church office, 881-2640.

RFL FINE ARTS FESTIVAL

Mark your calendars for the 10th Annual Red Feather Lakes Fine Arts Festival, May 27 and 28. On May 27, from 5:30 to 8:30 pm, join artists and community members at the Artists' Reception at Fox Acres Country Club for an evening of fun and early gidding for the Silent Auction that will benefit the Red Feather Lakes Historical Society. On Saturday, May 28, the festival is in full swing from 9am to 5pm in the Village (POA Building and Fire Barn). Bidding on items donated to the Silent Auction closes at 4 pm. Hope to see you there!

RED FEATHER LAKES COMMUNITY LIBRARY

We apologize for any inconvenience caused to our patrons during these summer months as we work to keep the library open as much as possible during construction. The library may close during the summer when construction and painting reaches the final stages. We will try to give advance notice, but we can't promise we'll know very far ahead! Look for signs and flyers about the project and closings. We are planning a big celebration in August to dedicate the new library addition, and we look forward to seeing you all there!

RED FEATHER LAKES FIRE DEPARTMENT NEWS

Saturday, May 21st from 2pm to 4 pm--Open house and dedication of our new Fire Department Barn and Ambulance Rescue Garage. Dedication at 2:30pm. Please join us in celebrating and thanking all those who have been a part of this project! Special guests, dignitaries, tours and refreshments.

Saturday, July 16, 2005 - Cabin and Wildflower tour, to benefit the RFLVFD sponsored by the Auxiliary. Tickets will go on sale May 1st, $10 each, to tour 5 cabins and enter the drawing for an original art print, matted and framed by Shelby VanBuskirk.

For more information cal Eunice Michalka 226-3470 or 881-3990.

MOUNTAIN GALS

Mountain Gals is an organization for all area women. It is a chance to get together with your friends and neighbors from the community for an afternoon of fun and programs. The meetings are held the second Wednesday of each month at 1:30pm at the POA in Red Feather unless otherwise noted. No special inviation is needed. Everyone is welcome.

Upcoming events:

May 11, 2005 "Annual Spring Tea" The annual spring tea and election of officers will be held at the Chapel in the Pines Fellowship Hall at 12 noon. There is a charge for the Tea and dues for the coming year are due at this meeting.

June 8 and July 13 programs to be announced.

DATES FOR POA EVENTS FOR 2005

May 7, 14, 21 - Bingo - 7pm

May 28 - Memorial Day Weekend - General Meeting - 3pm, Bingo 7pm

June 4, 11, 18, 25 - Bingo - 7pm

4th of July - Red Feather Days Celebration

July 1 - Special bingo Session - 7pm

July 2 - Arts and Crafts - Kids fishing contest, Parade, Barbeque

FIREWORKS AT DUSK

July 3 - General Meeting - Crowning of Princess - 3pm

July 9, 16, 23, 30 - Bingo - 7pm

The community is invited to Rick and Audrey Robinson's 50th wedding anniversary open house on June 25th from 3pm to 5pm at Morning Star Community Church.

IRAQ - VERY INTERESTING - DID YOU KNOW?

The Garden of Eden was in Iraq.

Mesopotamia, which is now Iraq, was the cradle of civilization!

Noah built the ark in Iraq.

The tower of Babel was in Iraq.

Abraham was from Ur, which is in Southern Iraq!

Isaac's wife Rebekah is from Nahor, which is in Iraq.

Jacob met Rachel in Iraq.

Jonah preached in Nineveh which is in Iraq.

Assyria, which is in Iraq, conquered the ten tribes of Israel.

Amos cried out in Iraq.

Babylon, which is in Iraq, destroyed Jerusalem.

Daniel was in the lion's den in Iraq.

The three Hebrew children were in the fire in Iraq (Jesus had been in Iraq also as the fourth person in the fiery furnace).

Belshazzar, the King of Babylon, saw the "writing on the wall" in Iraq.

Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, carried the Jews captive into Iraq.

Ezekiel preached in Iraq.

The wise men were from Iraq.

Peter preached in Iraq.

The "Empire of Man" described in Revelation is called Babylon, which was a city in Iraq.

And you've probably seen this one. Israel is the nation most often mentioned in the Bible. But do you know which nation is second? It is Iraq. However, that is not the name that is use din the Bible. The names used in the Bible are Babylon, land of Shinar, and Mesopotamia. The word Mesopotamia means 'between two rivers', more exactly the Tigris and Eupharates rivers. The name Iraq, means country with deep roots.

Indeed Iraq is a country with deep roots and is a very significant country in the Bible. No other nation, except Israel, has more history and prophecy associated with it than Iraq. And also...This is something to think about! Since America is typically represented by an eagle, Saddam should have read up on his Muslim passages...

The following verse is from the Koran, (the Islamic Bible) Koran (9:11) - 'For it is written that a son of Arabia would awaken a fearsome Eagle. The wrath of the Eagle would be felt throughout the lands of Allah and lo, while some of the people trembled in despair still more rejoices; for the wrath ofthe Eagle cleansed the land of Allah; and there was peace.'

EVENTS FOR THE MONTHS OF MAY - JULY

MORNING STAR COMMUNITY CHURCH

May 1 Sunday, 6pm Singspiration, Chapel in the Pines Fellowship Hall

May 7 Saturday, 11:30am Ladies Tea

May 17 Tuesday, 2:45pm Kid's Club Last Day

May 21 Saturday, 11am SHARE

May 28 Saturday, 7am All Men's Breakfast at the Chapel in the Pines

June 19 Sunday, 1pm Father's Day Fishing Trip

June 25 Saturday, 11am SHARE

June 26 Sunday, 12 noon Annual Meeting/Picnic

July 2 Saturday, 11am Youth BBQ at POA Building

July 23 Saturday, 11am SHARE

July 25 - 29 Monday through Friday, 9am Vacation Bible School

JOHN HALL SAID..."AT DAYS END"...

Is anybody happier because you passed his way?

Does anyone remember that you spoke to him today?

The day is almost over, and its toiling time is through;

Is there anyone to utter now a kindly word fo you?

Can you say tonight, in parting, with the day that's slipping fast

That you helped a single brother of the may that you passed?

Is a single heart rejoicing over what you did or said;

Does the man whose hopes were fading, now with courage look ahead?

Did you waste the day, or lose it? Was it well or sorely spent?

Did you leave a trail of kindness, or a scar of discontent?

As you close your eyes in slumber, do you think that God will say,

"You have earned one more tomorrow by the work you did today."