Ketchen-up . . .
It has been a couple of months since we last published an edition of The Courier. It’s time to do some “ketchen-up.”
Church Secretary: Sue Haring is our new church secretary. Her office hours are Monday thru Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Sue is probably over qualified for this job after serving for many years as the manager of the AAA office in Lafayette. Now that we have a regular secretary, we will hopefully get back to publishing this newsletter once a month. I want to express my appreciation to E.Anne for filling in as secretary for nearly two years.
Senior Minister Search: This past Saturday evening, the elders and ministers met with Matt Shedd for a formal interview. This interview lasted about two hours. While the elders have not yet met to discuss the interview, I am confident in saying the interview was very positive. If both Matt and the elders agree to move forward, the next steps will include a time when the congregation can meet Matt and his wife. There will also be a trial sermon. We will keep you informed as a timeline is finalized. Please make this transition a matter of regular prayer.
Faith Promise Sunday: This coming Sunday, April 28, is our church’s 41st Faith Promise Sunday. The first Faith Promise was held in the spring of 1984. Charles Faust from “Go Ye” Chapel in NYC was the first speaker.
Our speaker this year is Matt Nance with the Christian HolyLand Foundation. This organization supports and works with churches in the Galilee region of Israel. The CHLF Galilee team is made up of six pastors and their wives who work among Arab Christians living in northern Israel. While it has never been easy, the events of October 7 have made their work more difficult, but at the same time doors have been opened as those living in Israel are searching for hope. Jesus, of course, is the source of real hope.
Sunday’s Schedule:
8:30 – 1st Worship with Matt Preaching
9:45 – CHLF report given by Matt
10:45 – 2nd Worship with Matt Preaching
Noon – Carry-in Luncheon
Matt will be giving a report from the work of CHLF’s work in Israel. I hope you will choose to attend his report. We will be given insight that is never reported on CNN or Fox News.
Please be praying for Matt, and be praying about the “faith promise” you will have the opportunity to make. Please also consider giving a “love gift” to the Christian HolyLand Foundation. It is money invested well in the kingdom of heaven.
May God bless us all.
Love, Jim
Sympathy
Sympathy is extended to Beth Cummins and her family. Her husband Chris passed away on March 12. He was 64. Please continue to pray for Beth and look for ways to encourage her.
Beth Cummins
P.O. Box 724
Francesville, IN 47946
Memorial Lilies
Easter lilies were shared in memory of: Bob Ulbricht by Deb & Jay Salah; Jim & Mary Ann Sillman & Gene & Ruth Ketchen by Jim & E.Anne Ketchen; Everett & Alice Davis & Geneva Asberry by Randy & Tina Davis; Bud & Rachel Meyers by Laurel Myers; William, Alyce & Billy Onken by Laurel Meyers; Kenny & Gladys Haring by The Haring family; Fred, Ted & Ive Litke by the Litke Family; Harold & Mary Hooker by Connie Sullivan.
Thank You
We wish to thank the church for all the support given during this difficult time. Thank you for the cards, gifts and many words of encouragement. We appreciate every one of them. Thank you to the ladies who served a delicious meal after Chris’s service. Thank you for the beautiful plant.
The Family of Chris Cummins
Pastor Ketchen,
Thank you and your congregation for allowing me to give a Gideon presentation and for the kind reception to me while I was there on February 4. The generous gift of $500 will buy 345 New Testaments or 91 full Bibles. May God bless you and the church’s ministry.
Gary Gudeman
“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth, it shall not return to me void, but shall accomplish that which I please.” (Isaiah 55:11)
Baptisms
The church has had several baptisms recently.
Courtney Onder was baptized on March 3rd by her father, Alan. Courtney works in Winamac at a home for the developmentally disabled.
Courtney Onder
P.O. Box 223
Medaryville, IN 47957
Uriah Williams was baptized on March 31 (Easter Sunday) by his father, Brandon. Uriah is 8-years old and is in the 2nd grade at West Central.
Uriah Williams
5547 W 500 S
Winamac, IN 46996
Morgan Richardson was baptized on March 31 by her father, Mike. The Richardson Family was in Texas visiting family and Morgan wanted her extended family to be present for her baptism. On April 7 Morgan came at the invitation time and made her good confession of faith before our church family. Morgan is in the 5th grade at West Central and is 11 years old.
Morgan Richardson
1988 E State Rd 14
Francesville, IN 47946
Let’s keep these three individuals in our prayers and look for ways to encourage them.
Parent/Baby Dedication
Sunday, May 19, will be our 2024 Parent/Baby Dedication. This is a day when we pray for both parents and babies. It is day when we as a church commit ourselves to be an encouragement to parents as they raise their children to know and love Jesus. If you would like to participate in this event with your baby, please contact Jim or the church office.
The Foundry
17 Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. 18 Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. John 17:17-18. Some time has passed, but I still want to take an opportunity to write about the spring break mission trip. I have always found Arizona trips to be challenging for many reasons, but the experiences had a profound impact on my faith and discipleship journey. This time around was no different. The total group consisted of an adult work team, a team of Foundry students and leaders and a group of leaders and students from Converse. We battled rain, mud, snow, cold, wind burn, sickness and more as a group during the week as a group. But in the midst of less than perfect situations throughout the week we saw relationships forged, testimonies shared, hearts broken and healed, hard work and perseverance, love shared to another culture and the Holy Spirit working in all. Our mornings started before 7:00 and included teams working all over the AICM campus, after lunch we headed to the Apache reservation each day to do bus and VBS type ministry with Pete and Kim Kemp. After having dinner with the Kemps we headed back to AICM to have circle time. A time of scripture, testimonies, challenging questions, laughter and prayer. By that time it was pretty late and we tried to get everyone in their bunks to do it again the next day. The testimonies of those involved since the week have confirmed the importance of challenging ourselves to be sent by Christ to share the gospel and pour His love on others. I want to thank everyone who prayed and sacrificed finances to make this experience possible. YOU ARE A BLESSING! I challenge every adult and student to be sent to serve.
Jeremy’s #: 219-204-0422
The Spark
As it always does, the semester has flown by and we are preparing to wrap up the school year with our annual carnival night this Wednesday. There are always mixed emotions this time of year as we celebrate what God has done over recent months and watch as another group of sixth graders leave the Spark and move into the next chapter of their lives. Last week at the Spark we celebrated that the kids were able to fill the “Jesus” display on the Spark stage. All school year, kids have worked on filling the display with foam cubes that they earn by reciting memory verses, bringing in missions money, and completing Bible study sheets. Be sure to check out the display on stage when you’re in the building, a simple symbol of the growing “spark” in the faith of the elementary kids that attend on Wednesday nights.
VBS Programs: As summer approaches, it’s time to get our VBS programs on your calendar! Our elementary VBS program, for students currently in grades K-6, will be June 3rd through the 7th. Our preschool VBS program will take place July 22nd through the 25th. Both VBS programs will take place at the church building. Be on the lookout for additional details and registration information coming out soon!
LifeWise Academy: Classroom volunteers are always needed at LifeWise. If you are interested in volunteering at LifeWise, talk to Sam Malchow to see how you can get put on the volunteer list. Also, continued community financial support is needed in order for LifeWise to last. If you have a desire to make a donation, go to lifewiseacademy.org/donate and click on “My Local LifeWise”.
Adam’s #: 317-430-4827