Our Sympathy

Our sympathy is extended to George and Sharon Austin. George's mother, Frieda M. Austin, 92, died Monday, February 9, 2009 at the Ebenezer Care Center, in Minneapolis, MN.
Services were held on Friday, February 13, 2009, at 11 AM at the Brand-Wilson Funeral Home with Pastor Paul Knott officiating. Burial was in Parkview Cemetery, Hastings, NE. Condolences may be sent to the family from www.brandwilson.com.
Frieda was born June 13, 1916 to Jacob and Marie Leonhardt in Grand Island, NE. She married Harold Austin, November 18, 1945; in Hastings, NE, he passed away October 21, 1998. She was employed at the Navel Ammunition Depot during her early years and taught Sunday school and Bible School.
She is survived by 2 sons, George and wife Sharon of Brooklyn Park, MN and David of Meadow Vista, California. 4 Grandchildren and 4 Great Grandchildren. 1 brother, Bill Leonhardt of Waverly, NE and 3 sisters Helen Dake of Lincoln, NE, Edna Smith and Ruth Barfknecht both of Hastings, NE.
She was preceded in death by her husband Harold, her parents, and 3 brothers, Jake, Henry and John.
Memorials may be given to World Hope International.

Valentine's Day With Jesus

Jesus does not send perfume

To linger in the air

Instead He sends salvation, sweet

To show how much He cares.

He doesn’t bring me candy hearts

In boxes of delight

Instead He always lets me know

I’m precious in His sight.

He doesn’t send out pretty cards

Trimmed in shades of red

Instead He gave His life for me

His precious blood was shed.

He doesn’t hand out fancy gifts

Like we would send to mother

Instead He sends a message clear

To always love each other.

He doesn’t give me teddy bears

That whimper, “please be mine”

Instead He gave His heart to me

I wear it all the time.

He doesn’t give me roses, pink

For all the world to seeInstead He gave eternal life

That’s good enough for me!

Copyright © by Marilyn Ferguson 2003

Wise Men Still Seek Him

Happy New Year, my dear friends! 2009...oh, my! The beginning of a new year...and with that, I've started my list of "expectations" for this next year. My list has several things I'd like to accomplish this new year...things that are most attainable and most will help me focus more on my Savior. Let me share just a couple of them with you...
Yesterday my favorite pastor shared a message on the wise men and the good examples they are for us in 2009! As a child, the lengthy journey of the wise men was a very special part of the Christmas story. (Does anyone remember the musical "Amal and the Night Visitors" that was an annual special on television? It was a favorite of mine!) They indeed were diligent in their travels...they came seeking the Child...they were seeking the Truth. They had traveled for thousands of miles to find "this one who has been born King of the Jews". They didn't expect God to come looking for them...to prove who He was...they were indeed "wise" as they were seeking Jesus. The chief priests and teachers of the law in that day were well aware of prophecies of ruler to be born in Bethlehem..they were well aware of the promised Messiah (Micah 5:2), but were not searching for the Truth.
These wise men also showed us worship. The Magi came with their expensive gifts - gifts which would be worthy of a King - and they were overjoyed when they say the child (oh, I can almost see them dancing around!) BUT then they bowed down and WORSHIPED! They were willing to give him what was valuable to them...gifts of gold, of frankincense and myrrh. Oh, my friends, Jesus is worthy of the best we have to give when we come to worship! I want to worship Him with my very best...
But as I studied that passage of Scripture, there was one last thought which I wanted to share with you. I determined that I want to be as responsive to God's leading as the wise men where...they were warned in a dream not to go back to Herod and returned home another route. They recognized the Lord's leading and they obeyed without any questioning. This next year, I want to walk in such close communion with Him - not only in the major decisions of life but in the day to day choices that I find myself making - that when decisions or choices come, there is no hesitation but a certainty of knowing what the heart of God is in the matter and to know His peace....
A new year is here and I'm excited. What are your expectations for 2009?

In the quietness of the early morning hours, I have been having a time of praise and worship with my Father, giving thanks to Him for all He has done...and thanking Him for your friendship. May you have a most blessed Thanksgiving! How I would love to write each of you a personal note, but there are just not enough hours in the day...

I am one who likes to have a "bit" of decoration around my house for the season we are in; thus, on one of my coffee tables are two pilgrim figurines. We have learned of the pilgrims since our early school days. How well I remember making the pilgrim hat and collar in elementary school!
The pilgrims came from England to find a new home in America because they did not want someone (namely the King of England) telling them how they should worship God and they didn't agree with some of the things the church was teaching. They had heard of America - a place where they could be free to live the way they wanted to live and believe what they wanted to believe without being punished for it. As I've pondered this thought over the years, I must admit I cannot imagine the cost of that decision...leaving behind their home, the majority of their belongings, their friends, their security....getting on a small ship to travel to place they had only heard about...a land where they would be strangers...but GOD was with them and helped them to live in this land and survive.

At our special Thanksgiving service last evening, Pastor Doug shared a video which opened with the word "pilgrim" and its definition - a traveler - one who journeys in a foreign land. I have been blessed by the Word this week as I've looked at different Scripture verses. You know what? I am a "pilgrim"... I am on a journey in this life. When I accepted Jesus as my Savior and He forgave me of my sins...I was made free. This world was no longer my home....and I am a stranger here. The Word says in Ephesians 3:20 "that our citizenship is in heaven and we eagerly await a Savior from there." Hebrews 13:14 tells us "For this world is not our home; we are looking forward to our city in heaven, which is yet to come."

Yes, I am a "pilgrim" on a pilgrimage (a journey to a holy place!) ...are you too? Have a most blessed Thanksgiving....give Him thanks! In His Love, Suzi

It's Vacation Bible School Time!

Calling all kids from ages 4 to 99! Come to "God's Big Backyard" at Anoka Wesleyan starting Sunday, August 3rd through Thursday, August 7th from 6 to 8:30 pm.

Come learn the joy of showing God’s love through service to your family, friends, neighbors, community and Jesus!

It all starts on Sunday evening, August 3rd at 6 pm. On Thursday night, we will have a special block party for the ENTIRE FAMILY AND OUR NEIGHBORHOOD! There will be games, food, music, and much more! Come explore stories of Bible servants and be challenged to serve each day!

Cost is $3.00 per person. Adults, there will be a class for you each day as well! You can register one of three ways:
1. Pick up a registration form in the entryway at church
2. Call 763-427-1068
3. Send an e-mail to anokawesleyan@yahoo.com
Hope to see you there!!!

Church Annual Meeting

We will be having the church annual meeting on Sunday evening, May 18th, at 6 pm. We hope you will be able to come. Following the meeting, join us for root beer floats!

Thank you for praying about the business and ministry of our church. In all we do, may we reflect Jesus Christ to our community and be a lighthouse to our world for Him!

Come To Our Ladies' Brunch

On Saturday, May 17th, at 9:30 am, we will be having our annual Ladies' brunch at the church. Our theme for the morning will be "Birthday Bash". Laura Descalzo, Global Partners' missionary to Russia, will be our guest speaker for the morning, sharong in how women "live life" in Russia. Why not invite your mom, a sister, your daughter, your neighbor to join you! Be sure to write your name on the sign-up sheet in the entry ways if you plan on coming!