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SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ SATURDAY, AUGUST 19, 2017
Making God the true focus in your life Spirituali-Tea to discuss
Throughout my journey
with God in this life, I’ve
found that spending time with
Him and acknowledging Him
in all of my ways is the most
important and rewarding
habit I can ever develop (see
Proverbs 3:6).
I can tell you from experi-
ence that God’s help and pres-
ence in our lives is vital.
He is the author of all true
success and everything that is
good. And spending time with
God through prayer and His
Word is a prerequisite for
having a great life and fulfill-
ing your purpose.
Now, it’s true that we can
improve ourselves through
discipline and even have
some success, but will power
will only bring us so far.
The truth is that nothing
can really take the place of
having a healthy relationship
with God.
I absolutely love Hebrews
11:6. It says that God “is a
rewarder of those who dili-
gently seek Him” (NKJV).
When we draw near to Him,
He fills our lives with His
strength, peace, joy, provi-
sion, and favor…and blesses
us in ways we can’t even
imagine.
If we are diligent in seek-
ing God, slowly and surely
we become better people.
Putting First Things First
When it comes to our
everyday lifestyle, it’s impor-
FUUF
tant to ask: Am I putting God
first?
It can be easy to put our-
selves first…
Or our friends…
Or our possessions.
But when we put every-
thing else ahead of the Lord,
we cheat ourselves out of the
good life that God wants us to
have.
I tried for many years to
work God into my schedule,
but it seemed like I never
found time. I had good inten-
tions, but procrastination got
the best of me.
I was always going to
spend time with God later
on… or after the “one more
thing” I needed to do.
The result?
Not much was working
right in my life or in my min-
istry. I was frustrated most of
the time and felt like I was
barely making progress. I’m
grateful to say that God final-
ly got through to me! I have
learned how to work my
schedule around God, rather
than trying to work Him into
my schedule.
Jesus said in Matthew
11:28, “Come to Me, all you
who labor and are heavy
laden, and I will give you
rest.”
The answer to my problem
(and yours) is simple: Come
to Jesus!
It’s not about having a pro-
gram to follow-it’s simply
about forming a habit of put-
ting God first in everything
we do.
If we will seek first His
Kingdom, He has promised to
add everything else that we
need. (See Matthew 6:33.)
Where to Begin
I remember when my ten-
year-old granddaughter came
to me and said, “Grandma, I
want you to tell me how to
spend more time with God
because I’m so busy.” I
thought that was cute.
I thought, Honey, if you
think you’re busy now, you
just wait!
I told her what I’m about to
tell you: Just start some-
where.
So many people never start
at all because they think they
need a huge chunk of time to
begin.
Or they end up doing noth-
ing if they feel like they can’t
do everything.
Here’s what I recommend:
Start by taking some time in
the morning to talk with God
in prayer and read His Word-
even if it’s just five or ten
minutes.
If you plan on spending
your time with Him later in
the day, then I encourage you
to take at least a few moments
in the morning to get started
with God on your mind.
Acknowledge Him and ask
for His help. It can be as sim-
ple as saying, “God, I love
You, and I appreciate every-
thing You do for me. I really
need Your help with my day.”
Sometimes we are defeated
because we try to begin where
we should be finishing, or we
try to do what someone else is
doing.
The truth is that God will
meet you where you are right
now.
As you take a step of faith,
He will give you the grace
and strength you need!
So don’t allow yourself to
do nothing simply because
you can’t do a lot. Start small
and go from there.
Today, I can truly say that I
am addicted to spending time
with God — He has become a
necessity that I require every
day!
If you are at a point in your
life where you are ready to
make Him your number one
priority in every area of your
life, then take a moment right
now and ask Him to help you
get started.
As you do, you’ll find that
His guidance and presence
are things you just can’t live
without.
purpose of law
The public is invited to join
a group of people with diverse
spiritual thoughts and paths.
The group’s objective is to
trust one’s own path enough to
be open to the value of the
thoughts and paths of others.
The topic for this week’s
gathering is “The Purpose of
Law,” which is there to ensure
the wellbeing of all.
The public is encouraged to
bring their thoughts on the
subject for open discussion.
The discussion will be held
on Monday, Aug. 21, at 6:30
p.m.
The gathering will end at 8
p.m. with prayers for the
requests left in the Prayer Pole
in the garden of the Florence
Playhouse and those shared by
the group.
For more information call
Suzanne Mann-Heintz at 541
590-0779.
Come and join us at
our Tops meetings.
Join with us, to listen and participate in programs
that help us on our journey to weight loss.
Every Wednesday, Weigh in begins at 7:45 am to 8:45 am.
Meeting starts at 8:50 am to 9:50 am.
Meet us at New Life Lutheran Church, 21st and Spruce street.
Call Tracy at 541-360-1716 or Aurelia at 541-902-7574.
Voice your opinion! Submit letters to:
Editor@TheSiuslawNews.com.
Joyce Meyer is a New York
Times bestselling author and
founder of Joyce Meyer
Ministries, Inc.
For more information, visit
www.joyce meyer.org.
Breaking news,
photo galleries
and MORE!
Visit the Siuslaw News
online at
WWW.THESIUSLAWNEWS.COM
TO DISCUSS COMMUNITY RIGHTS
Sunday, Aug 20th from 10 to
11 a.m., the Florence Unitarian
Universalist
Fellowship
(FUUF) guest speaker will be
Michelle Holman. She will talk
about her experience as a
member of the Community
Rights Movement.
Holman has lived in Western
Lane County's Coast Range for
more than 30 years and has
been active in the anti-herbi-
cide struggle since the late
70's.
After many years of her
community's
unsuccessful
fight to stop government-pro-
tected aerial spraying of toxic
chemicals by private logging
companies, Holman renounced
traditional activism and joined
the
Community
Rights
Movement.
She's also served on the
Mapleton School Board for 25
years where, 20 years ago, the
school district stopped using
toxic chemicals on school
grounds.
The UU Fellowship is locat-
ed at 87738 Highway 101 at
Heceta Beach Rd. and is
wheelchair accessible.
Each service concludes with
refreshments and a dialogue
circle to explore the questions
that come up during each serv-
ice.
Call 541-997-2840 with any
questions or concerns
J OIN U S I N W ORSHIP
WATCH! 3 ANGELS BROADCASTING
NETWORK
FLORENCE UNITARIAN
UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIP
(3ABN) TV UHF Channel 48.
24 hour Christian TV highlights Bible studies of prophecy, inspira-
N.W. Corner of Heceta Beach Road & Hwy. 101
Every Sunday at 10 a.m.
All are welcome. (541) 997-2840
tional music, health lectures, healthy cooking and more.
FLORENCE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
BAY BERRY CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
SINGSPIRATION
You are invited to come and sing your favorite old time gospel
hymns
Every Friday night at 7pm • Non-denominational
Bay Berry Square; 101 at Sutton Lake Dr. /milepost 185 N.
For more information , please call 541-997-2681
THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST
OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
7th Annual
AT
2610 Kingwood, Florence • 541-268-2025
Sunday Worship @ 10:00 a.m., experience the Power of the
Holy Spirit
Pastors: George & Beverly Sisemore
Intercessory Prayer & Worship, Th ursday night @ 5:00 pm
fl orencevineyardchurch.com
COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH
NEW LIFE CHURCH-UPC
Senior Center, 1570 Kingwood • 541-991-9398
Sunday Services: 10am and 6pm
CROSS ROAD ASSEMBLY OF GOD
Registration 9:00 am Shotgun Start 10:00am
Entry Fee : $89 per player or
- $320 per 4
person team
Corner of 10th & Maple –997-3533
Wednesday, 7 p.m. - Family Connections
Adult Bible Class, 9:30am on Sundays.
Sunday Services, 9am and 10:45am.
fl orencecrossroad.org • offi ce@fl orencecrossroad.org
Wednesday Bible Study 7:00pm
NEW LIFE LUTHERAN CHURCH, E.L.C.A.
21st & Spruce Street – 997-8113
Adult Forum 9 a.m. – Sunday School 10:30 a.m.
Worship services; Sun. 10:30am & Mon. 5pm
Pastor Lori Blake
www.lutheranchurchfl orence.com
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH - SBC
1935 25th St. – 997-7660 • Pastor, Dr. Marvin Owen
Series “People of the Bible.” on Wednesdays 6 p.m.
A friendly place to worship, vacationers welcome.
Sun.; 11am & 6pm, Sunday school 9:45am.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF THE SIUSLAW
Traditional Worship Service 10:00 a.m. , Reverend Greg Wood
Sunday School and Nursery – Organ and Choir
All Welcome. Come as you are.
3996 N Hwy 101
997-7136
Early Registration Discount if Received by September 1: $75/Player or $295 for Team of Four
Fee includes Green Fees, Cart, Gift Bag, Snacks & Delicious BBQ Meal
Entry forms available at Siuslaw Outreach Services, Ocean Dunes, Oregon Pacific Bank and Abel Insurance
For more info call 541-997-2816 or online florencesos.org
LOTS OF PRIZES TO WIN!
Presented by:
FLORENCE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
2nd & Ivy – 997-2961 –Non-Denominational
Worship Service: 9:00 am & 10:30 am
RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS (QUAKERS)
Middle School and High School youth groups meet on
Wednesday.
“War is still not the answer.” FCNL
We worship in homes at 11am Sundays
Call 997-4237 or 902-9511 for locations.
FLORENCE CHURCH OF CHRIST
Pre-Denominational (Romans 16:16)
1833 Tamarack Street (2 blocks east of Hwy. 101 on 18th St.)
Bible Study: Sunday 10 a.m.; Worship: Sunday 11 a.m.
www.churchofchristfl orence.org
$5,000 Putting Contest!
One Player selected at Random
RESURRECTION LUTHERAN CHURCH,
L.C.M.S.
Every Sun., Bible Class 9 a.m., Worship Service 10 a.m.
85294 Hwy. 101 S. – 997-8038
DVD of Weekly worship service available.
Pastor Randy Benscoter
FLORENCE CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE
ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A 2017 FORD F150
for hole-in-one on designated hole.
Eagle Sponsors
PeaceHealth
Peace Harbor Medical Center
Hole Sponsors
1285 Restobar
The Siuslaw News
Coldwell Banker/Coast Real Estate
Florence Elks Lodge
Copeland Lumber
Don Chapin
Johnston Motor Company
SOS Board of Directors
Florence Liberty Alliance
Blue Heron Bed & Breakfast
-
Banner Bank
Chad E. Clement, D.D.S.
Tony’s Garage
FOURSQUARE CHURCH
1624 Highway 101 (next to A&W) –- 997-6337
Pastor George Pagel – Something for the entire family.
Sun. Services: 10:45 a.m., Wed. Bible Study 7 p.m.
Website:fl orence4square.com
FLORENCE VINEYARD (GOD’S POWER HOUSE)
Located at Munsel Lake Road and North Fork Road
Worship Services 10:00 AM Sunday
All are welcome! 541-997-7268
4590 Hwy. 101, Across from Fred Meyer –- 997-7418
Sunday School, 9:30a.m. – Worship, 10:45
Wed. Prayer - 6:00 p.m. –Wed. Ministries 1-8 Grade 7 p.m.
Saturday, September 16th
To Benefit Siuslaw Outreach Services
Summer Worship Time: Sunday at 10:00 a.m.
Coff ee Fellowship Following Service
2nd & Kingwood • (541) 997-6025
12th and Nopal –997-9020
Worship Service 10:30 a.m.
10 am Wed., Women’s Bible Study
Saturdays, Mens’ Breakfast @ 8 a.m.
Online Worship Service@ www.fl orencenaz.com
ST. ANDREW’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
2135 19th St. –- 997-6600
8:30am, Tuesdays, Morning Prayer
Sunday Services: 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. - Wed, 11 a.m.
Everyone Welcome – Come walk our Labyrinth.
FLORENCE EVANGELICAL CHURCH
1318 Rhododendron Dr. –- 997-2523 – Worship at 11:00 AM
–- Sunday School at 9:30 AM – Variety of Sunday evening
activities - 5 PM
Wed. Bible & Children classes at 6:00 PM
Call for details.
SAINT MARY, OUR LADY OF THE
DUNES
CATHOLIC CHURCH
Masses: Sat. 5:30 p.m., Sun. 11:00 a.m.
1.5 miles south of river on Hwy 101 – 997-2312
FLORENCE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST
4445 Hwy 101 (South of Fred Meyer) – 997-3951
Worship on Saturday 10:30 A.M.
Adult/Children’s Sabbath School 9:15 A.M.
Join Us In Worship
4 lines, approx 15 words, $10 a week
4 week Minimum
Deadline 3 p.m. Mondays.
To be included in this directory contact
the Siuslaw News at 997-3441, or drop off
information at 148 Maple St., Old Town, Florence.