- 1 -They will enter Zion with singing… Isaiah 51:11b

May 2014

What God Wants in dEaCons - Part 2Pastor Kevin Efflandt

Zion’s NewsletterZion’s Newsletter

Last month, we began looking at the office of deacon. And we saw that what God wants in this office are three things: (1) Calling; (2) Competence; and (3) Character. We looked at the first two in last month’s newsletter. This month, we’ll look at the third.

As with the office of elder, the deacon must be a man of exceptional character. And when you look at 1 Timothy 3, you find 4 qualities of character listed by Paul.

First, he is to be “dignified.” We could also translate this “serious.” In other words, he must take his work seriously. Why is that? Well, it’s because of the weightiness of the office. Serving as a deacon is not the same thing as volunteering to coach little league, as important as that may be. We have to get the idea out of our minds that this is some kind of volunteer thing. This is office in Christ’s kingdom. This is something that a man is ordained to. And so, he must be serious about the work.

Second, he should not be “double-tongued.” We could also translate this as “insincere.” The deacon must be able to minister mercy with

sincerity. He must be able to keep a reign on his tongue, not saying inappropriate things, and keeping certain needs of the congregation in confidence. He must be a man of his word. When he says he’s going to do something, he follows through with it.

Third, he must not be “addicted to much wine.” We looked at this before in relation to the elder. This doesn’t mean that he doesn’t drink alcohol, but it means that he doesn’t drink excessively. If he does drink excessively, he’s not to serve as a deacon or an elder. Basically, we’re asking, “Does this man demonstrate self control?”

And fourth, he must not be “greedy for dishonest gain.” Obviously, for those who handle the gifts of God’s people, for those who handle the offerings, this is crucial. He must be a man who is trustworthy.

We then find a fifth character quality down in verse 12: He must be “the husband of one wife.” Literally, this is “one woman man.” In other words, he’s committed to his wife. He’s devoted to his wife. This is a man who, if he’s married and has children, has a commendable family life.

You don’t want a deacon who continually exasperates his children. Or a deacon who rules his wife like a tyrant. Or who treats her like his slave.

But then, in verse 11, Paul says something very interesting. He says, “Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things.”

Paul shifts here from speaking about deacons to speaking about wives or women (the word translated “wives” could be translated either way). The question, though, is “Why does Paul do this?” Why does he bring up wives or women?

It’s important to realize that the original language doesn’t say “THEIR wives.” The ESV says that, but the possessive pronoun “their” is not in the original language. It just says “wives” or “women.”

Well, first, it’s possible that Paul is talking about the wives of those in leadership. It’s possible that he’s saying that the wives of elders and deacons should be women of godly character. That’s a possibility.

(continued)

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In March we welcomed into our church family Jason and Megan Creel. Originally Jason is from Modesto and Megan grew up in Turlock. They met each other while attending Big Valley Grace Church College Fellowship group.

Both are employed in the education field: Jason as a paraprofessional for

PrayEr Chain

Are you familiar with the prayer chain? We have people who get the prayer requests by e-mail, and others who prefer to be phone prayer partners. It is your choice.

If you wish to know more about it, or would like to be added to our prayer chain, please call Nettie (599-7404) or Adri (599-6639).

More likely, though, he’s talking about certain women in the church who serve alongside the deacons. The fact of the matter is that the church has a great need for mature women of godly character to serve the church. The New Testament gives us a number of examples of mature, godly women who served the church (Phoebe and Priscilla to name two).

And as deacons serve the church and the needs of the church, some circumstances will arise that require competent women to work alongside the deacons.

And while we may not ordain women into an authoritative office...because of what Paul says in chapter 2 of 1 Timothy (“I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man”), at the same time, we do have a great need for gifted, godly, mature women to serve the needs of this body.

And so we pray that God would continue to raise up women just like that in our midst. And we pray that God would also continue to

raise up godly, qualified, capable men to serve as elders and deacons. Men who know that they are insufficient in themselves, but who find their sufficiency in Christ.

And as we close our look at the office of deacon, there’s one more thing that’s important for us to understand.

As we think about the office of deacon, we cannot help but think of Jesus. For Jesus is the only perfect Servant. He was called by His Father, from before the foundation of the world, to accomplish redemption for us. He was competent. He was the eternal, sinless Son of God. And His character was flawless. He was actively obedient to the law of God every second of every day of His

Deacons... (continued) life. And He went to the cross as our Suffering Servant, bearing the weight of our sins and the weight of God’s wrath, so that we might be reconciled to God.

In fact, in Romans 15, Paul says that Christ became a “servant” (that’s the same word used for “deacon”) to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs.” He is the One to whom the entire Old Testament pointed.

And so as we consider Christ’s suffering on our behalf, and as He continues to serve us through the offices that He has appointed in the church, may we glorify and praise God for His gracious provision to us.

WElComE, nEW mEmbErs!Joann Veenstra

Modesto City Schools and Megan is a preschool teacher at Cornerstone Christian Preschool in Manteca.

Their interests are travel, thrift store shopping, being crafty around the house and reading books by the fire. They were quoted to say they “love Mexican and Thai foods”!

Church members who are relatives are Hermina Oosterkamp as Jason’s grandmother and Tim and Karen Philipsen as his uncle and aunt.

A favorite song for them is “Amazing Grace” and Scripture verses are Psalm 23.

Welcome Jason and Megan. May your fellowship and trust in the Lord grow as we worship and walk with the Lord together.

Jason and Megan Creel

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Class Leader: The children are separated by grade level (1st - 6th). The class leader is responsible for leading their children from station to station. This is a great opportunity to see the entire program. You also get to interact and help the children at each station. We are hoping to have 2 class leaders per section. This is one of the major needs for VBS.

Crafts: The children have a craft time each day. Three groups will cycle through. Your responsibility is to help the children with the crafts.

Games: The children also have a game time each day. This happens on the back lawn of church. You will need to help line up the kids and help make sure that the games run smoothly.

Nursery: We provide nursery for all the volunteer’s children (or grandchildren). There are three sections: Infants, Toddlers and Preschool. The toddler and preschool program has a short lesson that follows the theme of VBS.

VBS is June 23-27 from 9am-12pm. If you can help out any or all of the days, we would love to have you. Just fill out a green sheet on the back table and place it in the box. If you have any questions, feel free to ask either pastor or Rachel Mouw (LRMouw@me.com or 209-918-2679). Every year we are blessed by the amazing volunteers here at Zion! Thank you for all your prayers and support in helping this program run smoothly. The children really enjoy the week!

We still need help in all areas of VBS this year. If you cannot help out during the week, there are things that you may be able to do to help us get ready. We need volunteers for the following:

Making cookies for the •volunteersHanding out flyers for friends •and family (There is a stack on the back table, just take however many you need)Donating snack items for the •childrenPreparing craft materials•Preparing sets and decorations •(watch the bulletin for more information)Set up (date will be announced in •the bulletin) Clean up (Friday, June 27 at •12:30pm)

If you are able to help during the week, we would love to have you! It is an exciting week packed full of fun. There are also delicious snacks and an awesome t-shirt to wear! We need help in the following areas:

Vbs UPdatERachel Mouw

rEGistration is oPEn for VbsAttention parents: VBS 2014 registration is now open! VBS is for all children entering grades 1-6. Visit www.zionurc.org to register.

If you are volunteering and have children for the nursery, please see Rachel for a registration form. The age level breaks are as follows:

Infants - All non-walkers

Toddlers - Sturdy walkers

Preschool Program - Children must be age 3 by September 1, 2014.

Kindergarten Program - These children go with the 1st graders for the entire VBS program. Children must be age 5 by September 1, 2014.

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VariEty hoUr!Amy Hoeksema

Zion’s annual Variety Hour was a blast this year! Singing and skits dominated the night, but there was also stand-up comedy, games, and musical instruments to make the evening a fun-filled one.

The night opened with a delicious pulled pork dinner and the opportunity to bid in the silent

auction, both of which were put together and run by the Youth Group to raise funds for their RYS convention this summer. The fundraising was a success: due to the generosity of those who attended, the Youth Group raised $4,500 towards the convention!

After the dinner and silent auction, the Variety Hour got under way. Angelo Contreras and Kyle Loretelli opened the night with a hilarious skit about a candy shop, which required a lot of audience participation. After that, the acts included Mort Cookson playing a beautiful rendition of “Old Rugged Cross” on the cornet, the Vander Helm sisters performing “The

Cup Song” from the movie Pitch Perfect, Doug Field giving a comedic monologue entitled “My Life Among the Dutch,” Melinda Segaar and Theresa Andriese singing their own “mommy-fied” version of “Let It Go,” and the Youth Group guys and girls performing separate skits. All in all, it was an enjoyable evening of food, fellowship, and lots of fun.

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ACROSS1 your feet ____ with the preparation of the gospel of peace (Eph 6:15)5 Make thee an ark of ____ wood (Gen 6:14)11 According to my earnest expectation and my ____ (Phil 1:20)12 For the eyes of the Lord ___ ___ the righteous (two words) (1 Pet 3:12)14 Except a man be born again, he cannot ____ the kingdom of God (John 3:3)15 Isaac departed thence, and pitched his ____ in the valley (Gen 26:17)16 But ___ ye doers of the word, and not hearers only (James 1:22)17 but the house of the righteous ____ firm (Prov 12:7). (NIV)20 suffered thee to hunger, and ____ thee with manna (Deut 8:3)21 what the land is, whether it be fat or l____ (partial word) (Num 13:20)22 I will not with ____ and pen write unto thee (3 John 1:13)25 friend, buddy26 no man putteth new ____ into old bottles (Mark 2:22)28 with earthquake, and great ____, with storm and tempest (Isaiah 29:6)30 Jacob said unto ____, Give me my wife (Gen 29:21)32 ____ have they, but they smell not (Ps 115:6)35 every man from his evil way, and ____ your doings

(Jer 35:15)37 we spend our years as a ____ that is told (Ps 90:9)39 his master shall bore his ear through with an ____ (Exodus 21:6)41 let the peace of God ___e in your hearts (partial word) (Col 3:15)42 Ahab heard those words, that he ___t his clothes (partial word) (1 King 21:27)43 not willing that ____ should perish (2

Pet 3:9)44 reported this to the men of Jabesh, they were ____. (1 Sam 11:9) (NIV)47 abbr. for identification48 waters to ____ in, a river that could not be passed over (Ezek 47:5)52 Bring of the f____ which ye have now caught. (partial word)(John 21:10)53 my days as an handbreadth; and ___ ___ is as nothing (two words)(Ps 39:5)55 If a man ____, will he live again? (Job 14:14) (NIV)57 To every thing there is a ____ (Eccles 3:1)58 they ____ into the bottom as a stone. (Exodus 15:5)

DOWN1 lay thy hand upon her, and ___e shall live. (partial word) (Matt 9:18)2 and cried, ____: Blessed is the King of Israel (John 12:13)3 so he shall ____, and none shall shut (Isaiah 22:22)4 let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in ____ and in truth (1 John 3:18)5 Abraham ____ up early in the morning (Gen 19:27)6 What King Solomon’s mines produced7 my tongue is the ____ of a ready writer (Ps 45:1)8 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor ____ (Rev 3:15)9 as the serpent beguiled ___e through his subtilty (partial word) (2 Cor 11:3)10 obey his voice, and not ____ against the

commandment (1 Sam 12:14)13 And rams’ skins dyed ____ (Exodus 35:7)17 A time to rend, and a time to ____ (Eccles 3:7)18 the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the ____ (Deut 28:13)19 joy shall be in heaven over one ____ that repenteth (Luke 15:7)20 Eglon was a very ___t man (partial word) (Judges 3:17)23 Take heed that ____ man deceive you (Matt 24:4)24 Heap on wood, ____ the fire (Ezek 24:10)25 annoying person27 children of Shobal were these; Alvan, and Manahath, and ____, (Gen 36:23)29 if God ____ loved us, we ought also to love one another (1 John 4:11)31 I ____ the LORD thy God (Exodus 20:2)33 put them in an ____ vessel (Jer 32:14)34 he awoke out of his ____p (partial word) (Judges 16:20)36 abbr. for the fourth book of the OT38 he that shall endure unto the ____, the same shall be saved (Mark 13:13)39 thy brother was dead, ___ ___ alive again (two words) (Luke 15:32)40 B___ and sell, and get gain (partial word) (James 4:13)43 when you ____ at them with drawn bow. (Ps 21:12) (NIV)45 tops of containers46 but almost throughout all ____, this Paul hath persuaded (Acts 19:26)48 Jesus, walking by the ____ of Galilee, saw two brethren (Matt 4:18)49 the Spirit of Christ which ____ in them did signify (1 Pet 1:11)50 Sit ye here, while ___ ___ and pray yonder (two words) (Matt 26:36)51 He that walketh with wise ____ shall be wise (Prov 13:20)54 compass direction56 whatsoever we a___, we receive of him (partial word) (1 John 3:22)

biblE CrossWord

APR. CROSSWORD SOLUTION

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