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Monday at the Mission
The Weekly Newsletter of People's City Mission, Lincoln, Nebraska Monday, April 14, 2008
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Emergency Shelter Transitional Housing Distribution Center |
| Greetings!
 In the now classic movie, The Graduate, Dustin Hoffman asks the question of the meaning and purpose of life and the adult answer that he receives comes in one word: plastics! And since that time, anything that is plastic is considered to be something that is less than authentic.
However, the original meaning of the word from the Greek meant quite the opposite. It referred to "that which may be formed or molded." Or, as the Prophet Jeremiah said, "The word of the Lord came to me saying, 'Before I formed (molded) you in the womb, I knew you.'"
The Apostle Paul uses the word thus: "Will what is molded (plasma) say to its molder (plasanti), 'Why have you made me thus?' Has the potter no right over the clay?" Romans 9:20-21.
Understandable now we can see that the answer to Dustin Hoffman's question lies in the willingness to have one's life 'formed' or 'molded' by God. That is, to be sure, the most authentic life that we can live. Thus the popularity of that old Hymn:
"Have Thine own way Lord, Have Thine own way
Thou are the potter, I am the clay;
Mold me and make me after Thy will
While I am waiting, yielded and still."
I think of that song often as I see new guests arrive at the Mission, knowing that their deepest prayer is to have their lives re-formed, molded anew and changed. I am always thankful that they have come here to PCM because I believe that with our programs and, by God's grace, our loving care, we have the best 'plastic surgeons' in the world working here!
Thank you for being part of the team.
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| Distribution Center Needs
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  Plastic Grocery Bags
Plastic Newspaper Bags
Deodorant
Paper Towels
Window Cleaner (like Windex)
If you are able to donate any of the above items, please bring them to the Distribution Center at 21st and N Streets -- East Door. Thank you!
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| Curtis Center Needs
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We need 4 cup coffee pots - with automatic shut off - for our Curtis Center rooms. If you would like to donate a coffee pot, please take it to the Distribution Center at 21st and N Streets, labeled "Curtis Center." Or, if it is convenient for you, bring your donation to our 110 Q Street location. Be sure and ask for a receipt.
And ... please plan to attend the Dedication Ceremony for the Curtis Center, Friday, April 25 at 3:00 p.m. in the Curtis Center. Please park on the pavement at the west side of the PCM property, in front of and behind the Curtis Center.
Or, join us and tour the entire Mission on
Saturday, April 26 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. and Sunday, April 27 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
We're looking forward to seeing you! |
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Volunteer Network
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Gene McCain, our building supervisor, and Nora Ragon would like to form a Volunteer Network of men and women who want to volunteer their particular skills when a need arises at the Mission. It would be impossible for me to list every skill we can use! However, from the following list, you will get the idea!
Ministers
Christian Educators
Painters
Plumbers
Wood working skills
Landscapers
Gardeners
Electricians
If you would like to be in our Network, please contact Nora Ragon at 475-1303 x 102.
And yes, if you have a skill or talent that was left off the list ... call us! Don't let my limited imagination be your excuse! |
| Please Join Me in Prayer
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Carl and Mildred Curtis Center has made a profound change in the lives of our guests. Today, I share stories of some of our men who live in the Curtis Center and work with Rev. Chuck Borden. Please join me in prayer.
Thanks be to God for His loving mercies. Todd had a stroke three weeks ago and was taken to the hospital, from the Curtis Center, by ambulance. In a complete reversal of the status quo, his children, former wife and former mother-in-law rallied around him! When it was least expected, God changed his life! He is making a swift recovery and will be discharged on Thursday to return to the Curtis Center. We pray for his continued recovery and for his reunion with his family.
Thanks be to God, He restores my soul. Rob lost his job when he had a drug-related accident. His employer had an employee assistance program the led him to treatment. He also attends two recovery classes at the Curtis Center. Supported by his faith, our staff and his employer, Rob has now returned to his former job. We pray for his continued recovery.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me." Gary is a Gulf War Veteran. He came to the Curtis Center so depressed that he was unsure whether he wanted to live or die. We have been able to touch his life, in the midst of his distress. Gary's depression is lifting. He is helpful and responsive. Most importantly, on the three-year anniversary of his son's death - remembering the day when he had to give permission to end life support -- Gary did not resort to drink.
We pray that goodness and mercy will follow these men all the days of their lives and that they will dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of their lives.
Amen. |
| Just Walk Across the Room by Bill Hybels
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  Bill Hybels invites each of us to collaborate with God in simple steps pointing people to faith.
"The adventure of collaborating with God involves bestowing the greatest gift a person can receive -- the gift of amazing grace -- on undeserving (and often unsuspecting) people like you and me."
Today, you will take 10,000 steps, or so, just moving through your daily activities. Yet, those ten steps required to walk across the room and greet a stranger can seem like a million mile journey!
Hybels encourages us to invite others into a life of faith by reaching out to them, interacting with them in whatever setting we find ourselves. Develop friendships. Discover the stories of others. Share faith stories. Follow the Holy Spirit's direction.
The magic of this book embraces you in the introduction and carries you through some 200 pages with personal stories, Bible stories, study questions and clear illustrations.
"When Bill speaks, I listen. When he writes, I read. He has a unique blend of loving leadership. Heed his words!" Max Lucado, Author and Senior Minister, Oak Hills Church.
"Bill Hybels is a gift of God to the body of Christ. I am convinced that these basic steps are the tools needed for 21st-century evangelism. Rev. James T. Meeks, Senior Pastor, Salem Baptist Church of Chicago.
Just Walk Across the Room is a hardback book published by Zondervan. It is available for $19.99, or less.
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| Footloose & Fancy Shoe Event!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Footloose & Fancy will give you 20% off for helping PCM!
Bring a pair of gently used shoes to either location of Footloose & Fancy between April 21 and May 3 and receive 20% off the price of a new pair of shoes! Footloose will bring your used shoes to the Mission.
Footloose carries a wide variety of shoes for everyone in the family. | |
