Tuesday, May 26, 2015 WOW-Zine

I hope you all had a very enjoyable Memorial Day yesterday. Now it seems as if summer is almost here!

Speaking of being here, there's a new arrival to announce. Sophie Krautscheid joined her seven brothers and sisters at 12:06 this morning. I don't have any details as far as weight, etc., but as you can see from this picture I nabbed from Facebook, she's another little cutie. Congratulations to the entire family!

Tiffany with baby Sophie

You'll have a chance to welcome Sophie by providing meals for her family. Just click on this link to sign up. http://www.takethemameal.com/meals.php?t=MOPM1524&welcome=1 Thanks!

And while we're talking about maternity-related things, I just wanted to share with you that we got a thank-you card from Cindy Sorum, the house mother for the up-coming Saving Grace Maternity Home. This is the Christian organization that we brought things for at retreat this year. Cindy says, "Dear Women of Wapato, Thank you ladies so much for the generous welcome bags for the girls of Saving Grace. You are all such a blessing to others."

Both Bible studies for women will meet as usual this week. Common Grounds meets on Wednesday nights at 6:30 at the church, and The Perk gathers at 9:30 on Thursday mornings. Our snack will be provided by Rita on Wednesday, and Aimee L. on Thursday. And thanks to Jody and Amy R. for filling in for me last week while I was out of town.

Even Your Mistakes Can Be Used by God Holley, 2015-05-06 10:30 An old story goes that quilt makers used to intentionally put flaws into their work to remind them that only God is perfect. In a craft where every stitch counts, those women were declaring, “I’m not even going to try to be perfect.” While we’re not going to be imperfect on purpose, it’s still inevitable. Like the errors in the quilts, when we let our mistakes and shortcomings be visible, we remind those around us that we are only human. I’ve heard religious organizations encourage people to plaster on a smile even when they were broken. They were told not doing so could “hurt your witness.” In other words, they’d risk God’s reputation. But the opposite is actually true. When we cover up our wounds, hide our failures, and refuse to ask for help, we give the impression that we belong to someone who must not really love us. We also lead others to feel they have to hide their weaknesses as well. When we say, “I’m broken. I’m weak. I made a mistake,” then we are also saying, “I’m not God.” The places we feel most vulnerable are often where God can show His love through us the most. You don’t have to be afraid of being honest about who you are or what you’re going through. God can handle it, and by opening up, you just might help someone else feel safe, too.

Until next week,

Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director

sherrieashcraft@gmail.com     971-285-6699

Monday, May 18,2015 WOW-Zine

Good morning! Am I the only one up at this time--2 AM? This will be a very abbreviated WOW-Zine, as I leave later this morning for a trip with my parents down to Shady Cove, OR, for the week. I just wanted to touch base with you before I leave.

Though I'll be gone, our Bible studies will still go on. Jody is going to teach for me on Wednesday night's Common Grounds. Janet will provide treats that evening. Amy R. will be leading The Perk this week. No one signed up for goodies, so eat before you come! I'm very grateful these women have volunteered to fill in for me, so please support them with your attendance.

Our verse for this week is I John 2:2--My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense--Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.

Until next week,
Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director
sherrieashcraft@gmail.com     971-285-6699

Tuesday, May 12, 2015 WOW-Zine

On a dreary, wet day like today, doesn't a spot of tea sound inviting? Hopefully the weather will be better this Saturday, but whether (weather?!) it is or not, we hope you'll join us for our Feminini-Tea Saturday at 10 AM at the church. It's not too late to text, email, or call me to let me know you'd like to attend. We'll take a fun look at The Purse-uit of Happiness and you'll get to hear a few of our ladies share some insights. Bring a fun purse, some tasty food, and a party attitude! If you're not sure what tea-type food is, just type in "Tea Party Foods" in your browser and you'll find a wealth of ideas. We'd like both sweet and savory items, so have fun with something special! (If you're a table hostess, please remember that we're setting up the tables on Thursday at 7 PM.)

Common Grounds--Wednesday night at 6:30 at the church. Join us for a great time of Bible study and fellowship every week. Jaimie is up for snacks this week.

The Perk--Thursday morning at 9:30 at the church. Our treats this week will be courtesy of Carol R. 

Our memory verse for this week is kind of an odd one, but you'll understand the importance of it more after our study this week. It's
Exodus 19:20--The Lord descended to the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the top of the mountain. So Moses went up.
I told you it was kind of strange!!

Until next week,
Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director
sherrieashcraft@gmail.com     971-285-6699

Tuesday, May 5, 2015 WOW-Zine

This week's WOW-Zine has some important information, so please take a couple minutes to read through it and respond to me if needed. 

The concert for women and teen girls is this Saturday night at Lake Bible Church in Lake Oswego. I've purchased 20 tickets but can still get more at the $5 price if you've decided you'd like to go. Please check this list carefully to make sure your name is on it if you've already signed up. Sometimes it gets a bit busy and I wouldn't want to leave your name off if you're planning on going. At this point in time I know of the following people who have signed up: Kristin L, Karen F, Christina T, Andrea B, Janet G, Debbie H, Margarita, Jaimie S, Hollie S, Kristen S, (no, those last three are not related!), Heidi H plus 3 more, Debby J, Brooke J, Jodee J, (two are related!), Becky C, Susan D, Sherri B, Terri. Anyone else? (I still need $5 from some of you.) I will be sending information tomorrow to all who have signed up, so you can work out the car pooling for this like we do for retreat. If you're willing to drive, please let me know how many additional passengers you can carry, and whether you'll be leaving from Forest Grove, Gaston, or ... Doors open at 6:15 for snacks before the concert, and it takes about 45 minutes to get there from Gaston. We can go out to Red Robin for dessert at the end of the evening.

The following Saturday morning (May 16th) is our The Purse-uit of Happiness Feminini-Tea. You will enjoy hearing several of our own women share with you. Have you found a special purse yet? I picked one up while I was out of town this weekend, and I must say, I've never had one like it before! Don a spring frock if you'd like, (or whatever you're comfortable wearing), bring a tea-type food to share, and invite friends to come with you. Young girls need to be at least five years old. If you've volunteered to host a table, I'll be contacting you tomorrow with more information, after the Women's Ministry Team planning meeting tonight. This event is free, but we do need to know you're coming and how many guests you're bringing. We'd hate to not have enough tables and place settings available, and on the other hand we'd hate to have hostesses go to all the trouble of setting up a table and then have no one sitting there! So please email or text me if you're coming and haven't already let me know. Check to see if your name is on this list:
Helen L (plus 2), Carol G, Nathalie M, Joella M, Amy R, Jody S (plus 3), Christine H, Barbara W, Karen F, Janet G, Cassie A, Cami A, Lili T, Nicole P, Keisha L, Amber M (plus 2), Tami E (plus 2), Sally F, Natalie M, Angela D, Anastasia W (plus 3).

I'd love to add your name to the list!

In the midst of these two special events going on, we also have the joy of meeting together for Bible study during the week. We have an encouraging memory verse for this week--something I think we all need to memorize whether or not you attend one of the studies. It is Isaiah 40:29--He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. Don't we all want that??!

Nathalie M. signed up for treats for Common Grounds, which meets at the church on Wednesday nights from 6:30 to 8. I teach the same lesson (though it's never exactly the same because of the different dynamics in each group) at The Perk on Thursday mornings from 9:30 to 11. (Child care provided.) Kristen S. is bringing something yummy to that this week. Thanks to both you ladies!

I've done a lot of name dropping in this today, and I hope you found yours somewhere in here! If not, contact me to say you're coming to one of these events.

Until next week,
Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director
sherrieashcraft@gmail.com    971-285-6699