Wednesday, August 31, 2016 WOW-Zine

Guess what? It's Wednesday! Somehow Tuesday slipped by without me remembering I should send out the WOW-Zine. I think I'm losing it! And not only is it Wednesday, it's the last day of August. Kids are back in school, we've got a touch of rain today, and it feels as if fall is just around the corner.

A new month means it's time to share the new Scripture writing plan. You can find it here:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B_FwK3u-_PH1eXlRQncwakNvczg

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 Join me at the Beth Moore Simulcast on

 Saturday, Sept. 17th.

The doors open at 8:30 am and the session begins at 9:00 am.

Please check in at the registration table when you arrive.

We will be providing a lovely continental breakfast, coffee, snacks and full lunch. Gluten free options are available.

If you have not yet paid, please send a check in the amount of $25 to GBC PO Box 1 Newberg, OR 97132

website: www.gbcnewberg.org

503.538.7468

 (Sign up on the website)

The Perk, our women's Bible study, resumes Thursday, September 22, at the church. We'll start our year with a study called Stronger: Finding Hope in Fragile Places. A couple of the topics we'll be discussing (I'll share others next week) are God is Stronger than Everything, and God is Stronger than my Struggles. If you've never been at our Bible study, you don't know what you're missing. We really focus on having the Bible impact our lives in a very practical way, and our times together provide a safe place for us to share our joys as well as find support and encouragement during times of challenge. This is not just for women in our church, so feel free to invite your friends. We meet on Thursdays from 9:30-11 AM, and have childcare available.

Until next time,

Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director

sherrieashcraft@gmail.com     971-285-6699

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Dear ladies, I skipped writing to you last week as I was out of town at a writers' conference, and I didn't post yesterday as I was white water rafting down the Deschutes with my grandson, Josh. What a fantastic experience that was! I know there have been plenty of books written about stepping out of the boat when Jesus calls us to do something, but yesterday I believe His will for me was to try to stay in the boat, which I'm proud to say I did. Even when going through Class 4 rapids!

Just four more weeks until The Perk resumes. I can hardly wait! I've missed spending time with you each week in God's word and sharing what's going on in our lives. But on Thursday, September 22nd, from 9:30-11, that will all change! We'll start the new year of Bible study with a brunch, so plan to bring your favorite dish to share. We'll be studying through a book called Stronger: Finding Hope in Fragile Places. I know we've all had times when we know our strength is weak and we feel very vulnerable and fragile. Our time together will help us learn strategies for depending on God during such times. And remember, you don't need to buy a book--just show up with your Bible.

The Saturday before that, on the 17th, there will be a Beth Moore Simulcast at Grace Baptist Church in Newberg. I hope you've signed up for that and paid the $25 for the day. It's always a special time. 

Why We Don’t Have to Feel Ready Holley, 24 Aug 05:30 AM I’m an amateur eavesdropper. I often work in coffee shops where conversations swirl around me as thick as the scent of espresso. Most of the time I’m able to tune them out but sometimes one makes my head snap up from my laptop. I’ve heard scandalous confessions of love, details of doctor’s appointments and workplace complaints of all sorts. This morning I found myself the recipient of some unsolicited wisdom. A young man and his mentor sat next to me talking about faith. Apparently they’ve been meeting awhile because the young man asked, “When am I going to be ready to help someone else?” The mentor paused and then answered, “I think you’re asking the wrong question. Because as long as you ask ‘Am I ready?’ then you’ll always be able to find a reason you’re not. A flaw. A struggle. Something you think you need to learn more about. The better question to ask is, ‘Have I received something?’ If so, then you have something to share. When is the best time to start passing it on? Yesterday.” I looked over for a second just to be sure he wasn’t talking to me. Because I have wondered this as well. Haven’t we all? Here is a secret of faith I’m learning: We never feel qualified. We never feel like professionals. We never feel like we’ve got it together enough to really make a difference. And maybe this is a good thing. Because the only folks who seem to have believed otherwise were the Pharisees. God is not looking for perfect examples. He is looking for ordinary people willing to just love one another. He is calling the messy, the broken and the incomplete. This is good news for all of us. It meansour role is not to show off; it’s just to show up. He will give to us and then He’ll give through us. We’re simply asked to be willing and brave enough to do it as we are and not as we’d like to be. My heart needed to hear all of this today. Maybe yours did too. Perhaps sometime we’ll run into each other at a coffee shop and we can talk it over. And when we’re done, I’ll try very hard not to eavesdrop on you… Until next time, Sherrie Ashcraft, Women's Ministry Director sherrieashcraft@gmail.com    971-285-6699

Tuesday, August 9, 2016 WOW-Zine

The weather being what it is today, you'd think I had a WOW event planned!! I, personally, am looking for the heat "they" say is coming later in the week. How about you?

Just a reminder that The Perk will not resume until Thursday, September 22, at 9:30 AM. It's not too soon to start inviting your friends to join us. I know some of you are involved with Bible Study Fellowship on Wednesday mornings, but I'd like to encourage you to come on Thursdays to be able to grow closer to our own women. And since there's no homework involved, it's just a "simple" matter of getting dressed and out the door. We're through at 11 AM. 

Even before The Perk starts up again, we have the opportunity to get together for the Beth Moore Simulcast at Grace Baptist Church in Newberg. It only costs $25 for the day ( 9-3:30) and includes snacks and lunch. The date is Saturday, September 17. Go to their church website at https://fbcnewberg.radiantwebtools.com/. Their current sermon series is listed on the left, but there's a form on the right hand side of the page where you can register for Beth. Either pay by PayPal, or send a check to the church (address is at the very bottom of the form) to the church. Who's with me??!!

Here's a great reminder of an important truth from blogger Holley Gerth:

Jul 27 (13 days ago)
to sherrieashcraft

The Secret Strength of Patience Holley, 27 Jul 05:30 AM {my graphics are free goodies for you} Better to be patient than powerful. {Prov. 16:32} I Web Version  Subscribe      The Secret Strength of Patience Holley, 27 Jul 05:30 AM {my graphics are free goodies for you} Better to be patient than powerful. {Prov. 16:32} I read these words one summer morning curled up in bed and I write them in my journal. I don’t understand at first why they resonate with me. After all, I don’t consider myself someone who grasps for power—at least not in the traditional sense. But as I get up and begin to go about my day I realize I want powerover certain things. I want to control how my day will go. I want people to like me. I want to do my work flawlessly. And to make sure that happens, I push. I try hard. I rush and hustle. And all of this, I suddenly see, is different than patience. Because patience is about receiving. It’s about believing that everything will work out. It’s about resting in the shade of God’s love instead of toiling in the sun of striving. But patience also requires giving up control, it means surrendering our perceived power. This is hard and scary for me. Yet it is also what our weary souls long for, what they are really hoping will be the outcome of all our efforts. Patience isn’t just about time; it’s also about trust. It’s about saying, “I don’t have to be in control. I don’t have to hold the power because I know the One who does. And He is for me. He is always working on my behalf. And this means I don’t have to strive or reach for control.” This is the true work of patience; not only to help us wait but to help us worship. To empty our hands and bend our knees and bow our heads. This is a wild, heart-freeing thing. Because what we want even more than to be in control is to be cared for by Someone who truly loves us. I let out a sigh of relief as I realize all over again we are. We always have been. We forever will be. God is inviting us to see it even now, to believe it, to know it all the way to our bones. Waiting for us patiently.

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

Tuesday, August 2, 2016

What? It's August already??! I honestly don't know how it happens, but the summer clips by at a fast pace. I don't like to see it coming to an end, but at the end of this WOW-Zine there's an invitation to attend something that will make the transition to fall a lot easier. I just bought my ticket and hope you will too. I'd love to have a large contingency of women from our church--at least as many women as there are letters in the word contingency! Several of us went last year, and it was well worth it. And your registration fee includes lunch. So make sure to read down to the bottom of this email.

I've done an absolutely terrible job of selecting dates for WOW outdoor activities this summer. Everyone of them has been cancelled or disrupted by cold weather, including the trip to the beach last Friday. A few hardy souls (Christina, Jody, Keisha, and myself) went, but it was very chilly and gray. All the kids seemed to have a great time, however, which made it worthwhile. But I think I'd better step away from planning outdoor events. Good thing I'm not in charge of Family Camp this weekend! (REMINDER: No service at the church this Sunday. Come join us at Parcher-Hudson County Park outside Ranier, or do your own home church.)

The August scripture writing plan is now posted at 
http://www.swtblessings.com/2016/07/august-scripture-writing-plan-2016.html#.V5-QPrgrK1s

Our women's Bible study, commonly referred to as The Perk, will resume on Thursday, September 22, at 9:30 AM. Childcare is provided. I'm not quite sure yet what our Bible study theme will be, but will let you know as soon as I get that figured out! I know that's about a week later than we usually start, but I'll be speaking at a retreat for pastors' wives the week before, so had to delay. This is the only women's study being offered this year. My apologies to those of you who work during the day and will be unable to attend. Hopefully, you'll be sure to plug into a Life Group some evening during the week. Or you could quit your day job! Or call in sick every Thursday morning from 9:30 to 11. The choice is up to you!!

AND NOW ... your invitation to 

   Saturday, September 17th

9:00 am - 3:30 pm 

Cost $25

at Grace Baptist Church

REGISTRATIONS ARE NOW OPEN

Go to:

www.gbcnewberg.org