Youth Fundraiser Auction: April 19, 2009

Click Here To See Pictures From the Event.

VBS: Coming in July!

To register: Call 776-2409 or email: rhfc@swbell.net

From Pastor Rick (May Newsletter)

  Have you ever had a surprise? We were just going to replace the carpet in the bathroom (we live in a house that had carpet over every square inch). When we pulled up the old carpet and 'surprise', the seal on the toilet had been slowly seeping for some time. Once we had the toilet pulled to replace the seal, 'surprise', the sub-floor needed attention and 'surprise', as long as we're doing the sub-floor let's lay down tile instead of carpet. 'Surprise', the new tile will clash with the old counter top. As long as we have everything torn apart 'surprise', why not strip the wallpaper. As long as we are working on the walls let's, 'surprise', replace the mirror cabinet so it matches the new counter top, tile floor and wall paper. After two months, 'surprise', we were done with both bathrooms. 'Surprise', apparently you can't do one without the other. 'Surprise', I really am glad, with all its frustrations, that we did the bathrooms. Yes, life is full of surprises, some more welcome than others. Isn't this how Jesus works in our lives? We start out doing something small for Him ans as we setp out He leads us to do ministry in ways we could not envision on our own. While we may get frustrated with the course, the result is always greather than what we imagined when we embarked on the task. Peel back some spiritual carpet and see how Jesus leads the renovation.

Youth Fundraiser Auction: April 13, 2008

Click Here To See Pictures From the Event.

Faith In Action: March 9, 2008

Click Here To See Pictures From the Event.

From Pastor Rick (December Newsletter)

  Imagine if you will, that you have bought a brand new sailboat, one capable of cruising at sea for several days. You have the training to handle the boat and take it on an adventure. Even though the boat is new, you still make sure everything is in order. You check all the rigging, sails and masts. You make sure that you have the proper maps and a GPS. You double check to see that you have plenty of provisions. You have notified the Coast Guard of your plans and approximate return date. You make sure the radio and radar word. Once all completed, you fire up the small motor to pull away form the dock to begin the adventure. Nothing happens; you don't move. You recheck everything and everything is in working order. Then you hear someone on the dock yelling. "The rope, untie the rope!" There is no voyage, there is no adventure until you untie from the dock.
   For some of us, the is how we live our lives with God. We look like we are on a voyage of discovery, yet we are still tied to the dock. God has given us everything we need for a great adventure, and yet we fail to untie ourselves from the things that hold us back. Are there 'ropes' holding your from going and doing the great adventure that is of God? When we have ropes that uneed untying, remember the words of Paul to the Philippians, "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13)

Cookbooks Still Available!

We still have a few cookbooks available for sale. If you still need one, know someone who does, or would like to buy one for a present for someone else, please talk to Cathy Rucas. The cost is $10 each.

From Pastor Rick (October Newsletter)

  On Wednesday nights in September, we began using the Alpha series. The week two concepts struck a cord with me. First, hope and life do not spring out of what we do but what has been done. Second, that God loves us because He loves us. When, out of love for us, God sent his Son (John 3:16) it was an accomplished fact, it was done. We did nothing; the act was completed becuase God loved us and wanted what was best for us. We live in such an achievement driven society that we have trouble accepting that God loves us because He loves us. God's love for us is a gift that only need be accepted. When accepted, it transforms the receiver into a new creation. When accepted, God dwells with us forever. On those days when life is tough going I find solace that God is with me and He loves me. He loves me not for anything I have done, and there is nothing that can separate us from the love of God (Romans 8:37-39). He loves us becuase He loves us.

Isn't it a joy to know that God Loves you!

From Pastor Rick (September Newsletter)

  It is amazinghow easy it is to take life's joys for granted. Over the past 8 weeks I have been on a diet. It is a diet that requires very specific guidelines. It is ver low calore and administrated by a doctor. The diet is also primarily liquid. However, this past week as I transitioned from liquid to solid food, a wonderful thing has happened. - I get to eat carrots! Never in my life has a carrot tasted so good. The ability to chew something again is an experience I had nearly forgotten. Until now I have been particulary impressed with carrots, and now carrots are a miracle! These small sweet, crunchy, nutritious delights I have taken for granted and passed by many times for other things. I am taken aback when I realize that parts of my relationship with God and His world are much like my relationship with carrots. How much do I take for granted the 'carrots' that God has for me everyday? How many times have I passed by the 'carrots'? The unintended result of my diet is that I now am looking for the small, sweet, crunchy delights that God has for me each day. Remember the words of Paul to the Thessalonians, "Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." I Thess. 5:16-18

VBS 2007 A Huge Success!

Click Here To See Pictures From the Week.

From Pastor Rick (August Newsletter)

  As I write, today is July 31, adn Friends Ministry Conference concluded Saturday as did my service on the EFC-MA Elders board. On Friday afternoon following the Representatives meeting where we had appointed a new Presiding Clerk, I allowed myself a time of sorrow for the closing out of this phase of ministry. The goodness of God, however, quickly became apparent when I was engaged in a conversation with an individual concerning a process that the Elders were responsible for. As I began to move in to Elder mode I was gently reminded that this is no longer my problem to deal with. In a moment my sorrow left and I was free of the sense of responsibility that I had carried for seven years. I did accept the Wichita Area position on the Home Missions Board, formerly HCCM, and I was not sure how God was going to use me. After the Saturday morning gathering that had such a sense of calling on so many hearts, I was and am filled with joy and excitement to be involved with the process of seeing ministry built and entered into. I had become weary and God reminded me that I had not remembered where my strength comes from, so He gave me this verse, "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary." - Isaiah 40:28-31

From Pastor Rick (July Newsletter)

  As summer arrived last week so did the rain. I drive by the local wheat fields and their time for harvest is quickly passing. Some of these fields will be turned under and even though it is a loss to the farmer this season, it will help build the soil for the next crop. The rain is hard on the wheat this year, yet I have been told that those raising beans, corn, and maize find the rain beneficial. We view so much of the world through our narrow perspective. The rain is not bad. It is our perspective of what the rain is doing that gives it meaning. The story of Job is the prime example of different persectives. Job's wife told him to curse God so God would kill him and get the hard times over. Job's friends were convinced that Job and his family had sin in their lives so God was punishing them. Job wished he had never been born. Yet Job knew his God, and in Job 13:15 he says, "Though He slay me, I will hope in Him." Job knew that it was not the circumstances that one found one's self in that determines our position with God, rather it is who you 'hope' in that determines your position with God. Like Job, let's strive to have our lives driven by our relationship with Jesus and not by the cicrumstances in which we find ourselves.

From Pastor Rick (June Newsletter)

  This past week Judie and I got away for a few days to Branson. We left early Wednesday and returned on Friday. It may be the most relaxing time we have had together in years. It is good to just go and not have any agenda...Judie left her computer at home for the first time in years. When I drive, my agenda is always to get there as fast as possible. This time on the way home we were slowed down by rain and a lot of trucks. We averaged about 10 miles an hour slower than usual. We spent so much time behind trucks that the horizon was a semitrailer. In the midst of our trip home I was reminded of Psalms 42:10, 11, "Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among nations, I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our strength." God finally slowed me down enough to remember that He is the Lord of hosts and He is with me and He is my strength. So remember the next time you are following a truck in traffic and it is throwing up so much road wash you have to slow down, maybe God is trying to get your attention to remember who and what is really important.

From Pastor Rick (May Newsletter)

  Each year RHFC has a Dessert Auction fund raiser for camp tuition. Judie and I usually make a couple of items for the Auction. This year we spent half a day going from store to store to find the "perfect" container in which to present our culinary creations. It became evident as we passed through Bed, Bath & Beyond, JCPenney, Linen 'n Things, Tuesday Morning, Gordmans, and the two or three that in God's kindness have been erased from my memory, that we were going to have to bite the bullet and go to .......WAL MART.......! I knew when we started the day we would end up at WAL MART. I knew that we would end up going to the place that always has what we need. Then I was struck with the reality that this is how we often treat God when we have a project or problem. We have a tendency to scurry about and try to accomplish or fix everything on our own rather than seeking God first. Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:33, "Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things will be added to you." And yes, we found what we needed at WAL MART.

From Pastor Rick (April Newsletter)

  In mid March up next to my house, I scraped up the barren spots in my lawn. I threw out some two-year-old seed just with the hope that something would materialize. To my great surprise, as if by magic, there is now a fine dusting of green whiskers peering out of the dirt yearning to become part of the lawn. I am so excited to have this little bit of new life, that it distracts me from looking at the rest of my weed infested lawn. As I walk around the neighborhood it is easy to distinguish the well cared for lawns from the "if it's green I'll mow it" lawns. How often do I just scratch up the bare parts of my spiritual life and toss a little "holy seed" and rejoice when a few little green whiskers pop up? I know if I took the time to feed, weed, and water my lawn it could be a beautiful statement to the world around me. My little patch of new growth excites me, but is of little use to the rest of my neighborhood. When we take the time to feed, weed, and water our spiritual lives they become like a city on the hill whose light cannot be hidden. Jesus tells us to "Let our light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify God who is in heaven" - Matthew 5:16. I'm going to close the door now and get my Bible; it is time to do some feeding, weeding, and watering.

From Pastor Rick (March Newsletter)

  After walking each morning I turn on the radio and hear the news. We are inundated with the world around us and most of what we hear is negative--an ongoing bombardment of the sad and perverse rush toward us each day. In order to protect ourselves from what we hear and see we become emotionally and spiritually numb. Last Sunday, February 25, I was reminded in Luke 4:18, 19 that Jesus came to preach the good news, that He had come to release the captives, give sight to the blind and set free the oppressed. These things are for us today. When I hear the news in the morning I can rejoice in the truth that I have Good News to tell the world. In the midst of a sad and perverse world there is one who can answer our condition, who can free us from captivity; open our blind eyes to His grace, and He will lift up those who are oppressed. We have Good News; a risen Savior, the Son of the living God, Jesus Christ, who loves His creation and seeks to have an intimate relationship with it. In Mark 16:15, Jesus tells us to "Go into all the world and preach the gospel (Good News) to all creation." We have a mission to go and preach. Let's go and preach!!!

From Pastor Rick (February Newsletter)

  I remarked more than once these past two weeks that if I wanted to live in snow and ice I would move someplace that had big tees, mountains, streams and lakes as compensation for putting up with snow and ice that had stayed around for more than a couple of days. When our 'winter' weather comes, it usually goes in a few days, not in a few weeks. That is my selfish short term view that I so often possess. I was brought back to my senses when a farmer from Western Kansas was interviewed on TV. He had been without power for three weeks. I was not out of power for three minutes. He said it was cold in his house. I was never cold in my house. He was hoping for heat and light, I was hoping for a nice view. I felt a little foolish, then he said, 'I may be uncomfortable now, but come spring my wheat will get a boost because of this weather.' I then felt much more foolish. He had taken the long view of the current weather. I was only concerned with how it affected me now. How often do we view the cirumstances we are currently in with the personal short view and not the long view that God has for us? It is the cold and damp of our winters that God uses to prepare us for our prductive spring times. I was remidned of Psalms 121:8, "The Lord will guard your goings out and your coming in from this time forth and forever." Whatever circumstance we find ourselves in, God is there for us. He is able to use any circumstance to bring about His grace for our lives.

From Pastor Rick (January Newsletter)

Happy New Year
"He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."
- Revelation 21:5

It is good to be home. Judie and I had a great trip to Oregon to see family. As I write, it is Thursday, January 4, 2007, the start of a new year; there is freshness in my spirit. While in Oregon, 2 Timothy 1:13 kept running through my mind. Paul is exhorting Timothy to be strong in his calling to live and suffer for the gospel in the power of God. In that 12th verse Paul's words strike with immense impact for us today. He says, "For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day."

There is more than comfort that comes with these words. There is power that enables us to transcend our current circumstances. We know that it is Jesus who we trust and it is Jesus who we are entrusted to until the day He calls us home or He returns. This New Year we have the opportunity to live our lives knowing who carries and cares for us. What an exciting thought to know we are in the trustworthy hands of Jesus. May God bless you and keep you through 2007.

From Pastor Rick (December Newsletter)

  While driving home from Pastors Conference in San Antonio, Judie and I are talking about what I am going to write for the December newsletter. Rattling around in my vacuous (yes, I wrote vacuous since...since there is plenty of room for things to rattle around) mind is that the following Sunday, November 26, I am traveling with four others to Sinaloa, Mexico. We are leaving around 7pm and driving all night. We should cross the border around noon on Monday. The five of us are to spend time in prayer for the church in Sinaloa. While we could remain here and pray and God would hear us and bless us and the church in Sinaloa, there is something about being present in the community and with the people that God wants to reach and teach. When you look into the eyes of the people and see the difference that Jesus has made, you understand how hope works. While I am not called to be a missionary in Mexico, I am called to be an advocate for the mission work in Sinaloa. I am asking each of you to consider for whom you can be an advocate; to step up and step out for the mission of Jesus at home and around the world. God stepped up for us and sent us His Son and His Son, Jesus, stepped out into the world to be present in the world He wanted to reach and teach. Come and join Jesus in this endeavor of hope and life.

From Pastor Rick (November Newsletter)

In his book Searching for God Knows What, Donald Miller relates a story of how he was in a grocery store waiting to check out. The woman checking out in front of him was using food stamps to pay for her groceries. The woman and the checker were very uneasy with the transaction. Miller relates that he felt the discomfort and wanted to do something. The woman never looked up and as the transaction was completed she walked away in the way we walk when we know we are being watched. Miller goes on to note that we have a tendency to feel that when person is in need they are to be pitied, yet grace is what is called for. When we pity we run the risk of passing judgement on a persons worth.

I love my wife. I have never pitied her other than the fact of being married to me. When she is having a difficult time I am motivated not by feeling sorry for her, but rather what can I do to bring grace and love to the situation. I will do whatever it takes to come along side her. God the Father did the same thing for us that He so loved (not pitied) the world that He sent His only Son that whoever believed in Him would have everlasting life. Pity may bring help but love brings relationship. God refers to His church as His body, His bride, His children and His fellow workers. I am so thankful that God loves us and does not pity us. We have more than salvation, we have an intimate relationship with God through Jesus Christ!

New Chairs! Click below to see more...

From Pastor Rick (October Newsletter)

The gospel of Mark begins with John the Baptist baptizing people and eating bugs. In Matthew when he saw the in crowd coming to be baptized, John scolded them calling them poisonous snakes. John perceived they had come to be baptized because it had become the popular thing. Again in Mark he tells them that if they think that this is a big deal they haven't seen anything yet. John tells them, in no uncertain terms, that one is coming whose sandals John is unfit to untie. With me, John says, you just get wet, but with Jesus, you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. You see, the in crowd, the Sadducees and Pharisees, had come to preform a ritual for the sake of the ritual. John told them that when Jesus comes He will have nothing to do with ritual. He is in the transformation business. When we are baptized by the Holy Spirit, God ignites His kingdom life within us. I don't know about you, but as far as I am concerned you can have all the ritual, custom and history you want. I'll take the living God residing with me anytime.

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind..." - Romans 12:2