The Keene Koinoia

Keene Evangelical Free Church Newsletter June 2012

Pastors Corner
The Road Less Traveled We all know that linethe road less traveledwho was it? Thoreau, Emerson? One of those guys anyway. In much less poetic terms, Jesus said, Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Shortly after this Jesus would reveal himself as the road [the way] and the gate in which to enter into life. The road less taken speaks of adventure. The narrow gate speaks of exclusivity [there is only one gate]. After reading the book not a fan [blanking on the author but a definite MUST READ!], I have found that if I search my heart that, as the author put it, I am more of a fan than a follower of Jesus. Trust me, that is not a good place to be in. Perhaps we have been pushed into comfortably. Perhaps as we grow older we become less likely to take a chance, take an adventure. I believe it is more personal and far less victimization mentality. We choose to become apathetic. We have to take the responsibility of the slowly dying flame that once engulfed our heart through the Holy Spirit. Remember, He doesnt changewe do. As I am being challenged, I challenge youfind that road less traveled, find that narrow gate, become a follower of Jesus. As John put it in the Revelation, renew our first love! In Christ, Pastor Matt

Inside this Issue

Page 1 Pastors Corner -Womens Circle - Missions Page 2 - VBS Theme and Information -VBS Work Days -Bible Study -Summer Sunday School -Play Date Info for June -Church Camping Trip and Picnic Page 3 -Church Work Day -Evening Fellowship -Summer Camp -A Fathers Day Poem -Coming Up at Keene -Contact Information

Womens Circle for June

Circle #2 headed up by Nurit and Rachel are responsible for serving at events taking place at church in June. Thank you ladies!

Missions
The Mission for June is for Dan Wahlgren with Table in the Wilderness.

Bible Study
There will not be Bible Study in June due to VBS taking place in June this year.

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VBS 2012 June 18th-22nd 8:45 a.m. to 12 Noon (pack a sack lunch) June 24th - VBS Program Kids 4 yrs. to Completed 6th Grade Welcome!
Daniel was way more than the guy who survived a den of hungry lions! Travel back to Babylon and join Danieltorn

Cookies Needed for VBS

We will be serving the kids cookies at a snack break/recess time during VBS. Please sign-up on the bulletin board to bring cookies during VBS week June 18th-24th. We will need approximately 14 dozen each day. These may be home-made or purchased. The kids will love them either way! Thanks!

from his home and forced into the kings service. Imagine the pressure of learning a new language and cultureand the shock of discovering your best friends have been tossed into a fiery furnace. Explore exotic sights and smells in a Babylonian bazaar! Kids and adults will find that theyre not much different from Daniel and his friends, who kept their faith in a faithless culture.
Check out our VBS Website on the Church Blogspot at http://keeneefc.blogspot.com under the VBS tab. Here you can register children, register to volunteer, get a sneak peek, and find out how to donate items for VBS. Dress-up Days Schedule: Monday Wear Camouflage Tuesday Dress Like a Cowboy or Cowgirl Wednesday Wear Goofy Socks and Shoes Thursday Crazy Hair Day Friday Wear Stripes The VBS Program will be held on Sunday, June 24th at 10:30 a.m. with a Picnic to follow.

Summer Sunday School

Summer Sunday School classes begin in June. The classes will be grouped accordingly: Kids Pre-K through 6 grade Jr. and Sr. High Adult Class Anyone willing to teach on or more weeks of the Kids Class please sign-up in the Fellowship Hall. Materials for teaching will be provided, or you are welcome to use your own Sunday School lesson ideas.
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SWAT headed to EFCA National Youth Conference in New Orleans

The following youth and adults will be headed to New Orleans for National Conference on June 30th and returning July 6th. Please be in prayer for safe travel, openness to hear Gods voice and grow closer to Him, and protection during service projects. Youth: Sam Mellema Jackson VanLaningham Ashley Snell Zoe Dahlgren Paige Twohig Adults: Pastor Matt Joy Snell Rachel Hicks Justin Moore

VBS Workdays
In preparation for VBS, we will have workdays on May 29th, June 5th, June 11-15th all beginning at 9:00 a.m. Even if you cannot help during VBS week your help is welcomed during the workdays! There is a sign-up sheet in the Fellowship Hall if youd like to volunteer in a specific area. If you are unable to come to workdays, but are willing to work on things at home, let Stephanie or Nancy know.

VBS Needs: Prayer Large Cardboard boxes or flat Cardboard tubes from carpet-sized to paper towel size Monetary Donations to help in purchasing bulk supplies.
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Summer Bible Camps

If you are going to a church camp this summer, please let Pastor Matt know as soon as possible. The information for Camp Joy and Timberlake are on the table in the Fellowship Hall. Check it out!

Gardening Gods Way

Plant three rows of squash: Squash gossip, Squash criticism and Squash indifference. Plant three rows of peas: Purity, Patience and Perseverance Plant four rows of lettuce: Lettuce be faithful, Lettuce be kind, Lettuce be obedient, Lettuce love one another. No garden is complete without turnips: Turnip for meetings, Turnip for service, Turnip to help one another. Water freely with patience and cultivate love. To conclude our garden we must have thyme: Thyme for God, Thyme for study, Thyme for prayer, Thyme for each other and Thyme for friends. There is much fruit for your garden because you reap what you sow. The world is Gods garden. We are here for a short time. Let us be thankful for having the privilege of the visit. Author Unknown

Keene Evangelical Free Church 662 F Road Axtell, NE 68924 (308)743-2611 (Church and Parsonage) Church Email: keeneefc@rcom-ne.com Pastor Matthew J. Snell Pastors Cell (308)830-2603 Stay up to date on blogspot keeneefc.blogspot.com For general communication items for bulletin, announcements, newsletter, etc. email to: keeneoffice@rcom-ne.com

June 17th
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