Clarence in November

Clarence in November

Howdy, Folks,

Well this is my last monthly report for this year 2014. It sure has been a fast year. Seems like the older this ol’ mouse gets the faster the months go by.

First off, we had a great Trunk or Treat, and it sure was a great success. A lot of work was put in for the kids, and they had a ball. Peggy Sue said we had over 200 kids & adults. Ain’t that great?

We had another men’s fellowship. Woody Wilkerson was our speaker, and as usual he was great.

Folks, it’s time for the Villa Heights Church family to come together and do what we as a church do best. Barb Tubbs is ill and Ron’s not workin’, so that he can take care of her. A few families had a benefit dinner for her, and it was a tremendous success. If there is any other way, along with prayer, we can help them, please do! Any one of us could be in need next; all any of us have is the Lord, family, and our church family.

Guess that’s all for this year.

Pray for Truman, Justin, Jacob, Bob Heath, Linda, our Sunday school teachers, missionary’s country, military, and all our church family.

I pray you all have a Happy Thanksgiving, a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year.

Remember, Peggy Sue loves you, and so do I.

Blessin’s,

Clarence

Clarence in October

Howdy, Folks,

It’s that time again when your friendly church mouse sounds off about all that’s been goin’ on for the past month.

First off the ladies had a great retreat in Arkansas. Peggy Sue went, and she said it was great. A big “well done” for Heidi and Heather. Thanks, girls, for your effort.

Then we had a good Back-to-Church Sunday. We had about 260 and a lot of visitors. You folks really did your job of invitin’.

We started servin’ pizza on Wednesday night to help all those mothers who work so maybe they won’t have to rush supper to get to Church. This Church mouse thinks this is great because I love to eat, plus I love pizza. And we have more people comin’ to our Wednesday service.

God is really blessin’ our Church family. That’s mainly because we are doin’ His work and workin’ as a family of God. One thing I would like to speak about, if you would permit me, is what Truman preached about Sunday, about how so many Christians don’t come to church on a regular basis. Folks, if we love the Lord, and I’m sure we do, we need to show Him our love by bein’ there Sunday mornin’ and Wednesday, if possible. When we are in need, we call on the Lord and expect Him to take care of our needs but don’t want to do anything for Him. The biggest part of bein’ a Christian is discipline, and also when people see you goin’ to Church, that’s part of our witness. So, folks, as you show your love for Christ, please let’s make a “commitment to be in Church every Sunday”.

Well, Peggy Sue just said that’s enough. She said I’m not a preacher just a little ol’ church mouse!

So until next time, remember all those who are sick and need our prayers. Also pray for Truman, Justin, Jacob, Linda and Bob Heath. Also don’t forget to thank Bob Heath for his commitment to God and all he has done for Villa Heights.

Remember, Peggy Sue loves you, and so do I

Blessin’s,

Clarence

Clarence in September

Clarence in September

Howdy, Folks,

Well here I am again, with the Church mouse point of view of the goings on at Villa Heights.

We had another fine men’s fellowship. We had 72 men present (Praise God!). Mark Taylor the CEO of KNEO radio station spoke on the power of prayer and how lucky we have it. Thanks to “Jesus Christ.”

After the fellowship, the deacons had a work day, and they sure got a lot accomplished.

About a week ago about 15 men took the van and went to Racine Christian Church for the Four-State Men’s meeting where our preacher spoke. Yours truly happened to sneak aboard, knowing that before the night was over, there would be some vittles, and you know how much I like to eat. Anyway, Truman really preached on winning the lost. He sure is committed to doing that. I wish we would get as committed as he is.

Our ladies are leaving Friday for a retreat in Arkansas. Peggy Sue thinks she’s gonna hop aboard the van and go with ’em. I kinda hope she makes it, ’cause I could use the break. HaHa! If you girls see her, don’t tell her I said that.

Don’t forget our Back-to-Church Sunday; let’s Invite! Invite! Invite! Let’s please the Lord and make our preacher happy.

One more thing, our new Sunday school program is really going great. Thank you to all those who made it possible. If you know someone not goin’ to Sunday school, do your best to encourage them to come. They will be glad they came, and you will be happy you had a hand in it.

Remember those who need prayer. Start with a praise: Brenda Buckner had our prayers answered, and she is cancer free. Ain’t that great? Thank you, Jesus! Rethel von Gonten is doing better, but still needs our prayers. Remember all those on our prayer list. Also Truman, Justin, Jacob, our church leaders, and our church family.

Folks, we only have three more months to live up to our New Year’s Resolution. If you can’t do it, just invite everyone you see to come to church and let the Holy Spirit do it. And pray with all your heart for our country, that as a country we will repent and come back to God.

Remember Peggy Sue loves you and so do I.

Blessin’s,

Clarence

Clarence in August

Clarence in August

Howdy, Folks,

There’s so much to write about, I don’t know where to start.

I guess first off, I’ll give our leadership a “well done” on the way they handled our sewer problem, and the paving and striping of our parking lot. So, guys, “Well Done.’’

We had a Church picnic at Truman and Tina’s home, and it was great. I think the whole Church body showed up, including Peggy Sue and myself. Man, what vittles and good fellowship.

We hosted the 4-State Men’s meeting, and you guessed it, we had lots and lots of pies. All I can say, is no wonder I am so fat. Ha Ha!

Our Men’s fellowship had 68 men present and, yes, more food. Our own Reggie Thomas had a super message on “Am I My Brother’s Keeper.”

Truman has a new office now. If you get a chance, stop in and see it. The Deacons, painted and fixed up his old office for Bob Heath and Jacob.

Things are really good at Villa Heights, seems like we are pullin’ together like a family, “Praise God” Peggy Sue says things are going well because the leadership spends as much time in prayer as it does on the Church business. But she says we need to stay strong, because Satan is at every corner, waiting to pounce. I guess I have said enough for now. Peggy Sue said the more I write, I kinda go to preachin’ and that’s not the job of the church mouse.

One more thing. I was runnin’ in the Church office, and I almost broke my little neck. It seems like the elders went and hired a number two “maintenance engineer,” and he got those floors so slick, they look like new. He even washed the windows! Can you believe it? They have never, and I mean never, been washed in the church office.

Well, Folks, that’s it for now. But before I go, there’s been some sadness. Alice Sheffler is with the Lord now. Pray for Earl and the rest of the family. Also Kim Laughlin lost his father. Please pray for Anna Macklin’s granddaughter, also Brenda Buckner, the Christians being slaughtered, and the sinful way our nation is living. Also for Truman, Justin, Bob Heath, Linda Scantlin, Jacob, our leadership, all the greeters, teachers, and nursery workers. “And most of all” remember Peggy Sue loves you and so do I.

Blessin’s,

Clarence

PS: Don’t forget to lead at least one person to Christ in 2014.

Clarence in July

Clarence in July

Howdy, Folks,

It’s your happy church mouse again, and, man, am I excited about our Church. We have had 9 baptisms this year and 50 since Truman and Justin have been here. Man, that sure is great. Great because we as a church are doin' what our Lord commanded us to do and because Peggy Sue says that the spirit in the Church is really good.

Along with all the baptisms, we have had 19 people place their membership this year. A lot of this is because of all our “greeters.” The best thing we do is greet people when they walk into our church. This includes our regular members. Our greeters make everyone feel welcome, and everyone gets started worshipin' in a happy atmosphere.

We had a great swim party over the 4^th of July weekend, which everyone enjoyed.

You know, folks, being happy and enjoyin' life is how we show the lost that we have the love of Christ in us.

Our new Sunday school program is going great. We had almost 150 who came to study God's word. We need to thank God for all the great teachers we have.

I guess I could go on and on, but I only have so much space in the newsletter, so I guess that’s it for now.

I thank God for all my church family, and I pray that we continue as we are or maybe do better.

Remember all those who need our prayers, Truman, Justin, missionaries, teachers, Church leaders, and our country.

Don’t forget to lead at least one person to Christ in 2014.

Remember Peggy Sue loves you and so do I.

Blessin’s,

Clarence

P.S. Vernon Lawson and Katy Maurer turned 90 recently. Be sure to thank them for their many years of service.

Clarence in June

Howdy, Folks,

To start with, we had an awesome VBS. Peggy Sue’s sister Patty Jo was here visiting and she said that, in her opinion, Villa Heights is a great Church, so from the church mouse and family, well done Bob Heath and the VBS gang.

Then we had another baptism; Hayley Guarino gave her life to Christ.  “Praise the Lord.” The Lord sure is blessin’ the Villa Heights family.

We had another great men’s fellowship. Sixty men attended and Randy Wilson spoke on the decisions we make and how they affect the future.

Folks, we are getting’ ready to start a new Sunday school program. Pray for those who are puttin’ it together, that God will bless our efforts, and that it will be a success. I know we all hate change, but if we don’t try new things, we have less chance to win the lost or to get them to want to come to Church. In almost every business changes are made to improve things, and whether we like it or not, we go along with it. But when it comes to Church there’s always a few who don’t like it. Folks, it’s not what we like or dislike, it’s what the Lord wants that matters. It’s better to try something and fail than to do nothing. If we never changed where would the Church be today?

Truman said in one of his sermons, that this world doesn’t fear God and a lot of people don’t believe in God. But we as Christians do believe and fear Him, so let’s put “Christ first” and do all we can to move His Church forward.

Well, until next month, pray for our country, Truman, Justin, Jacob, Bob H., Linda, our missionaries, and all the leadership of Christ’s Church.

Remember our New Year’s resolution: win one person to Christ in 2014. Are you still trying for one?

Remember Peggy Sue loves you, and so do I.

Blessin’s,

Clarence

Clarence in April

Howdy, Folks,

Wow! Ain’t this weather something? Well don’t lose heart; spring is right around the corner. We changed the time March 9^th, so that’s good news.

The youth had a good trip to Texas for the passion play. They all said it was really rewarding.

Folks don’t forget to tell Bob Barr how much we appreciate all he has done to move the Church forward through our music. Then be sure and welcome Jacob Carnes to our church family, and support his leadership in our music. Then thank Our Awesome God for all the blessings he has given to us here at Villa Heights.

We had another great men’s fellowship; our speaker was Russell Presson, from Grace Church of Baxter Springs, Kansas. He has been coming to the fellowship almost from the beginning. We had 60 men present, and his message was “Don’t Let Satan Sidetrack Us.”

Speakin’ about men’s fellowship, the church in Galena is trying to get one started. They are meeting on the third Saturday of the month at 8:00 am. They had twelve men present last month, six from Villa Heights. So guys let’s get together and help them out by attending. And in so doing, we will be glorifying God, and he will bless us in our efforts.

Well, Folks, that’s it for now. I hope by the next time I write the weather will be a lot better.

On our prayer list, pray for Shanthi, as she has started her chemo. Also Steve and all our missionaries, our Church family, Truman, Justin, Jacob, church leaders, and our country and leaders. Don’t forget John Boatman who lost his mate, Margaret, after 73 years of marriage. There’s a void that only God can fill.

Remember our new year’s resolution to bring one person to Christ in 2014.

Don’t forget, Peggy Sue loves you, and so do I.

Blessin’s,

Clarence

Clarence in March

Clarence in March

Howdy, Folks,

Clarence here, with all the good things that’s happening at Villa Heights.

First off we had a great men’s fellowship, we had 70 men present, and our own preacher Truman spoke on leadership, and God’s vision for his Church.

Later on I wandered into a class room. The Elders and Deacons were having a retreat on moving Villa Heights forward and what their vision is for Villa Heights. Well, folks, I went in there looking for some crumbs to eat because I love them biscuits and gravy. Well, I got fed, but it wasn’t food to eat. It was food for thought. As a Church mouse, I sure am proud of our Preacher, Youth minister, Elders, and Deacons. God has really blessed us at Villa Heights, and He will continue to bless us if we continue to love one another and show our love to the rest of the world.

The Holy Spirit is really working at Villa Heights. I do believe “OUR GOD IS GREAT.”

Well, folks, that’s it for now. I want to say a big Thank You to Bob Barr for all that he has done for us, and also for all he continues to do for us and the Lord.

On a sad note, Margaret Boatman has gone home to the Lord. She is a sweet, sweet lady. I will truly miss her, but I’m glad that her race is won, and now she is going to get her prize. Pray for her husband and the rest of the family. Also for Truman, Justin, our whole Church family, and most of all the loss. Please don’t forget our resolution for 2014, bring one lost soul to Christ in 2014.

Remember, Peggy Sue Loves you, and so do I.

Blessin’s,

Clarence

Clarence in February

Howdy Folks,

Hope you all survived the cold weather; “Wow!” Sure was hard on this here mouse. I guess the only good thing about the cold was Peggy Sue cuddling to keep warm.

Well it’s month number two of the New Year. Time sure doesn’t wait for no one, does it? Hope all things are going good for you all so far this year. I started my year with a bang. I was running across the gym floor, when I slipped and bounced off the wall. Man, those floors sure look great. I heard Bob Heath did the floors on his Christmas break. Well, Bob, a Great Big Thank You from “Clarence.”

We had another good men’s fellowship. We had 70 men present, and among those men, were men from Shiloh Baptist Church. God continues to bless this fellowship, and we at Villa Heights are very thankful.

This being February don’t forget your sweetie and don’t forget the Villa Heights Valentine party.

Well folks, I guess that’s it for now. Remember to pray for our church family, Truman, Justin, Grace Garman, Jean Johnson, Reggie Thomas, and the Elders & Deacons retreat.

Until next time remember, Peggy Sue loves ya’ and so do I.

Blessin’s,

Clarence

P.S. Don’t forget our new year’s resolution: “Lead one person to Christ” in 2014.