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BLOCK PARTY—More blessed to give than receiveJune 24th, 2016 it will happen. The sweet and smokyaroma of our block will permeate the neighborhood.Gary Hedrick will be here early in the morning, bringing his cast iron smoker up to the perfect temperature.Just enough smoke, and the perfect mix of tang andspice in his sauce. He’ll field the same questions hegets every year—letting people know that there’s nothing he’d rather be doing than cooking for his friends.The face painters did an amazing job last year, and Ican’t wait to see what they come upwith this year! Rick and Amanda Holman will.(Griffin Lownds, can I stealyour joke?) be the bouncers of thebounce house. Ferry families will hostlawn games like Flamingo Toss and Giant Kerplunk.What’s our plan in all of this? What is it we hope toaccomplish? Let’s give gifts to our neighborhood.This block party is just a beginning of what we have tooffer. Let’s not only have a great time at the blockparty, let’s invite someone else along. The blessingsof Christ are something we receive at Ferry; even better, the blessings of Christ are ours to share.Rev. Walter Jones, Interim pastorRev. Amy de Groot Bowling, family and youth pastorRev. Nick Bowling, family and youth pastorGloria Rademaker, editor / deadline for next issue - June 20Ferry Log - 12Newsletter of Ferry Memorial Reformed Church June 2016from Pastor Walt Isn’t The Love of God Something Wonderful?I came across this intriguing illustration the other daythat spoke to me in a special way, and I thought I would shareit now with you here this month in our Ferry Log. I know thatmany of you here at Ferry Memorial Church are animal loversin general and perhaps some in particular are horse lovers, andso I trust that this illustration will speak to you as it did to me.Nestled down in the rolling hills and hollows of southern Kentucky, the “Living Springs Ranch” is known throughout the county for its beautiful horses. Many a prize winner,and even a few animal who have had some success on thetrack, call “Living Springs” home. Now admittedly, I don’tknow a great deal about horses. [I’m more of a “dog lover,”myself.] However, I have friends who do have horses, and Ilove to listen to them talk about their animals. It’s pretty obvious to me, that those who do have animals, love those animalsvery much and treat them almost like children, in some cases.Anyway, as this story is told, as you look out in one ofthe fields at “Living Springs,” you will see two horses namedPete and Sally. At first, from a distance, especially to the untrained eye, each of the two horses, pretty much looks like every other horse on the ranch. You know, four legs, bushy tailsand big brown eyes However, if you stop and look for a moment, and really take the time to study the two animals there,you will notice something quite amazing.Looking into the eyes of one of the animals, Pete, a seven-year old male, you will notice a glaze over his eyes that discloses to you that he is blind. His owner has chosen not tohave him put down, but rather has elected to make a goodhome for him. This alone is amazing and says something aboutthe love of the owner, I should think.Ferry Log - 1(Continued on page 2)

(Continued from page 1)Listening carefully, one will hear the sound of a bell.Looking around for the source of the sound, one will see that itcomes from a smaller female horse, in the same field, named Sally. Attached to Sally’s bridle is a small bell. The bell lets herblind friend know exactly where she is, so he can follow her. Asone stands and watches these two friends, one sees how Sally isalways checking on Pete, and that Pete will listen for her bell, andthen slowly walk to where she is, trusting that she will not leadhim astray.Now, why have I chosen to tell you this story about Peteand Sally? Well, here’s the point in a nutshell. Like the owner ofthese two animals, God does not “throw us away” just because weare “not perfect” or because we have “problems or challenges.”Rather, He watches over us, provides for us, and even brings others into our lives at just the right times to help us when we are inneed. That’s truly the wonder of His love for each of us.In John 13: 34-35, John shares with us a comment thatJesus once made concerning just how we are to think of and relateto one another that really needs little additional comment on mypart. You’ve heard these words before, so I’d only ask you tothink of them in the light of Pete and Sally.“A new commandment I give you: Love one another.As I have loved you, so you must love and care for oneanother. In this way, all men will know and understandthat you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”As I said, God watches over us, provides for us and evenbrings others into our lives to help us when we are in need.Sometimes, we are like blind Pete being guided by God and thoseHe brings into our lives. Other times we are like Sally, helpingothers to see God. As you go through your day today thinkabout Pete and Sally and how we must learn to love and care forone another.Blessings to you all Pastor JonesFerry Log - 2Submitted by Jeanne RypmaBorn to Winbased on a true storysummary from the back of the DVD:“Born to Win” is based on the true story of Leon Terblanche.Leon is a teacher at a school for physically disabled childrenand is confronted with the question: “Where is God?” Thissets him on a journey where he discovers that God has alwaysbeen there—neither he nor the children were ever alone. Helearns that no matter how broken you are, God is always ouronly living hope.“Full of emotion, humor, and real-life faith struggles.”ChristianCinema.comDo you need a quiet place to relax ponder read?Check out our Church Library.Our library has a variety of books, the latestissue of RCA Today and comfy chairs.It is located off the hallway in the narthex.AND, if you would like to take home a video for theweek peruse the Videos available by the Library door!Ferry Log - 11

A review submitted by Jeanne Rypma—The Cost of our Silenceby David FiorazoThis book deals with the consequences ofChristians taking the path of least resistance.summary from the rear flap of the book:Christian in name only, America has become an epicenter forthe culture war as too many of us keep ducking the issue of sin.Due to decades of Christians being silent, failing to preach thegospel and speak the truth in love, we’ve reached a tippingpoint in which political correctness refuses to coexist with religious freedom. Why do you think Christians who defendGod’s Word are often called hateful, intolerant, or judgmental?There are consequences in this life and for eternity, whenChristians take the path of least resistance. We cannot reversethe moral decline, but we can choose to stand for righteousnessas we pray for revival and be the salt and light Jesus called usto be while we’re still here.A quote from Dietrich Bonhoeffer who was executed in Germany during the rule of Hitler, for standing up for Jesus,“Silence in the face of evil is evil itself.”If we have missedyour birthday or anniversary,please call Gloria in the church office(894-9415) or email: [email protected] provide the missing information.We would like to “recognize” your special date!Summer activities for families andKid Connection friends!Friday, June 24 6 pm Block Par ty (see ar ticle)Wednesday, July 13 6 pm Potluck and games at MapleGrove Park, Montague. Bring a dish to pass, hot dogs provided.Organized games and a great playground!Friday, August 5, 6 pm Ser vice pr oject-beach cleanup! Wecare for God’s creation by picking up trash on the beach.Swimming, hot dogs and marshmallow roast!Anyone is welcome to come, young and old! Questions? Contact Dawn Auch or Renee CherrySR.HIGH MISSION TRIP JULY 2-9This past year, a college freshman changed her major to socialwork in part because of her experiences on Ferry’s sr. high mission trips. This student has always had a heart for people on themargins, and getting to know and work with people in homelesssituations for the past two mission trips has encouraged her tostudy social work. Service trips provide an opportunity for students to get out of their comfort zone, experience God in a newway, grow deeper in faith, and possibly influence their futurecareer!High school students Cecelia McGahan, Rebekah Kozicki, andKatie Howard (with Lisa McGahan and Pastor Amy) head toPort Perry, Ontario for a weeklong service project July 2-9. Weare joining 40 other students at this SERVE project.Students on SERVE participate in revitalizing communities,showing compassion for the marginalized, caring for creation,providing recreation for children, performing acts of kindnessand sharing the gospel. SERVE is all about joining with God(Continued on page 4)Ferry Log - 10Ferry Log - 3