WHY WE CELEBRATED

Recently I’ve been thinking that anniversaries are a good thing to remember. Some hesitate to do this because of cost, busyness, or fear of conflict. But Nancy and I have come to the conclusion these milestones are worth celebrating. For example there were many feasts in the Old Testament that celebrated God’s blessings; they were a reminder to the next generation. In the New Testament we have both baptism and the Lord’s Table that cause the church to look back and remember what Christ did for us in redemption and look forward to His return.

2019 has been our 50th year of marriage. So Nancy and I decided to celebrate all year. We did a lot of little things along the way like going out for ice cream…”After all this is our 50th anniversary year,” I would say. We also took a major trip to Switzerland where we saw God’s wonders of creation and lots of Christian history too (See my earlier blogs). Then in June we spent a week in our old lighthouse keepers quarters where we lived shortly after getting married. It was a year of celebration that culminated when our kids threw a great 50th anniversary celebration for us. All of our global family came for the event. We were overwhelmed as you will see in the pics below.

All of our 8 children and spouses and their children and children’s children came together in a rare opportunity for this amazing picture. We are so thankful for the quiver full God has given us!!

All of our 8 children and spouses and their children and children’s children came together in a rare opportunity for this amazing picture. We are so thankful for the quiver full God has given us!!

With all that in mind here are some reasons why I think Christians should celebrate these kind of milestones in their lives.

First, celebrating is a good reminder to us of God’s providential workings in our lives. Looking back it seems obvious to us God’s unseen hand brought us together while we were seeking Him.

Nancy and I met in our junior year of high school around the time I had come to salvation and during my mother’s long illness which God also used. I do recall praying for a Christian girlfriend. Nancy also had prayed earlier about whom she might marry some day. Suddenly we met and it was obvious we were on the same page. Watch the video How It Began during our high school days. Our son Nehemiah put it together.

Second, celebrating 50 years together is a great opportunity to encourage others since only about 7% of all married people get that far. While our celebration was about us, we also wanted it to be instructional about marriage to others. We wanted to honor and give glory to Christ who changed our lives early on. We desired to encourage each to keep growing in Christ and allowing Him to bring growth and change in our lives. He alone can make what relationships we do have wonderful and more productive for Him than ever before. Seek Him.

Our big anniversary party was secretly planned by our children in advance; we were only to show up no questions asked. As the date approached I was struck with a painful pinched nerve condition making it very difficult to walk. Therefore the 1961 song Stand By Me in the video above became meaningful to us as Nancy stood by me for 50 years and literally in recent days when I was down. We rest in the fact the Lord planned it all and was standing with us.

The good news today is that I am improving slowly. Doctors are in hopes things will likely resolve in September. I am now able to walk better and don’t need a wheel chair. But we still need your prayers. Thanks :-)

Last, celebrating was a good opportunity to have our immediate family all together and for them to realize in a deeper way what God had done. Having our eight kids with their spouses and all of our 29 grand and great grand kids in one place is no easy task. But, they will remember this long after we are gone. We also pray they will continue to spread the good news of Christ as Lord and Savior in their lives as well.

We were privileged to have our picture taken surrounded by all of our precious grand and great grand children. Can you count them? They were all created in the image of God and we even know all their names. :-) But, what a riot trying to get them al…

We were privileged to have our picture taken surrounded by all of our precious grand and great grand children. Can you count them? They were all created in the image of God and we even know all their names. :-) But, what a riot trying to get them all to sit quietly. :-)

Marriage is not easy but we are responsible to do our best. We have vows to remind us of the covenant between us and God and each other. Unfortunately that covenant is largely discarded in our secular millennial culture. It may seem outdated but is intensely practical and necessary.

In Genesis 2:24,25 God seems to be officiating at Adam and Eve’s garden wedding as He speaks about leaving parents, cleaving or committing to each other and lastly of become one flesh physically. Unfortunately the order is often jumbled today or there is no commitment at all. However, seeking the Lord to make changes, repent, and start over right is possible. May we all seek to have a godly home that is worth celebrating about down through the years.

Thanks again to all who came and all who were there or had a part in the event. Special thanks to our own kids for their part in the celebration and their words of appreciation.

NOTE; Join us Sunday for worship. We’ll also meet a new young missionary couple, the Coopers, who will take time to tell us of their future work in Peru.

Pastor Mark

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UNUSUAL EVENTS COMING

“My understanding has failed me.” That is how I describe my recent health. About a month ago my right leg began to ache due to a pinched nerve. This makes it extremely painful to walk. Therefore I am in a wheel chair or on crutches. My doctor is hopeful it will correct itself with aggressive physical therapy. If not, then maybe surgery. So that is what I have been doing lately. There has been some improvement but it could take several months. Other than that I am healthy, sane, and busy with therapy. Thanks for your concern and prayer.

Our children invite you to our 50th wedding anniversary celebration Aug. 17 (2 to 4 pm) at church this Saturday. All of our kids and grand kids (100 %) will be here from around the globe. We don’t have a clue what they are up to but they tell us it will be very interesting and fun. Nothing to bring but yourself.

This Sunday Aug. 18 I will have the special privilege of doing a baby dedication for our first great-grandchild. Our little Chilean girl is here with her parents Jorge and Naomi for the events mentioned above.

Caleb Suko is here briefly from Ukraine for the family celebration too and will preach this Sunday and report, so don’t miss it. They return to Ukraine next week..

Mike and Rachel (Suko) Gustafson and children are here also from Ukraine. They spent time seeing family in New York then set out to drive across the US; it is a lot bigger country when you drive it vs. flying. They are on furlough here until January. Mike will be speaking and reporting Nov. 3. Take time to get to know them again as one of our sent missionary families.

Some of the Gustafson kids said, “When are we going to get to America?” Arriving after a trip across the US. To them America was grandpa and grandma’s place.

Some of the Gustafson kids said, “When are we going to get to America?” Arriving after a trip across the US. To them America was grandpa and grandma’s place.

Watch the July 21 presentation Nancy and I did on“Biblical Insights from 50 Years of Marriage: No 50/50 Deal.”

Pastor Mark

SOME SPECIAL CLASSES IN JULY

Here are a few special summer things happening at DBC in addition to regular events and classes.

7/14 at 9:15 INSIDE THE HEALTH WEALTH GOSPEL A special one-time Adult Sunday School classes led by Pastor Mark in the Auditorium (Livestreamed). One Sunday only.

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The Trojan Horse story is about how the Greeks conquered the city of Odysseus by making a huge wooden horse and hiding soldiers inside. City officials opened the gates to the “gift” horse unaware of the danger. Today there are Trojan Horse attacks on the church too. What looks good can be dangerous on the inside. Costi Hinn, a former health and wealth preacher is the nephew of the famous Benny Hinn. Costi worked with uncle, traveled on private jets, drove expensive cars and stayed in hotels (up to $25,000 a night), and was on track to wealth. But God changed his course; he got saved. Costi now warns of the Trojan Horse of the Prosperity Gospel that is now worldwide. Pastor Mark will introduce and discuss this as we watch Costi’s testimony as seen from the inside the movement. Join us Sunday for this one time only class.

7/21 at 9:15 BIBLICAL INSIGHTS FROM 50 YEARS OF MARRIAGE: N0 50/50 DEAL A special one-time Adult Sunday School class led by Pastor Mark and Nancy in the Auditorium (Livestreamed). One Sunday only.

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In today’s culture marriage is taken lightly or not considered at all. It is easily discarded and seen as not necessary.  But, Pastor and Nancy have some thoughtful biblical insights after celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary during June at their previous USCG lighthouse home. They will reveal what God taught them that helped get them through the tough times, raise a large family, and be more in love than ever. Don’t miss this one time only class.  

7/14,21,& 28 at 9:15 THE DISCOVERY CLASS Taught by Pastor Chris and Mark in the Pastor’s study. Things covered the first week will be membership, our vision, our history, what is a Baptist? The second week we will cover our Statement of Faith and Constitution. The third week we will cover our building project, giving, serving, discipline and restoration etc. These are basic things that we like those who come to our church to know about and also for some levels of service.

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Get on course and take the Discovery Class.

7/18 & 25 at 10:00-12:00 MOM’S FELLOWSHIP Thursdays moms can gather for insights on the role of a wife and mother from a Biblical perspective. Nancy Suko will lead the relaxed discussion about what the priorities should be for every mom — passionately loving and living for God. Children are encouraged to come. Moms will meet at Hannah Clark’s on 7/18 and at the home of Ruth Rogers on 7/25. Call for directions.


Pastor Mark