Denver First Church

June 21, 2009

keeping in touch...
DFC Ministerial Staff

Stephen Abbott
Young Adult & Family Pastor
Rich Cantwell
Business Administrator
Bud Curry
Hospital Chaplain
Tina Hayhurst
Student Ministries Pastor
Bob Huffaker
Interim Pastor
Scott Nauman
Pastor of Worship & Arts
Jerry Nelson
Minister of Instrumental Music
Randy Smith
Christian Education Pastor
Marvin Suyen
West Campus Pastor

DFC Church Board

John Bruneau
Curtis Clay
Glenn Domokos
Les Dryer
Troy Edwards
Table of Contents
Vini Giannatala
Bryant Jaggers
Lyle Johnson 1. MOPS Sale congregation…
Judy Jones
Gregg Moran
2. News update v. how you can
Bud Roe
i. important info... help…
Kathy Tate
Jim Webb ii. kotchadoingood vi. final word...
Ron Williams
Bonnie York iii. news from the 3. Calendar of Events:
board... June 21-27

Denver First Church iv. timely news for the

3800 E. Hampden Avenue
Englewood, CO 80113
303/761-8370
www.DenverFirstChurch.com
News Update
Important info...

Dear Family and Friends of DFC,

No doubt throughout this past week, Huffakerism #68 has been quoted at water-
coolers from Thornton to Castle Rock. Did he really say, “Going to church
doesn’t make you a Christian any more than going to a donut shop makes you a
policeman!”??? There has been, and can only be, ONE of this dear brother! It
was a great day Sunday as he helped us focus on the initiative God took in
reaching out to us, His broken and lost creation, through His Son Jesus.

Please take a moment to read several announcements listed below that will
appear in Sunday’s Insight. If you are viewing these in the eblast, click on each
for important details; if you are reading this in the hard copy, please refer to the
Insight for important details regarding these upcoming events.

DFC Pantry Singles Social Activities Planning Meeting

Evening Service Club Climateener
Mission:Denver Bake:Out
Celebrating America! Youth Albuquerque: Mission Trip
High School Senior Trip DFC Ladies Book Club
Baptism VBS

Today’s publication will cover the following topics:

• “Kotchadoingood!”
• News from the Board
• Timely News for the Congregation
• How You Can Help
News Update
kotchadoingood!
• We are so pleased and grateful that the 2009 Palomas missions trip was
not only successful in reaching all its objectives, but also came off with-
out a hitch. No significant problems were encountered at the border,
despite all the violence that has been recently documented a mere 90
miles east of the Palomas border crossing. Thanks to all for your support
in prayer!

• Happy birthday and congratulations to two lovely centenarians in our

congregation. On July 12, Sarah Mae Rathbun turned 100; she’s at-
tempting to catch up with Jean Schniesing, who will turn 102 on
November 1!
• A Tribute to Jerry Nelson:

Many years ago, I stood looking out the Denver parsonage window
toward our church. Don was hurrying across the street and in a few
seconds came breathlessly into the kitchen. “I’m going to Minneapolis
to interview a young man named Jerry Nelson; I’ll be back this
evening,” “What does he do?” I asked. “He’s a music man....” And out
the door and to the airport he went. I can’t say if he was more excited
then or when he returned that evening. But when he returned he said,
“I don’t know how we are going to do it, be we HAVE to have Jerry
Nelson.”

And as they say, “THE REST IS HISTORY!” But what a history!!! When they
arrived, everyone fell in love with Jerry and Diane and the boys. It
would be impossible to accurately assess the impact they have made
on Denver First Church over these years. Don respected Jerry and his
ability more than I can put into words. But he said to me (and others)
many, many times that Jerry’s spirit exceeded his talent!! Truer words
have never been spoken!

Jerry, I send you the love and admiration of my family; and I thank you
for consistently being the epitome of dedication and Christian holiness!
I wish I could be there to give you a great big motherly hug!

Instead, I pray this day will be a highlight for you and your family!

Pat Wellman
News Update
news from the Board...
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Adrian Rogers once said, "You can save a lot of time waiting on God."
Waiting on God is paying dividends, friends, as we watch our Father come to
the place where our faith and His faithfulness intersect in the process of
finding our next Senior Pastor. This stands in stark contrast to the mantra -- "Do
something even if it's wrong!" -- frequently heard in the hard-driving, fast-
paced frenzy of the world in which we live. The thought prevails that any kind
of activity is better than none. While we must never delay once we are
convicted in our spirit of the next step to take, neither should we ever run
ahead of our Father presuming we know the basic guidelines and that we
can get Him to go along with us as long as we stay within them.

Please stay encouraged about the plans our God has in our immediate
future. With regard to our leadership, He has a plan and is working it out
masterfully. There is no need to be restless or anxious. He knows the plans He
has for us and He knows how to accomplish them. We must be careful not to
lobby Him to accomplish what we want but, rather, make ourselves empty
vessels through which He can accomplish what He wants.

Am I ready to lay down my selfish ambitions to pick up His perfect ones? Are
my prayers focused on asking Him to change my circumstances? Or are my
prayers focused on asking Him to change me so I can be used in my current
circumstances? Do I drag my selfish will to the cross daily -- or hourly -- and
there sacrifice it so my Father can use me in whatever way will glorify Him and
lead to His will being done on earth as it is in Heaven?

If the world were observing the journey of our church over the past months, it
would likely be quick to criticize and tell us to do something even if it's
wrong. But our direction comes from the Spirit within us. In Matthew 3:3, John
the Baptist quoted Isaiah 40:3 as he admonished the nation of Israel to
prepare the way of the Lord and make His paths straight. During this short
period of remaining time before God provides our next pastor, let us prepare
the way of the Lord in our hearts that we might be pliable in His hands through
our next leader. May His paths through us be straight. May those who come
behind us find us faithful.

Serving Him Alongside of You,

Vini Giannatala
News Update
timely news for the congregation...

• We are pleased to honor our fathers on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 21st.
Dr. Bob’s message is entitled, “Why We Need Fathers.” Men, please
receive the gift we have for you as you exit at the conclusion of
Sunday’s service.

• MOPS is having seller sign up Sunday, June 21st, at the Hot Booth for their
August 7th & 8th sale. Sell any of your maternity, baby & children's items
(clothing, equipment, furniture, toys, etc.). Children's clothing sizes
accepting are NB-size 14. Earn up to 75% of your sales!

• Bake-Out Sunday is next Sunday, June 28. Please bring your baked
goods to the breezeway for distribution. Thank you.

• Club Climateener- Are you ready for our first 14’er?! Meet in the DFC
west parking lot Saturday, June 27th at 6am to ride the van to Mt. Evans
(elevation 14,264). Bring $12 for fuel and $$ for breakfast and dinner out.
Bring plenty of water, snacks, and sunscreen. Sign up at the Men’s
Ministry booth. If you need more information call Randy’s office at
303.806.2625.

• Friends, from time to time, we tell you about a worship service that is of
such importance that you really do not want to miss it. July 5, the
Sunday on which DFC will celebrate Independence Day, is just such a
service. It will be a morning of honoring our heroes and celebrating the
freedom so dearly purchased through their sacrifice. In fact, there is one
five-minute segment…well, you’ll just have to be there!

• Gentlemen, ages 10-100! There is a unique wilderness education survival

training (WEST) available to you on consecutive Saturdays in July (11 and
18). Please see attachment entitled “WEST” for details.

• Mostly men, youth, and whoever else: Would you be interested in being
a part of a DFC Car Club? Come to the brainstorming session on July 26,
or contact Bob Davis at omegatkd@aol.com.

• It’ll be here before you know it: Promise Keeper’s event – “A Time to
Honor” - Folsom Field, July 31st - August 1st. Go to the Men’s Booth for
flyers and information.
 News Update
timely news for the congregation...

• Crocodile Dock
Can you hear the frogs croaking? Can you see the fireflies flying? Can you
sense a crocodile lurking? If so, you are ready to board a flat-bottom boat and
drift along a bayou adventure! Kids will definitely want to invite their friends
because Crocodile Dock Vacation Bible School at DFC is sure to be a fun filled
time for all.

Hebrews 11:1 tells us that “…faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain
of what we do not see.” During Crocodile Dock, children age 4 through 4th
grade will spot God’s faithfulness through the following truths: God is with us.
God is powerful. God does what He says He will do. God gives us life. God
cares for us.

These truths will all be experienced through Bible stories, crafts, thematic snacks,
games and songs. This year there are two registration options. Families can
either register online or visit the registration table. The registration table will be
located near the Adventure Zone Welcome Center starting this Sunday during
the Sunday School hour. We are excited to see what God has in store for our
Crocodile Dock kids.

Sincerely,
Susan Foster
News Update
how you can help...

• Sharon Cozart’s parents need help to move from their place at Monaco
& Quincy up north. Can you help on Friday - 6/26, Saturday - 6/27 or
Tuesday - 6/30? If you can, please contact Sharon at 303-933-8433.
• A personal testimony: I had the high privilege of working with our
children last Sunday—in the Pre-School department. I’m fairly inept, my
hair color does not come out of a Clairol box, but I had a great time!
The work was well laid out for me and the other helpers to assist the
teachers. It was easy, but I was aware that my role was needed. Will
YOU offer a Sunday to help? If we all pitch in, we can enhance our
children’s worship experience. –R. E. Smith

A FINAL WORD
In Dynamics of Discipling (3rd Ed., 1984, p.67) is found the following:
God reaches out to you through the good news of Christ’s
redemption conveyed by means of the ever-active presence of
the Holy Spirit in the world. He does not desire that you should
remain separated from Him but, rather, that you should be
reconciled to Him in love. Sin separates us from God; salvation
(being born again) brings reconciliation.
Simple words, expressed straightforwardly, under the section heading,
“Divine initiative.” Sometimes through oft-hearing, we no longer hear.
And yet, these are words of hope. Without His divine initiative, there is
no way the chasm between Him and us could ever be breached. Let
us drink fully of His redemption and walk in gratitude this day.
On behalf of the Ministerial Staff of DFC, God bless you.
Randy Smith
 Calendar of Events
June 14-June 20

Sunday, June 21: Friday, June 26:

8:30 am: Youth Prayer Time 9:00am: Mission:Denver Cooking
(Main Kitchen)
9:00 am: Sunday School (all ages)
5:00 pm: Celebrate Recovery Sponsor
Nursery & Preschool open
Meeting (Cry Room)
10:30 am: Morning Worship Service
6:00 pm: Celebrate Recovery
(Sanctuary)
(Fellowship Hall)
Nursery available
Divorce Care (Fellowship Hall/
1st - 4th Grade Children’s Church Community Room)
(GLA) Saturday, June 27:
5th & 6th Grade DOGS Worship
6:00 am: Club Climateener - Mt. Evans
12:00 pm: Singles Social Activities Planning
(Off-site)
(Community Room)
7:00 am: Men at Prayer (Community Room)
Monday, June 22:
Ladies Prayer Walk (DFC Parking
9:40 am: Celebrate Recovery Sponsor
Lot)
Meeting (Cry Room)
8:00 am: Mission:Denver
Tuesday, June 23:
(Off-site)
7:00 am: Men’s Bible Study
(GL Conference Room)
7:00 pm: Prophesy Bible Study - Bereans
(Fellowship Hall)
Wednesday, June 24:
4:30 pm: Hang Time in the Youth Cafe
5:30 pm: Rock Worship Band Sound Check
6:30 pm: Prayer Meeting
(Community Room)
Celebrate Recovery
(Room 200, 202 & Cry Room)
Youth Worship Service
(Rock Room)
6:45 pm: MASH Men’s Bible Study
(Room 201)