LCG Arkansas

Announcements for August 23rd

admin — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 06:16:42 +0000

Greetings

Please join us in celebrating the baptism of Gary and Debbie Flowers of Russellville! Seeing growth especially growth in spiritual maturity in ourselves and in others is one of the exciting blessings our Father gives us. It is a miracle when a human being actually comes to the place where they not only begin to see and appreciate God’s Way more than their own but come to the point that they trust God to run their life more than than they trust themselves.

Hard to believe Summer is almost over and we will soon all be gathered together at the Feast. Feels like time is speeding up.

We hope to see you all soon.

Rick Stafford
Area Pastor

Announcements for August 16th

admin — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 08:00:48 +0000

Greetings Brethren,

Hope you are all well. We had an excellent week calling on 9 new “gotos!” It is so exciting talking with these people who are either just now learning about the Truths of God or are enthusiastic about rediscovering God’s Work. Each reminds me of 45 years ago when I first heard and started to learn about our Father’s awesome plan for all mankind. Brethren it is inspiring to watch these people grow. Eight new persons have been invited to fellowship with us and we now have 5 more baptisms pending in the next few weeks. Let’s keep praying for the success of the telecasts and that more sincere people can come to know the joys we have in being part of this great end time Work of God.

Warm Regards

Rick Stafford
Area Pastor

Announcements for August 9th

admin — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 14:19:45 +0000

Greetings Brethren,

The ladies wanted me to send out a big heartfelt thank you to all of the fellows! They felt very honored by the entertaining and enjoyable Special Open House event–and the food was delicious! One long time member, who has just recently joined with us after visiting other fellowships, said that this was the most warm and welcoming group! This was better than the “good old days.” And as one of the talks on unity put it, we are becoming one by being with and rejoicing with each other in such harmony. Brethren, it is a blessing to our Father to see us dwelling so loving and peacefully together. This is just a taste of what the world will become.

Hope you all have a great Sabbath

Rick Stafford
Area Pastor

Announcements for August 2nd

admin — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 03:26:30 +0000

Greetings Brethren,

Liz and I want to give you all our sincere thanks for the outstanding reception you gave us this last Sunday. The loving warmth was inspiring and touched our hearts. Our sincere appreciation goes to the each of the congregations for your heartwarming card and special gift. In the Church of God, we have many reasons to rejoice and celebrate (Rm 12:15). This celebrating and rejoicing together pleases our Father and draws us closer together as perilous time draw near.

Remember, you are all invited to join us at our Open House this Sunday at 4 PM. Car pools are forming from all of the congregations, so ask one of the deacons to assist you with transportation. We fellows are excited about honoring all of you ladies with a special meal and entertaining speeches. It will be an afternoon to be remembered as we fellowship together. Most of you have visited our house before but I can assure you that, on the inside, Liz is transforming it from a bachelor’s pad to a comfortable and beautifully decorated home.

Hope to see you all soon,

Rick Stafford
Area Pastor

Announcements for July 25th

admin — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 14:35:07 +0000

Greetings,

It is great to be home after two weeks. Thank you for your many cards, emails and calls. We have been informed that over 140 attended the wedding. We are transferring the video of the wedding and the reception to DVD’s so all whow ould like to see it may. As wonderful as this wedding was, it only gives us a slight idea of the COMING GREAT WEDDING FEAST when Christ marries His Church of First fruits. And as much preparation that went in to preparing His Bride for that wedding. Let’s all stay close to God, love and forgive each other and pray for this end time Work.

Remember our special Open House on Sunday, August the 3rd. The fellows have prepared special speeches and all of the food for our lovely ladies. The festivities start at 4 PM but the fellows may need to come half an hour earlier to get ready.

Have a Great Sabbath

Rick Stafford
Area Pastor

Announcements for July 12th

admin — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 21:20:46 +0000

Greetings Brethren,

God is really blessing us! I know you will join with me in thanking our Father for adding another potential daughter to His Family. On July 4th the Ft. Smith congregation gathered at the Parker home to celebrate Maxine Denis’s baptism! This is especially exciting as we see so many responding to the telecast and Work of God of which we are supporting as full team members. If all progresses well we should be making several more similar announcements later this summer (before the ponds freeze over).

Please remember to circle August the 3rd on your calendars. This is the afternoon we fellows are hosting all of our sisters to food (prepared, served and even cleaned up by we males only!), fellowship and entertaining speeches prepared specially for our honor lady guests. Please arrange car pools so everyone who wants to can come to our home (which no longer will look like a bachelor pad).

Act 19:12 gives us the example of sending out anointed clothes to members who respond to James 5 direction in calling the elders for anointing when we are sick or injured. As you know, the next two weeks I will be traveling, however , please still call me directly for anointing and I will have an anointed clothe sent to you by one of our deacons.

Thanks again for your zeal and brotherly love,

Rick Stafford
Area Pastor

Announcements for June 27th

admin — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 19:04:16 +0000

Greetings Brethren

Hope you are all well. We have received more requests for visits this week. As I meet with them I am encouraged by how truly excited they are about the opportunity God is opening up to them. Please continue to pray for these potential members in God’s Family. Satan tries everything he can to discourage them from really turning their lives around and experiencing the joy, hope and peace of living this Way of Life.

Another remarkable thing to me is how some of these requests are coming from individuals who first were attracted to the Truth and Work of God decades ago. They appreciate that God has had mercy on them and the spark often burst aflame with zeal and enthusiasm. This is part of what Christ meant with “The first shall be last and last shall be first.” Let’s make sure we keep our flaming burning both for ourselves and for those who are watching our example.

Have a Great Sabbath

Rick Stafford
Area Pastor

Announcements for April 5th

admin — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 03:42:01 +0000

Greetings Brethren

Many have called and have been asking me, “How did Dr. Winnail’s visit go?” In spite of the torrential rains, we had a total of 109 brethren from four of six congregations gather for our combined services. The next day 50+ brethren, representing all of our congregations, meet for our “Open House” meeting. Most enthusiastically participated in servers’ planning meetings where we outlined our socials for the next four months. While I conducted the bible study discussion on Maintaining Balance with the ladies and Dr. Winnail inspired the men during the speaking and leadership sessions. He was very pleased with the quality of the speeches. These meetings were followed by several hours of eating, visiting and counseling. Overall Dr. Winnail was really encouraged and inspired by our warmth, peace and dedication to God’s Work.

Brethren, many of us are facing additional trials this time of year. With Passover just two weeks away we must draw closer to God and not let these trials distract us from seriously considering the sober and encouraging message of Passover.

Have a Great Sabbath,

Rick Stafford
Area Pastor

Unleavened Bread recipes

admin — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 13:51:52 +0000

Here are a few Unleavened Bread recipes for all to enjoy.

Cottage Cheese Rolls

1/2 cup butter or margarine
2 cups flour
2 cups cottage cheese

Directions:

Mix flour and butter together first, then add in cottage cheese. Refrigerate 8 hours or overnight. Divide dough into four balls. Roll out one at a time as for pie crust on a well-floured surface. Cut into 8 wedges and roll up each piece like a crescent roll, starting with the wide end. Place on cookie sheet and bake 30 minutes in a 350 dgree oven. Makes 32 rolls.

Herbed Cheese Dollars

¼ Cup butter, softened
½ Pound sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
3 oz. package cream cheese
1¼ Cups whole wheat flour, measured before sifting.
¼ Teaspoon dried basil
¼ Teaspoon ground sage
¼ Teaspoon powdered thyme
2 Shakes cayenne pepper
3 Tablespoons dry while wine

Combine butter, cheddar and cream cheese in bowl of electric mixer. Beat until thoroughly blended. Add other ingredients. Form into long roll about the size of a silver dollar. Wrap in waxed paper and chill until firm. To bake, slice 1/8 inch thick. Place on lightly greased baking sheet and bake 10 minutes at 400 degrees. Store in airtight container. Freezes very well.

Swiss Butterhorns

2 Cups sifted flour
1/4 Teaspoon salt
2/3 Cup butter
1 Egg yoke
¾ Cup sour cream
½ Cup finely chopped nuts
¾ Teaspoons cinnamon
½ Cup sugar

Measure flour and salt into bowl. Cut in butter. Stir in egg yolk and sour cream. Mix well. Shape dough into ball. Wrap in waxed paper. Chill overnight. Divide dough into 3 parts. On lightly floured board roll each into 12 inch circle, then cut in 12 wedges. Blend sugar, nuts and cinnamon. Sprinkle each wedge with sugar mixture. Starting at wide edge, roll up. Place on greased baking sheet with point tucked underneath. Bake at 375 degrees 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from oven. Frost at once with 1 cup powdered sugar blended with 2 T hot water and ¼ t. vanilla.

Brown Sugar Biggies

1 C. butter, softened
2/3 C. packed brown sugar
1 egg
2 C. flour
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions:

In large bowl, beat butter and sugar with mixer until pale and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Stir in flour and salt until a stiff dough forms. Chili dough 30 minutes. Form balls using 1/3 cup dough for each. Place 3 balls on each lightly greased cookie sheet and flatten to 4 1/2-inch diameter (cookies spread about 1 inch during baking). Press in almonds and candies to decorate. Bake in preheated 350° oven for 15 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool on sheet on rack for 3 minutes; remove to rack to finish cooling. Makes 8 cookies.

Cream Wafers

2 cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
1 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/3 cup whipping (heavy) cream
Granulated sugar

Creamy Filling
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla

In medium bowl, mix flour, 1 cup butter and the whipping cream with spoon. Cover and refrigerate about 1 hour or until firm.

Heat oven to 375ºF. Roll one-third of dough at a time 1/8 inch thick on lightly floured surface. (Keep remaining dough refrigerated until ready to roll.) Cut into desired shapes with 1 1/2-inch cookie cutters. Generously cover large piece of waxed paper with granulated sugar. Transfer cutouts to waxed paper, using pancake turner. Turn each cutout to coat both sides. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Prick each cutout with fork about 4 times.

Bake 7 to 9 minutes or just until set but not brown. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely, about 1 hour.

Meanwhile, mix all Creamy Filling ingredients until smooth. Add a few drops water if necessary. Spread about 1/2 teaspoon filling between bottoms of pairs of cookies.

Announcements for March 8th

admin — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 01:47:10 +0000

Greetings Brethren,

On March 29th we are privileged to have Dr. Winnail, director of the worldwide ministry, with us. On that Sabbath we will have combined morning services in Russellville with Ft. Smith and afternoon services in Little Rock with Newport. Dr. Winnail will also join us for our Open House on Sunday so you can have more time to visit with him. We will also have a service meeting at 3 PM for all who are or want to serve in the Church. We will use this meeting for discussing current situations, Passover, Days of Unleavened Bread and planning activities for the summer.

Every week I am able to visit with new prospective members for the first time and several are now being invited to attend services and join us in fellowship. Also three are currently progressing with baptism counseling prior to Passover.

Hope you are well and have a great Sabbath,

Rick Stafford
Area Pastor