Our speaker during Family Bible Hour was Mr Ryan Alderson.  His message was based on Hebrews 12: 1-11.  From this passage, we learn about the two things needed to run the the race of faith --- endurance & discipline:

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 

For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence:  shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?

For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.

Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous:  nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

Mr Aldersons' full message, in context is available on DVD.  Please see Romy.

A hearty "Welcome Back!!" to  Bob, Sherrin, and Baby Riya:

We're always happy to see Mark, shown in the picture below with his son, Micah:

Our Speaker during Family Bible Hour was Ryan Alderson, student at Trinity International University, Deerfield, Illinois.

Dale Moorhouse, Music Director; and Ryan Alderson, right

His message was based on Mark 1: 1-8

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; As it is written in the prophets , Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.  The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.  John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins...

The "prophets" verses referred to above, are found in Malachi 3:1 and  Isaiah 40:3

Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me:  and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom you delight in:  behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts.

The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

Short summary:  John the Baptist's ministry-- his mission -- was as a messenger who is preparing the way for the Lord.  There was one who was to come after him, who was mightier than he.  Jehovah God Himself was coming to His people.  People needed to confess and repent of their sin, be baptized by water, and be ready for the baptism of the Holy Spirt. 
Today, we still need to repent and get right with God.  Are we ready for the second coming of Christ?

The full message is available through DVD.  Please see Romy.

Engaged!

Here's a picture of Ryan Alderson with his Mom, Karen Yoder.
Ryan's mother was in town to celebrate Ryan's recent engagement to his fiancee, Amy D.  The wedding is set for next August.