Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission

u e A Ministry of

s c Rescue & Discipleship

s
a publication of the

e
Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission • Anchorage, Alaska

r w
5 T HForAAllN K S—
96
ne
1
t.
es

You Have Done!

Larry Aldrich
Operations Manager
want to take this opportunity to say Thank You for all you have done for the Lord
this past year through the Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission with your prayers,
financial support, special financial gifts, in-kind gifts and volunteer help. You have
made the difference. You have made it possible for us to accomplish the things we have this
year. We could not do anything without YOU.

David Williams Well, here it is, the holiday season is here. The time just seems to vanish (I guess it is a
Program Director
sign of old age). Actually we look forward to the holidays, always with a little anxiety and
Randy Hess apprehension. We try to anticipate how many people we will serve, how much food it will take
Maintenance Supervisor or money to sponsor the great Thanksgiving meal we serve and make it a real success. But it
is always at the last minute before we know for sure that everything is in place. However, we
Larry O’Connor do not count success on how many we serve, but how many we had the opportunity to share
Roger Klein the Gospel of Jesus Christ with and how many came to know Him as their Savior as a results
Anthony Boone of personal witnessing by our staff and the special Chapel service we have in the afternoon.
Client Supervisor

David McKnight So, I am again, asking for you to help us with the food for our Thanksgiving dinner and for
Van Driver your “Volunteer Help” (opportunities for you to serve and help are listed on the Director’s
Desk page of this newsletter). Many people would be without a Thanksgiving Dinner if it
Solomona Talivaa were not for the Mission providing it. We want to continue to be the outlet to help people
Maintenance
during this season and we need YOU TO SUPPLY THE MEANS.
Tom Ruggles
Kitchen Manager
special food needs for thanksgiving
Denny Leffler (Thanksgiving Dinner will be served on Wednesday November 25th from 3 PM to 5:30 PM)
Assistant Kitchen Manager
Special Chapel Service will be 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Bill McCormick
Donations
Lots and Lots of Turkeys – Stuffing Mix – Cranberry Sauce
Green Beans – Corn – Instant Mashed Potatoes –
Onions – Celery – Fruit Cocktail – Canned Sweet Potatoes
Dinner Rolls – Apple, Pecan, Pumpkin Pie -- Marshmallows
 de
sk
OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE
r ’s ttis VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
o Be
ct on
re .D
di R ev

We are offering the following opportunities Think on These Things

for YOU to help YOUR Rescue Mission this
God Gives Us More
Thanksgiving.
Than We Deserve
Our Volunteer Coordinator Jeanne Lutz—
God gives more than we deserve
Phone 278-9679, needs volunteers of individuals and And yet we still complain.
families that can make the following commitments of We may frolic in the sunshine
time on Wednesday, November 25th, 2009. But we scoff at the rain.
Team 1 – Prepare food and decorate facility for the We take for granted many things—
Thanksgiving meal – To be served on Wednesday, We have so much you see,
November 25th (Not Thursday). Need a commitment That we forget how blessed we are
of 4 consecutive hours beginning in the morning. Because we are free.

Team 2 – Serve the refreshments, meal, dessert and We waste enough to feed the world
then clean up of facilities at the close – Wednesday, For what is poverty
November 25th, 2009 (Not Thursday). Need a To those who eat three meals a day
And live in luxury?
commitment of 5 consecutive hours beginning in the
afternoon. God gives us more than we deserve—
Enough that we should share
Both teams require children With those less fortunate than we
to be a minimum of 8 years of age. Who need someone to care.
Jeanne will do the scheduling of the teams.
WE ARE SO BLESSED
You may reach her at her home telephone after 6 PM
and weekends or leave a message on her telephone We are so blessed by the gifts from Your Hand
recorder. Please leave an evening number and speak I just cannot understand
the number slowly. She will give you specific details Why You have loved us so much
about team assignments and schedule your time to We are so blessed, we just cannot find a way or
work. The words that can say,
Thank you Lord, for Your touch.
Thank You Lord, for saving my soul.
Thank you Lord, for making me whole. When we are empty
Thank you Lord, for giving to me, You fill us until we overflow,
Thy great salvation so full and free. When we are hungry
You feed us and cause us to know;
We are so blessed.
Take what we have to bring;
Take it all, everything,
Lord, we love You so very much.

2
 A HYMN OF THANKSGIVING
iving
The following Hymn was sent to be by one of our
Memorials faithful friends that reads and appreciates the old
….touch lives as they honor the memory hymns that we print each week. I thought it would be
of loved ones and friends. appropriate and meaningful for Thanksgiving.
In Memory of
Enoch Adams THANKS TO GOD
by Peter and Deanna Nicolard Thanks to God for my redeemer,
In Memory of Thanks for all Thou dost provide!
Venice Anderson Thanks for times now but a memory,
by Judith F. Whittaker Thanks for Jesus by my side!
by Juergen & Ursula Wuerth Thanks for pleasant, balmy springtime,
by Karen E. Haddock Thanks for dark and dreary fall!
In Memory of Thanks for tears by now forgotten,
Archie Boyles Thanks for peace within my soul!
by Tracy D. Biere (cousin)
In Memory of Thanks for prayers that thou hast answered,
Frank and Esperanza Casas Thanks for what Thou dost deny!
by Martha Cashen Thanks for storms that I have weathered,
In Memory of Thanks for all Thou dost supply!
Richard Harris Thanks for pain and thanks for pleasure,
by Donald and Carole McCann Thanks for comfort in despair!
In Memory of Thanks for grace that none can measure,
Mike Howerton Thanks for love beyond compare!
by Carol Howerton
In Memory of Thanks for roses by the wayside,
Kent Lindsey Thanks for thorns their stems contain!
by Carol A. Lindsey Thanks for home and thanks for fireside,
In Memory of Thanks for hope, that sweet refrain!
Robert Renkert Thanks for joy and thanks for sorrow,
by Charlotte L. Johnson Thanks for heavenly peace with Thee!
In Memory of Thanks for hope in the tomorrow,
Otis Rosson Thanks through all eternity!
by David and Vicky Beeman
THANKFULNESS
In Memory of
Geraldine “Gerry” Williams This is an area of our life where we all fall short.
by Norman, Angie, Matthew, and Stop! –Think about it— have you thanked God
Megan Giovenco today for the blessings he has bestowed upon
by Charlotte H. Stuart you? Your prayer this morning was it just for
by Etta M. Schandelmeier me and mine and give me, give me, give me or
did we humbly bow before God and Thank Him
for what He has done for us—beginning with
our salvation!

3
 te
s to
m
on
ies
“My Vision
The following is an assignment given to our Disciples
who are entering the Money Management portion of
their training. They are asked by the instructor to write
a vision statement. We have decided to share this vision
statement with our readers. With permission of course.
David Williams
Program Director
hen I first came to this Mission nineteen
months ago, I knew that I had blown
everything, spiritually and financially.
I felt that I was no longer useful to anyone. I’m
so glad that God guided me to this Mission,
because now I know that my Heavenly Father
longs to restore me, so that I can better love and
serve Him. It was during our daily Bible classes
that I discovered that the Bible provides clear
instructions about how to manage money in a way
that honors God. I have been thinking about my
future for quite some time now. After completing
my money management course, I will advance to
Phase 5 at the Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission.
It is the policy for Disciples to begin work after
they have reached this status. I have a job already
lined up with the Mat-Su Dental Lab. My driver’s
license has been suspended, but will be returned
to me upon completion of this program. In the
meantime, the Department of Motor Vehicles will
allow me to go back and forth to work on a special
permit. Phase 5 has a five month minimum and
ideally I will finish my program at this time.
The “NewLife” program was designed to get us
back on our feet, and I am praising God for
that. Since I don’t have to pay any rent,
4
and my only outgoing expenses are my church
tithes, I can see myself having a nice sum of money
saved when I’m through here. In life, we have to
learn how to crawl before we can walk, and learn
to walk before we can run. The Bible tells me to get
godly advice from godly people and I’ve done just
that; they have given me some positive suggestions
I can use, so, I’ve decided to set up some small
goals for myself. I know from past experiences that
it’s easier to set smaller goals and achieve them:
that way my self-esteem will increase, also my
motivation for larger goals.
The first thing I’m going to do is get my priorities
in order. God always comes first with me, so I
will automatically give my ten percent tithes plus
my offerings to the church, every paycheck. My
short term goal is to complete The “NewLife”
Discipleship Training Program and show the other
men here that this program really does work if we
can stick to our commitments. My job at the Mat-
Su Dental lab will pay $20 per hour; now, that’s
$800 a week. Ten percent for tithes, five percent for
my offering, and twenty-five percent for taxes only
leaves me with $480. And I still haven’t gotten to
my truck insurance, and gas for driving back and
forth to work, and don’t forget food.
But I still believe in careful saving and trusting
God to provide for my basic needs. I plan to invest
my money every three pay periods in purchasing
$1,000 CD’s at 6-8 months maturity at 1.295%.
This way when I graduate from this program I’ll
have a nice start. My program director, David
Williams told me that after graduating from the
on and Mission”
By Lonny Stacy
program, I will go into “transition” for another 6
to 8 months.
This will give me an even better start in life, because
I’ll be still here at the Mission, maintaining my
focus on God. It’s the environment here that helps
to keep my heart set on eternity rather than earthly
treasures. Only God knows the future, and I pray
every day that my long-term vision coincides with
His will for me. After a year or two of working
and saving, I would like to invest my money into a
small business, something like a janitorial service.
I plan to divide my major goal into smaller parts,
and focus on one part at a time. In doing so, I can
gain the knowledge necessary to accomplish that
one small goal, and then move on to the next. In this
way I can make my tasks easier. I feel that reaching
these smaller goals will give me instant feedback
to measure my performance and progress. I can
learn quickly from any mistakes that I’ve made in
accomplishing these smaller goals. This way I’ll
be able to give 100% to each and every single task
leading me to my main goal.
The “NewLife” program has taught me how to
praise God for everything, and to trust Him even
during these difficult economic times. No
matter what the news report says about how
many points the Dow Jones is down each day,
I’ll wake up with great faith, keeping my joy and
praising God. In Jeremiah 33:11 the Scripture
says; “Give thanks to the LORD Almighty, for
the LORD is good; His loves endures forever.
For I will restore the fortunes of the land as
they were before.’ says the LORD.” I know
that God has the whole world in His hands, and
I’m in the palm of His Hand. There is nothing
that is a surprise to Him. I will always remain
full of hope and praise; and I know that God
will show Himself strong in my life, and that
I’ll never be disappointed!
My mission in life is to always help others,
especially the youth, encouraging them to study
the Scriptures and turn their lives over to God. I
pray to God that my hope will never be in earthly
treasures; I know He’ll always supply me with my
basic needs. I will always keep my heart on His
eternal riches and be generous to those in need
while I am here. I want God to always guide me in
using my finances to attain His Kingdom’s Glory,
when my time here is through.
5
 od has given me the gift of service, and I thoroughly enjoy cooking and serving food.
What could be better?

I graduated from high school at 17 and joined the Navy. After my tour was up I worked for the Post Office. Wait, this
sounds familiar. My dad is a Pearl Harbor survivor and he’s 97. He retired from the Navy, and then worked for the
Post Office as a supervisor. I gleaned a great amount of leadership and techniques from him.

While I was in the Navy I trained men on the duties and responsibilities of working in the Post Office while we were
out to sea. I started working at the Post Office and was quickly offered the opportunity to become a supervisor, which
I accepted. I was soon training new carriers who were still in their probation period.

I grew up in Walnut Creek, California. I heard Alaska calling. I moved to Anchorage in the summer of 1984 and was
able to keep working for the Post Office. I worked as the Growth Manager, and soon was promoted to Supervisor.
By 1990, I was promoted to Station Manager. In 1998, I made a career move and went back to the Letter Carrier
position so I could be more hands-on in the operation. I soon got back into training new and seasoned carriers about
safety in the work place as well as out on their routes. I am currently a Driver Safety Instructor as well as a carrier.
This is where I have been given the tools for training people in leadership, for inspiring others to be challenged, and
for performing to the best of their ability.

God has been training me to be a successful manager. He has afforded me opportunities to develop a wide range of
skills. I cook for family and friends, as well as catering parties. I started learning by sitting and watching my mom
prepare dinner. (There were eight mouths to feed.) Over the years God has given me challenges to overcome, taught
me to lean on Him, and develop boldness and confidence to say “yes” to God’s calling.

I am ending my postal career and leaping into God’s calling for me. I am so excited that God has blessed me with a
second career that I love dearly. He has truly spoiled me.

My vision for the kitchen at the Mission is to bring hope, joy, confidence, and a personal relationship with God to
the kitchen crew as we develop culinary skills and a passion to pursue excellence. To see where God will lead, and
form new paths, a life that God has waiting for us, as well as eternal blessings that come from trusting His will for
our lives.

It will be a great honor and joy to work at the Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission and see how God works in the life
of each person who sits down and shares in a meal.

May God bring Hope and Joy, one meal at a time, one day at a time.

Tom Ruggles

6
 We invite you to visit us on You can also make your

g
g
w ww

w ww

e.or
e.or
the web or drop us an e-mail donations
with your comments and on our secure On-Line

scu
s cu
.an

.an

ere
suggestions donation page

e re
ch

ch
or or

ag
ag
ag ag

or
ere ere
or
scu ch scu ch
.an .an
e.or
g ww w e.or
g w ww

✂ PLEASE SEND COUPON IN WITH YOUR DONATION

Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission P.O. Box 230510 Anchorage, Alaska 99523-0510
Here is my support gift: For Credit Card Donations:
Food and Shelter: $_____ I would like to charge my total donation of $__________________
Check One: Visa  M/C  Am/Ex  Discover 
Facilities Maintenance: $_____
$46.25 For 25 Meals ______
$74.00 For 40 Meals ______ Card Number __________________________________________
$132.20 For 72 Meals ______
Exp. Date: ______/______ Signature _______________________
$277.50 For 150 Meals ______
______Other: All credit card information is kept in strict confidence
______ I Will Pray for this Ministry. Make checks payable to the Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission
You will receive a receipt.
Name:________________________________________________
Address: ______________________________________________
Please send this coupon with your donations.

your will,
DON’T LOSE IT!
You need a will, Don’t wait too late and let others
make decisions for you.

This is a very important decision for you to consider.

You should have a professional help or advise you.

We cannot help you with this. But we can send you
a brochure that may help if you request it.

In preparing your will or estate,

Please remember the
Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission

7
 Our Ministry of Non-Profit Org.
Anchorage
age
u e u e U.S. Postal

es c Gospel
sc
PAID
Anchorage, AK
r is to reM
Mission
ission GOD BLESS AMERICA
Permit # 290

the least
the last
A Ministry
Ministry of
the lost Rescue & Recovery info@anchoragerescue.org
www.anchoragerescue.org
ue
“urgent”
Our supplies of these
items is constantly in
r es
news
c

P.O. Box 230510•Anchorage, AK•99523-0510•(907) 563-5603

need of replenishing return service requested
† Prayer
† Paper Towels
† 45 Gallon Trash Bags
† Fresh Meat
† Coffee
† Bathroom Tissue L
† Laundry Soap O
† Disposable Shavers
† Cleaning Supplies D
† Liquid Dish Detergent Pr
† Dinner Napkins
† Shampoo R
“urgent” M

Anchorage Gospel STATEMENT OF FAITH L

Rescue Mission The Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission is a Non-Profit, Non-Denominational R
organization. We receive NO municipal, state or federal funds. We are not a United A
Board of Trustees Way Agency. Your financial support and In-Kind donations makes it possible for us to C
Ed Shelton provide for the poor, needy and homeless people in our community. Also, your donations
(President) allow us to provide a Drug and Alcohol Recovery program. All Donations are fully tax D
Bob Collins deductible. We will give you a receipt for your donation. Va

( Vice President/treasure)
Mark Soquet Chapel Services for November S
M
Ralph Nobrega Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Rev. Bob Sloan 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 T
God’s Abbott Loop Anchorage Anchorage Anchorage First Calvary
Barbara Schmiedeskamp Place Community Pilgrim Gospel Vineyard Presbyterian Baptist
K

Emeritus: Church Nazarene Singers Fellowship Church Church

D
Cliff Hodgins A
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
Rev. Willard Leisy God’s Church First Anchorage Christ Calvary Wasilla B
Advisory Board: Place of God of Assembly of Church Community Church Assembly D
Prophecy God of Christ Church of God
Paul Kelly
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
Grace Sherbahn Anchorage Christian Sherbahn Sherbahn Lighthouse
Rev. Don Bettis, Exec. Dir. Victory Evangelistic Native Evangelical Evangelistic Evangelistic Christian
Fellowship Team Assembly Church Team Team Fellowship
Charlotte Bettis, Asst. Dir.
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
New Light Calvary Attorney Calvary Evangelical In His Name Glenn
Community Baptist Greg Grebe Baptist Covenant Sandy Hermann
i o n of
ia t Church Church McCollum
c

Go

29 30 31
A sso

God’s Trinity Grace

s pel

Place Presbyterian Brethren

Member Church Eagle River

Nightly Services Special Chapel Service will be

ue
s

c
on

i res 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM November 25th

M iss