Same God
–Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8
Same God: Takes Ordinary to Extraordinary
Rev. Dave Wenzel
Same God: Today's Society vs God
Rev. Bill Monday
Same God: Tools to Reach the Next Generation
Rev. John Boggs
Schedule
Friday, March 1, 2023
4:00-6:00 Registration
6:00-6:45 Supper Buffet
6:45-7:00 Welcome
7:00-8:00 Walking & Talking with God through the Ages
8:00-8:35 Singing
Saturday, March 2, 2023
6:15-6:45 Water Aerobics
7:30-8:30 Breakfast Buffet
8:30-8:45 Welcome Announcements
8:45-10:15 Same God: Takes Ordinary to Extraordinary
10:15-10:35 Break
10:35-12:00 Same God: Today's Society vs God
12:00-1:00 Lunch
1:00-2:30 Same God: Tools to Reach the Next Generation
2:30-3:00 Announcements
3:00-3:30 Break
3:00-5:30 Free Time
5:30-7:00 Banquet
7:00-8:00 Unworthy
Sunday, March 3, 2023
6:15-6:45 Water Aerobics
7:15-7:55 Breakfast Buffet
7:55-8:15 Prayer Requests
8:15-9:15 Bible Study
9:30-10:30 Worship Service
10:30 Closing
About the Retreat
Same God
“Times have changed.”
“Life sure is different than it used to be.”
“Back when I was a kid….”
“Outdated.”
“Old-Fashioned.”
“Obsolete.”
No matter what age we are, we can't help but see changes in the world around us. We send text messages where we used to send letters in the mail. We can pick up any kind of food at a drive through or have it delivered where it used to be made at home. We can have almost any product shipped to us in two days or less where we used to spend time shopping at stores. What we wear changes by the season and styles get updated constantly. With everything else seeming to change faster and faster, one thing doesn’t change: God.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8
Our theme for this year’s Pathways to Christ Women's Retreat is based on this verse as well as the song "Same God” by Elevation Worship.
Our retreat begins on Friday evening with a presentation by the mother-daughter team of Laura Selenka and Millicent Johnson. They’ll be presenting Walking and Talking with God through the Ages. Through conversations with an assortment of Christian women we will see the Same God show his love tirelessly to us all.
Saturday morning we begin by looking back to a variety of yesterdays in Same God: Takes Ordinary to Extraordinary with Pastor Dave Wenzel. We’ll see how God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things throughout the Bible. We’ll also see that the Same God of the Bible persists in using ordinary people to do extraordinary things even now. We’ll continue our morning looking at today as we consider Same God: Today’s Society vs. God as presented by Pastor Bill Monday. While society’s norms have changed through the eras of time we will see that our Same God has not. Pastor Monday will give us insight into how we live and let our lights shine as Christians in today’s dark world. For the afternoon session we’ll look ahead to tomorrow, towards forever, with Rev. John Boggs in Same God: Tools to Reach the Next Generation. As Christians we are commanded to share the good news of Christ with the next generation. How do we reach the next generation in our church, in our families, in our world? Pastor Boggs will give us some tools to equip us to continue to proclaim the Same God.
Our retreat closes with Sunday morning worship and Bible Study led by the long cherished Pastor Leon Ehlert as we look at Same God: Across the Nations and consider how the Same God loves and saves every nation, culture, and people on earth.
Things You Need to Know
- All attendees must register.
- Indicate on your registration form your choice of food entrée for the Saturday night banquet and if you have any special needs.
- If you are ordering a t-shirt, the color is Sage Green. It is the same style as the shirt from last year. We are not anticipating having shirts for sale at the retreat. If you would like one, please order it with your registration.
- Bring your Bible, either a hard copy or digital, as we’ll use it throughout the retreat.
- If you would like to be seated with someone specific or come as a group all the names in that group need to be included on the registration form. Groups may range in size from 2-8 and will be assigned seating to best fit in the hall. This allows us to make sure everyone has a place and feels welcome.
- The cost of the retreat and hotel are separate. If you wish to have hotel accommodations at Cobblestone Suites, you must make your own reservations. When making reservations, be sure to let them know that you are with the Pathways Retreat to receive our discounted rate. If you are dividing the cost of the room, they need the name of each person when reserving the room so each person can check in separately.
- Retreat cancellations received prior to February 15,2024 will receive a full refund. After Feb. 15 no refunds will be issued. (Hotel cancellations need to be made before 48 hours of arrival date.)
- Financial assistance is available, if attending for the entire weekend. Email the committee at pathwaystochristretreat@gmail.com All requests are confidential. All financial requests must be made by Jan 19, 2024 (One request per family)
- For your comfort, dress in layers. This is a relaxed and informal weekend; however, many choose to dress up for the Saturday banquet and Sunday worship service.
- The free time scheduled for Saturday afternoon is for the staff to reset the hall for our banquet. If you’d like to explore Oshkosh, a visitors table will have some options.
- Optional Water Aerobics with Kelly Rickert are scheduled for 6:15 - 6:45 both mornings.
- A free will offering will be taken for the Seminary Scholarship Fund and MLC.
- We are also collecting items for the pantry at the Seminary. Items needed are: Paper towels, t-paper, tissues, toiletries, diapers, fruit juice, coffee, cereal, peanut butter, laundry detergent, sugar, flour, canned fruit, and pasta items, Gift cards for purchasing fresh food items are also greatly appreciated. Suggested cards are: Kwik Trip, Amazon, Piggly Wiggly, and Pick-n-Save. There will be a collection box for your donations at the retreat. Items not needed at this time are: canned vegetables, pasta sauce, instant potatoes, Ηamburger Helper, and tea.
- This year we will also be collecting baby wipes and diapers of various sizes for New Beginnings - A Home for Mothers
Seating
What a blessing that our registration numbers have been near capacity! With that blessing comes the challenge to honor all the seating requests we receive. The majority of ladies coming to the retreat have family or friends that they would like to sit with. In order to accommodate these requests, all seating will be assigned. This will allow us to keep groups (2 – 8) together. We also offer mixer tables for those who want to meet new people. The mixer tables are only for those coming alone or in groups of two. Please honor these two options. In either case, if there are two or more that would like to sit together, please include their names when you register. Details follow:
- Reserved Seating (2-8): Choose one person from your group to be your Group Leader. The Group leader should indicate the names of all the ladies in her group on her registration form. Changes may be made, providing seating is available. Mailing of all your group’s reservations together is appreciated, but not necessary. Each attendee should indicate her group leader’s name on her registration form.
- Seating Chart: There will be a seating chart posted at the front entrance door of the banquet hall on Friday night. Each table will have a number. Find your name on the chart and that will tell you at what table number you will find seating for the entire retreat.
- The location of your table will move twice on Saturday from its location Friday night and again on Sunday morning. That gives the people in the back of the room a chance to move closer to the front and visa-versa. Friday night write your table number on your folder. There will be a new sign posted at the door showing you where your table number is located in the banquet hall on Saturday morning, Saturday evening for the banquet and on Sunday morning.
- For 4 or more in a group, mail your registration in as soon as possible.
- Stationary Tables: If you have a special need (wheelchair, walker, hearing), please indicate that on your reservation form. We will do out best to position your table accordingly.
- Make sure you introduce yourself to all the ladies at your table.
We are grateful we can share this weekend together!