January 30, 2013
SHARE LOVE
My wife had a touching story occur recently. On a day volunteering at the school of our children, she saw a young lady sitting alone while the rest played a game in the gym. Approaching her, she asked if she was okay and if anything was wrong. Expecting an “I don’t feel good” reply, she actually got just that, just not in a way she expected. “I’m hurting from a broken heart,” the nine year-old girl said. Taken by surprise my wife asked her why. The girl told her all about how she was upset over some things at school, and how her parents were divorcing and “already had other boyfriends and girlfriends, but are still married.” She shared how her dad’s health was not good and surgery was coming up. She shared how “they think everything is okay, but it just ISN’T.” As you can imagine, it was heartbreaking to my wife. Wishing her well and sharing what comfort she could, she simply closed with, “would you like a hug?” “Yes!” the little girl exclaimed, virtually melting into her arms.
How tragic. This world out there is in dire need of love. Every day we could all find similar conversations with very little effort. It’s no secret that this world is hurting! It is a broken place full of despair, pain, and hopelessness. It would seem pretty bleak except for one thing…you and I have HOPE! We know the answer to the pain. The question is this: are we sharing it?
Psalm 9:9 - The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.
Psalm 46:1 - God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Nahum 1:7 - The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.
May we all seek out the hurting. May we all share some love and some hope this week. May we all be bold enough to ask, “Do you need a hug?”
– Pannell
A FRIEND NEXT TO YA
I almost lost my faith. When I first became a Christian at the age of eighteen I unfortunately encountered the song, “Jesus is a Friend,” while at a Christian youth camp. Do you remember this one? The lyrics went something like this:
Jesus is a friend, He’s a friend next to ya
Jesus is a friend so sing along;
Jesus is a friend, He’s a friend next to ya,
Jesus is a friend so sing . . .
Sing ah la la la la, la la la la lu jah
Then the next several lines of this little ditty would be left up to the imagination of the song leader as they would have us sing and do some of the following:
Shake a friend’s hand next to ya
Scratch a friend’s back next to ya
Hug a friend next to ya
I do not know why, but I just could not stand that song. Honestly, the only part I liked was the opportunity to hug a pretty girl who might happen to have been the “friend next to ya.” Terrible, I know, but I am just keeping things honest here.
What does it mean to be a friend like Jesus? Jesus told his disciples, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you” (John 15:13-16).
Would singing, “Give up your life to a friend next to ya, give up your life to a friend next to ya,” cause us any pause and reflection? Would we look at the person “next to ya,” and weigh our options? Proverbs also teaches us, “Some friends play at friendship, but a true friend sticks closer than one's nearest kin” (Proverbs 18:24).
In light of our recent social media seminar we discussed what friendship means when the average Facebook user has around a 150 friends. Now ask yourself how much emotional, spiritual, and mental energy it takes to maintain a “good friendship.” Studies show that ten to fifteen friends is about the max amount of quality friendships an individual can have without diminishing the strength of the relationships. The truth is we do not have the human capacity to have 150 friends!
Jesus in the flesh on earth had twelve disciples and three (Peter, James, and John) with whom he was particularly close. If Jesus loved within his human limitations of friendship, then we need to ponder whom we call our friends. We can love everyone in the universal body of Christ, but we cannot be friends with everyone. Jesus is a friend next to ya, but whom we choose to be a friend will be limited by time, space, and the energy of a finite life. So choose your friends carefully and wisely for “A friend loves at all times…” (Proverbs 17:17).
– Terry
Directory – Our proof copy of the directory is posted in the hallway by the East Room. Please review your listing. Please initial if everything is correct or make the necessary corrections or additions. If your name is not listed and you would like to be included in our directory, please add your information on the sheet posted for new names. Also, if you would like to be added to or removed from the Prayer Chain, please check that listing also.
***If your photo was not in our 2012 directory and you would like to be included in our upcoming 2013 directory, please contact Sandra Cummings ASAP. Photos are taken after services on Sunday morning.***
Vacation Bible School is just a few short months away! We will be having our first planning meeting on Sunday, February 10, at 3:30 p.m. in the Fireside Room. We would like anyone interested in working in VBS, in any way, to come and help us get organized and let us know where you would like to help. There are lots of ways to help: help with snacks; with set-up preparations; teaching; crafts; clean-up; last day lunch and activities; prizes and much more. Tentative dates will be June 18-21 (to be finalized at the meeting.) So, if you have any ideas to help us have a great VBS, we hope to see you on Sunday, February 10, at 3:30 p.m. in the Fireside Room! If you have any questions, please contact Denise Beeks.
Widow’s Luncheon -- Our next Widow’s Luncheon is scheduled for Friday, March 1, at 12:30 p.m. at Anna Maria Creekside. Please check-in at the front desk and they will direct you to the luncheon area. If you have any questions, please contact Bill Viera.
Our Mexico Dinner and Auction is scheduled for Saturday, March 2, at 6:00 p.m. in the Fireside Room. Please mark this date on your calendar! Also, if you would like to go on the Mission Trip scheduled for March 30-April 7, please contact the office or Valda Newton for your registration form. (Please note the change of date for the mission trip.)
Prayer Requests . . . Tony Testerman will be undergoing some medical procedures this week - please pray that all goes well for him...Billie Barnett requests your prayers for the family of Sharron Mauch who passed away suddenly last Tuesday...Angie Hamilton requests prayers for their eleven year-old friend, Nathaniel, whose father committed suicide last week - please pray for his father’s family also...For the grandmother of Levi Wisdom who is in the hospital with upper respiratory issues and dehydration and he also requests your prayers for a friend, Bill Lino, who is showing signs of Alzheimer’s disease...Several of our members have requested prayers for those who are sick with flu and colds this season...Sara Cade wishes to thank everyone for their prayers. Her cancer surgery went well and she is recuperating at home - please pray for her continued healing...For friends of David Mayes, Brandi and Barbara, for their health concerns; for Cora, for her influence on friends; and for David, to be a Christlike example...For our President and all of our military men, women and families.
December 2012 Financial Statement
Income:
General Fund Contributions $25479.00
Non-Budgeted Contributions 826.10
Development Funds & Rents 2198.00
Interest/Other Income 250.16
Total Income for the Month $28753.26
Expenses:
Administration and Payroll $17461.61
Youth on Fire 630.20
Vision Ministries 2529.74
Office 1004.08
Nurturing Brethren 666.80
Operational Ministries -318.47
Worship and Facilities 1088.99
Non-Budgeted Mission 902.87
Development & Kings Hwy 4285.03
Total Expenses: $28250.85
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February Greeters: Bob & Lee Stapp
Dave & Wyndee Thomas
February Coffee Servers: Don and Lorraine Ball
February Nursery Helpers:
February 3: Shawna Chavez
February 10: Debi Robbins
February 17 & 24: Connie Ivey
February Children’s Worship:
Josh & Chaley Johnson; Levi & Ariann Wisdom
January Attendance:
1st Sunday 324
2nd Sunday 248
3rd Sunday 232
4th Sunday 259
Calendar of Events
February 10: VBS Planning Meeting; FSR; 3:30 p.m.
March 1: Widow’s Luncheon at Anna Maria Creekside; 12:30 p.m.
March 2: Mexico Dinner and Auction; FSR; 6:00 p.m.
March 30-April 7: Mexico Mission Trip;
(Please note the change of date)
