West Main

Are you happy? Our Declaration of Independence declares the “pursuit of Happiness” a self-evident truth granted by our Creator as among the fundamental rights of being human. The book of Ecclesiastes says, “I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live” (3:12). Ecclesiastes further warns us to pursue happiness “while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment” (11:9).

Yet, happiness by itself is not always a sign of blessing. The Psalmist speaks of the wicked person who says to himself, “Nothing will shake me; I'll always be happy and never have trouble” (10:6). Being happy in and of itself is not necessarily a good thing. When discerning the value of our happiness as God’s covenant children, we must ascertain the source from which we are deriving our happiness.

A helpful insight into discerning happiness comes from a recent book, God and the Art of Happiness, by Ellen T. Charry. She observes that Scripture teaches that “happiness is not a matter of manipulating the world to secure our desire, but taking pleasure in being who Scripture teaches we are.” For instance, the Apostle John asks us to consider, “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! (1 John 3:1). Great joy or happiness is rooted in our relationship to God, and not merely in our circumstances experienced in life, whether we deem those situations “happy” or “sad.” In other words, happiness is a matter of “being” not simply “experiencing.”

For many Americans who live under the myth of the “American Dream,” such a notion of happiness detached from securing our own desires in this world is a hard pill to swallow. Now do not get me wrong, I enjoy the pleasures of this world as much as anyone, but if I focus my energies on controlling or manipulating my desired outcomes in this world, then I am in for some major disappointments. You see, if happiness is in securing external factors that reflect our own desires, then in this fallen world, we will always live in constant fear that someone(s) will try and take what we have secured. Or we might live in a constant state of frustration or unhappiness in not being able to accomplish what we believe is necessary for our happiness.

As Ellen T. Charry says so well, “The point is not how much we accomplish, but enjoying what God accomplishes with us.” The questions is, “Are you happy with that?”

– Terry

Redding Water Slides Family Trip is this Saturday, August 10. We will leave the building no later than 9:00 a.m. Everyone is invited to go and we plan on having a great time!

Emigrant Lake Encampment

We will have our fourth annual worship encampment at Emigrant Lake, on Sunday, August 25, at 10:00 a.m. We have reserved Picnic Area C. Entry fee is $4.00 per vehicle.

*If you need a ride please let the office know.*

This is another good opportunity for you to invite family, friends and neighbors to enjoy a time of fellowship and worship. This is a wonderful experience of worshiping outdoors and getting to know one another and others in a relaxed and beautiful environment.

Please bring your lawn chairs, games, and a potluck dish to share. We will provide the meat, but ask that you bring the side dishes. We will have a sign up sheet at the back of the auditorium this Sunday for the side dishes.

*Services at the building will begin at 10:15 a.m. for those not going to the Worship Encampment. We will NOT have Bible Class or Nursery Care that morning.

All Prime Timers and your guests are invited to a potluck luncheon in the Fireside Room at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 28. We will have a fun afternoon of games following the luncheon. Please bring a lunch dish to share and your dominoes if you have any. Contact Joan Tisdel if you need more information.

James II Pantry Needs  -- Our pantry is in need of the following items: Pancake Mix, Syrup, Jams or Jellies, Peanut Butter, Spaghetti Sauce, Mac and Cheese, and Chili. Any help would be appreciated - thank you for your support.

Coffee Servers Needed  -- Coffee servers are needed for the months of October, November and December. If you can help during one of these months, please sign up on the list posted in the hallway by the stairs. Thank you for all of your help.

Placing Membership  -- We want to welcome Rick Dauphin who placed membership with us. If you have not met Rick, please do so this week.

We also want to welcome back home Nathan and Dawn Lake and their children, Christian, Elannia, Nicholas, Jonathan, and Lillean. They are currently living with Lance and Betty.

Prayer Requests . . . Larry and Lynn Albright for a safe trip home this week and praises that Cooper remains cancer free...For Jenny Way that she can feel trust in her surroundings...For Shaelyn - her biological father passed away from cancer and she hopes that he is in heaven and not in pain...For a friend of Kathy Hutsell, Kathleen, who fell and broke her hand...For a friend of Rick Dauphin, Juanita Valdez, who fell down nine steps and is in Providence Hospital with neck and hip injuries...For Mike and Jack Spodnik to feel better and for the family to have a safe vacation...For friends of David Mayes, Cora and Barbara, to receive Christ...For our President and all of our military men, women and families.

August 10: Redding Water Slides

August 21: Set-up for Clothing Giveaway

August 24: Clothing and School Supplies Giveaway

                    and CIA Carnival and BBQ

August 25: Emigrant Lake Encampment 

August 28: Prime Timers Potluck Luncheon and Games; 11:30 a.m.; FSR