September From the Pastor s Heart

Transcription

1 From the Pastor s Heart James 5: 13 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. 17 Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. For some people, the idea of coming to the elders during the service is new and maybe a little scary. James 5 gives great instruction on prayer. The elders and I are here to pray with you. If you are in trouble, we are here to pray with you. If you want to rejoice, we are here to rejoice with you. If you or if someone you know is ill, let us anoint you and pray. If you are uncomfortable about coming forward and praying, we are always willing to stay after the service to pray with you. We have a prayer team praying every third Sunday after the service. Everyone is welcome to come and pray. They pray for many things, especially for the church and the church family. Any time the office is open, the Chapel is available for prayer. We should consider more small groups for prayer and study. We are willing to continue to have our home open Sunday afternoons for prayer and study. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. We need to spend more time in prayer. God loves to hear from us. Do you like to hear from your children? If you have parents around, you know how much they like to hear from you. Imagine, the God of all, the creator, the One who provides the grace for each of us wants a personal relationship with YOU. We come to know each other as we share time together. We come to know God more deeply as we study His word and pray. Get to know your Father better. Pray for our Church and the Ridge. Believe that God can do. Pray with confidence. Know that if you are praying for something that is in His will, your prayer has power and is effective. Never give up praying. I would love to hear more people share testimonies on answered prayers or how they came to know the Lord. As we share our personal experiences, we build confidence in our faith as well as come to know and trust each other more. Be strong in prayer, Pastor Kevin September 2014 Here s What s Inside This Issue 1 Pastor s Heart 2 The Puzzle Prayer Box Campus work Birthdays and Anniversaries 3 Lines from the Library Wednesday Dinner Menu Advertisements Thanksgiving Dinner Invisible illnesses 4 Ladies Nite Out Poetry Corner August financial statement Good News Blues 5 Chapel Walls 6 Driver s Seat Rummage Sale Church Office Hours Care n Share 7 Musings from a Church Member Sewing for Jesus, Crafters, Ceramics Please help move Rummage Sale items 8 MCC activities and groups 9 Calendar This newsletter is available on our church website magaliacommunitychurch.org If you would like to have a copy ed to you each month, please send an to the church with send me the Pacesetter on the subject line. If you are not currently getting a paper copy with your name printed on the cover, and you d like to have one, indicate on a offering envelope that you d like to have one, and put the envelope into the offering box or basket. As another option, notify the church Office by phone, note, or . 1

2 The Prayer Box Please keep these people in your prayers. Tom Driver Shirley LaBuff Sandy Lindstrom The Regel family Babs Settles Ann Titlow Marissa Blanyer Clarkson Green Mark and Shirley Payne Ron Jackson The Marler Family Penny Swales family Roni Turner The Puzzle My life is but a puzzle between my Lord and me. I cannot choose the colors He worketh steadily. Oft-time He picks a dark piece, and I in foolish pride Forget He sees the upper, and I the underside. Not till the board is silent and the pieces cease to fly Shall God unveil the picture and explain the reason why. The dark pieces are as needful in the Master s skillful hand As the pieces of gold and silver in the picture He has planned. (I tried unsuccessfully to find out who wrote this.) Around our campus, there are many projects that need to be done. Kitchen: needs paint and we have been given linoleum for the storage area, but I don t know how to install it. Do you? Do you know anyone who can help? The new classroom is close to being done. It needs paint, indoor/outdoor carpet, molding around the floor, repairs on the door and door frame leading into the hall, blinds, and a 36 solid core door to go between the two classrooms. I would love to put indoor/outdoor carpet in all the classrooms to make it more kid-friendly and quieter. It is relatively inexpensive; I just need help getting some of these things done. We are going to move the Dogtown Faire items to the new shed in order to make room for tools. We will be setting up a work room in the Dogtown Faire room in the Firehouse. That will require replacing the current doors with two good solid doors, reworking the wiring, and lining the walls with plywood to make it more secure. On the patio, outside the North room, we have a shelter that would be good to have more stable. If we could put each of the feet in cement (like a 5 gallon bucket of cement) that would really help. We saw it fly away last winter. Our little Chapel on wheels needs some TLC. Tony has been doing a lot of work on the Chapel, but there is still much to be done. The outside doors need to be replaced, and the floor right inside the side door needs to be done. I know that some of you are very talented in these areas or you know someone who could help. I may have missed something, but these are some areas that are important now. If you can t help physically, maybe you would like to donate items towards these projects. - Kevin Birthdays and Anniversaries These are special days for these friends. September 20 Peggy Hutto 20 John Schultheis 21 Shirley LaBuff 23 Reenie Eagleson October 2 Paul Kliefoth 5 Sandy Lindstrom 8 Rochelle Kelley 11 Helen Taylor 14 Paul Blanyer 24 Steve Stephens 26 Adele Leard 27 Orrelle Trent October anniversaries 5 Betty & Joe Hanner 17 Claudia & Frank Wilkins 17 Donna & Wes Bristol 27 Lara & Daniel Herndandez 18 Betty Hanner 18 Irene Reed 2

3 Lines from the Library Well, summer is almost over, and it seems as if it just started! The days seem to go so fast. I have some great new books for you to check out. More coming when I have the time. Karen Horton gave us two boxes of books! Non-fiction books are Who Is Israel? by Batya Wootten. This book leads us back to our First Love, lifts up Messiah Jesus, gives Him the proper place, and shows how He is the epitome of all that is Israel. Second is Understanding the Bible by Stephen L. Harris, which looks to be a very helpful reference book. Third is Tender Warrior, God s intention for man, by Stu Weber, every man s purpose, every woman s dream, every child's hope. And two for you fiction lovers: first is by Tracie Peterson, four books in one New Mexico Sunrise. She is a great writer. And a new series starting with The Case of the Bouncing Grandma by A. K. Arenz. More to follow by her. Hope you are continuing to read, especially your Bible. Blessings from Jean in the Library Salad, bread, and dessert are always served. A Vegetarian Option is almost always available. If you want the Vegetarian Meal, ask for it at the front of the line. September 24 Taco Bar October 1 Roast beef, mashed potatoes 8 NO DINNER (preparing for the rummage sale) 15 Baked potato and salad bar 22 meatloaf, mashed potatoes & gravy 29 beef stew, salad, fresh bread The menu is subject to change without notice. Advertisements are accepted for publication in The Pacesetter. Rates are extremely reasonable. For rates and policies, please contact the church office staff Leah B la nyer Hair Stylist Hair Medley Located at: Skyway Magalia Community Thanksgiving Dinner November 22nd 1-3:00 FREE to all If you would like to Volunteer to help prepare the meal Work the day of the dinner Donate money Donate food Help with publicity It is hard to explain to someone who has no clue. It s a daily struggle being in pain or feeling sick on the inside while you look fine on the outside. Sometimes people have an invisible illness: Crohn's, PTSD, anxiety, depression, Fibromyalgia, Bipolar, Lupus, MS, arthritis, cancer, heart disease, epilepsy, Muscular Dystrophy, Lyme disease, autism, etc. Never judge what you don t understand. please contact the Church Office. 3 3

4 Ladies Nite Out THEME - Apples of Gold All ladies are invited. Held in the Church Hall - 8:15pm Thursday, October 2 Music by Wes and Donna Bristol. - Speakers - Joan Dresser from the Gold Nugget Museum and Pastor Justin BeDeer Fruits of the Spirit Dinner - salad and potato bar German Apple Cake for dessert Reservations due by September 27 to Sharon H. at Cost $7 at the door If by British Nobel laureate Rudyard Kipling, written in 1895 If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you, If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too; If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, Or being lied about, don t deal in lies, Or being hated, don t give way to hating, And yet don t look too good, nor talk too wise: If you can dream and not make dreams your master; If you can think and not make thoughts your aim; If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster And treat those two impostors just the same; If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken, And stoop and build em up with worn-out tools: If you can make one heap of all your winnings And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss, And lose, and start again at your beginnings And never breathe a word about your loss; If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew To serve your turn long after they are gone, And so hold on when there is nothing in you Except the Will which says to them: Hold on! If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with Kings nor lose the common touch, If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you, If all men count with you, but none too much; If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds worth of distance run, Yours is the Earth and everything that s in it, And which is more you ll be a Man, my son. The Good News Blues Band will be in the Church Hall at MCC November 2-7:00 Free concert 4

5 Chapel Walls as told to Betty Hanner [ continued from last month s issue ] Sam loved the fall of the year: the cooler weather, the promise of rain, the vibrant colors, the falling leaves, and especially apples. This was apple country after all and he looked forward to the Harvest Home Festival (later known as Johnny Appleseed Days). The thought of a fresh, sweet, crisp apple made his mouth water, apple cider was a treat, but he hankered for those yummy apple desserts: pie, cobbler, dumplings, cake, baked, anything with apples. Daydreaming about apples would have to wait; for now he had to get busy on building his cabin. After a long and convoluted search for the owner, and bargaining back and forth, Sam finally bought the plot of land he fancied. For some unknown reason he had to deal with the owner's representative by mail or phone. The mail took too long, so to speed things up he would often go to the general store to use the phone there. The mystery about who the owner was annoyed him, but he was willing to do just about anything to get that land, and it gave him something to talk about at Mattie's Place where he went most every day for coffee, or was it to see Iris? The cabin was progressing nicely but Sam was concerned the weather would change before he could get the roof on so he had spent most daylight hours working on his cabin. It seemed the entire community was helping in one way or another. Loggers from the mill skillfully turned trees from his land into logs for his cabin, at the same time clearing a site for his home and garden. Micah came by before work to help Sam plan the work for the day, and after work he would drop by for at least an hour to help with the building. Others helped clearing the brush, leveling and laying the foundation. The same wagon that carried him to the Pastor Eli's home that fateful Sunday now brought all sorts of supplies. He had help digging his cellar and hoisting logs. The ladies took turns bringing him a hearty supper every day. He was truly blessed. From the knoll where he was building his cabin he could see the little Chapel. Saturday morning when he saw people gathering he remembered there was to be a memorial for old Tom, a long-time resident, friend, and neighbor. He promptly put away his tools, got cleaned up and headed off to the Chapel. Arriving a few minutes before the services began, Sam found a seat in the back of the Church. The day was bright and beautiful, but the mood in the little Chapel was somber and the service respectful. All joined in singing "Rock of Ages" as Pastor Eli finished Psalm 23, " Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever." Then six men picked up the casket and carried it to the burial plot in the cemetery just a short distance away. After the casket was lowered and everyone showed respect and said their last goodbyes, the group went to Tom's house where several of the Church ladies had prepared a reception. Sam usually avoided such gatherings but decided he would go. It was a nice house, a little larger than most in the area, and it felt warm and welcoming. Once inside he noticed many paintings, one in particular looked just like the view of the Chapel from the knoll where he was building his cabin. There was something familiar about the initials of the artist, but he couldn't quite place it. Then, before he could ask any questions he saw Iris across the room. She was accepting condolences from an elderly couple that Sam didn't recognize. Sam went to chat with her and she assured him she was not related to Tom, just a good friend. Then, almost instantly, she was swept away to attend to another obligation. He went back to his cabin building without getting a chance to talk with her again. The rest of the day Sam was distracted as he worked on his cabin. It was all just so curious; what did it all mean? Tune in next month for more of Sam's story.. 5

6 A View from the Driver s Seat And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain! So God granted him what he requested. 1 Chronicles 4:10 (NKJV) This dissertation is about prayer. I started with the Prayer of Jabez because it s a great prayer, and we are currently studying the prayer on Wednesday evening in the Chapel and on Sunday afternoon at Pastor Kevin s home. Quite a few of you are attending one of the classes. All of you will have another opportunity to study the prayer. The study will be offered again shortly as part of a new small group ministry the Elders and Pastor are developing. The small groups will be built around prayer and Bible study. From time to time the Elders or the Board of Directors receive suggestions. They are always considered. At the last board meeting, Paul Straw made a request and suggestion about praying. All of his request and ideas are being considered by the Elders. Prayer is vital in anyone s relationship with God. It is particularly vital to Magalia Community Church during these times of financial uncertainty and with our country s growing internal and foreign problems. In response to Paul s suggestion, the Elders have decided to make the Chapel readily available for those of you who desire a quiet place to pray. The Chapel will be open whenever the Office is open and at other times by appointment. To make an appointment, call me at home, , or on my cell phone, , and I will arrange for you to use the Chapel. You will hear more about these plans in the near future. Meanwhile, remember God is with us, but He wants to talk with you - so pray. See you in church on Sunday and on Wednesday evening for dinner and Chapel. God Bless and keep you all!. Tom It had to be postponed, but now upcoming REALLY... HUGE CHURCH RUMMAGE SALE October 9, 10, 11 in the community hall 8:00-3:00 This is church fundraiser, and your help is needed. = Clean out your closets, = Get rid of clutter, = Remember that your junk may be someone else s treasure. Donations will be accepted starting September 21. Contact the church office if you want more details Plant sale and Crafter s boutique sale October 9, 10, 11 in the Firehouse If you ve been gathering and preparing plants for the sale, please keep it up. Please either bring them to the church on October 8 or telephone Carol Stephens at if you need to deliver them sooner. Also accepting flower pots, garden art, etc. Wednesday through Friday 9:00-3:00 Assistance from the Care n Share Food cupboard for the needy has been really in high demand this past month. If you can help by donating even a few non-perishable food items, it will be greatly appreciated. Donations can be dropped off any time the Office is open. 6

7 Our Chapel Musings of a Church Member Our transition from two services to one has inspired me to share my thoughts with you. "I love our Chapel", as I have heard many times from others. This is a "special place", I have heard from folks who enter for the first time. You can feel the "Spirit" and or "Spirituality" in here, others say. From those responses of complete strangers one can agree our Chapel has an "essence/soul". It is much more than wood and nails. If the "walls" could talk they would tell of the preachers (one was here nearly 35 years); they would tell of the sermons that blessed, encouraged, and changed lives. They would tell of the prayers asked and answered. They would tell of the singing and praising. They would tell of the weddings and couples wanting to start their lives together in our Chapel. They would tell of the births celebrated: both newborn babies and new lives in Christ. They would tell of the funerals where our loved ones would leave us for Heaven. They would tell of the testimonies of the heart and not a dry eye in the house. They would tell of the defeats leading to victories. They would tell of the unbelief leading to belief. They would tell of the bad spirits being overcome with good spirits. They would tell of the questions being answered by the Bible. They would tell of the discouraged being ministered to by the encouragers. They would tell of the sadness being healed with laughter. They would tell of the joy felt by being involved in the many "special" plays, skits and events celebrating Christmas, Easter, July 4 th, Homecoming, Mission Sunday. They would tell of the times hate entered only to be surrounded by the Love of Christ. And finally they would tell of the pride the people feel as they "show her off" by taking good care of her for these 118 years. Yes, our Chapel is more than wood and nails. It is a "place" God has provided for us to worship Him. It deserves to be cared for and maintained with dignity, respect and love. Joe Hanner SEWING FOR JESUS CRAFTS CERAMICS Here we are ¾ of a year into Our groups are busy getting items ready for our October Craft Sale in the Firehouse. I just delivered a pants set and two darling infant overalls made by our Tammie. The women were delighted at the 7 th Day Adventist Church on upper Skyway where they have a center for the needy. Have been working on an apron and numerous adult bibs for the sale. Tammie has been making adult bibs also. We are so happy to have Carol back after a wonderful vacation. She is working of framing some very lovely prints for the sale. Some unframed prints will also be available. Hopefully we will have a good display of ceramics we made. Getting them out of the molds, cleaned, fired and painted takes time. Whatever we don t get finished for the October sale, we should have for the sale in December. In between, I will get some plants potted to be sold, and hopefully others will be working on this part, too. We want to have lots of plants to sell. Working on crafts is so much fun. Anyone who would like to join us can just show up and see what they feel inspired to do. Craft projects can be very simple or complex. That s one of the blessings of doing crafts. In addition to the framed pictures mentioned above, there will be some pretty boxes. Those were enjoyable to decorate. Come to the Firehouse during the October sale, and see what we ve made for sewing, ceramics, or crafts. If you think any of what we ve made looks like something you d like to do, join us on any Monday or Wednesday to participate. In HIS Service, Carol and Sharon On September 27th (Saturday), help is needed to move items currently in a storage locker in Magalia into the North Room. These are items for the Rummage Sale and tools for our tool shed. If you can help, please contact Georgia and Bob Thibault or the Church Office. We ask that helpers meet at the church, then car-pool to the facility. (because it only has two parking spaces) We ll meet at the storage facility at 9:00am. There will be a U-Haul to use to transport the items. We really need people who can move things from the locker into the truck, then from the truck into the church building. Much of what has to be moved is small or in light boxes, so you don t need to be brawny to be a big help for this. 7

8 Our groups and activities... Prayer Team Until recently, this was called Prayer Corp. They meet on the third Sunday of each month. Prayer in the Chapel the Chapel will be open from Noon until every Thursday. Come as you wish. Stay as long as the Spirit moves you. Prayer and conversation every Wednesday morning at Dolly O s in Magalia. Join Pastor Kevin, and sometimes other Elders, at 9:00. Missions Committee reaches out to our local community and the world. Every mission our church supports is a hand-on kind of ministry. The missionaries work with people, serving as the hands of God. The committee meets every-other month to pray for our missions and consider how we can help them. Sisters in Service women from this church who meet monthly to discuss how we can make our church a welcoming and inviting place for people to join together in worship and in fellowship. They do many things, ranging from baking cupcakes for refreshments to painting the walls. They also visit the homebound regularly. Elders and Deacons In addition to Pastors Kevin and Ike, we have three more Elders and three Deacons. The Elders meet weekly with Pastor Kevin. Elders are responsible for the spiritual health and decisions in our Church. Our deacons oversee many of the more physical needs. They all welcome your suggestions and questions. Church Board meets on the second Thursday of each month to discuss and make decisions about the business of this church. These are open meetings; everyone is welcome to attend. Sunday Friendship Breakfast the first Sunday of each month. Free 8:15 9:30am Christian Education There are two principle youth teachers: Linda Kliefoth and Sandy Lindstrom. Children are grouped by age into two classes. The children attend the opening portion of the Sunday service, then go with their teachers for class time. Adult Bible study is from 8:15 until 9:15 on Sunday mornings. Other classes at other times and days. King s Kids Club Wednesdays at 6:30pm in the Hall. Youth Christian study, games, movies Chapel Committee The members of this group have a special place in their hearts for our Historic building. They do the Chapel decorations and are a great help with its maintenance. Praise Team Sunday morning worship would not be the same without our singers and instrument players. They practice each Thursday so that they are ready to lead the singing on Sunday. Wednesday Chapel There is prayer and singing on Wednesday evenings following the Wednesday Dinner. Sometimes there is a video, sometimes a study, sometimes a religious music concert. The Chapel service is usually about an hour long. Men s Bible Study Fellowship on hiatus Crafters, Sewing for Jesus, Ceramics These groups provide an opportunity for fun and creative expression. They also raise a bit of money by selling their creations. These funds allow the purchase of extra items for the church. People from outside our congregation also attend these groups. Hand-made clothing is also donated to a local clothing closet for needy children. Game Night Every Friday in the Church Hall, everyone is welcome for a potluck and table games. Open to all, from kids of school age old enough to play board games up though all adults. Finding Hope and Overcoming Depression Thursday mornings at 10:30. This is a support group. Wednesday Dinner 5:30pm. Where else can you get a complete dinner for only $5.00? Children s prices are even less. Convalescent Ministry Under the direction of Pastor Ike Rivera and his valuable assistant, Janet, this group has participants from several churches. This ministry groups visits local care homes, retirement homes, and convalescent homes. They bring a worship service to people who are not able to get out and attend services in another location. Church Office Rochelle Kelley is the Church Secretary. She and her staff of helpful Office Volunteers print and prepare the bulletin, answer telephones, distribute Care n Share, do publicity.. the list is too long to print here. Care n Share ministry distributes donated (non-perishable) food to hungry people who come into the Office and request that assistance. The need for food donations is great; many are hungry. Good News Blues Band This is a group of Christians who sing and play instruments Dixieland, Oldies, Blues, Jazz, and Christian Favorites. Music focus is on a Christian message. Line Dancing 7:30pm Experienced teachers. Now is a good time to start line dancing, because they are doing a review and already have several new dancers. Free, but donations appreciated. 8

9 Calendar 2014 Magalia Community Church Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Ceramics 10:00 Line Dancing Ceramics 10:00 Line Dancing 5 HARVEST AMERICA 4:00 This is an annual live, nationwide event streamed to thousands of host locations across the country. Featuring top Christian musicians and a clear gospel message, the goal is to impact a nation desperately in need of hope. 12 Breakfast served in the Hall at 8:15am 6 Ceramics 10:00 Line Dancing 13 Ceramics 10:00 Line Dancing 17 Sewing and Crafters Dinner 5:30 Chapel 6: Crafters & Sewing 30 Dinner 5:30 Chapel 6:30pm 1 Sewing & Crafters Dinner 5:30 Chapel 6:30pm 18 Finding Hope and Overcoming Depression 10:30am in the Library... Prayer in the Chapel Noon 25 Finding Hope and Overcoming Depression 10:30am... Prayer in the Chapel Noon 2 Finding Hope 10:30am Prayer Noon Ladies Nite Out 8:15 $ :30 15 Sewing & Crafts Dinner 5:30 Chapel 6:30 RUMMAGE SALE 8:00 3:00 Board Meeting 7:00 19 Game Night and Potluck in the Hall 26 Game Night 3 Game Night and Potluck 10 RUMMAGE SALE 8:00 3:00 Plant sale and Crafter s Sale 16 Finding Hope and 10:30am Prayer in the Chapel Noon 17 Game Night and Potluck 20 Sisters in Service 9:30 metal chair cleaning 27 Transport items from storage to the Hall :00 3: Prayer Team after worship service Ceramics 10:00 Line Dancing Crafters and Sewing Dinner 5:30 Chapel 6:30 Finding Hope 10:30am Prayer Noon Game Night and Potluck 9

10 been given as Christ apportioned it Ephesians 4:1- Our Mission To minister with grace and truth Our Goal To reach the lost Sunday: Wednesday: September 2014 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But to each one of us grace has Magalia community Church Skyway Magalia, CA (530) magaliacommunity@sbcglobal.net web site magaliacommunitychurch.org Senior Pastor, Kevin Lindstrom Convalescent Ministry, Pastor Isaac Rivera WEEKLY 8:15 Adult Bible Study 9:30 Celebration Worship 9:30 Youth Classes (gather with the adults before going to classes) 5:30 pm - Fellowship Dinner $5.00 ea. 6:30pm - Service and Study in the Chapel 6:30pm - King s Kids Club in the Church Hall Office Manager Rochelle Kelley Magalia Community Church P.O. Box 165 Magalia, CA O LORD, support us all the day long, until the shadows lengthen and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then in thy mercy grant us a safe lodging, and a holy rest, and peace at the last. Amen [ from The Book of Common Prayer 1928 ] The Pacesetter Magalia Community Church s monthly newsletter 10