In 2018 I need saving. What about you?

Transcription

1 Happy New Year! I'm not big on New Years resolutions. I resolve to do and be things all year long. I was up late a couple of days after Christmas, praying and seeking the Lord s voice about the future. I spent time reflecting on recent events and an upcoming sermon for the Momentum conference at month s end, that I ve been invited to give. Suddenly my mind was thinking of Jesus walking on the water and the disciple Peter s attempt to walk on water too. I normally eschew the allegorical interpretation of Holy Scriptures but in this watery scene I can relate to Peter s fear of the wind, waves and darkness. I ve not been in a boat in a long time. But if I may, the wind, waves and darkness of our current American culture cause a deep unsettling worry in my soul. Just the other day, the local newspaper reported a recent Pew Research Center survey telling me that organized church attendance is in decline, especially by those born after Add to this the reality that many Americans consume religion like a product and the church that puts on an entertaining menu of ministries led by a talk show host type pastor draws the crowd. In the moment of reflection it struck me. I think and feel like Peter. I am looking at circumstances, my culture, my church budget and attendance and I m concerned. What happened to Peter when he looked at the wind, waves, and darkness? He began to sink! That s the message for me, and perhaps you, at the start of this New Year. If my focus and mind dwells upon my circumstances and fears then I can expect the same result. I will sink; sink into despair, sink into depression, and sink into a faithless immobility. Peter s next action is my resolution for the New Year. Lord, save me! That s right if I m going to keep from being sunk by my culture and my fear of it, I will need divine help. I need saving. I m not speaking of eternal salvation here. I m referring to being saved from a focus on circumstances. I am a follower of Jesus and I intend to stay that way this year and to the end of my earthly life. So my resolution for 2018 is to avert my eyes and thoughts from my circumstances and fix them on Jesus and daily cry out Lord, Save Me! If Jesus doesn t save me I m sunk. In 2018 I need saving. What about you? Pastor Richard Reimer Inside this edition: Wonder-Land School & Children's Ministries Men s Ministry & Serving Others Special Dates & Numbers Report Campus Calendar ARCC Events Harbor Youth Group Holiday Events Children s Christmas Photo & Momentum Conf. ARCC 2018 Diaconate

2 Wonder-Land Christian Preschool (WLS) by Jessica Massey, Director December is the special time of year that we really focus on and celebrate the birth of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! We are ever so thankful to God for truly giving us the best gift ever His Only Begotten Son! Joy to the World!! Several amazing things took place during this month! On December 8 we had our Annual Christmas Performance and the children did such an amazing job! The sanctuary was filled with family and friends, we were so grateful for all of the support and love. It was a wonderful bridging event between ARCC and WLS. We had several of the church members helping out in different areas, such as refreshments and sound. We called it a success! On December 13, WLS staff gathered together for our Christmas Party. We played games, did a gift exchange, ate and fellowshipped with one another. A great big thank you to all the family and friends that contributed towards the love offering. The staff was able to receive a Christmas bonus! During the week of December it was gingerbread week. During this fun week they heard the gingerbread man story, they searched high and low for the gingerbread man, and then decorated and ate some yummy gingerbread cookies. The children were also able to participate in the Noah s Ark Animal workshop, which is a mobile teddy bear workshop. In this workshop the children made their own stuffed animal by hand stuffing the animal, making a wish on the wishing star, putting the star inside the animal, closing it up, naming it with a birth certificate and then taking it home! During this whole month, the focus at chapel was learning about the birth of Jesus. Mrs. Tara created a big birthday invitation for the children to attend Jesus birthday party. The party took place on December 21 st. Great fun was had by all! Wonder-Land School $50.00 monthly tuition donation from ARCC this month goes to: James and Amanda Cox and their son: Tyler Children s Ministries Hello my dearest friends, brothers & sisters in Christ, Christmas is gone but I want to say to you again and again THANK YOU SO MUCH for our Christmas kids program The Christmas Story. You and your children are the best blessing for our church. I am so thankful for all the 2017 events that we did together for kids (Kid s Night Out, Easter, Vacation Bible Summer Camp, Harvest Festival, and every Sunday Sunday school classes, and Infant center). It is such a blessing to work with you and I learned a lot from you too. Happy New Year! by Svitlana Kovalev, Director May the New Year bring you an abundance of amazing opportunities, beautiful moment, and joyful experiences. May your positive actions & attitude inspire others. May you be brave enough to take on and overcome rewarding challenges. May you find yourself in high spirit & excellent health. May you love with all your heart and find peace in even the most turbulent of time. May the love you give always find its way back to you multiplied. And may you forever be filled with the hope & strength necessary to make your dreams a reality. Happy New Year! Always yours Svitlana Kovalev, Children s Ministries Director 2

3 Jerry Jennings shared his faith story with the men and everyone enjoyed breakfast together. Pastor Rich began volunteering this year ( school year) at Deterding Elementary School. ARCC & the Missions Team have been donating school supplies & backpacks as part of the Serve Our Schools movement but Pastor Rich felt he needed to personally do more. He is now working with Deterding s Music program and tutoring young students to play the trumpet. Barbara has been serving ARCC as Missions Chair for 3 years. She has volunteered at Union Gospel Mission for years serving dinner on 5th Tuesdays. She is always looking for helpers to go with her. She has also instituted our Soctober Sock Drive to help the homeless keep their feet warm during the cold winter months. This year she was able to deliver 230 pairs of socks to Union Gospel Mission. Way to go! Barbara was also instrumental in teaming ARCC with Deterding School as part of the Serve Our Schools movement. 3

4 Special Dates Birthday Blessings To: January Birthstone: Garnet 02: Derek Gedarro 06: Lakota & Mason Mumma 08: Todd Plain 09: Heidi Cadena 10: Linda Jackman 17: Angie Gedarro 18: Bob Bottino 19: Sarah Smirl 24: Jack Thompson 25: Jayden Stapleton & Kody Brandau 26: Myrna Wilhelm, Joan Kaspersetz & Dylan West 28: Booker T Massey 31: Chris Bradford February Birthstone: Amethyst 05: Bruce DeSelle 06: Gabrielle Clark-Bean 10: Jan Branco 19: Adelle Plain & JoAnne Martin 22: Dmitriy Kovalev 23: Ethan & Madison Gedarro 24: Mary Brais, Joyce Green & Jeanette Massey Happy Anniversary To: 26: Paula & William Cope January Flower: Carnation 02: Celia & Rich Ayala 16: Phyllis & Bob Bottino 21: Ana & Dave Brandau February Flower: Violet Sunday Attendance Numbers Report 12/03 12/10 12/17 12/24 12/24 12/31 5PM Worship Nursery: Infant to 3 year olds Children: 4 yr. olds to 5th grade Adult Sunday School

5 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 New Years Day, Office Closed 2 2:00PM Adult Bible 3 Annual Report Due 7:00PM Men s Life Group 4 9:45AM Women s Bible Holy Communion 9:30AM EPIC Bible 5:00PM Young Couples 8 9 2:00PM Adult Bible 10 7:00PM Men s Life Group 11 9:45AM Women s Bible 6:45PM Women s Bible Installation of Diaconate 9:30AM EPIC Bible 15 MLK Day, Office Closed 16 2:00PM Adult Bible 17 7:00PM Men s Life Group 18 9:45AM Women s Bible 6:45PM Women s Bible :30AM EPIC Bible :00PM Adult Bible 6:30PM Diaconate 24 7:00PM Men s Life Group 25 9:45AM Women s Bible 6:45PM Women s Bible Momentum Conference :30AM EPIC Bible 2:00PM Adult Bible 7:00PM Men s Life Group Annual Reports Distributed 5

6 Music and Worship Director The Diaconate has hired Rich Ayala as Interim Music and Worship Director effective December 31 st. 6

7 Harbor Youth Group Dear ARCC friends, Harbor Youth group gatherings for Christmas & New Years celebrations! As we welcome a new year, we can reflect back on all the wonderful messages and events that have taken place at our church home. I truly believe we are very blessed and have made many "forever friendships". The refreshment ministry has provided one of the places for this to cultivate and hopefully making new friends there too. Harbor youth will continue to meet the last Saturday of each month. We celebrated the holidays with fun and games and lots of yummy treats. The teens got their chance to make their own "Leatherby's creations" via 3 kinds of ice cream, banana's, 6 types of candy toppings and 5 types of syrups. The only rule was "you make it, you eat it". We all had a great time and created some awesome ice cream creations. Randy and I have always tried to provide a home-like atmosphere for the teens. We discuss with the teens the biblical way for them to follow and lead their life by. As my father would say, "be up front with them, don't sugar-coat things." Life is tuff and they will be facing a lot as they approach adulthood. We pray with them to strive to make good choices in their life and at the same time provide a safe and secure "Harbor" for them to come to and also have fun and make lasting relationships. Blessings to all! Happy "2018" New Years! In loving service, Cyndie Holland, Fellowship Chair 7

8 Holiday Events Elaine Housh and Jan Branco (along with the help of a few elves), made lunch for the women s Christmas Cookies Exchange. Great food, fellowship, fun and stories were told around the tables. This group of ARCC friends were invited to the home of JoAnne Martin for a Christmas gathering. Since JoAnne s husband, Bill, passed and ongoing health issues she is unable to attend Sunday worship but does have regular phone contact with some of the women pictured with her. Her daughter and granddaughter helped her host this gathering. The Ayala Life Group Several gathered together to celebrate the Christmas holiday with a potluck and Christmas carols. Pictured here are Dave, Jerry, and Dan. Not pictured: Rich, Celia, Jane, Dorothy, Mary, Roger, Kelly, Val, Ivonne, Ivonne s mother, Jason, James, and Rebecca. EPIC had their 1st annual holiday party! Fun for all with photo booth, games, gift exchange and great food! 8

9 Momentum a weekend conference created and staffed by seven local churches in Carmichael. The Conference is hosted by Crossroads Church located at 7100 Fair Oaks Blvd the weekend of January 25-27, The purpose of this conference is to encourage, empower, and equip church workers to engage in serving together for the glory of God! You must register on line. The Theme is THIS WE KNOW! There will be 3 general session messages by local pastors including Pastor Rich. Break Out sessions on a host of topics will be Saturday morning. Come mix and mingle with your brothers and sisters in Christ who attend other local congregations in our area! We are the Body of Christ in Carmichael. On December 17th our children s ministry blessed us with their performances led by Mrs. Svitlana Kovalev, Children s Ministry Director and special accompaniment on the flute by Dmitriy Kovalev. 9

10 Phone: Facebook.com/ARCConline Youtube.com/ARCConline 10