July - Our Busiest Month?

It seems like it!  There is quite a bit of activity around here - opportunities for fun, service and growth.

Yard Sales! Yes, you know you love them... Last month our youth had one, and this month there are TWO... The preschool is hosting one on Saturday, July 10th, and our Girl Scout Troop is hosting one on Saturday, July 17th.  Check the separate articles on those events for further details on how to donate or participate.  You know you love to get rid of all that old stuff you've got laying around so you can make room for other peoples' old stuff...

Dodger Game - Despite the die-hard Angels fans here (you know who you are!), we're going to a Dodger Game on Friday, July 9th. Ticket sales for our group are already finished, but we'll do this again. LOTS of people are going...

Youth Retreat - Our youth are again retreating in the mountains on the weekend of July 18th. We pray that this would again be a growing experience... growing closer to Christ and one another. We pray for the leadership of the retreat, for the kids, and for their safety as they journey to Big Bear and back.

A visitor from the East is coming! No, not Carnac the Magnificent, as "a child of four could plainly see" (if you never watched the old Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, that made no sense at all... but Google it and see!).  Magnus Austin, who attended our church and Day School, and was confirmed here, has returned from his mission trip to China for a brief visit in our area and has asked to have the opportunity to share some of his experiences with us. He will join us on Sunday, July 18th at both services. 

Member Concerns: This past Wednesday (June 30th) we received word that John and Cordelle Aasness were involved in a terrible car accident while traveling in Wyoming. Details are still a little sparse, but we're asking that they be lifted up in prayer. This is one of the reasons that the being a part of the church is vitally important - we support and care for one another when we are hurting or in need. Paul writes in Galatians 6:2, "Bear one another's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." 

We see a deeper understanding of this concept of caring for one another in James 5:13-16:  "Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord.  The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective."  When one hurts, we all hurt, being connected together in the Body of Christ (I Corinthians 12:26). 

Blessings and Peace this summer - care for one another, lift one another up before our Lord, support one another. It is the Way of Christ, lived out among his people.

Pastor Larry