From the Pastor's Pen...

"Let Them Know..."

     Several months ago my wife and I received the following article from a friend in southern California. February seemed an appropriate time to share it with you. Read carefully.
     One day a teacher asked her students to list the names of the other students in the room on two sheets of paper, leaving a space between each name. Then she told them to think of the nicest thing they could say about each of their classmates and write it down.
     It took the remainder of the class period to finish their assignment and, as the students left the room, each one handed in their paper. That Saturday, the teacher wrote down the name of each student on a separate sheet of paper and listed what everyone else had said about that student.
     On Monday she gave each student his or her list. Before long, the entire class was smiling. “Really?” she heard whispered, “I never knew that I meant anything to anyone!” “I didn't know others liked me so much.”
     No one ever mentioned those papers in class again. The teacher never knew if they discussed them after class or with their parents, but it didn't matter. The exercise had accomplished its purpose. The students were happy with themselves and one another. That group of students moved on.
     Several years later one of the students, Mark, was killed in Vietnam and his teacher attended his funeral. The church was packed with his friends. One by one those who loved him took a last walk by the coffin. The teacher was the last one to pass by.
     After the service, most of Mark's former classmates went together to a luncheon. Mark's mother and father were there desiring to speak with Mark's former math teacher.
     “We want to show you something,” his father said, taking a wallet out of his pocket. “They found this on Mark when he was killed. We thought you might recognize it.”
     Opening the billfold, he carefully removed two worn pieces of notebook paper that had obviously been taped, folded and refolded many times. The teacher knew without looking that the papers were the ones on which she had listed all the good things each of Mark's classmates had said about him.
     “Thank you so much for doing that,” Mark's mother said. “As you can see, Mark treasured it.”
     All of Mark's former classmates started to gather around. Charlie smiled rather sheepishly and said, “I still have my list. It's in the top drawer of my desk at home.”
     Chuck's wife said, “Chuck asked me to put his in our wedding album.”
     “I have mine, too,” Marilyn said. “It's in my diary.”
     Then Vicki, another classmate, reached into her purse, took out her wallet and showed her worn and frazzled list to the group. “I carry this with me at all times,” and without batting an eyelash she continued, “I think we all saved our list.”
     How about it, do we find ourselves living in such a fast pace that we fail to take the time to let family members, friends, fellow workers, teachers, etc., know the qualities you especially appreciate in them? Get your pen out and start your “lists” today. You will surely make some people smile.

Pastor Kuns

Pastor Paul's Paragraphs

     Do you ever need a good dose of hope? Do the many details of your life seem to come crashing down upon you? Do you find yourself at times praying “ENOUGH, LORD!”
     Does life seem to treat you with one large hurdle after another? Do you find yourself looking forward to heaven and hoping for the rapture just so the rat race of life will finally be over? Are you ready for a rest?
     I find it interesting that God created the heavens and the earth and all that is in them in six days...a multitude of details involved in that creation...and on the seventh day, He rested. Do you think God was tired after creation? I don't think so.
     I do think He was illustrating an important principle for all who are created in His image. Slow down, take a breather. Take a gander at the stars, watch a humming bird, play with your kids (even if they are beyond that), go to the zoo, take a walk, go on a picnic. Reserve some time to enjoy life and the Creator of life. And take some time to slow down at least once a week.
     “Six days thou shalt do thy work, and on the seventh day thou shalt rest; that thine ox and thine ass may rest, and the son of thy handmaid, and the stranger, may be refreshed.” Ex. 23:12
     “It is a sign between me and the children of Israel forever; for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day He rested, and was refreshed.” Ex. 31:17
     “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.” Ps. 37:7
     “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” Mt. 11:28,29
     Try meditating on the preceding verses while you gaze at the stars, and remember...He calleth them all by their names. (Ps. 147:4b)
     “Lift up your eyes on high, and behold Who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: He calleth all by names by the greatness of His might, for that He is strong in power; not one faileth.”
     Is. 40:26

Pastor Paul

Kids Korner with Pastor Greg

     Jesus loves me! This I know,
     For the Bible tells me so;
     Little ones to Him belong;
     They are weak, but He is strong.
     Yes, Jesus loves me!
     Yes, Jesus loves me!
     Yes, Jesus loves me!
     The Bible tells me so!

     As we enter this month when the subject of “love” is so prominent, I cannot help but think of this classic tune that has endured for so many generations. What an incredible truth is shared in those lines! And while we often relegate it to being simply a “children's song,” its message is relevant to every single one of us. As most of our songs and hymns do, it has an interesting story:
     Two sisters, Anna and Susan Warner, collaborated in writing a novel entitled Say and Seal in 1860. The principal characters in the novel were John Linden, a young man; Faith Derrick, his fiancée; and Johnny Fax, a young lad who was the victim of a lingering illness. Linden was Johnny's Sunday School teacher and he and Faith spent a great deal of time with Johnny providing for his needs. Clutching the feverish boy, Linden walked back and forth. The swaying motion of the walking seemed to calm and relax the lad. Looking up into Linden's face, Johnny said quietly, “Sing.” So as he walked around the room, Linden began to sing softly, “Jesus loves me! This I know, for the Bible tells me so.” A few hours later Johnny died.
     Rather than use a familiar hymn for this scene in the novel, Anna Warner wrote an original hymn of four stanzas that has endured for well over a century. Today the hymn is enthusiastically sung, particularly by children. William B. Bradbury, famous New York composer and publisher, composed the music we use to sing these words. Words and music were published in 1862 in a small collection, Golden Shower, for use in Sunday Schools. It has been translated into many languages and is known around the world.
     Consider the great love Jesus has for us! It staggers the mind! To think that He would leave all that was rightfully His so that He could provide for us such a marvelous salvation. We do not need to wonder or worry. We can confidently proclaim, “Jesus loves me!” Why? How can we know for sure? “The Bible tells me so!” As we celebrate “love” in February, may we always remember His great love for us.

Pastor Greg

Auction 2004

Saturday, March 6 in the Gymnasium

9:00 AM Breakfast, Preview and Silent Auction
10:00 AM Live Auction

A partial list of Auction items will be available February 29

     GCA & Preschool is once again gearing up for this fantastic fundraiser event. This is a fun and exciting day when we invite everyone we know to come and see what great finds they can bid on. If you haven't been to one of our Auctions before, don't miss this one!
     We are asking each school family to come up with at least two new items or gift certificates as donations for this event. Would you do the same? You don't necessarily have to go out and buy something - ask businesses that you patronize for a donation, or think of a service you would be willing to provide. Use your imagination - cooking, cleaning, gardening, bookkeeping, carwashing, BBQing, etc. Donation forms are available in the church foyer.

We encourage you to contribute new or nearly new items, antiques & collectibles. Please don't “clean out the garage”! All items must be delivered to GCA by Friday, February 27 - one week before the Auction. Items received after that date, may not be accepted. All donations are tax deductible.

GBC Men's Basketball Schedule Released

Printer Version - Click Here

     Our newly-formed men's basketball team will be participating in a local church team league this spring. All games will be played on Saturdays at the Faith Christian High School gymnasium. Why not come out and support our team?

Grace in Action Valentine's Party

Friday, February 13, 2004       6:00 PM
Yuba County Airport Restaurant
Cost:   $12.00 per person

Tri Tip Steak with Mushroom Sauce, Twice-baked Potato, Broccoli with Green Peppers Tossed Green Salad, New York Cheesecake with Cherries

SPECIAL GUEST: DAVE FISHER       GAMES AND FELLOWSHIP
SINGLES AND COUPLES ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND

A sign-up sheet will be available in the church foyer

Calendar of Events

Click on the highlighted dates - the events are shown on the right.