Grace Cristian Academy & Preschool Auction 2005 Seeking Him Lunch With Your Deacons One Holy Lamb - A Musical For Easter
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I love spring. I think it is in part because winter is ending, the sun comes up earlier, the birds seem to sing louder, the days are more pleasant, and everything begins to grow again. I don’t know where my joy of gardening came from (my dad is an engineer by trade) but pruning, tilling, planting and harvest time bring great satisfaction. I love the entire process, most of all bringing the produce from the garden to the sink to the stove and then to the table: unless it is a tomato - then you are supposed to just take the salt shaker to the garden with you!
Gardening takes commitment, work and knowledge. You cannot produce the intended results without the investment of time, perspiration, and the right combination of ingredients. As I write, several volunteer plants are growing in the back yard. Several snow peas are blooming. These plants are a bonus from last year’s crop. The leftover snow pea pods have dried out, cracked open, sprouted, and established themselves in the fertile soil. And they will soon produce more snow peas. The rest of the garden will soon be tilled and worked and planted. Fertilizers will be used sparingly, bug sprays will be used in abundance. Around July 4, large beef steak-like tomatoes will be picked, washed, sliced and...you get the picture.
I recently pruned our plum and peach trees. The plum tree is in full bloom, the peach tree is not far behind. In a few weeks I will have to "think" the peach tree. Have you ever poured yourself a bowl of corn flakes, walked out to the peach tree, picked a ripe peach, sliced it up on those corn flakes...YUM!
Have you ever wondered why there is a "produce" section in the grocery store? Why don’t they call it a "fruit and vegetable" section? I like the word "produce". Webster defines it as "something produced", and that is exactly what the farmer does.
As we begin the month of March together, we are well on our way into our series entitled "Seeking Him". Like gardening, these lessons on growth and walking with God require an investment of time, perspiration, and the right combination of ingredients. Ours is a journey together. Sometimes there are immediate results and benefits, sometimes the results and benefits come over a longer period of time. Always, there are seasons of sowing and reaping. Galatians 6:9 reads, "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not faint." (NKJV) I am looking forward to our time of harvest together as we have spent a season "Seeking Him".
Hosea 10:12: "Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord ‘till He comes and rains righteousness on you." (NKJV)
Pastor Paul
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I have always enjoyed the Spring . . . . . mostly. Everything about Spring has always brought a smile to my face . . . . . except for one thing. From the earliest of ages I can remember that with the coming of Spring came the coming of ALLERGIES! Now, I’ve never been tested and I am uncertain what my specific allergies might be, but I can always be sure that when Spring arrives, so will the sneezing and the itchy, watery eyes. What fun!
My mom used to tell me that after a long, cold Illinois winter that I must just be allergic to Spring! I remember thinking that moving to California might actually help my allergies, since there was not the harsh winter here that there was back there. Then we made our first trip to Yuba City and discovered the whole area was full of orchards! So much for getting away from a hearty allergy season!
Allergy season aside, I love the Spring. Since moving to California and becoming more accustomed to this type of winter, I’ve come to be grateful for the sunshine that is now more regularly seen. I enjoy watching the kids in the school playing outdoors rather than crowded into the Gym on those long, rainy days. I love being able to throw open the windows at the house and let the warmer breezes blow through (I also like the effect that has on my PG&E bill!).
Because our Children’s Ministry operates on a quarterly schedule, this March we see the beginning of the Spring Quarter for Sunday School, Children’s Church, and our Midweek Club, FaithWeaver Friends. The Winter Quarter is typically a difficult one, with the holidays late in the year and the weather in the beginning of the year. The Summer Quarter can become a challenge to faithfulness because of school being out, family vacations, and more. So, as you can see, much is placed on the importance of the Spring and Fall Quarters.
Now that Spring is here, let me encourage you to bring your children and have them become as involved as they can be in our church’s Children’s Ministry. We have a dedicated team of people who are ready to help you in meeting the needs of your child. It would be an honor to minister to them each Sunday.
We are also seeing the Lord do some amazing things on Wednesday nights around here! Our FaithWeaver Friends program is literally bursting at the seams. And because of this, we need some HELP! Granted, there is always a need for volunteers in church ministry, whether it be to children, teenagers, or adults. But we are really stretching our team with the large number of kids. Most of our help on Wednesday is by parents. Maybe the Lord will lead you to partner with us?
Let me close by asking for your prayers, specifically for this Spring Quarter. Pray for our Children’s Ministry Team, for our children, and for their parents and families. It is a marvelous window of opportunity that we dare not miss. Just like allergy season, it will pass. Let us be able to look back and rejoice in what the Lord accomplished in the lives of children this Spring.
Pastor Greg
Join us on Wednesday night,
March 2nd, at 7:00pm
for our Quarterly FaithWeaver Friends Program!
There will be plenty of singing and sharing as the kids share all they have been learning over the past several weeks. Attendance, Memory Work, Missionary Effort - these are just a few of the things that will be recognized that evening.
So, if you’re child is involved on Wednesday night or if you just want to come and see what the excitement is all about - don’t miss this great time March 2nd! You’ll be glad you did!
If you have any questions about our FaithWeaver Friends ministry, please see Pastor Greg.
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SATURDAY, MARCH 5
9:00 AM Breakfast, Preview and Silent Auction
10:00 AM Live Auction
Lunch will also be available.
Partial List of Auction 2005 Items
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Experience the Joy of Personal Revival
Begins Sunday, February 6
Are you tired of trying to be a good Christian? Are you overloaded and worn out with church activities? Do you sometimes feel like you’re just going through the motions of the Christian life? Do you often find yourself running on empty spiritually? Do you experience heaviness or shame more than joy and freedom in your Christian life?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then perhaps God is calling you to something deeper. Maybe you’re ready to experience personal revival! Our 12-week study of “Seeking Him” will help you do just that. Each Sunday, beginning February 6, Pastor Paul will be focusing on a different topic that will help deepen your walk with God.
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Sunday, March 20
Following the Morning Service
When you come for the morning service on March 20, find the table that corresponds to your last name (A-G; H-P;Q-Z). There you will receive your color-coded name tag. Each color corresponds with a Deacon Caring Group.
As you enter the gym for the lunch following the service, you will be seated with your Deacon Caring Group. The table covers will correspond to the colors on your name tags.
After prayer, you will be dismissed by tables to go through the food line. During lunch, you will have an opportunity to get to know your deacon and those in your group.
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Easter Sunday, March 27
10:30 AM
From the Arrangements of
Mike Speck, Lari Goss &
Danny Zaloudik
Arranged & Orchestrated by Lari Goss
and Created by David Guthrie
presented by
The Grace Baptist Church
Worship Choir
Sunday School - 9:15 AM
No Evening Service
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Pastor Paul's Paragraphs
March 2005