Pastor Paul's Paragraphs

     I am reading for the second time Phillip Yancey's book "The Jesus I Never Knew". In this book J.B. Phillips succinctly defines the world in which we live, in contrast to the words of Christ in Matthew:

      "Happy are the ‘pushers': for they get on in the world.

      Happy are the hard-boiled: for they never let life hurt them.

      Happy are they who complain: for they get their own way in the end.

      Happy are the blasé: for they never worry over their sins.

      Happy are the slave-drivers: for they get results.

      Happy are the knowledgeable men of the world: for they know their way around.

      Happy are the trouble-makers: for they make people take notice of them."

      If you were to take the time to read "The Beatitudes" (Matthew 5:1-12), I believe you would agree with the following: we live in a world that is in desperate need of a paradigm shift in thinking, especially for those of us who are a part of the Body of Christ living either here in North America or Europe. The Beatitudes are in reality a series of "attitudes" that Christ teaches in both words and actions. Consider just the first one: "Blessed are the poor…." When was the last time you or I chased after poverty in any way, shape or form?

     Consider with me additional words of Christ that follow immediately after the teaching of the Beati-tudes in Matthew 5:

     Verse 39: "But I say unto you that ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also."

     Verse 41: "And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain."

     Verses 43-44: "You

     have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you."

      Romans 12 starts with the familiar words of presentation and dedication of one's self to God as an act of worship and service. Romans 12 ends with the less familiar words of:

     Verse 14: "Bless those who persecute you…"

     Verse 16: "Be of the same mind toward one another…"

     Verse 17: "Repay no one evil for evil…"

     Verse 19: " …do not avenge yourselves…"

     Verse 20: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him: If he is thirsty, give him a drink:…"

     Verse 21: "Do not

     be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

      WOW, personally challenging words even as I write. May we as the Body of Christ be a people who engage our own world in the power of the Holy Spirit. May we as the Body of

     Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit, mirror the person of Jesus Christ in all that we think, say and do. May we as the Body of Christ allow the Spirit of God to examine our thinking, for Proverbs 23:7a says "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he..." To God be the glory, great things He has done.

      Pastor Paul

Deacon Dedication & Dinner

• 9:15 AM Sunday School
• 10:30 AM Morning Service with Dedication & Prayer for Deacons
• 11:30 AM Spaghetti Lunch on the grounds
• No Evening Service

2008 Faith Promise Total

Thank you for giving to love offerings during our Faith Promise Missions Conference. The following donations were collected:

Total: $46,760.00

Mexico Love Offering (January) for Matt & Terry Sloan $533.00

Missions Conference Love Offerings
Bob & Margaret Mundy $585.00
Kevin & Kenyata Maki $572.00
Rocky & Arlene Hartung $404.00
Ruthe Burton $404.00

Lunch With Your Deacon

Lunch with your Deacon
Sunday, March 16

As you enter the church foyer, pick up your colored name tag. Following the morning service everyone is invited to have lunch in the gym. The church will provide spaghetti, bread and drinks. If your last name begins with A-M please bring a salad, N-Z please bring a dessert.

Missionary News

Action Africa
February 2008

     This morning I noticed the beginning of pink blossoms on the Japanese Cherry tree that borders our parking lot, which must mean that spring has arrived! We are enjoying blue skies, with temperatures up to over 50 degrees.

     With the arrival of spring, we know that we will soon be on our way to Togo. Plans call for us to move north to Mango before the end of the summer. Esther and I will have our hands full over the next three months as we sort and pack, and get ready to leave.

     While we don’t expect to ship much, members of the Togo Field Council are planning to send a container. Our calendar is quite full between now and May and there are still many things we must do before we say our goodbyes.

     We are grateful that God has given us the opportunity to visit with so many friends and family prior to our departure. We want to thank you for the faithful part you have in our return to Togo. We appreciate you and thank God for you.

      As you pray for us, would you include a request for God’s peace and grace as we do say our goodbyes to those here in the States.