Pastor enote 3-8-13

Friday, March 8, 2013

Dear Eastridge Family,

This morning I arrived at the church to meet the police after we were visited by some thieves in the night.  It appears they broke one of the stained glass windows to gain entrance in the sanctuary when they took Todd and Nick’s guitars along with their amps and much of our sound equipment.  They also broke a window to gain entrance into the Fellowship Hall as well.  It appears about $6-7,000 worth of equipment was stolen.  We notified the insurance company and we are waiting on their response.

A big thanks goes out to Norman Karns and Pastor James for coming out to help clean up the mess and repairing the windows. 

Last Sunday I shared a message from Ephesians 6 reminding us we are all in a spiritual battle.  The Word of God is crucial for each of us to have and use in this battle.  My plan is to talk about the aspect of prayer on Sunday morning.  This passage is so clear that our battle is not against flesh and blood; rather the battle we fight is a spiritual one. 

As we approach this special time in the Christian year this event serves as a good reminded where our focus needs to be.  We cannot be distracted by the stuff of this world (Nick having an expensive guitar stolen that he worked for years saving up money to buy).  Instead let us remember Ephesians 6:18 (NLT) “Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.”

·         Daylight Savings

Daylight Savings Time ends this weekend. Don't forget to set your clocks ahead one hour this Saturday night before you go to bed.  Otherwise you may show up for worship on this Sunday wondering why everyone is leaving!

·         Baked Potato Fellowship

Sunday evening March 17^th at 6PM we will meet at the Fellowship Hall for our evening service which will conclude with a Baked Potato fellowship.

·         Easter Offering

The Easter Offering is for the World Evangelism Fund (WEF). Traditionally, WEF is collected through two large offerings each year “the Thanksgiving and Easter offerings.”  The Nazarene Church has always had a strong history of supporting missions through their generous giving through these offerings. 

The law of harvest states that you may not reap when and where you sow—but you will always reap what you sow. As we prepare to give to this offering, remember it will come back to you (Luke 6:38) and the Lord…will bless you in everything Deuteronomy 15:10.

·         Easter Sunday March 31st

We will start our day with a Continental Breakfast at 9:15 AM – 9:45AM.  Followed by our Easter Service at 10:00 AM.  We will have Children’s Church as normal followed by our EASTER EGG HUNT.

We still have need for candy donations for the Easter Egg hunt as well as workers to help stuff the eggs on the Saturday before Easter at 2PM.  We also have s signup sheet for the breakfast in the entry way at the church.

·         Favorite Quotes of the Week

Ubi Christus,  Ibi ecclesia – (Where Christ is, there is the church) – Ignatius

Better to go to Heaven alone than to Hell in a herd. – Charles Spurgeon

We must allow the Word of God to correct us the same way we allow it to encourage us. – A.W. Tozer

I am looking forward to worshipping with you on Sunday,

Pastor Andy