E-Note From Pastor Andy 10-31-13

October 31, 2013

Dear Eastridge Family,

Several people have shared with me already how they have enjoyed the reading of the book, The Purpose Driven Life.  Last week we looked at the first purpose – Worship.  I trust you have enjoyed being a part of one of the small groups.  After attending one of the groups last week someone told me, “I was so happy to hear that I was not the only person who feels this way.  I really am not alone.”

Keep making the effort to grow spiritually you will never regret it.

Ephesians 4:1-6 (NIV) says, “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

Verse 3 says we need to “Make every effort…” Community requires commitment! 

Cultivating Community Takes Honesty. Real fellowship depends on frankness. In fact, the tunnel of conflict is the passageway to intimacy in any relationship. Until you care enough to confront and resolve the underlying barriers, you will never grow close to each other.

Cultivating Community Takes Humility. Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less. Humility is thinking more of others. Humble people are so focused on serving others, they don’t think of themselves.

Cultivating Community Takes Courtesy. The truth is, we all have quirks and annoying traits. But community has nothing to do with compatibility. The basis for our fellowship is our relationship to God: We’re family.

Cultivating Community Takes Confidentiality. Only in the safe environment of warm acceptance and trusted confidentiality will people open up and share their deepest hurts, needs, and mistakes. Confidentiality does not mean keeping silent while your brother or sister sins. It means that what is shared in your group needs to stay in your group, and the group needs to deal with it, not gossip to others about it.

Cultivating Community Takes Frequency. You must have frequent, regular contact with your group in order to build genuine fellowship. Relationships take time.

When you look at the list of characteristics, it is obvious why genuine fellowship is so rare. But the benefits of sharing life together far outweigh the costs, and it prepares us for Heaven.

Daylight Savings Ends (Set Your Clocks Back)

Daylight savings ends this Sunday so don’t forget to set your clocks BACK one hour Saturday night before you go to bed.

Saturday Morning Prayer Service

Each Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. here at the church Pastor Daniel will lead our prayer service.  Everyone is invited to attend.

I’m looking forward to seeing you Sunday!

Pastor Andy

40 Days of Purpose Email Update

October 22, 2013

Dear Eastridge Family,

A few years ago a poll revealed that the #1 Rock "N" Roll song of all time was a song by the British band; The Rolling Stones entitled "I Can't Get No Satisfaction."

I think it is clear that one reason this song has been so popular for so long is the fact that this song speaks to the fundamental dilemma of so many people in our society.   What will give me satisfaction?   The song has a refrain that says "And I tried - and I tried - and I tried - and I tried - I can't get no satisfaction." You can almost see the history of the human race written through the lens and lyrics of that song.

I have tried sex and orgies, and I can't get no satisfaction.  I have tried this husband and that wife and I can’t get no satisfaction.  I have tried having kids and I can’t get no satisfaction.  I tried buying this house or that car and I can’t get no satisfaction.  I have tried alcohol and amphetamines, and I still can't get satisfaction.  Actually we may experience a temporary “high” but it does not last.  The party is fun; the toys we buy bring joy for a while; and the sex may be good but eventually I’m left with no lasting satisfaction.

Perhaps the reason why the song has remained so appealing to us is because the song speaks to an aspiration that reaches deep into our soul; to a frustration that burns within us; "I tried, and I tried, and I tried, and I tried - but I can't get no satisfaction."

The 40 Days of Purpose Campaign is an attempt to direct us to the reason we were created so we may discover our purpose and find the elusive lasting satisfaction.  By now I hope you have started reading your book.  The first line says, “It is not about you!”  Until we discover this truth of life we will forever be left to trying this and that but never really satisfied.

You were made for God, not vice versa, and life is about letting God use you for his purposes, not using him for your own purpose. Focusing on ourselves will never reveal our life’s purpose.

The easiest way to discover the purpose of an invention is to ask the creator of it. The same is true for discovering your life’s purpose: Ask God.

I hope you are willing to spend the next 40 days seeking God; if you will I can guarantee you, that you will not be disappointed.

Pastor Andy

E-Note From Pastor Andy 10-17-13

October 17, 2013

Dear Eastridge Family,

I am very excited about the 40 Days of Purpose campaign that begins on Sunday.  I met with the small group leaders yesterday and heard some stories about some “Oikos” members who plan to attend a small group.  I have been praying that this time would be an important time in the life of our church.  That this time would be a time where we can draw close to God and see several people get saved and begin to follow and become a disciple of Jesus.

Yesterday I heard a good question that was asked, “Why would you study a book for 40 days during this campaign instead of studying the Bible?”

The way I have answered this question in the past is first, the book is based upon biblical principles.  A book like the Purpose Driven Life is like a map.  The purpose of the map is to give us an understanding of a particular place to give us a description of a real place.  A map of Argentina is not the reality of Argentina.  The map only gives a description of the reality.  The map can help guide us if we were to travel to Argentina.

The Purpose Driven Life book is like a map to help guide us and to describe for us the reality which is Jesus.  The Pharisees were giving Jesus trouble and in John 5:39 Jesus said you are missing the point of the Scriptures.  All the Scriptures point to me, the Messiah (The Christ) and you have studied the Scriptures but you are missing me, the focus of the Scriptures.

I say all of that to say, the focus is not the book or Rick Warren but the focus is Jesus.  Jesus is the Messiah.  Jesus is the only way of salvation.  I know this book has been helpful to point people to Jesus in the past and I pray it will be helpful for us as well.

Secondly, the Bible tells us that God uses people to grow us up in the faith (see Ephesians chapter 4).  God has given us teachers, pastors, evangelist and prophets to quip us for ministry and to help us grow in our faith.  Pastor Rick Warren is a teacher that God has used to influence millions of people.  That does not mean Rick Warren is infallible because he is only human.  Just like the church is not absolutely perfect.  We can find lots of flaws with each church (read the New Testament and you can see lots of problems in the churches there) but we need to remember the church is God’s plan A and there is no plan B.   

I want to remind you of a few things as we head into the 40 Days campaign:

·         Day of Prayer and Fasting

“There is no power like that of prevailing prayer.  It turns ordinary mortals into men of power.  It brings power.  It brings fire.  It brings life.  It brings God.” - Samuel Chadwick

“You can do more than pray after you have prayed, but you cannot do more than pray until you have prayed.” - A. J. Gordon

Fasting helps to express, to deepen, to confirm the resolution that we are ready to sacrifice anything…to attain what we seek for the Kingdom of God. - Andrew Murray

Mark Batterson in his book, “Be a Circle Maker” says, “God won’t do it unless you pray for it…The greatest tragedy in life is the prayers that go unanswered because they go unasked.”

This Saturday we will have a Day of Prayer and Fasting for our 40 Days of Purpose Campaign.  Some may ask:

WHAT IS FASTING?

Fasting is a spiritual discipline that is taught in the Bible.  Jesus expected his followers to fast and he said that God rewards fasting.  Fasting, according to the Bible, means to voluntarily reduce or eliminate your intake of food for a specific time and purpose.

“When you give up eating, don't put on a sad face like the hypocrites. They make their faces look sad to show people they are giving up eating. I tell you the truth, those hypocrites already have their full reward. So when you give up eating, comb your hair and wash your face. Then people will not know that you are giving up eating, but your Father, whom you cannot see, will see you. Your Father sees what is done in secret, and he will reward you.”                                      Matthew 6:16-18

This united day of Fasting will provide us an opportunity to seek God in prayer together. 

v  Fasting is not so much about food as it is about focus. Let us focus on the spiritual growth of our church family and the conversion of those who need to be saved.

 v  Fasting is not so much about saying no to the body as it is about saying yes to the Spirit.  Fasting is a time to not just give God our request and petitions but it is also a time to hear from God.  What is God telling you?  What is your part in this spiritual campaign?

 v  Fasting is not about doing without, it is about looking within.  Is there any hidden sin in my life?  Sometimes we can be guilty of doing sin but we can be guilty of the sin of omission.  James 4:17 (NKJV) says, “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.”

 v  Fasting is an outward response to an inward attitude and cry of the soul.  How hungry for God are we?  Do we long for the presence of God?  Do we thirst to see God move in our nation, church and families?

 ·         Small Groups

We have several different options of small groups for you to join during this 40 Days campaign.

Sunday afternoon (English) Riley Carswell will lead a group immediately after the Sunday morning worship service in the Fellowship Hall.

Sunday evening (English) Pastor Andy will lead a group that will meet at Ben Hunter’s house at 6PM.  

Monday evening (English and Spanish) Stephanie Heer will lead a group at her house at 6 PM.  

Wednesday evening (Spanish) Carmen Angulo will lead a group at her home. 

Wednesday evening (Spanish) Lucila Campos will lead a group at her home. 

Friday evening (Spanish) Enrique Vargas and Daniel Peña will lead a men’s group. 

If you are interested in attending any of these groups please contact the church office.

I have been asked if you may attend more than one group.  The answer is yes.  I do want to encourage you this is vital to the spiritual growth campaign to be a part of the small group.  I am convinced that you will not regret it.

·         Books

We have distributed all of the books that we ordered.  If you need a book we can still get you one but it may not arrive by Sunday so let me know as soon as possible and we will get a book to you.  Even if it does not come for a few days into the campaign it will be well worth it to have the book and read it during the campaign.

·         Sunday morning worship

I continue to ask that you join me in prayer for our worship services.  We gather together as God’s people to worship and bring glory to God.  The focus is not us; it is not the teaching or music.  The focus is Jesus.  If we gather to honor Jesus we will never go home empty, we will be blessed by worshipping Him.

I’ll see you in worship this weekend!

Pastor Andy

E-Note from Pastor Andy 10-11-13

October 11, 2013

Dear Eastridge family,

On Sunday October 20^th we begin 40 Days of Purpose, a six-week spiritual growth campaign that is designed to answer the question, “What on Earth am I here for?” Together, our entire church family will learn about God’s five purposes for our lives, and we will have opportunities to take steps of growth in each of the five purposes.

To receive the full benefit of these 40 life-changing days, you will want to participate in each spiritual emphasis:

1. Hear all seven weekend messages in the series, The Purpose Driven Life.

2. Read the 40 daily readings in The Purpose Driven Life book by Rick Warren. These readings will guide you in your personal journey to discover God’s purposes for your life.

3. Join a 40 Days of Purpose small group. New groups will be forming for this campaign, and you can pick the day, time and location most convenient for you! We’ll help you get connected with a group next Sunday evening at our Kick-off event after the morning worship service.

Please join me at the Kick-Off event. During this exciting event, we will gather share a meal together and give you an opportunity to sign up for a small group to study The Purpose Driven Life. When you come to the Kick-Off we hope to have our copies of the book The Purpose Driven Life. I cannot overemphasize how important it is that all of us attend the Kick-Off. This is a great way to launch the campaign in our hearts, and it will be exciting to get a glimpse of the great spiritual adventure that is in store for us over the next six weeks.

Will you commit to making 40 Days of Purpose a priority for you and your family? Imagine the impact on our community if the members of our church were all committed to living out God’s purposes for their lives! There is no better investment of your time in this next 40 days.

Get ready to have your life changed and be blessed!

·        Kick-Off Dinner

Everyone is asked to bring a main dish to share (sandwiches, hot dishes, international entrees).  We have had a sign-up list for drinks, side dishes, fruit and desserts at the church the past couple of weeks, if you were unable to sign up just bring something and come out and enjoy a meal together.

At the Kick-off dinner we will have small group sign up and we will have the books available for those who have signed up to purchase one.  If you have not ordered one it is not too late.  The cost is $10 per book.

·        Saturday Morning Prayer Service

Each Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. here at the church Pastor Daniel will lead our prayer service.  Everyone is invited to attend.

·        Missionary Books

Our Missionary President Muriel Murray has the missionary reading books.  If you would like to learn about what is going on in Nazarene Missions check out one of these books.  We also have the books on CD so you can listen as you drive if you would prefer to listen instead of reading.

·        Children’s Christmas Program

It is hard to believe but Stephanie has already started working with the children on the Christmas program.  They will need help with costumes, back drops and cookies for the day of the program which has yet to be determined.  If you are interested in helping please contact Stephanie Heer.

·        Church Website

We recently added a page on our church website to include the Sunday morning sermons.  Some of you have to work on Sunday morning or maybe you have been helping with the children on Sunday morning and missed the sermon.  This will give you an opportunity to go back and listen to the message. www.eastridgenazarene.org

I’m looking forward to worshiping with you Sunday. 

Pastor Andy

E-Note from Pastor Andy 10-5-13

October 3, 2013

Dear Eastridge Family,

One of my all-time favorite C. S. Lewis quotes is found in a sermon he gave called “The Weight of Glory.”  He preached this sermon in 1942.  The Englishman C. S. Lewis is an intellectual and sometimes a bit difficult to understand but well worth the work to do so.

It may be possible for each to think too much of his own potential glory hereafter; it is hardly possible for him to think too often or too deeply about that of his neighbour. The load, or weight, or burden of my neighbour’s glory should be laid on my back, a load so heavy that only humility can carry it, and the backs of the proud will be broken.

It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person you can talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship, or else a horror and a corruption such as you now meet, if at all, only in a nightmare.

All day long we are, in some degree, helping each other to one or other of these destinations. It is in the light of these overwhelming possibilities, it is with the awe and the circumspection proper to them, that we should conduct all our dealings with one another, all friendships, all loves, all play, all politics.

There are no ordinary people. You have never met a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilisations—these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit—immortal horrors or everlasting splendours.

Our charity must be real and costly love, with deep feeling for the sins in spite of which we love the sinner---no mere tolerance or indulgence which parodies love as flippancy parodies merriment.

Next to the Blessed Sacrament itself, your neighbor is the holiest object presented to your senses.

“There are no ordinary people.”  Everyone you meet, every one you work with, go to school with, live next door to is a person created to live with God for all of eternity.  Unfortunately some refuse to submit to God and will spend eternity separated from God in a place called hell.

Let us spend our days with this understanding before us.  Let us make the most of every opportunity to point people to Jesus.  Every word we speak and every action we take may they all glorify God and “nudge” people a little closer to Jesus.

I pray that our 40 Days Campaign will give you an opportunity to do just that, point people to Jesus and to “nudge” them a little closer.  All of eternity is at stake.

·         Saturday Morning Prayer Service

Each Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. here at the church Pastor Daniel will lead our prayer service.  Everyone is invited to attend.

·         Purpose Driven Life Campaign

I am excited about a spiritual growth Campaign we are planning to do soon, called 40 Days of Purpose.  This Campaign is designed to answer life’s most important question: “What on earth am I here for?” I am excited as I consider our entire congregation living in alignment with God’s purposes for their lives, and the impact this could have on our church and our community! The 40 Days of Purpose Campaign will run for six weeks.

This Sunday we will be asking for commitment from people to come together for this church campaign.  We will ask for individual commitment to the campaign; we are looking for “Host Homes” that will host a small group study during the 40 Days; we are looking for 6 small group leaders, 3 to lead in English and 3 to lead in Spanish; and finally we are going to order the books and need to know how many to purchase.  If you have invited a co-worker or a neighbor to join you for the 40 Days Campaign let us know how many books you plan to need so we can get the order as soon as possible.

·         Missionary Books

Our Missionary President Muriel Murray has the missionary reading books.  If you would like to learn about what is going on in Nazarene Missions check out one of these books.  We also have the books on CD so you can listen as you drive if you would prefer to listen instead of reading.

·         Children’s Christmas Program

It is hard to believe but Stephanie has already started working with the children on the Christmas program.  They will need help with costumes, back drops and cookies for the day of the program which has yet to be determined.  If you are interested in helping please contact Stephanie Heer.

·         Board Meeting

Sunday afternoon at 4:30pm we will be meeting in the Fellowship Hall.

·         Church Website

We recently added a page on our church website to include the Sunday morning sermons.  Some of you have to work on Sunday morning or maybe you have been helping with the children on Sunday morning and missed the sermon.  This will give you an opportunity to go back and listen to the message. www.eastridgenazarene.org

Sunday morning I plan to preach from Haggai chapter 1, where the prophet ask the people of God to “Consider their ways.”  You may want to look that chapter over before Sunday and see if God will speak to you through His living Word.  I’m looking forward to worshiping with you Sunday. 

Pastor Andy