E-Note From Pastor Andy 4-17-14

April 17, 2014

Dear Eastridge Family,

I was reading this morning a story about a young child named Philip who was afflicted with Down ’s syndrome.  Philip went through life not completely accepted by other children because he was different. This was even true when Philip attended Sunday school.

One day his Sunday school teacher brought a number of empty pantyhose containers which were in the shape of a large plastic egg.  The teacher gave each one of the students one of the empty egg shaped containers and took the class outside.  The teacher asked the students to find a symbol of new life and put it in the empty egg shaped pantyhose container.

As the students gathered back into the class room, the eggs filled with their secrets of new life were mixed up and then one by one opened by the teacher.  The children were delighted as each one opened and revealed its secret contents to illustrate new life.  A flower.  A butterfly.  Then the teacher opened one that was completely empty---nothing was in it.  The children expressed disappointment, but Philip tugged on the teacher’s shirt saying, “It’s mine!”

The children reacted with childish put-down: “You don’t ever do things right, Philip---there’s nothing in there!”

Philip defended himself: “I did so.  I did it right.  It’s empty---the tomb is empty!”

A long silence of insight followed---and suddenly Philip was a part of that group for sure.

That summer Philip died.  His funeral was held at church.  The children in his Sunday school class with their teacher marched up to the altar bringing not flowers, but an empty egg shaped pantyhose container.  Philip had taught them a message: “Jesus has defeated death.  He is not in the tomb.  He is risen!”

Church Election

Thanks to everyone who was willing to serve our church in these positions and who allowed their name to be on the ballot.  Here are the results of our election:

Church Board

Stewards – Carmen Angulo, Faith Shimko and Lucila Vargas

Trustees – Dan Henry, Todd Hunter and Norman Karns

Sunday School Superintendent – Riley Carswell

NMI President – Muriel Murray

NYI President – Ashley Heer

Delegates to District Assembly – Harvey Foster, Clara Jo Hinshaw, Ben Hunter

Youth Group Car Wash

Starting at 11am and ending at 1pm our church youth group will have a car wash at the church.  They are trying to raise money for summer camp.  Come out and support our youth group.

Easter Service

The service times will be the same this year as they were last year. 

Breakfast at 9:15 AM – 9:45AM. 

Easter Worship Service at 10:00 AM.  Following the morning worship celebration we will have the EASTER EGG HUNT for all the children age 0-6^th grade.

Easter Egg Hunt Preparation

We will meet at 1:00 PM on Saturday at the church to fill Easter Eggs for the Easter Egg Hunt.  Everyone is welcome to come and help us get ready for Sunday.

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.

Prayer Request

This weekend, more than 75 Christians were attacked and killed while gathering together for Palm Sunday in Nigeria.  Just a few weeks ago, Mary Sameh George, a 25-year-old Egyptian Christian, was brutally murdered for wearing a cross around her neck.  She was pulled onto the street, and stabbed multiple times by a group of Islamic extremists. 

While many of us view Easter as a time of celebration, persecuted Christians around the world are in danger of losing their lives.  Major Christian holidays are when persecuted Christians face some of the most brutal and violent attacks.  Let’s not forget to pray for our Christian brothers and sisters who face real persecution each day especially during this important holiday.

I look forward to worshipping with you on Sunday,

Pastor Andy

E-Note From Pastor Andy 4-2-14

April 2, 2014

Dear Eastridge Family,

I was reading this morning from Thomas a Kempis these words that I want to share with you:

          There will always be many who love Christ's heavenly kingdom, but few who will bear his cross.  Jesus has many who desire consolation, but few who care for adversity.  He finds many to share his table, but few who will join him in fasting.  Many are eager to be happy with him; few wish to suffer anything for him.  Many will follow him as far as the breaking of bread, but few will remain to drink from his passion.  Many are awed by his miracles; few accept the shame of his cross.

          Many find the command, "Deny thyself, take up your cross and follow me" (Matthew 16:24) too hard.  But it will be much harder to hear the final word: "Depart from me you who are cursed, into the everlasting fire" (Matthew 25:41).

We should never be surprised that following Jesus will be costly.  We should expect sacrifice if we really are following Jesus.  Let us continue to be a narrow road people, following Jesus wherever He leads us and whatever He ask us to do.

Funeral Dorothy Hunter

Dorothy was Todd’s grandmother and Ben’s mother.  Her funeral will be Friday at 7PM at the church.  The church is providing a dinner for the family before the service if you would like to help please contact Carmen or Pastor Gloria.

Board Meeting

Sunday afternoon at 4:30 we will have our monthly board meeting in the Fellowship Hall.

Sunday evening Missionary Movie “The Calling”

This Sunday evening we will be watching a movie entitled, “The Calling.”  This film is based on the writings of Esther Carson Winans, this video features her and her husband Roger Winans, who were the pioneer Nazarene missionaries to the Aguaruna Indians in Peru.  It was filmed on the Peruvian coast and in the Amazon jungle where the story took place.

Church Election

On Palm Sunday April 13^th we will have our annual church elections for our church leadership.  Please make this a matter of prayer.

Easter Service

The service times will be the same this year as they were last year.  We will start our day with a Breakfast at 9:15 AM – 9:45AM.  Followed by our Easter Service at 10:00 AM.  After the morning worship celebration we will have the  EASTER EGG HUNT.

Easter Egg Hunt

We will be taking some donations for the Easter Egg Hunt, either small wrapped candy or money.  There is more information and sign-up sheets for different ways you can help at the church.

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.

Membership Class

If you are interested in becoming a member of Eastridge Church please contact Pastor Andy.

Quotes of the week

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 look forward to worshipping with you on Sunday,

Pastor Andy