Enote From Pastor Andy 6-27-14

June 27, 2014

Dear Eastridge Family,

I am planning on preaching a sermon from Romans 10:9.  What does this mean to confess with your mouth and believe in your heart?  This is one of the earliest Christian confession of faith.  Long before the creeds were written we find this simple statement, “Jesus is Lord.”  Paul writes, “If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)  In 1 Corinthians 12:3 he writes, “No one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ except by the Holy Spirit.”

What does this word, “Lord” mean?  In Greek it is kyrios or kurios and it describes someone who has authority over another – a ruler, a master, commander, or king.  Caesar claimed to be Lord of the Earth.  Christians called Jesus, “Lord of lords” – the highest authority, the King of kings.

But what does all of this mean in our daily lives for the disciples of Jesus?  We will try to offer an answer on Sunday.  Here are a couple of quotes I want to share:

"If we can define church without Jesus then we can do church without Jesus.  That is tragedy at best and treason at worst.” - Neil Cole

"We are too busy to pray, and so we are too busy to have power.  We have a great deal of activity, but we accomplish little; many services but few conversions; much machinery but few results."  - R. A. Torrey

"You cannot have Jesus' rescue without accepting his rule." - Timothy Keller

“You can’t be what you don’t see.  We get discipleship, but how many of us have seen it last more than one generation?  Will we let people imitate our lives?  Do I have a life worth imitating?” – Jo Saxon

  

• Youth Summer Camp Fundraising

The teens did a fine job with the fundraiser dinner last Sunday.  They are making good progress for getting the money needed for summer camp.  If you have any projects that you would like some help or if you would want to hire a teen to wash windows, mow your lawn see Ashley, Josh or Riley and they can get you set up.  Ben had the youth group come out to his house last week and do some yard work and he made a donation in return.

• Bible Study

While Pastor Daniel and Gloria are away in Colombia their Bible studies are still meeting.   On Wednesday at Carmen’s house Lucy is leading the Bible study in Spanish.  If you are interested see Carmen or Lucy for more details.  We are continuing our study of Genesis at the fellowship hall each Wednesday evening at 6pm.  Stephanie is leading a women’s study on Sunday evening and Monday evening if anyone is interested see Stephanie.

• District Assembly

The Kansas District Assembly is July 13-15 this year.  We will dismiss our Sunday evening service on July 13^th so we can attend the opening assembly service at 7 PM.  This service we will honor Dr. Ed Nash our retiring District Superintendent.  On Tuesday the delegates to the assembly will elect a new District Superintendent.  I think this will be an important matter to bring to God in prayer.  Will you join me in seeking God’s direction for a new Superintendent?

Looking forward to worshipping with you this Sunday! 

Pastor Andy

Enote From Pastor Andy 6-5-14

June 5, 2014

Dear Eastridge Family,

Last Sunday was Ascension Sunday, the time we remember the ascension of Jesus into heavenly realms, where He was taken on clouds of heaven into the presence of the Ancient of Days, where He was given universal power, authority, and dominion.  From that place, He rules on earth.  From that place He has given us a job to do, to make disciples.

This week we will celebrate Pentecost Sunday, the time we remember that the promise of Jesus was fulfilled. The Holy Spirit was poured out upon the people of God and thus introducing a new age in human history.  Jesus’ physical presence was now departed from the presence of the disciples and the Spirit of God, the third person of the Trinity, would now take a more preeminent role in the life of the New Israel, the Church.

Jesus has gone on high; He is exalted above all.  Pentecost tells us that though Jesus’ earthly ministry may be done, His public work continues through His chosen vessel, His Church.  This work is being done through the power of the Spirit. Pentecost is a mighty moment in history.  It shall never be repeated again, but the consequences of that day will unfold and will continue to unfold until the coming of our exalted King in the end of Human History.

Last week I read a sermon by David Platt entitled “The Gospel and the Rich.” He has a couple of paragraphs that I thought were worth sharing:

I want to be clear: using this word is not intended to distinguish radical Christianity from some other brand of Christianity. It’s intended to show that biblical Christianity–true, authentic Christianity–is inevitably radical Christianity.  For you and for anyone in this room to come to Jesus means to lay down your life and your possessions and your pursuits and your family and your future–your everything–to surrender to him. Jesus never calls a person to partial, casual discipleship … cultural discipleship. There’s one option: radical discipleship. It’s the surrender of everything you have and everything you are to Jesus. 

So to every Christian in this room, to every follower of Christ, you have surrendered the right to determine the direction of your life. You do not determine where you live. You do not determine how you live.  You do not determine how you spend your money. You have relinquished that right.  He determines all of these things. Your role, and my role, is not to consider what he says and then decide what we think about it. Your role, and my role, is to listen and obey. He’s Lord.

Darrel and Clara Jo Hinshaw

We have been invited by the children and grandchildren of Darrel and Clara Jo Hinshaw to attend a Drop-in reception which will celebrate their 50 years of marriage on Saturday, June 7^th, 2014.  The reception will be at the Fellowship Hall from 2:00-4:00 pm.  No gifts are requested.

I learned today that Clara Jo’s brother Dale passed away this morning.  Let’s keep her family in our prayers

Promotion Sunday

Our Sunday school Superintendent Riley Carswell is planning to recognize and promote the students who will be promoted to a new class this week Sunday June 8^th.

World Mission Broadcast (WMB)

World Mission Broadcast (WMB) began as the Nazarene Radio League in 1944 with the creation of the first international English radio ministry, Showers of Blessings, in 1945. Today, WMB produces 140 radio, television, and Internet broadcast ministries that include podcasts, texting, and chats in 37 distinct languages.  These ministries currently reach beyond borders and barriers into 72 countries around the world.  Every year more than 7,000 unique broadcasts are the conduit that lead people to a local church and into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  It costs WMB just $4 to produce and transmit a one-minute message of hope.

Through the Paglaum sa Kinabuhi (Hope of Life) radio program, Pastor Talon meets many people.  The program has numerous avid listeners, especially those who have met Pastor Talon.  The show often leads to speaking invitations, and Pastor Talon travels from village to village sharing the gospel.  

During one such trip, Pastor Talon met someone especially eager to hear the gospel.  The man immediately proposed to donate a portion of his land for a church building.  Residents of the mountain area now have a place to gather during the radio broadcast and for Sunday worship and fellowship.

Youth Car Wash and Dinner Fundraiser

The youth are working on raising money to cover as much of the camp expense as possible.  On Friday afternoon they will have a car wash at the church starting at 4:30 and will run a couple of hours.

On Sunday afternoon following the morning worship the Youth Group will have a Fundraiser Dinner.  The meal will feature BBQ pulled pork or Peruvian style pork and rice.  The youth group would like people to purchase advance tickets so they can have plenty of food available.  Prices are $10 per adult couple; $6 adult single; $4 ages 4-12; and kids three and under eat free.

Favorite Quotes of the Week

“When he wanted fully to explain what his forthcoming death was all about, he didn’t give them a theory. He didn’t even give them a set of scriptural texts. He gave them a meal” – N. T. Wright

I'm into Jesus. So I like his family too…the church (OK they're a little weird, but hey...) – Pete Greig

“We should be rigorous in judging ourselves and gracious in judging others.”
― John Wesley

Your wife’s relationship with God will affect her relationship with you more than anything else. – Stormie Omartian