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 7th, 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 8th.
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
― John Wesley
Your wife’s
relationship with God will affect her relationship with you more than anything
else. – Stormie Omartian
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