Grace Communique

April 2011 Newsletter

"Very early on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. They were saying to one another, 'Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?' Looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away, although it was extremely large. Entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting at the right, wearing a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, 'Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen; he is not here; behold, here is the place where they laid him'" (Mark 16:2-6).

Easter is coming! Praise the Lord for the opportunity to especially focus upon the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The emphasis will begin on Palm Sunday as we celebrate his Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem and then we will reflect upon the week of trials culminating in a Good Friday service at 7:00 PM here at the church. Resurrection Sunday (April 24) will be a great time of music and teaching to highlight how important this event is in our lives. On that morning we will not have our regular Sunday School classes, but will make time for everyone to mingle around some simple snacks and get to know one another better. Since Easter is late this year perhaps it will be a warm sunny day and we can fellowship outside.

One of our goals is to provide good spiritual foundations for our young people. With this purpose in mind we are hosting a special singing group for a Christian college in California. Students from The Master's College will be singing at our church on May 24th at 7:00 PM. There will be 60 members in this choral! Therefore, we need families to put them up overnight on the 24th and give them a breakfast in the morning.

Donna Nightingale is serving as the coordinator for this concert (399-4967). Please remember that it is in May and the weather is warm and some of you could provide tents for the students to sleep in your back yard. You can give them sticks and they can find their own food. At any rate, do not underestimate the impact of spiritually committed college students mingling with high school students.

In Christ,
Lew
Pastor Miller

May 2011 Newsletter

"And the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus. It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life." (1 Timothy 1:14-16).

Our vision as a church is to challenge each other to be "fountains of grace" to everyone we meet. Our motivation is to joyfully pass on the grace we have received from God.

I would like to share with you a moment of my own testimony as to why I am in ministry. When I received salvation at the age of eleven I can remember quite clearly how everything in my life changed. I had an immediate sense of the presence of God and when I read the Scriptures I was able to understand them or I would not stop reading a passage over and over until I understood it.

In time, I found I liked to share what I learned with whoever would listen. The gift of teaching started to grow to the point where I began to question what I should do with my life.

I share these thoughts because God worked in a very special way to direct my steps into an education that would allow me to minister more effectively. Sometime in the spring of 1977 a special singing group from Philadelphia College of Bible came to sing at the church I attended. It was a group of three men called "The Crusader Men." I don't remember the songs they sang but I do recall each of them taking the time to talk to me and they shared their excitement about studying the Bible in a far off place called Philadelphia.

Before this group left the area I made a decision to visit the school to see what it was like. Sure enough I decided on the spot that it was the place for me and the rest is history.

I bring this up because we have the privilege of hosting a group of young people giving us a concert on May 24, 2011 at 7 PM here at the church. They are from the Master's College in California.

Last year my wife and I spent three weeks with the students from this school when we toured Turkey and Greece. My impression of the students in this college was that they were a group of highly motivated sharp young people who were sold out for the Lord. If I was starting school all over again I personally would attend this place.

Parents, if you have young people thinking about school or who are entering high school, I encourage you to host a couple of students as they spend a night with us. You will not be sorry. Please contact Donna Nightingale who is serving as the coordinator for this concert (399-4967).

In Christ,
Lew
Pastor Miller