The Messenger - September 30, 2007
Pastor Neal's
NotesSeveral years ago, I heard radio commentator Paul Harvey speak before a large audience. Harvey is best known for radio segment called "The REST of the Story:--a program that provides an unusual perspective on (and several overlooked details from) major news stories of the day. During a career that had spanned over 60 years, Harvey spoke to countless audiences around the country, and he said they asked this question more often than any other: Why don't we hear more GOOD news from the media and press? Harvey explained that several folks tried through the years to create "good news" papers, but they learned, to their chagrin, the "bad news sells." So, he decided to complement this bad news with a thoughtful, folksy, and sometimes quirky take on events. Several million people loved it, and 22 million listen to Paul Harvey almost every week.
I thought of Paul recently when preparing this Sunday's sermon--a sermon on the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Most Biblical descriptions of that event are pretty scary--they describe wars and famines and conflict of all types. This is a major "bad news" take on events. But, in Luke's gospel, Jesus ends this litany of woe with a very unusual remark: "When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."
Isn't that strange? Any civilian exposed to war knows that the first rule is to DUCK. Avoid the bullets, avoid the rockets, avoid the bombs. And any child who is raised in a home that's filled with conflict knows to stay out of the way. Yet Jesus tells us to "stand up and lift your heads." What going on here? Or, to quote Paul Harvey, where do we find "the REST of the story"? I'll think you'll be quite pleased with the answers we discover this week.
I'll see you in church!
Neal
September Weekly Calendar Highlights Church - up and running. . .
Monday 01 Women's Bible Study 7pm Contact: Kim Neuenschwander
Tuesday 02 Beachcomber Beta Group 2:30pm Contact: Rupert Loyd or Pastor Neal
Most Commissions meet 7 or 7:30pm Contact: Commission Chairs
Wednesday 03 Breakfast Club Bible Study at Carrow's 7am Contact: Rupert Loyd
Women's Bible Study 1pm Contact: Kim Neuenschwander
Cherub Choir & Gospel Gang 4:30pm Contact: Cherubs - Emily Anderson; GGang - Lesley Sirianni
AHEPA in McDonald Hall 6pm Contact: On Site
High School Fellowship 6pm Contact: Randi Bender
Kings Chorus 6pm Contact: Lesley Sirianni
Voyagers 6:30pm Contact: The Larsons
SonLight Singers 7pm Contact: Lesley Sirianni
Chapel Bells 7pm Contact: Nan Roberts
Prayer Fellowship 7pm Contact: Rupert Loyd
Jr. High Fellowship 7pm Contact: Randi Bender
Thursday 04 Deacons 9am Contact: Betty Loyd
Chancel Choir 7:30pm Contact: Allan Petker
Notice: The parking lot gate will be locked in the PM in preparation for the rummage sale on Sat.
Friday 05 Tennis & Breakfast 8:15am Contact: Rupert Loyd or Pastor Neal
Bring rummage goods after 3:00pm Contact: Karen Ceaser or Randi Bender
Youth Hangout 7:30 - 9:30pm Contact: Randi Bender
Saturday 06 RUMMAGE SALE 7am - 12noon Contact: Karen Ceaser or Randi Bender
Co-Ed Church Volleyball Various Times Contact: Jim Peacock or Erik Larson
Even if you don't play, come on out and root for us! 1st Christian Church 2930 El Dorado, Torrance
That's at the corner of Maple and El Dorado. See you there! <<Map>>
Sunday 07 Adult Sunday School 8:30 - 9:30am Contact: Rupert Loyd
Children and Youth Sunday School Begins During Service Contact: Diane Bettis
Worship 9:30am Contact: Pastor Neal or Paul Purdy
- Series: Prepositional Theology
- Number: 6 in series of 6
- Theme: When Christ Comes Again. . .
- Scripture: Luke 21:1 - 11
- Preacher: Rev. Neal Neuenschwander
Please Note:
There will be a Called Meeting of the Congregation immediately
following the morning worship service on October 7, 2007 for the
purpose of electing church officers (Elders and Deacons).
Remember these are just the Highlights... Call the church office if you need details 310-832-7597
Quick News
All Men and Young Men are invited to attend. We have two vans available. Contact: Todd Walter or Jim Peacock
Letter from Jack Hayford and Robert Stearns on Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem
Dear Praying Friends,
Please take a moment to read and pass on this urgent prayer update.
We are just days away from a powerful moment, when millions of Christians in every nation across the planet will join in faith and unity to pray together for the Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem.
This massive prayer initiative, one of the largest in Church history, has now been . . .
<<complete story>>
One
Man's Trash is Another Man's Treasure!
A
Fall Rummage Sale to benefit SonLight Singers and King's Chorus (our
youth choirs) will be held on Saturday, October 6th from 7 a.m. to
Noon, so clean out those closets and garages and bring your
"no-longer-needed treasures” to the church parking lot on Friday,
October 5th (only after 3 p.m., PLEASE).
Small appliances must be in working order and only a limited number of
large, bulky items can be accepted.
Any questions, call Lesley Sirianni at
310-831-2060. Thank you for your support - hope
to see you there!
Random Fact of the Week
The Hebrews had many names for God. It all depended upon the situation. How was the author feeling? What did the author want from God? What was their relationship to God? What had God done? What was God like? What did God want from the author? What did he want from his people? What was God going to do?
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- HEBREW ~
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- ARAMAIC ~
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Page Last Updated: Mon Oct 1, 2007