The Messenger - September 24
Pastor's Corner 9-24-08
"Solely by Grace"
If someone were to ask "when did you get saved?", how would you respond?
Some people can tell you the exact day, date, and hour. These are often folks who have rather dramatic conversion stories preceded by periods of discouragement or despair.
Other folks would say, "what"? They may have attended Christian churches and heard the gospels read for years, but they don't really understand the concept of salvation and what that means for them.
Still other folks would understand the question but struggle to name a date. They know they have been saved, but they can't tell you exactly when this realization occurred. These are often people who grew up in the church and rarely strayed from it. Instead of one dramatic moment, they remember several times of commitment and re-commitment to our Lord.
Perhaps the most remarkable answer I've ever heard came from my theology professor in seminary. When asked "when were you saved?", he said "about 2000 years ago when Christ hung on the cross for me."
Dr. Guthrie knew that this answer would frustrate some "soul trappers" he had met through the years, but he wanted to put the focus exactly where it belonged: on Jesus and not himself.
This Sunday's Bible reading from Ephesians has a similar focus: "for it is by grace you have been saved--and that, not of yourselves. It is a free gift of God--not a result of works--lest anyone should boast."
The Protestant Reformers who founded our denomination placed a lot of emphasis on this teaching. They called it "solo gratia"--solely by grace--and they saw it as a true pillar of the faith. Knowing that we are saved not by our efforts but by God's grace enables us to build our faith on gratitude instead of guilt and joy instead of fear. The consequences of this shift are extensive and profound.
If you (or someone you know) have been struggling a bit with guilt, shame, or despair, this week's for you! Don't miss it.
Neal
Sept. 24 Calendar Highlights Church is full swing!
| Wednesday | Breakfast
Bible Study at Carrow's |
7 am |
Contact:
Bob Erbacker |
|||
| Women's
Bible Study |
1 pm |
Contact: Kim Neuenschwander | ||||
| Cherub
Choir |
4:30 pm |
Contact: Emily Anderson | ||||
| Gospel
Gang |
4:30 pm |
Contact: Lesley Sirianni | ||||
| King's
Chorus |
5:30 pm |
Contact: Lesley Sirianni | ||||
| Sr.
High "Chill Time" |
5:30 pm | Contact: Todd Walter | ||||
| Middle
School Fellowship |
6:30 pm |
Contact: Todd Walter | ||||
| SonLight
Singers |
6:30 pm |
Contact: Lesley Sirianni | ||||
| Chapel
Bells |
7 pm | Contact: Nan Roberts | ||||
| Prayer
Group |
7 pm |
Contact:
Keith Headley |
||||
| Thursday | Crew
731 |
7:00 pm |
Contact: Eric V. Beck | |||
| Chancel
Choir |
7:30 pm |
Contact: Allan Petker | ||||
| Friday | Breakfast | 8:15 am | Contact: Paul Mathews or Pastor Neal | |||
| Hangout | 7:30 - 9:30 pm |
Contact: Todd Walter | ||||
| Saturday | Co-Ed
Volleyball |
? |
Contact: Erik Larson, Jim Peacock | |||
| Sunday | Adult Sunday School | Before Service |
Contact: Paul Mathews or Shirley Gonzales | |||
| Children's Sunday School | Begins During Service | Contact: Sue Headley | ||||
| Worship
|
9:30 am | Contact: Pastor Neal or Paul Purdy | ||||
| Sr.
High Fellowship |
6 - 7:30 pm |
Contact: Todd Walter | ||||
| Monday |
Youth
Praise Band |
6:30 - 8 pm |
Contact:
Tim Gray or Randi Bender |
A Look Ahead
-
Sept. 26 - Deadline
for Fisherman
Oct. 18 - Men's Conference
Oct. 19 - Stillman Sawyer Memorial Concert #1
Nov. 25 - Thanksgiving Basket Delivery
Men's Conference
Another awesome gathering of Men, for Men about Men and their issues dealing with marriage, work, friendship, family, church, faith, service, and more. Please join us on:
- Date: Oct. 18th
- Time: 7:30 to 4:00 p.m.
- Free admission
Featured
speakers: Chuck Smith, Raul Ries, Brian Broderson, Steve Mays, David
Rosales
Sign
up after church; or Contact Jim Peacock or Tim Gray for more info.
YOU’RE INVITED TO…THE STILLMAN SAWYER MEMORIAL CONCERTS
AT FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF SAN PEDRO
Debut Concert: organist Johannes Müller-Stosch & trumpeter Robert Frear
Works by Telemann • J S Bach • Franck • Hakim
The Stillman Sawyer Memorial Concerts are a continuing gift
to the community, celebrating the talents of local musicians of all genres
in an ongoing series of free concerts
Pre-concert Reception 3:00 pm
Sunday, October 19, 2008 at 4:00 p.m.
A Youth Praise Band Is Forming
Calling all youth singers and musicians! We are starting a Youth Praise Band this Fall.
Come on down and jam with us! We'd love to have you.
We meet Mondays at 6:30 - 8pm in the Sanctuary.
Contact: Tim Gray or Randi Bender
To
make comments or
be added or deleted from The Messenger mail
list contact: