The Messenger - February 3, 2012 - A Time for Politics and Prayer
Pastor's Corner - "A Time for Politics and Prayer"
From the Tech Team - Monitor Needed
Upcoming Events - Couples Retreat and Family Camp
Student Ministry News - Fellowship is Back on Wednesday Nights
Calendar- See the Sweetheart Breakfast!
Pastor's Corner
A Time for Politics and Prayer
February 3, 2012
By the time most of you read this article, Kim and I will be returning from the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, DC. According to Wikipedia, this event has taken place annually since 1953. The breakfast is attended by more than 1,000 guests, including international invitees from over 100 countries. It is hosted by members of the United States Congress and is organized on their behalf by The Fellowship Foundation, a Christian organization more widely known as "The Family". Every U.S. president since Dwight D. Eisenhower has participated in the annual event, including President Obama. Given the limited size of the Hilton ballroom in DC, each congressperson may invite just two guests per year. Kim and I were invited by Congresswoman Janice Hahn.
The speaker for this year was Eric Metaxas, a creative writer and hilarious speaker known best for his role in creating the “Veggie Tales” film clips for children. He has also written two well-regarded biographies of strong moral leaders, Dietrich Bonhoeffer and William Wilberforce. Eric had us laughing hard and thinking hard about the influence of Jesus and those who follow him with uncommon passion in the world. Then, Jackie Evancho, the 11 year old girl with the voice of a 30 year old opera star, got us crying with her rendition of two very thoughtful prayers. Jackie was “discovered” a couple of years ago by producer David Foster of Los Angeles. You may have seen her on several fund-raising programs for PBS.
The morning began with prayer by Congressman Mark Pryor and closed with prayer by Robert Griffin III, this year's winner of the Heisman trophy. It also included a reading from Scripture by Senator Tom Coburn and some thoughtful remarks by President Barack Obama. Several of them spoke about their personal faith and their desire to implement that faith amidst some very challenging circumstances in Washington. Several persons on the dais also asked that we remember them in prayer.
Most of you know that I am not exactly a political animal. In order to be an effective pastor to Democrats and Republicans, I rarely discuss politics, focusing instead on the gospel and the moral truths that each persuasion helps us to see. But I must say that this experience got me thinking quite a bit about the role of prayer in politics. One pastor told me years ago, “if you like the current president, then you need to pray for him often. If you don't like the current president, then you need to pray twice as often!” Whether you are talking about the president or any other politician, I've come to believe that this adage is true.
I will be sharing a few other thoughts about this national prayer breakfast when we meet this Sunday morning back in San Pedro. In the mean time, I hope you will join me in regular intercession for the national and local representatives whom God has chosen through the electoral process to lead us in the years to come. The best political leaders know that they need it, and the most honest of those leaders often seek it. Let's do our part to make God's guidance clear.
I'll see you in church!
Neal
From the Tech Team:
Extra monitor?
The tech team is looking for a donated LCD computer monitor (15-19"). We guess that someone probably has a retired one sitting around. So if you have such a monitor that you no longer need, please contact Erik Larson (eriklarson@firstpressanpedro.org).
Coming Events:
Couples Retreat: April 27-29, 2012 at the beautiful Ontario Ayers Hotel & Suites... Only $100.00 per couple for the whole weekend. Includes two nights accommodations, three meals, a great video series by Mark Gungor and some unforgettable laughs and fellowship! Please join us for a great weekend...very limited space- Please see the Becks, the Bodlovichs or the Loyds ASAP to reserve your spot!
Save the dates: Family Camp 2012: September 28-30, 2012 More details to follow soon!
Student Ministries News: No Sunday School on 2/5
FELLOWSHIP IS BACK ON WEDNESDAY NIGHTS
Please note that all of our youth events are in our bi-monthly Youth Bulletin which is handed out at church on Sundays or in the entryway. (copies may be e-mailed upon request)
Fellowship
Dinners:
We are asking for $25 donations to
offset the cost of Wednesday night Fellowship Dinners (about
$2.25 per meals). Please
see Randi or Todd if you have questions.
SUNDAY TEEN BIBLE CLASS: JR & SR High bible study/fellowship upstairs in the green room before church on the following dates: 1/29 from 8:45am to 9:15.
YOUTH
DINNER: JR & SR
High fellowship
dinners will start at 5:45PM to 6:15PM on the
following dates: 2/8,
2/15, 2/22& 2/29.
SR HIGH
FELLOWSHIP NIGHT DATES: SR High
Fellowship will start at 6:15PM-7:15PM on the
following dates: 2/8, 2/15, 2/22& 2/29
JR HIGH
FELLOWSHIP NIGHT DATES:
JR High
Fellowship will start at 7:15PM-8:15PM on the
following dates: 2/8, 2/15, 2/22& 2/29. .
FRIDAY
HANG OUT: Hang Out on the
following dates from 7:00PM – 9:30PM: 2/3, 2/10 &
2/24. No Hang Out on 2/17
due to holiday weekend.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Sweetheart
Breakfast: The youth will be having
their annual breakfast after church on Sunday February 12th. Please plan on helping
with this fundraiser and be at the church by 9:15AM.
Recycling
drive for youth: We will be recycling #1 plastic bottles and aluminum
cans. If you would
like us to pick them up at your house simply call Todd.
Student
Ministries Staff
Randi Bender
& Todd Walter
Email: rdbender44@aol.com
Tel: (310)
832-9717 (home) (310) 562-9243 (cell)
Fri, Feb 3
7:00 pm - Youth Hangout
Sat, Feb 4
9:00 am - Chancel Choir Winter Retreat
Sun, Feb 5
8:30 am - Adult Sunday School
9:30 am - Worship - Communion
11:00 am - Worship and Music Meeting
Tue, Feb 7
7:00 pm - Most commissions meet
Wed, Feb 8
7:00 am - Bible Study at Carrow's
4:00 pm - Homework Hangout
4:00 pm - Angel Choir Rehearsal
4:00 pm - Parent Hangout
4:30 pm - Cherub Choir Rehearsal
5:00 pm - Gospel Gang Choir Rehearsal
5:45 pm - Dinner for Jr. and Sr. High Schoolers
6:15 pm - Sr. High Fellowship
6:15 pm - King's Chorus Choir Rehearsal
7:00 pm - Handbell Choir Rehearsal
7:00 pm - Prayer Group
7:15 pm - Jr. High Fellowship
7:15 pm - SonLight Singers Choir Rehearsal
Thu, Feb 9
7:30 pm - Chancel Choir Rehearsal
Fri, Feb 10
4:00 pm - Children's Choir Rehearsal
7:00 pm - Youth Hangout
Sat, Feb 11
9:00 am - Newcomer's Brunch
9:00 am - Children's Choir Rehearsal
8:30 am - Adult Sunday School
9:30 am - Worship
11:00 am - Annual Meeting
11:00 am - Sweetheart Brunch
7:00 pm - Thallendar Festival of Worship
Amy Hubbard is the editor of the Messenger.
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