Worship News May 27, 2009

Book Sale to Benefit Crippled Children's Clinic

A book sale will be held at St. John's Episcopal Church in downtown Globe, on Friday and Saturday, June 5 and 6, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Proceeds will go to St. Andrew’s Crippled Children’s Clinic in Nogales, AZ, which has been treating poor children for free for 33 years. When you can get good books at a super-bargain price for a good cause, how can you miss? If you hurry, you can still drop off your old books at the church at the corner of Hill and Oak; there’s a box inside the gate at the courtyard.

Miami Teen to Compete

Pictured:Miami teen Shayleigh Steele wants to compete at Summerfest'09: Teens from around America will gather in Joplin , MO, June 24-29, for "Summerfest '09," an inspiring event for any teen, but especially for Shayleigh Steele of Globe, who won the Top Female Vocal Solo for the Arizona district, and would like to compete at a national level at Summerfest's "Teen Talent Expo." Shayleigh, 16, is a sophomore at Miami High, active in the Bible Club, Mock Trial Team, and Varsity Volleyball. She is active in her church, the River of Life Pentecostal Church of God. Would you like to help send Shayleigh to Missouri? The expenses of sending her and a chaperone will be about $1500, and your donation would be very much appreciated. Make your tax-deductible check to "River of Life," mark "Summerfest" on your check, and mail it to Pastor Blevins, 5667 E. Golden Hill Road, Globe, AZ 85501.

Gay Agenda Advanced, By Ed Kuehneman

President Obama has named June as National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month and saluted the “determination" of the LGBT. Jill Biden, the Vice President’s wife, has appeared as a guest speaker for GLSEN. the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, aimed at creating homosexualfriendly grade schools. GLSEN's founder wrote the foreword to "Queering Elementary Schools," and the group promotes a positive view of perversion throughout the curriculum and school plants, clear down to pre-schoolers, in the name of "tolerance, civil rights," and fighting "bullies." (Actually, beating up gays is not a big problem in elementary schools.) Gays as a group have proved to be willing to be politically involved and "in your face," not just for "equal rights" but for access to influence children (mostly other people’s). The President is said to be encouraging "hate crime" legislation that would make it unlawful even to theoretically criticise any sexual preference, even pedophilia. (Just my opinion, while it’s legal: Speak up now, or forever ... and read your Bible quick before God and VD get arrested for discrimination. And boy, will I get some angry mail on this!)

He Sends His Love, by Barbie Howland-Morton,Co-Pastor, First Christian Church(Disciples of Christ

Many times I will sign a card with this phrase: "Sending you my love and prayers." Perhaps then, you can understand the surprised look I had when someone recently sent me a card that said this: "I talked to God this morning and He sends you His love and faithfulness." After much thought, I realized that the message is true. Psalms 57:3 says so!

Seven Signs of a Dying Church, By Ed Kuehneman

"Ichabod" (No glory): The glory has departed: A church leader listed seven signs of a dying church, and they reminded me of the ancient church at Sardis, that Jesus said had "a name that you live, and are dead." A "famous" church had been "just going through the motions." I remember my frustrated mother going faithfully to our family church, hoping that district would send us a "more spiritual" leader. I knew what the problem was, because the minister considered me a bright young fellow, and confided his doubts that Jesus ever existed. He was a product of a liberal seminary, but he never came right out and said, "There's no God," because that would have upset the old folks. He preached on philosophical niceness. No one got saved. No one changed. We went through boring religious motions week by week in a church that 200 years before had been lively, full of fire. What happens? 1) Doctrine slips. Pastor doesn’t preach the old Bible truths, perhaps because he doesn’t really think they're true. So, he teaches his own philosophies, religious trends. Whole denominations are led "out into left field." 2) Loss of passion for evangelism. Getting sinners saved doesn’t appeal any more. Let someone else do it. 3) Not relevant. The church doesn't address real life problems. 4) No outward-focused ministry. The church ministers to itself, or no one. 5) Conflict over the carpet, etc. 6) Biblical illiteracy. Let pastor read it. Members don't really know what the Bible says. 7) Emphasis on comfort. No one feels confronted or challenged. Everything is warmfuzzy, pleasant, religious, and reassuring. My sister could sit sleeping in a robed choir, with her eyes wide open. The pastor tried gimmicks -- dialog, banners -- but what was really needed was the presence of God, and sinners getting saved. (Life!)

San Carlos Campmeetings

Pictured:Hector Zendejas will speak in San Carlos Friday and Saturday: The annual campmeeting of the American Indian Church in Seven Mile Wash began May 31 and will continue through June 6 at 7 o'clock nightly. Hear Evangelist Hector Zendejas of California Friday and Saturday night at 7. Pastor David Miles says, "Everyone is welcome!" Also, the 29th Annual Campmeeting of the World Evangelism Revival Center's will be held at the church in Gilson Wash, June 3-13, at 7:30 p.m. nightly. Featured will be "different anointed preachers who rightly divide the Word of Truth." This campmeeting is under the direction of Pastor Fernando Pechuli Sr.and Angelita Pechuli.

Specials Just for Your Kids!, Photo and Article by Ed Kuehneman

Mark your calendar! Take advantage of Vacation Bible Schools and programs, all free, aimed at bringing kids closer to Jesus!: Several Copper Country churches are offering free programs, less than a week long, for area children. Yours are welcome! You do not need to be related to the church in any way. Make sure your kids are there on time, especially the first day, so they feel comfortable. Many adults can remember a Vacation Bible School experience that made a lasting impression on their hearts! Central Heights Central Heights Baptist Church’s "Crocodile Dock" VBS for K to 5th graders will run June 15-19, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Parents, join your kids on Friday, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. for VBS Highlights, hamburgers and hot dogs. For information, call 928-425-5303 Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to noon. Sign up now for June 8 to 12 "Starlight" VBS 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at River of Life Church, 928-425-2349. Country Club Manor St. Paul's Lutheran Church (across the highway from Sonic) will host "Discovery Canyon" VBS for age 3 through 6th grade, with songs, games, snacks, and stories, mornings June 22 - 26. Call 928-425 -5119 or 425-0255 Globe: Globe Christian Center (behind Globe High School) will present its annual Music/Drama Camp June 19 and 20 from 9:30 to noon, with the program presented June 21 at 6 p.m. Payson Ponderosa Baptist Church (south of Home Depot) VBS will be June 22 to 26 (M-F), 9:30 a.m. - 12:30, for age 4 through 6th grade. Call 928-474-9279. Calvary Chapel (off Beeline at Sherwood) will host a safari theme "Kingdom of the Son" VBS for age 3 through 6th grade, July 13 through 17, from 8 q.m. to noon. Sign up by phone, 968-468-0901. Safford First Assembly of Safford (on Highway 191 next to the gun shop) hosts a one-day -a-week "Kids' Summer Program" Tuesdays during June and July, 1 to 3 p.m., in the gym at the church, for 1st through 6th grades, with crafts, board games and more. Call 928-428-2135. Hey, What About Our Church? If your church has a VBS or special event, let us know! "Attention Ed" at globeccn@yahoo. com, include a contact phone, and maybe a big picture! Please!

Your Life Is a Book, By Sister Louise

Everybody's life is a book being written, a story to be told. It's a book whose cover is someone you think you know, until you open the book, you read the pages of their life. You read of love and devotion of parents or you read of rejection, neglect, or abandonment. As you turn the pages, you see disappointments, sorrows and pain, success and want, sickness and suffering, and on the way, overcoming the obstacles of life with joy and hope for tomorrow, or with bitter anger and resentment. You read of when they became parents themselves, the joy and expectations as their little ones came kicking and screaming into their own lives, their hurts and their bruises, from teenage years into being young adults. You suffer with them, and you recall your parents and their love and patience. So the circle of life goes. We are all writing a book. Will it give hope to a hopeless life? Will it encourage the down trodden? Somewhere along the way, we have all had the opportunity to meet the Savior, Jesus Christ, the Author and the Finisher. Has Jesus been included in your Book, so it will have a good ending? He is the one who makes it all worth the living, the one who walks with us through the hard times and rejoices with us in the good times. He will be your friend if you ask Him to be. I wish you God's blessings and His saving grace, which only comes through Jesus Christ, in the writing of your book.

'Eternity,' No

A Southern Baptist Church was fined by Cathedral City, CA, for painting "Eternity" on its roof as a gentle witness to air travelers, and the city has passed an even tougher law. The church is now represented by the Pacific Justice Institute, which says the city has a "hostile, obstinate attitude toward religious institutions that must be addressed..." (Don’t you wonder: Why is an "Eternity" sign more "religiously offensive" than the sign that says "Cathedral City"?)