Richard Todd's thoughts

A FEW WORDS FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING SUNDAY, JUNE 5, 2011

I WAS EXCITED!

I AM STILL EXCITED!

By Pastor Richard

We were given the green light to begin worshipping at our new church campus on Friday, May 27, 2011. Then we started calling to get the word out. I was excited as we moved in to our new church campus on Sunday, May 29, 2011. In the future, each Memorial Day weekend we will have an additional remembrance in that we occupied our new church campus that weekend. I am still excited.

And this week I have been calling, texting and sending notes and emails to many of your friends in God’s family about our new location. Our church Facebook page also has a number of pictures posted there.

Our men’s conference for 2012 is April 13-15, 2012 at Forest Home Conference Center. I want to make sure there is a place for you men so we must plan early. A $50 deposit is needed to reserve your spot. See me or Ed Faranda for details.

We will be having a special send-off for Sammy Becerra next Sunday morning. He leaves for Operation Barnabas that evening. His financial support has been raised but there are numerous items that he still needs to obtain. Contact Sammy or the family for more info.

I was asked recently to serve with a team of pastors/missionaries here in the Southern California/Arizona area who examine men in preparation for licensure/ordination for ministry. I said yes.

The latest issue of FGBC World and also Our Daily Bread is at the Information Center today for you to pick up your copy.

Some of the snapshots that were taken on our FIRST SUNDAY are posted at our church website plus also on our church Facebook page.

And do you remember what person from the pages of Scripture that I spoke on our First Sunday?

I want to admit here that the typo on the screens was mine and no one else’s. I AM EXCITED (LOL)!

God’s best to you,

Pastor Richard

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

IT WAS WORTH THE WAIT!!!

A group of us were walking through our new church campus on First Sunday (May 29, 2011) when you shared these words.

ANOTHER QUOTE OF THE WEEK

NEAT!!!

A group of us were walking through our new church campus on First Sunday (May 29, 2011) when you shared these words.

AND ANOTHER QUOTE OF THE WEEK

I APPROVE!!!

A group of us were walking through our new church campus on First Sunday (May 29, 2011) when you shared these words.

OK, ONE MORE QUOTE

WE SOLD OUT OF BULLETINS TODAY!

I know it may sound a little different to you but our Head Usher, Bob Castillo, announced this as people kept asking for bulletins on our First Sunday even though we had run out.

My writings or whatever you want to call them are regularly emailed to missionaries and others wanting to keep in touch with the Community Grace Brethren family.  You can find my writings and view our church photo album and other material by going to whittierbrethren.net and follow the links.

RECEIVE BY EMAIL: If you or someone you know wants to receive this article and a pdf of today’s program (bulletin) then send an email request to whittierbrethren@gmail.com

FOLLOW IN FACEBOOK: You can sign up to be a friend of our church family at Facebook (look up Community grace brethren church and see some of our Kodak Moments and comments about life.

A FEW WORDS FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING SUNDAY, MAY 29, 2011

IT IS THE END AND

THE BEGINNING!

By Pastor Richard

Welcome to your new church home and worship center. May 29th was the day we ended our being a church in rented facilities and started a new chapter of being a church with a permanent church campus. Our first Sunday on this path was Mother’s Day, May 2009 and during that time we met in various locations (you know I mean VARIOUS like Community Centers and funeral homes). Our last Sunday in our pilgrimage was May 22, 2011. A special group of you have been part of the SPECIAL SETUP team over these years that have hauled, unloaded, setup, reloaded and hauled once again the equipment that our nursery has used, our Information Center, our media ministry and praise team. Thank you for your labor of love (there are too many of you to list here). Our paperwork from the City of Whittier says the special words that I have made the “Quote of the Week” below.

All worship services and other group meetings will begin meeting right here at our church campus starting today. Walking n the Word will meet here today at 5:30pm. Check the schedule here in the bulletin for times and locations of other group meetings that you are part of.

Memorial Day weekend will have a new meaning for all of us in the memory of God’s leading us and providing us this new church campus.

Thank you for your prayers and encouragement for my wife, Claudia, as she continues to receive treatment for her leg wound.

We have been celebrating in recent days with our son, Riley, who graduated from Western State School of Law on May 21. His next step is taking the California State Bar exam at the end of July.

Our own Bob Hetzler is just returning from a whirlwind ministry trip for Grace College to Indiana.

Our former church offices and conference center at 12300 Washington Blvd. have been relocated to our new church campus.

Dawn and Susie and the whole team at the Whittier Senior Center send their congratulations on our new church campus. They will miss seeing your smiling faces each Sunday morning.

Thank you for your help preparing our new campus for today’s services, Jerry. I hope all of you get to meet Jerry and his wife, Trish, soon.

I want all of you on campus today to pause for a quick snapshot of all who are with us at a point in our service today. I will probably happen right at the end of our worship service.

God’s best to you,

Pastor Richard

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

OK TO OCCUPY

The paperwork the City of Whittier gave us on May 27, 2011 has on it these three very special words.

SECOND QUOTE OF THE WEEK

WE HAVE A CHURCH (spoken with enthusiasm)

These were the first words from one of you when I called to share the good news that the City of Whittier gave us a green light to start using our new church campus for services effective 5/29/11.

My writings or whatever you want to call them are regularly emailed to missionaries and others wanting to keep in touch with the Community Grace Brethren family.  You can find my writings and view our church photo album and other material by going to whittierbrethren.net and follow the links.

RECEIVE BY EMAIL: If you or someone you know wants to receive this article and a pdf of today’s program (bulletin) then send an email request to whittierbrethren@gmail.com

FOLLOW IN FACEBOOK: You can sign up to be my friend at Facebook (look up Richard Todd and see some of my Kodak Moments and comments about life or read these words there if you so desire.

A FEW WORDS FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING SUNDAY, MAY 22, 2011

WE MET THE GOAL

FOR SAMMY BECERRA

By Pastor Richard

We met the support goal for our Operation Barnabas 2011 project to send Sammy Becerra on OB. Thank you for your gifts of love and pizza eating. He leaves Los Angeles on Sunday, June 12. We will have a special sendoff for him in our service that morning. Read the ad on the other page for more details.

Thank you for helping out this past week at your new church home. We didn’t have the green light to begin using it for services but we have the green light to clean and get tables set up in the rooms. Come by Monday through Friday if you want to help out. Contact the church office for specific hours or just come by ready to help.

It wasn’t too many weeks ago that I was preparing my Easter Sunday message thinking that maybe it would be my first sermon at our new church campus but we didn’t get our green light. Then it was the Sunday after Easter when we looked into 1 Corinthians 15 and we didn’t get our green light. And then it was my Mother’s Day message on Looking for Superwoman from Proverbs 31 that I thought might be the first message, but no. After that it was my message on praying earnestly from the life of Elijah yet still no green light. Today is my second message from the life of Elijah that you may study with me in one of two locations (I am writing this early Friday as we await the green light to begin worship on May 22). Perhaps this week is the week.

High School and college age people have a special Christian life discipleship conference available to them in this area during July. See Sheri Elisaldez for details.

Our offices will be completing their transition from Washington Blvd to 8109 Greenleaf in the next few days. Please take note of this when knocking on the door at 12300 Washington Blvd. Our lease ends on May 31. And please take note where your group is meeting.

When we looked at the earnestness of Elijah in his prayer life we considered the times when God says YES. But sometimes God says NO and then there are times God says WAIT. Do you remember what I shared that our family was waiting in prayer regarding?

God’s best to you,

Pastor Richard

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

WE’RE HERE

RESPONDING IN JESUS NAME

Samaritan’s Purse is headed by Franklin Graham. They are in the southern states helping out those families that need help RIGHT NOW. I know there are many organizations down there doing good work but I wanted to point out to you that a small group of them are helping out and sharing their motivation.

My writings or whatever you want to call them are regularly emailed to missionaries and others wanting to keep in touch with the Community Grace Brethren family.  You can find my writings and view our church photo album and other material by going to whittierbrethren.net and follow the links.

RECEIVE BY EMAIL: If you or someone you know wants to receive this article and a pdf of today’s program (bulletin) then send an email request to whittierbrethren@gmail.com

FOLLOW IN FACEBOOK: You can sign up to be my friend at Facebook (look up Richard Todd and see some of my Kodak Moments and comments about life or read these words there if you so desire.

A FEW WORDS FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING SUNDAY, MAY 15, 2011

A GREEN LIGHT SOON!!

By Pastor Richard

We are expecting the green light from all the approval groups very soon so we can move in to our new church campus. As I jot these words to you on Friday I am preparing to head over to our new church campus where one of the inspectors is doing his review (remember there are several stages to this final inspection that involve different city staff/departments).

Great Mother’s Day service here at Community. Good music, good fellowship, ok sermon, but the MOTHER’S DAY BLESSINGS were that extra special item that made the day GREAT. When those two men (B.M. then N. A.) stood up and blest their moms, I was blest also.

Remember I mentioned to you last Sunday that we were having a low-tech Sunday? After I jotted those words to you why did I then proceed to work on my slides for thirty minutes? LOL

We aren’t having a contest to bring friends and family to church but if we were having a contest I think Sally Rojas would be in the competition. A few weeks ago she introduced me to a relative from the East Coast and also a friend from this area (you will remember them as the gals with the sweetest smiles). Then on May 8^th she connected me with more of her family. I think that’s five in recent weeks.

Our Student Ministries group has an opportunity to attend a conference on discipleship right in our area that begins July 8 and continues through July 17. See Sheri Elisaldez for the details.

Whoever thought that EATING PIZZA would help send one of our students on a summer mission project? Our Shakey’s Pizza Night on May 2 raised $100.04 towards Sammy Becerra’s Operation Barnabas goal (see chart for most recent update). You also mentioned how good it was to sit and talk with everyone since on Sundays soon after our services end we have to make room for other people in the community to use the Senior Center. We will get an update for you shortly.

Our men’s conference for 2012 is April 13-15, 2012 at Forest Home Conference Center. I want to make sure there is a place for you men so we must plan early. A $50 deposit is needed to reserve your spot. See me or Ed Faranda for details.

Just a little trivia. We have a basketball hoop in the Plaza area at our new church campus. As I was passing by the hoop there was a basketball sitting there. Well, I picked it up and got a two-pointer from the free-throw line. Doesn’t that make my shooting percentage 100%?

Our office phone numbers will remain the same even though we are beginning the office move tomorrow morning. That means you still call 693-7680 to reach the church office. The church offices will soon be at our new campus so be ready for that announcement.

God’s best to you,

Pastor Richard

My writings or whatever you want to call them are regularly emailed to missionaries and others wanting to keep in touch with the Community Grace Brethren family.  You can find my writings and view our church photo album and other material by going to whittierbrethren.net and follow the links.

RECEIVE BY EMAIL: If you or someone you know wants to receive this article and a pdf of today’s program (bulletin) then send an email request to whittierbrethren@gmail.com

FOLLOW IN FACEBOOK: You can sign up to be my friend at Facebook (look up Richard Todd and see some of my Kodak Moments and comments about life or read these words there if you so desire.

A FEW WORDS FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING SUNDAY, MAY 8, 2011

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY

By Pastor Richard

We say a special thank you to our moms on Mother’s Day.  It’s the good thing to do.  As followers of Jesus we THANK GOD FOR OUR MOMS because God has chosen our moms for us (not our doing).  We will be giving thanks for our moms in our time together today gathered here as a church family and then also later today when we are scattered throughout Southern California.  Some of your love will reach out with a hug or two and some of your love will go out over the internet and telephones and some of our love (such as that for my mother) will reach out toward Heaven.

We have a special gift corsage we are giving to all adult gals with us this morning. 

We are going to have a baby announcement this fall (ask April and Adam, for starters). And a new job starting tomorrow morning for Joe Ramos (congrats, Joe). And a special Happy Mother’s Day to Lucille in Ohio because I remember that she was with us last Mother’s Day.

I enjoyed being with many of you on May 2 for our SHAKEYS PIZZA NITE FUNDRAISER FOR SAMMY BECERRA GOING TO OPERATION BARNABAS IN JUNE, 2011. Actually, sometimes it is just special to sit around and munch on mojos and hand out quarters to the kids and catch up with some of you (like Ezekiel and Darin, etc). As we go to press Shakey’s has not finished their accounting of the monies they are contributing. The deadline for final payment is coming soon.

May 5^th was the National Day of Prayer.  Yes, it has been politicized and made politically correct in some cases (cancellation of Franklin Graham speaking at the Pentagon’s prayer service being a current example).  A friend of mine pointed out on Facebook that a reporter called it a DAY OF RELEVANCE. It was a good time to stop for a few minutes and pray for our country and its leaders and thank God for our precious freedoms.  I was at Whittier City Hall for the gathering this past Thursday evening and was encouraged in coming together with hundreds of others to pray for our local, state and national leaders.

What exactly is a resurrection? We tackled this question in our Scripture study on May 1^st. What chapter in the Bible did we delve into?

Two years ago today we started celebrating right here at the Senior Center on Walnut.

Our work at our new church campus is wrapping up but circumstances have been beyond our desires to get moved in and start worshipping at 8109 Greenleaf. We have no final announcement for you today on Mother’s Day which means once again we will call you and give you the details for May 15^th worship location. If you have NOT been called and want to be notified of our worship location then give me your name and phone number before you head out today.

You have heard of the term “hi-tech” yet today we are having a “low-tech” worship service. We have all our electronics set up in our new church auditorium for our first worship service.

God’s best to you,

Pastor Richard

My writings or whatever you want to call them are regularly emailed to missionaries and others wanting to keep in touch with the Community Grace Brethren family.  You can find my writings and view our church photo album and other material by going to whittierbrethren.net and follow the links.

RECEIVE BY EMAIL: If you or someone you know wants to receive this article and a pdf of today’s program (bulletin) then send an email request to whittierbrethren@gmail.com

FOLLOW IN FACEBOOK: You can sign up to be my friend at Facebook (look up Richard Todd and see some of my Kodak Moments and comments about life or read these words there if you so desire.

A FEW WORDS FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING SUNDAY, MAY 1, 2011

ANY DAY NOW

By Pastor Richard

I am looking forward to making that much anticipated announcement once we have received our final approval from the City of Whittier to begin using our new church home for our worship services. For the upcoming worship service for Mother’s Day on May 8^th, we will call you or you can call the church office or you can check the church website for the latest announcement.

We are having a SHAKEY’S NIGHT tomorrow evening, May 2, from 5pm to 9pm, as a fundraiser for the support of Sammy Becerra for Operation Barnabas. I love those mojos and chicken and pizza (calories don’t count when it goes to such a good cause). Get a flyer that has all the details from one of our students during the service today.

May 5, 2011 is the National Day of Prayer for our country. The theme this year is A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD. Christians will gather in schools and workplaces and at City Halls whenever possible. Go to www.nationaldayofprayer.org for more information on gatherings that you might be able to attend right here in Southern California. You can also sign up for the Online Prayer Rally.

Our Scripture study today hitch hikes on our Easter Sunday message from Matthew 28. What were the first two things Jesus said (not what the angel said).

Want to volunteer at our new church campus? Call the church office about the work schedule. Thank you.

God’s best to you,

Pastor Richard

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

TELL THEM I’M COMING BACK

One of your friends that has been living out of state (and used to worship here at Community) recently sent this message to me through one of you. I’ll let you be surprised.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

LET THE BOY GO

Our Easter Sunday kids music was special but then became extra special when this younger cousin wanted to join in all the fun and song up front. One of you whispered these words to the family.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

THANK YOU FOR SINGING

 THOSE HYMNS ON EASTER

These words were shared with me. My response was easy. I shared that it wasn’t hard to do because hymns are part of our regular worship here at Community

My writings or whatever you want to call them are regularly emailed to missionaries and others wanting to keep in touch with the Community Grace Brethren family.  You can find my writings and view our church photo album and other material by going to whittierbrethren.net and follow the links.

RECEIVE BY EMAIL: If you or someone you know wants to receive this article and a pdf of today’s program (bulletin) then send an email request to whittierbrethren@gmail.com

FOLLOW IN FACEBOOK: You can sign up to be my friend at Facebook (look up Richard Todd and see some of my Kodak Moments and comments about life or read these words there if you so desire.

A FEW WORDS FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING SUNDAY, APRIL 24, 2010

HOW POPULAR ARE BUNNIES AT EASTER?

By Pastor Richard Todd

Even though bunnies, eggs and other commercial images saturate the marketplace, 55 percent of Americans polled identified Jesus as the most recognized symbol of Easter.  Even 41 percent of people who do not identify themselves as Christians associate Christ on the cross with the holiday.  Only 11 percent selected the Easter Bunny, eggs and jelly beans, while 16 percent associated Easter with family gatherings. The true meaning of Easter wins out over the consumer-driven aspect of the holiday.  Let’s get the TRUE STORY out there.

The Old Testament prophets pointed toward it and the first disciples of Jesus proclaimed it.  When we CLING TO THAT OLD RUGGED CROSS as the familiar hymn encourages us to do, we are not doing so out of mere sentimentality.  The cross of Jesus Christ is the heart of our message and the heart of our power.  The cross is the hinge upon which the door of history swings.  It is the hub that holds the spokes of God’s purposes in a grand unity.

Our guest speaker on Palm Sunday was very unique. Larry Williams came as a reporter covering what event of the Easter season? Did you know that Larry spent the first part of his professional life in the field of journalism and that he currently covers events as assigned by the Daily News? Watch for his newspaper name, RED WILLIAMS (ask him why).

We received word late in the week that our new church campus would not be ready for us to meet for worship today so we got the word out to all of you. If you are here this morning and were not contacted this week, then please check with Oralia Alvarado today so we can contact you this coming week about our May 1 worship schedule and location.

Want to volunteer at our new church campus? Call the church office beginning Tuesday morning, April 26 about the work hours (Monday, April 25, is not a volunteer work day).

Remember there are no other church events scheduled for the rest of today (Walking N the Word will meet next on May 1). Enjoy Resurrection Sunday with family and friends.

A group of us men participated in a men’s retreat at Forest Home with several hundred men from many churches on Palm Sunday weekend. Our speaker walked us through both Old Testament and New Testament passages in ways that we had never considered before (ask me). A few snapshots of our time there are posted on our church photo gallery at www.whittierbrethren.net

Mark your calendars today for the Operation Barnabas Shakey’s Pizza Night on Monday, May 2.

He is risen,

Pastor Richard

My writings or whatever you want to call them are regularly emailed to missionaries and others wanting to keep in touch with the Community Grace Brethren family.  You can find my writings and view our church photo album and other material by going to whittierbrethren.net and follow the links.

RECEIVE BY EMAIL: If you or someone you know wants to receive this article and a pdf of today’s program (bulletin) then send an email request to whittierbrethren@gmail.com

FOLLOW IN FACEBOOK: You can sign up to be my friend at Facebook (look up Richard Todd and see some of my Kodak Moments and comments about life or read these words there if you so desire.

A FEW WORDS FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING SUNDAY, APRIL 17, 2010

A VERY HAPPY UNBIRTHDAY TO WHO?

By Pastor Richard

One of the gal’s fellowship groups had an “unbirthday celebration” the other day by celebrating someone’s birthday when it wasn’t their birthday. The recipient of all that special attention was my wife, Claudia, whose birthday is not until June 4^th. Was she surprised? Of course!

Jewish people will be observing the Passover that begins tomorrow at sundown. I have put together some material that explains a little about the holiday and how you as a follower of Jesus Christ might be able to witness to your Jewish friends during this Passover season. See Oralia Alvarado for a copy today.

We have begun the FINAL PREPARATION phase of getting our new church campus ready so we can begin worship there. There is work we must do before we can begin worship services at 8109 Greenleaf Avenue. Thank you for coming out this past week and helping out. This coming Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday are again the days to just come and help out. Contact the church office for the schedule.

IF YOU DID NOT CHECK THE CHURCH ROSTER ON APRIL 10^th, please check it today to make sure we have your name and phone number correct for any and all BIG CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS that we will be making shortly.

As we prepare to move to our new church campus I want to ask you to help me prepare a BIG THANK YOU to Dawn and Susie who have been the main staff here at the Senior Center during our almost two years of meeting here. Oralia Alvarado has a big card for you to sign today. It will on the table at the back of the auditorium as you exit.

I feel great about the services we have planned starting today with Palm Sunday, so if you are wondering if you should make one more phone call, or walk across the office or the cul-de-sac to risk one more invitation, I would cheer you on! Who knows what God might do? Our young people have a special drama for Easter. And Sherry White is working with our kids to present some special music.

Our Easter events for this coming week are as follows:

Friday, April 22 Prayer Breakfast

         (go to www.whittierprayer.com for signups)

Sunday, April 24 Sunrise Service at Rose Hills

Sunday, April 24 Easter Sunday (10:45 worship only)

Sunday, May 1 Communion (PM)

How well do you remember what you have just read here? The test is this: How many items did I mention that you can see Oralia Alvarado for today?

Today is one of those days where our church family is having church here in Whittier and a group of us men are at the High Impact Men’s Conference having another service at Forest Home Christian Conference Center. We return this afternoon.

And yes, I am teaching this evening at Walking N the Word. See you there.

God’s best to you

Pastor Richard

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

I SANG THE FIRST SOLO IN

OUR NEW CHURCH AUDITORIUM!!!

One of you announced to a group of us that you had sung the first solo in our new church auditorium this week on one of the volunteer days. The amazing thing is that we haven’t had our first service there yet. Can it be considered the first solo even though we haven’t had our first service? Well, I’m going to think about that. Anyway, since I wasn’t there (now you know I wasn’t the singer) I was told the song title was IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL. I am further told that Mando Rios was a witness. Go figure.

My writings or whatever you want to call them are regularly emailed to missionaries and others wanting to keep in touch with the Community Grace Brethren family.  You can find my writings and view our church photo album and other material by going to whittierbrethren.net and follow the links.

RECEIVE BY EMAIL: If you or someone you know wants to receive this article and a pdf of today’s program (bulletin) then send an email request to whittierbrethren@gmail.com

FOLLOW IN FACEBOOK: You can sign up to be my friend at Facebook (look up Richard Todd and see some of my Kodak Moments and comments about life or read these words there if you so desire.

A FEW WORDS FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING SUNDAY, APRIL 10th, 2011

WE ARE NEAR THE END

AND NEAR THE BEGINNING!!!

By Pastor Richard

for the week of April 10-16, 2011

We have begun the FINAL PREPARATION phase of getting our new church campus ready so we can begin worship there. And that means we are very near the end of the construction phase. There is work we must do before we can begin worship services at 8109 Greenleaf Avenue. We have a growing list of you who have volunteered to pitch-in and help. Thank you for signing up to help out. If you haven’t signed up then do so today. See me or pick up a volunteer form at the Information table in the lobby this morning.

Please check the church roster today to make sure we have your name and phone number correct for any and all BIG CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS that we will be making shortly.

Our most recent message in the Epistle of John tackled the topic of LOVE. What is love? Why is love such a big deal? What does love look like in our lives? Can you finish this definition of love? LOVE IS THE GIVING OF _______ (one word) for the good of ______ (one word). What did the Apostle John regularly say to his church family in Ephesus (according to church tradition)?

Any of you men want to study the last book in the Bible (the book of Revelation)? Bob Hetzler will be teaching it starting this Thursday evening (for reals, this Thursday. I know I have announced it starting for several weeks now. Sorry). Check the Men’s Fellowship listing on the other page for the details.

Our High Impact Men’s Conference is this coming weekend, April 15-17 at Forest Home Conference Center. A group of us men are heading up there. I was told a few days ago there are a few spaces left so if you are interested in going see Larry Olguin or Ed Faranda or myself today.

Our Easter events are as follows:

Sunday, April 17 Palm Sunday (regular schedule)

Friday, April 22 Prayer Breakfast (go to www.whittierprayer.com for signups)

Sunday, April 24 Easter Sunday (10:45 worship only)

Sunday, May 1 Communion (PM)

God’s best to you

Pastor Richard

AGREE OR DISAGREE QUESTION

THE BIBLE DOESN’T TELL US TO PLANT CHURCHES. IT TELLS US TO MAKE DISCIPLES

Neil Cole shared this in the current issue of FGBC World magazine. Neil is part of our association of pastors). Pick up your free copy of the issue of FGBC World available at at the Information Center or online at fgbcworld.com.

My writings or whatever you want to call them are regularly emailed to missionaries and others wanting to keep in touch with the Community Grace Brethren family.  You can find my writings and view our church photo album and other material by going to whittierbrethren.net and follow the links.

RECEIVE BY EMAIL: If you or someone you know wants to receive this article and a pdf of today’s program (bulletin) then send an email request to whittierbrethren@gmail.com

FOLLOW IN FACEBOOK: You can sign up to be my friend at Facebook (look up Richard Todd and see some of my Kodak Moments and comments about life or read these words there if you so desire.

A FEW WORDS FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING SUNDAY, APRIL 3rd, 2011

WHICH SUNDAY WILL BE OUR

FIRST IN OUR NEW CAMPUS?

By Pastor Richard

It’s getting exciting knowing how close we are to moving in to our new church home. Very shortly we will begin the FINAL PREPARATION phase of getting our new church campus ready so we can begin worship there. Your level of volunteerism will determine our move-in schedule. There is work we must do before we can begin worship services there and the work must be done by us volunteers. We have a growing list of you who have volunteered to pitch-in and help. I’m not setting dates and times about the move in schedule just as I am absolutely not setting dates like that billboard down the street that is predicting the return of Jesus being May 21 (that guy is wrong).

I joined one of the larger crowds that has ever gathered at Dodger Stadium for their season home opener on March 31 (Vince said it was 56,000+).  The good news is THEY WON (2-1). And the better news is the Dodgers seem to win every season home opener when our group is present (Mando Rios, myself, Ryan Todd, Rick Myers, and some others of you like Angel Garcia attended the game). SIDENOTE: I kept to my diet of one SUPER Dodger dog per game average (of course, this was after a Philippe sandwich at our parking lot tailgate party). What should I do if there is a double-header? This was the first season home opener where all four of us Todd men attended.

QUESTION ONE-John pointed to the RETURN OF JESUS that we studied in our ongoing series in the epistle of 1 John. Did John point to the FEAR we face at His appearing or the HOPE we have at His appearing?

QUESTION TWO-Spiritual transformation is a matter of trying harder (True or False)?

High Impact Men’s Conference at Forest Home if April 15-17. We’ve have got to get your final payments in soon so see Ed Faranda today or speak with me.

Any of you men want to study the last book in the Bible (the book of Revelation)? Bob Hetzler will be teaching it starting this Thursday evening. Check the Men’s Fellowship listing on the other page for the details.

The next support update for Sammy Becerra for Operation Barnabas will show an increase of funds received but we still have a ways to go to reach the goal.

Our Easter events are as follows:

Sunday, April 17 Palm Sunday

Friday, April 22 Prayer Breakfast

(get tickets at www.whittierprayer.com)

Sunday, April 24 Easter Sunday

Sunday, May 1 Communion (5pm)

God’s best to you

Pastor Richard

My writings or whatever you want to call them are regularly emailed to missionaries and others wanting to keep in touch with the Community Grace Brethren family.  You can find my writings and view our church photo album and other material by going to whittierbrethren.net and follow the links.

RECEIVE BY EMAIL: If you or someone you know wants to receive this article and a pdf of today’s program (bulletin) then send an email request to whittierbrethren@gmail.com

FOLLOW IN FACEBOOK: You can sign up to be my friend at Facebook (look up Richard Todd and see some of my Kodak Moments and comments about life or read these words there if you so desire.

A FEW WORDS FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING SUNDAY, MARCH 20th, 2011

THAT’S A LOT OF MOJO POTATOS!

By Pastor Richard

Whoever thought that EATING PIZZA would help send one of our students on a summer mission project? Our Shakeys Pizza Night on March 14 raised $156.06 towards Sammy Becerra’s Operation Barnabas goal (see chart for most recent update). You also mentioned how good it was to sit and talk with everyone since on Sundays soon after our services end we have to make room for other people in the community to use the building. Very soon we will have our own place to worship and fellowship. That’s good news.

A group of Japanese churches and missionaries involved in ministry in Japan have formed a partnership to provide relief to the victims of the recent disaster there. It is being called the JAPAN RELIEF FUND. The missionaries you and I know are confident that any and all relief contributions will be used in the best possible way to provide a Christian response to this disaster. Go to gbim.org and you will see the Japan Relief Fund section.

Our Sunday Scripture studies have been in the Epistle of 1 John (two out of the past three weeks I confess that I had a slip of the tongue and said “gospel” of  1 John and I have no good explanation for you so settle for this confession).

My simple question to you in our last study was WHERE DO YOU GO WITH YOUR SIN AND YOUR GUILT? And what two things does God promise to do if we confess our sin? Read 1 John 1:9.

One of the “cutting edge” magazines on world missions is called Mission Frontiers. It is on my MUST READ list when each new issue comes out. I have copies this morning with me. Ask me for a copy. Subscriptions are free but must be requested.

Our High Impact Men’s Conference this spring is April 15-17 at Forest Home Conference Center. See Ed Faranda or myself for the details. Make your check payable to FOREST HOME MINISTRIES (amount is $173). Payment is due soon.

See Ed Faranda or Ryan Todd if you want to go with a group from the church on a weekend campout.

Get the “hot off the press” edition of our youth newsletter today. I’ll let you know how to get your copy.

God’s best to you,

Pastor Richard

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

IT’S WHAT I’M HERE FOR

Claudia and I took some friends out to dinner the other evening. We needed extra help in all sorts of ways with the special needs of our friend. Our server, Wendy, made our dinner one of the best we have had in a long time. As we were preparing to leave the restaurant I spoke to Wendy in private and thanked her for making our dining experience so enjoyable. She sweetly responded with the words of this quote. And after I gathered myself together I asked myself the same question about my life. And I pass on the same thought to you. What are you here for? Remember what Jesus said, I CAME NOT TO BE SERVED BUT TO….

My writings or whatever you want to call them are regularly emailed to missionaries and others wanting to keep in touch with the Community Grace Brethren family.  You can find my writings and view our church photo album and other material by going to whittierbrethren.net and follow the links.

RECEIVE BY EMAIL: If you or someone you know wants to receive this article and a pdf of today’s program (bulletin) then send an email request to whittierbrethren@gmail.com

FOLLOW IN FACEBOOK: You can sign up to be my friend at Facebook (look up Richard Todd and see some of my Kodak Moments and comments about life or read these words there if you so desire.

A FEW WORDS FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING SUNDAY, MARCH 27th, 2011

IT IS TIME TO VOLUNTEER (read on)

By Pastor Richard Todd

Today is TRACT SUNDAY. Tract Sunday is where I spread out tracts that I think you might be interested in using in your witness. You may find one that you will want to order more of. Some of my favorite tracts are mixed in for you to review. Take what you can personally use. That means please don’t take a stack for the next Harvest Crusade.

“Christians have always had a LOVE/HATE relationship with the world” was how I explained 1 John 2:15-17 in our most recent study in 1 John. John tells us three things that are in the world. Do you remember what they are?

One good way to get more out of our studies in 1 John is to read all five chapters each week.

WE have been receiving your VOLUNTEER FORMS telling us when you can be available to help prepare our new church home for worship. I’m excited for your involvement in the final preparations for our soon move-in.

Any of you men want to study the last book in the Bible (the book of Revelation)? Bob Hetzler will be teaching it on Thursday evenings starting soon. Check the Men’s Fellowship listing on the other page or just ask Bob when he is starting up.

Did you catch the name of the Japanese man who made the electrical connection that restored the cooling function to the nuclear reactors that have been unstable since the Japanese earthquake? Ask June Castello.

Alex Bogdanoff sends his greetings. He lives in Texas now but dropped by our church office a few days ago. He plans to worship with us in the next few weeks before he heads back home.

Our High Impact Men’s Conference this spring is April 15-17 at Forest Home Conference Center. See Ed Faranda or myself for the details. Make your check payable to FOREST HOME MINISTRIES (amount is $173). Payment is due soon.

God’s best to you

Pastor Richard

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

TELL ’EM I LOVE THEM ALL

Just about every time I stop by to encourage someone or pray with them I leave with more in my heart than I gave. And it happened again a few days ago when I dropped by to visit Olga Mitchell. She sends her greetings. She is home and always enjoys visitors (please call the church office before you head over). I think she walked to church on Sundays for over thirty years, but no more. Her daughter, Sue, has been driving her. And Olga hopes to be with us our first Sunday in our new church home. This quote is Olga’s message to you.

My writings or whatever you want to call them are regularly emailed to missionaries and others wanting to keep in touch with the Community Grace Brethren family.  You can find my writings and view our church photo album and other material by going to whittierbrethren.net and follow the links.

RECEIVE BY EMAIL: If you or someone you know wants to receive this article and a pdf of today’s program (bulletin) then send an email request to whittierbrethren@gmail.com

FOLLOW IN FACEBOOK: You can sign up to be my friend at Facebook (look up Richard Todd and see some of my Kodak Moments and comments about life or read these words there if you so desire.

A FEW WORDS FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING SUNDAY, MARCH 13th, 2011

WORK DAY NUMBER ONE

By Pastor Richard

Mark it down in the book! Our first work day at our new church campus was March 12, 2011 and it was our students who did the work. I invited some of you to sponsor their day of work and raise some monies for Sammy Becerra’s Operation Barnabas involvement this coming summer. Thank you for your help and I hope to announce how much we raised today. If you’d still like to sponsor their day of work let me know this morning. And remember, your time and mine to help out is coming.

This past Wednesday, March 9, millions upon millions of people flocked to their churches to receive a cross shaped smudge of ashes on their foreheads. This day is referred to as Ash Wednesday. It marks the beginning of the liturgical season of the year called LENT which involves 40 days (NOT COUNTING SUNDAYS) of fasting and penitential preparation leading up to Easter. Lent is a season of soul-searching and repentance. It is a season for reflection and taking stock. Lent originated in the very earliest days after the ascension of Jesus as a preparatory time for Easter, when the faithful rededicated themselves and when converts were instructed in the faith and prepared for baptism. By observing the forty days of Lent, the individual Christian imitates Jesus’ withdrawal into the wilderness for forty days. All Christian churches that have a continuous history extending before AD 1500 observe Lent. The early followers of Christ also observed Lent, believing it to be a commandment from the apostles.

You were given a BELIEF TEST and a BEHAVIOR TEST from our most recent study in 1 John. The belief test was how well you know God. The behavior test was moving from sin to _________?

Our High Impact Men’s Conference this spring is April 15-17 at Forest Home Conference Center. See Ed Faranda for the details. Payment is due soon.

EAT PIZZA AND HELP SAMMY! We are having a SHAKEY’S NIGHT tomorrow evening from 5pm to 9pm, as a fundraiser for the support of Sammy Becerra for Operation Barnabas. I love those mojos and chicken and pizza. Get a flyer from one of our students that has all the details.

Claudia and I slipped away to see two Spring Training games with our Los Angeles Dodgers this past week at Camelback Ball Park in Phoenix, Arizona. How was the trip? The sun was shining, the air was clear, the freeways were clear, my head was clear, gas was selling for $3.49 a gallon, the Dodgers lost, and the stadium serves Dodger dogs (yes, I ate one). The best part of our trip was the time with our friends, Ed & Debbie Waken, who attended the games with us. Ed & Debbie served on the staff of our church here in Whittier until 1994 when they relocated to the Phoenix, Arizona area and have been pastoring Valley Life Church and planting other churches in the Southwest USA. Check with Claudia for a current update on Debbie’s health status.

God’s best to you,

Pastor Richard

My writings or whatever you want to call them are regularly emailed to missionaries and others wanting to keep in touch with the Community Grace Brethren family.  You can find my writings and view our church photo album and other material by going to whittierbrethren.net and follow the links.

RECEIVE BY EMAIL: If you or someone you know wants to receive this article and a pdf of today’s program (bulletin) then send an email request to whittierbrethren@gmail.com

FOLLOW IN FACEBOOK: You can sign up to be my friend at Facebook (look up Richard Todd and see some of my Kodak Moments and comments about life or read these words there if you so desire

A FEW WORDS FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING SUNDAY, MARCH 6th, 2011

WORK IS PROGRESSING 

By Pastor Richard

Can you tell the changes when you drive by? Work is progressing on our new church home at 8109 Greenleaf Avenue. Several weeks from now the construction related work will be finishing up and then the preparation work for us to move in to our church home will begin. I will have be handing out a form soon for you to tell us when you can come and help out in doing this phase of the work. It is the work we all can do.

Sammy Becerra, a High School Junior at Whittier High School, has been approved as a member of Operation Barnabas for summer, 2011. He leaves Monday, June 13 for training in Waldorf, Maryland. I have placed an update box at the end of this note to you that will give you updates on the support that has been received.

I know many of you pray for our pastors and missionaries Our pastors and missionaries will be gathering this coming Tuesday morning at Los Altos Brethren Church where Pastor Phil Helfer ministers. I will be there, too.

Claudia and I are going to Dodger Spring Training camp in Phoenix, Arizona this coming week. We try to get over and catch a few games each year. We will be staying with Ed & Debbie Waken and go to the game with them. We have tickets for the Dodgers vs Mariners and we hope to see another game. We will be back at the end of the week.

We are having a SHAKEY’S NIGHT on Monday evening, March 14, from 5pm to 9pm, as a fundraiser for the support of Sammy Becerra for Operation Barnabas. I love those mojos and chicken and pizza (don’t ask my cholesterol doctor). Get a flyer that has all the details.

How about a summer campout this year? If you are interested see Ed Faranda or Ryan Todd about the details.

I have a word to say to you about the newcomer families here at Community (and believe me there are new folks almost every week).  Don’t let people, especially newcomers, get away without a personal invitation. But don’t limit it to HOPE YOU COME BACK TO CHURCH. For example, commit to once a month inviting one other new person or couple or family out to lunch after Sunday morning worship [thank you, I see that hand]. My normal rule is that if you can’t set time aside for lunch on Sundays when you are already together, who’s to say it is going to be any easier on another day of the week. I know a group of you work on Sundays and some can’t even worship with us Sunday mornings. But my thought for you is that we must be willing to open the doors of our church as well as the doors of our lives to meeting and ministering to others.

God’s best to you,

Pastor Richard

My writings or whatever you want to call them are regularly emailed to missionaries and others wanting to keep in touch with the Community Grace Brethren family.  You can find my writings and view our church photo album and other material by going to whittierbrethren.net and follow the links.

RECEIVE BY EMAIL: If you or someone you know wants to receive this article and a pdf of today’s program (bulletin) then send an email request to whittierbrethren@gmail.com

FOLLOW IN FACEBOOK: You can sign up to be my friend at Facebook (look up Richard Todd and see some of my Kodak Moments and comments about life or read these words there if you so desire. 

A FEW WORDS FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27th, 2011

THE GOOD ANNOUNCEMENT WAS ABOUT SAMMY BECERRA

By Pastor Richard

Sammy Becerra has been accepted as a participant for Operation Barnabas this summer of 2011. Get a letter of explanation from him or stop by the church office and get a copy of the letter or email whittierbrethren@gmail.com and ask for a copy to be sent to you.

The disciples came to Jesus in Matthew 17 and asked why they were so powerless in dealing with the boy that had an unclean spirit. Jesus told them it was because of their unbelief. And my observation is that failure in our lives to do what God wants us to do is because of unbelief. We must learn to trust the Lord. And I shared a few suggestions on trusting the Lord (SERMONRECAP).

I shared some special words with you in my message in Matthew 17 on February 20. The words were first shared by Hudson Taylor: “God’s work, done in God’s way, will never lack God’s supplies.” This is the exact quote.

March birthdays and anniversaries are just around the corner. Let me know if you would like to help host a MARCH BIRTHDAY BASH.

We had the memorial services for Glenda Shepard on February 22 up at Rose Hills. I want you to know that part of being the body of Christ is sometimes sitting with those who grieve (Romans 12) just like the group of you did that day. We ended up at Steak Corral (it was one of her special eateries)

Our next series will be in the New Testament book of 1 John. Our Easter season series will be the sayings of Christ from the cross.

Sal Becerra and I are wrapping up the life of Jacob and Joseph in Genesis in the Esperanza Fellowship at 9:30am on Sunday mornings. Join me.

God’s best to you,

Pastor Richard

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

I WANT ONE OF THOSE BIBLES

Glenda Shepard had obtained two Bible to hand to friends but never got them into their hands. I had those two Bibles at the funeral service and shared this fact. One man called out these words immediately after I shared the account. Then a woman called out that she wanted the second Bible.

My writings or whatever you want to call them are regularly emailed to missionaries and others wanting to keep in touch with the Community Grace Brethren family.  You can find my writings and view our church photo album and other material by going to whittierbrethren.net and follow the links.

RECEIVE BY EMAIL: If you or someone you know wants to receive this article and a pdf of today’s program (bulletin) then send an email request to whittierbrethren@gmail.com

FOLLOW IN FACEBOOK: You can sign up to be my friend at Facebook (look up Richard Todd and see some of my Kodak Moments and comments about life or read these words there if you so desire.