Richard Todd's thoughts

A FEW WORDS FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2009

IT’S RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER

By Pastor Richard Todd

Christians have referred to the 4 weeks before Christmas as ADVENT SEASON for more than a thousand years.  Advent season is used as a time of thoughtful preparation for the celebration of Christ’s birth.  I would encourage you to consider this tradition of organizing your personal and family schedule in a special way during this season as an important part of your Christmas celebration.  Set aside a special time each day or periodically for reading the Scripture, praying, singing carols and perhaps even lighting an advent candle.  The beauty of observing the days before Christmas is the opportunity it gives to reflect on all the many spiritual joys of the season.  It is a special time of unity, celebration, and worship as we focus on the coming of Christ and the joy He brings.  We will be taking a few moments in each of  our worship services prior to Christmas to celebrate the birth of Christ in a meaningful way.

The Twelve Rules of Christmas is a list of guidelines for Christians as we enter this Christmas season. It is published by the Rutherford Institute which is a group of lawyers who encourage Christians to enjoy sharing their faith without fear of intimidation. Pick up your copy at the Information Center today.

The new issue of our youth newsletter is hot off the press today. Pick up your copy at the Information Center in the lobby.

Our young people were at the Los Angeles rescue mission Thanksgiving morning BEFORE MOST OF YOU AROSE. They went there to help with the serving of Thanksgiving meals to the many who come to the mission for the day (I hear more than 20 of were there).

Our lives are like a kernel of wheat falling to the ground in the late autumn sun…at least that’s how Jesus explained his death and our following him. Things have to die before they can live (John 12:20-25).  So I asked you, DOES ANYTHING NEEDD TO BE PUT TO DEATH IN YOUR LIFE TODAY? And that’s my SERMONRECAP.

REMEMBER: The 56^th annual Whittier Christmas Parade is Saturday, December 12^th (fun day).

REMEMBER: Today is your final day to order Sees Candy from one of our young people (all the profits go to the Whittier Pregnancy Care Clinic).

REMEMBER: Sign up at the Information Center for the Church Christmas party on Sunday evening, December 13.

Finding my place in the history of grace,

Pastor Richard

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

WHEN A CHILD IS BORN SO IS A GRANDPARENT

This isn’t really a quote because I saw it on a Christmas tree ornament our family was given the other day by one of you. But I liked it.

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 and read these words there if you so

A FEW WORDS FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009

WHERE DID THE YEAR GO?

By Pastor Richard Todd

Yes, the time has flown by. I just gave my wife a Valentine card yesterday, or so it seems (and no, I didn’t forget to give it to her till November). So here we are at Thanksgiving week. Enjoy your time with family and friends and share the blessings of our Lord in all you do. I have put a supply of special prayer cards at the Information Center for you to take and use on Thanksgiving day (take one for each person that will be sitting at your table).

The Twelve Rules of Christmas is a list of guidelines for Christians as we enter this Christmas season. It is published by the Rutherford Institute which is a group of lawyers who encourage Christians to enjoy sharing their faith without fear of intimidation. Pick up your copy at the Information Center today.

There are families in inner-city Philadelphia who do not have the means to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal. Some of those families will be receiving a simple gift-a bag of groceries because some of you have chosen to share the love of Christ in this way. This is happening because of the involvement of CE National in inner-city Philly.

What is Jesus still doing today through His followers that He did when He walked this earth more than 2,000 years ago? He drew worshippers to Himself and He is still doing that. He built His church and He is still doing that. He gave God the Father glory and He is still doing that. And there’s another one or two items. SERMONRECAP

The new issue of our youth newsletter is hot off the press today. Pick up your copy at the Information Center in the lobby.

Our young people are heading to the rescue mission this Thursday morning at 5am to help with the serving of Thanksgiving meals to the many who come to the mission for the day (I hear more than 20 of us are going).

Did you finally figure out what Christopher Bates and Matt Pompa and Larry Williams and Fernando Becerra have in common this weekend and finishing today?

Join me Thanksgiving morning at 10am at our Washington Blvd Conference Center for 59 minutes of giving thanks (that means no sermon).

Do give thanks for our precious religious liberties.

Finding my place in the history of grace,

Pastor Richard

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ALL SOON

Frank Lopez called us this week and wanted you all to know he is up and around now and improving.

BONUS QUOTE OF THE WEEK

HELLO!!!

Estella Camargo called this week and asked

to pass this message on to all of you.

RUNNER-UP QUOTE OF THE WEEK

PASTOR, WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH A CANDY CANE IN YOUR MOUTH BEFORE THANKSGIVING?

No comment

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 and read these words there if you so desire.

A FEW WORDS FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2009

WHAT DO THESE MEN

HAVE IN COMMON?

By Pastor Richard Todd

What will Christopher Bates and Matt Pompa and Larry Williams and Fernando Becerra have in common this coming weekend? This list was one then two then three and now four guys. You may not believe it so I am going to leave it to you to ask them yourself.

What happens at a banquet? I went with a group of you this past Thursday evening to the Whittier Pregnancy Care Clinic’s banquet at the Cerritos Sheraton where we celebrated the good work of helping so many gals and also men this past year through the clinic. Our young people are selling Sees Candy right now where all the profits will be handed over to this group.

Our young people are heading to the rescue mission on Thanksgiving morning like at 5am to help with the serving of Thanksgiving meals (I hear more than 20 are going).

At last count, 13 gals are at the Calvary Chapel Conference Center in Murietta Hot Springs for our regional women’s conference that concludes today. Pray for their service that is going on now as we are worshipping here (and remember us bachelors for the weekend who have to rush home after church and meet RENT-A-MAID to get our kitchen back in order).

People often ask what a pastor’s personal ministry goals are for his church.  Well, here are mine. You may find that they are shared by other pastors as well.  I have three ministry goals: FIRST, to see believers actually live out their faith; SECOND, to see people of faith lay aside their minor differences, and genuinely encourage and care for one another; and THIRDLY, to see Christians penetrate their own personal world and reach the unchurched.  There you have it.  By the way, what are your goals?

I attended Dr. Nikolas Kurtaneck’s memorial service this past week. Dr. Kurtaneck preached the gospel message at a church on Norwalk Blvd just north of Washington Blvd in the early 1950s. I found out this week that he had just been saved a short time when he preached the message there. That one particular day was the day Carrie Long responded to the altar call (and now you know the rest of the story). Carrie and Dr. K are now rejoicing before the throne in the presence of Jesus. I have placed several copies of the bio that was handed out at the service at the Information Table for you to take.

If your Thanksgiving plans allow, join me and others at 10am Thanksgiving morning for 59 (ok 60) minutes of just that…THANKSGIVING.

Finding my place in the history of grace,

Pastor Richard

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

I HAVEN’T SEEN AN ANT OR

COCKROACH IN THREE WEEKS

Ted Ruiz, our missionary partner in the Philippines, shared this with me at our Ministerium meeting a few days ago. They have just returned from a short trip to the Philippines to their flooded home. After three weeks there Viv (his wife) turned to him and spoke these words.

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 and read these words there if you so desire.

A FEW WORDS FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2009

BOTH SIDES NEEDED THE VICTORY

By Pastor Richard Todd

The election this past Tuesday in the state of Maine was the 31st attempt by a state’s popular vote to protect the definition of traditional marriage.  Thirty times so far a state has succeeded, and the stakes were exceedingly high once again.  Both sides needed the victory – one, to keep our nation on the course divined by God and the other to use it as an indication that the national tide is turning away from centuries of understanding and practice of this sacred issue. But the night clearly and decisively belonged to traditional marriage, with 53 percent of Maine voters restoring the definition of marriage to between one man and one woman!

This Thanksgiving day we are hosting family and friends at our house. We will pray before the meal and this year all of us will join in the prayer time (we will use a prayer card that we will place at each table setting). When it is time to pray I am going to call on everyone to pray out-loud together those words. I have prepared a supply of those cards of you to consider using at your gatherings. They are at the Information Table in the lobby. Take whatever you can use.

What do Matt Pompa, Larry Williams and Fernando Becerra have in common on the weekend before Thanksgiving? You may not believe it so I am going to leave it to you to ask them yourself.

Join this community of people (including us Todd’s) THANKSGIVING MORNING at 10am for fifty-nine minutes of thanksgiving.  This is one of those times that a friend or family member who will be feasting (not fasting) with you later in the day will be specially blest in coming with you.  We will meet together at our Washington Blvd. Office/Conference Center for our service where you give the sermon in your songs and praises.  Every year the service is different.

Memorial services for Dr. Kurtaneck are tomorrow morning at 11am at the Norwalk Brethren Church (11005 Foster Road). I sat under his teaching for many years as his student at Biola University.

The Whittier Pregnancy Care Clinic is having its’ annual banquet this Thursday evening, November 12th. I know that some of you volunteer and donate to the clinic. If you are interested in attending the banquet speak with my wife, Claudia, about available reservations.

We are making plans for a baptism service. Speak with me if you would like to be baptized.

Our friend, Frank Lopez, has been in our local Kaiser Hospital but is now home recovering. We sent the card to Frank that many of you signed.

Order SEES CANDY SUNDAY from the students of our youth group. Our young people have decided to give all the profits to the people and work at the Whittier Pregnancy Care Clinic.

People often ask what a pastor’s personal ministry goals are for his church.  Well, here are mine. You may find that they are shared by other pastors as well.  I have three ministry goals: FIRST, to see believers actually live out their faith; SECOND, to see people of faith lay aside their minor differences, and genuinely encourage and care for one another; and THIRDLY, to see Christians penetrate their own personal world and reach the unchurched.  There you have it.  By the way, what are your goals?

When you get to the right time of sharing the message of the Gospel what four themes did I recommend you always share with people based on John 3:16? (SERMONRECAP).

A group of you gals are headed this coming Friday afternoon to the Calvary Chapel Conference Center in Murietta Hot Springs for our regional women’s conference. We hope you have a great time even while we slave at the housework and chores and babysitting and cooking and and and.

Finding my place in the history of grace,

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 and read these words there if you so desire.

A FEW WORDS FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2009

LET’S MAKE THIS A HOLIDAY!

By Pastor Richard Todd

I love being given extra time like we did last night. LET’S MAKE THIS A HOLIDAY and celebrate giving ourselves an extra hour at least once a month.

This Thanksgiving day we are hosting family and friends at our house. We will pray before the meal and this year we will use a prayer card that we will place at each table setting. When it is time to pray I am going to call on everyone to pray together those words. I have prepared a supply of those cards of you to consider using at your gatherings. They are at the Information Table in the lobby. Take whatever you can use.

The Whittier Pregnancy Care Clinic is having its’ annual banquet on Thursday evening, November 12th. I know that some of you volunteer and donate to the clinic. If you are interested in attending the banquet speak with my wife, Claudia, for reservations.

We are making plans for a baptism service. Speak with me if you would like to be baptized.

Our friend Frank Lopez has been in our local Kaiser Hospital this past week. I’ve put a get well card at the Information Table in the lobby for you to sign today.

Today is the Day of Generosity that we are observing and celebrating.

Today is also SEES CANDY SUNDAY that is sponsored by our youth group. Now don’t get your insulin out of your pockets just yet. This isn’t where we hand out samples but we give you an opportunity to order Sees Candy for holiday delivery. All the profits will go to an outreach projects.

People often ask what a pastor’s personal ministry goals are for his church.  Well, here are mine. You may find that they are shared by other pastors as well.  I have three ministry goals: FIRST, to see believers actually live out their faith; SECOND, to see people of faith lay aside their minor differences, and genuinely encourage and care for one another; and THIRDLY, to see Christians penetrate their own personal world and reach the unchurched.  There you have it.  By the way, what are your goals?

God’s best to you,

Pastor Richard

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

I CALL IT DOING CHURCH IN A BOX

Take a look at all the sound and video equipment we use each Sunday. And poke your head in and watch the kids play with the nursery toys. After church concludes follow the guys that start out the back door with those boxes of items because it is all stored for next Sunday while we are in our temporary worship place. I overheard one of you say this in explanation recently.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

RIDE A CAMEL IN EGYPT WITH ED LEWIS

My wife read this to me while we were driving on the freeway a few days ago and I almost crashed the car (LOL). This is a real ad for an upcoming tour of Israel and the Middle East that our friend, Ed, is heading up in 2010. I just might sign up for the trip just for the camel ride. NOTE: All kidding aside, the team of Holy Land scholars that Ed has assembled who are heading this up are outstanding.

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 and read these words there if you so desire.

A FEW WORDS FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2009

I CAME TO THE OFFICE SAD

By your loyal to the end Dodger-fan Pastor Richard

I came to the office sad with no World Series Contender in our Los Angeles Dodgers now that they have been sent packing by the Phillies. At my door I discovered something on the ground and it was a piece of Dodger memorabilia that lifted my spirits and will remind me that Opening Day at Dodger stadium is just around the corner. What’s sadder is that I can’t have anymore Dodger dogs till then.

I went home after CELEBRATION SUNDAY on October 18 and wore my new Dodger jersey while I watched the Dodger game but it didn’t seem to help any (I noticed the manufacturers tag said MADE IN PHILADELPHIA, LOL).

Today is the last day for me to remind you to use every day of the year to witness and share your faith, INCLUDING HALLOWEEN EVENING. Remember the Psalm that says THE EARTH IS THE LORD’S AND THE FULNESS THEREOF.

The good news report I shared with you on October 18^th is that we have received a three-month extension to renew our lease and meet at the Whittier Senior Center through the end of January, 2010. Amen! As nice as it is, this is just a temporary meeting place.

CONGRATULATIONS CORNER: On October, 13, 2009, our Marj Farmer (member of the WinSome Women’s Adult Bible Fellowship Group) received an award from the Social Services Commission of the City of Whittier. She was given a Certificate of Recognition “In appreciation of important contributions to the citizens of the City of Whittier for dedicated and unselfish services as an OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER.” For over 40 years Marj has taught blind and partially-sighted people how to knit, crochet, and make a wide variety of craft projects. Her class meets every Wednesday morning in the Senior Center where she is assisted by her daughter and Patsy Petrus (and perhaps a few others). Not only is the longevity of her service remarkable but so also is the fact that Marj is 95 years old! Congratulations also goes to Cambria Mendez who is on the women’s volleyball team at Pasadena City College where the team has just defeated last year’s reigning champs.

WHAT’S SO HARD ABOUT FORGIVING SOMEONE? That’s what our guest speaker, Pastor Bill Kitchell asked us as we looked at a few words of Jesus recorded in Matthew 6:14-15. The answer? Learning to love. I always appreciate his messages to us.

The latest Youth Newsletter is hot off the press today for you to pick up at the Information Center in the lobby. This is one newsletter on my ALWAYS READ list.

I know everyone expects their church to tell them when to adjust their clocks each fall and spring. The big news is that we set our clocks back one hour next weekend (do so before you head for bed Saturday night).

CELEBRATION DAY TRIVIA:

Who made the homemade pozole?

Who preached the sermon on forgiveness?

Who made the spinach dip?

Who had the fullest plate on their first time through the line?

Who made the Cuban fruit salad?

Who shared their miracle of God’s protection?

Who made that “layered enchilada dish?

ANSWERS (not in order, you match em up): Noe, Suzzana, Mike, Bill, Mary, Buddy, Angie

Did you notice the sign at the Celebration Luncheon that said PASTOR RICHARD AND CLAUDIA’S SUBSTITUTE APPLESAUCE? Sorry. We announced our plan to make homemade but you got substitute.

Thank you for celebrating with me last Sunday all that God has done and is doing in our midst. And a special thanks for the gifts of love and words and Dodger encouragement cards.

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 and read these words there if you so desire.

A FEW WORDS FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2009

TODAY IS THE DAY

By Pastor Richard Todd

TODAY IS THE DAY we are calling CELEBRATION SUNDAY where we are celebrating together what God has done and is doing in our community of believers. After a special worship service with a message by my friend, Pastor Bill Kitchell, we will gather for lunch right in this same place we worship (while we enjoy our time together we will gather together for a group picture). I still remember some of Bill’s special messages: how about that message on 1 Corinthians 13 or the one where he gave us a Bible and challenged us to pass it on?

Our group of gals that participated in the Revolve Tour this weekend is back and I hope we will be able to get a report from them.

I shared with you last week that Claudia and I would be making homemade applesauce for the meal today. And we have. Get ready to sample it when you go thru the food line. Read the quote of the week below about our cooking experience.

I glanced at the list of the friends of this ministry that receive (via email) these words you are reading and the rest of the published news from our community of believers each week. When you add the missionaries that we partner with and those who have relocated for life reasons, the list our friends continues to grow (see end of this writing for details on how to help others receive this in electronic format).

I mentioned to you that I was in line at Starbucks the other day behind Leonard Cohen and didn’t even know it. I also shared with you how many stars I pass by and don’t know it till someone in my family taps me and points them out. Then I asked you what you thought was the distinguishing mark of Christianity today. We studied the account of the man with the withered hand in Mark 3. I suggested that we get creative in finding ways how to bless people and then leave the results up to God. SERMONRECAP

How bout them Dodgers? I’m proud to live in Dodger territory! But what if the Angels eliminate the Yankees? Let’s don’t talk about that today.

I attended a banquet last night at the Richard Nixon Library in support of the Christian group, Advocates for Freedom. They are doing a great job of supporting Christians (with legal help) who are persecuted for standing up for Jesus.

God’s best to you,

Pastor Richard Todd

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

THERE WAS AN ANGEL ON TOP

OF EACH OF THOSE SIX TRUNKS

June Castello shared with us that each of the trunks that the Ruiz family brought with them to the Philippines must have had an angel on each one because they were allowed to enter the country with no extra charge for any trunk.

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 and read these words there if you so desire.

A FEW WORDS FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2009

DID YOU READ THE SIGN?

by  Pastor Richard Todd

Did you notice the church sign that we are using outside the Senior Center on Sunday mornings? We are trying to invite passersby to join us for CHRISTIAN WORSHIP. And what’s special is that a number of people have discovered us and been attending.

We have recently finished the series on UNSUNG HEROES in the Bible. If you would enjoy a book that considers other people in the Bible that are unsung heroes then I would recommend the book, “Fascinating Stories of Forgotten Lives” by Chuck Swindoll.

I have signed up to bring home-made applesauce to our potluck next Sunday. Claudia and I have never made applesauce but we were given a bag of the best homegrown apples I have ever seen and we will be cooking them up for you this week. Sorry, no samples ahead of time.

See June Castello to sign the encouragement card today to send to Naomi who is away for these next months in her military service.

I want you to join me in hearing a special report today on the gals that will be attending the REVOLVE CONFERENCE this coming weekend.

Ralph and Mary Aguilar send their greetings. They are living in the Lucerne Valley area (near Victorville). They say they miss us but the approximately 180 mile drive to join us each week is just a little too far.

Sign up today in the Lobby for our CHURCH CELEBRATION on October 18^th (that’s next Sunday) right after church service concludes. We will enjoy our luncheon right here in the room where we worship.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! It is easy to count how many years I have been ministering with you and to you here in Whittier. I was married one year before I started in ministry here. Last year was my 26^th wedding anniversary with Claudia and my 25^th ministry anniversary with you. So this year I am celebrating my 27^th wedding anniversary and 26^th ministry anniversary.

Claudia and I participated in the Hume Lake Pastor’s Conference this past week up at Hume Lake Christian Conference Center in the mountains above Fresno. We left town Monday morning and I was back in the office on Friday in time to jot these words to you and get them printed.  FYI-the speaker taught and ministered to us from the New Testament book of Philippians. One of my favorite activities each day while on the mountain is the approximately three mile exercise walk around the lake. What I didn’t plan on was the 22 degree temperature that first morning. Why couldn’t I get a cup of hot coffee? Claudia and I both packed away at least one book to read but this trip we both read very little.

What was so surprising about the invitation that Jesus gave to the two brothers in Mark 1?  Was it what he told them he would have them do? And what would you be thinking about if Jesus walked into your life today and asked you to repent?

God’s best to you,

Pastor Richard

WHAT ABOUT A CONFERENCE FOR US GUYS?

The gals REVOLVE CONFERENCE is this coming weekend and some of the guys felt the worship and Bible teaching and time together would be good if there was a guys conference also. I say, “let’s find one.”

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

BE MY FRIEND ON FACEBOOK: You can sign up to be my friend at Facebook and read these words there if you so desire.

A FEW WORDS FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2009

WE R HEADING OUT

OF TOWN FOR A FEW DAYS

By Pastor Richard Todd

Claudia and I will be participating in the West Coast Pastor’s Conference at Hume Lake Christian Camps starting tomorrow.  This group of Pastors and their wives come from several states and various Christian groups (including our Brethren pastors in this area).  Pray for us in our travels on Monday and Thursday and also our time at the conference. TRIVIA NOTE: The first year we attended it was at the encouragement of my friend, Pastor Bob Kliewer.

I want to say a word about politics and political groups, whatever your party affiliation. Political groups may change their numbers but the great issues of life do not change. The great issues of our generation are the great issues of every generation-our goal and our job is to be faithful in speaking up and out for them. And I hope you can say that when you vote, you voted your values.

We did finish our UNSUNG HEROES series on September 27^th when we studied the UNSUNG HEROES chapter of the Bible. Which chapter is that? It is not the FAITH CHAPTER of the Bible which is Hebrews 11. The Unsung Heroes chapter (in my opinion) is Colossians 4 which mentions more than eight unsung heroes. And we studied eight of those people that you hear little about in the history of the Christian church in our final session in this series. On the ship of the church there are no passengers; all are members of the crew. And each crewmember plays another instrument based on the gifts God gives to each of his followers.ONESIMUS was one of the Unsung Heroes that I pointed out. Here was a runaway slave that turns himself in. The devil will contend that BECAUSE OF YOUR SIN God may forgive you, but will never use you.  OTHERS MAY REINFORCE THAT VIEW, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHOM YOU MAY HAVE SINNED AGAINST. God can use you, and may even do so sending you to those you have previously sinned against.  That was Paul sending Onesimus back to serve Philemon, THE VERY MAN HE HAD WRONGED.

Pastor John Mayes message on the feeding of the multitudes that we watched on September 27 at Walking N the Word was as moving (more moving) this second time through.

Thanks for calling us this week, Julie, and telling us you miss us…we miss you too and hope to see you soon. October 11^th I am going to share with you some prayers items for the group of sixteen gals that are heading to the Revolve Conference that begins October 16^th.

Sign up today in the Lobby  for our CHURCH CELEBRATION on October 18^th right after church service concludes. We will enjoy our luncheon right here in the room where we worship.

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 and read these words there if you so desire.