Richard Todd's thoughts

A FEW WORDS FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING SUNDAY, JUNE 28, 2009

THE BIRTHDAY CLUB

CELEBRATES AGAIN

By Pastor Richard (June birthday club member) Todd

for the week of June 28 thru July 5, 2009

HAVE I GOT A PICTURE TO SHOW YOU! Yes, the June Birthday Club celebrated on June 23^rd and boy, did we enjoy the party at Wood Grill Buffet (we last celebrated at this restaurant when we celebrated a special birthday for my wife, but do you remember the name of the restaurant back then? If so, tell me because we have forgotten). There were the stories of how fun it is to have a June birthday and/or anniversary (ever thought about how tough it is to grow up with your birthday on December 25^th?). This was an extra special birthday club gathering as our Missionary Partner, Patty Morris, joined us for the celebration.

SUMMERSUNDAYS start today at 5:30pm. Get the details in the brochure that I have placed at the Information Center. Our first speaker is all ready to share and so are the hot dogs (the speaker will share a piece of his mind and heart while the hotdogs will give their all).

Have you been wondering why I have been staring at my BOOKS OF THE BIBLE TIE? Well, firstly, Mando has the same tie as I did and I thought it was a one-of-a kind tie. And secondly, some of you have been staring with me at the tie and all I hear is JOB, PSALMS, PROVERBS or MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE as you count off 66.

Several weeks ago I shared with you from I Corinthians 6 a message on relationships with other believers? I mentioned the principle of Christians placing a higher priority on their love for one another than the desire to win in court over your brother in the faith. Some of you pointed out that there are many issues involved and I agree. I would be glad to discuss it further with any of you.

Our son, Rory, is home from his summer project in South Africa. You can read the reports that he and other members of his group wrote at www.sanibonanisouthafrica.blogspot.com. Our other son, Riley, also returned home this week from working on the staff of a youth ministry group in Northern California.

SERMONRECAP-Father’s Day I shared my message with you from Proverbs 2 that I titled FATHER KNOWS BEST. I always enjoy special messages on special days but I especially enjoy preaching from just about my favorite book of the Bible (you would also have to include the Gospels as my favorites along with the Epistle of James).

And don’t forget CONCERTS IN THE PARK begins on Monday evening, July 6^th and this summer there are only six Monday evening concerts at the park across the street from our house.

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.  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. You can also find my writings and view our church photo album and other material by going to whittierbrethren.net and follow the links. You can also sign up to be my friend at Facebook and read these words there if you so desire.

1 week ago

A FEW WORDS FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING SUNDAY, JUNE 21, 2009

HAPPY FATHERS DAY!

By Pastor Richard Todd

You may have seen me in the hospital emergency room with that worried look on my face last Saturday. It was because my grand daughter, Haylee, fell and hit her head and needed to get a few staples in her head (not Staples store nor Staples Center). The staples have now been removed and she has received an EVERYTHING IS FINE NOW report.

Our son, Rory, is heading home from his summer project in South Africa and is returning home this coming week. You can read the regular reports from his ministry group at www.sanibonanisouthafrica.blogspot.com or you can wait and ask him in person. Rory’s return will give us two sons in the area. Our third Todd son that is working out of the area is Riley, who is working with a camping ministry that uses houseboats on Lake Shasta to evangelize and disciple young people. Riley won’t be back with us until July.

SUMMERSUNDAYS start next Sunday. Get the details in the brochure that I have placed at the Information Center. Our first speaker is preparing his special message for us even as I write this to you.

SERMONRECAP-We continued my miniseries on 1 Corinthians with a birdseye study in chapter 2. We considered the two ways the Apostle Paul explained that people can do church: the NATURAL way and the SUPERNATURAL way. Being the church in real life means operating in the realm of the Spirit (of God).

THE BIRTHDAY CLUB IS CELEBRATING JUNE BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES. Yes, the June Birthday Club is celebrating all of you with June birthdays and anniversaries this Tuesday evening, June 23^rd, at 6pm. I have an invitation for you with June birthdays that are on the list (let me know if you are not on the list yet have a June birthday). Somebody sponsored the party in January and Claudia and I thought it would be good to celebrate June birthdays (since both of our birthdays are in this month and our daughter, Vanessa, has her birthday coming in just a few days). And this will be an extra special birthday club gathering as our Missionary Partner, Patty Morris, will be joining us for the celebration.

Thank you for all your help and contributions to the youth yard sale that was held June 13^th. Thanks goes to Marta, Sammy, Fernando, Liz, Sal, Sherry W. and Buddy. The group raised more than $200.  And go to our website to see the picture of the first customer at the yard sale.

This year I have two of my three sons that are not with us so that leaves the eldest son, Ryan, to give TWO extra gifts to me.

And last, but not least, HOW BOUT THEM LAKERS?

God’s best to you,

Pastor Richard

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

I’M SO GLAD TO BE HERE

WITH THE FAMILY OF GOD

These words were shared by Olga Mitchell. It was so good to see you back with us regularly

again on Sunday morning, June 7^th, Olga.

You are always the blessing to us.

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.  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 church@whittierbrethren.net. You can also find my writings and view our church photo album and other material by going to whittierbrethren.net and follow the links. You can also sign up to be my friend at Facebook and read these words there if you so desire.

2 weeks ago

A FEW WORDS FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING SUNDAY, JUNE 14, 2009

ARE YOU A

DOUBTING THOMAS?

By Pastor Richard Todd

Tom Sloan said he took the DOUBTING THOMAS nickname ascribed to the disciple in Scripture to heart because of his name association. And he shared with us how this man we think as a man with weak faith traveled the greatest distance from Jerusalem in proclaiming the gospel reportedly in the area of India. Tom spoke in Mrs. Peak’s Adult Bible Fellowship at the 9:30 hour (he shared it was his first time ever to speak to this august group of ladies).

Summer Sunday is coming. It begins Sunday, June 28 at 5:30 and we are starting off with a special evening. Our theme this summer is MOVING FORWARD. See the separate Summer Sunday brochure for details because Oralia wont give me any more room to write to you.

A DAY WITH MY DAD is the title of a special memory you had with your dad that you want to share this Father’s Day. Pick up a sheet at the Information table in the lobby today and fill it out. Then turn it in or bring it on Father’s Day and we will display it for others to read. Your memory can be funny or serious.

The Whittier Pregnancy Care Clinic says THANK YOU for your donations to help in the love and care for the unwed moms they minister to. You gave diapers and office supplies and baby clothes along with many other items.

Great picnic, huh. I enjoyed myself at the picnic table and with you. I do have some special mentions: Sharon Henrys chocolate chip casserole, Mrs. Ramos’ hot sauce was truly hot (yet it produced no tears), Noe Alvarado’s spinach cheese dip was award winning. I must also mention my wife’s fried chicken (with a little help from the Albertson family).

We continued our GRADUATION CONGRATULATIONS for the season as we congratulated SARA CASTRO in her becoming an alumnus of Whittier High School. We still have a more congratulations to extend to several other students. Stay tuned.

THE BIRTHDAY CLUB IS CELEBRATING JUNE BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES. Yes, the June Birthday Club is celebrating all of you with June birthdays and anniversaries on Tuesday evening, June 23rd. I have an invitation for you with June birthdays that are on the list (let me know if you are not on the list yet have a June birthday). Somebody sponsored the party in January and Claudia and I thought it would be good to celebrate June birthdays (since both of our birthdays are in this month and our daughter, Vanessa, has her birthday coming in just a few days). And this will be an extra special gathering as our Missionary Partner, Patty Morris, will be joining us for the celebration.

What did I eat this past week in celebrating my birthday? What restaurant? We had a lunch with staff and some of you church family on Wednesday and we served up what any loyal Dodger fan eats on his birthday…DODGER DOGS (and strawberry shakes).

God’s best to you,

Pastor Richard

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

DID YOU SEE MANDO?

DID YOU SEE MR. LAKER?

I normally mention quotes but Mando (aka COACH since his days as our baseball coach at Brethren Christian Jr.High) came to the church picnic so decked out in Laker apparel that some asked this question.

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.  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 church@whittierbrethren.net. You can also find my writings and view our church photo album and other material by going to whittierbrethren.net and follow the links. You can also sign up to be my friend at Facebook and read these words there if you so desire.

2 weeks ago

A FEW WORDS FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2009

SHE WALKED TO CHURCH
FOR YEARS, NO DECADES!
By Pastor Richard Todd

Olga and I would exchange greetings each and every Sunday morning unless one of us was out of town or ill. It was quite a few months when I first came here as your pastor before I came to church one Sunday morning and as I drove along Washington Blvd I saw Olga walking across the street on her way to church. Turns out that she walked to church for decades (did I say DECADES?). Well, now she is arranging her transportation because the couple miles to our temporary worship center is just a little too far.

Children and teenagers and adults from more than forty churches joined in more than forty projects of service to people outside the local church during last weekend. One church washed the police cars at the Whittier Police Station, another church group gave free haircuts (ok, I need one), while another church gave free legal advice, while another church group served meals at one local fire station, while still another church provided entertainment for homeless children. I have put a copy of the front page of the Daily News at the Information Center for you to read today.

Welcome to our missionary partners, Tom and Ginna Sloan, who are joining us today enroute to Japan. Tom will be preaching about Thomas and India. And then they will be joining us for the church picnic (directions to the park are in your morning church bulletin).

THE BIRTHDAY CLUB IS CELEBRATING THIS MONTH. Yes, the June Birthday Club is celebrating all of you with June birthdays and anniversaries on Tuesday evening, June 23. I have an invitation for you if you are on the list (let me know if you are not on the list). Somebody did this in January and Claudia and I thought it would be good to celebrate June birthdays this way.

MISS THE INFORMATION MEETING? We had a great time sharing the news that we have no indebtedness and that we are now looking to the future opportunities ahead for us as a church family. Some of you who didn’t make it to the meeting have spoken with Larry Olguin and myself and we are arranging several other times to share the reports and conversation that went on. Speak with Larry today so we schedule time together.

Come to the picnic. Our young people are having their Bible class at the park as you read this. They are doing this to save the tables for you. We have extra chairs. And Claudia is bringing extra fried chicken for you so just come and join in for a while.

We heard from REBECCA PAAS during our GRADUATION CONGRATULATIONS on May 31. We hope to hear from all our graduates this month.

God’s best to you,

Pastor Richard

QUOTE OF THE WEEK
WHO ELSE WOULD RIDE THEIR
SKATEBOARD TO CHURCH WEARING
A BEANIE AND CARRYING A BIBLE?
Some walk to church and others drive but one of
you put your feet on your skateboard on May 31 
as many watched you pass by the windows during
the service. Have you guessed who? Ask my wife, Claudia


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.  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 church@whittierbrethren.net. You can also find my writings and view our church photo album and other material by going to whittierbrethren.net and follow the links. You can also sign up to be my friend at Facebook and read these words there if you so desire. 3 weeks ago

A FEW WORDS FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING SUNDAY, MAY 31, 2009

SHE WALKED TO CHURCH
FOR YEARS, NO DECADES!
By Pastor Richard Todd

Olga and I would exchange greetings each and every Sunday morning unless one of us was out of town or ill. It was quite a few months when I first came here as your pastor before I came to church one Sunday morning and as I drove along Washington Blvd I saw Olga walking across the street on her way to church. Turns out that she walked to church for decades (did I say DECADES?). Well, now she is arranging her transportation because the couple miles to our temporary worship center is just a little too far.

Children and teenagers and adults from more than forty churches joined in more than forty projects of service to people outside the local church during last weekend. One church washed the police cars at the Whittier Police Station, another church group gave free haircuts (ok, I need one), while another church gave free legal advice, while another church group served meals at one local fire station, while still another church provided entertainment for homeless children. I have put a copy of the front page of the Daily News at the Information Center for you to read today.

Welcome to our missionary partners, Tom and Ginna Sloan, who are joining us today enroute to Japan. Tom will be preaching about Thomas and India. And then they will be joining us for the church picnic (directions to the park are in your morning church bulletin).

THE BIRTHDAY CLUB IS CELEBRATING THIS MONTH. Yes, the June Birthday Club is celebrating all of you with June birthdays and anniversaries on Tuesday evening, June 23. I have an invitation for you if you are on the list (let me know if you are not on the list). Somebody did this in January and Claudia and I thought it would be good to celebrate June birthdays this way.

MISS THE INFORMATION MEETING? We had a great time sharing the news that we have no indebtedness and that we are now looking to the future opportunities ahead for us as a church family. Some of you who didn’t make it to the meeting have spoken with Larry Olguin and myself and we are arranging several other times to share the reports and conversation that went on. Speak with Larry today so we schedule time together.

Come to the picnic. Our young people are having their Bible class at the park as you read this. They are doing this to save the tables for you. We have extra chairs. And Claudia is bringing extra fried chicken for you so just come and join in for a while.

We heard from REBECCA PAAS during our GRADUATION CONGRATULATIONS on May 31. We hope to hear from all our graduates this month.

God’s best to you,

Pastor Richard

QUOTE OF THE WEEK
WHO ELSE WOULD RIDE THEIR
SKATEBOARD TO CHURCH WEARING
A BEANIE AND CARRYING A BIBLE?
Some walk to church and others drive but one of
you put your feet on your skateboard on May 31 
as many watched you pass by the windows during
the service. Have you guessed who? Ask my wife, Claudia


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.  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 church@whittierbrethren.net. You can also find my writings and view our church photo album and other material by going to whittierbrethren.net and follow the links. You can also sign up to be my friend at Facebook and read these words there if you so desire. 1 month ago

A FEW WORDS FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2009

HAND ME ONE OF THOSE NAPKINS

AND I WILL DRAW YOU A MAP

By Pastor Richard Todd

I am not an artist and I have been drawing my share of maps to our temporary worship center here on Walnut in Whittier. This week I gave out another map to a friend of ours who said she was planning to join us in worship this morning. And if you are here, Lisa, it is a miracle that you made any sense out of my scrawl. Since that event at the coffee shop a few days ago I have had the printer prepare some invite cards for you and I to hand to our friends. You can pick up your supply at the Information Center in the lobby today.

As I jot these words to you my one son, Riley, is headed to Northern California to work with a Christian ministry that operates a camping ministry using houseboats. Riley will be on their staff for part of the summer. Pray for him in his ministry with these young people. My other son, Rory, is in South Africa with a group of ten people thru the end of June on a summer project. I have put a few of his prayer cards at the Information Center for you today. You can read the regular reports from their group at www.sanibonanisouthafrica.blogspot.com

Claudia and I will be sliding in (from our time away) for Adult Bible Fellowships this Lord’s Day and then the message that Pastor Paul Hoffman will be preaching.

Thank you to all who are bringing those goodies and coffee and juice, etc. If you would like to help out for a few weeks (not forever) then contact Oralia or Sheri in the Church Office. Did you get a taste of those brownies last Sunday? The best. Thank you to whom it may concern.

I gave you a few suggestions as to who travels the shortest distance to be here in worship on Sunday mornings. Did you figure out who the winner is? Perhaps you better add Angie Garcia to the list since she lives really close to here just up Painter. And then you want to add the Rick and Lisa Myers family.

SERVE WHITTIER is coming up the weekend of May 29-31. This is more than forty (40) churches that are going out into the community to hand out cups of cold water in the name of Jesus (read Matthew 25:31-46). Read the insert on the next page and join me however you can help. I have put a SERVE WHITTIER box at the Information Center for you to deposit items into.

Do you miss Darlene Benson’s smile and greeting at the Information Center today? She is in Florida with her son and plans to be back with us on Sunday, May 31. But I must add that the smile you are getting today substituting for Darlene is also very special (it is my wife, Claudia).

It is that time of year to alert us to the graduates at various levels of academia from High School and above. Jot a note or email or fax or write a note or call the church office alerting us to those completing that will be graduating this spring.

I am running out of room but next week I want to share with you how my empty bookcases inspired one of you.

Make sure you have your calendars marked for our Information Meeting on Sunday evening, May 31 at 5:30pm. Give me sixty minutes and I have all good news to share with you. After the meeting at 7pm I hope you will join me for the SERVE WHITTIER RALLY at Whittier High School Auditorium.

God’s best to you,

Pastor Richard

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

JON IS A SAILOR!

These words jumped out of my emails when I checked them a few days ago. Jon was sworn into the U.S. Navy yesterday! What next? Let’s ask Jon today in church.

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.  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 church@whittierbrethren.net. You can also find my writings and view our church photo album and other material by going to whittierbrethren.net and follow the links. You can also sign up to be my friend at Facebook and read these words there if you so desire.

1 month ago

A FEW WORDS FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING SUNDAY, MAY 17, 2009

HE’S THERE

By Pastor Richard Todd

My son, Rory, as of today is in South Africa on his summer project with a group of students from Azusa Pacific University. He will return at the end of June. He is in our prayers and we know in many of yours as well. Thank you for your outpouring of love in your contributions for his support.

Yes, I showed a BEFORE and AFTER picture of my library when we last gathered in worship on Mother’s Day. The snapshots don’t qualify for the church photo gallery on our website but if you click on the PASTOR’S BLOG on the home page you can view those kinds of pictures.

What was one of the discussion items at our Mother’s Day gathering in our temporary Sunday worship center? During moments of greeting on Mother’s Day I was told WE CAN GET TO CHURCH IN TWO MINUTES! Can anyone beat that? I should add LEGALLY. The nominees are: 1)Mary Adame 2)yours truly 3)Sally Rojas 4)Paul & Lyn Hoffman 5)Larry & Pat Williams and 6)Mrs. Peak. Who wins?

My apologies to all of you that entered the I LOVE MY MOM poetry contest for Mother’s Day. I arrived with my Bible and sermon and the notebook of poems but somewhere along the line I lost that notebook and did not find it until Monday. I’m going to have to work harder for Father’s Day. My award goes to Gena Faranda who honored her mom, Joyce, with special words of poetry. You can read Gena’s words at our church web site.

Claudia and I will be out of town for several days this coming Memorial Day Weekend BUT WE ARE GOING TO CHURCH ON SUNDAY. CLUE: We are going to visit a great group of people that have just relocated their church to a temporary worship location).

QUESTIONOFTHEWEEK-WILL WE HAVE SUMMER SUNDAYS THIS SUMMER?

ANSWER-Glad you asked. The answer is YES!!! Details to follow.

The pictures I showed you from High Impact (Mike Romero hanging on the ropes and us with paintball guns) are now posted at www.highimpactmen.com

Remember our Information meeting is Sunday, May 31, at 5:30pm at the Office Conference Center. I have a presentation for you and we will have time for questions.

Plan on lunch with everybody on Sunday, June 7 just a couple of blocks north of us at Central Park. After church we will take a break and meet at the park at 1pm. I will bring fried chicken and set up a few tables for you to place your food to share. We will have a good time together.

If you would like to help on Sunday mornings bringing snacks or drink then call Oralia or Sheri in the church office this week.

God’s best to you,

Pastor Richard

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

YOU WERE MEANT TO BE HERE

Someone from the community dropped by during our worship services on Mother’s Day and ended up joining our service. In fact, two people joined us in our new location our first Sunday. And that doesn’t count the family and friends that were present that same day. This message was spoken to a group of us by a city employee commenting on the circumstances that led us to be conducting worship services at this location in the city.

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.  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 church@whittierbrethren.net. You can also find my writings and view our church photo album and other material by going to whittierbrethren.net and follow the links. You can also sign up to be my friend at Facebook and read these words there if you so desire.

1 month ago

A few words for Mother's Day (Sunday, May 10, 2009)

LAST MINUTE ENTRIES ALLOWED
By Pastor Richard Todd

Every Mother’s Day we seek special ways to honor the mom’s that are present with us. This year we invited all of you to submit poems in honor of your mom. I’m looking forward to sharing them with you. Last minute entries allowed (hand em to me).

I’m also looking forward to sharing snapshots of the story of our church life with you here on Sunday mornings once we get our technology arranged. In the meantime you will need to go to our website and view things there (www.whittierbrethren.net) and look at the photo gallery or click the link for PASTORS BLOG.

Thank you for setting the time aside this past week to help out in preparation for this new journey we have begun. You arranged your schedules to be here one day or two or more. And when I say THANK YOU I mean it on behalf of this church family PLUS I mean it from the bottom of my heart…you rescued me as I packed up my library that had been in one room for more than 20 years.

We have wrapped up one chapter in our church life and opened another. I have a number of things to share with you and I have been answering many questions of yours at our Wednesday evening prayer times (keep coming on Wednesdays for prayer but note the change of location). Let’s get together on Sunday evening May 31 at 5:30 at our Office Conference Room at 12300 Washington Blvd., Suite U.

You have been praying for Stella Peterson for some weeks now so I wanted to give you the news that I received in a text just two days ago (May 8). STELLA WENT WITH JESUS. Check with the church office for further details

Did you notice the corsages for the moms this morning? They were a gift from a florist I call HEAVENLY BLOOMS. Actually I made up the name because it describes the gift of love from one of you that prefers to give in love. Thank you!

Did you notice our new church phone number? It is (562) 693-7680. Help us get it out there. And when people ask for our mailing address or our new worship location address just point them to www.whittierbrethren.net

Our last message from the pulpit on Washington Blvd was from Matthew 14  and I must admit that the title was a little like the sermon title of April 26 when Larry Williams preached. He preached on YUCK! PATOOIE! While mine was IF YOU WANT TO WALK ON WATER YOU HAVE TO GET OUT OF THE BOAT!

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.  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 church@whittierbrethren.net. You can also find my writings and view our church photo album and other material by going to whittierbrethren.net and follow the links. You can also sign up to be my friend at Facebook and read these words there if you so desire. 1 month ago

A FEW WORDS FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING SUNDAY, MAY 3, 2009

I LOVE MY MOM

by Pastor Richard

 

Everybody loves their mom. This year, tell the world why your Mom is special to you. Enter the I LOVE MY MOM contest, sponsored by Yours Truly. It’s easy. Write a poem about your mom and send it to our church office or drop it off at the Information Center (that’s all the rules there are). The mothers of the winners will be recognized on Mother’s Day (please understand this is your chance to honor your mom). Send entries to whittierbrethren@gmail.com

 

This is a great morning as we officially welcome Patty Morris home in our midst here in Whittier. And then we also welcome Bill & Theresa McKinley for a special visit here in Los Angeles (ask Bill about the importance of FIFTY YEARS).

 

Bill Bell, former editor of the Whittier Daily News, wrote his article of Sunday, April 26, 2009 about his journalistic connections with Wanda Dalke. He referred to her as the “ca ca lady” (she gave herself that name but you will have to read the article to understand the reason). I have put some copies of the article at the Information Center today for you to get.

 

I have been packing my library up slowly because I kept telling myself that I needed to grab a certain book for study/reference. Things really picked up on the days Ryan and Rick and Jerry and Felice and Marissa and my wife, Claudia, and Lynn have helped me. I owe them a big debt. I spoke to you from Genesis 12 recently and discovered my first misplaced book when I searched for WAITING ON GOD by Ben Patterson. He wrote half his book on the life of Job and the other half on Abraham. As of today I still haven’t found it in one of my boxes of books. Another book I needed for this week I found right away because Marissa and Claudia and Felice packed it away and marked the box.

 

I am very pleased to announce to you that Lucia Valencia is joining our church family in membership. I was with their family a few weeks ago when she and her husband, Enrique, celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary. Both Enrique and Lucia are part of the Esperanza Bible Fellowship here. Lucia is saying to all of us that YOU CAN COUNT ON ME. And we will, Lucia.

 

Give a big church family welcome to our friends, Ed and Joyce Faranda, as they also are announcing that YOU CAN COUNT ON US, in making Community their church family. Joyce is part of the gals Wednesday evening Bible Study and Ed is part of our men’s ministries. Ed also operates E. Faranda Studios and does some of our official church photography work.

 

PREPARE NOW. I would encourage you to make preparations for how you are going to observe the National Day of Prayer this coming Thursday, May 7^th, as an individual and also collectively. The theme this year is PRAYER…AMERICA’S HOPE and is based on Psalm 33:22. You can get some ideas for your workplace as well as family at www.nationaldayofprayer.org

 

Thank you to all of you that have been helping us set things aside in storage in preparation for using temporary worship facilities starting May 10^th. A group of you gals came out this past Thursday evening and helped box up kitchen items and dishes. If you would like to help out tomorrow, May 4^th, then come here to campus at 9am and check in with Oralia in the office. We could use your help.

 

Remember that next Sunday is 1) Mother’s Day and 2) May 10^th and 3) our first Sunday in temporary worship facilities at the Whittier Senior’s Center located at 13225 Walnut Street in Whittier (maps are at the Information Center).

 

Great message from Larry Williams on April 26th but a very unique sermon title of YUCK! PATOOIE! from Revelation 3 on a lukewarm church.

 

You may see a group of us men looking a little rugged this morning because a couple of carloads of us came back from High Impact Men’s Conference in Big Bear to join with the church family for this morning’s service.

 

Join me for a special group picture outside the auditorium lobby right about noon today.

 

God’s best to you,

 

Pastor Richard

 

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

(yes, usually it is Quote of the Week)

DID YOU PACK THAT BLUE ROBE YOU USE IN YOUR MOSES AND ELIJAH AND JONAH AND BIBLE CHARACTER MONOLOGUES…AND HOW ABOUT YOUR MOSES STICK?

Yes and yes

 

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.  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 church@whittierbrethren.net. You can also find my writings and view our church photo album and other material by going to whittierbrethren.net and follow the links. You can also sign up to be my friend at Facebook and read these words there if you so desire.

2 months ago

A FEW WORDS FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING SUNDAY, APRIL 26, 2009

LUCIA & ED & JOYCE!

By Pastor Richard

I am very pleased to announce to you that Lucia Valencia is joining our church family in membership. I was with their family a few weeks ago when she and her husband, Enrique, celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary. Both Enrique and Lucia are part of the Esperanza Bible Fellowship here. Lucia is saying to all of us that YOU CAN COUNT ON ME. And we will, Lucia.

Give a big church family welcome to our friends, Ed and Joyce Faranda, as they also are announcing that YOU CAN COUNT ON US, in making Community their church family. Joyce is part of the gals Wednesday evening Bible Study and Ed is part of our men’s ministries. Ed also operates E. Faranda Studios and does many of our official church photography work.

PREPARE NOW. I would encourage you to make preparations how you are going to observe the National Day of Prayer on May 7th as an individual and also collectively. The theme this year is PRAYER…AMERICA’S HOPE and is based on Psalm 33:22. You can get some ideas for your workplace as well as family at www.nationaldayofprayer.org

Larry Williams will be preaching this morning. He has been teaching through the book of Revelation in the Discovery Adult Bible Fellowship on Sunday mornings and I wanted him to speak to all of us at this time. And did you notice the REV. initials beside his name? He was a news reporter for many years back in the mid-west and then a pastor for many years.

Next Sunday is our last day in worship here at 11000 E. Washington Blvd. then on Mother’s Day we begin worshipping in our temporary worship center while we look ahead to a new permanent church home. I am writing these words earlier in the week than is normal so I will share more with you in person this Sunday. Contact Oralia in the church office as questions arise. Plan also to join me and others at our ALL CHURCH PRAYER on Wednesdays at 6pm in Fireside (but no fire because of the extreme heat).

Do any of you speak conversational French? Contact Oralia by phone or email if you would be willing to help with a missionary project.

A couple of cars of us men will be heading up to High Impact this coming Friday but I will meet you in worship here on Sunday morning.

I did join the largest crowd gathered at Dodger Stadium for their season home opener on April 13.  And the good news is THEY WON. And the better news is THEY WON EVERY GAME FOR THE NEXT WEEK after our group attended that game on April 13. The bad news is that I did not wear Steve Garvey’s jersey and number. I wore Sandy Koufax and his #32 jersey (in fact, I don’t own a Steve Garvey jersey so I don’t know why I told you I was going to wear it). In addition, I didn’t even have a Dodger dog at that April 13 game so I guess I will have to eat an extra Dodger dog at the next game to maintain my one Dodger dog per game average.

Patty Morris, our missionary partner in France, is home in the USA and will be returning from vacation and joining us in worship on May 3^rd.

As for today’s sermon title of YUK! PATOOIE!, you will have to get Larry Williams to explain it to you.

God’s best to you,

Pastor Richard

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

HELLO, MY FRIEND

Ruben Vega always greeted you and I with these words (Ruben passed away several days ago and his services were already held)

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.  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 church@whittierbrethren.net. You can also find my writings and view our church photo album and other material by going to whittierbrethren.net and follow the links. You can also sign up to be my friend at Facebook and read these words there if you so desire.

2 months ago