January 18, 2011

A FEW WORDS FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING SUNDAY, JANUARY 16th, 2011

FROM YOUR PASTOR ON VACATION

By Pastor Richard Todd

     I jotted these thoughts to you this week while Claudia and I have been away for the week then sent them in to you electronically so they would printed for you today.

     Give a Whittier welcome to TK today (yes, that’s his name). TK will give us a “first-hand update” on the kingdom work of CE National. A group of you are taking him to lunch. I hope you can arrange your schedule to join the group.

     I know you were blest in receiving a “first-hand report” from our missionary partner, Patty Morris last Sunday. She is now headed back to her ministry base in France. How are you able to better pray for her since hearing from her?

     One of the best youth seminars in our area will be held this coming Saturday at Biola University. It is simply called TURN YOUR CAMPUS. It is for students and youth sponsors and parents. There are sessions for all of the groups. If you have ever thought about working with students then I suggest you attend. See Sheri Elisaldez or contact her at (562) 693-7680.

      QUESTION OF THE WEEK: What book of the Bible did Larry Williams preach from last Sunday morning? I saw his notes and they looked like a foundation for a good sermon.

     I preach thanksgiving themes at Thanksgiving and Christmas themes in December and marriage and family themes at other times of the year. I will be speaking on the subject of forgiveness in my message to you next Sunday morning. I am calling it FORGIVENESS SUNDAY. Join me as we consider this important theme in Scripture.

     The JANUARY BIRTHDAY BASH is this coming Thursday, January 20th at 6:30pm at Sizzler’s at 11835 Imperial Highway in Norwalk. Come. Even June birthdays get to come to the January Birthday Bash! That includes me and I hope you. We all pay for our own meals but June birthdays have to sing to the January birthdays.

     How does one make clean water from mud? Luke Wright, the artist behind Mudlove Pottery, does. Read about his technique in the Winter 2011 issue of FGBC World. The free-of-charge magazine is available at the Information Table in the lobby or online at fgbcworld.com. Check out the frequently-updated Editor’s Blog at fgbcworld-blog.com

     Some of you have asked if our new worship center will have chairs or pews in it? The answer is CHAIRS.

     I hope you heard the good news Larry Olguin announced to you on January 9th. His shared the good word that the City of Whittier has given us another three-month lease (February 1 through April 30) to use this Community Center on Sunday mornings while our permanent home is being prepared for us.

     Claudia and I are enroute home as you read this. I rejoin you as the week begins. We each carried one printed book with us plus various books in digital form. The last time I got caught OVER THE WEIGHT LIMIT (suitcase, not me) I was returning from our National Conference (in Ohio) in July, 2010 where I had been given a stack of books. So this trip I packed no books in my suitcase and carried my one book under my arm. Claudia has already finished a Bible prophecy book about Iran (ask her about it). I have been reading a fiction book and a book about discipleship in Germany during the 1930s and also a book on the Old Testament Priesthood (still reading all of them…sort of my style).

God’s best to you,

Pastor Richard

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

CAN JUNE BIRTHDAYS COME TO THE JANUARY BIRTHDAY BASH?

I was asked this question the other day so I want to answer it now. Yes! If you come to the January Birthday Bash and your birthday is any day from February 1 through December 31 then you and I sing to the people with birthdays in January. We pose them in a group while we sing to them and take their picture.

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

WANT TO READ some of my previous writings? Click here.

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. 

•