Our annual men’s retreat April 28-30. Sign up with Adam Landrum or Sheri Elisaldez right away. And yes, Forest Home has a lot of snow right now.
This past Wednesday, March 1, 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. The early followers of Christ also observed Lent, believing it to be a commandment from the apostles. Now that you know when Lent begins this year, do you know when Lent ends?
Have you heard the saying that goes: MUCH PRAYER, MUCH BLESSING, LITTLE PRAYER, LITTLE BLESSING, NO PRAYER, NO BLESSING? Sign up for the Impact Prayer Seminar that will be March 21-22. Registration cards are at the Information Center in the Lobby.
Claudia and I returned just yesterday from Phoenix, AZ where we supported the Los Angeles Dodgers in their spring training games in Phoenix, Arizona. We stayed with former staff pastor here at Community, Ed Waken and his wife, Debbie. I am excited over the work God has given Ed in his ministry with God’s people at Valley Life Church in the Phoenix area (www.valleylifechurch.com). Got any friends or family looking for a church in that area? Tell em about Valley Life.
Weekly Alanon meetings have started here on campus on Wednesday evenings at 7pm. Invite your friends, family and neighbors to attend. This is a support/encouragement group for people who have been negatively impacted by alcoholism (and yes, my family has been negatively impacted by alcoholism). These weekly meetings will be using our group meeting rooms at our 8031 Greenleaf building. Contact Theresa B. for more info at (626) 806-8704. Or talk to me.
Our missionary partner, Kyle Cherryholmes, is coming home to Southern California for a few days this coming week for the funeral services for his grandmother who passed away recently.
Our City of Whittier is still recovering from the recent shooting death of a police officer Keith Boyer. Services were held a few days ago. Some of you are wearing buttons with the words WHITTIER STRONG.
Tim Ramos is bringing the message today as we continue our Easter series on GROWING ROOTS IN YOUR SPIRITUAL LIFE.
And I am preaching this morning at Grace Brethren Church in Uptown Whittier. The service concludes before 11am so I will be joining you in worship shortly after that.
Gods best to you
Pastor Richard