THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE BRENDA AND BESS (1/8/17)

Brenda and Bess have been serving our Lord in Mexico for almost all of the past 30 years. Today they come to share with us their final report as they wrap up their service and then open a new chapter of kingdom service. Where will they serve the Lord now? Who is taking over their service in Mexico City? Tune in as they share today. Then let’s all go to Chris N Pitts over on Washington Blvd for lunch.

Kyle is home again in Belfast, Ireland. He welcomed the new year of 2017 with us last Sunday by sharing from Philippians 4 on being anxious for nothing, celebrated the Rose Bowl victory of USC on Monday (I hope he isn’t a Penn State fan) then returned back to his ministry base in Ireland. We hope to welcome him again around May of this year.

Our State of California has enacted several new laws as of January 1st that enable the use of “pot” (marijuana). What does the Bible say about its’ use or the use of drugs in general? Want to discuss these matters in light of Scripture? Let me know and let’s sit down individually or as a small group.

Now that the advent season has given way to the New Year we are returning to our series in the book of Colossians today and opening to Colossians 3:1-11 where we will ask HOW MANY RULES DO I HAVE TO KEEP TO BE A GOOD CHRISTIAN?

Send me or share with me or email me or text me your votes for Bible verse of the year.

Mark your calendar for January 29th for the Southern California CE National Celebration right here on our church campus. This gathering is held each January in a different church in our area and this year is our turn. Last time we met here at 8109 Greenleaf we prepared cupcakes with the face of Ed Lewis on them. Come on the 29th at 6pm.

God’s best to you,

Pastor Richard

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

THE LORD WANTS YOUR MIND

A man in our community shared with me this week that someone shared these words with him the other day.

IT'S THE START OF A NEW YEAR (1/1/17)

Starting the new year is a great time to start new practices like joining a small group or beginning a practice of Bible reading and prayer. I have placed some Daily Bread reading booklets on the table in the lobby for you to take and start your Bible reading.

Each new year has many opportunities and challenges, some of which we anticipate.  Others we can’t begin to anticipate as the year begins.  What does this new year hold for us as a church family?  My prayer is that we will see more grace, more blessing, more growth, more ministry, more opportunities to minister to many lives-more than ever before here at Community. Let’s work hard together this year to be the church God calls us to be, all He wants every church to be, and to be what He wants us specifically to be-right here-right now.

We sang together on Christmas Day in the lobby and wished each other a Merry Christmas. During our one hour or so service Tim Ramos and I took the letters of the word CHRISTMAS and shared a Bible verse and word that begins with each of the letters of the word. I shared the first word that begins with the letter “C” and that word was CARING. Do you "care" about the birth of Jesus any more? Have you become jaded by our culture and find you really don't care anymore? Then Tim shared a word for the letter “H” and shared the word “Holy Spirit" Luke 1:25 We can never take for granted the gift God gave us and make it any less than HOLY and call it anything less than God's Spirit. Want to know the rest of the words Tim and I made up and shared on Christmas Day? We posted them at the church Facebook page at “C.G.B.C.”

Our Missionary Partner, Kyle Cherryholmes, is planning to be with us in worship this New Year’s Day before he heads back to Ireland in the next few days. And then our missionary partners, Brenda and Bess are planning to be with us on the morning of January 8th (that’s next Sunday) for a Report to Their People.

This is a great way to start the year.

Happy New Year,

This may be the year that Jesus winds up history as we know it. And it’s a good thing to pray for,

Pastor Richard

A FEW CHRISTMAS TIPS (12/25/16)

Someone shared some Christmas tips with me the other day. These are for all of us who want to keep the spirit of Christmas. What were they? Here are a few of them: You can have the best Christmas ever when you have realistic expectations, spend time with people that love you and do things that connect you with other people.

We have a holiday worship schedule today and again on January 1 (next Sunday). My apologies for the confusing announcement of the Sunday morning schedule for January 1, 2017. No Sunday School or Adult Bible Fellowships today or next Sunday. Our Sunday morning schedule will be back to our regular times with Adult Bible Fellowships at 9:30 and worship at 10:45 on January 8th. 

How did we spell Christmas at our Christmas Eve Service last evening? You will have to check our Facebook page for the people and words that were shared. (Facebook C.G.B.C.).

Al-anon support group meetings are getting organized in our area with the plan to meet here on our church campus. Interested? Please let Oralia in the church office know of your interest. Or speak with me.

We purchased a nativity set for our front yard this year and set it out on the corner of our house. The recent winds we have had in our area knocked the manger and baby Jesus and his mother to the ground several times. Each time one of the family fell down I put them back in place. There was Joseph and Mary and the baby Jesus and the manger and then there was a wooden frame with the star of Bethlehem on top. I went out in the front yard several days ago and discovered someone had come by during the previous evening and taken one of the pieces with them. Guess which one…..not the baby Jesus and not Joseph. Yes, they took the star of Bethlehem.

We prepared a special Christmas video greeting for our very own Angie Garcia on December 18th. A group of you gals shared it with her that afternoon.

Our Wednesday prayer meetings are on holiday schedule this coming week and will resume on January 4th.

Our message to you today is WHAT’S SO SPECIAL ABOUT CHRISTMAS? Tim Ramos and I will be sharing from Scripture with you.

Merry Christmas,

Pastor Richard

GRACE CONNECT LEADERS MET IN OUR PLAZA THIS WEEK (12/18/16)

Grace Connect leaders met here on campus this past Tuesday. We had church leaders and missionaries from all over Southern California. Our speaker of the day was Tom Hocking from Bellflower. We ate lunch next door at Mr. Giant. Bob Hetzler helped set up and clean up afterwards. Thank you, Bob.

Pictures from our Christmas banquet on December 4th are on the monitor in the lobby for you to stop by and review. You can download a copy of your table photo from our church Facebook page.  

This coming week will be quiet here on campus with most Bible study groups on break for the holidays.

I am excited for all the toys you collected and shared this season. Fred Jordan Mission is handing them out.

We put out a church sign in the Plaza on voting day last month. Lydia saw the sign and joined us in worship last Sunday as a result of seeing the sign.

Our missionary partner, KYLE CHERRYHOLMES, will be landing at LAX tomorrow. He hopes to connect with us during his short visit home here with family. We will try to let you know when and where.

I hope you will set aside one hour this coming Saturday for our Christmas Eve Service in our Lobby. It’s special time of Scripture and singing the songs of Christmas. If your family would like to share a story or song or testimony during this time, let me know right away. 

And Christmas morning we will meet together here on campus for an hour of worship of the Lord before we part company for the holiday.

Christmas blessings,

Pastor Richard

BEST QUOTE OF THE WEEK

MY FAVORITE PART OF WINTER IS WATCHING IT ON TV FROM CALIFORNIA

These words came from someone who has lived back East but now is from California and doesn't want to go back.

Thank You For Your Prayers (12/11/16)

Thank you for your prayers and encouragement for us Todds in the passing of Claudia’s dad the day after Thanksgiving. Memorial services for Dick Martinson will be tomorrow morning, December 12th, at Arlington Cemetery in Riverside (10:01 AM). 

The special Sundays of Advent continue today and continue through Christmas Eve. Each Sunday before Christmas day one of you families will share the Advent theme of the week, share a Scripture portion and lead us in prayer. Don’t miss any of these Advent times with the final presentation being our Christmas Eve service. Mike & Heidi Romero led us on November 27th. Tori & Malachi led us on December 4th plus we have several others of you to lead us today.

I want to recommend to you a conference for church people that are interested in missions. Interact with cutting edge speakers, training, dialogue, inspiration & challenge! The time for engaging our world on mission--across the street and around the world is NOW!  The date is Saturday, January 28th, 2017. The location is at the Grace Church of Orange in Orange, CA. I have put some flyers at the Information Center in the Lobby for you to pick up.

End & Joyce Faranda opened the doors of their home just last night for a group of you and shared their Christmas outreach. People in Southern California that come by their home to listen to the Christmas story from Luke 2 and Christmas carols. If you drive by on certain nights Ed and Joyce may come out and give you a candy cane.

Remember the quote of the week that I shared in my December 4th note to you? 

The words were MY NEIGHBOR IS COMING to the church Christmas party. I met them Sunday evening and I found out later that they won a prize to take home. They had a good evening in meeting you.

We are looking forward to Kyle Cherryholmes visiting for the upcoming Christmas holidays. He arrives December 19.

The leaders of the Grace Churches Network met here on our church campus this past Tuesday to fellowship and share ministry updates. We then had lunch next door at Mr. Giant.

Christmas blessings,

Pastor Richard

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ENCOURAGING WORDS (12/4/16)

Thank you for your prayers and encouragement for us Todds in the passing of Claudia’s dad the day after Thanksgiving. Memorial services for Dick Martinson will be Monday morning, December 12th at Arlington Cemetery in Riverside. 

The special Sundays of Advent continue today and continue through Christmas Eve. Each Sunday before Christmas day one of you families will share the Advent theme of the week, share a Scripture portion and lead us in prayer. Don’t miss any of these Advent times with the final presentation being our Christmas Eve service. Mike & Heidi Romero led us on November 27th.

I’m looking forward to meeting up with you today at 5pm for our annual Christmas Banquet in our Plaza. We will eat and sing and share gifts and celebrate the birth of Jesus with you. This is one of my season highlights each year.

December has started and so has the new quarter of December, January and February for the OUR DAILY BREADS. There are still a few left on the table in the Lobby for you to pick up.

Put Ed & Joyce Faranda’s Christmas yard light display (Gena also contributes) on your LET’S GO SEE SOME CHRISTMAS LIGHTS list. The lights are co-ordinated with music and a message that you hear on your FM car radio. They live at 5203 Ashworth Street in Lakewood. If you can’t drive to see the dancing lights, then go to www.dancingwithlights.com and get a glimpse of what they are doing. The music includes songs that you will never hear at Starbucks because they proclaim the Savior’s birth plus a reading of the Luke 2 account and also a lighting of the Advent candles. Saturday evening, December 10 from 7pm to 9:30pm the Farandas are having what you might call an OPEN HOUSE for their light display (Everyone welcome. Bring a dessert to share if possible).

Merry Christmas,

Pastor Richard

I know it’s early to say MERRY CHRISTMAS but I love to say it and hear it uttered during this time of year.

 

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

MY NEIGHBORS ARE COMING

I know many of you have invited friends, neighbors and family to the Christmas

banquet today. One of you shared these words with others this week.

Happy Birthday ShoutOuts (11/27/16)

Yes, we have a few birthday shoutouts today for those whose birthdays are today and who come together in worship. We don’t sing to them but we shoutout to them.  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JR.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY APRIL

The special Sundays of Advent begin today, November 27, and continue through Christmas Eve. Each Sunday before Christmas day one of you families will share the Advent theme of the week, share a Scripture portion and lead us in prayer. Don’t miss any of these Advent times with the final presentation being our Christmas Eve service. Mike & Heidi Romero are sharing today Plus different people in the coming weeks.    

THANK YOU GALS for how pretty our church looks today with the decorations of advent. A group of you came out the day after Thanksgiving to DINE N DECORATE and ate home made chili then decorated our main public places. My “grands” and I made a Starbucks run for dessert (“grands” are my grandkids).

Today, Claudia and I are out of the area for an early Christmas celebration with the Todd clan. Our families are involved in a number of churches and end up selecting one Sunday each holiday season to gather and celebrate.

Tim Ramos will be bringing the heat from God’s Word today. I trust notes will be posted afterwards on our church Facebook page.

Get your Daily Breads that begin December 1st on the table in the Lobby. A big stack of them were taken by people in our community that came to our Plaza to vote on Election Day.

Please take note of the December Sunday morning schedule of services. Which days Walking in the Word meets and which days Sunday Schools will be optional.

God’s best to you,

Pastor Richard

The Turkey Is Coming Home (11/20/16)

Join me this Thursday, Thanksgiving morning, at 10am in our Chapel for 60 minutes (not 61 minutes) of giving thanks to the Lord. We sing and pray and give testimony to God but no sermon.

Our women were at their annual retreat at the Calvary Chapel Conference Center last weekend. They returned home with the dates of November 10-12, 2017 for their next retreat gathering. Mark your calendars now.

Thank you, Ray Bozigian, for your help in getting the church Plaza clean and shiny for the recent election polling here on our church campus. I thanked others but I overlooked you. 

I want to apologize for the shortage of OUR DAILY BREADS that begin on December 1st. We put out a stack on election day and the voters that came through our Plaza depleted the supply twice during that day. So we have a very limited supply to share starting in just a few days. We order almost six months ahead so it is rare that any extras are available to ship to us on short notice.

Some of you join me on Wednesdays at 6pm for 30 minutes of prayer. We share praises, prayer requests, I share a verse that speaks about prayer and then we pray for the balance of the 30 minutes. THIS PAST WEDNESDAY I SHARED A VERSE FROM 1 SAMUEL 30:8 “And David enquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them?” Join me in the church lobby this coming Wednesday at 6:00pm.

God’s best to you,

Pastor Richard

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

HOW CAN I BE ANGRY AT YOU WHEN YOU HAVE SUCH A LOVELY WIFE?

These words were spoken to one of you the other day by someone that is not part of our church family.

 

“THE HARDEST ARITHMETIC TO CALCULATE IS THAT WHICH ENABLES US TO COUNT OUR BLESSINGS.”

This is my Thanksgiving quote that has challenged me this season.

SOURCE: Eric Hoffer

WHAT HAPPENED ON ELECTION NIGHT (11/13/16)

You voted and our country now has a new President-elect in Donald Trump. Keep praying and seeking the Lord for our country. The intercession isn’t over.

Our national election was this past Tuesday, November 8th. Three precincts of people in our community voted in our church Plaza during that day. We set up a table next to the exit door to the parking lot and placed a sign there and some tracts and a stack of Daily Bread booklets. One lady that came to vote shared that she had not voted in any national election in more than 60 years. Whew!

A group of our gals are at the Women’s Retreat that concludes this morning. Pray for them as they wrap-up a special weekend and head home.

We have recently changed our church office hours. They are now 8am to 3pm daily. Please take note of this schedule.

SERVE WHITTIER weekend is May 20-21, 2017. We have signed on as a participating church. Speak with Claudia Todd about ways our church might get involved.

I met with the Whittier Areas Pastors group a few days ago at the Salvation Army over on Pickering. Lots of plans and prayers for Whittier were offered. Lt. Ryan is the new commander there.

The memorial service for Mrs. Kurtaneck is today at 6:30pm at Norwalk Brethren Church Fellowship Hall (11005 Foster Road). Because of this memorial service there will be no Walking in the Word today.

The message from Scripture today is from Judges 13-17 on the life of Samson. I have titled it, HERE COMES TROUBLE.

All of us appreciate the help that Larry Olguin and Oralia Alvarado and Lynn Sapp gave here on campus during the national elections this past Tuesday. Thank you for your service and sweet spirit.

God’s best to you,

Pastor Richard

WHAT HAPPENED ON HALLOWEEN? (11/6/16)

We had a special Halloween evening at the Todd house handing out treats to the guests who came by. Plus we Trick or Treated in the neighborhood and went by Good Shepherd Church that hosted an outdoor event on Halloween evening. We handed out tracts at our house and I only found two tracts on the ground in the neighborhood the day after.

I love going up to the clocks at the Todd house and setting them back one hour like we just did yesterday and this morning. Stay up late and set your clocks back like you earned an extra hour. Our church clocks were modified a few days ago by Lynn Sapp. Thank you, Lynn.

Three days from now we will celebrate seven days the Chicago Cubs as the World series champions for the first time in 108 years plus we will have a new President of the United States all in seven (7) days.

We will be hosting here on campus three community precincts voting here at 8109 Greenleaf Avenue on election day this coming Tuesday.

A group of our gals will be headed to Calvary Chapel Murrietta Hot Springs Conference Center this coming Friday for a weekend retreat. Pray for them and us guys who end up holding down the fort here in Whittier.

Kyle Cherryholmes is serving in Ireland under Youth With a Mission. He left Los Angeles in August this summer for his ministry in Belfast, Ireland. Kyle and I spoke yesterday. 

Moody Press Publishers has been selling the Children’s Baptism books I wrote for several years now. They informed me this week that they are now selling a digital version of each book through Amazon and Nook and iBooks and other outlets. They are doing this so people can purchase the baptism books at a low price.

I appreciate your comments from our October 30 message that Tim Ramos and I presented on HOW TO VOTE IN THE COMING NOVEMBER ELECTION.

God’s best to you,

Pastor Richard

WHAT HAPPENS ON HALLOWEEN? (10/30/16)

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.

I always appreciate when people remind me about the upcoming time change each spring and fall. I like the fall time change where we set our clocks backwards but I don’t look forward to the payback event in the spring where we lose an hour. Nevertheless, the MOVE YOUR CLOCKS BACK TIME CHANGE is coming this next weekend. A word to the wise….

Plan how you want to share the gospel on Halloween evening if you are giving out candy. I have some special attractive tracts we will use at our house that are a good read for elementary age kids. I have put some tract samples for you on the table in the lobby. Speak with my wife, Claudia, or the church office if you want to purchase one or more packs of 25 tracts in each pack. Cost is $5 for each packet of 25 tracts.

Tim Ramos was out of state for a memorial service on Sunday, October 23rd and is back with us today. He and I shared an INTERSTITIAL MESSAGE on GOD AND GOVERNMENT AND THE BIBLE on October 16th. We will be continuing with part 2 of that series today. 

My message on October 23rd was from James 4:7-10 and was titled WHAT WOULD A SPIRITUAL AWAKENING IN AMERICA LOOK LIKE? I shared a list of what our lives and church and city and state would look like if a revival came into our midst. My first point was to share that we would all be very aware of the presence of God in our midst should a revival come on us all. I ask you today and I asked during that sermon ARE YOU AWARE OF GOD’S PRESENCE IN YOUR LIFE? Is God tapping you on the shoulder? The message was recorded and is posted on our church website for you to listen to. Go to whittierbrethren.org/media to listen to the audio.

God’s best to you,

Pastor Richard

ONLY IN CALIFORNIA (10/23/16)

What amazing weather this past week! It rained on Monday. It was 76 then the next day it was 86 then it was 93 and then it was 106 as this goes to the printer. Only in Southern California.

There real work of God in people’s lives is most often seen only by a few because we don’t measure the work of God in attendances and offering amounts. The work of God is seen most clearly in the lives of people you and I touch for eternity. Like when one of you took Oralia out to lunch the other day. Or when one of you brought a friend to join us in worship this summer (actually it was two friends). 

We have just had the Father/Son Retreat in September and now the Women’s Retreat comes in November.

Tim Ramos and I started a mini series on THE BIBLE AND GOD’S INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE UPCOMING ELECTION on October 16th. Our first observation from Scripture was GOD IS PRO GOVERNMENT and our Scripture was Romans 13. Tim is out of town today at a family memorial service along with his family so we will continue when he returns. He called this series INTERSTITIAL (whew). Go figure. My message today is from James 4 and is titled WHAT WOULD A SPIRITUAL AWAKENING IN AMERICA LOOK LIKE?

Plan how you want to share the gospel on Halloween evening if you are giving out candy. I have some special attractive tracts we will use at our house that are a good read for elementary age kids. If you want to order a quantity I suggest you go to crossway.org/tracts and order their tract titled, “A Halloween Quiz.” You can also order them through Amazon. I have put some samples for you on the table in the lobby. One per person. Speak with my wife, Claudia, or the church office if you want to purchase one or more packs of 25 tracts in each pack. Cost is $5 for each packet of 25 tracts.

God’s best to you,

Pastor Richard

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

IT’S ABSOLUTELY TIME FOR ALL CHRISTIANS TO STAND UP FOR JESUS AND THE GOSPEL

SOURCE: I came across these words that Pastor David Jeremiah shared the other day.

JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT CHRIST'S RETURN (10/16/16)

The Jewish “feasts of the Lord” of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur have already been observed this month.The Jewish calendar reminds us that the

SUKKOT (Feast of Tabernacles) will take place on October 17-25, 2016.

I have prepared some brochures explaining about the Feast of Tabernacles and placed them at the Information Center for you to pick up today.

I took the opportunity on October 9th to share with you a message from 1 Thessalonians 5 titled JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THE COMING OF THE LORD. And now Tim Ramos and I are going to speak to the upcoming election FROM THE BIBLE on WHAT THE BIBLE HAS TO SAY ABOUT OUR GOVERNMENT AND THE UPCOMING ELECTIONS.

Plan now how you want to share the gospel on Halloween evening if you are giving our candy. I have some special attractive tracts we will use at our house that are a good read for elementary age kids. If you want to order a quantity I suggest you go to crossway.org/tracts and order their tract titled, “A Halloween Quiz.” You can also order them through Amazon. I have put some samples for you on the table in the lobby. One per person. Contact me or the church office if you want to purchase one or more packs of 25 tracts in each pack. Cost is $5 for each packet of 25 tracts.

Claudia and I got away for a few days this past week up near Morro Bay and enjoyed some rest, cool weather and good food (thank you of your gifts of love at our church picnic). I took a paddle boarding lesson then proceeded to get a fever and stay sick for two days. We returned home safe and sound and am finally feeling better.

Pictures from the picnic are also on our church Facebook page. The Father-Son retreat photos are also on the church Facebook page.

God’s best to you,

Pastor Richard

I'M SAYING WHAT FRANK CASTELLO SAID (10/9/16)

Claudia and I are getting away for a few days starting tomorrow, October 10th, to celebrate our anniversary. We will be right here with you in worship next Sunday, October 16th. But in between we are heading up towards Morro Bay and “cool” weather. And what did Frank Castello say? He told me a while back that he and June never thought about being married this many years….it just happened as they walked with the Lord and each other.

Tim Ramos opened God’s Word on October 2nd with us. He taught from Romans 1:20 on the topic of NO EXCUSES. I remember him asking IS HE YOUR GOD!

October 16th Tim Ramos and I will be speaking from Scripture on the upcoming political election. The title is THINKING BIBLICALLY ABOUT GOVERNMENT (what God has to say about politics). I want you to consider these biblical principles from God’s Word as you pray about the various matters before you as you head to the polls in November.

The Jewish “feast of the Lord” of Rosh Hashanah has just been observed this past week.The Jewish calendar reminds us that the following "feasts of the LORD" will take place soon:

YOM KIPPUR - October 12, 2016

SUKKOT (Feast of Tabernacles) - October 17-25, 2016

I have prepared some brochures explaining about Yom Kippur and placed them at the Information Center for you to pick up today.

Great picnic last Sunday, October 2 with absolutely great weather. And great fried chicken and grilled chicken (I had to sample both). And great potato salad (and yes, I sampled both). And great home made chocolate chip cookies by Heidi Romero (I indulged a little). And the pies, yes I think I sampled all of them. And great games, especially the Dodger bean bag toss. Pictures from the picnic are on the monitor in the lobby for today.

Pictures from the picnic are also on our church Facebook page. The Father-Son retreat photos are also on the church Facebook page.

I want you to know that a GOOD Halloween tract is a winner when you give a piece of candy out. I have put some of my favorites out on the table in the lobby today. Take ten per person. You can still order this week and get delivery by the 31st. My all time favorite is A HALLOWEEN QUIZ (sold from tract company and also through Amazon).

My message to you on October 9th is JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE RETURN OF JESUS from 1 Thessalonians 5.

God’s best to you,

Pastor Richard

THIS IS OUR DAY TO CELEBRATE (10/2/16)

Every October we pause on one Sunday and THANK THE LORD FOR THIS TEAM OF PEOPLE HE HAS PUT TOGETHER HERE AT COMMUNITY and today is that day. Claudia and I are blest to be part of this work of God along with you all. And then we celebrate by having a picnic. Let’s do it.

Yes, the Jewish calendar reminds us that the following "feasts of the LORD" will take place soon:

    •    ROSH HASHANAH - October 3-4, 2016

    •    YOM KIPPUR - October 12, 2016

    •    SUKKOT (Feast of Tabernacles) - October 17-25m 2016

I have prepared some brochures explaining about Rosh Hashanah at the Information Center for you to pick up today.

A group of our men and sons are out of town this weekend for a father-son retreat. They are returning shortly to be available to attend the picnic. Start planning now to attend next year. HINT: You can even bring your son and grandson.

A group of us attended the funeral service for Vince Macias on September 25th. Vince was the youth director here at Community for quite a few of you. Speak with my wife if you want additional family updates.

Because of all the political and social unrest, the Mission America Coalition is calling Christ-followers to pray for our nation. “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” Matthew 21:22 (KJV).

The message on September 25 was part two in our fall series in the New Testament book of Colossians. Tim Ramos will be bringing a special message today in celebration of our church journey as God’s family here at 8109 Greenleaf. Then Tim and I have a few thoughts from God’s Word on the upcoming elections here in America. We will resume the Colossians series shortly.

God’s best to you,

Pastor Richard

IT'S BACK TO SCHOOL SUNDAY (9/25/16)

Welcome to Back to School Sunday today. I want you to know who is in school from Preschool to Graduate school.  And we want to pray for you all at the start of this academic year.

It was good being with a group of you at Chris N Pitts on September 18th celebrating Patty Morris being with us. It was a special day having our missionary partner with us IN-PERSON. Patty is now back in France.

Claudia and I enjoyed being at the Pastor’s Conference at Hume Lake Christian Camps this past week. One of the speakers is working on a projectwww.theBibleproject.com which is a series of videos on every book of the Bible (approximately 5 minutes each). Solid stuff. Check it out on YouTube (and they are free, free, free). Hume Lake Camps are almost 7 hours from home and Claudia and I enjoy the drive up there and back talking and listening to podcasts, etc.

JUST WANTED YOU TO KNOW: Us Whittier Pastors get together monthly for prayer and encouragement. We also work on BIBLE AND SOCIETY issues where we study Scripture and discuss how we develop guidelines for living godly lives. We are meeting this coming Thursday at Zoe Christian Fellowship over on Mills where Ed Smith is Pastor.

And yes, Claudia and I have been catching just about all the Dodger games broadcast by Vin Scully leading up to his last game (this being 67 years of broadcasting for him).

We opened Scripture on September 18th to Colossians 1 and considered how we become grounded spiritually. We saw the first insight to be grounded in the Word. We consider another principle of being grounded in our faith today as we continue in the book of Colossians.

Fall time change is coming on Sunday, November 6th.

God’s best to you,

Pastor Richard

GLAD TO HAVE YOU WITH US, PATTY! (9/18/16)

We welcome Patty Morris here on our church campus today. Patty is our Missionary Partner serving with Encompass Partners in France. She already spoke at the 9:30 hour to Mrs. Peak’s group. She will be sharing with us during the service and then we plan to go to lunch at Chris N Pitts. And yes, you are invited (it is Dutch Treat except for Patty who is our guest today). 

California may shortly have a new law that requires our Christian colleges like Biola and Azusa and Christian Heritage Cal Baptist (where my son has worked for six years) to inform the State of California how it enforces its biblical, ethical and moral code on its students and faculty. I have placed some copies of the law that is on the Governor’s desk right now for his consideration and possible signature at the Information Desk for you to pick up today. Once this law goes into force, its author said he wants to impose greater restrictions onCalifornia institutions of faith.

Every year at this time Claudia and I head up to Hume Lake Christian Camps for a gathering of pastors and wives from the West Coast. This group of Pastors and their wives come from various Christian fellowships (including some of our Brethren pastors in California). We leave tomorrow morning and I will be back in the office on Friday, September 23rd.

Bob Hetzler and I and a group of pastors and missionaries from this region met for prayer and encouragement in Bellflower on Tuesday, September 13. Our group is known at the Grace Leader Network (look us up on Facebook). 

THIRTY MINUTES OF PRAYER meets at 6pm on Wednesdays. We do three things: 1) share answers to prayer from recent days, 2) share prayer requests, 3) I share special verse from the Bible to encourage all to pray and 4) we pray. That’s it. The verse I shared on Wednesday, September 14th was 2 Kings 6:17. “Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”

Tim Ramos and I enjoyed sharing with you on September 11 about finding hope when facing terror from the tenth chapter of Psalms.

God’s best to you,

Pastor Richard

 

A GROUP OF OUR ADULTS ARE HELPING FOREST HOME (9/11/16)

A group of our college students and young adults are up at Forest Home for a Willing Workers Weekend that is ending just about now as you are reading these words. This means they are serving as Forest Home staff for the weekend in the dining hall. I am so proud of our people in that Forest Home just contacted us the other day with an emergency request to help them out. Sheri spoke with our group and they came together to help out. They return to Whittier this afternoon.

Patty Morris, our missionary partner serving in France, will be with us briefly on September 18. She will be giving a report at 9:30am in Mrs. Peaks class (all gals welcome). She will also be with us for a report in our worship service at 10:45. Plan on joining the group for lunch at Chris N Pitts (its Dutch treat except for our guest).

I meet with a local group of Pastors and missionaries from the Whittier area regularly. I also meet with a group of pastors and missionaries from Southern California regularly and this second group is now called the GRACE LEADERS NETWORK. Many of us are connected with CE National and Encompass World Partners and are with the Grace Brethren Fellowship of churches. The Grace Leaders Network are meeting this coming Tuesday at Bellflower Brethren Church where Tom Avey will be sharing with us.

Tim Ramos taught from 1 Samuel 14 on September 4th. Today, we will be opening Scripture to Psalm 10 in looking for hope in the face of terror.

Walking in the Word resumes today at 5:30pm in the Chapel. I am the regular teacher. Join me. We go verse by verse through the Bible.

Men’s Fellowship and Women’s Bible Study resume this Wednesday.

God’s best to you,

Pastor Richard

 

OUR DAILY BREAD (9/4/16)

The Daily Bread devotional booklets for September, October and November are available on the table as you exit into the lobby at the conclusion of the service today. There is a Scripture portion to read every day and a practical application for your life.

Our message for August 28th was from Philippians 3:1-10 where the Apostle Paul shared his challenge to experience Christ more intimately and powerfully and _______ (look at PS for answer).

Remember that our church offices are closed tomorrow for the Labor Day holiday.

Patty Morris, our missionary partner serving in France, will be with us briefly on September 18. She will be giving a report at 9:30am in the Chapel. She will also be with us for a report in worship at 10:45.

Walking in the Word resumes on September 11th at 5:30pm. Men’s Fellowship and Women’s Bible Study resume on September 14.

2 Peter 3:18 is our verse for the year of 2016. “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” We will visit the passage periodically throughout the year.

WHY DID I CHOOSE 2 PETER 3:18 FOR THE YEAR? It’s a great lesson. You can be the most skilled and talented person alive, but if you are running on empty, you are going to crash and burn. Refueling is one of the most important things in life. We teach it all the time. The most important thing you can do for your life and for your future and for your relationships is to keep your spiritual batteries recharged. And that is why we select a verse of the year that God uses to shape our lives and our church.

God’s best to you,

Pastor Richard

P.S. “completely”

JESUS IS MY LORD, THEY SAID (8/28/16)

Priscilla Ramos and Damien Galvan were baptized at our final 2016 Summer Sunday gathering on August 21. Both of them testified in word that “JESUS IS MY LORD” and then were baptized. It’s a great testimony when someone proclaims it. Interesting that Philippians 2 says all of humanity will one day make this confession. It’s just a question of when. Sooner or later. I prefer sooner.

We say WELCOME BACK to David Fierro who is back from recent surgery. The doctor said he can’t bowl anytime soon.

We say WELCOME BACK to Hector and Margie Martinez who are back from a special vacation back East. Ask them about it and also ask them about the great Mexican food in Holland, Michigan.

We say WELCOME HOME to Carolyn Peak who just returned from her annual vacation to a farm in Indiana (ask her for details).

We are LOOKING FORWARD to welcoming back Angie Garcia from an extended hospital stay but it will still be a few weeks before she rejoins us.

My BIRTHDAY RADAR is on today for people who have SUNDAY BIRTHDAYS. Ask Peter Wain.

Sally Rojas, it was nice to meet your sister and her husband on August 21 during their California visit from North Carolina. Turns out the husband and I lived a few blocks from each other when I lived in South Carolina a long time ago (ok, a long, long time ago).

Remember, no Summer Sunday today and no Concert in the Park tomorrow night.

God’s best to you,

Pastor Richard

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

GOD IS DOING SOMETHING IN AMERICA TODAY

Our Summer Sunday speaker for August 21st was Pastor Roy Halberg. He walked us through the Old Testament book of Habakkuk and challenged us to say these words out loud. He then challenged us to say GOD IS DOING SOMETHING IN MY LIFE TODAY.