True Friends

Vacations are wrapping up, school is starting, and I have a growing anticipation and excitement about the days ahead of us! There are two ways to think about the events coming that we cannot see. One is to worry because we fear the worst. The other is to anticipate joys and victories because of our faith in God's mercy and love. When we walk in faith we put our trust in God’s faithfulness and the incredible dreams He has for us. I am choosing to look forward with eyes of faith and see victory after victory. Join me in this faith inspired adventure.

"True Friends" is our theme for Sunday from the Proverbs. We will have communion, learn more about our partnership with New Hope Church in Galt, worship an awesome God, and learn from His wisdom. I can't wait to spend this time with you in God's presence.

Hebrews 11:1-2 "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for."

Pastor Rick

Striving After Dreams

Cathy and I are in Orlando this week attending the national convention for our denomination, the Assemblies of God. I just came out of a session that was quite overwhelming. A pastor from Baghdad, Iraq, spoke to us about not giving up on our dreams. He lives in danger every day yet continues to joyfully reach out to people in his city. One of their outreach efforts is to street kids who have been orphaned. They are now gathering over 300 every week who are learning about Jesus and receiving care. All of these children and youth were raised Muslim but have now experienced the love of our Savior, Jesus. We definitely have a lot to be thankful for and a great mission before us. Let’s keep striving after the dreams the Lord puts in our hearts!

Since we are in Florida this week, we are going to extend our stay through the weekend and celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary on Monday, August 10. We will return home on Tuesday and can’t wait to engage in the dreams we have to reach our city and deepen our devotion to Jesus.

Samuel Gordon will be bringing the Word this week in our summer of wisdom of series. He is fired up and ready to go.

Proverbs 21:2 All a man's ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.

Pastor Rick

Importance of Words

What did you say!? I don’t think it is possible to overemphasize the importance of our words. We can direct the course of one’s life by the words we speak to them. Positive, affirming words will strengthen and give life while negative, demeaning words will lead to death. This Sunday we will focus on the opportunity before us to grow in the way we use words. We can all improve in the way we build others up while we turn away from tearing them down.

Some more exciting news!! We are beginning a partnership with New Hope Church in Galt. You can access their website at www.newhopegalt.org. At one time this was a thriving church with over 300 in attendance. Over the past few years they have faced challenges that led to a significant decline. With a new pastor in place, we have been led to assist them in revitalizing this important outreach. Dave and Brooke Ross have a vision to reach Galt with the message of God’s love and have opened their hearts to us to help. This Sunday I will be speaking to their congregation about the possibilities that are before us and on August 16 the New Hope members will join us at CCC as we highlight this new partnership. Preparations are in a place for a Grand Re-Opening of New Hope on Sunday, September 13. It will be a new day for Galt and the things God wants to do to reach people with His love. (This is the first step toward one of the things God has laid on my heart to reach our world in the days ahead. There are many churches that could be revitalized with the help of healthy churches. We are looking forward to more partnerships of this kind in the coming months and years).

1 Thessalonians 5:11 "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."

Pastor Rick