August 10, 2008 by admin.

Tisha B’av

Sadness and grief are natural, human reactions to a serious loss. It often hurls us into the arms of our God for comfort. We look to Him and trusted friends for help in examining ourselves and our relationship to the lost object of our love. It is through grief that we face the painful reality of losing something that we love, whether it be our parent, our child, our spouse, our friend, or even our childhood, our home, or our health. They are all losses. Besides grieving our own losses, we are touched when a friend is grieving a loss. Even our Lord Yeshua wept when He saw His friends grieving at Lazarus’ death.

Today, on August 10, 2008 (the 9th of Av or Tisha B’av on the Jewish calendar), the Jewish people grieve over the great losses and tragic events in their history. As Christians, we are the spiritual seed of Abraham. Therefore, the Jewish history and family tree is our history and our tree. Her losses become our losses and her mourning our mourning.

I believe that the Gentile Ruth’s heart toward her Jewish mother-in-law was, “Where you go, I will go; where you live, I will live; your people shall be my people; your God shall be my god; and your losses and grief will be my losses and grief.” May the Lord make us sensitive to the pain of our ancestors.

According to the sages, here are some of the tragedies that happened on the 9th of Av:

1. In 586 BC, the First Temple (built by Solomon) was destroyed by the Babylonians. One hundred thousand Jews perished, and millions were exiled.
2. In 70 AD, the Second Temple was destroyed by the Romans, led by Titus. Again many Jews died and many were exiled. This destruction was prophesied by Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) in Matthew 24:2.
3. In 135 AD, the Jewish Bar Kochba revolt was crushed by the Roman Emperor Hadrian. A stronghold of over 100,000 Jews was slaughtered.
4. In 1290, an official decree was signed, expelling all the Jewish people from England.
5. In 1492, the large Jewish community in Spain was expelled from the country.
6. In 1914, WWI broke out when Germany declared war on Russia. German resentment from the war set the stage for the Holocaust in which six million Jews were killed.

Let us also remember that although this day reminds us of the hatred aimed at God’s Chosen People, it can also remind us that God has preserved His people, in spite of Satan’s continual attempts to destroy their hope. “Am Y’israel Chai!” (”The Jewish people live on!”). And, indeed, soon, all Israel will be saved (Romans 11:26), and we will all rejoice together–forever with our Messiah, Jesus!

“Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad for her, all you who love her; rejoice greatly with her, all you who mourn over her (Isaiah 66:10).”

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August 10, 2008 by PastorMark.

#323, When Temptation Knocks, Pastor Mark Boucher, Sunday 08-10-2008

Text: James 1:13-18

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August 10, 2008 by admin.

JOIN US TODAY

• WORSHIP and THE WORD at 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM
  • Nursery, 4s and 5s, Kids 4 Christ
  • We will share together in Communion, remembering Jesus’ sacrifice for us.
  • Pastor Mark Boucher will preach the Word of God: “When Temptation Knocks” (James 1:13-18)
• CHRISTIAN EDUCATION at 10:00 AM
• THE TRUTH PROJECT SMALL GROUPS at 6:30 PM

JOIN US THIS WEEK

• MONDAY 7:00 PM—Prayer
• TUESDAY
  • 6:30 PM—Prayer for Israel
  • 7:30 PM—Christian 12 Step
• WEDNESDAY 6:30 PM—FAMILY NIGHT
  • Rainbows (girls & boys, 3 up to K)
  • Girls Ministries (grades K-8)
  • Royal Rangers (boy’s clubs, K-12)
  • Adults & Impact Youth Ministries
  • John Bevere DVD series: Honor’s Reward
• THURSDAY 6:30 PM—Church Board Meeting
• SATURDAY 7:00 PM—All-Church Prayer

ANNOUNCING

• ONE MORE TEACHER IS NEEDED for ESL for the coming school year. If you can help or would like more information, please see Rita Trainque ASAP.
• STOP BY THE CHURCH LIBRARY after service today (both services) to purchase books and videos that are being sold to make room for new items.
• PRAYER FOR ISRAEL is this Tuesday at 6:30 PM. Join us as we pray for the peace of Jerusalem and the Land of Israel.
• MINISTRY OPPORTUNITY: Greeters are needed for ministry before both morning services. If you could be a blessing in this area, please see Philomena Toxla.
• THE AFRICAN FELLOWSHIP is going to Six Flags on Saturday, August 23. For more info, please see Manny or Beatrice Onos.
• CAN YOU HELP at the Church Picnic on Sunday, August 24? Sign up today at the Welcome Center.
• A WATER BAPTISM will be held at the picnic. Please fill out and turn in an application card at the Welcome Center if you desire to be baptized in water.
• A PRAYER GATHERING (sponsored by the Pastors’ Prayer Team) will be held on Friday, August 29, 7:00 PM, at Pilgrim Covenant Church (Route 13 N). Prayer still changes things!
• THE NEXT CHILD DEDICATION SERVICE will be on Sunday, September 14, during the 11:00 AM service. If you desire to have your child dedicated, please pick up a yellow application card at the Welcome Center, complete, and turn in.
• THANK YOU from Marguerite and David Blomquist for all of the prayers and cards given during David’s back surgery and recovery at Life Care. He continues to recuperate at home.

HOMETEAMS MEETING THIS WEEK

• Seekers of Light men’s study (Sullivans)—TODAY, 3:00 PM
• Christians in Action (Proiettis)—Tuesday, 7:00 PM
• Branches of Messiah (Wheelers)—Wednesday, 6:30 PM
• Women of Faith (Telliers)—Friday, 10:00 AM
• Pick up directions at the Welcome Center. You are invited!

CHURCH LIBRARY

• The library, located next to the Youth Chapel, is open:
• Sunday: 10:00-11:00 AM, after second service, 6:00-6:30 PM
• Wednesday: 6:15-6:30 PM and after Family Night ministries

TAKE THE LAND OFFERINGS TO DATE

• Original Loan Amount: $600,000
• Paid Down from Church Budget: 58,330
• Total Offerings, 6/07 - 7/08: 93,403
• Current Loan Balance: $448,267
• Average Monthly Offerings: $6,555
• At an average $9500/month extra applied each month, the loan should be paid off by Aug 2011.

NEEDS IN OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• The Drakes family needs a refrigerator. Please see them if you can help with this need.
• Jack LaFave is in need of a computer tower. If you can help, please see him.
• A young woman in the church is looking for work. She has almost 10 years experience in the accounting and credit department areas. If you know of anything, please e-mail her at mkeylida@yahoo.com.
• ATTENTION, SENIORS! Check out the bulletin board in the foyer for info on some new senior housing.

BULLETIN INSERTS

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August 10, 2008 by PastorMark.

Sometimes we forget who he is. Christians read about Jesus, listen to sermons, and think about Him often. However, in the midst of a trial, our minds can experience a white out. In Mark 4 we see the disciples crossing the lake at night and Jesus asleep on a cushion. In panic, they awaken Him because of the fierce storm. Jesus got up, rebuked the storm, and challenged the disciples about their faith. Their reaction was “Who is this? Even the wind and waves obey Him!” (Mark 4:41). May we never forget the power of Jesus. If He is in us, we have all we need for life and victory. Let’s show our faith in Him—even in the storms.

Pastor Mark Boucher

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