As we begin a new year it’s important to start off on the right foot. Do you want to get back into shape? I guess going out to the buffet tonight is out of the question. Do you want to be more patient? Driving they say these days only leads to more and more stress and impatience. So how do we begin a new year off right? Maybe we’re looking in the wrong places for that new spark. Here’s what Oswalt Chambers writes in his yearly stirring devotional, My Utmost for His Highest:
“Let Us Keep to the Point”
“…my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.” —Philippians 1:20
- My Utmost for His Highest – “…my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed….” We will all feel very much ashamed if we do not yield to Jesus the areas of our lives He has asked us to yield to Him. It’s as if Paul were saying, “My determined purpose is to be my utmost for His highest— my best for His glory.” To reach that level of determination is a matter of the will, not of debate or of reasoning. It is absolute and irrevocable surrender of the will at that point. An undue amount of thought and consideration for ourselves is what keeps us from making that decision, although we cover it up with the pretense that it is others we are considering. When we think seriously about what it will cost others if we obey the call of Jesus, we tell God He doesn’t know what our obedience will mean. Keep to the point— He does know. Shut out every other thought and keep yourself before God in this one thing only— my utmost for His highest. I am determined to be absolutely and entirely for Him and Him alone.
Events in January:
New Sermon Series Begins! – We are creatures of habit. If we don’t find ways to remind ourselves why we do what we do, we’re prone to just go through the motions, if not adopt some new underlying motivation altogether. Which can be especially dangerous in worship. The heart of worship is not music and song, but heads and hearts in joyful awe of the real Jesus. What’s essential for worship today is not music and microphone, but the truth about Jesus and the help of his Spirit. So join us as we look deeper into worship – beyond just the songs – and into the heart of our worship experience.- Communion (January 7th) – Be sure to join us this Sunday morning for a time of Communion as we ring in the New Year together with brothers and sisters of faith from around the world gathered under our Savior!
- Bible Study (Every Wednesday Night) – Beginning at 7:00 p.m. we gather together to open God’s word for a time of study. We are continuing in our study of the book of Romans – widely regarded as one of the most influential writings of all-time. The foundational document of Paul’s theology, Romans shaped the teaching of influential leaders such as Augustine, Luther, and Wesley and continues to change millions of lives today.
- Annual Congregational Meeting – Following our Worship Service on January 21st, we will hold our annual congregation meeting. It is a time to look back and see all that God has done over the past year as well as provide a road-map of the year to come. This meeting includes reports from the Pastor, Lay Delegate, Treasurer, and other church leaders as we plan ahead and ask for God’s wisdom in our future goals for 2018 and beyond.
- HIS’s Ladies’ Luncheon (January 28th) – Does your stomach rumble during church sometimes? Well, you’re in luck because this Sunday stick around after church for a meal provided by the members of the church in partnership with the fellowship and service team here (HIS Ladies’). It’ll be a Salad, Potatoe, and Dessert Bar so there will be no going home hungry!
Upcoming Events:
Community Outreach Opportunity – We will be collecting items for CrossNet Ministries in New Holland for the next 2 months in preparation for their visit with us on February 25th during our worship service! We hope you’ll join us in our outreach to this winter for those who are in desperate need of these food items. Here’s what we’ll be collecting:
- Love Banquet (Coming Soon!) – Be sure to check back for more details coming VERY soon in the month of February!
- Annual Yard Sale (March 3rd)– We’ve got gadgets and gizmos a-plenty. We’ve got whozits and whatzits galore. Do you want thingamabobs? We might just have those too! Our annual Yard Sale takes place here at California EC Church on Saturday, March 3rd beginning at 8:00 AM and going until 1:00 PM. There will be free coffee, tons of things to buy, and so bring your family and tell your neighbors! If you can’t come early – there are deals even later! Come at 11:00 AM and fill a bag for just $1.00 (that’s a deal you just cannot beat). Lots of great housewares, clothing, boots, shoes, books, movies, holiday decorations, toys, etc… And if you can’t find your treasure on Saturday morning, stop by Sunday morning at 10:15 AM for worship. We’ll help you find Him then (along with a whole bunch of leftover items as well.)
- Lenten Devotions – Believe it or not, Lent is just around the corner and will be here before you know it. That means something very special here at California Church as we have our own unique tradition. Every year members of our church submit devotions for each day of the season of Lent (Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday) and we create a devotional book for everyone to experience together. It’s a wonderful time hearing from your church family throughout the week in your devotions and brings us closer together as we anticipate the joy of Easter. Stay tuned for details and devotion submission deadlines!
Community Outreach OpportunityDon’t forget to stay in touch here on our website as well as at our church! Feel free to comment AND SHARE with your friends on social media and we look forward to seeing you at California EC Church this month!
Don’t want to miss out on new posts? Be sure to check back for more Monthly Snapshots (always on the 1st of the month), “The Gospel According to…” reviews, and lots of other great things here on our church blog!
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