Life @ Montrose, Feb. 14, 2008

WORSHIP WITH ELDER RYAN
This Sabbath Elder Mike Ryan will be preaching on Luke 5:1-11 about Christ's call for service. I hope you'll come and learn about faithfulness and how to be involved in God's mission. Elder Ryan is one of our denominational leaders and we are privileged to have him and his wife, Jeannie, here with us as we worship together this Sabbath.
 
HEALTH FAIR
This Sunday from 8:00 to 11:00 we will have a health fair, led by our health ministries coordinator, Jacque Adragna. There will be various booths set up to cover different aspects of health. I'm planning to be there for a booth about spiritual life and health. We're a health conscious church--since the very beginnings of our movement--so let's support Jacque and learn how to live our lives to the fullness that God intended.
 
PRAYER MEETING
Relationships. Our whole new series is about relationships. This past week we talked about our relationship to God, this coming Tuesday we're covering our relationship with our children. Would you like to develop some strategies for relating to your children better? If so then this coming week is for you! Plus, we have two adults who have volunteered to watch your kids for you. As we celebrate Valentine's Day today I invite you to come learn with us on Tuesday night about how to grow your relationships with those around you.
 
OPERATION ANDREW
A series of training modules will be held this year at Glacier View Ranch (the first meeting is April 4-6). Some of the topics include: dealing with feelings, art of listening, boundaries, crisis theory and practice, caregiving by telephone, ministering to those experiencing grief, how to make a first caring visit, and many more. There is no cost for attending other than for transportation. I'd like to see a group from Montrose sign-up (space is limited!). So if you're interested in please contact me ASAP so we can finalize on our group.

PASTOR'S BLOG FOR FEBRUARY 14
During prayer meeting, thanks to Celia George, my daughter made her first valentine which I now proudly place on the fridge door. I know Heidi helped so it is an extra special to have a Valentine from my wife and daughter expressing their love. Valentine's Day is so much fun because we can tell those around us we care about them. Did you know that over a billion Valentine's are mailed each year making it the second busiest card sending holiday? Click here for some interesting tidbits on the history of Valentine's.
 
I just finished reading a book entitled Simple Church (by Thom S. Rainer & Eric Geiger). What I really appreciate is how important it is to make sure we have a clear and single focus as a church family. What is our purpose as a church? And, how do all of the programs and activities in our church coherently relate to one another? I'm planning to make this a major topic for our upcoming church board meeting because I want us to look strategically at our church family so we can best advance the work of God here in Montrose.
 
I want to thank our generous church family for their contributions to the Darlene Johnson fund--we've raised approximately $1,200 to help defray the costs of her funeral. For those of you who haven't had a chance to contribute, it isn't too late! Mark your tithe envelope on Sabbath. I'm proud of our church family and the difference we make in our community!
 
Happy Valentine's Day,

Pastor Michael Campbell