Life @ Montrose, February 18, 2010

Montrose: Elder Mike Ryan will be preaching a message from Titus 2:11-14 entitled "From Saints to Sinners."

THE SCHOOL NEEDS A NEW ROCKING CHAIR
Last Saturday night we had a little work bee at the school and I was impressed at all of the hard work that our teacher, Bridget Cline, and some of her helpers have been doing. They have so much to do. It crossed my mind that the library could use some extra "TLC" or "tender loving care" because as I sat in the library getting my son to sleep the rocking chair in the library, I noticed, was literally falling apart! So, I thought I would make an appeal because I am willing to be that someone, somewhere in our congregation has an extra rocking chair that they aren't using or might like to get rid of. If you have such a rocking chair would you please let Carlton Mason, our school board chair, know. You can reach him at: 209-4606 or by e-mail at:masons86@montrose.net.

On Saturday night, Feb. 20, at 6:30 pm there will be the annual school auction. Please let Bridget Cline or one of her assistants or any one of the school board members know if you have things that you have sitting around and would like to get rid of that could be used as a part of the school auction. Please mark your calendars and save the date! COMPOST BIN NEEDEDThis morning I received a phone call from Bridget Cline that the school is going to place a greater effort on recycling, and in particular, composting. If you have an extra composting bin that she can use for our school would you please let her know (596-7599 or  bridgetsline@yahoo.com).

 

CITRUS FRUIT ORDER DUE NEXT MONDAY
The next citrus fruit order is due on Feb. 22. For more information or to place your order please contact Bridget Cline (596-7599 or bridgetsline@yahoo.com) or the church office (249-4942 oroffice@montrosesda.org). Mrs. Cline is challenging all of the parents and our church family to order their weight in fruit! Please note the following revised list of prices:

 

Naval Oranges: small box $18; large box $34

Grapefruit: small box $17; large box $30

Tangerines: small $23

Variety Pack: $26

 

The Adventuers & Pathfinders are doing a joint fundraiser selling Butter Braids. What are they? They are delicious pastries filled with cream cheese, apples, cherries, blueberries, and cream cheese along with vabarian cream or cinnamon. I haven't tried these before but I am assured that they are delicious so I have placed our order. You can place your order, too, by contacting any one of the Pathfinders or Adventurers. 

 

On Feb. 28, at 6 pm, there will be a school constituency meeting. Last night our school board met and came up with a plan and a budget for next school year, but before it can be official it needs to be voted on by our church in business session. Please save the date and plan to come. Adventist education is not cheap. The proposed budget for the school is a no frills budget intended to help keep our church school open.

 

This last week was very special as we concluded our week of prayer with a special Agape feast with the celebration of Communion on Friday evening. One of the most memorable parts for me was the special time when those present were able to share testimonies. I'm praying that this will be a great avenue for us to continue praying for the Holy Spirit. We've also started sending out a sign-up sheet for those who are interested in small groups.

On Sabbath I was blessed once again with a wonderful worship service. I continue to receive such positive feedback from our church family. If you have suggestions on how to improve it please let me know so we can pass those along to the worship and music committee. Our commitment is to excellence so that we can do our very best in our worship to uplift and praise our Lord and Savior, Jesus, in every worship service. On Sabbath afternoon Elder Valentine continued his talk with a follow-up training seminar talking about leadership principles from the life and experience of Nehemiah.

 

Each Sabbath for the past three weeks we have had increasingly disruptive elements that have occurred that have caused me concern as the pastor of this congregation. As a result, I am going to postpone my sermon series on the book of Galatians and begin a new sermon series that coincides with the Church Peacemakers process. It is a non-profit group that works with churches and has a core curriculum that follows biblical principles for resolving conflict. I think it is important that each and every church member know what is appropriate versus inappropriate, and when someone disagrees with someone else that their be healthy processes in place to encourage people to deal with their disagreements in a loving and Christ-like way.

 

I don't know if any of you happen to watch "The Amazing Race" but it happens to be my favorite television program because it shows lots of different cultures and interesting places around the world. I love to travel so every time I have a chance to watch it I learn something new about the amazingly diverse world that we live in. It also reminds me that the Apostle Paul talks about the fact that each of us are a part of a spiritual race. In fact we are to run the race with endurance (Hebrews 12:1). Just like the Olympians who are competing right now God calls us to keep our eyes focused on the prize before us: the invitation he extends to all of us to spend all eternity together with Him. So, as we think about the Olympics or maybe if you are like me and like to watch "The Amazing Race" remember that God loves you and to keep focused on the spiritual race that each of us are on, too.