Monthly Planner - April 2013

1 - Weight Watchers @ 5:30PM - Men's Bible Study @ 7PM
2 - Finance Team Mtng. @ 5PM - Council Mtng. @ 7PM
3 - Highland Oaks @ 2PM - Prayer Mtng. @ 7PM
4 -
5 -
6 - LIVE Worship @ 6PM
7 - Sunday School @ 9AM - Worship @ 10AM - Youth @ 6PM
8 - Weight Watchers @ 5:30PM - Men's Bible Study @ 7PM
9 - Gideon's @ 6:30PM
10 -
11 -
12 - Play Group @ 5PM
13 - LIVE Worship @ 6PM
14 - Sunday School @ 9AM - Worship @ 10AM - Youth @ 6PM
15 - Weight Watchers @ 5:30PM - Men's Bible Study @ 7PM
16 -
17 -
18 -
19 - Parent's Night Out @ 6PM to 10PM
20 - LIVE Worship @ 6PM - Fellowship Hall being used for a private Shower
21 - Sunday School @ 9AM - Worship @ 10AM - Solemn Assembly @ Brookville CofG @ 6:30PM - Youth @ 6PM
22 - FISHING TRIP - Weight Watchers @ 5:30PM - Men's Bible Study @ 7PM
23 - FISHING TRIP
24 - FISHING TRIP
25 - FISHING TRIP - Worship Mtng. @ 6:30PM
26 - FISHING TRIP - Play Group @ 5PM - Ladies Retreat @ Whitehall Camp
27 - Ladies Retreat @ Whitehall Camp - LIVE Worship @ 6PM w/Alana Story in Concert
28 - Sunday School @ 9AM - Worship @ 10AM w/Alana Story - Fellowship Hall being used for a private Shower
29 - Weight Watchers @ 5:30PM - Men's Bible Study @ 7PM
30 - Ladies Night Out @ 6PM to 8PM

Prayer Concerns - April 2013

Most Recent Concerns


4/29 - May 1 @ 7 p.m. is Prayer Meeting in the sanctuary - all are welcome - our prayer focus will be REVIVAL, but we will also be interceding for PASTOR BRUCE & his health - we all know what an absolutely devoted, loving, & hard-working pastor he is - he's always praying for all of us, so let's now pray for him
4/29 - Bonnie Schulz - has a UTI & her meds are not working, so they will be giving her a shot for 7 days - she is praying that VNA can come to do the shots so she won't have to travel to the Dr. everyday

4/27 - Teisha Kelly was diagnosed with a brain tumor and is having complications.

4/26 - Pastor Bruce was discharged today & will be on vacation through next weekend

4/25 - Please be praying for Pastor Bruce - he was not feeling well & was admitted to the Clarion hospital for observation

 4/25 - Kate Friedline passed away late last night

4/24 -  Debbie Jordan - is going to have dialysis this evening & hasn't come home from the hospital yet

4/24 - Don Barger - had a defibrillator/pacemaker put in today & the procedure went week - he should be coming home in the morning

4/23 - Janet Young - having a lot of depression right now
4/23 - Debbie Jordan - has a kidney infection & is still in the hospital
4/23 - Marian Peltcs in in a lot of pain with her hip

4/19 - Jeremy Hilliard - in the Clarion Hospital w/blood clots in his legs

4/18 - Bonnie Schulz's nephew's family - her nephew, Cliff Bartton, had a massive heart attack & passed away at age 60 - he has younger children still at home - pray for his wife Liz & the rest of the family - they are from California, so a lot of family will be traveling

4/18 - Debbie Jordan - having some complications w/her recovery from by-pass surgery (UPMC Shadyside)

4/18 - Don Barger - going in this coming Wednesday (UPMC Passavant) to have a defibulator put in for his heart

4/16 -  Anderson Friedline (Nancy Zacherl's son-in-law) - his mother Kate Friedline is dying, unless God chooses to intervene - she is a Christian, but the others make no profession of God

Also, Anderson Friedline's dad is 82 & the family needs to make plans for him.  They are putting Kate in the Hospice House in Sharon today

4/16 - Tedra Craig - has a buldging disk in her back & is unable to go to work

4/15  - Jonatha Och's daughter - had surgery in the Clarion Hospital & is doing better

4/12 - Anderson's (Nancy Zacherl's son-in-law) mother, Kate Friedline - her cancer is growing & not responding to chemo - she's in Sharon hospital

4/11 - Buchwitz family - a 1 year old will be coming to stay w/them through Jefferson County - pray for child & family as they work therapeutically w/the child & his/her family

4/10 - Abby (Mary Reed's 3 yr. old granddaughter) - having her tonsils out & tubes put in her ears today

4/9 - Dottie Reddinger (Judy Grimm's daughter in law) - had foot surgery & now having complications from the surgery
4/9 - Judy  Grimm - has had some respiratory problems since Easter 

4/8 - Chuck Morrison (Pat Radaker's cousin) - is now in a home in Oil City - please remember him and his wife

4/8 - Nathan & Kyle (Pat Radaker's grandsons) - both in need of prayer

4/7 - Sharon Fredrick's daughters family (Courtney) - father-in-law died

4/7 - Bonnie Schulz's neighbor was taken to UPMC Seneca

4/5 - David Humphrey and Family (Dennis & Melanie Finotti's neighbor) - his wife Dixie (81) passed away yesterday
4/5 - Gina Criley (this is Sharon Frederick's nephews wife) - due to have her baby anytime & has a bad case of the flu - was given 3 bags of fluid to get her hydrated - her husband & son have the flu as well  
4/5 - Mel Mitchell's viewing will be at McKinney's Funeral Home in Brookville on Sunday 1:00-8:00 p.m. - funeral services will be on Monday @ 11:00 a.m. @ the Presbyterian Church in Brookville - continue to pray for Mel's family & Nancy Yates

4/4 -  Mel Mitchell passed away this morning - be in prayer for his family (6) children & special friend, Nancy Yates

4/1 - Mel Mitchell - was taken to UPMC Presby in Pittsburgh last night & isn't doing well - he had another stroke & the prognosis is not good - he has six children & is a close friend with Nancy Yates
4/1 - Ryan Ferguson (Joe and Marty's nephew) - had a kidney transplant several months ago & is dealing with some mild rejection

4/1 - Denny & Sharlene Wingard's son, Doug  - is in DRMC with bowl obstruction

4/1 - Bonnie Schulz - is supposed to be coming home today

3/30 - Randy Cable (Robin & Randy are friends wDianne Dunlap) - will be having triple bi-pass surgery on Monday - went to Allegheny General on Thursday for a heart cath & they determined  surgery is necessary - if all goes well he may be released next Friday
3/30 - Mary Lou Shick (Bill Shick's mom) - has had mini strokes
3/30 - Bev Pangallo (Jonette Shick mom) - has pneumonia.

3/29 - Sharlene Wingard - found out this past Wednesday her heart is only working about 30% -   further testing will be done Monday & Tuesday

Thanksgiving & Praise

Prayer Concerns

 Burden for the Lost - Our Government & Leaders (local, state, national) -  President of the U.S.    Spiritual Growth - The Unsaved - Pastor Bruce & Family - Pastor Jonathan & Family - Our Community - Other Churches in our Community - Our Military      

Terry Aites (waiting for kidney transplant) - Arianna Evans - Ben Campbell - Fred & Phyllis Traister - Virginia Lucas - Pat Radaker - Vonnie Tiley - Bonnie Schulz - Clarence & Shirley Evans - Thelma  Miller - Barb Schilling - Bob Bish - Brianna Richards - Shirley Barger - Don Clark - Clara Saxton - Randy Powell - Chrystal  Portsline  Family -  Alvera Burns - Sue Foust -                                                        Don Barger(back & heart) - Valerie Haight  - Sat. Night Worship Service -  Ann Snell - Roberta Gates - Zelda Smith - Bob & Jackie Jordan - Construction Workers @ Trinity Point & Delta Contractors -   Tammy Shook (liver cancer) - Sally Horner (cancer) - Aaron Hunker - Ryan Ferguson  & his sister - Mandy Conner (Pregnancy) - Sheila LaComb - Pearl Manross - Connie Minich - Kara McCloskey - Tiffany Edmonds (Pregnancy) - Patrick Miller - Marcella Anthony - Elwin Minnick Jr. - Debbie Martin’s Mom

Upcoming Events
Building new "Trinity Point Church of God" 

Missions and Outreach
Whitehall Camp & Conference Center  - AAA Life Services - WPA Ministries of the COG - COG Ministries Anderson, IND - Food For Friends - Koinonia (CUP campus) - Alyssa Cooper Sande (Africa) - Clarion Ministerium - Rebecca New-Edson (WPA COG Ministries Dir.) -  Rev. Ron Duncan (General Director of the COG, Anderson, IN)

College Students
Mariel Jeannerat (CUP) - Meaghan Hartle (CUP) - Dianne Dunlap (Nursing School) - Dean Papke (Butler Comm. College) - Nicole Allen (Asbury U) - Stephanie Christie (CUP) - Teighlor Rice (Mercyhurst) - Marissa Atherton (Erie) - Sam Wilson (Community College of Allegheny County) - Jesse Himes - Hannah Allen (Schreyers Honors College @ PSU)

Nursing/Personal Care Home/Rehab Patients
June Horner (Golden Living - Clarion)
Nila Minich (Gene Minich’s Mom – Clarview, Sligo)
Pearl Manross (?Highland Oaks?)
Edna Burford (Highland Oaks)
Sue Foust  (Highland Oaks)

Ministries & Leaders of Our Congregation
Children & Youth Ministries - Our Boards & Committees - Sunday School - Worship Services - Women of the Church of God & Women’s Ministries - Pastor Bruce & Family - Pastor Jonathan & Family - Finance Team - Building Committee

Bulletin Announcements - April 2013

If you are new to Liberty Street C.O. G. (in your mailbox is a blue sheet with needed family information). Please place these in the secretary's mailbox.  The church mailboxes are located in the Narthex & arranged alphabetically.  Please check your mailboxes for information we may have placed in there.  If you are unsure if you have a mailbox, or you do not have a mailbox & want one, call Tammy @ 814 - 226 - 8672. You are important to us & we need to keep you updated on all activities!

Also, we have Sunday School classes for all ages.  Nursery , Preschool, K-2nd, 3rd - 5th, Jr. Youth, Sr. Youth & 3 Adult classes... check us out today!

For all that have email availability... go to the Church Blog for your February Newsletter.  You can find us @ www.clarionchurchofgod.blogspot.com

We are offering a "Live Worship Telecast" in the Fellowship Hall to help accommodate the seating needs of our growing church!  Praise the Lord!  Anyone is welcome to check it out & share in this new Worship extension.   With video recording of the service in this way, we will also be able to improve our outreach to our shut-ins by giving them our worship on DVD.  Finally, if you are absent from church on Sunday & would like a copy of any of our Sunday morning sermons, please call the church office. We would be happy to send you one. 

WWCH Channel 1300 on AM Broadcasting @ 11AM every Sunday...  The first Sunday if every month a pre-recorded service from Liberty Street Church of God with Pastor Bruce will be heard.  If you are unable to attend church on any Sunday morning, tune in to AM 1300.

Come to Prayer Meeting!!  Update:  Prayer Meetings  -- the first Wednesday night of each month.
As a church body, we have just finished studying the Holy Spirit, & what the role of the Spirit should be in our church & in our lives.  Jim Cymbala, the author of When God's Spirit Moves, says "The power of the Holy Spirit comes when people pray."  
We have an opportunity now to put this into practice corporately at our monthly prayer meetings on Wednesday nights @ 7PM here @ Liberty Street. 
Let us seek together His will for us, His healing, His hope, & His power.  As Cymbala encouraged us, "God's not dead; he's still alive.  And what he's done through the centuries when people have prayed, he can still do today.  Let's ask the Holy Spirit to come & grant us a new spirit in our churches, in our small   groups, & in our individual lives."  "In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people..." Acts 2:17  "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness.  We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us..."  Romans 8:26

Saturday Nite "LIVE" Worship @ 6PM - If you have unchurched friends or relatives, please invite them to our brand new worship service that started Saturday, October 13th.  Nursery will be provided & we hope to have Sonshine Club.   This is also an alternative for those who work shift work or who are unable to attend Sunday Morning Worship.  

Group Activities:
Men’s Group - Every Monday evening @ Joe’s Gym @ 7PM.   Currently the group is studying the "Truth Project" from Focus on the Family.  This is a great time for men to come together to grow spirtitually & to pray.  All men are invited to attend!
Women's Group - Prayer Trios are forming again. Please sign up in the Welcome Center.  If you have any questions,  please see Judy Wilson.  Ladies Nite Out - the last Tuesday of the month from 6-8PM.  Watch for details!
Youth Group - 7-12th grade... every Sunday night @6PM
Jr. Youth Group - 4-6th grade... every Sunday night @ 6PM

Fellowship Opportunities
April 2 - Finance Team Mtng. @ 5:30PM

April 2 - Council Mtng @ 7PM

April 4 - Divorce Care Ministry - 13 week cycle.  Questions or to register... call Jacqueline Morrone @ 814-226-4035 by March 31st.

April 19th ... PARENTS NIGHT OUT - Please sign up in the Welcome Center.  May is the last PNO until next fall.

April 22-27 ...The Men are hosting a week long fishing trip to Pymatuning Lake.  A cabin has been reserved at the lake for the week of April 22-27.  Please come and join us for fun, fellowship, food and (of course) fishing!!!!  Please contact Jonathan for more information on cost at 724-456-6662.

April 26-27 ... 5th Annual Ladies Retreat @ Whitehall Camp - REVIVE our worship -  Speakers & Worship Leaders: Ally West and Anna Hodge                          Alanna Story  from Anderson, Indiana - For more information go to www.whitehallcamp.org

May 25 @ 2PM -- 50 Years of Marriage Celebration -- Please join us as we honor our parent's @ Fallen Oak Lodge, Whitehall Campground.  Please sign up in the Welcome Center by April 28th.

April 27 - 28 ... Special Concert

Alanna Story will be with us for the Live Worship on Saturday night & for the Sunday Morning Worship.  You won’t want to miss this.  We are going to be blessed!

APRIL 27^th –Saturday @ 7:00 P.M. - REDBANK VALLEY BIBLE CLUB  will have their Open House @ the Redbank Valley High School.  Free Event with speaker Steve  Fitzhugh  and bbc worship band Rise.  Be Transformed  -  Romans 12:2 - All are welcome.  Doors open at 6:00 p.m.

General Announcements:

Tithing Envelopes - If you are in need of tithing envelopes please see Diane Gross or call the Church Office @ 814-226-8672.

CANCELLATION DUE TO WEATHER - if we have bad weather or if it is calling for bad weather, please go to radio station WCCR  1300 AM for church cancellations.  We will also put out cancellations by email.

The Bible Study Sunday School Class that meets up in the prayer room beside the library is beginning the study of Hebrews.  Anyone of any age is welcome to join us at 9:00 every Sunday morning.   Any questions call Beth Henry at 797-5962.

Youth News - Wanna support our Youth plus do a little Spring Cleaning?  Why not donate all of your old items for the youth to sale at their garage sale for their spring fundraiser?

Please give any and all items to either Jonathan, Blair or Wendy to sort and price for the upcoming garage sale.  Then be sure to visit our garage sale on Friday, May 17^th and Saturday, May 18^th from 8:00 AM- 4:00 PM at Laura Burford’s garage.

 (Marianne Estates, 518 Highland Drive, Shippenville) 

Women's Prayer Group...
The Women;s Prayer Ministry (Prayer Trios) are reorganizing.  The groups will be meeting bi-weekly, here @ the church in the prayer room.  We have 5 different options for you.  They are:
Sunday @ 6PM w/Leader Karen Hazlett - Monday @ 3:30PM w/Leader Wendy Ferguson - Wednesday @ 10AM w/Leader Laura Burford - Wednesday @ 6PM w/Leader Jenny Bates or Friday @ 10AM w/Leader Judy WIlson.  Please sign up in the Welcome Center by March 24th or call Judy Wilson @ 814-227-8910.  

Are you “Just Too Busy?”

Everyone these days seems to complain about being too busy.  What can we do about this?  In the Homebuilders Sunday School class at 9 a.m., we will be studying a book this spring by Christian author Joanne Kraft called Just Too Busy.  Although busyness seems like a fact of life, we’ll find out there’s a whole lot we can do to achieve better balance and right priorities.  In this study, we will be discussing things like:

-Matching your priorities with your schedule

-Putting God first

-Raising kids who aren’t “entitled”

-Learning how to honor the Sabbath (oh yeah – that’s one of the 10 commandments!)

-Making your marriage come before your kids

-Enjoying our kids before they grow up and leave us!

-Creating family time instead of always running

We honestly and sincerely are concerned that families are running too much these days.  Is this what God intends for us, or are we following the culture that says we must DO IT ALL?  How intentional are we being about teaching our kids about being a Christian?  Or are we putting more energy into making sure they are “successful” in the world’s eyes? 

Please join us at 9 a.m. on Sunday mornings as we begin this exciting study.  The books will be $10 each.  Please see Matt or Jenny Bates (814-764-6056) if you’d like us to order you a book.

STOP “NOT In My Church” – Facing Abuse in the Local Congregation      Educational Seminar and Panel Discussion

 Place:  North Main Street Church of God-Butler

Some things can’t be healed with bandages …abuse touches every family in your congregation.  ...our congregation is not the exception.  All information is on the bulletin boards.

Parents: Do you have some "gently used " kid's clothing taking up space in closets or drawers that your children have out grown? The Baker Street Church of God in Rimersburg offers a Kid's Closet ministry where families in need are able to receive free clothes for their children. This ministry is held every other month with the next Kid's Closet to be held in March. They are especially in need of sizes infant to children's size 12. Please, consider this ministry and .bring any children's clothes donations to church by March 3rd. Your donations will be greatly appreciated.

We are in need of additional Nursery Workers.  We are so blessed with lots of babies that we need more adult help.  Please see Michelle Aites if you are interested in helping w/Sunday School Nursery or Worship Nursery.

Volunteers Needed for SonShine Club ... We are being blessed with more children in our Sonshine Club Ministry!  If you would llike to spend som time with a bunch of great kids, please see Hayley Jeannerat or email her @ hayleydj@windstream.net.  There are 2 groups - Younger (3yr. - Kind.) & Older (1st - 3rd gr.).  Because of age, helpers are placed with the younger group.  No need to worry about preparing a lengthy lesson.  Hayley makes a 6 month rotation schedule & currently teachers are teaching every 5 - 6 wks., but if there were more volunteers you would teach less often. 

We Need Volunteers…The Welcome Center is looking for more Volunteers!  Please see Tammy Lerch or call 226-9680 if you are interested.

The Counseling Center is in need of a small couch or love seat that is gently used - anyone who can help them, please contact Tracy Miller @ 814 - 223 -  4717.

Watch fort updates & events on the Church's or Youth Group's Facebook page -- http:www.facebook.com/groups/173856376044348 -- Liberty Street Church of God Youth Group.

Check out these exciting stories on Clarion Sports Zone (http://www.clarionsportszone.com/).   --- this site is taken care of by Dave McClaine ---

Coming Up…

Food For Friends.. Wednesday, May 1^{st -}Our Growth Dept. is in charge!

Friday, May 3^rd from 11am - 7pm @ ALL Subways in Clarion

**Buy a 6 in. sub we earn 50 cents - **Buy a 12 in. sub we earn 1 dollar.  This donation benefits LSCOG kids going to Youth Camp.

May 5th - JOSEPH of the Old Testament taught us much about staying FAITHFUL through difficult times.  Beginning May 5^th, our “Bible Study” Sunday School class starts a 6-week study of Joseph’s life.  Anyone not already in a Sunday School Class is welcome to join us each Sunday morning at 9 am in the Prayer Room.  (It is beside the church library & behind the sanctuary platform).  Together, we can learn there’s much more of Joseph than his coat of many colors.    

Summer Youth Camp -- “Undivided” -  Applications are available in the Welcome Center and the Church Office.  Please have your registration & health form to the Church Office by May 12th.  We will bepaying 100% for any camper that attends LSCofG.  THis also includes campers that attend LSGofG Youth Group.
3-5th Grade --- June 23-27....... 6 - 8th Grade --- June 16 - 21....... 9 - 12th Grade June 9 - 14

May 12th - Mother's Day

May 17 - 18th - Youth Garage Sale - 8:00 AM- 4:00 PM at Laura Burford’s garage  (Marianne Estates, 518 Highland Drive, Shippenville) 

May 18th - Baby Shower for Samantha Ferguson - Following Sunday morning Worship - Women of the church mark your calendars.  Samantha & J.J. are expecting a baby girl to join their family.  Details to follow in upcoming bulletins.

May 25 @ 2PM -- 50 Years of Marriage Celebration -- Please join us as we honor our parent's @ Fallen Oak Lodge, Whitehall Campground.  Please sign up in the Welcome Center by April 28th.

Women of Faith - October 4-5 in PGH @ Peterson Events Center - Sign up in the Welcome Center if you are interested in going.

Saturday, June 1st - 5th Annual Biker Blessing - Blessing @ 11AM - Ride to follow.  Rain or Shine.  We will be parking in the Clarion High School parking lot.  All riders are welcome,  For more info call the Church Office @ 814 - 226 - 8672.

Mission Trip to Jamaica 2014

Have you ever wanted to go on a mission trip but have never had the opportunity? This may be your chance! Matt & Jenny Bates are working with an organization called Won by One to Jamaica to plan a trip for our church to the town of Harmons, Jamaica during the summer of 2014. Anyone age 13 and over is welcome on the trip. If you have questions, contact Matt & Jen at 814-764-6056 or at mrbates_2000@yahoo.com. 

Birthdays & Anniversaries - April 2013

Birthdays

April 1 - Joann Switzer

April 3 - Hannah Allen & Michaela Callander

April 5 - Ame Pentz

April 7 - Hannah Henry & Andrew Preston

April 10 - Kalaya Edmonds & Brad Harriger

April 11 - Robert Gates & Maya Thornton

April 12 - Noah Morgan

April 13 - Issac McNany & Emily Quaill

April 14 - Mike Bailey & Jonnette Shick

April 15 - Jennifer Morgan

April 20 - Clarence Evans

April 23 - Sarah Shick

April 25 - Alicyn Burford

April 27 - Dean Papke

April 28 - Rich Atherton

Happy Anniversary

April  4 - Herb & Alvera Burns

April 20 - Don & Janet Norris

Pastor's Message - April 2013

Dear Church Family,

Another Easter, or might I say, Resurrection Sunday has come and gone, another season of Lent that has quickly passed. I hope that you have been encouraged and that you have grown closer to our Lord. I also hope that this will keep us focused on what Jesus did for us on the cross and that we will appreciate it more and more.

Because of the cross, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (Gal 2:20 NIV) "Paul speaks out of the depth of his personal experience. For him to re-erect the whole fabric of the law would have been spiritual suicide. He says that through the law he died to the law that he might live to God. What he means is this: he had tried the way of the law; he had tried with all the terrible intensity of his hot heart to put himself right with God by a life that sought to obey every single item of the law. He had found that such an attempt produced nothing but a deeper and deeper sense that all he could do could never put him right with God.  All the law had done was to show him his helplessness. Where upon he had quite suddenly abandoned that way and had cast himself, sinner as he was, on the mercy of God. It was the law that had driven him to God. To go back to the law would simply have entangled him all over again in the sense of estrangement from God. So great was the change that the only way he could describe it was to say that he had been crucified with Christ so that the man he used to be was dead and the living power within him now was Christ himself." (Barclay Commentary on Galatians pg. 22). Paul was sharing the change in his life from another tradition. A change from what he was taught, and the way he was raised.

Because of the cross: I am crucified with Christ. That means that we can participate by faith and identify with Christ’s death and resurrection. Think about the words to the song "Watch the Lamb," describe the blood from Jesus flowing as he was trying to carry the cross to Golgotha. Also "Via Delarosa," lyrics say that, “He was bleeding from a beating; there were thorns upon His head.”

If we are crucified with Christ that means there are things in our lives that need put to death; self, self-will, and pleasing self so that we can live a life of sacrifice, and look to what pleases God. "For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin-- {7} because anyone who has died has been freed from sin." (Rom 6:6-7 NIV) and also "You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; {23} to be made new in the attitude of your minds; {24} and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." (Eph 4:22-24 NIV) 

Our life should be lived with eternity's values in mind. Too many people too often wait until they get to the end of the road of life before they start to get concerned about eternity and pleasing God. None of us can please God just being a good person. "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- {9} not by works, so that no one can boast." (Eph 2:8-9 NIV) 

Spirit. “So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. {17} For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do        not do what you want. {18} But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.” (Gal 5:16-18 NIV) 

When we live according to the Spirit of God, we are no longer in the bondage of sin and the Law, the Law only points out our sin. When we live according to the Spirit of God, it is no longer a struggle to live for the Lord.

Because of the grace of God, and His redemption power, we have life (spiritual) instead of death; we have victory instead of defeat and beauty instead of ashes. Christ died and rose again to provide these spiritual blessings!

Because of the cross, Christ lives in me. Jesus promised that He would never leave us or forsake us. He occupies our heart, takes up residence. We need to take advantage of the power in living a positive life because of Christ in us, the Holy Spirit. We need to be obedient to God's Word, we need to be willing to pay the price to be a Christian and we need to surrender fully to God and allow Him to have first place in our lives.

I hope that God fill you with His Spirit and that you will have life and have it to the full! (John 10:10).

We have lots of activities going on in the life of the Liberty Street Church of God and there are many of our church family that are working hard to provide those opportunities for you and me to take part in and so we can help one another along on our spiritual journey. I hope that you will do your best to participate as much as you can. It is often times easy for us to neglect the life of the church and the opportunities that have been made available for us to participate in.

Also I want to mention to you that we want to encourage you to keep inviting your unchurched friends and relatives to worship. Also, please keep in mind our Saturday Evening Service. That is a great time to have folks come that might not want to be in a crowded room and have a time of intimate worship. We want to see that service grow and it will only happen if you participate in inviting those you know that need the Lord.

You may also, of course, invite folks to participate in our Sunday Morning Services, we just want to keep focused on those that do not have a church home, and there are many in our community, and you all are the best PR people for God and the work of the Kingdom.

I shared a quote with you recently from C.S. Lewis; “You’ve never met a mere mortal!” In the sermon he preached, “Weight of Glory” he ends with this sober reminder that every single person you encounter on the street, in the classroom, at the workplace, in the home or lying next to you in bed is immortal, in a very real sense. Knowing (and believing) this truth will

transform how you and I value and treat one another, and more so, it will generate a greater desire to offer the perishing the hope of eternal glory in the gospel of Christ.

This is a special time in the life of our Church Family, and I want to see God continue to do His mighty work through us. We need to keep Him in His rightful place and keep on following His lead. “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus.” (Rom 15:5 NIV)

 I want to also encourage you to be praying diligently for the Trinity Point Project. We, as your leaders, believe that the project needs to keep moving forward and your leaders are doing their due diligence to put together a plan for continuing  construction this year. Please pray that God will open our hearts and the doors to finance the rest of this project. We have a long way to go and we need all of the power of God we can get to see this through.

God bless you all as we labor on!

Pastor Bruce