Cordova Neighborhood Church» Pep 55+

PEP CLUB Activities for June

admin — Fri, 25 May 2012 21:56:35 +0000

Remember that Breakfast Club has moved locations. It is still at 10:00 AM every Thursday. We are now meeting at PERKOS, 9647 Micron near Bradshaw and Highway 50. Connie Weber is the hostess; contact her at 363-3572. Order what you like and enjoy the fellowship. We’d love to have all those 55+ join us.

Sunday, June 24, PEP will go out to eat. We will go out after the 2nd Service. We are going to Perko’s at Bradshaw and Hiway 50. Ross and Betty Lefever are our host and hostess. You are invited to join us for a time of laughter and opportunity to get to know each other better.

Keep on Learning

admin — Fri, 25 May 2012 21:53:58 +0000

By Pastor Bill Gaube

Have you ever heard of Facebook? Well, yes, unless you are living in outer Slobovia you have. Do you use Facebook? Believe it or not even some of us “seniors” do. My first post stated “look, old dogs can learn new tricks!”

The truth is, we are never too old to learn. In fact my definition of growing old is: “when we stop learning.” I’ve seen some pretty young people stop growing. They get stuck in old patterns and grow old early.

To help pay for Graduate School, I worked in a Personnel Department of a company. (That is Human Resources to you younger people.) One day I excitedly showed my boss a job application we’d received. The guy had 9 years of experience! My boss looked up and said, “We need to discover if he has 9 years of experience or one year he repeated 9 times.”

I’ve been a Christian for 60 years. Yet I have to admit I do not have 60 years of Christian growth. Being a disciple of Christ means we are learners. Christian maturity is not how long we’ve been a Christian, but how much are we learning from the Lord.

Remember how Jesus was frustrated toward the end of His ministry when the disciples asked Him a question? His answer was, “Have I not been with you so long, and you do not know?” In other words, “after all this time, haven’t you learned?”

One simple prayer helps me be a learner. During rough and tough times I pray: “Lord, what do you want me to learn in this?” Next to my prayer of initial faith, it is the most important prayer I’ve prayed.

A dying Christian was once asked, “What caused your deepest spiritual growth?” He answered he was thankful for all the blessings God had given, but he wouldn’t be where he was spiritually if he had missed one of the trials and tribulations.

A mentor of mine always asked: “What has God been teaching you lately?” Ask yourself that question.

PEP Activities in May for those 55+

admin — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 20:57:31 +0000

Remember that Breakfast Club has move locations. It is still at 10:00 AM every Thursday. We are now meeting at PERKOS, 9647 Micron near Bradshaw and Highway 50. Connie Weber is the hostess; contact her at 363-3572. Order what you like and enjoy the fellowship. We’d love to have all those 55+ join us.

Sunday, May 6 at 2:00 PM PEP will go to the theatre to see “Oklahoma,” the classic Broadway musical, at the 3 Stages Performing Arts Center, Folsom Lake Community College. Tickets are $25. For tickets contact Pastor Bill or Judy Everett at 635-5992.

Sunday, May 27, we are going out to eat at Brookfields following the 11:00 Service. Brookfields is on Folsom Blvd. at Sunrise Blvd. Great menu and wonderful fellowship. Rusty Bloomquist is our host.

When my human frailties show up

admin — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 16:34:12 +0000

By Pastor Bill Gaube

Jesus understands we sometimes feel weak and alone in living the Christian life. Notice His gloom shattering statement at the last supper, “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you” (John 14:18). Jesus had scared his disciples by saying He was going away. How would they live without Him? We know that feeling, don’t we?

Jesus knows we are incapable of living the Christian life on our own. He is not surprised by our human frailties and tendency to sin. That is why Jesus promised a comforter who would stick by us. One who would give us strength to live in His truth.

Paul’s testimony was, “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” (Galatians 2:20).

Sometimes I forget He has given all we need to live the Christian life. There is nothing wrong with me because I am completely dependent on Him. After all, Jesus said, “Without me you can do nothing.” We start by acknowledging that we can do nothing to save ourselves. We are justified when we accept Christ’s death on the cross as payment for our sin.

How then do we live this Christian life? It logically follows that Christ sent His Spirit because we cannot live it on our own. Our part is to continuously acknowledge our need of Him. It is to rest, to trust, and freely receive the wisdom and power His Spirit gives. Theologically this is called sanctification.

Let me share something I’ve been learning. Prayer need not be wordy. At the opportunity to choose the Spirit’s direction, my most effective prayer is, “Lord, help!” It is not moaning about my weakness nor fearing sin is irresistible. It is resting in the faithfulness of God.

During this Holy Season, would you join me in understanding in a deeper way that Jesus has not left us as orphans? Let us partake of His life empowering resources.

PEP Club Activities for April

admin — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 16:26:16 +0000

Breakfast Club, every Thursday at 10:00 AM

Remember that Breakfast Club has moved locations. We are now meeting at PERKOS, 9647 Micron near Bradshaw and Highway 50. Connie Weber is the hostess; you can contact her at 363-3572. Order what you like and enjoy the fellowship. We’d love to have all those 55+ join us.

Potluck in Rudat Hall, Sunday, April 22

Our Spring Potlucks are always a lot of fun and beautiful. Put this on your calendar and check bulletin for more details.

PEP Goes to the Theatre, Sunday, May 6 at 2:00 PM

This time we are going to see “Oklahoma,” the classic Broadway musical. It is presented by the El Dorado Musical Theatre at the 3 Stages Performing Arts Center at Folsom Lake Community College. Everyone was so impressed with the last production they asked that we go to see this one. Again tickets will be $23. Judy Everett will have sign ups in Rudat Hall soon.

PEP 55+ Activities for March

admin — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 09:58:12 +0000

Sunday, March 4 at 2:00 PM, PEP goest to the Theatre.
We are going to see “42nd Street,” a classic light hearted Broadway Musical, presented by the El Dorado Musical Theatre at the 3 Stages Performing Arts Center at Folsom Lake Community College. If there are any tickets left, they are $23 . See Pastor Bill right away or call him at 635-5992.

Breakfast Club has moved!
We still meet every Thursday at 10:00 AM. Now we are meeting at PERKOS, Bradshaw and Highway 50. Connie Weber is the hostess; call her with questions at 363-3572. Order what you like and enjoy the fellowship. We’d love to have all those 55+ join us.

Sunday, March 25, PEP is dining out at Casa Romos
Casa Romos has returned to Rancho Cordova. This was always a favorite with PEP at their former location. We will trying it out again March 25. It is now located near the intersection of Zinfandel and Whiterock, next to the McDonalds. Ross and Betty Lefever are our host and hostess.

Frustrated about Forgiveness

admin — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 09:54:59 +0000

By Pastor Bill Gaube

Many of us seem to have a hard time accepting God’s forgiveness. That is in spite of verses like 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

So what is our problem? I rediscovered the answer in an old classic book called “Practicing the Presence of God.” It is about Brother Lawrence, a humble 17th century kitchen worker, who radiated God’s presence.

He gave this testimony. “At one point in my life I asked how can I serve and be devoted to God, yet feel condemned and lack joy in God?” Then he saw that he kept placing his sins between himself and God, even though God still continued to bestow liberty and joy.

That is so like God; He sees us as forgiven even if we can’t accept His forgiveness and forgive ourselves. It takes humility to admit we can’t earn forgiveness.

Brother Lawrence said the closer we live to God, the more dependent we are on His divine grace. Our responsibility is to acknowledge our inability and rest on God’s grace. Then without anxiety, we can expect His pardon through the blood of Jesus Christ.

Brother Lawrence testified how that looks. He gave each day and task to the Lord, asking to show God’s grace in his life. Then regularly he would review how he had done. If he had done well, he rejoiced in God’s faithfulness. If He had failed, he begged for God’s forgiveness. He accepted God’s forgiveness, rejoicing in God’s grace and love. He learned by his failures how better to follow God. Then, without being discouraged, He gave himself no further uneasiness about it.

WOW! What a model. Let us ask God’s help not only to ask for forgiveness, but also humbly take it and learn to go on in God’s love and strength.

PEP activities for February

admin — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:56:56 +0000

By Pastor Bill Gaube

BREAKFAST CLUB, every Thursday at 10:00 AM

The every Thursday format gives greater opportunity for more to be involved. We meet at the Waffle Shop, corner Zinfandel & Folsom Blvd. Order what you like and enjoy the fellowship. We’d love to have all those 55+ join us.

PEP MEETS THE MISSIONARIES, Thursday, February 9 at 10:00 AM

This is part of our Missions Weekend. You will have an opportunity to not only hear Rev. John LeTexier from the Alliance Arab field, but also to question and interact with him. We will meet at the Waffle Shop, corner Zinfandel & Folsom Blvd. Order what you like. We’d love to have ALL those 55+ join us

POTLUCK DINNER, Sunday February 26
We will meet in Rudat Hall, across the foyer from the Sanctuary following the 11:00 Service. The menu will be soups, stews, salads and breads. So think of your favorites in these categories and share one of them with us. These are always fun times of fellowship and encouragement. All those 55+ are invited! Bobbie Robbins is our hostess.

PEP GOES TO THE THEATRE , Sunday, March 4 at 2:00 PM
* The play will be presented by the El Dorado Musical Theatre. We have enjoyed polished performances before.

* We are going to see 42nd Street, a classic light hearted Broadway Musical. It is full of tunes like “Lullaby of Broadway” and “I Only Have Eyes For You.”
* It will be given at the beautiful new 3 Stages Performing Arts Center at Folsom Lake Community College.
* Tickets are $23 and will be on sale Sundays in Rudat Hall. Tickets are limited at this price.
All those 55+ are cordially invited to join us.

Can You Domesticate God?

admin — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:36:35 +0000

By Pastor Bill Gaube

I have a nasty habit of trying to domesticate God. It’s hard to keep him on a leash so he will not get into certain parts of my life. I certainly do have to put a muzzle on him lest he say something embarrassing. He is terrible to walk with because he often wants to go different ways than I do. And teaching him tricks is so hard because he seems more interested in training me.

Let’s face it: God is hard to understand. He created the earth and threw the stars into space. He set in motion laws of the universe we still are trying to figure out. His power is beyond our comprehension and his justice is so pure that we fall before it. We start to boast and explain ourselves and he reveals he knows our inner hearts already.

Maybe we should just bow before this one who explodes with power, wisdom, righteousness and justice. How? By hearing his heart of love. He revealed his love in his son Jesus. Be captured by the truth that “God so loved the world he gave his only begotten son.” Hear Jesus’ heart of love when he cried over Jerusalem saying how oft he would have gathered them as a hen gathers her chicks … but they would not.

True, we can’t fully understand God, but we can know him because he invites us through the cross of his son Jesus Christ. Be humbled that the great God who molded the earth and flung the stars in space, says to you “Come unto me … and I will give you rest.” His great grace, mercy and love motivates him to forgive us. Then Jesus said I will give you life and life more abundant.

PEP Club Activities for January, 2012

admin — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 21:04:34 +0000

Breakfast Club meets at 10:00 AM every Thursday. The every Thursday format gives greater opportunity for more to be involved. We meet at the Waffle Shop, corner Zinfandel and Folsom Blvd. Order what you like and enjoy the fellowship. We’d love to have all those 55+ join us.

Sunday, January 22, after the 11:00 service, we will be going out to eat at Brookfields Restaurant, 11135 Folsom Blvd on the corner of Folsom and Sunrise. You can order off the menu. Come for a good time and get to know others better. Rusty Bloomquist will be our host.