Caring for the neighborhood and beyond
Breakfast Club - now every Thursday at 10:00 AM. We are now meeting at Perkos Restaurant, Bradshaw, just off of highway 50. Connie Weber is the hostess; you can call her at 363-3572. Order what you like and enjoy the fellowship. We’d love to have all those 55+ join us.
By Pastor Bill Gaube
“Where do you spend most of your time?: Past – Present – Future?” When I read this in a book I thought, “How silly, of course the present.” Then it dawned on me that most of us spend a lot of time in the past
We doubt decisions made in the past – The “what if”s” get us. And we grieve for people or events that are long gone. The point is there is not much we can do about it.
Of course not everything about the past and the future are hurtful. There are good memories that cheer us now – past lessons that inform the present – hope that Christ is preparing a future for us that helps us through today. The important matter for us is today – the present. This is where God is actively interacting with us.
This is brought home in a beautiful picture the Greek language paints. It is much more expressive than English. Take Ephesians 2:8: “For by grace you have been saved through faith…” The Greek perfect tense used here pictures a past completed action that has active results in the present.
So for Christians the picture is that we were given the gift of salvation in the past when we believed in Christ’s salvation. As a result God is working in us right now. Thank God for his dealing with our past; thank Him for the hope He gives for the future. But the action is now!
“My grace is sufficient for you” is what the Lord told the Apostle Paul. The same grace that saved you is actively working in you today. There is enough grace to meet the opportunities, pain and challenges of today. Every moment has a purpose and should be experienced in the light of grace.
Join me in this prayer: Remind me Lord, you have matters under control. Your grace is still sufficient. So, Lord, each moment, let me experience the beauty of your grace all around me. Teach me to rest in your grace.
Peace is something we all want. We desire to live in peace with others and with ourselves. Some say that we should start with seeking peace with ourselves. That’s a great idea, but the more I try, the more uncertainty and conflict seems to arise. Maybe that’s not the place to start.
A tantalizing phrase in the Bible is “Peace with God.” The question arises, “Who is this God with whom we seek peace?” Personally I have found help in Paul’s benediction given in 2 Corinthians 13:14: “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” Let me explain why this gives help.
Start to find peace by finding peace with God. His peace can help us have peace with ourselves and others. No wonder Jesus describe this peace as “passing all understanding.”
Breakfast Club, 10:00 AM; every Thursday at Perkos
Perkos is on Bradshaw at Highway 50. Connie Weber is the hostess; her phone is 363-3572. Order what you like and enjoy the fellowship. We’d love to have all those 55+ join us.
PEP Dinner Outing, Sunday April 28
Myrna De Angelo recently ate at Kim’s Chinese Restaurant and had a good experience, so she is planning a PEP luncheon there for us. Kim’s is located in KOHL’S Shopping Center (corner of Olson and Folsom). Come and enjoy and get to know one another better.
PEP Goes to the Theater, Sunday, May 5 at 2 PM
The El Dorado Musical Theatre is presenting “How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” at 3 Stages in Folsom. We always enjoy the productions there. The show is by the authors of Guys and Dolls. It was the winner of the 1962 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and melds wit, comedy, and romance together to perfection. Watch for ticket sales.
Breakfast Club, 10:00 AM; every Thursday
We meet at PERKOS, Bradshaw & Hiway 50. Connie Weber is the hostess this month; call her at 363-3572. Order what you like and enjoy the fellowship. We’d love to have all those 55+ join us.
PEP Dinner Out | Sunday, March 24
Bobbie Robbins invites us to join her at Denny’s on Sunrise and Greenback. She has found they have a side room where we can have some tables for our group. They also have a seniors menu. Come and enjoy a good time of fellowship.
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Breakfast Club, 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.
Saturday, October 20, Picnic in the Mountains
It is time for our annual visit to Bob and Lenore Clark’s home in Shingle Springs for a picnic. Their lovely park like yard in the foothills provides a wonderful setting for this event. Bob will barbecue hamburgers and hot dogs for us. Please bring salads and deserts to share together. This is always one of our highlight events of the year and we’d love anyone over 55 to join us. We will meet at the church at noon to car pool. (We have maps.) For more information, talk to Pastor Bill or call Lenore at (530) 677-4925.
December 9 Annual Christmas Banquet
The banquet will be held at Country Club Estates. Our taste buds will be delighted with the roast turkey and ham plus the wide assortments other dishes we have come to expect.
The program will feature a friend of Pam Finney, William Irish. He plays a variety of instruments with a repertoire of music and entertaining styles from around the world. He has been a guest on many TV shows and will lift our hearts with beautiful Christmas music.
By Pastor Bill Gaube
How can two people look at the same situation, and one despair while the other rejoices? It might be our financial situation, health or some personal conflict we are having. Some find so much to rejoice about and enjoy. Others find only loss and despair. A few dismissively say, “Well there are pessimists and there are optimists.” But as Christians I would suggest another view.
I think we can learn from the story of Elisha and his servant in 2 Kings 6. During the night a huge Army had surrounded the place where Elishsa was staying. In the morning Elisha’s servant ran to Elisha in a frenzy and nervously asked, “What shall we do?” Elisha was not at all disturbed and warmly assured the servant, “Don’t be afraid; those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” (v16) Then Elisha prayed, not against the Army, but for his servant: “O Lord, open his eyes so he may see.” Elisha knew God had the Army under control and wanted his servant to understand the resources of God.
The Servant saw only the problem. Elisha saw the problem AND God’s resources. As life piles up on us, different problems arise – they almost seem to multiply like a giant army. Life can seem to be a growing series of crises.
Let us, like Elisha, see the problems AND God’s resources. Each new problem can open our eyes to greater understanding of God’s resources. More importantly, they open our hearts to a deeper relationship with God through His son, Jesus Christ.
How do you view life’s cumulating complexities? Do you see just the problems and say, “That is just the way I am”? Ask God to deepen your Christian experience by seeing the problems AND God. That can dictate whether we despair or rejoice.
Breakfast Club, every Thursday at 10:00 AM
The every Thursday format gives opportunity for more to be involved. We meet at the Perko’s Cafe. Order what you like and enjoy the fellowship. We’d love to have all those 55+ join us.
September 23 Fall Potluck Dinner
Meet in Rudat Hall after the 11:00 Service.
Bring your favorite dish and come for a great time of fellowship and fun.
