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MidWeek E-Newsletter |
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Issue: # 199
| October 3, 2012 |
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GOD, GOVERNMENT, FREEDOM & YOU
Pastor Phil Helfer took a chance on Sunday. It has been his custom and practice to not be "political" from the pulpit on Sundays. But the Spirit has been pressing on his soul the need to think and act "Christianly" as it relates to this part of our earthly citizenship. He pushed us back into the Scriptures to consider again particular stories of Jesus, Peter and Paul and how they dealt with their governments. To set a foundation, we went to Paul's writing to the Christians in Rome who were under one of the most oppressive governments to Christians in the history of the world. Paul wrote:
"Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God."
Clear from this passage is that our government/authorities put there by God- under the permission of God. It is our charge to submit to these authorities.
So how did the Jesus, Peter and Paul submit?
Jesus in his trial before Pilate was challenged:
So Pilate said to Him, "You do not speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You?"
Jesus answered, "You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above..." (John 19:10-11)
And even though Jesus knew this higher authority, He submitted to Pilate, and allowed himself to be killed!
As Peter reflects on this circumstance later, he points to the truth that Jesus handed himself over and that justice wasn't truly served. BUT God used the evil to bring about the greater good (1 Peter 2:21-25 ).
So Jesus did submit Himself in total to the government, but that was not the whole story, it was actually the back drop of what needed to happen so that He could die and pay the penalty for our sins. Jesus submitted to get the greater good accomplished--God's will.
In another story, we looked into Peter's ministry in Acts 5 where the disciples of Jesus were teaching about Him everywhere and the governing officials asked them to stand down and speak no more.
"But Peter and the apostles replied, "We must obey God rather than any human authority." ( Acts 5:29 )
Peter and the disciples were submitted to God, but not to the governing authorities in this situation.
We turned to a situation with Paul in Acts 16 where he and Silas were arrested, beaten and thrown into prison without a fair trial (as was their right as Roman citizens). They handed themselves over to these officials even though it violated justice and their citizenship!
Why did they submit to this wrongful treatment when they had a right not to?!?! Most likely because earlier in this chapter, the Lord showed Paul that he was in this place to meet a man from Macedonia. Paul hadn't met him yet, so he submitted to the Lord and handed himself over to the government in submission as well.
In jail, it seems that Paul and Silas met this Macedonian man-- he was the Jail-keeper! Once Paul accomplishes what the Lord set out for him, he plays his "I'm-a-Roman-Citizen-Get-out-of-Jail-Free-Card." He now leverages his rights against the Roman officials as a bargaining chip for himself, Silas and the new Christians in that city to grant them freedom from governmental oppression.
In this brief look, we see that in each case they are submitted to the Spirit...sometimes it was in accordance with government, sometimes not. Each of these had a bigger picture in mind!
If you want to hear Pastor Phil talk through this message and much more, tune in online here.
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40 DAYS of PRAYING and FASTING FOR AMERICA
- The Holy Spirit is wooing many across the USA to mark out the next 40 days as an important time to lift up our country to the Lord in prayer...won't you pray and fast too?!?!
- We opened an "Online Sign Up List" on "Volunteer Spot" to have 3 people commit to pray EACH Day for America:
- Author Eric Metaxas also set up a Facebook Group to encourage prayer, fasting and the sharing of stories which you can see here
- Also has been an online community called American Prayer Initiative that has been already praying and circulating daily prayers with Election Day in mind.
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 Special Guests This SUNDAY, Oct. 7th:
Greg & Denyse Gripentrog
Serving as President with the mission One Challenge / OC International.  We have partnered with Greg and Denyse and their fruitful and faithful ministry for many years and it continues to grow!
A while back Greg shared with our church family about some of the exciting things going on in our world through a message from the Scriptures - "What to do While Waiting: From Matthew 25"
If you would like to financially support the ministry of Greg & Denyse you are welcome to do so through your regular offering, or you can use the Donation button above to do so online!
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 HOSPITALITY NEED - NEXT WEEK!
One of the people who was part of Haley Helfer's ministry this summer in Borecay, Philippines will be here in the USA next weekend. We need a place for him to stay overnight on Sat., Oct 13 - Mon. Oct. 15th. He will have transportation, but needs a place for sleeping arrangements.
Contact Pastor Phil to help or with any questions or at 562-596-3358.
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GROUNDWORK AUTUMN EVENTS
{Oct. 10th}: Apologetics Night (6:30-8pm)
@Lakewood 1st Baptist
{Oct. 17th}: Brynn & Chris King Wedding Shower! @Deatons' home, 6pm
RSVP on Facebook
{Oct. 31st}: Costume Party
{Nov. 10-12th}: Fall Adventure!
In Monterey, CA,
November 10-13th, $49,
*****Limited spots so reserve quickly!*****
For more information, contact Erin
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 OCTOBER PRAYER UPDATE FROM PRECIOUS LAMB
Pray for our upcoming Fundraising Banquet on October 18th. Pray for all the details to come together. Pray for a few more sponsorships to come in and cover the costs of the event. Pray for the mom who will be sharing her story, as well as the panel. Pray for the entire event- that God's heart and story will be showcased and that it will be successful. We thank God for every volunteer, host and sponsor who is making this possible for the children. ... READ MORE from this update HERE
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 MISSIONARY OF THE MONTH-
Don & Danka ZELLMER
Serving with CRU (the USA name of Campus Crusade for Christ) at the US Air Force Academy.We have partnered with Don & Danka and their fruitful and faithful ministry for many years and it continues to grow!
If you would like to financially support the ministry of the Zellmers you are welcome to do so through your regular offering, or you can use the Donation button above to do so online!
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 PASTOR PHIL...NOW A PUBLISHED AUTHOR!
Many of you have known that Pastor Phil was asked by our own friend/missionary Neil Cole to co-author a book. His diligence in the work has paid off!
Just a couple of weeks ago was the official release of Phil and Neil's book titled:
Church Transfusion: Changing Your Church Organically from the Inside Out
The publishers released new information and YouTube Videos about the book this week!
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MIDDLE SCHOOL MINISTRY - NEW NAME!
We had a great kick off for the new school year of middle school ministry with FEARLESS.
We will be meeting each Tuesday night from 7pm-8:30pm at the church.
Contact Kevin with any questions at 562-822-1587
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LADIES...SEE BETH MOORE AT LONG BEACH CONVENTION CENTER
 October 12-13
Friday evening-Saturday morning
Beth Moore
Living Proof Live
@ LB Convention Center
$65
Sign up with Shelly Deaton or Barb Cropp on the church patio on Sundays.
For high school girls and older.
For more information, go to http://www.lproof.org
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OUR FOOD PANTRY NEEDS FOOD 
Bring non-perishable food items to help stock the food bank. This is a great time to make use of those buy one get one free opportunities at supermarkets. Buy one for you and get the second one for the food bank! Or, you can just go through your pantry and find the items that you intended to use but didn't. Check the expiration dates and bring those items that are not expired but you don't really need
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Press on!
Los Altos Grace // Mike Jentes
Los Altos Grace Brethren Church |
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