|
|
|
|
|
GRATITUDE AND GENEROSITY
Gratitude and generosity. Generosity and gratitude. The two just seem to go together.
John D. Rockefeller was the very first person to reach the status of billionaire. At the age of 23, he had become a millionaire, by the age of 50 a billionaire. Every decision, attitude, and relationship was tailored to create his personal power and wealth. But three years later at the age of 53 he became ill. His entire body became racked with pain and he lost all the hair on his head. In complete agony, the world's only billionaire could buy anything he wanted, but he could only digest milk and crackers. An associate wrote, "He could not sleep, would not smile and nothing in life meant anything to him." His personal, highly skilled physicians predicted he would die within a year. That year passed agonizingly slow. As he approached death he awoke one morning with the vague remembrances of a dream. He could barely recall the dream but knew it had something to do with not being able to take any of his successes with him into the next world. The man who could control the business world suddenly realized he was not in in control of his own life. He was left with a choice. He called his attorneys, accountants, and managers and announced that he wanted to channel his assets to hospitals, research, and mission work. On that day John D. Rockefeller established his foundation. This new direction eventually led to the discovery of penicillin, cures for current strains of malaria, tuberculosis and diphtheria. The list of discoveries resulting from his choice is enormous. But perhaps the most amazing part of Rockefeller's story is that the moment he began to give back a portion of all that he had earned, his body's chemistry was altered so significantly that he got better. It looked as if he would die at 53 but he lived to be 98. Rockefeller learned gratitude and gave back from his wealth. Doing so made him whole. It is one thing to be healed; it is another to be made whole.
This weekend we're concluding our series, "Blessed to be a Blessing" and we're looking at the link between gratitude and generosity. I hope you can join us Saturday evening at 5:30 or Sunday morning at 9AM or 11AM.
Embracing the journey, Pastor Rick |
 ELIZABETH HOUSE WISHLIST
LAST WEEKEND TO BRING DONATIONS!
Help Elizabeth House provide shelter, hope and support
to homeless pregnant women and their children. ERBC will be collecting items on their Christmas Wishlist: newborn diapers & baby wipes, toiletries, paper towels & toilet paper, and HE detergent. Bring in items to the lobby this weekend. For details, email Pastor Jordan: jordan@eaglerockbaptist.com. |
 SENIORS CHRISTMAS LUNCH
ERBC Seniors are invited to join Eagles Wings for Christmas Lunch at the Mandls, Wednesday, December 21, 11:30AM-2PM. For more information, please contact Hortensia Aguilar: 323-255-4611 or email: hortensia@eaglerockbaptist.com. |
 CHRISTMAS WEEKEND WORSHIP
We hope you will join us in celebrating the birth of Jesus on Christmas weekend. ERBC will be holding a Christmas Eve Service on Saturday, December 24 at 6PM in the Worship Center. We will also be holding one worship service on Christmas morning, December 25 at 11AM (no service at 9AM). Celebrate Christmas with us!
|
 CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON
If you don't already have a meal planned with your family, we invite you to join us for a Christmas Luncheon on Sunday, December 25 (Christmas Day), from 1-3PM in Fellowship Hall. We'll enjoy a turkey dinner, sing some Christmas carols and share a special time together celebrating Jesus's birth. For details, contact Doogie Costello: doogie40@earthlink.net. |
 NEW YEAR'S WEEKEND WORSHIP
What better way to say goodbye to 2011 and welcome 2012 than by worshipping with your ERBC family?! We will be holding our worship services at the usual times on New Year's Weekend. Join us Saturday, December 31 at 5:30PM or Sunday, January 1 at 9AM or 11AM. Happy New Year! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
