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Preparing For Sunday
The question that has been asked for 2,000 years is whether
Jesus is the Expected Messiah of the Jewish Scriptures, our Old Testament. The answer to this question involves more
than just the fulfillment of prophecy, however it does include this. One author says it this way:
"Anyone can make predictions. Having those prophecies
fulfilled is vastly different. In fact, the more statements made about the
future, and the more the detail, then the less likely the precise fulfillment
will be.
For example, what's the likelihood
of a person predicting today the exact city in which the birth of a future
leader would take place, well into the 21st century? This is indeed what the
prophet Micah did 700 years before the Messiah. Further, what is the likelihood
of predicting the precise manner of death that a new, unknown religious leader
would experience, a thousand years from now - a manner of death presently
unknown, and to remain unknown for hundreds of years? Yet, this is what David
did in 1000 B.C.
Again, what is the likelihood of
predicting the specific date of the appearance of some great future leader,
hundreds of years in advance? This is what Daniel did, 530 years before Christ.
If one were to conceive 50 specific
prophecies about a person in the future, whom one would never meet, just what's
the likelihood that this person will fulfill all 50 of the predictions? How
much less would this likelihood be if 25 of these predictions were about what
other people would do to him, and were completely beyond his control?
For example, how does someone
"arrange" to be born in a specific family?
How does one "arrange" to
be born in a specified city, in which their parents don't actually live?
How
does one "arrange" their own death - and
specifically by crucifixion, with two others, and then "arrange" to
have their executioners gamble for His clothing (John 16:19; Psalms 22:18)?
How
does one "arrange" to be betrayed in advance?
How does one "arrange" to have the executioners carry out the regular
practice of breaking the legs of the two victims on either side, but not their
own?
Finally, how does one "arrange" to be God? How does one escape
from a grave and appear to people after having been killed?
Indeed, it may be possible for
someone to fake one or two of the Messianic prophecies, but it would be
impossible for any one person to arrange and fulfill all of these prophecies.
John Ankerberg relates the true
story of how governments use prearranged identification signs to identify
correct agents:
David Greenglass was a World War II traitor. He gave atomic secrets to the Russians and then fled
to Mexico after the war. His conspirators arranged to help him by planning a
meeting with the secretary of the Russian ambassador in Mexico City. Proper
identification for both parties became vital. Greenglass was to identify
himself with six prearranged signs. These instructions had been given to both
the secretary and Greenglass so there would be no possibility of making a
mistake. They were: (1) once in Mexico City, Greenglass was to write a note to
the secretary, signing his name as "I. JACKSON"; (2) after three days
he was to go to the Plaza de Colon in Mexico City and (3) stand before the
statue of Columbus, (4) with his middle finger placed in a guide book. In addition,
(5) when he was approached, he was to say it was a magnificent statue and that
he was from Oklahoma. (6) The secretary was to then give him a passport.
These six prearranged signs worked.
Why? With six identifying characteristics it was impossible for the secretary
not to identify Greenglass as the proper contact (John Ankerberg, John Weldon
and Walter Kaiser, "The Case for Jesus The Messiah", Melbourne:
Pacific College Study Series, 1994, 17-18).
How true, then, it must be that
Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah, if he had 456 identifying characteristics
well in advance, and fulfilled them all!"
If you are interested in more reading on this subject, here
is an excerpt from Josh McDowell:
http://www.greatcom.org/resources/areadydefense/ch19/default.htm
See you Sunday as we worship the One who was and is to
come: Jesus!
Denny
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Prophecies and Their Fulfillment About Jesus
Prophetic Scripture: Genesis 3:15
Subject of Prophecy: Seed of a woman
Fulfilled: Galations 4:4
Prophetic Scripture: Genesis 12:3
Subject of Prophecy: Descendant of Abraham
Fulfilled: Matthew 1:1
Prophetic Scripture: Genesis 17:19
Subject of Prophecy: Descendant of Isaac
Fulfilled: Luke 3:34
Prophetic Scripture: Numbers 24:17
Subject of Prophecy: Descendant of Jacob
Fulfilled: Mathew 1:2
Prophetic Scripture: Genesis 49:10
Subject of Prophecy: From tribe of Jesse
Fulfilled: Romans 15:12
Prophetic Scripture: Jeremiah 23:5-6
Subject of Prophecy: Descendant of David
Fulfilled: Matthew 1:1
Prophetic Scripture: Micah 5:2
Subject of Prophecy: Born in Bethlehem
Fulfilled: Luke 2:4-5, 7
Prophetic Scripture: Daniel 9:25
Subject of Prophecy: Time of His birth
Fulfilled: Luke 2:1-2
Prophetic Scripture: Isaiah 7:14
Subject of Prophecy: To be born of a virgin
Fulfilled: Luke 1:26-27 ,30-31
Prophetic Scripture: Psalm 72:10, 15,
Isa 60:3
Subject of Prophecy: Honored by great kings
Fulfilled: Matthew 2:1-11
Prophetic Scripture: Jeremiah 31:15
Subject of Prophecy: Slaughter of children
Fulfilled: Matthew 2:16-18
Prophetic Scripture: Isaiah 40:3-5
Subject of Prophecy: Flight to Egypt
Fulfilled: Matthew 2:14-15
Prophetic Scripture: Isaiah 53:3, 8:14,
28:16
Subject of Prophecy: Rejected by His own people
Fulfilled: John 1:11, Luke 23:18
Prophetic Scripture: Psalm 41:9, 55:12-13
Subject of Prophecy: Betrayed by a close friend
Fulfilled: Luke 22:47-48, Matt 27:40
Prophetic Scripture: Zechariah 11:12
Subject of Prophecy: Betrayed for 30 pcs silver
Fulfilled: Matthew 26:14-15
Prophetic Scripture: Zechariah 11:13
Subject of Prophecy: Money to buy potters field
Fulfilled: Matthew 27:6-7
Prophetic Scripture: Isaiah 53:6-7
Subject of Prophecy: Spat upon, struck, scourged
Fulfilled: Matt 26:67, 27:26,
30
Prophetic Scripture: Isaiah 53:12
Subject of Prophecy: Crucified with malefactors
Fulfilled: Mark 15:27-28
Prophetic Scripture: Zechariah 12:10, Psm 22:16
Subject of Prophecy: Pierced through hands, feet
Fulfilled: John 20:25-27
Prophetic Scripture: Psalm 34:20, Zech 12:10
Subject of Prophecy: No bones broke, side
pierced
Fulfilled: John 19:32-34, 36
Prophetic Scripture: Isaiah 53:9
Subject of Prophecy: Buried with rich
Fulfilled: Matthew 27:37-60
Prophetic Scripture: Psalm 16:10, 30:2,
49:15
Subject of Prophecy: To be resurrected
Fulfilled: Mark 16:6-7
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Verdugo Day
Verdugo Community Church is an inner-city congregation in our Southern California region. It is an historic church with a small
congregation that has been unable to keep up their facilities. On August 15th our church along with 20 other
churches in our region are gathering together to help
upgrade their facilities. We will be painting, removing a block wall and
cement, replacing electrical, removing an old piano, and the like.
We need volunteers to make this happen!! We will leave the
church parking lot at 7:30 am on Saturday August 15Th and carpool down to Verdugo Community Church. We will be doing some painting and some electrical work as
well as just good old clean up work. Lunch will be provided and we should be
back in Santa Barbara by 5:00. It will be a day of working together as well as
fellowship and blessing a church that needs some help.
For more information, please contact the church office at 965-1338 x221.
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Peer Counseling Training Classes
Our fall series of Peer Counseling Training Classes will meet from 9:00-11:00am on Saturday mornings beginning September 5th in the Counseling Center. These classes are required training for all staff and volunteers participating in parish health ministry, small group and Bible study leaders, and are recommended for those who teach classes of all ages, work with people and serve in leadership positions in the church. This 8-week session will include the topics of: crisis intervention and counseling, communication, conflict resolution, setting appropriate boundaries and avoiding burn-out, substance abuse and codependency, grief counseling, healthy development of children, adolescents and adults, as well as spiritual preparation for ministering to hurting people. Call Cheryl Wayman (568-3838x229) for more information and to schedule a required interview. Spaces are limited!
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Men@Nacimiento 2009
Free Methodist Men's Retreat
September 18-20th
Come To The Water!
If you would like to join in a preparatory prayer time for this retreat, join us in the Counseling Center at 10:35am on Sunday mornings. For more information contact Don Farnsworth at 455-8880 or don.farnsworth@cox.net
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Church Reformation Trip Deadline is September 1st
With the difficult times we have decided to only do the European
part of the church trip with the sights of Luther, Calvin and Oberammergau's
Passion Play. We have a small group of 14 going at this time and have a
few openings if you would like to join us. The cost has changed to $4747
for the 12 days, which includes all travel, meals, lodging, the play ($800 is
for the play). Here is our trip:
WED, JUN 23
LOS ANGELES � GENEVA
Begin your Passion Play journey by departing for
Geneva. Meals and overnight on board.
THU, JUN 24 GENEVA
Arrive in Geneva where we will be met by our
experienced Tour Manager who will be accompanying us for the duration of the
trip. Today we tour Geneva, regarded as the "Protestant Rome". See the historic
and religious sites connected with John Calvin and John Knox: St. Peter's
Cathedral, John Knox Chapel, the Reformation Monument with the great statues of
the reformers, the Museum of Art and History with the nearby Calvin College,
United Nations and World Council of Churches buildings as well as the lovely lakeside
promenade.
FRI, JUN 25 GENEVA �
INTERLAKEN � LUCERNE
We travel through Switzerland to Lucerne. Our
first stop is Interlaken in the heart of the Swiss Alps, situated between the
lakes of Thun and Brienz, and at the foot of the Eiger, the Mönch and the
Jungfrau. Here we have time to relax and enjoy the superb views. We travel
through the Brunig Pass to lakeside Lucerne in central Switzerland for our
overnight stay.
SAT, JUN 26 LUCERNE �
WIES � OBERAMMERGAU
Today we tour this medieval city highlighting
the poignant Lion Monument, built in memory of Louis XVI's Swiss Guard, and the
covered wooden Chapel Bridge which spans the River Reuss and is decorated
inside with wooden panels which chronicle the history of Lucerne. Later we
travel to Germany and on to Oberammergau. On our way we will tour Ludwig's
Linderhof Castle and the Baroque Church in Wies. Continue to Oberammergau, site
of the Passion Play. Dinner and overnight.
SUN, JUN 27 OBERAMMERGAU
Today we see the Passion Play in Oberammergau, a
village in the Bavarian Alps famous for its woodcarving industry. In the year
1633, the town was stricken by the plague. In desperation the people of the
village took an oath that they would stage a performance of the Passion of
Jesus every 10 years if the plague would vanish and save their town. The town
was saved and the first performance took place in 1634. From 1690 on, the play
has been performed every 10 years.The play takes almost eight hours to perform
and the 124 speaking parts are performed by inhabitants of the village. The
audience is seated in a roofed auditorium while the stage is open-air. Lunch
and dinner are included.
MON, JUN 28 COBURG � AUGSBURG
� NURNBERG � ROTHENBURG
This morning we drive to Coburg. Luther stayed
for six months in Coburg Fortress in order to follow the negotiations at the
Imperial Diet in Augsburg, where Luther defended his 95 Theses in a debate with
Cardinal Cajetan in 1518. Visit the Church of St. Anne, the starting point of
the Reformation in Augsburg and "Fronhof", as well as the Luther room and the
Luther Chapel. Then we will travel on to Nurnberg, which was the first town in
the Empire into which the Reformation was introduced in 1525. Continue to
Rothenburg for a walking tour. Rothenburg is an extremely well preserved
medieval city, complete with cobblestone streets, protective moat wall and
charming old buildings and homes. Dinner at the hotel.
TUE, JUN 29 ROMANTIC ROAD TO
WURZBURG � LEIPZIG
Depart this morning on the "Romantic Road" for
Leipzig. Visit Wurzburg enroute. Enjoy the lively
atmosphere of Wurzburg, which is beautifully embedded in the valley of the Main
River, surrounded by wine grape-covered hills.
WED, JUN 30 LEIPZIG �
WITTENBURG � TORGAU � LEIPZIG
Drive to Wittenberg, where Luther lectured at
the University and lived for 36 years until his death. It was here, on the door
of the Castle Church, that Luther nailed his thesis. In the Castle Church are
the tombs of Luther and Melanchthon. We will tour the Luther House, the world's
largest Reformation Museum, and the Melanchthon House. We then take a short
drive to Torgau, a political center of the Reformation, to see the first Palace
Church (the first Protestant Church), consecrated by Luther in 1544. The town became
famous as a result of the "Torgau Confederation" and the "Torgau Articles."
Luther's wife, Katharina von Bora, died here. We will visit the Municipal
Church of St. Mary with its altar table by Lucas Cranach and grave stone of
Katharina von Bora. Continue to Leipzig. Afternoon sightseeing will include St.
Thomas Church, St. Nicholas Church and the Old Town Hall. Dinner at the hotel.
THU, JUL 1 LEIPZIG �
SCHMALKALDEN � EISENACH
Depart Leipzig for Eisleben and Erfurt. Our
sightseeing in Eisleben includes the homes where Luther was born and died, the
Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, and St. Andrew's Church. Our tour
in Erfurt includes the Augustinian Church and Monastery where Luther lived as a
Monk, along with the Luther Memorial, the Franciscan Church where Luther
preached in 1529, St. Mary's Cathedral where Luther was ordained as a priest
and St. Stephen's Church. Then on to Schmalkalden, a stronghold of
Protestantism, to see the Luther house. Next stop is in Moehra to visit the
Luther parental home and Memorial. It was in Moehra in 1521 when Luther's
pretended capture took place and he was brought to Wartburg. Continue to
Eisenach to visit the Wartburg Castle, where Luther translated the New
Testament into German. The walking tour of Eisenach includes the Luther House,
St. George's Church and the Luther Memorial as well as the Bach Family House
and Museum. Dinner and overnight in Eisenach.
FRI, JUL 2
RHINE CRUISE � WORMS �
HEIDELBERG
This morning we travel to St. Goars Hausen where
we board our Rhine cruise. Our three hour cruise takes us through the most
scenic part of the Rhine River to Ruedesheim. We disembark in Ruedesheim and
travel to Worms. On our way we visit the small village of Guntersblum and
the vineyards surrounding the village. Visit Worms, where Luther refused to
retract his beliefs and was banned from the Empire by the Diet. See the Church
of Our Lady which has given its name to the famous "Liebfraumilch" wine, the
world's largest Reformation Memorial, the Church of the Holy Trinity and the
Imperial Cathedral.
SAT, JUL 3
HEIDELBERG
Today we visit the Heidelberg Castle. We have
all day to relax and enjoy this quaint town on our own. Dinner and overnight in
Heidelberg.
SUN, JUL 4
HEIDELBERG � FRANKFURT � LOS ANGELES
Transfer to the airport where we board our
hometown flight. Arrive home the same day with wonderful memories of The
Passion Play and our European Adventure.
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Church Finances
In this time of financial struggle, Thank you for remembering
your church family!
Offerings Needed YTD: $375,832.26
Offerings Receive YTD: $370,243.63 (98.51%)
Still Needed
YTD: $5,588.63
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FMCSB
Our Mission is to win
people to Christ, establish them in the faith, and equip them for ministry.
Free Methodist Church of Santa Barbara
1435 Cliff Drive
Santa Barbara, California 93109
805-965-1338
www.fmcsb.org
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Important Dates
Sat. Aug. 15th:
Verdugo Day
Mon. Aug. 17th: CDCC Board Meeting
Sat. Aug. 22nd: Glimmer of Hope Lunch
Mon. Aug. 24th: Property Finance Board Meeting
Tues. Sept. 1st: Last day to register for the Church Reformation Trip in 2010
Thurs. Sept. 3rd: LBOA Meeting
Fri-Sun. Sept. 18-20: Men@Nacimiento 2009
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Glimmer of Hope
Glimmer of Hope luncheon for the vision-impaired meets on the 4th Saturday of each month at Emmanuel Lutheran Church. August 22nd is our month to host this lunch. Volunteers are needed.
Please call Joy Robledo: 963-1259 or Lela Schaffner: 963-5991
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Santa Barbara Meals on Wheels Needs Volunteer Drivers
Can you spare 2 hours one day a week to deliver hot, nutritious
meals to the elderly and homebound of Santa Barbara? The hours are from
approximately 10:15 am - 12:15 pm, and Meals on Wheels (MOW) currently has both
weekday and weekend routes available. They are also in need of "on
call" drivers that can fill in if the regular driver is unavailable. You
will use your own car - and MOW will reimburse you for mileage!
The rewards for delivering Meals on Wheels are
so great. They deliver 7 days a week 365 days of the year. They are a
non-profit all volunteer organization except for one hired staff person
and the contracting of food preparation from Valle Verde. If you can
spare a couple of hours one day per week or can volunteer occasionally please
call the MOW office at 683-4565 Monday through Friday and ask for Leanna. You
can also call or email Mark Huston for more information. His contact
information is: markhuston1311@gmail.com
or cell # 895-1262.
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Memory Verse
John 3:16 & 17
16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,that
whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did
not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world
through him."
John 1:1-18
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was
God. 2He was with God in the beginning. 3Through him all things were made;
without him nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, and that
life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness
has not understood it.
6There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. 7He came as a
witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might
believe. 8He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
9The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.
10He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did
not recognize him. 11He came to that which was his own, but his own did not
receive him. 12Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name,
he gave the right to become children of God- 13children born not of natural
descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory,
the glory of the One and Only,[d] who came from the Father, full of grace and
truth.
15John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, "This was he of
whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.'
" 16From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing
after another. 17For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came
through Jesus Christ. 18No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only,who
is at the Father's side, has made him known.
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FM FlashPoints
>> Nonagenarian Honored
At the Gulf Coast
annual conference (Edgewood FMC, Pineville, LA), 96-year-old Sylvia LaPrarie
was honored for her years of service to the FMC as a pastor's wife, WMI
president, CYC camp director and general conference delegate.
>> Celebrating 90
Irvine FMC (KY)
celebrated its 90th anniversary May 17, welcoming more than 100 people to a
day of worship, fellowship and thanksgiving. Among the attendees was Mildred
Cobb (90), the church's oldest living member who began attending Irvine when
she was 4.
>> Extra-Special Dedication
Living Word FMC (Cortland, NY) held a special Mother's Day ceremony for
families with young children - churched and unchurched - who wanted their
children dedicated to the Lord. One mom who came gave her life to Jesus that
day!
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