LAGBC
MidWeek E-Newsletter
Issue: # 205           
November 14, 2012    
IN THIS ISSUE
MINISTRY QUICK LINKS
Find us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

Find us on Yelp
DEPENDENCE AND WORSHIP
In the USA, we love the Declaration of Independence. In fact, rugged independence defines us at a deep level.  In the spiritual world, it is the exact opposite...we are totally dependent! We enter into a relationship with God totally reliant, trusting on Him & Him alone! In truth, we are reliant upon God for everything!

On Sunday, we ventured into a story about Jesus which nails this concept:

People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them.  When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."      
                                  (Mark 10:13-15)

Here are kids...who know more about the kingdom of God because they are dependent! When it comes to our relationship with God we need to always remember that we are kids!

To put even a finer point on this, the very next story in the Gospel of Mark is about the Rich Young Ruler. Jesus doesn't give the same answer to this man (i.e., "become like a child"). This Rich Young man claimed that he had kept everything in the law since being a child. And Jesus asked Him for something more than keeping the law, "You lack one thing, sell everything you have and give the money to the poor!"

This Rich Young Ruler was self-reliant. The issue wasn't his stuff, but it was rather Who he trusted in. He trusted more in his own riches, his own youth, and himself than Jesus.
 
We must trust Jesus! Become little children and depend our our Great and Mighty God!!!

 

 

If you want to hear Pastor Phil talk through this message and much more, tune in online here.


Audio of our
Series on Worship:

   

 

Worship and Freedom 

How Worship and Honor are Related 

Worship & Obedience 

Press On Toward the Upward Call of God 

Change Your Mind: Repentance & Worship 

Worship in the Crucible of Life 

God's Peace Leads Us to Worship 

Mysterious Love of God 

Worship Our Awesome God 

Worship: Thanks, Posture & Jesus Stories 

Worship & Posture 

Thank You and Worship

 
Example Image - 150 x 100 pixels
NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER ONLINE
Sorry the link was broken in the email we sent last week...it is fixed now!!  Go to our website and download your copy NOW!
Table of Contents: 
  • Communion Sunday - now at 9:30am! 
  • Recipes for Life by Phil Helfer
  • Children's Christmas Music
  • Women's Spring Retreat   
  • Lessons from the Squirrel
  • Patty Morris- Missionary in France   
  • Please Pray

  Online NOW!  


Thanksgiving CommunionCOMMUNION SUNDAY   
Sunday, November 25
at 9:30 AM - NOTE NEW TIME!
The whole family is invited  for a time of communion, celebration &
thanksgiving. 

This gathering will replace our morning Sunday school & church
service & will include breakfast.
Example Image - 150 x 100 pixels
HELP NEEDED CARING FOR KIDS IN TLC MINISTRY 
Mondays from 3:00p-4:30pOctober through June
To minister newborn through 5 years during teen mom and dad's support group
At St. Mary's Hospital, John Parr Building
1030 Linden Ave., Long Beach, CA 90813 

Contact Vi if you can help!  (562) 822-0952

krispy kremeDONUT FUNDRAISER THIS SUNDAY! 
Back for another week...your favorite Krispy Kreme Donuts! 
On Sunday you will be able to buy donuts at $1 each or $10 per dozen to support our kids going to Momentum - a Grace Brethren Summer Youth Conference in 2013. 

There will also be FUNd Raising cards for sale for $12 which give you a free dozen donuts with each purchase of a dozen at a Krispy Kreme store.
MISSION OF THE MONTH-
LONG BEACH RESCUE MISSION     Serving our city for 40 years!
Long Beach Rescue Mission
Find out more about our ministries for Thanksgiving and Christmas here:   www.LBRM.org

If you would like to financially support the ministry of Long Beach Rescue Mission you are welcome to do so through your regular offering, or you can use the Donation button above to do so online! 
GREAT TO HAVE THE HOCKINGS WITH US
On Sunday we were privileged to have Jim & Faye Hocking with us. They shared about the amazing ministry of ICDI. Below you can see the video which we shared during worship:
Jim's Story - ICDI from our founder's point of view
Jim's Story:
ICDI from our founder's point of view
And you can find out more about the maintenance plan HERE  and below you can read more about Marcellin and his work with ICDI:

ICDI - The Man Behind the Machines
The Man Behind the Machines- read the behind the scenes story
online here

CHRISTMAS MUSICAL
"His Love Is Reaching"

Sunday, December 16th

10:15am 

 

CHILDREN'S MINISTRY CHRISTMAS CHOIR 
Sunday, December 2nd
9:15am   2s and 3s class will practice their Christmas music in the sanctuary.
9:30am   1st -5th grade will practice their music with Mr. Wille in
the sanctuary.

Parents please have your children in their Sunday school classes at 9:00am.
During the 10:15am church hour, the children sing their music to
celebrate the Christmas season.
ANGEL TREE STARTS THIS SUNDAY 
Angel Tree
Give Joy to a Prisoner's Kid this Christmas.  When mom or dad is in prison, it's the children who do hard time. But you can let them know they are not forgotten. You can give them a gift on behalf of their imprisoned parent and in the name of Jesus.

We are so glad to be a part of the Angel Tree outreach this Christmas season.  This Sunday is the first one when you can select a child.  There will be a table with the children we can adopt to bless this Christmas season on behalf of their incarcerated parent.

If you can help, contact our church coordinator Pete Anderson by email.   
NURSERY NEED   
Beginning December 4th, the nursery at 9:00AM needs a caregiver. Our current volunteer, Denise Hoffman, is having knee surgery....please keep her in your prayers. 

Contact Cindi Stone to volunteer 562-596-3358
Urbana 2012
MATT VIDOVICH INVITED TO MISSIONS CONF. - URBANA 2012
Matt has been invited to go to the biggest missions conference for college students in the world! The invite comes from Russ East, the Director of Utah Partnerships for Christ has invited him to go and talk with students about the mission field right here in the USA. We would invite any of our students interested in missions to go as well. Check out more about the Urbana Conference online

Matt will have to raise support of $500 to go, so if you can help support him with finances you can make your donation using the button above or by sending a check to the Los Altos Grace Brethren Church with the memo line "Urbana."
Green Oak Donation Check THANKS TO VALERO AGAIN!

Cindi Stone recently informed us that the Valero Fuel company gave a $2000 check to us for Green Oak Ranch 2013!  We are so delighted for their support.   

 

Over the years, Valero has contributed nearly $10,000 toward the ministry of Green Oak Ranch!  We are thankful!  

WRITINGS BY PASTOR PHIL  
Our own Pastor Phil has started to blog...so here are the links to the good stuff!!!

"If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it." When Jesus spoke these  Read more »...»

Jesus said, "My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow Me." It is a blessed truth that the life we have in Christ is at its core life with Christ. This wonderful gift of an everlasting relationship with our ever present Savior is the reality  Read more »...»

I watched last nights' election returns with a pit in my stomach and, even now, I admit to feeling a deep sadness for the country I love. I am very aware that not everyone feels as I do. In fact, some probably feel excited and optimistic. I sincerely hope my  Read more »...»

Earlier today I heard Dennis Prager make the point that many people vote for the government to help the poor and others in need because they want those folks to get help and they also want to feel good about themselves. When they vote this way, they feel good about  Read more »...»

It has become commonplace to hear believers refer to themselves as Christ-followers. What does following Christ actually entail? For many, following Christ means following those they see as His designated leaders. It's as though Christ has delegated His authority to others and all one must do to follow Him is  Read more »...»

I like to cook. It's one of those things that lets me focus my mind away from daily struggles and enjoy the creative process. Plus... I like to eat too. When I'm cooking, I like to experiment with various ingredients to see how they impact the taste and texture of  Read more »...»

 
Pat & Vi Griffith WHAT IS THE SPIRITUAL SOIL LIKE IN THE USA?   

Do you see the USA as a Mission Field? Our friends at Encompass World Partners do and actually dedicated space in their October Newsletter to address some of the spiritual issues in our nation.  

 

It's insightful stuff....Learn more here 

 

 
Press on!

Los Altos Grace // Mike Jentes
Los Altos Grace Brethren Church