LAGBC
MidWeek E-Newsletter
Issue: # 219                       
February 27, 2013
IN THIS ISSUE
MINISTRY QUICK LINKS
MAKING OATHS & CONSULT THE LORD
In one of the greatest deceptions on the Bible, we see here in Joshua chapter 9 an ancient city-state trick the leaders of the nation of Israel to make a peace treaty. The work of the Lord and His people was spreading quickly throughout the Middle East: Millions of Israelites crossed the Jordan on dry ground, Jericho had fallen miraculously, and the little town of Ai had also been taken and destroyed. The military might of the Israelites was gaining notoriety.

A neighboring city-state, called Gibeon, decided to send a delegation to the Israelites and ask for a treaty.  But they did it masquerading as travelers from a great distance with worn out clothes and moldy bread. Without consulting God, Joshua and the leaders of Israel make an oath or treaty with the the Gibeonites. Then they find out that they were actually neighbors in the land!!!

Israel was taken advantage of by these deceitful people, but they shouldn't have made the deal. They didn't get the counsel of God in regard to taking the village of Ai, and now they don't pray about this treaty. They were fooled by hanging onto their own wisdom and not the Lord's!

We must consult the LORD!! We can't rely on our own wisdom and experience.  We must pray, seek, listen to our Lord as He knows what's best...and He wants the best for us!

So Israel, made an oath...couldn't they just back out of it?  Not in that culture, and not in God's economy.  Words and promises are an important thing to our God.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches us to have no falseness in our words. Let your word, be your word. If it is yes, then mean yes...and no, then mean no. Every word is an oath!

No deceit, no selfishness, no lying...but rather be full of integrity!


Listen to this message by Phil online or on iTunes 

 

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Joshua SeriesCurrent Series on Joshua:

Introduction to Joshua
Entering God's Rest - Joshua 1
Rahab & Real Faith - Joshua 2
Crossing the Jordan - Joshua 3-4
Jesus Shows Up - Joshua 5
The Perplexing Jericho Story Joshua 6
Sin Saps Our Effectiveness - Joshua 7-8
Making Oaths & Consulting the Lord - Joshua 9

Intro To Islam INTRODUCTION TO ISLAM  

During our normal 9am Family Bible hour on Sunday March 3

we will have our own workers Brad & Lisa L**ger with us to share from their vast experience with the Muslim people.   

 

This will be a "combined" class time, and we are inviting all classes and our whole church family to be part of this special presentation! 

 

Unknown For Protection MISSIONARIES OF THE MONTH-
Brad & Lisa L**ger    

Sowing the Gospel in dark places with Frontiers Mission 

Brad & Lisa are continuing a Sabbatical that started last year.  They are living in Pasadena and both are taking academic courses to further prepare them for their work. Brad is doing graduate work on-line in Agroforestry, and Lisa is in her second year of training in Spiritual Direction.   We hope to take an exploratory trip this summer to visit a few teams and projects, and then be redeployed  in the fall.

Here are a few prayer requests:
1. Please pray for our future plans, that we hear clearly from the Lord as to which team we should join.
2. Continue to pray for our studies, that we learn and prepare ourselves for the work He has for us in the future.
3. Pray for a boost in our financial support in order to finish our course work and travel in the summer.
4. Continue to lift up our daughters-- Anna as she looks for a full-time teaching job, and Mary as she studies at Biola.
5. Please pray for those we left behind in West Africa, especially "Lincoln" who is managing the barbed-wire project and sharing his faith in the villages.


If you would like to financially support the ministry of Brad & Lisa you are welcome to do so through your regular offering, or you can use the Donation button above to do so online! 
PRAY FOR OUR HIGH SCHOOL MINISTRY CAMP Groundwork

'SPRINTER' CAMP 2013 a combined Winter Camp/ Spring Adventure in Palm Springs!

Pray for our teens and our time together...this weekend! (March 1-3)   

Contact Erin Gobble with questions [email protected]  

 

Groundwork Schedule through April Online 

 
TEAM BORACAY CAR WASH & BAKE SALE  
Saturday March 16  from  8:30am - 11:30am
Come get your car washed and help support Team Boracay on their trip to the Philippines!
We will be accepting donations and will also have baked goods for sale! Please join us and be a part of this wonderful opportunity we all have to help the Philippines!
RUBY'S FUNDRAISER  
Our school will get a donation of 20% of your check!
Thursday, March 7

From 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

@ Ruby's Diner in Long Beach;
  6405 E. PCH, Long Beach, CA 90803

Download and Print the Flier and take it with you, so our school can get 20%!  
 
LABS

 

 

February 28, 2013

 
Dear Los Altos Family,

I am pleased to share with you that Mrs. Debbie Martin has been selected to be our new Preschool Director for the fall.  Some of you may know that Mrs. Martin started working in the preschool in 1980 and worked as a teacher and aide for 5 years before moving to the elementary side to teach 1st grade.

Mrs. Martin is currently finishing her M.A. in School Administration. She will complete her studies in June. In addition to teaching 1st grade she has served as our elementary school vice-principal for the past 2 years.

The Lord confirmed to Mrs. Martin's heart that this is His will. Therefore, she is truly excited and eager to begin her new assignment. We, on the elementary side, are feeling sad to lose our devoted 1st grade teacher, but happy that she will still be working with us and always nearby.

If you have any questions feel free to call the school office any time.  It is an exciting season at Los Altos Brethren Schools!

Sincerely,
 
Mr. Rick Lenger
Principal
Los Altos Brethren School

 

WOMEN & SCRIPTURE CLASS Women & Scripture Class

Offered by The Center for Women's Leadership Studies, Grace Theological Seminary
Taught by Dr. Christy Hill

March 22 from 6:00-9:00pm
(dinner included)  &
March 23 from 9:00am-5:00pm
(continental breakfast and lunch included)

 

This class will discuss:

  • Embracing God's unique design for females
  • Learning how God uses women to impact others
  • Overcoming fuzzy thinking about women in leadership in the church
  • Adopting biblical perspectives on the current culture's messages about women
For details and to register:
http://graceorange.org/calendar/event/111/women-and-scripture-class/2013-03-22

 

NEEDED SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS! 
The children's ministry needs a 1st-5th grade junior church teacher for the 4th & 5th Sundays of each month. 

Contact Cindi Stone for info and to volunteer 562-596-3358
Journal of Rememberance SPIRITUAL GROWTH IDEA:
 JOURNAL OF REMEMBRANCE 

 

Last Sunday during our gathering, elder Chuck Kirtz presented us with an idea he is implementing for his spiritual growth-- a Journal of Remembrance. It's a place where he is writing down things that God is doing in his life, so he has a place to go to remember it.   

 

This was inspired by our study in Joshua and how the Lord had the Israelites grab 12 stones out of the Jordan riverbed to craft a memorial. 

 

Let this be a sign among you, so that when your children ask later, saying, 'What do these stones mean to you?'then you shall say to them, 'Because the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off.' So these stones shall become a memorial to the sons of Israel forever."  Joshua 4:6-7

 

We need to remember what our God has done! Maybe this idea could be useful to you!

 
LABS HELP US BY SHARING YOUR OPINION

 

Friends, we need your help. Many parents are looking for schools at this time of year, and we have only a couple of reviews on Google for our school...would you give it a glowing review?!?!?! Just a few sentences can go a LOOOONG way!   

 

https://plus.google.com/107383748691101370473/about?hl=en 

OUR FOOD PANTRY NEEDS SOME FOOD!  

We are low on some items and could use your donations of:   

  • Canned goods
  • Personal hygiene items
  • Nonperishable food items
  • Household paper goods
  • Laundry detergent
  • Canned tuna & chicken
  • Lunchbox snacks
  • Canned spaghetti sauce
  • Pasta
  • Beans & Rice

Please put items in the Food Pantry basket on the church patio. If you have a need, please contact us in the church office (by email or 562-596-3358) 

 

 
Press on!

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