In This Issue
Sunday Worship
Saturday Workday
Youth News
Ladies Ministry
Thoughts from
Pastor Wes 
RWTOct12

"Caitlyn"

In the week since Bruce has "become" Caitlyn, I've heard two main responses in the media: laughter and celebration.  Christians are not called to laugh and ridicule the mental travails of others--would we laugh at anorexia or bulimia?  But neither are we called to celebrate and affirm a person's misperception of reality.  

As long as Bruce Jenner lives, every single cell of his body will be printed with male chromosomes and it is naive to think that the uniqueness of womanhood can be achieved with some hormones and surgical rearranging.

Our society is as confused about how to respond to transgender and sexual identity issues as those who are going through it.  If hormonal therapy and  reassignment surgery were such a wonderful remedy for sexual confusion, then why is the suicide rate for those who have been "reassigned" 20 times higher than the general population.  "Caitlyn" is at far greater risk for suicide than Bruce ever was.  The transformation he needs is not found in a surgical ward.

God weighed in on this issue a long time ago: 
"male and female He created them" (Gen 1:27); and "A woman must not wear men's clothing, nor a man wear women's clothing, for the LORD your God detests anyone who does this." (Deut 22:5). 

A Christian response is neither to laugh nor to celebrate mental disorder, but to love and help those who are suffering from the bonds of any distortion from what God has created and intended them to be. 

Bruce is  a sad figure desperately looking for healing.  He does not yet know where to find the core healing that he is looking for.
Christians are called to be God's agents of wholeness and healing.That includes speaking truth in love. It also means leading people to Jesus Christ who is the Great Healer.  Let us bring godly change to the lives of those we touch. 

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight....This will bring healing to your body and nourishment to your bones."
Proverbs 3:5-8
Sunday Worship, June 14, 2015 
In a world of confusion and uncertainty, isn't it wonderful to know that you can not only be in right relationship with the Almighty God, but know that is true beyond the shadow of any doubt?  Why live in doubt when God says we should rejoice in the life that Jesus Christ gives freely? 

Yes, we have all been sinners, that has been our main identity in relation to God.  Sin and death entered the world through one man, Adam.  But Jesus Christ forgives sin and undoes the power of death and brings life.  So our main identity need no longer be "sinner," but saved by grace--Hallelujah! When Paul writes letters to Christians, he doesn't address them as "sinners," but as saints!  Praise be to God! 

This Sunday, Pastor Wes will be preaching from chapter 5 of Paul's Epistle to the Romans.  Please take some time this week to read in advance and become familiar with Paul's perspective on the assurance of salvation that each person may have.    
Church Workday this Saturday 
This Saturday morning, June 13th from 8:00 am until 11:30 we have a number of important tasks to accomplish around the church building and property.  Some of these include: putting up Vacation Bible School signs, repairing and painting the parsonage fence, some light carpentry, cleaning and painting.  

If you think you are going to be able to help out, please let Pastor Wes know so we can plan the right materials and equipment for those who attend.  Thank you so very much to each person who is willing and able to give 2-3 hours--it makes a great difference! 
#yoGo Teen News
Good Wednesday morning/afternoon/evening! Here's what's going on in the lives of our teens

We are planning a Car Wash on Saturday, June 27th as a fundraiser for our Summer Events! We will have a start time soon!

On June 18-21, the district's young adults will be travelling to Quakertown, PA for this year's retreat called "Endeavor". The speaker will be Fairview Village's own, Nick Engle and worship will be led by the great Tim Capozzi (Pastor Matt went to college with him!) Click here for the order form! It's next week! You don't want to miss it!

Our VBS for this year is called Everest and the theme is Conquering Challenges with God's Mighty Power. The link for registration is also live and ready for kids to pre-register! Click here to see the new pre-registation site and keep us in prayer as we get ready to have the most kids we've ever had and to share with them the great love of our Lord! The VBS will be from July 20-24th.

Teen Camp forms are now available! Please contact Pastor Matt via email at matthew.a.brown615@gmail.com for more information. Teen Camp forms are due in two weeks!!!

Kids Camp forms are on our website! Check them out at welcome2grace.org!

Be blessed!
Ladies Walk at Grounds for Sculpture

Ladies, please join us Saturday, June 27 for a self-guided walking tour of the Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton, NJ. We'll meet either at the Grounds for Sculpture at 10:30AM or if you would like to travel together, please meet at the church at 10AM.  If you've been to the Grounds for Sculpture before, you know that they are are lovely and very interesting.  We'll enjoy strolling through the gardens seeing these unique sculptures.  There is a cafeteria on the grounds should you want to get lunch.   Hope to see you there!

RockSolid Men Picnic
Men, we're in the process of revising our BBQ and picnic....the details are not all worked out yet, but likely it will take place on the church property.  What we do know is the date and time: 

Tuesday evening, June 23 any time after 6:00 pm, show up at the church.  Bring along any friends you want.  This is for all guys, even if you haven't been able to be part of the Dunamis series. Bring something you enjoy to share with others.  This will be much better than at a restaurant!!

 

For those who were at group meeting last night (and for all of us):

What is your area that you need to devote to the Lord-to give to him?  Give it to Him today (and tomorrow) and watch what He does with it!  

Building Repairs--Additional Matter:  
In addition to the matters we are already doing preliminary work on (the smoke detectors and underground gas lines), with the recent heavy rains we have learned that we have roof leakage problems over the kitchen and men's lavatory areas.  We will need to add these to the list of items that need to be fixed as soon as possible. 

To pass the upcoming fire inspection, we need to replace all of the hard-wired smoke detectors in the church building. The initial estimate on this project is $3000 but we are looking for a more economical way of accomplishing this. 

The other major that we have at this time is the water leaking into the gas lines that supply the five furnaces. That likely requires that all of the underground gas lines be replaced.  Please pray that we will be able to accomplish all of these necessary repairs in an expeditious, effective and cost-efficient way. 
Upcoming Events 

June 13, GCCN Morning work on the church building 8:30-11:30.

June 16: RockSolid Men's Picnic at Pastor Wes and Sarah's home
June 18-21, Philadelphia Young Adults' Retreat in Quakertown, PA

June 19 Regular Monthly Church Board Meeting;

June 21: Father's Day

July 1, #yoGo Ministries End of the Year Cookout

July 8-12, Nazarene Youth Conference, Louisville, KY

July 20-24, Everest: Vacation Bible School

August 3-8, Philadelphia Teen Camp, Emmitsburg, MD

August 5-9, Philly Kids' Camp, Refreshing Mountain

August 21-22 Women of Faith Conference in Philadelphia

August 22, Saturday "Farewell" Church Dinner

Truth From God's Word
Jesus said, "On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you."   ---Matthew 10:18-20
Church Office, Marly Paul, Assistant
609.737.3184

Pastor R. Wesley Tink
Mobile: 609.226.9615

Pastor Matthew Brown
Mobile 917.226.7621