Whitestone Christian Fellowship

Reading:                                           Psalm 55:11-18
Message:                                   “ FIELD OF BLOOD ”
                                                           Acts 1:12-26

Bobservations:   
    There are days when nothing seems to go our way; everything and everyone seems to be against us. On such days, a spiritual person might conclude that they are not in God’s favor, or that they have somehow acted outside of God’s will. Our day(s) may look like a war zone, but we should always be mindful that the battle belongs to the Lord. Today’s battles, and tomorrow’s… they all belong to the Lord.
    Quite often we cannot determine clearly what the Lord is doing until it is accomplished. And then in hindsight we can see what he has done.     Therefore, we must assume that some of our most difficult days are all part of God’s perfect will for us. Perseverance in the midst of adversity will always seem like a uphill battle, but in James 5:11 we read, “Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.”
    At the end of a cantankerous day, the Believer will realize that he or she has survived, and completed the task laid out before them that morning. “Enduring” is a word with the connotation of suffering. Yet in the end, God’s tender mercies are revealed; He has taken pity on us. The task is complete; the battle was His all along, victory is won, and Jesus gets all the glory.
   How grateful we can be that He does not call all of us to suffer to the extent that He suffered. The scriptures also say, “…yet learned He obedience by the things He suffered.” (Hebrews 5:8) We are still learning, so a degree of suffering might be expected. We are to recall the battles; recall the victories; and be in awe of our Victor through all our difficult days!
“And He said unto me,  ‘My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Most gladly therefore will I glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”      ~ II Corinthians 12:9 

“But he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved.”   Matthew 24:13

 WeeklySchedule

SUNDAY
10:00 AM               Worship & Teaching….…………….………….…..Pastor Bob

MONDAY            
10:00 AM               Women’s Bible Study…………………………...…….Norine

THURSDAY  
  7:00 PM                Mid-Week Study….…..Pastor Bob

SATURDAY
  8:00 AM               Men’s Prayer……………………………………….open to all

 Announcements

ROCK THE LAKES  ~ One final week of Prayer Walks is scheduled for this  Saturday, May 26^th. The location is at Sahlen Stadium at 9:00 AM. Volunteers are still being sought to work AT the festival!
SEXTON’S DAY  ~ The next church work day is scheduled for Saturday, June 2^nd.    Men’s Prayer at 8 AM and the work detail begins after 10 AM. Join in for fellowship!    

PLANNING AHEAD  ~ 
Discovery Group Training – June 12^th 7 PM at Discovery Church, 765 Elmgrove Rd.

Festival Rehearsals – Thursday evening, June 14^th  at Sahlen Stadium:
Supervisors at 6:00 PM; Counselors at 7:30 PM;
and Co-Laborers at 8:00 PM meet at 400 West Ave, Rochester, the RTLR Offices

Rock The Lakes Festival, June 16, 17, Sahlen Stadium.

Maggie’s Camp, July 16 – 20, Willowbrook Church… sign up! 

Church Rummage Sale, Friday and Saturday, JUNE 22 & 23 

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Reading:                                        2 Kings 2:11-14
Message:                                    “ TAKEN UP ”
                                                            Acts 1:1-14

Bobservations:   
    The Book of Revelation is occasionally referred to as The Book of Sevens. There are themes within its pages that revolve around 7’s.
Seven Trumpets, Seven Bowls, Seven vials, Seven Churches, the Seven-Sealed Book,, and the Seven Seals themselves, The seven persons described (the woman, Satan, the Child, the Archangel, The Jewish Remnant, The Beast out of the sea, The Beast out of the earth). There are seven new things as well (new heaven, new earth, new peoples, new Jerusalem, new Temple, new light, and a new paradise). Each leads to the next and is entwined with the others. 
    Incredibly, The Word of God is entwined within itself as a whole. When we think about the Ascension of Jesus celebrated this week, there are other ascensions throughout the Bible. Enoch, Elijah, were both taken up; Jesus Himself, and John in Revelation 4. Symbolically, Revelation 4 also reveals the ascension of the Church herself in the Rapture. Amos 3:7 says that God will do nothing that He does not reveal through the Prophets.
    Throughout the scriptures, we find Christ in typology. Solomon writes that there is “nothing new under the sun,” Current events are rarely peculiar to our times.     What stands out among the ascensions in the Bible is that of Jesus.
    All the others who were ascended were “taken up” by the hand of God. Enoch was taken up; “laqach” in Hebrew which is the Hebrew equivalent of the Greek word, “harpazo;” to be snatched away. But Jesus was not snatched away, he was taken up, or “epairo” in the Greek, taken up of His own power.
    The birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus stand out as Divine examples of what God can do for us all. To be born into this world, to put the flesh to death, and to be raised as a New Creature in Christ. This New Creature in Christ is born again of the Spirit. And what awaits such a Believer, is this final act of ascending to heaven, as we celebrate the Ascension of Jesus this week.  

“After this I looked, and, behold , a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were a trumpet talking with me; which said, ‘Come up hither ‘”           - Revelation 4:1

 WeeklySchedule

SUNDAY
10:00 AM               Worship & Teaching….…………….………….…..Pastor Bob

MONDAY         
10:00 AM               Women’s Bible Study…………………………...…….Norine

THURSDAY  
  7:00 PM                Mid-Week Study……..Pastor Bob

SATURDAY
  8:00 AM                 Men’s Prayer……………………………………….open to all

Announcements

ROCK THE LAKES  ~  there are many resources and schedules available for the upcoming Festival-Crusade. Weekly prayer-walk schedules and loads of other material is available on the website for the festivals:  www.bgea.org/rochester  
CHRISTIAN LIFE & WITNESS MAKE UP CLASSES – Saturday May 19^th at the Science Bldg. on Roberts Wesleyan Campus, 9:00 AM to Noon.
The schedule for Saturday Prayer Walks is posted each Thursday for Saturday’s walk locations.

SEXTON’S DAY  ~ The next church work day is scheduled for Saturday, May 19^th    Men’s Prayer at 8 AM and the work detail begins after 10 AM. Join in for fellowship!    

PLANNING AHEAD  ~ 

Discovery Group Training – June 12^th 7 PM at Discovery Church, 765 Elmgrove Rd.

Festival Rehearsals – Thursday evening, June 14^th  at Sahlen Stadium:
Supervisors at 6 PM; Counselors at 7:30 PM; and Co-Laborers at 8 PM  

Rock The Lakes Festival, June 16, 17, Sahlen Stadium.

Maggie’s Camp, July 16 – 20, Willowbrook Church 

Church Rummage Sale, Friday and Saturday, JUNE 22 & 23

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Reading:                                            Mark 16:5-7
Message:                                  “ TELL PETER ”
                                                       MATTHEW 9:1-8

Bobservations:   
    Have you noticed the numbers of churches that are springing up everywhere. I hope so, because we are one of them. Hundreds of churches like this one are sprouting up all over. There is a spiritual hunger in the land, and among the people. The mainline churches are shrinking, while non-denominational churches continue to multiply.
    We are being blessed with the opportunity to welcome new believers into our midst as new commitments to Christ are made at the Rock The Lakes Festival. We’ll be given the opportunity to not only teach new Believers, but also to make Disciples of them. The best example is Jesus Himself. From His call to Andrew and Peter from mending their fishing nets, to the call of Matthew the taxman, Jesus made them followers, then Believers and Disciples.
    New Believers are like babes, in many ways. They need attention, nurturing, encouragement, and sometimes correction in their old ways of thinking. What they need are not discipleship programs, but mature Christians to befriend and mentor them. They need a person, not a thing. After 9 months of preparation for a newborn’s birth, we do not leave them to fend for themselves once they arrive. We take care of them because they have so many needs. A new Believer is that “baby Christian” with many needs.
    The Apostles walked with Jesus because He was mentoring them, preparing them for the day when they would be released and commissioned to teach all nations, and disciple them as Jesus had discipled them.
         “…Peace be unto you; as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.”
                                                               John 20:21

    The Great Commission is to spread the Good News to all nations, and teaching them to do the things Jesus taught. Deny “self.” Teach Him; Live Him; be an example of His love.

To lead someone, you only need to be one
step ahead of them on the same path.      

 WeeklySchedule

 SUNDAY
10:00 AM                Worship & Teaching….…………….………….…..Pastor Bob

MONDAY            
10:00 AM                Women’s Bible Study…………………………...…….Norine
  7:00 PM                Board of Trustees Meeting…………………………at Church

THURSDAY  
  7:00 PM                 Mid-Week Study….……..Pastor Bob 

SATURDAY
  8:00 AM               Men’s Prayer……………………………………….open to all

 Announcements

CHRISTIAN LIFE & WITNESS CLASS MAKE-UP ~  There have been requests for a make-up class for any who missed one of the classes over the last three weeks.  Make-up classes are going to b e held on a Saturday morning, May 19^th, from 9:00 AM to Noon at The Science Building, on the Roberts Wesleyan Campus on Westside Drive in Chili.

MAY PRAYER WALKS – To benefit the Rock The Lakes Festival outreach. Saturdays in May. If interested, see Pastor Bob, or check online at   www bgea.org/rochester .

SEXTON’S DAY  ~ The next church work day is scheduled for Saturday, May 19^th    Men’s Prayer at 8 AM and the work detail begins after 10 AM. Join in for fellowship!    

PLANNING AHEAD  ~ 
Rock The Lakes Festival, June 16, 17, Sahlen Stadium.
Maggie’s Camp, July 16 – 20, Willowbrook Church
Church Rummage Sale, to be announced

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Reading:                                   1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Message:                         “ SPEAK TO THE ROCK ”
                                                        NUMBERS 20:2-13
Bobservations:  

    I usually marvel when my wife is baking. What seems to come naturally to her is really the result of years of doing it. Her recipe cards are nearly worn out, with frayed edges and fading ink; especially the ones she has used over and over again. While the years have taken a toll on the cards, the resultant cookies, meat dishes, appetizers, and desserts remain steadily consistent.
    Each time the recipe is followed, it becomes more and more familiar to her mind, her fingers, and her nose. Even a simple omission of ingredients can ruin the dish, or make a cookie inedible. (Thankfully, in nearly 40 years that has only happened once or twice that I can remember.)
    Listening to ads on TV, or reading them in magazines would have us believe that “new & improved” is always better. I recall once when her cookie recipe called for one thing, and a “new and improved” substitution was made. The texture changed, and the taste was merely similar to her usual batches. While it was still good, one might argue that it was a different cookie.
    Following God’s Word can be a similar undertaking. The more we follow it, the more familiar it “feels” to us. Ultimately, society is fickle enough to tempt us to change God’s “recipe.” But afterwards, the new and improved version feels different, and we should therefore expect different results.
    The world does not like to feel guilty. It seeks to do one of two things: either alter God’s Word sufficiently so that guilt is side-stepped, or change it enough that guilt is avoided by a “new and improved”  recipe for salvation. In one case we are desensitized to sin, and in the other, a new religion is established!
    God’s path to heaven is still faith-based. As it was with Moses and the Patriarchs, so it is today. Man’s tendency is to follow other men. So God gave us His only begotten Son to follow His example.    

Recipe:
“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh
unto the Father but by me” Jesus said. (John 14:6)
Result:
“Taste and see that the Lord He is good: blessed
is the man that trusteth in Him.” (Ps. 34:8)

WeeklySchedule

SUNDAY
10:00 AM                Worship & Teaching….…………….………….…..Pastor Bob

MONDAY            
10:00 AM                Women’s Bible Study…………………………...…….Norine

THURSDAY  
  7:00 PM                 Mid-Week Study..……..Pastor Bob

SATURDAY
  8:00 AM               Men’s Prayer……………………………………….open to all

Announcements

CHRISTIAN LIFE & WITNESS CLASSES  ~  CLASS #3 begins THIS WEEK for the Rock The Lakes Festival Course. Check the schedule for area classes. They are offered in numerous locations throughout the week. Classes run through May 5^th. (One class per week.) We are blessed that so many have undertaken the classes.

 * If your schedule has changed, and you need to make up a class, one is in the process of being scheduled; details will be finalized soon.

    (As of this past Wednesday, more than 800 tickets had been sold or reserved for youth attending FM419, the Christian Life & Witness Course for teens and youth, with more sales coming in fast and furious! Even some adults signed up for it, taking all three classes last Friday and yesterday.  Blessings to Bethel Church for hosting it!)

SEXTON’S DAY  ~ The next church work day is scheduled for this Saturday, May 5^th.  Men’s Prayer at 8 AM and the work detail begins after 10 AM. Join in for fellowship!    

PLANNING AHEAD  ~ 
Rock The Lakes Festival, June 16, 17, Sahlen Stadium.
Maggie’s Camp, July 16 – 20, Willowbrook Church
Church Rummage Sale, to be announced

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Reading:                                         JOHN 21:15-17
Message:                           “ MY WORD IS SPIRIT ”
                                                 EPHESIANS 6:10-24

Bobservations:  

    Being prepared for a task is half the battle to bring it to completion. Whether you are painting a room, or doing laundry, or cutting the lawn. Painting supplies are needed in advance; or detergents, fabric softener, bleach, and starch, an iron and an ironing board. Cutting the lawn seems simple enough, but you have to make sure the mower is working, the blade is sharp, the oil reads “full” on the dipstick, and there’s gas in the tank.
    Making those provisions ahead of time shortens the actual amount of time to complete the job. In itself, this is often the part of the job one might take for granted: planning. Contingency Plans are often a good idea: Plan A is great if there’s no problems. Plan B may have to kick in if there is.
    Jesus encourages us to sit down and “count the cost.” Amazing things happen when we think a project through ahead of time. If it’s a first-time undertaking, we might even talk to someone who has done it before. Such counsel and insight is often invaluable.
    Being new creatures-in-Christ is a wondrous new way to identify ourselves; it is filled with promise and hope. I was recently reminded that such mountain top experiences are to be enjoyed and embraced for the view. But it is in the valleys of rich earthly day-to-day life where real growth takes place. Must hope give way to such reality?
    Definitely not! Our down to earth reality is to be overcome by the same hope that lifts us to the heavenlies. We may toil and grow in the valleys, but our habitation is beyond the mountain tops!
    Luke 14:28- “For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?” Building on earth is a “good work.” We are encouraged through faith to do good works. But when it comes to finishing the task, we may find our work was for the benefit of others on Earth, for the true work of building for us is not ours, but Jesus’.  “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” –John 14:1

    Good works are to benefit others. It is our service to our neighbor, as God defines him. A life of service is what Jesus left us for an example. His service continues for us:  He has gone to prepare a place for us !    

WeeklySchedule

SUNDAY
10:00 AM                Worship & Teaching….…………….………….…..Pastor Bob

MONDAY            
10:00 AM                Women’s Bible Study……cancelled this week….…….Norine

THURSDAY  
  7:00 PM                 Mid-Week Study.……..Pastor Bob

SATURDAY
  8:00 AM                 Men’s Prayer……………………………………….open to all

Announcements -

 CHRISTIAN LIFE & WITNESS CLASSES  ~  CLASS #2 begins THIS WEEK for the Rock The Lakes Festival Course. Be aware that a Free Will Love Offering will be received during this week’s classes to help defray the cost of class materials. Check the schedule for area classes. They are offered in numerous locations throughout the week. Classes run from April 16^th to May 5^th. (One class per week.) We are blessed that so many have undertaken the classes. Last Monday evening’s classes alone had an attendance of  782!    PTL!

FM419 ~  The Christian life & Witness Class for Teens and Students is this week, on Friday evening and Saturday at Bethel Church. A registration fee of $15 covers Saturday lunch, course materials, and a “live” worship band. Invite a teen!

SEXTON’S DAY  ~ The next work detail at the church for Saturday, April 28^th is cancelled. We will schedule the next one soon.    

PLANNING AHEAD  ~ 
FM 419, April 27, 28 at Bethel Church.

Rock The Lakes Festival, June 16, 17, Sahlen Stadium.

Maggie’s Camp, July 16 – 20, Willowbrook Church

Church Rummage Sale, to be announced

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Reading:                                 1 SAMUEL 3:5-10
Message:                    “ TEACH ME TO LISTEN ”
                                                 LUKE 24:13-35

Bobservations:  

    Recently there was a noise at the other end of the house, as I was working on the first floor. I stopped to listen to determine what it was, who it was, and where it was coming from. But when I stopped to listen, all was quiet. 
    I heard it again a few minutes later, so I stopped again. It stopped too. I continued with my work, though now distracted by the two interruptions.
    The third time I heard it I stopped and began investigating more thoroughly. Whoever it was now had my interest and attention. What was being said? Where was it coming from? It was going to drive me crazy if I couldn’t get to the bottom if it!
    Entering the kitchen, the cat came around the corner from the basement stairs. He gave a loud “meow,” then continued to appear to scold me, his tail flicking back and forth. He went to the basement stairs and meowed again to hold my attention. Following him downstairs I learned that the source of the noise was a hungry cat!
    His food bowl was empty, and he had been letting me know it! Food and fresh water followed and he calmed down immediately, purring while he ate.
    Will Jesus try to get our attention the same way? If there is something we need to do, or something He wants to reveal to us, will He keep after us to gain our attention? Sure He will. Often it is that still, small voice from within, but other times it is with urgency and He won’t give up trying to get our attention until we respond. As He did with the young prophet Samuel, so also will He do with us.
    He directs, informs, teaches, and ministers to us. Considering the source, none of these things are anything we want to miss. Have you heard His voice today? Lord, teach us to recognize your voice. Teach us to be alert to your call, and attentive to your voice.
Because unlike the cat, Jesus tries to get our attention because we are the hungry ones.

“And the Lord came  and stood, and called as at other times,
‘Samuel, Samuel.’
Then Samuel answered, “Speak; for Thy servant heareth.’”      
-  1 Samuel 3:10

 Recognize Jesus’ call.  Remove the distractions.  Respond to your Lord and Savior.

WeeklySchedule

SUNDAY
10:00 AM                Worship & Teaching….…………….………….…..Pastor Bob

MONDAY            
10:00 AM                Women’s Bible Study………………………………….Norine

THURSDAY  
  7:00 PM                 Mid-Week Study..…..Pastor Bob

SATURDAY
  8:00 am                  Men’s Prayer………………………………………open to all

Announcements

 CHRISTIAN LIFE & WITNESS CLASSES  ~  CLASSES BEGIN THIS WEEK for the Rock The Lakes Festival Course. Required for Festival Field Prayer Partners and Counselors, this series of three classes is a great faith builder for every Believer whether you are serving at the Festival or not. Check the schedule for area classes, and plan to attend. Classes run from April 16^th to May 5^th. (One class per week.)

 SEXTON’S DAY  ~ The next work detail at the church is scheduled for Saturday, April 28th. Men’s Prayer is at 8:00 AM; Work detail at 10:00 AM.  Come join us, heart-to-heart and shoulder-to-shoulder as we serve God by serving one another.   

PLANNING AHEAD  ~ 

Rock The Lakes Festival, June 16, 17, Paetec Stadium.

Maggie’s Camp, July 16 – 20, Willowbrook Church

Church Rummage Sale, to be announced

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Reading:                                     John 4:25-30
Message:        “ TELL HIS DISCIPLES, AND PETER ”
                                                          MARK 16:1-15

 Bobservations:  

 Mark 15:39 – “Truly this man was the Son of God.”

      From Bill Crowder’s Book, “WINDOWS ON EASTER” the author tells us a bit about the Roman Soldier who spoke these words above.
    “Church tradition gives the name ‘Petronius’ to this Centurion. If he was won to faith in Christ, he came as a pagan and, like the thief on the cross who believed, was saved as Jesus hung upon the cross. How simple and basic is that?
    “All who are ever saved in truth are saved because of the death of Jesus on the cross. So the cross began to do its work at once. That work has continued for two millennia, for the preaching of the cross may be foolishness to the world, but to those who are saved it is the power of God!
    “No wonder Charles Wesley declared in his anthem of praise for the death of Christ, ‘Amazing love, how can it be, that Thou, my God, shouldst die for me!’
    “It was that powerful cross and the significance of the love displayed there that can change hearts – even the hardened, battle-weary heart of a career soldier – from death to life.”

    As the focal point of the message of the Gospel, we see glimpses of the cross throughout the scriptures. As the Israelites wandered in the wilderness, their encampments were set up in the form of a cross (Numbers 2). The cross is in Isaiah 52 and 53. And while the cross is clearly evident in Psalm 22, it is the Resurrection that we celebrate today that we find in Psalm 16. 

 “Tell His Disciples, and Peter.”  – Mark 16:7
Go tell someone. Anyone. Everyone!
The cross is now empty, and so is the tomb!

WeeklySchedule

SUNDAY
10:00 AM                Worship & Teaching….…………….………….…..Pastor Bob

MONDAY            
10:00 AM                Women’s Bible Study………………………………….Norine

THURSDAY  
  7:00 PM                 Mid-Week Study….…………………………..……..Pastor Bob

SATURDAY
  8:00 AM                 Men’s Prayer……………………………………… open to all

Announcements

 SEXTON’S DAY  ~ The next work detail at the church is scheduled for Saturday, April 14th. Men’s Prayer is at 8:00 AM; Work detail at 10:00 AM.  Come join us, heart-to-heart and shoulder-to-shoulder as we serve God by serving one another.   

 CARE NET  ~  Pat Baily, of Care Net Pregnancy Center of Wayne County sent us a note of acknowledgement. They have been extremely blessed by your participation in the Baby Bottle Fund Drive. Contributions from Whitestone Christian Fellowship amounted to $398.66!  What a wonderful testimony of the Lord’s goodness and provision.  Thank you for standing with Care Net, and with so many who have been brought to a state of confusion by an unplanned pregnancy.  Hope is found in Jesus Christ!

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Reading:                             PSALM 118 : 20-26
Message:                     “ PSALMS AND PALMS” 
                                                      JOHN 12 : 1-32

Bobservations:  
    There is a “story” that has been going around on the Internet for the last few years. It was about a lawsuit brought by the American Society of Atheists. It seems there was much grumbling going on among them because they had no special day of recognition, celebrating their beliefs. They reasoned that the Christians had Christmas and Easter. The Jews had Passover, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. The Muslims had the whole month of Ramadan. The atheists felt slighted.
    They sought legal representation to bring it before the courts in order to have a day they could celebrate each year in honor of their lack of belief in God. It would be a defining day.
    It turned out to be a rather short Court Proceeding. The presiding Judge had a day in mind for them almost immediately, and the atheists scratched their heads. “From 365 days, how could the Judge determine a date of recognition so quickly?”
    When their lawyer made inquiry of the Judge as to what his reasoning was, the Judge called for the Bailiff to bring to the Bench the Court Bible that was used for swearing in witnesses. He quickly found Psalm 14:1 and read the verse aloud for the Court Recorder to type into the record. 
                              “The fool hath said in his heart, ‘There is no God…’”
                The judge quickly turned to Psalm 53:1, where it is again written,
                              “The fool hath said in his heart, ‘There is no God…’”

The judge stated, “The God in whom the atheists do not believe had already made accommodation in His Word for the desire of their hearts. Therefore, I designate April 1^st of each year in recognition of National Atheists Day.”  And with the whack of his gavel said, “NEXT CASE!”

Needless to say, the atheists were less than pleased.

April Fools!

We should always be prayerful, thoughtful, and
careful about the things we strive to accomplish.

Weekly Schedule

SUNDAY
10:00 AM                Worship & Teaching

MONDAY            
10:00 AM                Women’s Bible Study
07:00 PM                Board of Trustees’ monthly meeting

THURSDAY         
  7:00 PM                 Last Supper  Presentation                                                   

SATURDAY
  8:00 AM                Men’s Prayer
                        (no work day is scheduled for the day before Resurrection Day)

 Announcements

 Maggie’s Camp  ~  Planning/Informational Meeting for 2012’s summer Maggie’s Camp. 7:00 PM Tuesday April 3^rd at Willowbrook Christian Church, on High Street. The week-long camp is for Inner City Children during the summer months. Hosted at Willowbrook Church, it is sponsored by a number of Victor Area Churches. We are looking for a representative from the Church to attend this meeting and be a point-person for our participation.

 April 16^th  to May 5^th  ~  Christian Life & Witness Course: One class per week for three weeks. Be blessed and affirmed in your faith and emboldened to share it with others.  (This course is mandatory for those wanting to serve as Field Prayer Partners on the field during the festival.)

 June 16 & 17 – ROCK THE LAKES FESTIVAL with Franklin Graham and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

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Reading:                                 John 15:10-14
Message:                     “ AS UNTO THE LORD ” 
                                                 EPHESIANS  6:1-9

 Bobservations:  

    Paul writes at the end of 1 Corinthians 14 that all things are to be done decently and in order when it comes to the gifts of the Spirit. Paul warns the Church there that if everyone is speaking in various tongues, a visitor might think they are all gone mad (14:23). Jesus teaches of a Roman Centurion in Luke 7 who exhibited an understanding of the “chain of command” within the Holy Trinity. In Matthew 19 and again in Mark 10 Jesus is quoted as saying that the first shall be last, and the last shall be first when it comes time to inherit everlasting life. All these and more in scriptures tell us that God loves order.
    Do you remember the Fire Drills that we all practiced in school when we were young? It was to provide for an orderly exit from the building, so the most number of students could be saved in case of a fire. Confusion and chaos breed pushing and shoving, and no one is saved when it’s every man-for-himself. An orderly exit provided for a steady stream of children safely coming out of the building.
    God provides for order, and decency in all things, and He honors those that listen to Him. Ephesians 6 takes us from the order of Chapter 5 within marriage, to an orderly and decent life in the broader household. This is still part of our walk as the “new man in Christ.” It begins internally within, then to our most intimate relationships, and finally outward to the rest of the house. Dare I say that it should then extend to the world around us as well? Is the world in chaos? The Gospel brings a central focus for all, and an orderly society in its wake. 
    Order tends to slow us down and cause us to think about priorities, about the greater good, about selfless acts and accomplishing the most with the least amount of effort, and all with impeccable timing.
    Like our Fire Drills when young, we had them frequently to condition us to order, and to train us to accommodate one another. 

Ephesians 4:12    “…For the perfecting of the saints, for the
work of the ministry, for the edifying of the Body of Christ.”

Weekly Schedule

SUNDAY
10:00 AM                Worship & Teaching…………………………….Pastor Bob

MONDAY            
10:00 AM                Women’s Bible Study……………………..…………..Norine
  7:00 PM                Rock The Lakes Prayer Gathering….Greece Assembly

THURSDAY         
  7:00 PM                 Mid-Week Study……Pastor Bob                                                   

SATURDAY
  8:00 AM                Men’s Prayer………………………………..all are welcome

 Announcements 

Monday Evening, March 26^th ~ Rock The Lakes Prayer Gathering, with Jim Cymbala, and Franklin Graham. 7:00 – 9:00 PM at Greece Assembly of God, 750 Long Pond Road, Rochester.  Admission is free and open to all.

 Maggie’s Camp  ~  Planning/Informational Meeting for 2012’s summer Maggie’s Camp. 7:00 PM Tuesday April 3^rd at Willowbrook Christian Church, on High Street. The week-long camp is for Inner City Children during the summer months. Hosted at Willowbrook Church, it is sponsored by a number of Victor Area Churches.

 April 16^th  to May 5^th  ~  Christian Life & Witness Course: One class per week for three weeks. Be blessed and affirmed in your faith and emboldened to share it with others.  (This course is mandatory for those serving at the Rock The Lakes Festival.)

 June 16 & 17 – ROCK THE LAKES FESTIVAL with Franklin Graham and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

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Reading:              Malachi 2:14-16
Message:   “ NEW RELATIONSHIP ” 
                              EPHESIANS  5:18-33

 Bobservations:  

    New friendships are often exciting. There’s a freshness and hope about them as you explore things that you have in common. Sometimes it is in hopes and dreams, and other times, it is in similar life experiences.  The danger about the latter is that sin can be the common denominator. The blessing of the former is that hopes and dreams can be shared, and planning can take place to help each other attain the goals.
    But there is also a third possibility that we can relate to: Perhaps you had an old friend who used to get into trouble with you, and after losing touch with them, you learn later by running into them that he or she had found Christ, just as you had done.  There tends to be a celebration of new life, and a renewed friendship based upon that new life in Christ. “Old things are passed away, behold all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
    New faith, new hope, new life, and new goals are great things upon which to base that renewed relationship. There is nothing that will destroy it faster than letting it slide into the former things that were past. One or both parties will be hurt by that happening.
    Today’s passage in Ephesians exhorts those in that church to focus on the new, and avoid the old ways in an established relationship. The message is unmistakable: Leave the old dead ways dead. We have been granted new life, so live in that newness, wholly submitted to Christ and the new hope He provides us in faith; a wholly holy relationship.
    The example is for constant encouragement to one another. There is oneness of purpose, and unity in the Spirit, with Jesus at the center. This kind of a relationship is never 50/50 with each other, but 100/100 towards Christ. When we find that dedication to Christ, then we will not put burdens on each other, but upon Christ where they belong. If Jesus can maintain our relationship with Him, then surely He can balance and maintain our relationships with each other.     

“But If we walk in the light as He is in the light,
we have fellowship one with another,
and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth
us from all sin.”     ~1 John 1:7

Weekly Schedule

SUNDAY
10:00 AM                Worship & Teaching…………………………….Pastor Bob

MONDAY            
10:00 AM                Women’s Bible Study……………………..…………..Norine

THURSDAY         
  7:00 PM                 Mid-Week Study………Pastor Bob                                                   

SATURDAY
  8:00 AM                Men’s Prayer………………………………..all are welcome

 Announcements

 Saturday, March 24^th  ~   Work Day at church. Many hands make light work.

 Monday Evening, March 26^th ~     Rock The Lakes Prayer Gathering

with Special Guests
Jim Cymbala and Franklin Graham
7:00 – 9:00 PM
Greece Assembly of God
750 Long Pond Road, Rochester

 April 16^th  to May 5^th  ~  Christian Life & Witness Course: One class per week for three weeks. Be blessed and affirmed in your faith and emboldened to share it with others.  (Mandatory for those serving at the Rock The Lakes Festival.)

 June 16 & 17 – ROCK THE LAKES FESTIVAL with Franklin Graham and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Free and open to the public.

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