Whitestone Christian Fellowship

Reading:                          COLOSSIANS 1:15-19

Message:                            “ UNDER FOOT ” 
                                              EPHESIANS 1:14-23

 Bobservations: 

    As Paul became endeared towards the Ephesians, it becomes clear that evangelism is more then just a hit-and-miss encounter on a city street corner. As with any of us, if we spend an extended period of time with someone, a relationship invariably results. In the more than two years that Paul spent at Ephesus, they got to know him, and he got to know them. Paul’s home town of Tarsus in eastern Asia Minor enjoyed a middle eastern flavor, but Ephesus on the “Western Coast” was steeped in Greek culture.
    Two very different worlds came together in belief in Jesus Christ. As Paul’s need for a Savior became evident to him, so also did the Ephesian and other cultures realize their need. The spiritual nature of the salvation message is universal because it speaks to the heart and soul of everyone who hears it. It crosses cultural barriers, and differences in language, age, nationalities, and religions.
    Just three years of spending time with Jesus convinced the Apostles to spread the truth about God’s living Word, Jesus Christ. From Jerusalem, to Samaria, and to the ends of the earth, they took the message of the Gospel.
    We are being given a similar opportunity with the Rock The Lakes Festival coming this summer. How long have we been walking in our relationship with Jesus? In most cases, it’s more than three years. And this June we are being given the chance to share our faith without even going out of town. The Great Lakes are going to be rocked this year.
    Milwaukee, Wisconsin, kicked off the Rock The Lakes Festivals in August of last year. Rochester is in June this year; Green Bay, Wisconsin in August 2012; Buffalo, New York in September 2012. Cities around the Great Lakes will be hosting the Festivals all geared to the generations that we find missing in the churches. Pray about how you can help to win the souls of our youth, for Jesus Christ.

 PRAY TODAY! “USE ME, LORD”
Use us to help reach the least, and the lost for Christ Jesus.

~  Isaiah 6:8  ~
“Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, ‘Whom shall I send,
and who will go for us?’  Then said I, ‘Here am I; send me.’”

Weekly Schedule

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

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

THURSDAY         
  7:00 PM                 MidWeek Study….…Pastor Bob                                                   

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

Announcements

BABY BOTTLE FUND DRIVE –
The Fund Drive for CARE NET Pregnancy Center of Wayne County kicks off today!  Pick up a Baby Bottle and take it home. Over the next six weeks, fill it with your loose change, “quiet money,” or even donation checks. Bring the bottle back to church by February 26^th, and we will turn it in to Care Net of Wayne County to support their efforts to teach and instruct women about positive choices for their health and that of their unborn child.     Take a second bottle for work….
May Jesus bless you for taking a positive stand for life!

                                          -     MARK THE DATE S    -

 Thursday Evening, February 16^that 7:00 PM – VIDEO NIGHT !
Archeologists discover Noah’s Ark, and other Biblical sites! Biblical truth is undeniable, yet not widely known.  Incredible discoveries in incredible lands!      Join us as we see the scriptures come to life in archeology!

June 16 & 17 – ROCK THE LAKES with Franklin Graham and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. The Crusade/Festival is coming to Rochester this summer. Watch for more information here, and check out the enclosed flyer.  www.billygraham.org/Rochester

 Donation Statements for 2011 are now available. Please see Larry Potter for your statement. Whitestone Christian Fellowship is a recognized 501(c)(3) Not-For-Profit Religious Organization, registered with the IRS. All donations are tax deductible when identified by your name. 

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Reading:                                 Acts 19:1-7

Message:             “ THE RICHES OF HIS GRACE ” 
                                                     EPHESIANS 1:1-14

Bobservations:  
                                    SANCTITY OF HUMAN LIFE SUNDAY

    The culture of abortion in which we live crosses all the divides of society, cultures, lands, and continents. Among worldwide pandemics, we might well count abortion as one of them. From the governmental control of births in China, to procedures of convenience here in the West, abortion stands as a severe example of man killing himself off, simply because he can.
    According to the Guttmacher Institute, 115,000 abortions are performed each and every day around the world; that’s more than 41.9 million each year.
    In the United States in 2008, 1,210,000 abortions were performed. In 2009, abortions numbered more than 3,700 in Monroe and Ontario Counties alone. (NY State Department of Vital Statistics). That’s more than 10 per day occurring in nearby facilities that we drive past every day.
    It is appropriate that we begin Paul’s letter to the Ephesians today. Within the first several verses, major doctrinal topics like Predestination, and Adoption are talked about. That God has chosen us from before the foundation of the earth (Ephesians 1:4) comes as no surprise; God has a plan for all, and His plan has been in place for a very long time.
    Our support for our local Care Net Pregnancy Centers in Ontario and Wayne Counties becomes important on many different levels. With the focus upon children and live births, a wide variety of programs are available to mothers and mothers-to-be; and fathers and fathers-to-be. Counseling is available to anyone who is facing an unplanned pregnancy today, or to help in the aftermath of one 40 years ago.
    Care Net looks at each client as someone with a need that they can help fill. The needs range from practical and material needs, to medical information, emotional support, and spiritual help. As you take home a Baby Bottle for their Fund Drive, think about the women, the men, the children and the families whose lives you are touching with every coin, every bill, every check that you drop into the bottle.  
                                 Save a life… Save a soul…      …Save a doctor!

 “Cursed be he that taketh a reward to slay an innocent person.
And all the people shall say, “Amen.’”  ~ Deuteronomy 27:25  

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………Nehemiah………………Pastor Bob                                                   

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

Announcements

BABY BOTTLE FUND DRIVE –
The Fund Drive for CARE NET Pregnancy Center of Wayne County kicks off today!  Pick up a Baby Bottle and take it home. Over the next six weeks, fill it with your loose change, “quiet money,” or even donation checks. Bring the bottle back to church by February 26^th, and we will turn it in to Care Net of Wayne County to support their efforts to teach and instruct women about positive choices for their health and that of their unborn child.     Take a second bottle for work….

May Jesus bless you for taking a positive stand for life!

 MARK THE DATE -  February 16^th  
In the late 1980’s, an archeologist came across an astounding discovery in Turkey: Noah’s Ark. The archeologist, Dr. Ron Wyatt was interviewed on TV and radio, but soon afterward, the Government Regime in Turkey changed, and public access to the site ceased. Join us on Thursday Evening, February 16^th at 7:00 PM for a video presentation of this and another Biblical site in the Middle East. This first in a series of video presentations will pique your interest about the truth of God’s Word. We’ll be looking at the Noah’s Ark site and other sites in this series. What happened at Sodom and Gomorrah? Where is Mt. Sinai? Could the Israelites have really crossed the Red Sea? These and more questions will be addressed in the series. This is a real faith-builder. While skeptics clamor for scientific evidence for Biblical events, we will have it in hand. Don’t miss it !

 Donation Statements for 2011 are now available. Please see Larry Potter for your statement. Whitestone Christian Fellowship is a recognized 501(c)(3) Not-For-Profit Religious Organization, registered with the IRS. All donations are tax deductible when identified by your name. 

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Reading:             Psalm 139:1-4 & 139:23,24

Message:                      “ DO NO EVIL ” 
                                   2 CORINTHIANS 13:1-14

Bobservations: 

The iconic image of three monkeys sitting next to each other is a familiar one. 
“Hear No Evil,” “See No Evil,” and “Speak No Evil” is their message.

    Avoiding evil seems like a daunting task in our current culture. We are bombarded with evil things everywhere, and there seems to be no escape. In the media in all its forms, in the courts and in government, in our schools, stores, on our highways, and on our computers; evil can pervade everything around us, if we let it. An arsonist might live next door; a thief or drug addict may live down the street. I don’t say all this to alarm you, but to make a point. 
    Speaking to the Pharisees, Jesus said it was “an evil and an adulterous generation who seek after a sign” from Him that He was indeed the Messiah that God promised. If that’s what Jesus declares to be evil, then what must He think of our generation today ? !
    The whole world has apparently corrupted itself again, for there is little difference between today and the days just prior to Noah’s flood, when God declared the whole earth to be corrupted. (Genesis 6:11-13)   Now, back to the monkeys…
    The first two monkeys are in a sin-laden environment, much like we are. The sights and sounds of evil are all around. The third monkey, however, is apparently Spirit-filled. Though he is sitting right next to the other two, he has taken responsibility for the words that escape from his lips. He has not let the corruption around him infiltrate to the depths of his heart and soul. He exhibits several fruits of a Spirit-filled life: peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, and self-control. Though he has no direct control over his surroundings, he does take control over how people view him by the simple act of controlling his tongue. 
    Scripture tells us to put no wicked thing before our eyes. It tells us to make no provision for the flesh. It tells us to be doers of the Word, not just hearers only.
    As we examine ourselves, are we monkeying around with what we hear and see, or are we living purely as spirit-filled followers of our beloved Jesus.  For if we cover our eyes, we still hear. If we cover our ears, our eyes still see. My only choice then, is to guard my heart, and control my tongue. This is pleasing to God.  

 Ephesians 5:15-  “…walk circumspectly…”
Ephesians 4:29- “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth,
but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace to the hearer.”

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………Nehemiah………………Pastor Bob                                                   

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

 Announcements

JANUARY 21^ST- Saturday, this week.
Work day here at church. More progress is to be achieved as we serve the Lord in renovations, painting, and cleaning. Join us in fellowship and service to the Body of Christ.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 22^ND -

SANCTITY OF HUMAN LIFE SUNDAY, in conjunction with our local CareNet Pregnancy Centers. It is a day to pray and overcome the culture of abortion in which we live. The day also serves as a KICK-OFF DATE FOR THE BABY BOTTLE FUND DRIVE for CareNet of Wayne County.

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Reading:                            HEBREWS 11:23-27

Message:                “ GLORYING IN WEAKNESS ” 
                                           2 CORINTHIANS 12:1-21

Bobservations: 

    Parenting is a 20+ year human exercise in self-denial. Ideally, that’s the case anyway. It is a self-discipline that we learn quickly on our own, or that we emulate from our role models growing up. It is a life-habit to deny our own desires for the needs of those in our charge.
    You might remember a time when you tried to accomplish something, and Mom or Dad had to finish it for you, or maybe even had to undo our work, and take corrective measures to remedy our inability.
    This is at the core of selfless parenting. And when you consider it, this exactly what our Heavenly Father did by sending His only begotten Son to do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. Setting aside our “good” deeds and intentions, Jesus used the correct method of gaining Eternal Life: His own perfect sacrifice.
    To acknowledge our inabilities, weaknesses, blunders, and ineffectual efforts is a humbling experience. While being willing to do what we think is required, Jesus reminds us that the work of redemption is already done.
    Borrowing a phrase from someone else, “Why try to re-invent the wheel?” Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). And when we finally come to the end of our abilities, we find our own imperfections, and His perfect will already done.
    We often define ourselves according to our abilities. The better way is to define ourselves according to our “needs-fulfilled-by-Christ.”

If any man will come after me, let him deny (self), and take
up his cross, and follow me.  Mt. 16:24 / Mk. 8:34 / Lk. 9:23

  Learning to deny “self” is a process that Jesus has modeled for us. Learning to recognize our daily needs as being beyond us, is a daily exercise in casting all our care upon Him, for He cares for us.

 Parenting for us is an act of self-denial for our children.
Parenting for God is His purpose and desire of His heart. 

Weekly Schedule

SUNDAY
10:00 AM                Morning Service……Pastor Bob

MONDAY            
10:00 AM               Women’s Bible Study……Norine
  7:00 PM                Trustees’ Meeting…………at church

THURSDAY         
  7:00 PM               Nehemiah…..………Pastor Bob                                                   

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

Announcements

TRUSTEES’ MEETING -  The regularly scheduled meeting of the Church Board of Trustees was postponed last week due to the New Year’s Day Holiday. The Trustees will meet on Monday, January 8^th, at 7:00 PM here at church

COMING UP-

JANUARY 22nd -

SANCTITY OF HUMAN LIFE SUNDAY, in conjunction with our local CareNet Pregnancy Centers. It is a day to pray and overcome the culture of abortion in which we live. The day also serves as a KICK-OFF DATE FOR THE BABY BOTTLE FUND DRIVE for CareNet of Ontario and Wayne Counties.

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Reading:                  GENESIS 17:20-22

Message: “ THE HEART OF THE MATTER ” 
                                           LUKE 2:21-24

Bobservations: 

Happy New Year!

    OK, how many New Year’s Resolutions did you make for 2012? Typically, weight control, increased exercise, more patience, being kinder, and volunteering are the most common resolutions that are made. Isn’t it strange, and frustrating, that they must be made year after year, after year. One would not think it possible that we could lose sight of our goals so quickly. Maybe you have given up making resolutions altogether because of past failures… that’s common too!
    I recall making a resolution one year that I would live in such a way to finally make my father proud of me. What a frustrating year THAT was! (God bless him, he only wanted the best for me!)
    Finding little or no success that year, I resolved the following year to live a life more pleasing to my Heavenly Father. What a difference from the prior year. I was blessed beyond my imagination. I made some great gains, and even when I was not successful in my attempts, God blessed me for making the attempts, and encouraged me to keep trying. “Practice makes perfect” is a phrase that comes to mind, and every failure eliminates one more incorrect action, that we won’t repeat. It wasn’t about “me doing” as much as it was about God doing something in me. 
    The result of that year was remarkable. Not only was my goal a Godly one, but I found that my father-on-earth was more pleased with me too.
    I remember thinking that my father really “mellowed” toward me that year. But in truth, it was me who mellowed toward him. I grew more patient with him, more understanding, and more respectful. God did through grace much more than Dad could do through frowning disapproval. 
    Perhaps the biggest realization that year was that when I tried to please my Father in heaven, more and more earthly relationships fell into place with a more Godly balance.

“Honor thy father and thy mother:…” is a commandment not so much for my sake or for theirs, but for God to be glorified in me. It is the first commandment that comes with a promise: “…that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.”   - Exodus 20:12

Weekly Schedule

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

MONDAY            
10:00 AM                Women’s Bible Study..…cancelled for New Year’s Holiday

THURSDAY         
  7:00 PM                 MidWeek Study……. Nehemiah                                                   

SATURDAY
   8:00 AM                Men’s Prayer………………………………………open to all
10:00 AM                Work Day at church

 Announcements

WORK DAYS RESUME -
Now that the holidays are all but behind us, it’s time to resume our semi-weekly (every-other week) work schedule to continue the remodeling and maintenance of the church. Next Saturday, January 7th at 10 AM there will be cleaning, painting, electrical work, and making room upstairs to continue what we began. Join in! Take some pride in your church, and receive a sense of ownership for what’s happening. Fellowship and lunch will be served in abundance! 

TRUSTEES’ MEETING -  The regularly scheduled meeting of the Church Board of Trustees will be postponed one week due to the New Year’s Day Holiday. The Trustees will meet on Monday, January 8^th, at 7:00 PM here at church.

 COMING UP-
JANUARY 22nd -
SANCTITY OF HUMAN LIFE SUNDAY, in conjunction with our local CareNet Pregnancy Centers. A day to pray and overcome the culture of abortion in which we live. The day serves as a KICK-OFF DATE FOR THE BABY BOTTLE FUND DRIVE for CareNet of Ontario and Wayne Counties.

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Reading:            MATTHEW 1:16-18

Message:        Christmas Eve Service 
                        THE MIRACLE OF MIRACLES

Bobservations: 

    The story of Christmas, the Birth of the Messiah, is perhaps the greatest story ever told. But it is not just a story. It is God’s words of prophecy fulfilled. It is history. Many who hear it and read it are left in awe and wonder, while some are left scratching their heads.
    That a baby born to an obscure family in an obscure town in a far and distant land could bring such sweeping changes to the world seems unreasonable. Yet, history proves that this Child Jesus accomplished and continues to accomplish all that He was sent to do. The earliest promise of a Messiah is found in Genesis 3:15, where we find the seed of a woman was to crush the seed of the serpent. As the serpent’s taunting temptations to Eve brought death and sin into the world, this baby grew to overcome sin, and death.
    Scriptures tell us of the place of His birth, Bethlehem, in Micah Chapter 5. Hosea 1 says that this Son is to be called out of Egypt. Jeremiah 23 teaches us that God will raise up a righteous Branch, literally, a Nazarene.  He shall be a reigning King; He shall prosper and execute judgment and justice in the earth. Isaiah 7 says He will be born of a virgin. Isaiah 9 tells us of His character, titles, and office:

    “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

    Read this verse carefully; it says the son/child will be known as the everlasting Father, the mighty God, and the Prince of Peace. The Son… will be called the Father, and God.
    The scriptures describe the life He was to have, as well as the life He lived. The two match. Described are miracles the Messiah would perform, and the miracles performed by Jesus. They too match. 
    His name from Isaiah 7 was to be Immanuel, literally “God with us.” John 1 tells us that the word of God was made flesh and dwelled among us. THIS is the birth that we celebrate this night, as God came to earth to live among His creation. He left His heavenly dwelling place to live in obscurity. But what He accomplished in obscurity became well known in Jerusalem, in Samaria, and to the whole world. Blessed be the holy name of Jesus!        …He came to Bethlehem for us,  with the express purpose of going to Calvary for us.

Weekly Schedule

SUNDAY
10:00 AM                Worship & Teaching…………..…….….cancelled this week

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

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

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

  Genesis 23:17,18

“That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed
as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and
thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; and in thy seed shall all
nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.”

Luke 2:10,11

“And the angel said unto them, ‘Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good
tidings of  great joy, which shall be unto all peoples. For unto you is born
this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.’ ”

This Christmas Celebration comes with the sincere wishes of all the church family to the Body of Christ. May your Christmas be a day of joy and peace; love and blessings to you and to all of your families. We count ourselves among all those “peoples,” and “nations” which our Heavenly Father has promised to bless, though His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. As we obey His voice, the blessings are ours to behold, embrace, and enjoy. May they continue throughout the New Year! 

- Pastor Bob

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Reading:                                   Micah 5:1-4

Message:        “ OF OLD, FROM EVERLASTING ” 
                                         LUKE 2:26-38; 46-56

Bobservations: 

    Incredibly, the Christmas Season is not only in full swing, but the culmination is in sight. As we prepare to celebrate the birth of the Savior of the World next weekend, it is my fervent wish that “the Christmas rush” would not distract you away from Christ, and into the worldly hubbub. As is usually the case, “more” is not necessarily better.
    When I think of the simplicity of celebrating a family birthday, family togetherness comes to mind with its sense of love and belonging. The joy of being together with loved ones brings peace and warms the heart.
    Luke’s second chapter today reveals some of that as two cousins are drawn together for support, preparation, and belonging. One is about to give birth to the last of the Prophets, and the other is about to give birth to the One to whom all Bible Prophecy points.
    That the great “I AM” would sacrifice His heavenly abode to live among His creation, is simply the familiar storyline of Super Heroes. The innocents have corrupted themselves with the High Power of Evil. And it will take the Ultimate Power of Good to rescue those who are now guilty. And it cannot happen without Him coming from heaven to save those that are His.
    All this was foretold in His Word beginning in Genesis, and next week we shall commemorate the Word becoming flesh to dwell among us.
    It is such a simple story that even a child can understand it. It has been written of in many forms, but its most simple form is perhaps in Super Hero comic books: Superman, Batman, The Green Hornet, and even Mighty Mouse, all follow the genre of the Prophets and Gospels… the story of Salvation through Jesus Christ.
    We may laugh at their antics, but their testimony is true:  our Savior is on the way, and all we need to do is call out to Him. Our own Daily Planet is headed for trouble if we ignore His offer of rescue.   

“And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call
on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”   – Acts 2:21

 ( And you thought those childhood comic books were a waste of time and
money… They make the preposterous understandable, even to a child! )

Weekly Schedule

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………Nehemiah………………Pastor Bob                                                    

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

 
Announcements

TODAY !
CHURCH FAMILY CHRISTMAS PARTY   Bob & Nora Relyea have graciously made their home available to all of us for the Church Christmas Gathering.  Today at 4:00 PM, in the afternoon, you are invited to enjoy a late afternoon gathering of fellowship and food as we celebrate the Christmas Season.  (maps are available for those needing directions, and rides are also available for anyone wishing a ride.)
Please bring ONE of the following to share:  a dessert, OR an hors d’oeuvre

 CHRISTMAS  SERVICE  SCHEDULE:    
( No Christmas Morning Service )
Enjoy a guilt-free Christmas morning this year! It was decided to bless the Body and hold only a Christmas Eve Service instead of Christmas morning. This holiday is so family oriented that we would like to bless you and enable to spend the day with your families. Your Church Family will get together on Christmas Eve.  
Christmas Service therefore, will be held on Saturday evening, December 24^th, at 7:00 PM.
We’ll enjoy Christmas Worship, Communion, and a short teaching. We hope you will join us as we celebrate Jesus’ birth, giving to Him all glory, honor, and praise!

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Reading:    GALATIANS 4:8-11
Message:            “ SO AM I ” 
                   2 CORINTHIANS 11:16-33

Bobservations: 

    At some point in our Christian life, many of us have attended a church service where someone from the congregation, or a guest, will give testimony of the life from which Jesus delivered them.
    Churches that allow such testimonies find their congregations responding emotionally to all sorts of hardships and sin in people’s lives. We might even end up learning perhaps more about an acquaintance than we would have wanted to know!
    In his Second letter to the Corinthians today, Paul takes a different approach to giving a testimony. He outlines his life since coming to Christ, with its hardships, persecutions, and some pretty fearful events through which he suffered willingly for the sake of Christ, and for us.  
   Many converts to Christ have been taught that their lives will vastly increase, their health will greatly improve, and they will never have to worry again about finances.
    Paul’s words come in direct conflict with the “Health & Wealth Gospel” espoused by some teachers. Paul had all those things while living in the world, and he willingly gave them up to believe in Jesus. What things he counted as gain before, he now counts as loss for Christ (Philippians 3:7-9). To be “sold out” for Jesus brings the Believer to an end of “my stuff” and a dedication to the things of God’s Kingdom. Relinquishing self is only as difficult as the strength of the ties to the things of the world which we have. To help us put them into perspective, God reminds us that all our material goods will rust, or eventually be moth eaten, and in the end be burned up.
    The lasting things that are worth holding onto are the things of God and His Kingdom. We are therefore encouraged to keep a light touch on the world, and a strong embrace on our Savior.

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust
doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for
yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth
corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where
your treasure is, there will your heart be also.    – Matt. 6:19-21

Weekly Schedule

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

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

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

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

 Announcements

CHURCH FAMILY CHRISTMAS PARTY   Bob & Nora Relyea have graciously made their home available to all of us for the Church Christmas Gathering.  Sunday afternoon December 18^th, at 4:00 PM, you are invited to enjoy a late afternoon gathering of fellowship and food as we celebrate the Christmas Season:  2400 Cannan Road, Bloomfield.        Please bring ONE of the following to share:  a dessert, OR an hors d’oeuvre

CHRISTMAS SERVICE:    ( No Christmas Morning Service )

This holiday is so particularly family oriented; it is always a temptation to skip church and kick back with family for the day when Christmas falls on a Sunday. Enjoy a guilt-free Christmas morning this year! It was decided to bless the Body and hold only a Christmas Eve Service. It will be held on Saturday, December 24^th, at 7:00 PM. We’ll enjoy Christmas Worship, Communion, and a short teaching. We hope you will join us as we celebrate Jesus’ birth!

NOTE OF THANKS

“Thank You” to all who helped set up and serve during the Christmas Craft sale held yesterday. It was a wonderful few days of busy fellowship, serving side by side. Thanks to those who made things, baked things, and kept things orderly. Blessings to each of you!

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Reading:                          ROMANS 11:6-11
Message:    “ THE SIMPLICITY IN CHRIST ” 
                                 2 CORINTHIANS 11:1-15

Bobservations: 

    High school math in my Junior year was a blur to me in so many ways. With the foundation of Algebra and Geometry, Trigonometry was the next step. Yet, it mystified me for most of both semesters that year. I could not even imagine what Calculus would be like. 
    One week though, a fellow student sat down with me on two consecutive days after class, and explained some of the basic concepts, and relationships within trigonometric functions. I had not heard those concepts explained quite so simply from the teacher, but suddenly, it was like a light went on in my head, and I “got” it. From then on things fell into place and the applications became easier and my math grade improved dramatically. 
    These days, I try to remember the KISS Rule when things seem to get complicated: “Keep It Simple Stupid.”
    In much the same way, God’s Word is simple and straightforward. It’s not complicated, until humans get hold of it. When that happens there are suddenly more rules to follow, additional beliefs to espouse, and more laws to regulate our daily lives. What God has stated clearly and simply, man has complicated with his own abundance of words and explanations.
    Some doctrines in the Bible are whole areas of expertise on their own these days: Sanctification; Righteousness; Justification; Hermeneutics; even salvation itself.
    While each is an excellent topic of study within the Church, a new Believer might be put-off by in-depth debate and discussion of any one of them. It is at those times that the KISS Rule stands out and reminds us of the simplicity of the Gospel message of salvation: Believe with your heart; Confess with your mouth; Salvation is yours. Anything beyond this is the Lord’s responsibility to reveal to us.

 “KISS the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from
the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed
are all they that put their trust in him.”      – Psalm 2:12

 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; lean not
   on your own understanding.”    – Proverbs 3:5

Weekly Schedule

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

MONDAY            
10:00 AM                Women’s Bible Study………………………………..…Norine
  7:00 PM                Trustee’s Meeting

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

SATURDAY
  8:00 AM                Men’s Prayer………………………………………open to all
  9:00 AM  to 
  4:00 PM                Christmas Craft Sale

 Announcements

TRUSTEES’ MEETING   The Annual Meeting of the Board of Trustees will be held on Monday December 5^th at 7:00 PM here at the church.

 SATURDAY DECEMBER 10^th   will be the date of the CHRISTMAS CRAFT SALE here at Whitestone Christian Fellowship.  Proceeds from the sale will be donated to assist flood victims in Owego.

 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Friday Dec. 9 for set-up, and for Saturday Dec. 10 for the day of the sale to work at the check-out table, arranging and rearranging the tables, and assisting customers.
“Let all things be done decently and in order.” (1 Cor. 14:40)

 CHURCH FAMILY CHRISTMAS PARTY  The Relyeas have graciously made their home available to all of us for the Church Christmas Gathering.  Sunday afternoon December 18^th, at 4:00 PM.  All are invited to enjoy a late afternoon gathering of fellowship and food as we celebrate the Christmas Season:  Please bring ONE of the following to share:  a dessert, OR an hors d’oeuvre

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Reading:                                      JOB 38:1-4

Message:                      “ AUTHORITY BY GOD ” 
                                              2 CORINTHIANS 10:1-18

Bobservations: 

    The world thinks that to be a Christian means that we never say “no” to any request; are always available to anyone with a need; and that we can be called upon any time of day or night to help and offer support. While they themselves reject Jesus, the world figures they will put up with us because we may be useful to them at some point in the future.
    A man who was going to church regularly (not here) found himself in trouble with the law. He contacted his church, and was refused the bail money that would keep him out of jail. In that church pastor’s own words, jail was the best place for the man to be, in order to be broken and at long last come sincerely to Christ. He knew the man well.
    Sounds like a tough pill to swallow, does it not? By not helping the man to avoid the consequences of his sin, the man learned that facing Jesus head-on was the best thing that could happen to him.  
    To assume that this was a carte blanche policy at the church would be an error. The difference was that the pastor knew this man well. Previous help in the past had done nothing but enable the man to avoid consequences and continue in his sin.
    While incarcerated for two weeks for his minor offense, the man was taught by several different church jail ministries. During his stay, every one of those ministries was teaching on Romans 6:23-  “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is life eternal through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
    Each teacher approached the passage a little differently, but the “message” finally got through to the man while he was in jail. Upon his release he went back to his church and thanked the pastor for “letting his flesh rot in jail.”  He learned to let his fleshly desires die and to find new life in Christ Jesus, and thereby live.
    Tough love acknowledges the need of many to learn things the hard way. Many learn in an easier fashion, and repent after the least little rebuke. A few need something stronger. It depends upon the heart of each individual, and the Lord Jesus knows us very well. His compassion comes in many different forms.

”Now no chastening for the present seemeth joyous, but grievous:
nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peacable fruit of righteousness
to them which are exercised thereby.”   Hebrews 12:11

Weekly Schedule:

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

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

THURSDAY         
   7:00 PM                 Evening Study………...Pastor Bob                                                   

SATURDAY
   8:00 AM                Men’s Prayer……………….…………open to all
10:00 AM                Christmas Craft Day………Women’s Ministry

 Announcements:

Saturday December 3^rd :  Christmas Craft Day will be hosted by the Women’s Ministry for making Christmas decorations, gifts,  and décor items. This is open to any (men or women) who wish to help make items for a public sale to benefit those in the Southern Tier area of Tioga County.

 Saturday December 10^th   will be the date of the CHRISTMAS CRAFT SALE here at Whitestone Christian Fellowship. Proceeds from the sale will be donated to the REBUILD OWEGO FUND. www.rebuildowego.com

 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Friday Dec. 9 for set-up, and for Saturday Dec. 10 for the day of the sale to work at the check-out table, arranging and rearranging the tables, and assisting customers. 

“Let all things be done decently and in order.” (1 Cor. 14:40)

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