Archive for the ‘Pastor's Blog’ Category
Posted on July 14, 2010 - by genes
Summer Sermon Topics
Although I always preach from the Bible, using it as the basis of everything I say, it is always a challenge to present those Biblical concepts in new and thought provoking ways. That said, this summer I have been using the chapter titles from Robert Fulghum’s book, Everything I Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, as my sermon titles for a series that preaches through the major concepts of the Old Testament. For the next few weeks, my sermons will continue that theme with these topics:
July 4 – The Biggest Word, When Learning to Read is Look, based on the problems that God’s people encountered in Joshua 9 when they did not look before they leaped into a very unfortunate alliance.
July 11 – Take a Nap, which deals with the concept of a regular day of rest dedicated to the purpose of contemplating God.
July 18 – Share Everything, which presents the way God uses relationships in the book of Ruth to provide for His people.
July 25 – Don’t Take Things That Aren’t Yours. While God’s people are called on to share … they aren’t supposed to break the covenant of marriage to do so, as evidenced by the trouble that David and Bathsheba got into in 2 Samuel 11.
August 1 – Gold Fish, Hamsters and the Seed in the Cup Die … and so will we someday. Fortunately, the book of Ecclesiastes gives God’s people very good instructions on how to be ready for that day.
I hope you will join us for worship at AFCC, this Sunday at 10:30 AM.
GRS
Posted on May 4, 2010 - by genes
New Sermon Series to Begin May 9
Mother’s Day Sunday, May 9, will be the starting date for a new sermon series I will be preaching this summer: Everything we really need to know about life can be learned in God’s kindergarten. Loosely based on the chapter titles of Robert Fulghum’s book, All I really Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, my series will provide a chronological look at the Old Testament and the Big Picture lessons it teaches the followers of God.
Here are the sermonic “lessons” for the month of May.
Lesson #1: Warm Cookies and Milk are Good For You. (God’s Intent for Mankind as seen in GN1:31)
Lesson #2: Always Flush. (The Great Flood as Spiritual Cleanser, GN 6:1ff)
Lesson #3: Play Fair. (The story of Jacob’s family.)
Lesson #4: Be Aware of Wonder. (Conclusions in the book of Job.)
See you Sunday – GRS
Posted on March 31, 2010 - by genes
The Easter Season
As is our usual practice, AFCC’s members and friends have exerted considerable energy preparing for Easter Sunday through a variety of ways. Over the last several weeks, many have given up various things as a way of helping them contemplate the sacrifice of Christ. During that same 45-day period, many have also undertaken special times of daily study and prayer. Sermons, special services, Bible School lessons, choral anthems and three special mid-week services have all been planned to help us contemplate and anticipate Christ’s glorious resurrection. Easter Sunday is certainly worthy of that sort of emphasis. However, now that Easter is here, it does not mean that it is time for us to find a new emphasis that will challenge and motivate us. There is no more central or life altering truth than that concerning the fact that Jesus Christ rose from the dead. His resurrection validates everything Jesus said as well as everything He asked His followers to do. If Christ rose from the dead, then that also makes him Lord and Savior. His sacrifice and triumph must transform not just the 45 days leading up to Easter, but the next 365 days as well.
GRS
Posted on January 26, 2010 - by genes
AFCC Provides Lifeline to Haiti
Thank You!
AFCC’s special offering to help with relief efforts in Haiti has raised $4,345, all of which has gone to Lifeline Christian Mission.
Our gifts will be used by them to provide various types of relief for the many homeless and hurt Haitian Christians associated with their churches, orphanages, schools and workshops. Lifeline Christian Mission is a well-respected ministry with whom I have had personal, on-site experience.
To stay informed with the challenges that our Haitian brothers and sisters are facing, use the Lifeline link printed here.
GRS
Posted on January 19, 2010 - by genes
AFCC Provides Haitian Relief
Like most of the world, AFCC is concerned about providing help for those impacted by the recent earthquake in Haiti. To me, this tragedy is somewhat personal since I have spent time working in Haiti with Christian churches, orphanages, workshops and schools associated with Lifeline Christian Mission. 
As you can see with this photo, one of the schools I worked at will not be using this class room any time soon.
Of course, the more pressing need is that of providing essential food, shelter and medical supplies to the hundreds of thousands who are displaced by this event. Since speaking about this on Sunday, I have learned that, in addition to many homes of the Haitian Christians associated with Lifeline, schools, churches and other community buildings have also been destroyed. People I worked with are hurt, homeless, seperated from their families and missing.
The donations that AFCC collects will go immediately to Lifeline Christian Mission, the organization with whom I worked while in Haiti. This is a well respected organization that will wisely use every gift they receive for disaster relief. To donate through AFCC, just mark your check or offering with Haiti and we will make sure it gets to the right place.
If you would like to keep up with reports on the conditions of our Christian family in Haiti , as well as Lifeline’s relief effort and special needs, just use the following link:
Posted on January 5, 2010 - by genes
Bible Reading in 2010
Although I always provide a Bible reading book mark each month for those who are looking for a systematized approach to their daily devotions, I have not placed a big emphasis on that program for the last couple of years. However, 2010’s planned reading is one that I would highly recommend you follow. While this year’s plan will not have you read every book in the Bible, it will take the reader through all of Old Testament history, as well as through every New Testament book. Additionally, for the most part, every book is read in chronological order, which helps the reader better understand the sweep of Biblical history and thought. Consequently, it is an easier read for most people, helping them stay faithful to a daily reading schedule. I can think of few things that will be more beneficial to you in the New Year than spending time each day in God’s word.
In case you need help in taking on this daily Bible read, here are a couple of suggestions that might make it easier for you.
1. Did you know that the daily reading section is available on the church website? If you can access the website by computer or cell
phone, the daily text will be waiting right there for you any time you want it.
2. Just for something different, have you ever considered listening to the Bible instead of reading it? Sometimes it is rather refreshing to listen to an entire book as a professional reads it on tape. (Particularly those sections with hard to pronounce names!) I have 3
different versions of the Bible on tape and enjoy augmenting, from time to time, my reading schedule with one or all of them. There are a host of versions available as discs or downloads. This year, I am listening to some of the books as presented by “The Word of Promise” edition, in NKJV. Given the large cast of award winning actors and musicians that worked on that production, it is a particularly fine listening experience that helps me visualize the Bible message in new ways.
I don’t care how you surround yourself with God’s word as long as you
do just that in 2010.
GRS
Posted on December 25, 2009 - by genes
Merry Christmas
Christmas with the AFCC family is always very enjoyable for me. Given the fact that our congregation comes from so many different places, it means all of us can share a wide variety of traditions that celebrate the birth of Christ.
But, whether our celebrations are simple,
or formal, in English or in Spanish,
it is a wonderful thing to be a part of a caring family that knows the importance of acknowledging God’s special gift of love. Best wishes to all of you for a wonderful Christmas celebration. GRS
Posted on December 22, 2009 - by genes
Out With the Old, In With the New
This is another AFCC tradition – Once the holiday events are over and church programs grind to a halt for family Christmas and New Year’s celebrations, a crew of church elves goes into the kitchen and really cleans house. (You might be surprised to learn what can accumulate in a church refrigerator if aggressive action doesn’t take place every so often!) While that regular clean up did recently take place, this year, it extended past the kitchen and into the pantry.
In fact, using memorial money from the Thelma Goodwin Fund, the church pantry got a complete overhaul. The original, permanent, wooden shelves were replaced with adjustable restaurant versions, the fluorescent green walls were painted with a scrubbable white enamel and several unusable items, that just took up space, were sent on to a better place. Hank demonstrates, in this photo, that it’s actually fairly easy now to find just what you want in this well organized space. Thelma Goodwin, who logged many an hour in the church kitchen, would have been thrilled to see the improvement. Thank You to all who helped make this possible. GRS
Posted on December 20, 2009 - by genes
A Nice Tradition
It started a few years ago when some of our children were standing around after the service on the Sunday before Christmas, looking particularly nice in their Christmas outfits. Someone thought to make a Kodak moment … which was repeated the next year, etc. Now, we have one of those well established, informal, traditions going that has documented, in several installments, the growth of our children. It is always fun to see who gathers on the steps to make a memory. While I do enjoy looking at the children, I can’t help but also notice that some of their parents, just like them, grew up in this church. Others started coming while students in college. Some met at AFCC, others married here and then stayed. A few picked this church after starting their families, because of the value we place on children and our commitment to support them as parents. It is a great thing to be a part of an ever expanding Christian family where all of us, regardless of age, can forge relationships that will be a blessing to us for the rest of our lives. Next year’s photo will be taken December 19, 2010. New children are always welcome as there is plenty of room on the steps! GRS
Posted on December 17, 2009 - by genes
Appreciation Brunches Continue
While all four of the elementary schools AFCC is honoring this month with teacher appreciation brunches and gifts, are geographically close to the church, Benjamin Franklin is just one block away.
By the time the teacher’s gathered in their meeting space for their 7:30AM meeting, a group of AFCC volunteers had already set up a great Christmas Brunch. Of course, many other AFCC volunteers, not pictured, also made contributions to the four brunches being held this week by cooking, doing event clean up and through cash donations which the Neighborhood Engagement Ministry Team utilized for this project.
As most teachers quickly took advantage of the goodies, one stopped long enough to open the card and gift of tea, coffee and coca supplies for the staff break room that AFCC sent along with the brunch. All this was followed with the distribution of Our Kids Our Schools tote bags.
All of us should be particularly proud of Benjamin Franklin Elementary school as it was just recognized by Orange County as one of our Outstanding Elementary Schools.
This honor was prompted by the fact that test scores for Ben Franklin just hit the 804 mark – a significant increase that reflects all the hard work of the entire staff. That made today’s celebration even more note worthy. Congratulations to every one at Ben Franklin.