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“The Little Ones”

Now they were bringing even their babies to Him so that He would touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they began rebuking them.  But Jesus called for the little ones, saying, “Allow the children to come to Me, and do not forbid them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.”  Luke 18:15-17

 

This week we were able to bless the children of military families in the name of Jesus. The Best PCS ministry raised over $15,000 dollars and purchased Christmas gifts for 134 children. Over 80 volunteers from GMPC and the military community bought the gifts, assembled the bicycles, wrapped everything up, and distributed the presents from our sanctuary.

 

Two of the Best PCS leaders are finishing their faithful ministry: Ralph West and Taylor Smart. We weren’t sure how the weekly distribution of food and diapers would continue without them.

 

And then, some of the members of our Spanish language worship service stepped in. Under the leadership of Raul Palomino, food and diapers will continue to arrive from San Diego for the Best PCS ministry to deliver to low-income military families of Coronado.

 

Praise God for enabling us to bless the neediest children in our community!

 

In Christ,

Pastor David

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“This Advent Season”

In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock at night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood near them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.  And so the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:8-11
 
During the first celebration of Christmas, God sent an angel to the shepherds living near Bethlehem with Good News: God has provided us with a Savior from sin and death. This Savior is the Messiah or the Christ. This Savior is our Lord Jesus.
 
This Advent season, God is giving us the opportunity to join with Him in proclaiming the same message of Good News. God wants people to meet His Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. God wants us to help others to experience His salvation and grace. God wants us to help others to live in a personal relationship with Him. God wants us to help others to know His mercy, love, comfort and joy.
 
We can join with God in getting the message out by inviting the people we know to the Christmas celebrations we’re having here at Graham. These celebrations are designed to be opportunities for evangelism where people will hear the Good News about Jesus.
 
Here are some of these opportunities:
 
Dec 16 Christmas Caroling at Villa Coronado (Meet there at 4:00 pm)
Dec 18 and 19 Preschool Christmas Program (Sanctuary at 9:00 am)
Dec 20 Critters, Coco, Carols, (Front Lawn from 5:00-7:00 pm)
Dec 22 Christmas Cantata (During the 9:00am worship service)
Dec 24 Christmas Eve Services (4:00 pm Children’s Christmas Pageant & Bell Ringing Service and 5:30 pm Candlelight Service)
 
This Advent season, we are the messengers that God is sending to others with Good News. Good News that will help others to celebrate the First Coming of Jesus. Good News that will change a life.

 

In Christ,

Pastor David

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“The Lord Added to Their Number”

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.  Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47

 

In this passage of Scripture, we have a glimpse of what life was like for the followers of Jesus after the Holy Spirit had been poured out on each one of them. They took care of each other’s financial needs. They worshiped together in the Temple of Jerusalem. They celebrated the Lord’s Supper together in each other’s homes. They spent time together in prayer. And the result: the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

 

Several months ago, the Session decided to add a third worship service to GMPC: a Spanish language service. Since then, the members of this service have been meeting each other’s financial needs. They worship together, they share meals, they study the Scriptures together, and they pray together. As a result, the Lord is adding to their number those who are being saved.

 

Last month, 21 of these fellow believers met with the Session to become members of GMPC. This month, 2 more of these fellow believers will meet with the Session to become members of GMPC. We also welcomed 3 fellow believers from our English language services into membership at GMPC.

 

Of the 23 people from the Spanish language service, 15 are new believers and two of them will be baptized. In addition, 7 of their children will be baptized.

 

The Holy Spirit is moving at GMPC. Praise God for what He is doing in our midst as we follow Jesus.

 

In Christ,

Pastor David

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“Giving God Thanks”

“Then it shall be, when you enter the land which the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance, and you take possession of it and live in it, that you shall take some of the first of all the produce of the ground which you bring in from your land that the Lord your God gives you, and you shall put it in a basket and go to the place where the Lord your God chooses to establish His name.  And you shall go to the priest who is in office at that time and say to him, ‘I declare today to the Lord my God that I have entered the land which the Lord swore to our fathers to give us.’ Then the priest shall take the basket from your hand and set it before the altar of the Lord your God. And you shall respond and say before the Lord your God, ‘My father was a wandering Aramean, and he went down to Egypt and resided there, few in number; but there he became a great, mighty, and populous nation. And the Egyptians treated us badly and oppressed us and imposed hard labor on us. Then we cried out to the Lord, the God of our fathers, and the Lord heard our voice and saw our wretched condition, our trouble, and our oppression; and the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand, an outstretched arm, and with great terror, and with signs and wonders; and He has brought us to this place, and has given us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey. And now behold, I have brought the first of the produce of the ground which You, Lord have given me.’ Then you shall set it before the Lord your God, and worship before the Lord your God; and you, the Levite, and the stranger who is among you shall rejoice in all the good which the Lord your God has given you and your household.  Deuteronomy 26:1-11

 

In 1565, Spanish explorers arrived in Florida at the future site of Sanit Augustine. They immediately held a worship service to thank God for their safe arrival. Then they invited the local Seloy Native Americans to have a feast with them.

 

In 1619, English settlers arrived in Virginia at the future site of Berkeley Plantation on the James River. They immediately held a worship service to thank God for their safe arrival.

 

In 1620, English Puritans arrived in Massachusetts at the future site of Plymouth Colony. After they planted and harvested their crops, they had a worship service to thank God for their arrival and for getting them through their first harsh winter. Then they invited the local Wampanoag Native Americans to a feast with them.  

 

I believe that all these groups of people were following the directions that God gave His people as they were about to cross the Jordan River and enter the Promised Land after their 40-year journey from slavery in Egypt. These directions are recorded for us in Deuteronomy 26. They include thanking God for providing for them and they also include having a feast and inviting the locals to join them.

 

This Thanksgiving, I hope everyone will invite others to enjoy a feast in celebration of God’s blessings. I also hope we will include a time of giving God thanks for what He has done in our lives this past year.

 

Giving God thanks can become a new Thanksgiving tradition. It can start by asking those at the table, “What are you thankful for this year?” Then it can end by someone saying, “Thank you God for all these blessings. Amen.”

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

In Christ,

Pastor David

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“The Bond Of Peace.”

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Ephesians 4:1-6

 

After the recent election, which was very divisive, various leaders have urged the country to become united. Various reasons for why we should be united were given. And various strategies were given for how we should be united.

 

All of this was helpful. However, as followers of Jesus, we have a more compelling reason to be united. And we have been given a far greater source for our unity.

 

When the Apostle Paul was imprisoned in Rome, he wrote a letter to the church in Ephesus. In chapter 4 of this letter, he reminds the members of the church that God has united them by making all of them a part of Body of Christ and by giving each of them the same Holy Spirit. Paul also encourages them to keep this unity of the Spirit with one another through the bond of peace.

 

Not everyone at GMPC voted for the same candidate. Not everyone voted the same way for the ballot initiatives. And yet, everyone at GMPC belongs to the Body of Christ. And everyone at GMPC has the same Holy Spirit living within them.

 

As we continue to process the results of the election, please remember that Good has united us to each other and to Him. May God bless you as you live out this unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

In Christ,

Pastor David

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“Sit With The Lord”

“Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” 

Matthew 11:28

 

We all need the rest that only Jesus can give us. It’s a rest for our weary and burdened souls.

 

These past few months have been exhausting for our nation. The election has taken a toll on all of us. And now, half of our fellow Americans are devastated that their candidate lost. Thankfully, one of the brothers from the Taize community in France is coming to San Diego to lead us in worship.

 

On November 13 at 7:00 pm in the Founders Chapel at the University of San Diego, Brother Emil will direct a service in the style of worship that is conducted at the monastery in Taize, France. This service will involve contemplative singing of verses of Scripture, silence, Scripture reading, and prayer. Everyone is invited.

 

Cathy and I met Brother Emil while we spent time with the Taize community last month. He is originally from Quebec, Canada. And each day we participated in three worship services with him at the monastery. It was an amazing way to experience the rest that only Jesus can give.

 

Jesus is inviting us to come to Him and find rest. I encourage you to take some time to just sit with the Lord. Enjoy being quiet in His presence. You may find yourselves praying or singing. You may even fall asleep. All of that is OK. Jesus will give us rest whenever we come to Him with weary and burdened souls.

In Christ,

Pastor David

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“We Pray Out Of Obedience To God”

First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made in behalf of all people, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4

 

I have some good news and some bad news for you. First the good news: In six more days the election will be over. Now the bad news: In six more days the election will be over.

 

When the election is over, we won’t be subjected to political campaigns with all the negativity and the lies. And yet when the election is over, half of the people in our country will be disappointed.

 

In just a few days, we will have new leaders. And we will need to pray for these new leaders, whether we voted for them or not. We’re called to pray for whoever wins the election.

 

We pray out of obedience to God. We also pray because it’s for our own good, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. And we pray because God wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. Especially our leaders.

 

In addition to praying for our leaders, please pray that God will heal the political divisions that not only affect our nation, but our church and our families as well.

In Christ,

Pastor David

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“Living Together in Unity”

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to live together in unity! Psalm 133:1

This weekend, Cathy and I are traveling to Oregon for the wedding of our niece. I’m looking forward to seeing my family. Well, most of them.

 

Some members of my family don’t get along with each other, and so they won’t be at the wedding. It’s painful to see people I love not loving each other.

 

I think this is how God feels when He sees the children He loves not loving each other. Especially at family gatherings in His house of prayer. For God’s sake, we can work at living together in unity.

 

One day, we will be living together in unity. Forever. The people who make life difficult for us will finally be like Jesus. And so will we. This is our destiny in life. Romans 8:29 tells us that God has predestined us to be conformed to the image of his Son.

 

In Heaven, we will finally be able to have the relationships with each other that seem too difficult for us to have on earth. Spouses, parents and children, brothers and sisters, coworkers, neighbors, even Presbyterians will have amazing, blessed, and eternal relationships with each other

 

Heaven is described for us in many ways. One of them is a wedding banquet to celebrate the union between the groom, Jesus, and His bride, the church. One day, I will be with all of my family members at a wedding. But it won’t be in Oregon.

In Christ,

Pastor David

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“Understand”

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6

 

There are a lot of things in life that are hard to understand. For example, why are round pizzas packaged in square boxes for people to eat in triangles? And where do thoughts go when they are forgotten?

There are so many things in life that we will never understand. But that’s OK. The Lord understands everything. What’s even better, He will get us through the confusion in life.

Whenever we don’t understand something, we can ask the Lord for help. Whenever we don’t know what to do, we can ask the Lord to guide us. Whenever we don’t understand ourselves, we can ask the Lord to take control of our lives.

Asking the Lord to rescue us during times of confusion is one of those prayers that He will always answer with, “Yes.” We have not been left alone in a world that is hard to understand.

In Christ,

Pastor David

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“Taize”

This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. Joshua 1:8
 
From October 2-15 I will be away on my annual study leave. Cathy will be coming with me. We will first fly to Geneva, Switzerland to see the locations of famous events of the Reformation, such as the church where John Calvin preached and the church where John Knox preached. Then we will travel to Taize, France for a retreat at the monastery where the Taize Christian Community lives.
 
Taize is famous for its meditative singing. This type of worship enables people to meditate on God’s Word by singing verses of Scripture. There are three worship services every day and we are looking forward to participating in them during our weeklong stay. Those who participated in the Ash Wednesday service at GMPC this year will remember that we sang some of the songs from Taize.
 
The Taizé Christian Community was founded by Roger Schutz, who was known as Brother Roger. He was a Presbyterian from Switzerland who journeyed to France in 1940 at the start of WW2. He rode a bicycle from Geneva to the small town of Taizé which is still surrounded by rolling green hills and dairy farms. Since the town was located in unoccupied France, he bought an empty house and hid Christian and Jewish refugees there.
 
On November 11, 1942, the Gestapo occupied Brother Roger's house while he was in Switzerland collecting funds to aid in his refuge ministry. He was not able to return to his home in Taizé until 1944, when France was liberated.
 
Brother Roger then started a quasi-monastic community of Protestants and Roman Catholics who committed themselves to serving Christ and living their lives together. Thousands of young pilgrims come to Taizé every year from all over the world to worship together, meditating on God’s word through meditative singing.
 
The Taizé Christian Community describes how meditative singing helps us to worship God:
When people come together to pray, meditative singing can help everyone to participate and to stay together in waiting on God. Using just a few words, they express a fundamental reality that can quickly be grasped by the mind. As the words are sung over many times, this reality can gradually sink into one’s whole being.
 
Here's a link to a YouTube video from Taizé that describes what a retreat is like there:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngA8BFbjrE0
 
I’m looking forward to sharing our experiences with you when we return.

In Christ,

Pastor David

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“God Bless the Thrift Cottage”

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’…” Matthew 25:34-40

Recently a homeless man came to the Thrift Cottage. He was not the typical visitor who comes through the door. He was penniless, unkempt, and he was wearing soiled, worn-out clothing. Instead of ignoring him or asking him to leave, the volunteers saw him as someone who is created in the image of God. And so, they treated him as one of the “least of these” that Jesus talks about in Matthew 25.

The volunteers engaged this person in conversation, and they helped him to find clean clothing that he could wear. Then they gave him the clothing for free.

Jesus tells us that when we respond to the needy in this way, we will be considered “blessed by my Father”.

Of all the countless ministry projects that the Thrift Cottage has generously and graciously supported, this is the one that I am the proudest of as your pastor. God bless the Thrift Cottage.

In Christ,

Pastor David

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“Worry”

Can anyone of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

 

So do not worry, saying 'What shall we eat?' Or "What shall we drink?' Or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your Heavenly Father knows that you need then. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Everyday has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:27,31-34

 

Do you ever worry that you don't worry enough? A lot of people think that they need to worry in order to get what they need in life. They even think that the more they worry, the more they'll get. 

 

In this passage of Scripture, Jesus is saying that our Heavenly Father will provide us with all that we need in life, even when we're not worrying. So, if we don't need to spend time and energy on worrying, what else will we do with our time and energy?

 

We have been freed from the burden of worrying so that we can pursue God's kingdom and His righteousness. This involves living the lives that God has called us to live-lives that are filled with His peace and joy and love.

 

Worrying is one of my favorite hobbies. I'm actually really good at it. But it's really just a waste of time and energy. Especially when there are so many better things to do. Like, living as a follower of Jesus.  

In Christ,

Pastor David

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“Righteousness”

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19-20

 

Have you ever noticed that there are a lot of angry people on the internet? People are angry on news sites. People are angry on social media. People are angry in emails. People are even angry in blogs. It all makes me so mad!

 

James writes about the problem with anger in his letter to the followers of Jesus. I've always thought that he was just writing about how to get along with others and have healthy relationships. But I've discovered that he is also talking about our relationship with God.

 

Righteousness means living in a right relationship with God. Righteousness involves doing the things that God expects of us in our relationship with Him. And being angry at others or ourselves or God will not help us to live in a right relationship with God. 

 

I don't know about you, but I don't have enough time in my schedule to be angry. I also don't have enough energy to be angry. I barely have enough time and energy to worry about things. But that's for next week's Word on Wednesday.

   

In Christ,

Pastor David

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“The Presence of God”

God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
    and the mountains quake with their surging.

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
    the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within her, she will not fall;
    God will help her at break of day.
Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
    he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Come and see what the Lord has done,
    the desolations he has brought on the earth.
He makes wars cease
    to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
    he burns the shields with fire.
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.”

11 The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Psalm 46

 

Do you remember where you were on September 11, 2001? I was getting ready for work and my sister called me up and told me to turn on the TV. She was worried about our cousins who work on Wall Street in New York. By the grace of God, they were away from their offices when the Twin Towers were struck by airplanes flown by terrorists.

 

Nearly 3,000 innocent civilians were murdered. Nearly 6,000 innocent civilians were injured.

 

Ever since that horrific day, we have experienced the presence of God in amazing and loving ways. Those who are still grieving the loss of their loved ones are being comforted by the Lord. Those who are still struggling with their injuries are being cared for by God. And the Lord is still watching over those who are protecting our country at home and abroad.

 

We must never forget what happened on September 11, 2001. We must never forget those who continue to struggle with how their lives were changed. We must never forget those who are standing the watch so that we will be safe. Above all, we must never forget that:

The Lord Almighty is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress.

   

In Christ,

Pastor David

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“Respond Like Jesus”

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Ephesians 4:29-32

 

When I was in third grade, my teacher wrote on my report card: “David’s mouth is getting him in a lot of trouble.” For me, the trouble was fights on the playground. I had a real hard time ignoring insults, so I would respond in kind, and this would end up in a fight.

 

I didn’t mind the fights. My brother and I were constantly fighting and wrestling at home. However, the yard duty teacher, my classroom teacher, and the principal saw things differently. To be honest, this was confusing to me. I thought everyone shouted back, pushed back, and hit back when attacked. Then I met Jesus.

 

In high school, I started turning the other cheek as an experiment in following Christ. I soon discovered that all the people I beat up in grammar school and junior high school were now taking advantage of the opportunity to hit me without reprisal. I didn’t like how the experiment was turning out; but I decided that since Jesus was serious about it, I should keep turning the other cheek.

 

All of us are finding lots of opportunities to treat others as we have been treated. However, as followers of Jesus, we are called to treat others as Jesus has treated us. This is what the Apostle Paul had in mind when he wrote, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

 

Being a follower of Jesus means that we are going to take some hits. When this happens, we can respond like Jesus. We can respond with kindness and compassion and forgiveness. 

  

In Christ,

Pastor David

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“Jesus Is The Truth”

 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. Ephesians 4:11-15

Have you ever noticed that there are a lot of blowhards in the media right now? Maybe this is what the Apostle Paul had in mind when he wrote about being “blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.”

The blowhards are deceitful schemers. Some will try to drive us in one direction, while others are trying to drive us in a different direction. After a while, we’re left confused and disoriented.

Instead of listening to the arguments of the blowhards, Paul calls us to focus our attention on becoming spiritually mature followers of Christ. Part of this involves being people who “speak the truth in love.” In other words, don’t become another blowhard.

As the November 5 election draws near, the blowhards will be blowing harder. Hold fast to the Lord. Jesus is the Truth. Speak about Him in loving ways to others. In time, the storm will pass, and we will discover that we have become a bit more spiritually mature because we held on to Jesus.  

 

In Christ,

Pastor David

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“His Children”

Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them.

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there. Matthew 19:13-15

The children are coming! The children are coming!

You have probably noticed that there are more and more children on our church campus this summer. And there will be even more after Labor Day. The Lord is bringing His children to GMPC to be blessed through us.

We provide two adults in each classroom where there are children. Which means that we need your help. Please prayerfully consider being a teacher’s aide. All you have to do is sit in the classroom and watch the teacher go crazy. This really is the most fun ministry at GMPC.

If you want to go above and beyond all expectations for a teacher’s aide, that’s OK too. Maybe you’ll want to tell some kids that Jesus loves them. Or perhaps you’ll help some kids to not glue their fingers together during craft time. That’s entirely up to you.  

 

The children are coming! But don’t worry. We will be hiding some doughnut holes for the adults during the coffee connection. And we’ll make sure you won’t get run over by an out-of-control tricycle. Instead, you will be able to focus your energy on loving the Lord’s kids.

 

Please call the church office at 619-435-6860 for more information about ministry opportunities with children.

 

In Christ,

Pastor David

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“To The Gentile Believers”

Have you ever wondered why it’s OK for Gentile Christians to wear Hawaiian shirts and eat bacon cheeseburgers? In chapter 15 of the Book of Acts, a church council was held in Jerusalem. The Jewish Christians considered what it means for Gentiles to join the Christian community. They prayed about whether all the requirements that pertain to Jews in the Old Testament also apply to Gentiles who embrace the Jewish Messiah, Jesus. At the end of the council, the following letter was sent to the Gentile Christians in the First Century, and to us:
 
The apostles and elders, your brothers,

To the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia:

Greetings.
We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said.  So, we all agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul— men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, we are sending Judas and Silas to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing.  It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things.

Farewell.

So, the next time you decide to take off your hat in public, you can thank the Council of Jerusalem.

In Christ,

Pastor David

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Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church

“May There Be Peace”

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
    “May those who love you be secure.
 May there be peace within your walls
    and security within your citadels.”

Psalm 122:6-7

 

Three thousand years ago, King David of Israel was inspired by the Holy Spirit to write Psalm 122. In this psalm, God’s people are called to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

 

The name Jerusalem literally means “city of peace” in Hebrew. It is one of the oldest cities in the world.  According to Eric H. Cline's tally in Jerusalem Besieged, the City of Peace has been:

 

..destroyed at least twice, besieged 23 times, captured and recaptured 44 times, and attacked 52 times in its history.

 

As we watch the news this week, we’re being told that there are new plans for more violence and suffering. This is heartbreaking for those who love the people of the Holy Land and long for the devastation and evil to end.

 

God’s people need to continue to pray for peace, just as we’ve done for the past three thousand years. So many are depending on us.

In Christ,

Pastor David

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Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church

“A Restful Experience”

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matthew 11: 28-30

 

Summer is half over. Do you feel rested?

 

Being a resident Coronado during the summer is not a restful experience. All of the tourists who come to the island are so busy trying to relax that it makes life stressful for the locals. The traffic, the noise, and the crowds are a real challenge for patient people like us. Folks have even asked me: “If it is tourist season, why can’t we shoot them?”

 

The best way to get some rest is to spend time with Jesus. The Lord will give rest to our weary souls. He will renew us spiritually as well as physically. He will calm our anxieties and fill us with His peace.

 

Before you shoot a tourist, ask the Lord for help. Not for your aim, but for your attitude. Jesus will give us the rest we so desperately need.

In Christ,

Pastor David

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