and bringing the two together

loving God, loving people

​Airport Road

Church of Christ 

Volume 51                April 21, 2024                 Number 16                                                                                                           FROM YOUR MINISTER: You may have noticed that I am often intrigued by numbers. Hummm, I wonder how many times the Bible says this or that? Well, thanks to computer technology, it doesn’t take long to find out! The title of this week’s article caused me to discover that the words rejoice and glad are used together almost 40 times in scripture. ”Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous ones; And shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart“ (Psalms 32:11). They certainly go together! What things can you rejoice over and be glad about today?                                                                                                                                      QUOTES FOR THE WEEK:  Do not let your happiness depend on something you may lose... only (upon) the Beloved who will never pass away.  God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself because it is not there. There is no such thing.        - C.S. Lewis                       If you hope for happiness in the world, hope for it from God, and not from the world. - David Brainerd                  Christianity certainly involves hardship and discipline. But it is founded on the solid rock of old-fashioned happiness. Jesus is in the happiness business. - John Hagee                       Your success and happiness lie in you. Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invisible host against difficulties. - Helen Keller                                                                   
THIS WEEK FROM THE BIBLE: Luke 12:29-31  And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.                       

FAMILY NEWS:   We have been asked by family to help our sister Evelyn Hadnot to clear her household so the house can be sold. People are needed to box personal items and ready other things for disposal, purchase, or donating. See Bruce because we need help! 

BE GLAD AND REJOICE!                                                        Be not afraid, O land (of Judah); be glad and rejoice. Surely the Lord has done great things. — Joel 2:21

 Thought

This reassurance from God is given to a people facing desperate times — times which God caused to lead his people to repent of their evil ways. Their land was desolate and decimated by drought, plagues, and poor harvests. However, God promised to bless them if they would return to him with all their hearts. The Lord, the covenant God of Israel, promised to do great things to bring his people to deliverance through their repentance and because of God's gracious power. The land would be able to rejoice and be glad. So would his people! So should we! Part of the fulfillment of this prophecy happened in Acts 2 on the day of Pentecost when the church was born (Acts 2:22-47). We know that "the Lord has done great things" for us based on this promise.

 Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for your work in our little part of your big world. Thank you for your incredible work worldwide among all peoples. Thank you for your deliverance in Jesus. Thank you for his victory over death. Thank you for the incredible outpouring of your grace and mercy. Thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit, who lives in us. Thank you for the Scriptures your Spirit inspired and still uses to teach us. Thank you for a family of your friends known as your Church. Thank you for your faithfulness to your covenant through the centuries that brought this grace to us. Thank you in the name of Jesus! Amen.

                                                        ~Phil Ware, heartlight.org 

PRAYERTIME: We pray today for joy, gladness, and pure hearts. Al Sheehan has been in the hospital for treatment and testing. He is doing better and should be released soon. Please be praying for this brother. Let us keep praying for Juniper Ammons (treatment and therapy after tragic accident last year), Aulika and Mickey (God’s guidance), Bill Butkovich (recovering from knee replacement surgery), Sherrie Connell (medical testing), Reuben Crowder (Gary’s son as a new Christian), Kathy Fosnaugh (recovering from hand surgery), Nolan & Patricia Freeman (challenging times), Russ and Kim Garvin (long term health issues), Ansley Griffin (recovering from back surgery), Bill Kenson (daily blessing), David LaCuse in Oregon (immunotherapy), Melinda Long    (in Prestige Rehab Center), Marnita and Stan McGarry (newlyweds now living in Santa Fe, New Mexico), Pete and Lori Mendez (he- cancer treatments, she- Parkinson’s disease), Al and Susan Sheehan (daily blessing and guidance), Sergio Torres   (housing and transportation), Zoe Ward  and family (in Carson City as she battles DIPG brain cancer), and John Wood (regular eye treatments).Please also be  praying for our mission works in Venezuela with Daryl and Valerie Griffin and in Vigan City, Philippines with Rolando and Ludy Azurin.   2 Samuel 12:18 Then King David went in and sat before the Lord, and he said: “Who am I, Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?”

Lord, you said that when two or three would gather together in your name, then you would be present with them. I am praying by myself, but I am uniting myself with many individual Christians throughout the world who, though separate, are gathered together in another sense to pray to you, and I trust that you are with us now. I pray in the name of Jesus, Amen. ~quotement

                                                                  

 

​Volume 51             April 14, 2024                  Number 15                                                                                                                                                                                                               FROM YOUR MINISTER: Some of us older folks still remember the TV show Hee-Haw that ran from 1969 to 1992. It was a country themed show that featured music and comedy. There was a song featured that was later recorded by Buck Owens and Roy Clark. “Gloom, despair, and agony on me! Deep, dark depression excessive misery! If it weren’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all. Gloom, despair, and agony on me!” Hmmm, I have felt that way – haven’t you? I just did a word search and found seven different people in the Old Testament who were basically told to “Calm Down”. Now, how can one do that? “When I was upset and beside myself, you calmed me down and cheered me up” (Psalm 94:19, MSG). Let us allow King David to set the example for us! “I must calm down and turn to God; only he can rescue me” (Psalm 62:1).

QUOTES FOR THE WEEK:  “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows. It empties today of its strength.”                                                               —Corrie Ten Boom             

More smiling, less worrying. More compassion, less judgment. More blessed, less stressed. More love, less hate.”                                                                      —Roy T. Bennett                

“You cannot perceive beauty, but with a serene mind.”                                                          —Henry David Thoreau

THIS WEEK FROM THE BIBLE: Proverbs 10:31-32 The mouth of the righteous flows with wisdom, But the perverted tongue will be cut out. The lips of the righteous bring forth what is acceptable, But the mouth of the wicked what is perverted.                                                         

FAMILY NEWS:   Congratulations to the newlyweds Marnita & Stan upon their wedding Saturday. We were honored to be present!                                                                                                   Aulika and Amen are about to move into their own cottage on the property the family manages.     

It was wonderful having Fred and Linda Welden back in services last week and looking great!

Trade Your Cares for Calm            ~Max Lucado in Heartlight.org

Could you use some calm? If so, you aren't alone. We could all use these words of peace:

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).

How? Paul places his promise in the context of four admonitions:

The first admonition is that we celebrate God's goodness — Rejoice in the Lord always (Philippians 4:4).

The second admonition is to ask God for help — Present your requests to God (Philippians 4:6).

The third admonition is to leave your concerns with him — "With thanksgiving ..." (Philippians 4:6).

The fourth admonition is to meditate on good things — "Think about the things that are good and worthy of praise" (Philippians 4:8).

C—A—L—M.

Calm — And the God of peace will be with you (Philippians 4:9).

Trade your cares for calm.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,t will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me — put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you (Philippians 4:4-9).

PRAYERTIME: Start the day in prayer for inner calm and peace. Please join us in prayer for Marnita and Stan McGarry as they begin their new lives together! We rejoice that Gary Crowder’s son Reuben was baptized into Christ in Reno last week! We will keep him in prayer. Continue praying for Melinda Long  who is now in Prestige Rehab Center and is doing well!  We pray for our sister Lori Mendez  as she handles her journey with Parkinson’s disease and for her husband Pete who was back in UC Davis last week for cancer treatments. Let us keep praying for Juniper Ammons (treatment and therapy after tragic accident last year), Aulika and Mickey (God’s guidance), Bill Butkovich (making good progress after knee replacement surgery), Sherrie Connell (medical testing). Kathy Fosnaugh (recovering from hand surgery), Nolan & Patricia Freeman (challenging times), Russ and Kim Garvin (long term health issues), Ansley Griffin (improving after back surgery), Bill Kenson (daily blessing), David LaCuse in Oregon (immunotherapy), Lori Mendez’ husband Pete (cancer treatments), Al and Susan Sheehan (daily blessing and guidance), Sergio Torres   (housing and transportation), Zoe Ward  and family (in Carson City as she battles DIPG brain cancer), and John Wood (regular eye treatments).Please also be  praying for our mission works in Venezuela with Daryl and Valerie Griffin and in Vigan City, Philippines with Rolando and Ludy Azurin.   1 Samuel 12:23 Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you; but I will instruct you in the good and right way.

God be in my head and in my understanding. God be in my eyes and in my looking. God be in my mouth and in my speaking. God be in my heart and in my thinking. God be at my end and at my departure.                                                     And I pray in the name of Jesus, Amen. ~quotement

                                                                  

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                      Volume 51               April 7, 2024                 Number 14                                                                                                  FROM YOUR MINISTER: In the last year or so, I have found myself using, and perhaps misusing, a certain expression when speaking of our Christian responsibilities. “We mustn’t forget that we’re all in this together!” Paul uses the words “one another” about thirty-five times in his letters—beginning with this one: “so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually parts of one another” (Romans 12:5). Yes, we’re all in this together! So, what? “Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, just as you also are doing”  (1 Thessalonians 5:11). If we are not encouraging others, let us start NOW!

QUOTES FOR THE WEEK:  I would go to the deeps a hundred times to cheer a downcast spirit. It is good for me to have been afflicted, that I might know how to speak a word in season to one that is weary.        - Charles Spurgeon                                                                        

Good words are worth much, and cost little.                                                                                     - George Herbert                                                              

Encouragement is awesome. It can actually change the course of another person's day, week, or life.                                                                                   - Chuck Swindoll            

 I'll lift you and you lift me, and we'll both ascend together.                                                     - John Greenleaf Whittier

 THIS WEEK FROM THE BIBLE: Gen 4:6-7 The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted?  And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”

FAMILY NEWS:   Marnita & Stan will be in town this week getting ready for their wedding here next Saturday at 2:00!!     F.Y.I. ~ Sunday, May 26 will be a special day for our congregation! People from far and wide will be here to help us celebrate our brother Al Sheehan’s 100th birthday! We will celebrate with a catered picnic after the morning service!                               

Pull Them Up!    by Jay Launius, in Montpelier, VT church bulletin

The story is told of two young mountain climbers who were scaling a sheer cliff face when the lead climber placed his hand into a crevasse and felt the sting of a scorpion. Losing his grip, he fell to the end of the safety line, but a carabiner failed leaving him hanging upside down. His partner quickly went to his friend’s aid and after two grueling hours, he pulled his companion to safety.

There are times when you and I are called upon to pull up a fellow Christian from the dangerous cliffs of unfaithfulness. Right now, we have brothers and sisters that need our courage, strength and resolve to bring them back to the safety of God and His family. Supporting our weaker brother is a great and needful part of our service to God. The bible encourages us to seek those that have fallen from the faith “with all lowliness and gentleness, with long-suffering, bearing with one another in love” (Ephesians 4:2). To reach out and grab the hand of someone who is struggling is not only a necessity, but a great privilege.

Let us contact our members who we’ve not seen in our worship services for a while. Chances are that they have lost their grip and are hanging between God and the devil. Let them know we love them, care for them, and desire to be in fellowship with them again.

Listen to Paul as he instructs us to go and rescue the fallen. “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:1-2)

What might result if each one of us here today made just one call, sent one text, or made one visit of encouragement to those who are waiting for us to pull them up?

                                   

PRAYERTIME: To start the day in prayer is to start the day aright! Please be in prayer for Patricia Freeman’s son Nolan as he goes through challenging times. Let us keep praying for Juniper Ammons (treatment and therapy after tragic accident last year), Aulika and Mickey (God’s guidance), Bill Butkovich (recovering from knee replacement surgery), Sherrie Connell (medical testing). Reuben Crowder (continued spiritual growth), Kathy Fosnaugh (recovering from hand surgery), Russ and Kim Garvin (long term health issues), Ansley Griffin (recovering from back surgery), Bill Kenson (daily blessing), David LaCuse in Oregon (immunotherapy), Melinda Long (to soon return to a physical rehab center) Lori Mendez’ husband Pete (cancer treatments), Al and Susan Sheehan (daily blessing and guidance), Sergio Torres   (housing and transportation), Zoe Ward  and family (in Carson City as she battles DIPG brain cancer), Fred and Linda Welden (recovery of health), and John Wood (regular eye treatments).Please also be  praying for our mission works in Venezuela with Daryl and Valerie Griffin and in Vigan City, Philippines with Rolando and Ludy Azurin. 1 Samuel 7:5 Then Samuel said, “Gather all Israel to Mizpah and I will pray to the Lord for you.”

Lord, we come before you as we are. We ask you to take away from us all that makes us less than human. Strengthen us with the power of your Spirit that our attitude and outlook may develop, and our “way of looking” may become more like yours. Help us remain positive – encouraging and appreciating one another, looking upon people in the same way that you do. We pray in the name of Jesus, Amen. ~quotement

Volume 51              March 31, 2024                    Number 13

FROM YOUR MINISTER: “He is not here, but He has risen.” (Luke 24:6). Those and similar words will be read, spoken, and sung many times on this very special day. Happy Resurrection Day! However, this is not the only day of resurrection. Most of us have also risen!          “Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). “If you then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits at the right hand of God” (Colossians 3:1). Jesus’ resurrection changed everything! So should ours!

QUOTE FOR THE WEEK:  Jesus’ resurrection is the beginning of God’s new project. - N. T. Wright                    Death is the prerequisite to resurrection, the new life God intends.- John Ortberg                                                                 Our old history ends with the cross; our new history begins with our resurrection. – Watchman Nee                                    Let the resurrection joy lift us from loneliness and weakness and despair to strength and beauty and happiness.  – F. W. Tomkins 

 THIS WEEK FROM THE BIBLE: Luke 24:46  and Jesus said to them, “So it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.” 

FAMILY NEWS:   Marnita & Stan are busy arranging their furniture and belongings into their new home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. We are all happily awaiting their wedding here on April 13!                                                                              Please contact Evelyn Hadnot if you can help her in her transportation needs.  John Wood is helping her with driving lessons. Thanks, brother!                                                          We have just learned that our sister Arin Reiutz will be moving away in a month. We miss her already!                                                                                             
THEY RAN!                               By Bill Brant, heartlight.org 

It was early; very early before the starlight gave way to sunlight. They trudged along the path, shifting their bundles, prepared to do the work as the stench of rotting flesh would fill their noses and convulse their stomachs. They would become "unclean" by touching a dead body, but they owed him the honor of cleaning and preparing his body. 

Then as they gazed at the place where his remains should have been they hear the words "He is risen!" Those words changed their lives, changed the world. The story is so important that all four Gospels tell it, albeit from different vantage points. 

During the Easter season it is appropriate to focus on He is Risen for that gives humankind the promise that it too can live with God forever. 

What is overlooked is what the people who hear He is Risen! did with that news.  

Once the words were said, or the followers encountered the risen Jesus, they ran to tell others. Read the story in Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24 and John 20. As you read you'll notice words like: great Joy, disbelief, frightened, fear, trembled, amazed, wept. Emotions that cross the spectrum of human expression describe the realization that Jesus lives. And they run to tell others. 

In "church" there is talk about "sharing the Gospel", almost as an academic exercise. Yet, it wasn't an analytical exercise for those who first faced a risen Jesus, and maybe it shouldn't be for us. 

The example is very clear. He is Risen! And we need to run and tell others.

ATTENTION, PLEASE! We need your help in keeping our prayer list living and active and updated! Your suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

PRAYERTIME: Daily prayer can be part of our daily resurrection. Kathy Fosnaugh had successful hand surgery on Tuesday. Keep her in prayer, please. Ansley Griffin had back surgery on Monday and is recuperating at home. Kindly include her in your prayers. Let us keep praying for Juniper Ammons (treatment and therapy after tragic accident last year), Aulika and Mickey (God’s guidance), Bill Butkovich (recovering from knee replacement surgery), Sherrie Connell (medical testing). Reuben Crowder (continued spiritual growth), Russ and Kim Garvin (long term health issues), Bill Kenson (daily blessing), David LaCuse in Oregon (immunotherapy), Melinda Long (to soon return to a physical rehab center) Lori Mendez’ husband Pete (cancer treatments), Al and Susan Sheehan (daily blessing and guidance), Sergio Torres   (housing and transportation), Zoe Ward  and family (in Carson City as she battles DIPG brain cancer), Fred and Linda Welden (recovery of health), and John Wood (regular eye treatments).Please also be  praying for our mission works in Venezuela with Daryl and Valerie Griffin and in Vigan City, Philippines with Rolando and Ludy Azurin. 1 Samuel 1:10 She, greatly distressed, prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly.

Father, sometimes I draw conclusions about people in terms of what I think is meant by “success” and “failure”, but the “failure” of one person might count as a great “success” of someone with other talents. Lead me never to judge people but to accept others as they are, knowing that it is together, each with our differences, that we build up your Kingdom. Amen. ~quotement                   

​

​Volume 51             March 24, 2024                   Number 12 FROM YOUR MINISTER: In Philippians chapter two, Paul challenges us to have the “mind of Christ”. Although He was actually God in human form, Jesus humbled Himself in service to humankind! In previous verses, Paul illustrates part of what this might look like. “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” What—it’s not all about me? It’s about God, and it’s about others! “Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you” (James 4:10).

QUOTE FOR THE WEEK:  Through pride the devil became the devil. Pride leads to every vice, it's the complete anti-God state of mind. A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you.  As long as you are proud, you cannot know God. Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less.                                                                                       ~C.S. Elliot

THIS WEEK FROM THE BIBLE: Luke 19:35-38 And they brought it to Jesus, and they threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. Now as He was going, they were spreading their cloaks on the road. And as soon as He was approaching, near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the [r]miracles which they had seen, shouting:“Blessed is the King, the One who comes in the name of the Lord; Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

FAMILY NEWS:   Marnita & Stan  arrived safely to their new home in Sante Fe, New Mexico, but their belongings won’t arrive until March 26! We will be happy to celebrate their wedding here on April 13!                 

It was wonderful having Sergio and his grandkids with us last week! We thank him for leading singing, and we thank the Rahmes for his transportation to and from services!          This Sunday the adult Bible class will begin a study of the Holy Spirit outlined by the late Edward Fudge and taught by Bro. Bruce.                                                                                                          
The Struggle
The arrogance of man will be brought low and the pride of men humbled; the Lord alone will be exalted in that day, and the idols will totally disappear. — Isaiah 2:17-18 

Sometimes, when we are "too big for our britches," we find ourselves humbled by a natural disaster, world war, incurable disease, economic depression, or widespread social disorder. Our arrogance functions as a predictor of our own impending fall. Is there a general principle of our universe at work here? ("Pride goes before a fall.") 

Is this the active discipline of God at work? ("God disciplines those he loves.") I guess the answer is "Yes!" to both questions. God and his world remind us that there is so much about our lives we can't control. 

This passage goes beyond the general principles and promises an ultimate day when human arrogance will be eliminated and all false gods disappear. On that day, God's children will rejoice and be glad! Until then, let's walk humbly with our God and anticipate the day Jesus returns, arrogance is brought down, and pride is exchanged for humility. O, what a glorious day that will be! 

Dear Father in heaven, please humble me gently. I don't want to lose my awareness of your abiding presence by becoming too full of myself. Neither do I want to bring disaster upon myself or those I love because of my arrogance. Please give me an undivided heart, dear Father, a heart devoted to you out of appreciation for your grace, mercy, and love. In the name of the Lord Jesus, I pray. Amen

                                                 By Phil Ware, heartlight .org

 

ATTENTION, PLEASE! We need your help in keeping our prayer list living and active and updated! Your suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

PRAYERTIME: It all begins, Lord, as we lower ourselves before You. Let’s be praying for Kathy Fosnaugh as she will be having hand surgery this Tuesday. We continue to lift Sherrie Connell before our Father as she undergoes medical testing. Please remain praying for our sister Melinda (Lindy) Long who is back at Carson Tahoe Hospital and making progress. Please keep praying for former member Bill Butkovich in So. Lake Tahoe who is recovering from knee replacement surgery. Let us keep praying for Juniper Ammons (treatment and therapy after tragic accident last year), Aulika and Mickey (God’s guidance), Reuben Crowder (for continued spiritual growth), Russ and Kim Garvin (long term health issues), Ansley Griffin (back surgery this month), Bill Kenson (daily blessing), David LaCuse in Oregon (immunotherapy), Lori Mendez’ husband Pete (cancer treatments), Al and Susan Sheehan (daily blessing and guidance), Sergio Torres   (housing and transportation), Zoe Ward  and family (in Carson City as she battles DIPG brain cancer), Fred and Linda Welden (recovery of health), and John Wood (regular eye treatments).Please also be  praying for our mission works in Venezuela with Daryl and Valerie Griffin and in Vigan City, Philippines with Rolando and Ludy Azurin. Deuteronomy 9:26 And I prayed to the Lord and said, ‘Lord God, do not destroy Your people, Your inheritance, whom You have redeemed through Your greatness, whom You have brought out of Egypt with a mighty hand!

“Dear Lord help me to remember that nothing is going to happen to me today that You and I together can’t handle. Amen” (Unknown).