Remember our singspiration Saturday at 10:00 a.m. with breakfast.
Sunday we begin the series ARK "surviving family storms". You will want to come to Orchards as we have some special activities and props for this Sunday.
Hope to see you by 9:30 Sunday.
Pastor Mark
Friday, July 27, 2007
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Transient Life
Last night we attended the memorial service for Shelly's cousin, Stephanie, who died at age 40 of ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). The pastor made a joke "the death rate for all people still hovers around 100%). We are all going to die unless Jesus comes back first. What struck me as I sat there is how many people of such varied ages that I knew or knew of had passed away in the last few weeks. We aren't guaranteed a long life and need to live today as it may be our last. So, how do we live so well that we also die well no matter our age?
Stephanie was a believer in Jesus and lived her life until the very end with her faith and hope in Christ. I have performed and attended hundreds of services but this one was unique. Stephanie planned her service to the smallest detail. Her testimony through the whole service is that there is Hope. Shelly and I saw Stephanie a week before she died and she radiated the hope and peace that can only come through her faith in her relationship with Jesus Christ.
Shawn Lewis closed Stephanie's service with the song "With Hope" by Steven Curtiss Chapman that talks about people who die young when they could have had so much more time, but they don't. I was reminded of my 14 year old niece who died in August 1999 right after that song was written and we used it at her service.
Those of you who were at church Sunday or watch on the net saw the story of Maggie. I had the privilege to meet Maggie at Sunnyside hospital about a month ago. I had never seen her before since she hadn't attended since I arrive at Living Hope. But there was a lady whose body had almost completely wasted away who have spunk. Her eyes sparkled, her smile glowed and her spirit radiated peace and joy. We prayed for healing and she received her ultimate healing just two weeks later. She was praying for healing to remain on earth and yet having a peace if God called her home which he did.
Sunday I received a call that a friend, aged 93, passed away. This friend, whose service I will do next week, has buried seven of her children through various tragedies and aliments as well as a grandson. Yet, in spite of all of these difficulties she still trusted God. She has had trouble breathing for several years and yet with each labored breath she radiated gentleness and joy as she spoke.
Having young children makes tears well up in my eyes when I hear of a young child passing away. Hailey Avery passed away a few weeks ago at a one year of age and I grieve and pray for the family.
Then in the last few weeks both Shelly and I have lost classmates with whom we went to school from elementary to high school.
A few weeks ago, some long time missionary friends 24 year old daughter died. She was living and walking as we all do then complained about not feeling well. She went into a and three days later died and there is no answer of what happened.
Take today to enjoy the moment to hug your family. To stop and look at someone needing a hand we never know how much time any of us have.
Pastor Mark
Stephanie was a believer in Jesus and lived her life until the very end with her faith and hope in Christ. I have performed and attended hundreds of services but this one was unique. Stephanie planned her service to the smallest detail. Her testimony through the whole service is that there is Hope. Shelly and I saw Stephanie a week before she died and she radiated the hope and peace that can only come through her faith in her relationship with Jesus Christ.
Shawn Lewis closed Stephanie's service with the song "With Hope" by Steven Curtiss Chapman that talks about people who die young when they could have had so much more time, but they don't. I was reminded of my 14 year old niece who died in August 1999 right after that song was written and we used it at her service.
Those of you who were at church Sunday or watch on the net saw the story of Maggie. I had the privilege to meet Maggie at Sunnyside hospital about a month ago. I had never seen her before since she hadn't attended since I arrive at Living Hope. But there was a lady whose body had almost completely wasted away who have spunk. Her eyes sparkled, her smile glowed and her spirit radiated peace and joy. We prayed for healing and she received her ultimate healing just two weeks later. She was praying for healing to remain on earth and yet having a peace if God called her home which he did.
Sunday I received a call that a friend, aged 93, passed away. This friend, whose service I will do next week, has buried seven of her children through various tragedies and aliments as well as a grandson. Yet, in spite of all of these difficulties she still trusted God. She has had trouble breathing for several years and yet with each labored breath she radiated gentleness and joy as she spoke.
Having young children makes tears well up in my eyes when I hear of a young child passing away. Hailey Avery passed away a few weeks ago at a one year of age and I grieve and pray for the family.
Then in the last few weeks both Shelly and I have lost classmates with whom we went to school from elementary to high school.
A few weeks ago, some long time missionary friends 24 year old daughter died. She was living and walking as we all do then complained about not feeling well. She went into a and three days later died and there is no answer of what happened.
Take today to enjoy the moment to hug your family. To stop and look at someone needing a hand we never know how much time any of us have.
Pastor Mark
Middle of Summer
This last week I started wondering if summer was already gone. We had a swimming party Saturday at my in-laws for Samuel's 4th birthday and we couldn't swim as it has been so cold and wet.
Looks like summer is coming back and wanted to give you heads up on a few things with Orchards and Seniors.
This Thursday is our senior LifeGroup at 10:00 a.m. and we meet weekly and go over the message from Sunday.
This Saturday is our monthly Singspiration at 10:00 a.m. We are focusing on some Bill & Gloria Gaither songs. We provide breakfast. We will also have a cake and celebration for John Buskirk who turns . . . . 65 on Saturday--and I remember when John was 30!
Orchards Village at the corner of 99th street and 117th Ave has invited us to join them for a Hawaiian Luau at noon on August 4.
We have our next all campus potluck on August 12 at 11:00 a.m. between the Generations Live service and the Hispanic Service.
Pray for your safety and enjoyment this summer,
Pastor Mark
Looks like summer is coming back and wanted to give you heads up on a few things with Orchards and Seniors.
This Thursday is our senior LifeGroup at 10:00 a.m. and we meet weekly and go over the message from Sunday.
This Saturday is our monthly Singspiration at 10:00 a.m. We are focusing on some Bill & Gloria Gaither songs. We provide breakfast. We will also have a cake and celebration for John Buskirk who turns . . . . 65 on Saturday--and I remember when John was 30!
Orchards Village at the corner of 99th street and 117th Ave has invited us to join them for a Hawaiian Luau at noon on August 4.
We have our next all campus potluck on August 12 at 11:00 a.m. between the Generations Live service and the Hispanic Service.
Pray for your safety and enjoyment this summer,
Pastor Mark
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Cool summer
After our week of unseasonably warm weather we are now in a time of unseasonably cool and wet.
Thanks to Rich & Lois for opening their home last Friday for our picnic. It was an awesome time!
I wanted to remind everyone that we started the seniors Life Group on Thursday mornings at 10:00 a.m. at Orchards Campus. We are in the Bible and following the sermon from the previous Sunday.
This weekend is Baptism weekend and those wanting to be Baptized can come to Orchards at 9:30 and then we will be heading to the main campus for the 11:00 a.m. baptisms.
The picnic for this weekend has been cancelled so we can have the baptisms. But remember our next one is scheduled for August 12 at 11:00 a.m. and we are combining with the Hispanic service.
The next singspiration is Saturday July 28 at 10:00 at Orchards.
See you all there,
Pastor Mark
Thanks to Rich & Lois for opening their home last Friday for our picnic. It was an awesome time!
I wanted to remind everyone that we started the seniors Life Group on Thursday mornings at 10:00 a.m. at Orchards Campus. We are in the Bible and following the sermon from the previous Sunday.
This weekend is Baptism weekend and those wanting to be Baptized can come to Orchards at 9:30 and then we will be heading to the main campus for the 11:00 a.m. baptisms.
The picnic for this weekend has been cancelled so we can have the baptisms. But remember our next one is scheduled for August 12 at 11:00 a.m. and we are combining with the Hispanic service.
The next singspiration is Saturday July 28 at 10:00 at Orchards.
See you all there,
Pastor Mark
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