Yikes!

I get queasy just looking at this picture...

Admirable Awana Achievement

Last night we had quite a time at our Awana club! It was a busy night with more kids than usual, and even better, a lot of kids recited a lot of memorized verses!

During the month of January, the kids' teams have been competing to see which group could pass the most sections in their Awana books. (Each section typically requires a clubber to recite one or two Scripture verses, with occasional reviews to make sure these truths are really in their heads.) Anyway, over the last four weeks, the kids signed off on a combined 288 sections! Wow!

My two kids added to that total, and I am so thankful for what they are learning. I've gone to church all my life, and I've had excellent teaching all the way, along with some valuable discipleship. But I'm amazed how many of the Bible verses I have memorized are a result of the church clubs I attended as a kid (including Awana) that rewarded me for learning Scripture.

I know that right now my kids are more focused on getting through their books, earning pins and "Awana bucks" for their memorization. But from my parental perspective, it thrills my heart to know that Molly and Ethan will have these godly truths "hidden in their hearts" for a lifetime! They will know the truth that matters most, because they have learned it straight from the Source.

I want to say "Thanks" again to my fellow Awana leaders and voluteers who make this program possible at New Hope, and especially to Ashley and Rebecca, who pour their heart and soul into the club and make it a real Event every week! Your service is a real blessing to my kids and dozens of other precious young lives--Thank You!

Donations for the homeless

A number of McMinnville churches are collecting items to help local homeless folks, and you'll find a bin in our entry way to collect such donations. If you'd like to help, take a look at the list below (if you click on the image you can see a bigger version).

Sermon online

Dewey's sermon from last Sunday is now online on our web site's Sermons, Etc. page. This message addresses a really important question: How do you get to heaven--by faith or by being good? The answer is simple...but maybe not as simple as you think. Have a listen if you missed it!

Busy Sunday

We had a busy day on Sunday! There was a full house to worship and observe the Lord's Supper on Sunday morning. Dewey moved into a new section of the Sermon on the Mount (I'll have the sermon online soon), and it was a good morning all around.

After church about 40 of us met for lunch at Yan's (pictures below). I got a chance to meet a couple people for the first time, and we also wished Liz Marts a happy 85th birthday!

Then I got a report that at 6:00 p.m. there were around 60 in attendance at the first stop in John Caster's "Virtual Tour of Israel" at the church! there are still several more weeks of pictures coming, so feel free to join in this Sunday!

Tar & Feather Night at Awana!

Last night we had a couple contests going at our kids' Awana club: First, who could recite the most verses memorized during the week, and second, who could bring the most first-time visitors to club. Alexis won the first, checking off 11 sections in her Awana book, and Molly won the second, bringing two friends from her class at school.

And what special incentive did we give them to achieve these heights? Why, we let them "tar and feather" Josh Peterson, one of our faithful Awana leaders, of course! So Alexis and Molly glopped on the chocolate syrup, and Molly's guests got to apply the plumage! A good time was had by all (even Josh)!

Scripture Sermons Online

I just got Dewey's January 11 sermon up on our web site's Sermons, Etc. page, so if you missed it, take a listen!

We've just gone through the holiday seasons and unusual weather and a couple of guest preachers in the last couple months, so you may not realize that Dewey just finished a 4-sermon mini-series on the importance of Scripture. We're studying the book of Matthew right now, and in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount we read:

I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
Matthew 5:18

We firmly believe that the Bible is wholly true, without error, the final authority for what we believe and how we live...I don't think you can overstate how foundational it is to believe that Scripture is fully trustworthy and authoritative.

After all, once I pick out a verse somewhere and say, "I don't think that's really true," then I put myself in the place of authority for truth, and the Bible just becomes a book that is subject to my opinion! It's a steep and slippery slope that many religious folk and even whole denominations fall into. But we believe that God's Word to us is the authority, not our own words, and Dewey makes that case in these four powerful sermons:

- "The Importance of Scripture" (12-7-08)
- "The Inerrancy of Scripture" (12-14-08)
- "Scripture and Science" (12-28-08)
- "Scripture and Prophecy" (1-11-09)

So if you missed any of these messages, I encourage you to have a listen! And, since Scripture is so significant, don't forget to take a few minutes today and let God speak to you--take out your Bible and read something from this amazing book!

Gee, you think...?

100!

I just uploaded the 100th sermon on the Sermons, Etc. page on our web site! That goes back to one of Dewey's first messages at New Hope, from January 7, 2007.

Most of the sermons are from the series Dewey did on 1 Corinthians, and I'll soon be taking most of those off the site to make room for more Matthew messages. So if you'd like to download any of those from 1 Corinthians, take a look this week. (We'll also make the whole series available in mp3 format in case you want the files all in one place).

We are thrilled to see God use our web site downloads to encourage people all over the world! If you've been gone during the holiday season, be sure to check out Ken Marts' thoughtful message from last Sunday on "Joy vs. Happiness" and Dewey's terrific examination of "Science and Scripture" from two weeks ago. Great stuff!

Youth on Ice

Our New Hope Youth went ice skating last week, and I recently got some pictures from their excursion...

The Chosen Vessel

I'm not a big poetry guy, but I was reading an article this morning that quoted a poem called "The Chosen Vessel" by Beulah V. Cornwall. If you're feeling too messed up to be used by God in this new year, maybe this poem will be an encouragement to you.

The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 1:27-31,
But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise;
God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.
He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him...
Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."

THE CHOSEN VESSEL
by Beulah V. Cornwall

The Master was searching for a vessel to use;
On the shelf there were many - which one would He choose?
Take me, cried the gold one, I'm shiny and bright,
I'm of great value and I do things just right.
My beauty and luster will outshine the rest
And for someone like You, Master, gold would be the best!

The Master passed on with no word at all;
He looked at a silver urn, narrow and tall;
I'll serve You, dear Master, I'll pour out Your wine
And I'll be at Your table whenever You dine,
My lines are so graceful, my carvings so true,
And my silver will always compliment You.

Unheeding the Master passed on to the brass,
It was widemouthed and shallow, and polished like glass.
Here! Here! cried the vessel, I know I will do,
Place me on Your table for all men to view.

Look at me, called the goblet of crystal so clear,
My transparency shows my contents so dear,
Though fragile am I, I will serve You with pride,
And I'm sure I'll be happy in Your house to abide.

The Master came next to a vessel of wood,
Polished and carved, it solidly stood.
You may use me, dear Master, the wooden bowl said,
But I'd rather You used me for fruit, not for bread!

Then the Master looked down and saw a vessel of clay.
Empty and broken it helplessly lay.
No hope had the vessel that the Master might choose,
To cleanse and make whole, to fill and to use.

Ah! This is the vessel I've been hoping to find,
I will mend and use it and make it all Mine.
I need not the vessel with pride of its self;
Nor the one who is narrow to sit on the shelf;
Nor the one who is bigmouthed and shallow and loud;
Nor one who displays his contents so proud;
Not the one who thinks he can do all things just right;
But this plain earthy vessel filled with My power and might.

Then gently He lifted the vessel of clay.
Mended and cleansed it and filled it that day.
Spoke to it kindly. There's work you must do,
Just pour out to others as I pour into you.

Happy New Year everyone!
God bless you greatly in 2009!

"The LORD bless you and keep you;

The LORD make His face shine upon you

and be gracious to you;

the LORD turn His face toward you

and give you peace."

Numbers 6:24-26