What an encouraging day it was yesterday!
Our worship service was a real joy as we sang together, heard testimonies and entered the final chapter of our 16-month study of 1 Corinthians. It was packed, too! I counted 215 people yesterday (our 2nd biggest service ever), which was even more than we had on Easter Sunday!
We also had over a hundred at the potluck that followed, and a really nice turn-out at the baptism service that followed. I was a little worried that the unusually nice weather would keep people away, but we filled up Adventure Christian Church’s sanctuary for a neat service. What a real blessing to hear the testimonies and see the baptisms of the five believers who proclaimed their identification with Jesus and His death and resurrection! I’m glad we had that time to share, and I look forward to doing it again!
If you missed the Sunday morning service (or want to relive it), I have Dewey’s message uploaded to our website, and I also put a recording of the new song we’re learning,
Spirit Descend Upon My Heart if you’d like to hear that. Just go to the
Sermons, Etc. page on our website.
I should have some pictures up in the next day or two, so stay tuned!
Don't miss the Talent Show tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m.! There are some fun acts planned for the evening, involving everything from basketballs to ukuleles--yes, there's something for everyone!
New Hope Shepherd Richard Bryson has been working on his Doctor of Ministry (DMin) degree for the last several years. He completed his coursework by extension through Seattle’s 
Bakke Graduate University. The last step in the program is writing a dissertation, and he recently finished his 156-page paper entitled The Church's Response to the Immigration Crisis. And this weekend Rich’s dissertation passed its final review with flying colors, earning the highest mark of "Passed with High Distinction"!
Right after the service we'll enjoy a potluck lunch together, so bring some food to eat and share. Then after lunch we'll caravan over to Adventure Christian Church (located at 2831 NE Newby Street) where they're graciously letting us use their sanctuary and baptistry. There we'll have a brief baptism service with testimonies, music and (of course) baptisms!
A young man asked an old rich man how he made his money. The old guy fingered his worsted wool vest and said, "Well, son, it was 1932, the depth of the Great Depression. I was down to my last nickel. I invested that nickel in an apple. I spent the entire day polishing the apple and, at the end of the day, I sold the apple for ten cents.
The Bertolinis are back safe and rested from their excursion to Israel!
