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2/7/2026
Good morning church family,
GIVING THANKS & PRAISE:
God was surely glorified by the time of prayer last evening. Thanks to all who came to the building, and all who were not able to come yet spent the time in prayer.
Thanks to Elmer Sandoval who leads the Spanish ministry, for all of his labor in fixing the stairs on the side of the building. He endured cold temperatures and got the job done. We are beyond grateful.
We give thanks & praise to God for answered prayers! Jin Lin interviewed with Albert Einstein Medical Center and was accepted into their PhD program! So happy for Jin and Zach that they can attend school together. God is good and all the time!
PRAYER REQUESTS:
Leo Benevento’s spine surgery went well although he deals with high pain levels. He was supposed to come home yesterday, but they are balancing his pain meds. Continued prayers for Leo as he heals from the surgery.
Pat Yaglowski’s husband Henry is home from the hospital. Prayers for them both as they deal with several health challenges.
Prayers for Ronnie Ralph who will have a procedure next Friday.
Kimberly Keller’s friend Tia’s mother passed away and the funeral was this past week. Tia struggles with epilepsy and it is a difficult time for her.
Leah Fernandes asked for prayers for Zsa Zsa Morias a close friend of her daughter-in-law Jess’s family, who was diagnosed with a mass on her spine.
Here is the most recent picture of Kenny and Jess’s son Tatum. He gained 1 full pound and is sleeping through the night. Jess is feeling better as well. Thank you all for your prayers!
COMING UP:
The next Tuesday Ladies bible study via zoom will be on February 17th at 9:30 am. The new study will be on Lesson 6 in the book as Lisa and Mary Lou lead us in the book of Ezra.
Lord willing the next Saturday Ladies bible study will be on Saturday, February 14th at the church building. Angela Weber will lead the discussion on the topic of “The Fragrance of Brokenness” The scripture for this lesson is “Blessed are those who mourn”. Thanks to Angela and all of the ladies who are doing a great job of leading these lessons. It takes much time to prepare these lessons and it has been a great study.
“The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim his handiwork.”
This past week our nation celebrated what is known as Groundhog Day. Groundhog Day evolved from an ancient European weather lore, where animals like hedgehogs or badgers predicted winter’s length, a custom brought to Pennsylvania by German immigrants who substituted the native groundhog (aka woodchucks). The first official celebration took place in 1887, for a non-serious tradition of the ground hog seeing its shadow for more than six weeks of winter, or not seeing it for an early spring. Mankind looks for many opportunities to celebrate all things. Look at the crowds which groundhog day brings in Pennsylvania.
Not to mention….an elaborate firework display!
While there is no truth behind the groundhog predicting the weather one way or the other, these animals are known as “true hibernators”, entering a deep state of dormancy from October to early Spring. They are tree climbers and skilled swimmers, aside from eating up well manicured gardens.
Mankind needs to let the groundhogs, just be groundhogs.
It’s not their fault that man has made up this folly!
In , the apostle Paul refutes false teachings that were circulating about the nature and divinity of Jesus. The false teachers of Paul’s day insisted that while Jesus was prominent, He was not the supreme, highest ranking being in all creation. They claimed He was not God.
In verse 15 Paul states clearly,
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.”
This is a powerful scripture emphasizing Jesus’ divinity, superiority and sustaining power over all creation!
Jesus Christ is the glue that holds us, and everything in the world together. If it weren’t for Him, all things would fall apart. He ensures life’s order and coherence.
The writer of Hebrews affirms the divinity and supremacy of God’s son..:
“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”
As we watch the world continue to decline, may we focus on JESUS, who is the Sustainer of the universe. He upholds every element, fiber, force and law of nature. Without His continual care and providence, all of what we see would cease to exist.
We must walk with discernment and stay in God’s Word.
Paul writes in
“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.”
Jesus Christ is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe – and that, because He holds all things together, we are safe, secure, and complete in our salvation through our union with Him.
He is sovereign and all knowing.
He is Omnipotent, Omniscient and Omnipresent. Psalm 139; ;
His power, His Word, and His presence guarantee that the universe does not spin into chaos but remains under His control.
“During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.”
“who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.”
As Creator of all things visible and invisible, Christ’s authority trumps every other earthly creature and spiritual being.
Only Jesus is worthy of our worship.
In Revelation 21 John recounts seeing the new heaven and new earth. He sees a magnificent Holy City where God dwells among His people. It is here that God promises to wipe every tear from His people’s eyes. There will be no more death, mourning, crying or pain. All creation will be free from the reign and effects of sin. John sees Jesus seated on the throne declaring in verse 5 , “Behold I am making everything new!”
In Christ we are a new creation.
We have such Hope in JESUS CHRIST!
How incredibly blessed we are to know that in ALL THINGS, God works for the good of those who love Him!
How incredibly blessed we are to know that “WITH GOD, ALL THINGS are possible!”
How incredibly blessed we are to know that ‘I can do ALL THINGS through Christ who strengthens me.”
PRAISE GOD for our LORD & SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST!
We have so much to REJOICE OVER!
KEEP SINGING:
ABOVE ALL
Above all powers, above all kings Above all nature and all created things Above all wisdom and all the ways of man You were here before the world began.
Above all kingdoms, above all thrones,
Above all wonders the world has ever known,
Above all wealth and treasures of the earth There’s no way to measure what You’re worth
Crucified, laid behind a stone
You lived to die, rejected and alone
Like a rose, trampled on the ground
You took the fall and thought of me
Above all
Above all powers, above all kings
Above all nature and all created things
Above all wisdom and all the ways of man
You were here before the world began
Above all kingdoms, above all thrones
Above all wonders the world has ever known
Above all wealth and treasures of the earth
There’s no way to measure what You’re worth
Crucified, laid behind a stone
You lived to die, rejected and alone
Like a rose, trampled on the ground
You took the fall and thought of me
Above all
Crucified, laid behind a stone You lived to die, rejected and alone Like a rose, trampled on the ground You took the fall and thought of me Above all
Like a rose, trampled on the ground
You took the fall and thought of me
Above all
“He who testifies to these things says, “Yes I am coming soon.” Amen, Come Lord Jesus ”
To God be the glory great things He hath done!
Bruce & Paula
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