Good morning to our church family,
GIVING THANKS:
* We give much thanks and Praise to God for true answer to prayer for our dear sister Desrine. Desrine will be discharged from rehab today! She is grateful to God for all of the prayers, visits, cards, and love expressed by our congregation. She feels and looks great! There is POWER in prayer, just ask her!
PRAYER REQUESTS:
* Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to Pat Yaglowski and her family at the passing of her son Henry Jr. Please keep the family close in prayer as they go through this difficult time.
* Prayers for London Stephens will have surgery on April 2nd to help her with her hearing. Prayers for the doctors who will perform the surgery and for London to be able to hear soon!
* Paula Ross is still on medical leave and dealing with fatigue and rashes from Epstein Barre. She saw a specialist who ordered more lab tests.
* Judith Gomes' cancer has returned. Prayers for her continued health challenges.
JOHN COOPER'S REPORT
Dear faithful supporters,
First and foremost. I want to thank you for your continued support of our mission efforts. I also want to thank God for his guidance and blessing of our efforts.
We just return from a wonderful mission outreach effort to Guam and Saipan. Due to the generosity of my late father, I was able to pay for my daughter Deborah and her two children Aiden and Addie to accompany me along with Holly.
They called this mission trip “a life changing experience”. And Aiden was baptized in Tumon Bay on Guam on the last day of our stay.
I taught Bible class on Saipan Sunday, March 17 and I also preached for the church that day. After the morning service we had a congregational fellowship meal and enjoyed renewing acquaintances. This was Holly and my fifth time to visit Saipan.
We were able to spend time with Loida, who has been to visit us here in Grand Junction and also to encourage the Saipan preacher Boya Cabaluna.
On Guam we had quite a number of lunches and dinners with members of the church. I also conducted their midweek service on Tuesday night at the local missionaries home. They were very appreciative and begged us to return as soon and often as possible.
On both islands I was able to share with many islanders and pointed them to my video series entitled ” Beyond Reasonable Doubt ”. This will give them a good starting point in their faith journey.
I was able to visit with several of the officers on Guam's Police force as I volunteer there as a Police Chaplain when I am on the island.
On another outreach area, before I left for Guam I completed the first draft taping of four more episodes of my video series entitled ” Beyond Reasonable Doubt ”. Joe Jones is now editing these and we will be putting the finishing touches on them soon.
Upon my arrival home I got John Clayton's quarterly “Does God Exist ” journal. In it he announced the completion of a new Correspondence Course based on my video series. We worked on this together and it's nice to have it completed.
By the way, John told me recently that his “Does God Exist ” website had over 3 million hits last year! So we are getting the word out to many searchers. Praise God!
I continue to preach in Rifle as they continue to search for a full time located preacher. I also will begin helping the Montrose church in preaching in Moab, Utah.
I continue to text and call members of the church in Yekaterinburg, Moscow, Barnual and Chelyabinsk, Russia: Aviano, Italy: India, and Odesa, Ukraine.
May God bless us and guide us as we attempt to share His love with others throughout the world. Thanks again for your prayers and support.
In His love and service,
John Cooper
P.S. – I posted many pictures on Facebook of our recent mission trip to Guam and Saipan
Joe Nuzzo shared these beautiful lyrics that he wrote to the tune of “FOLLOW ME” by John Denver….
Follow You
It's by far the greatest thing I've ever done,
To be so in love with you together we are one .
Follow you where you send , broken hearts , we will mend
May the love of you be always found in me.
Follow you heart and soul ,
Just one way that makes me whole,
Take my hand and yes I’ll follow you.
Your word is in my mind,
Your words comfort that I may find,
So now I found the way each day that I can hold your hand
Always I shall worship you,
As you’ve made my life brand new
No matter what, I can talk to you
I was lost but now I’m found.
Follow you where you send, broken hearts we will mend
May the love of you be always found in me.
Follow you heart and soul,
Just one way that makes me whole ,
Take my hand and yes I’ll follow you.
Won’t forget how you gave your life for me
The cross of Calvary
Heavens where I'm going to
When my life is through
To live in eternity
I’ll never walk alone
all your love that you give to me,
We will be as one.
Follow you where you send, broken hearts we will mend
May the love of you be always found in me.
Follow you heart and soul,
Just one way…
Take my hand and yes I’ll follow you.
COMING UP:
SATURDAY APRIL 6th – TALENT SHOW 6:30 p.m.
ADMISSION: Bring a non-perishable food(s) for our Spooner House contributions and enjoy watching the talents of our church family.
TUESDAY LADIES BIBLE STUDIES THIS MONTH, 9:30 a.m. via zoom:
STUDY – GENESIS.
* Tuesday, April 9th
* Tuesday April 23
Thanks to Lisa and Mary Lou for leading these studies. Please see Mary Lou to get a copy of the book.
FRIDAY, APRIL 19th 7pm- SECRET SISTER REVEAL & PRAYER WALK
Want to know who your Secret Prayer Sister is?
We will be having the Secret Prayer Sister reveal on Friday, April 19 at 7pm. at the church building. After a potluck dinner and the reveal ,there will be a prayer walk.
Prayerfully all sisters participating will be able to attend. Please see Nadine Keller if you can come so we can get a head count. A list has been posted on the auditorium doors so we can get a headcount of who can attend.
Please note that our April Saturday morning Bible class on April 13th will be cancelled so we can focus on the Fellowship and night of Prayer & Prayer Walk.
Stay tuned for more details.
GIVE-A-WAY DAY….Saturday April 27th will be here soon. This will be a wonderful outreach to the community. See Pat Keller with the items you would like to contribute & stay tuned for more details.
CHURCH DIRECTORIES ARE BEING UPDATED:
Pat Keller has placed lists of members names and contact information on the back table. Please take time to review your information and get back to Pat with any corrections.
From Genesis to Revelation we read about God's amazing love for us. We read about how much Jesus loves us and the powerful message of His mercy and grace upon our lives. We learn about the greatness of our Creator and God's sacrificial gift, of His one and only Son, Jesus Christ.
The cross brings us all to know about sacrificial, and true love. 1 John 4:10
The resurrection of Jesus solidifies our faith and gives us the hope we need to get through this life, knowing eternal glory awaits for those who are obedient. John 11:25
The scriptures are overflowing with symbolic references of power and humbleness. The humbleness that rises up over evil, and the power of God's LOVE which is interwoven throughout His Word.
If we were to think of two clear opposites in the animal Kingdom, we would probably say the lion and the lamb. The lion is known as the King of the Jungle, who rules with a mighty roar, courage and power. The lion represents the epitome of strength and commands respect from the other animals in the kingdom. Yet, the lamb is a gentle, meek and mild animal. An animal that follows the orders of a shepherd's call.
Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, is called both the Lion and the Lamb throughout scripture….
In Genesis 49:9 when Jacob was blessing his sons, Judah is referred to as a “lion’s cub,” and in verse 10 we learn that the “scepter shall not depart from Judah.” The scepter is a symbol of lordship and power.
This was a prophecy that in Israel the kingly line would be descended from Judah. That prophecy was fulfilled when David succeeded to the throne after the death of King Saul in 2 Samuel.
David was a descendent from the line of Judah, and his descendants were the kings in Israel/Judah until the time of the Babylonian captivity in 586 BC.
Kingship is addressed when Jesus is described as the “root of David.” This brings us back to the words of Isaiah the prophet:
Isaiah 11:1,10
“There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse,
and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. . . .
In that day the root of Jesse,
who shall stand as a signal for the peoples—
of him shall the nations inquire,
and his resting place shall be glorious”.
Jesus is identified as a descendant of David and also the source or “root” of David’s kingly power.
In Revelation 4 & 5 John records for us the scene of the Heavenly throne room and a series of visions that culminate in the ultimate victory of Christ at the end of the age. In Revelation 4 we read about the endless praise that God receives from the angels, and 24 elders and in Chapter 5, it begins with John noticing that there is a scroll in the “right hand of him who was seated on the throne.” The scroll has writing on the inside and is sealed with seven seals. The angel proclaims with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?“
John begins to despair when no one comes forth to answer the angel’s challenge. One of the 24 elders encourages John to “weep no more,” and points out that the Lion of the tribe of Judah has come to take and open the scroll. The Lion of the tribe of Judah refers to Jesus Christ. The image of the lion is meant to convey kingship. Jesus is worthy to receive and open the scroll because He is the King of God’s people.
Why is Jesus worthy to open the scroll? He is worthy because He “has conquered.” When Jesus returns, He will conquer all of God’s enemies as we read in Revelation 19 .
Jesus is worthy because He has conquered sin and death at the cross.
Christ’s VICTORY at the cross is symbolized by his appearance as a “Lamb standing, as though it had been slain” Revelation 5:6
Prior to the exodus from Egypt, the Israelites were commanded by God to take an unblemished lamb, slay it, and smear its blood on the doorposts of their homes Exodus 12:1-7. The blood of the slain lamb would set apart the people of Israel from the people of Egypt when the angel of death came during the night to slay the firstborn of the land. Those who had the blood of the lamb would be spared.
Fast forward to the New Testament when John the Baptist sees Jesus approaching him, he declares to all present…
“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29
Jesus IS the ultimate “Passover lamb” who saves His people, His followers from eternal death.
Jesus is referred to as BOTH the Lion and the Lamb and we are to see Him as not only the conquering King who will slay the enemies of God at His return, but also as the sacrificial Lamb who took away the sins of the world, so we may share in His ultimate victory.
We should never take the Cross for granted, for the cross was the ultimate victory of God over the forces of sin and evil in this world.
Because Jesus became the ultimate sacrifice and VICTORY at Calvary, He is worthy to receive and open the scroll, which contains the righteous judgment of God.
How blessed we are to celebrate the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus each and EVERY Sunday, not just once a year!
How blessed we are to be covered by the precious blood of JESUS!
How blessed we are to read about the Kingly lineage of the Prince of Glory, and that we… His followers… are heirs to His throne!
KEEP SINGING:
LAMB OF GOD
“Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29
Your only Son,
No sin to hide,
But You have sent Him from Your side
To walk upon this guilty sod,
And to be come the Lamb of God.
O Lamb of God,
Sweet Lamb of God,
I love the holy Lamb of God,
O wash me in His precious blood,
My Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God.
Your gift of Love,
they crucified,
They laughed and scorned Him as He died,
The humble King,
they named a fraud,
And sacrificed the Lamb of God
O Lamb of God,
Sweet Lamb of God,
I love the holy Lamb of God,
O wash me in His precious blood,
My Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God.
I was so lost,
I should have died,
But You have brought
me to Your side
To be lead by
Your staff and rod,
And to be called the Lamb of God.
O Lamb of God,
Sweet Lamb of God,
I love the holy Lamb of God,
O wash me in His precious blood,
My Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God.
LION AND THE LAMB
He's coming on the clouds
He's coming on the clouds
Kings and kingdoms will bow down
And every chain will break
As broken hearts declare His praise
For who can stop the Lord Almighty
And our God is the Lion
The Lion of Judah
He's the roaring with power
And fighting our battles
And every knee will bow before Him
Our God is the lamb
The lamb that was slain
For the sins of the world
His blood breaks the chains
And every knee will bow before the Lion and the Lamb
Every knee will bow before Him
So, open up the gates
So, open up the gates
Make way before the King of Kings
The God who comes to save
Is here to set the captives free
For who can stop the Lord Almighty
Our God is the Lion
The Lion of Judah
He's roaring with power
And fighting our battles
And every knee will bow before Him
Our God is the Lamb
The Lamb that was slain
For the sin of the world
His blood breaks the chains
And every knee will bow before the Lion and the Lamb
Every knee will bow before Him
How many here believe
Every knee will bow
Every tongue will confess
And then “
For who can stop the Lord Almighty
Who can stop the Lord Almighty
No one
Who can stop
Sing it over the battle
Who can stop the Lord Almighty
There is no one
Who can stop the Lord Almighty
Who can stop the Lord
And our God is the Lion
The Lion of Judah
He's roaring with power
And fighting our battles
And every knee will bow before Him
Our God is the lamb
The Lamb that was slain
For the sins of the world
His blood breaks the chains
And every knee will bow before the Lion and the Lamb
Every knee will bow before Him
Every knee will bow
Tongue confess
REVELATION SONG:
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Holy, Holy is He.
Sing a new song to Him who sits on
Heaven's mercy seat
Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty
Who was and is, and is to come
With all creation I sing, praise to the King of Kings
You are my everything,
and I will adore You
Clothed in rainbows
of living color
Flashes of lightning rolls of thunder
Blessing and honor, strength and glory and power be
To You the only wise King
Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty
Who was and is, and is to come
With all creation I sing, praise to the King of Kings
You are my everything,
and I will adore You
Filled with wonder,
awestruck wonder
At the mention of Your name,
Jesus Your name is power, breath and living water
Such a marvelous mystery…
Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty
Who was and is, and is to come
With all creation I sing, praise to the King of Kings
You are my everything,
and I will adore You
Those who only see Jesus as the gentle lamb of God, forget that He is the fierce Lion of Judah!
Jesus said In Matthew 11:29 “I am gentle and humble in heart” , but He is not soft, timid or weak. Rather, He was power under control.
When tempted, He remained without sin.
When spat upon, He did not retaliate.
Knowing His disciples would forsake Him, He washed their feet.
What takes more power than to leave the glory of Heaven to save and serve US…. undeserving sinners?
JESUS… the name ABOVE of all names.
JESUS, the Lion and the Lamb, Holy and Humble, just and merciful.
Romans 6:8-11
“Now if we have died with Christ,
we believe that we will also live with him.
We know that Christ, being raised from the dead,
will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him.
For the death he died he died to sin, once for all,
but the life he lives he lives to God.
So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God
in Christ Jesus.“
May we remember….
Baptized believers have the same Spirit which raised Jesus from the dead!
Can we even grasp how special we are, in CHRIST?
Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty!
Romans 8:28
“I am convinced that neither death nor life,
neither angels nor demons,
neither the present nor the future,
nor any powers,
neither height nor depth,
nor anything else in all creation
will be able to separate us from the love of God
that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.“
To God be the glory.
Bruce & Paula