Pastor's Notes for March 7, 2010

NEW NEWSLETTERS are available the first Sunday of each month at the rear of the sanctuary in alphabetical order. Please find your name. The newsletters will be available in the office during the week. Drop by the office, say "Hi!" and pick up your newsletter.

A PASSOVER SEDER MEAL will be sponsored by Peter Chei’s congrergation, C.H.R.I.S.T. Missionary Church in our Fellowship Hall on Monday, March 15, from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. RSVP is required by March 10th. Peter Blitshteyn from Jews for Jesus will lead the service presenting “Christ in the Passover.”

KFC COLLECTION BUCKETS are available today. A dollar per person given on the first Sunday goes to a fund to help start a new Disciples congregation in the Ozark Lakes Area. KFC = Keep Funding the Chuch.

Reflecting on the Scriptures : FAITH DEMONSTRATED

Isaiah 55:1-9 begins with God’s gracious invitation, names God’s promises, and concludes with God’s pardon! God’s people are to listen, avoid empty pursuits, repent, and learn new ways to demonstrate faith.

Psalm 63:1-8 responds to God’s invitation, recognizing God’s gracious love with praise, worship, contentment and joy; meditating on God’s supportive right hand—faith demonstrated.

1 Corinthians 10:1-13 reminds us to reflect on God’s past activities, recalling how we connect to God’s story through our baptism. Remember God’s provision for the children of Israel and their response. Learn from their mistakes. Avoid discontent, sexual immorality, complaining. Demonstrate faith by resting on God’s provision.

Luke 13:1-9. Jesus echoes Isaiah’s message of repentance! God’s people (fig tree) are given opportunity to do what they are created to do, but don’t (no fruit). The “gardener” (Jesus) intercedes to avert judgment, promises to nurture the tree in hopes of fruit. The fruit sought after is faith demonstrated.