Feb 7

The acid test of our faith in the promises of God is never found in the easy-going, comfortable ways of life, but in the great emergencies, the times of storm and of stress, the days of adversity, when all human aid fails. --Ethel Bell

A couple was celebrating their golden wedding anniversary. Their domestic tranquility had long been the talk of the town. A local newspaper reporter was inquiring as to the secret of their long and happy marriage.
"Well, it dates back to our honeymoon," explained the man. "We visited the Grand Canyon and took a trip down to the bottom on the canyon by pack mule. We hadn't gone too far when my wife's mule stumbled. My wife quietly said, 'That's once.' We proceeded a little further and the mule stumbled again. Once more my wife quietly said, 'That's twice.' We hadn't gone a half-mile when the mule stumbled the third time. My wife quietly removed a revolver from her pocket and shot the mule dead.
I started to protest over her treatment of the mule when she looked at me and quietly said 'That's once.'

Who receives the most Valentine cards? It's not sweethearts. According to Aspire, of the 1 billion cards sent or given one recent Valentine's Day, teachers got the most. Children got the second highest percentage, followed by wives and mothers. - Source: Current Thoughts & Trends (February 2010)

"There are those who believe that a new modernity demands new morality. What they fail to consider is the harsh reality that there is no such thing as a new morality. There is only one morality. All else is immorality. There is only true Christian ethics over against which stands the whole of paganism. If we are to fulfill our great destiny as a people, then we must return to the old morality, the sole morality." - Theodore Roosevelt

Americans consumed 25.7 pounds of candy per capita in 2005. - U.S. Census Bureau


Everything I need to know, I learned from Noah's Ark:
One: Don't miss the boat.
Two: Remember that we are all in the same boat.
Three: Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark.
Four: Stay fit. When you're 600 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big.
Five: Don't listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done.
Six: Build your future on high ground.
Seven: For safety's sake, travel in pairs.
Eight: Speed isn't always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs.
Nine: When you're stressed, float a while.
Ten: Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.
Eleven: No matter the storm, when you are with God, there's always a rainbow waiting.

TEN THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
Journalist Maria Shriver, wife of Arnold Schwartzeneger, in her book, tells about these ten things she wishes she would have known earlier:
1. First and foremost: pinpoint your passion.
2. No job is beneath you.
3. Who you work for and with is as important as what you do.
4. Your behavior has consequences.
5. Be willing to fail.
6. Superwoman is dead ... and Superman may not be alive
7. Children do change your career (not to mention your entire life).
8. Marriage is a ... lot of hard work.
9. Don't expect anyone else to support you financially.
10. Laugh a lot.

All I Need To Know About Life I Learned From Trees
* It's important to have roots.
* In today's complex world, it pays to branch out.
* Don't pine away over old flames.
* If you really believe in something, don't be afraid to go out on a limb.
* Be flexible so you don't break when a harsh wind blows.
* Sometimes you have to shed your old bark in order to grow.
* If you want to maintain accurate records, keep a log.
* To be politically correct, don't wear firs.
* Grow where you're planted. * It's perfectly okay to be a late bloomer.
* Avoid people who would like to cut you down.
* Get all spruced up when you have a hot date.
* If the party gets boring, just leaf.
* You can't hide your true colors as you approach the autumn of your life.

Difficulties are things that show what men are. Epictetus (c. 55-135) Philosopher


We went to breakfast at a restaurant where the "seniors' special" was two eggs, bacon, hash browns and toast for $1.99.
"Sounds good," my wife said. " But I don't want the eggs."
Then I'll have to charge you two dollars and forty-nine cents because you're ordering a la carte," the waitress warned her.
"You mean I'd have to pay for not taking the eggs?" My wife asked incredulously.
"YES!!"
"I'll take the special."
"How do you want your eggs?"
"Raw and in the shell," my wife replied. She took the two eggs home.

THE CHURCH vs. AN AUDIENCE
Charles Jefferson once described the difference between an audience and a church. He said, “An audience is a crowd. A church is a family.
An audience is a gathering. A church is a fellowship.
An audience is a collection. A church is an organism.
An audience is a heap of stones. A church is a temple.” He went on to say, “Preachers are not to attract an audience, but to build His church.”

What men and women want most in the hour of trouble is not an answer to a problem but a power to carry them through. And, indeed, even if the best and most completely satisfying solution of the mystery of suffering were available, that would not alter the fact that the actual suffering itself—the grim reality in experience—would still be there to be endured. So we begin to see that there is a deeper question. The ultimate demand is not “Why has this happened to me?” but “How, seeing it has happened, am I to face it?” And when you see that, suddenly the New Testament comes right in. The New Testament is not much concerned about Why? But it is desperately and magnificently concerned about How? It does not offer you a theory and an explanation—it offers you a power and a victory. --James S. Stewart

A COUPLE I KNOW were discussing their wallpaper, which had just been hung. Doug was annoyed at Debby's indifference to what he felt was a poor job. "The problem is that I'm a perfectionist and you're not," he finally said to her. "Exactly!" she replied. "That's why you married me and I married you!"

The way to gain a good reputation is to endeavor to be what you desire to appear. – Socrates
 Grammar has gots to be one of the most importantest things ever?
 I am becoming increasingly worried that there isn't enough anxiety in my life.
 I have this nagging fear that everyone is out to make me paranoid.
 Life is full of uncertainties...or I could be wrong about that?
 Not only am I redundant and superfluous, but I also tend to use more words than necessary.
 Always remember you're unique... just like everyone else. 



SUPER BOWL SUNDAY February 7, 2010
ORDER OF WORSHIP
Prior to the Entrance Hymn the Pastor and the Director of Music will toss a coin.
The winner may elect to be the preacher or music director; the loser may elect to defend the pulpit or choir stand.

THE ENTRANCE HYMN: "A Multitude Comes From The East and West"

THE SETTING OF THE RULES:
a) Any acolyte found to be in illegal motion will be assessed a 5 yard
penalty or the loss of a candle;
b) Offering plates may be lateraled; the peace may be passed;
c) The liturgist may fake a hand off to the Lay Reader and read the
Lessons himself, provided that changes in audible signals are clearly given;
d) A Message in excess of 20 minutes will be regarded as "Delay of the Service" and the preacher may lose possession of the pulpit;
e) Gate receipts may be gathered during the half-time show;
f) Ushers may blitz either the Lay Reader or preacher only during the
announcements;
g) Unconfirmed communicants (ineligible receivers) may be placed on wafers;
h) The liturgist may be awarded 3 points for correctly announcing the Super Bowl alternative title: Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany

THE LESSONS:
Isaiah 6:1-8 God raises up a great manager
1 Cor 14:12-20 The proper gifts are essential for playing
Mark 1:21-28 Jesus the Coach calls the first string
HYMN OF THE DAY: "Pass It On"

THE MESSAGE: "One Yard to Go"

HALFTIME ACTIVITIES: The Offering

THE 2 MINUTE WARNING (announcements)

THE BENEDICTION AND CLOSING CHEERS


If the Good Lord wanted more of us to see the sunrise,
He would have scheduled it later in the day!

Edward Gibbon (“Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire”) lists the reasons for the decline and fall of the Roman system:
1. Family life disintegrated.
2. The world of entertainment became corrupt.
3. Moral absolutes were discarded.
4. The cost of the empire’s military was paralyzing.
5. The empire’s economy collapsed.
Indeed, food for thought in relation to today’s world!