February 4, 2012

saints

Are You Good at Sharing?

February 2, 2012

MEDITATION - From Shel White

Are you good at sharing? Would you describe yourself as a generous person? I think generosity of our time and gifts and energy is more important than the money we give. We most often give when we are challenged with a need. We then see if we have enough left-over time and energy and money to give so we do not feel guilty. Thank goodness that God did not and does not give us leftovers. God wants us to grow in our generosity where our hearts are ready and eager looking for places where God can use some of our core energy, time and money.

"Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." 2 Corinthians 9:7

Shel

KEY UPCOMING EVENTS - places to connect - places to grow in your faith:

  • Worship Celebrations:
    • Sunday, February 5, 2011 Holy Communion - Contemporary Worship at 9am - Traditional Worship at 10:30am - Preacher: Rev. Bill Nebo
    • Sunday, February 12, 2011 Boy Scout Sunday - Contemporary Worship at 9am - Traditional Worship at 10:30am - Preacher: Rev. Shel White "The God You See is the God You Get!" Matthew 25:14-30 (Shel's sermon series are messages he has received most positive comments over the years)
  • Yoot Groop: January Rundown
    • February 5: Souper Bowl & Super Bowl!
    • February 11: T's Tea (for the ladies only) at the Benton home. Wear your favorite Valentine hat! Please RSVP by 2/5.
    • February 12: Regular Yoot Groop
    • February 19: No Yoot Groop
    • February 26: Service Project
    • March 4: Regular, good ol' Yoot Groop
    • March 11: 1st Annual St. Andrew's Chili Cook-Off!
    • March 18: Service Project
    • March 25: Super Sport Night Groop
    For more information, please contact our youth directors, Tina & Brent Benton at (925) 222-5378 or gatoslocos.bentons@gmail.com.
  • Party Planning - Wednesday, February 8 at 7pm - We are planning a huge party for Pastor Shel. We'll send him out with our love, prayers and best wishes on Sunday evening, April 29. If you would like to become a part of the party planning team, our first meeting will be Wednesday, February 8. If you cannot attend the meeting, but are willing to help, please contact Pastor Wendy.
  • Lenten Small Group - Friday, February 24 at 10am - What if you could experience, as Mary and Peter did, the bewilderment, the challenge, and the ultimate revelation of knowing the man called Jesus? What if you could enter into the deeper meaning of Jesus' passion by listening in on an imaginary reenactment? Our Lenten Small Group will be reading, meditating on and discussing Walter Wangerin's book, Reliving the Passion: Meditations on the Suffering, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus as Recorded in Mark. The meditations begin on Ash Wednesday which is February 22. We would like everyone who is participating in this small group to have a copy of the book by Sunday, February 19. We will be meeting every Friday morning at 10am from February 24 through April 6. In addition to sharing our reflections on the book we are reading, we enjoy fellowship with one another and spend time praying for one another. If you would like a book to be ordered for you, please email Rev. Lori Hedlund at lori.hedlund@yahoo.com by February 1 so a book can be ordered for you for purchase on Sunday, February 19. If you need child care, please let us know.
  • Fourth Friday Flick Flack - Friday, February 24 at 6:30pm - Please join us for a salad potluck and discussion of the film, "The Help." Marie Duncan and Dolores Mathews will host our group in the Creekside Room of Celebration Center. We will discuss the movie "The Help." Please bring a salad to share and your place setting. RSVP to Marie at 933-9239 or Dolores at 687-9902 by Wednesday, February 20. Please join us for an evening of good food and fellowship.
  • Pick a Date for the Family Shelter - Week of March 5 - Help cook dinner for homeless families at the Martinez Family Shelter. We will need a cook and helpers to prepare dinner by 6:00pm, Monday-Friday. You'll be finished around 7:15pm. Start time varies. Menu suggestions provided. For those who don't cook, but want to help by donating food, we're making it even easier. We'll do the shopping for you. Mark check donations Family Shelter. Sign-ups to cook will be available on February 12, 19 and 26, but don't delay. Questions? Valerie (925)938-2596, vzito@sbcglobal.net.
  • 1st Annual Chili Cook-Off - Sunday, March 11 - Do you have a secret family chili recipe? Are you known for your smoking chili beans? We want YOU! The Yoot Groop is hosting the 1st Annual St. Andrew's Chili Cook-Off! We are raising funds to help transform our youth room. All are invited to brew up a batch of your favorite chili and enter it into our contest! We're looking to have at least 20 types of chili: vegetarian, turkey, sweetest, firecracker, puts-hair-on-your-chest, don't forget the bean-o, most colorful, you get the idea. If you don't cook, call up Aunt Josephine and sponsor her chili! The fee for each entry is $20. Please make enough for 20 regular servings. THEN, mark your calendars for Sunday, March 11. Put on your hats and boots, and prepare to stomp out the competition! All church members are invited to 'judge' the fixins'! Yoots are providing cornbread, and salad---and of course a few of their own chili cooks! $5 suggested donation for 'judging.' We'll have several prizes, and, of course, BRAGGING RIGHTS go to the winner!! Watch for entry forms in the weekly bulletin in February. Please contact the Bentons at gatoslocos.bentons@gmail.com for more info.