Whidbey Presbyterian Church

Missions on Monday: Churches Helping Churches

photo credit:  churcheshelpingchurches.com  Used with permission

What happens when the churches are destroyed as in the case of the earthquake in Haiti?

This is the reason why Churches Helping Churches was born.

Recently, Pastors James MacDonald and Mark Driscoll went into to Haiti with Churches Helping Churches.  Their main mission was to assess the damage of the churches in Haiti and how they can help minister to the people.  During their trip they were able to bring in supplies to help those in need and talk to local pastors that have lost their church buildings and/or congregations.

You can watch a video of Pastor Mark's trip here.  This video does contain some graphic images as it was complete devastation in Port-au-Prince.  Water is scarce and people have lost everything. 

And here is Pastor James' recap here.  (His video sermon is the first one.)

You can go here to view the photos on flicker.

What can you do?

Follow. Subscribe to the Churches Helping Churches Blog.  This will help you keep updated in their mission work.

Pray.  Here is a list of their prayer requests.

Give.  If God is calling you, you can give here.

Acts 21-22: Pastor's Conference

Archive from past lessons in this series can be found here.

Pastor’s conference are commonplace these days, but the first one may have right here in Acts 20. Through a great speech to the Ephesian Elders, his words at toward the end of Chapter 20 really stand out to me:

“I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.." (Acts 20:27)

What a great declaration to be made. Paul had confidence that he had preached the whole counsel of the gospel. If there were ever a time when the church needed the whole council of God, it is today. In a world where sermons on repentance have been replaced with messages about God making me rich, never again getting sick or hurt, and delivering me from every problem I’ve ever had. Paul seemed to know this would be coming and offered a solemn warning in 20:28-31.

The message Paul preached was one of God’s grace. The free gift of salvation that we can never work hard enough to earn. Jesus did not die to guarantee that you would drive a new car and live in a big house. Any doctrine that turns the Gospel of grace into a gospel of greed is exactly the type of thing Paul warns against here.

Paul departs from the elders in Chapter 21 and begins his third missionary journey. Upon arriving in Jerusalem, trouble begins almost immediately. But not before Paul declares that he not not only willing to be imprisoned, he is also prepared to die in Jerusalem for the sake of the Gospel.

A mob attacks Paul and he is arrested. Before being hauled to prison, Paul has a chance to address the very people angry with him. What does he say?

Well, that is next weeks lesson.

Thoughtful Thursdays

People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered;

forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;

be kind anyway.

If you are successful you will win some false friends and true enemies;

succeed anyway.

If you are honest people may cheat you;

be honest anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;

build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;

be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;

do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;

Give the world the best you've got anyway.

You see, in the end, it is between you and God;

it was never between you and them anyway.

Mother Teresa

Thoughtful Thursdays

 

"I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess.”

Martin Luther

Fellowship 101 Class

 

Fellowship 101 Class

Saturday, February 6, 2010

9am

Heritage Hall

Interested in learning more about our church?  Want to become a member of our church? Come to Fellowship 101 to learn more about us!

Childcare and lunch will be provided.

If you would like to sign up, please contact the church office at 679-3579!

Thoughtful Thursdays

The richest man is not he who has the most, but he who needs the least.

Author Unknown

Survivor from the Earthquake in Haiti

Dan was working in Haiti for Compassion International when the earthquake hit.  He was in the Hotel Montana which was reduced to ruble.  After about 65 hours he was rescued.  David, the videographer for this Compassion trip is still missing.  Please be in prayer for him.  Here is his story....

Tall Timber Family Camp

Are you ready to play in the snow?

Ski or snow shoe?

 

Play bingo?

Then come to Tall Timber family camp on January 29th-13st.  If you are planning to go and haven't registered yet, contact the church office at 679-3579!

Young Adult Night Out!

 

Come this Saturday to Young Adult Night Out!

5:30pm Heritage Hall

Come enjoy dinner and games!  (Childcare is provided.)

Disaster Relief for Haiti

 

Here are ways you can donate to help Haiti:

PC(USA) Disaster Relief

Compassion International Haiti Relief

World Vision Haiti Quake Relief

And here is an update on the PC(USA) partners and Mission Personnel.