God is so good...

Our prayers are already being answered! We had a wonderful attendance of 186 and 7 of those people accepted Christ in the service on Sunday. It doesn’t get any better or more exciting than that.

If anything can come close it is this. I am hearing story after story of how people of Venice are being given opportunities to share the Good News and they are taking them. People are stepping up in big ways to share their faith and to encourage others with God’s grace. That is a beautiful ting. That gets me fired up! I am excited about what God is going to do among us and through us here at Venice.

Finally, I want to say thank you. Amy and I thank you for 15 wonderful years here at Venice Church. We look forward to at least another 15 serving God and this community with you. Enjoy your week. I am looking forward to seeing you on Sunday.

Upcoming Events:
April 10th – Men’s Ministry
April 22nd – Good Friday Service
April 24th – Easter – 2 Services @ 9:00 & 10:45
May 1st – EPIC Camp Fundraiser Lunch
May 8th – Mother’s Day
May 15th – Men’s Ministry
May 21st – Women’s Ministry
June 18th – Rockstars Concert & Open House
June 19th – Father’s Day
July 16thth – Women’s Ministry Parking Lot Sale

Light On a Hill

We are about to embark on a four week run up to Easter. This season comes with unique opportunities to share Jesus Christ with others. With that in mind I would like to encourage you in a couple of ways. First of all pray for the forty thousand door hangers that will go out the week of Easter. They will undoubtedly land in homes and in the hands of people who need Jesus in their lives. Pray that this Easter season would be the time of their salvation.

And…pray specifically about with whom you can share the Good News or invite to an Easter Service. God has called us to this assignment. I know that most of us are just like most everybody that God called out in the Bible. When God calls somebody to an assignment you almost always notice three things. 1. They offer God a long list of excuses. 2. God doesn’t seem surprised by their excuses. 3. God doesn’t change His mind. Jeremiah told God that he was too young to be a prophet. God told him to do it anyway. Timothy told God that he was too immature to lead. God told Timothy through the Apostle Paul to stop making excuses and lead by example. We are going to be flooded with reasons why we cannot share Christ this Easter. The truth is we are the light of the world. We cannot, we must not be hidden. That’s what Jesus said.

“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. 14) You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15) No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16) In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” Matthew 5:13-16.


Upcoming Events:
April 10th – Men’s Ministry
April 22nd – Good Friday Service
April 24th – Easter – 2 Services @ 9:00 & 10:45
May 15th – Men’s Ministry
July 16thth – Women’s Ministry Parking Lot Sale

As I was thinking about the people of Japan and praying for the people of Japan I could not help but think about how chaotic our world is right now. I am thankful to know the true and living God who is the Creator of all of this. I am thankful for His Word that assures me that He has this all figured out and He knows exactly what He is doing. It seems…and He is God and I am not so only He could say for sure…it seems that God allows something like this every so often to remind us that we are not in control and we do not have this all figured out.

I know this. There is nothing more important than getting the truth of who Jesus is in the hands and hearts of people who are far from God. There is nothing more important than helping people find Jesus so that their sins are forgiven and their eternity in heaven is secure and their life here on earth is fulfilling and they live with the peace that only comes from knowing Jesus as their Savior.

Amidst all of the bad news there is Good News. Jesus came to save sinners. The thing about good news is it is only good news if it is shared. Share the good news today. Pray for the people of Japan and share the good news today.

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19) Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20) Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20.


Upcoming Events:
April 22nd – Good Friday Service
April 24th - Easter
July 16thth – Women’s Ministry Parking Lot Sale

Care Packages

The Men’s Ministry will deliver the care packages to the men of Love Lifted Me Missionary Baptist Church on Saturday. Thank you to all of you who gave so generously to this project. You are a blessing to these men and I know that God will bless you for your willing spirit to give.
Men, we are meeting at Venice Church at 9:00 AM on Saturday to load up and car pool. I will see you then.

And…then don’t forget to set your clock forward one hour on Saturday evening. Daylight Savings Time 2011 begins early Sunday morning.

The Women’s Ministry is going to be sponsoring a Parking Lot Sale on Saturday July 16th. So you have plenty of time to get your Spring Cleaning done and pile up some stuff to sell. Ask your neighbors to donate items for you to sell as well. The proceeds will go to Christmas gifts for our Missionaries.


Upcoming Events:
March 12th – Men’s Ministry Service Project
March 13th – The Truth Project
April 9th – Women’s Ministry Parking Lot Sale
April 22nd – Good Friday Service
April 24th - Easter

I am always looking for ways to grow in my faith. I hope that you are as well. Let me encourage you to read one Proverb a day for the entire month of March. It is only the 2nd so if you forgot yesterday you can get on track today.

We are offering you a wonderful opportunity to grow in your faith as you learn more about God’s plan. The Truth Project begins on Sunday March 13th at 8:15. If you will commit the time to attend this 12-week series you will be blessed and you will enjoy it. You can sign up at the information center on Sunday and for more information check out the website. http://www.thetruthproject.org/

If you are partnering with the Men’s Ministry to provide for the men of Love Lifted Me Missionary Baptist Church you need to bring your items this Sunday. The guys will be in the lobby to assist you. The “care packages” will be delivered next Saturday March 12th. If you are unable to bring the items on Sunday you will need to bring them during the week.

The Women’s Ministry is going to be sponsoring a Parking Lot Sale on Saturday April 9th so get your Spring Cleaning done and pile up some stuff to sell. Ask your neighbors to donate items for you to sell as well. The proceeds will go to Christmas gifts for our Missionaries.


Upcoming Events:
March 6th – Communion
March 12th – Men’s Ministry Service Project
March 13th – The Truth Project
April 9th – Women’s Ministry Parking Lot Sale
April 22nd – Good Friday Service
April 24th - Easter