This Week's Gmail
It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God. He has enabled us to be ministers of his new covenant. 2 Cor 3:5-6 (NLT)
Good Afternoon PCC!
One day when God calls me from PCC, I will leave with some rich memories and head-shaking experiences that will forever serve to advocate for me the reality of God’s grace. One of those memories took place this weekend in Ensenada. On Saturday, my family and I visited the PCC families working hard to construct three houses in a very rural section south of Ensenada. As I talked with our PCC saints, engaged with them for a short time in lifting walls and beams and stopped to take in the scene, I took a mental snapshot, trying to capture and hold on to every detail. The dirt of Mexico has become hallowed ground for our community. Here is what I saw:
· Intergenerational Apprenticeship: I saw moms and dads working alongside each other and both skills and life lessons being exchanged in the context of the design that God intended, from a parent to a child.
· Empowerment: We arrived at one work site in time to witness a wall being installed in the house. Carrying the wall and putting it in place were 15 kids! They were being cheered on and encouraged by the adults and when the wall was put in place, you should have seen the faces!
· Hope: One of the houses we saw being built was next to the old “house” (four pieces of plywood and a tarp for a roof) that a family of three lived in. The father was working, but the mother and her young daughter were witnessing the whole endeavor. Neighbors would come by, and although I could not understand the language, I comprehended the tone! It was universal…a tone of hope! John Seybert told me that witnessing the official exchange of keys, food, supplies and a Bible was nothing short of awesome!
· Joy: We are never more like Christ than when we serve. If I were to tell you to create the perfect storm for chaos and complaining, you could create the circumstances our team endured…foreign country and culture, no running water, hot sweaty work, long hours, little comfort food. Yet, I must tell you the laughter, positive attitudes and interaction that was present was supernatural. Maybe serving is good for the body and psyche as well as the soul.
In short, I saw a Biblically functioning community! As we were leaving the site, my six-year-old Isabella came up to me after playing with some local village kids and declared, “I’m angry, Daddy!” When I asked her why she was angry, she told me that she was angry that her “friends” had to live in such poor conditions! Now poverty had a face for Bella…it was a wonderful teaching moment.
This will be your last Gmail for a few weeks. I leave on Sunday for a month away for rest and study and your inbox for the next four weeks will be Musings only. Please pray for me and my family for great memories and great rest and great connection. As I have with the past two years, I intend to return with the 08-09 year’s sermons mapped out and the ministry year planned. It promises to be another amazing year for our community.
On Sunday, my friend Nabil Khoury will be preaching. Nabil serves Christ in Beirut…a pluralistic culture hostile to the Gospel, kind of a modern day Babylon! I will be back in the pulpit in late August to wrap up our Stand series. Would you do me a favor? Would you please remain faithful in your giving through PCC this summer? Important musings follow…
I Love Being Your Pastor!
Gary
- Back to Jerusalem Week at PCC: Rajai & Samar Samawi, missionaries with Campus Crusade in Nazareth Israel, will be visiting PCC this week. These events provide an opportunity to hear how God is working in the Holy Land to bring Jesus to the people of Israel.
- Sunday 11:00 - "Back to Jerusalem" outreach report in Rooms 22A&B
- Sunday 12:30 - Luncheon in Fellowship Center. Presentation of the work God is doing in through the ministry of the Samawis and Agape Fellowship in Israel
- Tuesday 7:00 pm - Showing of "Magdalena, Released from Shame," Worship Center. This film offers a great opportunity to invite friends and family to share the story of Jesus as told through the eyes of Mary Magdalene. The film is designed to help women understand that true freedom & value are found only in Christ. It has been used throughout the Middle East to bring many women, including Muslim women, to Christ.
- Samar Samawi will be sharing about their Mission in the Holy Land during Day Camp this week.
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Day Camp Update! Volunteers are still needed for outdoor games, crafts leaders, counselors and kitchen/snack crew. Weeks 2 & 3 of Day Camp are July 21-25 and July 28-Aug 1. If you want to help out with this amazing camp, contact Chelsea Ford at
daycamp@peninsulacovenant.com.
- Infertility & Loss Support Group: For women experiencing difficulties or loss related to pregnancy, meeting THIS Saturday 7/26, 9:30-11:00am, 542 Quartz St, RWC. Led by Nadyne Love, MFT. For details, email loveshack94062@comcast.net.
- Tough Questions: An Intergenerational Elective: A five-week exploration of some of the complex issues of the Christian faith that cause tension, questioning, and doubt. Facilitated by Peter Payne. Meeting Sundays 7/20–8/17 at 9:15am in Room 20. Topics include: Faith and Reason; Science and Christianity; Wrestling with Doubt. All are welcome.
- "The Shack" Chat Groups: Share with others your experiences in reading this stirring story about how a father overcomes his most painful tragedy through a mysterious encounter with God. Chat Groups meet THIS Sunday, July 20 at 4:00pm in Room 20. (Next meetings are Wednesday, July 16 at 7:30pm or Sunday August 24 at 4:00pm, both in Room 20.) Facilitated by Brian Rhen. For details or to sign up, email patsyo@peninsulacovenant.com.
- Baptism at PCC August 10th: To show God and others that you are committed to truly following him. Orientation required; for details, adults, contact Todd Gumbrecht; students, contact Carlos DeVitis or Slim Wilton; children, contact Brian Rhen. Baptism will be August 10th at 10:30am and 6:00pm.
- For Cancer Survivors: Wilderness Reconnection Experiences helps cancer survivors make the best of the rest of their lives by helping them design a new vision, mission, goals and purpose for their lives, using the wilderness as a therapeutic medium to challenge and stretch them. For information, contact Eric Girard at www.wildernessconnection.org.
- Search Process Updates: Our Search Committees for Worship Pastor and Children and Families Pastor have links up on the website. Check these links for the latest information. Check these links for the latest information. For Worship, go to http://www.peninsulacovenant.org/Sundays/worshipsearch/default.aspx. For Children and Families, go to http://www.peninsulacovenant.org/Connections/Children-Weekdays/cfpastorsearch/default.aspx