Unexpected Blessings

This past Sunday between the Classical and the Modern service I was in the Worship Center when down the isle a familiar face came toward me. It happened to be Glen Paden and his wife Aliene. I have know Glen for over 30 years but had not seen him in 4 or 5 years. In the early years of my ministry he and his wife were very supportive of the Pastors that were on staff at First Southern Baptist in Fresno. During that time he also became a mentor to me as I served in churches without a pastor. We spent lunch together catching up and sharing in fellowship. What a special blessing for Candy and I to have he and his wife in our services. An unexpected blessing.

Pastor Dick

Taking Time to Worship

This past Sunday I took time off from being on the platform during the Modern Service to evaluate what and how we're doing worship. I am excited about what I heard and saw, but even more important I had a blessed time in worship. I believe I worship each week, but this was a time of personal refreshing. If you're involved in "Working" somewhere each Sunday and you are not able to be in a service, let me encourage you to take a Sunday off and just come to church and worship.

Pastor Dick

Ignite Tucson

This Saturday we join with 5 other churches to host a city wide Children's Ministry Volunteer training. It will be held at Pantano Christian Church from 8:00am to 2:30pm.

You can come for just the morning which includes keynote presenter, Dennis Lee, master ventriloquist, and participate in three workshops. Or you can stay for lunch and take advantage of two additional afternoon seminars, getting you on your way back home by 3:00.

There are over 60 seminars from which to choose. You will definitely leave feeling more equipped to serve God in the ministry to which He has called you. It will be a day well worth your time.

It isn't too late to join us. Just call the church office at 886-7770 to register. You can also register on site Saturday morning at 8:00am.

Hope to see you there!

Praying Scripture

Each January Pastor Ron asks the staff to prayerfully choose a Bible verse for the year. Then we all pray for each other throughout the year by praying the verse each person chose. It is a fun tradition, but it is so much more!

In her book, Praying God's Word, Beth Moore talks about the power of praying using God's Word. She says, "God has handed us two sticks of dynamite with which to demolish our strongholds: His Word and prayer. What is more powerful than two sticks of dynamite placed in separate locations? Two strapped together. ..by taking our two primary sticks of dynamite-prayer and God's Word-strapping them together, and igniting them with faith in what God says He can do," our prayers become more powerful because they are in line with what God wants for us.

Our verse for El Camino this year is John 13:34-35 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

Let's all pray this scripture together for El Camino. Imagine the impact we will have for God's glory if we all truly love one another!!

What God Began He Will Complete

I went to a used bookstore today to see what wonderful Christian children's books and Bibles they had for bargain prices. While the very kind and professional gentleman, who reminded me of a flower child from the 60's rang up my purchases, he asked where I worked with children. When I said El Camino Church he mentioned that he donated books and a gift card once to our children's ministry. I said I remembered that, and thanked him.

I asked, "Do you have children?" He said, "Yes, a 15 year old and a 2 year old." I invited him to bring the 2 year old to our Sunday School at 11:00am. I said we have lots of wonderful books to read to him!

He smiled and said, "When I was a kid, someone took me to his church a few times, and that church was...(he hesitated for dramatic effect) El Camino! Right down the street from here." I said that we would love to have him back, and that I knew his 2 year old would love his Sunday School class.

He smiled at me as he handed me my 2 full bags and said, "Peace and love!" I smiled back and said, "To you too! And I hope to meet your son some day."

Lord, You began a good work in my bookstore friend a couple decades ago. Please use our conversation today to stir in his heart a desire to know You now, and have his son know You. Please bring them to El Camino where we can love them to You. And thank you for the opportunity to meet and talk with one of your future children!