Sunday, December 31, 2006

Power Principle

God is not looking for resolutions, He's looking for repentance.

University concert band to perform

The California Baptist University Concert Band will perform in concert at 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 5, at the Performing Arts Center, Red Bluff High School. Under the direction of Guy Holliday, they will be performing sacred as well as classical and traditional music. This will be their third year to perform in Red Bluff.
Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music, the CBU
School of Music offers an education for those planning to pursue careers in performance, music ministry, music education or in aspects of the music industry. The school also gives students the benefits of studying at a Christian university.
Antelope Home Fellowship will be hosting this free evening of entertainment. The public is invited. Information is available at 529-0906.

Friday, December 29, 2006

VIGIL PLANNED AT ST. PETER'S EPISCOPAL

St. Peter's Episcopal Church will offer a vigil for prayers for peace and the safe return of those who are enlisted in the armed forces, on Monday, January 1st, 2007 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at 510 Jefferson Street in Red Bluff.

The service will consist of prayers, readings, hymns and meditation. Prayers will be given for those named and unnamed, who are serving, or have been injured or the families of those who have died. Those who come may list the names of individuals or families to be prayed for. All those listed will be prayed for aloud.

The public is invited to drop in at any time to pray for peace and remember enlisted personnel and their families. Information in available at 527-5205.

Signs of Life



Message boards found outside Tehama County churches.


If you come across one that you would like to add to the list, please send me an e-mail at sheep.pen@gmail.com

Signs of Life


Message boards found outside Tehama County churches.


If you come across one that you would like to add to the list, please send me an e-mail at sheep.pen@gmail.com

Tuesday, December 26, 2006

Connect the Thots #13

Connect the Thots is all about determining the common thread that binds three seemingly unrelated clues. For example, what one idea ties together:
Baby in a manger, Death on a cross, & King of Kings
Thot =Jesus.
Easy enough?

Give this weeks’ quiz a try. We will post the answers next week along with a new quiz.

1.Aceldama, a kiss, thirty pieces of silver
2.a wedding surprise, a stolen blessing, a ladder to heaven
3.a vision of a ram and a goat, handwriting on a wall, a fiery furnace
4.the prodigal son, Legion, casting pearls
5.a son of Jacob, a devout man who blessed the baby Jesus, a man also called “Niger”
6.Mahlon, Elimelech, Naomi
7.Anna at the temple, a small offering commended by Jesus, the parable of an unjust judge
8.Joseph in Egypt, Cyrenius in Syria, Pontius Pilate in Judea
9.bread upon waters, a time for everything, vanity of vanities
10. saying, “There is no God”, despising a father’s instruction, trusting in one’s self

Answers to last week’s quiz:
1. sisters 2. Caesars 3. tongues 4. Abel 5. Paul 6. stars 7. washing 8. giants 9. unclean animals 10. ears

(From Bible Trivia Challenge: Connect the Thots, published by Barbour Publishing, inc. Used by permission.)

Friday, December 22, 2006

Christmas lights

I just love this time of the year, when all the Christmas lights are up on the trees lining Main Street and people decorate their houses with lights, especially the ‘icicle’ lights that hang down from the string.
I got to thinking about Christmas lights and how pretty they are and I began to see some parallels between Christmas lights and ‘Christ-lights’, (Christians).
Sometimes, it’s easier to understand the spiritual by the natural. So think about these as you read. You may be able to add a few of your own.

Christmas lights…
1)…enhance anything.
2)…have an external power source.
3)…can be used anytime-not just at Christmas.
4)…come in all colors.
5)…can be plugged in by any one, not just by expert electricians.
6)…shine no matter who’s around.
7)…have something wrong with them when they aren’t shinning.
8)…that are tiny/weak can still sparkle pretty in the dark.
9)…have to be wired in individually.
10)…shine for the benefit of those around them.
11)…are effective when displayed in new and creative ways.
12)…shine more intense as it gets darker.
13)…are unable to function when one is broken.
14)…are often unplugged and put away after Christmas.
15)…are useless when unplugged.

…prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as light in the world. Philippians 2:15


Senia Owensby

Christmas celebrations and services

Celebrations at St. Peter's Episcopal
Christmas celebrations at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 510 Jefferson St., will be as follows:
Sunday
Holy Eucharist will be at 8 and 10 a.m.and the Hanging of the Greens at 11:30 a.m.
The Christmas Eve Reception is at 7:30 p.m. and the Christmas Eve Holy Eucharist is at 8 p.m.
Monday
Christmas Day Holy Eucharist is at 10 a.m.
Monday, Jan. 1, 2007
The vigil for peace is from 1 to 3 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 6, 2007
The Epiphany Feast of Lights and pageants at 6 p.m.
All are Welcome. Information is available at 527-5205.

Services at Sacred Heart
Sacred Heart Parish will hold the following services at 515 Main St.
Christmas vigil mass in English will be at 5:30 p.m. and in Spanish at 8 p.m. with the adult choir concert preceding midnight mass at 11:25 p.m. on Sunday.
Christmas mass in English will be at 9:30 a.m. and in Spanish at noon on Monday.


Methodist Christmas Eve services

The United Methodist Churches Christmas Eve services are as follows:
Corning, at 9 a.m. the Sunday morning worship and 6 p.m. the candlelight service at 783 Solano St.
El Camino, at 9:30 a.m. for Sunday morning worship and 6 p.m. the candlelight service at 8345 Highway 99W.
Los Molinos, at 11 a.m. the Sunday morning worship and 7 p.m. the candlelight service at 25204 Josephine.

First Christian celebrates holidays
First Christian Church of Corning would like to invite everyone to come celebrate the holidays with them.
There will be a Carol-Sing and a celebration at 11 a.m. on Sunday with the church family at 1421 Marin St. There will not be Sunday School this Sunday.

Cone Community special services
Cone Community United Methodist Church hold regular worship at 9 a.m. and a Christmas Eve service at 7 p.m. on Sunday at 11220 Highway 99E.
The evening service will be a candlelight-communion service with chime music, guitar, liturgical dance and carols.

Choir performance at First Baptist
The First Baptist Church adult choir will present a program at 11 a.m. on Sunday entitled 'Together for Christmas,' at 585 Kimball Road.
Bible study is at 9:30 a.m. every Sunday. The public is invited.

First Baptist Church of Red Bluff
will be lighting the 32-foot tall cross at the Tree of Life Center property at 13940 Baker Road; the first right past Plymire heading north.
The cross will be lit every evening through Monday, Jan. 1. The public is invited to get a closer look of the cross or spend time of reflection at the site. There will be parking at the second gate. Visitors are asked to stay on the graveled road, due to the wet ground. For peace of mind the Sheriff Department will occasionally drive thru.
There will be two services on Sunday, Dec. 24. The first will be at 10:15 a.m. featuring Diane O’Sullivan singing “Ave Maria” and Pastor Mike presenting an multi-media message titled “That’s My King!”
The second will be from 5 to 5:30 p.m. featuring Luanne Schnase and Dylan Manner singing “Christmas Shoes” and Nella Schnase singing “O Holy Night.” There will be a time of caroling and a short devotional titled, “From the Throne to the Trough.” The night will end with a candlelight finale.
Information is available at 527-4361.

Sunday, December 17, 2006

Signs of Life

Message boards found outside Tehama County churches.

If you come across one that you would like to add to the list, please send me an e-mail at sheep.pen@gmail.com

Friday, December 15, 2006

Advent celebration planned

Advent Season is a time of celebration at the Red Bluff Presbyterian Church. The annual Christmas dinner and pageant will begin at 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Everyone is encouraged to bring a potluck dish: salad, mashed potatoes or vegetable. Turkey and pies are provided by the church.
After dinner “The Archangel Gabriel’s Awesome Adventure,” a Christmas pageant will be put on by the children and youth of the church with Jessie Weigel as Archangel Gabriel. This is a musical fantasy by Beth Merrill and Allan Robert Petker.

Jesus’ birthday Celebration

Sunrise Bible Fellowship will hold an annual birthday party for Jesus at 10 a.m. this Sunday at the Red Bluff Veterans Hall, which will be decorated for a party!
The community is invited to bring their loved ones along to join with them as they celebrate Christmas with song and refreshments.
For those who wish, a birthday present may be brought for Jesus, wrapped or not. The toys and gifts will be donated to the Red Bluff Salvation Army to supplement the Angel Tree families, or to provide Christmas presents for those who did not apply on time.
The Christmas story will be read, with Christmas carols and hymns and special musical presentations. Birthday cake will be served and the children will help blow out the candles.
The fellowship meet regularly at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday at the corner of Jackson and Cedar Streets.
Information is available from pastor Pat Hurton at 527-6818 or
hurton@sbcglobal.net.

Band set to perform

The Fishermen worship band will lead the praise and worship at 11 a.m. on Sunday at the Salvation Army, 940 Walnut St.
The band plays contemporary praise music, blues and traditional hymns. They are from the San Joaquin County and play all over the Northern California area.

Rock’em choir to perform Sunday

The Rock’em children’s choir will present a Christmas program at 11 a.m. this Sunday at the First Baptist Church, 585 Kimball Road.
The adult choir will present a program at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 24, entitled “Together for Christmas.”

Christmas services at Sacred Heart

Sacred Hart Parish will hold the following services at 515 Main St.
Christmas vigil Mass in English will be at 5:30 a.m. and in Spanish at 8 p.m. with the adult choir concert preceding midnight mass at 11:25
p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 24. Christmas Mass in English will be at 9:30 a.m. and in Spanish at noon on Monday, Dec. 25.

Corning First Christian special events

First Christian Church of Corning would like to invite everyone to come celebrate the holidays with them.
This Sunday Rev. Vickie Firsch of Sacramento will be bringing the message and the Sunday School children will be presenting a time for children during the service.
Wednesday evening, Dec. 20, will be a candlelight communion service.
There will be holy communion, singing, music by organist Donald Lund and Monica Elliott on the flute.
Sunday, Dec. 24, will be a Carol-Sing and a celebration with the church family.
Sunday School is 10 a.m. for 3 years old and up and worship is at 11 a.m. at 1421 Marin St., Corning. There will not be Sunday School on Dec. 24.

Christmas musical

The Cottonwood First Baptist youth choir will present The First Leon will be at 5 p.m. today and at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday at 3320 Brush St.
This is a Christmas musical about a boy named Leon who discovers his name spelled backwards is Noel and his quest to get a part in the annual Christmas play. When he fails to land a part in the performance he must settle for a understudy part.
The musical is performed by 11 young people ages 4 to 20 from Cottonwood and Red Bluff. Admission is free.
The choir is directed by Paula Vigus and Laurie Williams. It is open to youth age 4 and up.
Practices are Sundays from noon to 1 p.m. at the church.
Information is available at 347-3691.

Thursday, December 14, 2006

Power Principle

By David-A Baker
"What you're hungry for, is what you'll eventually become."

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Connect the Thots #12

Connect the Thots is all about determining the common thread that binds three seemingly unrelated clues. For example, what one idea ties together:
Baby in a manger, Death on a cross, & King of Kings
Thot =Jesus.
Easy enough?

Give this weeks’ quiz a try. We will post the answers next week along with a new quiz.

1.Abigail and Zeruiah, Mary and Martha, Rachel and Leah
2.Tiberius, Claudius, Augustus
3.fire at Pentecost, speech to be interpreted, something no man can tame
4.shepherd, younger brother, murder victim
5.Tarsus, Lydia, the road to Damascus
6.the wise men and Jesus, Wormwood, the fourth day of creation
7.Naaman at the Jordan River, Pontius Pilate’s hands, Jesus and the disciples’ feet
8.the sons of Anak, Ishbi-Benob, Goliath
9.camel, vulture, pig
10. a slave and an awl, false teachers and things that itch, Peter and Malchus


Answers to last week’s quiz:
1. “I am” statements of Jesus 2. the Ten Commandments 3. cities in the story of Jonah 4. men named Simon 5. nonhuman things that spoke 6. people on roofs 7. the casting of lots 8. honey 9. characters in the book of Job 10. whirlwinds

(From Bible Trivia Challenge: Connect the Thots, published by Barbour Publishing, inc. Used by permission.)

Signs of Life


Message boards found outside Tehama County churches.
If you come across one that you would like to add to the list, please send me an e-mail at sheep.pen@gmail.com

Saturday, December 09, 2006

Christmas concert set for Sunday

The Red Bluff Masterworks Chorale will sing a Christmas Celebration Concert at 7 p.m. Sunday at Sacred Heart Church.

With 60 singers in the choir this will be one of the strongest concerts in the 11-year history of the choir.

Under the direction of Mark Franklin, the Masterworks Chorale and Orchestra will present holiday favorites from the classical to the current.

The concert will feature "For Us A Child Is Born" by J.S. Bach. This cantata will feature local soloists Laurel Posey and Dallas Dubke, Jr.

Also on the program will be favorites like "Little Drummer Boy " by Harry Simeone, "Mary Did You Know?" by Bruce Greer and "Come and See What's Happenin' in the Barn" by Bill and Gloria Gaither.

The concert will conclude with an accapella rendition of "Silent Night, Holy Night."

The Red Bluff Masterworks Chorale offers its concert without a charge. Donations are received at the door following the concert.

Very recently, the chorale was granted tax-exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service. This allows the chorale to receive contributions as a charitable organization.

Singers in the Masterworks Chorale come from the Tehama and Shasta counties area. There are no auditions required to become a member of this choral ensemble.

Information about the concert is available from Franklin at 527-4203.

Candle lighting ceremony

The First Baptist Church of Red Bluff will hold its first annual candle lighting ceremony from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 10, at 501 Pine St., to honor and remember children who have died at any age from any cause.
All families who have experienced the death of a child, and their friends, are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Towns across the world are having similar events at the same time. Lighting candles at 7 p.m. will help to create a 24-hour wave of light that encircles the globe. As candles go out in one time zone, they are lit in the next time zone, to create a virtual 24-hour memorial. All participants will then be given a candle to glow for their child.

The candle lighting is a way of giving bereaved families around the world the chance to share their loss and remember their child...so that their light may always shine!

The public is invited to join in the candle lighting, music, balloon release, inspiration and fellowship. Participants are asked to bring a picture or small memento of their child to be placed on the memory table during the ceremony. Candles will be provided, and light refreshments and socializing are planned for after the ceremony.

Though children are encouraged to attend the service, there will be optional childcare for children up to 5 years of age. Information is available at 527-4361.

Salvation Army still looking for ringers

The Salvation Army is still looking for bell ringers. Volunteers are needed in increments of one-hour shifts to ring a bell, play an instrument, sing, juggle, etc.
Kettles are located throughout the Red Bluff area. Volunteer sign-ups are being accepted at 527-8530.
The community needs have risen and the funds raised will help meet these needs.

Boutique helped building fund


Members of North Valley Baptist Church of Red Bluff held a Christmas boutique which added over $500 to its building fund, according to David Lamberson, pastor.
"Many members of the community have asked about the progress of our new activity building," Lamberson said. "This building will be used for youth projects and for the benefit of the young people of the area."
The building is being built on a pay-as-you-go basis, and is now "dry and tight," according to the builder.
Members provided a chili and cornbread lunch, craft items, baked goods, candy and more for the event as well as a white elephant table and building fund special items table. Even the children helped with assisting buyers and offering samples of mulled cider.
"It was a pleasant gathering of church friends and the community," said Anne Whiteman, coordinator of the annual event.
The church will be sending a team to Hong Kong, China for a Christmas mission event to aid Far East Evangelism Team for two weeks before and during Christmas.
The church is located at 345 David Ave. Information is available at 527-0543.

Tuesday, December 05, 2006

Connect the Thots #11

Connect the Thots is all about determining the common thread that binds three seemingly unrelated clues. For example, what one idea ties together:
Baby in a manger, Death on a cross, & King of Kings
Thot =Jesus.
Easy enough?

Give this weeks’ quiz a try. We will post the answers next week along with a new quiz.

1.the Bread of Life, the True Vine, Alpha and Omega
2.honor your father and mother, don’t murder, don’t covet
3.Tarshish, Joppa, Nineveh
4.a brother of Jesus, the Cyrenian who carried Jesus’ cross, a Canaanite disciple
5.the serpent in the garden, a burning bush, Balaam’s donkey
6.four men and a crippled friend, King David--lusting for Bathsheba, Peter and his vision of animals in a sheet
7.the election of Matthias as an apostle, soldiers competing for the crucified Jesus’ clothing, Jonah determined as the cause of a storm at sea
8.John the Baptist’s food, Samson’s riddle, the Promised Land
9.Eliphaz, Zophar, Elihu
10. Elijah’s final day, God’s answer to Job, sowing the wind

Answers to last week’s quiz:
1. Simon Peter 2. Joseph 3. sayings of Jesus on the cross 4. the prophet Elijah 5. fathers and sons 6. King Saul 7. beautiful women 8. people who were stoned 9. people who danced 10. children of prophets

(From Bible Trivia Challenge: Connect the Thots, published by Barbour Publishing, inc. Used by permission.)

African Children’s Choir to perform Friday


The Red Bluff First Church of God will host the African Children’s Choir at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 8, at the corner of Luther and S. Jackson St.
The African Children’s Choir is comprised of 26 children, ages six to ten. Many have lost one or both parents to AIDS or extreme poverty. Through their concerts they are raising support and awareness for themselves and the over 12 million orphans in Africa.
Since its inception 22 years ago the African Children’s Choir has established schools and provided educational scholarships in Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Sudan, Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa. The African Children’s Choir is currently providing an education for over 6,700 children from primary school through University or Trade School.
Ray Barnett, founder of the African Children’s Choir says, “Our organization recognized early on that education was the key to long-term change and advancement in Africa and made it our primary focus. Twenty two years later, we are beginning to see the impact.
The children who participated in our first choirs and benefited from the
educational support we provided them have come full circle and are now, themselves, working to create a new Africa.”
These former choir members, many of them orphans who spent their early days scavenging for food and water, have become leaders in their communities. Some have become doctors, teachers, social workers and engineers. Several of them are now working with Music for Life, the choir’s parent organization. In addition to education efforts, the choir finances relief and development projects throughout Africa, with current emphasis on the AIDS-devastated Komazi region of South Africa and war-torn Sudan. The concert is free and open to all. The audience will see traditional African dances, spirituals, gospel and children’s songs. A free-will offering is taken at the performance to support African Children’s Choir education, care and relief and development programs.

Pictured: African Children’s Choir will perform at the Red Bluff First
Church of God on Friday.

Friday, December 01, 2006

Worship band to perform on Sunday

Nite Lite Contemporary Worship band will perform at 6 p.m. on Sunday at the First Baptist Church, 501 Pine St.

Children’s musical at North Valley

North Valley Baptist Church will have a children’s Christmas musical at 10:50 a.m. on Sunday at 345 David Ave.

Beach returns to Corning on Sunday

The First Christian Church of Corning welcomes back former interim pastor Rev. Richard Beach of Sacramento.
Following the service this Sunday, Dec. 3, will be the annual church family Christmas dinner, to which everyone is invited. The church will be furnishing the meat and the rest will be potluck. There will be asmall gift exchange for all who wish to participate and some Christmas caroling.
Wednesday, Dec. 20, will be a candlelight communion service. Sunday, Dec. 24, will be a Caroling Service.
The women’s fellowship meets every second Thursday of the month for fellowship, a short Bible study and refreshments. All the women of the community are invited.

Taize prayer to begin at Sacred Heart

On the first three Sundays of Advent, from 3 to 4 p.m., Dec. 3, 10 and 17, Taize prayer will be held at Sacred Heart Church.
Taize prayer involves the repetition of simple sung Christian chants, the reading of scripture, sharing of petitions, and silence. Everyone is invited to attend.
Taize is the name of the village in France where brothers of an ecumenical community reside and where young adults have been gathering for this type of prayer since the late 1950s. Many churches and retreat centers throughout the world regularly offer this type of meditative communal prayer.
Plans are in place to eventually have services at the Episcopal, Presbyterian and Catholic Churches in order to create an ecumenical community of Taize prayer in Red Bluff.

Christmas boutique & lunch fundraiser


North Valley Baptist Church of Red Bluff is holding an annual Christmas Boutique from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2, at 345 David Ave. A portion of the proceeds will be for the church building fund.
A homemade chili and cornbread lunch is planned, according to Tony Dahl.
There will also be nachos offered.
Members of the church are providing the items for sale. Baked goods, crafts, Christmas decorations, art work, toys, white elephants, gifts, baby blankets, wrapping specialties, crochet, knitting, fudge and peanut brittle candy are among the items that will be offered.
There will also be children entertaining during the event. Information is available at 527-0543 or Anne Whiteman at 527-8586.