Public welcome at St. Pat’s Dinner

On Sunday, members of St. Peter's Episcopal Church will host a St. Patrick’s Day dinner at the Parish Hall on Elm between Washington and Jefferson Streets in downtown Red Bluff.

Chef Marv Woodstrup will serve a traditional Irish dinner, beginning at 5 p.m.
Part of the evening will be spent reviewing a quiz on St. Patrick and learning about his place in Christian history.

Call the church office, 527-5205, or e-mail stpeters@shasta.com with questions.

Signs of Life

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

Blood Drive at Red Bluff Seventh-day Adventist Church

On Saturday, March 17, the Red Bluff Seventh-day Adventist Church will host a blood drive from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. in the church parking lot, 720 Jackson.
Blood donations are used to treat burn victims, transplant and surgery patients, accident victims, patients with leukemia and more.

A donor must be in generally good health, free from cold symptoms for at least 48 hours; be at least 17 years old and weigh at least 110 pounds.

There is no upper age limit. Prospective donors must bring photo identification. All donors should eat and drink before donating.

Refreshments and a token of appreciation will be given to all participants.Information is available at 527-5077.

Discussion starter:

"Neither Abraham nor Lot had been reckoned righteous when they chose different directions: Abraham avoided cities, while Lot sought a place within a city. Why are they different"?

Depression recovery program

There will be a free introductory seminar with Dr. Nedley (DVD) on Sunday at 6 p.m. at Seventh-day Adventist Church, 720 So. Jackson St.

Nedley will answer some of these questions: How to know if you have depression or other causes for your lack of energy. Learn how you can understand and manage your emotions. How to stay motivated to change your lifestyle for the better. Learn simple coping skills. Learn how to recognize destructive thoughts, and correct them before problems arise. How best to recover and grow after you suffer loss.

Following the free seminar, an eight-week depression recovery program will begin March 18 at 6:30pm. Participants will meet one night each week for eight weeks and will enjoy DVD presentations by Nedley (DVD), discussions with Dr. Lui and Dr. Andrews, followed by workbook exercises.

For Pre-registration/information call: Loree 527-5077.

Discussion starter:

"Did Lot hinder the growth of Abraham's faith?"

All invited to spring sing-a-long

Anyone who wants to sing or play an instrument is welcome to participate in a “sing-a-long” sponsored by the First Southern Baptist Church on Sunday at 6 p.m., 585 Kimball Road. The Friend in Faith will be singing, also the men’s quartet, and Linda Jones. All denominations are welcome. Fellowship and refreshments will follow.

Women In Focus

Join the women of Bethel (625 Luther Road), on Monday, March 12th, at 7:00 for a wonderful evening of food, fun and fellowship.

Janlee Jones will bring words of wisdom for good marriages, struggling marriages, and for all of us who are a part of the bride of Christ, waiting for His return.

For more informatio, call 527-0445 or email: bethelrb@yahoo.com
Come and bring a friend.

Discussion starter:

"God gave a land to the seed of Abraham that is specifically stated to be the possession of the descendants of Canaan, the grandson of Noah. Are we to inherit the possession of those who are cursed?"

Signs of Life

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

God Talk connections

Here is another link to a recent'God Talk' column that has appeared in the Daily News.

God Talk: Goal to reach for is to be totally desirable
By Tony Sherman

S.O.S. (School of the Spirit) continues

Please join Pastors Kim and Mary Andersson from Christ the Rock Ministries of Northern California for an 8 week course covering the move of the Holy Spirit and prophetic ministry.
February 25th - April 15th, Sunday evenings at 7:00 p.m.
Red Bluff community Center
1500 South Jackson Street, (Take Luther past Wal-Mart, turn left onto S. Jackson)
Hosts:
Pastor Kim and Mary Andersson
Christ the Rock Ministries of North. Calif.
MorningStar affiliates, Kim and Mary Andersson travel both here and internationally, taking prophetic teams with them for the purpose of building up and encouraging the body of Christ. They minister with candid humor and insight, a deeper passion for intimacy withe Jesus. Kim and Mary are the authors of "For freedom's Sake", and also Mary's book "Scrupulous conformity".
For more information please call 365-5048

Ron Vincent to visit Corning church

Neighborhood Full Gospel Church will host Rod Vincent on March 4 to 7; Sunday 6 p.m., Monday through Wednesday at 7 p.m., at 1st and South Streets, Corning.

Vincent was born and raised a Catholic in South Louisiana.

At the age of 21 he came to know Jesus Christ. He has been preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ for more than 26 years and has ministered on television and radio programs.

Bluegrass band to be featured Sunday

First Christian Church of Corning will be hosting Ed Baker and his bluegrass group this Sunday, March 4, at 6:30 p.m. and would like to invite everyone to come join in.

The church is located at 1421 Marin Street, Corning.

There is plenty of parking in the school parking lot adjacent to the church.
There will be a time of refreshments and fellowship following the program.

Getting ready spiritually

Beginning tonight at 7 p.m. a series titled "Knowing What's Coming." Is being sponsored by the Los Molinos Community United Methodist Church.
This is a 4-week event offered each by the church to the community to provide inspiration during the forty day period before Easter. It is being held at the church, 25204 Josephine St. at the corner of Sherwood Blvd.

The Rev. Doug Smith, known for his gift for storytelling and for connecting with real life experience will be speaking. He is a retired pastor of First United Methodist Church in Red Bluff.

The series will continue at 7 p.m. on the following three Saturdays, March 10, 17 and 24. A freewill offering will be taken for the "Food for the Hungry" program which serves the needy in the Los Molinos area.

For further information call 529-5446 or 384-2305.

Discussion starter:

"The Lord spoke to Abraham ten years before he was reckoned righteous; he even appeared to him when he first entered the land. Does the Lord reveal Himself to the unsaved today?"

Gospel quartet to perform in Gerber

The Melody Boys will perform a free concert at Gerber Bibe Fellowship at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 27.

The gospel quartet is known for their classic vocal stylings since the group first formed in 1949. While the individual performers have changed over the years, the quartet continues to adhere to its reputation for high quality Southern Gospel Music.

Gerber Bible fellowship is located on the corner of Samson and Ventura in Gerber.

More information is available from Bob Myers at 824-0820.

Discussion starter:

"What did Abraham think the Lord meant in saying that all the families of the earth shall be blessed in him?"

Contemporary worship service planned

The Nite Lite Contemporary Worship band will play at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 25, at the First Baptist Church, 501 Pine St.

Child care will be available. Refreshments will follow.

Ecumenical Taize prayer to be held

Ecumenical Taize Prayer will be held on four Sundays in Lent. The first service will be at 5 p.m. on Feb. 25, and the second will be at 3 p.m. on March 11, at Sacred Heart Church. The third and fourth will be at 3 p.m. on March 25 and April 1, at the Presbyterian Church chapel.

Taize prayer involves the sung repetition of simple Christian phrases. The experience of singing these phrases nourishes us on a deep non-verbal level. The service consists of quiet chanting, a scripture reading and silence. It allows participants to come to the cross for a moment to pray, to bring their burdens and the burdens of the world as they touch the cross committing all that is in their hearts to Jesus the Christ.

Everyone is invited to attend this hour of prayerful singing and meditative prayer.

Signs of Life

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

S.O.S. (School of the Spirit) to be held

Please join Pastors Kim and Mary Andersson from Christ the Rock Ministries of Northern California for an 8 week course covering the move of the Holy Spirit and prophetic ministry.
February 25th - April 15th, Sunday evenings at 7:00 p.m.
Red Bluff community Center
1500 South Jackson Street, (Take Luther past Wal-Mart, turn left onto S. Jackson)
Hosts:
Pastor Kim and Mary Andersson
Christ the Rock Ministries of North. Calif.
MorningStar affiliates, Kim and Mary Andersson travel both here and internationally, taking prophetic teams with them for the purpose of building up and encouraging the body of Christ. They minister with candid humor and insight, a deeper passion for intimacy withe Jesus. Kim and Mary are the authors of "For freedom's Sake", and also Mary's book "Scrupulous conformity".
For more information please call 365-5048

Discussion starter:

"The gospel was preached to Abraham according to Galatians 3:8. The gospel was preached to Abraham, preached by John the Baptist, preached by Jesus Christ, preached by Philip in Samaria, preached by Paul, and is preached by evangelical Christianity. Is it one gospel?"

God Talk connections

Here are the links to the first three 'God Talk' columns that have appeared in the Daily News.
I will try to post future links in a more timely matter.

God Talk: Words of advice for region: 'This is reality, Greg'
By Rev. James Wilson

God Talk: Many ask the question: 'Does my life really matter?'
By Russell Wiesner

God Talk: People are pulling together to help others
By David Lamberson - pastor of North Valley Baptist Church

Overcoming anger workshop slated

Sean and Karla Dillon, coordinators of Family Foundations, International of Littleton, Colo. will lead a team of facilitators as they present Overcoming Anger, a video teaching and ministry seminar on Feb. 24 at Community Baptist Church, 598 Roundup Ave. The Ancient Paths Overcoming Anger seminar presents reasons and solutions for anger and other compulsive habits in people's lives.

The seminar includes video teaching, by Pastor Craig Hill, and small group sessions where participants may request prayer.

Local pastors, their congregations and the community are invited to participate in this seminar. Seminars are nondenominational. Space is limited and preregistration is required.

The cost is $45 per person and $85 per married couple. Senior pastors and their spouses are free of charge.

Information and registration are available from Sean and Karla Dillon at 529-1836 or Community Baptist Church at 527-4203.
Previous article

St. Peter's Lent service Wednesday

St. Peter's Episcopal Church will observe Ash Wednesday at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 21, the first day of Lent, at 510 Jefferson St.
Red Bluff.

At the Imposition of Ashes they acknowledge mortality and need for penitence. They will share in the Holy Communion, receiving the bread and wine. All are welcome.

Shrove Tuesday set to be observed

St. Andrew's Episcopal Church will hold a Shrove Tuesday pancake supper from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 20, at First and Marin streets, in the parish hall.

Shrove Tuesday, also known as Fat Tuesday, is the last day of Marti Gras, the pre-Lenten festival.

Lent is the period of fasting and penitence observed by Episcopal and other churches, preceding Easter. The Wednesday following Shove Tuesday is Ash Wednesday.

Pancakes, fruit juice and coffee will be served.
The public is invited.

Information is available from Terri Jamison, recently elected senior warden, at 385-1115.

The Ash Wednesday service will begin at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 21.

Season of Lent to begin Wednesday

The Cone United Methodist Community Church will observe Ash Wednesday at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 21, the first day of the Season of Lent.
The name comes from the ancient practice of imposing ashes on worshippers' foreheads as a sign of humility before God.

This service will be joined with the Los Molinos United Methodist Church.

At 6 p.m. every Wednesday after Ash Wednesday until Easter Sunday when we conclude the Vigil.

The church sanctuary will be open to those who wish to come and spend some time in prayer and meditation.
There will be music and some readings from the scripture. The sanctuary will be open for an hour.

Palm Sunday will be remembered at 9 a.m. on Sunday, April 1.

Worshippers will experience the procession with Palm branches while shouting our loudest Hosannas!

Holy Thursday will be observed at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 5, with a communion worship service. The sharing of the Eucharist or the sacrament of thanksgiving on Maundy Thursday is the way some Christians observe this day.

Easter Sunday will be celebrated at 9 a.m. on Sunday, April 8. The Lenten vigil concludes with Easter Worship Service with a Paschal Candle Lighting Ceremony.

New tool available to help proclaim the Scriptures

New Hope Foursquare Church is participating in You've got the Time, a 40 day plan for listening to the New Testament.

A demonstration of a ministry tool the Proclaimer will be presented at 10 a.m. this Sunday at 925 Walnut St. Info 528-0642.

An organization, called Faith Comes by Hearing has made it their mission to get the audio Bible translated into as many languages as there are people without Bibles.Their goal is to bring the Bible to life in the 20th Century.

They translate the whole New Testament into an audio version, into la
nguages that have no access to Scriptures (because nothing has been translated into that language). It is similar to what Wycliffe Bible translators do, but this is an audio version.

Some statistics about the Proclaimer:
The Scriptures are programmed on a microchip already installed and will not erase or wear out from frequent playing.

The battery will play 15 hours and can be recharged enough times to play the entire New Testament over 600 times.

The Proclaimer has a built in generator and solar charger to charge the battery.
The solar charger, in addition to charging the battery, will run the Proclaimer even without battery power as long as there is sunlight. In other words, as long as there is a sun in the sky the Proclaimer will play the Son's Words.

The sound is digital quality and loud enough to be heard clearly by groups of 300.

There are approximately 6,600 unreached people groups. No one knows for sure how many people that is, but this organization figures it at 1.7 billion people.

An unreached people group can be defined as:
"a group of people among which there is no viable indigenous church movement with sufficient strength, resources, and commitment to sustain and ensure the continuous multiplication of churches." Most of these groups have no Bible in their own language.

The average American can drive 10 minutes to the local Christian bookstore and choose from hundreds of different Bibles: in a multitude of translations, colors, with various maps, devotionals, and other helpful resources.

Faith comes by Hearing (www.fcbh.org) allows churches the opportunity to sponsor a whole audio NT in a particular language, or they can sponsor one book of the Bible (which is roughly $950. That includes the translation, technology, and getting it to the people).

Information is available at 527-0642.

New Baptist Church in Red Bluff

The Rev. Robert M. Wheatley, former associate pastor of First Southern Baptist Church of Red Bluff, is inviting the community to be a part of a new Baptist Church.

They will be meeting on Sundays at 542 Union St., inside the Russell and Co. Building at the corner of Madison and Union streets, Red Bluff.

The church will be a kingdom-focused Bible driven church. The focus will be on glorifying the Lord God, making disciples, maturing believers and multiplying ministries.

Bible study will start at 9:30 a.m., followed by worship at 11 a.m. Wheatley is available at 209-0695.

Discussion starter:

"Abraham had faith ten years before he was reckoned righteous; do the 'unsaved' have faith?"

Signs of Life

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

Discussion starter:

"Abraham obeyed the voice of God to leave Haran; Hebrews 11:8 states that Abraham obeyed y faith. Abraham had faith ten years before he was reckoned righteous, hew was reckoned righteous in Genesis 15, and then James states that his faith was perfected in the offering of Isaac. Romans 4:20 states that his faith grew. What is the "size" of Faith that results imputed righteousness?"

Bethel Youth Yard Sale

Bethel Youth will be having a yard sale, Saturday, Feb. 17th, from 8:00 a.m. to noon.
All proceeds from the yard sale will go towards the youth snow camp.
For more information, call Kendall Eickmeyer, 527-0445, or e-mail bethelrb@yahoo.com

Red Bluff mission team helping needy in Haiti

Eleven Red Bluff volunteers to Haiti with Lifeline Christian Mission. The team will take medical personnel, medicines, and other needed help to Haiti. They will return Feb. 18.

One out of eight children die before the age of 5 as a result of diseases on the Island such as malaria, HIV AIDS, tuberculosis, hepatitis and infections resulting from injury.

The team consists of one physician, five nurses, a general contractor, and five handy persons. They are: Bob McFarlen, Bill Greer, Vickie Greer, Mark and Margaret Franklin, Ruth Ann Rowen, Alex Bennet, Dr. Pat Quintal, Dyrk and Laurel Posey and Michelle Siemens. The team will meet 15 other lifeline members that are coming from North Carolina.

Those administering health care will spend the majority of the weekdays in a medical clinic.

The non-medical people will spend the majority of the week building a home and doing general labor tasks. Each team member will distribute baby layettes in the community, food to the nutrition program, and also distribute clothing and shoes.

Dyrk Posey said, “We packed the donated medical supplies at the Community Baptist Church. Each person carried a suitcase with medical supplies, toys and food that the community has donated for our trip. We could use some help sending the extra medical supplies. Each member of the team already raised the money for their own expenses. The more supplies we have, the more people we can treat. It costs $80 per 50-pound suitcase of extra medicine we bring on the plane. We look forward to providing much needed medical help to a people that do not have much hope.”

Information is available at the Community Baptist Church at 527-4203.

New youth minister at North Valley

Caleb Little is the new youth minister at North Valley Baptist Church of Red Bluff, according to pastor David Lamberson.

He will lead the young programs, outings and activities. “We have been searching for someone with a background like his,” Lamberson said, “and with his energy and enthusiasm.
Little will graduate in April from Simpson University with a major in youth ministry and a double minor in pastoral skills and Bible/theology. He graduated from Newberg High School in Newberg, Ore., in 2003. There he participated in football, track, band, 4-H and youth group.

He has an agricultural background that includes livestock and farm equipment.

He is the middle child of five. He was on the youth group leadership team in high school and volunteered last year with Risen King in Redding. He was an intern this last summer with Newberg Christian Church.

Information is available at 527-0543.
Pictured is Caleb Little

Johnson to speak at Abundant Life

Missionary Doris Johnson will be at Abundant Life Fellowship at 11 a.m. this Sunday at 21080 Luther Road.

She is the president of the Bernhard Johnson Ministries in the United States. She and her late husband, Bernhard, continued the ministry that began over 66 years ago in Brazil by Bernhard’s father.
Johnson travels both in the United States and Brazil ministering at mission conventions and women’s conferences.
She also assists in coordinating medical clinics with teams from HealthCare Ministries, which provide medical, dental and spiritual care to the needy in Brazil.

Pictured is Doris Johnson

Family band set to perform in Corning

The Townley Family Band will perform at 1:15 p.m. Sunday at the First Presbyterian Church, 471 Marguerite Ave.

A potluck lunch will be held at 12:30 p.m., just prior to the performance.
The community is invited to attend both the potluck and the performance.

Don and Lisa Townley and five of their six sons, ages 7 to 15, have combined to create the Townley Family Band. They love gospel, bluegrass and other music and sharing their testimonies.

They will sing and perform on a variety of instruments including keyboard, guitar, drums, pennywhistle and mandolin.

Information is available at 824-5535 or Judy Turner at 824-3174.
Pictured:The Townley Family Band

Discussion starter:

"If we were looking for the city in Hebrews 11:10, how would we live?"

Connect the Thots #16

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.shepherd, harpist, king
2. 3.an Ethiopian eunuch, Lydia of Thyatira, Jesus
4. promised, flowing with milk and honey, of Goshen
5. Sarai, Rachel the wife of Manoah
6. the dream of Pharaoh's baker, leftovers at thefeeding of the five thousand, the apostle paul's escape from Damascus
7. Samson, Jonathan, John the Baptist
8. Elisha, the eagle, forbidden for priests
9. David spares King Saul's life, Obadiah hides one hundred prophets of god, Lazarus is raised to life
10. Elijah fleeing from Jezebel, Jonah after Nineveh's repentance, Moses when the Israelites complained about manna

Answers to last week’s quiz:
1. Babel 2. people who wept 3. people from whom demons were cast 4. thirty
5. prophets 6. centurions 7. people famed for their hair 8. miracles of Elisha 9. births foretold 10. people who died by suicide

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

Discussion starter:

Hebrews 11:10 says Abraham was looking for a city. What is the basis of this statement?

Power Principle

By David-A Baker
"Strong character suffers without complaining; weak characters complain without suffering"

Discussion starter:

"Why did God call Abraham from his father's house? Would God do this if Terah was a godly man?"

Nutrition class offered

A lifestyle medicine health and nutrition class will be presented in four sessions in February at the Seventh-Day Adventist Church.
The class instructor is Linda McConnell.
Topics to be covered include: how to avoid dangerous fats, sugars and oils while cooking creative
new dishes, how prepare meals without the use of animal products, weight control, how to strengthen the immune system, how to reverse and prevent heart related diseases, diabetes and other lifestyle problems, natural remedies for improved health.
The tuition includes: cooking demonstrations, 190 page recipe and nutrition syllabus, lectures on natural therapies, sample meals, and childrens class. Tuition is $60 each or $95 for married couples.
Preregistration is required. The cost at the door is $75 each. A cooking and activity class will be provided for children up to age 10 for $10 per session.
The classes will be at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, Feb. 6, 13, 20 and 27, at 720 So. Jackson St. Information and reservations are available at 527-5077 or 526-5077.

El Camino United Methodists plan fellowship

The El Camino United Methodist Church is having a soup and song fellowship time at 6 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 9, at 8345 Highway 99W.
Participants are invited to get on stage and sing, play, dance, read and more. The public is invited.

Red Bluff pastor leads United Methodists mission team to the Philippines

On Monday, Rev. Paul Cabotaje of Red Bluff First United Methodist Church will lead a team of United Methodists from all over California to the Philippines to bring medical and dental care to the poorest of the poor.
Six years ago Cabotaje and his wife Virgie founded the medical/dental Philippine Mission. Easing one person’s suffering through missionary work created two dedicated and tireless missionaries. For the seventh year in a row, Rev. Paul and Virgie are planning the mission which will allow missionaries of all ages and races to be in service to God. Easing one person’s suffering has changed the lives of over 10,000 patients in six years.
It gave life to 10-year-old Juzmeen Pascual, who had open-heart surgery thanks to the 2005 mission.
It saved four-month old Baby Alvin from mental retardation by enabling doctors at Solano to install a shunt to relieve the pressure on his hydrocephalic brain.
It gave three children life-changing surgeries to correct facial deformities.
Working in the slums of Manila where people live in hand-made shanties built over open sewers, where they sleep on mats on the ground and cook over charcoal, where running water, electricity, and toilets are non-existent in their homes, is more than a culture shock to first-time missionaries. They suddenly find themselves immersed in true poverty, because such living conditions in combination with the over-whelming needs of the people trapped in those conditions fills missionaries with a sense of helplessness. They begin to wonder why they are there and what differences they can possible make.
Rev. “Joy” Cera, retired pastor of the Good Samaritan United Methodist Church near Manila, answered their wonderings when he told a group of missionaries, “If you ease one person’s suffering, if you make one person’s life better, if you bring one soul to Jesus, then your mission is a success.”
In 2006, the medical/dental mission served 5,000 patients of the poorest of the poor in the Philippines. Their hope for this year is to serve at least 3,000. They are going to an ethnic village, the Aeta community, that has been displaced by the eruption of Mount Pinatubo.
“These poor people have become mendicants and go to the different towns with their malnourished babies and must resort to begging to get by. These people’s hopes are being rekindled by seeing missionaries coming from the U.S., bringing food, medical doctors, nurses and medicines to them,” wrote Reverend Cabotaje.
The team which will include California-Nevada Annual Conference Bishop Beverley Shamana will return March 5.
For more information, contact Rev. Paul Cabotaje at Red Bluff First United Methodist Church 527-5754 or at home 529-3337.

Querin to speak at Harvest Christian Center

Rev. Sandi Querin, will be the speaker at 6 p.m. on Sunday at Harvest Christian Center. The public is invited free of charge.
Querin felt called to preach at the age of 9. For the next 30 years, she was hindered by Cystic Fibrosis and complications from the disease. In spite of her health she pursued her education while working full time and preaching part-time. She holds a doctorate in law, a master’s in business, and is an ordained minister.
She resigned her positions in the corporate world and as a college professor in 1996. The Lord healed her and she is now traveling throughout the U.S. and abroad preaching the Gospel.
The cry of her heart is for “the church to rise up under the authority of Jesus Christ and believe His promises!”
The focus of her predominately prophetic ministry has been to awaken the church by the power by which they have been saved and for the lost to be found in the victory of Christ. After suffering a lifetime of pain and illness, she comes with a message of healing and hope.
Querin is the author of “The Prayer of Job” and “The Prayer of Moses.” She has worked with Teen Challenge, YWAM, Teen Mania Ministries, the Assemblies of God, Church of God, Baptist, Mennonite, Catholic and Foursquare Churches, along with other denominations and non-denominational churches.
She has been married for 27 years to Martin, a civil engineer, who she served with as co-pastor of their local church youth department for 20 years. They have two grown children, both married and serving the Lord.
Ministry information is available at Abba’s Heart Ministries at 1-866-851-3466 or at: www.abbasheart.com.
Information for the Sunday meeting is available from Rob Kee at 824-2091.

Discussion starter:

Why did Terah leave Ur to go to Canaan, and why did he settle in Haran? God told Abraham in Genesis 15 that He brought him out of Ur.

Power Principle

By David-A Baker
"Worth is established by what one is willing to pay.
GOD THINKS YOU'RE VALUABLE...
He paid the highest price for you through the life of His Son."

Looking for Christian mentors in Red Bluff

Krista Foster Homes, based in Redding is expanding their Transitional Housing Program to Red Bluff and are in need of quality, Christian young adults to serve as mentors.
Young adult mentors are live-in volunteers who have two main functions: to serve as role models and to provide accountability.
Krista Foster Homes places one or two foster youth with a mentor in a local apartment to work with the foster youth to help them transition into adulthood by finishing high school, gaining job experience, managing a personal budget, and other life skills.
The mentor simply lives as a roommate to the youth and helps to keep Krista staff informed about the youth.
In exchange for their service to us, the mentors get to live in a fully furnished apartment for $100 a month (including utilities).
Please call with any questions or for more information:(530) 515-5975.

Soup and song fellowship

The El Camino United Methodist Church is having a soup and song fellowship time at 6 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 9, at 8345 Highway 99W.
Participants are invited to get on stage and sing, play, dance, read and more.
The public is invited.

Discussion starter:

What would be Abraham's view of civilization? Noah and some of the ancients were still alive in the first part of his life, but around Abraham cultures were arising in the Middle East, built by men who lived relatively short lives.

Signs of Life

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

God's Ancient Paths to Financial Success

Session I, Sunday Morning, March 4
9:00 a.m.
Community Baptist Church
598 Roundup Avenue, Red Bluff
or
10:15 a.m.
Zion Christian Ministries
836 Washington Street, Red Bluff

Sessions 2 & 3, Sunday Evening, March 4
6:00 p.m.
Community Baptist Church
598 Roundup Avenue, Red Bluff

Sessions 4 & 5, Monday Evening, March 5
7:00 p.m.
Community Baptist Church
598 Roundup Avenue, Red Bluff

Sessions 6 & 7, Tuesday Evening, March 5
7:00 p.m.
Community Baptist Church
598 Roundup Avenue, Red Bluff

Registration Due February 25
Cost: $40 per person/$75 per married couple
Contact: Karla Dillon, Family Foundations Coordinator, 529-1836

This financial seminar from Family Foundations is different from many "Finance Seminars" in that it does not feature merely "practical" information on finances, but follows Craig Hill's anointed understanding of God's Word in teaching finances from a biblical perspective. Craig brings a special insight on God's provision in the concept of "Sparrow Faith," and shows participants how the world's financial system is driven by the Spirit of Mammon, the force who would draw people away from believing in God's provision for them. The teaching includes the building blocks to help people understand God's plan for their provision, and the five biblical uses of money.

Who should come?

* Anyone who is struggling to get by and desirous of getting out of debt
* Anyone who has trouble saving money
* Anyone who wants to learn God's wisdom on finances
* Anyone who wants to learn how to be a better steward of what God has given him or her

Overcoming Anger Seminar

February 24
8:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Community Baptist Church
598 Roundup Avenue, Red Bluff

Registration Due February 15
Cost: $35 per person/$65 per married couple
Contact: Karla Dillon, Family Foundations Coordinator, 529-1836

DON'T JUST MANAGE YOUR ANGER -- OVERCOME IT!
An intensive time of teaching from God's word, followed by sharing, prayer and ministry in small groups. as teaching topics are brought up, the small groups, led by trained facilitators, give opportunity for ministry in that specific area of the individual's life. Seminar is open to the community. Pastors and their spouses may attend free of charge.

Who should come?
If you find yourself often saying or doing things for which you later must apologize -- THEN COME!
If you find yourself struggling to control your temper -- THEN COME!
If you struggle with depression, self-hatred, resentment, guilt or bitterness -- THEN COME!
If you feel like a failure as a parent or marriage partner as a result of wounding your family through angry words or behavior -- THEN COME!
or
If you feel like you have been the victim of a loved-one's anger -- THEN COME!

NOTE: Because teaching and small group dynamics are sequential, and each session builds upon the last one, it is imperative that participants plan on attending all seminar sessions. Child care is not available.

The Fishermen band set to perform

The Salvation Army will host The Fishermen, a praise and worship band for San Joaquin County, at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 28, at 940 Walnut St.
The Salvation Army churches from Redding, Chico and Oroville are invited along with the local community to come and worship.
Majors Frank and Susan Severs will bring the message "How to Worship Wounded", at the 6 p.m. service.

Connect the Thots #15

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.a post-flood migration, a confusion of languages, a tower to heaven
2.baby Moses in his floating basket, Jesus at Lazarus's tomb, Peter after denying Christ
3.Mary Magdalene, a fortune-telling servant girl, "Legion"
4.Jair's sos, Jesus' age of ministry, Judas's pieces of silver
5. Agabus, Habakkuk, Nathan
6. glorified God at the crucifixion, Cornelius of the Italian band, Jesus healed his servant
7. Absalom, Samson, Mary--sister of Martha
8. an axhead that floated, bears that mauled mouthy kids, a Shunammite boy raised from the dead
9. Jesus, John the Baptist, Samson
10. King Zimri, King Saul, Judas Iscariot

Answers to last week’s quiz:
1. the Lord's Prayer 2. disciples of Jesus 3. blind people 4. asses, or donkeys 5. rules for the Nazarite vow 6. feasts of Israel 7. people home God struck dead 8. prophetesses 9. vineyards 10. Barnabas

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

Signs of Life

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

Blankenship to speak at Abundant Life Fellowship

Leroy Blankenship will be the guest speaker at 11 a.m. this Sunday at Abundant Life Fellowship, 21080 Luther Road, Red Bluff.
Blankenship is a singer, musician, author, and speaker. He was nominated for the country gospel songwriter of the year in 2004.

Several of his songs have been recorded by top recording artists. This service and free concert is open to the public.

Musical ministry

The Corning Neighborhood Church will host J. R. and Linda Gonzales, at 10:45 a.m. on Sunday at the corner of 1st and South Street. They will minister in music using several styles which include Latin rhythms. They will both share experiences of the Lord's work in their lives. Their new CD "What A Friend" has just been released.

Signs of Life

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

Your Move

Chess is an interesting game. I enjoy playing it with my daughter. Unfortunately, 3,000 miles and busy lives tend to interfere with frequent games. One day we hit upon a solution. By using a Microsoft Excel® spreadsheet, my daughter made a chess board and set it up using colored text for the pieces. She is blue and I am orange. A move is made by cutting/pasting. The Excel® document is then attached to an e-mail.

As an extra bonus, we have fun getting creative with the subject line of the e-mails. For example, when I took one of her pawns, I wrote in the subject line, “A-pawn departure”. When she took one of my knights, she wrote, “Do I hear the sound of a horse galloping away?” (I know, all you ‘chess purists’ out there shudder when the knight is referred to as a horse). Capturing a rook prompted, “I hope you don’t feel too ‘rooked’.” The taking of a rook with a knight (which moves in an ‘L’ shape) was announced by “A c-rook-ed move”. “The ‘check’ is in the e-mail”, accompanied a very bad move which cost me one of my rooks. One of my favorites was a warning that read, “If you take my queen, I’ll take yours.” I believed her.

Chess games, like wars are won by developing and following good strategy. When we move a chess piece, we need to be aware of the consequence of each move, including the effect that (we hope) it will have on our opponent. If we can somehow get them to respond in a particular way that fits in with our strategy, we will win the game.

Read More

Health events at Adventist Church

RED BLUFF - Seventh-day Adventist Church will hold a Heartbeat clinic at 720 So. Jackson St.
Heartbeat is a coronary risk factor evaluation clinic. The blood test includes a Lipid panel Triglycerides, Total Cholesterol with HDL and a comprehensive metabolic panel.

The blood test will be from 7 to 10 a.m. this Sunday. The fee for the fasting blood test is $45.

Participants return for results on at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 21.

Dr. Gordon Lui, M.D. will answer questions and explain what participants can do to correct or improve their health. Lui will present a lecture on how choices can minimize the risk for a heart attack or stroke. There is no charge for the lecture.

Registration and information is available at 527-5077.

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There will be a blood drive from 1 to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan 20, in the church parking lot, 720 Jackson St.

Blood donations are used to treat burn victims, transplant and surgery patients, accident victims, patients with leukemia and more.

A donor must be in generally good health, free from cold
symptoms for at least 48 hours; be at least 17 and weigh at least 110 pounds. There is no upper age limit. Prospective donors must bring photo identification. All donors should eat and drink before donating.
Refreshments and a token of appreciation will be given to all participants.

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Seventh-day Adventist Health and Lifestyle Center will hold a free class on reversing obesity from 2 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 27, at 720 S. Jackson.

The speakers will be Clarence Ing M.D., and Mae Ing.

There will be a carotid artery check from 5:15 to 9 p.m. The fee is $20. Appointments are available at 527-5077 or 526-5077.

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A carotid ultrasound examination will be at 5 p.m. on Jan. 27, at 720 S. Jackson.

The examination is designed to screen for cholesterol plaque in the carotid arteries. If cholesterol plaque is identified in the carotid artery during the examination, it means that there is the possibility of having cholesterol plaque in other arteries of the body, possibly the heart and or the brain.

The fee is $20. Appointments are available at 527-5077 or 526-5077.

Power Principle

By David-A Baker
"When you don't know what to do, the response of God's love is always correct."

Connect the Thots #14

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.our Father, our debts, our daily bread
2.James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Bartholomew
3.Saul on the road to Damascus, men of Sodom at Lot's house, Bartimaeus
4.Jesus' triumphal entry, Saul's mission from his dad, Balaam's interrupted journey
5. don't drink wine, don't cut your hair, don't touch the dead
6. Unleavened Bread, Weeks, Tabernacles
7. Nadab and Abihu, Uzzah, Ananias and Sapphira
8. Miriam, Ana, Huldah
9. the murdered Naboth, Jesus' parable of hired workers, Noah's drunkenness
10. Joseph from Cyprus, an argument with Paul, regarded as a god


Answers to last week’s quiz:
1. Judas Iscariot 2. Jacob 3. things in the book of Daniel 4. swine 5. men named Simeon 6. characters in the story of Ruth 7. widows 8. governors 9. the book of Ecclesiastes 10. things relating to fools

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

A moment shared

Michelle Mitchell, 10, shares a moment with a child in Hong Kong, China during the Youth With a Mission Christmas Outreach. Michelle was the youngest person on the mission trip. She went will a group from North Valley Baptist Church of Red Bluff.
To read more about the trip, see earlier post:
Team back from mission trip to Hong Kong

Women In Focus

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

Stop smoking clinic starts Saturday

The Seventh-day Adventist Health and Lifestyle Center will
hold a free introductory session for a stop smoking clinic at 7 p.m.
this Sunday at 720 S. Jackson St.
Dr. John Swanson, health education specialist, will conduct the seminar
which will continue nightly through Thursday, Jan. 11.
The program focus is on behavior modification technique, diet and
exercise, to achieve a permanent non-smoking lifestyle. Participants
will look at all dimensions of quitting, including: psychological,
physical, social and remaining smoke free. Concerns of weight gain and
managing stress will be addressed.
Registration and information is available from Loree Spugeon at
527-5077 or 526-5077.

Team back from mission trip to Hong Kong

A team of members from North Valley Baptist Church of Red Bluff participated in the Youth With a Mission/Far East Evangelism Team Christmas Outreach in Hong Kong, China. The team, which included pastor Dave Lamberson, Marvin Whiteman, Sue Mitchell, with daughters Nicole and Michelle Mitchell, left Dec. 10 and returned Dec. 28. YWAM and FEET combine yearly to present the Gospel in drama, song and dance in the country. The message of Christ’s birth is not taught in Hong Kong on a regular basis, and many have not heard the Bible stories or know the reason behind the Christmas holiday. The group was housed in an 600-year-old village. There were 94 people from 14 countries that participated. The housing is in three to four story buildings, with unheated rooms. Shared baths, one per dorm house, were several flights down from bedrooms and the showers do not have mixing faucets. The teams ate together in the center square during good weather.
Performances are given throughout Hong Kong at schools, malls and other venues. Each participant has a job to do in cooking, cleaning, carrying props or other needs for the troupe. NVBC’s team included the oldest participant in the event, Whiteman, 70, and the youngest, Michelle Mitchell, 10. Nicole Mitchell, 13, fractured her foot while doing cartwheels on stage but continued to perform.
According to Lamberson, the group was invited by a member of the church and a YWAM missionary. “Over 4500 heard the Gospel message and 209 prayed to believe,” the worker said in an email.
“It was the chance of a lifetime,” Whiteman said. “If there was a down side, it was not hearing Christmas music. I missed that very much. Being away from home on Christmas was difficult for all of us, but that is what we were called to do.” Whiteman also said he was impressed with the 35 to 40 floor apartment buildings everywhere in the city. NVBC is at 345 David Ave., Red Bluff. Information is available at 527-0543.
Pictured are pastor Dave Lamberson, Marvin Whiteman, Sue Mitchell, with
daughters Nicole and Michelle Mitchell.

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.

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

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.)

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.

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

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.

Power Principle

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

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

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.

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.

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.