• Hello family! Just a reminder that our presbytery meeting started this afternoon in Seattle. Please pray for the elders that are going to be dealing with a host of issues and decisions for our fellow churches. Also, please pray specifically for Greg and Tyler as they will be seeking counsel and encouragement for the next steps at GBRPC.Thank you for praying.

    1. Hey fam, Sorry for the late notice. There is no prayer meeting tonight.

      1. The bulletin is posted below. Also, we are cancelling Sunday school and deciding reconvene in February. I’m still dealing with jet lag and have stomach issues from the water I’m Quito. The last Sunday of the month will be our congregational meeting in lieu of Sunday school, so it makes sense to just wait until February. However, we will be having potluck today. See you all soon!

        1. Here is the video devotion to use as a supplement to your family devotions today. See you when I get back!
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          1.  — Edited

            Hey Fam, Here is the outline for family worship today. Given it's a new year, might I suggest that you take your families through the Heidelberg Catechism for the year? It is a good, gospel centered catechism, that is conveniently broken up into 52 Lord's Days. Here is the suggested devotional outline: Scripture Reading: Psalm 100 Psalm 100A Opening Prayer Catechism Reading: Lord’s Day 1 1.      What is your only comfort in life and in death? That I, with body and soul, both in life and in death,1 am not my own,2 but belong to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ,3 who with His precious blood4 has fully satisfied for all my sins,5 and redeemed me from all the power of the devil;6 and so preserves me7 that without the will of my Father in heaven not a hair can fall from my head;8 indeed, that all things must work together for my salvation.9 Wherefore, by His Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life,10 and makes me heartily willing and ready from now on to live unto Him.11 [1] Rom. 14:7–8. [2] 1 Cor. 6:19. [3] 1 Cor. 3:23. [4] 1 Pet. 1:18–19. [5] 1 Jn. 1:7;1 Jn. 2:2. [6] 1 Jn. 3:8. [7] Jn. 6:39. [8] Matt. 10:29–30; Lk. 21:18. [9] Rom. 8:28. [10] 2 Cor. 1:21–22; Eph. 1:13–14; Rom. 8:16. [11] Rom. 8:1. 2.      How many things are necessary for you to know, that in this comfort you may live and die happily? Three things:1 First, the greatness of my sin and misery.2 Second, how I am redeemed from all my sins and misery.3 Third, how I am to be thankful to God for such redemption.4 [1] Lk. 24:46–47; 1 Cor. 6:11; Tit. 3:3–7. [2] Jn. 9:41; Jn. 15:22. [3] Jn. 17:3. [4] Eph. 5:8–11; 1 Pet. 2:9–12; Rom. 6:11–14; *Rom. 7:24–25; *Gal. 3:13; *Col. 3:17. Prayer of Intercession Closing Scripture: Hebrews 13:20-21 Closing Prayer

            1. GBRPC, Due to the weather, the likely conditions of roads tomorrow, and the current condition of the church building, the elders have decided to cancel worship tomorrow. In place of worship, I will post a devotional outline for family worship tomorrow along with a devotional video for you to use for your edification throughout the day. I trust that you will all enjoy your new years celebrations this evening (even if you are cooped at home), and I pray that we all have a joyous New Year. Please also remember to pray for Eric and I as we travel with Heather Huizing and Monica Foltz over the next two weeks. One area of specific prayer is our leg of the journey in Paraguay. Paraguay has a level 2 travel advisory for American Citizens due to high crime and cartel activity. We will be present in, and traveling through areas that are under this advisory. Please pray for our safety, and pray for success on this trip. Thank you.

              1. Hey fam, I just reached out to Pastor Mapa about how things are going. This was his response: "We’re getting a protective silt retaining wall installed but we need sand bags. If you have any helpers who can fill some at one of the city fill up stations, I’d take the help. I’m at REI for another 2 hours & will go fill some after that. As of now we’re looking at needing about 20-25 bags." If you are willing to help please let me know and I'll get you in touch.

                1. UPDATE: If anybody is available, they can just dump them off underneath the basketball hoop in the parking lot & I’ll place them. I’ll be there later tonight & tomorrow morning

              2. Hey everyone, Just spoke with Steve. He said the following about the continued clean-up of the Church. Please let me know below if you are able to do this on Saturday. "We’ll have some cleanup of the sidewalk & parking lot to do Saturday. I’ll plan on being here for that. If you have any broom pushers who don’t mind an hour or two of vetting dirty, feel free to send them out. Basically cleaning dirt & mud off the sidewalk & possibly hosing mud off of the parking lot. I won’t know till after this next round of rain & see what that does to wash things out naturally."

                1. As several of you already know, the church building was flooded in this storm. They currently don’t have any commercial dehumidifiers going to help start pulling moisture out of the carpets and walls, only a few circular fans, but they need some more equipment. They will most certainly need to cut and repair walls, etc as a result of this damage. Can our church rent a few dehumidifiers for them to help start drying the place out? I’m happy to pick up and set up if needed. cc
                  2. texted me and he has a lot of good insight on how they need to proceed. It might be good to put him in touch to help them out. Sounds like time is of the essence. Anywho, we should all pray. Very sad situation. :(

                  3. In my opinion it may not be worth the effort to get involved. Floods cause major damage fast. With that being said the damage is done. The carpet is probably trash so no sense in trying to dry it. Usually in flood situations insurance gets a company like Belfor in pretty quick. They have the expertise and equipment on hand to deal with this stuff 24/7. Assuming the wheel is in motion with insurance. Anything we attempt may be in the way of the professionals and could be a waste of time and resources.
                  4. Thanks for the insight . I will update this thread when we hear more from the Mapa's on the status of the situation and their insurance claim. Obviously this impacts the upcoming Lord's day.

                2. Hey fam, Just wanted to give you a quick update on the situation in San Diego that we were helping with and praying about last year. Shanna and I spoke with Gabby today, and she informed us that the detective reached out to her and informed her that they are closing the case and concluding that Noah’s death was accidental. This is a huge praise and answer to prayer, as cases like this often remain open, but stay indefinitely inactive. So again, this is unexpected good news. Please continue to keep her, the boys, and the extended family in your prayers. Gabby now has to pick up Noah’s computer and phone and other pieces of evidence that she hasn’t seen since the night of the tragedy, so please continue to pray for her comfort in this time.