News

NEWS & VIEWS

Rock Springs Evangelical Free Church

rcvjesus@gmail.com

362-8910

Apr. 12, 2023

Coming Events

Apr. 14 Game Night

Apr. 16 Deacon Board Meeting

Apr. 16 Business Meeting

Apr. 20-22 IWD Conference

Prayer Closet Thoughts

There are questions that keep surfacing in your heart—inquiries you wish God would answer. And though the Lord may respond to you in prayer and through other people, often He does so as you read and think about His Word. Scripture is powerful. The Holy Spirit works through it to transform your life.  He brings verses to mind when you need comfort, renews your hope, gives you direction, and convicts you of sin. And through the pages of the Bible, He also answers the deepest questions of your heart. So if you feel desperate to hear God’s voice, open the Word and drink in His life-giving wisdom. Even right now, He is drawing you through those very questions in your heart. Therefore, open Scripture and listen for Him. He will certainly speak to you from it.

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives.

2 Timothy 3:16       Charles F. Stanley

Game Night

It is time for Game Night! Everyone is invited to join this time of family fun Friday, April 14th starting at 6:30 pm. You can bring a game or join in one. If you have a snack that you would like to share, please bring it. Plan to attend this evening of food, fun, and fellowship!  

First Quarter Business Meeting

Sunday, April 16th at our 6:00 pm service our First Quarter Business Meeting will be held. Our Lord has been working through our church in many different areas. Plan to attend and hear how the Lord has used our church.

Kenyora Fellowship Orphanage

Pastor Julius and Edinah Onduso are two of God’s most faithful servants in Ogombo, Kenya. Kenyoura Fellowship Orphanage is in a crisis situation because of drought and the devastation resulting from it. From Pastor Julius: “We kindly request a way to help with food that has really left the children in pathetic situations. Since last year we have been struggling to put even one meal on the table for the kids. Bedding and clothing are also other needs, but the most urgent need is food.”

Our Missions Board voted to send $750.00 to the Orphanage. If you would like to partner with the Missions Board, please make your check payable to the church and put Kenyora Orphanage in the memo line. The funds will be mailed to the Orphanage on Thursday, April 20th. Pastor Julius sent his heartfelt thanks for our prayers, support, and generosity.

IWD Annual Conference

The Annual IWD Conference will be held April 20-22 in Monticello, Utah. If you are able to attend, there is a sign upsheet on the bulletin board. This will help San Juan Community Church know how many to plan for. Meals will be served at San Juan Community Church. Please pray about attending the conference and hear how the Lord has been ministering to his people through the IWD.

Tithes and Offerings

Thank you faithful church body!

Tithes/offerings for April 9, 2023:

General - $11,738.00

CE Board/Youth & Children - $1000.00

Kenyora Orphanage - $100.00

Our weekly general fund need is $7979.00.

You can still mail your tithes and offerings

to Rock Springs E Free Church, PO Box 807, Rock Springs, WY 82902

Choose To Feel

I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love; I lifted the yoke from their neck and bent down to feed them.  

Hosea 11:4

The bumper sticker on the blue van caught my attention: “Choose to Feel.”

As I considered those words, I noticed the billboards I was passing. They urged me to choose things that would keep me from feeling—alcohol to deaden emotional pain; fat-laden food to alleviate feelings of emptiness; luxury cars and other expensive items to lessen feelings of worthlessness.

Many of the temptations that lure us away from God do so by promising to relieve the emotional hurt we all feel because of the consequences of sin—ours or someone else’s.

God set a different example. Instead of becoming numb to the pain our sin causes, He chose to suffer the results of it. Through the prophet Hosea, God expressed the heart wrenching pain of losing a wayward child. “I bent down to feed them,” He said tenderly. “I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love” (11:4). Still, they rejected their heavenly Father. Reluctantly, He let them face the consequences.

When we choose to feel the full range of our emotions, we come to a fuller understanding of the God who created us in His image—the image of One who feels.

It’s okay to feel that all is not right in the world, God feels that way too! Choosing to deaden bad feelings eventually deadens our ability to feel good.

Taken from “Hope for All Seasons” by Julie Ackerman Link.

Christ Died For Me

God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished. 

Romans 3:25

Barabbas had been thrown into jail for rebellion and murder, but the Roman governor declared he would let one prisoner go free. When the crowd clamored for Jesus to be executed, Barabbas became the pardoned prisoner. We’re not told how Barabbas responded to the gift of freedom. Maybe he scorned it out of pride or refused it out of shame. We don’t know. But you can determine what to do with yours. Personalize it.

As long as the cross is God’s gift to the world, it will touch you but not change you. Satisfying as it is to shout, “Christ died for the world!” even sweeter it is to whisper, “Christ died for me.” “He took my place on the cross.” “He carried my sins, my cold and cruel heart.” “Through the cross he claimed, cleansed, and called me.” “He felt my shame and spoke my name.”

Thank God for the day grace happened to you. Thank Jesus for giving his life for yours—the best trade you’ll ever make.

One more thought: You make trades all the time. With your friends, one pair of earrings for another. With the store clerk, your fifty dollars for his video game. Few of these trades will change you. None will mean more than the one Jesus offers—his life on earth for your life in heaven. It’s the one deal you don’t want to miss.

Taken from “One God, One Plan, One Life” by Max Lucado.

Inspirational Thoughts

Look up! The King is coming and those who are coming with Him are the called and chosen and faithful. That’s you! That’s us, my friend! Persevere, for He is coming and His reward is with Him.

Kay Arthur

God can’t give us happiness and peace apart from himself because there is no such thing.

C. S. Lewis

If for one whole day, quietly and determinedly, we were to give ourselves up to the ownership of Jesus and to obeying His orders, we should be amazed at the close of that day to realize all He had packed into that one day.

Oswald Chambers

NEWS & VIEWS

Rock Springs Evangelical Free Church

rcvjesus@gmail.com

362-8910

Apr. 5, 2023

Coming Events

Apr. 7  Good Friday Communion

Apr. 9  Easter Cantata

Apr. 16  Business Meeting

Apr.  20-22  IWD Conference

Prayer Closet Thoughts

God’s continued affection for us is revealed through His presence.  He sustained David as he waited to become king while being ruthlessly pursued by King Saul.  And He positioned Queen Esther to save His people from annihilation.  Despite their dismal circumstances after their physical removal from the garden, God did not forsake Adam and Eve.  The God of the Garden became the God of Gethsemane, sacrificing everything for our salvation.  Jesus does not run or recoil from our weakness, pain, or brokenness.  He took our sin upon Himself and beckons us to come to Him.  Even in the midst of our darkest days, God is with us.  Nothing can separate us from Him and His love.  We are inseparable!  Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.  Joshua 1:9                                                                                 David Jeremiah

Good Friday Candlelight Communion

This Friday, April 7th, we will have our Good Friday Candlelight Communion Service.  The service will start at 7:00 pm.  Please invite family and friends to share this precious time.  

Easter Cantata

What a blessed way to finish our Easter celebration by attending the Easter Cantata presented by our choir starting at 6:00 pm on Sunday, April 9th.  The Cantata is “It Is Finished”.  

IWD Annual Conference

The Annual IWD Conference will be held April 20-22 in Monticello, Utah.  If you are able to attend, there is a sign up sheet on the bulletin board.  This will help San Juan Community Church know how many to plan for.  Meals will be served at San Juan Community Church.  Please pray about attending the conference and hear how the Lord has been ministering to his people through the IWD.

Tithes and Offerings

Thank you faithful church body!

Tithes/offerings for April 2, 2023:

General - $9,856.00

New Sanctuary Fund - $300.00

Love Gift Pastor Kneeland - $850.00

Our weekly general fund need is $7979.00. 

You can still mail your tithes and offerings 

to Rock Springs E Free Church, PO Box 807, Rock Springs, WY  82902

Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; and to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God     Psalm 50:23

The Night He Was Betrayed

Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.    

Zechariah 13:7

That night Jesus was betrayed, he broke the loaf and gave it to his disciples.  When Judas stood to leave, the Master looked at him.  Then, Judas slipped out the door.  The dark presence that had awaited outside in the night now stole into Judas’ very essence.  For the next few hours, the most distilled evil in the universe would personally operate through the body of a disciple of the Lord.

Back in the upper room, Jesus spoke quietly to his friends; they sang a hymn, then it was time to go.  Out in the darkness they slipped through a city gate, down the steep ravine, and up into the hill of olive trees—eleven lambs and a Shepherd in the night.  Jesus left his friends to go pray against a solitary rock.  Eleven men who would later change world history—some, accustomed to working all night on their fishing boats—could not keep awake to comfort their Shepherd and Friend.  There in the dirt in the olive grove, the Son of God groaned in prayer.

It may have looked as though Jesus was alone, but the bleachers of heaven were filled to capacity that moment, and hell strained its neck to see how this prayer would end.  The Father gazed down and gave his sober nod.  The Son stared back and bowed his acceptance.  The torches arrived.  The sheep fled.  And the Shepherd stood to go to his slaughter (Isaiah 53:7).  Consider this: Jesus was thinking of you that dreadful night.  He remembered you as the whip lashed across his back.  He thought of you when the mallet sank spikes in his hands and heels.  Make today a time of remembrance, thanksgiving, and praise for your salvation.

Taken from “Pearls Of Great Price” by Joni Eareckson Tada.

The Power Of The Cross

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us who are saved it is the power of God.  

1 Corinthians 1:18

We can never plumb the depths of sin, or sense how terrible human sin is, until we go to the cross and see that it was “sin” that caused the Son of God to be crucified.  The ravages of war, the tragedy of suicides, the agony of the poverty-stricken, the pain and suffering of the rejected of our society, the blood of the accident victims, the terror of rape and mugging victims of our generation—these all speak as with a single voice of the degradation that besets the human race at this hour.  But no sin has been committed in the world today that can compare with the full cup of the universe’s sin that brought Jesus to the cross.  The question hurled toward heaven throughout the ages has been, “Who is He and why does He die?”  The answer comes back, “This is my only begotten Son, dying not only for your sins but for the sins of the whole world.”  To you sin may be a small thing; to God it is a great and awful thing.  It is the second largest thing in the world; only the love of God is greater.

When we comprehend the great price God was willing to pay for the redemption of man, we then begin to see that something is horribly wrong with the human race!  Sin cost God His very best.  Is it any wonder that the angels veiled their faces, that they were silent in their consternation as they witnessed the outworking of God’s plan?  How inconceivable it must have seemed to them, when they considered the fearful depravity of sin, that Jesus should shoulder it all.  But they were soon to unveil their faces and offer their praises again.  A light was kindled that day at Calvary.  The cross blazed with the glory of God as the most terrible darkness was shattered by the light of salvation. Satan’s depraved legions were defeated, and they could no longer keep all men in darkness and defeat.

Taken from “Unto The Hills” by Billy Graham.

Inspirational Thoughts

The heart that is not entrusted to God for His searching, will not be undertaken by Him for cleansing.

Frances Ridley Havergal

Holy Father, save our children

Through life’s troubled waters steer them,

Through life’s bitter battle cheer them,

Father, Father, be thou near them.

Amy Carmichael

Prayer is a kind of calling home every day.  And there can come to you a serenity, a feeling of at-homeness in God’s universe, a peace that the world can neither give nor disturb, a fresh courage, a new insight, a holy boldness, through calling home that you’ll never, never get any other way.

Earl G. Hunt Jr.

NEWS & VIEWS

Rock Springs Evangelical Free Church

rcvjesus@gmail.com

362-8910

Mar. 29, 2023

Coming Events

Feb. – Mar.  Scripture Memory

Apr. 1  Rex Rich/Kelly Sprouse Wedding

Apr. 2  Mission Board Meeting

Apr.  20-22  IWD Conference

Prayer Closet Thoughts

At this moment, you may be tempted to focus on the stresses and challenges that await you today.  But instead of turning your attention to them, think about the Lord God who is able to help you conquer no matter what you face.  Worship the Father.  Honor Him for who He is.  Meditate on His attributes.  Praise Him for your salvation and all the ways He has helped you in the past.  Thank Him for even greater provision, protection, and evidence of His love in the future.  Open His Word.  Express your gratefulness that He is as present and powerful in your life as He was with the saints of old.  Because when you worship the Almighty and truly think about who He is, your troubles will not seem so overwhelming.  Surely nothing can stand against you when you walk with Him.

Come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.  For He is our God    Psalm 95:6-7   Charles F. Stanley

Scripture Memory

We have completed week 8 of Scripture Memory!  We have God’s Word hidden in our hearts that no one can take away. There are still 10 days (ends Wednesday, April 5th) to complete your level.  You can do it!!  

Small Groups

The Seder Meal will be held Monday, April 3rd and Thursday, April 6th starting at 6:00 pm.  Everyone is invited to attend a Seder Meal even if you have not been part of a Small Group.  Please let a leader or host know that you would like to attend.

Getting Hitched

Rex Rich and Kelly Sprouse will be getting married in our church on April 1st at 10:30 am.  Rex is a former member of our church body.  

VBS Meeting

There will be a VBS informational meeting on Sunday, April 2nd at 5:30 p.m.  Everyone interested in helping with VBS please attend.

IWD Annual Conference

The Annual IWD Conference will be held April 20-22 in Monticello, Utah.  If you are able to attend, there is a sign up sheet on the bulletin board.  This will help San Juan Community Church know how many to plan for.  Meals will be served at San Juan Community Church.  Please pray about attending the conference and hear how the Lord has been ministering to his people through the IWD.

Tithes and Offerings

Thank you faithful church body!

Tithes/offerings for March 26, 2023:

General - $3,264.30

Missions - $250.00

Love Gift Pastor Cornell - $420.00

Love Gift Pastor Johnson - $60.00

MARCH TOTALS

Need - $31,916.00

Tithes/Offerings - $29,567.41

SHORT - $2,348.59

Our weekly general fund need is $7979.00. 

You can still mail your tithes and offerings 

to Rock Springs E Free Church, PO Box 807, Rock Springs, WY  82902

His Animals Come First

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  

Matthew 6:33

A long-time code that most cowboys live by, is that your animals always come first.  It doesn’t matter if it’s really hot, really windy, or freezing outside, a cowboy’s first priority is making sure the cows and horses are cared for before his/her day is done.

Like a cowboy, as Christians we are called to make Christ #1 in our lives.  What does that look like?  To put Christ first means that His will, His Glory, and His pleasure becomes our #1 priority.  This commitment to putting Him first may come at the expense of our own comfort, goals, and happiness.  But Jesus promises us as believers that if we put Him first, we will be blessed beyond our wildest dreams and find fulfillment like we’ve never felt.  The only prerequisite is we must put Him first.

If you’re anything like me, you get your priorities out of whack sometimes.  Maybe you’ve become a workaholic and your family feels neglected.  Maybe your priority in life has been to own a bunch of stuff, and you’ve sacrificed what God really wanted you to do with your money for your own pleasure.  Maybe you’ve put more weight in finding the right relationship, therefore causing your relationship with God to become second.  Sadly, when these things take the place of God, we find ourselves unsatisfied even when we end up getting what we had replaced God with.  But, if we will put Christ first, and keep Him first, we will ultimately find true joy and happiness.

Chew on this: Are you seeking things of this world more than the things of God?  If you were to list your priorities what would be at the top?  How can you assure that Christ stays #1 in your life?

Taken from “Tied On” by Beau Hague.

Never More Human

He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.  Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.    

Isaiah 53:3

The scene is very simple; you’ll recognize it quickly.  A grove of twisted olive trees.  Ground cluttered with large rocks.  A low stone fence.  A dark, dark night.

See that solitary figure?  Flat on the ground.  Face stained with dirt and tears.  Fists pounding the hard earth.  Eyes wide with a stupor of fear.  Hair matted with salty sweat.  Is that blood on his forehead?

That’s Jesus.  Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:44).

We see an agonizing, straining, and struggling Jesus.  We see a “man of sorrows.”  We see a man struggling with fear, wrestling with commitments, and yearning for relief.

Seeing God like this does wonders for our own suffering.  God was never more human than at this hour.  God was never nearer to us than when he hurt.  Like us, he was looked down on and rejected.  He understands the agonies we go through because he’s been through them himself.

One more thought: We often tell friends we understand what they’re going through, but do we really?  Unless we have lost our job, how can we know how a family feels when their income is suddenly cut off?  Yet Jesus does understand.  He’s felt every sorrow you have, and he’s walking with you in yours right now.

Taken from “One God, One Plan, One Life” by Max Lucado.

Inspirational Thoughts

Our Lord has written the promise of the resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in springtime.

Martin Luther

You don’t learn to praise in a day, especially since you may have been complaining for years!  New habits take time to develop.  But you can begin today, and practice tomorrow, and the next day, until it becomes part of you.

Erwin W. Lutzer

Perfection is not so perfect.  Nothing is.  We live in a flawed world no matter how much we work and strive.  To love God’s life-giving words is the closest we will ever come to achieving perfection here on earth.

Unknown

NEWS & VIEWS

Rock Springs Evangelical Free Church

rcvjesus@gmail.com

362-8910

Mar. 22, 2023

Coming Events

Feb. – Mar.  Scripture Memory

Mar. 26  CE Board Meeting 

Apr. 1  Rex Rich/Kelly Sprouse Wedding

Apr.  20-22  IWD Conference

Prayer Closet Thoughts

When we dislike the ending of a book or movie, we try to imagine a better one: what we think should have happened.  The wonder and goodness of creation was broken when Adam disobeyed God.  We feel the burden of this brokenness and separation from God.  Thankfully, the Creator did not end the story there.  Only God, who is powerful enough to create the world out of nothing and to give us life, could find the perfect solution to our brokenness and separation from Him: Jesus.

Jesus is God’s final answer to the dilemma we face.  He is God in the flesh.  He is superior to every human leader, prophet, and priest.  He offers us Himself along with forgiveness, life, and meaning.  But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.    Hebrews 2:9       David Jeremiah

Scripture Memory

Week 8 of Scripture Memory!  Everyone has been working hard and we are about to cross the finish line!!  We will all have the eternal prize of having God’s Word in our hearts.  There is a grace period at the end of this last week.  There are still 10 days (ends Wednesday, April 5th) to complete your level.  You can do it!!  The Lord will help you memorize His Word!

Small Groups

Small Groups will resume on Monday, March 27th and Thursday, March 30th.  There will be time at the end of the lesson to plan the Seder Meal which will be held on Monday, April 3rd and Thursday, April 6th.  Everyone is invited to attend a Seder Meal even if you have not been part of a Small Group.  Please let a leader or host know that you would like to attend.

Getting Hitched

Rex Rich and Kelly Sprouse will be getting married in our church on April 1st at 10:30 am.  A light luncheon will be served upstairs after the ceremony.  Rex is a former member of our church body.  Please RSVP by March 24th by texting Rex at 307-256-8238 or contacting Kathy Shaw at 307-389-3429.  We need to know how many to plan the luncheon for.

VBS Meeting

There will be a VBS informational meeting on Sunday, April 2nd at 5:30 p.m.  Everyone interested in helping with VBS please attend.

IWD Annual Conference

The Annual IWD Conference will be held April 20-22 in Monticello, Utah.  If you are able to attend, there is a sign up sheet on the bulletin board.  This will help San Juan Community Church know how many to plan for.  The theme of this year’s conference is “The Power Of The Gospel”.  There will be six messages given, a ladies luncheon, missionary moments, Annual business meeting, and communion on Saturday after the message.  Meals will be served at San Juan Community Church.  Please pray about attending the conference.

Tithes and Offerings

Thank you faithful church body!

Tithes/offerings for March 19, 2023:

General - $6,320.00

Our weekly general fund need is $7979.00. 

You can still mail your tithes and offerings 

to Rock Springs E Free Church, PO Box 807, Rock Springs, WY  82902

Personal Peace

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.  

Isaiah 26:3

I know that modern living taxes the faith of the greatest Christians, but none of us should doubt the ability of God to give us grace sufficient for our trials even amid the stresses of this twenty-first century.  In the middle of our world troubles, the Christian is not to go about wringing his hands, shouting, “What shall we do?” having more nervous tension and worry than anyone else.  The Christian is to trust quietly that God is still on the throne,  He is a sovereign God, working out things according to His own plan.

Some section hands on a British railroad found a thrush’s nest under a rail, and the hen peacefully sitting on the eggs, undisturbed by the roar of the fast trains above and around her.  The Bible says, “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast.”  Believe me, God’s grace is more than adequate for these times.  I am learning in my own life, day by day, to keep my mind centered on Christ, and the worries and anxieties and concerns of the world pass away and nothing but “perfect peace” is left in the human heart.

God has taken the responsibility for our care and worry.  Who of us has not asked in times of affliction and difficulty—does God care for me?  The Psalmist voiced the sentiments of many of us when he said, “Refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul” (Psalm 142:4).  Martha, overconcerned with her workaday duties, said to Jesus, “Lord, do you not care?” How many faithful, loving mothers, overwhelmed by the burdens of motherhood, have cried anxiously, “Lord, do you not care?”

That question is forever answered in those reassuring words of Peter: “He cares for you.”  This is the Word of God, and the world will pass away before it can be altered.  You can be positively assured that God does care for you, and if God cares for you and has promised to carry your burdens and cares, then nothing should distress you.

Taken from “Unto The Hills” by Billy Graham.

God Bless You

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.    

Psalm 1:1

When you open the Bible, you realize the first thing God does in relation to man is to bless him.  When you dig a little further, you’ll find the first psalm is also about blessings.  Follow the lead to the New Testament, and the most famous sermon Jesus ever preached centers on blessings (Matthew 5:3-12).  It is God’s disposition to bless us.  A blessing is an act of declaring or wishing God’s favor and goodness upon others.  The blessing is not only the good effect of words; inspired by the Spirit, it also has the power to bring those words to pass.

Dr John Piper puts it this way: “When God blesses us, it is what he really loves to do.  God is not acting in a generous manner in order to cloak some malicious motive.  God is not saying inside, ‘I will have to be generous for awhile, even though I don’t want to be, because what I really want to do is bring judgment on sinners.’  God is truly acting out his deepest delight when he blesses.  His joy, desire, his want and wish and hope, pleasure and gladness and delight is to bless…to give the kingdom to his flock.”

It is the true inclination of God to shower his favor on our dry, shriveled souls.  It is not God’s duty nor his obligation to bless us.  It’s something he does out of the greatness of his heart.  He blesses you with instruction, gentle persuasion, health, comfort, and consolation in times of hardship.  He blesses you with friends, intellect, eyesight, and hearing.  He blesses you with grace upon grace.  Today, cultivate a personal disposition to bless others; let it be the measure of your character and heart as you shower favor and mercy on those who need his touch.

Taken from “Pearls Of Great Price” by Joni Eareckson Tada.

Inspirational Thoughts

From the world we see, hear, and touch, we behold inspired visions that reveal God’s glory.  In the sun’s light, we catch warm rays of grace and glimpse His eternal design.  In the bird’s song, we hear His voice and it reawakens our need of Him.  At the wind’s touch, we feel His Spirit and sense our eternal existence.

Unknown

Sometimes our light goes out but is blown into flame by another human being.  Each of us owes deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this light.

Albert Schweitzer

The “air” which our souls need also envelops all of us at all times and on all sides.  God is round about us on every hand, with many-sided and all-sufficient grace.  All we need to do is to open our hearts.

Ole Hallesby

NEWS & VIEWS

Rock Springs Evangelical Free Church

rcvjesus@gmail.com

362-8910

Mar. 15, 2023

Coming Events

Feb. – Mar.  Scripture Memory

Mar. 17  Game Night

Mar. 19  Deacon Board Meeting 

Apr.  1  Rex Rich/Kelly Sprouse Wedding

Apr.  20-22  IWD Conference

Prayer Closet Thoughts

Along the humdrum track of Caleb’s life there was nothing to indicate that he was particularly significant or distinguished, but crisis tends to reveal character.  When the spies recommended not entering the promised land, he stood against them.  Caleb’s commitment to God stands out.  He  was certain of what could be accomplished by God’s power.  Although we may feel that our lives are simply routine, we can always seek God in the ordinary.  In the most mundane moments, He will forge our character so that we too can become people of courage in all circumstances.  God is looking for ordinary people who are prepared to trust Him, step out in faith, and courageously obey.  

If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us.  Numbers 14:8                     

                Alistair Begg

Scripture Memory

Week 7 of Scripture Memory!  The finish line is just ahead and we can see it!  Don’t let up!  We are almost there!    Keep memorizing!  Challenge yourself!   The Lord will help you.  There is a grace period at the end of the 8th week!

Game Night

This Friday evening, March 17th, starting at 6:30 pm there will be a Game Night.  Everyone is invited!  If you would like, please bring a game, or you can join a game.  You can also bring a snack that you would like to share.  We look forward to a time of fun, food, and fellowship.

Getting Hitched

Rex Rich and Kelly Sprouse will be getting married in our church on April 1st at 10:30 am.  A light luncheon will be served upstairs after the ceremony.  Rex is a former member of our church body.  Please RSVP by March 24th by texting Rex at 307-256-8238 or contacting Kathy Shaw at 307-389-3429.  We need to know how many to plan the luncheon for.

IWD Annual Conference

The Annual IWD Conference will be held April 20-22 in Monticello, Utah.  If you are able to attend, there is a sign up sheet on the bulletin board.  This will help San Juan Community Church know how many to plan for.  The theme of this year’s conference is “The Power Of The Gospel”.  There will be six messages given, a ladies luncheon, missionary moments, Annual business meeting, and communion on Saturday after the message.  Meals will be served at San Juan Community Church.  Please pray about attending the conference.

Tithes and Offerings

Thank you faithful church body!

Tithes/offerings for March 12, 2023:

General - $7,153.81

Our weekly general fund need is $7979.00. 

You can still mail your tithes and offerings 

to Rock Springs E Free Church, PO Box 807, Rock Springs, WY  82902

Destined To Be Holy

But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”  

1 Peter 1:15-16

We must continually remind ourselves of the purpose of life.  We are not destined to happiness, nor to health, but to holiness.  Today we have far too many desires and interests, and our lives are being consumed and wasted by them.  Many of them may be right, noble, and good, and may later be fulfilled, but in the meantime God must cause their importance to us to decrease.  The only thing that truly matters is whether a person will accept the God who will make him holy.  At all costs, a person must have the right relationship with God.

Do I believe I need to be holy?  Do I believe that God can come into me and make me Holy?  If through your preaching you convince me that I am unholy, I then resent your preaching.  The preaching of the gospel awakens an intense resentment because it is designed to reveal my unholiness, but it also awakens an intense yearning and desire within me.  God has only one intended destiny for mankind—holiness.  His only goal is to produce saints.  God is not some eternal blessing machine for people to use, and He did not come to save us out of pity.  He came to save us because He created us to be holy.  Atonement through the Cross of Christ means that God can put me back into perfect oneness with Himself through the death of Jesus Christ, without a trace of anything coming between us any longer.

Never tolerate, because of sympathy for yourself or for others, any practice that is not in keeping with a holy God.  Holiness means absolute purity of your walk before God, the words coming from your mouth, and every thought in your mind—placing every detail of your life under the scrutiny of God Himself.  Holiness is not simply what God gives me, but what God has given me that is being exhibited in my life.  

Taken from “My Utmost For His Highest” by Oswald Chambers.

Move Closer

Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God.    

Hebrews 6:1

I like the story of the little boy who fell out of bed.  When his mom asked him what happened, he answered, “I don’t know.  I guess I stayed too close to where I got in.”

Easy to do the same with our faith.  It’s tempting just to stay where we got in and never move.

Pick a time in the not-too-distant past.  A year or two ago.  Now ask yourself a few questions.  Do you talk to God more today than you did then?  Has your joy increased?  What about Bible reading and understanding?  Can you tell you’ve grown?  Is your faith growing deeper and your love for Jesus stronger?

Just like friendships, a relationship with God works best when you make the effort to get closer.  Don’t make the mistake of the little boy.  Don’t stay where you got in.  It’s risky resting on the edge.

One more thought: At the swimming pool, some little kids (and big kids) dip only a single toe in the water to see what it’s like.  Imagine how little swimming they’d get in—and how much fun they’d miss—if that was as far as they went.  Faith is like that too.  Don’t settle for dipping one toe.  Dive in!

Taken from “One God, One Plan, One Life” by Max Lucado.

Inspirational Thoughts

Your assignment in the Army of God is your individual expression and extension of Christ’s destruction of the works of the devil.  You are a destroyer of the works of the devil.  God will give you a way to do it that is unique to you.

Unknown

When He says to your disturbed, distracted, restless soul or mind, “Come unto me,” He is saying, come out of the strife and doubt and struggle of what is at the moment where you stand, into that which was and is and is to be—the eternal, the essential, the absolute.

Phillip Brooks

Joy has something within itself that is beyond happiness and sorrow.  This something is called blessedness.  It makes the joy of life possible in pleasure and pain, in happiness and unhappiness, in ecstasy and sorrow.  Where there is joy, there is fulfillment.  And where there is fulfillment, there is joy.

Paul Tillich

NEWS & VIEWS

Rock Springs Evangelical Free Church

rcvjesus@gmail.com

362-8910

Mar. 8, 2023

Coming Events

Feb. – Mar. Scripture Memory

Mar. 12 Elder Board Meeting

Mar. 12 Daylight Savings

Mar. 19 Deacon Board Meeting

Mar. 20 Spring Begins!

Prayer Closet Thoughts

Each day there will be issues the Lord has gifted you to manage and those that you have no idea how to handle. The challenges that are beyond your control are usually the ones that will dominate your thoughts. You mull your circumstances backward and forward, wondering what to do. In conclusion, you may find yourself saying, “I just don’t know.” The Father allows these difficulties so you will rely upon Him. When this happens, don’t rush ahead or invent solutions. First begin by setting your mind on God. Second, do all He has given you the wisdom to accomplish. Third, leave the rest in His hands and expect Him to reveal the path as you go. You may not know what to do, But He always does.

From where shall my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.         Psalm 121:1-2              

        Charles F. Stanley

Scripture Memory

We are learning week 6 of Scripture Memory! “As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. 2 Samuel 22:31” The world can take away many things in our lives, but nothing can take God’s Word out of our hearts. Keep memorizing! Challenge yourself!  The Lord will help you.  There is a grace period at the end of the 8th week!

Easter Cantata

Practice for the Easter Cantata will be every Wednesday at 6:00 pm. If you would like to join the choir, please let Dori know and she will get you a book and music.  

Women’s Retreat Committee

If you would like to be on the committee to help plan the Women’s Retreat, please let Carmelinda know. The first planning meeting will be held soon.

Daylight Savings Time

It is time to set your clocks ahead one hour Saturday evening before you go to bed. Daylight Savings Time will start at 2:00 am on Sunday morning March 12th.

Bible Studies

*Men’s Bible Study, Tuesdays, at 6:00 a.m. at Mike Shaw’shome. 

*Sweet Hour of Prayer Tuesdays at 10:00 am.

*Extended Women’s Bible Study, Tuesdays, at Vicki Shaw’s home starting at 6:45 pm.

*Women’s Bible Study, Thursdays, at 10:00 a.m.

*Small Groups Monday, March 13th and Thursday, March 16th.

Tithes and Offerings

Thank you faithful church body!

Tithes/offerings for March 5, 2023:

General - $12,829.30

New Sanctuary Fund - $300.00

Our weekly general fund need is $7979.00.

You can still mail your tithes and offerings

to Rock Springs E Free Church, PO Box 807, Rock Springs, WY 82902

At Jesus’ Feet

And as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.  

Luke 7:38

Amazing things happened at the feet of Jesus. Some people fell at his feet, others kissed them, still others sat in reverence. Bowing low before him gives a view of life like no other. And miracles are never very far away.

I experienced this recently with my friends Francie and Judy on a visit to the Johns Hopkins Medical Center. In a grand lobby, a twenty-five-foot statue of Christ towers beneath a four-story glass rotunda. The sculptor fashioned Jesus looking down with his arms outstretched, as if bestowing a blessing. We were awestruck. “It’s good to be at his feet,” I whispered.

Suddenly an official-looking man approached. “Isn’t your name Joni?” he asked, introducing himself as an administrator at Johns Hopkins. “I’m a Christian too,” he said. “If there’s anything I can ever do to help, let me know.” It was a generous offer, but after we flew home to California, I forgot all about it. I forgot, that is, until my friend Melanie—who is rapidly going blind, told me, “My specialist says that the only people who might be able to do anything are back at Johns Hopkins. But I don’t know a soul there. How would I ever get an appointment?”

Instantly remembering what happened at the feet of the statue of Jesus, I made a call to the administrator, asking if he would be in touch with Melanie…and the door opened for her. Before she flew east for her appointment, I emailed her: “Dear Melanie, there’s a statue of Jesus you must see when you go to Johns Hopkins next week. Don’t miss it. Amazing things happen at his feet.”

Spend time at his feet today. Worship, weep, repent, pray…or just wait for his touch. In all the world, there is no better place to be.

Taken from “Pearls Of Great Price” by Joni Eareckson Tada.

A Muddy Mess

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come; The old has gone, the new is here!  2 Corinthians 5:17

We had a ranch rodeo not long ago and because it had rained all weekend, the arena was a muddy mess! We were covered in mud, from the top of our hats to the bottom of our boots! While we had a great time, there was nothing better than coming home,taking a shower, and putting on something clean and new!

Spiritually speaking, when we put our faith in Christ, He takes our old dirty clothes of sin and shame and throws them away. He takes our past, our failures, our filth, our sin, and gets rid of them, and then, He gives us a new set of clothes to wear! What do these new clothes look like? They are clothes of righteousness. Through our acceptance of Jesus’ forgiveness we are given the power to live a right life. We are able to say no to the filth of sin and walk a clean, upright life for His glory. Will we ever get muddy in sin again? Sure, but because of Christ’s forgiveness, we have the ability to be made clean each day as we turn to Him for cleansing. Not to mention when we get to heaven God will welcome us into heaven not because of our own ability to live a righteous life, but because he will see the clothes that His Son gave to us and tell us to come on in. Thank you, Jesus, for such a wonderful gift!

Chew on this: Have you traded in your clothes of sin for the clothes of righteousness by accepting Christ’s forgiveness? If not, ask God to forgive you of your sin and be cleansed.

Taken from “Tied On” by Beau Hague.

Inspirational Thoughts

It is the trial of our faith that is precious. If we go through the trial, there is so much wealth laid up in our heavenly bank account to draw upon when the next test comes.

Oswald Chambers

All I have seen teaches me to trust the creator for all I have not seen.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

To pray is nothing more involved than to open the door, giving Jesus access to our needs and permitting Him to exercise His own power in dealing with them.

Ole Hallesby

NEWS & VIEWS

Rock Springs Evangelical Free Church

rcvjesus@gmail.com

362-8910

Mar. 1, 2023

Coming Events

Feb. – Mar. Scripture Memory

Mar. 5 Mission Board Meeting

Mar. 5 CE Board Meeting

Mar. 5 Church Potluck

Mar. 12 Elder Board Meeting

Prayer Closet Thoughts

God created, He redeems, He provides, He forgives, He restores, and more. Almost everything God does is giving. Everything we have comes from God and comes to us because He has given. As David noted in his prayer, “For all things come from You, and of Your own we have given You (1 Chronicles 29:14). David’s response to God’s giving was to give back to Him as an act of worship. What do we have to give to God and others that demonstrates our love? Think of time, talent, and treasure. All we have comes from God and belongs to Him. We are only stewards who give to demonstrate His love through our hands. Put your love into action today!

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.        John 3:16              

        David Jeremiah

Scripture Memory

We are starting the last 4 weeks of Scripture Memory! Every verse that we keep in our heart brings us closer to our Lord and Savior. The Lord gives us new meanings to verses that we are very familiar with when we memorize them. Challenge yourself!  Sign up and get started hiding God’s Word in your heart!  There is a grace period at the end of the 8th week!

Easter Cantata

Practice for the Easter Cantata will begin on Wednesday, March 1st at 6:00 pm. If you would like to join the choir, please let Dori know and she will get you a book and music.  There are only six practices until the cantata!

Church Potluck

Our Church Life Committee would like to invite everyone to “Come upstairs and let’s do lunch” on March 5th after second service. Please bring a dish for the potluck according to your last name:

*A-F Bring a main dish

*G-M Bring a salad/vegetable

*N-Z Bring a dessert

We hope to see everyone there for food, fun, fellowship!

Women’s Retreat Committee

If you would like to be on the committee to help plan the Women’s Retreat, please let Carmelinda know. The first planning meeting will be held soon.

Bible Studies

Good News!! All of our Bible Studies are back on track after bad weather, scheduling, etc.

*Men’s Bible Study at 6:00 a.m. at the Mike Shaw home. We are studying “Living Life Backward” by David Gibson.

*Sweet Hour of Prayer resumed Tuesday, February 28th.

*Extended Women’s Bible Study resumed Tuesday, February 28th at Vicki Shaw’s home.

*Women’s Bible Study will resume Thursday, March 2nd at 10:00 a.m.

*Small Groups will resume Monday, March 6th and Thursday, March 9th.

Tithes and Offerings

Thank you faithful church body!

Tithes/offerings for February 26, 2023:

General - $7,727.70

FEBRUARY TOTALS

Need - $31,916.00

Tithes/Offerings - $32,481.05

OVER - $565.05

Our weekly general fund need is $7979.00.

You can still mail your tithes and offerings

to Rock Springs E Free Church, PO Box 807, Rock Springs, WY 82902

God Made This Day

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.  

Psalm 118:24

What of those days of double shadows? Those days when hope is doused by disaster?  You wake up remembering you wrecked the car. Or that you just lost your job. Or that your mom was diagnosed with cancer. Who has a good day on these days?

Most don’t…but couldn’t we try? After all, “this is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” The first word in the verse leaves us scratching our heads. This is the day the lord has made”? Perhaps holidays are the days the Lord has made. Wedding days are the days the Lord has made. Easter Sundays …snow days…vacation days—these are the days the Lord has made. But this day?

“This is the day” includes every day. Final exam days, surgery days, bad work days. God made this day, ordained this hard hour, designed the details of this wrenching moment. He isn’t on holiday. He still holds the conductor’s baton, sits in the cockpit, and occupies the universe’s only throne. Each day emerges from God’s drawing board. Including this one.

One more thought: Every day is a gift from God. That may be hard to believe when it seems your life is going up in flames. But just as a forest uses fire to replenish itself and give birth to new life, God uses the burning embers of our days to grow new and deeper hope and faith.

Taken from “One God, One Plan, One Life” by Max Lucado.

Longing For God

My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.      

 Psalm 84:2

What does it mean to “long” for someone? It means that a person is unsatisfied or unfulfilled because there is someone he or she very much wants to be near, to hear that certain voice, to experience that special presence.

Have you ever been under water for a period of time that is longer than you had expected? You know, as the time ticks away, how desperate you become to reach the surface and breathe the air. The greater the time you are under water, the more you long for a breath of air until that desire overwhelms you, and you rush to get to the surface as rapidly as possible. You have no other thoughts but quenching your need for air.

That is what it means to “long for God.” In another context, it is what it means to “hunger and thirst” after righteousness with the same desires that lead us to quench our physical need for food and water.

How many of us are content to give God only a brief moment of our time, a hasty prayer before a meal, a few coins in the offering plate on Sunday, and forget about Him the rest of the time?

God wants us to long for Him because it is in that longing that we are fulfilled and overwhelmed by God and the reality of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, in our lives.

We are never more fulfilled than when our longing for God is met by His presence in our lives.

Taken from “Unto The Hills” by Billy Graham.

Inspirational Thoughts

Don’t worry. God is never blind to your tears, never deaf to your prayers, and never silent to your pain. He sees, he hears, and he will deliver you.

Unknown

Relying on God has to begin all over again every day as if nothing had yet been done.

C. S. Lewis

Every time we encourage someone we give them a transfusion of courage.

Charles R. Swindoll

NEWS & VIEWS

Rock Springs Evangelical Free Church

rcvjesus@gmail.com

362-8910

Feb. 22, 2023

Coming Events

Feb. – Mar.  Scripture Memory

Feb. 24-26  Youth Snow Retreat

Mar. 5  Mission Board Meeting

Mar. 5  CE Board Meeting

Mar. 5  Church Potluck

Prayer Closet Thoughts

If you were to list all your afflictions, burdens, and challenges, it might seem overwhelming.  You know that the Father has allowed it all for a good reason.  But you may be frustrated with yourself for not being able to accomplish more or muster the energy for the next step.  Do not despair.  The difficulties are not evidence of His displeasure, but of the wonderful potential He sees in you.  He trims areas that drain your energy, removes decaying parts, and harvests the fruit so more may grow.  It’s all for good, even if it’s painful for a season.  So how do you take the next step today?  By abiding in Him and allowing His ability, energy, inspiration, and power to flow through you in His way and time.  He is the Vine; you are the branch.  Let Him do the sustaining.  Every branch that bears fruit He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.                                 John 15:2                     Charles F. Stanley

Scripture Memory

Week 4 of Scripture Memory! We are half way done with Scripture Memory!  It is a blessing for us to be memorizing God’s Word.  Another encouragement from David Jeremiah: Resisting Satan in our own strength can be futile.  He is too strong for us.  We cannot overcome the devil or his temptations without the presence of God in our lives.  That’s why it’s so critical, so necessary, to have scriptures stored in our minds.  They are our only consistently effective weapons against our adversary.  Sign up and get started hiding God’s Word in your heart!  

Easter Cantata

Practice for the Easter Cantata will begin on Wednesday, March 1st at 6:00 pm.  If you would like to join the choir, please let Dori know and she will get you a book and music.

Youth Snow Retreat

Thank you, thank you, thank you church family for completing the food list!  We would like to have all the food items by Wednesday, February 22nd.  Please put them in the kitchen and both fridges are available if necessary.  We will be leaving on Friday and ask for your prayers for us in all the details.  We will share our weekend with you at Echoes on Sunday night.

Church Potluck

Our Church Life Committee would like to invite everyone to “Come upstairs and let’s do lunch” on March 5th after second service.  Please bring a dish for the potluck according to your last name:

*A-F  Bring a main dish

*G-M Bring a salad/vegetable

*N-Z  Bring a dessert

We hope to see everyone there for food, fun, fellowship!

Tithes and Offerings

Thank you faithful church body!

Tithes/offerings for February 19, 2023:

General - $6,377.50

Missions - $400.00

Our weekly general fund need is $7979.00. 

You can still mail your tithes and offerings 

to Rock Springs E Free Church, PO Box 807, Rock Springs, WY  82902

Take Ground

Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.  

Joshua 1:9

Just like the heroes in our favorite western movies, we are called to be men of courage, and take ground back from the devil.  For far too long, the devil has taken our marriages, our children, and the hearts and minds of our friends.  Now is the time that we take courage and fight the good fight for the glory of Jesus Christ.  I don’t know about you but I’m ready to bring a little hell to the devil, and God is the one who will help us bring it!

As our Scripture for today tells us, we need to have courage!  Do you know who our greatest example is of someone who had the courage to take ground?  Jesus Christ.  It took courage to leave heaven and come to earth.  It took courage to be born in a manger, not a palace.  It took courage to stand before others and proclaim to be the Savior of the world.  It took courage to stand against his enemies and to die on the cross so that we might have eternal life.  Jesus Christ is the most courageous man to walk the face of the earth!  He not only defended His Father, He took ground for Him.  How can we take ground for the Lord?  We take a stand against Satan, lead our families to love the Lord, and take advantage of opportunities to share Jesus with the lost!

Chew on this: What areas of your life do you need to take back ground for Christ?  How can you be more courageous for the Lord?

Taken from “Tied On” by Beau Hague.

Exposing Hidden Idols

All who worship images are put to shame, those who boast in idols.         

  Psalm 97:7

A verse like this makes me think of wooden figurines who squat on shelves with fat lips, bloated stomachs, and who hold bowls on tops of their heads.  I saw one the other day when I passed by the open door of a Vietnamese nail parlor.  A little Buddha sat on an altar behind the receptionist’s desk.  It was draped in flowers and surrounded by candles and incense.

We think we are too “contemporary” to take an idol like that seriously.  But today’s verse is not out of date.  Idols put us to shame…whenever we feel ashamed.

Shame is what exposes the things you idolize.  Imagine having coffee with a new friend.  As the conversation flows, you feel witty and interesting.  Your friend seems fascinated, which only makes you pleased as punch with yourself.  But then you knock your cup and spill coffee all over your white shirt.  Everyone turns their heads, and instead of laughing it off, you feel stupid and silly.  What a jerk I am!  I want to crawl into a hole.

What idol did the feeling of shame and embarrassment expose?  Pride in appearance?  Smug self-confidence in conversational skills?  An inflamed idea of importance?  You were hoping to come across as clever and winsome, but a little spilled coffee washed away your self-confidence, exposing a hidden idol.  God has engineered our sense of shame to reveal those things, people, or vocations we idolize.  But once our idols are unearthed, we can more easily do away with them.

The next time your cheeks turn red with shame, ask yourself, “What idol is my embarrassment revealing?”  Once it’s knocked off the shelf of your heart, toss it.  Keep your heart clean of idols.  And then pray…

Taken from “Pearls Of Great Price” by Joni Eareckson Tada.

Inspirational Thoughts

I challenge you to think of one act of genuine significance in the history of humankind that was performed by a lone human being (apart from the redemptive work of Christ on the cross).  No matter what you name, you will find that a team of people was involved.

John C. Maxwell

The “stuff” you’ve spent your life acquiring may be getting in the way of a blessed, pure, beautiful relationship with God.  Don’t let it be more important than knowing Him.

Unknown

You can’t wring your hands and roll up your sleeves at the same time.

Pat Schroeder

NEWS & VIEWS

Rock Springs Evangelical Free Church

rcvjesus@gmail.com

362-8910

Feb. 15, 2023

Coming Events

Feb. – Mar.  Scripture Memory

Feb. 19  Deacon Board Meeting

Feb. 24-26  Youth Snow Retreat

Prayer Closet Thoughts

Do we expect God to come to us with His blessings and save us?  He says, “Look to Me, and be saved…”  The greatest difficulty spiritually is to concentrate on God, and His blessings are what make it so difficult.  Troubles almost always make us look to God, but His blessings tend to divert our attention elsewhere.  We will find what we are looking for if we will concentrate on Him.  We get distracted from God and irritable with Him while He continues to say to us, “Look to Me, and be saved…”  Our difficulties, our trials, and our worries about tomorrow all vanish when we look to God.  Wake yourself up and look to God.  Build your hope on Him.  No matter how many things seem to be pressing in on you, be determined to push them aside and look to Him.  “Look to Me…”  Salvation is yours the moment you look.

Look to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.                                Isaiah 45:22                     Oswald Chambers

Scripture Memory

We are in week 3 of Scripture Memory so there is plenty of time to sign up and complete all 8 weeks (remember the grace period at the end!).  Chuck Swindoll writes about memorizing God’s Word: “I know of no other single practice in the Christian life more rewarding, practically speaking, than memorizing Scripture.  That’s right.  No other single discipline is more useful and rewarding than this.  No other single exercise pays greater spiritual dividends!”  Sign up and get started hiding God’s Word in your heart!  

Easter Cantata

All choir members please check your mailbox for your book and music for the Easter Cantata.  Practice will begin on Wednesday, March 1st at 6:00 pm.  If you would like to join the choir, please let Doris know and she will get you a book and music.

Youth Snow Retreat

Snow Retreat 2023 is right around the corner.  The RSEFC youth are ready for the annual retreat from February 24-26th in Garden City, Utah.  Pastor Will and the leadership are always grateful for the great support and underwriting that makes the retreat free to all who are part of youth group.  This year’s theme is “Models of Maturity: Exemplary Teens” based upon 1 Timothy 4:12.  Four speakers will contribute to the weekend’s messages: Preston Ackerman, Andrew Kneeland, Pastor Will and Pastor Rich.  We also have some new winter recreation options available this year, as we have considered safer alternatives without sacrificing fun.  Thank you for your prayers and support!

Tithes and Offerings

Thank you faithful church body!

Tithes/offerings for February 12, 2023:

General - $4,517.04

Our weekly general fund need is $7979.00. 

You can still mail your tithes and offerings 

to Rock Springs E Free Church, PO Box 807, Rock Springs, WY  82902

Joyful Worship

Know that the Lord, he is God!  It is he who made us,, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.   Psalm 100:3

The book of Psalms has been described as a medicine chest for our souls.  In it we can find laments for the downtrodden, cries to God in trying times, and offerings of praise and thanksgiving. Whatever ails you, you will find balm in the Psalter.

Woven throughout the psalms of praise in particular is this foundational truth: the Lord is God and we are His.  Our very existence as God’s people is an indication of who He is.  Once we weren’t a people, but now we are a people.  Once we hadn’t received mercy, but now we receive mercy daily. (1 Peter 2:10).

The truth of the matter is that we are not our own.  We never were.  We are image-bearing creatures formed by a mighty Creator.  He is the Potter who fashioned us, and “we are his.”  Further, we are redeemed sinners, “bought with a price” by a loving Savior (1 Corinthians 6:20).  He is the Shepherd who gave His life for us and now tends to us (John 10:11-15), and “we are his.”  We are twice-bought: in creation and in redemption, we are His.

Therefore, what is now ours in the Lord Jesus Christ is not an occasion for pride but for praise.  Knowing that the Lord is God and that we are His will prompt us to praise and thank Him (Psalm 100:3).

Praise is the spontaneous acknowledgment of what is valuable.  People naturally praise what they treasure.  God is our Maker and our Redeemer, and He is therefore entitled to and worthy of our praise.  No one and nothing deserves your praise more than Him.

Even in less-than-ideal circumstances, we still have reason to praise God simply because of who He is.  When we bid farewell to a loved one or we lose a job that provides our earthly comforts, we can still choose to praise Him.  When our voices are choked with tears, when our hearts fail us, when our circumstances frustrate us, when life seems to let us down—we may still find in God’s “steadfast love that “endures forever” (Psalm 100:5) endless reason for joyful worship and thankful praise.  He is never less than your mighty Creator and loving Savior.

A thankful heart is a distinctive mark of the Christian experience.  Let it mark you today.

Taken from “Truth For Life” by Alistair Begg.

We Need His Glory

Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name goes all the glory for your unfailing love and faithfulness.           Psalm 115:1

God has one goal: God.  “I have my reputation to keep up” (Isaiah 48:11 MSG).   Surprised?  Isn’t such an attitude, dare we ask, self-centered?  Why does God broadcast himself?

For the same reason the pilot of the lifeboat does.  Think of it this way.  You’re floundering neck-deep in a dark, cold sea. Ship sinking. Life jacket deflating.  Through the inky night comes the voice of a lifeboat pilot.  But you cannot see him.  What do you want the driver of the lifeboat to do?  Be quiet?  Say nothing?

By no means!  You need volume!  Amp it up, buddy!  In biblical jargon, you want him to show his glory.  You need to hear him say, “I am here.  I am strong.  I can save you!”  Drowning passengers want the pilot to reveal his supremacy.

Don’t we want God to do the same?  Look around.  People thrash about in seas of guilt, anger, despair, Life isn’t working.  We are going down fast.  But God can rescue us.  And only one message matters.  His!  We need to see God’s glory.

One more thought: Make no mistake.  God has no ego problem.  He doesn’t reveal his glory for his good.  We need to witness it for ours.  We need his loud voice so we can find him and his strong hand to pull us into a safe boat.  Let’s thank God that he is the pilot of our lives. 

Taken from “One God, One Plan, One Life” by Max Lucado.

Inspirational Thoughts

Once a man was asked, ‘what did you gain by regularly praying to God?’  The man replied, ‘nothing…but let me tell you what I lost: anger, ego, greed, depression, insecurity, and fear of death.’  Sometimes, the answer to our prayers is not gaining but losing; which ultimately is the gain

Unknown

We have been in God’s thought from all eternity, and in His creative love, His attention never leaves us.

Michael Quoist

It is not objective proof of God’s existence that we want but the experience of God’s presence.  That is the miracle we are really after, and that is also, I think, the miracle that we really get.

Frederick Buechner

NEWS & VIEWS

Rock Springs Evangelical Free Church

rcvjesus@gmail.com

362-8910

Feb. 8, 2023

Coming Events

Feb. – Mar.  Scripture Memory

Feb. 12  Elder Board Meeting

Feb. 24-26  Youth Snow Retreat

Prayer Closet Thoughts

There may be aspects of yourself—your choices, history, or circumstances—that are difficult to face.  In fact, they may be so painful that you just want to block them out.  You’d rather no one know about them—especially not God.  But understand, the Father is not surprised or repulsed by your profound wounds, fears, and failings.  He knows all about them, and His response is to pursue you and heal you fully.  This is also why He invites you into an intimate relationship with Him—communion with Him that goes far deeper than what you see, touch, and feel.  He desires for you to encounter His presence in the depths of your personhood where true freedom and healing take place.  So don’t be afraid to be honest with Him, because that’s the path to genuine peace and strength.  The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor.  He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives.             Luke 4:18                   Charles F. Stanley

Scripture Memory

There are still places open to be filled with your name if you have not already signed up for Scripture Memory!!  We are in week 2 of memorizing so there is plenty of time to complete all 8 weeks (remember the grace period at the end!).  David Jeremiah further encourages us to memorize God’s Word: “When we open our Bibles, God opens His mouth.  And when we memorize what He says, it’s like having His voice recorded in our minds, ready for playback at the blink of an eye.  Having the words of God at the ready is critical to the Christian life because of what strong temptation does to our minds.”  Sign up and get started hiding God’s Word in your heart!  

Youth Snow Retreat

Snow Retreat 2023 is right around the corner.  The RSEFC youth are ready for the annual retreat from February 24-26th in Garden City, Utah.  Pastor Will and the leadership are always grateful for the great support and underwriting that makes the retreat free to all who are part of youth group.  This year’s theme is “Models of Maturity: Exemplary Teens” based upon 1 Timothy 4:12.  Four speakers will contribute to the weekend’s messages: Preston Ackerman, Andrew Kneeland, Pastor Will and Pastor Rich.  We also have some new winter recreation options available this year, as we have considered safer alternatives without sacrificing fun.  Thank you for your prayers and support!

A man’s pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor.

                       Proverbs 29:23

Tithes and Offerings

Thank you faithful church body!

Tithes/offerings for February 5, 2023:

General - $13,858.81

New Sanctuary Fund – 300.00

Love Gift Pastor Kneeland - $850.00

Our weekly general fund need is $7979.00. 

You can still mail your tithes and offerings 

to Rock Springs E Free Church, PO Box 807, Rock Springs, WY  82902

Fretting…Or Committing?

Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong…Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he shall bring it to pass.    Psalm 37:1,5

There are no troubles that distress the mind and wear upon the nerves as do borrowed troubles.  The Psalmist said, “Do not fret…”  The implication is that fretting, complaining, and distress of mind are often self-manufactured and can best be coped with by a change of attitude and transformation of thought.

You cannot allay a baby’s anxiety by giving him a rattle when he is hungry.  He will keep on crying until his hunger is satisfied by the food his little body demands.  Neither can the soul of a mature man be satisfied apart from God.  David described the hunger of all men when he said: “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God” (Psalm 42:1).  The Prodigal Son, who had to learn life’s lessons by painful experience, said: “How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!” (Luke 15:17).

Two conflicting forces cannot exist in one human heart.  When doubt reigns, faith cannot abide.  Where hatred rules, love is crowded out.  Where selfishness rules, there love cannot dwell.  When worry is present, trust cannot crowd its way in.

The very best prescription for banishing worry is found in Psalm 37:5: “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he shall bring it to pass.”  The word commit means to turn over to, to entrust completely.

Some years ago someone gave my little boy a dollar.  He brought it to me and said,, “Daddy, keep this for me.”  But in a few minutes he came back and said, “Daddy, I’d better keep my own dollar.”  He tucked it in his pocket and went out to play.  In a few minutes he came back with tears in his eyes, saying, “Daddy, I lost my dollar.  Help me find it.”  How often we commit our burdens to the Lord and then fail to trust Him by taking matters into our own hands.  Then, when we have messed things up, we pray, “Oh, Lord, help me.  I’m in trouble.”

The choice is yours.  Do you want to trust your life in God’s “pocket” or keep it in your own?

Taken from “Unto The Hills” by Billy Graham.

A Special Meeting Place

Whenever Moses went out to the Tent of Meeting, all the people would get up and stand in their tent entrances. They would all watch Moses until be disappeared inside.  As he went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and hover at the entrance while the Lord spoke with Moses.     

Exodus 33:8-9

The people lingered outside their tents, watching, waiting for the moment when the tent closed around Moses.  It was evident that wondrous events were taking place within the confines of the tabernacle.  The Israelites worshiped from a distance as their leader sat in the presence and glory of God and spoke to him as a man speaks with a friend.

There are times when we may feel as if a vast distance separates us from God.  There are moments, even days, when it seems as if we are standing outside our own tent, watching as others embrace spiritual intimacy with God.  Yet the good news is that we don’t need to find a special place to share our hearts or use special words to communicate our thoughts, needs, even our fears to God.  Our sacred tent of meeting is as close as a whisper because Christ lives in us.  He invites you to come freely to him and to sit in his presence, talk with him as you would with a friend, and continue that dialogue as you work, live, and walk through your day.

Taken from “Praying Through the Bible” by Cheri Fuller.

Inspirational Thoughts

In confession we open our lives to healing, reconciling, restoring, uplifting grace of Him who loves us in spite of what we are.

Louis Cassels

We need never shout across the spaces to an absent God.  He is nearer than our own soul, closer than our most secret thoughts.

A.   W. Tozer

The only way to wait for the second coming is to watch that you do what you should do, so that when He comes is a matter of indifference.  It is the attitude of a child, certain that God knows what He is about.

Oswald Chambers