Please be informed that tonight’s dinner and Bible study is cancelled. Bible study will resume next Wednesday. However, given the increase in protective measures that we’ve taken at church (everyone needing to wear masks, etc), dinner will continue to be on hold until further notice.

Just a notice that Wednesday Night Dinner resumes TONIGHT! We'll be serving green enchiladas. We look forward to seeing you all tonight at 5pm! For those who still need to exercise some caution and would prefer to come just for the Bible study, Bible study will be at 5:30pm. Hope to see you all there!

From Pastor Rick:

As we celebrate mothers, there is a reality that is truly a blessing. Think about this when considering motherhood. God created man and woman in His image. Now consider the best, most noble and righteous qualities of a mentally healthy, loving mother and you will see the image of God. Jesus Himself revealed the Godly qualities of a loving mother, though He came clothed as a man. In Matthew 23:37–38 Jesus said something quite revealing about His heart toward the very sinners He came to save.

37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! 

38 See! Your house is left to you desolate;”

What an amazing thought, Jesus wanted to gather His people together as a hen gathers her chicks and bring them into His care, despite their rebellious attitude. You can see this when a story hits the media about a person committing a horrible crime, and when the person’s mother is interviewed she mourns her child’s decision but still expresses love and concern for that child. A Christ-like mother has a bond with her child the supersedes shortcomings, failures, poor choices, flippant attitude for her, and even suffers the child’s rebellion and disdain. Like Jesus, her heart beats for her child and she will endure tremendous hardships for her child’s well-being. Jesus saw His people and expressed His love, mercy, and grace, recognizing their poor condition and rejection, yet longed to care for them. They were “desolate”—the Greek word is eremos and is used like the English word abandonment, and is also used to describe a desolate or uninhabited place. According to The Theological dictionary of the New Testament, it can naturally mean “waste” in the strict sense, e.g., an unprofitable “waste of stone or sand.” Basically, Jesus was pointing out the fact that His people were missing their true purpose and were living empty, meaningless lives, serving themselves and their leaders. His desire is for their very best, to see them realize their true potential, and enjoy the very reason God made them. Here is another beautiful verse that exposes the heart of God, found in John 17:1–3:

1 "Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, 

2 as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. 

3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent."

The question, “What is the meaning of life” is answered here for the Christian. It’s is to live knowing God. In other words, to have a personal relationship with the true God of creation. Jesus said He came to give life in abundance. Consider this in lieu of the condition in which He introduces Himself to people. They are a total mess, rebellious, lifeless, empty and desolate. We are worthy of death! Yet He still longs to have a relationship with people. He was willing to give His life for mankind. There is a high school student who is alive today because his mother brought him into the world knowing that she would most likely die in order for him to live. She choose to give her life so her son could live. She gave birth and it did cost her her life. Her son is an amazing young man who missed having his natural mother, but is living and having a positive impact in the world. This is Christ-like love. This mother’s heart beat for the son in her womb and without hesitation gave her life for him. There are many other wonderful Godly attributes mothers reveal and there is not enough room in this newsletter to share them. I hope to see you at church this Mother’s Day, as I have more to share.

At last Sunday's service, Dr. Jim Small, PhD, gave a talk with very good information on the Coronavirus. If you missed it, you can now view it on our website at www.sonoitahills.com or find it on our church's Facebook page.

(It is on the homepage of our website, just below announcements.)