Announcements
SYMPATHY: to the family and friends of Nicky Wardenfelt, who passed away on Thursday, January 22. Visitation will be held at Fletcher Funeral Home in Westminster on Thursday, February 5, from 10-11 a.m., with a service beginning at 11 a.m.
SYMPATHY: to the family and friends of Bernard “Skip” Neubeck, who passed away earlier this month at his home in
Delaware. Arrangements are pending at this time.
CONGRATULATIONS: to Gerson & Francis Romero on the birth of their daughter, Mabel Romero Vargas, on Sunday, January 25, weighing 4 lbs., 3 oz, and 17.5 inches long.
TITHING STATEMENTS: The remaining Tithing Statements that were not picked up were mailed out this week.
SUPER SIXTIES: will be taking a trip to the Amish Markets, followed by lunch at Cracker Barrel, on Thursday, February 26. If you would like to go, please sign up at the Welcome Desk or see Pastor Howell with any questions.
CCS GOLF OUTING: Carroll Christian Schools' 3rd Annual Golf Tournament will be held on Monday, April 27, at Quail Valley Golf Course. Brochures are available at the Welcome Desk for registration and can be turned in to the school office. For questions, please contact Morgan Peterson at mpeterson@carrollchristian.com.
From My Heart
I am writing this column on Tuesday morning, just a little after 8:00 a.m. While my computer was booting up, I looked at the weather forecast on my iPad, and the long-term forecast (through today, Feb. 1st) shows the possibility of snow! Technically, it is forecasting that we could have several inches of snow on Saturday night into Sunday! The problem with it snowing on Saturday night into Sunday is getting the parking lot scraped and shoveled! It is very difficult to remove snow with a parking lot full of vehicles. But it will all work out in the long run. Please make sure to send in your tithe, drop it off, or give through the website! Our bills continue to come in, even if we are forced to cancel the church services.
I want to share a soul-winning testimony that happened years ago while I was in Bible College preparing for the ministry. Several of us went to a church in Laurens, S.C., for a weekend (Friday-Sunday) to sing, hold a youth rally, and do some soulwinning work. I took my brother, and we drove to a part of town where the houses were close, and Michael saw a family he knew and walked over to see them.
While he was speaking with them, he motioned for me to wait for him, and he went inside with the man and his oldest son. About that time, I heard a small voice from up on a screened-in porch say, “How are you doing, young man?” I said, “I am doing great! How are you?” I walked up the sidewalk, and that little weak voice said, “I’m just sitting here getting some fresh air. Come on in and sit down while you wait for your buddy.” So, I went in and sat on the porch swing.
This elderly man I was now speaking with was very ill and told me he had cancer and was soon going to be leaving this world. I asked if he was ready to leave! He said, “I don’t suppose anyone is actually ready!” I said, “It is so strange that my brother would leave me standing right in front of your house, and you then invite me to sit and talk while I waited.” He said, “What is so strange about that?” I said, “Because I know how to help folks get ready to leave here and go out into eternity!” He lit up like a Christmas tree and said, “You do?”
So, I shared the Gospel with him, and he listened as intently as anyone I have ever witnessed to and then asked the Lord Jesus to save his soul and take him to Heaven! He smiled and said, “Did you planthis? Did someone send you here?” I said, “No, sir, I didn’t plan it, but the Holy Spirit of God planned this entire meeting!” We talked and laughed, and he played his “fiddle” (his words), and I played an old guitar he had, and for about 2 hours, I rejoiced with a fellow the Lord had sitting on his porch waiting for someone to share the Gospel with him. I did not yet know the term “Divine appointment,” but it sure was one! Have a great day!
Pastor Norris