Rose Hill Herald

April 1, 2011 – Volume 6, Issue 4

 

1. Pastor’s thoughts

 

As I sit down and begin working on this issue, March is about over.  It has been a turbulent month.  We had 80 degree days early in the month and cold, wet days near the end.

 Last Thursday, March 24^th, I observed the city of Little Rock digging up the ditch in front of the church and disposing of all the leaves.  I thought to myself, this is a “good thing.”  About 15 minutes later the gas man was at the door and he said, “You know your gas is off, don’t you?”  I said, “No, why is it off?”  The response, “The city hit the gas line on the street.”  He said that they would repair it and he would come in and turn our appliances back on around 1:15.  He came back exactly at 1:15.  Well, first of all he couldn’t turn the gas on at the gas meter as someone had put the wrong lock on it and he didn’t have the right key so he had to go back to the shop to get some bolt cutters.  Then, about an hour later he came to the door once again, and said “You have a pretty good size gas leak.  I will come in and see if I can find it.”  He had a spray bottle full of soapy water.  He checked all of the furnaces and gas water heaters and only came up with a small leak in one of the furnace fittings.  He said, “That small of a leak could not be causing that much gas to escape. “ You will have to call a plumber and I must pull your meter.”  Well, this meant that a city inspection would be required and we must have all of our furnaces, water heaters, etc. up to city code.  So all of our copper pipes had to be changed to the now required flexi-hoses and we had to repair some of the vents that are on the roof line.  This was all completed and the plumber told me that the leak is in the line from the street to the church.  Nevertheless, we still had to bring the inside up to city code.  So we had to bring in a larger plumbing contractor to dig up and replace the line.  As I write this, the entire inside work has been completed and we are waiting for the city inspector and gas company to come and do the final check-up to get the gas turned back on.  I have not received the bills yet, but can imagine the possibilities!  Some I have shared this story with are upset with the city of Little Rock and I was too, but this may have been God’s way of preventing a gas explosion which could have caused serious bodily injury and property damage.  God is still in control of everything that we face!

You know what?  God is still good!  All the time!  And especially in the times when things are tough and you don’t see the answers.

We did not have heat for Sunday’s service but God allowed it to be warm enough to get through the lack of heat.  We had a good time.  A couple of weeks ago Donna and I had decided to change up the service and we turned the order of service upside down.  I preached first and we ended the service with George giving the announcements and a closing number by the praise team.  It was fun!  I heard several who came in for the service, “Say, I thought I must have been late somehow as the pastor was already preaching!” 

We are so blessed to have Donna leading our music program and a wonderful praise team, choir and special singers.  When we lift up praises to Him, He just comes on the scene and let’s us know how much He loves us and how much He is for us!  Yes, indeed, God is so Good!  All the time!

 

2. Something to think about

 

“One can pay back the loan of gold,
but one dies forever in debt
to those who are kind.”

 Malayan Proverb

 

3. A time to smile

 

A census taker knocked on the door of a backwoods shack.  A fellow came to the door.  “The president has sent us across the country to find out how many people live in the United States.”  The man replied, “Well, I’m sure sorry you came all the way out here to ask me, cause I ain’t got the faintest idea.”

 

One evening, after a particularly grueling rehearsal of a locally produced Passion play, one of the cast members-who had a particularly bad time remembering his lines-, was heard to say, “I’ve finally figured out why God wants me in this play.  He’s trying to teach me how easy street evangelism is!”

 

A hesitant driver, waiting for traffic to clear, came to a complete stop on a freeway ramp.  The traffic thinned, but the intimidated driver still waited.  Finally, an infuriated voice yelled from behind, “The sign says to yield, not to give up.”

 

The Sunday school teacher asked her class, “What are sins of omission?’”  After some thought one little fellow said, “They’re the sins we should have committed but didn’t get around to.”

 

Two men in seminary compete for top honors.  Their rivalry became the talk of the campus.  After graduation they went their separate ways, one to the parish, and the other to the military chaplaincy.   Many years passed when by chance they met at an airport.  The first had become a bishop with robes and a portly protrusion to match.  The second had achieved the rank of general.  The bishop spoke first to the general: “Porter, where do I go to flight 569?”  The chaplain replied, “Frankly, I wouldn’t recommend that you fly in your condition, madam!”

 

4. Nazarene websites

 

Rose Hill Church of the Nazarene: www.rosehillnazarene.org

South Arkansas District: www.Southarkansasnazarene.org

Nazarene Headquarters:  www.nazarene.org

Nazarene Global Mission: http://www.nazarene.org/ministries/worldmission/display.aspx

Nazarene Bible College: www.nbc.edu

Southern Nazarene: www.snu.edu/home.asp

 

5. Rose Hill news

 

There are a lot of activities going on in April at Rose Hill.  April 3^rd at 8:30 the Sunday school will be serving their monthly “free” breakfast.”  April 9^th will be an all church work day.  It is scheduled from 9:00 AM until noon.  We scheduled it so you can eat breakfast and lunch at home.  We will have the coffee machine ready for action, though. There will be something for everyone (including our ladies) to do.  Some of the children/teens will be taking a trip to Memphis on that day also. 

 

Men’s prayer breakfast will be on Saturday, April 16^th at 8:00 AM at the church.  The Ladies Bible study is every Tuesday at 10:00 M at the church.

The Prime Timer’s meet at the church on the first and third Thursdays of the month at noon for a good potluck lunch and a time of fun and fellowship.

 

April 17^th will be our annual Church Election.  See Bob Means in the bell tower area for your ballot before and after Sunday school. 

 

Once again, we will be having a very special Good Friday service at Rose Hill at 7:00 P.M. (April 22^nd).  There are many special items of worship that will be presented including congregational singing, special singing, Scripture reading, sermon and communion.  Please plan on being in attendance and invite someone to come along as your guest. 

 

On Easter Sunday, April 24^th, the sanctuary choir presents “The Love of Jesus” cantata.  Plan on being a part of this very special time of worshipping the risen Savior!

 

Rose Hill birthdays include: Clara Herndon and Nola Moreland (4^th), Gracen McDonald (20^th) and Bob Means (26^th).

 

Anniversaries include:  Ron & Belinda Carter (27^th).

 

If we have missed your birthday or anniversary, or have listed an incorrect date, please let us know so that we can correct it.

 

If you have ever thought about being a part of a small group, visit the Tribe of faith that meets at the parsonage on Mondays at 6:30PM.  We are presently studying the book “If God-Why Evil?”

 

Easter is one of the most special times for the church, for on Easter we celebrate the Risen Lord!  The Conqueror of Death and the Grave!  Hallelujah Christ Arose!  Statistics show that there are two (2) Sundays that many people will attend church who don’t regularly attend: Christmas and Easter.  Invite someone to come as your guest and be a participant at Rose Hill as we worship the Risen King! 

 

If you have a relative or a friend who is not attending church and would be a prospect for Rose Hill, please get the contact information to the Pastor and he will make contact.

 

We are always looking for noteworthy items for the Rose Hill Herald.  If you have any suggestions, articles or links you would like to submit, please do so.

 

Thanks for reading the Rose Hill Herald.  I trust that it has been a blessing to you.

 

Pastor Steve Comeans

Rose Hill Church of the Nazarene

11001 Kanis Road

Little Rock, AR 72211

501-225-1082

Pastor’s email address: spcomeans@rosehillnazarene.org

Church website: rosehillnazarene.org