A publication of Rose Hill Church of the Nazarene

January 1, 2010

Volume 3, Issue 1

 
1. Pastor’s thoughts

2. Laugh a little

3. Thought for the month

4. Helpful websites

5. Nazarene websites

6. Rose Hill news

 1. Pastor’s thoughts:

As I typed the issue date at the top of this newsletter, I had to pause as I realized that the year 2010 has arrived.  I was reminded of all the hype and scare of January 1, 2000.  Many thought the world was going to end.  And now, here we are ten years later.  The world didn’t end and the economy didn’t collapse (though these last few years have been rough for so many) and the Rapture hasn’t happened yet.  But, we are ten years closer to the Rapture than we were on January 1, 2000.  What would it mean to you and me if He decided to come for the Church in 2010?  Are we spiritually prepared for His coming?  Are all of our family members and friends prepared for His return?  Jesus devised a plan to save the world for His kingdom.  We call it the Great Commission.  His plan is a simple one.  Are you ready to hear it?  Here it is: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  There are 4 action verbs: 1. “Go”.  For some reason the odds are that the unsaved will not wake up one morning and think, “Well, I need to get saved.  I must go to church Sunday morning!”  We have to “go” to them.  2. “Make.”  We are commissioned to follow the teachings and discipling ways of Jesus.  We are to “make” disciples.  Once folks come to church and make that trip to the altar whether it be in church, an office or at home, Christians must actively “disciple” new Christians.  We need to take them under our “wings” and make a commitment to spend time with them.

3. “Teaching.” All Christians have been called to teach the gospel story (the good news).  How important it is to “teach” new converts what being a Christian is all about.  4. “Baptizing.”  Some have asked, “Is baptism a must?”  Well, if Jesus thought it important enough for him to be baptized, doesn’t it make since that we, too, should be baptized.  Plus in The Great Commission, He tells us to “baptize them.”  Baptism is a personal testimony to the fact of the new birth.  Paul said the old has gone and the new is come.  Baptism is a testimony that the believer is a new creation! 

I’ve never been too serious about “New Year’s Resolutions.”  I used to make too many really unachievable resolutions.  And when they didn’t happen, it was quite discouraging.  May I suggest one we can all make?  Let’s work hard till Jesus comes, to win the lost!  Maranatha!

2. Laugh a little:

 The kindergarten class went on a field trip to the local police station where an officer showed them around.  Stopping in front of a Ten Most Wanted Poster, he explained how citizens often helped bring about arrests.  “Are those pictures of the bad guys?” asked one six-year-old.  “Yep, those are the bad guys,” the policeman confirmed.  “Well,’ pursued the youngster, “why didn’t you hold on to them when you took their pictures?”

 A professor asked a student to remain for a few moments after class.  Holding out the young man’s assignment, the professor asked, “Did you write this poem all by yourself?”  The student said, “Every word of it.”  The professor stuck out his hand and said, “Well, then, I’m glad to meet you, Mr. Wordsworth.  I thought you were long dead!”

 “Owww!” screamed six-year-old Cindy.  “What is it?” her mother called from the kitchen.  “The baby pulled my hair.”  Mother came in to comfort Cindy.  “Don’t be angry at the baby,” she said.  “He doesn’t understand that it hurts when he pulls your hair.”  She’d no sooner returned to the kitchen, when there cane another shriek, this time from the toddler.  Returning to the playroom, she was confronted by Cindy, who explained, “Now he understands.”

 When a little boy was gone to school one day, his cat got run over by a truck.  His mother was very concerned about how he would take the news.  Upon his arrival home, she explained the tragedy and tried to console the boy by saying, “But don’t worry, Bootsie is in heaven with God now.”  To which the boy replied, “What’s God gonna do with a dead cat?”

 3. Thought for the month:

“The man who has begun
to live more seriously within
begins to live more simply without.”

~ Ernest Hemingway

4. Helpful websites:

 

I ran across another helpful website called “eHow To Do Just About Anything. “  The name describes the website.  Check it out at:  http://www.ehow.com/

 

5. Nazarene Websites:

 

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

South Arkansas district: www.southarkansasdistrict.org

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

Nazarene Headquarters: www.nazarene.org

 

6. Rose Hill News:

 

January is generally a month in which we set back and take a needed rest.  However, mark your calendars as we have “The Needhams” in concert on January 10^th at 10:00AM.  What an exciting Blue Grass/Southern Gospel family group.  I believe this will be our 4^th year to host them on the second Sunday of January.  Dave Needham, the group’s manager told me that they always enjoy coming to Rose Hill.  After the concert we will all have a wonderful potluck dinner.

 

Your District Sunday School will be sponsoring a Leadership Training session on Leadership and Ethics for Ethical Leaders at the Hot Springs First Church of the Nazarene on Saturday, January 23^rd from 9AM-2:30PM.  Cost is $10.00 which includes your lunch.  I think this will be a seminar well worth your time. 

 Rose Hill birthdays for January include: Wally Pollich Jr. (1^st), George Bratton (4^th), Trevor Burnett (6), Wally and Collin Pollich (16^th), Ryan Pollich (20^th), and Kristy Pollich (30^th). 

 Rose Hill anniversaries include: Terry & Stefania Baldwin (10^th), Riley & Katherine Gill (11^th), and George & Bonnie Bratton (17^th).

 We will also be taking the annual Nazarene Bible College offering on January 17th.

We have two small groups functioning quite well.  I invite you to try one of them out.  The Tribe of faith meets at the parsonage on Mondays at 6:30 PM and George and Bonnie Bratton host a small group at their house on Thursdays at 7PM.  The Tribe of Faith will take some time off for the holidays.  The next meeting will be on January 11^th.  George and Bonnie’s small group will not meet on Christmas or New Year’s Eve. They will resume their study on January 7^th.

 Happy New Year from your parsonage family and staff:  Belinda, Donna, Faith and Pastor

 Your Feedback:

 Your response to the Rose Hill Herald is always welcome as well as any suggestions, articles or links you would like to submit.

 

Thank you

 Pastor Steve Comeans