Do something sweet for someone this week!

This week's message, "Learning to be Free" from 1 Peter 1:3-15.
  13Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober,
set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.
14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.
15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;
16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”  NLT

From and Hebrews 5:11-6:3, Pastor Cliff asked us to ponder these questions this week.
1. Am I teachable?
2. Am I maturing in Christ? (See Hebrews 5:12-6:1)
3. Am I firm in the fundamentals of the faith? (Am I convinced, whole-heartedly persuaded? See Romans 8:38-39)
4. Is it time for me to move forward?

The first Sunday of the month is traditionally Communion Sunday. Adult Sunday School classes focused on the old covenant that God made with His people concerning the need for purification, forgiveness, redemption. According to the old covenant a blood sacrifice was necessary for cleansing and atonement.  Animals were sacrificed; their blood poured out, sprinkled, smeared.  Pastor Cliff's message, Power in the Blood, was taken from Hebrews 9. In the new covenant, Jesus was the sacrifice -- He gave his life, his blood, for us. Christ's blood, shed for us, cleanses, purifies and restores us to a right relationship with God our Father. His blood has the power to secure our redemption forever. His blood binds us to a contract with God, a covenant, that secures our salvation.

Leviticus 17:11 says  "For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life." Nearly everything is purified with blood -- without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. The shed blood of Jesus is the only way to forgiveness. At the last supper, Jesus said, "This cup is my blood, which confirms the covenant of God. Take and drink."

Each month, before the elements are passed, we reflect on the body of Christ, broken for us. The blood of Christ, poured out for us. And then as we partake together, we sense that we are one in Christ. And we realize once again, there is indeed Power in the Blood.

This week, receive from God, his forgiveness, his grace, his mercy, and his love. Offer to others forgiveness, grace, mercy, and love.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Blessings  in Jesus, Betsy

This morning I'm listening again to Pastor Cliff's message from yesterday -- Freedom's Foundation -- Galatians 1:13-16 and Ephesians 1:3-11.  Listen again for yourself and take note of the encouragement and pick out your own nuggets to treasure.  No one who comes to know Jesus stays the same. No one can stand in His presence and not be changed. There is a direct correlation between time spent with God and how much growth and change is happening in our lives.  Ponder these questions: Who are you? And what is valuable to you?

        This is what I'm considering, how much have I (you) changed of late?  And, 2. How much quality time have I (you) spent in the presence of Christ lately? Is your answer the same for both questions? I know. It surprised me too!

        Oswald Chambers said, "We do not need the grace of God to stand crises; human nature and our pride will do it. ...but it does require the supernatural grace of God to live twenty-four hours of the day as a saint..." 

        Don't just get by, get better. If your identity is in Christ, your call is in Christ, your hope is in Christ. Be exactly who God made you to be. Do exactly what He called and gifted you to do. Let's join together in offering all that we are to Him. Jesus take my life, my hands and feet, my money and possessions, my voice, my will, my mind, my heart -- take myself, and I will be, ever, only, all for thee.
                                                                                                                Love in Christ, Betsy

_Yesterday Pastor Cliff's message, Not by Human Reason, I Peter 1:12-21, built on the previous week's message entitled No Other Gospel, Galatians 1:11-12. A reminder that this gospel, God's Word, which Paul preaches and we believe, is not based on human reasoning. It is a direct revelation from Jesus Christ. And it is truly Good News which calls us to living obedient holy lives. To understand our calling means digging deep into God's Word to know the truth, because it is the truth which will set us free.

That presents a conundrum for most of us because, oh yes, we want to be free, we treasure our freedoms. And yet in giving our lives to Christ haven't we given our freedom over to him? We've died to self, and come alive in Christ..."it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me." (Gal.2:20).  Hence we read, learn, search scripture to understand the full picture. We dig because, "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field." Matt. 13:44.

And so I find myself wondering on this Monday morning about my own dedication. Will I keep digging for the treasured truth? Would I be willing to give up everything I have to gain the Kingdom of Heaven? That leads me to doubt. But what am I doubting? Surely I have no doubts about my Savior or my salvation, but still there is much to reckon with. So I take Pastor Cliff's message to heart and continue to pour over and dig deeper into God's Word. In this I find the only way to work out and live out my own salvation...with fear and trembling. You too? You may want to join us on Wednesday night for Bible study led by Pastor Cliff followed by a time of prayer. We're currently studying 2 Timothy. Come and dig deep in the Word of God.

Have a great week, draw closer to God.
Love in Christ, Betsy

It's January 16th. We're half way through the the first month of the new year. So how are those resolutions coming? I've resolved to get back to actually doing my Monday greeting here on the website on Monday.  I missed the first two Mondays of 2012, but hey, I've still got what? 50 more to go. And I truly do believe the adage, better late than never. So if you are also late or slack in making/keeping your resolutions...start now.

Another of my  resolutions is to read through the Bible in a year. I started five days late. But I'll tell you what, if I'm 5 days into 2013 when I complete that resolution I'm going to be shouting hallelujah! I hope getting God's Word into your head and heart, mind and soul, is one of your hopes, plans, resolutions not just for the new year, but for life. There's no time limit on a resolution like that, no best start time except maybe yesterday (although today will work too), and no end time until we see Jesus face to face. From that day forward we'll be sitting at his feet, learning from the Master. Can you even imagine?

Pastor Cliff had a wonderful message yesterday. It'll be uploaded as soon as he teaches me how to do that. (I am determined to be helpful, but alas, technologically savvy I am not. Trainable I am, only because in Christ I can do all things! )

Make it a great week, draw closer to God.
Love in Christ, Betsy

Yesterday was a busy day at Cambridge Springs Alliance Church
Guest speaker, our own Martin Kotz shared his testimony and the life of evangelizing and discipling that he has been called to.
A beautifully signed music presentation by Carole Mook and...
Operation Christmas Child Shoe Boxes --
dedicated, prayed over, and sent!
The morning service was followed by a Thanksgiving feast.
A sweet day of worship and fellowship!

(So sorry I missed it, but grateful to enjoy it second hand through these photos -- see more pixs on Carole Mook's facebook!)

Fabulous Fall
God's creation at its finest! I believe the beauty of autumn is God's gift to help those of us who live in northerly climes  prepare for the long cold winter. But let's not think about that for now. Let's just live in this moment and enjoy the beauty of this season -- remembering to give thanks always!
"Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus ."
                                                                                                                                                    I Thessalonians 5:11

Wonderful Grace of Jesus, greater than all our collective sin. Lavished on each of us. --  Shall we not offer grace to others just as God does to us ?
We are called to be agents of grace to a lost and dying world.
Grace filled. Graceful. Christ followers.

And again, from last week...How can we keep the good news, the gospel message, to ourselves?
God loves the whole world -- everyone -- so much that he sent his son to die for our sins. 
That's Grace.
Jesus didn't come into the world to condemn us, he came to save us.
That's Grace.
Grace, grace, God's grace. Grace that is greater than all my sin.
Thank you, heavenly Father. Let me extend that same grace, your grace, to others.

Last week we dedicated the fellowship hall.
                Now...we use the fellowship hall.
We fed nearly 200 people at the dedication service. Click the Building Project tab above to see the new hall all filled up!

Also last week, Kids Worship enjoyed the space and the audio visual equipment, and the snack ladies appreciated all the counter top area to prepare refreshments for the kiddos. (For more information about our terrific Thursday night kids program click the activities tab.)

Looking at the October calendar I'm seeing a dozen days/nights that the new room will be occupied with ministry and fellowship happenings.  That's 12 and counting!
May God bless our every effort to serve Him by serving people with all of the resources He has provided. With God all things are possible! Without Him -- not so much.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."  John 15:5

Brothers and sisters, we have assembled to dedicate this building to God as a place to be used for the sake of the Gospel, as a place dedicated for service of all generations to God and to His eternal kingdom. To the glory of God our Father, to the honor of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God and Our Lord and Savior, to the praise of the Holy Spirit, source of life and light.

For missionary endeavor at home and abroad; for world-wide evangelism and education, till all the kingdoms of the world become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; for the reform of social wrongs, till all human society is transformed by the power of the Gospel.

In grateful remembrance of all who have loved and served the kingdom; with hearts tender for those who have departed from this earthly habitation; a freewill offering of praise.

We dedicate this building.
We give this building to God to be used for the worship of God and for building his kingdom among men, women, and children of all generations. We do this in all sincerity of heart, with love for God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
                                                                                                                       AMEN!

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.
Matthew 5:14

Next Sunday we will dedicate this fabulous addition to our church building -- to our Lord -- for His use here in the community of Cambridge Springs and surrounding areas. A dinner will be served in the new fellowship hall at 5:00p.m. with a dedication service following. If you'd like to join us for a time of celebration, recognition, and remembrance click the contact page above and let us know!

9/11 Ten years later --
A sad day for so many people. Loved ones lost. Survivors traumatized. Onlookers horrified.  Then and now people are looking for safety, security, and peace. We are small comfort to one another. There is only one who can deliver peace. There is only one who offers refuge and strength. Only one is truly  a help in times of trouble.
He is the Lord God Almighty.
People need the Lord. All people need the Lord.

         Look, look, look -- the cross is up and it's gorgeous.  With the installation complete and the scaffold removed, Pastor Cliff knelt down and aimed his camera upward. That's when the sun peeked over the roof.  It was just as if God smiled on a job well done.  To HIM be all the glory! Amen.

On the first Sunday of each month we share communion as a church body. Pastor's message this week led me to the communion table with a contrite heart and a broken spirit...for the joy set before me! It was one of the most meaningful communion services I've ever experienced.  In Psalm 51:17 King David   says, "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." And God our Father, in His mercy, has made a way for all of our broken hearts to be healed.

If you missed the message be sure to click the Sermons tab above and have a listen. Perhaps this is your season to mourn, your time to cry...go ahead. And then lift your eyes to the hills. When your night of weeping is over, joy will come. The sun will peek over your gloomy horizon, illuminating the cross of Jesus -- our Savior, and this world's only Hope.

 For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven...
Ecclesiastes 3:1

    Pressing on! The building project is getting so close to completion that we've set a date for a dedication celebration.  Sunday September 18th at 5:00 we'll have a fellowship dinner followed by a service to dedicate our new fellowship hall. So mark your calendar and save the date. We'd love to have you as our guest.

Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Phillipians 3:13-14

     The Pastor is on Vacation. The Crawford County Fair is in full swing. And...and...school starts next week. But summer isn't over; it just feels like it once the kids go back to school.  Although the calendar says we have another month before fall officially begins we better grab the last bits of summer fun this week and next. All the while, get your school supplies in order, sharpen your pencils, practice waking up to your alarm clock, because like it or not students and teachers, you are back to the grind. Summer vacation not withstanding -- learning and growing never ceases!
      Even for the rest of us, fall is a time to renew our routines. I am one of those people who doggedly determines to carry out new resolutions in the fall -- more so in the fall than at the start of the New Year. Regardless of when your resolve kicks in, know this...There is a time and season for everything under heaven.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
    There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
    a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.

But in all seasons God is to be honored in all we do and say. Each and every season is an acceptable time to come to Him for salvation. Is it your time? Get with someone who knows God's plan of salvation or come to church and let the learning begin.

For he says,    “In the time of my favor I heard you,  and in the day of salvation I helped you.” 
 I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.
2 Corinthians 6:2 New International Version (NIV)

    Pastor Cliff's message this week, A New Era, is very appropriate for the days we are entering as the completion of our building project nears. We're looking forward to using the new and the refurbished parts of our building to serve people and press on toward the goal of Making Disciples. Pastor reminded us that this is a time to draw closer to God, to pray, and to be open to new ways that God may call us to serve Him. (You may want to have another listen to Sunday's message, and to the "Deeper Life" series which began in May 2011 .)
                                         Loving God and Loving People.
                                                               Reaching the lost and making disciples.
                                                                                                                                                                                Building relationships.
                                                                                                                                                                                                            Together!

   See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!...

I John 1:3

The coolest thing just happened. I got a phone call from someone asking if there were people here painting who might be staying on through lunch time. 
    Yes indeed. "Okay," she said," I'll go get a couple of pizzas for them for lunch." 
                            (I'm running home to change into painting clothes so I can get in on the pizza too.)

  Like the flash banner above says... Love God...Love People!  How privileged we are to carry out the work He planned in advance for us to do!

  It's Family Camp week at the Edinboro Conference Grounds! That's where you'll find Pastor Cliff if you need him this week. Church Office hours will remain the same -- don't hesitate to call if I can help you with anything.

The speaker at camp is Mark Marsden who comes to us from Florida, although he is a native of a city south of (as he says) the other Edinboro, Edinburgh, Scotland. His British accent is absolutely delightful...or you might say, smashing! His messages on Saturday and Sunday evenings were titled Come and Rest and Come and Follow.  Excellent messages, both. I hope you'll be able to head on up to Edinboro and avail yourself of the ministries going on there. The evening service begins at 6:45 -- a missionary speaker and worship music precede the keynote speaker.  Nursery is available for children up to age 4, a children's service for 5 year olds through 5th grade, and a Youth service for teens.

Meanwhile, to reiterate from last week:  Carry on. Do the work which was prepared in advance for you to do until the day you see your Savior face to face!                                                                                                                                        
 In Christ, Betsy

Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.  For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.  Ephesians 2:9-10 New Living Translation (NLT)

    Look how the brick work is progressing on the outside of the church. And inside, there are recognizable rooms, some of them already drywalled.  We appreciate the volunteers who show up daily or weekly to assist in so many facets of the project, including endless cleaning up, sweeping up, and moving building materials here, there, and back again, until they are all used up and in place. It requires great patience, stamina, and perseverance -- take time to say thanks to those who are spending time and energy to get 'er done.  
     Our goal all along has been to keep the ministry going through this building project, and the ministry does indeed go on! Many of our people were busy helping with Community Vacation Bible School this past week. They deserve a big thank you too.  Pastor Cliff has had a hand in both VBS (as the beloved if somewhat goofy Skeeter) and the building project. He was on a mission to install audio visual wiring, scrambling just to keep ahead of the drywall crew. He also conducted a memorial service for Adrian Buell, the husband of our dear sister in the Lord, Edythe. 
  All that to say, there is a lot of work for us to do this side of heaven. But if our focus is on the deeper life, drawing closer to and glorifying God, there will always be strength for the journey.  Uncle Billy, a delightfully amusing character from Jan Karon's Mitford books says, "There's no rest for the wicked and the righteous don't need none."  
    Last Sunday's message (July 24) in Pastor Cliff's Journey to the Deeper Life series -- The Way it Ought to Be, is now posted. It is an excellent, encouraging, and convicting message. This week's sermon, What Does God Deserve? is a perfect follow up. Click the sermons tab and listen to the two messages back to back -- it is so worth it! And then, carry on. Do the work which was prepared in advance for you to do (Eph. 2:10) until the day you see your glorious Savior face to face.
                                                                                                                                        In His Love, Betsy

    Our building project work continues -- inside and out. Brick laying is coming along, doors are being installed, insulation fills the studded walls, heat and air conditioning ducts are nearly complete. It's all very exciting.  I've put a few more pictures on the Buidling Project page if you'd like to check out the progress.
    I'm feeling a little out of touch this morning.  I missed the Sunday morning message, and can't find a copy of it.  But I heard that it was really good, so check back later this week -- that's what I'm going to do -- and perhaps it will be posted.
    
     Pastor Cliff continued the series Journey to the Deeper Life and the title of this week's message was The Way it Ought to Be. 
Revelation 21:9-19 and 21-27 New Living Translation (NLT)
Then one of the seven angels who held the seven bowls containing the seven last plagues came and said to me, “Come with me! I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.”  So he took me in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and he showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. It shone with the glory of God and sparkled like a precious stone—like jasper as clear as crystal.  The city wall was broad and high, with twelve gates guarded by twelve angels. And the names of the twelve tribes of Israel were written on the gates. There were three gates on each side—east, north, south, and west.  The wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were written the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.  The angel who talked to me held in his hand a gold measuring stick to measure the city, its gates, and its wall.  When he measured it, he found it was a square, as wide as it was long. In fact, its length and width and height were each 1,400 miles.  Then he measured the walls and found them to be 216 feet thick (according to the human standard used by the angel).   The wall was made of jasper, and the city was pure gold, as clear as glass.  The wall of the city was built on foundation stones inlaid with twelve precious stones the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald...  
The twelve gates were made of pearls—each gate from a single pearl! And the main street was pure gold, as clear as glass.   I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light. The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the world will enter the city in all their glory.  Its gates will never be closed at the end of day because there is no night there.  And all the nations will bring their glory and honor into the city.  Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty—but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

Is your name written there?

In His Love, Betsy

Ephesians 1:15-23
Paul’s Prayer for Spiritual Wisdom

 Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere,  I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly,  asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.  I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. 

I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.  Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come.  God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church.  And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.

May God grant us the desire to seek spiritual wisdom in this very way. What a blessing to be filled completely with Christ as individuals and as a church! Amen? If you missed the sermon, be sure to have a listen by clicking above. Then do as Pastor Cliff recommended, recommit to loving God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind. As we draw nearer to Him , He will draw nearer to us -- and His goodness will fill us and flow out of us. To God be all the Glory!   

In His Love, Betsy
 
P.S.  Hennings pool is open! Tom and I have designated Thursdays as "church family swim day". Come on over any time of day. Bring your own towel, and if you're under 16, bring your own lifeguard. (With these hot temps, don't wait until Thursday to come for a dip -- come any day!)

    I have a blog called Regeneration...refreshed, renewed, regenerated. Having deleted my original blog and finding that I missed it terribly, I decided to start again. I was refreshed, renewed and regenerated -- and I began again, began anew. That's what the Christian life is all about, regeneration. It starts with a relationship with Jesus Christ who makes all things new. Redemption comes through his death on the cross and his resurrection.  He died for our sins, once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous (I Peter 3:18) and in recognizing that we become new...reconciled with God, recreated, reborn, the old has passed away, everything becomes new (II Cor. 5:17).    
    Not to force the metaphor, but... Lots of things are becoming new here at Cambridge Springs Alliance Church. We're adding on to our building; soon it will be new and improved, bigger and better. Click the tab for the building project above and see the progress. We're building a new website; which will be easier for me to use and less frustrating for our techno-guy who has to keep fixing things when I mess up . At least that's the hope and the goal.
    If you are new to this site, click the tabs above to find your way around. There is an archive/blog page to see other messages from the church office.  If you are a regular to the previous site, click the tabs above and please let us know if something is missing from before. Help us to renovate and refresh our church website.  Thanks!   Betsy

We're back...actually Steve's back! I was right here in the good ole U.S. of A. But I was afraid of messing up the website while Steve was in China -- too far away to fix it up if I needed help.

Summertime is here in earnest, not necessarily weather-wise, but very much so calendar-wise. Edinboro youth camps are in full swing. A summer party is being planned for kids (see Kids Worship!). Work on the building is going gang busters. Next week will be the 4th of July -- and doesn't that kind of mean summer is half over? Goodness, let's not think that way.

Pastor's message this week was about coming into the Lord's presence, having the presence of the Lord within our lives, within our church -- strong and sure and real. For where the presence of the Lord is there is peace, and comfort, and joy. If the presence of the Lord fills our lives we will have love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. If we are filled with the presence of the Lord, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit -- it will show up in our lives. And others will be drawn to our Heavenly Father, not because of us, but because of the Spirit in us.

The service ended with a challenge to come to an altar of prayer and give ourselves over to God, opening ourselves up to the fullness of the Lord's presence in our lives.

Many came. Many prayed. I was one of the many, and I have this to say to all of us. Look out. Be on guard. Satan is not pleased and will do his best to thwart any advancing of God's kingdom here in Cambridge Springs and the surrounding area. He is not pleased. Yet scripture assures us, "Greater is HE that is in (us), than he that is in the world." I'm writing this today because I've felt the enemy pressing in on my life. If you've felt the same stand firm in your faith and stand firm against the devil who comes to steal our joy and peace. Draw close to God, our strong tower and refuge, and He will draw close to us. Amen?

Let's hold one another up in prayer.
In His Love, Betsy

P.S. It's summertime and the Hennings' pool is open! Tom and I have designated Thursdays as "church family swim day". Come on over any time of day. Bring your own towel, and if you are under 16, bring your own lifeguard.

Thank you to all of those who have served in our country's military!

Let's all be sure to honor the veterans we know, and remember those who have given their lives for our country and our freedom.

This week's message, Dual Citizens, is based on 1st Peter 2. We are encouraged to honor God by honoring people. This is a timely thought with Memorial Day and all. But, it isn't just a holiday example, it's for every day...for those who are called according to God's purpose. Even having been called, we remain citizens of this world. With that dual citizenship in heaven and on earth comes dual responsibility.

I particularly love 1st Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

So here we are, chosen people, royal and all that, clearly called to be obedient and submissive to the authorities of this world. Called to be humble servants following the example of Christ our Lord.

Our good conduct here on earth is spelled out for us in 1st Peter 2:17, we are called to Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.

In obedience to scripture my desire this week is to:
Honor ALL people
Love my brothers and sisters
Fear God
Honor the King of Kings

In His Love, Betsy