Dear Church Family,
Father, Dad, Daddy, or even Papa can stir a wide variety of feelings, memories and emotions. Sadly, the term is not positive for everyone, and Father’s day can be a difficult time. Many have lost their fathers, some have had fathers who failed them, and some carry guilt for failure in their fatherly duty. The blessing for each of us is we can look to our Heavenly Father. He will never let us down, and He is abundant in love to comfort with grace to forgive. As John says, “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God:”
God has claimed the right for us to be called His sons and daughters. He had the right through creation, but after sin it took the death of Christ, the Son of God, on the cross to restore that relationship. The Cross is the greatest demonstration of love the universe has ever seen. It is only through the cross we have hope and a future. Not only do we have reconciliation through the gift of the cross, but through it He provides strength and support for all trials. To remove the Cross would be like blotting the sun from the sky.
God has also given fathers the role of the spiritual leader and priest in their home. Fathers are to demonstrate the character of the Heavenly Father to their children. I don’t know a single father that doesn’t look at this role with some fear and trembling. How can we possibly demonstrate a love so infinite? The truth be told, even the best father can only give a small glimpse, but all fathers can direct and lead their children to the perfect Father. My dad has given me many glimpses of God, but the greatest gift is his commitment in helping me know the Heavenly Father. He has demonstrated that his greatest desire for my life is that I would accept the Father’s gift, our Savior Jesus. Today my heart echos both my earthly and heavenly Father’s desire. This Father’s Day, the greatest gift you can give your biological, or Heavenly Father, is to accept the gift of Jesus and dedicate your life to Him. I know there is no greater gift that my boys could give to me.
Hopefully, I will worship with several of you at the Texico Convocation & Youth Festival (Camp Meeting) this coming Sabbath, June 7. Doug Batchelor from Amazing Facts will be the speaker. The Convocation weekend theme will be “Experiencing God’s Rest”. However, knowing many of you cannot make the trip to Albuquerque, there will also be a worship service here in the Lubbock church. Robert Plant, II will present a message entitled “S.T.O.P.” followed by a fellowship lunch.
My family and I will be on vacation visiting our parents in Washington from June 9-26. Should you need pastoral assistance during that time please feel free to contact one of our Elders.
Sabbath, June 14, Chaplain Ken Cartwright will be the worship hour speaker and he plans to share a message on “SANCTURAY CLEANSING: INSIDE-OUT.”
You will not want to miss Pastor Leroy Green’s presentation of “IS IT N.U.?” on Sabbath, June 21. Pastor Green just completed an Evangelistic Crusade in Tulia resulting in multiple baptisms. In case you didn’t know, he also just graduated from Southwestern Adventist University with a Bachelor’s degree in theology.
The Texico Youth Rush Team will arrive Friday, June 27, with plans to share the “Good News” with Lubbock and the surrounding cities through July 18. Our church is privileged to have been chosen as a host for these young disciples. Youth Rush is a 10 week summer missionary program for youth. They focus on sharing the gospel through books, DVDs, and by personal contact with people throughout many cities and towns in New Mexico and West Texas. Each student has the opportunity to share with people materials that focus on the gospel, health, Bible prophecy, and the life of Jesus.
We will complete the month of June with Communion on Sabbath, June 28. A baptism is also planned along with a fellowship lunch to welcome our new members and the Texico Youth Rush Team.
Pathfinder Induction and Investiture is planned for 3pm on Sabbath, June 28. Our Pathfinders are busy fulfilling their badge requirements, perfecting their marching and all the required memorization. They still need to raise funds for their traveling expense to attend the OshKosh Camporee in August.
More later, but some July highlights include Vacation Bible School, July 7-11, Filipino Convocation July 18-19, and Evangelist Richard Halverson will be coming July 26. Please be praying for, and planning to participate in the Evangelistic Campaign October 17 through November 15.
Please pray for me as I pray for you!
God’s richest blessings,
Pastor Jeremy
P.S.: Stay updated by clicking on our web page at www.lubbockadventist.org where we post our weekly church bulletin.
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