August 25, 2024
“But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.” ~ 2 Thessalonians 2:13 (ESV) ~
QUALIFIED TO BE CHOSEN
I want to share with you a story from the book of my Youth Pastor back when I was 9th or 10th grade. Mike Yaconelli was the Co-Director of Youth for Christ in San Diego and became my Youth Pastor at First Baptist Church in Lemon Grove as well.
In his book Messy Spirituality, Mike tells a story adapted from Ron Lee Davis’book,AForgiving God in an Unforgiving World. Here’s an adapted version of Mike’s version. (Apparently a good story is worth repeating so here goes!)
Walking by a pet shop on his way to school, a young boy stopped and stared through the window. Inside were four black puppies playing together.After school he ran home and pleaded with his mother to let him have one of the puppies.
The mother, knowing full well the complications having a new puppy would bring to a busy household, still couldn’t resist her son. She said “Yes, if you promise to take care of it.”
Filled with excitement, the little boy hurried to the pet shop. The pet shop owner led him to the window so he could make his choice.
After a few minutes the boy said, “I’ll take the one in the corner.”
The shop owner shook his head. “Oh no. You don’t want that one. See how he doesn’t move; there’s something wrong with one of his legs. He can’t run and play like the other puppies.” “That doesn’t matter,” the boy said.
Then the owner noticed what he hadn’t noticed before: The corrective shoe the boy was wearing, and the chrome brace slightly visible at the bottom of his pant leg.
Again, the boy said, “I’ll take the puppy in the corner.”
Mike writes...
“It turned out that what disqualified the puppy from being chosen by others is what most qualified him to be chosen by the little boy.
It’s amazing how few of us believe in the unqualified grace of God. Oh yes, God loves us, as long as we’re clean and whole and fixed. But it turns out that what disqualifies you and me from “spirituality” the mess of our lives and our brokenness is what most qualifies us to be chosen by Jesus.”
Mike Yaconelli
Messy Spirituality
Blessings on your week. Take a little time this week to reflect on how unqualified you may have felt to ask Christ to be your Savior and how readily He responded in grace to your greatest need. List a few of the ways living today in His unmerited favor changes your life each day. I look forward to seeing you this Sunday in worship as we enter week four of IMMERSE: BEGINNINGS. This Sunday I will share ACrash Course on Living in God’s Presence.
Pastor Terrell
Christmas is Coming
That means it is time to think about CHOIR! We will sharing “The Greatest Story Ever Told” this December 2024. If you are already part of our choir, or if you are interested in being a part of our choir, rehearsals will begin on Wednesday, September 18, 2024 @ 6:20 PM in the Choir Room #203 (off the back Church Office hallway)
We look forward to seeing all of you Singers for the Lord! Questions? Contact Pastor Bart.
ScheduleforSunday,August25,2024:
The Saints Class @ 9:00 AM Room #201
Ruth Class @ 9:00 AM Room #202
Prayer Room open @ 9:00 AM Room #206
Preschool Worship opens @ 10:15 AM KID CITY
Sunday Morning Worship @ 10:30 AM in Worship Center
Kidz4Christ (K-6th) dismissed during Morning Worship
Schedulefortherestoftheweek:
Tuesday@ 10:00 AM IMMERSE: Beginnings Men in Room #202
Women in Fellowship Hall
Wednesday@ 6:30 PM Youth Group in Fellowship Hall
Thursday@ 6:00 PM IMMERSE: Beginnings in Fellowship Hall with our activities.
Do you have skills in anything electronic, or are you interested in learning? We have an immediate need for help in our Sound Booth. Please contact Marc or Pastor Bart if you feel a nudge from the Holy Spirit that this is something you could do as a ministry for the Lord and for His Church here at First Southern.
First step has been taken! We are on our way!
IF YOU NEED HELP OR ASSISTANCE
Deacon of the Week:
Doug Crow
520-831-0146
Gospel Conversations Total :
COMING IN SEPTEMBER
Monday, 9/2:
Happy Labor Day! Church Office Closed Saturday, 9/14: ALL CHURCH WORK DAY @ 8:00 AM
Senior Care Home Ministry @ 2:00 PM Wednesday, 9/18:
Choir Rehearsals begin @ 6:20 PM in Choir Room #203 Friday/Saturday, 9/20-21:
Arise AZ Women’s Conference in Sedona, AZ Saturday, 9/21:
Good News Club Training, Calvary Prescott @ 9 AM Sunday, 9/22:
Quarterly Business Meeting following Morning Worship Saturday, 9/28:
Youth Group Trip leaves church @ 9 AM Saturday, 9/28:
Women’s Fall Brunch Potluck in FH @ 9:30 AM Sunday, 9/29:
FAMILY WORSHIP DAY - Kid City closed
Hymn Sing in Worship Center @ 6:00 PM
Celebration of Baptism
“Leaning on the Everlasting Arms”
“’Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus”
“Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine”
Welcome & Offertory Prayer
“On How He Loves You and Me” “No Longer Slaves” “Wonderful, Merciful Savior”
GOD IS NEAR
BEGINNINGS
Immersing Our Lives in God’s Word
A Crash Course on Living in God’s Presence Exodus 34:29-35
“I Have Decided to Follow Jesus”
~ Celebration of the Lord’s Supper ~ Kidz4Christ dismissed
2820 N. Pleasant View Drive
Prescott Valley, AZ 86314
928-772-7218
fsbcpv@firstsouthernpv.org www.firstsouthernpv.org
Church Office Hours: Monday - Thursday, 8:30AM - 2:30PM
Senior Pastor Terrell Eldreth: 619-244-6265
PastorTerrell@firstsouthernpv.org
Worship Pastor Bart Young 928-254-8713
PastorBart@firstsouthernpv.org
Advancing the Kingdom of God one heart at a time.
TO RECEIVE OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER THROUGH YOUR EMAIL SIMPLY MARK THE FRONT OF YOUR CONNECTION CARD.
THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO RECEIVE CURRENT INFORMATION AT YOUR FINGERTIPS.
Offerings and Connection Cards will be collected in the Offering Boxes located just inside the two main entrances into our Worship Center, as well as in the Office Hallway. with our worship