September 1, 2024
“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.” ~ Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV) ~
In recognition of Labor Day Weekend, my blog this week is about a man with a decades-long history of failure. His name was Charles. You really can’t say that his friends called him Charlie because he got to the point where he didn’t have any friends.
After failing in business, Charles borrowed some money from the bank to pursue a new idea. But the new idea failed. He borrowed money from friends, and failed again.And then he borrowed from relatives, but he continued to fail.
Pretty soon he owed money to everyone he knew, with no way to pay it back. He believed he was on the verge of a major breakthrough, but found it difficult to focus on developing his ideas because he was constantly hounded by creditors. Charles sought protection through the bankruptcy laws, but failed to keep his payment arrangements, ultimately landing him in jail.
During this time, with fewer distractions, he was able to make progress, developing his idea almost to completion.
Afew more years, a few more loans, a few more mistakes, and eventually he attained the success he had sought for so long.
Charles' business invention had to do with a process for vulcanizing rubber. His last name, by the way, was Goodyear. His elusive idea helped you get to church, or work, or to a medical appointment, or to go shopping today.
Early in life, Charles Goodyear made a decision to never quit to try again, and then again, as many times as it takes.
He wasn’t particularly good with managing money, and he often stretched himself too thin, but he never let failure or his own faults hold him back. He refused to give up, long after everyone else had given up on him.
Finally, Charles Goodyear’s decision to try and try again paid off. It’s a decision only the truly courageous can make: Allowing no fault or failure, personal or professional, to persuade you to quit, or prevent you from getting back up and reaching for the prize one more time.
This is where great lives are made. It’s where breakthroughs are achieved. It’s where the rubber meets the road.
I know that we will all have failures and setbacks in life. No one gets a free pass in that arena. However, please don’t let any failure or setback hold you back permanently not in your family life not in your career not in your financial life and not in your spiritual life. No matter how many times you may fall, don’t forget that it is Jesus who makes you righteous. He will help you get back up!
Listen to the encouragement of the writer of the book of Hebrews who said:
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
~ Hebrews 12:2-3 (NIV) ~
Blessings on your week. If you are struggling in any area of your life today be it a work, financial, relationship, health, or spiritual issue keep your eyes firmly on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith and keep pressing forward for the prize. I look forward to seeing you this Sunday in worship as we enter the second half of IMMERSE: BEGINNINGS. This Sunday I will share ACrash Course on the Grace of Giving.
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,September1,2024:
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:
Monday CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED FOR LABOR DAY
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
NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY ~ JUST WILLINGNESS
We have an immediate need for help in our Sound Booth. Please contact Marc or Pastor Terrell 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.
IF YOU NEED HELP OR ASSISTANCE
Deacon of the Week:
Don Smith 928-642-2425
SEPTEMBER OPPORTUNITIES
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 @ 9:00 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
Morning Worship at a Glance
“When We All Get to Heaven”
“Grace Greater Than our Sin”
“He Hideth My Soul”
Welcome & Offertory Prayer TODAY WE GIVE “Thy Word” “The Blessing” “Soon and Very Soon”
Kidz4Christ dismissed
BEGINNINGS
Immersing Our Lives in God’s Word A Crash Course on the Grace of Giving Leviticus 27:30,32
“Search Me, O God”
A Life Giving Church Giving Life
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.
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