{"id":2781,"date":"2016-01-29T21:34:17","date_gmt":"2016-01-29T21:34:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/balboaunionchurch.org\/?p=2781"},"modified":"2016-01-29T21:34:17","modified_gmt":"2016-01-29T21:34:17","slug":"weekly-newsletter-january-29-2016","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/balboaunionchurch.org\/es\/2016\/01\/29\/weekly-newsletter-january-29-2016\/","title":{"rendered":"Weekly Newsletter: January 29, 2016"},"content":{"rendered":"

Disculpa, pero esta entrada est\u00e1 disponible s\u00f3lo en English<\/a>. For the sake of viewer convenience, the content is shown below in the alternative language. You may click the link to switch the active language.<\/p>

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Verse for today:<\/h2>\n

Zechariah 4:6\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

So he said to me, \u201cThis is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: \u2018Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,\u2019 says the LORD Almighty.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Zerubbabel, governor of Jerusalem, was faced with what seemed to be an impossible task. God had spoken to his heart and told him to rebuild<\/strong> the temple. It is one thing to build something the first time,\u00a0but to rebuild is almost nearly impossible! \u00a0The same is true for each of us individually – one of the hardest spiritual experiences you will have in your life will not be a new experience but \u201crevival\u201d experiences. Refreshing and rebuilding and rekindling the fires: it’s hard to get fired up after being disappointed. \u00a0It’s hard to find the enthusiasm after you’ve had months of hard work without results. \u00a0\"notbymight\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Zechariah reminds us that sometimes, it’s not about how powerful we are (or feel), or how strong we are – but rather by the supernatural that the rebuilding happens to us. \u00a0Sometimes we have done all we know how to do and we feel like we’ve given all that we can – and God says \u00abIt’s not by your might or power, but by my Spirit\u00bb. \u00a0\u00abHand it over\u00bb.<\/p>\n

There are times in each of our spiritual lives when we face challenges far too big for our own resources and strengths. Zerubabbel faced such a challenge. God sent a prophet to remind him, and us through him, that our greatest victories will not be won by our power and might.\u00a0The real question that each of us must face is very simple: in our personal lives, and in our ministry efforts, where do we place our trust and what is the source of our confidence? Are they in our abilities, skills, insight, and strength or God’s?<\/p>\n

Perhaps we are placing our focus on the wrong things. We recruit more manpower, we raise more funds, we do this, we do that \u2013 all to ensure that our task can be held out smoothly. What are we missing? \u00a0That one thing is God. The presence of the Spirit. Being with God. Listening to Jesus.<\/p>\n

Indeed, often we struggle to be up to task, but when hiccups occur we see the grace of God. It is through our flaws and our inadequacies that we see witness the greatness of God. Let us not lose sight of God. Not by man\u2019s power, nor by the might of kings \u2013 but by the Spirit of the Lord.<\/p>\n

THIS SUNDAY AT BALBOA UNION CHURCH<\/h1>\n

Worship Service at 10 a.m. \u2013 ALL ARE WELCOME!<\/strong><\/p>\n

SPEAKER: Special guest speaker – Rev. Robert Smith<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sunday School Teachers: On Vacation<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
First Testament Readings and\u00a0Psalm<\/td>\nJeremiah 1:4-10, \u00a0Psalm 71:1-6<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Epistle Reading<\/td>\n1 Corinthians 13:1-13<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Gospel Reading<\/td>\nLuke 4:21-30<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Special welcome – new members<\/h2>\n

This Sunday we are pleased to formally welcome new members into the congregation (who have been with us and hopefully you all know personally)! \u00a0Exciting times for Balboa Union Church.<\/p>\n

\"congregationalmeeting\"<\/a>Annual General Meeting of the Congregation:<\/h2>\n

Will follow after the service, at 12.00 m.d. downstairs in the small Chapel.<\/p>\n

Prayers Concerns<\/h2>\n

Please Pray for Our Brothers and Sisters from Siria and Iraq<\/p>\n

Lord, please remind the world that we are all brothers and sisters and there should be no violence among us, only love and attempts to understand one another.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

We also remember in prayer our former pastor:<\/p>\n