Having Faith: The Southwest Voice

Two films coming to interest religious groups

Grace Episcopal, Temple Beth El and First Congregational/UCC are hosting two films for discussion in December at First Congregational Church in the sanctuary at 5 Real, Rd. (at Stockdale Highway). A filmed panel discussion on the book of Genesis will be shown at 7 p.m. on Dec. 10. A filmed debate between atheist Sam Hall and Muslim scholar Rezli Aslam will be at 7 p.m. Dec. 17. There is no charge for the events. Details, 654-2214 or 327-1609.

Chanukah blues

I will never get used to Bakersfield.

I have an interfaith family, so every year I go to Sears and get a family portrait shot and then use that picture for both Chanukah and Christmas photocards. I have done this every year for nearly a decade.

This is my first holiday season in Bakersfield. I took the kids to the Sears at Valley Plaza Mall last weekend and posed for pictures. Then when I went to order my cards, they told me they didn't sell Chanukah cards. Sure you do, I insisted. I have been buying them from Sears for years. Maybe at other stores, the saleswoman told me, but not at this location. We don't have them here.

Now, I could see if they had to physically stock the things. I'll grant that the Jewish community here is pretty small. But all of this stuff is stored digitally. You just put the photo on a stock background and send the order offsite to be printed. You mean to tell me the Sears in Bakersfield can't get online and choose a Chanukah card out of its OWN offerings at other locations? Gimme a break.

So I ordered some Christmas cards and then called WalMart and asked if they carry Chanukah photocard backgrounds. Nope, the woman on the phone tells me, but you can custom design one if you want. "We can put a cross on it for you...or that thing...what do you call it? The thing with the candles?"

"A menorah," I said, rolling my eyes.

And I'm silently thinking, if I'm going to be reduced to designing some amateurish looking thing on a PC, I could do that at home. What do I need you for?

I'm not very artsy or computer savvy so I was really not looking forward to having to make cards myself at home, but I guess I'm going to have to suck it up and learn how. Either that or drive to Los Angeles or some other REAL city, which would just be a ridiculous waste of time and gas money for something so basic.

Pumpkin Olympics at Calvary Chapel Westbrook

On Monday, Nov. 10, nearly 20 junior high students who attend Calvary Chapel Westbrook had the great honor of competing in its first Pumpkin Olympics! After the students were split into teams, each team chose a team name to represent them. Our four teams were The Poppin Pumpkins, The Alpha Wolf Squadron, The Mil-Fats, and Team Molten Lava. These four teams competed in a wide range of physical events and were awarded points based on their performance. The events included the Pumpkin Overhead Toss, Pumpkin Bowling, and the Four-Man Pumpkin Relay Race.

After an hour of tough competition and before the final race, the students heard an encouraging message from God's Word that says that a follower of Jesus Christ is called to press onward toward the goal which is to glorify the Lord with our lives. The students learned that there is nothing we can do to change our past performance, but our focus should be that we finish strong, trying our best to please the Lord. So many people live life in defeat, but if we run hard toward the Lord, He promises us victory! This encouragement uplifted them both spiritually and also with respect to the Pumpkin Olympics, because the final race had the potential to put any of the four teams in the lead.

When all was said and done, the winning team was Team Molten Lava, followed by The Alpha Wolf Squadron and The Mil-Fats. Our metal ceremony was a site to see! Our gold metalists walked away with a box of Peanut M&M's hung proudly around their necks. The silver metalists were given York Peppermint Patties. Finally, the bronze metalists were awarded a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup metal. Personally, I think I'd prefer to win the bronze. Reese's are better than M&M's any day of the week! The junior high staff finished the night by climbing to the roof of the church and throwing nearly forty pumpkins to the ground. As the kids watched pumpkin after pumpkin explode onto the ground, shooting pumpkin seeds in every direction, they smiled and cheered. We are all very excited for our second annual Pumpkin Olympics to be held next November.

A special THANKS goes out to Murray Family Farms located at 6700 General Beale Road, 15 miles east of Bakersfield. They very graciously decided to donate approximately $250 worth of pumpkins so that this event could take place. When we arrived to receive the pumpkins, we were met by an extremely friendly and helpful staff and had the opportunity to meet the owner as well. Murray Family Farms is a great place for the whole family, and one of the few places around town where you still have the choice to either pick your own fruit or buy it off the shelf. Be sure to stop by and support a great community contributor like Murray Family Farms.

The Gift of Christmas

This Christmas, would you rather see your child on Santa’s knee asking for presents,

or on their own knees thanking God for what they have?

Children are invited to

St. John’s Lutheran Church

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13,

between 10:00 am & 5:00 pm

Come hear about the true meaning of Christmas from Santa himself! Bring a small

gift to help Santa deliver a bit of Christmas cheer to the needy children of

our community!

There will be cookies, cocoa, movies, candy canes, and more! Each child will go home

with a photo of themselves with Santa, plus a few other treats!

Invite your friends, and don’t miss this fun opportunity to teach your child about the importance of giving to others, and of the best Christmas gift of all: Jesus!

AWANA: Wednesday Nights at St John's Lutheran Church!

Another AWANA season has kicked off at Saint John's Lutheran Church!

AWANA, which stands for "Approved Workman Are Not Ashamed" (2 Timothy 2:15) is a fantastic opportunity for children ages 3 & 4 and grades K-6 to grow in self-worth as well as their relationship with God and with others.

The AWANA program is a tool to help our children learn about God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to help them hide God's Word in their hearts, while enjoying a fun and exciting evening!

AWANA meets Wednesday nights at St. John's Lutheran Church from 6:00pm - 7:30pm. See you there!

Bakersfield Students to “Be Hungry” for Children Worldwide

Daily news headlines are dominated with stories of wars and natural
disasters, however, hidden from the public eye, hunger, starvation, and
malnutrition seize the lives of over 20 million people around the world.
In fact, each day, close to 29,000 children, alone, die. If you think
about it, that’s 1,208 children per hour. But, students at Neighborhood
Bible Church are learning that they can help champion for change and
truly make a difference.

This September 27th, they will be fasting for 30 hours, with the
exception of juice and water, in order to raise money to fight hunger
and poverty around the world. They will be working hand in hand with
World Vision, a nonprofit, Christian humanitarian organization. Through
a series of fundraisers, they will raise money to battle hunger-related
illnesses in poverty-afflicted countries overseas, and do a number of
projects to combat poverty locally, in our own community.

Students at Neighborhood Bible Church are ecstatic to be working with
World Vision, especially after learning how the money is used in places
like Darfur, Swaziland, Kenya, and Malawi. Not only does World Vision
feed hungry families, but they use a method called “Transformational
Development” to help make health care, sustainable food supplies, clean
water, and education more accessible to families within a community.

Now, this September, students of Neighborhood Bible Church are inviting
everyone in our community to help make a difference. One major way in
which you can pitch in is by supporting one of the fundraisers that will
be hosted by the youth at NBC. Up until the actual day of the Famine,
youth members will be selling links to a 29,000 link chain for a quarter
a piece. You can buy your links before or after any church service, or
on September 27th. Once the chain is complete, our community will have
raised enough money to feed 7,250 children, 3 meals. Also, on a more
local level, you can bring any non-perishable food items or clothing to
NBC on the actual date of the Famine, September 27th. All of the
collected clothing and food will go directly to our local Bakersfield
Shelter. In addition to buying links or participating in our food and
clothing drive, you can buy raffle tickets for $1.00 and try your luck
at winning some great baskets or prizes.

For the most part, Neighborhood Bible Church is encouraging all of Bakersfield to help participate in our fundraising efforts. Please visit us September 27th at 4101 Patton Way Bakersfield Ca. 93308. For more information contact Shannon King at
(661) 979-6200 or Derik Watson at (661) 444-8831. Visit us online at www.bakersfieldnbc.org.

Who I am makes a difference (Part 2)

As we take Jesus in our boat (John 6:18-21). He becomes our peace which will guard our hearts and thoughts from todays troubles and anxieties:

*Philippians 4: 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses every man's understanding will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.

(Phil 4: 7 Footnote 1) The result of practicing fellowship with God in prayer is that we enjoy the peace of God. The peace of God is actually God as peace (Phil 4:9) infused into us through our fellowship with Him by prayer, as the counterpoise to troubles and the antidote to anxiety (John 16:33)

(Phil 4:7 Footnote 2) Or, mount guard over. The God of peace patrols before our hearts and thoughts in Christ, keeping us calm and tranquil.

(Phil 4:7 Footnote 2) The heart is the source; the thoughts are the issue

* Bible versus/footnotes are taken from the New Testament Recovery Version "Study Bible", if you would like to order your "FREE" NT RcV Study Bible, please visit www.biblesforamerica.org

.....His Word Runs Very Swiftly

Bibles for America ~ Let His Word Run 2008

~ Help us spread the Word of God - a Bible at a tme ~

" ... that the word of the Lord may run and be glorified, even as it is also with you" 2 Th 3:1

"He sends forth His command to the earth;
His word runs very swiftly" Psalms 147:15

To request your FREE copy, please visit www.biblesforamerica.org

Who I Am Makes A Difference

In today's anxious society, we need to turn our being to the only "One" who can understand our situation/condition. We need to take Him into the boat.

*Matthew 6:34 Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow for tomorrow will be anxious for itself; sufficient for the day is its own evil.

*John 6:18-21 And because a strong wind was blowing, the sea was churning. 19 Then, when they had rowed twenty-five or thirty stadia, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they became frightened. 20 But He said to them, It is I. Do not be afraid. 21 Then they were willing to take Him into the boat; and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.

(John 6: 18 Footnote 1) The churning of the sea signifies the troubles in human life.

(John 6: 19 Footnote 2) This signifies that the Lord can overrule all the troubles of human life. He can walk on the troubling waves of human life, and all the troubles are under His feet.

(John 6: 21 Footnote 1) We need to take the Lord into "our" boat (our married life, our family, our business, etc.) and enjoy peace with Him on the journey of human life.

* Bible versus are taken from the New Testament Recovery Version "Study Bible", if you would like to order your "FREE" NT RcV Study Bible, please visit www.biblesforamerica.org

Olive Knolls Church Invites Families to a Jerusalem Marketplace

"This year we're transforming our church into the Bible times city of Jerusalem," says Pastor Debbie Hansen. "Our Jerusalem Marketplace program will provide fun, memorable Bible-learning activities for families. Each day kids and adults will join with a small group that's named after one of the 12 tribes of Israel. These family Tribes will come together for singing and then explore traditional Bible-times family life. They might visit the Synagogue school, play authentic games, or sample Middle Eastern snacks. Families will even explore the Jerusalem Marketplace where they'll become apprentices in the Pottery Shop and make dreidels in the Carpentry Shop."

"Jerusalem Marketplace is an exciting way for everyone to learn more about the amazing things Jesus did, " says Pastor Debbie. "And the best part is that they learn by becoming immersed in authentic Bible-times culture. Kids and adults will witness real-life dramas in the center of town, chat with shopkeepers about what Jesus has said and done, and discover what it was like to live when Jesus did. We hope Jerusalem Marketplace will make God's Word very real to the people in our community."

Jerusalem Marketplace begins on Monday, August 4th and continues through Thursday, August 7th. Meet at Olive Knolls Church, 6201 Fruitvale Ave each day from 6:15 pm until 8:15 pm. For information, call 661-399-3303 or visit https://www.oliveknolls.com.

St. John's Lutheran Church is Proud to Present SonWorld Adventure Park VBS

Kids already saying "I'm bored"? Need a morning break from the kids? Are your co-workers wishing they knew what to do with their kids to keep them busy? Do the neighborhood kids think your house is entertainment central? Planning a family "togetherness trip" for the Fourth of July and need solitude and peace when you return? Look no further: Come to VBS!

Vacation Bible School is a faith-filled, fun week-long adventure with friends, old and new! This year St. John's Lutheran Church Children’s Ministry is proud to present Gospel Light’s SonWorld Adventure Park VBS.

At SonWorld Adventure Park children will:

Learn to make good choices and how to choose Jesus!
Play action games!
Make cool crafts!
Eat yummy snacks!
Watch hilarious skits!
Ride a virtual roller coaster!
Get a FREE SonWorld Adventure Park t-shirt!
Session one –July 14-July 18, 8:30 a.m.-noon
Session two –July 21-July 25, 8:30 a.m. –noon
VBS is free of charge

Hold on to your hats – it is going to be an exciting ride!!!

This amazing VBS is taking place at St. John's Lutheran Church, 4500 Buena Vista Road, for two identical sessions. Choose either session to attend.

Children age 4 (pre-K) through those entering the sixth grade are eligible to attend. As an added bonus, children can download a free sing-along CD from our church website. To enroll your children, please call the church office at
661-665-7815, or visit the Web site at: www.sjlchurch.org

We hope to see you there!

Children’s Ministry Team

Layman’s Corner

Upon leaving the Constitutional Convention at its close in 1787, Benjamin Franklin was asked whether the Founding Fathers had decided on a monarchy or a republic. Franklin responded, “A republic, if you can keep it.”

I think Franklin may have been somewhat of a prophet. A lot is made in the Christian community (of which I am a born-again member) about how the Founding Fathers were Bible-believing Christians. They may have been, but don’t believe for an instant that they were intending to establish a Christian nation. Their intentions were to escape the religious persecution of England. They established exactly what they intended — a democracy, not a theocracy. Freedom of religion is at the core of their beliefs, even freedom from religion if that is what an individual decides. But now religion and politics have somehow forged a very strange alliance.

We question a person’s religion as a deciding factor in whether he or she is fit for office. What that often leads to is a plethora of political speeches ending with, “God bless America” — which almost takes on the tone of nothing more than “Good night and good luck.” George Bush is allegedly a born-again believer. Has that guided him in the best decisions for this nation?

City Councilwoman Jacquie Sullivan spearheaded a campaign that put patriotic posters, including the phrase “In God We Trust” into high school classrooms. Sullivan is a wonderful person and public servant, I know her. But here is the problem. If the intention is to some how get God into the classroom this way, the campaign failed. The only way God will ever get into the classroom is in the hearts and minds of students and faculty. Plus, won’t most Christians say that the God they serve is different than the gods of other religions?

I’m a Christian. I love the Lord. So here’s a motto you can put on a bumper sticker instead of all those “God Bless America” — how about one that says, “America, Bless God”?

Old Ben had the right idea. The great thing about democracy is that people have the freedom to do just about anything they want. The problem with democracy is that people have the freedom to do just about anything they want.

Vacation Bible School starts June 9

"Surfing through the Scriptures" is the theme for the First Congregational Church-UCC Vacation Bible School, June 9-13 at the church at 5 Real Rd. (at Stockdale Highway and Real Road). Classes from 6-8:30 p.m. will include Bible stories and crafts. The fee will be $10 per child. Parents should call Jill Rodriguez at 587-0168 for more information.

Let His Word Run 2008

Bibles for America

~ Spreading the interpreted Word Across America - a Bible at a time ~

- Help us spread the Word - We would like to give over 10,000 FREE New Testament RcV through out Bakersfield by the end of 2008. Currently, we have given away 1,165 FREE New Testament RcV.

To request your FREE New Testament Recovery Version, please visit www.biblesforamerica.org or click here

About Us

The threefold mission of Bibles for America is to (1) disseminate free copies of the New Testament Recovery Version and Christian literature, (2) facilitate home-based gatherings for Bible recipients to fellowship and to study the Scriptures, and (3) educate Bible readers regarding both the fundamental and deeper truths in the holy Word.

Description

Bibles for America's unique gift offer is the New Testament Recovery Version, a Bible that is accurately translated from the original languages into modern, readable English. It features interpretative aids such as over 9,000 extensive footnotes, 13,000 cross-references, maps, charts, and outlines that stress spiritual light and life supply in addition to providing a clear understanding of the divine revelation in the holy Word.

Start Making Your Summer Plans With Christ's Church of the Valley

Yes, seriously, that time of year is already upon us again. The kids have that summer itch and can't wait to get out of school. You are entertaining your annual thoughts of petitioning the school district to change to a year-round schedule, and the summer calendar starts to take shape.

As you juggle the scouting trips, the sports camps, the family vacations and visits from out-of-town relatives, you might want to consider a week of taking it easy. Stay local for a few days. Christ's Church of the Valley invites your children, going into kindergarten through 5th grade, to the "Avalanche Ranch" week of vacation Bible school June 2-6.

Ranchers will be treated to great games, crafts, snacks and friendships, all while discovering God's love on a wild ride through His word. Children will also have the opportunity to support AMOR ministries and feed hungry children in Mexico. Registration begins Sunday, May 4th and will continue through the week of "Avalanche Ranch," as space permits. Spots are limited so don't wait! Contact the church office to register or for more information, if your questions are not answered here:

When: June 2-6 9am - Noon

Where: Christ's Church of the Valley, 13701 Stockdale Hwy, 661-588-2268

Cost: $15 per child/$40 immediate family maximum (Includes, T-shirt, crafts, snacks and fun)

Who: All kids ENTERING kindergarten through 5th grade in Fall 2008