Say,Say My Playmate

Remember the children's song Say, Say My Playmate? The lyrics of this song are of one friend beckoning another to come out and play. Personally, I can hear little children singing loud and clear "Say, say my playmate- Come out and play with me!" Can you hear them in your mind, so young, gleaful, and carefree?

In the book of John chapter 15 Jesus tells us that we are His friends if we do what He asks us to. So think on this... if you are listing to Christ and doing what He says - You are His friend - His playmate. Just think Jesus is singing to you or even calling out to you, "Come out and play with me!"? He wants to spend time with you and build a close friendship with you. Next time you hear Jesus call out your name, listen - He wants to spend time with you - He wants you to come out and play.

Take some time today to enjoy your relationship with Jesus. You will come away refreshed, like you just got done playing with the closest of friends. What a wonderful friend we have in Jesus!

Mexico Outreach

Our Mexico Outreach team will soon be departing for The Mission in Carmen Serdan. Keep them in your prayers as they prepare to serve the staff and orphans at The Mission. If you are still interested in supporting the team or donating supplies to The Mission, contact Mike Masonic at the Fellowship office.

Super Bowl Chilli Cook-off

This Sunday is the Super Bowl Chili Cook-Off. We will gather at 2:30 in Encouraging Words for fellowship, fun, games, prizes, football and great chili. No love for football needed, just come for a great time. It’s fun for the whole family. Sign up in Encouraging Words Bookstore.

We're back at countrysideblog.com

Change to a new year and look what happens...

The staff is working at getting back in gear on the blog, so we can keep you up to date on what is happening in the community called Countryside, and also to just encourage our walks in Jesus Christ.

Pastor Graham and I just got back from a quick trip to Israel where our primary intent was to begin to investigate missions opportunities for our Fellowship's trip/tour to Israel in March of 2007 (details coming soon.) We shared quite a bit last Thursday night, and even showed some pictures. Because of some technical difficulties which didn't show those pictures off in their "true colors," we'll be showing them again before and after services tomorrow morning.

The Garden Sacrifices and Burnt Offerings BBQ is back tomorrow, and the Superbowl Bash and Chili Cook-off is back next weekend. There's a lot going on, and it'll be showing up at countrysideblog.com (that's here!) and in your Inbox as Countryside eNews very soon.

Mike and the crew are set to head to The Mission in February. There's still time to sign up to go. Mike will be posting info to the Blog right away so you can get in on this great ministry opportunity.

As we look forward to our worship and study together tomorrow, and in the week ahead, let me encourage you with the hope and the power of the resurrection of Jesus. We're going to be finishing the Gospel of Mark this week and the resurrection and it's transforming qualities are staring us all in the face. I pray the Lord will prepare the whole of the Body to hear what He has to say and experience the power of His resurrection (Philippians 3:10)!

— Pastor Terry