Daylight Savings Time

Daylight Savings Time is here again. Don't forget to set your clocks ahead this Saturday night.

Jesus transforms us...

They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony… Revelation 12:11

A couple of weeks ago, Terry Odle shared with Countryside his testimony. Terry recently gave his life to the Lord and has experienced a wonderful transformation since his encounter with Jesus. As a Fellowship we were built up by the obvious faithfulness and love shown to Terry by God. You can listen in by clicking on this link: Terry Odle

It’d be our prayer that you too would be encouraged and built up by listening to Terry’s testimony. May you find that God has truly been with you and faithful to you thus far...

May God Bless you!

Father's House THIS SUNDAY!

Praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD who minister by night in the house of the LORD. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD. — Psalm 134:1-2

This Sunday Night, 7:00 p.m.

in the Sanctuary

One of the greatest privileges we have as children of God is the opportunity and ability to minister to the LORD through worship. So, we’ll be gathering this Sunday specifically to bless and seek the LORD in worship. As we pour our hearts out to the LORD, we’re given the freedom to express our love for Jesus. That could mean anything from being moved to stand with our hands raised or to kneel in reverence. Whatever form our worship takes, it’ll be our desire to allow His Spirit to freely move in and upon us so that we lovingly touch His heart and bless His Name. Father's House begins at 7:00 this Sunday night. This service is an excellent opportunity to teach our younger, school aged kids what a joy it is to worship our King. So, come and we'll minister to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Johnson House is here!!

Travis, Aaron & Alillia make up the vocal trio "Johnson House," based out of Southern California. Using just their voices this trio produces a sweet and unique sound. Come and listen to the music of these three artists at 7:00 p.m. this Friday night, in Encouraging Words Coffeehouse.

Etcetera, etcetera, etcetera and so forth

Right after worship today I had to make a run for downtown as a couple of the gals at the Fellowship were starring in Roger’s and Hammerstein’s The King and I. (BTW, Carrie and Madison, you were great. Sorry Countryside-community for making a break for it.)

Now, I was a music theatre (spelled the artistic way) major in college until I figured out that there was no major in music theatre. So, I majored in Bible and Christian ministry and minored in Music Theatre. I am still a music theatre buff at heart, and any chance to see an (off-)Broadway show is great. And, I haven’t seen The King and I in a long while. If you haven’t seen it, let me bring you up to speed. It’s the mid-1800s, and a newly-widowed British woman moves to Siam (Thailand today) to teach the King’s children English. Well, she and the King are both pretty head strong, and they “hit it off” right away. The basic premise of the conflict, and the story for that matter, is that things must change in Siam — and mostly in the King — for things are not so, just because one says they are so (or something like that). Things aren’t so, even if the King says they are so. In a sense, they’re dealing with truth-telling.

So, there’s this scene where the King, alone, sings: There are times I almost think, I am not sure of what I absolutely know. Very often I find confusion. In conclusion I concluded long ago… In my head are many facts that, as a student, I have studied to procure, In my head are many facts. Of which I wish I was more certain I was sure! I was thinking about the growing up that the King had to do, a king! Stamping his feet and saying he said so, in the days that were ahead, wasn’t going to cut it.

You know, I find as a believer, I go through some of the same things. We’ve learned the facts from TV, or books, or politicians or mom… and sometimes the facts that we learned, well, we’re just no longer sure of what we absolutely know. Here’s a clue though. Paul says all of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are found in Jesus! (Colossians 2:3) I like that. ALL of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. ALL of it in Jesus. It makes me start to ask a lot more questions about Jesus. Questions like what would He do, or better yet, what would He have ME do? We’ve got it all in Jesus — according to the Apostle Peter, everything for life and Godliness. (2 Peter 1:3) EVERYTHING!

We’ve finished our study in Mark, but we will never finish studying the Life of Jesus. ALL of the treasures… I am starting Matthew in the morning, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera and so forth.

A Simple Message About Jesus

A local brother in Christ has responded to the Lord's call on him and has been producing yard signs for Christmas and Easter, with a very simple message about Jesus! If you'd like one or more, contact Al, 513-0847. Each sign costs $3.50.

I think I am becoming liberal…

I think I am becoming liberal… well, not really. Liberal is just another label. I was surprised to find out that I get labeled just like I label others. OUCH! Recently I was reading (fortunately it wasn’t to my face) a description of a Fundamentalist Christian. Well, never been one of those (I always called them Funny-mentalists because Ron Anderson who I pastored with in Washington State called them that, and Ron was a real Baptist so if he thought they were funny, I was betting he was right!)

However, as I was reading this description, written by a Liberal, I discovered he was calling me a Fundamentalist. Me? I love VW Bugs (I’ve had nine) and I wear Birkenstocks. I used to smoke pot and I wear Birkenstocks. I live in Eugene, think Saturday Market is cool AND I WEAR BIRKENSTOCKS! Me? A Funny-mentalist? ME?

I don’t think it’s a compliment. Worst of all, he may be right. And he may not even really be judging, just observing, so I can’t quote Matthew 7:1.

You know, I don’t want to be a Fundamentalist. I don’t want to be a Liberal either (or a conservative.) I don’t think I really care to be called a Democrat or a Republican. I don’t want to be ‘labeled’ as Messianic, nor charismatic, nor dispensational, nor Calvinistic (heaven forbid), nor even as a Calvary Chapel guy — whatever that really means. I’m not particularly fond of being identified as much of anything. Oh, except a Jesus-lover.

Jesus formed in me — exactly what Paul was talking about in Galatians 4:19. Yes, I am a follower of Jesus. Jesus is my identity.

And it is possible that He wore something very much like Birkenstocks.

Pre Spring Cleaning

Ash Wednesday

Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. Lent is the 40-day season preceding Easter, given to remembering the death we’re due (because of sin) and repentance. It culminates with Resurrection Sunday (other Sundays do no count in the 40-days.) Ash Wednesday itself is frequently observed as a day of fasting and repentance for sin. It comes right after Fat Tuesday, part of the Mardi Gras festivities, which probably doesn’t need further explanation. Every Tuesday is a fat Tuesday...

Anyway, although churches like Countryside are not often given to commemorating days like Ash Wednesday, Christians have been remembering this day for centuries. It certainly doesn’t hurt to put the "preparation wheels" in motion for the celebration of new life which is just a few weeks away.

This morning, after Morning Worship, we considered Peter’s Words from Acts 3:19: “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” And the following prayer from The Book of Common Prayer.

Most holy and merciful Father.

We confess to you and to one another, and to the whole communion of saints in heaven and on earth, that we have sinned by our own fault in thought, word, and deed; by what we have done, and by what we have left undone.

We have not loved you with our whole heart, and mind, and strength. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We have not forgiven others, as we have been forgiven. Have mercy on us, Lord.

We have been deaf to your call to serve, as Christ served us. We have not been true to the mind of Christ. We have grieved your Holy Spirit. Have mercy on us, Lord.

We confess to you, Lord, all our past unfaithfulness: the pride, hypocrisy, and impatience of our lives.

We confess to you, Lord. Our self-indulgent appetites and ways, and our exploitation of other people.

We confess to you, Lord. Our anger at our own frustration, and our envy of those more fortunate than ourselves.

We confess to you, Lord. Our intemperate love of worldly goods and comforts, and our dishonesty in daily life and work.

We confess to you, Lord. Our negligence in prayer and worship, and our failure to commend the faith that is in us. We confess to you, Lord.

Accept our repentance, Lord, for the wrongs we have done: for our blindness to human need and suffering, and our indifference to injustice and cruelty.

Accept our repentance, Lord. For all false judgments, for uncharitable thoughts toward our neighbors, and for our prejudice and contempt toward those who differ from us.

Accept our repentance, Lord. For our waste and pollution of your creation, and our lack of concern for those who come after us.

Accept our repentance, Lord. Restore us, good Lord, and let your anger depart from us; Favorably hear us, for your mercy is great.

Accomplish in us the work of your salvation, That we may show forth your glory in the world. By the cross and passion of your Son our Lord, Bring us with all your saints to the joy of his resurrection.

Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen.

May the Lord do a refreshing work in us in the weeks ahead!

— Pastor Terry