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2B – Daily News – Saturday, January 29, 2011 Religion Faith&Worship Church news In God he trusts, but pastor needs cash for church CHICAGO (MCT) — Steve Robledo was a newly ordained minister in search of a flock when he had what he calls a vision from God: He was to start his congregation in a grand church building for sale on the west side of Elgin, Ill., a brick and stone edifice with soaring stained-glass win- dows and dark wood pews. He had no money but plenty of faith, and sure enough, his vision came to pass. Two businessmen and Robledo's pastor agreed to provide the financing, and soon his fledg- ling Lighthouse Community Church had its home. Five years later, though, this mission of divine inspira- tion has run into earthly trouble. Robledo's nondenominational congregation is a fraction of its 200-member peak, diminished by the recession and an internal schism. With contributions down sharply, the church can't afford to pay its $3,100 rent or fix maintenance problems that have drawn a lawsuit from the city. If this were a business deal gone bad or a house in fore- closure, you could chalk it up as a simple case of irrational exuberance. But Robledo, who says he has gone without a salary for more than a year to pay church bills, said he had no regrets about plunging into an agreement he knew made little fiscal sense. "If you believe in God, you don't wait for the provision to come," he said. While the particulars of Lighthouse's struggle are unique, they reflect the financial trouble many churches are suffering: An analysis by Reuters found that church fore- closures have tripled since the recession began in 2007. Church business matters are often complicated by spiri- tual concerns, an expert said, creating friction within con- gregations and sometimes leading to risky decisions. "Depending on a person's spiritual commitment and mystical propensities, he may look for divine authority and weight that greater than sound business principles," said Richard Hammar, a church tax and legal expert based in Missouri. Robledo, a former bank manager, was well-versed in the practicalities of business before becoming a minister. But that experience didn't matter when he received his vision in 2005. He was looking for a small place in downtown Elgin to host services when one evening, he said, he received a heav- enly summons to go to a building just west of the Fox River that was being sold by Grace United Methodist Church. He arrived in the middle of the night, he said, and as his vision foretold, there was a man outside working on the building. The man showed him around, but upon learning that Robledo had no money, said the minister would need a miracle to acquire the church. "Sir," Robledo replied, "I believe in miracles." After that, he said, everything fell into place. He ran into a church acquaintance at a picnic and pitched the idea of buying the church. The acquaintance, a businessman named Bill Wayda, teamed up with a partner to provide the money. Robledo's pastor, Larry DeSantis of Bloomingdale, Ill.-based Aquila Christian Ministries, signed the mortgage. Robledo agreed to pay rent. The idea was that Robledo would quickly grow the con- gregation, building enough of a cash flow that he could get his own bank loan and become the owner of the building. The plan hasn't worked out. Excellent Spirit I have long admired Daniel of the Bible. I first heard about him in my Sunday School class years ago. He is the one who was thrown into a lion’s den based on false accusations. The king came the next morning to see if he was still alive. Daniel answered in Daniel 6:22, "My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you." Daniel had purposed in his heart when he was young to do nothing that would displease the Lord. He set his heart to not sin long before he ever faced the temptation to sin. That is a key for us. Life is full of temptations. When we purpose in our heart to honor the Lord, He will orchestrate our circumstances so that He receives the glory. Integrity of heart is a wonderful character quality. How is it devel- oped? It starts with a choice, but it is exercised each time we stand in truth. Daniel stood in truth when faced with false accusations. His heart remained pure before the Lord. One of my favorite verses is a beatitude in Matthew 5:8. It says, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." Daniel’s integrity brought him into favor with God and man. We will actively see God work in our lives as we live in integrity. There is another Bible character who walked in heart integrity. The Apostle Paul said in Acts 24:16, "...I myself always strive to have a con- science without offense toward God and men." Paul lived without hidden offense in his heart. Does your conscience ever bother you? That is God speaking to you to clear up something that you are hiding within. When we acknowledge the hidden thing is sin, and confess it to the Lord, He will set us free from the nagging guilt. If you have done some- thing wrong, but your con- science does not bother you, then beware. 1 Timo- thy 4:1-2 says, "Now the Spirit expressly says that in the latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrine of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own con- science seared with a hot iron." When we ignore our conscience, we harden our heart and steel ourselves against the truth. Romans 1:18 says it a little differ- ently. "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness." They resist the truth because it exposes their sin. One of my choice verses about Rabbi Robert L. Tobin of Congregation Beth Shalom, Overland Park, Kan.: Our lives are created by God and by parents, and we are given the responsibility to care for that expression of hope and love that we see in the mirror every day. No, our lives are not our own. Genesis includes the famous declaration that "it is not good that the human should live alone, so I will make a soul mate for him/her." The basic human condition is only ful- filled in relationships. Our teachers, friends, colleagues and children all have a claim on us. We are their investments, and they deserve to enjoy the benefit of their efforts and involvement in our life. We are not self-made beings, living in narcissistic isola- tion and solo-empowerment. We are the sum of all of our experiences. And those experiences are sacred, spiritual, social and political. Yes, we are sacred beings created in God's image. And yes, prolonging real suffering in disease without hope for health and recovery would be a desecration of that sacred- ness. Yes, there are ultimate times in the end of life when hospice care is appropriate — even sacred. But premature suicide? It is not our life to take, and if we take our own life, we steal it from every person we have ever met, and from any person we might ever help, and from the one who formed us from days of old. This is the proper context for the command "choose life." Marilyn Adams GodTalk integrity is Proverbs 11:3 which says, "The integrity of the upright will guide them..." Like Daniel, we can purpose in our heart to walk in God’s truth and know that He will guide us in every cir- cumstance of our life. We can suppress God’s truth, or we can invite it into our heart. It is the Word of God that sets us free from the bondage of our sins. John 8:32 says, "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. Here is the truth: "Whoso- ever shall call upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved" (Romans 10:13). Whosoever means every one without exception. That means you! When we receive the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Truth, into our hearts, He sets us free from all sin. That is His desire for you and me since before He set the foundation of the world. Will you receive this truth and walk in it? When you do, the Excellent Glory will receive you as His very own child through eternal salvation. J.Marilyn Adams is the local author of Freedom From Past Hurts and a minister to women inside and outside of the hospital and prison systems. She ministers healing from her own experience and from the Word of God. Voices of Faith: It's my life, why shouldn't I end it when I want? The Rev. Holly McKissick, pastor of St. Andrew Christian Church, Olathe, Kan.: Who said it was your life? That's the real question. At the heart of Christian faith we affirm: the Earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof. What passes through my hands is not mine, but mine to tend. From the oceans to the ozone, I am called to be a wise, generous steward. That includes my life, and when it comes to my life, the guiding question, from the first breath to the last, is: does this decision promote the well-being of the Earth and those around me? Decisions at the end of life are highly personal, and yet they cannot be made apart from the community. When an individual — overcome with despair — ends her life pre- maturely, society loses gifts, dreams and talents. Suicide is not just "poor stewardship" of a nonrenewable resource — a unique life — it is "contagious," raising the risk of suicide throughout the affected community. A terminal illness is different. The decision to forego futile medical treatment can be a hope-filled act of faith, signaling a healthy understanding of one's place in cre- ation — along with sensitivity to the finite nature of resources. If it were just your life you could do whatever you want, but it's not. You and I are an inseparable part of a commu- nity that is, by the grace and mystery of God, without begin- ning or end. Tehama County Church Directory HOYT-COLE CHAPEL OF THE FLOWERS 816 Walnut St. - Red Bluff Red Bluff.... ABUNDANT LIFE FELLOWSHIP — 21080 Luther Rd. — Pastor J.E. Heitman 528-2499 — WORSHIP — Sunday 11AM & 6PM ANTELOPE HOME FELLOWSHIP(SBC) — Berrendos School — 401 Chestnut St 200-4112 — Pastor John Bohrer — WORSHIP — Sunday 10:45AM APOSTOLIC ASSEMBLY — 1321 Nelson Dr., Red Bluff. — 527-8541 Pastor Rudy Cepeda — WORSHIP — Sunday 1:00PM & Friday 7PM BETHEL ASSEMBLY OF GOD — 625 Luther Rd. — 527-0445 Pastor Ron Fortenberry — WORSHIP — Sunday 10:30AM & 6PM CALVARY CHAPEL — 12375 Paskenta Rd. — 527-8219 Pastor Gilbert DeLao Jr. — WORSHIP — Sunday 9:00 & 11:00 am CHURCH OF CHRIST — 1605 Park Ave. — 527-3036 Evangelist Gary Dent — WORSHIP — Sunday 11AM & 6:30PM CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS — Antelope-545 Berrendos 529-2506 — Bishop James Beeman — SERVICES Begin Sunday 11:00AM CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS — Red Bluff-545 Berrendos 527-7012 — Bishop Earl Wintle — SERVICES Begin Sunday 9:00AM COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH — 598 Round -Up Ave. 527-4203 Pastor Dr. Paul Wright — WORSHIP — Sunday 9AM & 6PM CORNERSTONE CHURCH OF GOD — Hwy. 36, Jorgenson 527-9210 — Pastor Roy Duggins — WORSHIP — Sunday 10AM & 5PM FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH — 501 Pine St. — 527-4361 Pastor Bruce Cloutier — WORSHIP — Sunday 10:15AM FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH — Hickory & Madison — 527-4688 Pastor Dan Woolery — WORSHIP — Sunday 10:30AM FIRST CHURCH OF GOD — Jackson & Luther — 527-5717 Pastor Rod Thompson — WORSHIP — Saturday 6PM & Sunday 10:15AM FIRST CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE — Johnson & Hickory — 527-3361 Pastor Jesse Morris — WORSHIP — 10:30 AM FIRST SOUTHERN BAPTIST CHURCH — 585 Kimball Rd. — 527-5083 Pastor Stan Kolbert— WORSHIP — Sunday 11AM FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH — 525 David Ave. — 527-5754 Rev. Kate O’Leary— WORSHIP — Sunday 11:00AM GATEWAY BAPTIST CHURCH, IND. FUND. — 12830 Glasgow Dr. — 527-2964 Pastor Jeff Eldred — WORSHIP — Sunday 11AM & 6PM GRACE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF RED BLUFF — 22630 Antelope Blvd. —227-3630 Pastor David T. Stark — WORSHIP — Sunday 5PM LAKE CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY CHURCH — Lake Club — 347 6970 Jim Bredow, Pastor — WORSHIP — Sunday 8:30AM-10:15AM LUTHERAN CHURCH, ST. PAUL — Jefferson & Elm — 527-3414 Pastor Dallas D. Dubke — WORSHIP — Sunday 8:30AM & 11AM NEIGHBORHOOD CHURCH — 1625 Johnson St. — 527-8134 Pastor Vern Milliken — SERVICE — 10:00AM NEW HOPE FOURSQUARE CHURCH — 925 Walnut St. — 528-0642 PastorS Steve and Linda Priest — WORSHIP — Sunday 10AM — Youth, Thurs. 6:00 PM NORTH VALLEY BAPTIST CHURCH (Ind.) — 345 David Ave — 527-0543 Pastor Mark Roberts — WORSHIP — Sunday 10:50AM NUEVA VIDA — 11841 Hyw 99W — Red Bluff — Spanish-speaking Pastor Freddie Villasenor — WORSHIP — Sunday 11:00AM Red Bluff.... OPEN VISTAS AWARENESS CENTER — 900 Walnut St. — 529-9285 Rv. Tresha Wing — SERVICE — Sunday 10:00AM PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH — Jefferson & Hickory St. — 527-0372 The Rev. Beth Whittier, Pastor — SERVICES 11:00AM —Sunday School 9:30AM PENTECOSTAL CHURCH OF GOD — 370 Kimball Rd. — 527-6346 Pastor Mike Cox — WORSHIP — Sunday 11:00AM RED BLUFF COWBOY CHURCH — Hampton Inn, Round-Up Room Pastor Coy Huffman — For infomation call 209-559-9965 RED BLUFF GOSPEL ASSEMBLY — 836 Washington St. — 529-9909 Pastor John A. Partsch — WORSHIP — Sunday 1:30PM - Wednesday 7PM SABBATH COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN — 705 So. Jackson St. — 529-1890 Pastor Ron Largent — WORSHIP — Saturday 10:45AM SACRED HEART CATHOLIC CHURCH — 515 Main St. — Father Joyle T. Martinez MASS — Saturday 5:15, Spanish 7PM — Sunday 8:30AM, 10:30AM, Spanish 12PM THE SALVATION ARMY — 944 Walnut St. — 527-8530 Majors Frank & Susan Severs, Pastors — SERVICES — Sunday 10AM & 11AM SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHRUCH — 720 S. Jackson — 527-3733 Pastor Jon Spoolman — WORSHIP — Saturday 10:45AM SHEPHERD HOUSE OF PRAYER — 601 Monroe St. 529-5350 — Pastor Brent Kohler — WORSHIP — Sunday 10:00AM ST. PETER’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH — Jefferson & Elm — 527-5205 Rev. Maryly Adair — Sunday 9:30AM, Holy Eucharist Rite II SUNRISE BIBLE FELLOWSHIP — C.B.A. — The corner of Cedar & Jackson — 527-6818 Pastor Byron Shaw, Pat Hurton — WORSHIP — 10:50AM — Bible Study 9:30AM TEMPLE BETH ISRAEL — 8529 Placer Rd., Redding 243-5726 — For service dates & times — 529-9246 TRINITY MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH — 20920 Hampton Rhodes Drive — Cell:925-980-5396 Pastor Jim Williams — WORSHIP — Sunday 10:45AM - Wednesday 7:00PM TRUTH TABERNACLE — 285 Gilmore Road, Red Bluff — 527-5533 Pastor Sam Howard — WORSHIP — Sunday 10:30AM - Sunday School 9:30AM UNION SOUTHERN BAPTIST CHURCH — 1256 Walnut St. Bidwell School Cafeteria — 840-6177 Pastor Robert M. Wheatley — WORSHIP — Sunday 3PM only UNITED CHURCH OF GOD — 645 Antelope Blvd. Suite 13 — 824-3657 Elder Dick King — WORSHIP — Saturday 12:30PM VINEYARD CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP — 738 Walnut St. — 527-2449 Pastor Steve Igarta — WORSHIP — Sunday 10:30AM WALNUT GROVE CHRISTIAN CENTER — RHEMA Bible Church 435 Round Up Ave. — 527-9065 — Pastor Michael Ragsdale — WORSHIP — Sunday 10:30AM ZION CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES — 836 Washington St. 529-1836 — Pastor Joshua John McKim — WORSHIP — Sunday 10:15AM Bowman... COMMUNITY CHURCH — Bowman Rd. & Landes — 347-6130 Pastor Mark Lugg — WORSHIP — Sunday 10AM This directory sponsored by: Los Molinos.... COMMUNITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH — Sherwood & Josephine 527-3490 — Pastor Kathleen Smith — WORSHIP 11AM MILL CREEK BAPTIST CHURCH — HWY 99E and Taft St., 384-1564 — Pastor Carl DeBiase — WORSHIP — Sunday 11AM & 6PM SPIRIT OF LIFE PENTECOSTAL CHURCH OF GOD — 25235 Orange St. — 384-0100 Pastor Richard Tucker — WORSHIP — Sunday 10:30AM & 6PM Corning... BELIEVERS CHURCH OF GOD — 783 Solano St. — 824-6502 Pastor Dan Steigmn — WORSHIP — Sunday 10:00AM BETHEL CHURCH — 1520 East St. — 824-0175 Ron Cottingham, Pastor — WORSHIP — Sunday 11AM CHURCH OF CHRIST — 1418 South St. — 824-3603 WORSHIP — Sunday — 10:30AM CHURCH OF CHRIST — 1440 Yolo St. — 824-4333 David King, Minister — WORSHIP — Sunday 11AM & 6PM CHURCH OFJESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS — Marguerite & Blackburn — Bishop A. Daniel Drum — WORSHIP — Sunday 10AM CORNING FOURSQUARE — 404 5th Street — 824-5776 Rev. Sue Duffy WORSHIP — Sunday: adults 9:15, 10:30 AM — Tues.10AM prayer meeting FAMILY BIBLE CHURCH — Marin & Pear Sts. — 824-0989 Pastor Joycel — WORSHIP — Sunday 10:45AM & 6PM FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH — 506 Colusa St. — 824-3490 Pastor Chris Fissori — WORSHIP — Sunday 10:15AM — Sunday School 9AM FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH — 1421 Marin St. — 824-5739 WORSHIP — Sunday 11AM FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH — 824-5535 — Marguerite & McLane Pastor Howard Sanborn— WORSHIP — Sunday 11AM HARVEST CHRISTIAN CENTER CHURCH OF GOD — 1006 6th St. Corning 824-2091 — Pastor Michael Sharp — WORSHIP — Sunday 10:00AM IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHOLIC CHURCH — 824-5879 — 814 Solano St. Father Juan Manuel Ponce — MASS — Sunday 10AM, 12:00PM - Spanish MT. OLIVE LUTHERAN CHURCH — 341 Solano St. — 824-5530 Pastor Dallas D. Dubke — WORSHIP — Sunday 9AM NEIGHBORHOOD FULL GOSPEL CHURCH — 901 South St. — 824-2323 Pastor Ken Killinger — WORSHIP — Sunday 10:50AM & 6PM NEW LIFE ASSEMBLY CHURCH — 824-3426 Pastor J.R. Gonzales — WORSHIP — Sunday 10:00AM - Sunday School 9AM OLIVE BRANCH BAPTIST FELLOWSHIP — 565 1st St. — 824-3661 — SERVICE — Sunday 10:30 AM SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH — West & Butte — 824-2153 Pastor Jose Torres — WORSHIP — Saturday 11AM ST. ANDREW’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH — First & Marin Sts. — 824-4979 Pastor Maryly Adair — CHURCH — Sunday 11AM TRUTH TABERNACLE — 1308 Solano. — 824-4586 Pastor Ed Schaefer — WORSHIP — Sunday 2PM UNITED METHODIST CHURCH — 824-5841 — East & Solano Pastor Ray Watkins — WORSHIP — Sunday 9AM AUTO ELECTRIC INC. 1055 Main St. - Red Bluff 527-5170 Vina... VINA COMMUNITY CHURCH — 5th & D Street — 839-2340 Pastor Larry Peterson — WORSHIP — Sunday 10:30AM & 6PM Cottonwood... ABUNDANT LIFE CHRISTIAN CENTER — 19019 Gaspoint Road — 347-9208 Pastor Doug Hamblin — WORSHIP — Sunday 10:30AM ASSEMBLY OF GOD — Gaspoint Road — 347-3313 Pastor Bob Whitman — WORSHIP — Sunday 10:45AM & 6PM FOURSQUARE CHURCH — 2400 Rhonda Rd. Rev. Paul Shrum — WORSHIP — Sunday 10:30AM & 6PM Dairyville... CONE COMMUNITY METHODIST CHURCH — 11220 Hwy. 99E — 527-2329 Pastor Kathleen Smith —WORSHIP — Sunday 9AM El Camino... COMMUNITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH — Hwy. 99W — 385-2314 Pastor Nancy Pharis-Curie — WORSHIP — Sunday 9:30AM SHADY REST FULL GOSPEL CHURCH — 7211 Hwy. 99W 385-2155 — Pastor Andrew Dalson — WORSHIP — Saturday 7PM Gerber... BAHA’I FAITH OF TEHAMA COUNTY — 22870 Reno Ave., Gerber 385-1091 FAITH HOPE LOVE MINISTRIES — 21941 Chard Ave. 385-1431 — Pastor Ina Driggers — WORSHIP — Sunday 10:30AM GERBER BIBLE FELLOWSHIP — 301 Samson @ Ventura 385-1718 — WORSHIP — Sunday 10AM Las Flores... LAS FLORES FULL GOSPEL — 9662 San Benito Pastor Rev. Elroy & Martha Lake — WORSHIP — 10:00AM Wed. 6PM Manton... MANTON COMMUNITY CHURCH — Forward Rd. — 474-5156 Pastor Michael Stiener —WORSHIP — Sunday School 9:30 Sun. 10:45 Platina... ST. HERMAN OF ALASKA MONASTERY — Begum Gorge Rd. Abbot Herman — LITURGY — Sunday 8:30AM Rancho Tehama... COMMUNITY CHURCH (Non-Den.) — 585-2526 WORSHIP — Sunday 11AM CHRISTIAN LIFE MINISTRIES — 585-2975 Pastor Don Luke — WORSHIP — Sunday 10:30AM/6:00PM Tehama... ASSEMBLY OF GOD — Third St. — 384-2603 Pastor Walter Bright — WORSHIP — Sunday 10:30AM 11:15 AM & 6PM ST. STANISLAUS CATHOLIC CHURCH — 824-5879 Corner of 4th & D — MASS — Sunday 8:00AM - English RED BLUFF