Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/640287
ByPatriciaMartin Anyonewhostudiesthe Bible eventually under- stands that God's Word, found within the pages of the Bible, is His love letter to us! There is a "catch" though. The heart of the reader must be open to the love of God, and ready to receive His free gift of sal- vation. John 3;16 says it plainly, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." I'm so glad God doesn't sit in heaven and ignore what is taking place on the earth. His great love for us remains constant. The Bi- ble tells us God is think- ing about us every mo- ment of every day. We can trust in this truth — the love of God is endless. Jer- emiah 29:11 tells us, "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." What a wonderful Val- entine God offers to us! Through Jesus' death and resurrection we can have eternal life. '"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to be- come children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God," (John 1:12-13). I often reflect upon how God created all the seas, and even set their bound- aries. The greatness of the universe helps us un- derstand the wonder of God — His majesty — His mighty expanse of the heavens — and the art- istry of His "paint brush" decorating our world with beauty. His message has always been, "Be Mine, for you are my special cre- ation." The God of all cre- ation could order us or could force us to live for Him — to be His — yet He tenderly invites us. How gracious is our God. How tender and lov- ing He is. His banner over us is love. All God asks from us is that we receive His offer to enter into the family of God. Today I'm looking at the Bible as God's Valen- tine Card. Within the card the Lord has given each of us a guide for life — for blessings — for safety from powers of darkness — and His love letter clearly ex- plains that He has set forth guidelines for life. If God had not cre- ated the universe, with di- vine order, it would have blown apart long ago. His love letter to us gives di- rection for our safe ar- rival in heaven one day. Will we toss His directions aside or will we obey His Word? The choice is al- ways ours. God's love gives us a choice to receive Him or to reject Him. Jesus says the follow- ing in John 14:23, "If any- one loves Me, he will keep My word;…" He also said, "If you keep my command- ments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's command- ments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full," (John 15:10-11). God's invitation remains — "Be Mine. Give Me your heart and life. Receive My gift of Eternal Life." PatriciaMartinisa seasoned intercessor who leads the Jehovah Rapha Ministry of prayer and healing in Red Bluff. She was herself healed of cancer some years back. She has ministered amongst various Native American communities for many years as well, carrying clothing and love gifts to children on the reservations she visits. GOD TALK God said 'Be Mine' All are welcome to gather for Taizé prayer services Sundays during Lent from 7-8 p.m. Feb. 14 and 28 and March 6 and 13 at St. Pe- ter's Episcopal Church. Taizé services are medita- tive and restful; inviting to those who seek refreshment in silence as well as scrip- ture and song. Taizé services were in- troduced by Swiss born Brother Roger Louis Schutz- Marsauche. Brother Roger, as he preferred to be called, devoted his life to the ide- als of international peace and reconciliation between Christian churches. In 1940, amidst the up- heaval of World War II, he began a ministry in the ru- ral village of Taizé, at that time located in unoccu- pied France. He purchased an empty house, where for two years he and his sister, Genevieve, hid refugees, both Christian and Jewish. They were forced to leave Taizé, after being tipped off that the Gestapo had be- come aware of their activi- ties. Seeking refuge in Ge- neva, Switzerland, Br. Roger began a community of men. In 1944, he and his fol- lowers returned to Taizé, and was later joined by sister Genevieve who re- sponded to a request to care for children orphaned by the war. On Sundays, nearby German prisoners- of-war were welcomed to attend worship services. Other young men from dif- ferent backgrounds joined their efforts, resulting in an ecumenical group of seven men who took formal vows of celibacy making the com- mitment to a simple life of prayer and care for oth- ers. Br. Roger's vision of an ecumenical community drawing people together for prayer and reconcilia- tion was taking shape. A simple pattern of prayer developed that wel- comed Christians, as well as non-believers, from var- ious backgrounds. Con- tinuing today, the way of prayer characterized by song, scripture and silence draws worshippers from around the world. "Nothing is more condu- cive to communion with the living God than a medita- tive common prayer with, at its high point, singing that never ends and that contin- ues in the silence of one's heart when one is alone again," Br. Roger said. From these simple begin- nings there evolved a world- wide international network of worshippers committed to building trust and rec- onciliation through com- mon prayer and service. Taizé prayer is now offered by many churches and ecu- menical groups around the world, including congrega- tions in Red Bluff. Taizé services are open to all, regardless of denom- ination. For more informa- tion, call 527-5205 or write to stpeters@sbcglobal.net. Detailed information about Taizé communities throughout the world can be found at www.Taizé.fr. St. Peter's is at 510 Jef- ferson St., on the corner of Jefferson and Elm streets. Visit www.saintpetersepis- copal.org. ST. PETER'S EPISCOPAL TaizéPrayerservicesofferedduringLent By Nadine Achoui- Lesage and Greg Keller The Associated Press MARSEILLE , FRANCE Growing up in Algeria, Shaira had almost every- thing a young man could wish for. But he also had a big secret. In a land where homo- sexuality is still a crime and a sin, he was forced to live a secret life, hid- ing that he was gay from everyone — even his clos- est family. The 26-year-old Shaira, who asked that his last name not be used to pro- tect himself from attacks, went to study in France four years ago and has never gone back to Alge- ria. His family still has no idea of his sexuality. Now a gay imam from Algeria is working with a local lesbian, gay, bisex- ual and transgender as- sociation to counsel and protect Shaira and other young gay Muslims who make their way to the an- cient French port city of Marseille. The Le Refuge group says it has helped 26 gays find shelter and start a new life in Mar- seille last year. Some even- tually go back to their families. Homosexuality is a criminal offense in much of the Middle East — pun- ishable by imprisonment or, in countries like Saudi Arabia, by death. In Alge- ria, homosexual acts are punishable by up to two years in prison and a fine. Islam considers homo- sexuality a sin. Men hav- ing sex with each other should be punished, the Quran says, but it doesn't say how — and it adds that they should be left alone if they repent. The death penalty verdict instead comes from the Hadith, or accounts of the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad. The accounts differ on the method of killing, and some accounts give lesser penalties in some circum- stances. FRANCE Ga y im am h el ps y ou ng M us lim s balance religion, sexuality CLAUDEPARIS—THEASSOCIATEDPRESS Imam Ludovic-Mohamed Zahed poses on the Old-Port, in Marseille, southern France. Tehama County Church Directory RedBluff.... ABUNDANTLIFEFELLOWSHIP 21080LutherRd.•528-2499 Pastor J.E. Heitman • WORSHIP Sunday 11AM & 6PM APOSTOLIC ASSEMBLY 1321 Nelson Dr. • 527-8541 Pastor Rudy Cepeda • WORSHIP • Sunday 1:00PM & Friday 7PM CALVARY CHAPEL 12375 Paskenta Rd. • 527-8219 Pastor Gilbert DeLao Jr. • WORSHIP • Sunday 9:00 & 11:00 am CHURCH OF CHRIST 1605 Park Ave • 529-3063 • Evangelist Gary Den WORSHIP • Sun. 11AM & 6:30 PM • Bible Study • Sunday 10AM & Wed 7PM CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS Antelope 545 Berrendos • 529-2506 • Bishop Phillip Smith • Sunday 11AM CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS Red Bluff 545 Berrendos • 527-7012 • Bishop Jim Wilhite • Sunday 9:00AM CHURCH WITHOUT WALLS 857 Washington St., Open Daily 9-11am Pastors Brad & Susan Harms•WORSHIP•Sunday 2PM•Bible Study Thur 2-4pm COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH 598 Round -Up Ave. 527-4203 Pastor Dr. Paul Wright • WORSHIP • Sunday 9AM • PRAYER • 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 Daryl Jones • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:30AM FIRST CHURCH OF GOD Jackson & Luther • 527-5717 Pastor Sean Story • WORSHIP • 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 Don St. John • WORSHIP • Sunday 11AM FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 525 David Ave. • 527-5754 Pastor Nancy Pharis-Cure • WORSHIP • Sunday 11:00AM FREEDOM CHURCH 601 Monroe St. • 355-2284 • Pastors Pete & Bev Williams • WORSHIP Sunday 10:30AM • YOUTH Thurs. 7PM GATEWAY BAPTIST CHURCH, IND. FUND. 12830 Glasgow Dr. 527-2964 • Pastor Jeff Eldred • WORSHIP • Sunday 11AM & 6PM HIGH POINT ASSEMBLY 625 Luther Rd. • 527-0445 Pastor David Blythe • WORSHIP • Sunday 10AM LAKE CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY CHURCH Lake Club • 347 6970 Jim Bredow, Pastor • WORSHIP • Sunday 8:30-10:15AM NEIGHBORHOOD CHURCH 1625 Johnson St. • 527-8134 SERVICE • 10:00AM NORTH VALLEY BAPTIST CHURCH 345 David Ave • 527-0543 Pastor Scott Camp • Sunday 11:00AM, Sunday School 9:30AM www.northvalleyredbluff.com NUEVA VIDA 11841 Hyw 99W • Red Bluff • Spanish-speaking Pastor Freddie Villasenor • WORSHIP • Sunday 11:00AM OPEN VISTAS AWARENESS CENTER 807 Lincoln St. • 529-9285 Rv. Tresha Wing • SERVICE • Sunday 10:00AM OUT OF THE BOX MINISTRIES-COWBOY CHURCH 585-3070 22812 Antelope Blvd. –– Wednesday 7:00PM –– Sunday 10:00AM PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Jefferson & Hickory St. • 527-0372 Rev. Beth Hoyt • 11:00AM Worship • 9:30AM Sunday School PENTECOSTAL CHURCH OF GOD 370 Kimball Rd. • 527-6346 Pastor Mike Cox • WORSHIP • Sunday 11:00AM RED BLUFF COMMUNITY CHURCH 1920 Park St. Pastor Stan Kolbert • SERVICES • Sunday 9:30AM • 282-2248 SABBATH COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN 705 So. Jackson St. • 529-1890 Pastor Ron Largent • WORSHIP • Saturday 10:45AM SACRED HEART CATHOLIC CHURCH 515 Main St. • Father Sherwin Colaste MASS • Saturday 5:15, Spanish 7PM • Sun. 8:30AM, 10:30AM, Spanish 12PM THE SALVATION ARMY 944 Walnut St. • 527-8530 Major Kit Wetter, Pastor • SERVICES • Sunday 10AM & 11AM SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHRUCH 720 S. Jackson • 527-3733 Pastor Robert A. Clark • WORSHIP • Saturday 10:30AM ST. PAUL LUTHERAN CHURCH Jefferson & Elm • 527-3414 Pastor Dallas D. Dubke • WORSHIP • Sunday 8:30AM & 11AM ST. PETER'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH Jefferson & Elm • 527-5205 Rev. Maryly Adair • Sunday 9:30AM, Holy Eucharist Rite II SUNRISE BIBLE FELLOWSHIP GARBC Corner of Cedar & Jackson 529-6884 • Pastor Chris Hurton • WORSHIP • 10:50AM • Bible Study 9:30AM TEHAMA COUNTY'S MERCY PLACE FELLOWSHIP, bilingual 836 Washington St., Red Bluff • 2:00 PM Sundays • 262-9474 TEMPLE BETH ISRAEL 8529 Placer Rd., Redding 243-5726 • For service dates & times • 529-9246 TRINITY MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH 20920 Hampton Rhodes Dr. 528-8668•Pastor Loren Browning • WORSHIP • Sun. 10:45AM & 5PM - Wed. 6PM THE ROCK CHURCH OF RED BLUFF 285 Gilmore Road • 527-7234 Pastor Vik Hylen•WORSHIP • Sun. 10AM & 6:30PM - Tues. 7:30PM - Men's Prayer Sat. 9AM VINEYARD CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP 738 Walnut St. • 527-2449 Pastor Steve Igarta • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:30AM WALNUT GROVE CHRISTIAN CENTER RHEMA Bible Church • 527-9065 435 Round Up Ave.• Pastor Michael Ragsdale • WORSHIP • Sun. 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 Capay... COMMUNITY FRIENDS CHURCH • 4th & Moller Ave. • 865-2806 Pastor Toni Brown • WORSHIP • Sunday 9:30AM Corning... BELIEVERS CHURCH OF GOD 783 Solano St. • 824-6502 Pastor Dan Steigmn • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:00AM 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 OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS Marguerite & Blackburn • Bishop Scott Davis • WORSHIP • Sunday 10AM CORNING FOURSQUARE 404 5 th St. • 824-5776 • Sr. Pastor John Gehrung WORSHIP • Sunday: adults 9:15, 10:30 AM • Tues.10AM prayer meeting FAMILY BIBLE CHURCH Marin & Pear Sts. • 824-9989 Rev. Russ Ziegler • 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 • 471 Marguerite Pastor Julie Horne • WORSHIP • Sunday 11AM HARVEST CHRISTIAN CENTER CHURCH OF GOD 1006 6th St. 824-2091 • Pastor Michael Sharp • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:00AM IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHOLIC CHURCH 824-5879 814 Solano St. • Father Cormac Lacre • MASS • Sun. 10AM, Spanish 12PM INDEPENDENT LUTHERAN CHURCH OF CORNING Houghton Ave. between Solano and Yolo Worship: Sunday 11:00 am • Pastor Dennis Wyman • 526-4736 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 • Rev. Ezy Ulibarri 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 Robert A. Clark • WORSHIP • Saturday 11AM SONLIGHT WORSHIP CENTER 1520 East St. • 824-0175 Pastor Lenny Duval • WORHSHIP • Sunday 10:30 AM & Wed. 6:30 PM ST. ANDREW'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH 820 Marin St. • 680-0353 Rev. Diana Lueckert • CHURCH • Sunday 10AM Cottonwood... FOURSQUARE CHURCH 2400 Rhonda Rd. Rev. Paul Shrum • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:30AM & 6PM Dairyville... CONE COMMUNITY METHODIST CHURCH 11220 Hwy. 99E • 527-2329 Pastor Catherine Joseph • WORSHIP • Sun. 9AM El Camino... COMMUNITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Hwy. 99W • 385-2314 Pastor Nancy Pharis-Cure • WORSHIP • Sunday 9:30AM NEW LIFE BAPTIST CHURCH 8345 SR 99W, El Camino • 200-4112 Pastor John Bohrer • Sunday School • 10AM • WORSHIP • 11AM SHADY REST FULL GOSPEL CHURCH 7211 Hwy. 99W 385-2155 • Pastor Andrew Dalson • WORSHIP • Saturday 7PM Gerber... BAHA'I FAITH OF TEHAMA COUNTY 385-1091 Prayer meetings Fridays 7:30PM Brickyard Creek Apartments 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 Los Molinos.... COMMUNITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Sherwood & Josephine 384-2656 • Pastor Ray Watkins • 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., 310-4990 Rev. Kenneth & Pamela Auld • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:30AM & 6PM Manton... MANTON COMMUNITY CHURCH Forward Rd. • 474-5156 Pastor Michael Stiener•WORSHIP•Sunday School 9:30 Sun. 10:45 Paskenta... PASKENTA FLOURNOY BIBLE CHURCH 13140 Round Valley Rd. Sunday 10:30AM • 833-0557 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 Stage Coach Rd. • 585-2961 Pastor John and Sandra Edmiston • SERVICES • Sun. 10:30AM, Wed. 6PM Tehama... ASSEMBLY OF GOD Third St. • 384-2603 Pastor Walter Bright • WORSHIP • Sunday 10:30AM ST. STANISLAUS CATHOLIC CHURCH • 824-5879 Corner of 4th & D • MASS • Sunday 8:00AM - Bilingual Vina... VINA COMMUNITY CHURCH 5th & D Street • 839-2340 WORSHIP • Sunday 10:30AM & 6PM HOYT-COLE CHAPEL OF THE FLOWERS 816WalnutSt.-RedBluff FD 652 Thisdirectorysponsoredby: TEHAMA ESTATES A Retirement Community for the Active Senior Citizens 750 David Ave. - Red Bluff - 527-9193 REDBLUFF DODGE, JEEP, CHRYSLER, RAM Urgesyoutoworshipregularlyatthechurchofyourchoice 545Adobe Rd., Red Bluff - 366-3166 FAITH » redbluffdailynews.com Saturday, February 13, 2016 MORE AT FACEBOOK.COM/RBDAILYNEWS AND TWITTER.COM/REDBLUFFNEWS B3