From: Patrick Mead

For your holiday peace of mind and sanity, here is my article for our church eBlast:
Keep This in Mind…
The commercials have been flooding all media formats since well before Halloween. Christmas is coming, in case you forgot. I know that many of you don’t want to even think about it until after Thanksgiving and I get that…but let’s get our minds and hearts ready for this day.
If you stress about this season:
1. Remember that “now” is not the same as “forever.” This season will pass. They always do.
2. TV ads insisting that you up your game and give more for Christmas will not be there in January to help you pay for what you’ve bought. They are not your friends. And what they are insisting is THE perfect gift is for their benefit, not yours.
3. Time spent with those you love is the best gift. Unless they are loners in which case just send them a card to let them know you are thinking of them and that you decided to gift them with silence and space!
4. You don’t have to start listening to music or decorate or buy presents on any particular day and you don’t have to wait on a particular date to start if you are ready to go. Transiberian Orchestra music pretty much rocks all year round so turn it up. Or don’t. It’s your choice, not the choice of some bogus Facebook poll.
5. Ignore politicians. That’s pretty good advice all year round but especially now.
6. Ignore TV “journalists” who tell you how many calories are in your Thanksgiving and Christmas meals. God told Israel he would bless them with “the fat of the land.” He never mentioned broccoli. So let’s not, either.
7. Human beings have never achieved perfection during their existence on this planet. Let’s not demand it during this season when it comes to meals, family time, presents or, well, anything.
8. Enjoy the colors and songs. Except “Santa Baby.” And that Grandma and the reindeer one.
9. Even if it all goes sideways and you end up sick in the hospital, you live in a modern nation that has great healthcare so…you are still blessed.
10. People will say things. Your relatives will say things. But they are not God and what they say is nothing more or less than just what they say. Do not give it any other weight. Let it slide right off. Unless it’s a compliment. You totally deserve that.
11. Put your eyes on Jesus and not on any crisis which might come along. And remember that most crises are self generated or imaginary. Come January, Jesus will still be on the throne and in charge. Cool, isn’t it?
I’d like to close this with “be blessed” but, well, you already are. And so am I. We are family, children of God, and members at Fourth Avenue. It’s like having Christmas all year long…
Patrick

Hello.

My name is Jordan Bertram. I am with the Adventures in Missions program, based at the Sunset International Bible Institute in Lubbock, Texas. At the end of May, I will be  moving to Wasilla Alaska, where I will be serving as an apprentice missionary for 14-22 months.

I have spent the last 8 months in Lubbock, along with other students, training and learning in preparation for our missionary fields. Because I will be working as a full time missionary, I will be unable to have a job to pay for my living expenses. I am therefore, dependent on the generosity of those who are willing to partner with me by supporting me financially as I serve in Alaska. 

Along with my monthly expenses, there are onetime startup expenses that I will need to cover as I move to Alaska. This includes travel expenses, deposit on an apartment, as well as other costs associated with moving to Alaska.

My goal is to be able to raise the necessary funds that will allow me to pay my onetime setup costs and allow me to transition up to Alaska and begin serving in the community of Wasilla. 

(If you would like more information, or you would be willing to consider partnering in my ministry by monthly support, please do not hesitate to contact me)  

Thank you and God Bless!
Help spread the word!

Click here to help support Jordan in his ministry efforts!

From Dave's Facebook Page on 28 Feb 2017: Praying for the family of Mike Reeves (Earlene Reeves). Mike finished the race this morning, and went home to be with the Lord after a battle with cancer. I considered Mike a mentor and friend, along with a brother in Christ. When I first started getting the notion of serving in youth ministry almost 17 years ago, Mike was one that showed me the ropes and helped me along. When I had things come up in ministry that I didn't know which way to go on, he was always there to lend a hand , teaching me. When I didn't treat others with enough grace, he'd always be there with a loving rebuke, bringing me back inline. He taught me to sing praises to God, regardless what I thought of my own voice. When we were at youth events, and he said something was a miss, I listened and deferred to his experience and love of God and youth. (I said once to someone that when Mike speaks, we listen.) :)
He even decked me once, by accident. We were playing water polo at Camp Prince's Pine during all teen camp one year. He came up from the water to hit the ball back, and accidentally jammed his palm into my eye socket. The pain was unimaginable. I went to the dock, and sat there for a moment, yelling in pain. He came up to me, hugged me, and said "Dave I'm so sorry. " I told him it was ok, but to leave me alone for a sec so I could see out of my eye again. Once I could, I jumped back into the water, and went back to playing. Had a small "shiner" on my eye socket even.I picked on him about that event for years, and he always turned a pretty shade of red. He took it in stride with a smile on his face.
Mike, I'm not sure if I ever told you this, but I've valued every moment I got to interact with you and your family. You taught me how to be a man of God, even when I screw up royally. You taught me to sing to the Lord, regardless of what others thought of my voice. You taught me to be a leader, and to accept and learn from failures when they occur. You taught me how to forgive others, and forgive myself. When I wanted to give up and walk away, thinking the road was too hard, you encouraged me to keep going and overcome all obstacles.
Most of all , you showed me Jesus, in everything you did and said. I hope that I can live up to the example you showed me, and show Jesus to everyone like you did. I'm a better man, a better minister, and a better follower of Christ for having known you.

​Dave

If you've missed any of the Sunday morning classes this quarter, here are links to the presentations for each class. I have the full videos if you'd like to see them. The free "teaser trailer" is embedded in each presentation.
Enjoy
F.L.O.W. Presentations
...
Episode 1
https://sway.com/QrwdZ30HI4fXa8vy
Episode 2- The economy of Love
https://sway.com/VBZxDcF9G6iYdNDC
Episode 3- The economy of Creative Service
https://sway.com/CenXOj9jPf6TCVo0
Episode 4- The economy of Order
https://sway.com/eeUHAZ3e5fqvhmzL
Episode 5- The economy of Wisdom
https://sway.com/biWaP10Fh03f7San
Episode 6- The economy of Wonder
https://sway.com/2i0c4OSGfE0g3KUG
Episode 7- The Church
https://sway.com/bokNl4mG51DsspTO