November Update

Hello Friends!  Fall is in the air, even in sunny Arizona.  Jackets and gloves in the morning, short-sleeves by 3 pm.  And the hiking is still great in Hualapai Mountain Park.  I recently climbed a peak with hiking buddy LeAnn that required a scramble through bramble to reach the top, but we did it!

Church life is very full with Bible study on Wednesday nights (we finished Acts and will move on to 1 Corinthians this week), potluck and movies every other Friday night at Peet’s house (Drive Through History:  Holy Land with Dave Stotts), and one evangelism training completed with a new one coming up.  We’ve averaged once a month for the street evangelism in Las Vegas on Freemont Street.

 

 On the first Monday of the month the women’s group meets for food, fellowship and a look at famous women in the Bible.  The men’s group also meets monthly, for eating and studying the Bible in a manly manner.

Pastor Bob Peet believes in humor in the workplace.  I recently reminded him that we needed more paper towels, since he had a source in town for low-cost paper towels.  The next day I found a tower of towels on my desk (see photo).

In mid-October I traveled with Pastor Bob and Sandee to Riverside, CA, for meetings with Pacific Coast SDB churches.  Bob spoke about the success of starting this church with the key points of allowing God to put it together, having a building in which to meet (rather than a home), getting everything set up before the first service is held (children’s ministry, music worship team, etc.), promoting the church in the community through business cards, having a 6 pm service when lots of people can be there, and “bribing with food” referring to the frequent BBQ potlucks.

Riverside Seventh Day Baptist Church

 He also shared the hope of starting a new SDB church in Phoenix in early 2014.   One of our congregation recently moved there and is eager to get it started.  We are collecting contact information of those who might be interested.  If you have family and friends in the Phoenix area, please email me (ppetersen57@hotmail.com).  We’re praying about whether I should move there next to help that church get started.  Pastor Bob and the Pacific Coast pastors can help with pulpit supply for a time.  Please keep this in your prayers.

On Halloween we partnered with the local United Methodist Church to hand out candy to children from our car trunks, along with gospel tracts made for kids.  It was called “Trunk or Treat” and we gave out nearly 200 tracts.

We’ve been filling up the pews recently and were glad to receive permission from the city to knock down a few walls and enlarge the sanctuary (the building used to be a pet store), so that will happen in the next few weeks, giving us seating for up to 137.  When we applied for the permit a couple months ago, we needed $1,000 to pay the application fee.  Two different families in the church felt God leading them to donate the money, so we not only covered the fee but were ahead on the rent as well.  Praise God for His provision!

It’s been a blessing to see how God brings new people to the church.  Some see the sign when they drive by, and some respond to an invitation.  Many have not been comfortable in other churches but feel at home with us, especially when they hear Pastor Bob’s story of being a bar owner and motorcycle stunt driver before God got his attention.  Some have been delivered from demonic forces and addictions, and we support each other in prayer to continue to live in victory over darkness. 

 We take seriously the command of Jesus to “love one another as I have loved you.”  Recently a man came for worship and we learned he was living out of his truck and had serious health challenges.  After the service, a few people took up a quick collection and provided him with enough money for several nights in a hotel.  This past week a Christian brother who travels the country pulling a travel trailer spent several days helping us with odd jobs.  He goes where God leads, helping fellow Christians and sharing the gospel.

On the lighter side, I’m including a picture of my Monday class at the Senior Center, Beginning Line Dancing!  It’s a lot of fun and a good workout too.

I appreciate all your prayers – God is answering them!  I’m still raising more support, and working part-time selling XANGO nutritional supplements.  One way to support me financially is to become a customer.  The newest anti-aging drink, Ageless, is having outstanding results, including for me.  More energy, stronger muscles, improved circulation, and lots more.  www.MyMangosteen.com/Luke638.

I wish you all a very blessed Thanksgiving with family and friends.  Please reach out to those in need remembering that Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”