Pleasant Grove Community Church

May 6, 2020
TO BRIGHTEN YOUR DAY
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT by Marilyn Bennett

What should we ask God?

In Luke, Jesus teaches his disciples about prayer. He begins by giving them what we know as the Lord’s Prayer and then shares a story we can relate to, a story about a friend who refuses to help. Jesus says that even if your friend does not answer your request because of your friendship, he will answer because of your persistence.

Then Luke inserts, “So I say to you: 'Ask and it will be given to you; Seek and you will find; Knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.'" Luke 11:9-10

Jesus then tells another story about a son and his father. If the son were to ask his father for a fish (a good gift) his father would not give him a snake (a harmful gift). "If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Luke 11:13

It is often difficult for people to ask for help. We don’t want to be seen as needy. However, being able to ask is necessary if we are going to develop a deeper relationship with God and with each other. Why? When we ask:
  • we develop humility
  • we are owning our needs
  • we are taking the initiative
  • we are developing a grateful character
And when we are persistent in our asking, the odds increase that our request will be answered.

Sometimes we get confused about how to pray, but when we look closely at what Jesus said, what Jesus meant, and who Jesus is, we get a clearer picture of the necessity to ask.

In this time of fear and confusion over the virus, what should we be asking God? Jesus said, “ How much more will the Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask?”

Maybe we should start there, asking God to continue filling us with the Holy Spirit. The Spirit brings:
  • God’s peace and joy into our lives,
  • God’s strength and courage,
  • God’s wisdom and guidance, and most of all,
  • the Spirit fills us with God’s transforming love.

When we are filled with these things, we become better people and a transforming influence on those around us.

In these times, we need a lot of Spirit. So, let’s pray for that!
TOMORROW IS THE NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER

There will be a California Day of Prayer Meeting that you can watch
6:30– 8:00 pm Pacific Time tomorrow
You can join by CLICKING HERE   at that time.
SHARE YOUR ART
Painting by Rodger Page


Do you have original art that you created and would like to share? It can be paintings, drawings, crafts, sewing, photography, sock puppets...If so, send a picture of the piece to us at 1730pgccoffice@gmail.com .
WE CAN STILL BE GOD'S PRESENCE IN THE WORLD
Here are 4 Ways You Can Share God's Love with the Community!

1. Neighborhood Outreach Called "NEED PRAYER?"
We are going to launch a way for people in the community to contact us and ask for prayer. We need people willing to pray   when a prayer request is received .

PLEASE CONTACT US IF INTERESTED   and we will give you the details.
We will launch this in a few days.
2. Send a Thank You Note to Our Local Grocery Store Workers!
The people who are making sure we have food available are also taking risks to do so. Let's show them God's love by expressing our gratitude.

There are 103 employees at the Raley's on Pleasant Grove and Woodcreek Oaks. We have all of their first names. Would you be willing to write a thank you note to a few of them? If enough of us do so, all 103 will be showered with appreciation, which they probably seldom receive, especially in writing.

Here's how:
  1. Contact the office at 1730pgccoffice@gmail.com
  2. Let us know how many cards you want to write (you provide the card or stationary)
  3. We will email you a list of names to write to and give you instructions on how to send the cards or notes.

Our hope is that all of you will participate! THANK YOU to those who already have sent cards!

3. Donate to the Food Bank
The need there is unprecedented right now. We will collect food items all week long. Just drop off your nonperishable items in the grey container next to the doors on the west side of the church where the drive-thru portico is. Someone will pick up your donation each evening. Get your neighbors involved! Ask them to make donations as well and then offer to pick their donations up and bring them to the church.

4. Send a Thank You to Our Fire Fighters and Police Officers

Roseville Fire Department
Attention Station #5
316 Vernon St. Suite 480
Roseville, CA 95678

Send a separate card to Station #9 to the same address but change the "Attention" line to "#9."

Roseville Police Department
1051 Junction Blvd.
Roseville, CA 95678
WE ARE HERE FOR YOU
Do you need help? Someone to talk to? Running out of food or supplies? Please reach out and contact us. We are trying to make sure everyone in our congregation gets a call, just to check in, from someone else in our congregation, but it's a long list and sometimes we have the wrong information. You don't need to wait for a call, you can contact us. We are here for you.

SHOPPING ASSISTANCE
If you are at high-risk and/or not able to do your own grocery shopping, please request assistance through the PGCC Shopping Assistance Program. If you need assistance, please call the church office at 916-771-4447 and someone will contact you to make arrangements.

STAY IN TOUCH
Call us at 916-771-4447 (If no one answers, please leave a message.)
Email us at  1730pgccoffice@gmail.com
Prayer Requests to  prayerandpraisetree@gmail.com
Write us at 1730 Pleasant Grove Blvd, Roseville, CA 95747


Blessings, PGCC staff


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Pleasant Grove Community Church
1730 Pleasant Grove Blvd., Roseville, CA 95747
(916) 771-4447 www.pgcc.church
Email: 1730pgccoffice@gmail.com