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A DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT by Pastor Phil
God loves YOU!
God doesn’t just love you in the sense that he loves everyone. God loves you personally and is intimately present in your unique, individual life.
The Bible is filled with expressions of God’s personalized love. “The Lord is my shepherd,” David proclaims. That is a picture of the personal connection a shepherd has with each of his sheep. John 10:3 tells us that Jesus, “calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.” Psalm 139:9-10 says, “If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”
God loves YOU, personally, intimately, fully, sacrificially. Know that at this very moment, no matter what is happening in your life, you are being embraced by God. You may be suffering, you may be struggling, you may be grieving, you may be anxious, you may be lonely, and you might not be able to understand why certain things are happening, but you can be sure of this, It's not because of a failure of God’s love for you. Right now, you are embraced by God’s love.
God loves you personally and intimately, and God has left no doubt about that.
You may not be experiencing any of the things I just mentioned. You are healthy(ish). You are happy. You feel connected to others. You feel richly blessed. You feel loved by God. That’s fantastic, those are blessings of God’s love, thank God for them. But remember, God’s love is the same for you when you are happy and when you are not.
My love for my wife and for my children is not a guarantee that they will always be happy and that things will always go right for them. My love means I will always be there for them. I will rejoice when they are rejoicing and I will share their pain when they are hurting, and I will always be there supporting them even at times when I am disappointed by them.
God’s love, which is far, far greater than mine, will bring joy and blessings, but in hard times it will also be there sharing the pain, supporting us, giving us the strength we can’t muster up for ourselves, never leaving us, always embracing us, even when we have not been loving in return.
God loves YOU! There is no question of it. He has proven it. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him will not perish. But have eternal life” (John 3:16). “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
God loves you personally, intimately and SACRIFICIALLY. God’s love is proven on the cross. God has entered our world of pain and took it upon himself.
God loves YOU! He has left no doubt about his love for you. Right now, you are embraced by God’s love. Let that truth soak in. Repeat to yourself “Jesus loves me this I know” until you start feeling embraced by that love. Let it lift your spirits. Let it bring light into your heart. Let it start to show on your face.
You are embraced by God’s love. Embrace it back!
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OUR MISSIONARIES OF THE MONTH
THE PACIFIC JUSTICE INSTITUTE
The Pacific Justice Institute (PJI) is a non-profit legal defense organization that protects Religious Freedoms, Parental Rights and Civil Liberties, always with no charge. Currently they are defending more churches on the grounds of religious freedoms than ever before in their 20+ year history. They have more than 50 active cases at present. Continuing to fulfill their mission, they have opened offices in several states outside of California.
During the COVID-19 pandemic they have provided valuable legal information to churches and church schools on navigating the uncertain restrictions placed on them. This information has been disseminated on frequent Zoom calls, where they regularly have more than 500 pastors and church leaders on the call. They have provided much-needed direction to PGCC over this past year.
PJI is currently developing new, free resources for those they serve. These include videos on the impact of social and political issues on the church, and for parents, on current curriculum in public schools. PJI President Brad Dacus says, “Everything we do is for/because of Christ and we take that into account with every decision we make.”
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WOMEN'S MINISTRIES UPDATE
The Women’s Virtual New Year’s Event a few weeks ago was a first for our church, replacing our traditional in-person, January mini-retreat since we are still in the midst of a worldwide pandemic. Although we have been doing Sunday services virtually since last spring, this event was a little different. Our goal was to meet the needs of our women by offering an uplifting connection and time for spiritual enrichment.
The online event began with an upbeat time of music by Jan Percy and Jean Oas that included hand motions! That was followed by a devotional thought on God’s confidence in each one of us shared by Lois Coady. The event ended with an interview of Tanya Flores who is with Sierra Pregnancy & Health, a local, faith-based non-profit that serves women who are facing an unwanted pregnancy or experiencing miscarriage.
If you would still like to donate to the ministry of Sierra Pregnancy & Health, please send your donations into the Church Office – 1730 Pleasant Grove Blvd, Roseville, CA 95747 – making checks payable to PGCC. Donations must be received no later than Thursday, February 4.
We received some wonderful responses from our ladies about the virtual event, a few of which follow:
“Thanks for a ‘job well done.’ It was inspiring and encouraging.”
“This was a very uplifting video. Jean and Jan are fun and it would be nice to see them together again. Your [Lois'] talk was very nice, I liked the way you gave your own personal examples and reactions to covid. Very nice and good for ladies of all ages. Good job ladies! Thank you and blessings to you all.”
“What an inspiring and fun time it was to spend with you today! Your message was wonderful, Lois. Jean and Jan, you got us singing and working some of our muscles doing the motions for those hymns. That brought back some sweet memories. I enjoyed your segment with Tanya. Sierra Pregnancy and Health is a vital service and ministry to our community. Thank you for your time and commitment in providing this event to the women at PGCC.”
WHAT'S COMING IN FEBRUARY
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THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS!
The Building & Grounds Committee wishes to express their appreciation to our church volunteers and the Teen Challenge men’s group from Lincoln for their help with the completion of two major projects this fall.
The Landscape Renewal Project has enhanced our church landscape with the removal of dead and overgrown plants and the addition of new, colorful, low maintenance plants, trees, and ground cover. Our crew planted 150 plants, spread 134 cubic yards of ground cover, and removed over 80 yards of dead plants and overgrowth. The cost of this project was provided by special donations.
The Irrigation System Upgrade Project converted over 480 sprinklers (excluding the grass areas) to a drip system. Over 6,200 feet of drip line was installed by our team. We also upgraded the sprinkler valve controller and installed a sensor unit to detect leaks and blockages. This upgrade was funded by the church, but rebated through the City of Roseville Water Conservation Program. The church will continue to benefit from an estimated annual reduction in our water bill of 30-40%.
With your giving and the effort and support of our incredible volunteers, this was a “great thing.”
Thank You Building & Grounds Committee and Volunteers!
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JOIN the
A CLOSER LOOK AT JESUS
BIBLE STUDY
Open to All
Offered ONLINE via ZOOM
Mondays, 1-2 pm
Led by Dr. Marilyn Bennett
If you have never been on ZOOM, We will help you get connected.
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This season will be ONLINE ONLY using Zoom.
Even though we can't be in person yet, we can still support each other and understand the journey others are on. Whether you lost someone in death six months ago or 15 years ago, you can find help within our grief group and, in fact, you may be the person someone else needs to hear from. I have been a Grief Share Facilitator for 11 years and still learn from others experiences.
Don't let Zoom keep you away!
We can help you learn how to use Zoom on your computer
Grief Share provides a caring environment to find you’re not alone as you learn to walk a “new normal” after the death of someone close to you. This course will help you find joy in life as you walk with God through this difficult time.
Tuesdays, 1-2 pm
starts February 16th
Workbook cost is $15.00
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1: Jerry Mehring
2: Irv Dahlin
Lois Lininger
Ruth Savage
3: Doris Miller
Gary McCullough
4: Agnes Ballintine
5: Terri Massie
6: Ann Cross
7: Marian Weber
9: Barbara Luken
11:Cherie Buller
Charlene Michael
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13: Shirley Hannah
15: Miguel Rodriguez
Jim Baker
18: Marci Olson
21: Yoshi Polgar
23: Wanda Haggerty
Joe Caples
24: Joann Kerfoot
25: Elaine Peterson
26: Ruth Lasher
28: Christine Fitzgerald
Cyndi Eaton
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3: Wilford & Doris Roe
8: Bryan & Jewell Deason
12: Arnie & Ruth Lasher
14: Bob & Donna Cleaves
17: Thomas & Diana Cavanaugh
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22: Bill & Rhonda Williams
23: Fred & Marian Barnett
26: Don & Sharon Andrews
27: Ken & Bonnie Reynolds
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GIVING SUMMARY - December 2020
GENERAL GIVING: $76,228
BUDGET: $67,500
YTD General Giving: $755,681
YTD Budget: $810,000
DEBT REDUCTION STATUS (as of January 10)
Current Loan Balance $330,414
20/20 CAMPAIGN STATUS (as of December 31)
Amount Given: $331,000
Amount Pledged: $386,368
Thank you for your faithful giving to PGCC. As you see, we are behind budget. Here is how you can help:
You can GIVE by:
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Mail addressed to the Church at 1730 Pleasant Grove Blvd, Roseville, CA 95747.
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Online through our website, www.pgcc.church or by clicking on the blue button below.
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CHURCH OFFICE IS CLOSED ON PRESIDENT'S DAY
February 15th
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If you are not automatically getting these emails... |
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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
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