Highway Tabernacle's E-Bulletin: E-Bulletin 1/19/15

HIGHWAY TABERNACLE ~ RESURRECTION LIFE

Monday, January 19, 2015

“Following Jesus and Loving People”

I had an interesting conversation with a student today. He is preparing for ministry and told me he has felt closer to God before coming to school than during his time at the school. He was hoping that classes, chapel, and a Christian atmosphere would, by themselves, draw him nearer to God. What I shared with him is what God taught me about devotion and “staying power”. A long time ago, as a student in a Bible school, I discovered I could not rely on classes or even chapel services to draw me near to God. They certainly helped, but the most important part of my spiritual formation was (and continues to be) my time with Jesus in the Word and in prayer. The same is true of church and church-related ministries. As a servant-leader in the church, it is my prayer and desire that church services and programs are great blessings in your life. However, they can only go so far. Times of worship and getting together can never replace being with Jesus in private devotion. If you depend on church or anything else as the main thing to inspire you and keep you close to God, you will be disappointed. God uses different ministries to keep the fire in your heart bright, but you are personally responsible for “fanning the flame”. The Psalmist expressed secret life of devotion with God in Psalm 5:3, “In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation”. Do you meet with God in the morning? Do you share loving fellowship by speaking with him, and allowing him to speak to you through the Word and his Spirit? If 2015 is going to be a great year for you, schedule your priorities. Put God first by the combination of devotion, discipline, and dependency. He is worth it!

Pastor Mark Boucher

TUESDAY, 6:00PM, Deacons’ meeting @ Highway Tabernacle.

WEDNESDAY, 7:00 PM, LOVE IN ACTION OUTREACH will take place at Café Cret on Franklin Parkway. God is giving us answers to prayer and fruitfulness. The power is God’s, the step is ours.

THURSDAY, 7:00-8:15PM, FAMILY JAM NIGHT. Please call the school office 215-563-9192 by Tuesday if you want to share your talents.

FRIDAY, 7:00-8:30PM, FAMILY JAM NIGHT. Please call the school office 215-226-1000 by Wednesday if you want to share your talents.

NEXT SUNDAY, 12:30PM, Highway Tabernacle's Annual business/vision casting meeting will be held. After the morning service (with a special message God already put on my heart), we will join together with the family of Resurrection Life Church for lunch in the fellowship hall. All are welcome!

After the lunch, we will begin our annual meeting back in the sanctuary.

YOUTH FINE ARTS

Youth, grades 6^th-12^th, should sign up now to participate in the Teen Fine Arts completion. There are many ways to participate (vocals, instrumental, dance, human video, writing, video, visual arts, drama, and more). Call 215-226-1000 or email ffulks@springgardenacademy.org to participate. Registration paperwork is due soon.

Spring Garden Academy celebrates

SCHOOL CHOICE WEEK

This is the time of year that we let families in our community know about affordable and accessible private Christian school options, particularly at Spring Garden Academy. We take time to walk families through actual SCHOLARSHIP applications (which are due soon!). Feel free to invite friends and families to ONE of these events.

PARENT BREAKFAST, 8-9 am, Tuesday, January 27, 18^th and Spring Garden RSVP 215-563-9192 or adelacruz@springgardenacademy.org

PARENT BREAKFAST, 8-9 am, Wednesday, January 28, 17^th and Tioga (Elementary School location) followed by an all-day OPEN HOUSE. TOUR the building, MEET the teachers, TALK to other parents. RSVP 215-226-1000 or nboucher@springgardenacademy.org.

PARENT MEETING, 6-7 pm, Thursday, January 29, 18^th and Spring Garden RSVP 215-563-9192 or adelacruz@springgardenacademy.org

OPEN HOUSE (all day), Friday, January 30^th, 17^th and Tioga (Elementary School location) -- TOUR the building, MEET the teachers, TALK to other parents-- followed by PARENT DINNER (6-7 pm during Family Night). RSVP 215-226-1000 or nboucher@springgardenacademy.org.

APARTMENT NEEDED:

Although Next Generation Ministries (NGM) submitted an offer to the Russian Brotherhood Organization (RBO), RBO has decided to sell their building to another buyer. They have not yet settled but have asked us to vacate the Carriage House apartments by March 1^st when our lease ends. While this is discouraging news on the surface, the NGM board and leadership team believe that we should continue to pray that God will open the door to the RBO building or another property for NGM’s expansion and growth. We are committed to the vision God has given us and the new ministries (young adult residential program, family counseling services, urban Bible school training, and more) he has put on our hearts. A building is just the tool to help us better prepare our children and youth to be godly leaders in their homes, our church, our city, and the mission field of this world. God will provide what we need at just the right time if we remain in Him and have confidence in his plan. We know we cannot do this in our own power or timing. The dreams he has given us are so big that only He can make them happen! So please keep praying with expecation us about RBO and other opportunities.

But this news has practical implications too as we have rented the Carriage House from RBO for over 13 years. If you know of a good apartment or sublet opportunity for Becky Robbins, please contact her directly at brobbins@springgardenacademy.org or 215-563-9192. Please pray that the Lord provides for her need at this time. Becky is a vital member of the NGM team and our churches.

We will also be working to clear out the Carriage House garage during the month of February. If you can help, please let Bob Monreal (bmonreal@springgardenacademy.org) or Amy dela Cruz (adelacruz@springgardenacademy.org) know your availability. You may also call the school office at 215-226-1000 or 215-563-9192.