Newsletter, 3/5/21

***Join us online, we are streaming on YouTube starting at 10:30am.

The Longing of God

Most people, Christians especially, are familiar with Scripture’s exhortation that God’s people should long for God. For example, “As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God.” (Psalm 42:1, NRSV) Also, “O God, you are my God, I seek you, my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” (Psalm 63:1, NRSV) It is also fair, it seems, to assume that many people, many Christians especially, really do long for God. Authors have written entire books devoted to our desiring God – how we cultivate and maintain our longing for God.

We are to seek God, desire God. And many do. Yet, at the same time, I think many also flee from God even as they seek Him. Brennan Manning writes, “The seldomstated truth is that many of us have a longing for God and an aversion to God” (Furious Longing of God, 25). We want Him, on the one hand. On the other hand, we keep Him at arm’s length. Why? Because we are uncertain that our Father really wants us. How do we know God wants us – that He wants you and me? Consider these verses:

“My beloved is mine and I am his”
(Song of Solomon 2:16a, NRSV)
“I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine”
(Song of Solomon 6:3a, NRSV)
“I am my beloved’s, and his desire is for me.”
(Song of Solomon 7:10, NRSV)

Now, how do we read these verses? May I suggest that while it may not be the primary meaning of the text, digging beneath the surface we might hear here a prayer of the Lord’s Church. It is an affirmation, a prayer of confirmation, confirming for us what we wish so desperately I true: not only that God loves me, but that He likes me and desires to be with me. ~Nick Perez

Online Resources

Fairmont Park Church of Christ (Midland, TX)

App: (Apple & Android) Fairmont Park Church of Christ
*Children’s resources now available

The Christian Chronicle
The Christian Chronicle has compiled a list of Churches of
Christ nationwide offers live streaming services.
https://christianchronicle.org/churches-of-christ-offeringlivestream-worship/
“Let the Bible Speak” – YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/LetTheBibleSpeak

Contact Info for our Shut-Ins

Jewel Cherry, 2117 Bridgewood Way, Modesto, CA 95355
Charles Cook, Valley Comfort, 2809 Lou Ann Dr., Modesto, CA 95350
Tamara Cook, Neighborhood Manor, 1200 Woodrow Ave., S1 Modesto, CA 95350
Nadine Greff, Vintage Faire, 3620 Dale Rd, Rm. 25, Modesto, CA 95356
Betty McGoldrick, 13754 Jasper St., Lathrop, CA 95330
Russ Ortloff, 511 East D Street, Oakdale, CA 95361
Evelyn Wood, Bethel Assisted Living, 2345 Scenic Ave., Apt. 323, Modesto 95355

**Please submit additions, corrections & updates to the office.

Church Annual Meeting

This year’s Annual Meeting has been postponed. It will be online on Sunday, March 21st. More
information to come, as the details are still being worked out.

60th Wedding Anniversary

Larry & Carole Long will be celebrating their 60th Wedding Anniversary on March 10th. April & Amanda have asked us to shower them with cards. Cards may be sent to Amanda Shuman’s address:

322 S. Main Street
Sallisaw, OK 74955

Also, Amanda let us know that they have called in Hospice for Carole to help manage her increasing pain.

Mourning the loss of loved ones

Wayne Vanderford – father
Melissa Shook – coworker Karen’s father passed away

Recovering from Surgery

Tonya Barnard & Shannan

COVID-19

Michelle Ellis – mother-in-law Wanda
Lynn Albro – friend Anissa back in the hospital
Charles Cook

Battling Cancer

Lynn Albro – aunt Carmelita has stage 3 bladder cancer
Lyn Brocco – spot on lung has shrunk by 66%, continuing treatment
Brenda Smith – friend Judy has stage 4 cancer
Monte & Sharon Corley – daughter-in-law Mandy having surgery on March 8th
Cathy Dixon – sister-in-law Nancy
Jacqui Coulter – father, Gene Fisher has lung cancer
Patton Family – assistant high school basketball coach Leo Griggs
Mason – a teenager in Ripon
Sheila Walls
Grace Whited – 6-year-old at Murphys Church of Christ
Dee Rambo

Other Requests

Parkview residents displaced by fire – most have returned home
John Ford – neck surgery on March 8th
Melissa Shook – niece’s coworker’s 6 yr old son Carter’s tests show no signs of cancer Barbara Jean Delasaux (Parkview resident) – sister Nancy hospitalized Linda Russell – breathing problems Joshua Patton – playing pro basketball in Ukraine
Krista Gray – brother Stan Chism recovering from heart attack
Kari Laguna – leg improving; stimulator stopped working so headaches have returned
Julie Vergara – grandson Bryce
Eddie Vargas – Dora under Hospice care; Vicki’s sister-in-law is a front line worker & pregnant
Helen Potterf – Hospice care Leadership / Essential Workers / Unemployed