September/October 2006

Dear Folks,

     Well we made it through the summer (just about)!!  Did we have a good summer?  Did it go much too fast?  Did we accomplish all that we set out to do?  For me summer went way too fast and if I hear the old-timers right "we haven't seen anything yet".  It sure seems the older you get, the quicker it goes.  I am really excited about the way things are going at Rush Baptist Church.  Just to name some of those things and I'm sure that I will forget a few; new storm windows being replace, trees cut down, electrical systems upgraded, air conditioning installed, more insulation in the attic areas, etc..  These things are done because of your faithful tithing, your giving, and other sacrifices.  

     Thanks to all who mow and trim around the church and keep the grounds looking so well.  Thanks to all who keep the inside of the church looking so good.  There are many other things done around the church like playing instruments, selecting the hymns, doing the bulletins, newsletters, serving on committees and boards, preparing communion, leading services, and teaching Sunday School.  The work of the Lord in a local church doesn't hinge on the pastor, board, etc., but on everyone doing their part.  There is no "I" in "TEAM".  So lets continue (all of us) to work together to see great things happen around Rush Baptist Church.  

     The new school year is now in.  It's pretty much the law that your children have to go to school.  In school the kids learn math, geography, history, spelling, etc...... for those of you with children please make Sunday School a priority.  This is where they learn of Jesus, salvation, Christian living, and many other important things from the greatest text book of all....... The Holy Bible.  Let's get into it and do our best to see our Sunday School and Church attendance grow!!!

Everyone, join in saying,

"If it's to Be, It's up to ME."  

Just want you to know this in closing,  ----"you are loved."

      Sincerely in Jesus,

         Pastor C.

July/August 2006

Dear Folks at Rush,

Greeting to you in the most precious of names, Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!  It is absolutely the most wonderful experience in the whole world to know Jesus Christ.  Stop for a moment and just think of how much He cares for us. He came into this world for us.  He lived a spotless, sinless, impeachable life and then He died for us.  He rose again for us,  He is preparing a place for us,  He intercedes for us and He is someday coming back for us.  If that doesn't get you excited then it's time to check your pulse to see if you are still alive.  

There are so many things that could be written and have been written about Jesus.  In this article for July and August I would like to bring out the truth that Jesus cares and give you an illustration from one of the lines in the hymnal.  Charles Weigle's song, No One Ever Cared for Me Like Jesus, was the product of one of the darkest periods of his life.  Weigle spent most of his life as an intermittent evangelist and gospel song writer.  One day after returning home from an evangelistic crusade, he found a not left by his wife of many years.  The note said she had enough of an evangelist life, she was leaving him.  

Weigle later said that there were even times when he contemplated suicide.  There was a terrible despair that no one really cared for him anymore.  Gradually his spiritual faith was restored, and he once again became active in the Christian ministry.  Soon he felt compelled to write a song that would be a summary of his past tragic experience.  From a heart that had been broken came the choice words that GOD gave to Charles Weigle in the hymn,  No One Ever Cared for Me Like Jesus.  Please read them in our Hymnal, Hymn 362.   

It is a most blessed thing to belong to this One who cares.   

Just a word in closing this article,  Have a wonderful summer and vacation season.  But don't take off the summer from Rush Baptist Church.

      Love you all in Jesus,

         Pastor C.