The Good Newsletter

A Weekly Publication of the Santa Paula Church of Christ

276 West Santa Paula St., Santa Paula Ca. 93060

Office: 805-525-3645 Fax: 805-525-7195 Home: 805-229-7310

Minister: Robert Russell         Spanish Minister: Bob Perez

Web Page: www.santapaulachurchofchrist.com  E-Mail:  spcochrist@aol.com

Secretary: Patty Castillo Office Hours: Tuesday – Friday 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

 

 

IN PRAISE OF PUAH AND SHIPHRAH................................by Rubel Shelly

Fatalism holds that what will be, will be. Or, as immortalized in the signature song of actress-singer Doris Day, “Que Sera, Sera.”

It seems to be the actual or implied explanation of life for many people. There was nothing I could do. It is just my fate. I wish things could have been different. We have no choice. It is God’s will. Don’t fight it.

No matter how you verbalize it, this passive way of reading life and your place in it reflects more superstition than faith. It declares that something or somebody has put you in a set of circumstances where nothing you do will matter. It is a way of proposing that one conform, give in, and accept her fate.

But your choices, reactions, and willingness to push back against life do matter. They make all the difference for you and others.

Do you know the names Puah and Shiphrah? They definitely were not fatalists! In a situation others judged hopeless, they believed they had a moral duty to act on what they knew was right. When it would have been easy to say there was nothing they could do but follow orders, they believed their choice to do the right thing could make a difference. When they could have pleaded their insignificance in the grand scheme of things, they defied a king.

Shiphrah and Puah were midwives in Egypt over 3,000 years ago. At a time when it appeared the God of the Jews had forgotten them, they made a decision that allowed a male infant named Moses to live.  (Since Moses wrote Exodus it is possible he is including their names in the text to give tribute to the midwives who saved his life - RR)

Pharaoh was bothered by the growing population of Jews in his domain. So he enslaved the ethnic group that had been invited into Egypt back in the days of Joseph – Egypt’s deliverer in a time of famine. Pharaoh gave the order to the midwives attending Jewish women to allow female babies to live but to see to it that the males did not survive their birth (cf. Exodus 1:8-22).

Thus two women from the lowest social and economic strata of their time were thrust into the mainstream of biblical history. Although we are not certain of the name of the Pharaoh they defied, their names are right there on the page of your Bible. World leaders are bit players in the biblical way of thinking about and living through history. People such as Puah and Shiphrah are at the heart of the story of God’s activity to bless and save. The same is true in your world.

If you are discouraged to the point of being ready to give up, don’t. If you think your presence doesn’t matter or that nothing you can do will make a difference, you are mistaken. If Shiphrah and Puah had thought that way, Moses and Aaron would have been dead on arrival. They did what was right. God took it from there. They may not have lived to know the outcome.

Life is not hurtling down a predetermined path to a forgone conclusion. You matter to the way God sees and moves what we call history. Choose wisely.

Spanish Ministry

9:00 a.m. – Speaker: Virgilio Garcia

 

Theme:  Faith & Works – How do they work?

Scripture: James 2: 14-26

                

10:45 a.m. – Bible Study   

                 

NEWS YOU CAN USE

By Patty Castillo

FILLMORE LIFE GROUP

 

This Sunday evening the Fillmore Life Group will be meeting at the home of Rey Jr. and Soledad Jimenez in Fillmore for our Life Group. 

 

If you have any questions, please speak with Robert Russell. Thank you

 

SANTA PAULA LIFE GROUP

Santa Paula Life Group will be meeting next week, Sunday, August 8, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. in the home of Bob and Liz Jimenez.

 

NEWSLETTER FROM THE ALVARADO’S

 

Greetings, from the church family in Panama! We received a letter from Raul & Betty Alvarado, the newsletter has been posted in the foyer on the church bulletin board.

Hamburger / Hotdogs Fundraiser

 

Next week August 08, 2010, right after Sunday Worship Service we will be having a fundraiser to help raise funds for Jennifer Saldana in her participation of the Avon for Breast Cancer Walk in Santa Barbara.

 

Jennifer will be walking on Sept. 11-12, 2010 in memory of her mother, Gloria Zuniga. Everyone’s help is greatly appreciated. Donations are being accepted. 

Thank you

Youth Upcoming Events

 

Yosemite Bible Camp –

This week! August 1 – 7, 2010

 

Our teens/youth left Saturday morning to attend the Yosemite Bible Camp. Please keep our children in your prayers.

 

 

 

 

Youth Upcoming Events

 

Countywide Youth Devotional –

September TBA

 

Ventura Youth Forum-

October 1 – 3, 2010

PRAYER LIST

Please continue to pray for Servando & Yolanda Torres granddaughter, Jessica Torres (6 yrs old).

Gloria Ary would like to request prayers for her friend Lori Dennison.

   Donna Schroeder’s mother, Phyllis Morgan has cancer in the large intestine; please keep her in your prayers.

  Please pray for Matthew Grey (3 yrs old) undergoing extensive back testing; he is a grandson to Melba Jimenez friend.

   Please pray for Helen Gunderson and Jeff Hamm friends of Lupe Jimenez.

      Please continue to pray for Patsy Carroll and Ken Ary brother, Mark Buffalohead.

   Prayers needed for Ken Ary and Patsy Carroll brother-in-law Walter Socia.

   Ana Moreno is asking for prayers for her daughters Reyana & Juliana to keep their hearts & soul from every evil & that they soon return to mom.

      Janie Russell, Robert’s mom is slowly recovering from a fall in her yard several weeks ago. Please continue to keep her in your prayers.

      Louise Henderson is currently staying at the Fillmore Convalescent Home in room 20. She fell and broke her hip and is waiting to have surgery. Louise loves to have visitors. 

   Ray Ming’s niece, Roxie from San Diego has MS and her husband Hal is in poor health, please keep them in your prayers.

   Mike and Helen Lang are asking prayers for their friend Helen, her son has stage

4 cancer and has been given 3 years to live.

   Please continue to pray for Raul Moreno who is still recovering from surgery.

Please keep Yolanda Torres in your prayers she has not been feeling well.  

 

CHURCH BUSINESS MEETING

NEXT WEEK AT 4:00 P.M.  

 

Upcoming Events

Yosemite                  Aug. 1 – 7

Bible Camp

 

Church Business    Aug. 08

 

Countywide              Aug. 15

Singing in Simi Valley

 

 

Happy Birthday

August 2       Alin Garcia

August 4       Raul Rivera

August 5       Gene Foshee

August 9       Sarai Zizumbo

August 18     Raul Rivera Jr.

August 27     Isaac Jimenez

August 27     Jose Bravo

 

 

  

 

Vital Signs

 

7/25/2010

 

Bible Class -- 68

A.M. Worship— 133

P.M. classes--- 17

Wed. study ------ 50

 

 

SUNDAY MORNING:

 9 – 10 a.m. Spanish Worship                           9:20 – 9:45 a.m. Coffee & Donuts

9:45 – 10:30 a.m. Bible Classes                         10:45 – 11:45 a.m. Spanish Bible Class

10:45 – 11:45 a.m. English Worship      

Evening Bible Study: 6 – 7 p.m.

 

WEDNESDAY EVENING:   7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Bible & Fellowship (English / Spanish)