Petaluma Christian Church

Happy Thanksgiving!

Some people may wonder what we have to be thankful for when we’re in a time of recession. Here are just a few of the things I’m thankful for:

• That turkeys have some meat besides livers and gizzards.
• That there aren’t twice as many congressmen and half as many doctors.
• That teenagers will ultimately have children who will become teenagers.
• That the space available for messages on T-shirts and bumper stickers is limited.
• That God loves me whether I feel like it or not.
• That I have a family that loves me too.
• That women whose husbands take them for granted don’t all scream at once.
• That everybody DOESN’T tell me every Sunday what they think of my sermon.
• That TV’s, i-pods and car stereos can be turned off.
• That no one can turn off the sun, moon and stars.
• That I live in the land of the free and the home of the brave.
• That I’m not a turkey (O.K., I know that one’s debatable).

There are more things to be thankful for than we may think!

Habakkuk 3:17-18 says, “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce poor food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God, my Savior.”

Rejoicing with you in the mercy of our Father,

Pastor Bill Linton

Tags: bumper stickers, car stereos, fig tree, gizzards, happy thanksgiving, livers, moon and stars, olive crop, poor food, sun moon
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I’ve now been trained and have served my first week as Primary chaplain for the Petaluma Police and Fire Departments. I had a call-out that week and mentioned it to several folks who had questions about what the chaplaincy is all about. So, I thought I would take the opportunity to an-swer in the newsletter:

1) What happens if the pager goes off during a worship service?

No problem. If it goes off on my next turn as primary, I’ll take the next opportunity in the service to phone the police department and ask them to page the secondary (there are several pastors who don’t have services on Sunday morning who are available). Or, if it’s close to the end, I’ll let them know I’m coming in 10 or 15 minutes.

2) What exactly do Peta luma Police Chaplains do?

We serve the Police and Fire Departments and the hospital by helping them during times of crisis.

This includes going to the hospital emergency room when a patient has died or is dying and the family needs care (probably the most common occurrence).

We may also be called to a home or to the scene of an accident to help family or other bystanders who have been emotionally impacted from the event. This could be a car crash, a suicide or even a major disaster. We stay at the scene until the Coroner arrives so that the police or fire personnel are freed up to do their jobs. We also do death notifications.

Probably, most of you don’t know about the Chaplaincy because you’ve never needed it services, and that’s a good thing!

3) How much do Chaplains get paid?

In this case, nothing. It’s a volunteer service that about 10 pastors perform for the city. We are official representatives of the City of Petaluma and are trained in our duties, but like God’s grace — it’s all free!

Rejoicing with you in the opportunities to serve God in our city,

Pastor Bill Linton

Tags: car crash, chaplaincy, city of petaluma, death notifications, hospital emergency room, major disaster, petaluma police, police chaplains, swer, volunteer service
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Petaluma Christian Church is pleased to announce the creation of a new small life group entitled the “Kayaker Small Life Group” hosted by Caine Hörr.

You don’t need to be a seasoned kayaking veteran to join our group.

Kayak Owners
All you need is a kayak, a life vest and one free Saturday afternoon per month!
In the words of Elder David Raffi, “It’s just that easy!”

Non-Kayak Owners
Some members of our group have tandem (two-seater) kayaks and extra life vests and therefor we have limited space for those of you who do not own your own kayak or cannot afford to rent one. If you are interested in fellowshipping with us, please let us know and we’ll put you on the “guest” rotation. Please be aware, space is limited and is not guarantied.

Description
The Kayaker Small Life Group meets the first Saturday of the month at 10:00 AM at the Petaluma Marina Boat Launch at 781 Baywood Drive, Petaluma, CA 94954. We launch free of charge from the marina and then paddle down the Petaluma River and land on a small sand bar near Petaluma Boulevard South where we have prayer, a sack lunch and fellowship. We then paddle back up the river to the Marina where we pack up and call it a day.

What You Need To Bring
You will need to bring your kayak, your life vest (mandatory), a sack lunch, and a sense of fun and adventure. Members under 18 must bring a signed parental consent form.

Our Maiden Voyage
Our first time on the water as a group will be Saturday, October 3rd, 2009. We already have about 5-6 people signed up. We hope you can come join us on the water!

If you are interested in joining the Kayaker Small Life Group, contact the church office for more information.

Tags: baywood drive, life vest, life vests, marina boat launch, parental consent form, petaluma boulevard, petaluma ca, petaluma christian church, petaluma marina, petaluma river
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Vacations are now over, the kids are back in school and it’s time to buckle down and get back to work before we’re hit with the craziness of the holiday season.

But what kind of work is needed to build a strong church? Not sensationalism! Not gimmicks! Nor more committees, nor mere programs, nor a “fun and games” emphasis! Those things may be right for civic clubs, social clubs, and country clubs, but not for the Lord’s church!

So what does it take to build a strong church?

1. STRONG BIBLE PREACHING AND TEACHING!
God’s word, when disseminated plainly, forcefully, uncompromisingly, and yet gently, will build up! Paul said, “I commend you unto God, and to the WORD of his grace, which is also able to building you up” (Acts 20:32).

2. EXEMPLARY LEADERSHIP!
We need leaders who are “examples to the flock” and who are careful in tending it (1 Peter 5:2-3). To grow, the church must have quality leadership people who know how to lead and will do so! (Let’s thank God for our leaders!)

3. HOLY LIVING ON THE PART OF EVERY MEMBER!
Unimpeachable conduct clearly evidenced in the lives of Christians will illuminate the way for many in the realm of darkness. Read Matthew 5:16 and Philippians 2:15.

4. CONGREGATIONAL WARMTH AND LOVE!
The fellowship of the Lord’s church should be so sweet and precious that the whole community takes notice and observes, “See how they love each other!” Without this, a congregation will never be what God would have it be! Read John 13:35.

5. COMPASSIONATE HEARTS!
The church of Christ needs to be known as the most tenderhearted bunch of people in all the world…ready and willing to help all, and especially those of the household of faith (Galatians 6:9-10).

6. EVANGELISTIC FERVOR!
The emphasis of the early church was soul winning! The church will grow when we “teach and preach Jesus as the Christ” every day as we have opportunity! Read Acts 5:2.

7. AN “I WANT TO SERVE” ATTITUDE PERMEATING THE CONGREGATION!
People serving the Lord because they love Him, and the find joy in serving, not out of a spirit of drudgery. Read Ephesians 6:6.

8. AN ATMOSPHERE OF HAPPINESS, FRIENDLINESS, CORDIALITY, AND HOSPITALITY!
No stranger should ever come into the midst of the Lord’s church without being graciously welcomed by a happy, friendly membership! We must reach out to others, and not just “visit” with friends only.

In short, it takes just one thing to grow a strong church. People who love Jesus above all else.  Let’s strive to be those people!

Loving you in the Lord,

Pastor Bill Linton

Tags: civic clubs, compassionate hearts, exemplary leadership, galatians 6, household of faith, quality leadership, realm of darkness, sensationalism, social clubs, strong church
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City Ministries of Petaluma – Community Prayer at Petaluma Valley Baptist

Why:
A community prayer meeting to pray for the community and the city of Petaluma.

When:
Sunday, November 1st, 2009 from 6:00 AM – 7:30 PM

Who:

• Adobe Christian Church
• Calvary Chapel Petaluma
• Hillside Church
• Living Faith Church
• New Life Christian Fellowship
• Open Door Christian Church
• Penngrove Community Church
• Petaluma Christian Church
• Petaluma Community Church
• Petaluma First Presbyterian
• Petaluma Valley Baptist
• River of Joy Fellowship
• St. John’s Anglican Church
• The Salvation Army

What:
City Ministries of Petaluma is an informal group of Petaluma area churches who pray and work together to reach the city of Petaluma with the love of Jesus Christ.

Additional Info:
http://www.cityministriespetaluma.org

Tags: church calvary chapel, city of petaluma, hillside church, life christian fellowship, living faith church, new life christian fellowship, penngrove community church, petaluma area, petaluma christian church, petaluma community
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