We are so thankful for the many blessings that the Lord has
brought into our lives, and one of those things that we are
very grateful for is… YOU!

We are so thankful for our church family, and how God has
brought each of us together.

We pray that today would be a wonderful day of celebration for
you & your family, as you are filled with thanksgiving for all He
has done.

This beautiful hymn rings in our hearts today, and speaks of
how we feel on this wonderful morning…

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

And… don’t you just love how Lamentations 3:22-25 reminds
us that – His faithful love never ends, His mercies never cease,
great is His faithfulness, His mercies are new every morning,
the Lord is my inheritance & I will hope in Him!

God is so good to us!

May God continue to bless you richly,

Pastors Dan & Pearl Sanborn

ps. Hope to see you Sat. @9am to get the church dressed
for Christmas!

Here are some exciting updates for the next few weeks.

–> No Life Study or Life Campus service tomorrow
Because Gen-Con is starting on Thursday (Wed. in Albany for the worship team), we will not be having our midweek services.

We are very excited about setting aside a few days to immerse ourselves in God’s presence together! Pastor & Sister Nickles & their church will also be coming to the event.

We ask that you keep this week covered in prayer.

We are asking God for:
- Safe travels
- Salvation
- Changed lives

Our worship team has also been asked to lead worship for 3 different services during the event. Please pray that we can be used to help usher in the presence of God.

Everyone staying at the hotel will be meeting there at 5:30pm on Thur.

Pick up is at the church between 10pm & 11pm on Sat. evening. We will have people call their parents before we leave Utica.

** There are 4 tickets available if you would like to go. They are $48 each, and are available for the first 4 people who can purchase them. (however, there is no more room available in our pre-ordered room block at the hotel)

–> Annual Thanksgiving Dinner Thur Nov. 18th – Arrival time 5:30pm
Take a few minutes to think about what you can bring, and how you can help serve!

With everyone bringing something to the table, everyone is sure to be blessed with a wonderful meal! Larger main dishes & desserts are both needed. There is a sign up sheet on the back table in the lobby.

* Don’t forget to invite your friends & family to this special time of fellowship!

–> Undercover Series Starts Sunday the 21st
Each class will be Sunday @ 9am
If you’d like to purchase a workbook, you can sign up in the back of church.

We love you all very much & pray that you’re having a wonderful day!

Remember… God wants to use you for greatness!

Pastors Dan & Pearl Sanborn

Churches in Rome, NY

Whether we notice or not, whether we stop to take account or not… We ARE in a battle!

–> Closing our eyes & imagining it away – doesn’t make it go away

–> Pretending that all is well in the neighborhood – doesn’t make it go away

–> Being as nice as you can to everyone, trying to not make anyone upset with you – doesn’t make it go away!

 
Why?

 Because we have an enemy who hates “GOD IN US!”

 1Peter 5:8b
…for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour.

 Yes we are in a battle, but our God has already won the war!
 –> We don’t just sit back & coast through life on a free ticket to heaven & expect to never have to deal with our enemy… so… we want to make sure that we are equipped to do so!

BUT God has given us the understanding about how to walk in victory!

2 Peter 1:3-11 
2Pe 1:3  By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know Him, the One who called us to Himself by means of His marvelous glory and excellence.
2Pe 1:4  And because of His glory and excellence, He has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share His divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.
2Pe 1:5  In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge,
2Pe 1:6  and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness,
2Pe 1:7  and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.
2Pe 1:8  The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2Pe 1:9  But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.
2Pe 1:10  So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away.
2Pe 1:11  Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

Some IMPORTANT Instructions For Us!

1 Peter 5:7-10 
NLT
1Pe 5:7  Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.
1Pe 5:8  Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
1Pe 5:9  Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are.
1Pe 5:10  In His kindness God called you to share in His eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, He will restore, support, and strengthen you, and He will place you on a firm foundation.

AMP
1Pe 5:7  Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. [Ps. 55:22.]
1Pe 5:8  Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour.
1Pe 5:9  Withstand him; be firm in faith [against his onset--rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined], knowing that the same (identical) sufferings are appointed to your brotherhood (the whole body of Christians) throughout the world.
1Pe 5:10  And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace [Who imparts all blessing and favor], Who has called you to His [own] eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to be, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen, and settle you.

1. The first thing he tells us to do is –> to Cast or Give some things ON HIM!

EXAMPLE:   to cast upon God our cares, anxieties, worries, and concerns.

Anxieties 

Php 4:8  And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Php 4:6  Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.
Php 4:7  Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Cares & Concerns 

Jesus said…
Mat 6:31  “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’
Mat 6:32  These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.
Mat 6:33  Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.
Mat 6:34  “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
Why does God tells us to cast these things on Him?
–> The word “cares” here is to mean – “distractions”
1. They are to heavy for us to carry, weigh us down & can cause destruction
2. They are distractions to keep our eyes off of God’s plans & purposes for our lives!
3. We can’t “fix” these things in our own strength, but God can handle them!

2. Second Thing He Tells Us to –> Stay alert!
1Pe 5:8  Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion – in fierce hunger – seeking someone to seize upon & devour.
(from both the NLT & AMP)

Why does he tells this?

Because we need to BE ALERT & not allow the enemy to walk into our lives & bring his destruction with him!

Lions attack sick, young, or straggling animals; they choose victims who are alone or not alert. Peter warns us to watch out for Satan when we are suffering or being persecuted. If you are feeling alone, weak, helpless, and cut off from other believers, or if you are so focused on your troubles that you forget to watch for danger, those are the times when you are especially vulnerable to Satan’s attacks!

During times of suffering, seek other Christians for support.

Jas 4:7  Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Resist means – stand against or oppose!

This is not some little wimpy … hands over ears not listening to you…

We are taking action – standing against or opposing the enemy!

How Do We Do This?

KJV
2Co 10:3  For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
2Co 10:4  (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
2Co 10:5  Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Weapons means - Armor

Mighty means - Powerful & Capable

Eph 6:10-18
Eph 6:10  In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides].
Eph 6:11  Put on God’s whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil.
Eph 6:12  For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.
Eph 6:13  Therefore put on God’s complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place].
Eph 6:14  Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God,
Eph 6:15  And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace. [Isa. 52:7.]
Eph 6:16  Lift up over all the [covering] shield of saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one].
Eph 6:17  And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit wields, which is the Word of God.
Eph 6:18  Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God’s consecrated people).
–> Do you notice how there is no weapon/armor for our backs?

Why? 

1. We are to be fighting together – guarding one another

2. God will be our rearguard!
Many places God talks about guarding from behind!

One example:

Isa 52:12  You will not leave in a hurry, running for your lives. For the LORD will go ahead of you; yes, the God of Israel will protect you from behind.

No Weapon! 

Isa 54:17  No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.

PRAY

Mat 7:7  “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.
Mat 7:8  For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. 

Jas 5:16  Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

FAST 

Is 58:1-12 

Isa 58:1  “Shout with the voice of a trumpet blast. Shout aloud! Don’t be timid. Tell my people Israel of their sins!
Isa 58:2  Yet they act so pious! They come to the Temple every day and seem delighted to learn all about Me. They act like a righteous nation that would never abandon the laws of its God. They ask Me to take action on their behalf, pretending they want to be near Me.
Isa 58:3  ‘We have fasted before You!’ they say. ‘Why aren’t You impressed? We have been very hard on ourselves, and You don’t even notice it!’ “I will tell you why!” I respond. “It’s because you are fasting to please yourselves. Even while you fast, you keep oppressing your workers.
Isa 58:4  What good is fasting when you keep on fighting and quarreling? This kind of fasting will never get you anywhere with Me.
Isa 58:5  You humble yourselves by going through the motions of penance, bowing your heads like reeds bending in the wind. You dress in burlap and cover yourselves with ashes. Is this what you call fasting? Do you really think this will please the LORD?
Isa 58:6  “No, this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people.
Isa 58:7  Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.
Isa 58:8  “Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the LORD will protect you from behind.
Isa 58:9  Then when you call, the LORD will answer. ‘Yes, I am here,’ He will quickly reply. “Remove the heavy yoke of oppression. Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors!
Isa 58:10  Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.
Isa 58:11  The LORD will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.
Isa 58:12  Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities. Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls and a restorer of homes.

God doesn’t want us to just go through the motions of “religion“, but He wants us to be in right standing with Him – to have our lives in order!
Jesus said…

Mat 6:16  Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
Mat 6:17  But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
Mat 6:18  That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

We are not fasting so we can “be on display” before men – but so we can humble ourselves before a mighty God!

1Pe 5:6  So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time He will lift you up in honor.

We often worry about our position and status, hoping to get proper recognition for what we do. But here, Peter tells us to remember that God’s recognition counts more than human praise. God is able and willing to bless us according to his timing.

Humbly obey God regardless of present circumstances, and in his good time, he will honor you.

What a wonderful service we had yesterday! We are so thankful that God is expanding our vision, and allowing us to see our lives, this area, and what He wants to do through the church, through His eyes!

Here are the updates for this week.

Arrangements For Judy Bergstrom’s brother Paul

Goodard-Crandall-Shepardson Funeral Home
3111 James Street,
Syracuse, NY 13206
Phone: 463-4320

Calling Hours – Wednesday 4pm to 7pm
Funeral Service – Thursday 11am at Shepardson Funeral Home

Directions:
NYS Thruway to Exit 35
Around the traffic circle (Carrier Circle) to Thompson Road (I think it
is the 3rd right off the circle)
Thompson Road to James Street and turn right at the traffic light
The funeral home is just passed Blessed Sacrament Church on the right
side of James Street (same side as the church)

* Continue to keep the family in prayer.

Special Services!
Thursday Night 7pm refreshments following Friday Morning (Good Friday) 10am refreshments following

We are all really looking forward to these upcoming services, and know that God is going to move in a special way!

Please plan to come – bring a guest – and get there early to find a seat!

We would like to have refreshments after the services, especially since there will be many from out of town. If you would like to help in any way please let us know.

We wanted to make things as simple as possible, yet be a blessing to all of our guests.

Food Information

Thursday:

Because our out of town guests will be arriving a few hours before the service (and will be hungry), we want to feed them dinner “before” the service at 5pm.

Then, after the service, in addition to cake & punch, we will be having nachos as well.

Menu: Thur 5pm for our out of town guests
spaghetti & meatballs, salad, bread, brownies

Needs:
8lbs – prepared of spaghetti
2 – Large bowls of green salad
2 – Crock pots of meatballs & sauce
8 – Loaves of Italian bread
4 – Pans of brownies

After service: dessert, nachos, and punch Sister Debbie said she has dessert already taken care of.

Needs:
10 – Bags Tortilla chips
2 – Larger jars of jalapenos

Friday Lunch for everyone:

Menu
chicken, mac & cheese, potato salad, green salad, cookies

Needs:
Chicken – Taken Care of
Mac & Cheese – 2 large pans/crock pots
Potato Salad – 2 large bowls
Green Salad – 1 large bowl
Dressing – 2 large Italian
Cookies – Variety

Sister Debbie is coordinating everything for the meals, so if you can participate, please call her to let her know at: 339-6826

Thank you for everything you do! We really appreciate it!

If you are able to bring food, set up, serve, or clean up, we would really appreciate anything you could do (just send back an email to let us know).

Special Easter Service – Sunday Morning 10am
Don’t forget to invite & bring your friends and family to our Special Easter Service! We are believing God to touch the lives of many!

Our Theme is: Once Dead – Now Alive!

This is one of the 2 days during the year, when many people will say yes to an invitation to a church service. So, invite as many as you can to be your guest, then pray that God will touch their hearts while they are there!

Exciting times!

Pastors Dan & Pearl Sanborn

Life Church – Churches in Oneida County

We are excited about the continued growth at Life Campus!

Although the services are more “youthfully focused”, they are enjoyed by people of all ages.

We enjoy exciting worship, life changing messages, and authentic community.

After the message and a time of prayer, we then break into different Life Groups,
where we encourage one another and grow together.

Life Groups are offered for all ages from pre-school to adults.

We encourage you to come out & participate in what God is doing!

Brittany Westcott

We have just learned that Brittany will be coming home today! Not only that, but the doctors feel like she will be able to go back to school within a few weeks, instead of the 6-8 weeks that they initially thought!

We saw her last night, and she is doing well. She is very excited to go home, and she is looking forward to getting back to the things she loves.

We are very thankful for God’s hand upon her!

Celebrating Sister Debbie’s Birthday!
Tomorrow night @ Life Campus 7pm, we will also be celebrating Sister Debbie’s birthday with pizza & cake. We would love for everyone to be there who can, to help us celebrate!

Built to Last – Marriage Enhancement Series
Thurs 7pm

Ladies Breakfast This Saturday March 27th!
9am @ the Vienna Hotel
Come out & enjoy the food and fellowship!

Outdoor Cleanup This Saturday 8am
Lets take a few hours & get the outside ready for our Special Services, our Special Easter Service, and the new season! We want God’s house to look great, and this is a way that everyone can help! We appreciate you for helping!

April 1st & 2nd – Special Services!!!
We are having a special Thur evening & Fri morning service, with refreshments following. Other churches are coming to join us for these special services … including Pastors Jonnie & Barbara Nickles, and many people from their church!

We are very excited about this event & ask that you mark your calendars and plan to come if at all possible! We are looking forward to a great time in the Lord!

If you would like to partner with us in this event, we would be more than happy to have you! Food, set up, clean up, and serving will all be areas of need. Please see Sister Debbie if you would like for us to add your name to the partner list.

Service times will be:
Thursday 7pm
Friday 10am

We’re in a New Season!
We are getting ready to start the updates to our building! We want to begin right after Easter, so we can keep everything presentable for both the special services, as well as, our special Easter service.

We have been in much prayer about which “step” to take next, and due to the prayers of the body, and the timing of the Lord… we feel that we have the next step in plain view!

For this time, we want to better utilize the space that we currently have. Then, when this space becomes to small…and we know it will… then… God will give us the next step to take.

It is a very exciting time! We are seeing God add to our church body, many lives are being changed, and hearts are being mended!

Our hearts are encouraged by the goodness of the Lord, and our eyes are looking forward!

We will be sharing the details of the new updates this Sunday… when we will be sharing about VISION!

Check out the website…just a few more little tweaks and we’re all done! A big thank you to Cameron for helping us with the graphics!http://www.LifeChurchNY.com

There is excitement in the air… can you feel it!

Pastors Dan & Pearl Sanborn

In my opinion, Life Church is so alive. I can feel it as soon as I come through the doors. I feel God’s presence more than ever before.

I love the saying…”When you are down to nothing, God is up to something!” I know that I’m not perfect, but by the grace & blood of Jesus, we are forgiven. I am not a rich man, but I am abundantly rich in my soul, as God has kept His word, and has provided for my needs.”

Built To Last Thur @7pm
Marriage Enhancement Series

Building Updates
As we announced Sunday, we are ready to begin the new updates to the front part of the building. We have received the insurance adjustment that will cover the damages done to the bathroom & surrounding area, and we are continuing to believe God for provision for other necessary updates. Please pray with us, as we are excited to get these new things underway.

Men’s Breakfast March 20th (not this week – next)
Vienna Hotel @9am
Start the day off with fellowship & a hearty breakfast while celebrating the 1st day of Spring!

Ladies Breakfast March 27th
Vienna Hotel @9am

Special Service Thursday April 1st @7pm
Pastors Jonnie & Barbara Nickles & a group from their church will be joining us for this special service… along with other churches in the area! Mark the date, because you won’t want to miss this!

Prayer Request
Please join us in keeping Pastor Brent Landers, Pastor Richard Hilton, and Pastor Robbie Hilton in your prayers. Yesterday they landed in Haiti at the mission that we helped support during this horrific crisis. They have landed safely, but they are each overwhelmed with the devastation that they see all around them. Pastor Brent, and the people of Haiti are very grateful for all you have done to help them during this trying time.

Over the past few weeks, Isaiah chapter 58 has been in the forefront of our prayers & our thoughts. It came up again in prayer on Monday morning. Listen to how it reads in the Message Bible:

Is 58:2-3
“They’re busy, busy, busy at worship, and love studying all about me. To all appearances they’re a nation of right-living people– law-abiding, God-honoring. They ask me, ‘What’s the right thing to do?’ and love having me on their side. But they also complain, ‘Why do we fast and you don’t look our way? Why do we humble ourselves and you don’t even notice?’ “Well, here’s why…”

(Read verse 4 to find out why!)

Look what verse 7 says:

“What I’m interested in seeing you do is…”

(Find out what GOD is interested in seeing you do)

Then the promises come – look at verse 8:

…”Do this and the lights will turn on, and your lives will turn around at once.”

(Do what?)

And wow… look at verses 11 & 12

“I will always show you where to go. I’ll give you a full life in the emptiest of places– firm muscles, strong bones. You’ll be like a well-watered garden, a gurgling spring that never runs dry. You’ll use the old rubble of past lives to build anew, rebuild the foundations from out of your past. You’ll be known as those who can fix anything, restore old ruins, rebuild and renovate, make the community livable again.”

Sounds like “Culture Changers” to us!

Ask God to shed light on your heart as you read His word, and that He will help some things come alive on the inside of you! We know that He has a plan for you… a plan for us His church!

** With this NEW SEASON comes more daylight!!! Don’t forget to set your clocks AHEAD this Saturday night!!

Love to you all,

Pastors Dan & Pearl Sanborn

Churches in Rome, NY