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Pastoral Emphasis from 11/11

Monday is Veterans Day and we want to recognize them for their service to this country.

The Youth Ministry will be selling fruit and 2008 calendars to raise funds. All interested members should stop by the Welcome Center for info and materials.

Here's a warning about an upcoming fantasy movie called The Golden Compass, which is coming out on 12/7. It's based on books by Philip Pullman who is an avowed atheist. Critics of his books point to the strong anti-religion and anti-God themes they incorporate. Pullman left little doubt about his intentions when he said in a 2003 interview that "my books are about killing God". These books and this movie will be targeted at children as a direct challenge to C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia. C.S. Lewis is a Christian author whose fantasy stories incorporated many Christian themes. I would not recommend anyone taking their children to see the Golden Compass or supporting this movie in any way.

Sacrificial Giving Campaign: A businessman was traveling with a missionary in Korea when they saw in a field by the side of the road a boy pulling a crude plow, while an old man held the handles and directed it. That's a curious picture! I suppose they are very poor," he said to the missionary. "Yes," was the quiet reply. "That is the family of Chi Noui. When the church was being built they were eager to give something to it, but they had no money so they sold their only ox and gave the money to the church. This spring they are pulling the plow themselves." The businessman by his side were silent for some moments. Then he said, "That must have been a real sacrifice." "They did not call it that," said the missionary. "They thought it was fortunate they had an ox to sell."

Instead of complaining about what we don't have, we should be thankful for what we do have to give to God. As our giving campaign winds to an end, let's finish giving what we vowed to give before God and don't worry about the amount but be thankful that you have something to give sacrificially.

Thank everyone for their generous giving towards today's love offering. It will go to help those affected by the wildfires in southern California.

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