The Passion of the Christ, a “MUST SEE” Movie! With all the discussion about the Mel Gibson movie “The Passion of the Christ”, including positive comments by our Pastor, I was interested in seeing it. Bev thought it would be a little too much for her, so a friend and I went to the first showing in Bakersfield last Wednesday. My wife was right. It was quite graphic, but one of the most moving epics I have witnessed. This movie has deepened my impression of the traumatic tribulations Christ suffered on our behalf. Some people around me were crying. Others excused themselves to the lobby to regain their composure. We witnessed a history lesson directly from the scriptures. Jesus and his followers were poor people in a poor land ruled by sometimes ruthless leaders. Although Pilot tried different ways to get Jesus released, in the end, he washed his hands of the matter and gave in to the wishes of the people. Caiphas, however, was portrayed as not caring one way or the other. The floggings and punishments leading up to the crucifixion were unnecessarily lengthy and awful, but certainly left me with the impression that Jesus didn’t get off easy. He had chances to save himself, but of course, the scriptures had to be fulfilled. Christians were in the minority, and were powerless to stop the punishments.
Many have been critical of the movie, citing racism, inaccuracies, brutality, and anti-Semitism, even before they had seen it. To me, it appeared to carefully follow the Scriptures revealing undeniable truths. It is so clear to me that GOD sent his Son to suffer a physical death as a martyr for us, to save us from our sins. To a non-Christian, this may not be so clear. The movie ends abruptly after the rock is rolled away from the tomb and Jesus is shown alive without wounds. Jesus’ ascension and reappearances are not shown, so it probably is not clear to unbelievers that Jesus arose, and is alive today at the right hand of God. So this leaves us with a task, to explain to all lost people what happened next. Friends will emerge from the movie with questions, and we must be ready to answer, explain, pray, and to be ready with the plan of salvation. Such witnessing will make it difficult for anyone to reject that Jesus is the Son of GOD. But if people still remain lost, our prayer would be that hearts will be receptive as we enter into the Franklin Graham Festival, so that souls can be rescued.
This is a great movie. GO SEE IT ! Grandpa Dick

Senior Members Continue to Serve HIM!!! Another year has flown by, and our Church is blessed to have so many Seniors involved in God’s work. Take a look at this list of ministries where Seniors are serving: Samaritan’s Purse, Lottie Moon and Annie Armstrong Offerings, Children’s Choir, Hanging of the Greens musical, Mission work (Shafter migrant camp), Rent a Youth Fund Raiser, Senior Fellowship, Wednesday Meals, Men’s and Women’s Ministries, Sunday School, Deacons, Food collection for the Needy, Shoe Boxes (227 this year), Spiritual Preaching/Teaching, Soul winning, Giving (tithes, offerings, talents and time), Benevolent Work, Youth Ministry, Lord’s Supper, Baptism, Seniors making decisions for Christ, Promise Keepers, Building Repair Projects, Advent Candle Ceremony, Deaf Bible Study, Carden School committee, ESL Ministry (English as a second language), Children’s Church, Radio message ministry, Awana, Poinsettias, Budget Preparation team, Nursery Ministry, Music Ministry, Hand Bell Choir, Philipino Ministry, Elderly Sick and Shut In Ministry, Usher Ministry, Web page, Bus Ministry, Missionary Speakers, Orchestra, Harvest Festival outreach to neighborhood, and some others I have missed. Many of our Seniors are involved in some ministries, some are involved in many ministries, and most of us are involved in at least one ministry. Every one of us, young and old, has an opportunity to serve the Lord through a ministry. The New Year brings multiple opportunities for us to get involved. Make 2004 the year you fit yourself into a ministry where God is at work. And hey Seniors, did you know that if you can still tap your toe to a tune, you can play hand bells. Grandpa Dick

Cheerful Givers Exceed Budget!!! God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Cor 9:7). Congratulations, wonderful church members. For the first time in our Church’s recent history, we have given tithes and offerings that exceeded the Church Budget for 2003. Tom Rodgers, our Church Treasurer, reported average weekly giving of $6,796.00 for the year. The Budget for 2003 was $6,527.00 weekly and expenditures averaged $6,513.00 weekly. This resulted in a surplus for the year of $14,717.00. And this does not include income from Carden School, which is being set aside for building maintenance and future ministries. Many new and existing ministries have grown as a result of our generous giving. We continue to expand our efforts to spread the “Good News” across Bakersfield. The Church Leadership Team (CLT) working with a modest 3% increase in the 2004 Budget, is continuing to recommend new ministries to reach the lost in our neighborhoods. Several outreach efforts are planned to coincide with the Franklin Graham Festival coming to Bakersfield in April. Are you ready to become an “Andrew” as we prepare for the Festival? This will be just one new ministry you can get involved in? Now let me praise our Seniors. Did you know that our Seniors, many of whom are on fixed retirement incomes, gave over half our Church’s tithes and offerings last year. Let them be an example to all as we individually commit to better tithes and offerings. 2004 should be our year to make that pledge to give a tithe or more. The Bible says Tithers will be rewarded with the opening of the windows of heaven and blessings will pour out until it overflows (Mal 3:10b). We have many personal testimonies to the results of cheerful giving. Just ask a Tither about how God has blessed his family. So let’s get going, each one doing his part, as we match and exceed our 2004 Budget. God is ready to use our church in a mighty way. I can’t wait. Grandpa Dick