Dear Family and Friends,
Here we are again. The end of the year is fast approaching and we can’t believe how quickly it has flown by!! As we come close to Thanksgiving we are realizing how much we have to be thankful for. We are also reminded that we should be thankful to our Savior everyday, not just once a year!
First off we are very thankful for all of you. We are thankful for those that have committed to us financially and have faithfully given every month. We are thankful to those that have committed to pray for us and are doing so regularly. We feel those prayers covering us and are very comforted by them.
We are also thankful for the work God has done in Chico. Our last preview service had a great turn out. We had a wonderful intimate time of worship and heard a powerful testimony and message. The relationships we have built here are growing stronger daily. Jeremy continues to serve regularly at the Jesus Center and making a positive impact in the community. Fusion Church is getting known and building a solid reputation in the community.
Jeremy is in talks with the Chico Fire Department about becoming their Chaplin. This is an amazing opportunity for him to give back to a group of men who are constantly giving to the community and keeping us safe. A lot of these men do not know the Lord and it is a great opportunity to minister to them. We should know more about this in the coming weeks and will keep you posted
As you well know we are in the thick of fundraising an additional $1,000 a month. Well God has proven faithful once again and we are already half way there!! We ask that you pray with us as we continue to work towards our goal. If you are already giving to us and find yourself in a place where you can increase your giving you may do so by contacting the Converge office at (209) 830-6222 or going online at www.sunergeo.org. Just indicate the additional amount you are able to give and you are all set! You may also do this if you would like to commit for the first time.
As always we thank you and praise God for you!! We hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Blessings!
Jeremy and Elizabeth Rhodes
Email: pastor.jdr@gmail.com
Church Website: www.fusionchico.com
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
October 2009 Rhodes Family Church Planting Update
Dear Family and Friends,
This month we held our second preview gathering! This time around the gathering reflected our vision and what we want to do here in Chico. We are very excited for the way that God touched the people who came. We once again saw people find us through different avenues and it was great meeting them for the first time. We are praying that these people with connect with us and come back again.
After the gathering on Sunday night we invited people to come to a Thursday Night Bible Study. We have been encouraged by the people who have came to our Bible Study and more people who seem to be interested. We are going to be going through the book of Romans. Please pray for us as we struggle through the hard concepts in this book.
It has been an adventure coming to the community with a few contacts and seeing God make great connections. We are humbled by the way that God has brought healing to some and friendship to others. We stand amazed by his grace to us through the fulfilling work that he has allowed us to do. We are truly blessed by the support that we have received through prayer and financial gifts.
God is doing great things in Chico and he is using all of you as his vessels to make that happen. Thank you for your continued support financially and prayerfully. We have 3 months to raise $1,000 more a month so if you find yourself in place where you can increase your support we would be very appreciative. We ask that you pray with us that we will reach this goal and also that God would continue to grow his church in Chico.
Also if you are not currently supporting us, but now find yourself in a position to do so, now is the time. You may increase your giving or make a first time commitment at http://www.sunergeo.org/donate.html. If you have not yet sent in your support for October please do so at this time. Thank you again for your support. We are also always praying for each of you and thanking God for you!
Blessings!
Jeremy and Elizabeth Rhodes
Email: pastor.jdr@gmail.com
Church Website: www.fusionchico.com
This month we held our second preview gathering! This time around the gathering reflected our vision and what we want to do here in Chico. We are very excited for the way that God touched the people who came. We once again saw people find us through different avenues and it was great meeting them for the first time. We are praying that these people with connect with us and come back again.
After the gathering on Sunday night we invited people to come to a Thursday Night Bible Study. We have been encouraged by the people who have came to our Bible Study and more people who seem to be interested. We are going to be going through the book of Romans. Please pray for us as we struggle through the hard concepts in this book.
It has been an adventure coming to the community with a few contacts and seeing God make great connections. We are humbled by the way that God has brought healing to some and friendship to others. We stand amazed by his grace to us through the fulfilling work that he has allowed us to do. We are truly blessed by the support that we have received through prayer and financial gifts.
God is doing great things in Chico and he is using all of you as his vessels to make that happen. Thank you for your continued support financially and prayerfully. We have 3 months to raise $1,000 more a month so if you find yourself in place where you can increase your support we would be very appreciative. We ask that you pray with us that we will reach this goal and also that God would continue to grow his church in Chico.
Also if you are not currently supporting us, but now find yourself in a position to do so, now is the time. You may increase your giving or make a first time commitment at http://www.sunergeo.org/donate.html. If you have not yet sent in your support for October please do so at this time. Thank you again for your support. We are also always praying for each of you and thanking God for you!
Blessings!
Jeremy and Elizabeth Rhodes
Email: pastor.jdr@gmail.com
Church Website: www.fusionchico.com
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
virtue of maintenance
So many time the small things of life are overlooked. Installing a toilet is viewed as lower than gaining education. Changing spark plugs is lower than teaching a class. Why have we come to believe these things? Why do we prize paying someone to talk at us more than physical work? Why is it that I prefer a plumber to a student or a mechanic to a professor?
The world has become and interesting dualism. Where the world of the mind is viewed higher than the world of the hands. This is never more apparent than the Church in the world today. When has knowing the greek mattered to a woman who has lost a child? When has eschatology mattered to a family struggling to make ends meet?
My mind has wandered to this point because I sit here typing while my hands hurt from working on my car. Why do they hurt? Because I use my mind to avoid the labor of my hands. My hands can serve a meal, my hands car rake a yard but my mind can only think grand thoughts. Which matters more to you?
I propose that the seminarian spend time as a janitor.
To learn the virtue of maintenance.
I propose that I spend less time thinking and more time doing.
feedback please...
this is an incomplete thought...
The world has become and interesting dualism. Where the world of the mind is viewed higher than the world of the hands. This is never more apparent than the Church in the world today. When has knowing the greek mattered to a woman who has lost a child? When has eschatology mattered to a family struggling to make ends meet?
My mind has wandered to this point because I sit here typing while my hands hurt from working on my car. Why do they hurt? Because I use my mind to avoid the labor of my hands. My hands can serve a meal, my hands car rake a yard but my mind can only think grand thoughts. Which matters more to you?
I propose that the seminarian spend time as a janitor.
To learn the virtue of maintenance.
I propose that I spend less time thinking and more time doing.
feedback please...
this is an incomplete thought...
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
September 2009 Rhodes Family Church Planting Update
Dear Family and Friends,
This month marked our first preview service for Fusion! It was very exciting planning and anticipating the evening. We were very pleased with the way that it went and are very excited about what God is going to do. We had 20 adults and 5 kids at the first service. We had great worship and message. And we learned of things that we will do different next time to be more inline with our vision. We also invited all in attendance to have fellowship in our home as well as serve with us in the community. We are continuing to serve at the Jesus Center and will also be participating in a Walk for Gold, which is a fundraiser for the Special Olympics.
As well as the service went we still have a ways to go. We ask that you pray for us as we continue to nail down the way we decide to have the services. We want Fusion to reach a group of people that are currently not being met in a church and in order to do that we need to do church differently. We are still trying to define what exactly that will look like. We also ask that you pray for the people who were there that they would come back and that we would have people get excited about the vision and grow to have a close personal relationship with Christ, because after all that is the whole purpose of what we are doing here!
God is doing amazing things and we wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for all of you and your support. We are overwhelmed with the knowledge that so many people are praying for us! Thank you so much for all of your encouragement, prayers, and financial support. We have 4 months to raise $1,000 more a month so if you find yourself in place where you can increase your support we would be very appreciative. Also if you are not currently supporting us, but now find yourself in a position to do so, now is the time. You may increase your giving or make a first time commitment at www.sunergeo.org/donate. If you have not yet sent in your support for September please do so at this time. Thank you again for your support. We are also always praying for each of you and thanking God for you!
Blessings!
Jeremy and Elizabeth Rhodes
This month marked our first preview service for Fusion! It was very exciting planning and anticipating the evening. We were very pleased with the way that it went and are very excited about what God is going to do. We had 20 adults and 5 kids at the first service. We had great worship and message. And we learned of things that we will do different next time to be more inline with our vision. We also invited all in attendance to have fellowship in our home as well as serve with us in the community. We are continuing to serve at the Jesus Center and will also be participating in a Walk for Gold, which is a fundraiser for the Special Olympics.
As well as the service went we still have a ways to go. We ask that you pray for us as we continue to nail down the way we decide to have the services. We want Fusion to reach a group of people that are currently not being met in a church and in order to do that we need to do church differently. We are still trying to define what exactly that will look like. We also ask that you pray for the people who were there that they would come back and that we would have people get excited about the vision and grow to have a close personal relationship with Christ, because after all that is the whole purpose of what we are doing here!
God is doing amazing things and we wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for all of you and your support. We are overwhelmed with the knowledge that so many people are praying for us! Thank you so much for all of your encouragement, prayers, and financial support. We have 4 months to raise $1,000 more a month so if you find yourself in place where you can increase your support we would be very appreciative. Also if you are not currently supporting us, but now find yourself in a position to do so, now is the time. You may increase your giving or make a first time commitment at www.sunergeo.org/donate. If you have not yet sent in your support for September please do so at this time. Thank you again for your support. We are also always praying for each of you and thanking God for you!
Blessings!
Jeremy and Elizabeth Rhodes
Sunday, August 30, 2009
concerning the Caesar and the Pax Romana
I found myself watching a program on PBS, suffering through the pledge breaks, called Handel's Messiah Rocks. I know that is the worst title but it was a great rendition of the classic piece. Actually listening to the words I sat on the couch with my wife and was struck by some lyrics encasing a concept I had never considered. They were asking which President or King has God ever chosen to save the world... the point being the supremacy of Jesus.
Caesars had a bad habit of claiming divinity and ruling through that right. Claiming themselves to be the Son of God, through which they oppressed people and committed atrocities. They also enforced the Pax Romana which was peace throughout the empire. Those who resisted their idea of peace was executed through military action. Actually throughout history most rulers claimed divinity Caesar was not the first or the last.
As I contemplated the thoughts in my head I was driven to this idea. Jesus was the only one God called the Son of God and He was the only one to bring peace.
We live in a time when people are looking for a leader to guide them to peace and security. Not an outright rejection of God but a "God and" situation. Like Israel clambering for a king so many centuries ago. The problem remains that entrance into the Kingdom of God requires a rejection of everything else. It offers faith, hope and love at the sacrifice of wealth, security and comfort. Jesus offers peace in his Kingdom but a peace that is foreign to us. A peace that requires a surrender of pride and an offer of humility.
Caesar was not divine... the Pax Romana never brought peace.
No ruler is divine and no package can bring peace.
Jesus was the only true Son of God who was crucified and rose from the dead three days later. Which is the number one qualification to bring peace.
Caesars had a bad habit of claiming divinity and ruling through that right. Claiming themselves to be the Son of God, through which they oppressed people and committed atrocities. They also enforced the Pax Romana which was peace throughout the empire. Those who resisted their idea of peace was executed through military action. Actually throughout history most rulers claimed divinity Caesar was not the first or the last.
As I contemplated the thoughts in my head I was driven to this idea. Jesus was the only one God called the Son of God and He was the only one to bring peace.
We live in a time when people are looking for a leader to guide them to peace and security. Not an outright rejection of God but a "God and" situation. Like Israel clambering for a king so many centuries ago. The problem remains that entrance into the Kingdom of God requires a rejection of everything else. It offers faith, hope and love at the sacrifice of wealth, security and comfort. Jesus offers peace in his Kingdom but a peace that is foreign to us. A peace that requires a surrender of pride and an offer of humility.
Caesar was not divine... the Pax Romana never brought peace.
No ruler is divine and no package can bring peace.
Jesus was the only true Son of God who was crucified and rose from the dead three days later. Which is the number one qualification to bring peace.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
August 2009 Rhodes Family Church Planting Update
Dear Family and Friends,
As the year flies by things seem to be moving forward at a steady pace. On September 6th we will have our first preview gathering. We have found a location called the Chico Grange Hall that has everything we need. Jeremy worked very hard to find this place and we praise God that we are finally able to plan and get the word out for the meetings. We will have one meeting a month through the end of the year and then look at launching a service to meet every Sunday.
We have been blessed with a Video Projection Unit to use during our meetings, given to us by New Harbor Community Church. There are also some other things that we need as well and we are asking for some help from all of you. If you are able to provide any of the following or donate to allow us to purchase the following we would greatly appreciate it. We need a light bulb for the VPU (mentioned above), a lapel microphone, and some café tables. Please pray that we will get these things in time for our first meeting. Our biggest need at this point is the light bulb. We also ask that you would pray for the meetings to be successful and that we can begin the building of our core group through this.
We are very excited about what God is doing here. We know he has big plans and we can’t wait to see what is going to happen. We have met some great people and Jeremy continues to find more ways to serve in our community. He will be a mentor for students at high schools here in town and also be working with the staff at the local Christian high school as well.
Again we thank you all for your very faithful support! It is very encouraging and humbling knowing there are people praying for us. If you have not yet sent in your support for August please do so at this time. Don’t forget that you can also sign up for automatic debits at www.sunergeo.org/donate. As you know December is getting closer as is our deadline for our next fundraising goal. Please pray that we will reach this goal. If you have not yet committed support to us and would still like to you may do so at anytime on the above listed website.
Blessings!
Jeremy and Elizabeth Rhodes
As the year flies by things seem to be moving forward at a steady pace. On September 6th we will have our first preview gathering. We have found a location called the Chico Grange Hall that has everything we need. Jeremy worked very hard to find this place and we praise God that we are finally able to plan and get the word out for the meetings. We will have one meeting a month through the end of the year and then look at launching a service to meet every Sunday.
We have been blessed with a Video Projection Unit to use during our meetings, given to us by New Harbor Community Church. There are also some other things that we need as well and we are asking for some help from all of you. If you are able to provide any of the following or donate to allow us to purchase the following we would greatly appreciate it. We need a light bulb for the VPU (mentioned above), a lapel microphone, and some café tables. Please pray that we will get these things in time for our first meeting. Our biggest need at this point is the light bulb. We also ask that you would pray for the meetings to be successful and that we can begin the building of our core group through this.
We are very excited about what God is doing here. We know he has big plans and we can’t wait to see what is going to happen. We have met some great people and Jeremy continues to find more ways to serve in our community. He will be a mentor for students at high schools here in town and also be working with the staff at the local Christian high school as well.
Again we thank you all for your very faithful support! It is very encouraging and humbling knowing there are people praying for us. If you have not yet sent in your support for August please do so at this time. Don’t forget that you can also sign up for automatic debits at www.sunergeo.org/donate. As you know December is getting closer as is our deadline for our next fundraising goal. Please pray that we will reach this goal. If you have not yet committed support to us and would still like to you may do so at anytime on the above listed website.
Blessings!
Jeremy and Elizabeth Rhodes
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