At 6:30 p.m. on Wed., Aug. 27, all are invited to enjoy an evening of music featuring Greg Smith on the piano. The concert will be held in the Sanctuary.

The event is sponsored by the Missionary Fellowship. Refreshment of assorted pies, hot teas and coffee will follow in the Social Hall.

A free-will offering will be taken to fund a scholarship which is a new initiative of the Mission Committee. Funds will also be raised to support missionaries in the field.

At 4 p.m. on Sat., Aug. 23, the final gathering of The Summer Book Group will gather at the home of Anna Richards to discuss the club's last book, "Be Sweet," by Diann Hunt.

Call Susan Vopat for more information at 714-401-6444.

The following article by Pastor Rod Schorr is reprinted from the Covenant Community Church's weekly newsletter, "Covenant Messenger," Vol. 14, No. 32, Aug. 17, 2008.

The Man Who Wouldn't Be King!

Everybody has their reasons for loving and admiring George Washington. But, for me, the greatest reason of all is found in a letter that Washington wrote, now tucked away in my nice Library of America edition of his writings! I thought I would share it with you this week. If you've never read it before, I'm sure you'll find it fascinating.

The war was just recently over, the Revolution had - miraculously! - been won and everyone was still very mindful of Washington's amazing contribution to it all. And one day he received a letter from a Brigadier General in the Revolutionary army. His name was Lewis Nicola and he was writing 'on behalf' of a number of fellow army officers - all of whom had served faithfully under Washington himself. The letter was full of praise and admiration for the great service Washington had done for his country. It was just the friendliest, most affirmative letter anyone could ever receive. To top it all off Nicola concluded by offering one incredibly flattering suggestion.

But - get this! - Washington's response to Nicola's letter is the harshest and angriest thing you will ever find among the hundreds of pieces of correspondence handed down to us today. Take a look for yourself...

"To Lewis Nicola
George Washington
Newburgh, May 22, 1782

Sir: With a mixture of great surprise and astonishment I have read with attention the Sentiments you have submitted to my perusal. Be assured Sir, no occurrence in the course of the War, has given me more painful sensations than your information of there being such ideas existing in the Army as you have expressed, and I must view with abhorrence, and reprehend with sevrety (sic). For the present, the communication of them will rest in my own bosom, unless some further agitation of the matter, shall make a disclosure necessary.

"I am much at a loss to conceive what part of my conduct could have given encouragement to an address which to me seems big with the greatest mischiefs that can befall my Country. If am not deceived in the knowledge of myself, you could not have found a person to whom your schemes are more disagreeable.

"At the same time in justice to my own feelings I must add, that no Man possesses a more sincere wish to see ample justice done to the Army than I do, and as far as my powers and influence, in a constitutional way extend, they shall be employed to the utmost of my abilities to effect it, should there be any occasion. Let me conjure you then, if you have any regard for your Country, concern for yourself or posterity, or respect for me, to banish these thoughts from your Mind, and never communicate as from yourself, or any one else, a sentiment of the like Nature. With esteem I am...

Your most obedient servant,

G. Washington."

Wow! What 'thoughts and sentiments' was he writing about here? What on earth could possibly have caused such an instant, angry response? Well, after filling his letter with compliments and praise, Lewis Nicola had concluded by suggesting that George Washington be made 'King' of the United States!

And when George Washington fired back that response, he proved to all of history what a true American he really was! I love it!

It also proved him Christian I believe! We too share an abhorance of earthly kings and crowns and kingdoms, do we not? We recognize one King and one King only: our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! The one who paid our costly price and saved us at the Cross!

I hope, dear church, that all we do, in every area of our fellowship and minstry will be - not to the building up of ourselves and our 'church' - but to the glory and the honor of our one and only King! Make that your motive, dear Christian, for everything you do here! Make that your motive, der Christian, for even behing here on Sundays! And God will use you greatly for the furthering of His dominion!

Sunday was great! See you there!

-Rod A. Schorr

"Jesus the One and Only," by Beth Moore, is an in-depth study of the life of Jesus based on the book of Luke.

Come along with Beth on a life-changing journey which will lead you through the hills of Galilee with the Teacher, across the lake with the Master, and finally, on the road toward the cross with the Savior. Get to know Jesus intimately... as though you had walked with Him during His days of earthly ministry.

This new series will be from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursdays on the following dates: Sept. 4 and 11; Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; Nov. 6, 13; Dec. 4, 11.

Sue Lantz (714) 998-4686 is the facilitator and you will need to purchase a workbook (available at most Christian bookstores.).

Please join us for an enlightening fellowship of learning and growth in our Lord Christ.

The following article by Pastor Rod Schorr is reprinted from the Covenant Community Church's weekly newsletter, "Covenant Messenger," Vol. 14, No. 31.

The 'Escape' of Leon Daudet

How on earth can you just 'walk' - scot free! - out of one of the world's most famous, most brutal, most inescapable prisons, I'd like to know? Well, if you could ask Leon Daudet he'd tell you that it was easy!

Back in 1927, with several months left to his sentence, Daudet just walked right out of the famous La Sante prison in downtown Paris and never looked back!

Daudet is an interesting character, by the way, even without his 'great escape'.

The son of the great novelist, Alphonse Daudet, Leon became even more renowned when he married Jeanne Hugo - granddaughter of Victor! - then divorced her several years later. Adding to that notoriety was the animosity of an enormous gallery of enemies, engendered by Daudet's constant, obnoxious attacks on the French government.

One evening, in 1923, Daudet's son Philippe was found dead in a taxi. No one could explain how it happened, but Daudet published an angry list of accusations, naming certain government authorities as conspirators and even charging the taxi driver with the actual murder. No evidence was ever found to support the charges, however. In fact, later, the taxi driver sued Daudet for defamation of character and won!

Daudet was sentenced to five months in France's top-security La Sante prison. Famous for a well-used guillotine out front, La Sante has housed thousands of high-profile prisoners over the years.

And get this! - in the 140 years since its construction, La Sante has only had six successful escapes! Leon Daudt was one of them!

Well... let's not call it an 'escape,' shall we? The guy just got up and walked out, free as a bird!

How did he do it? A good friend of Daudet's got on the telephone, called up the warden, and very officiously stated that "Daudet has been pardoned, let 'im go!

The poor Schultz of a warden very obediently called in some guards, hurried to Daudet's cell, and announced that he was free to go! Daudet walked out and high-tailed it to Belgium!

It's amazing what a voice of authority can do!

You know? In all my years of ministry, I've met an awful lot of people who could use a friend like that! Someone who could speak with the voice of authority and say: "He's been pardoned... let 'im go!"

So much of my work with people centers around the 'prisons' of the past. People haunted with remorse for the things they have done; people caught up in vicious cycles from sinful choices they once made; people trying desperately to piece things back together; broken hearts, broken relationships, broken homes. I have to say that it is the most daunting of all my jobs, as the Pastor of a church, to try and encourage those whose 'past' has become their 'prison'. I sure can't make all the consequences go away, that's for sure.

But there is one thing that I share, and it is the most marvelous good news. Your 'pardon' has been given! And this one is for real! It's been spoken with all the authority of the Lord God of all Creation. It's been verified as true by the Cross up on the hill!

Jesus Himself once made this quite clear: "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a Ransom for many." Mt. 20:28.

The writer of Hebrews tells us that "Christ died as a ransom to set us free from the sins committed in the past." Heb. 9:15.

And here's the best news yet: He didn't do this for the innocent! He did it for the guilty! Romans 8:5 tells us that this is how: "God demonstrates his love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

You're free, dear Child of God! And not all the jails on earth, not all the guards and wardens, nor even the Gates of Hell itself will stand against you now!

You're pardoned, Christian! Get up! Walk free! And don't ever again look back at those bars!

Wow! Sunday was awesome! Let's do it again! Cya there!

-Rod A. Schorr

The following letter is by Keith and Jacqueline Stanton of New Tribe Missions. They are supported, in part, by Covenant Community Church.

Motivated by the love of Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit, New Tribes Mission (NTM) exists to assist the ministry of the local church through the mobilizing, equipping, and coordinating of missionaries to evangelize unreached people groups, translate the Scriptures and see indigenous New Testament churches established that truly glorify God.

Keith and Jacqueline are from San Diego where they spent a few years in Youth Ministry and leading various Bible studies, including a Christian Surfers Bible study. They completed NTM's four-year training program in 2006 and are preparing to join a team that is reaching the unreached in Papua New Guinea (PNG).

Update from their newsletter:

Jacqueline has gone through much medical testing and treatment and has shown some improvement. Just a few weeks ago she had a tonsillectomy and is slowly recovering. We are hopeful that this will be an end to her chronic throat infections. Also, praise God that we are now receiving 100% of our recommended budget for PNG! He is truly our Yahweh Jireh (God who provides).

With our improved health and financial situation, we felt comfortable enough to buy and ship our supplies to PNG. After nearly six years of preparation we are excited to be at this stage. Our container will be loaded on a cargo ship and won't arrive in PNG for three months. We are praying diligently that Jacqueline's health will stabilize and show constant improvement so that we can leave by the end of the summer.

We are eager to join our partners and begin work with the people of PNG!

Under the leadership of Pastor Gene Loeffler, young couples raising families gather for Scripture, fellowship and fun every month. This month they meet for a potluck dinner and study on Sat., July 26, at the home of Archie and Erin Johnson. Come join us! You'll love it!

Call the church office for more info.

The following article by Pastor Rod Schorr is reprinted from the Covenant Community Church's weekly newsletter, "Covenant Messenger," Vol. 14, No. 26, July 6, 2008.

You Have What it Takes!

What kind of person - I'd like to know - shows up two hours late to give a lecture, with his clothes all messed up and his notes in disarray, and his students all waiting and wondering where he's been?

Well, in this case, it turns out to be a pretty good person named Scott Kurtzman. Dr. Kurtzman is head surgeon at a hospital in Waterbury, Connecticut, and he was on his way to deliver an 8 a.m. medical school lecture when he witnessed one of the worst highway accidents in Connecticut history. A dump truck, whose dirver had lost control, flipped over on its side and skidded into oncoming traffic, killing four people and injuring dozens more.

Kurtzman, who, in addition to his surgical skills, has years of experience in ER work, pulled over immediately. He waded into the mangled wreckage and began heading up an effort to rescue the injured and dying. Ninety minutes later, after 16 victims had been triaged and sent off to local hospitals, Dr. Kurtzman climbed back into his car, drove to the medical school and gave his lecture - two hours late.

This wasn't the first time Dr. Kurtzman had stopped to rescue hurting people. Over the years, it's happened half a dozen times.

As for the inconvenient impact it has on lectures and appointments? Kurtzman is quick to respond: "A person with my skills just can't drive by someone who is injured. I refuse to live my life that way." 1

That's a great perspective.

You know what I love about this church? All of you, as Christians in this church, have that very same perspective! You, too, refuse to live your life that way!

I see it all the time...

The friends you bring to church. It happens every week! You care enough to bring a friend to hear the good news of Jesus Christ.

The way you give to the work of our missions! Tomorrow morning - the morning after the writing of this article - we'll be picking up the Paraguay Team at LAX. It was a compact little team this time, but mighty, that's for sure! Dave has already written to tell us that over a hundred people prayed with them to receive Christ during their evangelism. And they've been giving all the rest of their time and energy to the building of that new church! Think of it! There are peple now in Paraguay (of all places) who are followers of Jesus Christ because you cared enough to send our people and our resources down there! And they'll be worshipping in a church that you helped build! That's so awesome!

And Vietnam is next! Bob Brauchler is leaving this very week! He is fully supported by this church, thanks to your giving! Another remarkable place for you to be exerting your influence.

Our VBS is another area where you've 'pulled over' to help! Sara tells me she has a great team of helpers and workers and teachers getting ready. And talk about the need! Let's pray for lots of children to come and find the Good News of Christ here next week.

Here's another opportunity coming up: Harvest Crusade! Our mission budget donates to it; our people help with it. Think of this: for three days in a row, the Angels Stadium is going to be packed with people who need an encounter with Jesus Christ! And - man! - will they ever find one there! I hope you will go to it and bring an unsaved friend! And you can do more: you can join one of the prayer teams, be an usher, be a follow-up worker, or even a counselor on the field with me! Contact Shawn Hall, Dave Baker, Rick Housky or Terry Schron if you'd like to do any of these things. But most of all, be thinking of someone you can invite to it. You know, we have a lot of people attending this church who started their Christian walk at Harvest!

Well, like I said, I'm impressed with this church! In this great cultural collision that surrounds us all today, you do have what it takes, and you're always there to offer it.

See you Sunday!

-Rod A. Schorr

1. Reader's Digest, August, 2006.