It’s Closer Than You Think

Published on: January 13, 2012
By: Pastor Rod Schorr

Yikes! It’s here! 2012! The year the Mayans said would be our last! The year that has thrilled conspiracy theo- rists and apocalypse mongers for over a decade already. It’s even inspired a dooms day movie. Well, we’ve lasted two weeks so far. Let’s all be thankful for that. As a matter of fact, the Mayans never said anything of the kind. All we really know is that…well, I’ll just let Dan Piraro go to bat on that one. Isn’t this a classic? Used by gracious personal permission from him by the way; thank you Dan! (You can visit his website by clicking the link below).

What’s going to happen,I’d like to know, when 2013 rolls around and everyone is still here? Which will hap-pen, Deo volente. We’ll have to scour the histories to come up with something else to scare ourselves with. There will always be ‘doom’ hanging over our heads. It’s just part of the landscape of Man’s fallen world. Remember Y2K? And Harold Camping, just last year? And before that there was World War II, which couldn’t have looked more like Armageddon if it tried!

Back in the 19th Century there was William Miller and his nutty crowd sitting in trees and waiting for the Judgment on March 21, 1844. When nothing happened that day, Miller moved it back to April, then later again to October. And when the entire year went by without incident the movement went down in history as ‘The Great Disappointment’, which I don’t think is quite the right way to describe it; do you?

Did you know there was a Y1K scare as well? Worse than ours, as a matter of fact. 1 People have always sensed that the end was near. Early Christians believed it was eminent. Mar- tin Luther felt that it would come in his life time; Chuck Smith has said similar things, too, though neither of them were emphatic about it or made predictions.

2012 seems like the perfect year to remind ourselves of what Scripture really has to say on this subject. When friends bring this up, here are some things you can share: First of all, the Bible just comes right out and tells us not to believe everything we hear; and the more popular it is, the more skeptical we should be. This from God Himself, given to the prophet Isaiah:“Do not call conspiracy everything that these people call conspiracy; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it. The Lord Almighty is the One you are to regard as holy. He is the One you are to fear. He is the One you are to dread, and He will be a sanctuary.” Is 8: 12-14

Great advice, don’t you think?

Secondly, no one is going to know when the Day of Judgment comes…“But of that day and hour, no one knows; not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.” Mt 24: 36 Wow! Not even Jesus Himself knew the time! So…what are the chances anyone else ever will? When you hear someone spouting off ‘dates’ and ‘times’, tell him to go read his Bible…for once.

Thirdly: the Bible does tell us that the time is ‘near’ and that we’re supposed to be living like it. Time and again we find it in Scripture… “The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.” 1 Pet 4:7
“Be patient. Stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.” James 5:8
“Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.” Phil 4:5

Finally, here’s one more thing—and be sure you share this too: the Day of Judgment is coming soon. In fact, it’s coming in your lifetime! And mine! Those early Christians and Martin Luther and Chuck Smith were right after all! Oh, yes; it’s just a lifetime away!…“For it is appointed for men to die once, and after that, the Judgment.” Heb 9: 27

Be ready, dear Christian! Be watchful, stand firm! ‘Cuz it’s comin’!And it’s closer than you think!Mayans, or no Mayans, I’m looking forward to a great year with you!

See you Sunday!

RAS

1. See The Year 1000, Robert Lacey, Danny Danziger, Little, Brown and Company, NY 1999
Find the Comic printed in the Messenger by clicking here 

Community News

Congregational Meeting—January 25
On Wednesday, January 25 at 7 p.m. we will gather for our Annual Congregational Meeting. The meeting is a review of 2011 and a preview of 2012—plus confirmation of new Board Members. The evening begins with a PotluckDinner at 6 p.m. in the Social Hall. Bring a casserole, main dish, vegetable, dessert, or salad to share and we will provide the bever- ages! Until then, please keep the leader selection process and all the other preparations in prayer for God’s direction and perfect will.

Wednesday Dinner/Studies—February 1
Our Wednesday Night Dinners and studies will be resuming on February 1 (the week following the Congregational Meeting). Much goes into the plans and preparations for each evening—please consider whether God is calling you to participate in some way (table setting, clean-up, serving, meal preperation). Contact Elder Tom Korsvall to help out. We are especially thankful for our faithful cooking crews that volunteer their time to prepare our meals!

Fundraiser Dinner—January 22
On Sunday, January 22 join us at Ruby’s located 186 N. Atchison, Orange from 7 a.m.—8 p.m. CCC will re- ceive 20% of your total food purchase. This fundraiser supports our Deaconess Fund that serves many of our ministries throughout the year. Remember your flyer!

Scrip Sales Going Strong
Thank you to all our church families who are making Scrip a part of their weekly routines for gas, grocer- ies, shopping, and gift giving, while raising funds for CCC’s Honor His House Fund. If you would like to purchase scrip but it’s not in our weekly stock, it may be available by special order and can be picked up in less than a week! See Michelle Schrader in the courtyard between Sunday services or by e-mail at michelleinorange@aol. com, or by phone 714-974-0155.

Service Crews for Jan. 15

Security 
8:45 am—Don Sutton   10:30 am—Jeff Myers
Ride to Church
8:45 am—Greg Nygren (714-771-6995) 10:30 am—Norm Sufficool (714–974-8654)
Ushers
8:45 am—Frank Endres, Gordon Cowan, Joe Yankowski, Frank Donoghue
10:30 am—Chuck Tripi, Archie Johnson, Bob Manfro, Grecia Romero, Frank Rueckel
Nursery
8:45 am—Janet Reeves 10:30 am—Joyce Thurber
Toddler
8:45 am—Kristine Rygalski, Cassidy Schrader 10:30 am—Donetta Schroeder
Promise Peak
8:45 am—Pam Tripi, Sara Bell, Mike Caruso 10:30 am—Kristi Geller, Judy Kenney, Joan Wasson,
Shawn Hall
Deacon Worship Assistance
Bob Manfro (Team Leader), Mike Caruso, Bob Brauchler, David Sugita
Sweetheart Bakers (Due 1/17): Zo Almond

This Week at Covenant

Friday (01-13) Office Closed
7:30 pm IPUH Worship Service—Sanctuary
Saturday (1-14) 
5-10pm Special Event
Sunday (1-15) 
10:30 am Worship—Sanctuary
3:00pm IPUH Worship—Sanctuary
3:00pm JKI Worship—Social Hall
6:00pm Evening Study-Sanctuary
6:00pm Oasis Bible Study-Social Hall
Monday (1-16)
9am CC Homeschool- Campus
6:00 pm CCC Crafters—Rm. 24
6:30pm Haven Café—Home of Joyce Thurber
7:00pm Deaconess Meeting-Rm36
7:30 pm Square Dancing—Social Hall
Tuesday (1-17)
5:00 pm Prayer Meeting (Community)—Sanctuary
7:00pm MCBS Mens Community Bible Study
Wednesday (1-18)
9:30am VIP Ministry
11:30 am Prayer Meeting—Library
3:30pm RTCE Meeting-Rm 29
7/8:30 pm Choir/Praise Rehearsal—Sanctuary
Thursday (1-19)
6:30 pm IPUH—Sanctuary
Friday (1-20)
7:00pm Young Family Bible Study
7:00pm Youth Group (Jr. High and High School)
7:30 pm IPUH Worship Service—Sanctuary