Vista Grande Church Worship

Preparation for Worship: March 8, 2010

It’s snowing again… what a winter we have had this year. The moisture is good for the water table and necessary
for the forest so I really can’t complain… but I am looking forward to warm sunny weather. I would prefer to just skip
the windy spring weather and jump right into summer but… it’s not my call.

This Sunday we will study about “The Transformed Life.” There are two main elements in Acts 9:10-31 that help us
see the guiding hand of God at work through a disciple named Ananias to step outside his comfort zone and
minister to a new disciple of the faith named Saul of Tarsus. Remember Saul was a persecutor of the followers of
Jesus Christ. He would arrest them, torture them, imprison them and even take part in killing them. Now God called
upon Ananias to go to him and help him. Are you kidding? Ananias’ response was what ours might have been,
“Lord, do you know who this is????”

There have been many occasions in my spiritual walk with Christ where He has brought an unknown disciple of His
into my life to meet specific needs I have had. When I needed encouragement He would provide it through one of
His children. When I needed guidance He would bring someone into my life to help guide me. Our Lord has also
taken me to others at specific times to help meet their needs and guide them as they travel the road of spiritual
maturity and experience. Amazingly, Christ doesn’t always send us to people who we like or even trust. We struggle
accepting the fact that Jesus Christ can absolutely make a new creation out of a broken sinner.

Many believers simply can’t understand that if Christ could change their lives He can change anyone’s life. We
categorize our sin as “not so bad” compared to those who do the “really bad sins.” We have a tendency to live in
His grace and forgiveness while being skeptical of others who also live in His grace and forgiveness.

Ananias is an obedient servant of the Lord. Though he questions the assignment he has been given, he submits to
it and becomes an instrument of God’s hand at work in the life of one who will ultimately give his life for the cause of
Christ.

Consider how you would respond if Christ directed you to go to someone you didn’t like, didn’t trust or were fearful
of… would you go in obedience to that call or turn away and continue in the safety and comfort of your own
environment?

Let me ask you to pray for the Leadership Team this Friday and Saturday as we meet for our annual retreat. Each
year we take time to meet somewhere away from the East Mountains where we can focus on leadership
development, ministry evaluation, vision planning and prayer. Speaking for each of our team members I want to
express to you how privileged we are to be able to serve Christ and serve Vista Grande Church in ministry. We as
a team and as individuals are so grateful for your participation in the ministry of Vista Grande Church and
appreciate your commitment to make an impact in our community for the glory of Jesus Christ.

Have a great week, stay warm and stay safe and I took forward to seeing you this Lord’s Day as we worship Him
together. God bless – PJ

Calendar:

Beth Moore Simulcast
When: Saturday, April 24th
What: Her new book, “So Long Insecurity”
Where: Hoffmantown Church , Albuquerque
Who: Anyone, but especially the ladies – teenage through adult!
Cost: February-$10.00, March-$12.00, April-$15.00 if you wish to purchase lunch it is $5.00. We will be able to
have a room all to ourselves for lunch so I will need to know how many will be there for that. If you wish, you may
bring your lunch. There are places to go for lunch nearby, but with this conference, there may be a large number of
ladies trying to get some lunch and back within the hour.
Contact: Trudy at 270-0364 to purchase tickets or get your questions answered.

H.A.N.G. (Helping Accountability & Nurturing Growth)
When: Fridays, 7-10pm; Where: The Coey’s Home
What: Youth 7th-12th grade, Fellowship, Games, Fun
Contact: Coey or Jamie, 286-4541
EAT BEFORE YOU COME!

Norris Home Group
When: Every Sunday at noon except 1st Sunday of the month
Where: The Norris’ Home
What: norrishomegroup.blogspot.com
Contact: Jimmy or Melody Norris, 281-5741

Hayden Home Group
When: Thursdays at 6:30 pm ;
Where: The Hayden’s Home
What: Adults Bible Study
Contact: John or Kathy Hayden, 281-0643

Book of John Bible Study (Starts this week)
When: Thursday, 9 am
Where: The Montano’s Home
The Way of the Master Bible Study (SNOW DAY 2/22 won’t meet)
When: Monday, 7pm
Where: The Montano’s Home
What: Learn how to share your faith simply, effectively, biblically…the way Jesus did.

EASTER Services:
When: April 4, 2010
What: Breakfast at 8:00 am worship at 9:30 a.m.

Prayer Requests: Please update your prayer requests when there are changes.

Pray for Mrs. Terry as she awaits the results of a liver ultrasound test taken on Tuesday. She should get the results
on Thursday. We are grateful that a test concerning another health issue had negative results.

Pray for Connie G. and her family as they are dealing with a number of issues. Pray for Shelli and guidance for her
life. Also pray for their family as their well may have gone dry. Connie’s husband has lost his job due to the
economic situations and both her adult children have lost their jobs.

Dave asked that we pray for his neighbor Jesus who fell and broke his ankle. He had surgery and is recovering.
Pray for his treatment and care.

Also pray for Manny and Judy's daughter's friends, Dee and Chuck. Chuck has been diagnosed with heart
problems and is also fighting the H1N1 virus.

Doug and Tammie ask that we pray for their friend Sandy. Sandy 's daughter Erin is home after giving birth to a
baby boy Sunday January 31st. He's 3 pounds 2oz. and 16 1/2" long. Tiny! He cried a good healthy cry when born,
so that's great news. He is in NICU and they still need prayer. The doctors have told them that he will be in hospital
for about 7 weeks.

Pray for Haiti survivors and disaster relief personnel as they work through the difficult crisis of a 7.4 earthquake. If
you would like to make a donation that will get to Haiti quickly go to http://www.imb.org/main/news/details.asp?
StoryID=8281&LanguageID=1709 and read the story and click on “donation.”

Continue to pray for Lauranne and her health.

Regi asks that we pray for Ed Warren, Zella ' s grandchildren ' s grandfather, and a good friend. Doctors have
found a mass on his lung. Ed was to have a cat-scan and maybe a biopsy.

Bryan Folk asks we pray for the following: Billie Gray was diagnosed with breast cancer recently and it is already
spreading throughout her body. Also, a hole has already developed in her femur from the cancer. Billie is Chris '
Aunt (Chris is his Son-In-Law).

Judy Folk asks prayer for her neighbor Cindy who is not a believer, is going through a divorce and very depressed.
Also pray for Judy as she continues to witness to her and tries to reach her for the Lord.

Bryan Folk – is going through the process of qualifying for total disability and is unable to work. Please pray for him
as he and Judy work through the paperwork and system.

Pray for Lisa Kew who is dealing with some personal issues and looking for a job. Pray for Frank her friend and
neighbor who is not a believer.

Please continue to pray for Rod Fowler's mom Adele Fowler who is living with Kathy and Rod while recovering from
a stroke. Pray for her therapy and for Rod and Kathy as they deal with her care.

Continue to pray for Eva. She is adjusting to a new environment at an assisted living facility.

Lee McClure asks that we pray for her daughter, Sandy. Sandy has found a lump in her neck has gone to the
doctor for test results. Pray for the Lord's will.

Pray for Julian and Batriz Robles, pastor at Grace Bible Institute in Juarez .

John Hayden’s father in Phoenix , Arizona .