Good News Paper

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AUGUst 2011

the

good

FRee

Newspaper

CNY’s POsItIve ALteRNAtIve

“Publish His glorious deeds among the nations.” Psalm 96:3

"If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us." Numbers 14:8

Cover Story

sOCCeR - sYRACUse stYLe

hOPePRINt • tOtALLY AwesOme • As the DeeR

SALVATION PRAYER DO YOU SENSE A NEW DIRECTION IN YOUR LIFE? Do you desire to get out of the rut of frustration? If you do the same things then nothing will change. To have change in your life you MUST DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY. ARE YOU READY FOR THAT CHANGE? Do you desire a relationship that won't fail you? Do you desire for someone to love you unconditionally? Have someone in your life, who won't let you down? Would you like a good Father who loves you, gives you strength and comforts you when it feels like the world is against you? If you are ready then read the way to attain these things. Coming to Jesus is the only way! Not only will He fulfill these things but the most important is that only He can save you! The first thing you need to do is believe; believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that He came to earth to be the sacrifice for your sins. The best place to learn this is by reading God's Word ~ The Bible. The next thing you need to do is Repent; turn away from self-centeredness and sin, and turn to God. In Acts 2, the Apostle Peter said' unto them, “Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Last, but not least, seek out a local church to become part of the family. Being around others who have claimed Christ as their Savior will help you to grow, they will be there in times of need, teach you, listen to you, and be part of your family. If you’ve received Christ as your Lord and Savior, let us know we want to help you get established in your new life with Him. Please write us at The Good News Paper or email us at: goodnews@twcny.rr.com

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perspective Welcome to the August Issue of the Good News! Happy Summering, hope you’re all enjoying! I wanted to share that this past July The Good News Paper celebrated fifteen years of publishing the Word of God in Central New York! I just have to take this space to glorify the Lord and His incredible faithfulness! In addition I want to thank all those who have helped this paper over the years. Without your obedience to God and His kingdom none of this would have been possible. On a regular basis I receive phone calls,

PARABLES by pastor tom Burgess of Hope christian Fellowship in canastota

Jesus often taught in parables, using little stories to illustrate a particular truth, in order to teach his followers his ways and to lead them in the truths of salvation as their God (Psalm 25:4-5). In doing so, he fulfilled that which was spoken of him by the prophets: “I will open my mouth in parables and utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world” (Psalm 78:2; Matthew 13:35). Each night of this year’s Vacation Bible School in Canastota, children will experience one of Jesus’ parables and connect that story to an important Biblical principle. In the Parable of the Whiny Workers (Matthew 20:1-16), we will explore the subject of gratitude. Several groups of laborers were hired at different times throughout the day, and each group agreed to work for the same set pay for the day. Some felt this was not fair, because they all received the same pay even though they did not all work the same length of time. Jesus wants us to understand that God loves and cares for everyone, and we all have much for which to be thankful. Gratitude means being thankful for what we have been given, no matter what someone else has. In the Parable of the Roadside Rescue (Luke 10:25-37), we will consider what it means to have compassion. On the way from Jerusalem to Jericho, a certain man was attacked by thieves who robbed, wounded and left him half dead. Several religious men passed by him, indifferent to what had happened. But Jesus wants us to look at hurting people through his eyes and show them God’s love and mercy by getting involved and making a difference. Compassion means showing kindness to other people, no matter who they are or what they are like, just as Jesus does for us. In the Parable of the Shocking Servant (Matthew 18:21-35), we will tackle the challenging concept of forgiveness. It is natural to get angry when someone hurts or disappoints us, and it is easy to carry a grudge. However, Jesus wants us to forgive people over and over again, because that is how God forgives us. All of us have done wrong things, and we can all be forgiven. Forgiveness is deciding to let go of the wrong things people do and the hurt feelings we have, even as God for Christ’s sake forgives us when we ask for his forgiveness and mean it. In the Parable of the Warmest Welcome (Luke 15:11-32), we will learn about grace. Punishment means paying the price for our mistakes. That is the way the world usually works, and it is actually pretty fair. Nonetheless, Jesus

emails and letters from people who thank us for publishing The Good News Paper. I’ve heard stories of how readers were blessed by the articles or how they passed the paper along to a neighbor, friend or family member who was struggling. This week I received a call from a lady who said she picked up The Good News for the first time and was so blessed by the fact that she didn’t read a single negative word in it and she asked that we never stop publishing! Through our prison ministry to date, we have received 98 letters from those incarcerated, 2 letters from volunteers thanking us, and 4 phone calls from prison pastors telling us how much the paper is helping. People are being touched and it’s because of all of you - the Body of Christ! Our advertisers, writers, distributors, readers, volunteers, and prayer partners! So thank you for being part of this amazing ministry! I’m in awe of the Lord and all of you! God Bless! Catherine Fida,Publisher wants us to know that God loves us so much that, instead of giving us the punishment we deserve, he gave us a gift we did not deserve: He gave us Jesus, who has gone to heaven to prepare for us an eternal party with him there. Grace is the way God loves and accepts us, if we are really sorry for our sins and come to him and accept his gift. In the Parable of the Master’s Money (Luke 19-12-26), we will examine what is meant by faithfulness. When we only think of ourselves and what we want we are being selfish, which usually results in us doing bad things. Jesus wants us to realize that he gives us all the wonderful things in our lives for a reason. The good gifts we have received are meant to be shared with others and used in ways that honor God. Faithfulness means using what we have been given to serve God every day in every way, not because we have to but because we choose to. Vacation Bible School will be held August 8 through 12 at the United Church, 144 West Center Street in Canastota, for children from pre-school through high school. A free meal will be served nightly by the Loaves and Fishes Hospitality Center from 6:00 to 6:30 p.m. A general opening assembly with lively skits and songs will begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by age-appropriate classes, crafts, and games until 8:30 p.m. Vacation Bible School is sponsored by the Canastota Area Association of Churches. For more information, call 800-294-9131.

HIDDEN PICTURE DRAWING WINNER - Leona Bench! Congratulations to Leona Bench of Clay New York! She’s the winner of a $50 Gift Certificate to Daniella’s Steak House located at 670 State Fair Blvd in Syracuse! Leona found the dove on page 15 in the picture in the article, “Broken Sons and Daughters” written by Laurie Ferris. And to make it even sweeter Leona was celebrating her birthday the day after we called her! So Happy Birthday Leona from everyone at The Good News Paper!

Check this month’s issue for a SOFTBALL! You could be the lucky winner and get a chance to win a $50 dinner certificate at Daniella’s Steak House!

CoVER stoRy world cup soccer syracuse style!

that they can demonstrate the love of Christ in this area. We chose Schiller Park knowing that this location is the center of the immigrant population. Because of transportation limitations, we needed them to have a walking by John R. Petrilli distance to the park. The regulation-sized goals were generously donated by the Skaneateles School District, while Driver’s Village and Bryant and If you could land a ticket for an international soccer tournament featuring Stratton stepped up huge for equipment. The group, Friends of Schiller Park teams representing seven different countries and five continents, would you was longing for the park to be revived and used for the benefit of the local go? Believe it or not, you can see such a tournament right here in your own community.” backyard! And best of all, the ticket price Osborne hopes that the spin-off effects is FREE! Each Saturday through August will be wide ranging. “We’re hoping that 27 the brand new S.U.S.A. Soccer relationships will build on the field, and League will be running from 8:30 to 2:00 that there will also be relationships buildat Schiller Park on Syracuse’s north side. ing with all the suburban churches supThe league includes eight teams consistporting this, that they’ll come out to see ing of immigrants from Nepal, Burma the games. We want the immigrant popu(Chin), Burma (Karin), Ghana, South lation to know that the church in Syracuse Sudan, Iraq, Burundi (Swahili) and cares about them, that we’re compelled Somalia. by the love of Christ to come to the city, to S.U.S.A. (Syracuse United Soccer not neglect the city. We’re hoping that this Association) is the brainchild of the leadermoves us (the churches) to reinvest in the ship team at Grace Chapel Church in city. If the league runs well and is a family Skaneateles, NY and Bhim Biswa, pastor friendly event, perhaps the city of Syraof Father’s Heart Ministries in Syracuse. cuse will get behind this initiative.” Pastor Jim Osborne, former assistant pasSpeer sees the game of soccer as a tor at Grace Chapel, has been working natural evangelistic tool that speaks a with Nepali immigrants, including three universal language. “Wherever you go in trips to India to train national pastors there. the world, if you put a soccer ball down on About eighteen months ago he and the the field you’re folks at Grace speaking a found out that language. It’s there was a the only lansignificant guage I’ve population of come upon that Nepali and everybody in Bhutanese the world immigrants speaks. There residing in are over 13,000 Syracuse. immigrants in Pastor Biswa Syracuse and expressed his not many of dream to have them know the a huge, multiLord. It’s such national weekan awesome end soccer opportunity to tournament. reach them As they with their pasdiscussed the sion for soccer, concept, they but also to use concluded that as a platthat a Syracuse United Soccer Association Team Members form to reach full-blown, them with the Word as well. The main focus of this league is the immigrants, extended league would provide a better platform for Christian immigrants to but it’s also for this community. As far as I know Syracuse has never done form relationships with their neighbors. A key liaison took place as this group anything like this. It’s just an awesome opportunity where we’ve found these connected with future League Director Gerrod Speer, a local sports missionteams as well as sponsor churches to come alongside and form relationary and recruiter for SCORE INTERNATIONAL (scoreinternational.org), an ships with them. We’d love to see a lot of the community come out.” organization that specializes in short terms mission trips. Speers’ Master deThe games are open to the public. Next year the league anticipates exgree in Sports Management (S.U.N.Y. Cortland) and extensive background pansion to include at least five new teams from other countries. Due to the in sports including collegiate baseball, assistant coaching, game operations nature of its mission, only teams from other countries can join the league. and marketing for the Syracuse Chiefs, and public relations work for the For a great day of exciting soccer played by highly skilled, highly comSyracuse University football and men’s and women’s basketball programs petitive and highly enthusiastic players, bring your chair out to see the teams provided just the kind of sports savvy leadership they needed. It was a of the Syracuse United Soccer Association play at Schiller Park. You won’t God-ordained, perfect fit! be disappointed! Schiller Park is located one block north and one block west The leadership team envisioned an arrangement whereby the Syracuse from the corner of Park and Oak streets. churches could supply the financial resources and organizational support, Further information can be secured by contacting Gerrod Speer by while the immigrants supplied the manpower and passion for the game of phone at 315-254-0404, or by email at: gerrodspeer@yahoo.com. soccer. He states, “Soccer is the common denominator between so many people groups, and we’re hoping that they start building friendships here so

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Ohio Balances Budget and Protects Life (WNS)--On Thurs., June 30, Ohio Gov. John Kasich signed into law the state’s biennial budget. It trimmed spending and eliminated several anti-family programs and practices. “We promised a new way and a new day and we’re delivering it,” wrote Gov. Kasich in a letter to the people of Ohio. In addition to trimming the state’s $8 billion budget shortfall, the budget will keep in place income tax cuts, eliminate the estate tax in 2013, and will prohibit public hospitals and other facilities from receiving taxpayer funds if they perform elective abortions. The new budget contains other pro-life measures as well. One measure requires the Ohio Department of Health to apply for federal abstinence education grants to reduce the number of unplanned pregnancies. Another preserves the right of student groups to use and benefit from school funds and facilities, therefore protecting the rights of pro-life groups on college campuses. School Choice in Ohio Reflects National Trend (WNS)--Ohio’s new state budget advances school choice. Ohio now offers four private choice programs, various student scholarships and a new program to aid special-needs students. Ohio’s actions are part of a national trend. Thirteen states have supported school choice this year by passing major education reforms. Twenty-eight states have similar legislation pending. Robert C. Enlow, President and CEO of the Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice, said, “This is the year of growth for school choice.” North Carolina and Louisiana also made state education reforms in June. North Carolina passed a law allowing parents of special needs students to claim a tax credit. North Carolina’s tax credit will now cover private school tuition, as well as other educational services for special needs students. The school choice reforms in Louisiana made private school more available to low income families. Protecting the Protectors (WNS)--In a stinging rebuke to opponents of pregnancy care centers, a federal judge on July 13 barred New York City officials from enforcing a law aimed at mandating how the centers describe their services to clients. U.S. District Judge William Pauley called the law that had been set to go in effect on July 14 “offensive to free speech.” CeCe Heil—an attorney for the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ)—called the ruling “a resounding victory” for pro-life centers across the country. The New York City law—pushed by City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and signed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg in March—would have required pregnancy care centers to post information on whether they provide abortions and so-called “emergency contraception,” or make referrals to groups that do. Opponents of the law said requiring the prolife centers to post information about abortion violated the groups’ free speech rights. Chris Slattery of Expectant Mother Care/EMC Frontline Pregnancy Care Centers—a plaintiff in the case who operates a dozen centers in the city—told The New York Times, “We think this is a resounding defeat of the Gestapo-like tactics of Christine Quinn and Mayor Bloomberg.” Organizations unite to oppose potential charitable contribution changes (WNS)--A coalition of 23 large non-profit organizations wrote a letter to Congress July 14 expressing concern that reducing or capping the value of itemized deductions for charitable contributions will hurt charities and those who need their services. The coalition’s letter, signed by the leaders of the organizations and sent to Sen. Max Baucus, argues that proposed caps of itemized deductions at 28 percent will result in a decrease in charitable donations. Among the organizations involved in this coalition are the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability, the American Red Cross, the Association of Fundraising Professionals and United Way Worldwide. The letter says that American charities are still hurt from the decrease in donations during the 2008-2009 recession. The Internal Revenue Service reported a drop of 20 percent in giving during those years by donors who itemize their tax returns. Though

charitable donations are on the rise again, it will take an estimated five to six years to return to normal levels. If Congress votes to decrease the value of itemized deductions for charitable giving, the non-profits will not be the only ones to suffer. The authors argue that low-income brackets, those who benefit most from charitable donations, will be the most damaged by the proposed cap. As state and federal governments have cut services due to budgetary constraints, charities have filled their place by helping those in need. If donors give less due to changes in tax incentive, charities will lack resources to meet these needs. “Despite how the proposal looks on paper,” says the letter, “wealthy Americans will not bear the brunt of a cap or reduction in the value of itemized deductions – America’s poor will.” The coalition also argues the merit of charitable deduction as a type of tax incentive that “encourages behavior that enriches communities rather than individual taxpayers.” The letter seeks to remind Congress that charities, as small businesses and employers, are important to the economy. “To truly jumpstart the economy, the federal government should remove barriers that limit charitable giving, not construct more of them.”

New Hope Family Services 24th Annual Fall Banquet Monday September 19, 2011 Y 6:30 PM Carnegie Conference Center at Driver’s Village 5885 East Circle Drive, Cicero, New York 13039 $17 per person • RSVP by September 12th

We are excited and privileged to have Abby Johnson as our Guest Speaker this year. Abby’s life was dramatically changed on October 6, 2009—the day she resigned from the largest abortion corporation in America... Planned Parenthood. Abby had been involved with Planned Parenthood for 8 years and had eventually served as Director. After being asked to assist in an ultrasound-guided abortion, however, her eyes were opened and her heart was changed. Abby Johnson

Abby recently authored a book entitled Courageously Pro-Life UNPLANNED. Her compelling story has been featured on such programs as The O’Reilly Factor, Huckabee and ABC News. We hope you will join us as Abby shares how God used the love and prayers of His people to move her from her strong pro-choice position to that of being courageously pro-life. Please call the New Hope office at 437-8300 for more information, or to purchase tickets. Hope to see you there! • The program is interpreted for the deaf •

New Hope Family Services 315-437-8300 Where hearts find hope! Y

oPPoRtunity “HOPEPRINT" BRINgs REfugEEs TO IT’s DOORsTEP by John R. Petrilli Just imagine living in a refugee camp for eighteen years, then being relocated to a country halfway around the world where the language and customs are totally different from yours. Most of us would become disoriented and discouraged in a very short time. If only there was someone could help you learn the language and put you in touch with others from your culture! That’s precisely the role of a brand new outreach in Syracuse called HOPEPRINT. Located on the city’s North side, HOPEPRINT provides Tuesday night training in English as a second language, learner’s permit classes, driving lessons, G.E.D. courses, and networking with businesses to explore vocational training and employment opportunities. All this and a free hot meal and free child care. The genesis of the organization is quite remarkable. Founder Nicole Watts had a heart for urban missions. God redirected her to pursue a degree in youth ministry. Her collegiate ministry internship brought her to Eastern Hills Bible Church in Manlius. While praying about where the Lord wanted her, God gave her two pictures (not the way she normally relates to God). One was of an unknown city street lined with people of all ages and nationalities. She saw herself motioning others on the curbsides to join the procession moving down the street with Jesus at the front of the throng. In the second picture she saw herself with kids hanging all over her, and covered in mud. Neither picture made any sense whatsoever. A professor suggested she really pay attention to the refugee population. Meeting Burmese foster children here awakened her to the burgeoning immigrant community in Syracuse. Nicole concluded that someone needed to live right in the city and took one huge step of courageous faith, purchasing a home smack

dab in the middle of Syracuse’s refugee population. The Lord revealed the meaning behind picture number one (of the city street) when Nicole found herself standing at the intersection of N. Salina and Catawba Streets. Looking down that street she realized it was the one in her first picture from God. A recent trip to Thailand made sense of picture number two. The monsoon season was taking place there, and Nicole found herself looking out the window at all the mud, with children crawling all over her. These two pictures finally made sense as God confirmed her call in such as unusual and unmistakable way. Partnering with Catholic Charities and Interfaith Works, HOPEPRINT envisions a comprehensive strategy that incorporates education, justice, medical and occupational pieces. Watts states, “HOPEPRINT is very much about having the resourced community come alongside the un-resourced community, with the two communities eventually becoming one. We started HOPEPRINT as a non-religious organization. Things of a religious nature are things that churches can and should do. So we are here to give the cup of cold water. We want to be a presence and a bridge. Our Tuesday evening meeting is a bridge to build relationships. Many volunteers come on that night to assist with ESL and other mentoring activities. Most of the refugees attending on Tuesdays are within walking distance, but plans are in the mix to multiply into additional locations to accommodate refugees living farther away.” Liz Feree, a founding member of the organization, comments: “The world is coming to our backyard and we need to take advantage of it. This has exploded into something so much bigger than we ever imagined, over a hundred people every Tuesday night!” Hope Print also offers opportunities for families to become involved in life coaching, where an American family walks alongside a refugee family, helping them to find new housing, navigate the healthcare system, teach them how to fill out job applications, and advocate for them when needed. Further information can be secured by logging onto: www.hopeprint.org.

My uTMOsT fOR HIs HIgHEsT

“I will never leave you . . .”— not for any reason; not my sin, selfishness, stubbornness, nor waywardness. Have I really let God say to me that He will never leave me? If I have not truly heard this assurance of God, then let me listen again.

He Himself has said, ’I will never leave you nor forsake you’ —Hebrews 13:5

“I will never . . . forsake you.” Sometimes it is not the difficulty of life but the drudgery of it that makes me think God will forsake me. When there is no major difficulty to overcome, no vision from God, nothing wonderful or beautiful— just the everyday activities of life— do I hear God’s assurance even in these?

THE NEvER-fORsakINg gOD

What line of thinking do my thoughts take? Do I turn to what God says or to my own fears? Am I simply repeating what God says, or am I learning to truly hear Him and then to respond after I have heard what He says? “For He Himself has said, ’I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say: ’The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’ ” (Hebrews 13:5-6).

We have the idea that God is going to do some exceptional thing— that He is preparing and equipping us for some extraordinary work in the future. But as we grow in His grace we find that God is glorifying Himself here and now, at this very moment. If we have God’s assurance behind us, the most amazing strength becomes ours, and we learn to sing, glorifying Him even in the ordinary days and ways of life.

Sure aS Hell by Brian Jones The media has ignited in a brimstone blaze of controversy over the question of Hell, and the idea that’s generating so much attention is that Hell isn’t real, and even if it were, a loving God wouldn’t possibly send people there. Is Hell real, or is it a concept that is misguided and out of place in today’s Christianity? Many believe the answer to this question will have profound implications on the future of the faith, and important personalities on both sides of this question are drawing lines in the sand. Brian Jones, a pastor in suburban Philadelphia, can relate to this controversy. Jones had a secret he’d been hiding for years: He didn’t believe in Hell. In Hell Is Real (But I Hate to Admit It) (David C Cook, August 2011), Jones relates that after seminary he came to the conclusion that “the Bible’s teaching about Hell was inaccurate at best and hateful at worst. What I was taught as a child was a lie, and now that I was becoming a pastor I was sure I’d never perpetuate that ridiculous myth again.” But after an amazing experience that required him to rescue several people from an apartment fire, Jones began to re-think his stance on Hell. His uncertainty on the subject led him to Scripture, and as he studied God’s Word, he felt an overwhelming sense of conviction. “What I discovered shocked me. I had always assumed that the Bible contained only a few scattered references to Hell. I was wrong; it is taught everywhere.” Drawing upon Scripture and his own experience as a pastor who didn’t believe in Hell, Jones began writing Hell Is Real with the hope that he would humorously and transparently push readers into a head-on collision with what he calls “apocalyptic urgency,” the all-consuming conviction that overtakes someone when they realize that Hell is real and it is within their power to help people avoid going there. The key to this apocalyptic urgency, according to Jones, is for Christians to realize that the largest need that faces mankind is the need to be saved from God’s wrath, which results in a real, literal Hell. Without the urgency that a belief in Hell instills, Christians “will inadvertently create the single greatest holocaust human civilization has ever seen.” In the end, Brian believes that the reason most Christians don’t tell their friends about Jesus has nothing to do with not knowing how—it’s because they don’t think they need to. “Hell Is Real is about transforming apathetic Christians into sold-out evangelists,” states Jones. David C Cook/August 2011 ISBN: 978-0-7814-0572-0/272 pages/$14.99 www.brianjones.com ~ www.davidccook.com

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God’s Cure for Heart trouble

culture

by Greg Laurie One of the downsides of the information age, in which we have our iPhones, BlackBerrys, Treos, and other devices that can send and receive the latest data, is that we are constantly barraged by information. This information gives us even more to stress out about. And stress is serious stuff. Studies have suggested that high levels of stress can lead to obesity and trigger a raft of diseases, from heart attacks to ulcers. Depression, nervous breakdowns, and even cancer can be stress related. In the United States, up to 90 percent of visits to physicians may be triggered by a stress related illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We all stress out about the many frightening things in our world today. Since 9/11, there are certain fears all Americans share. A March 2005 Associated Press article stated, “Though the Soviet Union is gone, the nuclear fears that fueled the Cold War haven’t disappeared. Most Americans think nuclear weapons are so dangerous that no country should have them.” You may know someone who has a fear of heights, small spaces, or flying. But according to a Time magazine cover article on the topic of fear, people have phobias for just about everything imaginable. According to the article, over fifty million people in the U.S. have some kind of fear or phobia. Some are pretty unusual, if not slightly humorous. For example, there is kathisophobia, the fear of sitting; ablutophobia, the fear of bathing; dentophobia, the fear of dentists; allodoxaphobia, the fear of opinions; and cyclophobia, the fear of bicycles. Perhaps your life is filled with fear, worry, and intense stress of some kind right now. Without a doubt, life is certainly filled with troubles. The book of Job tells us, “Man is born to trouble” (Job 5:7). Disappointment is a trouble, and in life there are many disappointments. We are disappointed with ourselves, because we are not always what we want to be. We want to be strong, but we are weak. We want to be successful, yet we experience many failures. We want to be loved, but people are often indifferent toward us. My intention here is not to add to your stress. Instead, I want to share with you the words of Jesus to a stressed-out, agitated people. Let God Change Your Life: How to Know and Follow Jesus by Greg Laurie David C Cook/June 2011 ISBN: 978-1434-70207-4/208 pages/paperback. www.greglaurie.com

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rattlesnake ministry by Staff Writer When Syracuse native David Richardson was a kid and his friends were playing with snakes, he would quietly turn around and tip toe away, hoping they wouldn't recognize his strong dislike for snakes. Now David is in his 19th year of performing with venomous Western Diamondback snakes in a show known as "Rattlesnake Dave's West Texas Rattlesnake Show". While working for a "Hotshot Delivery" trucking company near Houston, Texas in 1991, Dave heard some guys talking about the "Sweetwater, Texas Rattlesnake Roundup", the largest rattlesnake roundup in the world. The roundup was scheduled for the following weekend. Dave had heard about the roundup before and decided he was going to head up to Sweetwater, Texas - about 7 hours away from Houston. He hung out at the roundup for several days. It was there that he realized he could create a rather unique show. "There are many different types of animal acts that travel all around the country. You see lots of tiger acts, lion acts, baboon acts and so on. But when you think about it, how many Rattlesnake performers do you know?", he asked. Dave bills himself as "the best venomous-snake performer in the country. ‘All my snakes have their fangs and have their venom,’ “ said Richardson, whose safety record has allowed him to maintain his original insurance provider during the 19 years he has performed his act all over the country. "I perform a hands-on rattlesnake show. I have never been bitten, never. Anyone who has worked with me has never been bitten. Neither have any audience members ever been bitten. I have logged a total of about 45,000 hours of work with rattlesnakes over the last 19 years."

During all of those hours with snakes, Richardson said, he discovered the creatures are smart, including showing learned behavior as a result of the tricks he has them perform. One example Richardson used includes a performance at a county fair in Colorado six years ago. In one show, he was demonstrating a snake's fangs by opening its mouth with a pencil. At a second show a few hours later, the snake voluntarily opened its mouth when he reached for the pencil, Richardson said. "Snakes also love to have their bellies rubbed. When I do this, they relax and know I am not going to hurt them. One time I had a snake that was pretty cranky. He wouldn't let me rub his belly with a smooth stainless steel hook that I normally use. He saw me doing that to another snake, evidently saw that the other snake liked it, and a little bit later he crawled over to me and let me do that to him. For the next hour or so, he followed me around like a puppy dog and lifted up his belly over and over again so that I could rub it. Pretty amazing, isn't it?" "This year I am weaving an antidrug message into my shows. So many kids are messing around with drugs today and they are at risk of ruining their lives in more ways than one. God has seen me through a lot of difficulties in my life and I never touched illegal drugs. I'd like to be a role model for them and help them to know that drugs are not the answer." This Summer, Rattlesnake Dave will be performing in many venues, including large state fairs and county fairs all over the country. Here's a link to see a bit of what he does: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06gWKnwEhWg or he can be reached at: Facebook: Rattlesnake Dave Richardson or Email: davidsrattlers@gmail.com

“These signs will accompany those who believe: they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” Mark 16:17 & 18

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music Sara GroveS SerenadeS HundredS by John R. Petrilli One of Christian music’s premier singer /songwriters graced the stage of Oswego High School on the evening of June 29. Hundreds came out to hear and see Sara Groves minister in song. The crowd was quickly drawn to the artist, thanks to her down to earth, naturally engaging style. Groves included numbers from a wide range of her albums, delighting the crowd with song after song that shared her personal experiences as a growing Christian. A pre-concert interview with Sara Groves revealed a great deal about her philosophy of music ministry and her heart to share it with others. Following are key excerpts from that interview. JP: How have your academic pursuits in English, History and songwriting influenced your career as a Christian artist? SG: English and History are two of the best songwriter majors you can get because English is about words and History is about story. My songs are a lot about story. I felt like those were more helpful to me than a Music degree would have been. I went to a Christian liberal arts college where the motto was “All truth is God’s truth”. My father really influenced the way I think about my Christian world view. Everything is related. It’s not compartmentalized. Your faith isn’t one aspect of your life. God is integral to every part of our lives. My mission in music is to look at every aspect of life and to reflect on the gospel at every intersection. I believe that there is no part of our lives where the gospel doesn’t square off with. To be congruent throughout my entire life with the gospel is my goal, and is the driving force of my music. JP: Like many, I find your lyrics very easy to follow, almost like you’re conversing one on one. How do you pull this off and still maintain lyrical consistency? SG: Some things come to me really naturally. I like a vowel rhythm that I use a lot. It doesn’t always rhyme, but to the listener it’s not offensive, it flows. I’ve always come at music that way. When I try to be too poetic or too lyrical I feel like I’ve lost the human element. Most of the time I’m trying to say something I’ve lived through. Trying to make it perfectly poetic loses the heart of a person saying, “Lord, I can’t hear You”. That’s a pretty big moment when a person admits they can’t hear God. JP: Are there any artists out there, secular or Christian, who have influenced you as a songwriter?

SG: I grew up on all the 70’s and 80’s Christian music, my folks were way into Keith Green, 2nd Chapter of Acts and Honeytree. I’ve always loved Kelly Willard’s voice. Amy Grant definitely was huge influence on me as a young girl. Secular, I listened to a lot of Peter Gabriel in high school and college, I loved the sonics of his records. I’ve always loved Paul Simon, he’s so gifted, he’s in his sixties and his music is as creative as it’s ever been. He inspires me to keep trying to be creative. JP: Name one of your favorite Bible characters and why they stand out to you. SG: Jeremiah always stood out to me. With Jeremiah we get a personal diary and how he feels about being a prophet. With the other prophets we get predominantly what they’re writing to the people. Jeremiah’s called to be a prophet, but a lot of times he’s struggling with his own call. For anyone called to the ministry it’s comforting to read Jeremiah’s dialogue with God. JP: Many of your lyrics exhibit unusual sensitivity to a non-believer who may be listening. How would you describe your evangelistic philosophy? SG: I really don’t have a target I’m aiming at when I write. I just write out of the overflow of my heart. I’m extremely empathetic to people. I see their situation and I try to imagine, “What would that be like?” “What would I feel like?” “How would I go through that?” The “us” and “them” experience of growing up in a Christian and church environment, that whole division of us and them, getting free of that has been one of the greatest joys of my life. We need some serious salvation from our ideas of who God is touching and who God is using and how He is using them. I’ve always tried to write from this place that recognizes that all of humanity is at the same place. The New Testament writers understood this. Somewhere along the way we’ve developed this “second culture”, and it’s not necessarily the kingdom. I don’t want to have a second language that doesn’t appeal to a whole other group of people. At the same time I’m not ashamed of the gospel. Jesus is first and foremost in my heart and life. I also want to reflect that and say, “This is about Jesus” at the end of the day. I usually close every record with something that resonates, and says, “Make no doubt about what we’re talking about”, to not in any way be vague just to be artistic.” The concert got off to a smashing start as artist Sherry Anne Lints roused the 400 plus in attendance with a dynamic testimony and three selections that were nothing short of electric. Born partially deaf in both ears, Lints overcame huge obstacles, winning numerous academic awards in school and earning a doctor’s degree at age 24. But she became obsessed with perfectionism in the process. Reaching a crisis moment, she told the Lord to give her one reason why she shouldn’t end it all. At that very moment this gifted, hearing-impaired woman heard the voice of God say to her, “I died for you, now will you live for Me?” She got up off the floor and realized she needed to start living her life for the Lord, not other people. Her full testimony and ministry offerings are accessible at www.sherryanne.com. In March, 2011 concert organizer and King’s Business Bookstore owner Ann Marie King saw that Groves would be in the northeast and was able to secure her services. The concert was the result of a combined effort by local pastors. “We have a unique community. The evangelical pastors work together beautifully, willingly and joyfully. We’ve had multiple events, not just concerts. There’s been over fifteen years of prayer undergirding this, and it seems like just over the last ten years that the pastors have been working together. I hope the concert is an encouragement to the believing community. It’s our prayer that we’ll be able to have a continual influx of Christian influence in our community. These concerts also bring support to local businesses as concert goers patronize restaurants and other establishments.” More info on Sara Groves is available at www.saragroves.com.

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NEW HOPE’S 24TH ANNUAL BANQUET

New Hope Family Services, a pro-life Christian ministry focusing on the needs of those facing unexpected pregnancies, will hold its 24th Annual Fall Banquet on Monday, September 19th at the Carnegie Conference Center at Driver’s Village in Cicero. The evening will begin promptly at 6:30 and will feature Guest Speaker, Abby Johnson. Abby is one of the most sought-after speakers in the pro-life community since her book, Unplanned, became a best-seller soon after its release in January of this year. Abby, who was once strongly pro-choice and who served as the Director of Planned Parenthood in Bryan, Texas, now travels the country speaking for life and on behalf of the unborn. Her compelling story has been aired on such TV programs as The O’Reilly Factor, Huckabee and ABC News. You won’t want to miss Abby’s own personal testimony of how the Lord opened her eyes and changed her heart. The evening will include a delicious buffet, updates on New Hope’s ministry and a heartwarming client testimony. You will also have the opportunity to support the ministry of New Hope through a gift or pledge. Tickets are $17.00 per person. Please RSVP by September 12th. For more information, call the New Hope office at (315) 437-8300.

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On Thursday Aug 4th Fayetteville United Methdist Church, 601 East Genesee Street in Fayetteville is hostiing daily columnist/ humorist, Jonathan Richard Cring and master musician Janet Clazzy. The performance is at 7:00 pm; an evening of music and monologue, including readings from Mr. Cring’s book Digging for Gold (in the rule) with original musical tunes performed by Ms. Clazzy on the oboe and WX-5 Wind Machine. Mr. Cring is the author of eleven books, including I’M. . .the legend of the son of man, 20 Other Reasons to Kiss a Frog, Jesonian, and Living a Legendary Life, a winner of a Billboard Music Award, recent recipient of the Best Screenplay Award at the Top Ten Films in America, and has a daily column at www.jonathots.com. Ms. Clazzy has played oboe in orchestras for thirty years from coast to coast, including San Jose, Chicago, Shreveport and Houston. “I have this fabulous instrument called the WX-5 Wind Machine which gives me 250 sounds,” she says. “When you add some of the beautiful music and inspiring melodies, it just lends itself to an occasion to enrich the heart and exalt the spirit.” She is also the first female conductor in the state of Tennessee. Robert Sherburne pastor of the church, says a free will offering will be taken and copies of books, CDs and DVDs of the movies will be available for purchase. For more information call 682-0615

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Adams Center, NY -- On Saturday, August 20, 2011, Live More Ministries presents a panel of four women sharing their real-life experiences with divorce; suicide; the loss of self-esteem, income, homes and stability; and the death of a child. Organizers and speakers say this will be Live More’s most powerful program designed to inspire women with the message of hope and restoration that is found in Christ. The free 10am12noon “God’s Hand in Life’s Losses” program at Honeyville Baptist Church on Route 177 east of Adams Center includes breakfast served by the Honeyville Baptist Church Women from 9-9:45am. “Everyone has burdens. This panel of women will share our personal testimonies of how the grace of God helped us through the storms of life. We believe you do not walk through your trials alone,” says Kathy Sheley, who lost her husband, her home and her livelihood to suicide 15 years ago in August. Jill Gratch unexpectedly left her home one day without any preparation. She says, “My life was like a train coming off its tracks, but Jesus was there to encourage me to follow him in faith and I am now able to share my story to help other women facing the trial of a painful divorce.”

For Donna Sievers, her season of different kinds of losses was “a giant tidal wave of upheaval through which God kept saying ‘just hold on.’” Donna will encourage listeners to let God take control when you feel helpless in the face of the loss of a job, health, insurance or a home, or the death of loved ones. Grace Gardner knows the heartache of the death of a child. Her teenage son Sam, one of five siblings, died in a car accident in 1994. “Whatever struggle you are in, you can cry out and God will hear you. Out of tragedy can come a turning point for good.” Susan Richter, who will moderate the panel, says, “I hope the women attending this Live More Ministries program will take home the message that they can let God lead them to work through whatever challenges or ‘giants’ they face without being overwhelmed.” Live More Ministries, a Christian women’s ministry based in the southern Jefferson County, offers quarterly programs open to all women at various locations. Honeyville Baptist Church was founded in 1802 as the first church in the Adams area. The church is found at the corner of Route 177 and Fuller Road. For more information, contact Chris at 767-2058 or sallyj@twcny.rr.com, or visit www.livemoreministries.blogspot.com online.

"AWAkENiNg TO RESURREcTiON POWER" cONFERENcE

Transformation Syracuse and Living Faith Ministries are pleased to cosponsor the "Awakening to Resurrection Power" conference, to be held at "The Bridge Syracuse" 219 County Route 57,Phoenix, NY 13135 on August 19-20. Nationally-known Apostles Dr. Dutch Sheets and Robert Henderson will be keynote speakers. Also participating will be Dr. Joseph Askins (Director of Pray New York), Pastor Willie Jock (from the Akwesasne Mohawk Reserve) and Vincent Aquilino (Co-Director of the Healing Rooms of Greater Syracuse/IAHR New York State Co-Director/Coordinator for Pray New York in Greater Syracuse). Apostle Sheets has led "Freedom," a congregation in Colorado Springs, as well as founding Dutch Sheets Ministries and the U.S. Alliance for Reformation as venues to sound a call to the Body of Christ. He has authored many books, including the bestseller, Intercessory Prayer, the Lightening of God, which has been translated into more than 17 different languages. Robert Henderson is founder and leader of multiple apostolic networks, including the Global Apostolic Network, as well as being co-leader of the United States Alliance for Reformation and Freedom Apostolic Alliance, along with Dr. Dutch Sheets. More info please visit: http://transformationsyracuse.org or http://living-faith-ministries.org. To register by phone, please call 585-265-2332.

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ConSiDer Counseling Corner by Joe Masterleo, LCSW, DCSW Question: As pastor of a local church, I’ve noticed an alarming increase in the pornography habit among our male congregants. Other pastors have noticed similar trends in porn use among their own flock, even among those who serve. How large does this issue currently loom among believers? Answer: Pornography is a widespread phenomenon, and what we encounter of it is probably the tip of the iceberg as to its prevalence in the general population, including churchgoers. In counseling, I too encounter a high incidence of pornography as a chief complaint among clients, many of whom are persons of faith, a significant portion of them holding ministerial positions. We live in a hyper-sexualized society where Americans spend upwards of $4 billion annually on pornographic video sales and rentals. The advent of the Internet has enabled porn to be more accessible and affordable, and allows the kind of anonymity that enables viewing

pornographic images to spread as only electronic wildfire can, sweeping the nation and church by storm. As for Internet accessibility, consider the following: • 42 million websites (12% of all websites) contain pornography. • 60% of all website visits are sexual in nature. • The No. 1 search term used at search engine sites is the word “sex,” and “pornography/porno” is the fourth most searched subject. • 77% of online visitors to adult content sites are male. A Christianity Today leadership study found that 47% of Christians admit that porn is a major problem in their homes; that 51% of pastors polled list cyberporn as a major temptation, with 37% declaring that it’s a current struggle. Focus On The Family’s Pastoral Care Hotline has reported that one call in seven is related to Internet pornography. An Internet survey conducted by Rick Warren of the Saddleback Church found 30% of the 6,000 pastors canvassed had accessed internet porn in the last 30 days. And there are many more sobering facts and figures on porn too numerous to mention here. Pornography has been found to be more habit forming and harder to break than an addiction to cocaine, particularly among men. A number of overlapping factors contribute to the male allure and entrenchment of this disorder, chiefly, that the male brain is more naturally wired to detect sexual cues and sex-related stimuli and images, especially visual ones. Locked into virtual reality, it is virtually impossible for men to fail at porn. As men repeatedly subject themselves to the mental habit of fixing on such images, successive exposure to them hijacks their brain, creating neural pathways that become wider and deeper, making most women appear to them as potential sex objects. Thus habituated, male thought life becomes geared toward isolating self-pleasure, not real intimacy. This negates a view of women as persons created in God’s image and likeness, and of the imperative to relate to them accordingly. However, this neuro-biological fact is not an excuse for such behavior, but an invitation for men to be more wary of this temptation as a gender specific snare. The over-identification with ANY desire, thought, feeling, person, place or thing in a way that rivets and binds one’s self to it inevitably enslaves, distorts, warps and fragments perception in a hell-bound way that eventually results in suffering. Such is the definition, and latter end, of idolatry. Depending on the severity of the habit in question, there are a number of steps to gain self-mastery and control that have proven worthwhile and effective. When in doubt, discover which recovery resources are available that best fit your person and circumstance.

Joe Masterleo is in private practice at 12 Dewitt St., Syracuse, NY 315-415-4880 Joe is also affiliated with the Crossway Counseling Network. www.joemasterleolcsw.com

I had walked life's path with an easy tread, Had followed where comfort and pleasure led; And then by chance in a quiet place I met my Master face to face. With station and rank and wealth for goal, Much thought for body but none for soul, I had entered to win this life's mad raceWhen I met my Master face to face. I had built my castles, reared them high, Till their towers had pierced the blue of the sky; I had sworn to rule with an iron mace When I met my Master face to face. I met Him and knew Him, and blushed to see That His eyes full of sorrow were fixed on me; And I faltered, and fell at His feet that day While my castles vanished and melted away. Melted and vanished; and in their place I saw naught else but my Master's face; And I cried aloud: "Oh, make me meet To follow the marks of Thy wounded feet." My thought is now for the souls of men; I have lost my life to find it again Ever since alone in that holy place My Master and I stood face to face. Author Unknown

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tisha b’av by Robin Citron Shalom, every one. It’s August again. The temperature continues to rise, the kids have been out of school for over a month and are bored. We aren’t looking forward to another break in the regularly scheduled programs of our lives until Labor day, in September. Or are we? On August 9, 2011 jews the world over will be mourning – as we do every year. August 9, 2011 is Tisha B’Av (the Ninth day of fifth month, called “Avâ€?). This day on the Hebrew calendar marks a great many tragedies in jewish history. It is written in - Mishnah Ta'anit (A jewish non-cannonical sacred text), Chapter four, verse 6 â€œâ€Ś misfortunes befell our fathers. ...On the ninth of Av it was decreed that our fathers should not enter the [Promised] Land, the Temple was destroyed the first and second time, Bethar was captured ‌ “ The first of these refers to the bad report brought back by the spies in Numbers, Chapter thirteen. The second reference, the end of Solomon’s Temple, we see beginning in II Kings 25:8-9 on the seventh day of the fifth month, and culimating with the Temple burning on the ninth day. The destruction of the second temple – Herod’s Temple occurred in 70CE and the fourth of these events ended the Bar Kochba rebellion in the year 135CE. In 1290 King Edward I of England signed an edict expelling all Jews from England. In 1492 the Alhambra Decree exiled Jews from Spain. In 1940 Himmler presented his plan for the "Final Solution" to the Jewish problem to the Nazi Party, and in 1942 Nazis begin deporting Jews from the Warsaw Ghetto. All these events occurred on the ninth of Av. We know that this commemoration was already observed in Zechariah’s time. We read in Zechariah 7:3 of the people coming to the priests asking,

“Should I weep in the fifth month and fast as I have done for so many years?� But in Judaism, mourning is expressed in ways that extend beyond weeping. In fact there are very specific customs regarding mourning practice. Jews refrain from celebrations and luxury, including eating meat, drinking wine, wearing leather... Cutting hair, shaving, wearing new clothes, even looking in mirrors – in fact any concern with satisfying or beautifying the physical self is discouraged. All this because we are to feel our loss. In this we honor the lost. On Tisha B’Av Lamentations is read. We (as on Yom HaKippurim the Day of Atonements) also fast. The purpose of fasting is debated in judeo-christian scholarship. The many viewpoints are best left for another day. Suffice it to say that we are commanded in Leviticus 23:27 on Yom HaKippurim we are to “afflict our souls�, which rabbis of old understsood as fasting and observing mourning practices. They seem to have extended that commandment to Tisha B’Av based on the Zechariah passage. But lest we become compacent the afflicting of our own souls, beware. The Zechariah passage does not end there. It continues with the Lord responding that they were not fasting for HIM. Are we much different? How then are we to understand and apply this? We look as we do in all things, to Yeshua (Jesus) for answers. He spoke about fasting. He said when you fast, don’t look like you are fasting (Matthew 16). He said that nothing gets rid of faithlessness but prayer and fasting (Mark 17). And when He and His disciples were accused of reprobate behavior He said that while the bridegroom is with us how can we fast (Luke 5). Paul also speaks of fasting - too often to cover here. Pursue this study yourself, and let me know what you find! To learn more about God’s appointed fasts and feasts, visit New Beth Israel, Messianic Jewish Synagogue, 601 Iriving Avenue, Syracuse, Saturday mornings at 10 am. Or call (315) 425-1400 for more information.

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connection as the deer...

by Patty Mondore

I had just gotten back from my morning jog. It had been rather uneventful other than that I was continuing to work on my memory verses as I jogged. I’ve discovered there is no better place for memorizing Scriptures than while jogging. I was walking up the driveway when I heard a slight rustling in the bushes and saw a newborn fawn. It appeared as though he had been born right where he was lying since the shrubbery was matted down all around him. He was a beautiful tawny brown with white spots all over his tiny body. His huge black eyes met mine. The little guy struggled to get up when he saw me, and once he got to his feet we stood and stared at each other in silence for a while. I asked him where his momma was and began looking around to see if she might be watching us from somewhere nearby. I didn’t see her and began to be a little concerned that I had happened upon an abandoned orphan. After a few minutes something spooked the little fawn. Either that or he simply decided to give his new legs a test run. He darted a few yards away but stopped abruptly, looked back at me and slowly wandered back to his little spot on the ground and lay down. When I realized he wasn’t in a hurry to go anywhere, I ran in the house to get my camera wondering if he would be long gone by the time I got back. He wasn’t. If anything, he seemed captivated by the camera and posed as I took all kinds of pictures of him. After a while, the little guy apparently got enough of the Paparazzi who had invaded his little space and finally got up and bounded into the nearby woods, his white flagged tail flying high behind him. It was a remarkable experience though I sure wish I knew where the mother was. From previous experiences I have found that if you get too close to a fawn in the wild you can hear the mother deer snorting and stomping the ground from a nearby bush. I guess we really didn’t try to get too close. And watching the little guy leap into the forest, he seemed to be in perfect health. I just hoped his mom found him soon. As I walked toward the house, I had to smile. I wondered if God was smiling, too. I try to memorize a favorite passage of Scripture each year and

August EvEnt

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the verses I had working on this morning began with, “As the deer longs for streams of water…” I have always loved Psalm 42 but also figured it was a great Psalm to memorize while jogging along the River: “As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before him? Day and night I have only tears for food, while my enemies continually taunt me, saying, ‘Where is this God of yours?’ My heart is breaking as I remember how it used to be: I walked among the crowds of worshipers, leading a great procession to the house of God, singing for joy and giving thanks amid the sound of a great celebration! Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again-- my Savior and my God! Now I am deeply discouraged, but I will remember you-- even from distant Mount Hermon, the source of the Jordan, from the land of Mount Mizar. I hear the tumult of the raging seas as your waves and surging tides sweep over me. But each day the LORD pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life. ‘O God my rock,’ I cry, ‘Why have you forgotten me? Why must I wander around in grief, oppressed by my enemies?’ Their taunts break my bones. They scoff, ‘Where is this God of yours?’ Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again-- my Savior and my God!” – Psalm 42 Later that afternoon I was out in my kayak thinking about the little fawn, and Psalm 42. I sure hope the little fawn found his mother. Though I didn’t choose to memorize it just because it mentions a deer, I do love the many illustrations from nature Psalm 42 uses. But the point the Psalmist was making is that he was deeply discouraged – almost in despair. He compared his desperate longing for God’s comfort, to a deep thirst that nothing else can satisfy. But like many of the Psalms, his song ends on a different note – a note of hope. He knew that his God is faithful and that he has promised to provide for all of his children’s needs. Not just their physical needs, but their need for his love and his eternal presence. The Psalmist was reminded that his God would bring him through his present difficulties and refill his thirsty soul to overflowing with a heart of praise. As I reached the shore I heard a loud crashing in the nearby brush. A large deer had been down drinking from the place I was about to land. I pulled the boat out of the water and cautiously stepped out on land hoping to catch a glimpse. Sure enough, I was in just enough time to see a magnificent doe leap into the air, her white flag of a tail waving behind her. But suddenly, from behind me I heard another rustle and saw a tiny spotted fawn leap after his mother. He paused only a moment to look back at me before the two of them disappeared into the forest, together.

prayer in all by by David David Aiello Aiello All made by Him, All obey though some have fallen, All things can worship, All things can pray. For what is worship but a direction, an acknowledgement, a moving towards. The greatest worship being from that which is greatest. Have we ever seen a galaxy bow down; the very rays of light bend beneath the weight of His will. These are but small things to which He is able. He deserves our honor, He deserves our respect. So, stretch out your will, reach deep to your inner soul. Find the humility to base yourself and become a channel of worship and prayer. Look to the world around you; move those things in your hands in line to acknowledge Him. For even the grass can reach up, even the trees can bend, even the winds can be joined in order to sing. We as well can worship: in movement, in thought, in feeling, in focus, in words, in body together. Let us perform our duties and offer our prayers to the mysterious invisible power that lightnings them to Glory. Let us seek to be a greater measure that fills His cup rather than our own. All things are prayer that are in prayer. “Prayer in All” is a philosophical interpretation of the nature of prayer, an acknowledgement of prayer in action, and a call to Union and worship through prayer. Copyright 2010 by David Aiello

Patty's summer nature columns are now available in book form. River-Lations: nspirational Stories and Photos from the Thousand Islands is available in stores throughout the Thousand Islands, or online at www.gold-mountain.com.

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eaRthen vessels August in the gethsemAne PrAyer gArden by Thomas B. Clarke The Gethsemane Prayer Garden at Faith Chapel, 4113 W. Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse, is a one-acre landscaped garden for people to enjoy the beauty of God our Creator and to rest in His presence. The garden is open to the public and there is no admission fee. The hope at Faith Chapel is that people would visit this small but intimate garden, seeing it as an outdoor sanctuary and a place to experience God and His love. There are fifty perennial flower varieties and several hundred shrubs and trees, intended to usher in God’s peace. Benches are available for a quiet time with the Lord.

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I enjoy the cooler evenings as fall approaches – the evening dew seems heavier this time of year as it settles on the soft and delicate flowers and leaves. I also enjoy watching parents as they bring their young children down by the stream to catch a frog, possibly the same one that another child delightfully caught just the day before. And I enjoy the rainbows of August, totally unscheduled events that catch the promising rays of the sun as a sudden shower leaves the area. Most of the flowers in the Prayer Garden are perennials yet there is one annual, the cosmos, whose self-seeding effect gives the appearance of a perennial. The profusion of pure white, soft pink, ruby red and deep crimson blossoms peak in August, although many first opened in late June or sometime in July. If you sit quietly, you may see a brightly colored yellow goldfinch

hop from branch to branch of the cosmos, eating a few seeds and scattering the rest. I also enjoy showing the garden visitor the purple-blue anise hyssop flowers as they reach out with an invitation to smell its refreshing fragrance. “Crush the leaves as you breathe it in,” I suggest. “See if you can identify what it smells like.” We also have a large collection of Russian sage in this garden, bluishpurple flowers with sprays and sprays of color. Again I encourage the garden visitor to squeeze a few leaves as we then move on to other plants such as lavender, cat mint and thyme. To me, the Japanese anemone is the August show-stopper in the garden. Hundreds and hundreds of softly-hued pinkish-lavender blossoms prolifically fill one larger area. Although most people cannot detect a fragrance from these elegant flowers, the honey bees may be seen enthusiastically flitting from blossom to blossom, totally oblivious to people nearby. Purple Coneflowers continue their simple yet multitudinous blossoming in many areas throughout the garden in August. By the end of August, many will have lost their color so we clip off the old dead heads to prevent many new plants from sprouting. This garden is heavily dependent on a large force of volunteers – some years we have more than others. When we have enough people, we try to trim the spirea so that they can get a second or even a third period of flowering. We have a dozen or so in the garden ranging from white to soft pink to vibrant red, and they are truly beautiful while in blossom. Tom Clarke is Caretaker of the Gethsemane Prayer Garden at Faith Chapel and author of A Garden of Love www.agardenoflove.com which is a book about Christian love using photographs from this garden. His blog is www.prayergardeners.blogspot.com/. Or discover more about the garden at: www.prayergardeners.com/gethsemane/index.html.

But Samuel replied, "What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams. 1 Samuel 15:22

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cAn’T BeAT ‘em? eAT ‘em! by Roxanne J. Ferguson The growing season has been a good one for the weeds. The warm weather and plentiful rain have produced big green healthy ones. Where my garden seed didn’t grow, you can be sure the weeds did. Even where there are plants, they are in competition with the weeds for space. I’ve often wondered what makes a weed a weed since many weeds were brought over from Europe as garden plants. Many weeds have pretty flowers and many are edible. I guess a weed is something that wasn’t planted or intended in a certain spot. Oftentimes weeds are prolific growers and reproducers. Therefore, if unwanted, they become a nuisance.

Sometimes when my husband is trimming the lawn I’ve asked him to leave certain “flowering weeds” so that I can enjoy the color. Other times, when weeding the garden, I harvest the weed, wash and cook it. My favorite is “Lamb’s Quarters,” also known as pigweed. (Not a very appetizing name!) It is a mild, tender green and pleasant to eat. Other edible weeds in my garden are purslane and red root. This year, as I’ve weeded my garden, I’ve felt guilty wasting so many good greens! There have been more weeds than I can keep up with, so I’ve pulled and tossed many. I am thankful that, even if some of my crops are doing poorly, I still can depend on my weeds! I guess the moral of this story is, “If life hands you weeds, eat ‘em! Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food…I give every green plant for food.”

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($67:22' %8< 6(// inspiration :(/&20(6 $PHULFD¡V SUHPLHU SKDUPDF\ An Unlikely neiGhbor by Laurie L. Ferris “But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, ‌â€? Luke 10:33 Last week I watched the movie “Schindler’s List.â€? This was probably one of the most heart-wrenching movies I have ever watched. And at the same time one of the most inspirational. Many know the movie depicts the life of a man (Oscar Schindler) who saved many of the Jews from extermination in the German camps during the Holocaust. In one scene of the movie Oscar is sitting with a soldier of the German Army. They are both drinking but Oscar Schindler was more controlled. The -DPHV 6W ‡ 6\UDFXVH soldier speaks to Oscar about power and having power over the Jewish ÄĽ people. The man speaking to Oscar was a ruthless man and had no problem shooting and killing the Jews for sport. He would literally sit on his veranda and shoot those walking by for no apparent reason. So, Oscar’s reply to him about power was shocking. He quoted a famous Emperor as saying “True power is having the justification to kill but showing pardon instead.â€? The ruthless soldier thought Oscar was a crazy man for saying such a thing and yet it had a lasting impression on him. The Emperor’s quote made me think of someone else many thought to be crazy. Jesus had every justification to send people to their death and yet He pardoned them. Unlike Jesus, Oscar Schindler lived a very sinful worldly life. He was a drunk and a womanizer. He had every luxury a man in that time could ask for. Yet, under the surface, there was something else at work here. He was a compassionate man. He watched the plight of the Jewish workers and he moved in their direction to help them. He used his worldly influence to employ them to be his labor force. Yes, at first it was just for profit as it was cheaper labor for him. But then something happened in his heart. He was German himself yet he saw the Jews as fellow humans. He went as far as taking ownership of them. He bought them for a price and they were known as Schindler Jews. Those who worked for him didn’t fear for their lives. He made sure no one treated them poorly. He began to care more about their freedom then his profit. At one point his accountant Itzhak Stern (A Jew) conveys his concerns about the business. Oscar’s reply to him was “You are my business.â€? Wow! I cried at that reply. Here he was a German and he

memo from God Author Unknown I am God. Today I will be handling all of your problems. Please remember that I do not need your help. If life happens to deliver a situation to you that you cannot handle, do not attempt to resolve it. Kindly put it in the SFGTD (something for God to do) box. It will be addressed in My time, not yours. Once the matter is placed into the box, do not hold on to it or remove it. Holding on or removal will delay the resolution of your problem. If it is a situation that you think you are capable of handling, please consult me in prayer to be sure that it is the proper resolution. Because I do not sleep nor do I slumber, there is no need for you to lose any sleep. Rest my child. If you need to contact me, I am only a prayer away. Be happy with what you have: Should you find it hard to get to sleep tonight, just remember the homeless family who has no bed to lie in. Should you find yourself stuck in traffic, don't despair: There are people in this world for whom driving is an unheard of privilege.

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could have bought more Jews their freedom. He realizes in part the worth of a soul. It is overwhelming to him. What really stands out to me is he wasn’t even a believer. He lived for himself and was very worldly. My thoughts here are how much more could I do with my life? How many times have I missed an opportunity to minister to another soul? How many times do I choose my comfort over the needs of others? I wonder on a bigger scale about the “Churchâ€? at large today. Where are we really in the scheme of things? In the parable of the man beaten and left to die, the least one to help came to the rescue. He was a Samaritan. Like Oscar, by the “religious leader’s estimation He was a sinner or outsider. Yet he showed more compassion than those that were considered “insiders.â€? Remember, it was the religious men‌the priest and the Levi who walked over the man as he bled there. They showed absolutely no compassion at all. Their concern was for themselves. Hmmm‌.some pretty big “religious leadersâ€? also turned a blind eye while the Holocaust was going on. I will end by asking this. Shouldn’t those of us who know the Savior personally be the first ones to step forward and help any neighbor in need? Shouldn’t we be asking ourselves, “how much time, energy and finances do we spend on pleasure, while others are in need?â€? I know all leisure isn’t sin. Yet, how much more could I be doing for Him?

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Lord, help us not to forget that everyone you have put in our path is our neighbor.

Should you have a bad day at work, think of the man who has been out of work for years. Should you despair over a relationship gone badly, think of the person who has never known what it's like to love and be loved in return. Should you grieve the passing of another weekend, think of the woman in dire straits, working twelve hours a day, seven days a week to feed her children. Should your car break down, leaving you miles away from assistance, think of the paraplegic who would love the opportunity to take that walk. Should you notice a new gray hair in the mirror, think of the cancer patient in chemo who wishes she had hair to examine. Should you find yourself at a loss and pondering what is life all about, asking, "What is my purpose?", be thankful. There are those who didn't live long enough to get the opportunity. Should you find yourself the victim of other people's bitterness, ignorance, smallness or insecurities, remember: things could be worse. You could be them!

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The DreaDeD TeeTerToTTer SynDrome by Jimmy Evans There is a dangerous dynamic that sets up in many marriages. I call it the teeter-totter syndrome. It is based upon the dynamic where we naturally respond to our spouse’s behavior. When one spouse moves to an unhealthy or extreme position, the other spouse will almost always adjust to the other extreme to protect themselves and the relationship. Imagine two people sitting face to face in the middle of a teeter-totter on a playground. Since they are in the very middle of the teeter-totter, they are close and their weight is balanced. But what happens if one of them moves backwards? You know how it works. On a teeter-totter, everything the other person does on their side effects you on your side—just like marriage. If the other person on a teeter-totter moves backwards, then you also have to move backwards to keep the balance. If they continue to move backwards, you have to keep moving. The most extreme position would be for two people to both be on the very end of their side in the classic position we think of related to an actual playground teeter-totter. Even though it may be fun on a playground, it is a pain dynamic in marriage. The way it works in real life is like this: One spouse is out of control in their spending so the other spouse has to go to extremes to try to protect the money; one spouse is distant with the kids and won’t discipline them, so the other spouse has to become the disciplinarian and full time attendant; one spouse becomes a religious fanatic and tries to enforce a legalistic environment in the home so the other spouse fights to keep some fun and balance in the marriage and in their own life which the other spouse interprets as sin and compromise. The truth is that our natural response to what we perceive to be a wrong move on our spouse’s part is to adjust accordingly to a “balancing” position. This is the teeter-totter syndrome. There are many other examples I could use but you get the point. The truth is that our natural response to what we perceive to be a wrong move on our spouse’s part is to adjust accordingly to a “balancing” position. This is the teeter-totter syndrome. Almost all couples have experienced it. Many have experienced it to an extreme and it has caused a great deal of pain and sometimes even divorce. So how do you avoid getting into this? You pursue your spouse when they make a move you don’t like, you don’t react in kind. Many people justify their extreme behavior in a relationship because of the extreme of their spouse. The problem is their spouse also justifies their behavior because of their extreme. Let’s go to the example of the fanatical legalist and their “”sinning”" spouse. The “”sinner”" justifies their behavior because they don’t want to live in a marriage monastery. You can’t blame them for that even though some of their behavior may be over the line. Their super-religious spouse

Marriage CounCeling

DAILY BREAKFAST & LUNCH SPECIALS

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A couple were having marital problems. They decided to do the right thing and contacted a marriage counselor. Several visits followed when lots of questions were asked and lots of listening carried out. Eventually the counselor felt that he had discovered the main problem. He stood up, went over to the wife and asking her to stand up, he gave her a big hug. He turned to the husband and said, "This is what your wife needs, at least once every day." The husband frowned, considered what had been said for a moment, then replied, "OK, what time do you want me to bring her back tomorrow?"

justifies their behavior because they see their role as the marriage messiah. They must hold the standard high to atone for their reprobate mate in hopes that someday they will see the light. So who is right and who is wrong? Both of them are wrong and neither are justified in their responses. When Adam and Eve fell they both refused to take responsibility for their actions and they both blamed someone else. Regardless of what our spouse does, we must do the right thing. I can’t justify wrong behavior because of my spouse’s behavior. The answer is threefold when you see the teeter-totter syndrome in effect. The first is loving communication and pursuit. Talk to your spouse about their behavior and tell them you feel a distance. Don’t react and create even more distance. The second step is to take responsibility for your own actions. Remember, you began face-to-face in the middle of the teetertotter. If you’ve moved, you’re wrong. You can’t justify your actions and it’s not your spouse’s fault. Be humble and realize that some of your spouse’s actions could have been in response to your moving away from them. The third step is to get help. If you can’t resolve an issue on your own, don’t sit by as your marriage grows more and more distant and the problems more dangerous. Get help. Be willing to get advice and take it. Don’t be satisfied until you are sitting face-to-face again. Remember, that is where you started and the best times in your marriage are always spent right there!

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40 Days to Better Living: optimaL HeaLtH by Dr. Scott Morris and the Church Health Center

become a calmer parent by Debbie Pincus, MS lMhC Does your child’s behavior make you crazy? The truth is, there’s no such thing as anxiety-free anything—let alone anxiety-free parenting. You worry about your child’s behavior, health, attitude and relationships. You’re anxious about how he’s going to turn out and if he’ll have success in life, and yet you’re told over and over to “be calm.” “Calm?!” you scream. “How am I supposed to be calm when my child doesn’t do what I say, talks back and has a bad attitude?” You might also be thinking, “How else can I get her attention?” In saner moments, you might agree that it would be nice to have a calm home and peaceful relationships, but feel like it’s an impossibility. This is a common response to the idea of being a calm parent. While part of us might love the idea because we don’t like yelling and saying things we regret when we’re mad at our kids, another part of us might simply not believe it’s possible to be calm when our kids are pushing our buttons. That’s why we often resort to screaming or other types of reactions with our kids. For many of us, the only way we believe we can calm our own stress or feel validated is by getting our kids to behave the way we want them to. Here’s the problem with that line of thinking: when you do this, you become so over-focused on getting your kids to give you what you need that you become under-focused on soothing yourself. In effect, you’re putting the power to calm yourself down in the hands of your children. That’s when you begin to feel needy, and say things like, “I need you to stop bugging your brother. I need you to talk nicely to me. I need you to respect your father.” The implicit message is, “I need you to calm me, validate me, reassure me because I don’t know what the heck to do.” Understand that when you need something from your children, you become vulnerable to them because they don’t have to give it to you. That’s when you begin to feel overwhelmed and powerless, because you’ve handed that power to your kids. Your anxiety goes way up, and you feel out of control, so you try to gain control over your kids. And as your anxiety increases, so does your reactivity. You react to your anxiety by yelling, hovering, controlling, ignoring, giving in, criticizing, and blaming. You try to control your child—and in his own way, he’ll fight back. At that point you’ve lost sight of him and of yourself. You’re trying desperately to manage your distress in the only ways you know how, but these ways are not working; they simply cause heightened tension, more power struggles and acting out. Soon, everyone in the family is acting from anxiety and not from thoughtfulness. The power struggle begins and seems to never end. This is the reason why it’s so important for you to learn the skill of becoming a calm parent. Stop getting caught in power struggles with your child. Do You Feel Responsible for Your Child’s Success in Life? When you believe you’re responsible for how your child turns out, you put a huge amount of pressure on yourself, because you’ve given yourself an impossible task. It’s part of the reason why you get anxious, reactive and mad at your kids. But remember, anxiety breeds reactivity and calm breeds calm. “How else am I going to get my child to behave and act like a good citizen?” you ask. “If I don’t get him to do it, who will? And how can I be calm when he’s not calm?” The way you will get him there is by getting the focus where it belongs—off of him and onto you. Here are some ways to stop being an anxious parent and start being a calm one: 1) Make being calm your number one goal. Most of us have had a boss at one time or another who infuriated them. When dealing with this person, how did you keep your cool? As much as you would have liked to scream at your boss, you probably kept it together, because you didn’t give yourself permission to lash out. This is the first and most important step: Remind yourself that losing it is never allowed. 2) Don’t make your child’s behavior about you. When you react as if your child’s behavior is about you, then it becomes about you. But her behavior is her choice—how you decide to respond to it is always your choice. This is

where you have control—over yourself, and no one else. The bottom line is that your child’s behavior is ultimately hers to decide. It is not about you. 3) Always decide how you will behave as a parent, no matter how your child chooses to behave. Your child doesn’t control your behavior, but sometimes if you’re not careful, you’ll act as if he does. If you’re looking for your child’s validation, then you’ve put him in control of you. Remind yourself of the following: “No one can validate me but me.” 4) Turn your focus on yourself. Focus on your own behavior, not on your child’s. Part of this is learning ways to better manage your emotions. When you get focused on your life and your goals, you’ll have more connection and influence over your child. 5) Put your “thinking self” in the driver’s seat and put your emotions in the passenger seat. Make decisions from your head instead of from your fleeting emotions. Most importantly, know the difference between the two—are you reacting to your child out of anger, or are you thinking through your responses first and calmly telling him what you’ve decided? Let your emotions inform you, but don’t allow them to take over the steering wheel. This is the best way to thoughtfully decide how you want to lead your family. Take Time for Yourself Remember, you have the right to take time for yourself. You don’t have to answer your child immediately with a knee-jerk reaction if something makes you upset. Take the time to figure it out. A thoughtful response always starts with pausing, thinking, and then asking yourself “How do I want to handle this?” Your goal is to problem solve with your child, but it’s hard to get there if you’re upset. Take some time first to figure out what’s bothering you the most. Ask yourself, “Why am I so upset? What’s being triggered here for me?” Recognize what’s pulling you in different directions. Use whatever it takes to get clarity on what’s happening with your child versus what’s happening with you. The closer you can be to “What does my child really need in this situation?” the better you can help him. What you can—and can’t—change about your child You can change how you react to your child, but you can’t change him. Remember, it’s not about changing your child, it’s about changing yourself and how you react to him. The process of attempting to change someone else is actually flawed from the start. Instead, recognize that you have to change yourself, which means getting your anxiety in check, managing your emotions, being an observer of yourself, and knowing what’s being triggered for you. I like to think of parenting as being similar to leadership in an organization. If you have an immature leader running an organization, it’s not going to be very good leadership. The more that leader is his own person and acts in fair and respectable ways, the better everybody’s going to do. It’s the same thing with parenting. One question I always ask clients is, "What do you want to do in this situation as a responsible parent?" Sometimes you might back off, and sometimes you might set a firmer limit with your child. Essentially, you're creating a boundary for yourself. What will you put up with? What's your bottom line? The key is to take a clear approach in what you will do as a responsible parent. Parent the child you have--not the child you wish you had. Look at who your child is naturally. You’re not going to change a zebra into a leopard. You can help your child stretch a little bit and work on her skills. If she’s very outgoing and reactive, she may have to be reined in. If she’s very introverted, she may have to stretch a little bit. While you can’t change your child’s personality, you can influence her toward better behavior by calmly giving thoughtful consequences and setting limits. When you shift your way of doing things and become a calm parent, you’ll shift your whole family system. Think of it this way: somebody can work for a boss and be terrible, and then work for another boss and be great. That worker’s personality hasn’t necessarily changed—rather, the boss/employee dynamic has changed. The same is true with your child. If you stop focusing on what’s wrong with your child and instead focus on what you need to change in yourself, you’re on your way.

The first in a series of striking full color health and wellness books by Dr. Morris and the Church Health Center staff, 40 Days to Better Living: Optimal Health confirms and clarifies what many of us already suspect: living the life we’ve always wanted must go deeper than a diet and exercise program and an occasional attempt to “do better.” Morris is convinced that to achieve the highest degree of wellness requires a multi-dimensional approach and a concentrated effort to be healthy in both body and spirit. He believes, “True health is grounded in the spiritual life that embraces the physical bodies God gives us.” Morris adds, “Instead of the absence of disease, I see health as the presence of those elements that lead us to joy and love, and that drive us closer to God. Finding balance by nurturing our spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical needs is essential to the real health of the whole person.” 40 Days to Better Living: Optimal Health offers clear, manageable steps to life-changing attitudes and actions in a context of understanding and grace for all people at all points on the journey to optimal health. With plenty of practical advice, spiritual encouragement, and real stories of those who have found a better life, this simple and skillfully crafted book inspires readers to customize their own path to wellness by using the 7-Step Model for Healthy Living as a guide: · Nutrition: pursuing smarter food choices and eating habits · Friends and family: giving and receiving support through relationships · Emotional life: understanding feelings and managing stress to better care for yourself · Work: appreciating your skills, talents, and gifts · Movement: discovering ways to enjoy physical activity · Medical care: partnering with health care providers to optimize medical care · Faith life: building a relationship with God, neighbors, and self Along with tips from the Model for Healthy Living, the easy-to-read format features a Morning Reflection and an Evening Wrap-Up as well as a place for documenting plans, progress, and perspectives. Targeted scriptures and prayers that undergird the focus of each day’s message make this compact book an excellent choice for a daily devotional. Barbour Publishing/July 2011 ISBN: 9781616262648/176 pages/paperback/$7.99 www.healthcareyoucanlivewith.com/40 DaysSeries

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The Good News PaPer PO Box 15303, Syracuse, NY 13215 Phone 315-488-0800 www.goodnewspaper.org Email: goodnews@twcny.rr.com Volume 16 Issue 1 Publisher: Catherine C. Fida Assistant Editor: Leah Rizzo Contributing Writers: Cynthia Badger; Rev.Thomas Burgess; Laurie Ferris; Mary LaClair; Joseph Masterleo; Tamara Myers; Patty Mondore; John Petrilli; Natalie Pierce, Robin Citron. Distributors: Patricia Barnes; Frank McCarthy; Pam St. Germaine; Frank & Angela Sieldwicki; Stacia Traver. The Good News Paper is a not-forprofit, inter-denominational, multicultural Christian newspaper that is published eleven times a year by Son Light Ministries, Inc. The Good News Paper welcomes submissions of press releases and news of interest. All editorial and advertising is subject to publishers approval and the publisher reserves the right to reject any editorial or advertisement. Our publication does not knowingly accept advertising that is deceptive, fraudulent, or which might otherwise violate the law or accepted standard of taste. However, this publication does not warrant or guarantee the accuracy of any advertisement, nor the quality of goods or services advertised. Readers are cautioned to investigate all claims made in any advertisements, and to use good judgement and reasonable care, particularly when dealing with persons unknown to you who ask for money in advance of delivery of goods or services advertised. PhotogrAPhiC rEquirEmEnts Photographs that are submitted for print, must have good clarity and contrast. Color or B&W photographs are acceptable. If you would like your photo returned please submit a self-addressed, stamped envelope along with your photograph. Digital format accepted are jpeg, pdf, or tif. Closing DAtEs: Published the beginning of each month. Editorial material must be submitted by the 15th of the month prior to publication issue. Advertising by the 20th.

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worship today Five principals oF corporate worship by Ron Man theocentric Worship: Acceptable worship is by definition theocentric (Godcentered) worship. Only the Creator is worthy to receive our praise; and we desperately need regular and repeated reminders to take our focus off of ourselves and our needs, and to refocus on Him who is the Giver and Sustainer of life and of life eternal (Psalm 148:13). Reverent Worship: A precious truth for Christians is that God is not distant, but has come close through His Son Jesus Christ. But He is also at the same time the transcendent God of the universe, and His Son is the glorified Head of the church. Through dignified worship we come into God's presence with due reverence (Psalm 96:9). Blended Worship: We have found corporate worship to be a powerful unifying force in the life of our church. An important element in bringing this about has

Abundant Life Christian Center

Youth & Children’s Ministry | Spanish & Russian Translations 7000 All Nations Blvd E Syracuse, NY 13057

alcclife.org 315.463.7300

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7744 Frontage road plaza • Cicero, ny13039 (315) 415-6217 sun service:10am • Wed & Fri: harp & Bowl intercession 7-9pm Apostolic Ministers James & Roseanne Exner

We’re a Five-Fold Ministry Governed FelloWship apostles • prophets • evangelists • pastors • teachers

been a decision not to offer contrasting traditional/contemporary services on Sunday morning but to include the body of Christ in all of its diversity in a single kind of service. This involves incorporating a mixture of musical styles in what has been termed blended worship. thematic Worship: The musical blend is given coherence through an emphasis on thematic worship. A single theme governs the selection of all music and readings used, which are then woven together to develop the theme. This theme may be an attribute of God (love, holiness, etc.), a particular aspect of worship (prayer, praise, etc.). (Psalm 150:2). Participatory Worship: Worship is an activity for all of God's people. It is not intended to be a spectator sport! One of the most precious truths of the Christian faith is the free access which all believers have into the presence of God; and in corporate worship all are called and invited to respond to the Almighty with their hearts and with their voices. (Psalm 79:13)

Victory christian center

209 oswego street, Liverpool, ny 13088 committed to Loving God, rebuilding Lives, restoring hopes and Dreams and Fulfilling God’s Destiny serVice tiMes: sunday 10:15aM Wednesday 7:00PM a Foursquare Gospel church • We are a second-chance church

Pastors: todd & Yolanda Redden serviCe tiMes: sun. 11:00 am Wed. eve 7:00 pm

www.newbeginningssyracuse.org On The Corner of: Thompson Rd. & Northern Blvd. Cicero, NY 13039 699-4140

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Word of Life Assembly of God 12 East Oneida St., Baldwinsville NY 638-8870

Pastor Randy Czyz

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219 County Rt. 57 Phoenix, NY 13135 (Just 2 miles North of Rt. 31)

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Hope AblAze Ministries Jeannie M. norwich pastor 3650 James st., syr. nY 13206 315-391-5013 • 11AM sunday

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TRINITY ASSEMBLY OF GOD 4398 Rte. 31 • Clay, New York 13041 Pastor Thomas & Eunhee Hertweck Senior Pastors (315) 652-4996 / 652-4370 • www.trinityagchurch.org Sunday Services Additional Services Sunday School 9:15 am Wed. 7 pm Worship 10:15 am & 6 pm Sat. Prayer 6 pm

NEW BEGiNNiNGS CHRiStiAN CENtER “church on the rock - syracuse” 7247 State Fair Blvd. • Syracuse • 635-3989

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Loving God, Loving People

7965 Oswego Road Liverpool, NY 13090 315-652-3160 www.northsideonline.org

Bruce Aubrey, Senior Pastor Worship Service: Saturday 5:05 PM Worship Service: Sunday 9:30 & 11 AM Sunday Evening Prayer Service: 6:30 PM

750 James Street Syracuse, New York 13203

315.472.7625 FAMILY CHURCH

www.SyracuseRiver.org Service Time: Sunday at 10:00 am

Founding Pastors Danny and Jean Thornton

hoPe christian FeLLoWshiP

119 south Peterboro st., canastota, ny 13032 Pastors tom & rene Burgess • 800-294-9131 www.hopeincanastota.weebly.com email: tgb1953@aol.com

Abound in Hope (Romans 15:13) sunday 10 a.m. Pre-service Fellowship and Prayer sunday 10:30 a.m. Worship and the Word, with children dismissed for sunday school during sermon Wednesday 6:30 p.m. adult Prayer and Bible study

New Heart Ministries Pastor Charity Gustke

68 Smokey Hollow Rd., Baldwinsville NY 13027 (Corner of OswegoRoad (48) & Smokey Hollow Rd.)

315-383-2876 • www.newheart-ministries.org Worship Service Sundays @ 10:30am

Grace Grace evanGelical covenant covenant church 5300 State Rte. 31 (Corner at Stearns Rd.) Clay, NY 13041 315-699-1551 www.gracecovchurch.org Rev. William Anthes, Senior Pastor

SuNdAY SERviCES 8:30 am & 11:00 am Sunday School 9:45 am

SYRACUSE SALT OF THE EARTH MINISTRIES 320 West Onondaga Street, Syracuse, NY 13204 Pastor Frankie Jackson • 423-3829 SUN Worship Service 11am FRI Living Out the Word (Bible Study) 7pm

"A Place Where the Whole Family can Enjoy" www.ssemf.org

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