SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2015
5 A
Learn to receive what God has for you
Have you ever had a hard
time receiving a gift from
someone? God’s gift of salva-
tion is one gift you will want
to say yes to.
Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For
it is by free grace that you are
saved … through faith. And
this is not of yourselves, but it
is the gift of God; not because
of works…lest any man
should boast” (AMPC).
We are saved by the
grace of God through our
faith in Him; our faith does
not buy our salvation — it
New Life
Lutheran Church
Presents an organ and violin concert,
“Advent
Contemplations”
Dec.6 • 4:00pm
Brian Lindsey,
New Life Organist,
merely receives it.
As Ephesians 2:8 says, sal-
vation “is the gift of God.” It
is impossible to buy a free gift
and this can be hard for us to
understand. Our flesh wants
to earn and deserve this free
gift and take credit for being
worthy of it.
But salvation is given to us
freely, by God’s grace, and
the same way we receive
Christ’s salvation, is the same
way we have to live — by
grace.
God gives us His forgive-
ness and grace daily; we just
have to believe and receive it.
In Christ, you are sin-free
in God’s eyes
When God forgives your
sins, it means all of your sins:
past, present and future. You
do not have to be afraid of sin
because God has taken care of
the problem. This is why the
Gospel is such good news.
Some may worry that if we
don’t fear sin, we will keep
sinning on purpose, but that’s
not true. If you are truly born
again and really have a rela-
tionship with God, there is a
new nature inside of you.
Second Corinthians 5:17
says, “If any person is
[ingrafted] in Christ he is a
new creation; the old has
passed away. Behold, the
fresh and new has come”
(AMPC).
Now, no one is perfect, and
we all make mistakes some-
times.
But if the Holy Spirit is liv-
ing in your spirit through sal-
vation, you won’t be comfort-
able with those mistakes
because God’s nature is at
work in you.
The devil would love for us
to feel like God is mad at us
for our mistakes, but the truth
is, God is love and we need to
humbly accept His love and
grace.
Changed by grace
In John 15:5 (AMPC),
Jesus says, “I am the Vine;
you are the branches.
Whoever lives in Me and I in
him bears much
fruit.
However, apart from Me you
can do nothing.”
I love this scripture because
it reminds me that God does-
n’t expect me to change on
my own.
He is the power source and
gives us the grace and
strength we need to do what’s
right and make changes in our
lives.
Here’s how we cooperate
with Him, doing what we can
do to bring about change:
1. We hear the truth in
God’s Word and we’re con-
victed by it. It’s the Word that
shows us who we are and
reveals the sin in our lives.
We have to realize what we’re
doing wrong before we can
know what needs to change
and how.
2. Then we repent of our
sin. Being repentant means
we’re sincerely sorry and
willing to turn away from it.
(See 1 John 1:9.)
3. The next step is to study
the Word in the area we
need change.
For example, if I have a
problem with anger, I need to
study scriptures about anger
and forgiveness.
Use the Word like medicine
and take it into your heart and
mind.
James 1:21 (AMPC) says to
“welcome the Word which
implanted and rooted [in your
hearts] contains the power to
save your souls.”
There is power in God’s
Word to bring change to our
souls.
Receive all God has for
you and enjoy your life
To receive God’s blessings
and enjoy everyday life, we
simply need to make the deci-
sion to believe Him and His
Word more than our thoughts
and feelings.
The Bible is our instruction
manual on how to grow into
the new nature He’s given us
and become who He wants us
to be.
So take some time each day
to read and meditate on
scriptures that tell you about
God’s love for you, who you
are and what you have in
Christ.
Ephesians 3:17 (AMPC)
says, “May Christ through
your faith dwell in your
hearts. May you be rooted
deep in love and founded
securely on love.”
This scripture is saying that
God loves you; His will is for
you to be His child and
receive every blessing He has
for you — righteousness,
peace, joy, provision of your
needs, healing and restora-
tion.
In Christ, you have a per-
sonal relationship with your
Father God, you can hear
from God and be led by the
Holy Spirit, who lives in your
spirit.
In Christ, you have access
to God’s grace and strength to
do whatever you need to do.
Because of God’s grace,
you are blessed and you can
enjoy your life.
on the pipe organ.
&
Steve Avery
on the violin.
A benefi t for
“Helping Hands Coalition.”
Th e community is invited.
Free will off ering
New Life Lutheran Church
21st and Spruce Sts., Florence
More information
call 541-997-8113
Soup’s On to discuss pleasure, diversion vs. virtue
On Monday, Nov 30, at
6:30 p.m., all are invited to
join a group of friends from
diverse spiritual paths who
enjoy discussing a variety of
spiritual topics. This week
they will discuss “Pleasure
and Diversion.”
The Baha’i writings say,
“One of the signs of a deca-
dent society, a sign which is
very evident in the world
today, is an almost frenetic
devotion to pleasure and
diversion, an insatiable thirst
for amusement, a fanatical
Join Us In Worship
4 lines, approx 15 words, $10 a week
4 week Minimum
Deadline 3 p.m. Mondays.
devotion to games and sport,
a reluctance to treat any mat-
ter seriously, and a scornful,
derisory attitude towards
virtue and solid worth...”
The evening will begin
with bowls of rice and bean
soup, homemade bread, veg-
To be included in this directory contact
the Siuslaw News at 997-3441, or drop off
information at 148 Maple St., Old Town, Florence.
J OIN U S I N W ORSHIP
WATCH! 3 ANGELS BROADCASTING NETWORK
(3ABN) TV UHF Channel 48.
24 hour Christian TV highlights Bible studies of prophecy, inspirational music, health
lectures, healthy cooking and more.
BAY BERRY CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
SINGSPIRATION
You are invited to come and sing your favorite old time gospel hymns
Every Friday night at 7pm • Non-denominational
Bay Berry Square; 101 at Sutton Lake Dr. /milepost 185 N.
For more information , please call 541-997-2681
THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST
OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
Located at Munsel Lake Road and North Fork Road
Worship Services 10:00 AM Sunday
All are welcome! 541-997-7268
FLORENCE UNITARIAN
UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIP
N.W. Corner of Heceta Beach Road & Hwy. 101
Every Sunday at 10 a.m.
All are welcome. (541) 997-2840
FLORENCE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
1st Sunday of Month Worship 10:30
All other Sundays Worship 9 A.M. & 10:30 A.M.
2nd & Kngwood • (541) 997-6025
“Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors”
FOURSQUARE CHURCH
1624 Highway 101 (next to A&W) –- 997-6337
Pastor George Pagel – Something for the entire family.
Sun. Services: 10:45 a.m., Wed. Bible Study 7 p.m. – Youth Group: Sat., 6 p.m.
Website:fl orence4square.com
FLORENCE VINEYARD (GOD’S POWER HOUSE)
COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH
4590 Hwy. 101, Across from Fred Meyer –- 997-7418
Sunday School, 9:30a.m. – Worship, 10:45
Wed. Prayer - 6:00 p.m. –Wed. Ministries 1-8 Grade 7 p.m.
2610 Kingwood, Florence • 541-268-2025
Sunday Worship @ 10:00 a.m., experience the Power of the Holy Spirit
Pastors: George & Beverly Sisemore
Intercessory Prayer & Worship, Thursday night @ 5:00 pm
fl orencevineyardchurch.com
CROSS ROAD ASSEMBLY OF GOD
NEW LIFE CHURCH-UPC
Corner of 10th & Maple –- 997-3533
Bible Study at 9:00 A.M.
Services: Worship, 10:30 A.M.
fl orencecrossroad.org • offi ce@fl orencecrossroad.org
1525 12th St., Suite 24 •541-991-9398
Sunday Services: 10am and 6pm
Tues. Bible Study 7:00pm
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH - SBC
NEW LIFE LUTHERAN CHURCH, E.L.C.A.
1935 25th St. – 997-7660 • Pastor, Dr. Marvin Owen
Series ‘Through the Bible’ on Wednesdays 6 p.m.
A friendly place to worship, vacationers welcome.
Sun.; 11am & 6pm, Sunday school 9:45am.
FLORENCE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
2nd & Ivy – 997-2961 –Non-Denominational
Worship Service: 9:00 am & 10:30 am
Middle School and High School youth groups meet on Wednesday.
FLORENCE CHURCH OF CHRIST
Pre-Denominational (Romans 16:16)
1833 Tamarack Street (2 blocks east of Hwy. 101 on 18th St.)
Bible Study: Sunday 10 a.m.; Worship: Sunday 11 a.m.
www.churchofchristfl orence.org
21st & Spruce Street – 997-8113
Adult Forum 9 a.m. – Sunday School 10:30 a.m.
Worship services; Sun. 10:30am & Wed. 6pm.
Pastor Lori Blake
www.lutheranchurchfl orence.com
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF THE SIUSLAW
Traditional Worship Service 10:00 a.m. , Reverend Greg Wood
Sunday School and Nursery – Organ and Choir
All Welcome. Come as you are.
3996 N Hwy 101
997-7136
RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS (QUAKERS)
“War is still not the answer.” FCNL
We worship in homes at 11am Sundays
Call 997-4237 or 902-9511 for locations.
etables and a celebration of
James’ 71st birthday, fol-
lowed by the evening’s topic
until 8:30 p.m.
The gathering will end with
prayers for the requests left in
the Prayer Pole in the garden
of the Florence Playhouse and
those shared by the group.
Everyone is invited to
attend this weekly meeting at
the Heintz home, 875 Seventh
St.
For more information, call
Suzanne Mann-Heintz at
541-590-0779.
Unitarians to discuss
‘divine guidance’
The Rev. Dr. Marcia Pearce
will lead the Florence
Unitarian Universalist worship
service on Sunday, Nov. 29,
from 10 to 11 a.m.
The title of Pearce’s talk is:
“Mystic Presence, Divine
Guidance, Intuition — Which
Is It?”
“When we need help and
choose to call upon something
greater than ourselves, what is
it that answers?” asks Pearce.
“Is it really what we call God?
And, over the years, have we
let our God grow up?”
Pearce will share one or two
of the spiritual experiences
that have moved her to grow.
While still honoring the
God of her childhood, Pearce
says she now obtains the great-
est joy and fulfillment in the
counsel of the Divine within.
“That counsel comes to all
of us — when we seek it,” says
Pearce.
The UU Fellowship is locat-
ed at 87738 Highway 101 at
Heceta Beach Road.
FUUF is wheelchair acces-
sible, and each service con-
cludes with refreshments and a
dialogue circle to explore the
questions that come up during
each service.
For more information, call
541-997-2840.
Elks host Christmas party
for children Dec. 19
Florence Elks Club will
host its annual Children’s
Christmas Party on Saturday,
Dec. 19, from 1 to 3 p.m.
There will be a performance
by CROW, a children’s theater
company, and the Elks’ line
dancing group.
The Ladies of Elks will pro-
vide homemade cookies,
served with BJ’s Ice Cream,
the Past Exalted Rulers will
provide the pinata games and,
of course, Santa Claus will
make a special visit.
For more information, call
the Florence Elks at 541-997-
2610.
...need a friend?
Meet
Tommy
Breed
Sex
Size
Color
Spaniel/Mix
Male
Small
Black/White
FLORENCE CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE
12th and Nopal –997-9020
Worship Service 10:30 a.m.
Youth Group Wed. 7-8:30 p.m.
Online Worship Service@ www.fl orencenaz.com
FLORENCE EVANGELICAL CHURCH
1318 Rhododendron Dr. –- 997-2523 – Worship at 11:00 AM –- Sunday School
at 9:30 AM – Variety of Sunday evening activities - 5 PM
Wed. Bible & Children classes at 6:00 PM
Call for details.
FLORENCE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST
4445 Hwy 101 (South of Fred Meyer) – 997-3951
Worship on Saturday 10:30 A.M.
Adult/Children’s Sabbath School 9:15 A.M.
RESURRECTION LUTHERAN CHURCH, L.C.M.S.
Every Sun., Bible Class 9 a.m., Worship Service 10 a.m.
85294 Hwy. 101 S. – 997-8038
DVD of Weekly worship service available.
Pastor Randy Benscoter
ST. ANDREW’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
2135 19th St. –- 997-6600
The Rev. Georgia C. DuBose, Vicar
8:30am, Tuesdays, Morning Prayer
Sunday Services: 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. - Wed, 11 a.m.
Everyone Welcome – Come walk our Labyrinth.
SAINT MARY, OUR LADY OF THE DUNES
CATHOLIC CHURCH
Masses: Sat. 5:30 p.m., Sun. 11:00 a.m.
1.5 miles south of river on Hwy 101 – 997-2312
If you would like to meet Tommy or any of his
friends, please visit us at:
FLORENCE HUMANE SOCIETY
2840 Rhododendron Drive • Florence • 541-997-4277
www.fl orencehumane.org
This message brought to you by:
Friends of the
Humane Society,
if you would like to help a
friend call the Siuslaw News
541-902-3525.