March 2020

Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret,

but worldly sorrow brings death.

2 Corinthians 7:10

When I was young, the season of Lent was a mysterious

time before Easter when my Catholic friends and neighbors would “give something up.” Recently, the season of Lent has been increasingly em-braced by multiple Christian tradi-tions. Churches from all across the broad spectrum of Christianity are using the season of Lent to draw fol-lowers of Jesus into confession, peni-

tence and renewed spiritual growth.

Lent is the 40 days before Resurrec-tion (or Easter) Sunday. It consists of calls of prayer, fasting, and generosi-ty. During Lent, we highlight the over-whelming sin that crushes us with guilt and shame while also embracing the promise of forgiveness which results in our resurrected life in Christ. Our individual and community practices during Lent lead us into repentance (or turning away) from our sinful nature and acts; setting our hearts and minds to God and the Good news of Christ’s life, death and

resurrection. (Colossians 3:1-2)

I have a love-hate relationship with fasting. At times, fasting produces refreshment within my soul because I am able to have intimate moments with my Savior in confession and

repentance. At other times, it seems like an exercise in futility when I give up a pleasure or joy in exchange for the unfulfilled promise of time with God. I sit. I seek. I be still. Yet it seems like I am just sitting, seeking

and being still all alone. (Psalm 13)

I have come to learn that even in those moments where the Lord is “silent” are precious times of solidari-ty with my God. It’s kind of like those moments when Kara and I sit in the same room while reading. We are engaged in our own books, yet we are together. We are engulfed in dif-

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Volume 25, No. 3

The Good Sam Gazette

Published monthly by

Lisa Green, Editor,

Good Samaritan

Community Covenant

Church

4684 Baldwin Street

Valley Springs, CA 95252

Tel. 209.772.9548

Fax 209.772.0451

Web Site: http://gsccc.net

E-mail: office@gsccc.net

Office Hours:

Monday -Thursday

9:00 am - 2:00 pm Closed on Friday

Transitional Pastor:

Bud Locke

Youth Pastor:

Zach Pennell

Office Administrator:

Lisa Green

KidzChurch Coord.:

Deb Justice

Preschool Coord.:

Hannah Olson

Nursery Coord:

Kristina Pennell

Church Treasurer:

Sandy Jump

Financial Secretary:

Julia Gomes

Choir Director

Service Worship Leader:

Duane Rettig

Service Worship Leader:

Aaron Dailey

Church Custodian:

Deb Justice

Deadline for April Gazette Sunday, March 15

Email: office@gsccc.net

Sunday Service Schedule

10:00 am Blended

AWANA Kids’ Bible Club

Wed. 5:30 pm (Aug.-Apr.)

JHO Jr. High Youth Group

Wednesday 6:00-7:30 pm (FOLLOWS CUSD SCHEDULE)

RPM High School Youth

Thursday 7:00-8:30 pm (FOLLOWS CUSD SCHEDULE)

PAGE 2 THE GOOD SAM GAZETTE MARCH 2020

2020 Executive Board

Executive Chair .......................... Dick Brown Vice Chair ................................. Diane Leal Transitional Pastor ...................... .Bud Locke Youth Pastor ........................... Zach Pennell Executive Board Secretary ........ Michele Ladley Deacon Chair ............................ Greg Sattler Trustee Chair ............................ Loren Eiler Christian Life Board Chair ............. Jack Jolliff Church Treasurer ....................... Sandy Jump Advisor .............................. Darrell Williams

Sunday Worship Prayer Team

Bill Ladley, Sharon & Dennis Gregory, Norma Bonds, Claireed Allen, Bob Brayshaw, Dave Clark, Del & Thelma Frazier, Elizabeth Ginn, Steve & Tami Harmon, Jan Hubbart, Mike Mowrey, Gigi Olson, Dora Bowerman, Tina Shinn, Marquita Williams

Offering Counter/Lock-up (Trustees) 03/01 Maureen Aksland, Kim Campos 03/08 Debby Brown, Bob Trapp 03/15 Maureen Aksland, Tim Zabel 03/22 Mike Rusk, Kyle Jump 03/29 Loren Eiler, Bill Dunn

Good Sam Media Team Claire Long, Dave Pattee, Candi Pattee, Amanda Pattee, Hannah Olson, Rodney Goodin, Kurt Williams, Cody Baker, Dylan Smith

The Inn Mary Jean Anderson, Coordinator

Good Sam Bulletin Folding Team John & Shirley Swails, Norma Langley, Margaret Gonzales, Jan Hubbart, Cathy Elliott, Carolee Barritt

(Continue from page 1—Featured Article)

THE GOOD SAM GAZETTE MARCH 2020 PAGE 3

ferent stories, different prose and poetry, but we are connected in the same physical time and place. Some-times I even sense this connected-ness when we are just reading our own news interests on separate tab-lets. Eventually we speak with each other, updating one another on what we just read, sharing the joy of life (and literature) together. Maybe in those times when I sense that I am alone, God is only silent, enjoying my company, delighting in my desire to be with Him. Maybe God is simply saying, “Be still and know…” (Psalm

46:10)

I have come to embrace fasting in all situations: those times when it is deeply intimate and those times when it is incredibly desolate to my soul… and every time in between. This is because, whether I enjoy it or not, fasting is a discipline. It exercises my soul. It stretches and strengthens “faith muscles” I take for granted. No matter what, fasting has five effects

on my spiritual life:

March 3 Mosaics For Missions 11:00am- March 7 MAT Chili Cook-Off 4:00pm March 10 All Boards & Leadership Mtg. 7:00pm March 13 AWANA Boys Sleepover 6:00pm

March 17 Executive Board Mtg. 6:00pm March 20 Family Game Night 6:00pm

March 22 Baptism Sunday 10:00am

March 23-27 Urban Plunge

March 28 Food Pantry, Clothed in Love, Pancake Breakfast 9:00am

March 29 Urban Plunge Sunday 10:00am

Fasting breaks me from my rou-tine to awaken me to God’s pres-

ence.

Fasting denies me a physical joy/pleasure to remind me of my

spiritual need.

Fasting accentuates my need for

provision from God.

Fasting produces discipline that creates new rhythms for spiritual

growth.

Fasting reminds me that my sin-ful condition requires more than

a quick fix.

This is why I obediently fast: God’s love for me in Christ Jesus should completely overwhelm my soul. How-ever, that love doesn’t always com-pletely overwhelm me. I’m getting there, and the discipline of fasting is

helping.

Peace,

Pastor Bud

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Join us for fellowship & fun every 3rd Friday of the month!

Friday, March 20th 6pm

In the Café

Bring your own games or play

some that are provided.

For more information, please contact: Candi Pattee @ 269-6534

PAGE 5 THE GOOD SAM GAZETTE MARCH 2020

All Church Prayer— Mike Mowrey

Mondays 9:30 am in the Sanctuary

Adult Sunday School—Darrell Williams 786-0507

Sundays 8:45 am in the Fireside Room

Art Guild—Maureen Aksland 772-0568

AWANA—Paula Rusk 887-3917

Wednesdays 5:30 pm in the Family Life Center

Clothed In Love—Gigi Olson 601-2192

4th Saturday of every month 9:00 am in the Café

Food Pantry—Dora Bowerman 786-8495

4th Saturday of every month 9:00 am in the Family Life Center

High School Youth Group (RPM)– Youth Pastor Zach Pennell 772-9548

Thursdays 7:00 pm in the Loft

Junior High Youth Group (JHO)– Youth Pastor Zach Pennell 772-9548

Wednesdays 6:00 pm in the Loft

Lamplighters 50+—Del Frazier 772-0569

Thursdays 10:00 am in the Fireside Room

Life Groups– Laurel Jolliff 786-2021

MAT (Missions)—Rhonda Rettig 772-2959

Men’s Ministry (Bible Study)—Gilbert Mackoul 679-3453

Mondays 8:00am/La Contenta Restaurant and Tuesdays 6:30pm/Café

Pancake Breakfast—Sharon & Tim Zabel 4th Saturday of every month 9:00 am in the Café

Prayer Chain—Mourlene Wright 772-2277; Thelma Frazier 772-0569 Sunday Prayer Team—Bill Ladley 772-8684

The Inn—Mary Jean Anderson 772-9160

Ushers & Greeters—Dave Clark 602-9091

Women’s Ministry/WOW—Debbie Ghiselli 772-7152

Tuesdays 9:30 am/Café and 6:30 pm/Fireside Room

PAGE 6 THE GOOD SAM GAZETTE MARCH 2020

JHO

The PSWC Junior High winter retreat was an awesome time for the students and us to step away from the normal routine of life. This week-end we were challenged by the upside-down kingdom where we walked through Matthew 5, 6,

and 7. The speakers encouraged the students to find their identity in Christ and live into that identity by loving others and pursuing God wholeheartedly in their personal lives. One of the concepts we learned was "hey and pray"-- If there is some-one we don't like or have a conflict with, we need to turn towards them, and acknowledge they are made in the image of God too. Pray that your heart and mind, as well as theirs, will be soft so that relationship and peace can be restored.

RPM

We are getting ready to go to Santa Cruz for Urban Plunge this year. Please pray for us as we prepare to embark on a service trip that we may have strength and endurance, love for neighbors, and hearts and minds ready to hear what God might be teaching us through our experi-ences.

Pastor Zach

PAGE 7 THE GOOD SAM GAZETTE MARCH 2020

Men's Ministry has two men's Bible studies:

Monday Mornings at 8:00am in Big Daddy Dave's Restaurant at La Contenta Golf Course. Tuesday Nights at 6:30pm in the Family Life Center at Good Samaritan Church.

Get ready for an outstanding weekend of fun, food, adventure, and spiritual impact. Our retreat will be marked by quality time spent by dads and daughters doing outrageously fun activities, theme games, and recreation. Last year’s Dads and Daughters Amazing Race Relay and competitive dance party were a hit! Join us this year to see what new fun we can come up with! The bottom line is that we pull out all the stops for our Dads and Daughters Retreat. If you are looking for a unique time with your dad or daughter to build a deeper relationship, grow in your faith journey, connect with other great dads and daughters, laugh together, play together, and eat some great food, then this is the weekend for you. Registration is open!

Go to: https://www.missionsprings.com/camp-event/dad-daughters/

Specific event details will be coming soon!

Stay connected with us on Facebook or Instagram for updates.

THE GOOD SAM GAZETTE MARCH 2020 PAGE 8

SEEKING GOD by Del Frazier

Why would I search for other gods

like so many men have done?

I’m sure He lives in me today

for I’m connected by the Son.

You might ask me how I know

what the scriptures say are true.

No other book explains the facts

of God’s plan for me and you.

Men will look both far and wide

for answers that they hope are sound.

The truth is as near as their bookshelf

where most bibles can be found.

My prayer for all of you who seek

To find the truth that sets you free,

Christ will erase all of your sins

and forgive you just as He did me.

“Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, It is more blessed to give than receive...” - Acts 20:35

THE GOOD SAM GAZETTE MARCH 2020 PAGE 9

We often think that our work at

the Pantry is all about the patrons. That is true that our continuing goal is to help provide emergency food, hope and encouragement to the hungry and disadvantaged of Calaveras County. However, do-ing this work of love comes with interfacing with fellow church members and outside members of the general community. Here is where the rubber hits the road, in that it is easy to get caught up in the task and in the process develop ownership and try to control the situa-tion or the persons around us. After that happens, it’s easy to lose our cool and forget to be gracious, loving…flexible… generous. At the Pantry we are learning to work with each other as a team, learn-ing to communicate constructively, learning to love and respect each other even when we don’t agree. God has taught me over and over again that the Pantry belongs to Him and it is to be used for His honor and for His glory. We are always looking for volunteers so please call the church office and leave me a message if you hear God calling you to serve at the Pantry. Thank you!

food of the month

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3/01 ...... Gloria Hinnant

3/02 ...... Patrick Allain

............. Glenda Dahl

............. Tim Dugan

............. Kloe Kavis

3/03 ...... Bill Anberg

............. Emily Butler

............. Sophie Ratliff

............. Kathy Rivera

3/04 ...... Sharon Gregory

............. Stephen Leal

3/08 ...... Edward van Heiningen

3/09 ...... Drenna Frick

............. Frank Lerma

............. Madison Menosse

3/11 ...... Anna Allain

............. Gary Church

............. Angela McCullough

.............. Jane Wright

3/12 ...... Connor Cary

.............. Theresa Ehlers

.............. Bud Locke

.............. Carlynn Moore

3/13 ...... Tasha Harper

.............. Sean Hughes

.............. Alice Lerma

.............. Marlene Wickum

.............. Sharon Woodall

3/14 ...... Julia Gomes

.............. Rosalie Ramirez

3/15 ...... Iris Cable

.............. Karson Cook

3/16 ...... Lora Livezey

.............. Claire Long

.............. Sharri van Heiningen

3/17 ...... Norma Langley

.............. Elizabeth Wilden

3/18 ...... Masyn Hansen-Teixera

3/19 ...... Dennis Gomes

.............. Julian Macias

.............. Hannah Smith

3/20 ...... Spencer Barby

.............. Joe Brais

.............. Aliyah Cardenas

.............. Aaron Dailey

.............. Cadha Dailey

.............. Jacob Foster-Rolland

3/21 ...... Kelsey Holman

3/02 .... Sam & Diane Harris

3/05 .... Scott & Tina Harker

3/06 .... Jerry & Dana Gaspers

3/16 .... Andy & Katie Harris

3/19 .... Mark & Amanda Leonard

3/30 .... William & Cathy Fitzsimmons

3/22 ...... Jared Frazier

3/24 ...... Grace Daniel

.............. Gigi Olson

3/25 ...... Logan Doolan

.............. Grace Powell

3/26 ...... Jim Nentwig

3/27 ...... Seth Mackoul

.............. Sierra Mackoul

3/28 ...... Stewart Johnston

.............. Jared Rivera

.............. Larry Paschett

3/29 ...... Wyatt Wilson

3/30 ...... William Fitzsimmons