Jesus said: “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing,” (John 15:4-5). The Fruit of the Spirit is the work of God in your life. You need know only one thing—you need only to stay close to Jesus. In that same text Jesus said, “My Father is glorified in this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love,” (John 15:8-9). So, if you want to live freely go after the heart of God.

Free to Live

The lighting analysis and pole/fixture combination specifications should be done the first week of March and the electrical design done by the third week of March.

We have received several bids for our new entrance sign and are considering a number of different designs.

Spare Change Sunday is set for March 7th. It is anticipated that enough pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters will be gathered to pay for the installation of all the new fences needed for phase 1 of our development. Steve Cornellius is planning to schedule a work day to install the new chain link fence on the east side of the property to finish enclosing our property on that side sometime in the next six weeks.

The problem with religion is that it becomes the excuse for critical treatment of everyone else. If religion measures the way people act and what they say, then those of us who speak and act properly can correct those who don’t. It’s true of religion and it’s true of our secular religious society: There are people who are perennial fixers of other people’s lives. For them, religion is quite convenient. But Galatians 5 tells us that we are free—free from religious fixers, whether they be in the church or in the culture at large. This key text says it all: It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery, (Galatians 5:1).

Staying Free From “Fixers”

The Elders invite all comments concerning the improvement projects lined out on this page.  Phase 1 involves adding 57 parking spaces and upgrading the playground area.  The approximate funds needed are $100,000.  Faithful prayer and giving hearts will make this a reality and it is only the beginning of a wonderful and effective tool for Christ.

Please visit here often to check in on the progress we’re making so far.

You don’t have to do anything to earn His favor. You already have His favor. Just be free! And live the life you were meant to live—the life of a freeborn Christian, the life of a son or daughter of God, with all the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of this new freedom. It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery, (Galatians 5:1). That’s the heart of Paul’s message. You are FREE! Really Free! Absolutely FREE! Totally and unconditionally FREE!

From Wayward Sinners to Cherished Children

The design contract has been drafted and should be signed by the first of March 2010. It is anticipated that all design work will be complete and permits obtained for a start construction date of May 1st, 2010 and a completion date by the end of August.

Engineering consultant is Branch Engineering, Landscape Architect is Daugherty Landscape Architects.

Any questions you may call Randal Dale project manager at 541-689-2127 on Mondays or email anytime at randald@santaclarachurch.com

 An eight year process has brought us to the point where we are ready to improve the Lord’s property at Santa Clara Church of Christ. We need to do this so that we can attract our neighbors and provide a safer environment for all that visit here.

A series of meetings was held to determine the current and long term needs of our current property. The members of the team included representatives from all the different ministries, and included anyone with interest who answered the congregational anouncement about the team and the series of meetings scheduled.  A large list was generated from ideas from all who attended. The members of the team used a tool designed to prioritze the needs of the congregation as a whole without exclusive focus on just one ministry. Many items have been to be accomplished as they were of relitive small cost and size. Projects that were costly, and required governmental approval had to go though a process called a “conditional use permit”. Before we could be successful in that process we needed to annex our property to the City of Eugene, go through a re-zoneing process to make our property builidable and useable for our purposes, and then we could apply for the condition use permit.

 We decided as a congregation, and voted on the sale of one of our lots on Santa Clara Ave to the City of Eugene Fire department. The profits of the sale were designated for the following uses: Tithe to worldwide missions (done-paid for a Church building to be built in Ukwa India and money sent to Boise Bible College),  Debt retirement (done), removal of the rental houses (done), Re-zone land from agricultural to something we could build on (done), annex property into the city and obtain a conditional use permit for phased development of a Church facility on our property (done), and the remainder for Capital projects. 

We now have a new committee to represent the entire congregation for Phase 1 part of our approved plan. 

Steve Blanton – Trustee, providing oversight for capital projects

Randal Dale – Project manager and administrator

Art Jessee – Deacon representative and plans review

Anne Metzger – Aesthetic review of landscape, lighting, and entrance sign

Steve Cornelius –  Congregational interface for all work we can do with our own forces to save $$$

 The committee has picked 2G Construction to be our design build contractor. 2G has chosen Branch engineering to supply the design and drawings.  2G has also chosen Dougherty Landscape Architects to provide a City approvable landscape plan.

 We need to raise approximately $100,000 by May 1st 2010 to complete the project. Would you please prayerfully consider your giving for this important project? I know all of us together can do this easily. 

• Would you purpose to give your entire tax return to the Lord this year?
• Would you consider being one of 200 people that give $500 each?
• Would you consider paying for one entire parking spot by giving $1,600?
• Would you consider paying for one entire bike parking spot by giving $650?
• Would you consider working on, or heading up our garage/parking lot sale to raise funds?
• Would you consider setting aside the equivalent of ten percent of everything you spend on entertainment, eating out, and beverages you buy in the next six months and giving it to the capital project fund?
• Would you consider putting all your change in a jar or can and giving it?
• Would you consider taking on a bit of extra work and giving that income?
• Would you consider your financial abilities and what God would want you to do?

 Anything given needs to be above and beyond your normal giving to the general fund so we do not end up the year in a deficit. We want to continue to provide all the programs and services we have decided to do in this year’s budget. If our normal giving is reduced to build the parking lot we will have problems with our programs and financial commitments.  

 Please if you have questions or comments contact us.

The gospel is good news, but not just any good news—not the good news of a pay raise, or of a good grade in school, or of a victory of your favorite sports team, or of the solution to some international problem. It is the unexpected, surprising good news that God is not angry or indifferent or impersonal, but that God loves you and has provided the means for your salvation—all for free. What would your life would look like if you really believed it.

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Royalty By Night, Secretary By Day

The Christian life is a life of faith. . . . Faith in what? . . . Faith in the promise of Christ that you are accepted not on the basis of how good you are, but on the basis of how good He is. Now listen: Every once in a while you need to check the law of the Bible because it reflects God’s will. When Jesus said He had not come to destroy the law but to fulfill it, He meant that He had come to give His people the power to live by God’s law (which is still the best way to live), AND forgiveness when they didn’t. The law (not the laws we create) is a good measurement. He wants you to check it not so you can see how bad you are doing, but so you can see how well you are doing by His grace.

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This is the 6th sermon in our Galatians series. In which we are dealing with the central Christian doctrine of Justification. One of the most personal and poignant moments in all of Paul’s writings is when he says, “The life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. (Galatians 2:20). . . . You can trust Him because He is passionate about you.

Finding Real Passion Beyond the Poison of Hypocrisy – Wes Wright