Fort Bragg-Mendocino area spiritual notices

Bahá’í Faith

“The meaning is that the life of the Kingdom is the life of the spirit, the eternal life, and that it is purified from place, like the spirit of man which has no place. For if you examine the human body, you will not find a special spot or locality for the spirit, for it has never had a place; it is immaterial. It has a connection with the body like that of the sun with this mirror. The sun is not within the mirror, but it has a connection with the mirror.” — Abdul-Baha

To investigate teachings of the Faith, go to bahai.us or email bahiamendowest@gmail.com.

— Rebecca Deerwater

Calvary Baptist Church

There are three institutions that God created and in which He bestowed special authority. These three foundational elements of society are the family, civil government and the church. Since God is the inventor and designer of these institutions, He alone defines them, and He alone designates the parameters of their authority. Scripture is unequivocally clear on the definition of these three institutions and the limits of their authority. If you would like to learn what the Bible says on these issues, and you do not have a previous Sunday evening engagement, join us at Calvary Baptist Church this Sunday at 6 p.m. This is the first lesson of Module 1 in a seminar level series on the subject of a Biblical worldview. This practical and powerful series of lessons will include multimedia visual aids and comprehensive notes to equip the Christian who desires to know the Biblical basis of their faith.

— Pastor Joshua

Margerison

First Baptist Church of Fort Bragg

Humanity is composed of beautifully different people, and aren’t you glad? Aren’t you glad we are not all the same? Can you imagine how bland the world would be if we were all the same? The world is filled with a magnificent tapestry of the beautiful threads of different cultures and traditions. God the Creator, loves all people and all people are created in His image. Yet because of sin, every human experiences brokenness in our relationship with God, each other, and God’s creation. Because of His love for us,

God sent Jesus to save us from our sin and brokenness. Jesus is God’s love gift for all humans. Accepting the gift brings restored relationship to the Creator. Brokenness healed! This gift is for all people, which means anyone can be saved from their sins! They just need to accept the gift of Jesus. Sunday’s Message: God loves dogs!

— Pastor Chris Aycock

First Presbyterian Church of Fort Bragg

Follow me and I will make you fishers of men. That familiar verse is part of the scripture for Sunday, Jan. 26, at First Presbyterian Church in Fort Bragg. You are invited to join with the congregation at 10 a.m. in the sanctuary when Pastor John Carrick will preach from Matthew 4:12-23, “Local Yokels in God’s Plan.” The Annual Congregational Meeting will take place following worship.

If you like to sing, then there is a spot for you in the choir. Choir practice has begun again in the choir room on Tuesdays at 4 p.m. For more information, call Sylvia Burns.

The Bible study group will meet on Thursday, Jan. 23 at 10 a.m. in the Fireside Room.

The church building will be hosting the Winter Homeless Shelter during the week Jan. 27-Feb 2.

— Isabel Rogerson

Grace Community Church

“You are the salt of the earth: but if the salt has lost HIS savor … it is good for nothing ….” Matthew 5:13. The nine Beatitudes given by Christ, when adopted and imbued by the Holy Spirit, certainly make the believer “salt,” a wonderful preserving force as a spice, made of common elements — to be added as an antiseptic and savor to the world in which we live. The Beatitudes’ power is influence upon a believer, giving flavor as the salt is sprinkled. What element of society would reject such a blessing? For “to have lost HIS savor …” proves the Holy Ghost is no longer a partner in the effort. Perhaps one reason a Church will abandon HIS savor is to be more accepted and embraced; not so very different from the surrounding world. The salt then has no savor, no influence: “good for nothing.”

— Chaplain Mack Besser

Mendocino Center for Spiritual Living

Sunday, Jan. 26, the Rev. Tanya Wyldflower will conduct the Annual Membership Induction Ceremony. Music: Sally Wells. Spiritual Coach: the Rev. Gail Johnson, who leads 10:30 a.m. meditation. Following the Sunday Celebration, is the Annual Membership meeting with potluck held at 12:30 p.m.

One of the most significant benefits of church membership is the experience of being a part of something larger than yourself. The mission statement for our Centers for Spiritual Living is: “To Awaken Humanity to its Spiritual Magnificence in order to realize a world that works for everyone.” We are a New Thought Spiritual Center, teaching Perennial Wisdom, awakening to spiritual magnificence and unity. We come together as a sacred loving community, uplifting the world, one heart at a time. Being a participant in that mission brings rich meaning and fulfillment to our lives, as we support one another, setting love into action through prayer, sharing and caring. Come join us!

Location: The Community Center of Mendocino, 998 School St., Mendocino.

— Tanya Wyldflower

Mendocino Friends (Quakers)

Silent Worship: Do you limit God in the ways you listen or in the places you seek? Join us for our weekly meeting Sundays at 10 a.m. at the Caspar Shul, 15071 Caspar Road.

— Sondra Sula

Mendocino Presbyterian

“A glass half empty” rings with a feeling of pessimism; whereas, the glass “half full,” is rosy with optimism. There is another more positive way of viewing your empty glass, adding an interesting twist to the familiar phrase. When your life, represented by the glass, is full, certainly no more can be added. If one’s heart is filled with unpleasant thoughts and feelings, life can seem empty, even hopeless. By filling that emptiness with God’s promises, you are fueled and filled by the power of His Living Water, your life overflowing with the hope and security only He can provide. Pray to choose your beverage wisely.

— Debbie Turnbull

Our Lady of Good Counsel

“Utopians.” The utopian lament, “So many Christians, so few lions,” is heard again on planet Earth. It is universal human experience that life involves problems. Yet some people try to believe that a perfect utopian problem-free world can be established if only everyone would submit to the rules of life held by the utopian visionaries. The rules always result in loss of freedom or life for many. A bulwark against such excesses has been, since the time of Christ, the belief of His followers that love should govern the world, not rules out of the barrel of a gun. Love has transformative powers as ordinary human experience shows; but it operates too slowly for the utopians. So governments, which are always staffed by many utopians, try to force events toward perceived perfection. Deified secularism, the religion of utopians, will always be at odds with Catholics.

— Dennis Tavares

St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. Ephesians 1:3. All are welcome to come and worship with Pastor Randy Knutson. Worship times are Sunday morning worship at 10:45 a.m. with music and Holy Communion fellowship follows the service in Larsen Hall. Wednesday morning prayer with healing is at 11 a.m.

— Liz Rantala

Trinity Lutheran

In Matthew 4:18-22, we have the story of Jesus gathering his first disciples, Peter, Andrew, James and John, fishermen all. Why is it that at least four of Jesus’ disciples were fishermen? What is it about fishermen that makes them likely disciples? The fishermen, and for that matter fisherwomen, that I have been acquainted with here on the Mendocino Coast tend to be self-motivated, independent thinking, hardworking and persistent. Perhaps more than anything, they are optimists, always believing that the next catch will be the biggest one ever. God can use those qualities in his kingdom.

— Terry Knaus

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