I am thrilled to announce an addition to our team at EQUIP. Dan Coburn and his family have joined us to develop our worship team. Dan and his wife Audra have known Greg for over 20 years through InterVarsity Christian Fellowship on the MJC Campus. Dan recently left the position of Associate Pastor at Escalon Four Square Church. We welcome Dan, Audra, and their children,
Joe 14, Mikayla 9, Gabriella 5, Levi 1 to EQUIP.
Dan had this to say about his experience joining EQUIP: "We are happy to be joined together with the people of God in Turlock, and appreciative of the welcome that has been extended. We trust that the Father desires to pour his character and Holy Spirit into those who desire him and are open to whatever that looks like. We see much of that in the people at EQUIP and therefore expect to corporately and personally experience God's presence during this season we share together."
Look for a picture of the Coburns on this blog early next week.
Blessings on this very warm Wednesday.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Holy Spirit Come
If you didn't come to our service Sunday, you missed a great experience. The worship was amazing. The sermon was excellent and the video was heart touching. We had a hilarious skit. I told Greg that you could feel the Holy Spirit in that place. The air actually seemed thick with it. People worshipped God with their whole hearts. I think it had to do with the foundation of prayer we've layed in our Tuesday night prayer meetings.
Once again the enemy picked on me and I had trouble fighting it this time. Greg talked to me before the service and told me later that he realized he had a soldier down and it was time to call in for reinforcements. Two ladies stepped up and took care of things. Thank you so much, that's teamwork!
If you haven't checked out one of our services yet, come by and experience it. It may not be what you're used to. 275 N. Orange St. 9:00 a.m.
Have a blessed, warm Tuesday.
Once again the enemy picked on me and I had trouble fighting it this time. Greg talked to me before the service and told me later that he realized he had a soldier down and it was time to call in for reinforcements. Two ladies stepped up and took care of things. Thank you so much, that's teamwork!
If you haven't checked out one of our services yet, come by and experience it. It may not be what you're used to. 275 N. Orange St. 9:00 a.m.
Have a blessed, warm Tuesday.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Summer's Over
Today marked Kristen's last day of work for us for the summer. Greg had to prepare for his sermon and meet an old friend for breakfast, Mark got sick, so she and I took care of two accounts in Modesto this morning. She had me take a few pictures for the yearbook. I guess they put in pictures of what students did for work over the summer. Here she is coming off the trailer. Too cute!
Our day continued with a quick shower and a trip to school for Kristen to pick up books and get her student ID picture taken. We were home for five minutes, before we had to take off to Fresno for a tour of Fresno Pacific University. We really liked it. Kristen is considering FPU and Stanislaus State.
Tonight she and Greg are going out to fork a friend's lawn. This friend was a senior at TC last year and is leaving for Fresno State tomorrow. He and Kristen became good friends in drama last year, and she wanted to send him off in style! She did a nice card on the computer with Joshua 1:8-9 on it. It's 10:15 and I was very tired at 8:30, but had to finish the 49er game, so now it's off to bed!
Have a blessed evening.
Our day continued with a quick shower and a trip to school for Kristen to pick up books and get her student ID picture taken. We were home for five minutes, before we had to take off to Fresno for a tour of Fresno Pacific University. We really liked it. Kristen is considering FPU and Stanislaus State.
Tonight she and Greg are going out to fork a friend's lawn. This friend was a senior at TC last year and is leaving for Fresno State tomorrow. He and Kristen became good friends in drama last year, and she wanted to send him off in style! She did a nice card on the computer with Joshua 1:8-9 on it. It's 10:15 and I was very tired at 8:30, but had to finish the 49er game, so now it's off to bed!
Have a blessed evening.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
A Different Motto
This Sunday Greg is preaching on having Joy in the Midst of Suffering. I've known this concept well, being legally separated for nine years. The suffering of separation from whom I was united with as one, being alone, having a mountain of responsibility in terms of 2 kids, a career, simultaneous ministries to juggle, and family issues. I look back on those years with fondness because God was my constant companion, provider, confidant, and Lord. (Not in order of importance!)
This week however, has been different. I'm calling it Pain in the Midst of Suffering. I seem to be handling the heat well, but the backaches, sinus headaches, allergies, muscle pains, and joint pains have me a little distracted. But, I do also have joy in the midst of the suffering, as I am thankful for the work, for the privilege of working alongside Greg and the time together that allows us to talk about ministry, for flexible work hours, for the exercise, the farmer tan, the muscle tone, and the weight loss. Sleep, a humidifier, and Tylenol seem to be my helpmates this week, for which I am also thankful. And thankfulness, can ease any burden.
What is your pain this week? Is it emotional or physical? Is it a person? :-) Know that Christ will meet all your needs and joy comes from the Lord. Pain and suffering are only temporary to those who know Him.
Have a blessed sunny Thursday.
This week however, has been different. I'm calling it Pain in the Midst of Suffering. I seem to be handling the heat well, but the backaches, sinus headaches, allergies, muscle pains, and joint pains have me a little distracted. But, I do also have joy in the midst of the suffering, as I am thankful for the work, for the privilege of working alongside Greg and the time together that allows us to talk about ministry, for flexible work hours, for the exercise, the farmer tan, the muscle tone, and the weight loss. Sleep, a humidifier, and Tylenol seem to be my helpmates this week, for which I am also thankful. And thankfulness, can ease any burden.
What is your pain this week? Is it emotional or physical? Is it a person? :-) Know that Christ will meet all your needs and joy comes from the Lord. Pain and suffering are only temporary to those who know Him.
Have a blessed sunny Thursday.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
EQUIP Update
Just a quick blog to let you know we have a church phone number, PO Box, email addresses and our website is up and running. Here's the info:
EQUIP Church of Turlock
PO Box 212
Turlock, CA 95381
(209) 485-9165
http://www.equipchurch.org
You can also contact the leadership team by using our first name @equipchurch.org, i.e. sandy@equipchurch.org.
Services at 9:00 a.m. on Sundays at 275 N. Orange Street, off West Main, near Lander Ave.
Have a blessed, warm Wednesday.
EQUIP Church of Turlock
PO Box 212
Turlock, CA 95381
(209) 485-9165
http://www.equipchurch.org
You can also contact the leadership team by using our first name @equipchurch.org, i.e. sandy@equipchurch.org.
Services at 9:00 a.m. on Sundays at 275 N. Orange Street, off West Main, near Lander Ave.
Have a blessed, warm Wednesday.
Monday, August 10, 2009
EQUIP Update
The enemy has been working hard to mess us up on Sunday mornings, I'll tell 'ya. Last Sunday on of our leaders got lost and was late to church. The video didn't work quite right.
Yesterday, Kristen and I had our turn. I had intestinal issues which made us a couple minutes late in leaving, Kristen spilled her bottle of makeup all over the bathroom counter, her jeans, and socks right before we left, which added to the time delay. Once in the driveway, I forgot to take a pill, and had to run back in. Once on the road a few blocks from home, I remembered that I didn't get my Bible, so we went back and got it. On the road again, a few blocks from the church, I remembered that I didn't bring the creamer or lemonade. I dropped Kristen off to start setting up the refreshments and I made a mad dash back home. All in all, we were ready to start on time. I was totally wiped out. Greg and I took a 3 hour nap yesterday afternoon. So much for being energized after church!
Worship was great and the message spoke to people. Greg brought a painting Mark had done. Greg had us switch tables again and asked the question, "What do you see?" We all shared. Greg then preached about prayer and discernment. It was very good.
I'm still pooped. I hope I can get some things done today. Have a blessed, hot Monday.
Copyright 2009 Mark Tillotson.
Yesterday, Kristen and I had our turn. I had intestinal issues which made us a couple minutes late in leaving, Kristen spilled her bottle of makeup all over the bathroom counter, her jeans, and socks right before we left, which added to the time delay. Once in the driveway, I forgot to take a pill, and had to run back in. Once on the road a few blocks from home, I remembered that I didn't get my Bible, so we went back and got it. On the road again, a few blocks from the church, I remembered that I didn't bring the creamer or lemonade. I dropped Kristen off to start setting up the refreshments and I made a mad dash back home. All in all, we were ready to start on time. I was totally wiped out. Greg and I took a 3 hour nap yesterday afternoon. So much for being energized after church!
Worship was great and the message spoke to people. Greg brought a painting Mark had done. Greg had us switch tables again and asked the question, "What do you see?" We all shared. Greg then preached about prayer and discernment. It was very good. I'm still pooped. I hope I can get some things done today. Have a blessed, hot Monday.
Copyright 2009 Mark Tillotson.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Era #2
Back to the Old Testament!
Can you remember the four events of the Nothing Era? Remember the main characters? Answers at the end.
This Era is called the Something Era God chose the Hebrew race and turned it into something. This something refers to two things, the significance of the Hebrews and their size. This happens when God tells Abraham to leave his homeland and go to a new country, the land of Canaan. God, in turn, promises to make Abraham into a great nation. Abraham's offspring become the Hebrew nation.
It took the Hebrew nation almost 200 years to become a great nation. Why? For many years, the men kept marrying barren women. Abraham's wife, Sarah was barren, but gave birth at age 89. That son, Isaac, married a barren woman Rebecca. Finally, they have two sons. One of those sons, Jacob, marries a barren woman, Rachel. However, as God is always faithful to His promises, he gives them 12 sons, which become the 12 tribes of Israel.
One of Jacob's sons, Joseph, ends up being sold as a slave and taken to Egypt at the hands of his jealous brothers. Good thing, too, because a few years later, Joseph is the one who saves the Hebrew nation in Canaan from 7 years of famine. That's when they grow into a great multitude.
Abraham is referred to as the Father of Faith. Aside from going to a strange country with nothing to go on but God's command, he shows his great faith in God. Believing he and Sarah will give birth to a child, though they are past the age of child bearing, also shows great faith. Probably the most significant example of his faith comes when God tells him to take his son Isaac up to a mountain and sacrifice him there. He takes him, a few servants, some wood, a knife, and fire. He ties his son down and raises his knife to kill him. Just then an angel of the Lord calls out to Abraham and tells him to stop. He looks up to see that God has provided a ram for the sacrifice. Now remember God had promised Abraham years earlier he would become a great nation. Somehow from Abraham's seed, this would happen, but God has asked him to kill his son. At that time, the culture often sacrificed their children so it wasn't too far a stretch to do this. How did Abraham equate God's promise and God's command to sacrifice? Most experts believe that Abraham thought God would raise him from the dead.
Here are the lessons we can learn from Abraham:
1. We can have faith in what God tells us because God is faithful. That's part of who He is.
2. A person's faith in God can grow.
3. You grow your faith when you trust God to do what He said He would do. Sometimes you have to put yourself in a position for your faith to be tested. The area of giving comes to mind. Sometimes you have to give first, then see God provide for your family. As this happens repeatedly, your faith in God will grow and you will learn to trust Him more and more. I don't know anyone who is giving generously and not making ends meet. I know lots of people who are stingy with what God has given them, and are always short in their finances and worrying about it.
4. Sometimes God waits a long time to do what He said He would do. Be patient.
5. The opposite of faith is fear, so if you find yourself fearful, you have the wrong focus. Immediate place it back where it belongs, on God and His faithfulness.
Christ revealed: In the Nothing Era we learned that Christ was coming to overcome the works of the serpent. In the Something Era, we learn from which nation Christ would come, from the seed of Abraham, the Hebrew nation. God blessed the Hebrews SO THAT they would be a blessing to all the other people groups of the world by announcing that a Deliverer was coming to overcome sin and Satan.
There you have it, the Something Era. Next we will look at the third Era, Exiting Egypt.
To prepare for next time, you can read Exodus 1-40, covering the plagues, Moses, and the 10 commandments.
Creation - Adam and Eve
Sin/Fall - Cain and Abel
Flood - Noah
Tower of Babel - God
Can you remember the four events of the Nothing Era? Remember the main characters? Answers at the end.
This Era is called the Something Era God chose the Hebrew race and turned it into something. This something refers to two things, the significance of the Hebrews and their size. This happens when God tells Abraham to leave his homeland and go to a new country, the land of Canaan. God, in turn, promises to make Abraham into a great nation. Abraham's offspring become the Hebrew nation.
It took the Hebrew nation almost 200 years to become a great nation. Why? For many years, the men kept marrying barren women. Abraham's wife, Sarah was barren, but gave birth at age 89. That son, Isaac, married a barren woman Rebecca. Finally, they have two sons. One of those sons, Jacob, marries a barren woman, Rachel. However, as God is always faithful to His promises, he gives them 12 sons, which become the 12 tribes of Israel.
One of Jacob's sons, Joseph, ends up being sold as a slave and taken to Egypt at the hands of his jealous brothers. Good thing, too, because a few years later, Joseph is the one who saves the Hebrew nation in Canaan from 7 years of famine. That's when they grow into a great multitude.
Abraham is referred to as the Father of Faith. Aside from going to a strange country with nothing to go on but God's command, he shows his great faith in God. Believing he and Sarah will give birth to a child, though they are past the age of child bearing, also shows great faith. Probably the most significant example of his faith comes when God tells him to take his son Isaac up to a mountain and sacrifice him there. He takes him, a few servants, some wood, a knife, and fire. He ties his son down and raises his knife to kill him. Just then an angel of the Lord calls out to Abraham and tells him to stop. He looks up to see that God has provided a ram for the sacrifice. Now remember God had promised Abraham years earlier he would become a great nation. Somehow from Abraham's seed, this would happen, but God has asked him to kill his son. At that time, the culture often sacrificed their children so it wasn't too far a stretch to do this. How did Abraham equate God's promise and God's command to sacrifice? Most experts believe that Abraham thought God would raise him from the dead.
Here are the lessons we can learn from Abraham:
1. We can have faith in what God tells us because God is faithful. That's part of who He is.
2. A person's faith in God can grow.
3. You grow your faith when you trust God to do what He said He would do. Sometimes you have to put yourself in a position for your faith to be tested. The area of giving comes to mind. Sometimes you have to give first, then see God provide for your family. As this happens repeatedly, your faith in God will grow and you will learn to trust Him more and more. I don't know anyone who is giving generously and not making ends meet. I know lots of people who are stingy with what God has given them, and are always short in their finances and worrying about it.
4. Sometimes God waits a long time to do what He said He would do. Be patient.
5. The opposite of faith is fear, so if you find yourself fearful, you have the wrong focus. Immediate place it back where it belongs, on God and His faithfulness.
Christ revealed: In the Nothing Era we learned that Christ was coming to overcome the works of the serpent. In the Something Era, we learn from which nation Christ would come, from the seed of Abraham, the Hebrew nation. God blessed the Hebrews SO THAT they would be a blessing to all the other people groups of the world by announcing that a Deliverer was coming to overcome sin and Satan.
There you have it, the Something Era. Next we will look at the third Era, Exiting Egypt.
To prepare for next time, you can read Exodus 1-40, covering the plagues, Moses, and the 10 commandments.
Creation - Adam and Eve
Sin/Fall - Cain and Abel
Flood - Noah
Tower of Babel - God
First Service Recap
Wow. For the first time in a very long, time, I came home from church energized, not wiped out! I was so excited to have Greg come home from moving tables, I could hardly stand it. I wanted to share with him my impressions of how it went.
Aesthetics are not important to us, but to give you a feel of the atmosphere, and room, I will go there. We had 2 plates of packaged cookies, a bowl of mixed nuts, lemonade and coffee. We had about 6 round tables set up with 6 chairs each around them. The new playpen was set up and ready to receive little ones. Josh had the screen, InFocus and laptop ready to go. Our worship leader was beautiful and sweet.
We had nine new people come. We started with 5 worship songs, announcements, then a couple of funny videos. Greg posed a question to us, and had us switch to different tables to discuss it. We got to share what each table came up with for an answer, which led us to Philippians. Greg took us to Acts and one of the new people said afterwards how much the message spoke to her heart. She said she never would have thought to turn to Acts to understand Philippians. Greg did an excellent job explaining the Bible to us, verse by verse.
We ended with a worship song, and once again, Greg forgot the offering. The ushers were on top of it, ready to go, so we took the offering and ended the service. One of the new people who came as a result of the flyers, said she came to check us out by herself, and felt it was safe so she will bring her two children with her next week. She belongs to a church out of town, but it is sometimes hard for her to get there, so she wanted something in her neighborhood.
Set up and tear down went quickly and smoothly. It's time for a storage unit though, so we can get everything from one place in the morning and get it all out of our garages. Can't wait!
We had a little glitch with our video. The colors changed when we sent it up to the screen. Not sure why, but we will try and figure it out this week. Maybe it's the aspect ratio distorting it or something.
Anyway, I was most thrilled with the message. It felt like I truly had a meaty meal. You don't realize how much you're starving sometimes, until you get fed well. We talked about that in our leadership meeting last night. Sometimes when you're fasting, after a while, you're kind of numb to it. When you see and smell a banquet, you realize just how hungry you really were. I know the new person above was feeling the same. Kristen felt the same way. She really liked how Greg went verse by verse through the Bible, instead of teaching a topic with lots of current stories, then a verse here and there to support the topic. Though she's usually easily distracted, she was able to tell Greg all the points of his sermon. That's success!
Anyway, it was a fantastic first service. I can't wait for the next one. Greg said last night that as my husband, he was really glad my pastor was feeding me well. I'm sure my boss is happy too! :-)
Aesthetics are not important to us, but to give you a feel of the atmosphere, and room, I will go there. We had 2 plates of packaged cookies, a bowl of mixed nuts, lemonade and coffee. We had about 6 round tables set up with 6 chairs each around them. The new playpen was set up and ready to receive little ones. Josh had the screen, InFocus and laptop ready to go. Our worship leader was beautiful and sweet.
We had nine new people come. We started with 5 worship songs, announcements, then a couple of funny videos. Greg posed a question to us, and had us switch to different tables to discuss it. We got to share what each table came up with for an answer, which led us to Philippians. Greg took us to Acts and one of the new people said afterwards how much the message spoke to her heart. She said she never would have thought to turn to Acts to understand Philippians. Greg did an excellent job explaining the Bible to us, verse by verse.
We ended with a worship song, and once again, Greg forgot the offering. The ushers were on top of it, ready to go, so we took the offering and ended the service. One of the new people who came as a result of the flyers, said she came to check us out by herself, and felt it was safe so she will bring her two children with her next week. She belongs to a church out of town, but it is sometimes hard for her to get there, so she wanted something in her neighborhood.
Set up and tear down went quickly and smoothly. It's time for a storage unit though, so we can get everything from one place in the morning and get it all out of our garages. Can't wait!
We had a little glitch with our video. The colors changed when we sent it up to the screen. Not sure why, but we will try and figure it out this week. Maybe it's the aspect ratio distorting it or something.
Anyway, I was most thrilled with the message. It felt like I truly had a meaty meal. You don't realize how much you're starving sometimes, until you get fed well. We talked about that in our leadership meeting last night. Sometimes when you're fasting, after a while, you're kind of numb to it. When you see and smell a banquet, you realize just how hungry you really were. I know the new person above was feeling the same. Kristen felt the same way. She really liked how Greg went verse by verse through the Bible, instead of teaching a topic with lots of current stories, then a verse here and there to support the topic. Though she's usually easily distracted, she was able to tell Greg all the points of his sermon. That's success!
Anyway, it was a fantastic first service. I can't wait for the next one. Greg said last night that as my husband, he was really glad my pastor was feeding me well. I'm sure my boss is happy too! :-)
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Launch Day!
The moment we've been waiting 22 months for is finally here! Tomorrow we launch weekly services. 275 N. Orange Street, Turlock, 9:00 a.m. Map here.
It's been a dizzying 24 hours. Yesterday afternoon, after a doctors appt. (I lost 10 lbs.!!!!!!) and several errands, I bought a laptop for the church to run our lyrics on during worship. I downloaded a trial version of MediaShout and bought a copy and hastily learned to use it last night.
Today after grocery shopping at 7:30, putting a roast in the crock pot, cutting up several melons, and making potato salad, I started loading the lyrics for 5 songs for tomorrow. We are blessed to have Sam Cotton lead our worship!! After having difficulties with downloading videos from the Internet in the proper format and converting them, I practiced putting together the new playpen/bassinet/changing table for the nursery. We ran the laptop over to Josh at a friend's house. He and his friend are working on the video part tonight. Teamwork!!!
Came home to start doing the bulletin, yes, I didn't get the info until today. It didn't take too long, about an hour to create it, print, fold, and stuff it. I pulled everything else together for the refreshments and offering and after this blog, we will be snuggling on the sofa to watch Flyboys. It's the kind of movie that will probably put me to sleep, which I need.
Oh yeah, a funny thing happened to me today. I lost half a tooth. Dentist on Tuesday.
Five of us went door to door on the west side Thursday night and handed out flyers to folks inviting them to church, and prayed with them. It was fun. We met some great people. Greg and several others went out this morning and canvassed more of the neighborhood. It will be good to see who comes!
Blessings on this beautiful, breezy Saturday evening.
It's been a dizzying 24 hours. Yesterday afternoon, after a doctors appt. (I lost 10 lbs.!!!!!!) and several errands, I bought a laptop for the church to run our lyrics on during worship. I downloaded a trial version of MediaShout and bought a copy and hastily learned to use it last night.
Today after grocery shopping at 7:30, putting a roast in the crock pot, cutting up several melons, and making potato salad, I started loading the lyrics for 5 songs for tomorrow. We are blessed to have Sam Cotton lead our worship!! After having difficulties with downloading videos from the Internet in the proper format and converting them, I practiced putting together the new playpen/bassinet/changing table for the nursery. We ran the laptop over to Josh at a friend's house. He and his friend are working on the video part tonight. Teamwork!!!
Came home to start doing the bulletin, yes, I didn't get the info until today. It didn't take too long, about an hour to create it, print, fold, and stuff it. I pulled everything else together for the refreshments and offering and after this blog, we will be snuggling on the sofa to watch Flyboys. It's the kind of movie that will probably put me to sleep, which I need.
Oh yeah, a funny thing happened to me today. I lost half a tooth. Dentist on Tuesday.
Five of us went door to door on the west side Thursday night and handed out flyers to folks inviting them to church, and prayed with them. It was fun. We met some great people. Greg and several others went out this morning and canvassed more of the neighborhood. It will be good to see who comes!
Blessings on this beautiful, breezy Saturday evening.
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