October 2023 – Calvary Chapel Black Canyon City

Reflecting on God’s Blessings

God has reminded us in Deuteronomy 8:17-18, “But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God, for it is He that has given you,” all the blessings of this past year.

This was a year when our congregation helped plant two churches, one in Puerta de Golpe, Nicaragua and the other in Las Costanias, Honduras. The bulk of the Honduran population lives a generally isolated existence in mountainous areas. Pastor Huck, Pastora and Chad traveled into these remote Indian villages to perform the dedication services, baptisms, and pray over the people who were previously meeting outdoors. We sent two teams packing Connex boxes loaded with supplies to Africa for Charlotte Barkley with Bush Telegraph Missions.

Another wonderful crowd enjoyed our Passover celebration revealing Jesus in the Seder meal. We had guest speakers like Daniel Ted of Christian Islamic Dialogue and Pastor John Higgins who was an eyewitness to the Jesus Movement beginnings at Calvary Chapel in 1965. Agents For Christ shared their class on evangelizing the United States and Teen Challenge, our locally supported mission, appeared twice sharing their miracle stories and conversions.

God provided for the completion of our rock wall in the sanctuary, the remodeled wall in the fellowship building and a larger stage. We were even able to purchase a much needed storage shed as well.

We enjoyed the blessings of Men’s and Women’s retreats this fall and “Brian Has the Bacon” made a strong comeback. Daisey Mountain Fire Department offered the AED and First Aid course. Dr. Paw provided a naturopathic remedy and prevention class to ward off colds and flus. The Young Adult Class with Chad has become a much needed launching pad for the younger generation to serve in our church.

We experienced well-attended “Come Home for Christmas” and “Christmas Candlelight Services,” and our worship team began to grow also. Therefore, it is only right to thank our Providing Lord for these blessings, and many more, lest we become spoiled brats assuming we did any of it by our own power.

Glory to God
Pastor Huck

“Remembering the Christmas When”

No matter what age you are, there are probably a few Christmas memories that stand out.

Do you remember a Christmas covered in three feet of snow, or were you born in Phoenix wondering what a white Christmas is all about? There is nothing like an ice storm that makes trees appear to be made out of glass, or needing to kick your frozen front door open.

I have old photos of my cousins as children dealing with Santa; some wearing smiles or tears and fears. I remember staring out the window as the largest snowflakes gently fell under the street light on Christmas Eve. Unfortunately, in a very broken world not all memories come with laughing eyes and smiles. Reality can develop in drab shades of gray when tragedy strikes at just the wrong time of year. There are memories in the pages of my mind when loved ones were lost and the void of someone’s absence was felt at family gatherings. Well, that’s why Christmas happened.

God appeared in the flesh two thousand years ago so that your joy would be full. He came to bear our griefs and sorrows, to seek and to save, while reaching out to the gutter-most. Anyone can quibble about exact date for Christmas day or what the pagans celebrated, but they all miss the grace and the gift. Every one of us inherited original sin being passed down from Adam and Eve. Sin kills. It is this world’s most fatal disease and we’re all born with it.

After Mary was overshadowed by the Holy Spirit, this young virgin girl gave birth to Jesus, meaning He was never infected by Adams seed or sinful nature. He is our sinless innocent victim who willingly took our place and punishment, so we could live.According to Malachi 3:10 God keeps a “Book of Remembrance” recording every time believers talk about Jesus. Remember to keep Christ in your conversations and may there be volumes recorded and remembered about you this Christmas.

Do you really know Him?
Pastor Huck