stanpavkovich

I once read a story about an American submarine at the end of World War II.  The sub was headed to Newport News, Virginia to dock and just as they were coming into port something went wrong.  There was a mechanical failure that caused the sub to sink.

 

The Coast Guard was dispatched to try to save the crew.  They sent divers down to the sunken sub to see what happened.  As the divers swam around the sub, they could hear pounding coming from inside the hull. 

 

What was the noise?  It was a resourceful sailor who had taken a hammer to tap Morse code from the inside of the hull.  He tapped, “Is there hope?”

 

Is there hope?

 

This question is one of the most fundamental in life. 

 

Can I count on anything in life?

 

Is there hope?

 

This question might sound familiar, particularly in the uncertain times that we are living in.

 

This weekend the series, “Christmas on the Silver Screen” will tackle this fundamental question.  Bring a friend, or family member, it is a message that everyone can benefit from.

 

In closing I wanted to share something with you.  This past week I received an email from a young lady in our church who has given me permission to share this.  In her email she shares how she found hope and overcame her loneliness.

 

“Hey Pastor Stan, I was there for this weeks message, and it really, just opened my eyes again,

To when I was alone before I was married…

I was very scared and hated being alone…

 

Then the Lord touched me and actually became my husband. 

 

I since then have been married 8 years and my husband…

Has had to recently take on a lot of side jobs and hasn’t been around.

So that fear kind of rekindled… 

Your message reminded me of a poem I wrote 10 years ago…  

 

 It was actually based on Psalm 91:4 Psalm 121, 7-8 and psalm 32:7.

 

The poem goes like this…

 

Please do not fear my child,

I am with you in the night.

Can you not see the stars up there?

 

Your fear of the dark, is why I made them bright.

You are not alone dear one,

Can’t you feel my arms?

 

They are reaching out to hold you,

and keep you safe from harm.

 

You search and search,

For someone to give all your love.

 

But why is it,

You don’t look to the heavens above?

 

I want to be the one,

In whom you give your soul.

 

I want to be the one,

In whom you do console.

 

I want to hear your secrets,

And laugh with you on end.

 

Can’t you open your eyes my child,

I want to be your friend.

 

Do you see all that sin that is laying on your heart?

I can wipe it away, and give you a clean start.

 

Come unto me my child,

 

Let me push away all your fears,

Come unto me my child, let me hold you near.”

 

By Karie Italiano Helmuth

 

God wants to show himself faithful to each and every one of us if we will let him.

 

Be Blessed,

Stan

 

 This weekend at Church of the Cross will be one of excitement and fun.  Immediately following our second service we will be having a church-wide picnic on our campus with plenty of food and games for the kids.  It will be a great time to meet new friends and get caught up with your old ones!

 

But before the cookout we have a great service planned for you. This week Tiffany Crawford – the newest member of our ministry team, will be sharing with us about “Family Ties” and dealing with the relationships between children and their parents. We are happy to welcome Tiffany as the newest member of our ministry team, and we believe that with her experience in Children’s Ministry and overseeing DivorceCare for Kids as well as being a Licensed Belief Therapist she will help us in our efforts to minister to families both in our church and our community.  Tiffany will be working part-time in Children’s Ministry through the end of the year, and then God willing will come on full-time at the beginning of 2009