Calvary Chapel Reno-Sparks March-April 2015 Page �1

fragrant life Calvary Chapel Reno-Sparks Women’s Ministry

“Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!” John 4:35

I don’t know about you, but I get really convicted when I read John 4:35.I always feel I could be doing more to share the Lord with the people I meet. In this scripture Jesus is encouraging His disciples not to wait, but to go, and to share the Good News with the masses. He has prepared their hearts (the people) and they are ready to give them to Him. I know this message is for us today as well. As I look over our city I see the fields white for the harvest, yet the reapers are few, myself included.

I read somewhere that the greatest joke that Satan has ever played on humanity is convincing them that there is no God. If this is the greatest joke on the world, then I believe the greatest joke he has ever played on the church is that there is still time. Jesus is warning His disciples not to wait, anything thing can happen in four months; today is the day of salvation. We all know what the “Great Commission” is yet few of us are engaged in any form of evangelism. Not because we don’t want to see people saved but because we always have tomorrow.

Did you know that on an average day, 41 million people go to school, 10,000 people give blood, 3 million people go to the movies, 1 million people take a taxi, 121 million people watch prime time TV, and 3 billion phone calls are made? (Numbers taken from Chuck Swindoll book,“ Come Before Winter and Share My Hope” and the internet.) We are busy, preoccupied people. And in a lot of

cases it’s understandable, we are busy, but most of us have a minute to tell someone about Jesus. When was the last time you told the bank teller Jesus loves you, or the grocery checker or your neighbor or a friend that doesn’t know the Lord?

Our dear friend, David Carroll, from

Gospel for Asia, said this, “If every Christian in the world led one person to the Lord a year, in 20 years the entire world would be evangelized.” Well we have had 2000 years and we are barely making a dent in the population. The fields are white for the harvest and it’s time for the church to roll up its sleeves and get to work.

Love, Sandie

Portraits from Sandie March-April 2015The Joy of the

HarvestJohn 4:35

“Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!”

Question to Ponder:

Who is God leading me to share Jesus with? ~A neighbor, friend, co-worker, family member, someone in a different country? This can seem overwhelming at first, but remember that wherever God guides, He will provide. There are many blessings for those who step out in faith and obedience to s h a r e J e s u s w i t h others. Whatever you do, focus on sharing Jesus in love.

Pastor Tom & Sandie Luitwieler

Our desires for Women’s Ministry is to: encourage deeper relationships and spiritual growth for the women in the body of Christ; to provide a place where Women will be encouraged and uplifted to seek God’s best for their lives; to give opportunity to study the Word of God together that Women might grow in the grace and knowledge of Our Lord Jesus; and to equip Women to be lights in their homes, neighborhoods and workplaces, reflecting the love of Jesus Christ to all.

Calvary Chapel Reno-Sparks March-April 2015 Page �2

YOU ARE GOD ALONE(Billy and Cindy Foote 2004)

You are not a God created By human hands You are not a God dependent On any mortal man You are not a God in need of Anything we can give By your plan, that’s just the way it is

You are God alone From before time began You were on Your throne You were God alone And right now In the good times and bad

You are on Your throne You are God alone

You’re the only God whose power None can contend You’re the only God whose name and Praise will never end You’re the God who’s worthy Of everything we can give You are God, that’s just the way it is

Unchangeable, unshakeable, Unstoppable, that’s what You are

You are God alone You are God alone

Praise and WorshipMINISTRIES

WHERE CAN I

SERVE?1 Peter 4:10

“ A s e a c h o n e h a s received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”

Helps MinistryFood Pantry

Meals MinistryWomen’s Greeters

Women’s ConferencesWomen’s Koinonia’sWomen’s Retreats

Women’s Bible StudyMorning PrayerEvening PrayerMissions Prayer

Children’s MinistryWidow’s Ministry

Sharing Lives MinistrySingle Mom’s MinistryJoyful Books Ministry

Fruit of Her HandsWomen’s Newsletter

HousekeepingHome School Co-op

Book StoreWorship Ministry

Home Fellowships

Contact the Church office if you would

like to find out how to be part of any of these ministries.

(775) 856-1110

Capilla de Calvario, Tejaro, Mexico (Calvary Chapel Tejaro, Mexico)

Pastor Salomon and his wife Rosario thank you for your continued prayers and support. They ask that you would

please pray for VBS, and that the parents would not prevent the children from coming and attending the summer school. Please pray that the Lord would bring many souls to him!

Email: If you wish to email them capilladelcalvariotejaro@gmail.com

Online Financial Support: www.ssmfi.org Account # 4037

By Mail: Shepherd’s Staff P.O. Box 53640, Albuquerque, NM 87153-3640 Account # 4037

HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED AT CALVARY CHAPEL? First: Present yourself to God (Romans 12:1) for confirmation that He has planted you in this fellowship. If so, then discover your gifts and God’s calling in your life. Second: Study to show yourself approved unto God (2 Timothy 2:15). As you grow in your relationship with God, let Him prepare you for effective service. Third: Be doers of the Word (James 1:22). Commit yourself to the work of Jesus Christ in this fellowship, and get involved as a yielded vessel to God’s guiding anywhere He directs.

MISSIONS If you have a heart for missions, please join us the first Sunday of every month after second service in the church foyer for our Missions

Prayer meeting.

Calvary Chapel Reno-Sparks March-April 2015 Page �3

MINISTRIES

Women’sGreeters

1 Thesselonians 5:11“Therefore comfort each

other and edify one another, just as you also

are doing”

Do you have a happy heart and a smiley face? How many of you have been blessed when you

have walked in on Sunday morning with a

“Happy Hello”?

If you would like to be part of the Women’s Ministry Greeters we

would LOVE to have you!

Please fill out a ministry questionnaire and turn it in to our Church Office.

You will then be contacted by Hoppy Sanchez who

will set up a meeting with you and get you started as a Women’s Ministry

Greeter.

Ministry ContactsSingle Mom’s Ministry: Melissa Crutcher

Widow’s Ministry: Patsy WaltonMeal’s Ministry: Tammy Rimack

Single Mom’s Ministry will be meeting on Sunday, March 15, 2015 at 12:30pm and on Saturday, April 18, 2015 at 6:30pm.

Single Mom’s Ministry Contact Person: Melissa Crutcher

The Joy of the Harvest is what we were to write about. John 4:35 is our theme verse, “Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!” Jesus, prior to this verse in John chapter 4, had just met with a Samaritan woman at the well asking her to give Him a drink of water. One commentator said, “Why isn’t Jesus a gentleman here? Why doesn’t He say, “Let Me draw water for you?” Jesus says to the woman “Give to Me” not because He wants the water, but because He wants her heart. He wants to see her saved. Jesus knows what is needed to start a conversation with this Samaritan woman and he chooses to ask her for a drink of water, so that He could give her the “Everlasting Living Water”.

The harvest was 4 months away. The harvest was a time when many would come together to reap what had been sown in the fields. It was a joyous occasion of work because as they were reaping what had been sown, they would enjoy the fruit of their labor. Jesus, is telling his disciples, and us, now is the time of the harvest. Did you not see the Samaritan women? Her heart was ready to receive; she was tired of living the life that she was living. She needed to understand who Messiah was and the Water of Life that He was offering her. Jesus spent time with the Samaritan woman; even though the

Samaritans were detested in the eyes of the Jewish people. Jesus saw their hearts, broken and ready for the harvest.

How many people does God put in our lives each day, whose hearts are ready for words of hope, words of encouragement, the Word of eternal life. We need to reach out to the unlovely, the hurting, the abused, the ignored and we need to show them Jesus and share His story with them. Proverbs 11:30 says, “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he (she) who wins a soul is wise”.

John 4:36 says, “And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together”. We may be asked by our Savior to sow, or we may be given the privilege to reap, either one, we can rejoice together that the LORD has used our vessels to bring others unto Him. Jesus took the time to share with the Samaritan woman and we read in John 4:39, “And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all that I ever did.” Find the Samaritans that God has placed in your life and enjoy the Joy of the Harvest!

Simply His, Pam Snyder

Hearts Ready For Hope by Pam Synder

Calvary Chapel Reno-Sparks March-April 2015 Page �4

A Story of Grace Beyond The Iron Curtain

A Story of Grace by Phil Metzger is far from a boring report of history of Eastern Europe from the fall of Communism to present day, it is a record of God’s activity at work in a nation. A Story of Grace is well written and tells both mistakes and failures as well as the success of missionaries as they brought Jesus Christ to a hurting country.

Filled with many “stories of grace”, this is certainly an encouraging book. One takeaway is a constant recognition of God’s sovereignty in reaching the lost. The missionaries constantly presented God as the major character, God as the one who is truly doing the work of grace, but faithfully carrying it out through the simple obedience of His willing people.

After nearly half a century of Soviet tyranny, the Iron Curtain fell apart, communism had failed, and the people betrayed by it struggled to find some truth to hold onto. (“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love

with which He loved us, “ Eph 2:4) sent some unlikely missionaries. Carrying guitars and the Bible, these obedient missionaries told the people of a God who loved them and longed for relationship with them, and as a result, an incredible story began to unfold.

A Story of Grace is a story of Hope in the midst of hardship. A story of Mercy in the darkest hour, and most

importantly a story of Grace found only through Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Joyful Books Book Club meets every Wednesday morning from 9:30-10:30 in the Women’s Prayer Room. We will be discussing the current book throughout the months of March and April. You are welcome anytime.

Joyful Books Contact Person: Kelly GardnerMINISTRIES

JOYFUL BOOKS

BOOK CLUB MINISTRYMatthew 5:16

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Joyful Books Book Club Ministry is a

group of Women who meet each week to discuss the current

Women’s Ministry Book Selection.

The Book Club is designed to be a time

of fellowship and encouragement as we share examples of how the Lord is growing and changing our hearts to

become more like Jesus.

Anyone is welcome to join at anytime.

During the summer months the book club

enjoys meeting under a shady umbrella at

Starbucks on Longley and McCarren.

Spring Chicken Salad 16 oz of cooked/diced chicken breast

1/2 cup Craisins

1/2 cup chopped spicy Smokehouse Almonds

1 stalk celery chopped

2 green onions chopped

1/4 cup or more of Miracle Whip

Directions: Mix cooled chicken, Craisins, almonds, celery and green onions together in a large bowl. Add Miracle Whip so that your salad holds together but is not too creamy. Serve on a bed of greens or use to make sandwiches.

Recipes from the Kitchen

FRUIT OF HER HANDS MINISTRY Fruit of Her Hands Ministry will be out for a few months and will resume shortly.

Please watch the newsletter for updates.

Calvary Chapel Reno-Sparks March-April 2015 Page �5

Oh, the joy of watching all those seedlings sprout up through the soil, where you carefully planted your wildflower seeds. You worked hard preparing the area to be planted, watering and nurturing, until you have a harvest so beautiful, you can hardly contain your voice from joyously alerting the whole valley. Well, there is a harvest even more beautiful; a harvest of souls that is far more precious and when the work is all done, Heaven’s rejoicing will be deafening for sure. Seeds of truth, salvation through Jesus Christ, are constantly being planted, watered with God’s word, and grown through the power of the Holy Spirit, and when hearts are ready for Harvesting, God looks for those willing to be used as vessels to participate in such a joyous event.

Sometimes we might think “Not me. I don’t know enough,” “I’m not qualified,” or “I wouldn’t know where to begin.” You know, if you have believed on the Lord Jesus, invited Him to come into your heart and tasted of what He can and is doing in your life…guess what…you ARE qualified!

When we realize that our willingness to be used opens the door for the Holy Spirit to empower us for that use, He can be counted on to speak through us and direct us to share something we may have in common with someone else: something that just might be exactly what they needed to hear, and

something that would plant that seed or be a part of harvesting that already planted seed.

Have you ever experienced speaking to someone and for some strange reason your ears kind of step back and hear the words coming out of your mouth as if you were listening to someone else talking? That is an amazing experience and that is exactly how

the Holy Spirit works through us. Its’ like, ‘whoa, did you just hear that?’ as if someone else was there with you to share the experience!

Remember, God knows exactly what each and every person needs to know, hear,

see and understand in relation to their need for salvation. Luke 10:2 reads, Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”

Jesus obviously has His reasons for wanting us to share in the Harvest and be a part of the incredible Joy that only He knows is ahead for us all. Just imagine the tumultuous joy that erupts in the presence of angels when one sinner repents, Luke 15:10. Then, when all the hard work is finished and our time is up, we all can look forward to the Joyous reward of the Harvest. Have a very blessed, “Send me Lord” kind of day!

The Joy Of The Harvest by Beverly Chong MINISTRIES

WOMEN’S

BIBLESTUDY

2 Timothy 2:15“Be diligent to present

yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed,

rightly dividing the word of truth.”

Calvary Chapel Women’s Ministry Bible

Study meets in small groups on both

Monday mornings at 10am and Monday

evenings at 6:30pm.

Short devotionals taught by various

teachers are preceded by a discussion of the weekly lesson within

the small groups.

Child care is provided during the Monday morning Bible study

only.

Please Contact Sandie Luitwieler or

DiAnn Wolfe for more information.

Women’s Bible Study meets on Monday mornings at 10am and Monday evenings at 6:30pm. We will be continuing through the book of Nehemiah through March 16. Then beginning March 23-May 11, 2015 we will begin a new study, “HEROES OF FAITH. Please sign up at the Women’s Ministry Counter.

WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY

Visit: https://www.youtube.com/user/CalvaryRenoSparks

Radio: 87.9FM & 103.3FM in the Reno Area “Pure Milk of the Word”Saturday’s 1:00PM

Calvary Chapel Reno-Sparks March-April 2015 Page �6

Sharing Lives … a Thursday night Bible study for young adult women. Beginning Thursday, July 9, 2015, we will meet every Thursday at Calvary Chapel in the 3rd and 4th grade room from 6:30 – 8:30pm. This is a study for 18 to 30-something’s, those who are not married and don’t have children.

Sharing Lives Contact Person: Kimmie BowserMINISTRIESChildren’s Ministry

Proverbs 22:6“Train up a chid in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.

Why Serving in Children’s Ministry is Important

Did you know that 85% of people who come to Christ do so

before the age of 18. The heart of

a child is the most fertile soil in

which to plant the Word of God. Studies show children learn

more in their early years than at any other time in life.

HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED IN CHILDREN’S MINISTRY? Once you have attended Calvary Chapel Reno-Sparks for at least 6 months, and you have made this church your home, you will need to fill out a Children’s Ministry questionnaire and turn it in to the church office. Pastor Juan will then contact you.

Teaching Our Children To Share Jesus With Others “…You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength,and will all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” Luke 10:27

In the book “The Pursuit of Excellence” by Ted Engstrom, Ted tells a story of a little boy’s courage that I believe would make any parent proud.

“Babe Ruth had hit 714 home runs during his baseball career and was playing one of his last full major league games. It was the Braves versus the Reds in Cincinnati. But the great Ruth was no longer as agile as he had once been. He fumbled the ball and threw badly, and in one inning alone his errors were responsible for most of the five runs scored by Cincinnati. As the Babe walked off the field after the third out and headed toward the dugout, a crescendo of yelling and booing reached his ears. Just then a boy jumped over the railing onto the playing field. With tears streaming down his face, he threw his arms around the legs of his hero. Ruth didn’t hesitate for one second. He picked up the boy, hugged him, and set him down on his feet, patting his head gently. The

noise from the stands came to an abrupt halt. Suddenly there was no more booing. In fact, hush fell over the entire park. In those brief moments, the fans saw two heroes: Ruth, who in spite of his dismal day on the field could still care about a little boy; and the small lad, who cared about the feelings of another human being. Both had melted the hearts of the crowd.”

As I think about this little boy who was not afraid and who demonstrated that he cared enough about the feelings of another person; I can’t help but wonder how we can teach our children to look for opportunities to share the love of Jesus?

Teaching Our Children

“Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.”

Proverbs 22:6 NKJV

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I remember as a small child working alongside my dad in the family garden. His focus was to see the fruits of his labors in the next four months come to harvest. He’d hoe the ground and plant the seeds. He’d cover them gently with well-nourished dirt and pour water over them to help them grow. He was faithful in taking care of those little seedlings, making sure the weeds that sprung up around them were always removed. His joy came at harvest time when his seedlings came to maturity.

We as Christians are all God’s gardeners. We must be ready to work in His fields planting the seeds of truth to the unsaved. Our bible is the groundwork of truth that we are to use in revealing the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. 1Peter 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” Every day the unsaved remain vulnerable prey to his demons who lures them to live by the sinful temptations of the world. It is the Holy Spirit who fills us with the words we need to share the significance of the road to salvation. The message is, Jesus’ death was the living sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins, sparing us eternal death and gifting us eternal life. Grace is given to those who come in faith, broken in spirit to repentance of their sins, and humbled to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

John 4:35 “Do you not say, “There are four months and then comes the harvest?” Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!” Jesus was referring to His spiritual nourishment. This verse is telling us we are to serve by doing God’s will, by helping to bring His work of salvation to completion. We only need to look around us and we will find people ready to hear God’s Word. This spiritual nourishment isn’t just for us in what we glean in reading the Word of God, but the gardening we do in using those truths to witness to others.

The fields are plentiful. The harvest awaits. As workers in the fields we plant the seeds. We can only sow the seeds, we cannot make them grow in the unsaved. They must nourish the seeds within their heart by repentance of their sins, and allow the blood of Jesus cover them so that the evil one can

longer have them. The evidence is when a person’s life changes. They no longer want to do the things they did before. Matthew 9:37-38 “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” The harvest is abundant around the world. Pray for gardeners, God’s workers to sow the seeds of truth, Jesus Christ and His redeeming love.

Sowing For The Harvest by Mary Jane RobinetteMINISTRIES

PRAYERPhilippians 4:6

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by

prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known

to God;”

Have you had a chance to PRAY

today? One the most joyful parts of being a Christian is the time spent in prayer. This special relationship

between you and the Father is an important part of your growth as you get to know the

Father’s heart.

At Calvary Chapel there are several

opportunities to get together with other believers and pray

corporately. Please consider taking the time and joining in

prayer for the body of Christ as well as for

our Missionaries.

Women’s PrayerWednesday Evenings

6:00pm

Thursday Mornings10:00am

Missions Prayer1st Sunday of the month after 2nd

service in the foyer.

Please join us on Saturday, March 28, 2015 from 10am - 12pm for our Annual Mother-Daughter Tea in Cafe’ 2:42. Sign up at the Women’s Ministry Counter for a potluck dish.

Annual Mother-Daughter Tea

Home School Co-Op: contact Heather at calvarychristianhomeschool@gmail.com or 775-475-0998

Calvary Chapel Reno-Sparks March-April 2015 Page �8

CALVARY CHAPEL

Reno-SparksINFORMATION

1 Peter 2:2“as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby”

220 Edison Way, Reno, NV 89502

(775) 856-1110 Church Office

www.calvarychapelreno.org

My Savior’s Love by Charles Gabriel (1905)

I stand amazed in the presence

Of Jesus the Nazarene,And wonder how He could love me,

A sinner, condemned, unclean.

Chorus:How marvelous! How wonderful!

And my song shall ever be:How marvelous! How wonderful

Is my Savior’s love for me!

For me it was in the gardenHe prayed: “Not My will, but Thine.”He had no tears for His own griefs,But sweat drops of blood for mine.

In pity angels beheld Him,And came from the world of light

To comfort Him in the sorrowsHe bore for my soul that night.

He took my sins and my sorrows,He made them His very own;He bore the burden to Calv’ryAnd suffered and died alone.

When with the ransomed in gloryHis face I at last shall see,

’Twill be my joy through the agesTo sing of His love fore me.

Calvary Chapel Pastors

Tom Luitwieler, Senior PastorRob Wolfe, Admin PastorJuan Rodriguez, Youth PastorScott Cresta, Worship PastorLeonard Sanchez, Missions/H.S. High Pastor

Church SecretaryKimmie Bowser

Pastors’ WivesSandie Luitwieler

DiAnn WolfeJulie RodriguezHoppy Sanchez

PRAYER CHAIN

Ann (775) 673-1238Eileen (775) 972-1790

Church Services

Sunday 9am &10:45 a.m.Wednesday 7:00 p.m.

If you would like to have a copy of this newsletter emailed to you, so you may print in color or share with friends and family, email your name to gardner.joyfullbooks@gmail.com.

Do you find yourself often discouraged? I know I often do. I many times forget just how much “Jesus Loves Me!” and wind up in the doldrums. As Resurrection Sunday quickly approaches, take a moment and spend time on your knees with Jesus. Talk to Him and tell him all that is going on in your life. I can assure you that He will listen and hear you!

Do you not know Jesus? Did you know you can take this time right now and invite Him to be your Lord and Savior, but most of all your best friend.

The first step to inviting Jesus into your heart is to admit you are a sinner and you desperately need him. The Bible tells us in Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” This means before we can come to know God we have to recognize we are a sinner.

Once we have recognized we are in need of a Savior the Bible tells us in Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” and in Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” That is what Easter is about! Did you know that?

Finally, the Bible tells us in Romans 10:13 “For whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” and in Romans 10:9-10 “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that god has raised Him for the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes to righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made to salvation.”

Pray this prayer right now, “”Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.” Now go and tell others the GOOD NEWS of Jesus Christ!

Good Friday ServiceFriday, April 3rd 7PM

Resurrection Sunday

Sunday, April 5th 9am and 10:45am