Today we celebrate Palm Sunday, the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey to reveal His calling as our Messiah, and to fulfill the ancient prophecy of Zech. 9:9. “Tell the daughter of Zion, Behold your King is coming to you lowly, and sitting on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey.” This was an emotionally charged setting. It could have happened long before and many times if Jesus had not deliberately suppressed the popularity surrounding Him. Now, knowing what horror awaited Him a few days hence, He proclaimed Himself as their King. The applause and the crowds were not manipulated at the moment this secrecy was lifted, and His true identity was etched into the annals of history.
Matthew records the effect of this event when he wrote, “all the city was moved”. (Matt. 21:10) The verb “moved” is often used of an earthquake, clearly demonstrating Jesus’ dramatic arrival. Yet just being moved emotionally is not equivalent to discipleship. “Who is this?” the crowd asked, and five days later shouted, “Crucify Him!” Passion Week, complete with pageants, pilgrimages, musical extravaganzas, and stirring words will no doubt “move” many. The prayer for all of us, however, is that we have a fresh vision of Christ triumphant, because that is the moving truth of Palm Sunday!
Matthew records the effect of this event when he wrote, “all the city was moved”. (Matt. 21:10) The verb “moved” is often used of an earthquake, clearly demonstrating Jesus’ dramatic arrival. Yet just being moved emotionally is not equivalent to discipleship. “Who is this?” the crowd asked, and five days later shouted, “Crucify Him!” Passion Week, complete with pageants, pilgrimages, musical extravaganzas, and stirring words will no doubt “move” many. The prayer for all of us, however, is that we have a fresh vision of Christ triumphant, because that is the moving truth of Palm Sunday!
Sunday Bulletin
Sunday Bulletin
Running the Race
Running the Race
A Message from Pastor Jerry
A Message from Pastor Jerry
April 13, 2025
April 13, 2025
Why Palm Branches
Why Palm Branches
Date palms are majestic, tall trees that grow abundantly in the Holy Land. Their long and large leaves spread out from the top of a single trunk that can grow more than fifty feet in height. In Bible times the finest specimens grew at Jericho (known as the city of palm trees). Engedi, and along the banks of the Jordan. In ancient times, the palm branches symbolized goodness, well-being, grandeur, steadfastness, and victory. King Solomon had palm branches carved into the walls and doors of the Temple. They were regarded as tokens of joy and triumph. Palm branches were often strewn and waved in the air to welcome Kings and conquerors. Certainly, there is no greater conquering King than Christ our Lord!
Light Brunch Fellowship
Light Brunch Fellowship
Next week is Resurrection Sunday! Please join the celebration as we begin the day with a light brunch fellowship at 9:30 am. You won’t have to cook for this one, because we will serve pastries, bagels, and fruit. We promise not to ruin your appetite for your BIG meal in the afternoon! As always, please invite quests to join us. He is Risen!
Quotes
Quotes
The one concern of the devil is to keep Christians from praying. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work, and prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when we pray.
- Samuel Chadwick
Abiding fully means praying much.
- Samuel Chadwick
April 13 Sermon: Blessed are the Persecuted – Matthew 5:11 – 12
April 13 Sermon: Blessed are the Persecuted – Matthew 5:11 – 12
Steve Winger from Lubbock, Texas, tells about his last college test – a final in a logic class known for its difficult exams. To help on the test, the professor told the class they could bring as much information to the exam as they could fit on a piece of notebook paper. Most students crammed as many facts as possible on their 8 ½” x 11” sheet of paper. But one student walked into class, put a piece of notebook paper on the floor and had an advance logic student stand on the paper. The advance logic student told him everything he needed to know. That student was the only one to receive an “A”!
This story reminds me of the song David wrote that we know as Psalm 124. There he says, “If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up against us, then they would have swallowed us alive.” That sounds worse to me than failing a logic test! The point is that David knew he was not alone in the trial. The Lord didn’t just “have his back,” He stood beside him. There is comfort in this truth as we face the many trials that bombard us in life. Jesus not only knows the answers, He is the answer! And when it comes to the ultimate final exam when we stand before God’s Judgement Seat, who wants to be alone?
This story reminds me of the song David wrote that we know as Psalm 124. There he says, “If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up against us, then they would have swallowed us alive.” That sounds worse to me than failing a logic test! The point is that David knew he was not alone in the trial. The Lord didn’t just “have his back,” He stood beside him. There is comfort in this truth as we face the many trials that bombard us in life. Jesus not only knows the answers, He is the answer! And when it comes to the ultimate final exam when we stand before God’s Judgement Seat, who wants to be alone?
Sunday Bulletin
Sunday Bulletin
Running the Race
Running the Race
A Message from Pastor Jerry
A Message from Pastor Jerry
April 6, 2025
April 6, 2025
Celebrate
Celebrate
Next Sunday begins the most important celebration in the Christian calendar. It will be Palm Sunday, which ushered in that wonderful week culminating with the Resurrection of our Lord! Without His death and resurrection, our lives would be hopeless, and our future would only be a black nightmare. Come celebrate with us and think about who you can invite to come as well. It could be someone who hasn’t been in a while, or someone who has never been to our church.
Smile
Smile
• The problem with ignorance – it picks up confidence as it goes along.
• Every argument – except the one you are
in – has two sides
• Before giving someone a piece of your
mind ask yourself: “Can I spare it?”
• Real friends are those who, after you’ve made a fool of yourself, don’t think it did permanent damage.
• Two men are on opposite sides of the river. The first man shouts, “How do I get to the other side of the river?” The other man yells, “You are on the other side of the river!”
• Every argument – except the one you are
in – has two sides
• Before giving someone a piece of your
mind ask yourself: “Can I spare it?”
• Real friends are those who, after you’ve made a fool of yourself, don’t think it did permanent damage.
• Two men are on opposite sides of the river. The first man shouts, “How do I get to the other side of the river?” The other man yells, “You are on the other side of the river!”
April 6 Sermon: Blessings for Believers pt. 6 – Matthew 5:10
April 6 Sermon: Blessings for Believers pt. 6 – Matthew 5:10
For years William Wilberforce pushed Britain’s Parliament to abolish slavery. Discouraged, he was about to give up. His elderly friend, John Wesley, heard of it and from his death bed called for pen and paper. With trembling hand, Wesley wrote: “Unless God has raised you up for this very thing, you will be worn out by the opposition of men and devils. But if God be for you who can be against you? Are all of them stronger than God? Oh, be not weary of well-doing! Go on in the name of God and in the power of His might till even American slavery shall vanish away before it. Wesley died six days later, but Wilberforce fought on against slavery for 45 more years. In 1833, three days before his own death, slavery was abolished in England!
I tell this story because all of us need encouragement at times in our lives. We may not be involved in anything as monumental as stopping slavery, but every believer’s calling is important. Perhaps, like Wilberforce, you are discouraged because progress is slow and the struggle is difficult. You may even be praying for a “move of God,” but everything seems to be going in the opposite direction. Is there a tendency to be upset when any difficult thing comes your way? Take the promise of God to heart and don’t “grow weary while doing good” (Gal. 6:9). The victory of God is always on the way!
I tell this story because all of us need encouragement at times in our lives. We may not be involved in anything as monumental as stopping slavery, but every believer’s calling is important. Perhaps, like Wilberforce, you are discouraged because progress is slow and the struggle is difficult. You may even be praying for a “move of God,” but everything seems to be going in the opposite direction. Is there a tendency to be upset when any difficult thing comes your way? Take the promise of God to heart and don’t “grow weary while doing good” (Gal. 6:9). The victory of God is always on the way!
Sunday Bulletin
Sunday Bulletin
Running the Race
Running the Race
A Message from Pastor Jerry
A Message from Pastor Jerry
March 30, 2025
March 30, 2025
The Signs of the Times
The Signs of the Times
(Note: The following signs were actually observed)
• Spotted in a safari park: “Elephants Please Stay In Your Car.”
• Notice in a farmer’s field: “The Farmer Allows Walkers to Cross the Field for Free, but The Bull Charges.”
• Spotted in a safari park: “Elephants Please Stay In Your Car.”
• Notice in a farmer’s field: “The Farmer Allows Walkers to Cross the Field for Free, but The Bull Charges.”
• Notice in health food shop window: “Closed Due to Illness.”
Bible Quiz
Bible Quiz
1. What was the second “sign” God said Moses could perform so Israel would believe him? (Exodus 4:6 – 8) __________
2. What is the only “sign” Jesus said “an evil generation” would be given? (Luke 11-29) __________
3. What “signs” did God place in the heavens to help us keep track of days, years, and season? (Gen. 1:14 – 17) __________
4. According to I Cor. 14:22, what spiritual gift is a “sign” to unbelievers? __________
5. What “sign” was giving to the shepherd’s “keeping watch over their flocks by night” (Luke 2:12)? _________
2. What is the only “sign” Jesus said “an evil generation” would be given? (Luke 11-29) __________
3. What “signs” did God place in the heavens to help us keep track of days, years, and season? (Gen. 1:14 – 17) __________
4. According to I Cor. 14:22, what spiritual gift is a “sign” to unbelievers? __________
5. What “sign” was giving to the shepherd’s “keeping watch over their flocks by night” (Luke 2:12)? _________
Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday
1 Nathan Johnson 1 Priscilla ‘PJ’ Bruch
12 Elyas Burtnett 14 Nathan Bruch
15 Jerry Johnson 15 Aaron Fox 17 Kristin Zagar
23 Everett Johnson 27 Ashley Guiterrez 28 ClarLoy Brown
30 Gloria Moya 30 Charisse Huffman
12 Elyas Burtnett 14 Nathan Bruch
15 Jerry Johnson 15 Aaron Fox 17 Kristin Zagar
23 Everett Johnson 27 Ashley Guiterrez 28 ClarLoy Brown
30 Gloria Moya 30 Charisse Huffman
Happy Anniversary
Happy Anniversary
17 Craig & Meg Spencer
20 Karl & Lorie Reid
March 30 Sermon: Blessings for Believers pt. 5 – Matthew 5:9
March 30 Sermon: Blessings for Believers pt. 5 – Matthew 5:9
Life is full of contrasts. I met a couple of them this week. One was when I stepped out the door to go for my mourning run on Thursday. The calendar said it was the first day of Spring, but the thermometer said it was 21 degrees! The most significant contrast, however, happened on my trip to Socorro for our Student Convention, and what I heard on the radio on the way home. To set the stage, I had just enjoyed a couple of days in the midst of Christian young people. Their energy and enthusiasm were contagious, and I was feeling it. The contrast came from a news story I heard on the way home. It was the sickening report about three youth in our city who had stolen a car, and in cold blood deliberately run down a cyclist on his way to work. The three were eventually apprehended because they posted the murder on social media. Their ages really shocked me – 15, 13, and 11! (The youngest may have been 10 at the time of the incident.) All with lengthy criminal histories.
So, who’s to blame? Certainly, these boys themselves who are on a slippery road to hell. And certainly, their parents who have obviously offered no training or discipline. And then there is the blame on an ungodly culture which promotes rebellion and atheism. I thought about the kids I had just left. What a difference Christ makes! So, we will continue to do what we’re doing. The stakes are too high to do less!
So, who’s to blame? Certainly, these boys themselves who are on a slippery road to hell. And certainly, their parents who have obviously offered no training or discipline. And then there is the blame on an ungodly culture which promotes rebellion and atheism. I thought about the kids I had just left. What a difference Christ makes! So, we will continue to do what we’re doing. The stakes are too high to do less!
Sunday Bulletin
Sunday Bulletin
Running the Race
Running the Race
A Message from Pastor Jerry
A Message from Pastor Jerry
March 23, 2025
March 23, 2025
A Note From Andrew Bush
A Note From Andrew Bush
Greetings from Manila! I’m here to encourage our Harvesters Christian Fellowship leaders. I’ve hit the ground running with services in our congregations in the inner city, but I want to take a few moments to thank you for your support in January. It is so very much appreciated. With your support, we’ve been able to help support the East Jerusalem International Church, Filipino pastors, and refugees grom Gaza, besides preparing for our work in Bethlehem in May. Your giving is touching lives. Thank you! I do hope I can get to Albuquerque and visit your fellowship.
~ Andrew and Karen
~ Andrew and Karen
Memorial Service for Michael Domingoes
Memorial Service for Michael Domingoes
The Memorial Service for Michael Domingoes is scheduled for this Saturday, March 29 at 10:00 a.m. It will be our time to remember and honor Michael as a long-time member of this fellowship, and as our friend. If you have a memory of Michael or a word to share, we invite you to be ready to do so. There will be no family members of Michael attending. We were his family, so this service is for us.
Quotes
Quotes
Faith is a living, daring confidence in God’s grace, so sure and certain that a man could stake his life on it a thousand times.
- Martin Luther
There is no saint here who can out-believe God. God never out-promised Himself yet.
- Charles Spurgeon
Just as water ever seeks and fills the lowest place, so the moment God finds you abased and empty, His glory and power flow in.
- Andrew Murray
- Andrew Murray
Mar. 23 Sermon: Blessings for Believers pt. 4 – Matthew 5:1 – 12
Mar. 23 Sermon: Blessings for Believers pt. 4 – Matthew 5:1 – 12
Church Information Quick Links
Church Information Quick Links