…Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Acts 2:21, Romans 10:13

Remember our Verse of the Month from last month: “Though your sins be like scarlet, they shall be white as snow.” White snow covering everything, blanketing the world, touching every aspect of life. Such is the power of God to touch even the worst of our attitudes and actions, and transform them into something of beauty.

Although, this might entail some disruption to our ordinary routine!

Many thanks to George Abell, Bill DeVane and George Bowman who made sure the parking lot was clear by Sunday noon. The wedding that had been scheduled for Saturday did take place, but not until Sunday. It will be one to be remembered for a long long time.

Yesterday (Tuesday) I was able to attend the homegoing celebration for Sister Beverly Ware, at Cornerstone Church of God in Columbia, Maryland, who passed away unexpectedly last week. Her husband, Pastor Max Ware is one of the six members of the S.H.A.P.E. “cluster” that has met one Friday each month for the past year, and will for the next two years. I’d ask you to keep the Ware family and Cornerstone Church in your prayers.

Now on Wednesday, with another blizzard officially on top of us, I have to reluctantly announce that our Wednesday evening study group will be canceled.

For this next Sunday, a Valentine’s Breakfast had been planned for 9:00 a.m., followed by morning worship at 10:00. We now hasten to add: weather permitting!  Update:  The decision has been made that the Breakfast will be rescheduled for a later date. Watch for an announcement.

The blizzard of 2010 has gone from snowfall to digging out stage, but the digging out may not be far enough along by Sunday morning (February 7) to justify bringing everyone out on the roads.  This sets a record, at least for the time I have been in Maryland:  two Sundays in a row where we are closed for snow, and that makes the third time this season.  Keep safe and snug in your home, and please pray for those who have no safe place of their own, as well as those who are working hard to clear the roads for us.

Pastor Bob

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

–Acts 1:8

Birthday greetings go to Brandon, Feb. 2; Bonnie and Kevin, Feb. 3; and Hayley, Feb. 4!

We’ll plan to have our prayer meeting at its usual time on Wednesday at 6:30, and the Board of Trustees on Thursday at 5:30.

Remember: the church exists wherever the people of God are, and we are called on to do all that we do, whether word or deed, in such a way as to honor our God. May the peace of God be in every home, on every highway, and ease the work of shoveling every driveway!

Pastor Bob

UPDATE, Jan. 31: I spoke this morning with Pastor Victor Coleman of Temple Hills Church of God, and the Joint Celebration Service planned for this evening is also canceled.

Juan Santos & Audrey Boatwright to speak

Pastor Bob says:  “This Monday, we have a unique opportunity to learn how we can minister in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.  Audrey Boatwright is deeply involved in ministry to Haiti.  Pastor Juan Santos is one of the pastors I met when I took a trip with other CDP ministers to the Dominican Republic back in 1998.  He is one of the national leaders of the Church of God in that country.”

Directions to Cornerstone Church in Columbia are on the poster; click to enlarge.

Heaven just got a little bit richer. I received word today that my uncle and namesake, Dr. Robert H. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Clark, died late this morning in Lake Wales, Florida. He was 92.

A man of faith, good cheer, vigor and wit, he kept up an active schedule well past his nine-decade mark. He was a missionary, a pastor, a teacher, a scholar, a peacemaker and activist, Among those who have helped to guide me in my own path, he is right up at the top. He was one of the two ministers who officiated at our wedding.

I’ll have much more to say about him a little later. In your prayers, please remember all of his family, especially my aunt Fran, his tireless partner over sixty-five years.

- Pastor Bob Buehler

Edit:  Memorial service is to be Monday morning, January 11 in Lake Wales.  Full obituary follows.

Dr. Robert Henry Clark, 92, of Lake Wales, Florida died Thursday January 7, 2010, at Good Shepherd Hospice in Auburndale, of complications due to a broken hip.  He was born June 17, 1917 in Schodach Center, New York and moved to Lake Wales thirty-five years ago from Rochester, New Hampshire.

Dr. Clark was a missionary, minister, and college professor.  In 1947 he went on a mission to British India, now Bangladesh, for fifteen years and made many trips back there throughout his life.  He received his Ph.D. from Hartford seminary.  Upon coming to Lake Wales he was a professor at Warner Southern College, now Warner University, and was co-founder of the HEART Program.  He was a member of the South Lake Wales Church of God.

He is survived by his wife of sixty-five years Frances E. Clark, children Pamela, Kimberly, Douglas, and Mark, ten grandchildren, five great grandchildren, and his brother Charles.  His children Eric, Robert, and Loren, and sisters Ruby, Thelma, and Evelyn preceded him in death.

Memorials of rememberance may be made to the Robert and Frances Clark Peace Foundation at Warner University 13895 Highway 27, Lake Wales, FL 33859.

Memorial Services will be held Monday, January 11, 2010, at 11:00 A.M. at the South Lake Wales Church of God 210 Presidents Drive, Lake Wales, FL 33859.  Interment will be made in Savoy, Massachusetts.

“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD:  “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be like snow.  Though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.”

— Isaiah 1:18

The candlelight Christmas Eve service was a special time for me, as it is every year.  We had new friends and old friends and visitors sharing together the age-old story which never gets old.  Thanks to everyone who came for making the worship experience what it was. I hope everyone had as good a Christmas Day with their family as we had in our house. A most relaxing, de-stressed day.

On Sunday, December 27 our Christmas celebrations continued with the presentation of the children’s play during morning worship at 10:00 a.m.  Many thanks to all who were present, to the children and adults who made this special celebration possible.

Thanks be to God for all of his gifts, and especially for the gift of His own presence in our lonely places, His light in our darkness, His peace in our turmoil, His love in our hearts.