As noted in an earlier eNews the Churches of God, General Conference (CGGC) congregations in California originated in the migrations of the 1930 and 1940s which John Steinbeck immortalized in The Grapes of Wrath. Many people from CGGC congregations in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and the Midwest made the journey west in hopes of employment and a better life. I vividly recall the stories Ira (He died last November 11.) and Pauline Burns told about those times. They pastored the Wheatland Church where their son John and grandson Michael now serve.
We arrived in Sacramento a day early and decided to play tourists with the extra time. Thursday afternoon and evening we walked about the neighborhood of our hotel and found a great restaurant called Lucca http://www.luccarestaurant.com/ not two blocks away. We also checked out the old governor’s mansion with wonderful botanicals all around. The nearby Convention Center was also quite impressive (pictured below). That evening we drove across town to Gunther’s http://www.gunthersicecream.com/ which is an ice cream shop not unlike Dietsch Brothers in Findlay, Ohio, but dare I say it, better. Given the 1960s ambiance it made us feel like young people out on a date, which we were at least nostalgically. |
Friday we drove 33 miles northeast of the capital on route 80 to check out the gold fields in Auburn. Not that we expected to find any, but one never knows. We stopped first at the Placer County courthouse which houses a museum telling the story of the community from prehistoric times to the present. It’s a first rate exhibit with many notable features including 94 ounces of raw gold (flakes, nuggets, ore samples, etc.) on display (pictured below). We got a tragic taste of the old west when a pair of desperados killed a policeman in Sacramento and then fled to Auburn that day. The shooter was finally caught, but not before killing a second officer and wounding a third officer and a civilian. Frankly, we were glad to get out of town. |
We drove to Roseville and checked into the hotel before heading over to Wheatland for dinner at the church. It was like a grand reunion as we hadn’t seen most of the people since 2012. The meetings began at 7 with congregational singing, special music, and a message by John Burns on being true to the word of God and faithful in service. As part of the service the Eldership ordained Michael Burns (John and Anita’s son) and Michael Hopper into the Gospel ministry. I was honored to offer the dedicatory prayer. After the service everyone adjourned to the fellowship hall for cake and drinks. |
The session began with singing followed with devotions led by Brad Taylor from the Farmersville Church. I gave a report on CGGC ministries, highlighting the work around the world. I thanked everyone for their support, and circulated a brochure of staff services available through the General Conference office. After a break several of the churches shared in special music individually and as groups. Ryan Cooney preached for the assembly to close out the morning. |
Ed
Soli Deo Gloria!
Rob Warren to Speak on Reaching the Post-Christian Generation at GLC Gathering
Rob Warren, a pastor at the h2o church which ministers to students at Bowling Green State University, will be sharing on reaching the post-Christian generation on November 22 at the Christian Ministry Center in Findlay, OH. Click here for a registration brochure. |