Hard to believe – but God loves America’s enemies…

Dear HCC Family,

On December 7, 1941, a Japanese war plane piloted by Mitsuo Fuchida took off from the aircraft carrier Akagi. Fuchida led the surprise attack on the US Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

Through the war years to follow, Fuchida continued to fly – often narrowly escaping death. At war’s end, he was disillusioned and bitter.

A few years later, he heard a story that piqued his spiritual curiosity: A Christian young woman whose parents had been killed by the Japanese during the war decided to minister to Japanese prisoners. Impressed, Fuchida began reading the Bible.

As he read Jesus’ words from the cross, “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:34), he understood how that woman could show kindness to her enemies. That day Fuchida gave his heart to Christ.

Becoming a lay preacher and evangelist to his fellow citizens, this former warrior demonstrated “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” (Phil. 4:7) – a peace enjoyed by those who have trusted Christ and who “let their request be made known to God” (v.6).*

My prayer for you, your family, friends and yes; even your enemies, is that peace with God, and the peace of God, is settled and secured in your life.

If you are active or retired military; please wear your uniform, or a part of your uniform, so that you can be recognized on Memorial Weekend.

To prepare for the sermon this week read 2^nd Corinthians 6: 1-10.

My blog “Steve’s Head” is live. My intention for this cyberspace instrument is to give you a tool for engaging your unchurched friends and family in conversation about spiritual things. I imagine it working like this: you pray about people whom you would like to share Christ with, yet you don’t know how to engage them. Acquaint yourself with my blog. Ask them if they blog or read blogs. Whether they do or don’t, pass my blog address to them and ask them to check it out. Then follow up with them in an attempt to have a conversation about the content. I’m banking on the Holy Spirit to open up the conversation lines with the unchurched by using this blog as transformational conversation kindling. The address is http://www.heritage-cc.org/blog/steveh

The HCC Skinny:

7:14 Service June 4 in the Sanctuary at 7pm. An extended time of worship music and guided prayer. I will continue the theme of “Awakening”; person, church and nation. (No childcare.)
Pastor Bowman’s early summer concert being held June 13^th at 6pm in the Sanctuary.
Summer Bond June 23^rd – 25^th. An HCC Family event for everyone. Although kid friendly, this is not an event just for kids. We have planned something for everyone. Church family BBQ cookout on Friday, but there’s a catch…