CALIFORNIA
The official board of the First Advent Christian Church of Tustin, California, hosted the third annual Church Appreciation Banquet on January 23. This event is held each year to honor and give thanks to all the church family for their love and support during the year. Following the lasagna dinner, entertainment was provided by John Douglas, the church organist/pianist, featuring classical piano pieces and showcasing the church's new organ. Assisting Mr. Douglas were two of his piano students, Ashley and Alyssa Carr, who performed four-handed piano arrangements with Mr. Douglas. Ashley, Alyssa and their friend, Elizabeth, also entertained with several a cappella trio arrangements of favorite hymns. Pictured, L – R: Mr. Douglas, Elizabeth, Ashley and Alyssa. (Submitted by Cheryl Gilroy)

FROM THE DIRECTOR OF WORLD OUTREACH

Since I was a young boy, I have loved animals. I can’t think of a time growing up when I did not have a dog. As a married man, I have shared the joy of animals in our home with my wife and our kids for our entire marriage. As I was driving down the road the other day, the following sign caught my attention and made me chuckle. Perhaps it was because it had a humorous saying about dogs. Here’s what it said, “Be all that your dog has always thought you were!”

Over the years the truthfulness of this sign has been my experience. No matter how I felt or acted around my dog, he loved me and showed it in his behavior. This has always been refreshing, especially today when we live in an age where people are so easily offended. This is also true — and even more so — for the way God loves us as well.