Dear Christian Friends,

The Bible reading for May is:

Week beginning May 5: Acts 2-6,
Week beginning May 12: Acts 7-11,
Week beginning May 19: Acts 12-16,
Week beginning May 26: Acts 17-21.

A big "thank you" for the surprise avalanche of birthday cards on Sunday, April 14 (total of 32). Many were serious while others were very funny. All were greatly appreciated. Thank you!

In our Bible reading for April, we were in the Gospel of John. I especially liked The Living Bible paraphrase of John 1:1—5: "Before anything else existed, there was Christ, with God. He has always been alive and is himself God. He created everything there is — nothing exists that he didn't make. Eternal life is in him, and this life gives light to all mankind. His life is the light that shines through the darkness — and the darkness can never extinguish it."

Some time ago, we preached a sermon on the evidence for the existence of God. Recently, I ran across a quotation from Alexander Campbell that would fit very well in that sermon. In 1829, Alexander Campbell debated Robert Owen in Cincinnati, Ohio. Robert Owen was a man of international stature and a recognized authority on social reform and atheism. Louis Cochran in his book on Alexander Campbell, The Feel of God, records one of Campbell's statements in that debate on the existence of God as follows, "But as well might Mr. Owen attempt to fetter the sea, to lock up the winds, to prevent the rising of the sun, as to exile the idea of God from the human race. The proofs of His existence are as numerous as the drops of dew, and everything within us and without us, from the nails upon the ends of our fingers to the sun, moon, and stars, confirms the idea of His existence."

Best wishes,
       Howard Faerber, Minister