fragrant life

Calvary Chapel Reno-Sparks

Portraits from Sandie
Now thanks be to God who always leads us
in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses
the fragrance of His knowledge in every
place. For we are to God the fragrance of
Christ among those who are being saved and
among those who are perishing.
2Corinthians 2:14-15
This is one of my favorite passages in the
Bible. It is theme scripture for our womens
ministry here at Calvary Chapel. I find it very
challenging to me as a Christian woman, to
remember that I am the
fragrance of Christ to God.
The imagery here
pictures the celebration the
town would throw for the
victorious Roman Generals
as they returned from
battle. As the army would
march into the town, the
towns people would walk
in front of them with large
incense diffusers. Other
people, to show their
appreciation, would throw
flowers and wreaths in the path of the
oncoming parade and the petals would be
crushed under the feet of the horses. As the
petals were crushed they produced a powerful
fragrance that would fill the city. When you
smelled this aroma you knew the victorious
general was approaching. When this fragrant
aroma reached the palace the king knew that
the victors were home.
Vs. 14 says that through us God diffuses
the fragrance of His knowledge. How are they

September-October
going to know if nobody tells them? We
diffuse the fragrance by the message we bring.
Vs. 15 says that we are the fragrance of Christ
to God. Did you know that our lives can give
off a sweet smelling fragrance that makes
Jesus recognizable to others and pleases God?
As we share the Gospel and live out the
powerful life changing truths in His word, we
can attract others to Him. They know there is
something different about us. Something they
want.
Have you ever hugged someone and
when they walk away the fragrance of
their perfume lingers on you. That is
how it should be with Jesus; His
fragrance should linger on us after we
have spent sweet beautiful fellowship
with Him.
What a beautiful picture of what
our lives should be like to those
around us. Do we reflect Christs love,
kindness, goodness, and gentleness?
Are others attracted to these qualities
in us? When they are in our presence
do they sense the sweetness of His
peace and His joy? I hope so!
Our purpose is to please God and to bring
others to Him. It isnt just what you say, and it
isnt just how you live, its both. My prayer is
that as we walk with Christ and allow Him to
shape us into strong Christian women we will
diffuse His fragrance to all we come in contact
with and His fragrance will fill this town.

2015
The Pleasing
Fragrance of
Christ
2 Corinthians 2:14-15

Now thanks be to God

who always leads us in
triumph in Christ, and
through us diffuses the
fragrance of His
knowledge in every
place. For we are to
God the fragrance of
Christ among those
who are being saved
and among those who
are perishing.

Question to Ponder:
Who is God leading me to
share Jesus with?

Love, Sandie

Our desires for Womens Ministry is to: encourage deeper relationships and spiritual growth
for the women in the body of Christ; to provide a place where Women will be encouraged and uplifted
to seek Gods best for their lives; to give opportunity to study the Word of God together that Women
might grow in the grace and knowledge of Our Lord Jesus; and to equip Women to be lights in their
homes, neighborhoods and workplaces, reflecting the love of Jesus Christ to all.
Calvary Chapel Reno-Sparks September-October 2015

Pastor Tom & Sandie

Luitwieler
Page 1

MINISTRIES

WHERE CAN I
SERVE?

COME, LORD JESUS

(Even So, Come) Passion
(Chris Tomlin, Jess Cates and Jason Ingram)

1 Peter 4:10
As each one has
received a gift, minister it
to one another, as good
stewards of the manifold
grace of God.

Helps Ministry
Food Pantry
Meals Ministry
Womens Greeters
Womens Conferences
Womens Koinonias
Womens Retreats
Womens Bible Study
Morning Prayer
Evening Prayer
Missions Prayer
Prayer Chain
Childrens Ministry
Widows Ministry
Sharing Lives Ministry
Single Moms Ministry
Joyful Books Ministry
Fruit of Her Hands
Womens Newsletter
Housekeeping
Home School Co-op
Book Store
Worship Ministry
Home Fellowships

All of creation
All of the earth
Make straight a highway
A path for the Lord
Jesus is coming soon
Call back the sinner
Wake up the saint
Let every nation shout of Your fame
Jesus is coming soon
Like a bride waiting for her groom
We'll be a Church ready for You
Every heart longing for our King
We sing
Even so come
Lord Jesus, come
Even so come
Lord Jesus, come

All will be new

Your name forever
Faithful and true
Jesus is coming soon
Like a bride waiting for her groom
We'll be a Church ready for You
Every heart longing for our King
We sing
Even so come
Lord Jesus, come
Even so come
Lord Jesus, come
So we wait
We wait for You
God, we wait
You're coming soon
Like a bride waiting for her groom
We'll be a Church ready for You
Every heart longing for our King
We sing
Even so come
Lord Jesus, come

There will be justice

Capilla de Calvario, Tejaro, Mexico

(Calvary Chapel Tejaro, Mexico)

Contact the Church office

if you would like to find out
how to be part of any of
these ministries.

Pastor Salomon and his wife Rosario thank you for your continued
prayers and support. They ask that you would continue to pray for the
children who came to VBS as well as the 4 adults who were saved.

(775) 856-1110

Email: If you wish to email them capilladelcalvariotejaro@gmail.com

Online Financial Support: www.ssmfi.org Account # 4037
By Mail: Shepherds Staff P.O. Box 53640, Albuquerque, NM 87153-3640 Account # 4037

HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED AT CALVARY CHAPEL?

First: Present yourself to God (Romans 12:1) for confirmation that He

has planted you in this fellowship. If so, then discover your gifts and Gods calling in your life. Second: Study to show yourself approved unto
God (2 Timothy 2:15). As you grow in your relationship with God, let Him prepare you for effective service. Third: Be doers of the Word (James
1:22). Commit yourself to the work of Jesus Christ in this fellowship, and get involved as a yielded vessel to Gods guiding anywhere He directs.
Calvary Chapel Reno-Sparks September-October 2015

Page 2

MINISTRIES
Recently I have undergone a very demeaning
time which almost led me to quit, but with much
prayer and with God tenderly showing me that my
time there is not done, I am reminded by these theme
scriptures what my assignment is.

HIS FRAGRANCE
OF HIS LOVE
As I was thinking about the theme for this
newsletter, The Pleasing Fragrance of Christ, I
began to think about the word fragrance. It caused
me to think about all the different perfumes and
sprays that I have. I then looked up the word
fragrance in 2 Corinthians 2:14 fragrance of His
knowledge and the Greek word is osme meaning
a smell or odor. I also noticed, what I thought was
the same word in verse 15, fragrance of Christ,
which is actually another word in the Greek
eudoia which means a sweet smell or fragrance.
It stated that it is the efficiency in which the power
of Christ Himself is at work and it is well pleasing to
God.
I then started to ask myself, What kind of smell
or odor do I leave with others? What fragrance am
I putting on daily? If I am clothing myself in Christ
and allowing Him to diffuse the fragrance of Christ,
then I am a sweet smell to those around me, suffice
to say, if I am not putting on Christ daily, oh Lord
what kind of smell or odor am I leaving others with?
God has placed me in a secular job during this
season of my life. I am working in a two woman
office with a non-believer as my boss. I know that
God gave me this job; it is so flexible allowing me
to continue to do the ministry that He has called me
to with Womens worship at both the Monday
morning and evening studies and it allows me to
continue to give guitar lessons rising up the next
generation of worship leaders. I also know God
placed me there to diffuse the fragrance of His
knowledge to my boss and all those I come in
contact with at my workplace.

Womens
Greeters

Now thanks be to God who always leads us in

triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the
fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For
we are to God the fragrance of Christ among
those who are being saved and among those who are
perishing.
I had to realize that although what was said to me
was very hurtful, it was a battle in the spiritual realm
and I could not fall for Satans tactics. John 10:10
says that the thief comes to steal, kill and destroy,
but Jesus has come that we may have life and have it
more abundant. God reminded me, through a
precious sister, that I was being used to show my
boss Jesus. God, through me, was diffusing His
fragrance of LOVE. I had to forgive so that God,
through my vessel, could continue to diffuse His
LOVE to her. Ladies, just a little leaven, leavens
the whole lump, yes even a tiny bit of bitterness left
in the heart, clogs the arteries and the pure flow of
His LOVE is not able to be diffused. If this was left
over a period of time, I am sure that clog would
cause not only a hideous stench, but would
eventually stop the flow. I chose to forgive and God
is again able to use my vessel as a vessel of honor
for His glory. Verse 16 says, To the one we are the
aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the
aroma of life leading to life. It is not under my
control whether one chooses death or life, but it is
under my control to allow Jesus to diffuse the
fragrance of LOVE through me.
So I ask this question to you? Are you being a
bad smell or odor to those God has put in your
path or are you being a sweet smell of fragrance?
It might be time to change your perfume.
Simply His, Pam Snyder

Single Moms Ministry will be getting together on

Sunday, September 13 at 12:30pm and also on, Friday,
October 16th at 6:30pm.

1 Thesselonians 5:11
Therefore comfort
each other and edify
one another, just as
you also are doing

Do you have a happy

heart and a smiley
face? How many of
you have been blessed
when you have walked
in on Sunday morning
with a Happy Hello?
If you would like to be
part of the Womens
Ministry Greeters we
would LOVE to have
you!
Please fill out a
ministry questionnaire
and turn it in to our
Church Office.
You will then be
contacted by Hoppy
Sanchez who will set
up a meeting with you
and get you started as
a Womens Ministry
Greeter.

Ministry Contacts
Single Moms Ministry: Melissa Crutcher
Widows Ministry: Patsy Walton
Meals Ministry: Tammy Rimack
Calvary Chapel Reno-Sparks September-October 2015

Page 3

MINISTRIES

JOYFUL
BOOKS
BOOK CLUB
MINISTRY
Matthew 5:16
Let your light so shine
before men, that they
may see your good works
and glorify your Father in
heaven.

Joyful Books Book

Club Ministry is a
group of Women who
meet each week to
discuss the current
Womens Ministry Book
Selection.
The Book Club is
designed to be a time
of fellowship and
encouragement as we
share examples of how
the Lord is growing and
changing our hearts to
become more like
Jesus.
Anyone is welcome to
join at anytime.
Book Club meets at
Starbucks at 5280
Longley, about (5)
minutes South of
Calvary Chapel.
Contact Kelly for more
information.
775-843-0650
call/text

Drawing Near to the Heart

of God by Cynthia Heald
(Womens Ministry Book
Selection)
Explore a life devoted to
walking with God.
As we travel through lifes
struggles and joys, we face
new crossroads daily that
lead to different
destinations. It is helpful to
have someone prepare and
equip you for what to expect
and how to make wise choices.
No matter where you are on your
journey, best-selling author Cynthia
Heald (Becoming a Woman Of . . .
series) wants to guide and mentor you
in order to draw you closer to the
Fathers heart and keep you on the

SLOW COOKER
APPLE BUTTER
INGREDIENTS:
6 pounds apples, peeled, cored
and sliced
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
teaspoon ground nutmeg
teaspoon ground cloves
teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
DIRECTIONS:
1. Place apples in slow cooker. In a medium
bowl, whisk together the sugars, cinnamon,
nutmeg, cloves and salt. Sprinkle over the

Calvary Chapel Reno-Sparks September-October 2015

well-trodden path of past seekers of

God. Drawing Near to the Heart of God
(formerly A Womans Journey to the
Heart of God) will encourage you to
keep your hand in His for your
lifetime pilgrimage.
By combining personal insights
with Scripture and wisdom from
some of the great Christian
devotional writers, Cynthia
engages with you to reflect on
where you are now, where youd
like to be, and how far youve
already come.

Joyful Books Book Club

Ministry:
Joyful Books Book Club Ministry will be
meeting on Wednesday mornings from
9:30am-10:30am. @ Starbucks,
5280 Longley Ln.

apples and stir gently to combine. Cook on

low for 10 hours.
2. Stir in vanilla extract, breaking up any
large chunks of apples that remain. Cover
and cook for an additional 2 hours.
3. Remove cover and use an immersion
blender to puree the apple butter until
completely smooth. (Alternately, you could
puree in batches in a food processor or
regular blender.) If you want the apple
butter thicker, you can continue to cook it on
low with the lid of the slow cooker slightly
ajar so that steam can escape.
4. Allow the mixture to cool, then spoon into
jars and store in the refrigerator for up to 2
weeks, or freeze for up to 2 months.

Page 4

MINISTRIES

The Fragrance of Christ

by Beverly Chong
I have to admit I have always been one of those
ladies that have to complete her daily ensemble
with a few sprays of a lovely fragrance. Whether to
go out on a dinner date, run errands, or work in my
yard, it just doesnt seem right until I surround
myself with a lovely scent. I truly have to laugh at
myself, remembering back to my farm days. Just to
dress in my farm clothes, getting ready for work on
my crops or to care for the hogs, my war paint
(make up) and hair-do wasnt complete without a
few sprays! Then, the really funny part is when my
children would plead with me not to wear my pig
clothes (as they put it) to the parent/teacher
conferences. Wellmy goodness, why not? I had
my hair in place, make-up on and I smelled nice, I
would tell them! MOM they would scowl in
horror. Boy, did they shudder with disgrace at
times! Are any of you like that or know what I
mean? Well, this scenario is somewhat similar to
the fragrance of Christ, whom God has dressed up
and enveloped us with.
2 Corinthians 2:14, 15, reads Now thanks be
to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ,
and through us diffuses the fragrance of His
knowledge in every place. (15) For we are to God
the fragrance of Christ among those who are
being saved and among those who are
perishing.

You see, when we invite Jesus to come into our

lives, being filled with His love and bathed in His
word, we become infused with the alluring
fragrance of Christ, which pleases our God. Once
infused, He uses us to draw close to one another,
uplifting, helping, encouraging and loving our
fellow Christian sisters and brothers. And, the more
we fall in love with Him, yielding to His Will and
direction in our lives, the more fragrant we become.
A similar reaction happens with someone who
doesnt know Christ. Your spiritual pheromone will
magnetically draw someone to you, especially when
they see the peace and joy you display while living
in a world that has none; a world that is growing
more corrupt daily, by the minute, a world
tormented and manipulated by Satan himself, our
enemy. Your Christ infused fragrance will cause
them to want to know what makes you so vibrant.
They will become curious and wonder, and possibly
inquire what your secret is, which will allow you to
share Jesus with them. In the same token, for the
one that absolutely does not want anything to do
with our Lord and Savior, or pooh hoos God all
together, your spiritual fragrance will be extremely
offensive.
God gave everyone a will; a choice to desire and
choose Him over eternal death and separation from
the One who created and holds our whole being
together, or to refuse His gift of eternal life through
Christ. How sad indeed, but because He is a
gentleman, He will not force anyone to choose what
they dont want. Have a blessed Exude your
Fragrance kind of day.

Things that Matter...

WOMENS

BIBLE
STUDY
2 Timothy 2:15
Be diligent to present
yourself approved to God,
a worker who does not
need to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the word of
truth.

Calvary Chapel
Womens Ministry Bible
Study meets in small
groups on both
Monday mornings at
10am and Monday
evenings at 6:30pm.
Short devotionals
taught by various
teachers are preceded
by a discussion of the
weekly lesson within
the small groups.
Child care is provided
during the Monday
morning Bible study
only.

Please Contact
Sandie Luitwieler or
DiAnn Wolfe for more
information.

Saturday, October 17, 2015

Calvary Chapel Reno-Sparks Womens Conference

Visit: https://www.youtube.com/
user/CalvaryRenoSparks
Calvary Chapel Reno-Sparks September-October 2015

Radio: 87.9FM & 103.3FM in the Reno

Area Pure Milk of the Word
Saturdays 1:00PM
Page 5

MINISTRIES
Childrens
Ministry
Proverbs 22:6
Train up a chid in the
way he should go, and
when he is old he will not
depart from it.

Conversation
Starters
Today God helped
me at school when

I showed someone
Gods love today
when I

I experienced Gods
power today when

I trusted God today

I know God loves me
because today

Sharing Lives,

a Bible study for young adult women, meets Thursday evenings

6:30-8:30 at Calvary Chapel in the 3rd & 4th grade classroom. This is an ongoing study for young adults
who are currently not married and do not have children. You are invited to join us any time. We base this
ministry on Titus 2:3-5. For more information, please call Kimmie at 775-745-5688.

Yes, Gods Fragrance is on

the Move in England!!
by Diana Bickford
People just love stories. I saw this in the face of
those inquiring regarding my visit home to
Yorkshire, England, this summer. Many were
asking, especially my precious sisters
in the Lord who know the eagerness
with which I desire to take the
marvelous love of Christ back home
and spread it around as He so leads.
So Id show pictures, describe the
beautiful rolling hills and dales of
Yorkshire, the rugged coastline, and
the flowers so many beautiful
flowers! And more importantly, how
and where God provided Divine
Appointments!
I met Shalini Lobo, a beautifully
gracious sister from India who lives
and serves in Putney, London. We
spent a day out that she had planned
for us in London and did lots of
walking! I mean she went all out!
We didnt have the time in one day to
do all that she had hoped we might.
What a delight. I was not a Christian upon leaving
England in 1978, so returning now with new eyes,
it is such a treat to be shown some Christian
Heritage sights Ive not before seen myself.
We had lunch at the Salvation Army Headquarters
where outside, the large glass windows of the
building have scripture painted all around. How
many bustling business people might not even stop
or notice the words of life written there.

However, after lunch how uplifting it was to be

taken to hear the Aldersgate Talks at St. Bartolphs
Church, which dates back to the 1600s. I was
encouraged to see businessmen seeking God
through hearing speakers on various topics of His
Word over their lunch hour!
And afterwards to stroll the garden and see the
monument of John Wesley!
I shared with Shalini, how
encouraged I had been
also the previous week as
Id visited the North of
England, my hometown of
Hull, Yorkshire. Many
have commented that
much of Europe is in the
dark as regards faith in
God. I know that is true
in many regards, and how
Ive prayed for the light of
Christ to sweep across my
home city. Knowing our
Lord desires that none
should perish.
During my Yorkshire trip I
had managed to attend the
Calvary Chapel of York.
Its a beautiful campus,
very close to the Castle
Wall. Welcomed by Pastor Dave Sylvester from
Arizona, and his congregation, I was thrilled and so
thankful to hear that they had been praying for my
city of Hull for quite some time! They have plans to
plant a Calvary there, and/or College classes!
Is there anything more exciting than being where
God is on the move? I dont think so. So in eager
anticipation of what God is doing, we wait and we
pray.

HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED IN CHILDRENS MINISTRY? Once you have attended Calvary Chapel RenoSparks for at least 6 months, and you have made this church your home, you will need to fill out a Childrens Ministry
questionnaire and turn it in to the church office. Pastor Juan will then contact you.
Calvary Chapel Reno-Sparks September-October 2015

Page 6

MINISTRIES

Aroma of Victorious Love

by DiAnn Wolfe
My daughter-in-law, Lauren, introduced me to
essential oils after discovering on Pinterest the
many ways these oils can be of benefit to us.
Apparently there are a variety of ways to apply the
oils, one being aromatherapy where you disperse the
oil into the air through a diffuser. Diffusers disperse
essential oils as a fine vapor throughout the air so
they can be absorbed gently into the body through
the respiratory system. The diffuser is simply a way
of distributing and spreading the contents into the
air.
This is an interesting application that helps us
understand the powerful truth of 2 Cor. 2:14 Now
thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in
Christ and through us diffuses the fragrance of His
knowledge in every place. Here are two
compelling truths. One that God..who
always.leads usin triumphin Christ (I
broke it down to emphasize each thought) and the
second powerful truth; and .THROUGH
US.diffusesthe fragranceof HIS
knowledgein EVERY PLACE.
The image Paul is illustrating would be
meaningful to those believers in the Roman city of
Corinth who were familiar with the parades
celebrating the triumphant victories of battle.
Incense burners were being carried in the front of
the parade amongst the honored commander and his
troops. The fragrance of incense being released
through incense burners represented to those who
inhaled its sweet perfume a reminder of the Roman
victory and the victorious men who were marching
before them.
As we look at the preceding verses in chapter 2
of 2 Corinthians we gain further insight to what led
up to Pauls statement in verse 14. The city of
Corinth was a hub for immorality in the Roman
Empire and in Pauls previous letter to the church at
Corinth he found it necessary to correct and instruct

the believers regarding this lingering immoral

influence that this wicked city had on the church, as
well as doctrine. It troubled him greatly out of
much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you,
with many tears. Paul had not heard back from
Titus, who he sent to deliver the letter to the
Corinthian church and was anxious to know how
those in the church responded to it. Did they
receive his correction and repent and have a heart to
change? Paul had anguish of heart, he agonized
hoping they might know the love which I have so
abundantly for you. It says in verse 4.
Paul diffused the aroma of Christ, wherever he
went, to some it would be the aroma of death
leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life
leading to life, verse 16.
Do you recognize the fragrance of Christ? Have
you inhaled it while in the presence of believers? It
permeates to the depths of the soul, the heart, the
emotions, the thoughts. It is the sacrificial love of
Christ you are inhaling and it is the sacrificial love
of Christ you are diffusing to those around you.
Christ is the oil, we are simply the vessel.
And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us
and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice
to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. Eph. 5:2 The
use of the word aroma in various scriptures
throughout the bible, is the aroma of the sacrificial
offering that rises up to the nostrils of God; it is a
pleasing fragrance to God. It is the fragrance of
victory, victory over sin and death, victory our
enemy and Gods adversary Satan. Jesus, is the
aroma of His love for us, His love for His Father in
submitting to His will.
We are the living diffusers of Christs oil of
victorious love to others. To a world bound by sin
and darkness it can disperse life and light and the
way to heal their broken souls. To our brothers and
sisters in Christ love is an aroma which can give
comfort, forgiveness, encouragement, and as we
witness in Pauls ministry, a correction when
delivered in love can heal and restore.

FRUIT OF HER
HANDS
Proverbs 31:31
Give her of the fruit of
her hands,

And let her own works

praise her in the gates.

Fruit of Her Hands is

a giving ministry that
meets at the Gardner
home 4 times a year
for fellowship and a
simple craft of
sewing, quilting,
painting or cooking.

Many of the things

we make we give to
family, friends or our
community.
Our meetings are
typically scheduled for
the 2nd Saturday of the
months of:
March
May

FRUIT OF HER HANDS MINISTRY

Fruit of Her Hands Ministry is collecting
FLEECE blanket material to make blankets
for the Veterans at the VA hospital and for
Christmas on the Corridor. If you would like
to donate please contact Kelly Gardner
775-843-0650 call/text

Calvary Chapel Reno-Sparks September-October 2015

September
November

Page 7

MINISTRIES

Widows
Ministry
James 1:27
P u r e a n d u n d e fi l e d
religion before God and
the Father is this: to visit
orphans and widows in
their trouble, [and] to
keep oneself unspotted
from the world.

The Widows
Ministry meets on
Saturday
11am-1pm once a
month.
For more
information contact
Patsy at
775-686-0655.

The sweet incense of faith was

released when her life and will were
crushed. (A Lineage of Grace;
Francine Rivers. 2001)
Dear Sisters,
Ive been going through a rough patch lately.
Can any of you relate? God, who is sovereign,
has allowed some big challenges into my life.
In the midst of them, and after many months of
testing and trials, I felt that God was asking,
Do you trust Me? Do you really trust that I
have plans for you . . . to give you a future and
a hope? (Jer. 29:11) Yes Lord, I trust you.
But do you trust Me with your life? No Lord,
here is my limit. I find that my life is more
precious to me than my absolute and complete
trust in my You.
More months, testing and trials . . . Do you
trust Me? Yes Lord, you know that I do.
Even with your greatest worries, fears, and
burdens? Can you give them to Me? Yes
Lord, I will try to lay these down. You know
that Ive told you to come to Me with your
heavy burdens and I will give you rest. (Mt.
11:28) Im trying Lord, truly. But I find that my
worries, fears, and burdens have been my
constant companions these many years. How
do I leave them behind me as I travel this
road? If anyone wishes to come after Me, he
must deny himself, and take up his cross and
follow Me. (Mk. 8:34)
Some months, testing and trials later . . . Do
you trust Me? Lord, though You slay me, yet
will I trust You. (Job 13:15 paraphr.)
Ah, now were getting somewhere.
I am sure than many, if not most of my sisters
in Christ have been on this journey in one form
or another. It is part of the sanctification
process as we learn to die to self and seek
Gods will instead of our own. Our heavenly
nature does not come easily. It must be
contended for as we set aside our own
agendas, plans, and wants, and exchange
them for Gods higher purposes. Simply put,

Calvary Chapel Reno-Sparks September-October 2015

Jesus must increase, but (we) must

decrease. (Jn. 3:30) Our decrease, that is,
subordinating our desires in obedience to
Christ and learning to trust in Him completely,
is the only way we will ever produce the kind of
spiritual fruit that glorifies God and diffuses the
fragrance of His knowledge in every place. (2
Cor. 2:14)
Our flesh cannot produce the fragrance of
Christ. And what is this fragrance, exactly? It is
no less than the power of Christs resurrection
presented through the gospel message. Truly,
it is life for all who call on the name of the Lord.
(Rom. 10:13) In 2 Corinthians 2: 14-15 Paul
speaks about fragrance of Christ among those
who are being saved and among those who
are perishing. As Paul and Timothy and the
early believers spread the gospel message,
they shared Christ with those who had an ear
to hear. (Mt. 11:15) When unbelievers hear
and respond to His call, it is away from death
to life, and that is sweetness indeed.
Jesus endured the crushing trial of the cross
and separation from the Father for our benefit.
When I think about what Jesus went through, it
certainly puts my own trials in perspective. I
have found that there is fellowship with our
Lord in the pressing down of suffering. (Phil.
3:10) Granted, my trials are not related to
suffering for Christ as Pauls were, but I believe
that God draws us closer to Him through our
times of great need and dependence. This is
when we see how big God is and do we ever
need a big God - and how we are but the
sheep of His pasture. (Ps. 100:3)
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you
encounter various trials, knowing that the
testing of your faith produces endurance. And
let endurance have its perfect result, so that
you may be perfect and complete, lacking in
nothing. (Jas. 1:4)
Do you love Me? Lord, You know all things;
You know that I love You. (Jn. 21:17)

Submitted by D. Walker

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MINISTRIES
and grace He freely gives to us. Prayer is our direct
line of communication with God through Jesus
Christ, our mediator and our hope. Not always do
we get the opportunities to share verbally with others
the message of salvation, but we can pray names, and
we can pray our petitions and supplications to God.

Sharing the Scent of

Jesus Christ
by Mary Jane Robinette
It should be our daily prayer for the fragrant scent
of Jesus Christ to bathe us lavishly. We should
completely surrender our mind and our heart to our
Lord and Savior asking for His cleansing of anything
within us that is not of Him, so that our prayers, the
way we live our lives, can both be a sweet smelling
aroma to Him. We should ask for a pure heart and a
clean mind so that His Spirit can fill us to
overflowing.

How long has it been since you were so close to

Jesus in prayer that your quiet inner self became
infused with His aromatic fragrance bringing tears to
your eyes? Prayer blesses us with the sweet scent of
Jesus in our actions and details of our daily lives.
We should pray like this.

In 2Corinthians 2:14-15 NLT we read, But

thank God! He has made us His captives and
continues to lead us along in Christs triumphal
procession. Now He uses us to spread the
knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet
perfume. Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance
rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived
differently by those who are being saved and by
those who are perishing. We should pray these
two verses everyday over ourselves and over those
we pray for to come to know Jesus.
We are charged as Christians to share His
fragrance with those who are seeking His presence
and for those who are yet to be saved. Starting our
day in prayer saturates the very air we breathe filling
it with the sweet smelling aroma of Jesus and the love

Father God, it is my privilege to come before Your

throne of grace and kneel at Your feet in prayer.
Cleanse me of anything that is not of You so that
there is nothing within me hindering the sharing of
Your message of salvation with those that Ive been
praying for, and for those You choose to put before
me. I thank you for your constant instructions
through Your Word and guidance in the knowledge of
Your Son Jesus Christ. I pray that You will reveal
through me the saving knowledge of Your Son to
those who are awakening to His call and to those
who are perishing. Receive these names . I
bring before you now, as I pray for their salvation.
Let Your fragrance through Your Holy Spirit pour
from within me and spill over onto those I meet so
that they can see the joy I live in knowing, loving and
serving You. Through Your Son Jesus Christ I pray.

Our August Women's Koinonia

by Mary Jane Robinette
What an awesome time of fellowship, delicious food both physically and spiritually we shared today at the
Women's Koinonia at Calvary Chapel Reno/Sparks. Our speaker Sandie Luitwieler, gave a excellent message
on Growing in the Lord and how our walk reflects to others just how much our lives are dedicated to loving
and serving our Lord Jesus Christ. We need to spend as much time with Jesus in prayer and in reading His
Word as we do spending our time on worldly incidentals. She reminded us that how much time we spend with
Jesus is all up to us. We all desire to leave a legacy of some sorts, so it should be our daily goal to build a
legacy in our walk that will inspire those who come behind us. Everything we need to grow in life spiritually
and to make our worldly life to glorify the Lord, is in our bibles. Thank you Sandie, you message was inspired
by the Holy Spirit. We cannot live daily in the world and be a godly woman who is growing in the Lord, unless
we stay in prayer and in the Word and have more of Christ in our walk and less of ourselves.

PRAYER
Philippians 4:6
Be anxious for nothing,
but in everything by
prayer and supplication,
with thanksgiving, let your
requests be made known
to God;

Have you had a

chance to PRAY
today? One the most
joyful parts of being a
Christian is the time
spent in prayer. This
special relationship
between you and the
Father is an important
part of your growth as
you get to know the
Fathers heart.
At Calvary Chapel
there are several
opportunities to get
together with other
believers and pray
corporately. Please
consider taking the
time and joining in
prayer for the body of
Christ as well as for
our Missionaries.
Womens Prayer
Wednesday Evenings
6:00pm
Thursday Mornings
10:00am
Missions Prayer
1st Sunday of the
month after 2nd
service in the foyer.

Home School Co-Op: contact Heather at

calvarychristianhomeschool@gmail.com or 775-475-0998
Calvary Chapel Reno-Sparks September-October 2015

Page 9

CALVARY CHAPEL Reno-Sparks

1 Peter 2:2
as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the
word, that you may grow thereby

220 Edison Way, Reno, NV 89502

(775) 856-1110 Church Office
www.calvarychapelreno.org
Calvary Chapel Pastors
Tom Luitwieler, Senior Pastor
Rob Wolfe, Admin Pastor
Juan Rodriguez, Youth Pastor
Scott Cresta, Worship Pastor
Leonard Sanchez, Missions/H.S. High Pastor

Church Secretary
Kimmie Bowser

Pastors Wives
Sandie Luitwieler
DiAnn Wolfe
Julie Rodriguez
Hoppy Sanchez

PRAYER CHAIN
Ann (775) 673-1238
Eileen (775) 972-1790

CHURCH SERVICES

Do you want to know Jesus?

Did you know you can take this

time right now and invite Him to be your Lord and Savior, but most of all your best
friend.
The first step to inviting Jesus into your heart is to admit you are a sinner and you
desperately need him. The Bible tells us in Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall
short of the glory of God, This means before we can come to know God we have to
recognize we are a sinner.

Sunday 9am &10:45am

Wednesday 7:00 pm.

Once we have recognized we are in need of a Savior the Bible tells us in Romans
6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus
our Lord. and in Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that
while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Iphone App

Finally, the Bible tells us in Romans 10:13 For whoever calls upon the name of
the Lord shall be saved. and in Romans 10:9-10 That if you confess with your
mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the
dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes to righteousness, and with the
mouth confession is made to salvation.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/calvary-chapelreno-sparks/id1023708440?mt=8

Android App
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?
id=hr.apps.n206898398&hl=en

Pray this prayer right now, Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for
Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from
my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You
as my Lord and Savior. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. Now go and tell others the
GOOD NEWS of Jesus Christ!

If you would like to have a copy of this newsletter emailed to you, so you may print in color or share with
friends and family, email your name to gardner.joyfullbooks@gmail.com.
Calvary Chapel Reno-Sparks September-October 2015

Page 10