NEWSLETTER – February/March 2002
From the keyboard of Dr. Ross Jutsum
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2002 – not just another New Year!

Still sobered by the events of September 11th, 2001, we are excited about the prospects for sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ in this New Year, and helping draw many hearts closer to the heart of our loving God. From the beginning of this ministry four and one half years, every day has been an adventure and we have certainly been proceeding by faith, not often by sight! Please continue to pray that the Lord will lead up to the right doors to knock on and He will open them so we can walk through them to His glory!

Ministry Highlights – October - December 2001

After the whirlwind 10 day tour of Worldwide Church of God festival sites including Riverside, CA, Penticton, B.C., Hot Springs, AR, and Winnipeg, Manitoba during the first ten days of October, it was great to make a second visit to Hartford, Connecticut, this time hosted by Calvary Baptist in Meriden. I thoroughly enjoyed catching up with Pastor Larry and Connie Wooldridge and sharing in worship with the Worldwide congregation. Sandwiched between a wonderful Sunday morning worship service at Calvary Baptist with my dear friend, Pastor Joel Rissinger, and a Sunday evening concert at Elim Park Retirement Home, we made a quick trip to mid-afternoon service at the Brooklyn Tabernacle and were so privileged to hear the wonderful choir under the direction of Carol Cymbala and to participate with 2,500 other enthusiastic worshippers.

November’s visits included San Jose, CA where Pastor Mel and Barbara Dahlgren were my gracious hosts, along with Betty and Larry Shamus. The children and young people in this congregation are really on fire for Jesus and His gospel. The weekend before Thanksgiving was hosted by Pastor Larry and Linda Brown for my fourth memorable visit to his Toledo, Ohio congregation and then by Pastor Ross and Jan Flynn in Detroit, MI followed by a visit in Freeland, MI with Pastor Briscoe Ellett. We so much appreciate all of the hospitality and the generous support of the pastors and all the dear brothers and sisters in these churches!

After hosting my sister Claire and her husband, Keith, from down under, for a wonderful 2 week visit to Southern California over Thanksgiving, it was on to Corsicana, TX where my dear friend, minister of music Chuck McElroy hosted me at the First Baptist Church to participate as a guest artist in their annual Christmas pageant. I also enjoyed a visit with the Dallas North congregation which included a worship service and a praise evening at the Vista Ridge Methodist Church. Much appreciation to Chuck, Pastor Arnold and Trish Clauson, Felix and Connie Heimberg and Murdoch and Vera Gibbs for their outstanding support and hospitality. It was a treat to team up with Murdoch on keyboards during worship!

Ministry Highlights – January-February 2002

A visit to Minnesota and Wisconsin the second weekend in January provided three wonderful opportunities to lead worship with the Worldwide congregations in the south and north of Minneapolis, and in Onalaska, WI (near La Crosse). It is so encouraging to see the growth and enthusiasm for worship in all the congregations I visit. I am so grateful to Pastor Charles and Linda Holladay and Pastor Doug and Betty Johannsen for their gracious hospitality, and to Pastor Gary and Marsha Demarest for hosting on Sunday morning.

January 19th I led a lively worship service for the Los Angeles WCG congregation while Pastor Bermie Dizon attended a conference. On Sunday, January 20th, I was privileged to serve as guest speaker and worship leader at Trinity Lutheran Church in Santa Barbara, CA for both morning worship services and then to lead a worship seminar on Sunday afternoon. I am indebted to our dear friends, Larry and Astie Hammett, for their superb hospitality and for arranging this visit to their home church, and to Pastor Tom Shelley and worship coordinator Beverly Staples for their wonderful support.

The last weekend in January took me to the Carolinas. It was a delight to lead a worship service and seminar in Greenville, S.C. on the Saturday and then in Charlotte, N.C. on Sunday morning and afternoon. To my dear friends, Bob and Sharon Vischer, transplants from South Africa, and to Pastor Haz Hall and Martin Manuel, a hearty thank-you!

The first weekend in February took me to the thriving metropolis of Wheatland, Wyoming, population 3,271! Hosted by David and Gary Weber and their families, it was a real pleasure to lead a worship service and seminar there for WCG on Saturday, and then on Sunday morning to be guest speaker at the First Christian Church of Wheatland where Pastors Andy and John were such wonderful hosts.

I enjoyed playing some background piano music during the luncheon and then leading a community praise service at the High School auditorium prior to the showing of the Super Bowl. During the game, I enjoyed entertaining some wonderful senior citizens at the Wheatland Nursing Home, hosted by my friend Jose. Most noteworthy on this visit was the terrific spirit of unity that is developing among various Christian churches in Wheatland and the regular inter-denominational services that are scheduled

Recordings Available from “State of the Heart”

***New*** “Fresh and New This Morning” – second vocal album of original praise and worship songs by Ross, including solos by his wife Tammy and their daughters, Heidi and Lisa. Available in compact disc only ($16.95) plus $2.50 per unit shipping.

***New*** “Sweet Hour of Prayer” – volume two of an easy listening series of sacred piano arrangements recorded on the Ambassador Auditorium Hamburg Steinway Concert Grand. Available in compact disc only ($16.95) plus $2.50 per unit shipping.

“Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs” – a collection of 8 compact discs containing almost 8 hours of music with instrumental accompaniments for 101 traditional Christian hymns, and for 80 more contemporary praise and worship choruses – a great resource for small groups, house churches and individual and family worship. Available in compact disc only -- $69.95 plus $6.50 shipping and handling for the complete set.

“Rivers of Living Water” – a vocal album of ten songs of praise and worship by Ross, including solos by his daughters, Heidi and Lisa. Available in compact disc ($16.95) or cassette ($11.95) plus $2.50 per unit shipping and handling.

“Silent Night” – 25 Cherished Christmas Carols – containing delightful instrumental arrangements of the all-time favorite Christmas carols. Available in compact disc ($16.95) or cassette ($11.95) plus $2.50 per unit shipping and handling.

“To God Be the Glory” – volume one of an easy listening series of sacred piano arrangements recorded on the Ambassador Auditorium Hamburg Steinway Concert Grand. Available in compact disc only ($16.95) plus $2.50 per unit shipping.

To contact us…

If you would like to order our recordings, or if you have any ideas of ways that we might be able to serve churches or congregations in your area, please call us at (626) 836-4686 or e-mail me at SOTHeart@aol.com