NEWSLETTER – March 2003
From the keyboard of Dr. Ross Jutsum
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November-December 2002
Before Thanksgiving last year, I was privileged to join my dear friend, Pastor John Karlson, in visiting his congregations in Columbus and Chillicothe, OH., followed by a visit with Pastor Steve and Harlean Botha in Brooklyn, NY, Pastor John Adams in Union, NJ and Pastor Rich Kissel in Chewsville, MD. A highlight in Maryland at an assisted-care facility was meeting a WWII veteran named George who had served in New Guinea (my father had also served there with the Australian army.) Though he insisted that he had no intention of joining us for the Sunday morning worship service, after playing a few Glenn Miller favorites of his, and just spending a little time chatting about the war, George joined us on the front row! With tears in his eyes after the service, George told me that he was truly moved by the love of God he felt so present there, and that he would be a regular attendee from now on! Never too old, or young, to come to Jesus – He is our Strength, our Song, our Prince of Peace and our Rest!

In December I thoroughly enjoyed leading worship services leading up to Christmas in Los Angeles for the WCG congregation and for the New Life Fellowship in Pasadena. A trip to St. Louis was highlighted by memorable Advent services with the WCG congregations in North and South, pastored by Karl and Karla Reinagel, and by a guest opportunity at St. Louis Family Church, a large non-denominational church pastored by Jeff Perry. At this Friday evening service, I sat next to one of the many Rams football players who attend there -- Don Davis -- and had the privilege of sharing two worship songs and a short testimony with the over 1,000 assembled. Pastor Jeff was really encouraging when he thanked God for allowing me to share my testimony and to model Spirit-led worship with so many denominations in the Body of Christ.

January-February 2003
After a wonderful Christmas celebration at home with our family, I had the opportunity to lead a worship service in Paris, France, singing and speaking (with a lot of help from my dear brother Pastor Dominique Alcindor) in French! Thanks to my many frequent flier miles, Tammy and Heidi and Lisa were able to accompany me on this trip, and though the weather was very wintry, we enjoyed our time together as a family, checking out the sights, including attending an evening worship service at St. Paul’s in London. Upon our return from Europe, came a second visit to the First Christian Church in Bellflower, CA to lead worship with my brother and friend Todd Duncan, and to share an interactive message. Pastor Joe and Susie McNair were wonderful hosts for my return visit to their congregations in Visalia and Fresno, CA, and I also met their host pastor at Faith Community and look forward to a future visit to guest at his church.

Then for about 12 days, the Jutsum home became the home base for 6 wonderful young people from Australia who comprise one of Australia’s top praise bands, Alabaster Box. My nephew by marriage, Matt Smallbone is the bass player (and cousin to Rebecca St. James, who Matt used to tour with,) and he asked me to help them with some playing opportunities in Southern California. I felt privileged to be able to help sow seed for their ministry and we were able to arrange for them to perform and lead worship in 10 wonderful venues including Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, Christian Assembly in Eagle Rock, Faith Community in West Covina, New Life Fellowship, Harvest Rock Church and Maranatha High School in Pasadena, Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa, Covina Assembly of God, Saddleback Church in Lake Forest and New Heart Foursquare Church in Simi Valley. Needless to say, their music and their passion for Jesus really moved many hundreds of people during their visit and we look forward to their return before long! Special thanks to their generous hosts, Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Wendt, Mike and Janet Morrison and Deb Nickel!!!

Ice and freezing rain caused a trip to Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana to be postponed to March but we didn’t let a little snow stop us from sharing two wonderful occasions of worship in Columbia and Cape Girardeau, Missouri, the last weekend in February. Pastor Brad and Cindy Bruns, and Pastor Jeff and Abby Williams were delightful hosts, and it was such a privilege to sing, play and share the beautiful gospel message with so many brothers and sisters in Christ.

Work is in progress on two new recordings I hope to have completed by this fall. The first is a new worship album tentatively entitled “Acts of Worship” which will include 12 new original songs flowing successively as an outline for a service and worship and praise, including a call to worship, songs of adoration, celebration, intercession, dedication, communion, sanctification and benediction. The other CD project is a new piano solo album tentatively entitled “It Is Well With My Soul” which will include a number of original arrangements of worship songs and a few classical surprises as offerings of praise! Please pray that the Lord will guide and bless these projects to His glory and that He will anoint every word and note to help bring many ever nearer to Him!

It is such a privilege and pleasure to be able to use the gifts our Creator has given to help further the Kingdom! Thank you for your prayers, your support and encouragement.

With grateful hearts, in His service,

Ross (Jutsum) and Tammy, Heidi and Lisa