NEWSLETTER – Summer 2002
From the keyboard of Dr. Ross Jutsum
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Five Years of Full-Time Ministry Completed – Sixth Year Begins!

As the summer begins in the northern hemisphere, so we begin our sixth year of “State of the Heart” Ministries. As I get ready once again to head to the Los Angeles airport, I am reminded that today I will be on the 101st airplane I've flown on since September 11th and Florida will be the 22nd state I've visited just since January! All told since the beginning of our ministry, I've been a guest worship leader and speaker for churches of more than 60 denominations in over 375 cities! (You can tell I have entirely too much time on my hands to track these statistics!) I sense strongly that the Lord wants me to be continually open to the possibilities of new doors and to following where He leads. Your prayers and support over the first five years have been so very much appreciated by my family and me, and we ask you to continue as we year #6 on faith!

You may or may not know that we have not had, or for that matter, sought, any regular financial support over these first years of full–time. The Lord has provided through the sale of our recordings and occasional love offerings and we are totally confident He will continue to make provision. Due to the very nature of the ministry, it is now necessary to organize somewhat more officially and so we have begun the process to establish “State of the Heart Ministries” as a non-profit California corporation. This should be in place by November 1st and we ask for your prayers that all will go smoothly.

Jesus is our Strength AND our Song, and He is and always will be at the HEART of “State of the Heart.” So as we commence our sixth year, we are a small part of the greater Body, a little piece of the big picture of His Kingdom work, we are seeking His will and trusting Him for our needs and for everything!

Ministry Highlights -- February 2002

A visit to Wheatland, Wyoming turned out to be a delightful experience of worship and praise. After a service and seminar with the Worldwide congregation on February 2nd, I was honored to share in music and message at First Christian Church on Sunday morning and then lead an afternoon youth service at the local High School gym where teens from about 10 of the churches in town gathered together. Many thanks to Pastors David and Andy, and to my hosts, the Webers, who not only picked me up in Denver but returned me as well!

The next weekend found me in Omaha, Nebraska and after visiting their famous zoo on Friday afternoon with my dear friend, Cal Smith, I was delighted to lead a communion service for the WCG congregation there, a seminar and an evening concert to which members invited their friends and neighbors. Sunday morning, I was a guest at the Redeemed Christian Church of God with a wonderful group of mostly transplants from West African countries like Nigeria and Ghana. It was a privilege to join their Praise Band for some rousing music and thanksgiving and to share my testimony. Pastor Ope has ideas for me to be of service to other “Redeemed” congregations in the future.

After a family weekend enjoying our older daughter's volleyball tournament, Tammy and I had a chance (thanks to American Airlines) for a short break in Honolulu. I was able to lead worship with our brothers and sisters in the Hawaiian Christian Fellowship Sunday morning. My thanks to Pastor Gary and sister Marsha for their help!

Ministry Highlights – March 2002

March was one of the busiest months so far in the ministry with visits to the WCG congregations in Bethlehem and Philadelphia, PA, and then on Sunday with the Faith Outreach Community Church in Washington, D.C., where I so thoroughly enjoyed partnering with their praise team. Leading worship and praising God should never be dull or boring and I have to say that every service I participate in is unique and the interaction with so many different folks makes it such a joy! Many blessings and appreciation to Pastor Dave and Hinke Gilbert, and Pastor Lloyd and First Lady Malinda Garrett (AND Amanda!) for their kind hospitality and encouragement.

New Hope Christian Fellowship in Fort Worth, TX invited me to guest the next weekend and Pastor Tom and Adrienne Pickett were so gracious, as were my hosts the Sherich family. The next morning, I shared music and testimony at both services of the First United Methodist Church in Gladewater, TX. and then led a Praise Evening that was attended by many of our friends and former neighbors from quite a number of the community's churches. My dear friend, Tom Crabb, helped me with the sound, and I am indebted to Pastor Wayne and Nancy Flowers and all the folks at FUMC who made my fourth visit so memorable.

The following weekend was highlighted by a visit just down the road to the Pasadena congregation of the Worldwide Church of God. Pastor Dennis and Lorraine Pelley were so kind to give me this opportunity, and also to get to know Pastor Lucius Smith of Friendship Baptist Church where I was a guest the next day. A return visit to the St. Louis North, MO and Memphis, TN WCG congregations the following weekend included a worship seminar and a community concert at the latter venue. It was great to catch up with Pastor Phil and Mimi Perkins and my hosts, the Gordons, in St. Louis, and with Frederick and Laura Moore in Memphis. I invited Chris Cardona and Marcie Gordon to join me for the concert and what beautiful offerings of praise they offered to the Lord, blessing all in attendance.

The fifth weekend of March I found myself in the Philadelphia area again but this time on a College scouting visit with our older daughter, Heidi. I managed to squeeze in two visits to the WCG congregations in Seaford and Wilmington, Delaware. On Easter Sunday, Heidi and I joined 3,000 other worshippers for Easter Sunday at the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. – this was unforgettable! I had toured there with Lloyd Garrett just a couple of weeks before, but to be immersed in the music and atmosphere for that special service AND to share it with Heidi, was a truly wonderful experience!

Ministry Highlights – April 2002

Our younger daughter, Lisa accompanied me and joined me in leading worship on a visit the Antelope Valley, CA WCG congregation on April 7th and Pastor Ken Mitchell and the folks there were very receptive and warm. April 13th and 14th found me visiting the WCG congregations in Nashville, TN, and Clarksville, TN, respectively, and along with hosts Bob and Jan Taylor, and Pastors Jonathan Stepp and Doug Tomes, we worshipped the Lord most enthusiastically!

My second visit to the Barrie, Ontario, Canada, in barely six months (I flew back from there last time on the evening of September 10th!), not only gave me the opportunity to worship with the Huntsville and Muskoga Falls WCG congregations, but also to be a guest at the Inniswood Baptist Church in Barrie, whose pastor plans to invite me back when they dedicate their new worship sanctuary in a year or so. I was also happy to participate in a worship team rehearsal and share some ideas. Pastor Phil and all the dear folks all worked together once again to make me feel very much at home!

Pastor Willard and Brenda High were super hosts the following weekend and afforded me the honor of leading worship with the Chicago South WCG praise team, and to share a message in word and song. This energetic congregation was such a delight to worship with and it was also a pleasure to have our dear friends, Joe and Katrina join us. After a little brain-storming session with their worship coordinator and choir director and Willard and Brenda, I drove to Michigan where my fellow Aussies, Pastor Sam and Denise Butler hosted me as a guest at the Sunday services of both the Muskegon and Grand Rapids WCG congregations.

Ministry Highlights Ð May-June 2002

A whirlwind of worship services in New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Lake Charles, Louisiana began the month of May and I thank my dear friends, Pastor Mike and Pastor Anthony for their encouragement and support. Pastor Bermie and his congregation were enthusiastic delightful hosts and enthusiastic worshippers when they hosted me at New Life Fellowship here in Southern California May 12th. Then it was my pleasure to visit Pastor Karl and Karla Reinagel in Des Moines and share music and message with our WCG congregations in Des Moines and Chariton, IA, and also to guest at the beautiful Redeemer Lutheran church. Pastor Percy and his wife Ada were so accommodating and I very much look forward to a return visit there.

A short drive up to Santa Barbara the last weekend of May took me to El Montecito Presbyterian church were I not only sang for the wedding of their youth pastor, but was a guest at all three Sunday morning services. Pastor Harold has already invited me back in October to lead worship and speak once again and to participate in a church-wide picnic and perhaps also give a Sunday evening concert.

Just two weeks ago, I was privileged for the fifth year in a row to visit the WCG congregation in Detroit, hosted by Pastor Ron and Carolyn and our wonderful sister Arvella and brother Ken, where I led a worship service and then participated in the Worship Fest at Clarenceville Methodist Church and then on Sunday guested once again at Pilgrim Church in Toledo, Ohio where I was so graciously hosted by Pastors Larry Cameron and Larry Brown, along with so many new and dear friends at Pilgrim!

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.

“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.

“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, contribute to “State of the Heart” Ministries, 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 us at SOTHeart@aol.com Our new web site address is www.stateoftheheart.org