Community Bible Church Celebrates 20 Years With Pastor Robert Smith

The Rev. Robert Smith of the Community Bible Chapel will celebrate 20 years of service to his congregation with a special worship service at 2 p.m. on Sunday. A reception will follow the service.

Smith is a Spokane native who graduated from Eastern Washington University, Whitworth College and the Moody Northwest Bible College, though it was called the Inland Empire School of the Bible when he graduated in 1976.

Smith’s life is a story of being in the right place at the right time. He majored in philosophy at EWU and only turned to God to help him become a better husband and father. That led to Bible college, which led to a job at the Community Bible Chapel at 1506 W. Princeton. Then after the pastor retired, he was asked to take on that position.

“Being a pastor just kind of happened,” says Smith.

Two years later, after helping a Catholic priest with his duties as the Chaplain of the Spokane Fire Department, Smith was asked to take the position after the priest retired. He still fills the volunteer position, responding to fires involving deaths and other crisis situations with firefighters.

“I’ve not sought anything,” says Smith. “I think it was more just wanting to help out.”

That helping out also led to a teaching position at Moody Northwest Bible College.

While it is somewhat unusual to be in the same post for 20 years, Smith says he is content to stay in the area he loves. “I hope to finish the rest of my life here.”

Care about ministry

Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 7307 N. Nevada, will host a Caring Ministry Workshop from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on March 21. The workshop will include presentations on “Ministry to Those Experiencing Grief,” “How to Care in a Distinctly Christian Way,” and “The Stephen Series System of Lay Caring Ministry.”

The cost of the workshop is $15 per person. Group rates are available. The registration deadline is Wednesday. For more information or to register, call the church at 482-4218.

A musical Reflection

The Master’s Reflection, an all-male singing group representing several area churches, will perform at Whitworth Presbyterian Church at 7 p.m. on Sunday. All are invited to attend the free concert.

The church is located at 312 W. Hawthorne Road.

Free breakfast at Minnehaha Covenant

The Minnehaha Covenant Church is opening its doors to the community each Sunday during Lent for a free breakfast. The meal, with the theme of “Seize Each Moment God Gives Us,” will be served from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. each week through April 5.

The church is located at 4005 E. Marietta. For more information, call 483-2552.

Rummage sales this weekend

Trinity United Methodist Church, 1725 E. Bridgeport, will host its semiannual rummage sale from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The sale will include books, puzzles, art, and a wide variety of other items.

Lidgerwood Presbyterian Church, 4449 N. Nevada, will host a rummage sale from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Baked goods will also be sold.

Potatoes feed planned

Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, 1926 W. Chelan, will host an Irish potato feed after the 10:30 a.m. worship service on Sunday. The event will feature a potato bar with a variety of toppings and dessert.

The cost of the meal is $3 per person. Proceeds will be used to send church youths to summer camp.

, DataTimes MEMO: If you have news about an interesting program or activity at a North Side church, or about the achievements of North Side worshipers, please let us know. Deadline is 10 a.m. Monday. Write: Nina Culver, Church Notebook, North Side Voice, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210. Call: 459-5487. Fax: 459-5098. Or E-mail Ninac@spokesman.com.