|
|
Dear Friends in the Faith,
Several weeks ago, I preached a sermon called “Moving the World.” In that sermon, I said that people in our world are hungering for the truth. We want truth from businesses, from government, from the church, and all other institutions as well. What we say and what we do “moves” our world. Authority can be a difficult thing, but ultimately people respect authority if the people in charge are telling the truth. The question is: will we move our world in a positive or a negative direction? And if our words and actions move us in a negative direction, the less authority we will have.
Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ spoke with authority. And Jesus’ authority came from the fact that he was speaking the truth - God’s truth - from His heart. He didn’t begin to alter the truth when it suited his own selfish purposes. To the extent that any of us have authority, it will be for the same reason. I believe we desperately need people in
this world who will be truth-tellers - people who will learn God’s truth and “move” the world in positive
directions. Let it begin with us.
Let us have the courage and the faith to tell the truth and to act
on the truth - in our families, at school, at our job, at church - wherever we go. I believe we desperately need people in this world who will be truth-tellers - people who will learn God’s truth and “move” the world in positive directions. Let it begin with us. Let us have the courage and the faith to tell the truth and to act on the truth - in our families, at school, at our job, at church - wherever we go.
One of the truths about our church right
now is that we are growing. We can especially see that growth in our Sunday School. Our
Stewardship Campaign is currently underway - our “Celebration of Faith Sunday” is November 9th. Our
theme is “Walk on Faith”. On November 9th, we have the opportunity
to demonstrate our faith by pledging our prayers, our presence, our gifts and our service for 2009. One
of our goals is to start more small groups during Lent of next year - this will help us develop more leadership for our church.
Another goal is to hire a part-time staff person in the area of Christian Education. If we are to continue
growing, we must do this, because our current leadership is already stretched. One of the truths about our church right now is that we are growing. We can especially see that growth in our Sunday School. Our Stewardship Campaign is currently underway - our “Celebration of Faith Sunday” is November 9th. Our theme is “Walk on Faith”. On November 9th, we have the opportunity to demonstrate our faith by pledging our prayers, our presence, our gifts and our service for 2009. One of our goals is to start more small groups during Lent of next year - this will help us develop more leadership for our church. Another goal is to hire a part-time staff person in the area of Christian Education. If we are to continue growing, we must do this, because our current leadership is already stretched.
So, please, “Walk on Faith”, and
increase your giving for 2009. On the one hand, we know that economic times are hard. On
the other hand, we also know that during hard economic times more people will come to church
out of spiritual hunger. We want to be ready to offer them Christ and to offer them meaningful ministries
for themselves and their entire family. So, please, “Walk on Faith”, and increase your giving for 2009. On the one hand, we know that economic times are hard. On the other hand, we also know that during hard economic times more people will come to church out of spiritual hunger. We want to be ready to offer them Christ and to offer them meaningful ministries for themselves and their entire family. I am very proud of our church, because
we are keeping our ministries going and because our giving has not suffered this year. So let’s “Walk on Faith” and keep giving in such a way
that our ministries will keep growing next year. I am very proud of our church, because we are keeping our ministries going and because our giving has not suffered this year. So let’s “Walk on Faith” and keep giving in such a way that our ministries will keep growing next year. I also encourage you to keep looking for
ways to volunteer your time for those who are hurting in our community - through the PADS program,
the Food Pantry, Faith in Action and other missions. I also encourage you to keep looking for ways to volunteer your time for those who are hurting in our community - through the PADS program, the Food Pantry, Faith in Action and other missions. In
November, we move into the holiday season - please come and help us decorate our church on
Sunday, November 23rd, for the “Hanging of the Greens”. And I pray that you will all
have a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration.
God’s
blessings to you all! Pastor Jim and Linda In November, we move into the holiday season
- please come and help us decorate our church on Sunday, November 23rd, for the
“Hanging of the Greens”. And I pray that you will all have a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration.
God’s
blessings to you all! Pastor Jim and Linda
God’s
blessings to you all! Pastor Jim and Linda God’s blessings to you all!
Pastor Jim and Linda
|
