Friends-
I talk a lot on Sunday mornings about the importance of a relationship with Jesus; of letting him live in you; of becoming like him. That's really the point of all Christ-centered teaching. Becoming like him, abiding in him. Not so we will be comfortable and safe. But so we can bear much fruit. So we can change the world in his love, and by his power.
You won't hear me taking on political or social issues much. But that is not because those issues are not important. They are very important, and I have strong opinions on all of them. Jesus himself, in inaugurating his ministry, said he'd come to "preach good news to the poor... bind up the broken-hearted... proclaim freedom for captives and release from the darkness for prisoners". (Isaiah 61 and Luke 4) Near the end of his life, he declared, "whatever you have done for the least of these... you did for me," declaring further that how we treat the least determines where we spend eternity. (Matthew 25). Oh, those issues are important!
But how we live out our faith depends on first having a deep and active faith, one grounded in a personal relationship with Jesus. He invites us into a relationship of deep intimacy with himself, then sends us out to love and serve the world as he did, and does. We become his hands and feet. Never think that just coming to church is enough. It is but a step towards the end of reaching the world for Jesus. And that means prayer and worship, as well as standing for justice and truth.
Folks, it's a big assignment. Way too much for us on our own. But we are not on our own, are we?
With you in his service-
Gary
Calendar
Wednesdays - Bible Study - Every Wednesday at 7 pm via Zoom except September 3.
Thursdays - 9/11 - Church Board Meeting - 7 pm via Zoom
Sundays - Worship Service Every Sunday - 10:30 a.m. in person and via Zoom
9/7 - Communion Sunday
9/14 - Worship Under the Oaks - weather permitting
9/21 - Worship
9/28 - Alternate date for Worship Under the Oaks
Contact Gary at [email protected] for Zoom link.
Other News -
Willow Creek Presbyterian Bed Build - Saturday 9/6 - The Willow Creek Church has invited us to help once again with their bed build. They will be building beds from 9 am to 1 pm this Saturday. Head on over and offer some help.
Prayer time We have been trying to meet for prayer once a month without a lot of success. But we are not giving up! It is far too important!! If you would like to gather for prayer, please talk with Gary about your ideas for when it works best. And watch this month for an email to let you know what we are going to do. We already have some ideas...
Church Anniversary Celebration - Our 130th anniversary service and picnic were a huge success. Thank you to everyone who helped in some way. It took many people to make it such a great day! Thanks for the food, the flyers, the flowers, the fun, and the friends you invited! A special thanks to Kyle and Britni Zick for running with Gary's idea and making it all happen.
I talk a lot on Sunday mornings about the importance of a relationship with Jesus; of letting him live in you; of becoming like him. That's really the point of all Christ-centered teaching. Becoming like him, abiding in him. Not so we will be comfortable and safe. But so we can bear much fruit. So we can change the world in his love, and by his power.
You won't hear me taking on political or social issues much. But that is not because those issues are not important. They are very important, and I have strong opinions on all of them. Jesus himself, in inaugurating his ministry, said he'd come to "preach good news to the poor... bind up the broken-hearted... proclaim freedom for captives and release from the darkness for prisoners". (Isaiah 61 and Luke 4) Near the end of his life, he declared, "whatever you have done for the least of these... you did for me," declaring further that how we treat the least determines where we spend eternity. (Matthew 25). Oh, those issues are important!
But how we live out our faith depends on first having a deep and active faith, one grounded in a personal relationship with Jesus. He invites us into a relationship of deep intimacy with himself, then sends us out to love and serve the world as he did, and does. We become his hands and feet. Never think that just coming to church is enough. It is but a step towards the end of reaching the world for Jesus. And that means prayer and worship, as well as standing for justice and truth.
Folks, it's a big assignment. Way too much for us on our own. But we are not on our own, are we?
With you in his service-
Gary
Calendar
Wednesdays - Bible Study - Every Wednesday at 7 pm via Zoom except September 3.
Thursdays - 9/11 - Church Board Meeting - 7 pm via Zoom
Sundays - Worship Service Every Sunday - 10:30 a.m. in person and via Zoom
9/7 - Communion Sunday
9/14 - Worship Under the Oaks - weather permitting
9/21 - Worship
9/28 - Alternate date for Worship Under the Oaks
Contact Gary at [email protected] for Zoom link.
Other News -
Willow Creek Presbyterian Bed Build - Saturday 9/6 - The Willow Creek Church has invited us to help once again with their bed build. They will be building beds from 9 am to 1 pm this Saturday. Head on over and offer some help.
Prayer time We have been trying to meet for prayer once a month without a lot of success. But we are not giving up! It is far too important!! If you would like to gather for prayer, please talk with Gary about your ideas for when it works best. And watch this month for an email to let you know what we are going to do. We already have some ideas...
Church Anniversary Celebration - Our 130th anniversary service and picnic were a huge success. Thank you to everyone who helped in some way. It took many people to make it such a great day! Thanks for the food, the flyers, the flowers, the fun, and the friends you invited! A special thanks to Kyle and Britni Zick for running with Gary's idea and making it all happen.
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