Friends-
The word "may" always reminds me that I have choices: I may do this, or I may do that. Every day, I have a lot of choices and thus, decisions to make. And as we always told our kids, every choice has a consequence. Good choices usually produce good consequences. And bad choices... well, you get the picture. Those consequences are not necessarily immediate. They may take a long time to emerge. But they will.
Another thought related to this is something a friend told me once that stuck with me. "Every 'Yes' is a no, and every 'No' is a yes." That is to say, whenever I make the decision to say yes to something, I am saying no to something else. For example, if I say yes to skipping exercise, I am saying no to being in shape. You get the picture.
We are faced with choices in our spiritual life every day. And what we decide will determine whether we have a strong faith and are closely following Jesus, or not. You need to know that God will never force his will on you. He loves you too much for that. He will show you the way, point you in a good direction, and remind you that he loves you. But he will not make you do anything. You have to decide. You have to choose.
The best and most important decision each of us needs to make is whether or not to submit to Jesus. To make him Lord of our lives. Once we have done that, the other decisions get easier, because all we'll want or need to do is whatever pleases him.
I don't know what choices you are facing, but God does. He also knows what would be best for each of us, and if we ask, he will help us figure it out. But he'll never force you to do things his way. You may, or you may not. Your call.
Happy May!
Gary
Calendar
Saturdays - 5/2 - Garden Trellis Sale - outside at the church - 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Sundays - Every Sunday Worship Service - 10:30 a.m. - In person only.
5/3 - Communion Sunday
Wednesdays - Every Wednesday Bible Study - 7 p.m. via Zoom.
Thursdays - 5/7 - Church Board Meeting - 7 p.m. via Zoom.
Other News -
Zoom - Sadly, Sunday morning worship will no longer be available on Zoom. The Wednesday night Bible Study will continue to meet via Zoom. The monthly church board meeting will also continue to be via Zoom. Contact Gary at [email protected] for Zoom link.
We are very thankful to Mike McGinnis, Joel McGinnis, and Rita Gillette, who have made it possible for us to use Zoom on Sundays for all these years. Thanks for your dedication to making it possible.
Trellis Sale - 5/2 - Tim Murphy will be selling his handmade garden trellises at the church from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. this Saturday, May 2. The money raised will be given to the church. Each trellis is unique. Be sure to stop by if you are interested. Tell your friends about it.
Missed Church? - Gary sends out a weekly devotional that is usually based on the Sunday sermon. You should get that in your email. It is called Strong Spirits. If you don't, let Gary know. He also does a brief video every week that is also based on the sermon. You can go to the church Facebook page, Caledonia Congregational Church, and watch it.
Upper Rooms - The May/June Upper Room Devotionals are now out at the church. Be sure to get one.
Sunday Refreshments - We now have a sign-up sheet for Sunday morning treats. Thanks to many of you who have already signed up! If you are interested, please add your name to the sheet in the fellowship room. Any kind of treat is appreciated. It is totally up to each individual to bring whatever works for you. When we don't have anyone signed up, we will either just have prepackaged snacks. Try to stop in after worship for a chance to catch up with each other.
Sympathies - We extend our sympathies to Dave and Bert Hixson. Dave's sister, Mary, passed away on 4/29.
Thanks - Thank you to all who provided food for our Maundy Thursday soup supper. It was excellent as usual. Thanks to all who helped make and deliver sack lunches to Carpenter's Place on April 10. Thanks to everyone who helped clean the church on April 25. Very much appreciated.
Looking Ahead -
Coffee and Connections - 6/26 - Garden Luncheon at Judy Murphy's. - All women are invited to Judy's for lunch on Friday, June 26. Watch for more details in the June newsletter, but for now, get it on your calendar.
The word "may" always reminds me that I have choices: I may do this, or I may do that. Every day, I have a lot of choices and thus, decisions to make. And as we always told our kids, every choice has a consequence. Good choices usually produce good consequences. And bad choices... well, you get the picture. Those consequences are not necessarily immediate. They may take a long time to emerge. But they will.
Another thought related to this is something a friend told me once that stuck with me. "Every 'Yes' is a no, and every 'No' is a yes." That is to say, whenever I make the decision to say yes to something, I am saying no to something else. For example, if I say yes to skipping exercise, I am saying no to being in shape. You get the picture.
We are faced with choices in our spiritual life every day. And what we decide will determine whether we have a strong faith and are closely following Jesus, or not. You need to know that God will never force his will on you. He loves you too much for that. He will show you the way, point you in a good direction, and remind you that he loves you. But he will not make you do anything. You have to decide. You have to choose.
The best and most important decision each of us needs to make is whether or not to submit to Jesus. To make him Lord of our lives. Once we have done that, the other decisions get easier, because all we'll want or need to do is whatever pleases him.
I don't know what choices you are facing, but God does. He also knows what would be best for each of us, and if we ask, he will help us figure it out. But he'll never force you to do things his way. You may, or you may not. Your call.
Happy May!
Gary
Calendar
Saturdays - 5/2 - Garden Trellis Sale - outside at the church - 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Sundays - Every Sunday Worship Service - 10:30 a.m. - In person only.
5/3 - Communion Sunday
Wednesdays - Every Wednesday Bible Study - 7 p.m. via Zoom.
Thursdays - 5/7 - Church Board Meeting - 7 p.m. via Zoom.
Other News -
Zoom - Sadly, Sunday morning worship will no longer be available on Zoom. The Wednesday night Bible Study will continue to meet via Zoom. The monthly church board meeting will also continue to be via Zoom. Contact Gary at [email protected] for Zoom link.
We are very thankful to Mike McGinnis, Joel McGinnis, and Rita Gillette, who have made it possible for us to use Zoom on Sundays for all these years. Thanks for your dedication to making it possible.
Trellis Sale - 5/2 - Tim Murphy will be selling his handmade garden trellises at the church from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. this Saturday, May 2. The money raised will be given to the church. Each trellis is unique. Be sure to stop by if you are interested. Tell your friends about it.
Missed Church? - Gary sends out a weekly devotional that is usually based on the Sunday sermon. You should get that in your email. It is called Strong Spirits. If you don't, let Gary know. He also does a brief video every week that is also based on the sermon. You can go to the church Facebook page, Caledonia Congregational Church, and watch it.
Upper Rooms - The May/June Upper Room Devotionals are now out at the church. Be sure to get one.
Sunday Refreshments - We now have a sign-up sheet for Sunday morning treats. Thanks to many of you who have already signed up! If you are interested, please add your name to the sheet in the fellowship room. Any kind of treat is appreciated. It is totally up to each individual to bring whatever works for you. When we don't have anyone signed up, we will either just have prepackaged snacks. Try to stop in after worship for a chance to catch up with each other.
Sympathies - We extend our sympathies to Dave and Bert Hixson. Dave's sister, Mary, passed away on 4/29.
Thanks - Thank you to all who provided food for our Maundy Thursday soup supper. It was excellent as usual. Thanks to all who helped make and deliver sack lunches to Carpenter's Place on April 10. Thanks to everyone who helped clean the church on April 25. Very much appreciated.
Looking Ahead -
Coffee and Connections - 6/26 - Garden Luncheon at Judy Murphy's. - All women are invited to Judy's for lunch on Friday, June 26. Watch for more details in the June newsletter, but for now, get it on your calendar.
RSS Feed