What an incredible week of blessing for me and Holy Cross MCC. God is awesome!!!
Beginning with our Thanksgiving service last Wednesday, we have received blessing upon blessing. The meal on Thursday was delicious and the food was abundant. Praise God for new people as well as some we had not seen in a while. I was especially blessed to have all of my family but one brother who could not be with us. I think more people brought family this year than ever before. What a blessing it was to be in our home for the holiday.
I would like to thank all who came out for the work day on Saturday. Can you believe how wonderful it looks to take that fence down and trim the trees? I had to walk back and look at it a number of times yesterday. The love and appreciation we have for our property is becoming more evident with each work day.
The worship service left me in the clouds for hours yesterday. Not only did we have the energy of a full house, but the blessing of David Suhor to sing and play. And then the Shawn Thomas concert last night....my cup runneth over. Join me in giving thanks for abundant blessings.
As I planned worship services for the rest of this year, I caught a glimpse of the new thing God is doing with us this Christmas. It is powerful and life changing...not only for us but for the people God has called us to help. All I can say is hold your cup out there and it will be filled to over-flowing as well. This is a time of great blessing...be sure to get yours!
November 26, 2007
November 24, 2007
Thanksgiving Isn't Over Yet
Well, most of the leftovers are gone and some of the company has left for home, but Thanksgiving is not over yet. That's the title of the sermon for tomorrow so set your clocks and join us at 10:00am. We will be blessed to have special music by David Suhor and you will not want to miss it. So have a blessed evening and I hope to see you at church in the morning.
November 22, 2007
Happy Thanksgiving!
Every year at this time our hearts are filled with thanksgiving and praise, but this year our hearts are overflowing! After three years of waiting, finally we are home for the holidays.
Last night after our service as people were busy transforming the sanctuary into a dining room, I was thinking back to the first Thanksgiving at Fairfield. It was a lot cooler than today, maybe even a little rain came our way; we had no electricity, no water, no rest rooms, and what is now a lovely Fellowship Hall was but a shell of a room. Yet there we were, sharing Thanksgiving together. Eighty-five people came for a sit-down meal and we had the best time!
The following two years we had similar experiences but the weather was nice and we were able to eat outside....with rented portable toilets and a hand washing station. There we were, happy to be together as we awaited the renovation of our building.
Today we will eat in the comfort of our new home. What a mighty God we serve!!! God has done for us what many predicted could not and would not happen. What a testimony of God's grace, mercy and power. And how humbling it is for us to be the recipients of such blessings!
Praise be to God, who brings forth blessings in spite of us and others. Today we will break bread with a number of new people who are now a part of our church as well as some of our neighbors. Today some of us will miss the people who were here last year but are now gone. Today we will do what scripture teaches in I Thessalonians 5:16-18,
Last night after our service as people were busy transforming the sanctuary into a dining room, I was thinking back to the first Thanksgiving at Fairfield. It was a lot cooler than today, maybe even a little rain came our way; we had no electricity, no water, no rest rooms, and what is now a lovely Fellowship Hall was but a shell of a room. Yet there we were, sharing Thanksgiving together. Eighty-five people came for a sit-down meal and we had the best time!
The following two years we had similar experiences but the weather was nice and we were able to eat outside....with rented portable toilets and a hand washing station. There we were, happy to be together as we awaited the renovation of our building.
Today we will eat in the comfort of our new home. What a mighty God we serve!!! God has done for us what many predicted could not and would not happen. What a testimony of God's grace, mercy and power. And how humbling it is for us to be the recipients of such blessings!
Praise be to God, who brings forth blessings in spite of us and others. Today we will break bread with a number of new people who are now a part of our church as well as some of our neighbors. Today some of us will miss the people who were here last year but are now gone. Today we will do what scripture teaches in I Thessalonians 5:16-18,
"Be joyful always; pray continually;give thanks in all circumstances,
for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
Last night we focused on that scripture and the little word "in". Today I want to encourage you to be thankful no matter what circumstance you are in today. It is God's will for us to give thanks in the midst of blessings and even in the midst of troubles.
In case you need some help getting started, here are some things for which we can all be thankful...some things that will remain no matter how much life and people let us down, and no matter what circumstance comes our way. F. E. Marsh has enumerated some of these blessings:
· An acceptance that can never be questioned. (Ephesians 1:6).
· An inheritance that can never be lost (1 Peter 1:3-5).
· A deliverance that can never be excelled (2 Corinthians l:10).
· A grace that can never be limited (2 Corinthians 12:9).
· A hope that can never be disappointed. (Hebrews 6:18, 19).
· A bounty that can never be withdrawn. (1 Corinthians 3:21-23).
· A joy that need never be diminished (John 15:11).
· A nearness to God that can never be reversed (Ephesians 2:13).
· A peace that can never be disturbed (John 14:27).
· A righteousness that can never be tarnished (2 Corinthians 5:21).
· A salvation that can never be canceled (Hebrews 5:9). (http://www.bible.org.)
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Thank you for being a part of my life and ministry.
November 13, 2007
Busy and Busier Are on the Way
Today I was looking at the activities and events scheduled for the next Quarter and we have some exciting things coming our way. It's easy to get too busy during the holidays and miss out on the some of the greatest gifts God has placed right around us.
One of the many things we will do this Sunday is consider our holiday pace. We have a short video that will challenge us to slow down the pace this Christmas. In preparation why don't you take a deep breath...yes, right now....and then let it out slowly. Do that a few times and then be sure to add church to your busy schedule this week. I'll be preaching on one of my favorite subjects...the return of Jesus.
We'll be working on the grounds Saturday so stop by and lend a hand. It's a great way to get to know people. And as you give back some of your time and talent, our building and grounds become even more beautiful. To God be the glory! And thanks to everyone else.
One of the many things we will do this Sunday is consider our holiday pace. We have a short video that will challenge us to slow down the pace this Christmas. In preparation why don't you take a deep breath...yes, right now....and then let it out slowly. Do that a few times and then be sure to add church to your busy schedule this week. I'll be preaching on one of my favorite subjects...the return of Jesus.
We'll be working on the grounds Saturday so stop by and lend a hand. It's a great way to get to know people. And as you give back some of your time and talent, our building and grounds become even more beautiful. To God be the glory! And thanks to everyone else.
Disregard Appeal for Christmas Cards
Thanks to Ralph, I now know this is not a good idea!
Sandy
IT WAS A NICE THOUGHT BUT THE TERRORISTS IN OUR MIDST MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE....
Walter Reed Army Medical Center officials want to remind those individuals who want to show their appreciation through mail to include packages, letters, and holiday cards addressed to 'Any Wounded Soldier' or 'A Recovering American Soldier' that Walter Reed cannot accept these packages in support of the decision by then Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Transportation Policy in 2001.
This decision was made to ensure the safety and well being of patients and staff at medical centers throughout the Department of Defense.In addition, the U.S. Postal Service is no longer accepting "Any Service Member" or "A Recovering American Soldier" letters or packages.
Mail to "Any Service Member" that is deposited into any post office collection box will not be delivered.
Click the link for more info.
http://www.wramc.amedd.army.mil/Lists/WRNews/DispForm.aspx?Id=24&
Sandy
IT WAS A NICE THOUGHT BUT THE TERRORISTS IN OUR MIDST MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE....
Walter Reed Army Medical Center officials want to remind those individuals who want to show their appreciation through mail to include packages, letters, and holiday cards addressed to 'Any Wounded Soldier' or 'A Recovering American Soldier' that Walter Reed cannot accept these packages in support of the decision by then Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Transportation Policy in 2001.
This decision was made to ensure the safety and well being of patients and staff at medical centers throughout the Department of Defense.In addition, the U.S. Postal Service is no longer accepting "Any Service Member" or "A Recovering American Soldier" letters or packages.
Mail to "Any Service Member" that is deposited into any post office collection box will not be delivered.
Click the link for more info.
http://www.wramc.amedd.army.mil/Lists/WRNews/DispForm.aspx?Id=24&
November 12, 2007
Happy Veteran's Day!
It was a joy yesterday to acknowledge the Vet's among us with our annual slide show. Thank God, we ask...we tell...and we show. Yesterday we also had all Vet's and Active Duty to stand so we could thank them. Folks were surprised at the number of military among us. How wonderful it is that people no longer have to fear attending church. I can remember the days when that was not true.
In case you missed it, here is a simple and inexpensive way we can all say thanks to those who are wounded and in the hospital right now. Let's do it.
Subject: A great Christmas card idea
When you are making out your Christmas card list this year, please include
a card to the following:
A Recovering American soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue,NW
Washington,D.C. 20307-5001
Happy Veteran's Day!
Sandy
In case you missed it, here is a simple and inexpensive way we can all say thanks to those who are wounded and in the hospital right now. Let's do it.
Subject: A great Christmas card idea
When you are making out your Christmas card list this year, please include
a card to the following:
A Recovering American soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue,NW
Washington,D.C. 20307-5001
Happy Veteran's Day!
Sandy
November 9, 2007
A More Excellent Way
How exciting it is that we're going to change how we celebrate Christmas and make it less about us and more about sharing Jesus. If you weren't at church last Sunday, be sure to visit
www.adventconspiracy.org
so you can get excited too. What an opportunity to come together as the Body of Christ and change the world. Rather than dreading the stress of the upcoming holidays, I am looking forward to joy we are about to bring to the world.
Each Sunday we will learn more and more of how we are going to be part of a miracle this Christmas. So SYS
www.adventconspiracy.org
so you can get excited too. What an opportunity to come together as the Body of Christ and change the world. Rather than dreading the stress of the upcoming holidays, I am looking forward to joy we are about to bring to the world.
Each Sunday we will learn more and more of how we are going to be part of a miracle this Christmas. So SYS
November 5, 2007
So What Do You Think?
Okay Church, having had the night to think it over...what do you think about being a part of changing the world this Christmas? Let me know your thoughts and feelings.
Have a blessed week!
Have a blessed week!
November 3, 2007
God's Ways Still Surprise Me
Isn't is wonderful when God works in ways greater than we can imagine? The pumpkin patch and the Yard Sale have brought so many new people to our property. Through the kindness and friendliness of those who worked these events, new people will worship with us tomorrow as they have been for the last two or three weeks.
Some are "our people" and they did not even know what MCC is. Some do not go to church anywhere and they're going to give us a try. Some aren't ready to come right now but you can tell they're thinking about it. How interesting it is to hear their stories of watching our building renovation over the last few years. It's as though they know us from driving by everyday.
I sat there Wednesday night and looked around and commented to Bobby, "What an interesting group of people God has gathered here at Holy Cross MCC!" I'm not sure what God is up to but there is more diversity in our church right now than since I have been serving as pastor. Let us be mindful of our new people and show them nothing but the love of Christ. If we do that, this building will not hold the people God will draw to this place.
There's so much going on in the service tomorrow. Birthdays and Anniversaries, Stewardship Campaign, and a seven minute special during the offering. Not to mention exciting announcements. So I'm off to shorten my sermon.
SET YOUR CLOCK BACK!
SYS
Some are "our people" and they did not even know what MCC is. Some do not go to church anywhere and they're going to give us a try. Some aren't ready to come right now but you can tell they're thinking about it. How interesting it is to hear their stories of watching our building renovation over the last few years. It's as though they know us from driving by everyday.
I sat there Wednesday night and looked around and commented to Bobby, "What an interesting group of people God has gathered here at Holy Cross MCC!" I'm not sure what God is up to but there is more diversity in our church right now than since I have been serving as pastor. Let us be mindful of our new people and show them nothing but the love of Christ. If we do that, this building will not hold the people God will draw to this place.
There's so much going on in the service tomorrow. Birthdays and Anniversaries, Stewardship Campaign, and a seven minute special during the offering. Not to mention exciting announcements. So I'm off to shorten my sermon.
SET YOUR CLOCK BACK!
SYS
You Have an Extra Hour
It's that time of the year again. Time to take the fall. So what shall we do with the hour we gain with the time change? Think about it and if you do something special, let me know.
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