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Weekly Update from the Senior Pastor
 December 9 , 2005
Dear Family and Friends,
This week has been extremely difficult—two tragic, unnecessary deaths.
Kay and Leo LaBare lost their son, Jeremy, a young man in his thirties with a caring heart and gentle soul. Jeremy’s funeral will be at Damascus Road Church on Sunday at 4:00 p.m.
The Reynolds family, the direct neighbors of Sue Erichson, who are active members of Mountain View Church, but whose daughter Louisa has attended our Youth Group, lost Louisa to suicide. Her death hit our Youth very hard. Pastors Roger and Bob worked together processing this loss with them. Louisa’s funeral will be at Urbana High School this Saturday afternoon at 1:00 p.m.
Let me remind you of what the Bible does not say—and what it does say—in times like this.
The Bible does NOT say:
- Rejoice in all circumstances
- All things are good if you love God
- Give thanks for everything
The Bible DOES say:
- Rejoice in THE LORD always. We are never asked to always rejoice about our circumstances, because some events are evil, painful and hurtful. There is nothing in those events to rejoice about. But in those dark hours, we are called to rejoice in something greater, more eternal than circumstances: the fact that we belong to THE LORD who has overcome every enemy—even death; and that nothing can take His presence and His victory from us.
- In all things, God is at workfor the good of those who love Him, even when circumstances are evil, even when completely bad things occur. The point is not trying to piously call bad good, but trusting that our God is with us in the bad times, even trusting Him to lead us through the valley of the shadow of death (for the Christian death is only a shadow, not a lasting reality since Jesus’ resurrection [John 11:25-26]).
- In all things (bad or good), we can give thanks to God for what our life is bed-rocked on: that nothing, not even death itself, can separate us from His love in Christ Jesus our Lord, so that we are—in all things—more than conquerors.
Celebration notes :
This weekend is our annual Children’s Christmas Pageant—Jeannie thinks the best ever. Come let your soul be fed. Invite a friend to enjoy together our littlest evangelists share “the good new of great joy—that unto us has been born a Savior, who is Christ the Lord!” Each service will start on time: 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. , so don’t be late, come early.
Last Wednesday I presented the Kelleys with an update on our land studies—the perc test looks good—and asked them to consider giving us very favorable terms: instead of one full payment of $1 million, either three or four annual payments with no interest and a gift back to us to offset their tax hit. They are processing these options with their accountant, but they were open to all the ideas, so pray that God will guide their decision in a way that can be a “win/win” for them and for us. If the ballot vote, ending on December 16, is YES, we will close on the land the final week in December. This Tuesday evening at 7:00 p.m. will be our final update/discussion on the land.
We’ve started our December miracle strong, with about one-fifth of our goal of $200,000 in the first week. Please do consider the kind of gifts you are giving to those who are dearest—then, in that spirit, place the Lord Jesus Christ at the top of that mental or written gift-list of names. Remember, just for 2005, the percentage you can give to the local church rather than to taxes is much higher, so please be both faithful, generous—and then BOLD! Whatever that means for you, much or little, God so works this deal that if we all do all we are able, we will reach our goal together.
Thanks so much. In stretches like this week, it is so wonderful to live in community and watch you be love with skin on it as we support these two families who are hurting. I am proud and grateful for you as a congregation—and the integrity of following Jesus that is growing in your lives.
Keep celebrating the joy of this season in Christ,
Richard
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