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Weekly Update from the Senior Pastor
August 30, 2006
Dear Family and Friends,
When you accept truths like “Adversity fuels maturity” [James 1:2-4] it’s imperative to know that God’s ultimate goal in each of our lives is a heart filled with love, joy, peace and lots of fulfillment. Over and over, our Lord declares His big picture purpose is to give us life in all its fullness. But here’s the rub: the way of fullness never comes by endless comfort, softness and ease; but rather in character, strength and effectiveness—and those attributes develop through facing challenges and obstacles that are really Divinely orchestrated opportunities to trust and obey—there really is no other way.
So remember, when a problem or temptation hits, don’t ask: “Why me?” Ask: “What do You want me to learn, Lord?” Every obstacle is an opportunity for a clear choice: faith or fear. Choose faith—and the adventure really begins.
UPDATES:
Things are moving fast now. We’re in the end-game with our current landlords and while one team is busy constructing all our mobile set-up unit cases (under Bob and Kris’ leadership), another team (Brett and Chip’s team) is deconstructing our auditorium in anticipation for our jump to Damascus High School on September 24th. Lots of people are doing lots of tangible Kingdom-stuff right now. And you can help:
- Brett and fifteen volunteers worked last Sunday after church to literally “bring down the lights” to transition things to the DHS auditorium. They’ll have another go at things this afternoon and early evening and would love your help for 90 minutes in reconstructing for this Sunday’s service. If you can, come from 7:00-8:30 p.m. tonight. Thanks!
- Bob and Kris and their gang are doing a round three tomorrow, Thursday afternoon/early evening: Read his note and consider this opportunity to literally help build the Church of Christ: “Again a group gathered this past Sat. to take another bite out of this project. We assembled the main bodies of all 11 upright cabinets & completely carpeted & finished 2 other table carts. This weekend being Labor Day doesn't seem like a great day to do a lot of labor so we would like to try a Thursday evening work "party" this week. We will begin at 3pm this Thursday afternoon August 31 with whoever can join us. Come when you can and stay as long as you can. Even a couple hours can make a difference. We will focus on assembling the doors to the 11 upright cabinets and carpeting. Thanks for your extra effort in helping our church during this significant time of transition! ... Bob Fournier
- September 17th is our final day worshipping in our current facility. We will have ONE worship service (10:30-noon) that day with food and fellowship afterwards (more on that later). We’ll release our children after prayer/baptisms to a wild Kingdom party (Jeannie says bring a change of clothes for your kids). Until they are released we will have them come sit near the front so seats are open. In this final service, one way you can respond is writing a message to God on the wall of our sanctuary with markers we will provide. The message can be a prayer, a promise or a verse from Scripture—looking back in gratitude or looking forward in anticipation or both—another Ebenezer (monument of commitment) to God as we did on May 21. Start praying and thinking on that.
- We have four strong team leaders for our four once-a-month mobile set-up units: Overall head-honcho Kris McFarlane (who headed this ministry for seven years at his former church that met in a high school), Ralph Wolfe, Woody Pangborn and Bernie Thompson. We will have one of our Elders serving with each team—and now we need YOU. Yes, you! Our goal is to have eight or more volunteers [men, women, youth] serving on each ONCE-A-MONTH set up team. This is a once a month commitment, with a 5th week once-a-year added on. In the next Update I’ll list the four weeks and four leaders over each week. Right now, please commit to helping our worship gathering happen one Sunday a month (7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.; including the church service—and Dunkin Donuts J).
Thanks gang, for being who you are with the hearts you have. Clearly, we’ve only touched the hem of the garment and the best is yet to come.
Love,
Richard
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