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Weekly Update from the Senior Pastor
December 6 , 2006 - Part 1
Dear Family and Friends,
Gratitude and joy.
This morning the Elders prayed with such great gratitude for the demonstrated trust and obedience of this congregation last Sunday, December 3 rd, at our Pledge Commitment Service.
Truth is, it’s easy and so humanly natural (especially since we’re all flawed) to find an excuse to sidestep seeking our part in following God’s heart to our future. Generosity is frequently strangled by fear about the future and the insidious grip of greed. So when people go beyond generosity and true sacrificial giving happens, it is a miracle of grace.
We experienced that miracle Sunday.
The total number of three-year pledges is 155. These pledges are from single adults or couples, as well as several youth and two children who pledged respectively $1.30 per week and $1.00 per week for the full three years.
Our total pledges to date stand at $3,055,000 .
That is three million and fifty-five thousand dollars in pledges (each pledge a faith-step of giving beyond our regular tithe in support of our ongoing ministries) to fund the construction of our Light on a Hill, our new facility to facilitate growing ministry and community.
As I read down the list of names I know those pledges came from folks who struggle with the same budget-challenges as everyone in the culture around them. They represent hard-won prayer decisions to be sacrificial and personally give up for a three-year stretch many good things we value for a mission and for people we love and value even more.
In 2 Chronicles 16:9 it says the eyes of the Lord continually roam across the tragic landscape of our earth. God is seeking those whose hearts are fully devoted to him, that He might strengthen them. I think of that verse often, and dream of God’s gaze arriving at Damascus Road Community Church, looking into our hearts—and God smiling, maybe even bursting into a joyful infinite belly laugh at the courage and faith of this core of pledge-givers saying no to the monster of more and yes to honoring Him.
These next two verses aren’t offered lightly, for they were spoken in a context which should be read and understood. But to each name, each home, on our list of pledges, NOW is the time to lay hold of these promises as you trust and obey:
“Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:38
“Now to Him who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, to the praise of God.” 2 Corinthians 9”10-11
WATCH FOR ANOTHER UPDATE WITH IMPORTANT NEWS.
The purpose of this Update, front to back, was to say thank you for being you; and for opening your lives to the miracle of a God who first sacrificed Himself for us, that He might accept us just as we are, but never leave us just as we are!
Love ya,
Richard
December 6 , 2006 - Part 2
Dear Family and Friends,
The God-moments from last Sunday were many, but how delighted all heaven must have been when, after our pledges were placed at the foot of the Cross, you spontaneously came to your feet and raised voices and hands in determined trust—singing: “This little Light of mine, I’m going to let it shine!” That song never sounded so profound or powerful before. I think the gates of hell trembled.
Here are some “round two” updates concerning our next steps towards achieving our Light on a Hill and moving into the Christmas season, 2006.
- This SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10 th, is our “First Fruits Offering:”
This Sunday’s offering concludes our nine week journey of “finding our part” in following God’s heart to our future.
We will have, as always, one offering time, but with two components: the regular offering in support of our ongoing ministry expenses, along with the opportunity to give our “First Fruits” offering via special envelopes to hold our initial contributions on our new facility pledges. Let me make a double big ask in respect to this offering:
- First , please do stay faithful in your regular giving or we have simply robbed Peter to pay Paul.
- Second , if at all possible, please try to “front-load” your first-fruits offering. Sallie and I are giving a tenth of our total pledge. If you could do that much or more it would really help; whatever you can do will help! J
Let’s empty our wallets and throw in the change. The amount we offer together this Sunday helps us move more quickly over the next year through the permitting process and architectural/initial construction and financing phases. Thanks.
Our December calendar of programs is much lighter than usual, due in part, from the intensity of the last four months for every committed member of our congregation; and to the fact that we are once again in a limited access High School setting as we sojourn toward our own “home” on our land. So use your family and friendship time well and catch these events:
- This Sunday, December 10 th, is the final opportunity to participate in our first annual Richard Burch Toy Drive . We have many toys for many families that we’ll bless this Christmas. If you want to share in that blessing, Sunday is it!
- Friday evening, December 8 th, is the annual Women’s Ministry Christmas Celebration at Tori Tomlinson ’s home (Matt lives there too, but he will be banished from sight that night). The party starts at 7:00 ladies, so relax and enjoy a seasonal chick’s night out with good friends.
- Our two Sunday morning services, on Christmas Eve (24 th) and New Year’s Eve (31 st) will both be family services . Christmas Eve morning we will have a great interactive - lots of carols and readings - old fashioned Christmas; and on New Year’s Eve morning, our “guest speaker” will be U-2’s Bono (a great day to invite friends who love the band—to really hear this guy’s heart). (Haven Ministry will be open both days. On the 31 st, the nursery/toddler room will be open and there will be a movie option for young children.)
- New Year’s Eve evening, 7:00-9:00 , Roger, Brett and a very talented collection of musicians will present our annual Holy Rain Concert. Take this opportunity to walk into 2007 with praise and prayer. This year Redeemer Lutheran (who co-sponsor our weekly Youth Church ) is hosting the event in their main auditorium.
Starting at the end of January we are going to wrestle with Revelation (Scripture’s final book) for nine weeks, looking into history’s future down to the grand finale in light of the Cross of Christ. I’m excited about that message series. I sure hope you don’t get tired of me saying this, but your hearts for Jesus are such a great gift of strength and encouragement to my heart. I am so grateful to be doing the journey of life with this congregation. Richard
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