 |
|
|
Weekly Update from the Senior Pastor
January 24, 2007
Dear Family and Friends,
Some felt it was Satan who triggered a break in the main water main into DHS and shut us down last week to keep us from diving into Revelation. Others felt God allowed it, knowing it was a good week for so many volunteers in our highly committed and motivated congregation to take a breather. Maybe both. Often there are circumstances engineered by the devil, intending evil, that God turns to good. The Cross of Christ is THE example of that kind of divine reversal of evil’s work. And we can say with great authority (the Bible): “God is at work in all things for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purposes.” Nothing thwarts God’s work in our lives when our lives are wide open—even when our main water lines break.
So I was at peace Sunday morning.
Dr. Glynn Thompson and I worked the two DHS parking lots last Sunday to catch anyone who fell through the net of our phone calls letting people know we were locked out. We were both very impressed—we had exactly seven cars show up in each parking lot—no members, only recent attenders and new visitors. The communication tree worked well through the ministry teams and small groups. Thank you to everyone, especially Debbie Lawrence and Shelly Henning .
Now I look forward with even greater anticipation to beginning “The Revelation of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 1:1). Please do everything you can to be there for this whole series. This is the only book in the Bible that promises a specific blessing on all who read it and all who hear it and do the things it calls us to (Revelation 1:3).
Some UPDATES:
This summer when we send our large teams (close to 100) we will build a fresh water supply facility for a thousand people on the mountain, build 10 new homes, bring electricity to many others, run daily medical clinics (with our docs and local docs); offer strong children’s ministries and adult evangelism; supply food and clothing to 21 families in crisis (such as the mother of eight whose husband was killed), help care for orphans and generally be the hands and feet of Jesus. On that note, a note from Nancy :
The last day to submit an application for a 2007 Mission Honduras trip is thisSunday, January 28. If you have misplaced your application forms, you may download a copy at www.damascus.com/ministries/honduras.html. There are several ways to turn in your application with your $50 non-refundable deposit:
- Mail it to Nancy at the church office. Postmark must be no later than Sunday, January 28.
- Bring it to the Mission Table before or after church this Sunday.
- Give it to Justin Hoover at NxtGen Freestyle Youth Church , this Sunday evening.
NOTE – If this is your first mission trip to Honduras , you MUST attend the First Timer Orientation in the DHS cafeteria immediately following the worship service this Sunday.
- Couples, be sure to sign up this weekend for the sixth annual Sweetheart Banquet on Friday, February 23 rd. That is a great night of friendship building and strengthening your own marriage. Do it! Listen this weekend for the details.
- Thanks for your ongoing faithfulness in local giving AND in our capital campaign. Our three-year (2007-2009) goal is $3.4 million. Thanks to that great first fruits beginning, half way through our first month we already have over $410,000 in hand. More information is coming in February on our facility design.
Love ya,
Richard
|
 |
