Pastor's Corner - December, 2010

Master Planning Task Force:  If you have not heard yet, let me share  with you! The church met Sunday night, November 14, and the meeting was well attended. The committee and the architect shared the plans for the new buildings. The vote was taken and passed unanimously.  Praise God!

“Celebration of Giving”  The month of October and the first 2 weeks of November have been the greatest months of financial giving in the 25-year history of the church. How remarkable in the midst of the greatest financial recession since the Great Depression, our people trust God enough to give in a way that our church has never seen before. People who have not been giving have shared stories with me about how God has led them and they have been such a blessing to me I wish I could share them all with you.

“2011 Budget”  The 2011 Budget was also presented November 14 and was adopted unanimously.  This new budget represents almost a 17% increase over last year’s budget.  Let me remind you that last year's budget was a tremendous increase over the last few years. As other churches are decreasing their budgets, and decreasing their missions giving, we increased our missions giving by 1%. In this budget we voted to add a new part-time secretary and Bob Woods as the part-time minister of traditional music. Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!

“Momentum, Momentum, Momentum”  It is something you can’t  manufacture, conjure up, buy, manipulate, or program. Only the Holy Spirit can create it. Thank God He has done it for us. May God help us ride this crest of the Holy Spirit as long as possible. Value, cherish and nourish it with positive and encouraging words and thoughts.

“Be On Guard!”  When God opens the window of heaven to bless you, Satan opens the door of hell to blast you.

1 Peter 5:8—Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls
around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Keep your eyes peeled. Be like a soldier on guard. If you see Satan in the form of negative, divisive, critical spirit, confront it!  Stop it at all cost. Be a good soldier and protect the flock.

“Christmas Season”  I am very excited as we approach the Christmas season. I believe it is the greatest season in the church for evangelism.  People are more responsive and open to coming to church this time of year, and more receptive to listen to the gospel because of the season. I challenge you to share the gospel with your family, friends, neighbors and co-workers.

On Wednesday nights December 1, 8 and 15, we are canceling our services in order to go caroling.  We need 200 people—the more people we have, the more houses we can cover and the more of the gospel we can share. If you think you can’t sing, that’s all right! Neither can I. We need bodies with a pulse. We will put you with a group that can sing.

We need people to do childcare for those who will and can sing.  If you feel you can’t do childcare we need people to help with hot chocolate and cookies for a time of fellowship after caroling. Please! Don’t let this season go by without doing something to carry out the great commission!

Christmas Season Series  Every  Sunday morning I will be preaching on the Christmas story. Every sermon will be 100% evangelistic. If you will get lost people here (they are more apt to come during the Christmas holidays than any other time),  I will do my dead level best to present the simple, clear gospel of Christ.  You and I can be partners together in evangelism!

Under Shepherd,
Pastor Jim