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Showing posts from November, 2007

Pastoral Emphasis from 11/25

There are various outreach opportunities: Service at With Love from Jesus on Sat., Dec. 1st ; the love offering from today will go toward purchasing food to be served to the women at the Helen Wright Center on Thurs., Nov. 29th; and the Men’s Ministry is collecting winter coats for those that need them in the community. Thanks to everyone who supported our Youth Ministry’s fundraiser (selling fruit and 2008 calendars) which ended today. What a great day as we conclude our Sacrificial Giving Campaign today. Since November of last year, we have been giving sacrificially to purchase furnishing and other items for the new building. I hope that everyone has completed giving their vows, but if not, you can continue to give until you are finished.

Give Thanks in All Circumstances (Happy Thanksgiving)

It's easy for people to be naturally happy on occasions such as Thanksgiving and other holidays. But a Christians' joy is not dependent on any circumstance, but on what Christ has done for us. Paul admonished the Thessalonian church to be thankful. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV): "give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." What a tall order that can be. It's easy to be thankful during good times. But the Word says give thanks in all circumstances. No matter where you are at in life, give thanks to God. If you are on top, give thanks. If you are in the middle, give thanks. If you are on the bottom, give thanks. When you have money, give thanks. When you don't have a dime, give thanks. When you feel great, give thanks. When you don't feel so good, give thanks. When the car is running smoothly, give thanks. When the car is broke down, give thanks. When you can afford filet mignon, give thanks. When you can only affo

Pastoral Emphasis from 11/18

Community Service Opportunities: Help reach our community through service at With Love from Jesus in Raleigh on Sat., Dec. 1st from 8am to 1pm. Next Sunday's love offering will go to purchase food for the women staying at the Helen Wright Center. We will be serving a meal to them on the 29th of this month. Sacrificial Giving Campaign: Do you realize that sacrificial giving imitates Christ. Jesus became "poor" by giving up His rights as God and becoming human. In His incarnation God voluntarily became man—the wholly human person, Jesus of Nazareth. As a man, Jesus was subject to place, time, and other human limitations. He did not give up His eternal power when He became human, but He did set aside His glory and His rights. In response to the Father's will, He limited His power and knowledge. Christ became "poor" when He became human, because He set aside so much. Yet by doing so, He made us "rich" because we received salvation and eternal l

Pastoral Emphasis from 11/11

Monday is Veterans Day and we want to recognize them for their service to this country. The Youth Ministry will be selling fruit and 2008 calendars to raise funds. All interested members should stop by the Welcome Center for info and materials. Here's a warning about an upcoming fantasy movie called The Golden Compass, which is coming out on 12/7. It's based on books by Philip Pullman who is an avowed atheist. Critics of his books point to the strong anti-religion and anti-God themes they incorporate. Pullman left little doubt about his intentions when he said in a 2003 interview that "my books are about killing God". These books and this movie will be targeted at children as a direct challenge to C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia. C.S. Lewis is a Christian author whose fantasy stories incorporated many Christian themes. I would not recommend anyone taking their children to see the Golden Compass or supporting this movie in any way. Sacrificial Giving Campai

Pastoral Emphasis from 11/04

The 2007 Thanksgiving Assistance Program ended on Sunday. We will be helping families that need some assistance during the holiday season. Your generous giving was greatly appreciated. As a reminder to our members, please do not park in the handicap parking if you don't have a handicap sticker. Thanks for your cooperation. Sacrificial Giving Campaign Update: We have completed 72% of the vows made. Campaign is over at the end of this month. 2 Cor. 9:8 says "God is able to make it up to you by giving you everything you need and more so there will not only be enough for your own needs but plenty left over to give joyfully to others." God has and will bless those who have given sacrificially during this campaign. A lot of people have been affected by the wildfires in southern California , therefore next Sunday's love offering will go to help those victims. In addition to your financial support, please keep them in your prayers.