Do you remember the anticipation of Christmas or your birthday as a child? It seemed like it would never arrive! Maybe you marked off the days on a calendar or simply reminded your family and friends every day how many more days it was until your BIG Day! I’ve been doing that as well with our Spiritual Life Weekend –This Friday thru Sunday March 2-4, 2012. We’ve planned, prepared, and prayed for this amazing opportunity to hear and respond to the Lord as the First Church Family. In fact, last night over 40 people gathered to pray for each of our members and friends by name. You are already being blessed! I had the joy of praying in a group with Candi and two currently homeless men. I was very moved by their prayers for you –many of you they’ve never met. I was also blessed to literally hear dozens of prayers being offered at the same time throughout the sanctuary. It was a taste of heaven!

God has something very special for you this weekend at First Church. As I said Sunday; God will speak but you will need to be present to hear. This is our opportunity to set aside our agendas for the weekend and live on God’s time –kairos time. I am so very pleased that a majority of our people have pre-registered, but if you haven’t yet –do it today! Or just show up tomorrow at 6:30 for our Kick-Off Dinner and Gathering. Children, Youth and Adults will all be cared for and blessed!

Hear these familiar words from God’s Word; “For I know he plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me, and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” – Jeremiah 29:11-13. Honestly, when have you sought the Lord with all of your heart recently? I know it’s easy to get so distracted just trying to do life. Let’s” take a break” these days and allow the Holy Spirit to refresh, renew and revive us as only He can do! It’s here! Are you in?

I pray you are! I can hardly wait to see what The Lord is about to do!

Your Brother and Pastor in Christ,

Mark