It’s Labor Day Weekend! Where has the Summer of ’09 gone?

I hope you’ll get to enjoy a hamburger with some family, a neighbor or a friend this Monday as “summer” unofficially draws to a close. This is a great weekend to invite someone over – maybe someone who has yet to discover the love of Jesus! Our Philippian Sermon Series “crosses” the finish line this Sunday as well! (Remember, my all time favorite people are those who come to worship on holiday weekends!). I trust you’ve learned some important practical truths from God’s Word these last three months.

As one season draws to an end, another springs to life! Our Wednesday Night Study this year, "Simple Revolution," is a book study on the book, Simple Church. We’ve been reading and studying this book as a staff for the last 8 months. It has caused us to question what we’re currently doing as a church family and to consider creative, new possibilities, to become more effective in our effort to transform lives for Jesus Christ.

I felt it was very important to invite our entire church family into this discussion. That’s why we’ve decided to try something new on Wednesday evenings this fall beginning 09-09-09 – that’s next week! We will serve a delicious dinner from 5-6pm cooked by our very own Mary McIntire and sit at round tables in Harris Hall. You’re invited to sit wherever you like - no assigned small groups. We will remain at those tables for the study which will begin about 6:00. Kirk and I will provide teaching and highlights from the chapter of the week and offer discussion questions to use around your table. You are free to sit at different tables over the course of the study. We’ll hope to capture your best thoughts and insights on the white board and even provide a “video booth” for you to share your personal thoughts if you like.

This will be an engaging and hopefully beneficial process for us as a church family, as we seek to discern God’s ongoing will for First Church and seek Him for the next right step in our First Church ministry. I invite you to join us and to be in prayer for this process. We have no idea what the outcome will be, but we know God will lead us as we seek Him. Click here to see a special video message.

“For I know the 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 29:11-14

I look forward to being with you this Sunday! Have a blessed and safe Labor Day!

Yours in Christ,
Mark

P.S. We’re hosting a reception for Terri Morton right after our first "Simple Revolution" study at 7:30pm in Harris Hall. We hope you’ll stay and celebrate with Terri this new chapter in her life! Blessings!