Ahoy There Church Members!
Have you ever heard something and then you couldn't shake what you'd heard from your head. This usually happens with an unusually annoying song or a weird word or something like that. Ninety nine percent of the time that really bugs me to no end ... however, there is that one percent that seems to make up for it. Every once in awhile I'll here something really profound that sticks with me, something that I'm grateful to have heard.
A couple of weeks ago I heard a pretty smart man say something about his father. His dad was a ship's captain and as his son mentioned ... his father was a successful leader because he realized that it's the crew that truly defines the ship. Without the crew, a ship is nothing more than rivets and steel. A ship without a crew is actually no vessel at all.
As I said, that's something that has stuck with me over these past few weeks. It's a lesson I hope not to forget any time soon because what's true for a ship at sea is also true for our church here on dry land. When we think about our church we can quickly get the image in our mind of the structure where we worship and have fellowship. This is one way of thinking about our church but ultimately it isn't the most accurate. Our church is actually our congregation, it's the men, women, and children who join together as a family of faith. It's the ever growing circle of people who are ready and willing to open their hearts as well as their doors to new people. Our church is children laughing and adults patting each other on the back and embracing one another with a caring hug. Our church is the people who give generously of their time, talents and resources to reach the lost, the lonely and the hurting. Our church is the people who have made the decision to trust Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, proclaim Him as the Head of the Church and the Savior of our Souls. Our church is ... you! Without you this place we call church is nothing more than bricks and mortar ... wood and glass. You are the church. You are the Body of Christ. You are important ... each and everyone of you.
"... so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individual members of one another" - Romans 12:5.
This Sunday the Women's Guild will have their annual Valentine's Day bake sale after worship. There will be plenty of pies, cakes, and various other desserts to choose from ... something for everyone's taste. Come to worship and afterward endulge your sweet tooth all the while helping to support our Women's Guild.
Also this Sunday, the church council will meet in regular session after worship.This will the first council meeting for the new members coming on board to serve this term. It will also be a time to thank the outgoing council members for thier faithful service.
Don't forget Ash Wednesday is coming up soon. Ash Wednesday begins the Lenten Season ... a time when we prepare ourselves to evaluate the cost of our discipleship by more fully appreciating the sacrifice made on our behalf by our Lord Jesus Christ. Ash Wednesday service begins at 7 pm on February 22.
Our Youth Rally will begin at 6:30 pm this Friday. We'll begin our celebration with a great meal of various types of Mexican food followed by puppet rehearsal, worship and fellowship. There is no age limit for any of these activities ... everyone is invited!
Have a blessed week.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Darrin
