February 2010 -- "Going, Growing, Knowing"

February and the weeks ahead will be bringing some exciting challenges and opportunities...for OUTREACH (going), EXPANSION (growing), and for WORSHIP, increasing our awareness of and providing more opportunities for connecting with God (knowing).

GOING...
- Sunday, February 7, we’re looking to host multiple Super Bowl Outreach Parties.
  - I hope every member (or groups of members joining together) will host a Super Bowl party in your own home, inviting your neighbors, work associates, school friends, etc., to come and watch the game with you, and then participate in a brief (ten minutes), light-hearted and non-threatening half-time discussion of “The Game of Life” (materials are being provided).
  - We’re praying that it will be a time when we can “meet people where they are” and help break down barriers some might have about coming to church or being around “church folk.”
- Sunday, February 21, is the date for our first Outreach Team meeting.
  - Several have signed up (and you’re still welcome to join us if you haven’t yet signed up) to be part of this team that will keep outreach on our minds, follow-up with those whom God brings to us, reach out and greet them when they arrive and help them feel welcome once they’re here, and also serve as the Planning Team in leading our major outreach efforts throughout the year, including...
    - Every Saturday in March we’ll be going door-to-door to meet our neighbors and distribute gospel tracts and promotional flyers leading up to Easter Sunday.

GROWING ...
- Plans are underway to expand our Bible Study ministry in order to reach more and give more personal attention to each person present.
  - We’re adding some additional classes, hosting several classes in the auditorium (bringing in the folding partitions again), and featuring both on-going classes and some short term studies.
  - Some new teachers have also stepped forward, and we’re counting on additional workers (secretaries, outreach/inreach leaders) to do the same so we can better use all of our space to accommodate more folk while still ministering to them.

KNOWING...
- As we’ve seen during the messages in January, worship involves Connecting With God, coming into His presence and getting to know Him better.
  - February will be the first full month of “Sunrise at Nite,” an additional worship opportunity for folks to connect with God, this time with a contemporary “flavor.”
    - Pass the word! Invite your friends (especially your young adult and teenage friends) to come and celebrate on Sunday nights!

As you can probably tell, I’m excited at what the Lord has in store for us as we continue to be willing to “boldly go where we’ve never gone before” by TRUSTING God’s power and wisdom, FOLLOWING His direction, and OBEYING His instructions so we can accomplish HIS work in HIS church in HIS way.
- Hop on board and enjoy the ride with us!
  - ...and remember, I love serving as your pastor.