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After doing some studying about ‘church growth’ while working with the Ministry Planning Team, I have been working on a ‘growth plan’ for reaching out to more people with the gospel and expanding opportunities for them to connect with others in the congregation, grow in faith and serve others.
The guiding light of the plan is our mission, which is to Reach people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Connect with one another, Grow in faith, and Serve others. It’s important to note that we are not seeking to grow the church for its own sake, but rather, because Jesus has called us to reach more people with the Gospel. Our evangelism/outreach efforts are for the benefit of others, and we want to convey that to our guests in small, but meaningful ways. . . read more
“Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen." Luke 24:5b
On the morning of the first day of the week, the third day after Jesus’ death, three women who believed in Jesus, Mary Magdalene, Johanna and Mary the mother of James, took spices to the tomb, found the stone at the entrance rolled away, and went in. Jesus was gone, but they did not ‘see’ what had happened until two angels appeared, asked why they were looking for the living among the dead, and reminded them that Jesus said he would rise again on the third day. Only then did they ‘see’ and run back to the others to tell them the exciting news that Jesus had risen. . . read more
“…for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.” Luke 1:48a
This year most of our gospel readings come from the gospel of Luke. And one of the themes of Luke is about who Jesus ‘sees.’ Who does Jesus regard? Who does Jesus favor? In the verse above, from the Magnificat, Mary the mother of Jesus is proclaiming her praise for God and celebrating being ‘favored’ by God. She certainly does not see herself as anyone who is deserving of God’s favor. She is a poor, young girl born into the underclass and culturally destined to stay there. Yet God favors her, and it changes her life. . .read more
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. Luke 4:1-2
Temptation is all around us! It’s a reality of life! We live in a world of temptation and have to make choices all the time. So just what’s up with all this temptation? Why does God allow it to happen? Or is it just the way life is: a life full of choices, good and bad, put in front of us to pick from? . . . read more
Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased." Luke 3:21-22
The thrill of Christmas is past and the bills have arrived. The winter doldrums have descended. It’s cold and windy. Dark when I get up and dark when I come home. I’m shoveling snow and slipping on ice . . . read more |
