The Master's Plan
Under Construction: Repoint, Repaint, Repent
“Investing In Our Future” Campaign:
Submitted by: Rev. Tom Hamilton
Praise God for His countless blessings! At the time of this article, a construction crew is outside our church building to repoint and seal the masonry work of the sanctuary building. Scaffolding has been assembled, a crew has arrived and they have begun the work of improving the brick and mortar to secure the building for years to come. In the next few weeks, another crew will come inside the sanctuary building to repaint the Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall area. Also, a crew will come in October/November to install new audio/video equipment.
All of this is possible out of the vision, preparation, prayers and financial commitment of this church to “Invest in Our Future”. God has richly blessed us and we are called to be good stewards of the resources given to us. As we have committed to sharing the gospel in this community, we are making certain that we are good stewards of this facility as well as to prepare for new events and ministries. Thank you to all who are contributing to the “Investing In Our Future” campaign. If you have not yet participated, you’re certainly welcome to contribute as you feel prayerfully led.
The “Investing In Our Future” campaign dollars are also helping us prepare for future ministries by bringing on another ordained pastor. A congregational meeting will be held in November to act on Session’s recommendation to hire another ordained pastor. If approved, a search committee will be elected by the congregation at that same meeting. The search process will begin following that meeting. More news to follow in coming newsletters. Contact me or any Session Elder if you have any questions.
This Advent season, we will also begin a weekly Third Worship Service on Thursday nights. ‘Construction work’ will be happening in the weeks ahead to prepare a leadership team to work with me on this new service (see more info in the next newsletter). Does anyone hear an analogy coming?
As I look at the scaffolding and see the crew at work as well as consider the work that is going on inside these walls to share the love of Jesus Christ with our members, community and the world over, I am humbly and gratefully reminded how continually God is at work in each of us and His church.
Jesus answered (Nicodemus), “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3
“Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” Mark 1:14,15
“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making His appeal through us.” 2 Corinthians 5:17-20
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13
As you experience your life ‘under construction’, may God strengthen and guide you to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:1-3)”. May we give God all the glory and honor for the riches and blessings given to each of us and His church.
Peace, Tom