Here we are again, at that place where summer is fading and fall is forcing its way onto the scene. I hope your summer has been one where you have experienced genuine "times of refreshing from the Lord" (Acts 3:19) and that as you prepare to re-enter the world of regular schedules and patterns of living that you find yourself renewed and energized for what lies ahead. For many at this time of year, we find that we have been away from home a lot during the summer months and that our involvement in the life and ministry of the church has been less frequent than normal. As your pastor, I want you to know I am looking forward to having you back in the swing of things as we prepare for deeply meaningful times of worship, ministry and fellowship throughout the fall and winter. To acknowledge this "season" of getting back into the flow of things, on September 26 we are having " BACK TO CHURCH SUNDAY "... a special day of worship and fellowship as we celebrate the vision/mission of the First Baptist Church family. Honestly, as you think about your life, maybe you have been out of the swing of things in the life of the church for much more than just the summer months... maybe even years. This is a wonderful opportunity to reunite with a church family that welcomes you back with open arms. We have an "active church membership" of approximately 600... wouldn't it be wonderful if we could all come together on the same Sunday for worship and fellowship? God is doing wonderful things among His people here at FBC and we want you to be a part of it! We are challenging all of our Sunday School classes (from children to senior adult)...the choirs...the ABWM circles... the small groups throughout the church... the children, youth and Prime Timers ministries to reach out to those they miss seeing who at one time were active and invite them home... back to church. Our Deacons will be moving through their flock lists and contacting those who have not been able to be involved for a while... so don't be surprised if you get a phone call'inviting you back. But we are not just reaching out to those who have not been coming... we are reaching out with invitations to those who do not have a church where they are actively participating. I encourage you to prayerfully consider who you might invite to worship or Sunday School with you... people God has placed upon your heart. A natural first step is to bring them to our Community Appreciation Day that will kick off the weekend on Saturday, September 25.
We are excited about having the Family all together again!
The theme underlying " BACK TO CHURCH SUNDAY " is found in Ephesians
4:
" There is one body and one Spirit - just as you were called to
one hope when you were called -one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God
and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." (vs.4-6)
Our gathering together is for a purpose:
"to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body
of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the
knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure
of the fullness of Christ." (vs. 12-13)
I am looking forward to our FBC Family Reunion on September 25-26 we are calling " BACK TO CHURCH SUNDAY "... how about you?
Your Fellow Servant,
Pastor Joel