(this is a MUST read...especially to those of you who normally skip this)
If you missed church this past Sunday, you really missed it. I guess you must go back and take a listen to what took place. This email update is a follow-up to part of Sunday’s sermon.
As you know, we have by God’s Grace been experiencing not only spiritual growth and maturity but numerical growth as well. If you have shown up for church late, I am sure you have experienced the lack of parking. There are cars everywhere.
This welcomed growth has caused us as Elders to stop and pray for “What is next?” It appears to us that this question forces us to look not at what is convenient but to look at our call and mission. We want to expand our base of ministry, not to brag or boast but to equip and send...to equip and send...to equip and send and then to equip and send, more! You get the idea.
With that in mind we have prayerfully chosen to expand to 2 worship services. One on Sunday morning and one on an evening. It would be easier and more convenient to have those services back to back. But again, we must go back to our mission and call rather than what is convenient. We recognize that two Sunday morning services, would meet the needs of those we already serve and not necessarily those whom we have not yet reached. We desire to move beyond just the comfortable Sunday morning crowd. If we “have to” go to multiple services, let’s do it with a vision to reach the yet unreached! Therefore, we are moving to both a Sunday morning and an evening service.
This is where we need your help. We are calling upon some of you to move to the evening service; Saturday 5:00-6:30pm or Sunday 5:00-6:30pm. After praying about it, you may say “Pastor Ray, I want to be a part of the team of people to attend the evening service”. Here’s what we need to know from you. If you were to choose to attend an evening service, which would it most likely be...Saturday or Sunday?
Several you have already turned in your response card from this past Sunday...thank you. But here is an opportunity for those of you who did not turn in a response. Below is a button you can click to access the form to fill out. We need to make this decision before March 15th, so please pray (Quickly) and let us know your decision. If you plan on attending the Sunday Morning service, there is no need to respond.
The evening service will mirror the Sunday morning service...same mission...same messages...same worship. There is however, one big difference... The evening service will have limited childcare to start with...that is Nursery only, Newborn – 3 years old (That could expand depending upon the volunteer base and faith ).
Maybe some of you would feel called to serve as an Evening Service Launch Team. A team that would “own” the service. Using your unique gifts and talents to make this evening service happen! Come one and join us!
Our plans are to start the two services on April 19th. We have lots of planning and details to work through. So, pray with us about how you can help with this new Gospel opportunity.
God is certainly at work and we want to join Him in what He is doing. Join me in praying... “Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven”! Let’s expect great things for the Glory of our Great God!
Glad to be in the battle with you,
Pastor Ray