| Update
July 21st, 2006
Dear
Good Shepherd,
Good
Morning. There is alot of new news this morning, so be sure
to read the whole thing carefully!
The
weekly article is coming soon...perhaps this afternoon.
UPDATE
CONTENT
ALIVE
HEAT
CHICKEN
BBQ and FLOOD RELIEF
FUTURE
CONTRIBUTIONS
PARISH
MEETING REPORT
BIBLE
STUDY SUMMER STATUS REPORT
SMALL
GROUP TRAINING
THE
WORLD, THE FLESH, AND THE DEVIL: New Series Preview
FAMILY
AND FRIENDS SUNDAY REMINDER
PREGNANCY,
NEW BABY, and TIME OFF
HAVE
YOU…
NEWS:
ALIVE:
You
know Good Shepherd is alive and growing when you see the pews
full in July. Last Sunday we were in the 90's temperature
wise but we had about 80 people in church...and that with
many of our regulars on vacation. That is great considering
our average is 70 and our summer average is in the 60's or
lower. This summer has been consistently good when it comes
to attendance. You are really taking seriously God's Word
not to neglect the fellowship of believers:
"
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit
of doing, but let us encourage one another— and all the more
as you see the Day approaching." (Hebrews 10:25)
And
have no doubt that God is blessing you. The more you give
yourself to him in prayer, bible study,and worship, the more
open your heart becomes to recieving what he wants to give
to you.
Not
only are you coming to church, but you are inviting your friends.
I will be giving baptismal counselling to a new family
this Sunday after church with lots (4) of unbaptized kids.
This
devotion to worship and evangelism greatly pleases the Lord
so let's keep it up!
HEAT:
I know it is very hot on Sunday morning. This week
I have left all the windows open and the fans on during the
day in the sanctuary. That should reduce the heat on Sunday
morning significantly...I think
CHICKEN
BBQ FOR FLOOD RELIEF: Thank you to everyone who volunteered
to help with this BBQ and to everyone who contributed by buying
and eating the chicken. The Net profit from the BBQ was 655
(that's all net). I will be speaking with the people at Good
Shepherd who have been hurt most by the flood and see how
best to use this money. If there is any left over we will
donate it to a charitable relief organization. Thank you,
again, for your generosity.
FUTURE
CONTRIBUTIONS: If you would like to donate more money
to your fellow parishioners and others impacted by the flood,
simply mark your checks or envelopes (if cash) "flood
relief" and place them in the offering plate or mail
them in. These donations will be collected in a relief fund
that will be used to assist parishioners first and then those
beyond the parish. Remember Deuteronomy 15: "There should
be no poor among you."
PARISH
MEETING: Thank you also to everyone who attended
both parish meetings. In all we had at least 60 of our regular
parishioners attend one or both meetings.As you know the vestry
has taken a bold and courageous step of faith. This is a difficult
and even risky time to preach and teach God's Word fully and
faithfully, but we must. The vestry has chosen to stand firm
and you have been overwhelmingly supportive. Thank you.
BIBLE
STUDIES: Here is a list of all the bible studies and their
summer status:
1.
Tuesday Morning:
Will meet until the end of July and then break for the month
of August. We are currently studying the book of Hebrews.
2.
First Light (Tuesday Evening):
We will meet through the summer (except for the weeks following
the birth of our son...sometime in August). We are currently
studying the gospel of Matthew
3.
Thursday Evening (was new beginners):
this group has graduated the New Beginner program and is currently
enjoying a well deserved break. They will be starting a new
First Light Bible Study in the Fall.
4.
Friday Morning Men's Breakfast and Bible Study:
We will meet throughout the summer. We are currently studying
the book of Exodus.
5.
Women's Bible Study:
They are on break until the fall.
Information
about the meeting times for all of these studies can be found
on the homepage. All the bible studies
are always open to anyone who wants to join in. Please come
and invite your friends.
In
the next section of this series we will be talking about the
struggles Christians face in the world. For this section,
I will be using a book by the founder of Prison Fellowship,
Charles Colson entitled:
How Now Shall We Live?
It's
a fantastic book. If you can afford it, do please buy it and
start reading now in preparation for that section of the class.
SMALL GROUP TRAINING: as I mentioned last week, we'll
be starting training this August. Dates to be announced
this Sunday
ANNOUNCEMENT: NEW ADULT EDUCATION SERIES:
THE WORLD, THE FLESH, AND THE DEVIL: Facing
Temptation in a Fallen World
will start THIS SUNDAY.
We will start by
discussing the devil.
1. Is the devil real
and how can we know?
1. What does the
bible say about the devil?
2. What does the
bible say the devil does?
3. How do we resist
the devil?
All these questions
will be addressed in this first section of the new series
beginning this Sunday. Please come and invite your friends.
THIRD
notice:
PREGNANCY, NEW BABY, and TIME OFF: When our new baby
comes, I'll be taking the rest of my vacation time. We think
this should be around the end of July, but only God knows
for sure. When it happens, you guys will be the first to know.
For at least two weeks, maybe more, afterwards, there will
be an operational pause on almost all church activities accept
for Sunday morning and maybe one or two bible studies. I need
a vacation!
THERE
WILL BE A FAMILY AND FRIENDS SUNDAY IN SEPTEMBER: Start praying
about which non-believing family member or friend you will
invite.
HAVE
YOU…. shared your faith with a friend? The vestry
has challenged all of us to share our faith in Jesus Christ
with at least one non-believer each month.
Good News for the Week
20
You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that
would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from
house to house. 21 I have declared to both Jews and Greeks
that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in
our Lord Jesus. 22 And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am
going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there.
23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me
that prison and hardships are facing me. 24 However, I consider
my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race
and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me— the task
of testifying to the gospel of God's grace. 25 Now I know
that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the
kingdom will ever see me again.
26
Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the
blood of all men. 27 For I have not hesitated to proclaim
to you the whole will of God. 28 Keep watch over yourselves
and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.
Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his
own blood. 29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will
come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30 Even from
your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order
to draw away disciples after them. 31 So be on your guard!
Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each
of you night and day with tears. 32 Now I commit you to God
and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give
you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
(Paul's farewell speech: Acts 20:20-32)
Don't forget to....BRING A FRIEND TO
CHURCH!
Daily Schedule for the week of Sunday July 23rd, 2006
Monday:
8:30 a.m. Morning Prayer
Tuesday
8:30 a.m. Morning Prayer
9:00 a.m. Tuesday Morning Bible Study
6:30 p.m. First Light Bible Study: Q and A
7:00
p.m. First Light Bible Study: Discussion (Matthew 14)
Wednesday
8:30 a.m. Morning Prayer
Thursday
8:30 a.m. Morning Prayer
5:30 p.m. Shepherd's Bowl
Friday
6:30 a.m. Men's Breakfast/Bible Study
8:30 a.m. Morning Prayer
Saturday:
Enjoy
the day
SUNDAY
JULY 30th, 2006
8:00am Holy Communion II and Sermon
9:15-10:15 a.m. Christian Education for all ages
10:30 am Holy Communion II, Music and Sermon
God bless you all
In
Christ,
Matt+
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