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Saturday, January 30, 2010 |
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Why is Christian Education important for your child? Sometimes, Sunday mornings seem to be the only time of the week when the crush of the schedule doesn't happen, and you can sleep in? Although any more, sports games and even practices have invaded the early Sunday morning hours as the craze to create the next "championship team in little league" has consumed our culture. What once was seen as a sacred hour on Sunday, set aside to worship God and grow our kids' faith, now has become a competitive battlefield for what the culture deems more important to your child's (and yours) success.
However, before we marginalize Sunday School and Wednesday Family life Bible training to activities which God doesn't command and so we are free to ignore them, consider what Paul said about early, consistent, and regular Bible training: But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 2 Tim. 3:14-15
Consider this — baseball, football, swimming, or track will for 99.9% of the kids last, at best, through the High School years–with the 80% of the rest of their life standing before them. Scouts and service clubs, although teaching good life skills for our earthly life, cannot do one thing to slow the onset of death or give comfort when it happens. Neither can any of these activities give the foundation for a strong and healthy marriage and family when tough times happen and forgiveness-skills are required. Only a faith formative education in God's, powerful Word can change and shape and direct little lives, forever.
Our little ones can't drive themselves to church. They need Mom and Dad being devoted and committed on a weekly basis to get them there. They also need to see in Mom and Dad's participation in Adult studies, during the same time they are in classes, so that the importance and value of their training is supported by both a "do as I say and as I do."
Are you supporting these kind of faith values in your home and family? Are you willing to allow a spiritual revival to take hold in your family's life and re-prioritize your family's commitment to grow in the faith, together, and to work toward that by making Sunday morning Family Education Hour and our Wednesday Family Night a part of your weekly schedule?
. . . that's something to think about!
Pastor Tim |
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Saturday, January 2, 2010 |
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In April, we will begin sending you a monthly link enabling you to see the newsletter by e-copy or you will be able to visit our web-site and read the newsletter at any time. If you wish to continue receiving a hard copy of the newsletter please contact the office. Watch for more information. If you have questions see any of our Lord of Life Staff. |
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Saturday, January 2, 2010 |
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What does it look like when God's people live out the life of Jesus in their community. God tells us in Isaiah 58: "Is this not the fast which I choose, To loosen the bonds of wickedness, To undo the bands of the yoke, And to let the oppressed go free, And break every yoke? Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry, And bring the homeless poor into the house; When you see the naked, to cover him; And not to hide yourself from your own flesh? Then your light will break out like the dawn, And your recovery will speedily spring forth; And your righteousness will go before you; The glory of the LORD will be your rear guard." (vss. 6-8)
Now, if you are not careful, you could interpret this to mean that God wants us to be the United Way. In many ways that is how the society has caricatured the Christian church's purpose. The world wants us to take off their plate the responsibility for the poor and the indigent but to be silent about anything "religious" that might offend them.
But Jesus sent us into the world to proclaim His love, as well as to demonstrate His love. He wants us to have an authentic message which is backed up by unconditional love for our neighbor in whatever need or circumstance. We use the excess of what God provides for us to accomplish this. However, He always wants us to connect it to the Good News of Jesus to a "broken" world.
The reason why there is brokenness is that sin has distorted what God wanted for His creation. We represent a Jesus who came into this world to redeem us from that sin and to bring about a restoration of a relationship with the God of creation who wants to be the answer for people. That is not necessarily what your neighbor wants to hear. However, by preceding it with an unconditional, random act of kindness, God opens the door for someone to ask, "why would you do that?" It gives us the opportunity to say, "because God has done that for me in Jesus, I am motivated to serve Him by doing it for you."
Throughout this year we are going to focus on the theme BE THE CHURCH! We will be
focused on serving and telling. Look for ways to participate in the activities which we do as a congregation to carry this out. Look for ways to practice it in your own neighborhoods and places of work . . . Now that's something to think about!
Pastor Tim |
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Sunday, December 13, 2009 |
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During the November Voters Meeting, Dave Hudson was Elected as President Elect, John Cox as Chairman of the Board of Elders, and Scott Benedict was re-elected to a second term as treasurer. With the full impact of the new building mortgage coming in to play, a 2010 ministry budget of $513,228 was adopted which amounts to a weekly need of $8,650. Because the adopted budget was a deficit budget, the congregation voted to eliminate the Director of Youth and Young Families position with the departure of Eric Nelson at the end of April 2010. Also, a savings on building construction of $75,000 will allow for the congregation to have a line of credit for that amount which will be applied to 2010 and 2011 budgets. All member families were encouraged that if they increased their giving by $20/Sunday/Household, the annual budget could be met. We also need to continue to reach out and grow and, Lord willing, we will. Each of us takes on the responsibility to invite friends and neighbors to join us for worship and ministry activities. Many thanks go out to our outgoing leaders (Brian Fye-President, Joe Garrett-Chairman of the Elders and Mark Lawler-Elder) for their gifted leadership, dedication and time over these past two years. |
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Sunday, December 13, 2009 |
SNOW season is coming!! If we have an activity scheduled and we have new snow you will be able to check for a cancelation on TV or the web. WRTV 6 WISHTV 8, and Channel 13 Eyewitness News will be notified when we need to cancel our activities due to SNOW.
www.theindychannel.com WRTV 6 & Channel 13 Eyewitness News www.wishtv.com WISHTV 8 |
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Sunday, December 13, 2009 |
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A couple of things struck me about this gift-giving time of the year, as I prepared to celebrate another Christmas. All of them seemed to be random and at first glance unrelated and, particularly, unconnected to our modern Christmas theme.
Last week, I was preparing my sermon and worship schedule for well out into this next year. When I got to August, I smiled and thought to myself, "Wouldn't it be a gift if Jesus came back before then and none of this would be necessary?"
Then we were down in Bloomington, visiting our daughter and son and preparing another daughter for her college career. We were riding in a car together and chattering about the up-coming Christmas season -- making plans to have them home, talking about gifts we wanted/needed, and a vacation which we were planning. All of a sudden, at a two-way stop--at which we had the right-of-way, another vehicle blew through the intersection, right in front of us–without stopping, forcing an emergency braking and a close call. After we caught our breath and realized what had just happened, one of us said, "What a blessing that we weren't hit or we would have been killed and would be celebrating Christmas in heaven, this year?" That caused me to pause and reflect.
What makes this Christmas season special? Will the temporary gifts which we receive be remembered next year at this time or for that matter be important to us ten years from now? Would the real gift actually be having our homecoming to heaven?
It made me do some real soul searching and contemplating on what is the real gift which I will have received again this Christmas. Is it enough and do I value God's great gift to me in the sending of His Son to be my Savior as the most precious thing I have and will receive again this Christmas? It makes everything else pale in comparison—the new watch I hope to receive as a Christmas gift; the successful outcome of my kids' college experiences; the goals which I have for the church and Westfield; even the plan to live out my years to see kids and grand-kids grow around me – most seem pretty temporal when compared to the lasting gift which is mine in Jesus—whether it were to happen on a bright blue, sunny day in November or at some far distant, hazy time in my future. All of a sudden, the gift of Jesus became very real. It was all I wanted and all I needed. Paul says it this way: Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! 2 Cor. 9:15..
Now that's something to think about!
Pastor Tim |
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Thursday, November 12, 2009 |
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We have a vendor who is willing to receive our used computer printer cartridges and cell phones and to give us money in return. We are using this money to help support this summer's mission/servant trips. Just bring them along and place them in the boxes on the front welcome desk. |
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Thursday, November 12, 2009 |
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Annual Giving Pledge Drive for 2010
Every year we take time out in November to reflect on what God has given us and the challenges he sets before us for our ministry in 2010. Every home has been sent voluntary pledge cards to use in establishing their giving commitments for next year. We encourage all of you to take up the challenge to support the work of the Lord through your regular offerings.
Please prayerfully fill our your pledge cards and bring them back in a sealed, self-addressed envelope on Sunday, November 22nd. They will be received and dedicated on that Sunday. “On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income.”
1 Corinthians 16: 2 |
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Thursday, November 12, 2009 |
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Thanks for all the Support for Kairos
A big thank you is in store for all those who supported, prayed for, and participated in the Kairos Men’s Prison Ministry effort. On Sunday, October 25th eleven Lord of Lifers join a team of 45 men for the closing worship of a ministry weekend to inmates at the Pendleton Correction Center. Over 1,400 cookies were baked by volunteers and delivered to the prison inmates. Many of the inmates came to know Jesus in a closer way through this effort. If you would be interested in participating in a future event, speak with Mark Lawler or John Ackmann.
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Thursday, November 12, 2009 |
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Voters Meeting, Nov 22nd 9:30 a.m.
You are invited to participated in the annual Voters Meeting on Sunday, Nov. 22nd . The 2010 annual budget proposal and a decision to discontinue the position of Director of Youth and Young Families at the end of April 2010 because of projected funding short-falls, election for congregational
officers, and updates on ministry team plans for 2010. All adult/youth members and friends are welcome to join us for the presentation and discussion. |
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