Dear Saints of God,
I don't know if you can tell but Fall is just around the corner as we experience a slow but identifiable weather change, thankful!! I love summer, but after all the triple digits we experienced, Fall brings a wonderful change; colors, smells, as life goes on. Fall in church life often is the beginning of a new ministry launch and that is certainly true at New Life. Ministries for men, women, children and others, begin in September. I hope you have been keeping an eye on the Sunday bulletin for important updates, so you can take part. We have been seeing an increase in new faces on Sunday mornings, which is a real blessing. Lets remember to reach out and greet these new folks, as it can be a bit intimidating on your first visit to a church. Thanks for all you do in making these folks feel welcomed and loved.
For over a month now I have had the joy of praying every Sunday morning with several men and women, who join me at 8:30 am in my office to praise the Lord and intercede for his church. Please know you are warmly invited and welcome to join, us whenever you are able - there is always room for another voice in praising and praying to our great God!
Our recent Men's Breakfast fed 25 hungry guys! We experienced a very special time of fellowship, as we considered together what it means to "Run to Win" from Hebrews 12:1-2. I sensed the Spirit's leadership during our time together. Thanks to Jerry and his team for a job well done!
This week I will conclude the brief series, Terror Threats, with a message entitled "Escape Routes" from 1 Corinthians 10:13. Last Sunday we saw that temptation is to be expected, is not sin, and that we can resist. This week we will identify some of the escape routes God provides, so that we might be able to resist and continue to make forward progress in our journey with Jesus. You don't want to miss. Bring a friend or two with you for this important teaching, lives will be changed!
Finally, our financial treasurer, mentioned to me that it appears we will have a deficit in August. This often happens as summer ends but then picks up in September. Thanks to all of you who have remained faithful during this season of transition and opportunity. Lets all remain faithful in this important aspect of our overall stewardship of all that God has given to us. Thanks!
My prayer for you this week is, "That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith - that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God." (Ephesians 3:16-19)
Blessings!
P. Mike