Pastor's Notes fo October 3, 2010

I RECENTLY READ an article where a minister described the congregation where he served as a “part-time” church. I knew he served full-time so I was a little puzzled. He went on to clarify that a “part” of his church attended “part” of the time! Never all at the same time! I smiled, but with a tinge of pain, because I knew that also described us.

WHAT WOULD HAPPEN if we all made the first Sunday of each month priority? We could be encouraged by the worship, pick up our newsletter (that we don't mail out any more), and bring our tithes and offerings. If we could all worship together at least once a month we might surprise ourselves.

OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE everywhere! 1) Children’s Moment in November--sign up at the rear of the sanctuary; 2) writing the newspaper article for FCC, beginning in mid-November--speak directly to Kathy Dains; 3) a volunteer for the nursery, available in case of need--speak directly to Connie Leonard; 4) someone who will change the sign out front from time to time, create a message in limited space. (I'm happy to report that this fourth task has been claimed!)

WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY is celebrated around the world, across denominational lines the first Sunday in October. Today we joined that celebration to recognize our brothers and sisters within the body of Christ in our community and in the nations around the world.


Reflecting on the Scriptures
At the World’s Longest Table: rekindle the fire

Lamentations 1:1-6. The time is 586 B.C. Jerusalem lies in ruin and God’s people are taken into Babylonian captivity. A survivor overlooks the rubble and pins these words of grief.

Lamentations 3:19-26. The lament continued until the survivor remembered! “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases…” Hope is rekindled!

Luke 17:5-10. “Increase our faith!” Who hasn’t made this request to the Lord? And his simple response: Faithful service rekindles our faith.

2 Timothy 1:1-14. Celebrate the generations of faith you inherit. Rekindle the gift that God has given you—a spirit of power, love, and self-control. You are called for a purpose.