Scripture – 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 NIV –
So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Bob’s thoughts:
We miscalculated travel time to church and arrived early, which allowed some time with the pastor and his wife.
I believe most who came in stopped to greet us. I met a man who served in the Navy and had two sons who became Marines.
The aisle spacing is generous and there is a delightful rough-cut cross with a high gloss finish. There were some red and blue mini lights above the chancel, that though pretty, were bright enough to give me a headache, and we were in the last row. I don’t get headaches anymore, so it took a while to realize that I had a problem and retrieve my tinted driving glasses. The dual screens displayed good contrast for easy reading. The music drowned out some of prayer for a while; this is a tricky balance to find.
The pastor introduced one of the best things he could do for the congregation, offering them areas to serve in the church. When members serve in any capacity, it becomes “your church.” Ownership is an important piece of a healthy church. My favorite example was a woman who was leaving the church; I asked if she would check to see if the pew pencil holders had pencils. In a few weeks she blossomed and was checking other aspects of the pews in “her church.”
In the first church that I joined when Christ claimed me, I was asked to be the visitor greeter. Some long-time members had been assigned to this, but they only greeted people they knew. Since I knew next to nobody, the job was easy: treat everybody as a visitor. I got to meet a lot of members and we ended up with 40-some new members that year. They said no one spoke to them in the other churches they had visited in the area.
A card ministry is another rewarding task; in this modern age everything is quick and tidy…a card has become something special.
I am still the example in many sermons of how God can make over anyone to His desires.
A special joy was that the pastor let us lay hands and pray over him with a member of the congregation. I don’t know if I included what God told me, to pray for ease of pain and increased mobility as a sign that God is watching over and using Pastor Adam and his wife Amber.
Jan’s thoughts:
It was a good thing we fired up the GPS this morning as it turned out we were each thinking we were heading for a different Nazarene church. Due to this confusion, we arrived extra early.
The pastor and his wife were there, greeted us warmly, and offered us coffee. Since there was plenty of time, we explored downstairs.
We found seats in the sanctuary and as others began to arrive, almost everyone greeted us.
I’m sure Bob will mention the cross, but it was beautifully rugged. The dual screens were mounted plenty high enough and the graphics were well done.
The pastor spoke about service opportunities at the church, encouraging the members to pray about taking ownership of various areas. I interpreted his encouragement in prayer as a clear indication of dependence on God’s guidance and provision.
He announced the possibility of some summer services in a nearby park as a form of community outreach.
The sermon was called Fix It: A Renovated Life and focused on the search we undertake when we make New Year’s resolutions. He stated that the only complete change that lasts is when Jesus Christ enters our hearts and lives. He produces actual change by making a new creation out of us.
The pastor asked, “What story will God write in your life this year?”
Our prayer for this church:
Lord, we pray Your continued blessings on Your church. May Your people sense Your Presence and follow as You lead. Amen.
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