Announcements
SYMPATHY: to Mike and Darlene Mangum on the passing of Mike’s brother, Patrick Mangum, on Tuesday, August 29, in South Carolina. Arrangements are pending.
SYMPATHY: to Kathy Reed on the passing of her stepson, Spencer Reed, on Monday, August 28, in Georgia. Arrangements are pending.
GRIEFSHARE: for adults, children, and teens begins this Tuesday, September 5, at 6:30 p.m. This 13-week program features biblical concepts for healing from grief after the loss of a loved one. Please sign up at the Welcome Desk or invite someone you may know who is grieving.
NURSERY VOLUNTEERS: Several spots still need to be filled on our Sunday and Wednesday Nursery schedule. Please stop by the Welcome Desk to sign up or see Anne-Marie Albaugh for more information.
DEACONS: Please pick up your packets at the Welcome Desk.
From My Heart
For those going on the Israel trip, Karen and I would like to have a meeting on September 9, at 4:00 p.m., at the church in Baker Auditorium. Please bring your questions (write them down so you don’t forget), and we will do our best to give you the answers. It is going to be a wonderful trip, and I am very excited about going with Living Passages.
In Acts 20:20, the Apostle Paul told the pastors from Ephesus, that he held back nothing when it came to preaching and witnessing to the people in their city. In v. 20, he says, “And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publicly, from house to house.” I remember one of my professors in grad school saying about this verse, “Every church needs Paul’s 20/20 vision of reaching their town with the Gospel.”
Paul says they went from house to house bearing the message of the Gospel of Christ. Folks today try to tell you that “house to house” or “door to door” visiting does not work in today’s world. Well, somebody needs to tell the Jehovah’s Witness folks that breaking news! And I suppose somebody should also tell the Mormons it does not work! But both these bearers of a false gospel, just keep going and knocking on doors because they know it works!
There is something I want you to see from another passage in Acts. In 2:42, Luke tells us, “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” We learn from this verse that the Apostles, in the early days of the New Testament Church, preached on the streets, preached at the Temple, and went everywhere sharing the Gospel with the folks in Jerusalem! They were faithful, and steadfast, and tried to reach everyone.
And that is exactly what we see the Apostle Paul doing in chapter 20! The original 12 Apostles were faithful, and steadfast, and shared Christ with every person they met! And now, the Apostle Paul was simply doing what the other Apostles had done several years before him. The preaching of the Gospel, soulwinning, and compassion for lost sinners - should all be on the front burner of every church.
Let’s purpose to win someone to the Lord this week! Just take a moment and pray to the Lord asking Him to lead you to someone this week with whom you can share the Gospel. But if you pray that prayer, you need to keep a keen eye when He sends someone to you! Someone may come right across your path, and if you are not careful, they will walk away without you taking advantage of the opportunity the Lord laid in front of you!
Have a wonderful day and may the Lord bless you richly.
Pastor Norris