From the Pastor’s Desk
Ah! September, the gateway to the fall and winter season. I can hear it now, children moping and groaning about going back to school (I know a couple of teachers in this group also) while moms and dads try to hold back their elation while halfheartedly sympathizing with their children. And there in the background merchants smiling ear to ear as they listen to the ka-ching of the cash registers ringing up sales for back to school supplies. While talking with a neighbor, the statement was made that she had to take her daughter shopping yet for some new clothes. Statements like that always bring a question to my mind. “If girls are so fond of clothes, why don’t they wear more of them?” I wonder, I never ask.
But hey, it’s only the beginning of September, enjoy the Labor Day weekend and be astute – there are many enjoyable and entertaining happenings yet this month and into next. Take them in, live it up and along the way shorten up those long dull days of winter.
Lest I forget-
I want to compliment and thank everyone involved in the exterior of the church and Renewal house property from the spring cleanup right up to the present. It was great. Thanks.
Then too, our summer mid-week study on a Case for Creation. It was a good, enlightening study and well attended. I would be remiss if I did not speak to the subject of our presenters. What a talented group we have. The bar is set high and I as a pastor know how blessed I am as well as the congregation. If you were not able to attend all I can say is you missed a great study and a good time.
Our experiment with a worship leader during our summer worship services has generated much comment pro and in some cases con. Don’t be bashful; share your true feelings with the deacons. They really want to know what you think, what you liked and what you didn’t. My special thanks to all who provided the special music, it was great.
Caught this on a church sign-
While traveling to a fair in Horseheads, I caught this one: “What God ordains He sustains”. As I drove on I couldn’t help but think of the truth of that saying. I worked with Gospel Sign Evangelism at the Erie County Fair for 20 years. Like everything else in today’s world, it cost money and more money every year. That ministry lasted 40 years and every year, year in and year out, God sustained that ministry by providing the funds and personnel and year in and year out, there was fruit born. If you visit a fair where a group is carrying on the work of the Lord, take time to give them a word of encouragement. Believe me they need it, Satan’s followers are ferocious.
It just keeps on-
One of the lead articles in the July 23, 2010 issue of the Sword of the Lord was headlined “Baptist Pastor canceled at North Carolina Legislature for “Jesus name” prayer. It seems that in today’s society, we can be as religious as we want as long as we do not mention Jesus’ name. Question, what is Christianity without Jesus the Christ? Answer nothing! And isn’t that the program, to wipe out Christianity? Looks that way to me. They may say all they want about America not being founded as a Christian nation but history is replete with proof that it was. (See back cover for a sample) Whose fault is it? Christian’s I’m afraid. Lester Roloff said way back in the early 60’s “that if the Christians of America don’t get out their easy chairs and off of their padded pews and get active and vocal as their predecessors were, Christianity would become a minor religion.” How right he was.
Remember the name – Rick Warren?
Someone sent me an article (anonymously) in the mail a short time back titled “Why does Rick Warren preach on Sunday night?” Here is a pastor of the undisputed largest Baptist Church in California and even believed by some to be the largest Baptist Church in the United States who not only defies the current trend of not having Sunday evening services but has two Sunday evening services, one at 4:30 and another at 6:30 P.M. Not only that but he has two services Saturday night at the same hours. How important is Sunday night worship to Rick Warren? Obviously, very important and why? Because he preaches the sermons at all six weekend services (they have two services Sunday morning). Obviously the old archaic ways of the old days discarded by most churches have appeal to the masses in the south west. The church Warren built is proof of that.
Sam Jones said it, Warren practices it – “If you can smile while you skin them and make them smile while they are being skinned, they will follow you to the tannery to get the hide.”
Till next time, Peace
Pastor George