Pastor's Corner
April 2005
"And do not neglect doing good and sharing;
For with such sacrifices God is pleased."
Hebrews 13:16
As I write this article I am still "basking in the glow" of our Easter celebration! What a wonderful time of worship the Lord gave us as we celebrated the reality of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ! Over 1,000 people came to our two worship services and heard of the great hope we have in the living Jesus! Only the Lord knows what seeds were “planted” in the hearts of those who have yet to embrace the hope of the Lord. Keep praying that there will be fruit from our time together.
As I write I also am so very thankful for all the "labors of love" that went into our worship time. From the worship team and the sound ministry team that arrived at 6:45a.m. (and didn’t leave until after 12:00p.m.); to the children who sang so beautifully (and their leaders); to the greeters and ushers; to the Deaconesses and Deacons who helped with the baptisms; to the many choir members; to the church staff etc., I can only express my heartfelt gratitude! What an awesome and wonderful job you did! You "did not neglect showing good", you "shared" and "with such sacrifice God is pleased"! To me this is what the body of Christ is so much about. People called as Christ-followers who take their time and their talents to serve the Lord! What is so awesome though is that this goes on not just for Easter services but for every Sunday! Add to that all the ministries that go on between Sundays.
All that "good" and all that "sacrifice"! Even as I write this two of our members are here at the church facilities helping Cory with this weekend’s yard sale to help with “Operation West Virginia” (the youth and adult mission to the poor and needy in West Virginia’s Appalachian country). Day in and day out I see the sharing and the "doing good". Activities of sacrifice not because we earn anything by it before God but because and as a result of what Christ has sacrificed for us! It is all a labor of love for the one who first loved us!
So I’m enjoying this moment to reflect on a highlight of the year; our Easter services. I’m enjoying the moment to reflect on all the wonderful sacrifices made to make our Easter celebrations so special and I’m reflecting on the fact that God is pleased! After all, is it not that which we desire most? May our Lord remind us to "not neglect doing good…" From Sunday to Sunday, from day to day and in every way, may we seek to please the Risen One. He who showed us the greatest sacrifice and He who showed us what true servant hood is all about!
I remain one who serves with you to please Him -
