All Members, Winter Residents, Family and Friends,
Greeting! October has arrived and so the fall activities begin to fall in line. It is that time of the year that thoughts begin to turn towards the upcoming Holidays and festivities associated with them. Perhaps you have brought out some fall decorations to sparkle up your homes. I know that the big box stores have been gearing up for monthes already. I think I saw my first indication of the holiays on display in late August. Seasonal decorations are great to help people with their annual celebrations. Family and friends seem to get drawn closer to each other to support and celebrate with each other during these upcoming monthes.
I was reminded of the importance of family evey extended family this week. One of my Father’s cousin’s children live in Boca Raton area. Her mother is the lone serviving member of my mother and father’s generation, Aunt Ginny I called her. We went back and forth with memories of our earlier lives when their family would come to the New Jersey shore for visits. The last word I said in my correspondence was we need to stay in touch in the monthes ahead, and she agreed. I say this because I know for my family the ones who would gather the family close and distant together have all passed away and we tend to loose contact with those who once were important to us. I know it is true evey for my own 1st cousins. We hardly talk, I even said the day of Helen’s funeral, “this may very well be the last time we are all together in one room until we gather for one of our own funerals.” We all have family that we have unintentionally lost track of or no longer communicate. Maybe this year is the year you try to ressurect that those relationships, reach out to those whom you may have lost contact with through the years just to say hello and you are thinking of them and their families.
Another relationship that is most important is your relationship with you God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Please if you have fallen away from attending church come back. The Church is a no judgement zone, that is left up to God in the end. The most important relationship you can cultivate and renew this Holiday Season is the one between you and God. “Oh come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.”
I copied this from the internet this weekend. . .
Here are twenty things I believe are true about most pastors I know. I hope this will encourage you to work together with your pastor in sharing the gospel! He needs your prayers and support.
- He loves God and you a lot. (Be mindful.)
- He is a painfully limited human being. (Be realistic.)
- He probably at times has a pretty low view of his “performance”. (Be kind.)
- He wishes he were a better preacher. (Be awake.)
- He really does want God’s best for you and your family. (Be open-hearted.)
- His work knows no time or locational boundaries. (Be patient.)
- He often hears much more negative information than positive. (Be encouraging.)
- He has chosen a vocation in which many leave . (Be praying.)
- He has chosen a highly leadership-intensive call. (Be lead-able.)
- He needs help. (Be available.)
- His God-given vision is bigger than himself and the church. (Be faith-filled.)
- He wants to personally meet all the needs, but knows he can’t. (Be understanding.)
- He’s going to say some dumb things every now and then. (Be forgiving.)
- His family is patient with you, so be patient with them. (Be conscientious.)
- He is greatly encouraged by your faithfulness. (Be there.)
- He is passionate for God’s Word to be made practical to you. (Be hungry.)
- He longs for church to be your spiritual oasis. (Be loving.)
- He dreams for your and your family’s spiritual health. (Be receptive.)
- He needs to hear that you prayed for him. (Be interceding.)
- He’s just a regular guy. (Be real.)
I have attached my sermon on “Goodness” for this coming Sunday.
Have a great week!