Hi Friends,
I can’t believe it, but we are already a third of the way through the summer. You probably don’t appreciate that reminder. But don’t get mad at the messenger! Please take it as an encouragement to enjoy this season while it is still here 🙂
As I said in our family meeting, we have some big changes coming this Fall as we will be going to two services. I know there may be mixed feelings about this change. I have mixed feelings too. But here are some things we can pray about that will help posture our hearts for what God has for us in this new season of our church life together.
1. Let’s pray for a heart of hospitality.
The reason we are going to two services is to make room for more people. If God didn’t want to bring more people here, we wouldn’t need to make any changes. But we believe God has been clear to us that there are more lost men, women, and children that He wants to save through them hearing the gospel at Christ Church. Also, some Christians are hungry to grow and mature in their faith, and God wants us to be their church. And so, since we are at our building’s current capacity, it would also be selfish to stay as is and turn these people away. If we are here to serve the Lord, we want to be led by Him and make room for what He wants to do. So let’s pray that God would not only help us make more room in our meeting space but also that he would make room in our hearts to embrace the people He wants to reach through us.
2. Let’s pray for a heart of worship.
One of the great opportunities of having two services is that, for many, you now have the opportunity to attend one service and serve at one. It is a blessing to serve, but there is also something sweet about being able to come and receive. Having two services gives you the option to do both. So this change gives more people a greater opportunity to have undistracted times of worship and an increased ability to worship God through serving. If you are not currently on a ministry team, you can signup here. If you are on a ministry team, your leader will contact you about your availability starting in the Fall.
3. Let’s pray for a heart of love.
One of the strengths of Christ Church is that we really love to be together. We shouldn’t take that for granted, and being split across two services certainly will create some hurdles to this enjoyment. But two services do not have to hinder us from being together. It just means we will have to be more intentional. We will purposefully create space between the two services for coffee and maybe some refreshments where we can enjoy spending time with one another. We will also continue looking for ways to be together as an entire church, like our monthly picnics and other such things. So pray that God would help you continue to have a heart of love for the whole church and a desire to be intentional in finding ways to live that love out by taking advantage of the opportunities we have to all be together.
We will have a family meeting on September 10th and officially launch our two services on September 17th. The first service will be at 9 am, and the second service will be at 11 am.
God has done incredible things in our midst over the past eight years. And as we think about all He has done, may that build our anticipation for what He will do. So let’s seek the Lord. Let’s pray. Let’s be expectant and anticipate with faith the great work He will do for His glory.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Jeff