New Here?A Note from the Pastor
Sean Roberds | Nov 30, 1999
I have noticed something incredible about our church the past few months. Two encouraging things are happening. People are bringing their neighbors and friends to church and people are making friends with those who are new at our church. This is exciting because I think friendships are the way we help people grow in God. It is less important that everyone in the church know each other and more important that everyone be known by someone in the church. Should we try to learn everyone’s name, sure, but think about it, it would be really hard to know that many people on a deep and meaningful level. Instead, we should work to make sure everyone in our church feels truly known by someone. Let’s continue to invite people to church, our friends, our neighbors and our family! Let’s also work hard to make sure everyone in our church is known and has friends.
As I mentioned Sunday, I will be going with our youth on their trip to Atlanta. We leave Saturday bright and early and will return Friday, July 13. Our Youth will be serving and learning in different places everyday to gain a full experience of different people and the assortment of ways people need help. Our youth will also explore empathy, compassion and calling during this trip. The youth leadership understands that mission trips are not as simple as us going over there to try and help them. We believe that trips like this help us to grow in compassion, understanding of our neighbors and to discover ways God calls and equips us to respond back at home.
While I am away I hope you will welcome Stephen Gray as he preaches for me on July 8th. Stephen is the Associate Pastor at Westwood Baptist Church in Springfield. Stephen is also a part of the covenant group that I belong to and is one of the founding members. I consider Stephen a good friend. Stephen is planning to bring his in-laws to our service. His in-laws are on furlough from serving as missionaries in France. Part of Stephen’s sermon is to allow them to share part of their story.
When I am back in the pulpit on July 15th we will begin a sermon series on Ephesians. The letter to the Ephesians is one of the most masterfully written epistles in the Bible. The letter is full of imagery and poetic, hymn like phrases, that bring forth doxological expressions of Christ and what He means to the church and the world. The writing is also timeless and relevant for the church today. I encourage you to go ahead and start reading through Ephesians.
Keep up the good work and may the Lord bless you and keep you!
Pastor Sean
