Jan 18 email

To my faithful friends and partners in the Gospel.

My wife, Kathryn,  and I had restful and enjoyable vacation before our return last Friday. Vacations are always good to rekindle energy.

I want thank Troy Hagemeister for sharing in the sermon this past Sunday. He had a powerful story about trusting the generosity of God through good times and difficult ones.  There were not many dry eyes in the church.

This Sunday is “Saying no to materialism Sunday” and our storyteller is Nancy Carpenter. We will be preaching about what it means to live simply and not be drawn into the temptation of finding true happiness and peace in things.  We will be talking about leaving the fig tree of material things to find the bigger life God has in store for us.

 

We mailed out the remaining stewardship packets. Be sure to open your packet and read the letter and brochure. Also inside is an estimate of giving card for you to fill out and bring to the worship on “The Great Sunday of Sharing on Jan 25”. We will collect these cards through Feb. 8. You can also mail in your card. These cards help our leadership plan our ministries. We also hope that it helps you to make a thoughtful and prayerful decision about your giving for this year. We have challenge before us of a ministry and mission spending plan of $685,722.

As always we give the right to pass and encourage people to give as they feel God calls them.

Most importantly we want people to sign up in the narthex for the meal on Jan 25 and the talent show entertainment. So far, we have had just a few. This is a great opportunity to have some fun. Any and every talent will be appreciated and enjoyed. The cost is free!

You can also email Judy your reservation and talent.

Also we want stories of giving, God’s generosity and living simply for our Backyard Publication.  You can email these to me or send them to the church office.  Our first publication will be the first week in February.

We will have a worship workshop this Sunday following the 11:00 service. Lunch will be provided. This is open to anyone interested in improving the worship life of our congregation.We will be done by 3:00. Our main work will center on the Lent, Holy Week and Easter.

See you on Sunday!

Pastor Tart