October 21, 2008

Good Moanin' Springfieldians,

Did you agree with this statement from the sermon Sunday, "Faith (trust) is better than certainty."? I told how I'd rather trust Teri than have absolute certainty that she was always faithful. Even if Gregg was able to invent a Teri-Cam that kept her under surveillance 24 hours every day, I would rather trust her than absolute knowledge of her faithfulness. Our relationship is deeper, more profound because I trust her.

The same is true in our relationship with God. It is better to have faith, trust Him; trust His Word, trust that He will do what He has said He will do  than to have to see and know the results before we act. Remember the Hebrew preacher said, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." (Hebrews 10:1)

Did you hear the one about the three guys in a plane: the pilot, a Boy Scout, and the world's smartest man? The engine fails, the plane is going down, and there are only two parachutes. The smartest man in the world quickly grabs one and says, "I'm sorry about this, but I'm the smartest man in the world; I have a responsibility to the planet," and he jumps out of the plane. The pilot turns to the Boy Scout and speaks about how he has already lived a long, full life and how the Boy Scout has his whole life in front of him; and how he might just make a real difference in the world  so he tells the Boy Scout to take the last parachute and live. The Boy Scout responds by saying, "Relax, Captain, the smartest man in the world just jumped out of the plane with my backpack."

Our world is full of smart people jumping out of planes with backpacks. One of the paradoxes of faith and doubt is that it is the ultimate intellectual challenge, yet simple uneducated people may live with great wisdom and PhDs may choose folly.

One thing is for sure: sooner or later the plane is going down. We are all on the same plane. Smart guys and Boy Scouts alike; and everybody has to jump. Everybody has to choose a parachute. No one will know who will chose wisely until after they jump.

But let me tell you, you will not be disappointed by that leap of faith.

That's why we're going to have these six weeks of prayer gatherings on Wednesdays, because we believe without always seeing, that God works when His people gather together to pray. We believe without always seeing that "God works for the good of those that love Him and are called according to His purpose."

Let me really encourage you to be a part of these gatherings. Is there something going on in your life and family where you need God to give wisdom, intervene, or work in a redemptive way? Let's pray together about it. Is there someone you know that desperately needs the Lord? Let's pray together. Are you desiring to see God use us as a church in a greater way? Let's pray together. Do you believe our nation is in need of revival? Let's pray together.

This Wednesday, that would be tomorrow, October 22, I've asked Pastor Jay to share his story and how God worked in his life in amazing ways as he was growing up  and it can all be traced back to a grandmother than never quit praying for her grandson. Last season at Momentum, PJ shared his story with the students and many turned to Christ that evening. It didn't happen simply because he told them a story, but because he, our teens, and others had been praying specifically for that Halftime.

God has called us to be a House of Prayer this Season of Celebration Gathering and then the six Wednesday prayer gatherings that follow are a part of us becoming what God has called us to. Will you be apart of those times of prayer?

Are you willing to take the leap of faith?

Did You Know?????????????????

Season of Celebration Gathering  This Wednesday, October 22, like tomorrow, at 6:15 p.m.

Upward Evaluations and Sign up this Saturday, October 25th. Girls and boys 1st-6th grades are invited to be a part of the Upward Basketball program. The time is 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. You can drop in any time during that time frame. Your child will not only learn and improve their basketball skills, but will experience good sportsmanship and make new friends as well. Cost is $50 per child, $60 after October 25th. Practices will begin the week of December 1st and games will begin on Saturday, January 10, 2009.

Spiritual Leadership for Men- All men are invited to be apart of a Small Group meeting on Thursday evenings, beginning October 23rd, from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

There will be an All-Church Pastors Appreciation Reception on this Sunday evening, October 26th , at 6:00 p.m.

The next Blood Drive is tomorrow, Wednesday, October 22. Call Pat Fowler at 529-9597 for an appointment, and avoid having to wait in line. They are so appreciative of you being willing to give what's in your heart.

Wednesday Night Connection. This week's dinner menu is: Ham or Hamburger Horseshoe, Tossed Salad, Assorted cookies.

Kidz Express on Wednesday evenings from 6:00  6:15 p.m. will be a time of games and activities before the start of Caravan. Gloria Sanguedolce is planning great times for the kids.

We are in need of some more volunteers to help staff the nursery both on Sundays and especially on Wednesdays. It may come to the place where we can not offer this important ministry to families if there are not some more volunteers.

This coming Sunday, October 26, our wonderful nursery volunteers are: Kathleen Hochstetler with the infants; and Deb Bowman and Breanna Cambre with the toddlers, and Cassie Bott as the floater. This Wednesday there will be no nursery so the entire church family can be a part of the Season Celebration Gathering. Thank you!

Upcoming Events:

November 2 - Daylight Savings Time Ends  and an extra hour of sleep! Yahoo!

November 7-9  Teen Spiritual Life Retreat

November 8-9 Coffeehouse Comedy

November 22, 11:00 a.m. Turkey Bowl on the grounds

November 23  Breadline Sunday

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CHILDREN MINISTRIES

Upward Basketball sign-up will be on Saturday, October 25.

TEEN MINISTRY

This coming Friday, October 24th, Momentum is on. Friday, October 31st it's OFF.

Teen Girls' Bible Study  will meet on Monday evenings at 7:00 p.m., at Sue Bagley's home (327 Osteen, Chatham) All teen girls are invited for the fellowship and Bible study.

PRAYER REQUESTS........

Those listed in Sunday's bulletin

Lynette Heppe

Renee Gallaher's mother

Ty Miller (Nancy Prillaman's grandson)

Jamie Scott's father passed away Saturday

Richard Morgan

Tom and Pam Marsh - Tom's father, Glenn Meeker, passed away. The visitation will be Tuesday from 4-7 PM, and the funeral service will be Wednesday at noon at Staab Funeral Home.

Jeff Gemar's niece passed away