Last Sunday, we prayed for our work at the House of Hope. Great things are happening there. We’re cooking meals, playing games, building meaningful relationships, and proclaiming Christ’s love. It’s all happening right here in Old Towne Orange—and you can be a part of the mission too. All you need to do is sign up below. So, start praying and come see all that the Lord is doing. We’ll be there next Wednesday (11/30).
The question is asked every Thanksgiving: What are you thankful for? For some, it’s easy to answer. For others, the question requires a little more thought. Perhaps you aren’t even used to thinking about thankfulness. Maybe it’s something you only think about once a year. This shouldn’t be the case for Christians.
For the Christian, thanksgiving is not just a holiday—it’s a way of life. God commands us to abound in thanksgiving as we walk in Christ (Col 2:6-7). We are to give thanks for everything (Eph 5:20) and in all circumstances (1 Thess 5:18). How is this possible? Because our attitude isn’t dependent on our situation. We’re always thankful because we have been redeemed from sin, united with Christ, and trust in the sovereignty and goodness of God! This means that a fundamental mark of the Christian is joy expressed through thanksgiving.
So, approach that question differently this year. What are you thankful for? Well, for the Christian, it’s an amazing answer. We’ve been saved through faith, and we have a Father who gives us all we need (2 Cor 9:8; James 1:17). Take a moment and reflect on these truths. There’s plenty to be thankful for.
Our Prayer Service next week is canceled. But we still want you to pray! Make it a priority to set aside a few minutes and spend intentional time in prayer next week. Not sure what to pray for? Here are a few suggestions:
Church members and friends. Just like we mentioned in the Members Meeting, go through the church member roll and pray for each name. Lift up needs as they come to mind. Pray for our regular attenders and guests too.
Family. Pray for the loved ones you’ll be with this week. Pray for and welcome in those who are alone or without family.
Praise God for his goodness. Think of the ways God has provided for you. Think of the gospel. There’s so much to be thankful for. In fact, here’s a great article about gratefulness by Ben Kreps, a Sovereign Grace pastor. We highly recommend that you read it. It gives practical steps to cultivating gratefulness in one’s heart. It will help you see what God is doing in your life more clearly.
We’ll be back next month. Go ahead and mark your calendars for December 27th. Until then, keep praying and praising God.
“In light of this mercy and grace from God, we have endless reasons for profound gratitude in every and any season. In Christ, we may rightly declare, ‘He has raised my soul from death to life! My sins are washed away! I am an adopted child of God! I have been transferred out the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light! My future is glorious!’ How can we not be grateful? “ - Ben Kreps
Last week, the Pastoral Team nominated Bob Gnewuch and Zac Davis for diaconate ministry. These men have faithfully served our church, and we believe that they are qualified for this ministry. Now, the Pastoral Team is asking for your feedback. This process involves the pastors and the church. If you’re a church member, click the button below and fill out the form. You’ll find all the details there.
We took a moment to honor our pastors last Sunday. We’re grateful for all they do, and respect them for their work (1 Thess 5:12-13). That said, we want to continue to encouragement them. Here’s 4 reasons why we appreciate our pastors:
They care for us. Our pastors constantly sacrife their own desires and put the church first. They do all they can to keep watch over our souls (Heb 13:17).
They preach and teach the gospel. Our pastors labor to proclaim the gospel week after week (1 Tim 5:17). We’re confident we’re hearing good doctrine.
They lead well. In the ups and downs and in mission and ministry, our pastors skillfully lead our church. They want the best for us and our community.
Their hearts are full of joy. Regardless of what is going on, our pastors remain joyful. Their happiness in Christ is evident.
Simply put, we love our pastors. Let’s continue to encourage and pray for them.
We’ve preached hundreds of sermons since our church began. And each sermon has had the same message. We preach the death and resurrection of Christ. However, many people offer competing claims about what the message of Christianity really is. Pastor Eric gives us three observations that help us see that this message is a revelation from God himself.
Our Members Meeting was last Sunday. Here’s what we talked about:
Member Roll. We discussed people joining the church, leaving the church, and how to use this list as a prayer list for one another.
Finances. Deacon Dave gave us a financial overview and the possibility of future investments.
Deacon Nominations. Bob Gnewuch and Zac Davis were nominated for diaconate ministry, and we need your input. Give us your feedback here.
Prophecy. We’re exhorting the entire church to listen and watch for the Spirit’s leadings and promptings. Prophecy builds up the church, so we want it to be present in our church (1 Cor 14:1-5).
If you were unable to attend, contact the church office for all the notes.
If you’re looking to get plugged in or play a bigger part in the church, our small groups are the place to start. We’re all about relationships. While each group is unique, you can always expect there to be care, counseling, prayer, and lots of fun. It’s a safe place to open up and get to know others. We invite you to visit as many groups as you need in order to find the one that fits you best.