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Our vision is to be a church where people of all cultures and ages are welcomed to worship; supported in being transformed by God's word; encouraged to be followers of Jesus Christ; and where we embrace those within our own walls and reach out to the global community; and where love is put into action.
Amen"
Joining the winning team
By Rev. Rich Shprecher
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.
(1 Cor 12:27)
Super bowl Sunday (the game!) has made me think about how times have changed. On the Sunday of Super Bowl #1 in 1967 we went out and played some hoops in the morning and then watched the game. I was the worst player on our basketball team but I could run for two hours and I was big enough to be a defensive factor. I had some gifts and I took part. But during the years that followed I started sitting a whole lot more than I ever did before and it shows. I sit by my computer. I sit at the TV. I sit in church. I’m a spectator more often than a participant. (and that’s true for many of us.)
It used to be that when we mentioned “the game,” it was a game we participated in. We went out and played some hoops. We played sand lot baseball or softball. There was a time when even the churches had teams, but that doesn’t happen much anymore. Now we sit and watch. Even our church service and the church has become a spectator sport. And why? Part of it because of the choices we have. We have 1000 channels as well as on line computer content instead of four to twelve channels.
But there is only one choice for salvation and it requires our participation. To become part of the body of Christ we need to choose to get off the couch and use our gifts. The church is us. And the Apostle Paul tells us that we need to participate if the church is to exist. We need to participate and share our gifts. We need to be part of the body of Christ.
I hear people complain about programs we aren’t doing anymore. Those programs were maintained by people who participated. We need new people to step up and share their gifts so that these programs can be restored and new programs developed and old programs maintained. This year the winning coach in the super bowl Tony Dungy said "I'm proud to be the first African-American coach to win this; but …, more than anything, Lovie Smith and I are not only African-American but also Christian coaches, showing you can do it the Lord's way. We're more proud of that."
Let us also do it the Lord’s way. Let us listen to the coaches and get up off our couches and join the Lord’s team. We have been meeting as leaders during these last few months in leadership summits to “ensure that our church lives up to its full potential as God’s church and diligently works to advance the
The season Lent began last Wednesday. It’s an opportunity for us to approach Easter with reflection and prayer so as to strengthen and renew our faith. The following is a list of things that we might do toward that endeavor. It came from Rev. Craig Gates of Jackson Mississippi. I used it to close my sermon last Sunday. He says we should:
GIVE UP grumbling! Instead, "In everything give thanks." Constructive criticism is OK, but "moaning, groaning, and complaining" are not Christian disciplines.
GIVE UP 10 to 15 minutes in bed! Instead, use that time in prayer, Bible study and personal devotion. A few minutes in prayer WILL keep you focused.
GIVE UP looking at other people's worst attributes. Instead concentrate on their best points. We all have faults. It is a lot easier to have people overlook our shortcomings when we overlook theirs first.
GIVE UP speaking unkindly. Instead, let your speech be generous and understanding. It costs so little to say something kind and uplifting or to offer a smile. Why not check that sharp tongue at the door?
GIVE UP your hatred of anyone or anything! Instead, learn the discipline of love. "Love covers a multitude of sins."
GIVE UP your worries and anxieties! They're too heavy for you to carry anyway. Instead, trust God with them. Anxiety is spending emotional energy on something we can do nothing about: like tomorrow! Live today and let God's grace be sufficient.
GIVE UP TV one evening a week! Instead, visit someone who's lonely or sick. There are those who are isolated by illness or age. Why isolate yourself in front of the "tube?" Give someone a precious gift: your time!
GIVE UP buying anything but essentials for yourself! Instead, give the money to God. The money you would spend on the luxuries could help someone meet basic needs. We're called to be stewards of God's riches, not consumers.
GIVE UP judging others by appearances and by the standard of the world! Instead, learn to give up yourself to God. There is only one who has the right to judge, Jesus Christ.
And we might add the following. GIVE UP missing Worship and Sunday School and Wednesday bible study. Attend every service during Lent. What better way to focus on the Cross.