If you were present Sunday you were able to see our new sign on the front of the building. Some may think, what's the big deal about a sign? After all it's only painted wood with some vinyl artwork on it!
I believe it's a big deal for all of those who have been working so hard to have The Grove noticed in the community. It's also part of the finishing touches being done to the outside. Several men have been working into the darkness some nights to spruce up the building in preparation for our annual children's harvest party on Saturday from 1-4 and our "24" month anniversary this Sunday.
Games and prizes and crafts will entertain the kids on Saturday. Another great breakfast spread and some surprises during worship will delight all those in attendance on Sunday.
Invitations are going out and we're asking everyone to get the word out about our new series entitled, "24 - Making the Most of Your Life". Our three week series will focus on the workday, the home and the weekend.
November 11th we will have a tail gate party in our lot right after church and then go inside to watch the Browns beat up on the Steelers on our new widescreen projection system!
If you've not been able to attend for a while, this weekend would be a great time to get back into the habit. We're picking up momentum and we want to pack the auditorium this Sunday. Don't forget to reset your clocks - we don't want you to miss any of the fun!
As always, let me know if there's anything you need!
Jeff
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
P.I.G. Roast
Hello again,
In my previous life I would take offense to that opportunity. It meant something totally different to me when I was a cop. Then one day a fellow officer told me that PIG stood for Pride Integrity and Guts!
It took on a whole different meaning and the title no longer caused me to react.
We're hosting a great time of fun and food this weekend where we will roast a poor pig (yum). It will start with a scavenger hunt and then end at the Keeney Gathering Place on Girdled Rd. where there will be plenty of laughs. I hope you are planning on attending! Contact me if you haven't already signed up.
This whole P.I.G. thing got me thinking though. Would you attach the words pride, integrity and guts to your christian walk. Now before you quote me scripture that says pride comes before the fall - let me explain.
A couple of definitions might be in order. Dictionary.com states that pride is:
1.the state or feeling of being proud.
2. something that causes a person or persons to be proud
Could that describe how you feel about your belief in Jesus Christ? Are you proud of being a Christian?
Integrity - now we all know what that means. Does your integrity inspire others - cause others to want to be more like you?
Guts - do you have the guts to share your witness with someone else?
I hope to shed more light on this Sunday when our theme is Grace Anatomy: Grace For Others
Don't miss out on either Saturday or Sunday - see you then.
Jeff
In my previous life I would take offense to that opportunity. It meant something totally different to me when I was a cop. Then one day a fellow officer told me that PIG stood for Pride Integrity and Guts!
It took on a whole different meaning and the title no longer caused me to react.
We're hosting a great time of fun and food this weekend where we will roast a poor pig (yum). It will start with a scavenger hunt and then end at the Keeney Gathering Place on Girdled Rd. where there will be plenty of laughs. I hope you are planning on attending! Contact me if you haven't already signed up.
This whole P.I.G. thing got me thinking though. Would you attach the words pride, integrity and guts to your christian walk. Now before you quote me scripture that says pride comes before the fall - let me explain.
A couple of definitions might be in order. Dictionary.com states that pride is:
1.the state or feeling of being proud.
2. something that causes a person or persons to be proud
Could that describe how you feel about your belief in Jesus Christ? Are you proud of being a Christian?
Integrity - now we all know what that means. Does your integrity inspire others - cause others to want to be more like you?
Guts - do you have the guts to share your witness with someone else?
I hope to shed more light on this Sunday when our theme is Grace Anatomy: Grace For Others
Don't miss out on either Saturday or Sunday - see you then.
Jeff
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Accepting The Call
Before my week gets away from me I thought I should post one more time.
My morning devotion challenged me to think about the "Big Day" we will hold on Sunday, November 4th. This will be an all out effort to grow the Grove and break our growth barrier. But we can't do it without you! Read Dr. Charles Stanley's devotional from Crosswalk.com and then hang in there for a couple of additional comments.
Walking Through God's Open Door
2 Corinthians 5:20-21
Man's redemption has always been of supreme importance to God. Consider what this required: divine justice needed to be satisfied--that is, sin's penalty had to be paid. In addition, forgiveness had to be provided for everyone guilty of sinning against the Lord. The solution was costly: to redeem mankind, the Father sacrificed His one and only Son to die in our place. All who believe in the saving work of Jesus Christ have received incalculable blessing. They've been reconciled to the Lord, made part of His family, and given life eternal. God has charged believers to spread the good news of salvation around the globe and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19). When He opens doors of service for us, we can walk through them confidently. We have His indwelling Spirit to strengthen, guide, and equip us. We will be able to carry out our assignment because of His amazing divine power (Romans 8:11; Ephesians 3:16). So why should we ever be reluctant to do as God asks? Many times our perspective is shortsighted: perhaps we cannot see how to add one more task to our schedule, or we allow insecurity about criticism, failure, or finances to drive our decisions. None of these things prove an obstacle to the Lord, however. He can open up windows of time, stretch our paycheck, and give us victories in ways we couldn't imagine in our human thinking. God is waiting for His children to accept the high calling of serving Him as ambassadors for Jesus Christ. What answer will you give Him?"
______________________
So why should we ever be reluctant to do as God asks? There's a lot of reasons people have shared with me as to why they don't invite others to join them at The Grove; fear of rejection, not knowing enough to answer all of people's questions. But it would seem to me that if we held a sense of urgency over the fact that family, friends, co-workers are separated from God and we're not - why wouldn't we want them to experience the same blessings we do? Dr. Stanley reminds us that none of these are obstacles for the Lord.So please start picturing in your mind the faces and names of those you want to invite to our Big Day - start to ask God for the courage and opportunity to invite them, and then DO IT!
In His Grip,
Jeff
My morning devotion challenged me to think about the "Big Day" we will hold on Sunday, November 4th. This will be an all out effort to grow the Grove and break our growth barrier. But we can't do it without you! Read Dr. Charles Stanley's devotional from Crosswalk.com and then hang in there for a couple of additional comments.
Walking Through God's Open Door
2 Corinthians 5:20-21
Man's redemption has always been of supreme importance to God. Consider what this required: divine justice needed to be satisfied--that is, sin's penalty had to be paid. In addition, forgiveness had to be provided for everyone guilty of sinning against the Lord. The solution was costly: to redeem mankind, the Father sacrificed His one and only Son to die in our place. All who believe in the saving work of Jesus Christ have received incalculable blessing. They've been reconciled to the Lord, made part of His family, and given life eternal. God has charged believers to spread the good news of salvation around the globe and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19). When He opens doors of service for us, we can walk through them confidently. We have His indwelling Spirit to strengthen, guide, and equip us. We will be able to carry out our assignment because of His amazing divine power (Romans 8:11; Ephesians 3:16). So why should we ever be reluctant to do as God asks? Many times our perspective is shortsighted: perhaps we cannot see how to add one more task to our schedule, or we allow insecurity about criticism, failure, or finances to drive our decisions. None of these things prove an obstacle to the Lord, however. He can open up windows of time, stretch our paycheck, and give us victories in ways we couldn't imagine in our human thinking. God is waiting for His children to accept the high calling of serving Him as ambassadors for Jesus Christ. What answer will you give Him?"
______________________
So why should we ever be reluctant to do as God asks? There's a lot of reasons people have shared with me as to why they don't invite others to join them at The Grove; fear of rejection, not knowing enough to answer all of people's questions. But it would seem to me that if we held a sense of urgency over the fact that family, friends, co-workers are separated from God and we're not - why wouldn't we want them to experience the same blessings we do? Dr. Stanley reminds us that none of these are obstacles for the Lord.So please start picturing in your mind the faces and names of those you want to invite to our Big Day - start to ask God for the courage and opportunity to invite them, and then DO IT!
In His Grip,
Jeff
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
I'm An Ignoramus
Webster tells us the definition of ignorant is: "lacking knowledge or comprehension of the thing specified".
That would mean that a person who lacks knowledge or comprehension of the thing specified would be an "ignoramus".
It seems that the older I get the more I am at ease saying, "I don't know." I guess sometimes I'm an ignoramus.
Now that statement alone may cause you to say, why would I want to read his blog? The answer - to see just how dumb this guy really is!
Actually we are all on a journey and as the pastor of a growing church we do know some things with certainty but life is messy - and full of I don't knows.
So I guess you will have to read this blog regularly to find out what I know to be true and also what I don't. Maybe you can even set me straight?
I hope to write a few times a week - short blogs to keep you informed about what's happening at The Grove as well as send out the call to join in the fun. So stay tuned, and let me know you're reading.
Tomorrow I'll write again.
In His Grip,
Jeff
That would mean that a person who lacks knowledge or comprehension of the thing specified would be an "ignoramus".
It seems that the older I get the more I am at ease saying, "I don't know." I guess sometimes I'm an ignoramus.
Now that statement alone may cause you to say, why would I want to read his blog? The answer - to see just how dumb this guy really is!
Actually we are all on a journey and as the pastor of a growing church we do know some things with certainty but life is messy - and full of I don't knows.
So I guess you will have to read this blog regularly to find out what I know to be true and also what I don't. Maybe you can even set me straight?
I hope to write a few times a week - short blogs to keep you informed about what's happening at The Grove as well as send out the call to join in the fun. So stay tuned, and let me know you're reading.
Tomorrow I'll write again.
In His Grip,
Jeff
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