April 2018

Dear Friends,
Jesus is Alive! We just remembered the suffering and sacrificial death of Jesus and then this past Sunday celebrated His resurrection! Because of His sacrifice for us, we can be forgiven of our sins and because of His resurrection, we know that we can have abundant life, a life freed from the power of sin, and an eternal life in heaven at the end of our earthly existence! That, my friends, is Good News! That is the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Have you confessed your sins so that his sacrifice is effective for you? Have you fully given yourself over to God for Him to be Lord of your life so that His Spirit can cleanse you and transform you without you getting in His way?
Our discipleship groups are up and running, studying the Bible together using a study entitled “Passages.” “Passage” is defined as:

1. Part of a path or journey.
   
2. An act or instance of passing from one place, condition to another; transit.
   
3. A portion or section of a written work; a paragraph, verse.
   

“Passages,” the study, is all these things. “It is a journey from one spiritual place to another and from one state of relationship to another. With the passages of Scripture as the map,” those in these groups are journeying further up and further into their relationship with God, themselves, and their traveling companions.
If you did not get into a group this time around, I encourage you to make sure that you get into one during the next round. Let Pastor Connie or me know that you are interested. Many, if not all, of those in the groups will be looking to start their own group once they complete Passages. We are growing spiritually through these groups, through our Sunday School classes, through our worship services and sermons, through individual and family devotions, and through serving God with our lives.
This past Sunday I announced the retirement of Denise Hites as our Administrative Assistant. She has served faithfully in this position for 33 years and we can’t thank her enough for all of her work through which she has gone above and beyond in the “job description” in service to God and this local congregation. Be sure to let her know how much you love and appreciate her! She will continue working as our church treasurer, for which we are very thankful.
I also introduced our new Administrative Assistant Jenifer Crowl, who started working with Denise on April 2nd in order to learn from her throughout the month of April. Jen and her husband, Steve, and their two girls, Faith and Eden, have been attending our church since VBS in 2016. Jen comes to us with excellent skills in many of the areas involved with being our Administrative Assistance and the Church Board voted unanimously to hire her for 20 hours per week. Steve and Jen have been really growing as disciples of Christ and she recently shared this praise with me:
Over the past few months a wonderful and amazing change has been taking place within me. I believed my whole life I WAS living for God and that I was so close to His understanding. Now I realize how far off I actually was! I’ve always, always known I was meant to do God’s work. I’ve always felt that was an honor! However, I never felt a clear assignment. When I went to God in prayer He told me, ‘You have a willing heart, but you’ve still never read the manual!’ So, for the first time I have been READING the Bible. Actually READING and studying. NOW, I understand what they mean by the ‘Living Word’! Something wonderful and filling happens while reading! I can’t explain it with words very well, yet I know it’s an amazing feeling that I suddenly can’t get enough of! I am excited because finally NOW God can use me more effectively in His purposes.
Jen states that she is excited to serve the church and help it to thrive and grow. Jen, “WELCOME”!
In Christ’s Love,
Pastor Wayne