What if you tried this?

We have a special weekend coming up…MEMORIAL DAY! Many times people head out of town because of the extra day in their weekend. Well, I’m happy for you, but I have an idea.

Before you head out on the weekend, join us THURSDAY NIGHT for dinner and worship!!!

Dinner is served between 5:30-6:30pm, then worship starts at 6:30pm.

I’ve been loving our Thursday nights. Dinner before and ice cream after. We have a great time. It’s so special to see people connecting, laughing, and simply enjoying the “family” time.

So, what if you tried it this Thursday?

“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” (Hebrews 3:13 NIV)

Are you stuck in the desert?

Pastor Donnie did a great job this weekend at Community walking us through Hebrew 3. Could you relate to the idea of living in the desert?

God has used those desert seasons in my life to shape and mold me. I’m not looking forward to the next desert experience, but I can now look back fondly at those seasons of the past. I’ll never forgot the pain, but I will always remember the lessons God taught me.

My biggest take-a-way in those seasons was always how God used other people to bring His comfort, His encouragement and His wisdom to me when I needed them most.

Keep your eyes open this week for someone you can encourage!

“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” (Hebrews 3:13 NIV)

Will your story do this?

I love a good story. I really love a great life-change story.

What God has done in our lives is truly amazing. The stories of NEW LIFE are heard from people throughout our church family.

I’m convinced our stories are a powerful tool to be used to point people to Jesus. When a life-change story is told correctly the emphasis is not on our past and all the “fun” we had. The emphasis is not on our effort and how we made ourselves change. The emphasis and point of the story is to show our friends what God has done.

As you tell your story of life change, please keep in mind the power of pointing people to Jesus. When we tell our story, people should want to praise God!

“All they knew was that people were saying, ‘The one who used to persecute us is now preaching the very faith he tried to destroy!’ And they praised God because of me.” (Galatians 1:23-24  NLT)

How is your family?

There are two priorities for our FAMILY (I’m talking about the church family).

First, we need to GATHER. It’s critical that we spend time together in worship, study, fellowship. This can be in big groups and small groups, but we desperately need to be together. Think of all the good that comes out of our times together: encouragement, support, inspiration, help, love, …

We also need to SCATTER!! That’s right. God never intended for His Family to abandoned the culture and live in the hills somewhere all by themselves. We can’t be salt and light unless we are out there making a difference.

This isn’t an “either or” option for us. The church, the Family of God, needs to both GATHER and SCATTER.

As you consider how you do each, be encouraged by this truth found in Hebrews 2…

“So now Jesus and the ones he makes holy have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters.” (Hebrews 2:11  NLT)

Have you heard this recently?

In case I haven’t said it recently…or enough, YOU ARE LOVED!

Yes, God loves us, there’s no doubt about it. But like Paul loved the Thessalonians, I want you to know I love and appreciate the people who call Community their church home.

Yesterday we added a third Sunday service. We announced this just one month ago and our “Change Makers” sprung into action. People at our church responded by stepping up and joining our different teams to ensure all these new people God is sending our way had a great experience and felt at HOME!

So today, I just want to say THANK YOU!!!! What a great church!!! What amazing people God has brought together in this place!!!!

“We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly. As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 1:2-3  NLT)