March 24, 2021
Leadership Notes
On Easter, April 4, we will have two worship services:
* 8:30 a.m.
* 10:00 a.m.
Both services will be identical. A huge thank you to our worship leaders and tech team for being a part of both. While there will be no sign-ups for each service, we don't anticipate any overcrowding. As people decide which service to attend, I'm confident there will be a nice balance.
A recent Pew Research shows that 39% of Christians plan on attending worship on Easter. The pre-Covid average is 62%. What do you make of these numbers?
I've always believed that good Christian music is just as good when quoted as when sung with the melody. Case in point:
And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing He bled and died to take away my sin Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
The books I'm reading now {when I pull myself away from Netflix and Amazon Prime} are:
* "Live Not By Lies - A Manual for Christian Dissidents" by Rod Dreher.
* "Defining Deception" by Costi W. Hinn & Anthony G. Wood.
Waiting in the bullpen is:
* "Pappyland - A Story of Family, Fine Bourbon, and the Things That Last" by Wright Thompson.
They'll probably carry me into the summer. I also have two new commentaries on Paul's letter to the Galatians as I prepare for our upcoming series on Galatians. What are you reading? Or maybe podcasts are your thing. What are you listening to?
Speaking of Sunday messages, on April 11 I will begin a multi-part series on what it means to be a right-to-life church. Preparing for these messages has really challenged me. I have had to negotiate being forthrightly Biblical without being sensationalistic. At times it might feel like a punch to the gut, but I trust the clarity of God's grace and mercy will always be evident. We will be collecting items for Care Pregnancy Center throughout this series.
Most timely thing I've heard this week: "Much confusion comes from judging economic policies by the goals they proclaim rather than the incentives they create." {Thomas Sowell}
Most oldest timely thing I've heard this week: "John Calvin once said the human heart is an idol factory. Desiring power more than we desire love, we will make idols out of just about anything." {Scott Sauls}
I am refreshed and encouraged by the insight of many of the young Christians on social media. They are Reformed/Calvinist/Leaning Calvinist in their thinking. It bodes well for the future of the church in America.
For example, from Samuel Sey:
I sin against a Holy and Pure God. That troubles me much more than other
people sinning against sinners like me. God is patient and gracious with
me, I should be the same with people who've offended me less than I've
offended God.
Or this from John Mason:
I take absolutely no pride in being black, for the culture, or from Africa.
None of it adds value to my citizenship in heaven or adoption into a chosen
race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, or being a fellow heir with Christ. If
there's anything to boast in, it's in Christ.
Finally, this from Jackie Hill Perry:
It has to be incredibly exhausting to see something wrong about
everything all the time. There is a better way. It's called thankfulness. It's
called love. It's called hope.
I love these young believers and how they are outliers from many of their generation. Soli Deo Gloria…glory to God alone!
And now, your Moment of Spurgeon:
{The Christian} has not to go, as some of you have, to the next
neighbour to say, 'What am I to do? What is the best policy?' The
Christian has no policy; he does right, and leaves consequences to
God."
With Much Love and Affection,
Richard