THE YEAR OF THE HOLY SPIRIT…
I will be talking about the Holy Spirit for some weeks to come. I’m very impressed with a book by Henry Blackaby called “Experiencing The Spirit.” It reminds us of the role, purpose and power of the Holy Spirit in the Word and in our lives today. I’ve ordered 10 of these books for our book store. They will be $10. Only 8 left! The Spirit is vital to our strong connection with God. He is the source of our Christian walk. He is truly the counselor we all need. My challenge is for all of us to focus on The Holy Spirit this year as individuals and as a church body. We need to be filled with the Spirit.
A CULTURE OF HONOR (2)…
I talked last week about the new year ahead and the importance of building and supporting an experience at Set Free that brings honor and glory to the Father. We come to worship HIM when we come to Set Free. We are here to seek HIS heart and HIS will. This is HIS place. We are HIS people. He has HIS work to be done. Each time we come to this place we need to be coming in expectation of what HE wants to do in and through each one of us. I truly believe God has a great plan for this ministry in the coming year, but we have to be willing to surrender our wills and our wants and wishes to HIM.
HONOR OTHERS BY NOT SMOKING NEAR BACK DOOR…
or bringing your drinks into the sanctuary. Thanks.
FUNERAL HERE THIS AFTERNOON…
for a family with no church. Please help us leave the church clean for them to use. It is great that Set Free and New Life can serve the community with our building at times.
MIDWEEK GOD CONNECTION…
on Wednesday night to worship and dive into the all powerful Word of God! Starts at 6:30 pm with worship and 7:00 with the class on The Secrets of the Vine from John 15. Absolutely powerful teaching.
LETTER FROM COMPASSION SPONSORED GIRL…
Maria send a letter to us. She says: “Dear Set Free Christian Fellowship…I was turning 10 on October 16. I am grateful to God for a year more in my life. I am so happy to be in 5th grade because I find many lessons and I am glad to learn with my friends….all the best from my family. Thank you.” NOTE: we support Maria each month by sponsoring her through Compassion International each month.
CARING OPPORTUNITIES…
Who has been missing from worship lately? Can you ask the Holy Spirit who you can write an encouragement card to? How about writing a card to the family of the boy who was killed this last week?
THE CHRISTIAN JOURNAL…
our theme for 2012 is various topics from the book of Ephesians. Our first issue is on Predestination from Ephesians 1:11. What is Paul talking about? I’m expecting God to richly use this newspaper each month to touch thousands of people and fill them with encouragement and inspiration. Your prayers help and your donations are appreciated as well. Is there someone you can sponsor a subscription to this year?
GOD’S FOOD PANTRY…
Tina is actively seeking and applying to various organizations and foundations to help with the costs of this work and to be able to expand it. She has a desire to start a diaper pantry to help young families. She also dreams of a store to sell donated items that can no only generate income but provide good usable items at affordable prices for families. We are feeding more and more people and it is costing more and more. We appreciate any donations that come to help.
CELEBRATE RECOVERY…
New Year’s resolution…work on my own growth in the Lord. CR is a great opportunity to address the key issues of how to overcome (anything) that holds me captive. Jesus died to set us free from the power of sin. So, why not start this Thursday at 6:30 pm. Could be the best decision you make for 2012! We had nine people here on Thursday from Rogue Retreat. It is a great partner ministry.
ROGUE RETREAT…
I was talking with our case managers on Monday and asked what percentage of the participants they are working with are doing well in the program. We determined we are doing well with 50-75% of the people. Of course we want to improve that, but to think that 2-3 out of 4 are doing well is awesome. Thanks for your prayers and support. We continue to invite people who want to support this ministry to help with our $ a week for Rogue Retreat. The $ can be $1, $5, $10 or whatever. We even have current residents giving $ a week to Rogue Retreat. You can find donation envelopes in the foyer or Heather will send them to you. Call (541) 499-0880.
BOOK STORE….
Please take time today to look over the selection of items. We have some great books that will inspire your walk with the Lord for just a few dollars. Treat yourself to a new book for the New Year.
POP OPEN CARDS…
“Do you like sharing the Word of God with others? Sometimes we just don’t know the right words to say. It seems like EVERY time I give a card it hold just the right message to the recipient that he or she needed at that precise moment. God has a way of guiding the right card into the right hand at the right time. Buy some today and see for yourself. Make 2012 a year of encouragement with Pop Open Cards!” Heather Hoyle-Aney
READ THROUGH THE BIBLE THIS YEAR…
do you want to read through your Bible this year? We have some good guides available on our information table. Pick one up and follow it. I can’t emphasize enough how vital it is to read the Word daily and allow the Holy Spirit to teach us from it. I’ve never met a strong believeR who isn’t in the Word daily.
I ASKED THE DEACONS TO PRAY WITH ME…
for a bigger place to worship and do ministry out of. I’ve asked the Lord for years about this and so far He has provided what we are in. I see the limitations we have with this place and I long for more room for worship, for an adequate children’s program, for a larger food pantry work and for our ever growing Rogue Retreat ministry. Even our pop open cards seems to be growing and will take more room. The Word tells us to ASK and it will be given. It is far better to ASK than to try to make it happen by our own efforts, but we must ASK and keep ASKING according to the teachings of Jesus on prayer. Will you ASK with me? Will you believe with me?
