Unity Sunday!
From time to time, I will show video clips to had a little spice to illustrations or to drive a point home. Yesterday, I used a man on the street clip answer the simple question, "Why do people go to Church". It was amazing the reaction of those attending our Celebration Service. We started out laughing and ended up in silence. The producer of this clip did a very good job of driving their point across. That many people that don't go to Church don't know why those who do.
At first, the thought came . . .Then why don't they come to church and find out. That seems reasonable, after all, they need to know so they need to do something about it. Listen to me, "THEY", what is that all about. If I remember the bible correctly, we were encouraged to go out, not ask them to come in. We certainly have our work cut out for us.
Have a blessed day!
Monday, January 23, 2006
Monday, January 16, 2006
A Sunday of Merging
Wow, what a day!
As spoken about before, we celebrated the merging of two churches on Sunday at the Chapel. Good News Foursquare church and The Chapel began their new life together as one unified church.
One of the members shared with me that during a devotional time as they prayed about the merger, in his spirit he saw the birth of Christ and he was taken quickly to the verse in Luke chapter two that says “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” As he reflected on this picture and scripture, he felt the spirit of God saying to him, this is a picture of the new merged church, you are now together and will grow in wisdom, stature, and favor with men and God. Lord, let this be sow.
In a short conversation I had with Pastor Bruce, he did mention that some of the folks from Good News Foursquare was a little bit nervous, and rightly so. After all, they were doing most of the changing. From moving from there small building to the campus of Reynolds High School. From a known structure of the Sunday morning events, to a new order of events. From mingling with a few folks that they new very well to a church four times larger then theirs. No wonder they were a little bit nervoucs. But both Bruce and Betty were both excited to see the people of Good News very excited about the future after the service had concluded.
God surly has wonderful things planed for The Chapel as we start another Chapter together with new friends and a bright future.
God is Good, all the time!
Wow, what a day!
As spoken about before, we celebrated the merging of two churches on Sunday at the Chapel. Good News Foursquare church and The Chapel began their new life together as one unified church.
One of the members shared with me that during a devotional time as they prayed about the merger, in his spirit he saw the birth of Christ and he was taken quickly to the verse in Luke chapter two that says “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” As he reflected on this picture and scripture, he felt the spirit of God saying to him, this is a picture of the new merged church, you are now together and will grow in wisdom, stature, and favor with men and God. Lord, let this be sow.
In a short conversation I had with Pastor Bruce, he did mention that some of the folks from Good News Foursquare was a little bit nervous, and rightly so. After all, they were doing most of the changing. From moving from there small building to the campus of Reynolds High School. From a known structure of the Sunday morning events, to a new order of events. From mingling with a few folks that they new very well to a church four times larger then theirs. No wonder they were a little bit nervoucs. But both Bruce and Betty were both excited to see the people of Good News very excited about the future after the service had concluded.
God surly has wonderful things planed for The Chapel as we start another Chapter together with new friends and a bright future.
God is Good, all the time!
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Repeating is Good
Below you will find an artical that is on our web front page as well. It's about our upcoming merger.
A whole new chapter will begin as we celebrate our 9th birthday on January 15th of this New Year. This year is very special because we will have some new people to celebrate with. As many of you know, Good News Foursquare Church and The Chapel, a foursquare church here in Troutdale will be joining together to form one church. Pastor Bruce Olson and his wonderful wife Betty will be taking on a new role as Associate Pastor. For 13 years, they have been faithfully loving and serving the people of Good News and this will continue as they hand over their head pastor duties to Pastor David of The Chapel.
The merger of the two churches had its beginnings with Good News as they were looking for ways to become more effective in reaching new people in East County. Through conversations with the Mt. Hood District leadership, the option of merging with The Chapel became the clear choice to accomplish their heart's desire. With several meetings accomplished, the Council and membership of Good News Foursquare church voted unanimously to pursue this end. With the request made, the Council of The Chapel fully agreed that not only would this be good for Good News, but it could also be good for The Chapel and on December 11th, the membership of The Chapel also sent a strong message with an overwhelming majority saying "yes" to the merge.With the approval of the International Church forthcoming, the people of Good News Foursquare Church and The Chapel will become one church. Both congregations will be meeting at Reynolds High School on Sunday mornings. The Good News Church building on 192nd will serve as an ancillary facility for additional ministries throughout the week. We invite anyone in our area to come and celebrate with us at 10:30 am on January 15th for our first Sunday together.
Below you will find an artical that is on our web front page as well. It's about our upcoming merger.
A whole new chapter will begin as we celebrate our 9th birthday on January 15th of this New Year. This year is very special because we will have some new people to celebrate with. As many of you know, Good News Foursquare Church and The Chapel, a foursquare church here in Troutdale will be joining together to form one church. Pastor Bruce Olson and his wonderful wife Betty will be taking on a new role as Associate Pastor. For 13 years, they have been faithfully loving and serving the people of Good News and this will continue as they hand over their head pastor duties to Pastor David of The Chapel.
The merger of the two churches had its beginnings with Good News as they were looking for ways to become more effective in reaching new people in East County. Through conversations with the Mt. Hood District leadership, the option of merging with The Chapel became the clear choice to accomplish their heart's desire. With several meetings accomplished, the Council and membership of Good News Foursquare church voted unanimously to pursue this end. With the request made, the Council of The Chapel fully agreed that not only would this be good for Good News, but it could also be good for The Chapel and on December 11th, the membership of The Chapel also sent a strong message with an overwhelming majority saying "yes" to the merge.With the approval of the International Church forthcoming, the people of Good News Foursquare Church and The Chapel will become one church. Both congregations will be meeting at Reynolds High School on Sunday mornings. The Good News Church building on 192nd will serve as an ancillary facility for additional ministries throughout the week. We invite anyone in our area to come and celebrate with us at 10:30 am on January 15th for our first Sunday together.
Monday, January 02, 2006
Happy New Year
A frined and gifted leader, every Monday sends out a few words of incouragement for the week. I really injoyed what he had to say today so I pass it on to you.
New Year's Day customs and tradition vary greatly around the world. Here in the United States we kiss our spouse at midnight (if you can stay up that late), set off fireworks, and declare new resolutions. In other places, they exchange gifts (Haiti), eat 12 grapes for good luck (Spain/Peru), eat bread with a coin buried in it (Greece), and on goes the list of New Year’s customs.
In Wales, at midnight they open the back door at the first strike of midnight... ushering out the past. At the twelfth strike, they open the front door... welcoming in the new! WOW, I love the concept. Christians can celebrate the New Year with whatever customs they choose, but we get to celebrate "new" all the time!
The Psalmist said: "He put a new song in my mouth!" Ezekiel declared: "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you." Paul wrote: "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone, and the new has come!"
As we enter the New Year, what "old" do you need to usher out the back door and what "new" do you need to open the front door to? Be bold... now is the time to receive His promise that "the new has come!"
This is truly a new year for The Chapel. I can say with convidence, this year will be like no other. I look forward to seeing the "new" happen with God's blessing.
A frined and gifted leader, every Monday sends out a few words of incouragement for the week. I really injoyed what he had to say today so I pass it on to you.
New Year's Day customs and tradition vary greatly around the world. Here in the United States we kiss our spouse at midnight (if you can stay up that late), set off fireworks, and declare new resolutions. In other places, they exchange gifts (Haiti), eat 12 grapes for good luck (Spain/Peru), eat bread with a coin buried in it (Greece), and on goes the list of New Year’s customs.
In Wales, at midnight they open the back door at the first strike of midnight... ushering out the past. At the twelfth strike, they open the front door... welcoming in the new! WOW, I love the concept. Christians can celebrate the New Year with whatever customs they choose, but we get to celebrate "new" all the time!
The Psalmist said: "He put a new song in my mouth!" Ezekiel declared: "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you." Paul wrote: "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone, and the new has come!"
As we enter the New Year, what "old" do you need to usher out the back door and what "new" do you need to open the front door to? Be bold... now is the time to receive His promise that "the new has come!"
This is truly a new year for The Chapel. I can say with convidence, this year will be like no other. I look forward to seeing the "new" happen with God's blessing.
Happy New Year.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
