|
|
 |
|---|---|
|
From the Pastor's Desk: February 2010 |
 |
Lenten Goal: A more fruitful congregation
One of the best things about serving as pastor of Perry Hall UMC
— other than being able to get to know each of you — is that it gives
me the opportunity to share (and sometimes brag like a proud sibling who gets
to talk about their sisters’ and brothers’ gifts and talents) all the
incredible things that happen in and outside our church.
Maybe we are sharing about our wonderful Music, Education or
Children and Youth ministries, or how we have touched so many people through
our Missions with the Deaf Church, Thrift Shop and Food Pantry, or any one of
the other programs that go on in our church.
The Scriptures remind us that in serving God, we are to
continually be on guard against getting complacent and to keep studying and
training ourselves to become even better disciples.
In
last month’s newsletter, I made the promise to start off everything I
do with prayer, and I asked God for guidance on how best to help Perry Hall
continue growing and serving as faithful disciples. A good friend offered me an
incredible Bible Study by Bishop Robert Schnase, “Five Practices of
Fruitful Congregations.”
I invite you to join together as a congregation, and with me and
other leaders of the church, to do a study on these Five Practices: Radical
Hospitality, Passionate Worship, Intentional Faith Development, Risk-taking
Mission and Service, and Extravagant Generosity.
Starting the first Sunday of Lent, Feb. 21, and continuing for
five weeks, I will focus my message each week on one of the five practices. For
our Lenten Bible Study each Wednesday, we invite you to join in an open and
frank discussion on the biblical basis of these practices. We will also look at
how we as a church are doing in each one of these areas and how we can improve
and do better and also look at maybe trying new approaches. If you have a
special interest in any of these practices and would like to help lead the
discussion, please contact me as soon as possible.
These Wednesday studies will be held at two different times: Noon
to 1:15 with lunch, Soup and Sandwich (love offering is taken to pay for meal);
and 6:30–7:45 p.m., where you are invited to bring your own dinner. Drinks
and dessert will be provided for both groups.
People may ask, “What if I cannot make all the sessions. Can
I still participate?” Absolutely! Yet, please do sign up. This is
important for two reasons: We need a head count for meals and refreshments and
to know how many books are needed each week. You will find a sign-up board in
the Narthex, just outside the Sanctuary. Please sign your name under each
Wednesday and which session you are able to attend.
I look forward to the opportunity to have you join us in this
Lenten Bible Study, and I hope that everyone will keep in prayer those who are
able to participate. For we will open each session with prayer and shall pray
for Perry Hall UMC, for you and for one another.
Blessings as we study together,
The Cross and Flame is a registered trademark and the use is supervised by the General Council on Finance and Administration of The United Methodist Church. Permission to use the Cross and Flame must be obtained from the General Council on Finance and Administration of The United Methodist Church — Legal Department, 1200 Davis Street, Evanston, IL 60201.