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I’m excited about the new ministry being launched here at First Assembly. I am referring to the “Home Groups” that will be starting this month. This unique ministry provides an opportunity to build a strong church family in many ways.
First, it provides an opportunity for “discipleship.” Many times as a church, we have witnessed seeing individuals respond to an altar call and receive Christ as their Savior. However, over a period of time, they have quit coming for various reasons. I believe that through home
groups we can come along side of new Christians and help them to grow and mature in their
Christian journey. By meeting regularly with them and answering questions they may have about the Bible, a sermon that was preached, or how a Christian should respond to a particular situation, etc., will be helpful as we run this race of life together.
Second, it provides an opportunity for “evangelism.” I am a firm believer that
evangelism is crucial to the life of a church. Individuals that would be hesitant to attend a
service or event at the church, will usually respond to an invitation to come to your home for a small social gathering. Home groups give opportunity for unchurched friends and neighbors to meet people from the church in a neutral setting. As friendships are made, they will be more open to an invitation to attend a church event with friends they have met at a home group.
Also, as the gospel is presented in the home group setting, they would be more apt to ask questions and participate in the discussion. Our ultimate goal is to lead them into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Third, it provides an opportunity for “nurturing.” We all need to know we have people we can depend on, especially in a crisis situation. Home groups give the opportunity to
help others in your group when the need arises. When someone is hospitalized, in an accident, or sick, etc. your home group would be your first resource for assistance. Meal preparation, household chores, transportation to the doctor, child care, are just some of the services we can provide for one another in time of need.
Fourth, home groups provide an opportunity for “fellowship.” God has made us social creatures. We all enjoy being with friends and having a good time. Home groups can help meet that need. It may involve making some
adjustments to our schedules, but it will be well worth the effort. Home groups will be meeting on either Wednesday or Thursday night from 7:00- 8:15 p.m. Each group leader has a set of guidelines that will be discussed with the group about structure, agenda of meeting, childcare, etc. A list is posted on the bulletin board listing the host family names, day of meeting, and phone number to call for directions.
We would like to make up Thanksgiving baskets againthis year. The items needed are boneless turkey breast(5-8 lbs.), stuffing, gravy, instant potatoes, a large can ofcorn, a large can of green beans, rolls, fruit pie, andbutter. We need these items by Tuesday, November 23.We also are in need of medium size boxes. Please bringthese items to the kitchen off the main sanctuary. Thankyou for help.
I pray that you and your family will have a happy Thanksgiving, and remember to thank God for His many blessings.
— Pastor Jeff
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BUSINESS
ADMINISTRATOR
NOTES
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In reflecting back over the first ten months of this year, one thing I am struck by is the number of funerals I have attended. While these are understandably sad occasions, they can also be a time of celebrating when we know that the one who departed was secure in their salvation and is now in a better place. At one recent funeral the pastor shared two thoughts that gave me a new way of looking at the death of a friend or loved one. I thought I would share them in the hope that they might be a source of encouragement to anyone who is still grieving the passing of a friend or family member.
The first thought the pastor shared had to do with using the term “lost” when referring to the one that passed away. Webster’s dictionary defines lost as “not to be found or recovered.” The pastor’s point was that if the deceased was secure in their salvation, they are not lost. They have simply gone on to their heavenly home and we know where they are. If we are also secure in our salvation we will one day rejoin them and recover our relationship with them. Proverbs 10:2b and 11:4b both say “righteousness delivers from death.” This assures us that the earthly death of those who are saved leads to an eternal life in heaven.
The pastor’s second point dealt with how God views the worldly death of his children. Psalm 116:15 says “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” On casual reading we might wonder why would God think that someone’s death is a precious thing. The pastor compared the death of a saint in god’s eyes to human childbirth in our eyes. If you are a parent you know the sense of anticipation that builds through the pregnancy as you listen to the heartbeat, view the sonograms, and feel the movements of the unborn. As wonderful as that is, nothing can compare with the excitement of the birth and being able to wrap your arms around that precious child and hold it close to you in a loving embrace.
When a saint of God leaves this earth it becomes a birth into God’s heavenly home. God has been anticipating the arrival of another one of His children just as earthly parents anticipate the birth of a child. When that saint arrives in heaven it is precious in the sight of God, just as the arrival of a new child is precious to the parents. These thought provoking and comforting thoughts were shared at the funeral of my mother-in-law in early October.
— Steve Parsons |
