So, I have decided to write this blog. To journal the story of Charity Bible..... We have been so blessed by the Lord. We have had several visitors over the past weeks. We also have some regular attendance by a couple of wonderful new families. God is Good.....Charity is growing.
I won't be writing up every sermon or service, but I will share special moments, things we are grateful for, important events and such....
Time has just been going so fast! Pastor Paul, Tabitha and family visited last week - they brought us some green hymnals from Open Door - this is really a blessing because Karen Marsh had recorded many songs for us (another blessing)- using the music from these hymn books and we were sort of struggling....
In addition to Karen's recordings, we also have live guitar music at some services - Dean has blessed us with his talent.
Speaking of blessings.....Scott and Terese have worked so hard - they seem to just take care of everything for us....music, financial tasks, bulletins, kid's pages, painting, decorating, the list goes on and on......soldiers for the Lord and true friends indeed. Charity would not be where it is at without their giving.....Thank you!!!
Oh, and we got our building permit this week! We'll be building some walls soon, an office for our Pastor, a kitchen area, an extra bathroom......exciting....
And I almost forgot the most important thing - we had our first communion service on Sunday evening, March 6th. It was wonderful.....Pastor Curtis preached about getting your heart right with God before receiving communion. It is not good to receive it unworthily. Then, in the evening, we had it family style, with the heads of each home passing out to their family. It was a blessed evening.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Another week
We learned that Caledonia has lost a wonderful young man. We hope to minister to them as they suffer through this loss.
Sunday Feb. 20th
Sermon - Real Hope
1 Peter 1 - our only Hope is in Jesus. He is a true and lasting hope. Thru faith we have this Hope- it is held in heaven - it does not fade away. Jesus resurrection is proof of our Hope. Any hope in anything else is corrupted. Our Hope in Jesus is more concrete than anything this world can provide. We can't manufacture it, it comes from and is kept by the power of God. We reveal our hope by the way we live it out. Be honest, be pure, plant seeds, have no hypocrisy, remember your personal testimony. Does your life reflect Christ? We can reach out to the community and give hope. Our hope is an anchor, it cannot be moved. Hebrews 6:17-19
"Which [hope] we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; "
If our hope is in Jesus - we won't worry about the other stuff. We will rest in the fact that God is in control. We will know this. We can live in the world, know that storms will come and He will carry us through. Put your arms around someone - make disciples - love them in the middle of where they are.
We came back for evening service - 20+ people
Sermon - Compassionate Shepherd
Curtis taught about the True Shepherd who cares about us - who laid down His life for us. We are to be one flock with one shepherd, listening to one voice.
John 10:11-18 - .....As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
Have you heard God's voice lately? Find some quiet time, turn everything off. God talks in a still, small voice.
Feb. 22 - candlelight vigil for the young man - Curtis was asked to pray and speak for a moment - He expressed sympathy, lifted the family up in prayer and told folks about our church.
Sunday Feb. 20th
Sermon - Real Hope
1 Peter 1 - our only Hope is in Jesus. He is a true and lasting hope. Thru faith we have this Hope- it is held in heaven - it does not fade away. Jesus resurrection is proof of our Hope. Any hope in anything else is corrupted. Our Hope in Jesus is more concrete than anything this world can provide. We can't manufacture it, it comes from and is kept by the power of God. We reveal our hope by the way we live it out. Be honest, be pure, plant seeds, have no hypocrisy, remember your personal testimony. Does your life reflect Christ? We can reach out to the community and give hope. Our hope is an anchor, it cannot be moved. Hebrews 6:17-19
"Which [hope] we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; "
If our hope is in Jesus - we won't worry about the other stuff. We will rest in the fact that God is in control. We will know this. We can live in the world, know that storms will come and He will carry us through. Put your arms around someone - make disciples - love them in the middle of where they are.
We came back for evening service - 20+ people
Sermon - Compassionate Shepherd
Curtis taught about the True Shepherd who cares about us - who laid down His life for us. We are to be one flock with one shepherd, listening to one voice.
John 10:11-18 - .....As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
Have you heard God's voice lately? Find some quiet time, turn everything off. God talks in a still, small voice.
Feb. 22 - candlelight vigil for the young man - Curtis was asked to pray and speak for a moment - He expressed sympathy, lifted the family up in prayer and told folks about our church.
Wow things happen fast around here
We found out our town meeting was this week - instead of next week! Curtis went on Wednesday night, accompanied by Matt and Jen Brandes - everything went very well and we were approved. Curtis was able to share with the town board about our vision for Charity Bible. We are official now.
Thursday night service - Feb. 17
Acts 2
We studied this chapter tonight - Curtis spent time sharing about the Day of Pentecost and how the Holy Spirit (The Comforter) came upon the new believers who were meeting in one accord (one mind, one purpose). How exciting - they heard the sound of wind - no wind - just the sound ....and how each could hear in their own language - what a miracle!
We had some new visitors tonight - so happy to meet new people. We were also encouraged by visitors from Open Door.
Thursday night service - Feb. 17
Acts 2
We studied this chapter tonight - Curtis spent time sharing about the Day of Pentecost and how the Holy Spirit (The Comforter) came upon the new believers who were meeting in one accord (one mind, one purpose). How exciting - they heard the sound of wind - no wind - just the sound ....and how each could hear in their own language - what a miracle!
We had some new visitors tonight - so happy to meet new people. We were also encouraged by visitors from Open Door.
Moving on......
Feb. 13th - second Sunday
We had 10 for service in the morning. Pastor Curtis asked us pray about the upcoming town meeting where we would be seeking permission to operate as a church in the town. He preached on how we should live like Christians - with loveliness, gentleness, patience and love. If His Spirit lives in me, there will be a natural outpouring. He used scripture from Ephesians 4 and I Corinthians 3:9-11. Our effort is not what matters, if we lift the Lord high, He will do it. The Word of God is real, it has value, get into it every day. We were encouraged to do things in such a way that the world sees we are different. The reason we are different is that we have a love relationship with our God. In our obedience, God is always glorified.
When we returned in the evening, we had 18 folks for service. John 15:12 "This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you." How does Jesus love us? He laid down His life for us. Husbands love your wives, children obey your parents. Our love for one another should be a servant type of love - giving without concern about getting anything back - unconditional. Show compassion - find the need and then minister to the people - no matter what it takes.
Today is the day before Valentine's Day - we wore our new t-shirts!
I love my husband - he is just the best - God gave him to me and he knew exactly what I needed.
We had 10 for service in the morning. Pastor Curtis asked us pray about the upcoming town meeting where we would be seeking permission to operate as a church in the town. He preached on how we should live like Christians - with loveliness, gentleness, patience and love. If His Spirit lives in me, there will be a natural outpouring. He used scripture from Ephesians 4 and I Corinthians 3:9-11. Our effort is not what matters, if we lift the Lord high, He will do it. The Word of God is real, it has value, get into it every day. We were encouraged to do things in such a way that the world sees we are different. The reason we are different is that we have a love relationship with our God. In our obedience, God is always glorified.
When we returned in the evening, we had 18 folks for service. John 15:12 "This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you." How does Jesus love us? He laid down His life for us. Husbands love your wives, children obey your parents. Our love for one another should be a servant type of love - giving without concern about getting anything back - unconditional. Show compassion - find the need and then minister to the people - no matter what it takes.
I love my husband - he is just the best - God gave him to me and he knew exactly what I needed.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
We found our home
On February 5th we were moved into our new home and prepared for our first service the next day. I had read somewhere that there is nothing like "the first service" in your new church plant. Well, Amen, I say, it was wonderful....
Check out these pictures:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?id=110406825695080&aid=22276
Pastor Curtis gave his first sermon on "A Little Faith" - faith like a mustard seed. We are here in Caledonia, to love people just the way they are. We hope to touch their lives in a real and different way - with Jesus. There were 12 people at the morning service and 16 in the evening! Dean and his family came to the evening service and we had live guitar music for our songs!!! It really touched my heart....
We are still waiting for town approval.....
Check out these pictures:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?id=110406825695080&aid=22276
Pastor Curtis gave his first sermon on "A Little Faith" - faith like a mustard seed. We are here in Caledonia, to love people just the way they are. We hope to touch their lives in a real and different way - with Jesus. There were 12 people at the morning service and 16 in the evening! Dean and his family came to the evening service and we had live guitar music for our songs!!! It really touched my heart....
We are still waiting for town approval.....
Hometown Holidays and Signing a Charter
On 12/11/2010, we went to Caledonia Hometown Holidays - we handed out some flyers about our church.
We signed our charter on 12/18/2010 and sent it off to the lawyer. Little did we know then that we would not be approved by the county until February!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?id=110406825695080&aid=17095
So, we took some time off to celebrate the holidays.
Shortly after the new year, we found a place to rent. We only stayed there a couple of weeks. We didn't sign the lease - God had a better place for us!
We did have a couple of meetings there and met some new people from Caledonia.....it was exciting to see how God was working.....
We signed our charter on 12/18/2010 and sent it off to the lawyer. Little did we know then that we would not be approved by the county until February!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?id=110406825695080&aid=17095
So, we took some time off to celebrate the holidays.
Shortly after the new year, we found a place to rent. We only stayed there a couple of weeks. We didn't sign the lease - God had a better place for us!
We did have a couple of meetings there and met some new people from Caledonia.....it was exciting to see how God was working.....
the work continues.....
December 4th
We meet and discuss lots of business...insurance, rentals, lawyer, by-laws, doctrine statement. Seems there is so much to do. We are anxious to get started. Beginning to look at rental options in the town.
Curtis shared these verses:
We are called to make disciples, not just decision makers.
We are to be holy.
Let us have love for one another and be set apart from sin.
We are committed to the start of Charity Bible.
We have quite a "to-do" list.....lots of questions, lots of unknowns.....trust God.
We meet and discuss lots of business...insurance, rentals, lawyer, by-laws, doctrine statement. Seems there is so much to do. We are anxious to get started. Beginning to look at rental options in the town.
Curtis shared these verses:
We are called to make disciples, not just decision makers.
| Mat 28:18 | And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. |
| Mat 28:19 | Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: |
| Mat 28:20 | Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen |
We are to be holy.
| 1Pe 1:16 | Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. |
Let us have love for one another and be set apart from sin.
| 1Jo 3:9 | Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. |
| 1Jo 3:10 | In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. |
| 1Jo 3:11 | For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. |
We are committed to the start of Charity Bible.
We have quite a "to-do" list.....lots of questions, lots of unknowns.....trust God.
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