Hello FBC Friends!
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another. (Galatians 5:13-15)
What a great blessing it is to have freedom in Christ! But, as every parent knows, with freedom can come the danger of abusing that freedom. The best use of our Christian liberty is not in selfish pursuits, but in loving service to one another. That is one of the things I am so thankful for here at FBC. Many of you are demonstrating this truth through loving service. Paul echoes the words of Jesus when he says that the whole law is summed up by this: loving your neighbor as yourself. Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God with everything you are and have, and the second is “like it,” to love your neighbor. Here Paul leaves out the first one but includes the second. It’s as if he’s saying that loving your neighbor is loving the Lord. May we rejoice in our freedom we have because of Jesus, and may we use it to serve others and love our neighbor!
I want to thank everyone who came out last night for our first vision/informational meeting. We have the second meeting tomorrow (Friday) at 3pm. If you weren’t here yesterday and can make it tomorrow, we’d love to have you join us as we share our heart about the vision of the future!
Men – You are invited to our Men’s Retreat, here at the church, Friday starting at 5:30pm. We will have dinner together and will be watching and discussing a movie. Saturday at 7am, the retreat resumes with our monthly men’s breakfast at 7am. The retreat will continue with speakers and discussion around the biblical theme of shepherding, until around Noon. If you haven’t signed up yet, please contact Ivan Stutzman at 541-451-2976, so we can plan for food. Don’t miss out, men!
This Sunday I will be back in Revelation, with a message called, “Prepare the Trumpets” from Rev. 8:2-6. It would be great to read that ahead of time to prepare your heart. Consider especially verses 3-4, and think about the symbolism involved in the incense offered on the altar before the throne.
17 DAYS TO EASTER! Are you praying? Are you sharing with people in your “oikos”? This is a great time of year for that! Remember, we will have two services again this year, the first at 9am, the second at 11am. Experience Easter is April 3, Friday, starting at 5:30pm. Elizabeth still has a number of areas in need of helpers! Please see her (and/or the sign up sheets in the foyer). Please be in prayer for this special event and be inviting families with children!
Called to freedom, serving through love…
Love From Your Pastor,
Michael