Love From Your Pastor

“Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. By Myself I have sworn; from My mouth has gone out in righteousness a word that shall not return: ‘To Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance.'” (Isaiah 45:22-23 ESV)

Sorry this email is later than usual!

Tomorrow I will preach “Every Knee Will Bow” from Isaiah 45.  What a powerful chapter this is!  Salvation is found in the Lord alone, who calls His people by name.  Please read the chapter and come prepared to hear from the Lord!

You probably have all seen our 3 E’s — Exalt, Extend, Equip — which we refer to as our purpose at FBC. We haven’t talked a lot about them in awhile. At the start of this year I felt like the Lord was guiding us to try to focus in on those a bit more, and to specifically emphasize one of the E’s each year. So we’re going to start with our 2019 emphasis being on EQUIP.  This part of our purpose reminds us that our goal as a church is to equip the saints for the work of ministry. There are many ways the church is already doing this. But one way the elders and pastors have have been praying and talking about is trying to get more small groups started, and help get people plugged in to them. So you can be praying along with us. 

Another way I’d like to focus on equipping is by training as many as possible in discipleship. “Sonlife” is a ministry that aims to help churches do that more intentionally. Pastor Justin and I have been (slowly) working through and discussing a book by Dan Spader (founder of Sonlife) called 4 Chair Discipling. I’ve also been using a 50 day study book called “Knowing Him” from Sonlife with another man. It’s been great to study the life of Christ and focus on how He went about making disciples. Sonlife will be putting on a seminar in Albany on Saturday, February 23, that I’d like to invite all of you to come to.  If you click the following link, you can register yourself. The cost is $25. If finances are a hindrance for anyone, please let me know, and we will cover you.  If you are interested in the seminar, check out more info here: DISCIPLING SEMINAR. Then please reply to this email and let me know to expect you there!

Pastor Justin also asked me to share this with you: Survey – We are planning our 2nd annual mini conference for March 8-9.  This is a mini conference on parenting, raising children, teaching youth, etc.  We are looking for insights on what kinds of topics you would like covered.  Please click the link and fill out 2 question survey (1 minute).  Name is only needed if you want to enter for $10 Randy’s gift certificate awarded to one random winner of those who filled out survey.  
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QVP6GBB

Love From Your Pastor,

Michael