Hi Friends,
It feels good to feel good again! Thanks for all your prayers for me as I dealt with Bells Palsy, prednisone, that nasty cold… I think I’m around 90%, praying for 100% by next Thursday when Dave Ezell, Mike Kirk, and I take off for 10 days in Haiti! Speaking of Haiti, please remember to pray for Ron & Jeanne Whitted as they experience the final four days of their trip. And remember John Joiner as he finishes his time in Burundi.
There has been a TON of sickness going around! Many of you have probably already had a bad cold or the flu recently. Now, while I am always urging you to make coming to church a priority, let me give you permission to stay home if you are sick! We’re a sharing bunch, but these brutal illnesses are simply not nice to share with others!
This Sunday I will be speaking on a familiar story from Luke 19:1-10. Many of you probably remember the song “Zaccheus was a wee little man…” But this story is not only the inspiration for a cute kid’s song. It is packed full of insight for us to consider regarding our relationships with “sinners.” Do you have any unbelieving friends, relatives, acquaintances? How do you relate to them? Jesus was harshly criticized for being a “friend of sinners.” Can the same be said of us?
Please remember to prayerfully prepare your heart for worship. And this Sunday we will partake of the Communion elements together. Let us examine ourselves and pray for clean hands and pure hearts as we prepare for that important time.
For those who expressed interest in becoming members of FBC, remember our membership class is this Sunday from 12 to 3 p.m. Lunch will be provided. If you are interested in taking the class but have not talked to me about it yet, please let me know ASAP so we can be prepared for lunch!
May God continue working in us and through us as we grow in Extending the Lord’s Invitation! Speaking of that, we are about 30 days away from Easter! Please be praying for the people in your oikos (the 8 to 15 people in your sphere of influence) who you will be inviting to FBC to celebrate that He is risen!
Love From Your Pastor,
Michael