September on My Mind- Joyful Expectation
“For where two or three are gathered in My name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:20
“Powerful!”
“Church was beautiful Sunday!”
“I can get on board a format like this!”
That is just a sample of the comments, FB posts, text messages, and emails I received following this past Sunday’s End of Summer Faith Celebration. Our gathering was a glorious display of faith as ten young people were baptized, two people gave their lives to Jesus, many shared testimonies of God’s faithfulness, and all was sealed and celebrated over a delicious Tri-Tip lunch!
As we launch VISION MONTH this coming Sunday, we will focus on our three church pillars.
The first one is JOYFUL EXPECTATION. We believe that the Lord will meet us and move in our midst every time we gather together. Every time we attend a Sunday service, Wednesday Healing Night, or Life Group we are giving space for the Holy Spirit to speak and work in our lives. The Spirit of the Lord is present to break chains, lift burdens, heal bodies, deposit words, and energize our faith. 2 Corinthians 3:17 says, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom.”
Sundays are for being EQUIPPED to live a life of faith.
Sundays are for being ENCOURAGED by the love of others.
Sundays are for being EDIFIED by the worship and the teaching of the Word.
But in addition to all of this, we are to ENCOUNTER the glory of our God! Psalm 22:3 tells us, “Yet You are as the Holy One; You are the One Israel praises.” Our church attendance is so much more than checking off a box on our faith “to do” list. When we spend time in worship there is a transaction of releasing what is on our hands to receive what is in His! When we take communion each month, we believe there is an invitation that goes beyond a symbolic remembrance of Christ’s body and blood, but a place we can partake of His strength, peace, and wholeness for our lives. When we come to the teaching of God’s Word, we believe there is an impartation and revelation of promise that causes our sight to be faith, our focus to be Jesus, and our hope to be the Kingdom! When we have times of fellowship, praying for others, and serving we believe there is a connection that strengthens us.
As we move forward, we will be making room in our services for the Holy Spirit to speak and move. We will have more testimonies, times of response to the message, for “words” from the Spirit to be delivered, and for people to come to the altar for prayer/ministry. Truly, we expect and welcome the very words that our above the main doors of our sanctuary to come alive each Sunday: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8