Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Sunday Splash!
We launched a new message series today entitled "Joyful Giving". It's been over two years since we last addressed the subject of stewardship at Sunset Chapel. Every consistent Bible reader knows that the scriptures have quite a bit to say on the subject of giving. As we glean from this message series the principles of giving and put them into action. It is my firm belief that your life will be forever changed! Following the teaching I really appreciated all the positive comments I received from individuals after the service. As we are all faithful to be open handed towards God's work. He will continue to pour into our lives numerous and great blessings!
There are two ways to make contributions to God's work at Sunset Chapel:
1. Each week you can place your tithe and offering envelope in the offering bag as it is passed down your row of seats!
2. You can go to sunsetchapel.com and follow the instructions to set up a one time or regular weekly or monthly online disbursement!
Believing that God has called me to trust Him more in my own life including the critical area of finances, my wife and I have made the choice to give up our regular salary for the next two weeks and trust that God will provide for our needs. Forgoing our regular salary will help the church with it's current financial needs. Stepping out into faith I've asked the board to receive an extra offering at the end of each service for the next two weeks and we will use whatever the amount that people contribute in this offering to meet our family obligations. We've been up front with everyone that the summer months have placed a real burden on the church budget, so we have decided after much prayer to live out Malachi 3:10 "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty,"and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it." We are returning our entire regular salary to the church and we are trusting that God will do an incredible and surprising work of provision in our lives. I hope you will all stand with us in faith as we trust him to supply our needs.
Today we kicked off our month long new members class and it's always exciting to me to see people take the next steps towards their personal involvement and spiritual growth. Growth in membership indicates the willingness of others to have a stake in the effectiveness, growth and vitality of a local church. It also affords me the opportunity to develop relationships with the many new people who have started to make Sunset Chapel their home church! God continues to lay the ground work for our future success in ministry!
Also this past Saturday I had the privilege of investing in the lives of three couples whose weddings I will be conducting in the next few months. Together we initiated 5-6 weeks of premarital counseling sessions that will help prepare them for their future as married couples. I am incredibly thrilled that they are making every effort to insure that their upcoming marriages are filled with lots of meaningful moments as they navigate through life together! I highly recommend every couple that is considering marriage to get premarital counseling to help prepare for their marriage! Topics such as communication, problem-solving, finances/budgeting, intimacy, spiritual priorities, etc are critical to the wholesome development of a great marriage!
During the morning service I announced two upcoming activities!
Our Second Annual "Thrill of the Grill-Tailgate Sunday" will be held on Sunday October 23! Immediately after our morning service everyone is invited to stick around and break out their grill for an afternoon of great food, fun and fellowship! (I will personally make my way around our parking lot to sample everyone's cooking expertise!) There will be a huge football game involving both guys and gals!! Other activities and games will be included! You will also have the opportunity to watch our local Dolphins play the Broncos and cheer them on to victory!!
We have also scheduled a College Connection Event for all our UM, FIU and Miami-Dade Community College students to join together for an afternoon hangout at our home on Sunday October 30th from 1:00-4:30 PM!! I am hoping that all our students will take this opportunity to connect together and hear my heart for your generation!!
Hope everyone has a great week!!
Pastor Russ
There are two ways to make contributions to God's work at Sunset Chapel:
1. Each week you can place your tithe and offering envelope in the offering bag as it is passed down your row of seats!
2. You can go to sunsetchapel.com and follow the instructions to set up a one time or regular weekly or monthly online disbursement!
Believing that God has called me to trust Him more in my own life including the critical area of finances, my wife and I have made the choice to give up our regular salary for the next two weeks and trust that God will provide for our needs. Forgoing our regular salary will help the church with it's current financial needs. Stepping out into faith I've asked the board to receive an extra offering at the end of each service for the next two weeks and we will use whatever the amount that people contribute in this offering to meet our family obligations. We've been up front with everyone that the summer months have placed a real burden on the church budget, so we have decided after much prayer to live out Malachi 3:10 "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty,"and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it." We are returning our entire regular salary to the church and we are trusting that God will do an incredible and surprising work of provision in our lives. I hope you will all stand with us in faith as we trust him to supply our needs.
Today we kicked off our month long new members class and it's always exciting to me to see people take the next steps towards their personal involvement and spiritual growth. Growth in membership indicates the willingness of others to have a stake in the effectiveness, growth and vitality of a local church. It also affords me the opportunity to develop relationships with the many new people who have started to make Sunset Chapel their home church! God continues to lay the ground work for our future success in ministry!
Also this past Saturday I had the privilege of investing in the lives of three couples whose weddings I will be conducting in the next few months. Together we initiated 5-6 weeks of premarital counseling sessions that will help prepare them for their future as married couples. I am incredibly thrilled that they are making every effort to insure that their upcoming marriages are filled with lots of meaningful moments as they navigate through life together! I highly recommend every couple that is considering marriage to get premarital counseling to help prepare for their marriage! Topics such as communication, problem-solving, finances/budgeting, intimacy, spiritual priorities, etc are critical to the wholesome development of a great marriage!
During the morning service I announced two upcoming activities!
Our Second Annual "Thrill of the Grill-Tailgate Sunday" will be held on Sunday October 23! Immediately after our morning service everyone is invited to stick around and break out their grill for an afternoon of great food, fun and fellowship! (I will personally make my way around our parking lot to sample everyone's cooking expertise!) There will be a huge football game involving both guys and gals!! Other activities and games will be included! You will also have the opportunity to watch our local Dolphins play the Broncos and cheer them on to victory!!
We have also scheduled a College Connection Event for all our UM, FIU and Miami-Dade Community College students to join together for an afternoon hangout at our home on Sunday October 30th from 1:00-4:30 PM!! I am hoping that all our students will take this opportunity to connect together and hear my heart for your generation!!
Hope everyone has a great week!!
Pastor Russ
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)